Chapter 349: Xuan Kongzi: I Lost Everything
"You Soul Hall people really don't have anything new up your sleeve."
Looking at Mu Gu Elder's soul form bound tightly by the Fallen Heart Flame, Xiao Yuan spoke indifferently.
"Hmph! You've captured me, but the Hall Master of Soul Hall will never let you off!"
Mu Gu Elder still hadn't figured out the situation, continuing his arrogant threats.
"Hmph. Still so arrogant even as a prisoner?"
Xiao Yan sneered. The temperature of the Fallen Heart Flame instantly surged, fiercely refining Mu Gu Elder once again. Miserable screams echoed alongside rising wisps of white smoke.
"Seal him for now. I'll hand him over to Teacher later."
Xiao Yuan glanced calmly at the pitifully tormented Mu Gu Elder. For trash like this, at most, it was a warm-up. It wasn't even satisfying.
"If you've collected your medicinal ingredients, go submit them. I'll head out first."
As he spoke, Xiao Yuan reached out and scooped up the Fallen Heart Flame enclosing Mu Gu Elder, then casually tore open space and stepped inside.
"Uh…"
Cao Ying seemed to want to say something, but Xiao Yuan gave her no chance to ask. He stepped directly into the pitch-black spatial rift and vanished.
"I didn't expect Xiao Yuan's Dou Qi strength to be that terrifying..."
Cao Ying glanced at Xiao Yan, sighing softly.
"Eh, that's nothing yet."
Xiao Yan felt she was making a fuss over nothing. With his third brother's strength, was that hard?
"Let's go. Better check if there are any ingredients left in the Myriad Medicine Mountain Range. That ferocious beast never showed up during the battle earlier. I'm guessing it either left or was tied down by something. We might get lucky."
Waving his hand, Xiao Yan turned and flew toward the mountain range.
Cao Ying frowned, glaring at his retreating back. After a moment, she stomped her foot and pouted, following after him.
In the distance, Wang Yuandan trailed silently behind.
He couldn't interfere with his grandmaster's romance.
Outside the Pill Realm, Xiao Yuan stepped from the pitch-black portal and casually threw down over a dozen black-robed corpses.
"Presidents, all the Soul Hall members who interfered with the Pill Gathering have been dealt with. The leader was a Dou Zun named Mu Gu Elder."
He cupped his hands and reported calmly.
"Mhm, well done. Let the tournament continue."
Xuan Kongzi nodded with a smile.
"Understood."
Xiao Yuan nodded and casually ignited the corpses with flame, reducing them to ashes. He then declared loudly:
"Everyone, these were the Soul Hall enforcers who infiltrated the Pill Gathering and murdered many contestants. So today, I ask you to bear witness. As long as I, Xiao Yuan, am alive, I will never allow these Soul Hall scum to defile this sacred gathering hosted by our Pill Tower!"
His resolute words and iron-blooded actions drew thunderous applause. Pill Tower had rarely taken such a strong public stance against Soul Hall. Over the years, Soul Hall's constant harvesting of soul power had filled many with fear. Now, hearing this statement from Pill Tower's future leader reassured many.
"Alright, let the Pill Gathering continue."
Xiao Yuan nodded again, returned to the high platform, and calmly waited for the contestants to exit the Pill Realm.
And so began a wait that lasted ten days.
The square was packed with people as far as the eye could see. Deafening cheers rolled like thunder, shaking even the clouds.
In mid-air, numerous stone platforms floated. These would soon become the center of all attention, as the final round of the Pill Gathering would unfold there.
Today marked the opening of the Pill Realm's exit. Only those who successfully passed the second round would be eligible to continue competing.
All eyes turned to the massive black stone gate at the center of the square, where twisted space signaled the gate's activation.
"The spatial gate is opening!"
As space twisted, the sea of spectators erupted in cheers. Countless burning gazes locked onto the gate.
Gradually, figures began to emerge from within, greeted by waves of thunderous applause.
Anyone who made it this far was already an elite among the continent's alchemists. Even if they withdrew now, many powers would still vie to recruit them.
As more contestants exited, the cheers grew louder. The vast square trembled under the pressure of the soundwaves.
Boom!
Another spatial fluctuation, and a stunning, elegant figure stepped out, bathed in sunlight—Cao Ying.
Cheers roared. Her fame made her a top contender for champion.
But her expression was uncharacteristically serious.
"You two done dragging your feet yet?" she called impatiently.
Right on cue, Xiao Yan and Wang Yuandan strolled out of the gate.
"What's the rush?"
Xiao Yan smiled lazily, like a tourist rather than a contestant.
Wang Yuandan, on the other hand, could barely contain his excitement. Though it wasn't his first Pill Gathering, it was his first time entering as an 8th-tier alchemist.
"It's Big Brother Xiao Yan!"
Xin Lan's eyes lit up with joy.
Beside her, Ye Zhong also relaxed when he spotted the familiar silhouette, though his expression soured slightly upon seeing Cao Ying beside him. He snuck a glance at his clueless granddaughter and said nothing.
Xiao Yan spotted them, smiled, and nodded their way.
"This kid's nerves are steel," chuckled Tian Huo Zun-zhe.
But on the high platform, Xuan Kongzi's temples throbbed. Not only had he lost in alchemy to Yao Chen, now even his treasured disciple was being swayed by Yao Chen's student?
This was just too much.
In the middle of the square, Xiao Yan's eyes swept the crowd. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed this public energy—the human warmth—after spending days in the solitary Pill Realm with Cao Ying's chatter.
Looking at the gate still pouring out alchemists, he was surprised. Even after two grueling rounds, over a thousand contestants remained.
Back when he joined the Jia Ma Empire's alchemy tournament, the scale had been nowhere close—not just in quantity, but in quality. Here, any one of them could've won that tournament with ease.
After about half an hour, the gate closed. The third and final round was about to begin.
At last, the atmosphere shifted from rowdy to tense.
All eyes turned to Xiao Yuan on the high platform.
"First, congratulations to everyone who has made it this far. You've passed the second round. But now begins the true challenge—the final round! Those who endure will claim the title of Pill Gathering Champion!"
He gestured skyward.
"The stone platforms above are your stage. There, I hope you'll shine your brightest!"
With those words, the crowd erupted again.
The grandest alchemy competition on the continent had reached its climax.
"All contestants, take your places! No restrictions, no limits—refine your best pill!"
Xiao Yuan's cheerful command thundered across the skies.
With a collective roar, alchemists leapt into the air like a storm of arrows. The number of flying figures even dimmed the sunlight.
The floating platforms could accommodate everyone easily. Still, the visual of a thousand alchemists rising together was nothing short of majestic.
Xiao Yan didn't rush. He waited until most had chosen their spots before descending quietly onto a modest platform near the edge.
The center was too crowded. Disturbances during pill refinement could be fatal to a successful result.
The platform was small—about three meters wide—but perfect for a solo alchemist. Nearby, he spotted Cao Ying, Dan Chen, and Song Qing, who had also chosen secluded spots to avoid disruption.
Dong!
A crisp snap echoed as Xiao Yuan glanced skyward and snapped his fingers.
A clear bell chime reverberated across the heavens.
"The time has come. Begin your refinements!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The atmosphere froze—then hundreds of pill cauldrons materialized across the sky, thundering as they landed on their respective platforms.
The crowd below gasped in awe. It was likely the first time they'd ever seen so many high-grade cauldrons appear at once.
As alchemists summoned flames of every hue, the sky burst into color—like a firework show of alchemy.
Xiao Yan sat silently, eyes closed, gathering his focus.
His target this round: Bone-Melding Blood-Fusion Pill—a peak 7th-tier pill. With his skill and three Heavenly Flames, he was confident he could push it to 8th-tier quality and take the crown.
Nearby, Cao Ying slowly summoned her cauldron. A flick of her fingers—a blindingly crimson flame ignited in her palm.
Even from afar, it seemed richer than blood. Within danced a flame sprite.
The moment it appeared, nearby cauldrons shivered, and other alchemists gasped.
"That's… the Blood Demon Flame?"
Xiao Yuan narrowed his eyes and looked at Xuan Kongzi.
"What're you staring at me for? Her clan gave it to her. Has nothing to do with me."
Xuan Kongzi huffed.
"Heh, I wasn't implying anything! Just curious."
Xiao Yuan grinned. He knew Xuan Kongzi wasn't annoyed at him—it was that his precious disciple seemed far too fond of Xiao Yan.
It felt like a total loss.
"Humph. Better be."
Xiao Yuan shrugged and wisely said no more.
After all, he wasn't the one losing this round.
(END CHAPTER)
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