The Competition Begins, Undercurrents Surge

Three days later.

The heart of Pill City.

In a massive plaza, a dense sea of more than ten thousand spectators had already gathered, with over a hundred alchemy platforms standing tall.

The alchemists from the various nations numbered several hundred in total. Aside from some rogue cultivator first-grade alchemists, virtually none were below second grade. After all, those able to represent their respective nations were no weaklings.

The talented alchemists from every nation were all rubbing their hands in anticipation. Some were expectant, some composed, some nervous—but the nervous ones were mostly rogue cultivator alchemists.

On the elevated platform sat Great Chu's honored guests, along with the upper echelons of the various nations.

Without exception, they were all major figures at or above the Half-step Heaven Merging Realm.

With Heaven Merging Realm experts absent, they were the world's pinnacle forces.

"Gasp... That is Snake Mother of the Black Tortoise Kingdom. Rumor has it that he raises an ancient spirit beast, an Azure-eyed Blue Flower Snake, capable of fighting a Heaven Merging Realm expert."

"And Poison Marsh Kingdom's Poison Lord..."

"Vine Venerable of the Blood Vine Ancient Kingdom. It is said that the Blood Vine Ancient Kingdom possesses an ancient sacrificial spirit named Eternal Blood Vine. It is immensely powerful and shows signs of unifying several nations within the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains."

"And True Jade Master of Penglai Immortal Island..."

"Kamiyo Sōgetsu of the Amaterasu Shrine in the Sun Moon Kingdom..."

The crowd buzzed with discussion. Only at an occasion of this magnitude would they have a chance to see such towering figures. Otherwise, they might never see them in their entire lives.

"Still, no matter how strong they are, they cannot compare to His Highness King Chu."

A middle-aged man spoke.

The crowd nodded one after another.

Chu