The pill energy gathered above the nine altars, roaring into clouds. As the refining continued, the pill clouds spread ever wider. Their expansion marked the progress of the Golden Vault Nine Extremes Essence-Transforming Pill's refinement, as well as the insights into the Dao of alchemy gained by the Pill Saints taking part.
Lin Shiqing had already retreated farther out. The later stages of this pill's refinement were increasingly critical, and onlookers could no longer be allowed too close. Even as a disciple of Daoist Yihua, Lin Shiqing had been forced to withdraw to the outer perimeter. By now, pill clouds had long since shrouded all nine altars. Even Lin Shiqing could no longer see what was happening on them.
"Such a grand alchemical event is a rare sight even once in several centuries. If Vice City Lord Xue hadn't met with an accident, it would have been difficult for anyone to persuade Senior Daoist Yihua to oversee matters here for more than a decade. He's even been laboring tirelessly to direct so many Pill Saints. What a pity we can't catch a glimpse of what's happening inside." An old man with a full head of white hair and beard gazed at the churning pill clouds in the distance, stroking his long beard as he sighed.
While the Pill Saints nearby sighed and lamented, Lin Shiqing gazed into the distance. Xue Daoyuan's injuries were too severe; saving him would be no easy task. So many Third-Rank Pill Saints of such high attainments in alchemy had gathered here. Aside from the Heavenly Court, no other power had the resources to muster so many people.
"Daoist Lin must be rather disappointed, too. Daoist Dongfang, who advanced to Third-Rank Pill Saint alongside you, is among them, while you, Senior Daoist Yihua's direct disciple, have