The next day, the sun rose slowly, painting the clouds along the horizon a brilliant orange-red. Sunlight cascaded down like golden ribbons upon the people walking along the road, wrapping them in endless warmth.
Xiao Tian led the three women toward the Royal Square.
Along the way, the crowd surged like a black current coursing through the city's veins.
Today was the final match, and the number of spectators had multiplied severalfold.
Upon arriving at the VIP section, Xiao Yan, Liu Ling, and the others were already seated.
Nalan Yanran and Yao Ye were still sitting beside Xiao Yan, but thinking of Xiao Yan's temperament, Xiao Tian ultimately shook his head.
Liu Ling and Princess Yao Yue were conversing about something. Liu Ling no longer displayed his former arrogance, likely due to the significant setbacks of the past two days, which had forced him to recognize his own limitations.
If he could thoroughly understand himself, his talent would be better utilized. Otherwise, he would remain as he was.
Xiao Tian smiled and nodded toward everyone, then led the three women to find an empty seat.
"It appears many have already received inside information."
Ya Fei observed the numerous alchemists around her, their faces brimming with confidence, utterly devoid of the confusion one would expect from ignorance of the assessment's theme.
"A large guild inherently contains people from many other factions within it. With such a mixture of individuals, information naturally leaks out."
"There may even be people from the Chu Yun Empire inside. Look at his expression. He definitely knew in advance."
Xiao Tian turned to observe Yan Li in the arena, gesturing subtly.
Yan Li inside the arena noticed Xiao Tian. He made a throat-slitting gesture with his hand, his eyes brimming with provocation.
Xiao Tian thought to himself, *Oh, a prophet, is he? He actually knows he will be dealt with after today.*
Xiao Tian ignored him and continued chatting with the three women.
Seeing that the time was nearly upon them, Xiao Tian descended from the VIP seats and proceeded to the station where he had been assessed the previous day.
"Look, that is the top performer from yesterday's assessment. He looks so young and handsome."
"This world is truly unfair. Not only is he so good-looking, but he also possesses such strength and talent. He leaves no room for others to thrive."
"..."
After Xiao Tian entered the arena, bursts of exclamation erupted from the audience.
Xiao Yan was observing Yan Li. "Is this Face-Restoration Pill truly so miraculous that even a peak Dou Emperor cannot discern its authenticity?"
"Today's championship is mine. You all stand no chance. You shall experience a crushing defeat in life. Haha."
Yan Li's arrogant laughter echoed throughout the arena.
Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan remained composed, entirely unaffected, while Liu Ling and Princess Yao Yue clenched their fists, their faces ashen.
"Dong."
A clear bell rang in everyone's ears. Upon hearing it, both contestants and spectators became fully alert. This bell signified that a fierce battle was about to commence.
Everyone in the entire arena simultaneously turned their gazes toward Fa Ma on the high platform.
"Today is the final and most crucial round of this Alchemist Convention. The victor of this round shall be this year's champion."
"This match stands as a testament to your sweat and effort, and your pursuit of dreams. Therefore, give your all and leave behind no regrets."
Fa Ma stood upon the high platform. His voice, though aged, was powerful and resonant, every word striking a chord within the contestants.
"Good!"
Thunderous applause and excited roars erupted throughout the arena.
Half a minute later, Fa Ma pressed his hands downward. The noise in the arena gradually subsided, finally falling into complete silence.
"The third round of assessment: Free format. Everything depends entirely upon you. Refine the finest pill you are capable of within the allotted time."
Fa Ma loudly introduced the theme of this round's assessment.
After Fa Ma finished speaking, the expressions of most alchemists present shifted. Some were genuinely at a loss, while others merely feigned it.
"Since everyone is familiar with the assessment rules, I now declare the third round of assessment... begin!"
A surge of Dou Qi struck the massive hourglass, which flipped over and began flowing slowly, as though narrating the passage of time.
After Fa Ma's declaration, everyone in the arena, by tacit understanding, fell into contemplation.
They were all calculating what grade of pill those around them might produce, whether to refine their most proficient formula or take a calculated risk to refine something superior, and simultaneously checking whether their medicinal ingredients were sufficient.
The first to break the silence were Princess Yao Yue and Liu Ling, who possessed relatively ample resources. With a wave of their hands, a high-quality medicinal cauldron materialized before each of them.
The medicinal cauldrons revealed by the two immediately drew gasps from those in the know.
Princess Yao Yue produced a green medicinal cauldron. It was the once-renowned fifth-tier medicinal cauldron, the Azure Flame Cauldron.
Liu Ling brought forth an orange-yellow medicinal cauldron.
"Oh, I had assumed Gu He would bestow upon him his Volcano Flame Cauldron. This Scorching Sun Cauldron is also a fifth-tier medicinal cauldron. As expected of the Pill King, his foundation is truly profound."
Fa Ma observed Liu Ling's medicinal cauldron with surprise.
Subsequently, a deep blue flame rose in the Little Princess's palm. It was the beast flame of the imperial family's Raging Dragon Beast, the Underworld Sea Dragon Beast: Dry Blue Water Flame.
Liu Ling's flame was light brown, and Yan Li's was black.
Then Xiao Yan also produced his medicinal cauldron. When the surrounding people beheld Xiao Yan's shabby dark red cauldron, their faces filled with astonishment. This medicinal cauldron, at best, appeared to be a second-tier one.
"What is the matter with young friend Yan Xiao? Why is he still employing this medicinal cauldron at such a critical moment? Is he confident, or..."
Fa Ma observed the medicinal cauldron Xiao Yan produced, and his brows immediately furrowed into a tight knot. A trace of regret even stirred in his heart that he had not inquired further about the cauldron matter earlier.
"I hope he is confident. Otherwise, the situation will be dire."
His gaze shifted to Xiao Tian's station. Upon seeing the fiery red medicinal cauldron before Xiao Tian, he immediately rose to his feet, muttering in disbelief.
"This... this... how is this medicinal cauldron so strikingly similar to the legendary Mountain Melting Cauldron?"
"Old man Fa, what has caused your sudden alarm? Is there a problem with Xiao Tian?"
Hai Bodong and Jia Xingtian looked at Fa Ma, who had abruptly straightened up with widened eyes, their faces filled with confusion.
Fa Ma ignored them, frantically searching his memories. Finally, he confirmed that his eyes had not deceived him.
"Truly remarkable. He actually possesses the Mountain Melting Cauldron."
Yao Lao's voice also resounded within Xiao Yan's mind at that moment.
"What is special about Brother Tian's cauldron? Is it exceptionally powerful?"
Xiao Yan gazed at Xiao Tian's medicinal cauldron. The fiery red appearance seemed deeply profound and mysterious, its form faintly radiating a cryptic aura.
"Do you recall the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking I mentioned to you previously?"
"Of course I remember. Teacher, your Black Demon Cauldron, which you once used, was ranked eighth on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking. Are you implying that Brother Tian's medicinal cauldron is also listed on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking?"
Xiao Yan remembered Yao Lao's Black Demon Cauldron with exceptional clarity, for it was the highest-grade medicinal cauldron he had ever encountered.
He had even imagined that he, too, might one day possess such a treasure.
"Yes. The medicinal cauldron before Xiao Tian is called the Mountain Melting Cauldron, ranked eleventh on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking."
"Yes, Teacher."
Xiao Yan steadied his mind, and the flames of fierce fighting spirit immediately ignited within his eyes. He slowly raised his hand, and the ethereal Green Lotus Core Flame materialized in his palm.
Instantly, the previously joyful flames of the Little Princess and others within the square withered significantly, bowing toward the green flame in Xiao Yan's hand as though paying homage to a sovereign.
"When a Heavenly Flame appears, all other flames submit. This saying is indeed no falsehood," Fa Ma sighed, observing the strange spectacle unfolding in the arena.
Princess Yao Yue and the others, however, grew sullen, muttering under their breaths.
Xiao Tian also summoned his flame. The moment it appeared, a dark purple flame rose, within which a dragon shadow faintly coiled and roared, releasing a powerful, oppressive aura.
The direction of worship among the other flames immediately shifted toward Xiao Tian's brown flame. Only the green flame in Xiao Yan's hand dimmed slightly, but did not bow, remaining proud as expected of a Heavenly Flame.
"This... this is yet another Heavenly Flame?"
The crowd in the arena immediately erupted in gasps of shock.
Yao Lao was stunned. Xiao Tian actually possessed such a flame.
Xiao Yan asked his teacher which flame his elder brother wielded.
Yao Lao replied envy, On the Heavenly Flame list, flame with the power of stars and dark purple color, only Three Thousand Burning Flame. I didn't expect that it belonged to him."
Yao Lao's words resounded in Xiao Yan's mind like a thunderclap from the blue.
"This... this..."
Ranked ninth…
"Collect yourself. I am telling you this not to discourage you, but to make you feel pressure. Only under pressure can you grow."
Yao Lao replied, "Very well, Xiao Yan, commence your alchemy".
"The Mountain Melting Cauldron from the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking, coupled with a Heavenly Flame... what manner of master must he have to cultivate such a monster?"
Fa Ma spoke, his face brimming with astonishment.
"Miss Ya Fei, is the flame in Xiao Tian's hand also a Heavenly Flame?"
Yao Ye asked Ya Fei, who was seated not far from her.
Ya Fei was momentarily taken aback by Yao Ye's sudden inquiry, but eventually nodded in silence.
"What a terrifying fellow. Two Heavenly Flames appearing in a single match is truly something to anticipate."
Yao Ye lightly moistened her rosy lips.
Xiao Tian disregarded the surrounding discussions and directly cast the Nine Nether Wind Flame into the Mountain Melting Cauldron.
Xiao Yan followed suit, beginning to warm his medicinal cauldron.
After both their Heavenly Flames entered their respective cauldrons, the flames of the other contestants gradually returned to normal.
Xiao Tian, while warming his cauldron, closed his eyes to re-familiarize himself with the pill he intended to refine that day.
"He closed his eyes again. This is a sure victory! In the first two rounds, he started by closing his eyes and then secured first place. Is there some metaphysical phenomenon at work?"
A cry of astonishment arose from the audience. Others who had witnessed the previous day's match recalled that this was indeed true.