Sect Breaking Pill Formed, Chief Judge!

"Sixth-grade!?"

"Master Xiao, I know the Alchemist Guild like the back of my hand!"

"Please, let me be your guide!"

Before the Alchemist Guild's gates, frost bloomed on the cloud-patterned stone steps.

Mittel Tengshan stared at the emerald Medicine Staff in Fa Ma's hand—the symbol of the guild leader's authority.

His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily:

The guild leader of the Imperial Capital's Alchemist Guild, personally waiting here?

As expected of Master Xiao!

Guild entrance:

When Fama's weathered eyes fell on Xiao Yan, clad in black brocade robes—

They shot wide open!

So young!?

When he learned that Xiao Yan was coming to the guild for a Sixth-grade Alchemist assessment, Fama had already suspended all guild activities.

He cleared out everyone inside and around the Alchemist Guild, And waited here in person for Xiao Yan's arrival:

As the four drew near, they finally made out the man standing beside Fama:

"Master Xiao, I've long heard of your name."

"I am the head of the Nalan Family. Please, you must save the Nalan Family!"

Xiao Yan had barely approached, not even had a chance to speak, When Nalan Su stepped forward at once, bowing respectfully to Xiao Yan:

"If Master can cure my father, the Nalan Family's treasury is yours to choose from!"

"I beg Master to intervene!"

His tone was earnest, his demeanor almost humble—

It couldn't be helped. His father's Brand Poison had grown increasingly severe.

At this rate, in a year or two at most, He would reach the end of his rope.

Yet the Nalan Family had summoned every renowned physician; even Pill King Gu He couldn't find a cure.

He only proposed one feasible solution.

When he learned from Fama that a Rank 5 Alchemist with a Strange Fire

Was about to arrive in the Imperial Capital—heaven knew how thrilled he was.

This might be the Nalan Family's only hope!

If the clan's sole Dou King fell, the Nalan Family's status would plummet!

Mittel Tengshan paused mid-step, surprise flashing in his eyes!

That Nalan Family head, always so arrogant, was now this humble.

Even the Gilded Calling Card in his hands trembled faintly.

Xiao Yan replied softly:

"Lord Nalan, please calm yourself. I'll consider your request."

"But right now, I have more important matters."

The moment Xiao Yan spoke, Nalan Su immediately nodded in agreement and stepped aside.

He had no temper left, terrified of angering this alchemist master.

Fama stepped forward:

"That icy aura..."

"His Excellency Ice Emperor, welcome back to the Imperial Capital."

Hai Bodong nodded:

"We'll catch up later. Let the kid start his assessment first."

Fa Ma tapped the ground with his Medicine Staff:

"So this is Master Xiao?"

"Respect, respect!"

Xiao Yan chuckled and nodded.

"President Fama, no need to be polite."

"Let's begin."

In the top-secret chamber of the Alchemist Guild:

Crimson flames blazed fiercely, turning the air into rippling waves of heat.

Outside, Fama and the others waited in silence.

Yet now, their expressions were all tinged with anxiety.

Fama's gaze toward the secret chamber carried admiration:

"I never expected Master Xiao to choose the Sect Breaking Pill."

"The difficulty of refining this pill ranks among the very top of the sixth grade!"

"If he succeeds, the heavens of the Jia Ma Empire are bound to shift!"

Hai Bodong stood outside the door, his face betraying no emotion.

But within his heart, a storm of shock raged!

He knew Xiao Yan's alchemy skills were formidable, but he never imagined they could reach such a level!

After all, the Sect Breaking Pill was something even Pill King Gu He

had no confidence in refining.

If Xiao Yan could succeed, he would instantly rise to become the number one alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire!

Moreover, that old geezer Jia Xing Tian had been stuck at Peak Dou Huang for ages!

He himself had no confidence in breaking through to Dou Zong.

If news spread that Xiao Yan could refine the Sect Breaking Pill, he dared not imagine how crazed Jia Xing Tian would become to break through to Dou Zong.

He'd probably empty the Jia Ma Empire's treasury just for a chance to try!

The atmosphere outside remained tense, second by second, until three hours later!

A strange Pill Fragrance wafted out!

The secret chamber's doors burst open.

Inside, the moment the Black Demon Cauldron hit the ground!

The fire vein beneath the entire guild suddenly erupted.

Xiao Yan pressed his fingers like a blade, and the last eighteen medicinal herbs, five hundred years old, flew into the cauldron midair!

The Green Lotus Flame transformed into nine fire serpents coiling around the cauldron's ears.

Fama's eyes shot wide, filled with disbelief!

The worldview he had built over a lifetime crumbled in that instant.

In his line of sight:

Xiao Yan was simultaneously controlling three types of flames:

The Green Lotus Flame in the center, harmonizing!

The Fire and Water Flame extracting essence!

And the Kirin Devouring Heaven Flame, condensing the pill patterns!

"Condense!"

"Boom!"

The moment the cauldron lid blasted open:

A seven-colored radiance turned into a dragon, piercing through the dome.

Xiao Yan stepped into the air, waving his hand to raise a hundred-zhang wall of flame!

In an instant, he sealed all the pill's essence, not a wisp escaping.

And even though the pill was already formed, he did not stop.

The flames surged, yet gently wrapped around the pill.

The crowd saw a crimson-gold light shoot up like a dragon, radiant light spilling everywhere!

A Sect Breaking Pill with six pill patterns spun swiftly in his palm.

Under the flame's embrace, a seventh pill pattern faintly began to appear.

But due to the limitations of the ingredients, it ultimately faded away.

Fa Ma's Medicine Staff clattered to the ground:

"Sealing the pill and gathering its spirit, tempering it with fire."

"This is—the Pill Condensing Technique recorded in ancient texts!"

"Master Xiao's alchemy skills have likely long touched the peak of the Sixth-grade."

"From today onward, Master shall be the number one alchemist of our Jia Ma Empire!"

The surging rainbow light pierced through the clouds, illuminating the entire Jia Ma Upper City!

At the Imperial Palace, Jia Xing Tian's figure flickered as he appeared in the sky.

He stared at the pillar of light soaring into the heavens and murmured softly:

"Sixth-grade..."

"We must do everything in our power to win this Master over to the Imperial Family!"

"I just wonder—can this Master refine a Sect Breaking Pill?"

"No matter what, I have to try."

Outside the Alchemist Guild:

Most of the alchemists who didn't have the right to witness Xiao Yan's pill refinement on-site had gathered here.

A Sixth-grade Alchemist examination—no one wanted to miss the perfect chance to watch this Master's alchemy.

Even if it was only from the outermost edge.

But at this moment, after seeing that sky-piercing rainbow light—

Everyone went mad!

Those usually reserved and proud Rank 4 Alchemists

were now frantically grabbing their friends by the collar:

"Sixth-grade—it really is Sixth-grade!"

"Quick, slap me! Let me see if I'm dreaming."

"Holy shit, this is..."

Just as the crowd erupted in cheers, Fama brought Xiao Yan to the airspace above the Alchemist Guild.

When Xiao Yan casually pinned the Rank 6 Badge to his collar, Fa Ma suddenly unrolled a scroll:

"By resolution of the Elder Council!

"This year's Alchemist Convention specially invites Master Xiao to serve as..."

"The Chief Judge of the Alchemist Convention!"

"Boom!"

The moment Fama's words fell, applause surged like a tidal wave!

Exploding across the venue!

And just then, from the distant sky—

A streak of earthy yellow light shot through the air at breakneck speed...