In the silent square, it took a long time for the atmosphere to gradually return. This Elder Mo had risen to fame in the Jia Ma Empire even earlier than Gu He. His evaluation naturally carried significant weight, so apart from a few, no one thought he was speaking nonsense. Yan Li’s face was ashen; Elder Mo’s evaluation indirectly affirmed that the Three Line Green Spirit Pill Xiao Yan refined was flawless. If this were the case, he had utterly lost. Gnashing his teeth, Yan Li waved his sleeve and stowed the medicinal cauldron on the stone platform into his ring. Then, under the watchful eyes of countless gazes, he turned around and hurriedly walked off the stage. The cold glint in the eyes of the three men on the high platform—Pharmacist Elder, Temir, and Utarn—made him understand that if he did not seize the opportunity to leave now, once they finished their business here, it would be his turn to suffer. On the high platform, Phramas’ hands were tucked in his sleeves as he indifferently watched Yan Li rush off the stage. He couldn’t help but sneer, “Now you think of leaving? Isn’t it a bit too late?” “Do we need to follow him? After all, we don’t need to stay here anymore,” Hai Bodong asked with a smile. “No need.” Phramas shook his head slightly and smiled faintly, “I already instructed Otto to imprint his soul mark on the pill when he examined it. He won’t be able to escape.” “The Alchemist Association of the Outcast Empire will suffer a huge loss this time. A fourth-grade alchemist master is not easy to cultivate,” Galley said with a smile, his expression tinged with a hint of schadenfreude. “Since he came, he must have been prepared for this,” Phramas said with a smile. Turning to the crowd, he coughed lightly and, after all eyes were on him, announced loudly, “Since the inspection is complete, I hereby declare the champion of this assembly…” His hand emerged from his sleeve, and his finger suddenly pointed at the thin, slightly pale-faced young man in the arena, “And that is, Rock Python!” As soon as Phramas’ voice fell, a deafening roar of excitement erupted from the stands. Countless people, their faces flushed, stood up from their seats, waving whatever they had in their hands. In an instant, the entire square was plunged into a sea of noise and excitement. It was not surprising that the audience was so excited and wild. This competition was different from previous assemblies. In the past, the champions were always alchemists from within the country. Therefore, the audience did not have a strong sense of solidarity against an enemy. However, Yan Li, who had suddenly become a dark horse and nearly taken the championship, completely ignited the nationalistic sentiment of the Jia Ma citizens. After all, no one wanted to see a competition hosted by their own country end up glorifying a foreigner, especially from an enemy state. Because their honor would be built upon the humiliation of the Jia Ma Empire! Just as Yan Li was about to win the championship, Xiao Yan reappeared and forcibly snatched the position that was almost given to a foreigner. For the audience, this was like a sudden ray of hope in a moment of despair. Therefore, the intense excitement of the Jia Ma citizens in the square was only natural. Of course, following the people’s wishes, Xiao Yan, who foiled Yan Li’s victory, naturally gained the attention and respect of countless people. From now on, the name Rock Python would resound throughout the empire! In a way, Xiao Yan could achieve such an unexpected reputation largely due to Yan Li. Without his sudden appearance, even if Xiao Yan had won the championship, he would have been just an ordinary champion in people’s minds… Every eight years, the assembly may seem long or short, but for most humans, it is normal to see it seven or eight times in a lifetime. Therefore, the meaning of having Yan Li and not having him was vastly different. Yan Li’s participation and failure made Xiao Yan’s reputation. Although the latter might not care much about the reputation, at least, in future discussions about the Alchemist Assembly, everyone’s mind would first bring up the image of a young man named Rock Python, who saved the day with reverence. … “Haha, I knew this young man would be the ultimate winner!” Watching Xiao Yan, who was nonchalantly tidying up the remaining herbs on the stone platform amidst countless reverent, adoring, and even amorous gazes, Nalan Jie laughed heartily. “Mm.” Nalan Yanran nodded slightly, her beautiful eyes fixed on the thin, yet tall and graceful young man in the arena. A peculiar smile appeared on her indifferent, pretty face, “He really is outstanding!” “More than outstanding…” Nalan Jie smacked his lips, saying, “From today onwards, any force with some power will start courting this young man. The evaluation by Elder Mo earlier has truly entered the hearts of many.” “What he said is true. Though I cannot predict how Rock Python will develop in the future, being able to refine the Three Line Green Spirit Pill at such a young age is something even the Elder Gu He could not do back then,” Nalan Yanran said softly. Her eyes twinkled, and she added with a smile, “If we could get him to join the Yun Lai Sect, his future achievements might surpass those of Elder Gu He!” “Hey, what? Are you planning to recruit for the Yun Lai Sect now?” Hearing this, Nalan Jie rolled his eyes, “Don’t say I didn’t remind you. This young man seems to have a somewhat ambiguous relationship with the Mittel Family’s Yaphira. That girl can make men do anything for her. You’ll find it very difficult to take Rock Python away from her. Besides, don’t forget Rock Python’s attitude towards you…” At Nalan Jie’s words, Nalan Yanran furrowed her brows slightly, a tinge of distress and confusion in her voice, “Ah, I don’t know why, but I always feel that he has a prejudice against me. Whenever he sees me, he acts indifferent, but when he’s with Yaphira or Ya Ye, he can talk and laugh. But once I approach, he turns to ice…” Nalan Yanran was indeed quite frustrated. In terms of status, she was higher than Yaphira and Ya Ye. In terms of beauty, she was confident that she was not inferior to them. Yet, Rock Python ignored her. Of course, among those pursuing Nalan Yanran, there were some who deliberately acted coldly towards her, but their pretense was easily detected by Nalan Yanran, landing them on her blacklist. Thus, Nalan Yanran had some experience dealing with feigned indifference. But with Xiao Yan, she genuinely felt the coldness and even… aversion… “Aversion to me?” At the thought, a strange look appeared on Nalan Yanran’s face. For her, a pampered princess, this was indeed a blow. “Ah, I haven’t offended him, right?” Shaking her head with a bitter smile, Nalan Yanran muttered to herself, “Forget it, let the elders or teachers of the sect handle this. If this guy really did offend you, just tell us…” “I don’t know why he treats you that way, but in the future, try to be more humble. Don’t use your identity as the junior master of the Yun Lai Sect to pressure him. Men with ability and strong personalities usually avoid women like you,” Nalan Jie shook his head and said. “When have I ever used my status as the junior master to pressure him?” Hearing this, Nalan Yanran felt a bit wronged. Ever since they met in the Nalan family, she had always been polite to him, hadn’t she? “How would I know…” Nalan Jie shook his head helplessly and didn’t dwell on the issue further. His gaze turned to the young man in the arena, basking in the applause of the crowd. … Supporting himself on the stone platform, the thunderous cheers sounded like a mountain flood, causing Xiao Yan to exhale slowly. He turned around, looked up at Phramas on the high platform, and smiled at him. “Congratulations, Mister Rock Python,” the Little Princess approached with a smile and said to Xiao Yan. “Just luck,” Xiao Yan smiled, repeating the same excuse he had used many times before. “It wasn’t luck, it was your real strength. Haha, honestly, both I and Brother Liu are very impressed by you now,” the Little Princess said with a light laugh. Glancing up, Xiao Yan looked at Liu Ling, who was also staring at him. Seeing Xiao Yan’s gaze, Liu Ling hesitated for a moment before forcing a smile and making a stiff bow. For the proud Liu Ling, such a gesture towards a peer was rare, indicating he truly recognized Xiao Yan’s strength. “This time, I lost without regrets. After this, I will train hard under my teacher. In the past, I was indeed arrogant. I hope to have the chance to spar with Mister Rock Python again in the future,” Liu Ling said softly as he walked toward Xiao Yan. After this assembly, his personality seemed to have mellowed. “There will be a chance. It’s too noisy here, so I’ll take my leave. See you again in the future.” Smiling, Xiao Yan glanced over the arena where the heart-stopping contest had taken place. Then, after bidding farewell to the Little Princess, he walked into the square. Since the assembly was over, staying to receive the applause was pointless. He still needed to go find Phramas to get the formula for the Spirit Fusion Pill, his reward for winning. “Ah, let’s go too…” Watching Xiao Yan’s figure disappear down the passage, Liu Ling sighed and shook his head. He said to the Little Princess and followed slowly. As the three of them left the stage one by one, the Alchemist Assembly, which had been the focus of the imperial capital for the past few days, finally drew to a close.
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