Chapter 365: Well Deserved
The appearance of the Nine-Colored Dan Thunder caused a sensation throughout Saint Pill City. It made countless disciples and elders of the Pill Tower realize that the three presidents did not favor Xiao Ze unfairly; rather, Xiao Ze's strength was already comparable to theirs. Xiao Ze's appointment as Vice President of the Pill Tower was well deserved, and his alchemy skills even seemed too exceptional for the position. After all, the three presidents were also peak eighth-rank alchemists, and in terms of alchemy skills, they were on par with Xiao Ze.
"I was wrong. I shouldn't have doubted the decisions of the three presidents. I greatly underestimated Elder Xiao Ze's talent, no, Vice President Xiao Ze's talent!" a Pill Tower disciple, who witnessed the appearance of the Nine-Colored Dan Thunder, couldn't help but exclaim.
Many in the Pill Tower shared this sentiment. Among the elders who had interacted more with Xiao Ze, there were mixed feelings. They had witnessed Xiao Ze rise like a comet, and now the Nine-Colored Dan Thunder was proof of his continued ascent. When Xiao Ze first joined the Pill Tower, they could still compare themselves to him. But in just a few short years, Xiao Ze's alchemy skills had far surpassed theirs, reaching a level they could hardly imagine.
Outside the Elder Tower, discussions were rampant, but Xiao Ze remained unaware of them. Facing the successive waves of Nine-Colored Dan Thunder, Xiao Ze chose to use his old trick. He used the golden tree root to intercept some of the Nine-Colored Dan Thunder, saving it for the next time he would refine a Thunder Tribulation Pill. Then, countless golden tree roots emerged from the void, devouring the Dan Thunder. Feeling the thunder power within him surge once more, Xiao Ze smiled with satisfaction.
The Nine-Colored Dan Thunder continued for ten minutes before gradually stopping. Then, pure thunder power descended from the sky, entering the golden flame cauldron and perfecting the Thunder Tribulation Pill. As the last bolt of thunder power fell, Xiao Ze couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
However, when his soul power sensed the Thunder Tribulation Pill's movements, Xiao Ze raised an eyebrow. The Thunder Tribulation Pill had followed the last bolt of thunder power and forcibly shot out of the cauldron. The pill, infused with immense spirit, even formed a silver dragon's shadow around it. The silver dragon didn't hesitate after leaving the golden flame cauldron and tried to escape into the distance.
The terror of an eighth-rank pill infused with Nine-Colored Dan Thunder was apparent as it easily broke through the surrounding spatial seal. The damaged seal allowed countless people to see Xiao Ze and the massive cauldron. But more than the cauldron, the silver dragon caught everyone's attention. The dragon radiated strong spirit and terrifying energy, clearly the cause of the Nine-Colored Dan Thunder.
Seeing the dragon's swift escape, countless people held their breath in excitement. An eighth-rank pill with Nine-Colored Dan Thunder was incredibly valuable. With careful nurturing and additional pills, it could even become a nine-rank treasure pill! Such a pill would make even Dou Sheng experts envious. If it weren't for the location being the Pill Tower, some might have tried to seize it.
But considering the consequences of provoking the Pill Tower and the numerous hidden experts, they suppressed their greed. The silver dragon's speed began to slow as deep blue energy appeared around it. In the distorted space, Xiao Ze appeared before the silver dragon. With a flick of his finger, brilliant lightning formed intricate runes that fell onto the dragon.
The dragon's eyes showed defiance, but no matter how its energy surged, it couldn't break through the sealing runes. Eventually, the dragon was sealed and condensed into a small silver box, which flew into Xiao Ze's hand. Without hesitation, he flipped his wrist and stored it in his ring.
Feeling countless gazes upon him, Xiao Ze smiled calmly and said, "Apologies for the disturbance. My pill refining caused quite a commotion. I hope it didn't trouble anyone. If it did, I apologize."
His words spread far, and many quickly assured him it was no trouble. Xiao Ze then bowed towards the black tower before returning to the Elder Tower. The three presidents watched him leave, their faces filled with satisfaction.
"The Nine-Colored Dan Thunder will silence all doubters," Xuanyi said, smiling as he glanced at the bustling inner region of Saint Pill City.
"An eighth-rank peak alchemist is more than capable of being a vice president. If anyone still dares to complain, I'd like to see them prove their skills," Tian Leizi said with a snort, clearly disliking those who gossip.
"Haha, let's not worry about Xiao Ze. But for his first time hosting the Pill Meeting, we should instruct the other elders to support him more," Xuankongzi said, making the other two nod in agreement.
Outside the inner region of Saint Pill City, Xiao Yan stood atop a tower, gazing towards the inner region where the Nine-Colored Dan Thunder had appeared.
"Teacher, is that the peak of an eighth-rank alchemist?" Xiao Yan asked.
Yao Lao's soul apparition appeared beside Xiao Yan and nodded solemnly. "Indeed, Nine-Colored Dan Thunder! The pinnacle of eighth-rank pills. Even at my peak, I couldn't guarantee success in refining it!"
Yao Lao's voice was filled with awe. "Your fourth brother's talent is truly astounding!"
"Yes, I recently reached the Soul Realm and became an eighth-rank alchemist. I thought I had caught up to him, but it turns out I'm just starting, while he has already reached the peak," Xiao Yan said, feeling emotional. With Yao Lao by his side, Xiao Yan's path as a high-level alchemist had been smooth. Yao Lao's guidance had spared him from gambling on unknown techniques, allowing him to advance quickly.
Coming to the Pill Tower, Xiao Yan realized the extent of Xiao Ze's achievements, which had made him a renowned figure in Zhongzhou.
"Don't worry, Xiao Yan. Eighth-rank is not your limit. Your alchemy talent is also very strong. Keep working hard," Yao Lao encouraged.
Xiao Yan nodded vigorously. "This time, I must make it into the top ten of the Pill Meeting to get a chance to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame!"
"Haha, with your current skills as an eighth-rank alchemist, getting into the top ten is a sure thing. Don't worry," Yao Lao reassured. With his experience, he knew the overall level of the Pill Meeting. With Xiao Yan's current strength, not only was the top ten achievable, but he could even aim for the championship.
"Teacher, what place did you achieve when you participated in the Pill Meeting?"
"Of course, I won the championship!" Yao Lao said proudly.
"Then I will try to win the championship too, so as not to disgrace you, teacher!"
"Haha, it's good that you have such ambition. Do your best," Yao Lao said with a smile.
(End of chapter)
Chapter 366: Underlying Currents
Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Yao Lao smiled with relief. He didn't want to put too much pressure on Xiao Yan. Yao Lao had watched Xiao Yan grow and knew that Xiao Yan didn't need additional pressure from him. Because of Xiao Ze's existence, Xiao Yan had never been complacent. Sometimes, Yao Lao worried that Xiao Yan might break under the strain of his relentless training. Fortunately, Xiao Yan had grown steadily stronger, now just one step away from becoming a Dou Zun!
If his journey to the Pill Meeting went smoothly and he got the chance to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame, he might finally step into the Dou Zun realm! The gap between the peak of Dou Zong and Dou Zun was immense. Without fortuitous encounters, ordinary geniuses could spend decades without breaking through this barrier.
"Alright, your fourth brother's alchemy meeting has concluded. Now it's your turn," Yao Lao said, pulling Xiao Yan's attention back.
"This time, you will face the Three Thousand Burning Flame! Ranked ninth on the Heavenly Flame list, it is even more dangerous than my Bone Chilling Flame! If you're not fully prepared, attempting to subdue it might not only fail to help you break through to Dou Zun but could also burn you to ashes."
Xiao Yan nodded solemnly. He was no longer an inexperienced rookie and had already consumed different Heavenly Flames. He knew how dangerous the process was and would not take it lightly.
"Luckily, finding medicinal ingredients in Saint Pill City is convenient. Otherwise, gathering them would take a lot of time," Yao Lao said, tossing a pill recipe scroll to Xiao Yan, instructing him to gather the missing ingredients.
"So many ingredients... This will cost a fortune," Xiao Yan said, wide-eyed at the list on the scroll.
Yao Lao rolled his eyes. "Be grateful. This recipe was incredibly difficult to collect. Others would kill to see it."
"Hehe, I understand. I'll start gathering the ingredients right away!" Xiao Yan scratched his head, laughed, and quickly returned to his courtyard. After discussing with the Skyfire Venerate, the two split up to gather the necessary ingredients.
In a luxurious courtyard in the outer region of Saint Pill City, a figure in a black robe stood with hands behind his back, looking towards the inner region with a serious expression.
"Nine-Colored Dan Thunder. I didn't expect Xiao Ze to grow so quickly. I wonder what his Dou Qi level is now..." Elder Mu Gu muttered, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. Disguised as an ordinary alchemist, he had come to the Pill Meeting with a mission to acquire the Three Thousand Burning Flame. The conflict between the Pill Tower and the Hall of Souls had ended inconclusively, but the Hall of Souls wasn't one to let things go easily. Since the Pill Tower had announced the opportunity for outsiders to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame, the Hall of Souls planned to intervene. Even if they couldn't use it, releasing it would still cause trouble for the Pill Tower.
At that moment, a blood-red spot appeared on the ground in front of Elder Mu Gu, quickly spreading and filling the air with a bloody scent. The red spot expanded, forming a figure in a blood-red robe. With long hair as red as blood, and blood-red eyebrows and eyes, this figure emanated a terrifying, murderous aura, as if facing a sea of corpses and blood.
Elder Mu Gu immediately bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Blood River Heavenly Venerate!"
Blood River Heavenly Venerate, once a renowned figure in Zhongzhou, was now a formidable member of the Hall of Souls, known for his terrifying Blood Transformation Technique. Now, as one of the Four Heavenly Venerates of the Hall of Souls, his power was immense.
"Mu Gu, this plan relies mainly on you. You must secure a top ten position in the Pill Meeting. Only then can the Hall of Souls enter the star region. Once inside, the fate of the Three Thousand Burning Flame will be in our hands," Blood River Heavenly Venerate instructed.
"I understand. I have also allied with several factions, including the Xuanyin Sect. During the phase of gathering ingredients in the pill realm, we will eliminate other alchemists and reduce the competition," Elder Mu Gu said with a cold smile. "We can also seize this opportunity to harvest the soul bodies of those alchemists."
Blood River Heavenly Venerate frowned. "Avoid unnecessary tricks. Even if you plan to eliminate alchemists, stay hidden. The three presidents of the Pill Tower might be preoccupied with the star region, but the new Vice President is no pushover. He can refine an eighth-rank pill with Nine-Colored Dan Thunder, indicating his soul power might be at the late Spirit Realm or even the Heavenly Realm, with formidable detection abilities."
Elder Mu Gu shuddered at the reprimand. Blood River Heavenly Venerate was known for his ruthless methods even before joining the Hall of Souls. His power earned him the position of one of the Four Heavenly Venerates. Fearing the consequences of angering him, Elder Mu Gu quickly said, "Rest assured, Heavenly Venerate. I will not act unless absolutely necessary. With my allies from the Xuanyin Sect, eliminating isolated alchemists will be easy."
"Even in desperate situations, avoid taking action. The death of Xuanyin Sect members is inconsequential. Remember, your main role is to ensure our forces enter the star region!" Blood River Heavenly Venerate said before vanishing into the ground.
"Understood, farewell, Heavenly Venerate," Elder Mu Gu said, breathing a sigh of relief once the blood-red figure disappeared. "It seems the new Vice President of the Pill Tower has complicated matters. I must follow Blood River Heavenly Venerate's advice and stay hidden in the pill realm. With the Hall of Souls' disguise techniques, I should remain undetected until the end of the Pill Meeting."
Elder Mu Gu was confident in the Hall of Souls' disguise abilities. As for the Xuanyin Sect and other allied factions, he dismissed their fate, as they were merely pawns.
However, Elder Mu Gu couldn't foresee that Xiao Ze had already decided to eliminate him in the pill realm. Regardless of whether Elder Mu Gu acted, once Xiao Ze found him, his fate was sealed.
At that moment, Xiao Ze, having absorbed the Thunder Tribulation Pill's energy, felt the diameter of his Origin Tree expand by several meters, marking significant progress.
"With the Pill Meeting approaching, it's not appropriate for me, as Vice President, to stay in the Elder Tower all the time. I should check on the preparations," Xiao Ze thought as he left his secluded room to consult with the Grand Elder about the Pill Meeting arrangements.
(End of chapter)
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