As the brilliant and warm sunlight pierced through the dense layers of clouds, illuminating the mountaintop, a melodious and ancient bell chime slowly resounded throughout the space. When the bell chime rang, the spatial fabric on the mountain suddenly rippled, and seven elderly figures appeared without warning on a stone platform in the square. Upon seeing these seven elders, many people in the square bowed respectfully, and chorused, “Greetings to the Seven Elders!”
In the Small Dan Tower, the Great Elder Council was considered the highest decision-making body. These elders naturally held extremely high status, and most of them were selected from within the Small Dan Tower, being venerable and respected individuals. Thus, their words carried great weight among the denizens of the Small Dan Tower.
Xiao Yan mixed in with the crowd, his gaze also shifting towards the seven elders. His eyes scanned slowly over them, finally resting on the four in the center. Among the seven, these four had particularly powerful auras, especially the one at the very center, an elder dressed in coarse linen, his face as still as an ancient well. This elder attracted Xiao Yan’s attention more than the others.
“Two intermediate half-sages, one advanced half-sage, and another should be a two-star initial stage Dou Sage. This must be the true power of the Dan Tower; no wonder it can rival the Soul Temple,” Xiao Yan thought, his gaze lingering on the coarse-clothed elder. He sighed inwardly, pondering how these forces could pass down their legacy for so long, with foundations truly terrifying. Without reaching a certain level, one could not even fathom such hidden power.
“Old friend, the one in the coarse cloth is the Great Elder of the Small Dan Tower. Besides the Ancestor, he has the longest tenure here. Even I have to show him respect as a junior,” the Pharmacist Elder whispered beside Xiao Yan.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan marveled silently. Even the Pharmacist Elder had to show deference as a junior, the generation gap of this Great Elder was truly formidable.
As Xiao Yan observed the coarse-clothed elder, the latter seemed to sense something, his deep, starry eyes turning to Xiao Yan. Then, a ripple passed through those eyes, apparently recognizing Xiao Yan’s true strength.
“Such a strong soul pressure,” Xiao Yan thought as the Great Elder’s gaze fell upon him. He felt an invisible force pressing down on the surrounding space, a pressure that others could not detect, but he, as the target, clearly perceived. Fortunately, he was no longer the same as before. Although the Great Elder’s soul pressure made him feel some pressure, it could not harm him. His expression did not change at all.
Seeing Xiao Yan’s unflinching face, the Great Elder’s jaw moved slightly, almost imperceptibly. Then, he turned his gaze away, and an aged yet calm voice echoed in the ears of everyone in the square: “Today is a rare and lively day for our Small Dan Tower. The election of new elders is not unfamiliar to you all. I will not belabor the rules. The herbs on the mountain are there for the taking. Whoever refines the best grade of pills will be the victor.”
“If there are no further questions, those who have qualified for the selection should step forward.” Despite his advanced age, the Great Elder acted decisively, without any unnecessary words. He pointed to the plaza and spoke mildly, “Proceed.”
“Yes!” Respectful responses sounded in the square, and then, one by one, figures emerged, each finding an open area in the plaza.
“I’ll go out too,” Xiao Yan said with a smile, seeing the others move.
“Sure, do your best. Don’t tarnish your teacher’s name,” said Xuan Yi with a smile.
Xiao Yan nodded and, pushing through the crowd, found an open area under the curious gazes of those around him.
Xiao Yan’s appearance naturally drew many curious looks. Most of the old-timers here led reclusive lives and were puzzled by the presence of such a young participant in the selection.
“The young man is named Xiao Yan. He is Yao Chen’s disciple and also the champion of the Alchemy Competition. According to the rules, he is eligible to participate in the Elder Selection,” the Great Elder announced, his gaze sweeping the square.
“So, that’s why…”
“Never would I have thought that Yao Chen took on a disciple again.”
“But the Elder Selection is no ordinary game. Could it be that Yao Chen deliberately sent this young man to gain experience?”
The Great Elder’s words caused some murmurs in the square. While the title of Alchemy Competition Champion carried weight, merely wanting to compete with the seasoned elders for the position might be a bit presumptuous. Many believed that Yao Chen was simply giving Xiao Yan an opportunity to gain experience.
Xiao Yan paid no mind to these musings, closing his eyes to rest his mind.
As the old figures gathered on the now open plaza, the others retreated to the sidelines. Then the Great Elder resumed speaking: “If everyone is ready, we shall begin.”
At the Great Elder’s command, the atmosphere in the square grew tense, faces becoming increasingly solemn.
*Clang!*
In the charged atmosphere, a clear metallic sound rang out, followed by a chorus of sounds as extraordinary pill cauldrons were taken from storage rings and placed heavily on the ground.
“Start the fire!”
Following the commands, flames of various colors but all subdued and controlled rose from the pill cauldrons. The temperature of the surroundings rapidly increased.
Surveying the numerous pill cauldrons, Xiao Yan’s expression became grave. But instead of retrieving his own cauldron, he slowly extended his right hand and clenched it. A purple-brown flame with a hint of a ghastly white color rose up.
*Boom!*
No sooner had the flame appeared than it expanded, quickly forming a cloud above Xiao Yan. The cloud condensed swiftly, forming a purple-brown pill cauldron made entirely of flame, much to the surprise of many watching.
“Is that… a variant flame?”
“Such strong control! But using a flame cauldron, won’t he find it difficult to control when actually refining pills?”
Xiao Yan’s display immediately drew astonished glances and whispers.
The flame cauldron floated slowly in front of Xiao Yan, its solidity impressive. Many alchemy masters’ faces became serious. Such mastery of a variant flame required incredible control and soul power.
The old monster, Houdao, was also drawn to the scene, his brow furrowed. With a sneer, he thought, *Fancy tricks, but a junior is a junior…*
Gazing at the formed flame cauldron, Xiao Yan snapped his fingers, and the flame within the cauldron surged, transforming into a dragon of fire, circling inside.
Forming the cauldron, Xiao Yan did not rush to refine the pill. Instead, he closed his eyes.
Observing his strange actions, the onlookers were once again astounded. Yet, after witnessing Xiao Yan’s previous display, no one dared to underestimate this seemingly young alchemist.
“I wonder what pill Xiao Yan plans to refine this time?” In the crowd, Xuan Kongzi mused, gazing at Xiao Yan.
“He knows everything I know, but I never managed to refine a tier nine pill. So, I only left him two or three options,” the Pharmacist Elder explained. At this level, prescriptions were of the utmost importance. Without a tier nine prescription, refining a pill was like a fairy tale. However, tier nine prescriptions were as rare as Heaven-grade techniques. Even the Pharmacist Elder, despite decades of collecting, only had two of the lowest tier, precious tier nine medicines.
Just as the Pharmacist Elder finished speaking, Xiao Yan suddenly opened his eyes. Pinching between his fingers, a green jade bead appeared.
“A Bodhi Seed? Does he plan to refine Bodhi Pills?”
Identifying the green pearl, the erudite Pharmacist Elder and others immediately discerned Xiao Yan’s intentions.
“Bodhi Pills at the highest level can only summon a nine-colored medicinal lightning. It will be difficult for him to win against Houdao,” Xuan Yi frowned. Victory with Bodhi Pills would be challenging.
Xuan Kongzi and Tian Lei Zǐ also furrowed their brows. From the Pharmacist Elder, they knew Xiao Yan was already a Dou Sage. Though Xiao Yan had not mentioned his soul realm, it was obvious he had reached the Heavenly Realm. Such capability qualified him to refine tier nine pills. Yet, they wondered why Xiao Yan chose Bodhi Pills.
“He must have his own reasons,” the Pharmacist Elder speculated, trusting Xiao Yan’s wisdom.
As Xiao Yan produced the Bodhi Seed, he glanced briefly at the Pharmacist Elder and others. Seeing their furrowed brows, he smiled faintly. Others may think he lacked experience compared to Houdao, and indeed, under normal circumstances, his experience couldn’t match that of these centuries-old monsters. But little did they know, he had gained much from his hundred reincarnations beneath the Bodhi Tree. One of these advantages was a wealth of experience in alchemy!
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