Ice River Valley Attacks

In the southwestern part of the Central State Central Region, within the gates of Burning Flame Valley, a heated selection competition was underway. Yet this was not a martial contest, but...

A Pill Battle!

Without any of the old guys present, the arena was filled entirely with young Burning Flame Valley Disciples—all alchemists, both male and female. Every one of them was twenty or younger; anyone over twenty was ineligible to compete.

Multicolored flames blazed across the grounds, while sizzling sounds of medicinal ingredients being refined came from the pill cauldrons. The rich scents of herbs drifted through the entire plaza.

They were not necessarily fragrant. On the contrary, some medicinal ingredients had an exceptionally pungent odor. The moment they were brought out, the surrounding spectators erupted into an uproar, covering their noses and mouths as they cursed without end.

Tang Huo'er, dressed in vivid red robes and blazing like fire itself, sat with several Burning Flame Valley Elders on an earthen platform at the far end of the plaza, overlooking the bustling grounds. Only the Burning Flame Valley Master, Tang Zhen, was absent.

The reason for today's selection contest was entirely due to that agreement with Venerable Yao. Burning Flame Valley would send one disciple to become Venerable Yao's apprentice—and this competition was meant to select the young disciple within Burning Flame Valley with the greatest talent for pill refining.

"The competition has been going on for days, and now we've reached the final round. It's getting more and more intense. I wonder who will ultimately win?"

Tang Huo'er watched with a smile as the young Burning Flame Valley Disciples in the arena, fewer than ten after several rounds of elimination, continued their contest. The oldest among them was only twenty, and their youthful faces still carried traces of