Cauldrons Descend, Flames Rise

"Xiao Heng, Xiao Yan—two extraordinary little fellows...!" Xuan Kongzi smiled at the sight of them and spoke softly.

The somewhat dark-skinned old man beside him said, "I know Xiao Yan. Is Xiao Heng also Yao Chen's disciple?"

The beautiful woman beside them also looked at Xuan Kongzi, who merely smiled and shook his head. "I'm not too sure either. But that child probably isn't. Still, such a young Dou Zun... I wonder who taught him."

Sky Thunder Child nodded. "He is indeed very young. Even we were only Dou Zongs at his age. But being strong doesn't mean he is skilled at alchemy. He is probably just here to make up the numbers."

Xuan Kongzi smiled without replying. Who could say whether he was merely accompanying the race?

About twenty minutes later, the Space Gate in the plaza slowly closed at last. Xiao Heng swept his gaze over the surroundings. There were roughly one or two thousand people present. Such a number was truly frightening.

Yet at the same time, waves of excitement surged through him. After all, the chance to compete on the same stage as so many Alchemists was not something one encountered often.

Once the gate had fully shut, the originally noisy plaza also quieted somewhat. Everyone knew that the main event had arrived...!

The first two rounds had merely been screenings. The true final battle would be decided in this last round.

Xuan Kongzi slowly rose, his gaze sweeping across the many Alchemists. Then, facing the crowd, his deep yet resonant voice rang out unhurriedly.

"First, congratulations on passing the second round of screening. But you all know that this next round is the one that will truly determine the champion."

"Do you see the stage in the sky? That is the stage where you may