Burning Soul

"Is this the Saint Pill City?"

After traveling through two cities, Xiao Yuan, who had just emerged from the spatial impulse, looked at the vast plaza before him, which stretched as far as the eye could see and was entirely constructed of crimson rock. Xiao Yuan's face showed surprise.

Xiao Yuan and the others stood among them, like ants, attracting no attention whatsoever.

The Space Wormhole behind them was now pulsating violently, with Space Ship constantly emerging from it, quickly shrinking in size, while figures within it were falling from the sky like beans.

"This is just a spatial point in the Saint Pill City Outer Region. There are eight such spatial plazas in the outer domain." Ye Zhong glanced around with a complicated look in his eyes. Since the decline of the Ye Clan, they have rarely come here. Even in the previous assessments of the Five Great Clans, they came in a sorry state and left in a sorry state after losing face.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan was also shocked. It was probably nearly a tenth the size of Ye City, yet this Saint Pill City actually had eight of them? "Hehe, don't be surprised. Saint Pill City is divided into the outer and inner domains. We are currently in the outer domain, while the Danta is in the inner domain. Of course, regardless of the outer or inner domain, it's all the Danta's territory," Ye Zhong with a smile upon seeing Xiao Yuan's expression. "Although Saint Pill City is called a city, it's far beyond what ordinary cities can compare to. In terms of area alone, dozens of Ye City couldn't match it."

Xiao Yuan nodded in disbelief. This was no city at all; it was practically another vast region. However, considering that this was the holy land where alchemists from all over the world gathered, Xiao Yuan understood.

"The current foot traffic isn't at its peak yet. It'll be terrifying a month before the Pill Gathering starts. Hehe, even though Saint Pill City is so big, it will still feel crowded then."

Ye Zhong smiled.

Xiao Yuan shook his head with a wry smile. Only after arriving in Saint Pill City did he realize what a country bumpkin was. He had certainly broadened his horizons today in such a massive city.

Where should we go first?

After composing themselves, Xiao Yuan and the others turned their gazes to Ye Zhong. This was the first time Xiao Yuan and the others had come to Saint Pill City, and they were completely unfamiliar with the place. Everything depended on Ye Zhong, a seasoned veteran who knew the area well.

"In a few days, the assessment of the Five Great Clans will be held. We've been traveling all day, so let's find a place to rest first. Tomorrow, I'll take young friend Xiao Yan to a testing point in the Danta. You need to obtain a Danta certified Alchemist Rank Badge."

Ye Zhong pondered for a moment, then said.

"Alchemist Rank Badge?" Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was taken aback and asked, "Do we still need this?"

Xiao Yan had only ever acquired Alchemist Rank Badge once, when he obtained a third-grade Alchemist Badge during his training in the Jia Ma Empire. After that, he never bothered to acquire one again.

"Hehe, the certification at the Danta is unlike anywhere else. It's notoriously strict, and that's why its rank badges are valid throughout the entire continent. They carry absolute authority anywhere. To participate in the Pill Gathering, you must have a rank badge; otherwise, you won't be allowed to participate."

Ye Zhong smiled.

Xiao Yuan nodded slightly, not particularly resistant to the idea. However, having not participated in such a level test for many years, he was indeed somewhat curious. Seeing that Xiao Yuan had no objections, Ye Zhong smiled, determined the direction, and was about to lead the group to find a place to rest when a violent spatial fluctuation suddenly appeared in the distant sky behind them. Immediately afterward, a snow-white carriage carried by several dazzling silver winged horses appeared in the sky. The sudden appearance of the snow-white carriage immediately attracted countless gazes from all around, and then exclamations of surprise rang out. "It's actually Void Pegasus Beast? Who is this person? Why is their entourage so grand?"

"Void Pegasus Beast?"

Hearing the exclamations below, Xiao Yuan raised an eyebrow, staring in surprise at the snow-white carriage phoenix. He had heard of this kind of magical beast before. Although it was only at the sixth level, it was extremely rare. They possessed the ability to fly in the Void Space, and their speed was not only more comfortable than that of Space Ship, but also much faster. Many people wanted to own a Void Pegasus Beast, but due to its rarity, it was always in a situation of being priceless at auctions. However, today, this mysterious snow-white carriage phoenix was actually being carried by several Void Pegasus Beast. Such a gesture was truly remarkable.

Ye Zhong's gaze also lingered on the snow-white carriage, but after a moment, his brows furrowed.

"Elder Ye Zhong, do you know who the owner of this carriage is?" Upon seeing this, Xiao Yuan couldn't help but ask curiously.

"See the Dan-shaped clan emblem on that carriage? That's the Dan Family's special symbol. If I'm not mistaken, the people riding in that carriage should be the Dan Family who are participating in the assessment or the Pill Gathering."

Ye Zhong nodded and said.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan looked in the direction indicated and indeed saw a golden, original-shaped clan emblem on the chariot, which looked just like a pill.

"The Dan Family." Muttering to himself, Xiao Yuan slowly nodded. Among the Five Great Clans in the Pill Domain —Dan, Cao, Bai, Qiu, and Ye— the Dan Family has always been the most low-key, but its strength is undeniable. The Cao Family family is the most influential, the Bai family is also a powerful family in the Pill Domain, and their words carry considerable weight. The Qiu family is slightly weaker, but compared to the Ye Clan, they are far superior.

In short, of the Five Great Clans today, the Ye Clan is in the most dire situation. The other four families, even the Qiu family, which is in the worst state, are still able to maintain their positions in the Danta.

"Since the Dan Family is here, then the other three major families should be here as well," Ye Zhong pondered. "I wonder who from the Dan Family will be participating in the assessment this year?"

"Does the Dan Family have anyone comparable to Cao Ying from the Cao Family?" Xiao Yan, a contestant standing to the side, was clearly more concerned about his potential rivals. He stroked his chin and asked slowly.

"I'm not too sure about that. The Dan Family has always kept a low profile, but they are extremely talented in Yao Tian. In their heyday, they held three seats on the Dan Tower Elder Seat." Ye Zhong said somewhat awkwardly upon hearing this.

"However, as is customary, they won't send their strongest younger generation to participate in the assessment, because this kind of assessment isn't difficult for them to pass. This will also be our opportunity, since this will greatly increase our chances of getting into the top three."

Xiao Yan nodded slightly. He knew how important this assessment was to the Ye Clan. If he didn't help, the younger generation of the Ye Clan would struggle to even pass, let alone secure a top-three finish. As they talked, the snow-white chariot, riding several Void Pegasus Beast, disappeared into the distant horizon with a series of crisp ticking sounds. "Let's go. Let's rest at my Ye Clan's properties first. Tomorrow we'll go to the Danta assessment to get a level badge, and then we can consider the rest of the assessment."

Ye Zhong smiled. He was quite confident in Xiao Yan's strength. However, his only concern was that the younger generation sent by the other four major families would be stronger than before. After all, the younger generation sent by each family to participate in the Pill Gathering were certainly not mediocre.

As he spoke, Ye Zhong turned and flew away towards the outside of the crimson square, followed closely by Xiao Yuan and the others.

Xiao Yuan and his group Ye Zhong Saint Pill City Outer Region for about half an hour, finally landing in a region near the south.

Where Xiao Yuan and the others landed, there was a fairly spacious courtyard. However, the courtyard looked desolate, as if it had not been touched by human activity for many years. In front of the courtyard, there was a wooden plaque with two faintly discernible characters: Ye Courtyard.

"This was one of my Ye Clan's properties back then, but with the decline of the Ye Clan, no one took care of it anymore. However, it's still a good place to rest temporarily."

Looking at the courtyard, Ye Zhong turned his head and said to Xiao Yuan and his group.

Xiao Yuan and the others had no particular requirements for their accommodations. Although Ye Courtyard looked somewhat dilapidated, it was secluded. Although there were still quite a few people around, it was indeed secluded compared to other places.

"Hehe, it's good that there are no problems. It's getting late tonight, so everyone should get some rest. We have important business to attend to tomorrow."

As time passed, night slowly poured down from the sky, enveloping the entire Saint Pill City in a hazy veil.

In a large courtyard of Ye Courtyard, Xiao Yuan sat upright in the center, cultivating his soul skills.

With his soul having entered the Spirit Realm, he could naturally discover that the night sky of Saint Pill City was more spiritual than the night sky of other places, making cultivation twice as effective.

Like a sponge absorbing water, the soul continuously draws in the spirituality of the starry sky, and Xiao Yuan's body is gradually enveloped in the shimmering starlight of spirituality.

At the same time, Xiao Yan also walked out of his room and into the courtyard. He wanted to chat with his Third Brother, who was still awake, but found that his Third Brother was engrossed in his cultivation, so he looked up at him as well.

Subsequently, he gradually entered that mysterious state.

The spot where the two stood, the withered grass around them, under the faint glow that only their soul power could detect, actually lost its yellow color, and tender shoots quietly sprouted, looking full of Spiritual Energy.

Xiao Yan's soul power spread for an unknown period of time, and he suddenly stumbled into a strange place. When Xiao Yuan came to his senses, he found that in his soul vision, a giant dragon that seemed to have almost no end was winding and coiling. The dragon's eyes were closed, and a Heavenly Flames was swirling around its body.

When Xiao Yan's soul power saw the purplish-black flames, a sense of familiarity immediately arose in his heart, and then a low groan resounded from his soul.

"Three thousand blazing flames?"

"Who dares to spy on the Dan City Star Region!"

Just as the groan in Xiao Yan's heart resounded, a sharp shout suddenly rang out from the depths of Xiao Yuan's soul! The sudden shout almost caused his spreading soul to explode and scatter, but then, a powerful surge of soul power surged out and neutralized the soul power in the shout.

"Hmm? There's another person lurking nearby?"

An aged voice sounded in surprise and doubt.

"Senior, please don't misunderstand. This is our first visit to the Pill Domain. We were observing the starry sky and were moved by something, so we accidentally wandered into this place. We will leave now."

Xiao Yuan chuckled softly, then gathered Xiao Yan's soul power and slowly retreated.

"Huh, it's actually Spirit Realm soul?"

Sensing the remnants of Xiao Yuan's soul Spiritual Energy, a faint, surprised sound rang out in the Void Space.

Far away in the Saint Pill City Outer Region, in the courtyard of Ye Courtyard, Xiao Yan, whose eyes were tightly closed, suddenly opened them. His body trembled involuntarily, and his face turned pale as he abruptly turned towards the depths of Saint Pill City. The Three Thousand Burning Flame he had sensed earlier must have been in that direction! "The Dan City Star Region... is that where the Three Thousand Burning Flame are sealed?"

Xiao Yan's gaze was fixed on the void within the Saint Pill City Inner Region. After a long while, he slowly withdrew his gaze, rubbing his forehead. Because of the terrifying shout earlier, Xiao Yuan's head was slightly dizzy.

"Brother, your soul power has become stronger again."

Then, Xiao Yan turned to look at Xiao Yuan, who was still looking up at the sky, and said softly.

"I sensed a powerful figure in the Star Region earlier, so I didn't go in. You were quite brave, rushing in directly. Luckily, it was just a scattered soul, and the distance was far, so nothing bad happened. Otherwise, that shock would have damaged your soul."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan withdrew his gaze, turned to look at Xiao Yan, and shook his head helplessly.

"I didn't expect my soul power to spread so naturally, but seeing the Three Thousand Burning Flame with my own eyes puts my mind at ease. I'm determined to win the Pill Gathering this time!"

Xiao Yan shook his head with a wry smile, then said with a determined look.

"Yes, I believe you can do it!"

Xiao Yuan smiled, then his expression turned serious.

"This starry sky is extraordinary. If we can activate the starlight that carries Spiritual Energy, it may greatly benefit our soul realm."

As Xiao Yuan spoke, he looked up at the sky again.

"To draw out starlight?"

Xiao Yan was taken aback upon hearing this, and looked at his Third Brother with some confusion.

He had never heard of any Dou Technique that could draw upon starlight, but he had heard that the Three Thousand Burning Flame could absorb the Star Power to become stronger.

"To be precise, it's about drawing in Spiritual Energy. Starlight isn't the main goal, since we cultivate Dou Qi."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan smiled, and then, under Xiao Yan's shocked gaze, he ignited a portion of his Spiritual Energy power with his Soul Flame.

"Elder brother!"

Xiao Yan was startled and looked anxious as he watched Xiao Yuan's self-harming act of burning his soul.

"Don't panic, just watch and learn carefully!"

Xiao Yuan gave a light rebuke, and then, as the hand seals changed, the burning soul transformed into an invisible flame that shot straight into the starry sky.