As the tribulation clouds finally dispersed, heaven and earth returned to clarity. The morning sun rose from the east, its rays warm but not scorching. Association Head Xuan Kongzi knew it was time for him to step forward. His figure moved with a flicker, appearing in midair above the stone platforms as though he had teleported.
These were the future pillars of the Pill Tower. His gaze swept across the gathered alchemists, and a gentle smile filled his face with satisfaction. But when his eyes fell upon Mu Gu, that warmth instantly faded, replaced by sternness—and disgust.
"Now that all of you have finished refining your pills," he announced, his voice calm but resonant, "release them! Let this old man—and the thousands of spectators here—judge them together!"
As his words fell, the competitors below moved. Among them, Xiao Yan and Song Qing took the lead. One by one, twelve alchemists tossed out their pills. The pills hovered midair, gleaming like luminous pearls as rich medicinal fragrance spread throughout the plaza.
Yet, there was little reaction from the crowd. After witnessing the birth of 8th Tier Pills earlier, who still had the heart to care for mere 7th Tier Pills? Though these twelve pills were all of High-Level 7th Tier quality—anything below that wasn't even qualified for the top ten—the truth remained cruel: in the face of true brilliance, even excellence paled.
Xuan Kongzi nodded in mild approval. Though they couldn't compare to Liu Xi and the others, these were still rare talents. With proper nurturing, they might one day become the future backbone of the Pill Tower. But today's stage did not belong to them.
His eyes turned toward the true stars—Liu Xi, Cao Ying, Dan Chen, Qing Hua, and the one person he wished he could crush to dust: Mu Gu.
Cao Ying and Dan Chen moved almost at the same moment, their fingers lightly tapping their cauldrons. Instantly, two streaks of light shot upward, stopping midair and revealing their true forms—one a fox, the other a rabbit. They were not pills but living creatures, their clear eyes brimming with a spark of intelligence that ordinary 7th Tier Pills could never possess.
Below the 8th Tier, no matter how potent a pill's medicinal properties, it remained lifeless—a "dead pill." But at 8th Tier and above, the pill could be said to possess life, evolving into a spiritual being.
Xuan Kongzi smiled broadly, satisfaction deepening in his heart. Both Cao Ying and Dan Chen hailed from two of the five great families under the Pill Tower—true heirs of its legacy. To achieve such results at their age was a mark of brilliance.
Leaving Liu Xi aside—since he defied all common sense—their results were not far behind Qing Hua or even that cunning old ghost Mu Gu.
Next came the pills of Qing Hua and Mu Gu. Compared to Cao Ying and Dan Chen's, their pills radiated far denser spiritual energy and were notably larger. Qing Hua's pill had taken the form of a massive bear—steady, honest, and unassuming, just like its master.
Mu Gu's pill, which had summoned the four-and-a-half-colored Pill Lightning, condensed into a savage tiger. Its eyes burned with ferocity, emanating a powerful, predatory aura. As it glanced over the other pills, a trace of disdain flashed across its bestial eyes. But when Liu Xi's pill emerged—a white tiger pure as snow—its arrogance instantly vanished.
Though both took tiger form, Liu Xi's white tiger bore no savagery. Instead, it radiated sanctity and grace, like a divine creature that had descended from the heavens. Its noble presence was overwhelming.
The moment that holy white tiger appeared, Mu Gu's fierce tiger bristled in terror, baring its fangs yet not daring to move. A low roar thundered from the white tiger's throat—a roar of supremacy. It was the decree of an emperor. The violent tiger trembled and, in the next instant, crouched low with its head bowed, submitting completely.
The sacred white tiger stood upon a cloud of gentle spiritual mist, surveying all beings below like a ruler gazing over his domain.
Cao Ying and Dan Chen watched with mixed expressions—admiration, frustration, and faint unwillingness. They had lost today, and though the defeat was convincing, it didn't mean they would stop striving. At least they lost to Liu Xi. Losing to Mu Gu would have been a humiliation both personal and collective for the Pill Tower—a shame that could never be washed away.
Qing Hua, gazing at the noble white tiger, sighed deeply and muttered with a wry smile, "The younger generation truly is terrifying… I'm old, far too old."
The most miserable, however, was Mu Gu. Not only had his hopes for victory turned to dust, but he had also become the stepping stone that propelled Liu Xi to the heavens.
How could he have imagined that the intelligence reports, which claimed Liu Xi could only summon up to four-colored Pill Lightning, would be so wrong? He had even overdrawn his spiritual power to push his pill to four-and-a-half colors, determined to leave Liu Xi no chance—only to be crushed by overwhelming force.
Lowering his head, Mu Gu hid the murderous intent in his eyes. Gone was his arrogance; he now appeared invisible, like a ghost swallowed by his own failure. 'To defy the Hall of Souls—you will regret it. When the time comes to seize the Three Thousand Burning Flame, that will be your death, Liu Xi.'
As Xuan Kongzi looked upon the majestic white tiger reigning supreme above the clouds, the smile tugging at his lips could no longer be suppressed. "Among 8th Tier Pills, the spirit reigns supreme. I believe everyone already knows who this tournament's champion is."
The crowd erupted in unison.
"Liu Xi!"
From the competitors atop the platforms to the countless spectators filling the plaza, every voice echoed the same name.
Xuan Kongzi turned toward Liu Xi, his expression bright with pride. "Since everyone is of the same mind, I hereby declare—the champion of this Alchemist Grand Meeting is Liu Xi! From this day forth, Liu Xi is a candidate to become one of the Pill Tower's Three Giants. Furthermore…"
He paused, then drew an ancient parchment scroll from his spatial ring. The yellowed leather glowed faintly with power.
"As promised, whoever claimed the championship would receive an ancient Soul Training Method. Now—it belongs to you."
With a wave of his hand, the scroll arced gracefully through the air, passing countless envious gazes before drifting toward Liu Xi.
This was no ordinary reward—it was the key to breaking through the 8th and even 9th Tier of alchemy, a method capable of elevating one's soul to new heights.
Many hearts stirred, yet not a single person dared to make a move. To steal from Liu Xi was to challenge both him and the Pill Tower. No one was that foolish.
Liu Xi reached out, catching the scroll in his palm. A faint gleam of delight flickered in his eyes before he slipped it into his ring and cupped his fists respectfully.
"Many thanks, Association Head Xuan Kongzi."
He deliberately addressed him formally. In such a public setting, overfamiliarity between the Pill Tower's future Giant and its current leader could easily invite suspicion—or worse, be exploited by someone like Mu Gu to spread rumors.
Xuan Kongzi chuckled lightly. "This concludes the Pill Gathering. You may all disperse. Two days from now, the Star Region will open. The top ten contestants may enter and each will have one opportunity to subdue a Heavenly Flame. Rest well and prepare—this old man looks forward to seeing who will claim the Three Thousand Burning Flame as its master."
At those words, excitement burst across the plaza. Countless eyes gleamed with fiery desire. The legendary Three Thousand Burning Flame—the Undying Flame. Whoever subdued it would gain Undying Body.
(End of Chapter)
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