Xiao Tian noticed that Nalan Yanran's expression was a little strange, a bit like jealousy?
Xiao Tian thought back to Nalan Yanran's reaction when she saw Xiao Yan's little vest before, and her expression had changed then, too. He thought to himself: Something must have happened between them; things are getting interesting, there's gossip.
Yao Lao: I think so too, I'm really looking forward to it. I wonder if this gossip is ripe.
As time gradually passed, a clear bell rang through the square, and the entire square instantly went from noisy to silent.
"By the authority of the Alchemist Guild President of the Jia Ma Empire, I declare the Seventh Alchemist Convention open!"
Fa Ma stood up, trembling slightly. Although his figure was thin, his voice was full of vigor.
"Cheers!"
The entire venue erupted in cheers and shouts, echoing through the nine heavens!
"All contestants, please proceed to your designated seats."
After the cheers from the crowd had somewhat subsided, Fa Ma spoke again, his voice penetrating clearly into everyone's ears.
Hearing his words, the participating Alchemists moved, taking their places in front of the bluestone platforms they had drawn.
"Xiao Tian, Yan Xiao, Liu Ling, Little Princess, you all return to your respective positions as well; those are your seats."
The four followed Fa Ma's pointing finger. It was the central area of the entire square, where there were about ten large bluestone platforms. These platforms were not only wider than the others but also seemed to be elevated higher.
Looking at these eye-catching and most prominent contestant positions, the four had varied expressions.
Liu Ling was full of excitement, Princess Yao Yue was eager to try, Xiao Yan frowned slightly, while Xiao Tian's expression was calm.
"The four of you, please go down now," Fa Ma said, looking at them with a kind smile.
Liu Ling and Little Princess, full of flair, went to their respective contestant platforms.
Xiao Yan, as in the original work, walked down in a low-key manner.
Xiao Tian unleashed a burst of Dou Qi, pushing Xiao Yan out with lightning speed.
"Damn it, Tian Ge, you're not playing fair!"
Xiao Yan immediately demonstrated his exquisite control of airflow, moving towards the contestant platform.
"It's your turn to perform; I'm looking forward to your display."
Xiao Yi Xian straightened Xiao Tian's clothes, saying softly.
Xiao Tian nodded to the three women and summoned his Wings.
"Holy cow, Dou Qi Wings!"
"He's a Dou King at such a young age?"
Gasps of surprise immediately erupted from the audience.
"Slap!"
"Damn your ancestors, why did you hit me?!"
"I'm checking if I'm dreaming."
"Then why don't you hit yourself?"
"It hurts to hit myself."
The people around them couldn't help but laugh at these two clowns.
With a gentle flap of his wings, he shot forward like an arrow from a bow, instantly soaring above the contestant seats. His movements were light and graceful, as if he had merged with the sky.
Xiao Tian slowly descended onto his seat, gently tidied his clothes, and smiled as he nodded to the surrounding audience.
Though his wings retracted, that handsomeness and composure remained forever in the hearts of the audience.
"He's so handsome! From this moment on, he's my idol! I want to have monkeys with him!"
"That's my male god! I can cooperate with him in any position he wants, even if I die in his arms, I'd be happy!"
A group of female spectators was so captivated by Xiao Tian that they blurted out all sorts of things, making the surrounding men drool.
"Sister Xian'er, this bad guy really attracts a lot of attention. We'll have to teach him a good lesson when we get back tonight."
Ya Fei linked arms with Xiao Yi Xian, leaning in to whisper in her ear with a smile.
My man is so handsome; you can only look, but I, your old lady, own him directly.
"I think you're just seeing your Little Brother Xiao Tian looking so handsome and getting all flustered."
Xiao Yi Xian lightly tapped Ya Fei's forehead, saying playfully.
"Little Brother Xiao Tian, you big bad guy, if you're the most outstanding one today, then maybe those embarrassing thoughts you had before, Sister Xian'er and I wouldn't say no."
Ya Fei murmured, her eyes full of affection, as she looked at Xiao Tian in his seat.
Although Ya Fei's words were soft, Xiao Yi Xian was very close and naturally heard them. Her face, hidden by the veil, flushed, but she didn't object.
...
Xiao Tian stood before the bluestone platform. On the platform, a set of medicinal ingredients was neatly stacked. In front of the ingredients, a thin piece of paper lay quietly. Additionally, a jade mirror was embedded in front of the bluestone platform, faintly flickering with blue and red light.
Xiao Tian picked up the thin paper and carefully scanned it.
Sure enough, it was still this Grade Two medicinal pill, the Bone-Generating Pill.
The paper wasn't like a normal medicinal formula, etched with soul power; it merely casually listed the ingredient quantities and other details.
It only provided a rough refining method; other details, such as the heat control, all needed to be grasped by oneself, which undoubtedly increased the difficulty of refining to a terrifying level.
There were only two sets of ingredients on the platform, meaning only two chances. If both failed, one could only leave in disappointment.
Xiao Tian put down the formula and looked up at Xiao Yan and the other two. Xiao Yan had a faint bitter smile on his face, frowning as he looked at the formula.
Little Princess and Liu Ling, on the other hand, were much calmer. They were currently meticulously reading the few refining issues recorded on the thin paper, their brows slightly furrowed.
Under Xiao Tian's gaze, Liu Ling and Xiao Yan engaged in a silent eye-to-eye confrontation.
Xiao Tian once again carefully reviewed the formula, then closed his eyes.
"What is Xiao Tian doing? He's not even looking at the formula anymore. Is he supremely confident or just arrogant?"
Liu Ling and the others, who were studying the formula, noticed Xiao Tian's actions and looked at him in confusion.
Xiao Tian closed his eyes to concentrate, using his soul power to form an illusory cauldron in his mind, where his powerful soul power began experimental combinations of medicinal ingredients.
This method required a thorough understanding of the properties, effects, and interactions of medicinal ingredients, as well as powerful soul power; neither could be lacking.