Under the gaze of all present, Xiao Yan, with a lean figure, stood out among the crowd. Xuan Kongzi, standing on the high platform, smiled slightly and then stepped forward. His gaze swept across the sky, finally settling upon the slender silhouette. “At this juncture, I will not say more. The Pill Thunder has dissipated, so I now invite all participants to present the pills they have refined.”
Hearing Xuan Kongzi’s voice, the dozen or so people still standing on the stone platform hesitated for a moment. Then, one by one, they released their polished and lustrous pills, which floated in front of them. As these pills appeared, the fragrance of the pills in the air instantly became much richer.
Countless gazes followed, and among the floating pills, nine were like night pearls. Although these pills looked good enough and would certainly attract a lot of attention as grade seven high-level pills, they did not garner much notice at that moment. This was because above those nine grade seven high-level pills, five pills shrouded in faint spiritual mist hovered in the air.
Despite their similar appearance, the difference between grade seven and grade eight pills was immediately apparent, even to those who knew nothing about alchemy. Grade seven pills, no matter how concentrated in energy, remained dead, while grade eight pills had their own spiritual essence, making them alive or spiritual.
The five grade eight pills, just appearing, maintained a certain distance from each other. Among them, Cao Ying and Dan Chen’s pills had weaker spiritual presence, with faint spiritual mists hovering around them, vaguely forming the shapes of a fox and a rabbit. The fact that these grade eight pills could indeed manifest themselves spiritually was indeed true and astonishing.
Curious gazes fell upon the five grade eight pills in the sky. This spectacle was indeed rare, and many were witnessing it for the first time. The grade eight pills were truly extraordinary.
Not far from Cao Ying and Dan Chen’s two pills, another three considerably larger pills hovered. Among them, the pill of the old monster Qing Hua had formed into a bear-like shape but showed no signs of contention. It guarded its territory, knowing it could not withstand the fierce presence of the other two.
Surrounded by the three grade eight pills, Mu Gu Lao Ren’s pill, which had caused a four-colored Pill Thunder, was full of spirit energy, forming a tiger-like shape. It continually growled at Xiao Yan’s Blood Bone Fusion Pill, seemingly resenting the latter for stealing its glory.
However, before it could finish, rich spiritual energy suddenly surged around the Blood Bone Fusion Pill, transforming into a small dragon about half a meter long. It whipped its tail and struck Mu Gu Lao Ren’s tiger-like pill, causing it to emit a pitiful wail. The blood-red dragon, having been baptized by the five-colored Pill Thunder, was far too powerful for the four-colored thunder to contend with.
As the pills transformed, beams of light emerged, arranging themselves in the shape of a pyramid in the sky. At the apex of the pyramid, a small, spirit-filled dragon let out a roar, its brilliant light bursting forth like a radiant sun. In that instant, everyone could clearly sense the terrifying and pure power contained within the tiny pills.
Xuan Kongzi, standing on the high platform, watched the other pills cowed by Xiao Yan’s Blood Bone Fusion Pill, and couldn’t help but smile. He then announced loudly, “Pills are esteemed by their spirit. Today, the most revered pill of this Alchemist Conference has been born, and its creator is the ultimate champion… he is, Xiao Yan!”
Upon hearing Xuan Kongzi’s brief and forceful words, countless gazes shifted toward the stone platform. After a moment, deafening cheers erupted, shaking the very heavens.
They witnessed a miracle, a display of heroic spirit where one person turned the tide with sheer will.
This heroic spirit stirred the hearts of all, making their blood boil.
Standing on the stone platform, Xiao Yan gazed down at the boiling square, unable to hide a smile. He then looked towards the horizon, whispering in his heart, “Teacher, your disciple has not disgraced you…”
Cao Ying and others looked at Xiao Yan with envy, who was under the watchful eyes of thousands. At this moment, he was undoubtedly the most dazzling star in the field.
The Champion of the Alchemist Conference was a qualification, a symbol of a peak powerhouse. Every past champion had eventually become one of the top beings in this world. This alone made it clear how much potential the seemingly slender young man possessed.
Song Qing stared at Xiao Yan with a complex expression, jealousy in his eyes, but more so, a sense of helplessness. Xiao Yan’s performance had left him with a deep sense of defeat, and even the thought of catching up seemed impossible.
“Damn it!” The angriest, of course, was Mu Gu Lao Ren. The championship, almost in his grasp, had suddenly flown away, and he was also mocked by Xiao Yan. How could he, a well-known alchemy master in the Central Plains, not feel enraged?
Though he was furious, he had no recourse but to watch the highest honor of the championship settle on Xiao Yan’s head. His red-tinged eyes, along with the low, deep voice, carried the promise, “Don’t be too happy, boy. I swear I will personally deal with you!”
Xiao Yan smirked, glancing at the Heavenly Demon Puppet beside him. His eyes flickered with cold intent. He harbored a strong, unyielding killing intent towards Mu Gu Lao Ren. Once the three-thousand-petal flame matter was resolved, he would make that old man understand who was the real threat!
With the Earthly Demon Puppet evolving into the Heavenly Demon Puppet, and the addition of Little Healing Immortal and Heavenly Fire Venerable, he now had three Dou Zun experts at his side. Such a formidable lineup would make handling Mu Gu Lao Ren not difficult at all.
After nearly ten minutes, the thunderous applause gradually subsided. Xuan Kongzi, smiling at Xiao Yan on the stone platform, said, “Xiao Yan, you have won the championship of the Alchemist Conference and will be a candidate for one of the future giants of the Dan Tower.”
As Xuan Kongzi spoke, countless envious and jealous gazes fell on Xiao Yan. Being a candidate for the future giant of the Dan Tower meant that Xiao Yan had a chance to become one of the top powers in the Dou Qi Continent.
Everyone present knew the kind of influence the giants of the Dan Tower wielded. They were the spiritual leaders of innumerable alchemists! The Dan Tower, though not at war with anyone, was an ancient force whose formidable power no one doubted.
In the midst of the countless envious gazes, Xiao Yan nodded slightly, accepting the role without refusal, regardless of whether he would truly become a giant of the Dan Tower in the future.
“As the champion, as previously stated, you will receive a scroll of an ancient soul-cultivating method.” Xuan Kongzi waved his hand, and an ancient sheepskin scroll appeared in his hand. With a flick of his wrist, the ancient scroll flew swiftly towards Xiao Yan, accompanied by a beam of light.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan’s face lit up with delight. Having reached the eighth-grade, if he wanted to progress further, he needed a soul-cultivating method. The incantation he had learned from the Spirit-Nurturing Dust was too short, and although it might occasionally be useful, it could not help him further improve.
Therefore, this ancient soul-cultivating method was extremely important to him. He curled his fingers, catching the light, and when it dissipated, the ancient sheepskin scroll was revealed. Touching it, a strange, faint sensation welled up in his heart.
“Indeed, a good thing.” Sensing the peculiar sensation, Xiao Yan secretly praised it. “With this, I should be able to stabilize my soul realm quickly.”
Though he was curious about the soul-cultivating method, now was not the time to examine it. He flipped his hand, stowing the scroll into his storage ring, and then turned to Xuan Kongzi, bowing in respect.
Seeing Xiao Yan’s satisfied expression, Xuan Kongzi smiled. As the deafening applause faded, he continued, “The champion has been decided. Two days from now, the Star Domain will open. Those who rank in the top ten of the Alchemist Conference will have the chance to enter and subdue the three-thousand-petal flame!”
Xuan Kongzi’s words sparked excitement in Xiao Yan, who had worked hard to reach this point for the three-thousand-petal flame. Now, the legendary indestructible fire was finally within reach.
Of course, excitement filled not only Xiao Yan but also everyone else, including Mu Gu Lao Ren, whose eyes blazed with zeal. The three-thousand-petal flame held a great allure for them as well.
Seeing the thrill on their faces, everyone knew that the grand Alchemist Conference was nearing its end. But the battle wasn’t over—the target was now the legendary three-thousand-petal flame. Who would ultimately possess this wondrous item? Everyone in the audience was filled with anticipation and curiosity.
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