Chapter 661

"Arrogant!"

Upon hearing Hun Xu Zi's words, several Yao Clan elders immediately rebuked him angrily.

Yet Xiao Yan, as Hun Clan's "outsourced" Alchemist, merely gave Hun Xu Zi a helpless side-eye.

You're fooling ghosts!

Xiao Yan knew well that Hun Xu Zi had come to the Yao Clan this time to challenge him—the title of "First Alchemist" was hollow.

There was only one chance to break through to Imperial Soul Power, just like during the Pill Gathering—after Xiao Yan defeated Mu Gu, he gained tremendous benefits. Now, Imperial Soul Power was the reward Hun Tian Di offered this time.

Only one of Xiao Yan or Hun Xu Zi could break through to Imperial Soul Power; the other would serve as an assistant using the power of Swallowing Flame.

Spirit Realm Soul Power could refine Eight Grade Pills; Heavenly Realm Soul Power could refine Nine-Treasure Pills; to complete an Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill, one absolutely required Imperial Soul Power.

Eight Grade Pills possessed spiritual awareness—only those with Soul Power reaching the Spirit Realm could use Soul Force to gather spirit. Nine-Treasure Pills were innate—they manipulated Heaven and Earth Power within a hundred li radius, enabling the Pill to defy fate itself.

Although Xiao Yan had never tried it, by extension, controlling Source Qi would require Imperial Soul Power. Without Imperial Soul Power, even if the Imperial Grade Pill was already an Embryonic Pill, just one step away from completion, it still wouldn't work.

"Hehe, the title of Continent's Number One Alchemist? My Yao Clan has no right to bestow it lightly. This title rests solely on one's own Alchemy," Clan Leader Yao Dan smiled faintly. "Since you're so eager for that title, then stay. My Yao Clan is not a clan that welcomes guests lightly. If you abide by our rules, you are our guest. If not—even if you are Hun Clan's Chief Alchemist—I, old man, will personally take you down."

As he spoke, a sharp, lethal gleam flashed across Yao Dan's aged face—the might of a Clan Leader made all present feel a silent chill.

"Clan Leader, isn't this somewhat inappropriate?"

Seeing Yao Dan allow Hun Xu Zi to stay, the surrounding Yao Clan elders were stunned. Wanhuo Elder hesitated, then spoke up.

"The Pill Gathering is the grandest event in our Yao Clan. Before so many witnesses, we cannot expel someone without cause—that would make us seem tyrannical and give Hun Clan grounds to attack us. Hun Clan must be guarded against, but today, so many people have gathered in the Yao Realm—do we really fear anyone daring to cause trouble?" Yao Dan waved his hand calmly. "I will watch him closely. If he shows the slightest irregularity, I will personally strike him down."

Seeing Yao Dan's firm stance, everyone could only nod.

Only Xiao Yan, beside them, slightly furrowed his brow.

"Haha, how magnanimous of Clan Leader Yao Dan," Hun Xu Zi chuckled lightly, lips curling. He glanced at Xiao Yan—a strange smile flickered swiftly across his eyes. Then his figure moved, appearing directly on a Stone Chair, positioned just a short distance from Xiao Yan.

"You must be Xiao Yan, current Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan. Even within my Hun Clan, your name is truly thunderous. Hehehe, to think the one who raised such a person was a discarded child of the Yao Clan—how utterly foolish of you Yao Clan."

Xiao Yan smiled. "Your reputation as Hun Clan's First Alchemist is far more thunderous than mine."

Hun Xu Zi beside him gave a peculiar smile and said with deep implication: "Rumors say Clan Leader Xiao can refine Nine-Treasure Pills at will. I wonder if we'll see you refine a Nine Grade Profound Pill this time."

Upon hearing the four words "Nine Grade Profound Pill," Shen Nong the Elder, Yao Wanhuo, and even Clan Leader Yao Dan all turned their gazes toward Xiao Yan.

Many had heard years ago that Xiao Yan had refined a Nine-Treasure Pill—and it was confirmed true—but no one had heard he could refine a Nine Grade Profound Pill.

Xiao Yan merely smiled faintly, glancing at Hun Xu Zi and Yao Wanhuo and others. "I am but a novice—how could I dare show off my knowledge before you Seniors? If all of you Seniors intend to refine Nine Grade Profound Pills, then I shall humbly follow your lead, learning from you and attempting to refine one myself."

Xiao Yan spoke with utmost humility, appearing as a junior eager to learn, with no thought of winning.

But all present were old foxes—they knew full well. Xiao Yan's smile carried quiet confidence, and his words implied: If you want to play something daring, I'm ready to join.

If you all are refining Nine Grade Profound Pills, then I'll join too.

Who looks like someone giving up!

No sooner had Xiao Yan finished speaking than Hun Xu Zi's eyes flashed with Battle Intention. He grinned strangely. "Jiejiejie—how interesting, truly worthy of being Xiao Clan's Clan Leader."

Time passed second by second. Yao Dan's gaze slowly swept across the surroundings, lingering a moment longer on Xiao Yan, then his calm voice rang out like distant thunder, echoing across the entire realm.

"The hour has come—the Pill Gathering begins!"

The Yao Clan, naturally, rose through Alchemy, possessing the largest gathering of Alchemists on the Dou Qi Continent. The founder of the Yao Clan, the legendary Yao Di, was said to be the first Dou Di on the continent to attain the Dao through Alchemy.

Thus, when facing Alchemists from Zhong Zhou, the Yao Clan carried a certain pride, believing their Ancestor had created the path of Alchemy—that they alone were the true, orthodox lineage.

Yet one must admit, this pride was indeed backed by real strength.

Perhaps due to bloodline, or perhaps due to the legacy left by Yao Di, Yao Clan members found Alchemy unnaturally easy to master. Their clan also produced many with exceptional cultivation talent—thus, many renowned Alchemy Masters from Zhong Zhou, capable of refining Eight Grade Pills, hailed from the Yao Clan.

Within the Yao Clan, such talent was not rare—though not abundant, it was commonplace. With such backing, it was inevitable they felt pride when compared to other Alchemists.

Of course, this applied only to the middle tier of Alchemists. At the very peak of the Alchemist pyramid, the Yao Clan held no great advantage. Though their bloodline granted them ease in Alchemy, relying solely on it could never carry them to the summit. Sometimes, even this talent became an obstacle to reaching the highest levels.

This, perhaps, is one small drawback of bloodline power.

Alchemists are ranked from First to Ninth Grade, First being the lowest, Ninth the highest. Ninth-Rank Alchemy Masters are further divided into three tiers: Treasure Pill Master, Mysterious Pill Master, Golden Pill Master!

Currently, Xiao Yan, after refining the Thunder Tribulation Pill—a Nine Grade Profound Pill—was at the level of Mysterious Pill Master. Of course, this had never been officially verified by any organization. At this level, no single faction could verify one's rank anymore—for they themselves were the pinnacle of the Alchemy world.

Mysterious Pill Master was essentially the highest tier of Alchemist on this continent. Xiao Yan estimated only five people present could refine Mysterious Pills.

Hun Xu Zi, Yao Dan, Shen Nong the Elder, Yao Wanhuo, and himself.

For the vast majority present, the preliminaries of the Pill Gathering were fascinating. The young generation of the Yao Clan indeed possessed talents that ordinary Alchemists could only envy. Each contestant on stage was at least a Sixth-Rank Alchemist, or higher. With thousands of furnaces rising at once, the scene was spectacular.

Yet for Xiao Yan and others, this level of Alchemy was like adults watching children fight—there was nothing worth observing. Thus, while the entire Guang Chang erupted at the emergence of each Pill, they merely closed their eyes to rest.

The only two figures that drew Xiao Yan's attention were naturally the first two: Yao Ling and Yao Tian.

Of course, Yao Ling possessed a miraculous physique—her Soul Power had long reached Heaven Realm Great Perfection—yet she still could not break through to the Ninth Grade.

If Xiao Yan had spent time guiding Cao Ying and Dan Chen, perhaps their Alchemy would have surpassed Yao Ling and Yao Tian.

The preliminaries of the Pill Gathering lasted nearly half a month before gradually drawing to a close. Fortunately, none here were ordinary people—many hadn't even moved their bodies for half a month.

On the seventh day, Yao Wan Gui lifted control of the Dream Nightmare Mist.

Yet now, Yao Wan Gui had lost all arrogance—even dared not look at Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan's power had far exceeded his comprehension.

This was Pure Lotus Demon Saint 2.0!

The final results were unsurprising: Yao Xing Ji and the woman, who had entered the Heavenly Tomb, placed third and fourth. Yao Ling took second—a decent result.

As for first place, it was, unsurprisingly, won by Yao Tian. He was indeed the most outstanding among the Yao Clan's young generation. The Pill he refined summoned Nine Color Pill Thunder—better than Yao Ling's, dominating all others. Even some Yao Clan elders watched with beaming smiles.

Yet when their gazes inadvertently fell upon Xiao Yan, who sat with eyes closed, resting, their rising pride instantly vanished.

It turned to deep frustration. Xiao Yan could already refine Nine-Treasure Pills—his Pill Thunder was the even stronger Black Demon Thunder. Compared to it, Yao Tian's Nine Color Pill Thunder appeared dull and faded.

Though Nine Color and Black Demon Thunder differed by only one level, this single level was one the Yao Clan's countless elders and descendants could never break through in a lifetime.

"Sigh… I once thought that with Nine-Star Dou Di Bloodline, refining Nine-Treasure Pills would be effortless. Who knew that after years of seclusion, I still could not refine a Nine-Treasure Pill." Yao Tian stared at the Nine Color Pill Thunder in his hand, then looked up at Xiao Yan, seated in a row with the Clan Leader and Wanhuo Elder—his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

Several years ago, he had refined a Nine-Treasure Pill alongside clan elders. At that time, the entire clan believed that given time, he would refine Nine-Treasure Pills—and he himself believed it too.

So when he heard Xiao Yan had refined one before him, he naturally refused to believe anyone's Alchemy could surpass his—could surpass his, who carried Yao Di's bloodline.

Beside him, Yao Ling watched her cousin and sighed inwardly. Yao Tian had talent, no doubt—but the Yao Clan had ruined him. They had pampered him to death—or rather, spoiled him.

In contrast, Xiao Yan, in his path of Pill Alchemy, relied entirely on Yao Chen's notes and legacy; even medicinal materials had to be obtained through his own efforts, all achieved through hard work, step by step, pill by pill—he was entirely self-taught.

"Cousin, it's not too late to learn humbly now; you're still young," Yao Ling comforted.

Yao Tian nodded, then fixed his gaze on Xiao Yan, fists clenched. Now came the true Pill Tournament—he no longer felt envy toward Xiao Yan; instead, he quietly looked forward, curious about what realm Xiao Yan had reached.

At the very moment the Yao Clan's young generation finished their test, the atmosphere on the Plaza did not quiet down—it suddenly grew scorching hot. Dozens of searing gazes leaped across the arena and settled entirely upon the Stone Chairs, for they knew the true highlight of the Pill Tournament was these towering figures standing at the pinnacle of the Alchemist world.

And among these towering Alchemists of the Dou Qi Continent was a place for Xiao Yan.

Having received Yao Chen's legacy from Wutan City, Xiao Yan walked the path of Pill Alchemy alone, and today he finally stood atop the continent's pyramid.

"Heh, it's finally begun," Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes, sensing the sudden rise in temperature around him, and smiled. His fingers gently rubbed the Jade Cup; after watching for half a month, he'd unconsciously grown restless himself.

Xiao Yan took off his Xiao Clan Clan Leader's robe, and with a whoosh of wind, he donned the Alchemist Long Robe, imbued with special meaning.

With a boom, Xiao Yan at that moment resembled a True Dragon opening its eyes—no Dou Qi was released, yet to outsiders, he radiated the aura of a True Dragon leaping into heaven.

Seeing Xiao Yan don the Alchemist Long Robe and radiate an unstoppable, championship-confident spiritual pressure and gaze, even Yao Dan's eyes flickered with surprise.

"It seems all four of you are ready. Then, enter the arena," Yao Dan bowed to the four, then addressed the entire audience.

"Heh, I've long heard the Pill Tournament is the pinnacle gathering of Alchemists on the Dou Qi Continent. Today, I've come to seek your teachings! The title of Continent's Number One Alchemist—my Soul Sovereign takes a keen interest, and so I intend to take it back." No sooner had Yao Dan finished speaking than Hun Xu Zi appeared like a phantom in midair, his calm laughter carrying unmistakable arrogance.

(End of Chapter)