The crowd was speechless.
They knew Durmstrang wasn't at fault—they were simply cursed with terrible luck.
Of course, one could also say Beauxbatons were extraordinarily fortunate. After all, no one expected the path Fleur was scouting to intersect with Krum's inevitable route.
Fleur darted toward an inactive stone pillar she'd spotted earlier.
The audience realized the standings were now locked in.
Hogwarts, with four pillars secured, held first place with absolute certainty. This wasn't just due to their skill, but because they possessed a natural advantage in this type of scavenger hunt.
What stunned everyone, however, was that Beauxbatons had claimed second place with three points!
Hogwarts unfortunately settled for third.
As for Durmstrang... best not to mention them.
Yet despite the results, no one moved to leave. Instead, they waited with bated breath.
They knew the third trial wasn't over.
The main event was about to begin.
Elsewhere, beside Voldemort, Erwin had vanished without a trace.
Deep within the Changbai Mountains, a dense forest stretched endlessly.
Several Cavendish family members waited there, including Old Tom.
Seeing Erwin approach, they bowed immediately.
"Master!"
Erwin nodded.
Old Tom stepped forward. "Everything is ready, Master."
"Then begin," Erwin said. "Hogwarts has already activated the eighth pillar. Fleur will reach the final one soon."
Old Tom hesitated. "Master, why not use our own people? They're more reliable."
Erwin shook his head. "There's an age restriction. Only those under eighteen may enter."
Old Tom was taken aback—he hadn't known.
"My apologies, Master. I wasn't aware."
"It's not your fault; I only confirmed it recently," Erwin replied. "Beyond age, there are strength requirements. That's why I can't use the Cavendish family, nor can I participate myself."
Just then, a roar shattered the silence.
From the heart of the Changbai Mountains, a spectral white dragon soared into the sky, its phantom vast and majestic.
The audience gasped.
"What is that?"
"A dragon from Eastern legends! It looks nothing like Western dragons—longer, more majestic!"
"I thought it was just myth! Did such creatures actually exist?"
Excited chatter erupted as they watched the white dragon drift through the sky.
In the Kunlun Mountains, the Sect Leader's gaze snapped toward Changbai.
"It has begun."
The elders exchanged solemn glances.
"Should we mobilize?"
The Sect Leader shook his head. "No need. He chose this path, so he must be prepared. If we interfere, it won't change anything. Instead, let us take the lead. Issue my command: recall all disciples from outside regions and gather them at Changbai Mountains."
The elders bowed. "Yes, Sect Leader!"
Inside the Changbai Mountains, Sunny Finch frowned at the silver-white dragon phantom above.
"The legend... could it be real?"
A junior asked, "Senior Sun, what legend?"
"The story that Eastern lands are where the dragon ascended," Sunny Finch explained. "The earliest transcendent realm originated here. Other lands lacked such concepts not because they were barren, but because dragon veins encircled these lands, binding all mystical power within their borders. Later, the First Emperor contacted early Qi cultivators and used their strength to unify the six kingdoms, ushering in the transcendent era."
She paused. "The First Emperor sought immortality. He ordered Felix Xu—the strongest Qi cultivator of that time—to use the dragon veins as a catalyst to refine an elixir. It failed. Fearing the Emperor's wrath, Felix Xu fled. But his use of the dragon veins' power caused damage. Instead of remaining sealed, that power dissipated beyond our borders."
"Furthermore," she continued, "the unleashed dragon veins birthed countless demons and monsters. Later, our Kunlun Ancestor appeared, roaming the world, vanquishing evil. But it wasn't enough to stop the chaos. Then, during the Ming Dynasty, a figure emerged in Kunlun."
A student interrupted, "Ancestor Qingtian!"
"Correct," Sunny Finch nodded. "Bowen Liu, the Qingtian Hermit. In our circles, we call him Qingtian Zhenren. He devised a plan: to seal the dragon veins completely. That is the origin of the story about Bowen Liu severing the dragon veins. Many famous mountains and rivers were said to be dragon veins, but Ancestor Qingtian sealed them underground, using their power to construct a national protective formation. As you know, during a dark period in our history, the formation malfunctioned, forcing Kunlun to devote all resources to repairs."
"This gave foreign enemies the opportunity to invade," she concluded. "I always thought it was just legend. But now... it seems the dragon vein is real."
The British contestants stared at the phantom, hearts stirred.
One whispered, "Have we released the dragon vein? Have we caused trouble?"
Faces paled.
Sunny Finch scoffed. "Speculation is useless. If this were truly dangerous, our elders would have intervened. Their silence means it's acceptable. Why worry?"
The others nodded. She was right.
If there were real danger, Kunlun wouldn't stand idle.
They let it go.
Sunny Finch, however, stared at the phantom, eyes narrowed.
Erwin, what are you planning?
And what purpose does the dragon vein serve?
Questions swirled in her mind, unanswered.