Wanhuo's dull gaze fell upon his pill. Like Elder Shen Nong's, its medicinal properties were chaotic and lacked sufficient energy support—it was completely ruined.
Pfft!
Unable to endure the blow, Wanhuo coughed up a mouthful of blood. His face turned pale in an instant, yet the physical injury was secondary—the pain in his heart was far greater. He had lost the Yao Clan's long-standing title of the continent's number one alchemist, and worse, to the Hun Clan's Hun Huzi.
Elder Wanhuo's eyes were lifeless, while Elder Shen Nong wore a bitter smile. In the end, the one laughing was none other than Hun Huzi.
The man laughed wildly, his hands forming intricate seals as the cauldron before him began to transform into a black egg engraved with countless mysterious patterns, faintly glowing with light. The egg pulsed rhythmically, emitting soft thumps like a heartbeat, spreading a powerful pressure that no one beneath the Dou Saint realm could approach.
"Haha! Do you see now? The victor is me—Hun Huzi! The title of the continent's number one alchemist belongs to this old man! Cough, cough…"
Hun Huzi's manic laughter echoed as he hacked out blood. His strength was far beyond what he had revealed; suppressing both Elder Shen Nong and Wanhuo had taken a toll on him, his blood and dou qi churning violently.
Around the square, the Yao Clan's members glared with burning hatred. Their fists clenched tightly, teeth grinding. If looks could kill, Hun Huzi would have been pierced by ten thousand arrows.
Among them stood Xiao Yan, his expression twisted with rage. The Hun Clan had destroyed nearly everything he had—his family, his father, his lover.
Liu Xi nodded slightly. Hun Huzi's alchemy was indeed extraordinary—his experience surpassed even Liu Xi's. Hun Huzi had refined the 9th Tier Mysterious Pill through mastery and patience, while Liu Xi had relied on his Emperor Realm Soul to forcefully create the Lightning Tribulation Pill.
Different paths, but both extraordinary. Yet Liu Xi knew—age and years brought depth no flame could imitate.
A faint smile crossed his lips. 'This 9th Tier Mysterious Pill is fated to be mine.'
Such a heaven-sent opportunity—if he didn't seize it, it would be a crime against himself.
Boom!
The heavens darkened as furious winds gathered. Rolling black clouds loomed above the floating plaza, pressing downward with an oppressive divine might that made all tremble. Within the clouds, a massive black serpent slithered, its sinister body radiating destruction. Even the four leaders atop the high platform wore grim expressions.
It was Black Demon Lightning—litghtning strong enough to annihilate a Dou Saint!
Hun Huzi stood proudly, hands raised toward the sky, eyes burning with feverish madness. "Come! Black Demon Lightning! Let this old man see if you can destroy my 9th Tier Mysterious Pill!"
As if provoked, a thunderous roar shook the heavens, and a bolt of jet-black lightning descended from the clouds, striking straight at the egg.
All eyes fixated on that egg—some anxious, some eager—hoping it would shatter under the lightning's fury.
Crack!
Boom!
Thunder ripped through the air, tearing the void itself as the black lightning engulfed the plaza and drowned the egg within its radiance. The destructive power shook heaven and earth; even the onlookers held their breath, hearts pounding as they strained to see through the blinding glare.
The storm raged for several breaths before the lightning slowly dispersed. A massive pit a thousand feet wide remained, smoke curling into the sky.
At its center, the black egg hovered, wreathed in dark flames and faint arcs of lightning. Bolts of thunder were being devoured by the black fire.
The storm above grew furious once more. One strike failed, so came two, then ten—Black Demon Lightning poured down in torrents. The roars and crashes filled the world, dazzling flashes forcing the crowd to avert their eyes.
At last, the lightning faded, the clouds dispersed, and sunlight returned to the plaza. Warmth touched the faces of the stunned spectators. Their eyes turned toward the crater, where a blackened sphere rolled weakly, smoke rising from its surface—lifeless, or so it seemed.
Before anyone could exhale in relief—
Crack! Crack! Crack!
A crisp sound split the silence. Luminous light burst forth, its brilliance like glazed jade illuminating the heavens. Dense medicinal energy surged outward, filling the air and condensing into glowing raindrops that drifted gently from the sky.
The 9th Tier Mysterious Pill—had succeeded!
Whoosh!
A streak of light flashed as Hun Huzi darted forward, his bloodshot eyes gleaming with exhilaration.
"Mysterious Pill, where do you think you're going!"
Even he couldn't guarantee success every time. This triumph was fate's blessing—and he would never allow the pill to escape. In a breath, it was already in his grasp.
But just then, Hun Huzi's mind went blank for an instant, as if struck by an unseen force. When he blinked back to awareness, nothing seemed amiss. He shook his head, dismissing it as fatigue from overexertion, then smirked and carefully sealed the pill away.
His gaze swept across the crowd—the pale Wanhuo, the dejected Elder Shen Nong, the countless furious faces, and finally, the four figures on the high platform: Yao Dan, Yan Jin, Lei Ying, and Zhu Bei.
"Clan Leader Yao Dan," Hun Huzi said with a mocking bow, "is it not time to announce the winner? Surely, this title belongs to me?"
Yao Dan rose slowly, expressionless, his calm voice echoing through the air. "The champion of this Medicinal Ceremony—Hun Huzi."
As pill rain fell and the Mysterious Pill shone in midair, Yao Dan didn't argue. Losing was one thing—but refusing to admit defeat was beneath him.
The plaza erupted in shocked murmurs. None could have expected that this year's champion would be from the Hun Clan.
"Hahahaha! Hahahahahaha!"
Hun Huzi's wild laughter echoed across the mountains. When it finally subsided, his eyes glinted coldly. "Since Clan Leader Yao Dan is so agreeable, this old man has one small request—though I wonder if it is convenient to speak."
'You already know it's inappropriate, yet you still ask…'
Even with Yao Dan's composure, he inwardly cursed Hun Huzi a thousand times, but outwardly remained calm. "Speak."
Hun Huzi's smile widened, his gaze sharp and sinister as he enunciated each word: "The Hun Clan wishes to borrow the Yao Clan's Ancient Jade!"
His words struck like thunder.
The entire hall erupted in uproar. The Ancient Jade was the greatest secret of the ancient clans—many of their own younger members didn't even know of its existence.
And now, Hun Huzi had dared to demand it openly? This was courting death.
Yao Dan's fury blazed, while Yan Jin and Lei Ying exchanged looks of disbelief, wondering if Hun Huzi's brain had been crushed by a door.
This was sheer suicide.
Zhu Bei, meanwhile, smiled faintly. A fight over the Ancient Jade suited him perfectly. Let them battle for it—when the eight jades were gathered, what awaited them would not be the legacy of the Toushe Ancient Emperor, but the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe's supreme Dragon Emperor himself.
Liu Xi had already sensed it—the space was sealed. That presence was the Void Devouring Flame. Let the three clan leaders exhaust it first; he would move from the shadows, strike down Hun Huzi, and claim the fated 9th Tier Mysterious Pill. The mark he had placed earlier ensured Hun Huzi could never escape his grasp.
'So the blade hidden in the map finally reveals itself…'
(End of Chapter)
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