Chapter 1180: Main Event
This place was a stadium that was so large that it caused one to feel astounded. A densely packed sea of people covered the ground as far as one could see. An earth-shaking, boiling noise resounded across the sky like the roar of a large dragon. Under this terrifying sonic wave, even the cloud layer in the sky had been destroyed until only pieces were left…
Many stone platforms floated in the air above the square. These stone platforms were the most dazzling because the final face-off of this Pill Gathering would occur on them.
After the somewhat low spirits of the last few days, the liveness of the square had undoubtedly reached a peak because today was the day the the Pill Realm was opening. Only those alchemists who had successfully walked out of the Pill Realm would possess the qualification to continue participating in the Pill Gathering!
The atmosphere of the open ground was fiery hot. A countless number of gazes were focused on the middle of the square. There was an enormous door that was constructed using black rocks at that spot. The spatial ripple at the large door had revealed a distorted feeling. This was the exit of the Pill Realm. Soon after, the competitors who had successfully passed the second hurdle would be walking out of there…
The Little Fairy Doctor's group's eyes were focused on the large spatial door on the tall stage of the stadium. Their faces contained a slight anxiety. Although they were confident in Xiao Yan's abilities, they were also aware of the intensity of the competition in the Pill Realm…
"Ke ke, there is no need to worry. Many competitors have shattered their spatial stones and come out during this period of time. If Xiao Yan had come out, he would definitely have come looking for us." Ye Zong by the side smiled when he saw their eyes, so he spoke in a comforting manner. Immediately, he felt that these words were not really appropriate. He dryly laughed and said, "Moreover, with Xiao Yan's intelligence, passing the second hurdle should not be much of a problem."
The Little Fairy Doctor could only helplessly shake her head in the face of Ye Zhong's comfort. She was just about to speak when her pretty eyes suddenly swept to the square. The spatial door at the spot had suddenly emitted waves of intense spatial ripples.
"The large spatial door has been opened!"
The sea of people that stretched endlessly immediately emitted a soul-stirring cheer when the spatial ripple appeared. Immediately, a countless number of heated eyes swung around. After which, they paused on the large spatial door.
All the eyes present looked down as the fluctuation from the spatial door became more intense. In the end, numerous figures began to slowly walk out. Their legs landed on the ground of the square amid the cheers of everyone present.
A deafening cheer erupted from the viewing gallery when they watched these competitors successfully come out. Those who could arrive at this place were already considered among the top alchemists across the entire continent. Even if they were to give up participating in the competition now, they would still be treated as VIPs by some factions.
The cheers grew louder as more and more human figures walked out of the spatial door one after another. The large square trembled under this terrifying sound.
"Bang!"
The spatial door rippled once again. Immediately, an extremely eye-catching, graceful figure slowly walked out. Finally, the figure was exposed under the warm sunlight. Immediately, the cheers in the arena reached a high tide. The name Cao Ying was quite renowned. Everyone knew that she had the ability to compete for the champion spot this time around.
Compared to Cao Ying, the limelight that Song Qing enjoyed was clearly dimmer. Even though he was also considered a genius, he ultimately had difficulty competing with the limelight of demonic talent.
A large group of people walked out after Cao Ying. However, the Little Fairy Doctor's group was unable to find Xiao Yan's figure no matter how they searched. Her pretty face immediately changed a little and her hands involuntarily tightened. If any accident were to occur to Xiao Yan within the Pill Realm, it was difficult to imagine just what kind of madness she would descend into…
Ye Zhong by the side did not dare to say anything as he looked at the Little Fairy Doctor's darkening face. His heart was beginning to feel uncertain. The greatest enemy within the Pill Realm was not the Magical Beasts within it but the other competitors. In order to enable oneself to gain an additional chance to succeed, some strong people would likely kill the competitors who could threaten them…
Other places were filled with joyful, earth-shaking cheers, but this small area appeared exceptionally quiet. At this moment, even Tian Huo zun-zhe had involuntarily knit his eyebrows. His finger, which had originally been placed together, had parted without him realizing it.
The spatial large door once again rippled when the hearts of the Little Fairy Doctor and the rest had sunk. A skinny figure slowly appeared. Finally, he stepped out of the large spatial door and landed on the ground.
"It's big brother Xiao Yan!"
Xin Lan hurriedly cried out. A joy quickly surfaced on her face when she saw this skinny figure.
The hearts of the Little Fairy Doctor's group shook when they heard her voice. Their eyes swiftly looked over and did indeed see an unusually familiar figure. Immediately, the few of them sighed in relief.
"Ke ke, I have already said that it is impossible for Xiao Yan to not be able to pass this second hurdle with his strength…" The heavy burden in Ye Zhong's heart was lifted at this moment as he laughed.
Xiao Yan, who was walking out of the large spatial door, suddenly turned his eyes over while everything was sighing in relief. He immediately smiled and nodded to the group.
"This fellow…"
The Little Fairy Doctor involuntarily shook her head and spoke in a soft, helpless manner when she saw Xiao Yan's energetic appearance.
Xiao Yan was involuntarily a little absent-minded as he heard the surrounding loud voices from the middle of the square. The time he had spent within the Pill Realm had indeed been quiet, but it had seemed to be lacking something. Only now that he had left did he realize that the Pill Realm lacked people.
Xiao Yan's eyes swept in all directions as he stood on the square. He looked at the spatial large door that was still continuously spitting out people. His eyes involuntarily became a little surprised. The numbers on this square reached at least a thousand. He did not expect so many people to last after those two elimination rounds. An alchemist gathering involving such numbers was something that even the Jia Ma Empire Alchemist Grand Meeting back then was far from being able to compare with. Of course, this was not only in terms of numbers. There was also a difference in quality. Any random person in this place would easily be able to be the champion of that Alchemist Grand Meeting…
Xiao Yan's sweeping eyes suddenly paused on the highest seats in the square a moment later. That spot contained a vast, mighty aura that caused even Xiao Yan to feel some pressure.
"The three giant heads of the Pill Tower huh…"
Xiao Yan's eyes swept over those three figures. He was a little startled because he discovered the pretty woman in cheongsam, whom he had never met before, carefully studying him.
Although Xiao Yan had never met this pretty woman, he was aware of her status just from the place she was standing. His heart was slightly shocked. An existence of this level was not someone the current him could offend. Hence, he did not dare to pause his eyes for too long. All he did was glance over before quickly shifting his eyes away…
"Is he Xiao Yan? Yao Chen's disciple?"
The pretty woman stared at Xiao Yan from the tall platform, which had everyone's attention, before she suddenly inquired.
"Ha ha, yup, he's Xiao Yan…" Xuan Kong Zi by the side smiled and nodded. His eyes swept over Xiao Yan and his expression suddenly changed. A surprised gasp was emitted from his mouth.
"Have you discovered it? The spiritual ripple of this little fellow seems to be a little unusual. If I have guessed correctly, he should have already touched the Soul State…" The pretty woman slightly smiled and softly spoke.
"It does have some appearance of the Soul State…" The dark-skinned elder by her side also nodded in a somewhat stern manner. Surprise flashed across his face as he said, "The eyesight of this old fellow Yao Chen is really good. How envious…"
"If he has really advanced to the soul state, even Cao Ying and Dan Zhen would have some difficulty defeating him in this Pill Gathering…" The pretty woman laughed.
Xuan Kong Zi nodded. Xiao Yan had not gave him such a feeling when he had last met him. Clearly, this kind of transformation should be related to this trip to the Pill Realm.
"Ugh. Can it really be so tough to beat that old fellow once…"
The spatial door in the square continued to ripple for nearly half an hour before it finally slowed. The distorted space ripple slowly disappeared. The spatial large door once again recovered its calmness.
The number of competitors in the square had increased significantly by the time the spatial door was shut. This caused Xiao Yan's heart to be slightly startled. These people seemed to be outstanding alchemist who had come from all over the Dou Qi continent. One would have to step over the heads of all these people in order to become the Pill Gathering champion. That person would have to climb up step-by-step until they reached the peak!
The originally noisy square had become much quieter the moment the large spatial door was shut. Everyone knew that what occurred next would be the main event of this Pill Gathering!
Xuan Kong Zi's eyes swept over the square from the tall stage. His gentle cough resounded by the side of everyone's ears, causing everyone's eyes to gather on him.
"First of all, congratulations to all of you who are able to stand here. You have all passed the second round of eliminations… however, you should all be aware that this next round is the most important event of the Pill Gathering. The one who can stand until the end will become the champion this time around!
"The stone platforms in the sky are the stages for you to perform. Hopefully, you will be able to unleash the brightest moment in your life at that spot!
"Glory will be born amid all of you!"
This short speech was just like the spark that lit the explosives. Suddenly, the open ground boiled!
The grandest meeting within the alchemist world had finally arrived at this moment!
Chapter 1181: Blood Demon Flame
Xuan Kong Zi involuntarily smiled as he looked over boiling the square. The atmosphere was something that only existed during the Pill Gathering even when compared to other events across the entire continent.
"All competitors, please take your places. The final competition is not limited by any rules. All of you will have to use your full effort to refine the medicinal pill that you are best at refining!"
The blood of the many competitors in the arena gradually boiled when they heard the elderly voice of Xuan Kong Zi resounding over the sky. Everyone looked at each other before a loud 'bang' sounded. One could see numerous figures suddenly rushing to the arena. Figures rushed in all directions at that moment. Even the scattering sunlight was slightly blocked by them.
There were many stone platforms in the sky. It was not a problem for them to hold all of the remaining competitors. Even though the competitors had already undergone two rounds of elimination, where nearly ninety percent had been eliminated, the remaining number was still quite large. Over a thousand people lifting their cauldrons together. This scene would be spectacular.
Xiao Yan was also mixed within the human figures that came in all directions. He did not hurry to choose his own stone platform. Instead, he allowed the many figures to rushed onto the stone stages. Some of the competitors had even ended up fighting over some of the stone platforms.
Xiao Yan remained in the air. Only after most of the people had chosen their platforms did he step through the air and slowly land on a stone platform closer to the edge. One must be completely focused when refining medicinal pills. Almost every spot in the middle areas had been occupied. Should one end up being disturbed while refining pills, it would really be too late to cry.
The size of this stone platform Xiao Yan had landed on was not large. It was only two to three feet in size. However, it was big enough to hold a person. He crossed his legs and sat down after having found his spot. After which, his eyes swept in all directions. They swept over Cao Ying, Dan Zhen, and Song Qing. The three of them some distance away. However, they did not snatch the middle stone platforms that appeared to possess a grand atmosphere. Instead, they had found quiet stone stages near the edges.
Xiao Yan's eyes swept over the three before suddenly pausing on a floating stone platform that was not far from those three. A black human figure was sitting there with his eyes shut, recuperating.
"This fellow… he is hiding his true aura again…"
Xiao Yan stared at the black figure. His eyebrows slightly frowned. Currently, old Mu Gu no longer had the strength he had displayed back in the Pill Realm. His aura had become quite normal and was unnoticable from an ordinary competitor's aura. However, after that incident, Xiao Yan's group was aware that this old fellow was definitely an extremely troublesome enemy!
"This Old Mu Gu is also a tier 8 alchemist. This kind of level is likely one that very few people among these competitors can surpass. Although I only need to enter the top ten in order to obtain the opportunity to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame, this old fellow is extremely mistrusting. He would not allow others to touch the Three Thousand Burning Flame before him. Moreover, he was also a member of the Hall of Souls. If he were to obtain the champion spot of the Pill Tower's Pill Gathering, the Pill Tower would likely end up looking bad when the topic was brought up in the future. Hence, this old fellow will definitely choose to take the champion spot if he has the chance."
Xiao Yan revealed a thoughtful expression. Although he could be considered to have advanced to the eighth tier within the Pill Realm, he had, after all, just entered it. There would definitely be a gap between him and an old demon like Old Mu Gu. After all, this old fellow was an expert from the same generation as Yao Lao. How could he be an ordinary person? Despite putting it this way, Xiao Yan had no solution. The only thing Xiao Yan could do was put in all his effort and give it a try. In any case, he adopted the thought of obtaining the Three Thousand Burning Flame. If this old fellow wanted to hinder, he could only violently give him a kick…
The chaos in the sky gradually ceased while this thought was lingering within Xiao Yan's heart. All the competitors had found their own stone platforms and were beginning to arrange their things in preparation of refining pills.
"Bang!"
Xuan Kong Zi's eyes slowly swept over those stone platforms in the air. A moment later, he raised his head and looked at the sky. He gently waved his sleeves and a bell clearly chimed for a long time over the competition grounds.
"It is time. Everyone, please raise your cauldrons and refine your pills!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Xuan Kong Zi's words had just sounded when the atmosphere instantly solidified. Soon after, medicinal cauldron rushed out from all directions. They eventually landed on the ground. Ringing metallic sounds continuously resonated across the sky.
Some low uproars resounded over the square as everyone looked at the densely packed medicinal cauldron. This was likely the first time that they had seen so many high grade medicinal cauldrons appearing at the same time…
After most of the alchemists had summoned their medicinal cauldrons, some sizzling sounds began to resound over the sky. Immediately, numerous flames rose. Looking from a distance, it appeared as though they were a fireworks, causing the entire sky to look unusually brilliant.
Xiao Yan quietly sat cross-legged on the stone platform. He was not in a hurry to refine a medicinal pill. Instead, his eyes were slightly shut as he arranged the thoughts within his mind.
The medicinal pill that he planned to refine during this Pill Gathering was naturally the Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill, which he had prepared the medicinal ingredients for. This medicinal pill was at the peak of the seventh tier. If one were smoothly refine it, it could even advance to the eighth tier. It could also be considered an extremely high tier medicinal pill. If he could refine it, he should be able to gain the qualification to compete with all the experts.
Cao Ying did not immediately act either. While Xiao Yan shut his eyes and fell deep into thought, she had shut her eyes and recuperated for awhile before slowly summoning her medicinal cauldron…
Cao Ying summoned her medicinal cauldron in front of everyone before flicking her finger. A cluster of red, eye-piercing flame slowly rose from her palm.
The flame was a bright-red color that was extremely eye-catching. It even appeared to be a little denser than fresh blood. While the flame rose, it was possible to vaguely see a tiny figure leaping within it like a fire spirit…
This cluster of unusually red flames had just appeared when the flame within the cauldron of the surrounding alchemists slightly fluctuated. These shocked individuals hurriedly focused their minds to control their faces. After which, they tossed shocked gazes at Cao Ying.
"This is… Blood Demon Flame?"
The ripple that had suddenly appeared also attracted Xiao Yan's attention. He turned his eyes before pausing them on the red-colored fresh-blood-like flame on Cao Ying's palm. He was slightly startled as shock flashed across his eyes.
Xiao Yan possessed an understanding of this kind of strange flame that Cao Ying had summoned. He had seen it in some of the books Yao Lao had left behind. This so-called Blood Demon Flame was not a flame that was naturally formed. It was not overboard to say that it was a man-made flame similar to Xiao Yan's Life Transformation Flame. However, the formation of this Blood Demon Flame was a little unique because this thing was not formed from flames. Instead, it required one to gather the blood of nearly a thousand fire affinity Magical Beasts and merge the fire affinity blood together. Finally, it would use the fire affinity energy within the blood to form a flame…
This flame that took shape would become the Blood Demon Flame. Of course, this flame was divided between the strong and the weak. The factor that separated the strong and weak was determined by the completeness of the tiny human figure within the flame. From the looks of the human figure within the flame on Cao Ying's hands, it was obvious that this flame was an extremely powerful Blood Demon Flame. It was likely even stronger than Xiao Yan's Life Transformation Flame if one wished to compare them.
The strength of the Blood Demon Flame was quite great. However, the method to create it was overly harsh. If one did not have the support of a large fortune, one would definitely be unable to gather the blood of nearly a thousand fire affinity Magical Beasts.
"That Cao clan is extremely wealthy. They are able to create this Blood Demon Flame for Cao Ying…" Xiao Yan quietly sighed. With this Blood Demon Flame, Cao Ying would definitely be like a tiger with the addition of wings. Her chances of successfully refining a pill would significantly increase.
After Cao Ying, Song Qing and Dan Chen in the distance summoned their own flames. The flames of the both of them were beast flames. Although their flames could not be compared to Cao Ying's Blood Demon Flame, they could be ranked among the top of the beast flames. They could also be considered a potent weapon in pill refinement.
"Sizzle!"
Xiao Yan's eyes had just been withdrawn when an unusually hot wave, he was familiar with, was suddenly emitted. He lifted his eyebrows and turned his head. It was possible to see that Old Mu Gu clenching his fist. The deep-blue Sea Heart Flame rose. After which, it transformed into a fire snake that danced around his body.
"Bang!"
The couple of alchemist's expression, closest to Old Mu Gu, suddenly changed when the Sea Heart Flame appeared because they had discovered that the interior of their medicinal cauldrons had wiggled intensely at this moment. After which, a 'bang' sound appeared and the interior of their cauldrons exploded. A hot wind caused a couple of people, who were unable to react in time, to fall from their stone platforms.
"Heavenly Flame?"
A countless number of gazes in the square immediately shot over upon seeing this scene. Numerous exclamations resounded one after another. This was the first time that they had seen a Heavenly Flame in a Pill Gathering.
Old Mu Gu merely lifted the corner of his mouth into a cold smile when those unlucky fellows were implicated. The Sea Heart Flame danced around his body. It appeared just like an emperor among the tens of thousands of flames, and it was receiving the worship of the many flames…
The fire snake that the Sea Heart Flame had transformed into lingered around Old Mu Gu. It appeared as though it was acting triumphant.
Xiao Yan glanced indifferently at Old Mu Gu whose cold smile was visible on the corner of his mouth. A grin was also slowly lifted onto Xiao Yan's face. He gently clenched his hand and a jade-colored flame suddenly rushed out. It transformed into a fire dragon and emitted a strange roar at the Sea Heart Flame from a great distance!
"Bang!"
The Sea Heart Flame, which was lingering around Old Mu Gu, immediately became sluggish amid the roar of the Glazed Lotus Heart Flame. The flame immediately rushed to Old Mu Gu's palm in front of a countless number of stunned eyes, as though it was fleeing for its life…
Chapter 1182: Start of the Pill Refinement
"Clamor!"
The entire square once again emitted wave after wave of uproars as they looked at the sudden scene that appeared in the sky. Numerous shocked eyes slid to the jade-green fire dragon surging out of Xiao Yan's body. This fire was unafraid of even the other party's Heavenly Flame. Clearly, this jade-green flame should also be a kind of Heavenly Flame. Moreover, its position on the Heavenly Flame Ranking was likely even higher than the deep-blue flame of Old Mu Gu.
The roaring jade-green flame was clearly targeting Old Mu Gu. Hence, the other alchemists did not feel too much of a disruption. However, they still sensed the flame within their medicinal cauldron become much more violent when the roar sounded. Their expressions immediately changed. They were quite helpless in the face of the Heavenly Flames, which were the strongest of all flames…
Xuan Kong Zi and the others on the tall stage revealed shocked expressions in their eyes when they saw the jade-green fire dragon that Xiao Yan had summoned. Their eyebrows were knit together a moment later as they talked somewhat uncertainly, "If I have guessed correctly, the Heavenly Flame of the black-clothed person should be the Sea Heart Flame ranked fifteenth. That jade-green Heavenly Flame of Xiao Yan should be ranked even higher than the Sea Heart Flame, but why is it that I feel an unfamiliar with it?"
"There is indeed something not quite right. Although there are colors among the top fifteen flames that are similar to it, it is still possible to find a lot of differences if one were to carefully compare them." The pretty woman nodded slightly and replied with surprise, "Could it be that this little fellow has found a new Heavenly Flame?"
Endless nature hid a countless amount of secrets. A natural item like the Heavenly Flame was even more mysterious. The Heavenly Flame Ranking might possess a great authority, but it did not mean the Heavenly Flames of this world were only limited to what was ranked. Hence, the pretty woman had made this conjecture.
"I'm not certain. However, I can pick up scent of the Green Lotus Core Flame within the jade-green flame, yet the position of the Green Lotus Heart Flame is a little behind that of the Sea Heart Flame. How could it possibly cause the Sea Heart Flame to fear it?" That dark-skinned Elder revealed an expression of thought as he replied.
"Ke ke, looks like this little fellow possesses many secrets. The Pill Gathering this time around is going to be very interesting. It has been many years since a battle between Heavenly Flames has appeared…" Xuan Kong Zi faintly smiled, but he did not probe too much into the matter.
The pretty woman and the dark-skinned Elder slowly nodded upon hearing his words.
"Hmph!"
Old Mu Gu glanced at the deep-blue flame that had shrunk back into his hand. After which, his eyes stared at the distant Xiao Yan in a dense manner. He let out a cold snort and once again withdrew his gaze. He flicked his finger and the flame stood in the interior of his medicinal cauldron. At this moment, he did not have the time to bother with Xiao Yan. Once he had finished all of his tasks, he would take good care of this hateful fellow.
Xiao Yan faintly smiled after having shaved down Old Mu Gu's spirit. He finally withdrew his eyes. With a wave of his hand, the bright-red Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron appeared in front of him. He gently waved his sleeves and the jade-green fire dragon rushed down from the sky. Finally, it entered the medicinal cauldron. A fierce flame swiftly caused the ice-cold medicinal cauldron's temperature to rise.
After the temperature within the medicinal cauldron gradually rose, Xiao Yan's hand rubbed through the air and numerous medicinal ingredients immediately flew out of his Storage Ring. Finally, they remained suspended around his stone stage. At a brief glance, it was likely there were a hundred of them. The degree of complication in the refinement of a medicinal pill at the tier of the Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill was unimaginable. If someone whose spiritual control failed to meet the criteria attempted it, it was likely one would have a headache by just simply looking at the many medicinal ingredients. The thing that gave one an even greater headache was that one needed to use a frighteningly accurate method to refine it.
Xiao Yan shook his hand after having taken out these ingredients. Three jade boxes appeared before gently floating in front of him. The interior of these jade boxes contained the three key medicinal ingredients needed to refine the Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill!
Xiao Yan's expression became grave after preparing everything. The Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill was the highest tier medicinal pill would be the highest tier of pill he had ever attempted. It was also the toughest. If one were careless, one's ending would likely be extremely miserable. After all, something like pill refinement would frequently cause one to fall from the heavens into hell within a moment.
The refinement method of the Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill quietly flowed around Xiao Yan's mind like flowing water. All the details that he needed to pay attention to were being firmly remembered in Xiao Yan's heart…
"Hu…"
Xiao Yan exhaled a deep breath of air. His narrowed eyes were slightly opened and a sternness flashed across them. With a wave of his sleeves, a couple of medicinal ingredients were separated from the bulk and tossed into the medicinal cauldron one after another.
Once the medicinal ingredients entered the medicinal cauldron, they swiftly withered under the terrifying temperature of the Glazed Lotus Heart Flame. After which, under Xiao Yan's extremely powerful spiritual control, the couple of medicinal ingredients were refined into pure medicinal powder within a short ten minutes. They were left gently suspended in a corner of the medicinal cauldron after a thought flashed through Xiao Yan's mind…
After having refined the first batch of pure medicinal powder with the fastest speed, Xiao Yan's expression did not change. His hand continued to wave and medicinal ingredients began to continuously rush into the medicinal cauldron. However, regardless of just how numerous and messy these medicinal ingredients were, they were unable to cause Xiao Yan to feel any panic. Moreover, the good thing about having advanced to a tier 8 alchemist was finally beginning to expose itself. Xiao Yan could clearly sense the flame would immediately change with his thought when he refined medicinal ingredients. After which, it would refine the medicinal ingredient to the highest purity.
The thing that caused Xiao Yan to feel the greatest surprise was that these medicinal ingredients that he had refined seemed to have been vaguely mixed with a trace of extremely faint spiritual aura. Although this kind of spiritual aura was extremely faint, it was still able to quietly but significantly improve the medicinal powder refined.
"A tier 8 alchemist is indeed extraordinary…"
Xiao Yan involuntarily felt joy flash across his heart when he sensed the small spiritual auras. This little spiritual aura, that was mixed in, should not be underestimated. The medicinal pill that was eventually refined by using these medicinal powders would definitely be more than a level higher in quality when compared with a similar medicinal pills that were refined by tier 7 alchemists.
Xiao Yan had swiftly refined one-third of the medicinal ingredient into medicinal powders and medicinal liquids within a short half an hour or so.
Xiao Yan's expression was still extremely solemn while refining these many medicinal ingredients. He gently exhaled a breath of air as his eyes turned to the three jade boxes in front of him. He could squander the other medicinal ingredients as he pleased. However, he tried his best to be careful when it came to these three key ingredients.
A jade box flew away with a flick of Xiao Yan's finger, revealing a jade-green, dry vine. A rich life force spread out of it. This thing was one of the key items used to refine the Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill, the Ten Thousand Year Old Green Spiritual Vine.
Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment as he looked at this dry vine. He waved his hand and threw it into his medicinal cauldron. He hurriedly focus his mind on controlling the flame.
The flame fiercely burned within the medicinal cauldron. That seemingly weak Ten Thousand Year Old Green Spiritual Vine did not show the slightest change even after being subjected to such a high temperature. If one were to look carefully, one would be able to discover a slight fluorescent light being emitted from the dry vine, isolating it from the high temperature.
All the intelligent beings on the continent possessed an ability to protect themselves. This did not cause Xiao Yan to be surprised. As long as he persisted during this stalemate, he would sooner or later be able to refine this Ten Thousand Year Old Green Spiritual Vine…
Xiao Yan slightly shut his eyes while maintaining his flame. If he wanted to refine this Ten Thousand Year Old Green Spiritual Vine, the time needed would likely be a lot…
Of course, things were indeed just as Xiao Yan had expected. This refinement lasted for nearly half a day or so. Only then did the Ten Thousand Year Old Green Spiritual Vine gradually break apart. Droplets of a jade-green liquid had become partially visible within the crevices.
After the surface of the Ten Thousand Year Old Green Spiritual Vine had been broken, everything else had become much more relaxing. The Ten Thousand Year Old Green Spiritual Vine eventually transformed into a cluster of emerald-green liquid after Xiao Yan spent another hour. It remained suspended in the flame as though it possessed some life, slowly wiggling as it did so.
Xiao Yan sighed in relief when he looked at the emerald liquid that this Ten Thousand Year Old Green Spiritual Vine had transformed into. He immediately waved his hand and the many medicinal powders and medicinal liquids suspended in the corner of the medicinal cauldron swiftly rushed forth. They were all thrown into the emerald-colored liquid under the control of Xiao Yan's grave face…
This initial merger step was done quite perfectly by Xiao Yan. Around an hour or so, a cluster of liquid items surfaced in the jade-green flame.
The first refinement step had been successful. Even Xiao Yan himself was quite surprised at this point. However, he also understood that the reason he had been able to reach this stage was mostly because his soul had advanced to the Soul State in the Pill Realm. In the past, things would not have been so smooth even if he could succeed.
Xiao Yan rested a little after completing the first step. After which, he placed all of his attention on the even more complicated subsequent refinements.
Many stone platforms were suspended in the sky. All the competitors within those stone platforms were currently controlling their flames with grave faces as they refined a medicinal pill within their own medicinal cauldrons. The entire place was very quiet. Countless numbers of gazes were gathered on these busy people in the sky…
They were waiting for the arrival of the final day…
The Pill Gathering would reach its climax at that time!
The champion of the Pill Gathering would also appear on that day!
Although the wait was dull, everything was worthwhile for the most exciting moment of their lives!
Chapter 1183: Pill Lightning Repeatedly Appearing
Pill Refinement was an extremely time consuming task. It was not rare for one to refine a medicinal pill for ten days to half a month…
The people seated here were clearly aware of this kind of situation. Therefore, they did not appear impatient because of the long wait. Most of those who could hurry to Holy Pill City to observe were those who had some strength. They also naturally possessed this kind of necessary patience.
Time quietly flowed by amid the countless number of anticipatory gazes. Five days quietly passed within the short blink of an eye.
The refinement in the sky had appeared quite calm during these five days. However, there would occasionally be some low, deep voices being emitted. These were the cauldron explosion sounds that were emitted when a problem appeared during the refinement.
There was also a small portion of alchemists who had successfully refined their medicinal pills during these five days. However, when their medicinal pills were refined, they understood that their participation in this competition had come to an end because the medicinal pills of a higher tier required a longer time. Those like them… could only be the characters who filled the bottom spots.
The gazes of the entire place did not linger on the small number of alchemists who had finished refining their medicinal pills. Most gazes were pausing on Cao Ying, Song Qing, and some of the other alchemist grandmasters with great reputations. They were aware that the competition between these people was where the most interesting part of this Pill Gathering lay.
Xiao Yan had made a mistake once during these five days. An extremely careless mistake while merging the Snow Bone Ginseng made him decisively abandon the refinement and choose to refine all over again.
Fortunately, no errors occurred when he merged the Snow Bone Ginseng a second time. After all, Xiao Yan had only prepared two sets of medicinal ingredients. If he were to fail, he would have to find some other method.
Xiao Yan's shut eyes were slowly opened when the sun on the fifth day had risen to the middle of the sky. His expression was solemn as he looked at the interior of the medicinal cauldron. There were three clusters of medicinal liquids. These three things might appear inconspicuous, but they emitted a concentrated, pure medicinal strength that caused one shake…
These three types of things were the result of Xiao Yan's refinement during these five days. Currently, his refinement had been successfully completed. Next, he needed to perfectly merge these three things together and calcinate them until they took an embryonic form before becoming a pill…
Merger was the most important step in pill refinement. Moreover, Xiao Yan currently did not possess many medicinal ingredients. He could not easily fail during this merger. Otherwise, he would not only exhaust time, but the exhaustion of one's Spiritual Strength would also be terrifying. Refining a medicinal pill of this tier was quite a tiring event. How could it last for so long…
Xiao Yan tried his best to maintain his peak condition. His eyes swiftly glanced at Cao Ying in the distance. Old Mu Gu and the rest were currently controlling the medicinal cauldron within the flame with grave expressions. There was a faint energy ripple being spreading from them…
"The medicinal cauldron of these fellows are not ordinary items. They kept over half of the ripples in the medicinal cauldron. Otherwise, I would be able to guess just what tier the medicinal pill they were refining belonged to…
Xiao Yan slightly sighed in his heart when he saw the focused manner of Cao Ying and the others. He quickly withdrew his attention and inhaled a deep breath of hot air. His grave eyes turned to the interior of his medicinal cauldron. A thought passed through his mind and the Glazed Lotus Heart Flame lingering within the medicinal cauldron swiftly swept forth, wrapping around all three types of pure medicinal liquids!
The step of merging Medicinal Strength imposed a harsh requirement on the alchemists' control ability. Even the slightest unexpected change during this period would lead to one's effort going to waste.
Hence, this step was unusually important!
Xiao Yan clearly understood this point. Hence, he focused all of his attention. A mighty Spiritual Strength filled every corner of the medicinal cauldron. Any slight changes within it would instantly be fed to his mind.
Under Xiao Yan's grave treatment, there was fortunately not many mistakes during the merger. Although this merger process was extremely slow, who would dare increase one's speed at this moment.
Stability held the priority in everything!
The time required to merge medicinal strengths was the longest among all of the many pill refining steps. Xiao Yan's merger continued for nearly ten days before it finally approached the end…
Time swiftly flowed by like sand between one's fingers. Half a month passed within the blink of an eye. An increasing number of alchemists had refined their medicinal pills during this period. Hence, the competition grounds were filled with pill fragrances that would not scatter. After inhaling a breath of air, the tiredness that had resulted from the long wait had also suddenly disappeared…
Although an increasing number of competitors had successfully refined their medicinal pills, not a single one of those medicinal pills successfully stirred the appearance of Pill Lightning. The best among them merely stirred some dark clouds in the sky. However, not even the flash of lightning appeared within the clouds let alone a true Pill Lightning descending from it.
Not many people felt disappointed about this situation because they knew the Pill Gathering was gradually approaching its climax. The medicinal pills that were currently being refined had already climbed to the sixth tier. It was likely that a true tier 7 medicinal pill would be successfully refined very soon.
Xiao Yan ignored the change in the outside world. His eyes were unblinking as they remained locked on the interior of the medicinal cauldron. After ten long and slow days of merging the medicinal strengths, there was a vague fist-sized round-ball-like thing within the flame in his medicinal cauldron.
This small ball was formed from over a hundred medicinal ingredients' essence strength. However, the medicinal pill was still only in its embryonic form…
Although it could not even be called an embryonic form, the most difficult refinement step was at least over. Next, as long as Xiao Yan's condition was stable, he would truly be able to refine this Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill!
However, before the complete pill formed, he still require some brewing time.
"Bang!"
The deep sound of thunder suddenly resounded over the sky above the somewhat hot area. Immediately, countless numbers of eyes were shifted over. They saw that dark clouds had unknowingly appeared in the sky. However, the interior of these dark clouds emitted rumbling thunder, clearly a sign of Pill Lightning forming.
"Pill Lightning? There is a tier 7 medicinal pill that is about to be born!"
An uproar resounded over the stadium when everyone saw the unusual phenomenon in the sky. Immediately, a countless number of gazes were gathered on a stone platform below the sky. A middle-aged man was looking at the thunder cloud in the sky with wild joy on his face. He was the first person who had attracted Pill Lightning.
The appearance of Pill Lightning had attracted the attention of Xiao Yan, who had been focusing his mind on brewing the medicinal pill. His narrowed eyes were slightly widened. After glancing at the thunder clouds in the distant sky, he nodded his head a little. Based on this weak Pill Lightning, it was likely that the medicinal pill being born should be a tier 7 low grade level.
Xiao Yan's eyes took a glance before being withdrawn. His gaze once again turned to Cao Ying and the rest and his heart involuntarily jumped. This time around, he could vaguely sense the energy ripples being emitted from within the medicinal cauldron of the few of them. From the looks of these fluctuations, it was likely the medicinal pills they were refining were not ordinary things…
"There is really a great amount of pressure. I wonder if I will be able to become the champion by relying on this Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill. If this is insufficient, it is likely that I could only…"
Xiao Yan's eyes also slightly flickered when he thought until this point. He bitterly laughed before withdrawing his thoughts. Who cares. Currently, the most important thing was to sit back and observe. That thing was merely his final tactic.
Within just half a day after the first Pill Lightning appeared, some thunder clouds began to gather in the sky again. Moreover, looking at the strength of these thunder clouds, they were clearly stronger than earlier. Clearly, there should be a competitor who had refined a medicinal pill of a better grade.
This subsequent period of time had become lively with two to three Pill Lightnings appearing everyday. The density of these Pill Lightnings were not uniform. However, based on Xiao Yan's guess, the highest grade medicinal pill should only be that of a tier 7 middle grade…
The square had also become unusually lively due to the occasional Pill Lightning that appeared. The dispiritedness of a couple of days earlier had completely disappeared. Each time a tier 7 medicinal pill was born, it would attract quite a number of coveting eyes. A medicinal pill of this grade possessed an extremely great allure to most experts. Except those who had already advanced to the Dou Zun class.
Bang bang bang!
Pill Lightning, which was usually rare to see, had become commonplace in the sky. This caused quite a number of people to feel like this was an eye-opening experience.
Following the flow of time, there were fewer and fewer stone platforms with flames still rising. In the end, there were basically less than fifty. However, everyone knew that those who remained were definitely the top existences within the alchemist world across the Dou Qi continent. If things did not deviate from expectations, the champion of this Pill Gathering would be born among these remaining people!
The atmosphere had unknowingly become serious and more tense as the crowd watched the rising pill fires that rose over the dozens of stone platforms. Those present understood that the most intense competition was about to begin!