Opening

The next day, the rising sun climbed into the sky.

This city, prosperous to the extreme, began to stir. No matter what happened, people's attention remained fixed on the Royal Plaza at its center. Today was the Finals of what had been hailed as the most prestigious Alchemist Competition since the event began.

Though there was still some time before the competition started, a sea of people had already gathered outside the plaza.

"Make way, make way!" A group of soldiers escorted several people steadily forward through the crowd.

Seeing this, the crowd consciously parted to form a path. After all, these people were the true stars of this grand event!

"Nervous?" Liuli walked beside Xiao Yan and softly laughed at his somewhat unnatural expression.

"No. I'm just not used to having so many people staring at me." Xiao Yan shook his head slightly, feeling a little troubled by the fervent gazes of the surrounding spectators.

"In a little while, the genius Alchemist Yan Xiao will disappear, huh?" Xiao Yan remarked to himself.

"And in his place, there'll be a legendary Dou Qi cultivator, Xiao Yan?" Liuli teased, covering her mouth.

"Mm." Xiao Yan nodded with great confidence.

"Since when did you become so full of yourself? When I first met you, you seemed quite modest." Liuli raised her head slightly, looking at the confident expression on the young man's face in puzzlement.

Whenever others praised him, didn't Xiao Yan always reply indifferently with something like, "Just luck," or, "I was fortunate"?

"Didn't you keep praising me all night yesterday? I figured that since you approved of me so much, there was no need to pretend anymore." Xiao Yan shrugged. "Us men care about our reputation sometimes too."

"Fine, as long as you're happy." Liuli had no answer to that. Don't be fooled by how much of a straight talker Xiao Yan seemed in the Original Work—once you truly got to know him, you would find that he was impossible to outmaneuver.

He really has too many tricks up his sleeve!

Liuli lightly snorted to herself. She was supposed to have Xiao Yan wrapped around her finger; she couldn't let him turn the tables on her.

As the two chatted, the gates of the Royal Plaza slowly opened, and a great stream of people began filing inside. Naturally, they and the other Alchemists were brought in through a special entrance, where a group of people was already waiting.

"Yan Xiao! You're here pretty early!" Yao Yue spotted him first and waved excitedly at Xiao Yan.

"Little princess, you're not late either!" Xiao Yan gave a dry laugh, his response utterly perfunctory.

Liuli's brow twitched. Why did Xiao Yan's conversational ability swing so wildly from one extreme to the other?

"This is the final round! That guy was so arrogant yesterday—we absolutely can't lose! Good luck!" Yao Yue did not mind Xiao Yan's meaningless response and continued to encourage him.

"I'll do my best. That guy isn't simple." Xiao Yan's gaze flickered as he touched the Storage Ring on his hand.

Inside was the formula for the Three-patterned Green Spirit Pill that Fa Ma had given him to deal with Yan Li. However, he did not plan to refine it this time.

"Mr. Yan Xiao, you must give it your all this time. I'm still looking forward to facing you in a proper contest!" At that moment, Liu Ling approached with a folding fan in hand. After yesterday's competition, he had come to greatly admire Xiao Yan's abilities. His attitude had changed completely, and he now regarded Xiao Yan with genuine respect.

"Miss Gongsun, it is a pleasure to meet you!" He did not ignore the beautiful young girl beside him either, cupping his hands in greeting.

"Mr. Liu Ling, I'll be watching closely today to witness the strength of Jia Ma Empire's finest genius!" Liuli smiled and offered him a flattering remark, clearly implying that Liu Ling was one of the Jia Ma Empire's outstanding talents.

"Haha, thank you for your praise, Miss Gongsun." Liu Ling laughed heartily and nodded, his mood brightening considerably.

Not long after, Fa Ma, Jia Xingtian, Hai Bodong, and the others also entered the hall. They came over to exchange cheerful greetings with them.

Liuli stepped aside and watched the surrounded Xiao Yan with a helpless smile.

Just then, she noticed a grey-robed youth leaning against a wall in the corner of the hall, coldly watching them.

Yan Li appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly, he was panicking. He could no longer contact his superior.

When Fa Ma and Jia Xingtian had threatened him yesterday, he had clearly used a Secret Method to communicate with his lord. Yet now, no matter what method he tried, there was not the slightest response from the other side.

He could only keep reassuring himself that his lord must have gone to carry out another mission and was simply too far away to contact. When he recalled the massive explosion on the western side of the Imperial Capital yesterday, the panic in his heart grew even stronger.

At present, he could only rely on himself. Only by winning this championship would he have a chance to leave this place alive. Fortunately, the Chu Yun Imperial Family had spent a great deal to prepare many things for him this time. Moreover, he was extremely confident in his alchemy skills.

What a joke. He was the vice president of an empire's Alchemist Guild and could even refine Fifth-grade Pills. How could he lose to a bunch of inexperienced brats?

Yan Li looked at those people he despised, as well as the black-haired youth among them, and sneered.

Of all the contestants present, only that boy posed any threat to him.

He straightened up and, under the cold gazes cast his way, swaggered toward the entrance to the competition area. When he passed Xiao Yan, he slowly came to a stop.

"Among all of you, only you have a little ability. But this is as far as you'll go. This time, I won't show any mercy! Hahaha!"

It was a typical villain's line, but he thoroughly enjoyed the feeling.

Yan Li shifted his gaze to Fa Ma and said mockingly, "When I take the championship, the Jia Ma Empire had better not go back on its word!"

"Hmph! You'd best win that championship. Otherwise, if the vice president of the Chu Yun Empire's Alchemist Guild disappears here, no one will care." Fa Ma snorted coldly, killing intent flashing in his eyes. The pressure of a Dou Emperor bore down on Yan Li, turning his face pale.

Yan Li had hit a wall and no longer dared to keep spouting arrogant words. After giving Xiao Yan another look, he headed straight for the entrance.

"Enough. Don't let his words disturb your focus. We'll settle this in the arena!" Seeing that Liu Ling and Yao Yue were both somewhat angered, Xiao Yan spoke calmly.

He had endured plenty of provocations and insults since he was eleven. As long as they did not touch his dignity or bottom line, he generally did not care much.

"Little fellows, you should enter as well! The glory of the Jia Ma Empire rests on your shoulders this time." Fa Ma returned to his kindly expression and reminded them with a smile.

Everyone bowed to him and slowly left the hall. Liuli followed at the back of the group, strolling along at an unhurried pace.

"Miss Gongsun, please wait." Fa Ma suddenly called out from behind her.

Liuli paused and turned around in confusion. "President Fa Ma, is there something you need?"

Fa Ma smiled but did not speak immediately. Only after all the contestants ahead had left did he slowly say, "I know that you have concealed your strength. On behalf of the Alchemist Guild, I would like to thank you."

"Is that all? Well, I understand that one shouldn't steal the spotlight." Liuli answered as if it were only natural.

"Actually, there is one more matter I would like to ask Miss Gongsun to mention to Elder Yu." Fa Ma glanced at Jia Xingtian before turning back to Liuli. A conflicted expression passed over his gaunt face.

"If you have something to say, Elder Fa Ma, please say it. Liuli will certainly pass it on."

"This... sigh, then I won't beat around the bush." Seeing how straightforward Liuli was, Fa Ma spoke directly. "In the current Jia Ma Empire, the Misty Cloud Sect has grown powerful as the leading force and is already faintly capable of contending with the Jia Ma Imperial Family. Over the past decade or so, they have also recruited talented students from all the major clans, binding those students and the forces behind them to the sect. It is hard not to think the worst."

Jia Xingtian took over. "I am already old. It is no longer very likely that I will cross the chasm to Dou Zong. In another twenty years or so, I may be laid to rest in the earth. By then, the Misty Cloud Sect, having absorbed most of the Jia Ma Empire's new generation of talent, will certainly make a move. As a representative of the Imperial Family, I must consider the gravity of this matter."

"So you wish to seek Jia Nan Academy's protection?" Liuli frowned. "But Jia Nan Academy has never interfered in the internal affairs of other empires."

"No, we do not presume to ask for that. We only hope that Jia Nan Academy can open up a few more slots for the Jia Ma Empire each year, allowing us to send our disciples there for further study. With Jia Nan Academy's training, I believe a group of strong individuals will emerge to continue safeguarding the empire's stability." Jia Xingtian gave a bitter smile and stated his request.

Liuli narrowed her eyes. She understood that the shock she had given them by crushing Wa Ke yesterday had led them to believe that Jia Nan Academy's strength was unfathomable. They considered it worth making a bold gamble in the Jia Ma Empire's political game.

If Jia Nan Academy truly did this, it would undoubtedly touch the Misty Cloud Sect's bottom line. For a sect like theirs, their greatest source of growing strength was recruiting disciples in large numbers and then doing everything possible to keep them in the sect. If that path were cut off, the Misty Cloud Sect might not collapse over the next few decades, but it would certainly weaken considerably.

Oh, the Misty Cloud Sect won't even survive for a few decades.

Liuli considered the matter for a moment before finally bowing.

"This is..." Fa Ma and Jia Xingtian were both confused.

"I will mention this matter to my Aunt. However, to be frank, this is of great importance. While my Aunt is not weak, she is merely a nominal elder at Jia Nan Academy and does not hold much authority. Therefore, the chances of this succeeding are slim." Liuli spoke with feigned regret.

In essence, she was only a student of Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy. Even her status as an elder had only been a temporary privilege granted by Su Qian. Besides, she had no intention of doing this.

She knew that Yun Shan would soon emerge from seclusion, and the Misty Cloud Sect would gain a Dou Zong expert, immediately entering a period of rapid expansion. Their goal would be to steadily devour the Jia Ma Empire's other forces. If Yun Shan discovered this after leaving seclusion, he would likely cast aside the last shred of respect he held for his old friend and directly destroy the Jia Ma Imperial Family.

Besides, even if they did this, how many Dou Wangs could emerge from those students? Even if there were a few more, they would still be utterly insignificant before the Misty Cloud Sect with the Soul Hall backing it.

In short, it was not worth it. Wouldn't it be better to obediently lie low for a few years and wait for the protagonist to arrive and save the day?

"I see. It seems the two of us old men did not think it through." Fa Ma could not help feeling disappointed at that answer, and neither of them looked particularly pleased.

"I'm sorry. But if the Misty Cloud Sect Elder Fa Ma and Old Jia mentioned truly goes too far, my Aunt and I can offer some small assistance when appropriate, if you do not mind." Seeing this, Liuli offered a little consolation.

Jia Xingtian and Fa Ma looked somewhat better. They quickly thanked her, saying, "Then, thank you both! Should you help us, we will be endlessly grateful!"

In their understanding, Elder Yu Gongtian was only in her thirties at most, yet she already possessed strength surpassing Jia Xingtian's. She would very likely become a Dou Zong in the future. Receiving the aid of such a strong individual was undoubtedly a reassuring prospect. She might not necessarily come, but it was better than having no comfort at all.

"Then Liuli will go to the competition first." Liuli saw that most of the Alchemists had already taken their places on the competition platforms below and hurriedly said so.

"Oh, yes, yes! May Miss Gongsun have a smooth competition!" Fa Ma came back to his senses and said with a kindly smile.

Liuli nodded, then turned and jogged out of the hall.

When she arrived at the same bluestone competition platform as yesterday, Liuli found Xiao Yan sitting in a stone seat with his eyes closed, resting his mind. Judging by the drifting Soul Waves emanating from him, he must have been reviewing the formula for the Crimson Firmament Spirit Pill.

Yet the closer the competition came, the more nervous Liuli became—more nervous even than Xiao Yan.

Although the Crimson Firmament Spirit Pill required fewer types of medicinal ingredients and was relatively easier to refine, it was still a Fifth-grade Pill. It placed extremely high demands on Soul Power; otherwise, the failure rate would be terrifyingly high.

Xiao Yan, I prepared four sets of ingredients. Don't tell me you won't succeed even once!

Liuli silently worried for Xiao Yan.