After nearly a month of commotion, the vast sea of people surrounding the square finally began to disperse as the Pill Convention came to an end. Nonetheless, the city was still enveloped in an exhilarating atmosphere. The intensity of this Pill Convention far exceeded everyone’s expectations; just thinking about those actions that turned the tide could make one’s blood boil.
Amidst the noise, night stealthily covered this bustling metropolis. The streets, brightly lit, were still filled with a constant flow of people. On everyone’s lips were conversations about the Pill Convention, and more importantly, the champion—Xiao Yan, the young man who had created a miracle.
The once unfamiliar name was now deeply etched in everyone’s minds. They knew that it wouldn’t be long before this name would resound throughout the Central Continent. At that time, he would be the most dazzling young star in the Central Continent.
While the entire city was still in a frenzy, the numerous participants, after almost a month of alchemy, were like exhausted corpses, fleeing back to their dwellings, and then collapsing to sleep like dead dogs. This included Xiao Yan. Elixirs of the Eighth Grade were not as easy to refine as imagined, and to forcibly enhance the elixir’s spirituality, Xiao Yan had nearly exhausted all his soul strength. Such depletion was terrifying. Therefore, immediately after the Pill Convention, he returned to his room, closed his eyes, and the night enveloped him.
Little Healer Immortal and others were well aware of Xiao Yan’s fatigue, so no one disturbed him, allowing him to sleep soundly. When Xiao Yan gradually woke from his sleep, the sky was already completely shrouded by night, and faintly, excited laughter and conversation could be heard from outside.
For safety reasons, Xiao Yan and his companions had moved from the Ye Courtyard to the Pill Tower. This would guard against any potential schemes from the Hall of Souls. Rising from the bed, Xiao Yan washed quickly and hurried out of the room. Before he rested, Xuan Kongzi had warned him to visit him after resting.
“Creak…” Pushing open the door, he saw the hall filled with many people, including Little Healer Immortal, Heavenly Fire Venerable, Ye Zhong, and others.
“You’re finally awake. The Pill Tower people have come to urge you several times, but I turned them away,” Little Healer Immortal smiled warmly as she watched Xiao Yan emerge.
“Thanks.” Xiao Yan nodded with a smile, “I’ll go now. You guys take care.”
Without staying, Xiao Yan chatted briefly with them and then hurried out, heading straight for the top of the Pill Tower. Along the way, he encountered many alchemists from the Pill Tower. As soon as they saw Xiao Yan, they respectfully stepped aside, their gazes filled with some reverence. Xiao Yan’s performance at the Pill Convention had saved the Pill Tower’s face, and indirectly, their own.
Moreover, with the level of alchemy Xiao Yan had displayed, he deserved such treatment. However, despite being accustomed to it, Xiao Yan felt somewhat uncomfortable with the constant reverent gazes. Feeling that he must at least return a smile to those who respected him, his face was almost in a permanent grin. Eventually, unable to bear it, he sped up, leaving behind astonished gazes, and rushed towards the top of the Pill Tower.
After about ten minutes, Xiao Yan finally arrived outside the main hall on the top floor. Rubbing his face, he then gently knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Xuan Kongzi’s faint laugh sounded as Xiao Yan’s fingers touched the door.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan pushed the door open and found many figures standing inside. Cao Ying, Dan Chen, and Song Qing were among them, and there were three other figures. At the center was Xuan Kongzi, flanked by the beautiful woman and the dark-skinned elder he had seen during the day.
As Xiao Yan entered the hall, all eyes were on him. Having won the Pill Convention, Xiao Yan, in a sense, was part of the Pill Tower, and his status as a candidate was quite high. Even ordinary elders would be polite.
“Haha, our champion has arrived,” Xuan Kongzi smiled and joked as he saw Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan smiled wryly, stepped forward, and stood alongside Cao Ying and the others, then respectfully bowed to Xuan Kongzi and the two others.
“Let me introduce you,” Xuan Kongzi smiled, pointing to the beautiful woman beside him, who was looking at Xiao Yan with a gentle gaze. “This is President Xuan Yi. She has a deep relationship with your teacher. You can call her Aunt Xuan.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan was stunned. Seeing the playful smile on Xuan Kongzi’s face, his mouth twitched, and he looked at the beautiful woman in shock. Could this be the legendary teacher’s wife?
“You old fool, what nonsense are you spouting?” Under Xiao Yan’s shocked gaze, the beautiful woman named Xuan Yi blushed slightly, glared at Xuan Kongzi, and then turned to Xiao Yan, saying softly, “You’re Xiao Yan, right? That old fogey, Yao Chen, has indeed taken a good disciple this time.”
Seeing Xuan Yi’s reaction, Xiao Yan understood that she must have a special relationship with his teacher. Not daring to be impolite, if his guess was correct, he would have to kowtow and offer tea.
“Xiao Yan pays respects to… Aunt Xuan,” he hesitated but, seeing Xuan Kongzi giving him a signal, quickly changed his address.
Hearing this, President Xuan Yi also looked surprised, then blushed slightly again, looking at Xiao Yan with an even gentler gaze, as if she were looking at her own younger relative.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan secretly sighed in relief. Although he didn’t know if his teacher really had a relationship with her, it was clear that Xuan Yi had feelings for Yao Chen. It seemed that his teacher had left a lot of affection behind.
“This is President Tian Lei Zi…” Xuan Kongzi turned to the dark-skinned, stern-faced elder beside him and introduced.
“Junior Xiao Yan pays respects to President Tian Lei Zi,” Xiao Yan quickly bowed again. These three were top-notch figures on the continent, and being respectful was always the right course of action.
“Hmm, thank you for this Pill Convention,” Tian Lei Zi, normally cold and stern, softened his expression, though his voice remained low and imposing.
“Hehe, don’t be scared. This old guy has always been like this,” Xuan Kongzi laughed from the side.
Xiao Yan nodded, understanding that great people must have their own demeanor.
“Since we are all here, let’s get to the point.” Xuan Kongzi’s expression became serious. “The day after tomorrow, the Star Realm will be opened, and you will enter to subdue the Three Thousand Flame Flames.”
“The Star Realm is a space we three tore apart and sealed, hiding it in the stars. The Three Thousand Flame Flames are also sealed within.”
Hearing about the Three Thousand Flame Flames, Xiao Yan’s spirits lifted, and he listened attentively.
“Due to the long sealing, the Three Thousand Flame Flames have a deep hatred for the Pill Tower, especially for us three. If it breaks free, it will seek revenge.”
“This time, if someone can tame the Three Thousand Flame Flames, that would be fine, but we worry that if no one can and it is released, it might destroy Holy Pill City.”
“President Xuan Kongzi, are you talking about the Hall of Souls?” Xiao Yan’s eyes flashed, and he said softly.
“Yes!” Xuan Kongzi nodded slowly, his eyes turning cold. “Old Man Mu Guyan disappeared after the Pill Convention. Even we three couldn’t find him. Clearly, he is hiding to avoid our trouble.”
“The Hall of Souls and our Pill Tower have always had a poor relationship. Given the chance to strike at us, they won’t hesitate, and Mu Guyan’s arrival suggests they have a plan…”
“We cannot let the Three Thousand Flame Flames fall into the Hall of Souls. We fear they might secretly try to break its seal.”
Xuan Yi also frowned, speaking softly.
“When the Star Realm opens, we three must maintain the seal and cannot enter. We gathered you here to prevent Old Man Mu Guyan from doing anything wrong. If he acts, crush this pearl, and the Pill Tower’s strong practitioners will come to aid.”
Xuan Kongzi’s voice fell, and four jade pearls floated from his sleeve, hovering in front of Xiao Yan and the others.
Taking the pearls, Xiao Yan and the others nodded, recognizing that the upcoming battle for the Three Thousand Flame Flames would be fierce.
“Since the Star Realm cannot accommodate too many people without waking the Three Thousand Flame Flames, you must be the vanguard,” Xuan Kongzi said gravely, looking at them.
Xiao Yan nodded slowly. The Three Thousand Flame Flames were his to have, and if Old Man Mu Guyan tried to stop him, he would deal with him ruthlessly.
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