As the First Elder's words fell, the square erupted into murmurs.
Becoming a Pill Tower Giant was no simple election—it meant becoming one of the Tower's public figureheads, a position demanding strength, reputation, and mastery in alchemy.
More importantly, most of these old men had long grown weary of politics. They had secluded themselves within the Small Pill Tower precisely to escape worldly disputes. Competing for elder positions was one thing—but vying for a Giant's seat? None of them were eager.
In the end, only four people stepped forward.
Liu Xi, Cao Ying, Dan Chen, and… Xiao Yan.
That's right—Dan Chen, too, had been studying within the Small Pill Tower and joined the candidates. But judging from her relaxed demeanor, she clearly wasn't taking the matter to heart.
Liu Xi smiled kindly at her, and though she looked timid as ever, Dan Chen still returned his smile with her usual sweetness.
As always, some within the Pill Tower were on good terms with Yao Chen, while others had long held grudges—like the eccentric Elder Hou, who had never forgotten losing to Yao Chen at the Pill Gathering years ago.
"Tsk tsk, this Liu Xi lad—the most recent Pill Gathering champion, and the one who refined a pill with Seven-Colored Pill Lightning. Him inheriting the Giant's position is perfectly reasonable."
"Cao Ying and Dan Chen are also direct disciples of the Tower—our own juniors we've watched grow. It's only natural that they qualify."
"But Xiao Yan? What qualifications does he have? His performance at the Pill Gathering wasn't outstanding! And because of him, the Pill Tower suffered enormous losses and incurred the Hall of Souls' wrath!"
"He's not even one of our own! Yao Chen left the Small Pill Tower of his own accord back then, and I thought he'd never return. Now he wants to bring his disciple back and seize power again? What a convenient scheme!"
Elder Hou crossed his arms, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he threw a barbed glance at Yao Chen.
Liu Xi almost wanted to give the old man a hug.
'Good job, senior. Keep going. Don't stop.'
Sure enough, his words drew mixed reactions. A few elders nodded in agreement, while most remained silent. What Elder Hou said wasn't pleasant—but it wasn't wrong either.
Friendship with Yao Chen was one thing, but his disciple's qualifications truly couldn't compare.
In terms of strength, Xiao Yan was merely a 2-Star Dou Zun—his power bolstered by bloodline, which these elders cared little about.
In terms of reputation, his fame came from storming the Tiangang Human Hall—at the cost of over a dozen Dou Zuns and with the help of a Gu Clan Dou Saint.
In terms of alchemy, he had only recently entered the 8th Tier—not nearly enough to represent the alchemists of the continent.
Worst of all, the death of Giant Xuan Yi was directly linked to Xiao Yan. Because of that, a rift had formed within the Pill Tower, and even letting him stand here was already a courtesy for Xuan Kongzi and Yao Chen's sake.
Had he come on his own, the Pill Tower—let alone the Small Pill Tower—would never have let him in.
Xiao Yan heard every word. Though his face remained calm, his eyes glinted with ferocity. Beneath his sleeves, his fists clenched tightly—so tight that his nails pierced flesh and drew blood without him noticing.
'Why… why must everything I've done be dismissed as luck or sin? Why does no one see my struggle, my effort, my sacrifice?'
Yao Chen's illusory form stepped forward, resting a hand on Xiao Yan's shoulder. His expression was blank, but his tone was calm as he addressed the assembly.
"My disciple, Xiao Yan—why does he lack qualification? By talent, he reached Dou Zun while still young. By will, he stormed the Hall of Souls for my sake. If I had been here before, he would already be known across the continent. Now that I have returned, I will make sure of it."
Yet inwardly, Yao Chen sighed. The resistance was greater than he expected. With a monster like Liu Xi present, today's outcome was already decided.
'So be it,' he thought. 'Let me bear the infamy for his sake. I've long seen through fame and gain.'
Seeing Yao Chen's attempt fall flat, Elder Hou felt indescribable delight. It was as satisfying as ice cream in summer or hotpot in winter—utter bliss.
"Heh, it's not about comparing the present—it's about leadership. The Pill Tower needs a Giant who can lead, not a gamble on an uncertain future."
Most of the elders nodded in agreement. Truthfully, none of them feared the Hall of Souls. As long as the Hun Clan behind it stayed contained, the Hall of Souls alone couldn't shake the Pill Tower.
The role of a Giant was to steady hearts and symbolize the Tower's strength. As long as the Pill Tower had three visible Giants, it would remain the holy land of alchemists. People's faith would hold—and the Tower would stand.
Unless the Hall of Souls wiped out every alchemist on the continent, the Pill Tower would never fall.
Finally, the First Elder made the decision. His eyes lingered on Yao Chen with a trace of regret. He had once placed great hopes in him—but Yao Chen had chosen another path.
"The Pill Tower Giant must represent all alchemists of the continent. The first choice, naturally, is Liu Xi. His strength, reputation, and alchemy are all sufficient. Unless someone here can surpass him in alchemy, the successor to Giant Xuan Yi's position shall be Liu Xi."
Cao Ying voiced no objection. She was already handling Xuan Kongzi's affairs, and her path toward becoming a Giant was set in motion anyway. This post was important, yes—but it wasn't her ultimate goal.
Dan Chen also had no objections. She had accepted her earlier defeat at the Pill Gathering gracefully and knew her limits. Though she had improved greatly, she still couldn't hope to summon Seven-Colored Pill Lightning.
Only Xiao Yan stood unwilling. Facing the Hall of Souls in the future, the Pill Tower was an indispensable ally. Without it, the Falling Star Pavilion alone could never contend against them.
His teeth clenched, his brows furrowed, and his gaze locked firmly on Liu Xi. His mind raced—searching for some way, any way, to surpass him.
But under the eyes of all these elders, challenging Liu Xi would only bring humiliation. Xiao Yan didn't even dare to claim his alchemy exceeded Cao Ying's or Dan Chen's—let alone Liu Xi's.
"I… withdraw."
The words left his lips bitterly.
Yao Chen's hand remained on his shoulder, his eyes sweeping the silent hall. Not a single elder spoke up in Xiao Yan's defense.
'So this is what bullying the honest looks like…' he thought darkly.
Xuan Kongzi, already stripped of authority, could only sigh. He had expected this outcome. In truth, Xiao Yan simply wasn't comparable to Liu Xi. This path, he would have to walk alone.
When the matter was settled, the First Elder slowly rose. The pressure of a Dou Saint rippled through the hall, silencing every whisper.
"Since there are no objections," he declared, "then I hereby announce—our new Pill Tower Giant shall be Liu Xi. Tomorrow, it will be declared to the continent that the Pill Tower welcomes its newest Giant."
A faint smile appeared on Liu Xi's lips. This was exactly as he had foreseen. Even if they had truly competed, he would not have feared the outcome.
What mattered most was that, in securing the elders' favor, he had also seen the growing distance between them and Yao Chen's disciple.
At the very least, the Pill Tower would not be dragged into Xiao Yan's coming conflict. The Hall of Souls was not a force that would quietly endure after losing one of its halls—they were surely brewing something sinister.
"Many thanks, First Elder, and to all seniors for your trust. Should the Pill Tower ever require me, Liu Xi will not hesitate to answer the call."
(End of Chapter)
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