Today, the Holy Flame Church was full of bl.u.s.ter. Hundreds of n.o.bles flooded its halls, eager for the compet.i.tion to start. Many had already taken their seats in the arena, awaiting the compet.i.tors' entrance.

　　Meanwhile, said compet.i.tors were completing their last arrangements.

　　...

　　"Take those two Saint-Origin Pills."

　　Elmar ordered while extending two golden pills to Nils and Holger.

　　Holger looked at them with confusion while Nils appeared slightly detached.

　　"Elder brother, is that really necessary? This is…such a waste."

　　Even for the imperial family, Saint-Origin Pills were in short supply. Their worth didn't fully exert itself before the Transcendent and Semi-Holy Rank. Beneath those ranks, using them was a waste.

　　Arch-Knights and Priests could not absorb even one-tenth of the pill's power. For Elmar to pull out two required considerable resources. Thus, Holger really couldn't bear using them at his current level.

　　"Better be safe than sorry. I ran a background check on your opponent and failed to find anything of interest. But the less we find, the more suspicious he is. With house Kracht's resources, they absolutely cannot train such a talent. I suspect a Saint behind the scenes.

　　Who knows what resources he has at his disposal? We must not act sloppily. Don't worry, I will help you two refine the pills and minimize the losses. What you cannot digest, you can store and use in the future.

　　Other benefits aside, the sheer holy power should be enough for a breakthrough. In any case, those pills belong to you."

　　Holger said nothing more. However, he was inwardly full of apprehension. The more a.s.surance he had in victory, the more uneasy he felt.

　　His life was in Konrad's hands. How dared he defeat him? However, if he showed flaws, Elmar would definitely spot them and cause more trouble. Even if he didn't want to, he had to try his hardest!

　　Meanwhile, Nils maintained an absentminded look. Spotting the abnormal behavior, Elmar frowned.

　　"Nils' what's wrong with you?"

　　"Nothing."

　　She instantly replied and s.h.i.+fted her attention back to him.

　　"According to you, what level can I reach after taking this pill? And how much more powerful will my physique be?"

　　Elmar's frown deepened. Although dedicated to cultivation, Nils usually didn't pay much attention to her battle power. If anything, her immersion in cultivation was more of a tactic to avoid loneliness.

　　"At least two levels. As for your physique, you only have a one percent chance of unlocking a holy const.i.tution. However, I can guarantee your flesh will at least reach the Transcendent Rank.

　　Beneath the Transcendent Rank, nothing will be able to injure you."

　　Most physiques were innate and improved with the cultivation. People born with special physiques far beyond their levels were few and far between. And with time, unless nurtured by powerful pills and elixirs, cultivation would always catch up to the physique level.

　　Elmar for example currently possessed a Holy Physique. However, with the imperial family's resources, he could not bring it to the next level. Unless he grasped new opportunities, his cultivation would one day catch up to it.

　　"That should be good enough. Elder brother, please help me refine it."

　　...

　　Meanwhile, house Kracht was getting anxious.

　　"He's in a trance? Now of all times?

　　What should we do?"

　　Daphne complained while standing outside Konrad's chambers. The compet.i.tion was starting in one hour, and the contestants were all expected to gather at least half an hour beforehand. However, Zamira was now telling them that Konrad had entered a cultivation trance?