Alchemist Competition

In the end, Xiao Yan still hid the stone inside his Storage Ring. Since it was an opportunity bestowed by that mysterious old gentleman, it proved that the man bore him no ill will for now.

Besides, it was not certain whether he would even go looking for those Heavenly Flames! At the very least, he would have to wait for Old Yao to recover before asking him what to do.

"Master, don't worry! I'll definitely wake you up again!" Xiao Yan clenched his fist and declared resolutely.

"Hey, hey, hey! Hurry up, hurry up! The Alchemist Competition is about to begin!"

"What's the rush? It's not like we haven't seen it before."

"You don't understand. This year's event is much bigger than before. Several surrounding empires have sent their elites, and this year's prize—the formula for a sixth-tier Spirit Fusion Pill—is simply too tempting."

"And according to a friend of mine in the Royal Guard, Jia Nan Academy will also be sending a strong individual to observe this year. Apparently, even Jia Xingtian, Old Jia himself, the guardian of the Royal Family, has to take them seriously!"

"They're that strong? Old Jia has been at the Peak Dou Huang level for years. Let's go! We have to get a good look this time!"

Hearing the conversation between the two people beside him, Xiao Yan, who had already disguised himself as Yan Xiao, became interested.

"Jia Nan Academy sent someone?" Xiao Yan asked in confusion.

"Yes. Yesterday, when I exchanged blows with that old fellow Jia Xingtian, a terrifying aura suddenly appeared to the southwest. After Jia Xingtian and I stopped, we went to investigate together. That strong individual was sitting in a private room at a tea house—a pink-haired woman," Hai Bodong said indifferently from beside him.

"She tossed us a Token. It was an elder's token from Jia Nan Academy. Then she threw us a soul transmission plaque containing the personal voice message of Su Qian, Jia Nan Academy's Great Elder. He said that Jia Nan Academy intended to let their students participate in this Alchemist Competition, and that they would offer the Jia Ma Imperial Family and the Alchemist Guild a certain reward as well. Jia Xingtian went back to discuss it with Fa Ma, and they both agreed to the proposal."

Xiao Yan nodded, then asked, "How strong is that woman?"

"Very strong. Jia Xingtian said that if they really fought, he wasn't confident he could defeat her." A trace of gravity flashed across Hai Bodong's face.

"Then she must be at the Peak Dou Huang level as well. As expected of Jia Nan Academy—their foundation is truly profound. Even an elder they send out possesses Peak Dou Huang strength." Xiao Yan sighed, taking the opportunity to praise the academy he had yet to join.

"In the Western Region of the continent, Jia Nan Academy is the number one institution and one of the top powers. The Misty Cloud Sect, meanwhile, is only a second-rate force now," Hai Bodong said.

"I can see that." Xiao Yan smiled, and another route was added to the plans in his heart.

Once he fulfilled the Three Year Agreement, if the Misty Cloud Sect investigated the matter involving Mo Cheng, he could go to Jia Nan Academy to lie low for a while.

Today, Jia Ma Holy City had shed its usual solemnity. The entire city brimmed with excitement and fervor. Pedestrians on both sides of the streets turned their attention toward those wearing Alchemist robes. Everyone knew that today, Jia Ma Holy City would be the stage for these Alchemists.

Led by Ao Tuo, Xiao Yan and the others passed through several streets before finally arriving at the venue for this Alchemist Competition—the Royal Plaza.

This enormous plaza stood at the very center of Jia Ma Holy City, occupying a tenth of the city's total area. Xiao Yan looked into the distance and found that he could only see one corner of the plaza.

Around the plaza, stands rose from the ground through mechanisms. Fully armed troops were stationed all around, working together with personnel from the Alchemist Guild to conduct security checks and inspections.

This grand event had drawn countless strong individuals. If even the slightest disturbance broke out, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Under Ao Tuo's lead, Xiao Yan's group passed through layer after layer of inspection and entered the plaza.

Ao Tuo looked at the sky, then turned and smiled at everyone. "There's still some time before the competition begins, so let's head to the VIP seats first. There are quite a few important figures there. It would be good to get acquainted with them."

Seeing no objections, Ao Tuo led them into the VIP area. The front rows there were already filled with people.

"Oh? Ao Tuo and Fu Lanke from Black Rock City!" The Purple Robed Elder seated in the middle of the first row turned around and looked toward Xiao Yan. A kind smile appeared on his aged face.

"Greetings, President Fa Ma." Ao Tuo and the group of Alchemists bowed. Seeing this, Xiao Yan also clasped his hands in greeting.

Ao Tuo had introduced Fa Ma to Xiao Yan earlier. He was the president of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Guild, a high-tier fifth-tier Alchemist, and the guiding mentor of many Alchemists within the empire. His prestige in the empire's Alchemist circles was no less than Pill King Gu He's—perhaps even slightly greater.

Hai Bodong did not remain silent. Standing to the left of the crowd, he looked coldly at Fa Ma and mocked him the moment he opened his mouth. "Fa Ma, you old bastard, you've certainly become more impressive the longer you live."

Several speechless beads of sweat appeared on Xiao Yan's forehead. Hai Bodong truly did not hold back when he spoke.

Fa Ma froze for a moment. Looking at Hai Bodong beside the group, astonishment immediately appeared on his face. "Old Hai? You're actually still alive?"

Hai Bodong smiled, walked over to Fa Ma, and plopped down in the seat beside him. "It's been decades, and you still recognized me. What? Are you upset that I didn't die?"

That tone could only come from old friends of many years.

"Didn't Queen Medusa..." Fa Ma could not help asking.

"She held back, and I was lucky enough to survive. That woman's strength is truly terrifying." Hai Bodong answered with lingering fear, his face still carrying a trace of the terror he had felt back then.

"If the Snake People Clan hadn't been restrained by several surrounding empires, Queen Medusa truly could have swept through every strong individual below the Dou Zong level." Fa Ma nodded in agreement, but then smiled. "It's good that you're alive. Now that you're back, this old man won't be lonely anymore."

Hai Bodong sighed and murmured, "Back when the four of us were full of spirit and traveled the world together... those days can never return."

Fa Ma patted his thigh and shook his head.

After the two reminisced for a while, Fa Ma turned back to the others. "Come on, don't just stand there. Sit wherever you like!"

Xiao Yan and the others thanked him, then found seats in the area behind Fa Ma.

Just then, Fa Ma suddenly turned toward Xiao Yan and asked, "You must be young friend Yan Xiao, the one who refined the Ironwood Spirit Liquid eight times? Seeing you today, you truly are extraordinary."

"I was merely lucky. President Fa Ma flatters me." Xiao Yan smiled modestly.

"Hm?" Fa Ma stared at Xiao Yan, a trace of surprise flashing through his eyes.

"What is it?" Hai Bodong asked. He thought Fa Ma had noticed Xiao Yan's talent.

"There's an aura within you that feels strangely familiar to me," Fa Ma said softly.

Xiao Yan's heart skipped a beat. Had Fa Ma sensed Medusa's aura?

"Perhaps I was mistaken." Fa Ma sensed him again, but found that the feeling had vanished. He shook his head and sighed softly.

Xiao Yan let out a breath of relief and leaned back tiredly in his chair.

At that moment, an aged voice rang out. "Old Hai, you're sitting in my seat!"

Everyone turned toward the sound and saw an old man in White Robes slowly entering with three others. Xiao Yan naturally recognized two of them—the old man was Jia Xingtian, while the youngest was Yao Yue, the little princess of the Jia Ma Empire.

"First come, first served. What, are you trying to snatch it?" Hai Bodong smiled and cooperatively crossed one leg over the other.

"Didn't I beat you enough yesterday?" Jia Xingtian raised an eyebrow, but then became serious. "Jia Nan Academy's representative has arrived too."

As he spoke, Jia Xingtian introduced the pink-haired woman in blue robes behind him. "Elder Yu Gongtian, this is Fa Ma, president of the Alchemist Guild. This is Hai Bodong, formerly one of the Jia Ma Empire's top ten strong individuals."

Hai Bodong and Fa Ma were both stunned. They rose to their feet and looked at the woman in blue behind Jia Xingtian.

"This humble woman is Yu Gongtian. Greetings, seniors." The woman in blue gave a slight bow.

"Hehe, there's no need for such courtesy, Lady Yu Gongtian. Jia Nan Academy has always shared good relations with our empire. Since you have come, you are an honored guest. Please, take a seat!" Fa Ma said with a smile, stroking his beard.

"Then I thank President Fa Ma." Yu Gongtian smiled. Her starry eyes shifted, clear and flowing like water, while her stunning beauty left the crowd momentarily dazed.

Xiao Yan stared at the beautiful elder from Jia Nan Academy, but confusion rose in his heart. He seemed to have seen her somewhere before...

However, his thoughts were interrupted by the little princess walking over.

"Yan Xiao, Yan Xiao, stop looking. Is she really that pretty?" Yao Yue tugged at Xiao Yan's sleeve and called out.

Xiao Yan was somewhat speechless. He slightly turned his head and glanced at the little princess.

"There are beauties over there, but there are beauties here too! Let me introduce you. This is the Jia Ma Empire's eldest princess, the Imperial Capital Forbidden Army Commander, Yao Ye! Hehe, she's also my older sister!" Yao Yue withdrew her hand, took the hand of the Cold Beauty behind her who somewhat resembled her, and introduced her proudly.

"Hello, Mister Yan Xiao." Yao Ye extended her other Jade Hand and smiled slightly.

"Hello, Princess Yao Yue." Xiao Yan extended his hand as well, gave hers a light shake, then decisively withdrew it without any further movement.

This action raised Yao Ye's favorable impression of him by several points. She withdrew her hand and smiled. "Great-Grandfather thinks highly of you this time. I hope Mister Yan Xiao will achieve satisfactory results. When the time comes, I will personally host a banquet to congratulate you."

Xiao Yan smiled and replied, "Then I shall gladly accept."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, everyone took their seats. The Dou Huang experts naturally sat in the first row. By coincidence, the sisters Yao Ye and Yao Yue sat to Xiao Yan's right. Even more coincidentally, Yu Gongtian, the Jia Nan Academy elder, was seated directly in front of him.

Such an excellent arrangement drew envious gazes from those behind them, leaving Xiao Yan rather speechless. Still, his composure was naturally excellent. He sat upright, closed his eyes to rest, and waited for the competition to begin.

As time passed, Alchemists entered one after another and went to their assigned places. The audience seats had been packed since early morning, and the fervent atmosphere only continued to intensify.

As the opening ceremony neared, a commotion arose behind the VIP seats.

Xiao Yan turned toward the sound and saw another group slowly entering. At their head were the representatives of the empire's Three Great Families: the Mite'er Family's Miter Tengshan, the Mu Family's Mu Chen, and the Nalan Family's Nalan Jie.

For this Alchemist Competition, the important figures of all Three Great Families had apparently arrived.

Among them, Ya Fei and Nalan Yanran drew the attention of many people. Their temperaments differed, but both possessed peerless beauty. Standing together, they made countless young nobles excited.

After greeting the elders, Ya Fei walked straight toward Xiao Yan and sat on his left. Resting her Jade Hand against her fair cheek, she gave a charming smile. "Little brother Yan Xiao, you have to achieve good results this time~ Ya Fei and everyone else will be watching!"

Feeling the venomous gazes cast at him from behind, Xiao Yan's eye twitched.

This woman is deliberately making enemies for me!

"Sister Ya Fei is right. With Mister Yan Xiao's strength, claiming a place among the top three should be effortless this time." Nalan Yanran also walked over and sat beside Ya Fei, her beautiful eyes fixed on Xiao Yan as she smiled.

Seeing the way the two women treated Xiao Yan, Yao Ye and Yao Yue both turned their gazes toward him.

"You shouldn't make such assumptions. There are many participants in this Alchemist Competition, including talented Alchemists from both within and outside the empire. There are many people better than me." Faced with the gazes of the four women, Xiao Yan's head began to ache, though he still forced himself to remain calm and spoke indifferently.

"Hehe, little brother Yan Xiao is truly modest! If you achieve good results this time, then your big sister here will have to treat you well and celebrate properly for you!" Ya Fei continued teasing him.

You really aren't afraid of making this more entertaining!

Xiao Yan's mouth twitched. He nodded, taking it as his answer.

Just then, he noticed Yu Gongtian in front of him looking at him meaningfully. Her gaze seemed to say: Little brother Yan Xiao, you truly are blessed!