The location of the Alchemy Assembly was in the northern area of the inner region, and that place had already been occupied by an overwhelming sea of people several days ago. When Xiao Yan and his companions arrived, all they could see was a dense ocean of heads extending to the horizon. The deafening clamor rose into the sky, transforming into a terrifying sound wave that spread out. Within a hundred miles, everyone could hear it clearly.
Xiao Yan and his group stood on top of a building, looking around and discovering that this area was an enormous plaza nearly a thousand zhang in size. Suspended in the middle of the air in the plaza were numerous stone platforms, shimmering with a faint light. They appeared quite mysterious.
“Those stone platforms are the final seats for the contestants,” Ye Zhong pointed at the floating stone platforms that were under the gaze of the crowd and smiled.
“Final seats?” Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s eyebrows raised slightly.
“Hehe, the Alchemy Assembly is extremely grand; it’s not that anyone who participates will have the qualifications to stand on the stage. Before entering the venue, there are actually two selection checkpoints,” Ye Zhong said with a smile, pointing at the vast square that seemed to stretch infinitely: “Can you see that dark gray space in the distance?”
Following the direction Ye Zhong pointed, Xiao Yan indeed saw a dark gray expanse. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the space had been artificially distorted, and within that twisted space, a deep gray gas that could block one’s vision filled the area.
“The most basic requirement for participating in the Alchemy Assembly is to reach the Fifth Grade Alchemist level. That dark gray space is the first checkpoint, also known as the Illusionary Gate. The deep gray gas is produced by the body of a mystical beast called the Phantasmal Soul Beast. It not only blocks vision but also creates some hindrance to the perception of the soul. Additionally, there are many mysteries within that space; it’s like a labyrinth, and once you enter, you’ll lose your sense of direction. Getting lost in it means losing your qualification to participate if you don’t leave within the specified time,” Ye Zhong explained with a smile.
Xiao Yan nodded slowly, his eyes flickering with a strange light. The selection process of the Alchemy Assembly was indeed no ordinary means.
“If you pass the Illusionary Gate, you will have the qualifications to enter the Alchemy Realm…” As Ye Zhong spoke of the Alchemy Realm, his expression became much more serious.
“Alchemy Realm?”
“I told you before that, after the start of the Alchemy Assembly, all contestants would enter a strange place, and that place is the Alchemy Realm…” Ye Zhong nodded slowly, explaining: “The Alchemy Realm is a spatial area allegedly created long ago by a Dou Sheng powerhouse from the Pill Tower. However, due to some reasons, the Alchemy Realm gradually declined. But that Alchemy Realm is an absolute treasure trove for countless alchemists. There are countless heavenly materials, earthly treasures, and rare medicinal herbs that are hard to find outside. Those with the qualifications to enter will be given a list containing some rare medicinal herbs, and they need to acquire these herbs using their own abilities within the Alchemy Realm. Only then can they exchange the herbs for a spatial stone at the exit and emerge from the Alchemy Realm to participate in the final competition!”
“And those stone platforms in the sky are set up for the successful contestants who make it through the final checkpoint. Not everyone has the qualifications to go up there…”
“Indeed, the Alchemy Assembly lives up to its name,” Xiao Yan nodded gently, praising. After such a rigorous selection process, all the imposters would be eliminated, leaving only the true elites of the assembly!
“What happens inside the Alchemy Realm usually does not attract the attention of the Pill Tower, and as long as things are done discreetly, no one will know. Although this selection process is quite strict, reality is far more ruthless than a competition. If you can’t even pass this test, how can you stand firm on the mainland and become a true master?” Ye Zhong smiled lightly, saying, “So, if you encounter Xuan Ming Sect’s Chen Xian in the Alchemy Realm, just go ahead and deal with him…”
Xiao Yan smiled, but a cold gleam flickered in his pitch-black eyes. Chen Xian had sold his information to the Hall of Souls, and this debt needed to be settled.
*Clang!*
As Xiao Yan and Ye Zhong conversed, a clear bell toll suddenly resonated across the area. The majestic sound of the bell expanded, overpowering even the ear-deafening noise. As the bell tolled, the area became much quieter, and countless gazes shifted to the towering stone platform to the east, where the high-ranking members of the Pill Tower would appear…
Shortly after the bell sound, a series of wind-shredding sounds echoed, and the space on the stone platform began to distort. Slowly, over a dozen figures appeared…
Xiao Yan’s gaze swept over the dozen or so figures, finally stopping on the three figures in the center. Among them was one whom Xiao Yan had met before—Xuan Kongzi, one of the Pill Tower’s giants. On either side of him were two individuals whose auras were completely indiscernible. The old man on his left had very dark skin and a tightly drawn face, giving off a stern and unapproachable feeling. His eyes flashed like lightning, causing pain to the soul. The figure on the right, however, surprised Xiao Yan. It was a beautiful woman in a cheongsam. Although Xiao Yan could tell that she was definitely not younger than Xuan Kongzi, her appearance looked like that of a woman in her thirties. Her demeanor was calm, exuding a charm refined by the years.
This was the first time Xiao Yan had seen the black-skinned elder and the elegant woman, but given their position next to Xuan Kongzi, it was clear that they must be the other two giants of the Pill Tower!
The moment these three figures appeared, the entire area grew much quieter. The endless sea of people, with gazes filled with various emotions, all converged on the three of them. The three giants of the Pill Tower were renowned names, not only in the Central Plains but also throughout the entire Continent of Dou Qi, making them legendary figures. Their sudden appearance made countless people feel as if they were witnessing something unbelievable…
“Hehe, I am Xuan Kongzi, and I welcome all the alchemists who have come here on behalf of the Pill Tower. In the coming days, this will be your stage to showcase your skills…” Xuan Kongzi, with white hair, walked out slowly, his gentle voice ringing clearly in the ears of everyone present…
The whole area was deathly silent. Even the fiercest and most rebellious individuals could only restrain their ferocity at this moment, not daring to challenge even the slightest bit. After all, the three figures on the stone platform were almost at the pinnacle of power on this continent…
“Dear alchemists, you’ve traveled far to attend the Alchemy Assembly, so I won’t waste any more time here. Hehe, the Alchemy Assembly, as always, is divided into three stages. First… Xiao Yan listened quietly as Xuan Kongzi introduced the selection process of the Alchemy Assembly, finding it to be mostly as Ye Zhong had described. Clearly, these rules were the standard form for every Alchemy Assembly.
“Only by passing these three stages will the final standing contestant become the champion of this Alchemy Assembly…”
Xuan Kongzi’s gaze fell on the sea of people, who were stirred by the word “champion.” He smiled faintly and continued, “The champion of this session will not only gain the candidate spot for the Pill Tower’s giants but will also receive an ancient soul cultivation method. Reaching the Eighth or Ninth Grade tier will be just a matter of time!”
A loud commotion erupted from the dense sea of people as Xuan Kongzi’s words landed. The eyes of the countless alchemists turned blood-red. Eighth Grade? Ninth Grade? Such almost mythical levels seemed worlds apart, but with the ancient soul cultivation method, the gap would close drastically!
This prize had a fatal attraction for all alchemists, and even Xiao Yan could not resist its allure. Thus, after Xuan Kongzi’s words, his breathing unconsciously became heavier. He knew very well how rare and precious ancient soul cultivation methods were. Such treasures could truly be described as priceless!
“Regardless, I must vie for that champion’s title!”
Xiao Yan clenched his fists, a fiery glint in his eyes. Though he could care less about the candidate spot, he could not ignore the soul cultivation method. He knew that to become a Ninth Grade Alchemist, the soul cultivation method was indispensable. Therefore, no matter what, just for that, he must give it his all!
On the high platform, Xuan Kongzi saw the eyes of the people turn blood-red and smiled. Looking up at the sky, he waved his sleeves, and an intangible ripple spread out, striking the air and producing another long, resonant bell sound.
“It is time. All participants above Fifth Grade, please enter the first gate, the Soul Illusionary Gateway!”
Xuan Kongzi’s fingers suddenly turned toward the vast plaza, where the dark gray space rapidly twisted, forming a series of strange worlds, displaying countless mysteries.
*Boom!*
As Xuan Kongzi’s words ended, in the endless sea of people, figures began darting out like locusts, crossing the sky and entering the twisted space…
Seeing the continuous influx of figures, Xiao Yan took a deep breath and stepped forward.
“Go for it!” He heard the cheering from Little Healer Immortal and the others, smiled, and stomped his foot, his body turning into a shadow and dashing into the dark gray, twisted space without hesitation.
The fierce competition of the Alchemy Assembly had officially begun!
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