The space itself had begun to distort, slipping toward some unknown region—or perhaps being devoured by the Void Devouring Flame.
Sensing the disturbance, Liu Xi quickly formed a conclusion.
His gaze shifted slightly toward the three Clan Leaders—each either calm or faintly smirking. They had either prepared for this long ago or hadn't yet noticed the abnormality of the space. With their soul realms, even the strongest among them, Yao Dan, possessed only a Perfect Heaven Realm Soul. Most likely, none of them had detected the anomaly.
The fearless are often merely the ignorant.
Liu Xi shook his head, deciding not to speak. He intended to let these people wear down the Void Devouring Flame first—that would make it easier for him to consume it afterward.
Turning his focus back to the plaza, he found the battle for Heaven and Earth energy had reached its final stage. The natural energy within several thousand li had been completely siphoned away.
He stretched out a hand and sensed sharply that the ambient energy around them had dropped to an extremely low level. It would take months—perhaps half a year—for it to recover.
Around the plaza, everyone—guests, elders, and clansmen alike—stared fixedly at the three enormous cyclones towering a hundred zhang high, each containing the condensed power of heaven and earth.
Even so, all three alchemists frowned. Despite absorbing vast amounts of energy, it still wasn't enough to birth a Mysterious Pill.
A 9th Tier Mysterious Pill—even the simplest kind—surpassed ordinary Dou Saints in power.
A supreme Mysterious Pill like the one Liu Xi had once refined, forged through Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning, could rival a 4-Star or 5-Star Dou Saint.
Elder Wanhuo and Elder Shen Nong exchanged troubled glances, momentarily at a loss.
Hun Huzi, however, moved first—his cunning eyes glinting darkly as a wicked plan took form in his mind.
"It seems today, only one 9th Tier Mysterious Pill will be born… In that case, hand over your Heaven and Earth energy!"
Before his words had even finished echoing, his hand seals changed sharply. The cyclone before him expanded once more, black flames swirling as it lunged toward the others.
"Not good!" Elder Shen Nong exclaimed.
"You dare!" Elder Wanhuo roared, veins bulging at his temples.
Both reacted instantly. Their hand seals shifted, and the Nine Serene Wind Flame and Life Spirit Flame surged forth. In an instant, three Heavenly Flames collided, borrowing the massive cyclones as conduits for their clash.
The air shuddered violently; ripples of distorted space spread outward with an overwhelming pressure that crushed everything around.
Those below the Dou Saint level broke out in cold sweat and staggered back in unison to escape the crushing force, eyes wide with awe and terror.
Flames swirled, sparks rained across the sky like meteor showers. At night, it might have been beautiful—if not for the deadly killing intent hidden within.
A single spark struck the plaza, and with a thunderous boom, blasted a pit deep into the ground.
The spectators were horrified.
The Life Spirit Flame was the first to falter. As its emerald glow dissipated, its energy was completely swallowed by the black fire.
Elder Shen Nong's face turned pale; he staggered back several steps and spat a mouthful of blood. His eyes dimmed as he gazed down at his nearly-formed pill.
The verdant pill quivered uncontrollably. Its medicinal properties had been thrown into chaos, and without sufficient Heaven and Earth energy, its structure had collapsed.
Elder Shen Nong smiled bitterly. The pill was ruined—beyond saving.
The Life Spirit Flame, though perfect for alchemy, was ill-suited for battle. Against even a sub-flame of the Void Devouring Flame, it stood no chance. Losing a portion of his fire and energy, he knew the outcome was decided.
Hun Huzi himself wasn't unscathed. His face flushed red; even his soul trembled from the backlash of the explosion. Yet his grin only widened. Having defeated Elder Shen Nong, only Elder Wanhuo remained.
His hand seals moved faster and faster, his expression growing ever more feral. As long as he seized the energy Elder Wanhuo had condensed, his 9th Tier Mysterious Pill would succeed.
Two cyclones intertwined like twin dragons locked in a brutal struggle—each tearing at the other, ripping flesh and devouring blood.
"Hun Huzi, you despicable cur!" Elder Wanhuo bellowed, his eyes blazing with fury. He cursed loudly yet dared not slow his hands, forcing every ounce of Dou Qi within his vast ocean-like body to surge forth.
Though there was no written rule, sabotaging another's refinement during alchemy was one of the vilest acts imaginable.
"Hahaha! Winners and losers, that's all that matters! Once I refine this 9th Tier Mysterious Pill, it'll prove that the Hun Clan's alchemy surpasses the Yao Clan's! And I, Hun Huzi, shall be the continent's Number One Alchemist!"
Rather than feeling shame, Hun Huzi laughed wildly, his voice filled with mockery.
"Keep dreaming!" Elder Wanhuo roared. The Yao Clan had long held the title of the continent's greatest alchemists. To lose it now—to the Hun Clan—would make him the greatest sinner in his clan's history.
Yao Dan sighed deeply, eyes falling on the struggling pair within the plaza. One misstep had led to another—Elder Wanhuo had already fallen into Hun Huzi's rhythm. To overturn the situation now would be near impossible.
"Wanhuo's going to lose… Never thought our Yao Clan would one day yield the title of the continent's Number One Alchemist."
Lei Ying crossed his arms, eyes locked on Hun Huzi, a cold light flashing in their depths. His lips curled into a grin.
"He won't hold that title for long. A Mysterious Pill Grandmaster can't be allowed to return to the Hun Clan alive. Otherwise, destroying the Hun Clan will become far more troublesome. Since he came here of his own accord, we'll kill however many they send!"
Yan Jin smiled faintly and turned toward Zhu Bei. "This will only cripple one arm of the Hun Clan. They've entrenched themselves across the continent for ages. When the time comes to eradicate them completely, we'll still need the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe's strength."
Their intentions were plain enough. Zhu Bei neither accepted nor refused, only smiling calmly. "The Hun Clan's despicable deeds are known to all. When I return, I'll report to the Dragon Emperor. Such a vile clan should indeed be wiped out sooner rather than later."
Empty courtesy, of course. The Ancient Void Dragon Tribe cared only for the eight Ancient Jades—who held them mattered little.
"Haha! Well spoken, Mr. Zhu Bei! Let's drink to that!"
The air grew momentarily cheerful among the Clan Leaders, though none truly believed they could draw the dragons into war.
As long as the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe didn't side with the Hun Clan, that was enough.
Meanwhile, the outcome on the plaza had already become clear.
Outside the field, the Yao Clan elders pounded their chests in frustration, their clansmen shouting curses at Hun Huzi's shamelessness.
But rage could not change the result. Elder Wanhuo was defeated—the enormous cyclone and the shattered Nine Serene Wind Flame were completely consumed by the Void Devouring Flame.
"Hahahaha!"
Hun Huzi laughed madly. The vast vortex of energy poured endlessly into his cauldron, making it glow brighter and brighter. A rhythmic thump-thump echoed within, like a heartbeat.
The Mysterious Pill was about to be born—its required energy finally complete.
The outcome was now undeniable.
Victory—and defeat—had been decided.
(End of Chapter)
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