Chapter 523: with translation of chapter title

At the third moment of the Si hour, the alchemists pouring into Penglai Immortal Island are growing ever more numerous, showing a momentum like locusts and ants.

To cope with this conference, the immortal island had already built a large complex of palaces three months ago to receive the arriving alchemists; naturally, only those with a special invitation could be qualified to reside in the reception palaces.

Alchemists without an invitation could only wait in inns or out in the open.

Thus, the grand reception palace complex instantly became the focus of countless eyes, and the arrival of each major power would draw exclamations.

"Here they come! Here they come! The people of the Divine Abyss Pill Pavilion have arrived!"

A cultivator's earth-shattering voice exploded in the crowd, attracting the gazes of countless alchemists.

Above the void, numerous splendid flying carriages sliced the sky, coming slowly; these flying carriages were wonderfully shaped—some glittered like stars, shining with holy light; others resembled ancient divine beasts, exuding terrifying pressure.

Around the flying carriages, clouds and mist intertwined, immortal light radiated. As the carriages drew nearer, the alchemists below could clearly see numerous imposing figures standing on them.

"My goodness! The Pill Pavilion has actually dispatched so many high-ranking alchemists this time!"

"Three ten-star alchemists, twenty nine-star alchemists, over a thousand eight-star alchemists! Holy smoke!"

In the Pill Pavilion, alchemists of each star rank have exclusive star-rank attire and wear exceptionally conspicuous star badges on their chests, making them easy to distinguish.

"Hey, look! Is that young man the new-generation Pill Master Fan Danxing of the Pill Pavilion?"

Hearing the voice, the crowd looked up and saw that on the central flying carriage in the void, dozens of alchemists respectfully surrounded a youth in a blue robe with an otherworldly demeanor, like stars holding the moon.

As early as three years ago, the reputation of Pill Master Fan Danxing of the Divine Abyss Pill Pavilion had already spread throughout the alchemy world; despite being less than a hundred years old in bone age, he had broken through to the Immortal King realm, and was personally certified as a seven-star alchemist by the Divine Abyss Grand Elder—truly a talent beyond compare.

He is the dream lover of countless maidens from the Upper Three Dao Realms, the "sweet pastry" in the mouths of old wealthy women; however, rumors say he already has someone he favors, though it's unknown whether true or false.

"Pill Master, look, all the alchemists below are watching you."

On the flying carriage watched by all, the disciple of the Divine Abyss Pill Pavilion's Third Elder, and also the second-in-command of the younger generation dispatched by the Pill Pavilion this time, Miu Kong, spoke up with a laugh.

Fan Danxing heard this but made no sound, lowering his head as if pondering something; his whole body emanated an aura that kept strangers at bay.

"Alright," Miu Kong gave an embarrassed smile, sensibly closing his mouth.

In my impression, the Pill Master used to be very cheerful; ten years ago, after returning from his travels, he seemed to have become a different person, starting to cultivate frenetically.

He, who once was indifferent to fame and profit, no longer hid his talents, began to contend for name and benefit, showing his prowess; this drastic change in his personality, no matter who asked him, he would not speak of.

More than twenty days ago, for some reason his personality changed again; he became sullen and unapproachable, his hidden thoughts almost written on his face.

Recalling the instructions from the sect master and his teacher before coming—"Be sure to watch over the Pill Master on Penglai Immortal Island, lest any mistake occur"—Miu Kong rallied his utmost focus, though his heart remained somewhat calm.

"This Penglai Immortal Island is our Divine Abyss Pill Pavilion's home turf; what could possibly go wrong?"

The arrival of the Divine Abyss Pill Pavilion pushed the atmosphere to its peak; countless alchemists on the immortal island gathered here, and even though all of the Pavilion's alchemists had already taken up residence in the reception palaces, they lingered and did not disperse.

"I can guarantee that this conference will be absolutely the most spectacular session! It's totally worth my rushing over without eating for three days!"

"Three days without eating? You wouldn't starve even if you didn't eat for thirty thousand years! I rushed over after riding three immortal beasts to death; compared to that, what are you?"

"Speak of riding beasts to death? No, tell me which faction will win big at this conference; I heard the Azure Cloud Immortal Sect will also send people over."

"Need you ask? It's definitely still the Pill Pavilion!"

"As for the Azure Cloud Immortal Sect... when I meet them in the cultivation world, I bow my head and call them senior; but in the alchemy world, I can only say they still need more practice."

"Indeed, I've only heard that the Immortal Sect has a dual cultivator of pills and martial arts, Lord Liu the Divine; other alchemists have never even heard of his name."

"Moreover, they have never received star badges granted by the Pill Pavilion; put bluntly, they're all self-taught."

Just as countless alchemists were engaged in endless discussion, a mighty pressure descended from the apex of the heavens!

Those alchemists who had disparaged the Azure Cloud Immortal Sect were crushed to the ground, while the rest trembled in fear under the terrifying pressure.

Only see an immortal ship vast enough to cover the sky and crush the sun tearing through the void as it comes.

This immortal ship is shaped like a sword, its might like a sea, its size immeasurable—it is the Azure Cloud Immortal Sect's Azure Cloud Immortal Ship.

On the immortal ship, Elder Long and the Heavenly Abyss Divine Lord sit cross-legged in the front hall, eyes closed, cultivating their spirit.

Hall Master of Glory Yao Ye and Deputy Hall Master Mo Wen are exchanging alchemical insights with the coordinating elders.

Li Yanzi originally brought those ten genius disciples to listen from the side, but found she couldn't understand at all; the topic was too lofty for their current level, and they couldn't grasp it.

"Senior Sister Li, do you think we… can get a good ranking? So many alchemists have come this time!"

A somewhat nervous disciple, lacking confidence, asked aloud; he had just glanced out through a small window of the immortal ship, and below was a sea of alchemists!

One could say that even if you are a one-in-ten-million alchemy genius, here you might not even get a number!

"If the heart is not calm, nothing will succeed; don't be nervous, everyone—my master once taught me that the process of alchemy is like a struggle between cultivators, requiring one to give their all with a mind free of distractions."

"As long as we give our all in the contest, even if we don't secure a good ranking, the sect will see our effort, so don't put too much pressure on yourselves."

Li Yanzi smiled faintly and earnestly guided some nervous disciples; although she too was participating in such a grand event for the first time, the weight on her shoulders was no lighter than that of the elders, yet she could not show it.

This is because she is the chief senior disciple of the Azure Cloud Immortal Sect's Alchemy Hall, the leading figure of the younger generation in Azure Cloud's alchemy world; for this alchemy conference, being the head disciple of Azure Cloud is enough.

In a splendid reception palace, the Pill Master Fan Danxing seated at the chief position, upon hearing the commotion outside, had his formerly expressionless face instantly turn icy.

"Azure Cloud Immortal Sect!"

"Xue'er, wait a little longer! I'll be able to avenge you right away!"

Fan Danxing's eyes flashed with a fierce hue as he gritted his teeth and spoke.

The Xue'er he spoke of was none other than the little princess Murong Xue of the Murong Ancient Clan, who had just been slain by the Azure Cloud Heavenly Abyss Divine Lord.

Everyone says he has someone he favors; indeed, the rumor is true—that person is Murong Xue.