Chapter 339: Refusing to Lose (8000 Characters Complete, Requesting Subscription)

Moreover, since Xiao Yan refined it perfectly and used his Strange Fire, this Great Soul Black Purple Pill is certainly capable of reaching Seventh-Grade Mid-Level quality. If its rare effect—enhancing Common Realm Spiritual Soul Force—is considered, it is more precious than ordinary Seventh-Grade Mid-Level elixirs.

"There's something foul in his alchemy furnace—he's cheating!! There's something wrong with his pill! How can a Seventh-Grade pill have a stinking pill fragrance!? It must be cursed—no wonder the Pill Lightning went haywire!" After finally regaining his composure, Bone Child Elder shouted fiercely.

He couldn't admit defeat—if he did, his Strange Fire would be gone. Without the Strange Fire, the Qiu Family would never refine pills for him again, and then he'd be as good as dead.

"If you can't even bear to lose, how pitiful. You should've just said you couldn't handle it—it's just a Strange Fire, right?" Xiao Yan glanced at him lazily and smiled faintly. "Looks like your so-called Medicinal Bone Sect, the strongest alchemists in the Northwest Region, are nothing but this—truly a disgrace to the Northwest Region."

At this moment, many people were watching Bone Child Elder. Though afraid of offending him, they couldn't help but shake their heads.

If Xiao Yan's alchemy furnace was rigged and his pill fake, then how could he possibly cheat in broad daylight with so many witnesses? It would be instantly exposed.

Besides, he even summoned Pill Lightning—and just now, that Lightning struck his pill directly. They'd very much like to know how one could fake Pill Lightning.

"If you truly defeated me by skill, I'd have nothing to say," Bone Child Elder said, his face flushed as he dodged. "A Seventh-Rank Alchemist under twenty? Anyone with common sense knows that's impossible. Hmph! I suspect it was that strange Spiritual Soul force just now—perhaps it's just an illusion, and someone else is actually refining the pill!"

"Common sense?" Xiao Yan glanced at him and smiled faintly. "Talking about common sense to an Alchemist—how did you even become Seventh-Rank? By luck?"

"So what if a Seventh-Rank Alchemist is under twenty? Does the Dan Domain or Dan Tower have no such people? If they don't, I'd be deeply disappointed." Xiao Yan spoke slowly, glancing casually toward Qiu Ping nearby.

At this moment, many turned to look at Qiu Ping—he was the only one present from Zhong Zhou's Dan Domain, the very place where the entire Dou Qi Continent's alchemical prodigies gathered. They all wanted to know if such a prodigy truly existed.

Seeing so many eyes on him, Qiu Ping frowned, then finally spoke the truth: "Cao Ying, daughter of the Cao Family—one of the Five Great Families of the Dan Domain—became a Seventh-Rank Alchemist at twenty. Dan Chen, the favored daughter of the Dan Family, the foremost of the Five Great Families, also reached Seventh-Rank in her early twenties."

"Seventh-Rank Alchemists under thirty are uncommon in the Dan Domain, but not unheard of—occasionally they appear."

Sssss!!!!!

Upon hearing Qiu Ping's words, every alchemist present drew a sharp breath.

Xiao Yan's monstrous talent had a match in the Dan Domain—and not just one, but two!!

Even more terrifying: Seventh-Rank Alchemists under thirty occasionally appeared. This revelation shattered the Dao Hearts of many young alchemists present.

So there truly were heavens beyond heavens—and those heavens were so high they could never be reached.

But Bone Child Elder and Qiu Ping were allies. Qiu Ping added: "Yet even in the Dan Domain, talents like Master Cao Ying and Master Dan Chen are once-in-a-century—or even once-in-a-millennium—phenomena. Both are now striving to break into Eighth-Rank and are highly likely to enter the Dan Tower, becoming Pill Tower Elders or even Elder Giants."

"In my travels across the Dou Qi Continent, I've heard of no one else with such talent outside the Dan Domain."

Qiu Ping's implication was clear: the Dan Domain did have talents like Xiao Yan—but they were once-in-a-millennium rarities, nurtured since childhood by two great families with Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures and guidance from top-tier Alchemists.

He didn't believe a mere Northwest Region alchemist could possess such talent.

Hearing Qiu Ping's words, Bone Child Elder regained confidence and roared: "Hmph! You merely placed a pill already half-refined into the furnace, then used that peculiar Soul Body to complete the final steps!"

"No wonder you wrapped yourself so tightly in your Strange Fire—you were hiding the fact that you weren't the one refining the pill!"

Even the old manager of the Huangquan Treasures Pavilion could no longer stay silent: "If a Soul Body could refine a Seventh-Grade pill, its Spiritual Soul realm must have reached Eighth-Rank—no, even Eighth-Rank Soul Force wouldn't suffice. It would likely require Ninth-Rank."

Without a physical body, refining a pill is nearly impossible—unless the Soul Force is unimaginably strong, and even then, refining a Seventh-Grade pill would mean the Soul Body has reached the Heavenly Realm!

"Exactly! Show us a Soul Body that can refine a Seventh-Grade pill—I doubt even the Dan Tower has such a monster."

"Exactly, exactly!"

At this point, even Qiu Ping couldn't help but shake his head. To claim a Soul Body refined a Seventh-Grade pill? If true, that Soul Body must be a Ninth-Rank Alchemist. If Xiao Yan's backer truly is a Ninth-Rank Alchemist, you'd better kneel right now.

Bone Child Elder had intended to crush Xiao Yan, but he'd underestimated the situation. Alchemists worship strength—and clearly, Xiao Yan's alchemy was superior. His face flushed crimson, burning with shame.

"If you can't bear to lose, just say so. I pity you—I'll let you off easy. What's the big deal? A single Strange Fire. Do you really need to act this shameless?" Xiao Yan glanced at him and smiled calmly.

It's just a Strange Fire—I have many. I don't even need your Wind Fury Dragon Flame.

"You!!" Bone Child Elder trembled with rage. He was trapped—unable to advance or retreat—but he refused to bow. To bow to Xiao Yan? Where would his face be?

At this moment, Qiu Ping slowly stepped forward and cleared his throat: "Cough cough. The quality of a Seventh-Grade pill is judged by the Pill Lightning. Both of your Lightning strikes were equally powerful—you both summoned Pill Lightning. In my view, let's call it a draw. No need to harm harmony."

"That old bastard is truly shameless," Qing Lin muttered coldly from afar.

She rarely cursed—yet today, she did.

Before this, many had held goodwill toward the Medicinal Bone Sect and the Qiu Family of Dan Domain, even wished to befriend Qiu Ping or negotiate business or form alliances with the Medicinal Bone Sect.

After all, Bone Child Elder was a Seventh-Rank Alchemist—many saw him as a hero, and countless had wanted to befriend him. But now, his behavior made those who once wished to ally with him quietly shake their heads.

The quality and grade of a Seventh-Grade pill truly are judged by the Pill Lightning. Just now, Sima Lin's Pill Lightning was the same Seventh-Rank Low Grade as Bone Child Elder's—but Bone Child Elder's storm cloud was larger, so its power was naturally stronger.

Naturally, Bone Child Elder's Dragon-Elephant Bodhi Pill was superior in grade to Sima Lin's Beast Sovereign Body Forging Pill—this was basic common sense. Thus, evaluating Seventh-Grade pills required no judge—only eyes.

But just now, Xiao Yan's storm cloud wasn't just the largest—it condensed twice as fast as Bone Child Elder's, and even triggered an anomaly, nearly summoning a second Pill Lightning.

Anyone with sight could tell: the two Pill Lightnings were not even in the same league. Xiao Yan's pill could easily be rated Seventh-Grade Mid-Level.

Yet no one present dared speak up for Xiao Yan—after all, the Qiu Family of Dan Domain was not someone they could afford to offend.

But to everyone's surprise, Xiao Yan did not rage or argue. He simply walked slowly toward Qiu Ping and smiled sweetly: "You're from the Qiu Family of the Dan Domain? You represent the Qiu Family, correct?"

"Hmph. As a Seventh-Rank Alchemist holding a key position in the Dan Tower, my judgment represents the Qiu Family," Qiu Ping snorted. He was displeased that a junior questioned him.

He was no ordinary Seventh-Rank Alchemist—he had reached Seventh Rank Peak Alchemy.

And though Xiao Yan's alchemical talent was high, Qiu Ping knew Xiao Yan had almost no chance of breaking into Eighth-Rank.

The reason was simple: without special cultivation methods and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, one could never break through to Eighth-Rank Soul Realm. Countless alchemists remained stuck at Seventh Rank Peak their entire lives.

Moreover, Bone Child Elder and the Qiu Family had a transaction—though incomplete—the Wind Fury Dragon Flame was already half the Qiu Family's Strange Fire. He couldn't let Xiao Yan take it.

Xiao Yan only smiled, gently patted Qiu Ping's shoulder, then cheekily ruffled Bone Child Elder's head like a child's: "Fine. Then when I visit the Dan Domain someday, I'll come to the Qiu Family and ask for a proper explanation."

The Champion of this Pill Gathering? Xiao Yan has already claimed it. Let any demon maiden or heavenly prodigy stand in his way—they will only fail.

At Xiao Yan's words, everyone fell silent.

"Alas, even if not the Ten Great Sects, the Qiu Family still cannot be offended."

"The Yan Alliance's Xiao Yan is at least someone who knows when to yield."

"Bah, in the end, he still has to bow to the Qiu Family. He doesn't really think a little talent lets him ignore the Qiu Family, does he?"

Beside him, Qing Lin smiled faintly. She knew: Young Master was no soft-hearted fool—he never feared trouble. He had his own plan.

"Xiao Yan, are you just letting him off?" Zi Yan frowned, clenching her fist as if ready to beat someone up for him.

"Why rush? There are so many people here—you can't strike now. Besides, the Sect Grand Meeting isn't over yet. How many have you beaten today?" Xiao Yan smiled and asked.

Hearing this, Zi Yan immediately puffed up her chest and declared: "I've beaten ten today!"

"That Heavenly Serpent Mansion's Beast Sovereign? Couldn't take a single punch," Zi Yan grinned, showing her big white teeth.

Immediately, Xiao Yan and the Yan Alliance members chatted and laughed as they leapt onto the back of the Dark Sea Jiao Beast, which then carried everyone flying away from Guang Chang.

On the back of the Dark Sea Jiao Beast, Xiao Yan slowly turned his head to look below, a strange glint flashing through his eyes.

Just as he had said, there were too many people here, making it impossible to act. He had already placed a Spiritual Soul imprint for tracking; once the Sect Grand Meeting ended, that strange fire would still end up in his hands — it was just that at that time, he might need to use a little forceful method.

Xiao Yan revealed a cold smile. Lost the bet and want to default on the debt owed to him, Lord Yan? Once the Sect Grand Meeting ends, he'll take back the principal plus interest in one go!

After the Dark Sea Jiao Beast disappeared over the horizon, the entire Shan Mai gradually echoed with waves of discussion.

Some discussed the Pill Alchemy competition just now, some discussed the Yan Alliance, and naturally some secretly mocked Elder Gu Tong for breaking his word — in short, all kinds of discussions were present.

But without a doubt, all discussions pointed in one direction — the Yan Alliance!

Now it wasn't just the Medicine Bone Sect; even the leaders of overlord-level sects like Thunder Sect and Heavenly Serpent Mansion were frowning tightly.

She Tianhao, Ting Hao, Shi Nian and other leaders exchanged a covert glance, each catching a hint of wariness in the other's eyes.

Although a Seven-Grade Alchemist was at most equivalent to one more Medicine Bone Sect, unable to shake their overlord status, Xiao Yan was simply too young!

"Tomorrow is the final competition of the Sect Grand Meeting. No matter what, this time we must defend the arena." She Tianhao glanced at Qing Lin, then said in a low voice to Bai Ya and the other Dou Zong behind him.

"Yes, Sect Master!"

Over the past few days, the Dou Huang-level battles had already concluded. The Dou Huangs of the major sects had basically all fought once, and among them, Zi Yan was the undisputed Beast Emperor — even though her Cultivation Realm was only Three Star Dou Huang, even the Nine Star Dou Huangs of Heavenly Serpent Mansion couldn't defeat her!

What kind of magical beast Zi Yan's true form was, was also a point of curiosity.

Early the next morning, Xiao Yan had just broken from Cultivation and was preparing to wash up.

"Not good!" Just at this moment, Princess Yue Er burst in in a panic, crying out to Xiao Yan.

"What happened?" Xiao Yan looked at the flustered Yue Er and asked.

Yue Er's voice also drew the others; she hurriedly said, "It's Sect Master Yun — something happened to her."

"What happened to Yun Yun?" Hearing this, Xiao Yan immediately stood up, his eyes turning fierce. Just now Yun Yun had been outside Cultivating a Dou Technique — how could something have happened?!

"I just went out to buy some Medicinal Material for Spirit Refining, heard some commotion and curiously went to look. I saw Sect Master Yun Yun surrounded by strong practitioners from several sects like Medicine Bone Sect, Golden Goose Sect, Mu Lan Valley — on a mountain peak not far away." Yue Er said hurriedly.

Xiao Yan's eyes instantly turned fierce, and a terrifying killing intent emerged. When Xiao Yan revealed his true killing intent, it made Yue Er beside him shiver involuntarily. At this moment, he felt Xiao Yan was like a terrifying god of death.

"I had originally planned to settle accounts after the Sect Grand Meeting, but it seems some people are truly tired of living." Xiao Yan said slowly.

Yue Mei and Hua She Er, who had rushed to the door, both couldn't help but shudder. At this moment, they felt as if there was a terrifying black shadow behind Xiao Yan, making one's hair stand on end.

After they came back to their senses, they immediately called the others and followed Xiao Yan to rush over.

On a mountain peak not far from the Heavenly Serpent Mansion Shan Mai, Yun Yun was currently surrounded by a group of people. Moreover, most of those surrounding Yun Yun were white-haired Old Generation big figures, all Dou Huangs — there were even several strong practitioners at the Dou Zong level!

At this moment, there was a Corpse at Yun Yun's feet. This Corpse had been killed with a single sword slash across the throat — it was actually Medicine Bone Sect's youngest genius Alchemist, Master Li!

(End of this chapter)