Chapter 493: The Pill Gathering Begins, Six Tier Minimum!
No matter what, Wu Tian still felt grateful to Xuan Kong Zi. Now that he had everything he needed, he owed him a favor a favor he would repay when the opportunity arose. And such opportunities were bound to be plenty.
"This year's Pill Gathering has an unprecedented number of participants. The Inner Region is completely packed with alchemists!" Cao Ying explained to Wu Tian, who had been in seclusion for several days.
"That's only natural. With the legendary Three Thousand Burning Flame at stake, no alchemist can resist the temptation of a Heavenly Flame." Wu Tian nodded. Even he couldn't resist coming here so how could other alchemists?
"Indeed. Even some of the reclusive old monsters have crawled out of their caves for this event. They've abandoned their dignity just for a chance at the Three Thousand Burning Flame." Dan Chen pouted slightly, feeling the immense pressure from the overwhelming competition.
Compared to past Pill Gatherings, this time, far too many veteran alchemists had appeared. Their experience in refining pills was vastly superior.
As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. The more times one refines pills, the more proficient they become.
This meant that their margin for error was lower, and they had long since figured out the most efficient methods to refine high grade pills.
Wu Tian simply nodded. He had already expected this Pill Gathering to be a battleground filled with fierce competitors and mysterious old monsters.
But in the end, most of these people were just here for the show.
The real contenders for the championship were only a select few.
Some simply weren't qualified to obtain the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
Age didn't determine how unreachable someone's skill level was there were monstrous geniuses who could rival even the ancient masters.
Like the two stunning beauties beside him, who were just as formidable as those so called 'old monsters', if not even stronger.
Still… it would have been interesting if Yao Chen had joined as well. But that shameless old man was still in seclusion…
As for his precious disciple…
Heh heh heh…
Wu Tian's lips curled into an irresistible smile, his deep black eyes burning with anticipation.
This Pill Gathering… was about to be a true clash of dragons and tigers.
That night, one man and two women engaged in a deep discussion about soul techniques.
Of course… it was purely about soul techniques.
Time passed in a flash before they knew it, morning had arrived.
As Wu Tian, Cao Ying, and Dan Chen stepped out of the room together, a door across the hall creaked open.
From inside, Song Qing emerged.
The moment he saw Cao Ying and Dan Chen stepping out of Wu Tian's room together, his face instantly darkened!
What the hell just happened?!
He had only been gone for a few days, and now they had given themselves to him?!
Wasn't Cao Ying supposed to be an untouchable femme fatale?
Wasn't Dan Chen supposed to be distant and reserved?
They looked more like impatient brothel girls who couldn't wait any longer!
Damn it!
Those two little…
Fine.
Enjoy yourselves while you can.
After the Pill Gathering… you will both belong to me.
By then, Wu Tian will bow his head and call me 'father'.
Song Qing forced a smile onto his face.
"Ying'er, did you spend the whole night discussing soul techniques?"
"That's none of your concern."
"Hmph "
Wu Tian didn't even bother acknowledging Song Qing's presence.
Instead, he walked forward with the two women at his side, completely ignoring him.
The first morning light spilled over Sacred Pill City, shattering the previous tranquility and igniting the entire city in excitement.
Today, the city was more lively than ever.
All of Central Plains had its eyes locked on Sacred Pill City, awaiting the rise of the next brightest star.
Whoever emerged victorious in this Pill Gathering would instantly become a legend the future powerhouse of the continent, admired by countless people.
Every past champion had carved their name into the annals of history.
And this time, there would be no exception.
This Pill Gathering was the grandest in history whoever won would ascend to unparalleled glory.
This prestige was enough to drive people mad with ambition.
Many had bet everything on this competition, risking their entire life's efforts to leave their mark here.
Of course… some people weren't here to compete.
Some were simply looking to befriend elite alchemists for future benefits.
Some wanted weaker factions to rely on them, using this as an opportunity to elevate their status.
Everyone in Sacred Pill City had a goal.
And because of that, the entire city was engulfed in excitement.
Cao Ying, Dan Chen, Song Qing, and Wu Tian were all wearing alchemist robes with their officially assigned rank badges from the Pill Tower.
However, when Song Qing saw the badge on Wu Tian's chest, his expression changed instantly.
Seven Tier Advanced Alchemist?!
When the hell did this happen?!
He had never heard of Wu Tian taking the exam.
Did he just… steal the badge and put it on himself?!
In reality, Xuan Kong Zi had given Wu Tian this badge as part of the storage ring's contents.
After all, no one else had the qualifications to assess Wu Tian's alchemy skills.
Xuan Kong Zi simply couldn't be bothered the guy's soul power was already absurdly strong.
Why bother making him take a test?
So, he just handed him the badge directly.
To keep things "low key".
Yes… low key.
A Seven Tier Advanced Alchemist badge was the most "low key" rank they could give him.
If they gave him an Eight Tier badge, then there would be no point in even holding this Pill Gathering anymore.
They might as well skip straight to pitting Wu Tian against the actual Eight Tier Alchemists.
Wu Tian looked at the alchemist robes with mild disdain.
They were… too cheap for his taste.
Still, he reluctantly put them on he had to at least blend in with the crowd a little.
It gave him a scholarly and refined air, something that Cao Ying and Dan Chen both found hard to ignore.
"Seven Tier Advanced?!"
Both women stared at Wu Tian in shock.
He had never taken the Pill Tower exam, so how did he suddenly have this rank?!
Could it be that… their teacher secretly assessed him in private?
That was the only explanation.
"Let's go."
With that, the group moved forward toward the competition grounds.
The Pill Gathering, a sacred event in the eyes of all alchemists, was finally about to begin.
Even Xuan Kong Zi was tense he knew that if things went wrong, this event could turn into a living hell.
The competition grounds were already packed with a sea of people eager to watch.
The sheer density of the crowd would make anyone with trypophobia break out in cold sweat.
A booming voice echoed across the entire arena.
"The time has come! Due to the special nature of this year's event, only those at the Six Tier Alchemist level or above may participate in the first round The Soul Illusion Realm!"
"SIX TIER MINIMUM?!"
Instantly, the entire arena fell into a stunned silence.
(End of Chapter)
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