Chapter 528: The Pill Gathering in Progress

Although the Heavenly Court valued Pill Gathering, the method of evaluation remained unchanged, no different from the past. It consisted of traversing the Soul Fantasy Realm, gathering medicinal ingredients in the Pill Realm, and competing in alchemy, with the champion ultimately determined by the quality of the refined medicinal pill.

Even though it was the same old trio of challenges, it was enough to put an alchemist's skills to the test.

Xiao Ming paid close attention as Xuan Kong Zi explained the selection process for the Pill Gathering and casually surveyed the participants gathered below.

He noticed several elderly individuals with formidable souls. A quick glance revealed that seven or eight of them had already reached the Spirit Realm.

All of these elderly people, without exception, were staring at his chest, or, more precisely, at the nine-star badge that was attached to it.

Understanding that these old fellows were attending the Pill Gathering because of him, Xiao Ming paid no further attention to them. After all, they had no chance of winning this time.

His gaze then shifted to another part of the crowd, and there, he spotted several familiar faces. Standing next to Cao Ying were Dan Chen and Ye Xin Lan, the young girl from the Ye Clan whom he had mentored for some time.

Dan Chen was, after all, a true alchemy genius on par with Cao Ying and had long entered the Spirit Realm. As for Ye Xin Lan, her talent was nowhere near the level of those two girls, and she hadn't even reached the Spirit Realm yet. However, the seven-star badge on her chest made Xiao Ming nod in approval.

It seemed that this girl had diligently followed his guidance over the years.

The three girls noticed Xiao Ming's gaze fixed upon them.

Dan Chen blushed and lowered her head shyly, while Ye Xin Lan smiled brightly in return.

When Cao Ying saw the alchemist's robe Xiao Ming was wearing, her eyes held a glint similar to those of Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa, although tinged with a touch of amusement.

She couldn't resist covering her mouth with her hand as she let out a charming giggle. Her heart warmed in contentment. She knew very well that Xiao Ming would not have bothered to dress so formally if it had not been for her. Perhaps he would not have attended at all.

After scanning the surroundings and finding nothing suspicious, Xiao Ming withdrew his gaze. Then he listened as Xuan Kong Zi finished his introduction.

"As long as you pass these three selections and are still standing at the end, you will be the champion of this year's Pill Gathering!" Xuan Kong Zi looked at the audience, where the word 'champion' had stirred up waves of excitement.

"In this year's top ten, you will have the opportunity to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame." He paused for a moment to let the impact of his words sink in.

"The champion of this year's Pill Gathering will not only be able to obtain a position as a potential successor to Pill Tower's Giant Head and secure an elder's seat in Heavenly Court, but will also be able to obtain a scroll containing a soul training method from ancient times. By practicing this method, one can reach the Eighth or even Ninth Tier!"

"Not only that, the champion will also have the opportunity to receive guidance from a Ninth-Tier Grandmaster!"

Clamor!

Xuan Kong Zi's words had just rung out when the densely packed sea of people immediately let out a soul-stirring roar. The eyes of countless alchemists had turned red at this moment.

The chance to become a giant head? Secure the seat of an elder? Learn an ancient method of soul training? Receive guidance from a Ninth-Tier Grandmaster?

Which of these wasn't highly coveted? These were opportunities that anyone on the outside would fight tooth and nail to obtain. But this time, they were all granted to the champion of Pill Gathering!

The first two benefits were impressive, but the soul training method that could lead someone into the Eighth or Ninth Tier was particularly attractive. For the majority of alchemists, the Eighth and Ninth Tiers were seemingly unattainable realms. In the entire Central Plains, or even the entire continent, Eighth-Tier Alchemist and above were few and far between.

This was undoubtedly an irresistible and fatal attraction for all alchemists!

As for the guidance from a Ninth-Tier Grandmaster, it went without saying. The guidance of a higher-level alchemist was invaluable to everyone, especially to those alchemists who had been stuck at their current tier for years; such guidance could lead to a breakthrough!

"This champion's position... no matter what, we must strive for it!"

Countless people looked at the stage where they saw the only Ninth-Tier Alchemist they had ever met in their lives. Understanding that this might be their only chance to receive guidance from a Ninth-Tier Alchemist, they steeled their resolve.

Xuan Kong Zi looked down from the high stage at the eyes below, which had suddenly turned blood red. He smiled slightly, looked at the sky, and finally waved his sleeves. An invisible ripple spread out, hitting the empty space and forming another long, melodious ringing of a bell.

"Time is up. Competitors of Fifth Tier and above, please enter the first hurdle, the Soul Fantasy Realm!"

Xuan Kong Zi's finger suddenly pointed at the huge square. The deep gray space quickly twisted, forming parts of a strange world and giving it a profound appearance.

Bang!

As soon as Xuan Kong Zi's words fell, countless figures burst forth from the vast sea of onlookers. They swarmed like locusts, converging upon the sky from all directions, and then plunged into the distorted space...

Cao Ying watched as the human figures rushed into the distorted space. Then she looked at Xiao Ming and the two stunning women beside him. She was determined this time, not only would she win the Pill Gathering, but she would do it in such a dominating fashion that it would astound the entire continent!

Only by sweeping through this competition would she consider herself worthy to stand beside Xiao Ming, just as her sisters were doing now!

Dan Chen and Ye Xing Lan at her side took a deep breath. Cao Ying gave them a look of encouragement before whispering in a hushed tone, "It's time to move ahead."

"Give it your all!" Xiao Ming's words of encouragement reached their ears as the trio took a step forward. The trio perked up instantly. All three smiled at him before suddenly stomping on the ground. Their willowy waists twisted as they transformed into colorful figures that burst into the distorted deep gray space in front of many cautivated eyes!

The fierce competition of the Pill Gathering had officially begun!

Xuan Kong Zi nodded on the stone platform as he watched the countless shadows enter the Soul Fantasy Realm like locusts in transit. His hands were clasped behind his back as he faintly said, "Many famous old fellows couldn't resist the temptation this time. I wonder if it's the lure of the Three Thousand Burning Flame or other reasons."

"Who knows? The Three Thousand Burning Flame is far from being an ordinary Heavenly Flame, and it holds considerable attraction for these old guys. The guidance of a Ninth-Tier Grandmaster Alchemist is no less enticing."

The dark-skinned old man beside Xuan Kong Zi, Tian Lei Zi, raised his eyes and cast a glance at Xiao Ming. Not to mention others, even they were eager to discuss alchemy with Xiao Ming, but he was often busy, leaving them with limited opportunities.

"The younger generation is crowding out the older generation. Some of the younger talents these days are not to be underestimated. Even if the older generation takes action, they may end up with a bitter taste in their mouths..." Xuan Yi, the pretty cheongsam-clad woman beside them, smiled faintly and added.

Of course, this younger generation wasn't referring to Xiao Ming. Even though he belonged to the younger generation, who would think of him as such now? While others his age were still striving, Xiao Ming was already at the pinnacle of the Dou Qi Continent. It was quite a contrast.

Here, the younger generation referred to Cao Ying and Dan Chen.

Xuan Kong Zi smiled and nodded. As if thinking of something, he stroked his beard and said, "The current younger generation is exceptionally talented and harder working than ever. The older folks attending this event have no idea what a big surprise awaits them."

Xiao Ming, who was quietly listening on the side, interjected at this moment.

"If no one manages to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame this time, I'll take it with me."

Everyone was surprised when they heard this.

It wasn't that they doubted Xiao Ming's abilities. After all, people with the strength of a high-star Dou Venerate could easily subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame, and the Heavenly Court had several capable of handling it. Devouring it, however, was an entirely different matter altogether.

Of course, none of this was a problem for Xiao Ming. But since he could have subdued the Three Thousand Burning Flame before, they thought he was not interested.

Despite their surprise, there was no opposition to his decision. One could even say that his decision solved a problem.

"Ah, our Alliance Leader is indeed working tirelessly for the Heavenly Court."

The giants on the platform sighed in admiration. Soon after, they and the rest of the crowd dispersed.

The assessment consisted of three phases. Each phase lasted several days. They only had to reappear for the final stage. There was no need to wait idly, especially when they couldn't see the evaluation from the outside.