Chapter 643: The Phantom Soul, The Beginning of the Medicine Ceremony
"Welcome, Chief!"
Amidst the grand welcoming chorus, the clouds in the sky churned and parted on their own.
Next, an elderly man with white hair and a white robe slowly emerged from the split clouds.
Wherever the elder's feet touched the air, strange ripples formed, and the formless space seemed to condense into something almost tangible at that moment.
"The Medicine Clan Chief?"
Looking at the kind-faced elder with white hair, Mo Yu slightly raised an eyebrow.
From this person, he felt an extraordinarily powerful aura. Based on the original story's information, he knew this man was a super-strong warrior, a Seven-Star Dou Saint.
According to the Dou Qi Continent's hierarchy, a Seven-Star Dou Saint was already a high-level Dou Saint, a true peak figure on the continent.
"Hehe, a guest is always welcome."
The Medicine Clan Chief, named Yao Dan, stood in the sky, a gentle smile appearing on his aged face. He clasped his hands in greeting to the vast crowd below.
Then, his gaze suddenly bypassed the crowd and landed on Yao Lao, flickering with a hint of complex emotion.
Yao Lao slowly raised his head, his gaze meeting Yao Dan's, and he smiled faintly, bowing his hands in respect. "Greetings, Chief Yao Dan."
"Yao Chen... We were all blind." Yao Dan sighed ambiguously, taking a step forward. In an instant, he appeared seated at the main spot, surrounded by the elders of the Medicine Clan.
"Hehe, Yao Dan, you finally came out of seclusion this time?"
Just as Yao Dan sat down, an ancient voice echoed through the sky, accompanied by an intense medicinal fragrance.
The crowd looked up to see a flash of green light in the distant sky. In the blink of an eye, a light green cauldron broke through the air. On top of the cauldron sat an elder dressed in simple hemp robes.
"Shennong Elder! I didn't expect even this senior to appear."
Upon seeing the elder, a flash of surprise passed through Yao Lao's eyes. Beside him, Gu He first froze, then recalled something, and his expression grew solemn as he whispered the elder's identity to Mo Yu.
After hearing Gu He's explanation, Mo Yu nodded slightly. Although the name "Shennong Elder" didn't carry much renown, he was one of the oldest seniors in the field of alchemy.
Even Yao Lao, hailed as the greatest alchemist in Central Plains, could only greet Shennong Elder as a junior. It was surprising that this elder, who had been missing for many years, would appear here.
"Hehe, you old fellow, you're still alive?" Yao Dan looked at the elder and chuckled lightly.
Shennong Elder stood up from the cauldron, waved his sleeve, and the cauldron disappeared. His aged gaze scanned the surroundings before stopping on Mo Yu and Xiao Yan, making him softly exclaim before smiling.
"I haven't left the mountains for years, and I'm surprised to see such promising youngsters. To have already reached the peak of the Heavenly Soul Realm at such a young age… Truly remarkable."
"Greetings, Senior Shennong," Mo Yu and Xiao Yan said with smiles as they clasped their fists, greeting the elder calmly under the many eyes watching them.
Shennong Elder nodded kindly and was about to take his seat when his brow suddenly furrowed. He turned around to see a black cloud rolling in from the horizon at a terrifying speed.
In an instant, the black cloud reached the mountain peak, where it condensed into the form of a middle-aged man dressed in black.
With this person's arrival, the atmosphere filled with a low, eerie sound, as if the souls of the world were wailing.
"Soul Clan's Phantom Soul has come uninvited. I hope Chief Yao Dan won't take offense." The man in black smiled faintly, his voice calm and slow as it echoed through the air.
"Phantom Soul..."
Hearing this name, Yao Lao's body shuddered, and his eyes filled with cold fury.
"Teacher, do you know him?" Xiao Yan asked, confused by Yao Lao's reaction.
"Hmm, this man once infiltrated the Little Pill Tower, but betrayed his master and fled after injuring him," Yao Lao replied in a low voice, his voice filled with disgust.
Seeing this man in black, Mo Yu's eyes narrowed slightly. As one of the most deeply rooted ancient clans, the Soul Clan, though not focused on alchemy like the Medicine Clan, still produced a few top-notch alchemists with ease.
"Master, this man's alchemy skills are formidable," Gu He said quietly, sensing Phantom Soul's unfathomable depth, his brow furrowing.
"Indeed, he is a formidable foe," Mo Yu nodded. This man had stolen the Pill Tower's secrets for decades, fully mastering its teachings. His alchemy skills were certainly not to be underestimated.
"Why has Phantom Soul come? We didn't invite him to our Medicine Clan's event."
"Hmph! The Soul Clan has been capturing souls for years, even attacking alchemists to steal their souls. Phantom Soul must be behind this."
"We can't let someone like him participate in our grand ceremony!"
Phantom Soul's appearance immediately sparked intense reactions from the Medicine Clan elders. Angry stares and shouts of protest were directed at him.
Seated at the head, Chief Yao Dan exchanged a glance with Elder Wanhuo, both frowning deeply.
The Medicine Clan was always wary of the Soul Clan, which is why they had formed an alliance with the Thunder and Flame Clans. However, since Phantom Soul had openly come to participate in the Medicine Ceremony, it was difficult for Yao Dan to refuse him outright, as doing so would be equivalent to openly declaring war on the Soul Clan.
"Chief, isn't this a bit inappropriate?" Seeing Yao Dan allowing Phantom Soul to remain, the surrounding Medicine Clan elders were shocked. Elder Wanhuo hesitated for a moment before speaking up.
"The Medicine Ceremony is our clan's grandest event. With so many people present, we can't expel someone without cause—it would make our clan seem tyrannical. While we must remain vigilant toward the Soul Clan, with so many powerful figures gathered here today, do we really fear anyone causing trouble?" Yao Dan said calmly. "I will personally keep an eye on him. If he does anything suspicious, I'll capture him myself."
Seeing Yao Dan's determination, the others could only nod in agreement.
"You're too generous, Chief Yao Dan." Phantom Soul chuckled softly, his lips curling into a strange smile before he moved to sit on a stone chair under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
Mo Yu's eyes narrowed at this sight. Yao Dan had thought things through carefully, believing that under normal circumstances, the Soul Clan wouldn't dare make a move in front of so many people. Yet, little did he know that Phantom Soul's presence would lay the groundwork for the eventual downfall of the Medicine Clan.
Unaware of Mo Yu's thoughts, Yao Dan's gaze swept across the crowd. His calm voice, like thunder, echoed through the sky.
"The time has come. Let the Medicine Ceremony begin!"
With Yao Dan's words, the grandest alchemy event on the continent officially commenced.
Though the Medicine Ceremony was grand and magnificent, the opening act wasn't particularly novel, featuring only the younger generation of the Medicine Clan showcasing their skills.
For most of the crowd, however, this was quite entertaining. The young generation of the Medicine Clan certainly possessed talent that would make ordinary alchemists envious.
Those who took the stage were all at least Six-Tier alchemists, making the sight of multiple cauldrons rising simultaneously quite spectacular.
However, to the likes of Mo Yu and the other high-ranking figures seated at the forefront, this display was like watching children play. There was nothing of interest to observe.
Thus, while the square below buzzed with excitement as pills were formed, Mo Yu and the others simply closed their eyes and rested.
The preliminary rounds of the Medicine Ceremony lasted several days before finally coming to an end. Despite the long duration, the participants were not ordinary people; many had barely moved during the entire event.
When the tests for the younger generation finally concluded, the atmosphere in the square didn't die down but instead grew even more heated.
Every gaze shifted from the stage to the stone chairs, knowing that the real show was about to begin with the peak figures of the alchemy world.
"Hehe, it's finally starting." Yao Lao slowly opened his eyes, feeling the sudden heat in the air as he smiled.
Xiao Yan also smiled slightly, stretching lazily.
"The main event involves you, Hall Master Gu, as well as Phantom Soul, Shennong Elder, and Elder Wanhuo. None of these people are easy to deal with, and in terms of seniority, I'm far behind them," Yao Lao said.
"Hehe, I don't dare compare myself with the top alchemists of the continent. If it weren't for the Medicine Clan's invitation, I wouldn't even have the right to stand here." Gu He smiled bitterly.
Alchemists were divided into nine tiers, with the ninth tier being the highest. Ninth-tier alchemy masters were further divided into three levels: Treasure Pill Masters, Mystic Pill Masters, and Golden Pill Masters.
The individuals Yao Lao mentioned, aside from Gu He, had all reached the ninth tier of alchemy, with the weakest among them being a Treasure Pill Master.
As for Mystic Pill Masters, they were among the most elite alchemists on the continent, with very few in existence. As for Golden Pill Masters, no one had achieved that level for nearly a thousand years since no one had been able to refine a ninth-tier Golden Pill.
Above Golden Pill Masters was the legendary Emperor Tier, the ultimate peak that no one had yet reached.
"Don't worry, Gu He. No matter the outcome, you'll always be the top alchemist of my Genfu. Do your best and take this opportunity to learn from the best on the continent, so that you may one day break through to the ninth tier," Mo Yu said with a smile, patting Gu He on the shoulder.
He had high hopes for Gu He, not just because they both came from the Jia Ma Empire, but because Gu He's character and talent were worth nurturing.
Gu He, moved by Mo Yu's encouragement, felt a surge of emotion. Although his expression didn't change much, his tone carried a newfound determination.
"Don't worry, Master. Since I am your chosen chief alchemist of Genfu, I won't bring shame to you or the Genfu."
Xiao Yan, observing this, smiled faintly before glancing at Yao Dan seated at the head. A curious thought crossed his mind. "Is Yao Dan not participating?"
"As the chief of the Medicine Clan, he has his pride." Yao Lao chuckled before speaking solemnly, "But his alchemy skills are no weaker than any of you four."
While Mo Yu and the others exchanged quiet words, Yao Dan, seated at the head, slowly rose to his feet. At that moment, every gaze in the audience fixed on him.
"Hehe, the appetizers are over. It's time for the main course, and I know what you've all been waiting for," Yao Dan said with a faint smile, addressing the crowd.
"This time, five people will participate in the final competition. Aside from Gu He, the chief alchemist of Genfu, invited by our Medicine Clan, the rest should be well known to you all."
"The winner among them will be crowned the number one alchemist on the continent. I believe no one will object or feel discontent with the outcome."
"Now, the five of you, please enter the arena."
"Hehe, Chief Yao Dan is quite straightforward. My Soul Clan has some interest in that title of the continent's number one alchemist." Phantom Soul's figure flashed like a ghost as he appeared in the air, his calm voice carrying a hint of arrogance.
"Hmph! The Medicine Clan is a clan of alchemy. That title is best kept here!" Elder Wanhuo snorted coldly, his figure also appearing in the sky, glaring unflinchingly at Phantom Soul.
Elder Wanhuo's appearance sparked cheers from the surrounding crowd. After all, this was the Medicine Clan's territory, and they didn't like the idea of seeing the Soul Clan take away such an honorable title.
"Although I have no strong desire for such a title, letting the Soul Clan claim it would be a disgrace to alchemists everywhere," Shennong Elder said calmly, floating in the air. He too held little regard for Phantom Soul, as the Soul Clan's reputation among alchemists was utterly tarnished.
"Elder Wanhuo, Phantom Soul, Shennong Elder—these three are truly giants in the alchemy world. This competition is going to be worth watching!" The crowd grew even more excited, the eyes of countless alchemists burning with passion as they gazed at the three figures above. The levels these three had reached were the dreams of every alchemist present!
Countless eyes turned from the three to the two remaining figures still seated on the stone chairs—a black-robed young man and a middle-aged man.
Under the many eyes watching them, Xiao Yan and Gu He exchanged smiles before both stood up. Their figures flickered, leaving behind afterimages as they appeared in the sky.
Gu He clasped his hands and smiled with grace, addressing the crowd. "I am Gu He from Genfu. I have no real qualification to participate in such a grand event, but I am deeply grateful to the Medicine Clan for the invitation. Regardless of the outcome, I will do my utmost to ensure that none of you leave disappointed."
His humble words, coupled with the charm of a mature man, won over many in the audience who had initially doubted Gu He's qualifications to stand alongside such legendary figures.
Though they had never heard much of Gu He's reputation, seeing him stand with such poise and confidence made them realize that he must have some real skill.
Even Yao Dan, watching Gu He's composed demeanor, nodded in satisfaction before turning to Mo Yu with a smile. "Congratulations, Master Mo. It seems Genfu will soon have a ninth-tier alchemist. You know, even in my Medicine Clan, only a few elders have reached that level."
"Haha, you flatter me..." Mo Yu smiled humbly.
As Gu He finished speaking, a clear laugh rang out. Xiao Yan looked at Phantom Soul and smiled.
"I've long heard that Senior Phantom Soul once stole techniques from the Pill Tower. Now that the Pill Tower is part of the Sky Mansion Alliance, as a member of the Sky Mansion, I'd like to ask Senior Phantom Soul for some guidance! I hope you won't hold back!"
(End of Chapter)
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