The Heroes Enter the Field
"Thump--!"
Just as Lin Ming and his companions were talking, an ancient and melodious bell chime, as if traversing Eternal Space-Time, suddenly resounded throughout this noisy world!
The resounding bell, possessing a strange penetrating and soothing power, spread out in a mighty torrent, instantly suppressing the deafening, sky-piercing clamor!
As the bell tolled, the once bustling world instantly quieted down. Countless gazes, as if guided by an invisible force, all turned in unison towards the towering stone platform on the east side of the plaza, resembling a colossal tower. Everyone knew that this was where the higher-ups of the Pill Tower would appear!
Just as the echoes of the bell's chime faded, a series of subtle yet dense whooshing sounds suddenly rang out from behind the high platform. Immediately afterward, the space above the stone platform distorted slightly like ripples on water, and more than a dozen figures materialized from nothingness, slowly emerging into existence.
The three leaders possessed a profound and imposing aura, as if they were one with the world around them.
Lin Ming's gaze swept across the room immediately, landing on the three figures in the center. He recognized two of them; they were Xuan Kongzi and Xuan Yi, two of the Three Pill Tower Heads. Xuan Kongzi was still dressed in black Xuan Yi, his white hair flowing, his face gentle yet dignified. Xuan Yi wore a cheongsam that accentuated her voluptuous figure, her phoenix eyes sparkling with charm yet unfathomable depth.
To the left of these two stood an elderly man who had not appeared before.
This person had very dark skin, as if he had been exposed to wind and sun for many years. His face was taut and showed no sign of a smile, giving people an extremely stern and unsmiling feeling.
His eyes didn't deliberately scan the surroundings, but the occasional opening and closing of them were like two tangible bolts of lightning, piercing the depths of one's soul and making one afraid to meet his gaze.
He stood there, his aura almost completely concealed. If it weren't for the naked eye, one would hardly feel his presence. But the invisible pressure he exuded was even more profound and heavy than that of Xuan Kongzi and Xuan Yi!
This person was the Last Place of the Three Great Heads of Pill Tower, who rarely appeared in public, and was also the first time Lin Ming had met Tian Lei Zi!
The moment these three appeared, it was as if the center of the world revolved around them, and the light seemed to shine even brighter on the areas they passed through.
The seemingly endless sea of people had become so vast that you could hear a pin drop. Countless gazes, filled with a complex mix of emotions including awe, fervor, worship, and curiosity, were all focused on these three figures who symbolized the pinnacle of Alchemist on the Dou Qi Continent.
The Three Pill Tower Heads —their reputations are legendary, not only in the Middle Continent but throughout the entire Dou Qi Continent Legendary Figures! Their joint appearance has left countless people feeling as if they are in a dream, in disbelief.
"Hehe..."
Xuan Kongzi, with his white hair, slowly stepped forward, his gentle gaze sweeping over the endless sea of people below. His voice, though not loud, resonated clearly in the ears of everyone in this vast expanse of land, like a spring breeze caressing the heart.
"I, Xuan Kongzi, on behalf of the Pill Tower, welcome all the Alchemist who have traveled from afar and gathered here. In the days to come, this square will be your stage to fully display your talents and give your all! I hope you all achieve your desired results."
The entire arena was completely silent. No matter how unruly or infamous the people hidden among them below, at this moment, they could only suppress all their ferocity, hold their breath, and dare not utter the slightest noise or disrespect. After all, the three on the stone platform were giants who were only one step away from the true pinnacle of this continent!
"Since you have all traveled a long way for the Pill Gathering, I will not waste your time with unnecessary pleasantries." Xuan Kongzi smiled slightly and cut straight to the point, "Hehe, this year's Pill Gathering, as in previous years, will be conducted in three stages of selection."
Lin Ming listened quietly to Xuan Kongzi Pill Gathering's explanation of the selection rules for the Pill Gathering, and found that the content was indeed largely the same as what Ye Zhong had said before. The first stage was the Soul Illusion Realm, which tested Soul Power and perception; the second stage was the Pill Realm Medicine Search, which tested comprehensive ability and opportunities; the third stage was the final pill refining duel on the stone platform in the square! Obviously, such strict and comprehensive rules were the standard form passed down from generation to generation of Pill Gathering Alchemist.
Xuan Kongzi explained the rules in a clear and compelling voice, "Whoever can successfully pass these three rigorous selections and ultimately stand on the stone platform in the plaza will become the champion of this year's Pill Gathering!"
The word "champion" seemed to possess a magical power, instantly igniting a flame in the hearts of countless people. Xuan Kongzi gazed at the vast sea of people, their excitement rippling at the mere mention of those two words, and smiled faintly, tossing away the final, most powerful temptation:
"This year's champion will not only receive a coveted spot as a 'Giant Candidate' in our Pill Tower, but will also have the qualification to compete for a place in the core leadership of Pill Tower in the future..."
He paused deliberately, looking at the countless breaths below that had suddenly become heavy, before slowly and deliberately announcing, word by word:
"At the same time, I will also receive a scroll, a treasured possession of my Pill Tower —an ancient method of Soul Cultivation!"
"This method is profound and mysterious. If one can comprehend it, reaching the level of Tier 8 Alchemist master, or even the legendary Ninth Grade Treasure Pill master, will not be a pipe dream. It is just around the corner!"
"Whoa--!!!"
As soon as Xuan Kongzi finished speaking, the dense, endless sea of people was momentarily stunned, and then erupted into a deafening uproar! The sound waves swept out like a tsunami, almost breaking through the clouds!
Tier 8 Grandmaster! Tier 9- Grandmaster!
This level of expertise, almost legendary and enough to command the respect of any powerful force, seemed to be separated from the vast majority of Alchemist present by an insurmountable Natural Chasm! But if they could obtain that ancient method of Soul Cultivation... this Natural Chasm would be infinitely shortened! It might even be crossed directly!
This holds a fatal, irresistible attraction for all Alchemist who dedicate their lives to alchemy! It is an opportunity to change one's destiny and create a legend!
Upon hearing the words "ancient Soul Cultivation method," even Lin Ming, who possessed Original Work Memory, found his breathing involuntarily becoming much heavier, and his heart pounding violently!
After studying the soul Cultivation Method he had obtained over the past few days, he was all too aware of how rare and precious a complete and profound ancient Soul Cultivation method was! Such a treasure could not be described as priceless.
"This championship title..." Lin Ming clenched his fists suddenly, his dark eyes burning with intense flames, and an unprecedented determination surged into his heart.
"Regardless of who is blocking our way or what faction they belong to, I can only apologize to you!"
"Because I, Lin Ming... am determined to win!"
He might not care much about his status as a candidate for the Pill Tower Giant, but this ancient Soul Cultivation method, which could lay the foundation for his path to becoming Tier 9 Alchemist, was a treasure he absolutely could not ignore and had to fight for with all his might! He knew clearly that a systematic and powerful Soul Cultivation method was an absolutely indispensable key to stepping into the legendary Tier 9 realm!
Therefore, whether for his own future path to the top or to deal with potential threats such as the Soul Hall, he must do everything in his power to firmly grasp the Pill Gathering Champion, just for this scroll of Soul Cultivation method!
On the high platform, Xuan Kongzi looked down at the countless eyes that had suddenly turned blood red, filled with greed and fighting spirit, and smiled slightly, knowing that his goal had been achieved. He looked up at the sky; the sun had now fully risen above the horizon, and golden sunlight bathed the earth.
He didn't delay any longer. With a gentle wave of his sleeve, an invisible yet vast and boundless wave spread out like ripples on water, and then struck a certain point in the void with precision.
"Thump--!"
Another long, ancient chime resounded through the heavens and earth, as if announcing the arrival of a great moment.
"The time has come!"
Xuan Kongzi's voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable authority, and his finger abruptly turned towards the center of the vast plaza, "All participants of Fifth Grade and above, please enter the first stage— the Soul Illusion Realm!"
Following the direction of his finger, everyone looked and saw that the dark gray space in the center of the square began to twist and fluctuate violently. Strange lights and shadows flowed and changed within it, as if forming a mysterious world of its own, exuding a mysterious aura that made people both tremble and yearn for it.
"Boom--!!!"
As soon as Xuan Kongzi finished speaking, a tremendous energy surge suddenly erupted from the seemingly endless sea of people!
In the next instant, like a long-accumulated volcanic eruption, figures of various colors and varying strengths of energy, like a reverse meteor shower or a swarm of locusts sweeping across the sky, flashed out from all directions with determination and longing, tearing through the sky, and then one after another, without hesitation, plunged into that dark gray, distorted space!
In an instant, the sound of wind breaking filled the air. The scene was both magnificent and cruel! Tens of thousands of Alchemist poured in at the same time. One can imagine the fierce competition and elimination that would take place within that illusory space!
Watching the figures rushing into the distorted space like a torrential rain, Lin Ming took a deep breath, suppressed the excitement in his heart, and slowly stepped out.
"Big Brother Lin, you can do it!" Xin Lan clenched her little fists, her pretty face full of tension and encouragement.
"Be careful." Xiao Yi Xian's cool voice came, carrying a hint of barely perceptible concern.
Elder Yao and Ye Zhong also cast trusting and expectant glances their way.
Hearing the cheers from the crowd behind him, Lin Ming turned around and gave them a reassuring, confident smile.
Then, he stomped his foot hard on the edge of the building, his figure instantly transforming into a blurry black lightning bolt, tearing through the Space-Rending. Under the watchful eyes of countless people below, without the slightest hesitation, like a drawn sword, he boldly swept into that distorted space filled with dark gray gas and brimming with unknowns and challenges!
The instant his figure disappeared into it, it was as if an invisible ripple spread outwards. And as Lin Ming disappeared, two more figures appeared from afar, exchanging a spell.
The two figures were an old man and a young man. At this moment, the old man looked at the opened Soul Illusion Realm and said to the young man with a smile, "Haha, you've come at the perfect time! Xiao Yan, it's up to you now. I'm going to catch up with Xuan Kongzi and the others."
As soon as he finished speaking, the young man smiled and said, "Teacher, just you wait and see! I'll take up the mantle of the glory you achieved back then!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the young man stepped into the void, with faint white and blue flames rising around him. Beneath these rising flames, there was a contradictory phenomenon: a terrifyingly high temperature, yet also a chilling aura, causing the space itself to groan softly.
The fierce competition of the Pill Gathering Iron Gathering) has finally begun, with its bloody yet glorious curtain rising! The real test has officially started!