At the summit of the Medicine Mountain, within the suspended plaza, Elder Shen Nong, Elder Wanhuo, and Hun Huzi stood in a triangular formation, each occupying a corner of the vast square.
Countless expectant gazes gathered on the three figures below. Even though Hun Huzi's character was notorious, no one could deny that his alchemy skills were exceptionally profound.
As for Elder Wanhuo and Elder Shen Nong, there was no need for elaboration. The former was chosen to represent the Yao Clan in this ceremony, proof enough of his unmatched refinement ability. The latter, a famed alchemy grandmaster, now possessed the Life Spirit Flame; together, man and flame could create miracles.
"The title of the continent's number one alchemist—who do you think will win this time?"
"That's obvious! Of course, it'll be Elder Wanhuo of the Yao Clan! He's second only to the Clan Leader in alchemy."
"Not necessarily. Elder Shen Nong has the Life Spirit Flame. They say that flame not only prolongs life but can also perfectly stimulate medicinal properties…"
"Hmph, so what if it's a Heavenly Flame? Elder Wanhuo also wields one! In the end, it's a battle of skill. Who dares claim they can outmatch the Yao Clan in alchemy?"
"Don't forget, there's still one more person…"
"Oh, you mean Hun Huzi? That villain dares compare himself to Elder Wanhuo? If he wins, I'll run around Medicine Mountain naked three times!"
A wave of laughter swept through the crowd.
Amidst the chatter, the competition began.
Hun Huzi sneered coldly as his feet touched the ground. Deep within his dark eyes, a black, serpentine flame erupted outward. It expanded like a storm, condensing into a massive shadowy python that let out a terrifying hiss toward the others. An eerie and unsettling aura rippled across the square.
The surrounding spectators grimaced at the sight of the flame. The disappearance of the Ling Clan and Shi Clan, coupled with the Void Devouring Flame's strange nature, made the Lei, Yan, Yao, and Gu Clans harbor a dreadful suspicion. A shiver ran through them at the thought—could this be the Ancient Devouring Spirit Clan?
High above, the three Clan Leaders of the Lei, Yan, and Yao Clans exchanged glances, determination flashing in their eyes. No matter the cost, they would eliminate the Hun Clan.
Back in the plaza, Hun Huzi spread his arms wide. Above him, the enormous black python roared to the heavens. His twisted face radiated madness and arrogance.
"The title of this Medicinal Ceremony's champion—belongs to my Hun Clan!"
"What arrogance!" Elder Wanhuo barked coldly. With a wave of his sleeve, a piercing wind howled through the air, and a chilling flame surged from his body, roaring toward the heavens.
Nine Serene Wind Flame—ranked tenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. Though it couldn't rival the Void Devouring Flame, compared to the latter's sub-flames, its power was not inferior in the slightest. The storm-wrapped flame shrieked and raged, facing the dark python head-on without fear.
"Hehe, this old man can't fall behind either," Elder Shen Nong chuckled. He raised his staff high, and as it soared into the air, a verdant flame exploded outward, spreading into a vast sea of green fire. It wasn't scorching, but rather cool and vibrant, as though one stood amidst a lush forest.
Three flames—three Heavenly Flames—erupted in succession, instantly driving the crowd into an uproar. In their hands, these flames could burn the heavens or boil the seas—their might immeasurable.
A flicker of greed flashed in Hun Huzi's eyes. The Nine Serene Wind Flame didn't tempt him much, but the Life Spirit Flame did. With that flame, not only could he extend his life, but he could also produce endless medicinal ingredients. It was the ultimate flame for any alchemist.
'Sooner or later, it'll be mine…' he muttered inwardly. His fingers weaved seals, and the massive python above coiled and roared before transforming into a colossal black cauldron. Its surface shimmered like an abyss, pulling at one's very soul.
By this stage, Dou Qi could manifest any form. A cauldron forged purely from refined Dou Qi rivaled the heavenly cauldrons of the Heavenly Cauldrons Ranking, and its affinity with its master was even stronger—making pill refinement smoother and more efficient.
With a flick of his sleeve, countless rare herbs poured from Hun Huzi's Storage Ring, flooding the sky like a sea of spirit herbs. There must have been tens of thousands—enough to leave the crowd gaping in shock.
A dark grin spread across Hun Huzi's face as his hand seals changed rapidly. The sea of herbs was sucked into his cauldron, where the black flame devoured them all. The display was both awe-inspiring and sinister.
Elder Wanhuo, unwilling to let a Hun Clan dog steal the spotlight at the Yao Clan's own Medicinal Ceremony, snorted coldly. His seals shifted, and a vast cauldron of raging Nine Serene Wind Flame took shape before him. With another motion, an ocean of herbs materialized in the sky. Under his control, they dissolved into pure medicinal essence within moments, drawn into the swirling cauldron winds.
The onlookers gasped aloud. The Yao Clan members stood proudly, their chests puffed out. In alchemy, none could rival them.
Elder Shen Nong, however, remained calm. He gently scattered a handful of seeds into his emerald flames. Instantly, the seeds sprouted and flourished, growing into radiant spiritual herbs before everyone's eyes. A dense medicinal fragrance filled the air—refreshing and invigorating. Each plant rivaled century-old herbs in potency.
The crowd was stunned. The mysterious properties of the Life Spirit Flame were revealed in full—it could accelerate life itself. Paradoxically, it was Shen Nong's serenity, not flamboyance, that drew the most admiration.
Even Liu Xi's gaze lingered on him. 'Such a flame… directly ripening herbs and refining them in the same breath—it's too valuable.' Though he already had Zi Yan to provide him endless resources, who wouldn't covet the Life Spirit Flame?
Hours passed. After three days of refinement, the trio completed the tempering phase and moved on to condensation—the true test of mastery.
At this stage, Hun Huzi's lips curved into a smirk. His hand seals changed, and he growled deeply, "Heaven and Earth Energy, heed my command—gather!"
A black vortex of flame erupted skyward, expanding rapidly. Heaven and Earth Energy was swallowed at a terrifying rate—ten zhang, a hundred, a thousand…
The crowd trembled in disbelief. To forcibly draw upon the energy of heaven and earth for refinement—wasn't he afraid the imbalance would destroy the pill completely?
Yet among the knowledgeable, particularly the alchemists of the Yao Clan, realization dawned. Their faces went pale. Hun Huzi… was attempting to refine a 9th Tier Mysterious Pill!
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Even among them, few had ever witnessed a 9th Tier Treasure Pill, let alone a Mysterious Pill.
Unwilling to concede, Elder Wanhuo and Elder Shen Nong gritted their teeth and unleashed their own hand seals. Two more vortices of energy burst forth, clashing with Hun Huzi's as they competed for control over Heaven and Earth's energy.
The Medicinal Ceremony reached its boiling point.
The mountains trembled. Countless spirit herbs withered as their life force was drained into the maelstrom. Heartbroken, the Yao Clan elders rushed to seal their most precious medicine gardens before they were reduced to dust.
Every eye in the plaza was fixed on the sky—three masters, three flames, three cauldrons—and the birth of a single pill that would determine the title of the Continent's Number One Alchemist.
Liu Xi drew a deep breath, his gaze shifting skyward. The others couldn't sense it, but with his Emperor Realm Soul, he already knew—the Void Devouring Flame had arrived.
And this time… it wasn't just a fragment.
It was the true body of the flame itself.
(End of Chapter)
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