The wager, showing off their arsenal, and another heavenly flame?

Above Tian Shu City.

Xiao Yan closed his eyes and activated the Flame Mantra once more, unleashing his [Heaven-Swallowing] Heaven-Swallowing Talent.

Then, repeating the previous scene, he rapidly absorbed the energy of heaven and earth, so dense that it transformed into colorful rainbow light and poured into his body.

This absorption process lasted longer than the last one.

Xiao Yan only stopped fighting after he had fully restored his fighting Dou Qi to its peak.

The concentration of celestial and terrestrial energy in Tian Shu City and its surrounding area has decreased once again.

However, given the abundance of energy in the Central Plains, it won't take long to replenish it, so there's no need to worry about any subsequent effects.

"Senior Gu Yan, let's begin!" Xiao Yan's eyes were full of confidence.

Gu Yan opened his eyes, a fighting spirit appearing on his wrinkled old face. "Xiao Yan, I acknowledge your strength in other areas, but when it comes to alchemy, you still have a lot to learn."

I have been studying the field of Tier 8 Medicinal Pill for over a hundred years and can refine countless pills. Now my pill refining skills have reached the pinnacle. Even when refining top-grade Eight-Rank Nine-Color, I can still achieve success on the first try!

I'll waste a few words and ask you again.

Do you really want to challenge this old man?

Xiao Yan nodded emphatically and asked in return, "Of course I'm willing."

Elder Gu Yan kept asking, "Are you afraid of me?"

Upon hearing this, Elder Gu Yan immediately bristled and glared, "Hey, you junior! I only did this because you just made a name for yourself and I didn't want you to lose to me and lose face again, but you don't appreciate it at all."

Xiao Yan smiled and then provoked him, "Senior's words are not very convincing."

The more I listened, the more I felt that you were afraid of losing.

After all, you're a senior figure; losing would be a loss of face.

As a junior, it's only natural that I lost.

"How about we make a bet, each of us betting on one thing, and the winner takes it all?"

Gu Yan was taken aback, then burst into laughter. "Hahaha, so that's how it is. You, a junior, have been saying so much just to get something from me."

That's insane! Absolutely insane!

Do you really think you can definitely beat me?

Xiao Yan did not deny it and asked, "Senior is unwilling?"

Gu Yan snorted, "Hmph, as long as you can offer something of equal value, I will naturally agree."

Tell me, what do you want?

Xiao Yan said directly, "The Ninth-Rank Magical Beast Blood Essence, and the pills you refined, senior!"

"Ninth-Rank Magical Beast Blood Essence?" Gu Yan looked Xiao Yan up and down, a look of understanding on his face. "So that's how it is. You used this Ninth-Rank Magical Beast Blood Essence to temper your physique? No wonder your strength is so terrifying."

"Alright! I agree! With my status and position, I can certainly offer a piece of Ninth-Rank Magical Beast Blood Essence."

However, in exchange, even if you lose, you must give up one of your Heavenly Flames in the exchange!

Gu Yan revealed his true purpose.

Xiao Yan wanted to obtain resources from him, but wasn't he also eyeing Xiao Yan's Heavenly Flames?

A hint of hesitation appeared on Xiao Yan's face, as if he was struggling with whether or not to agree.

After a minute of silence, he finally relented and said, "Okay!"

However, if you wish to obtain Three Thousand Burning Flame or the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, you must provide two portions of Ninth-Rank Magical Beast Blood Essence!

Gu Yan's expression changed, because what he was eyeing was indeed the Three Thousand Burning Flame, ranked ninth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking.

Even just two portions of Ninth-Rank Magical Beast Blood Essence would require him to pay a considerable price in favors.

After hesitating for a few seconds, Gu Yan suddenly thought, "Why am I always thinking about the losses after defeat?"

How long has Xiao Yan been Ninth-Rank Alchemist? Let alone a high success rate, even if he succeeds, the quality is very likely to be worse than what I make!

Wouldn't that mean getting the Three Thousand Burning Flame for free?

Thinking of this, Gu Yan's eyes lit up. "Alright, Xiao Yan, I've got my eye on the Three Thousand Burning Flame."

I won! Give me the Three Thousand Burning Flame!

You won. I'll give you two portions of the essence blood of Ninth-Rank Magical Beast.

Furthermore, the winner can also take away the pills refined by the opponent, how about it?

Xiao Yan nodded in agreement. "Okay!"

After speaking, he looked down at Tian Shu City, and with his Dou Qi amplified, his voice resounded in everyone's ears. "The three seniors of the Pill Tower, would you be willing to do the trouble of acting as referees?"

Soon, three afterimages flew out from Tian Shu City and stopped between Xiao Yan and Gu Yan.

Xuankong Zi, representing the three, said, "We are naturally willing to join in the fun of a duel between two Eighth-Rank Peak Alchemist."

Gu Yan looked at the Pill Tower's Three Giants and nodded slightly.

Although he had no connection with the Pill Tower, he still trusted the character of the Pill Tower's Three Giants, especially with so many people watching, it would be virtually impossible for them to be biased.

"Since Senior Gu Yan has no objections, then... shall we begin?" Xiao Yan asked.

Gu Yan's expression was serious. "Begin!"

Without the slightest hesitation, the two immediately took out their Medicine Cauldron from their Storage Ring.

Xiao Yan naturally used his old partner, the Myriad Beast Cauldron.

The Medicine Cauldron used by Gu Yan was of a grade no less than that of the Myriad Beast Cauldron, and it seemed to be a member of the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking as well.

However, neither side paid much attention to the other's Medicine Cauldron.

For high-level pills, the boost that the Medicine Cauldron can provide is already minimal.

Of course, something is better than nothing.

Among the onlookers of this alchemy session, many Alchemist wore expressions of envy.

After showing off the Medicine Cauldron, Xiao Yan and Gu Yan began to take out Medicinal Herbs from their Storage Ring.

One, two, three... ten... dozens of plants.

The high-grade Medicinal Herbs that ordinary Alchemist would covet were taken out by the two of them as if they were free.

After a while, the two stopped what they were doing and looked at each other.

Gu Yan roughly estimated the number of Medicinal Herbs he and Xiao Yan had taken out, and felt a little relieved; he would take a few more.

Refining elixirs is not something that can be created out of thin air; the higher the grade of the elixir, the more Medicinal Herbs are required.

The amount of Medicinal Herbs that Xiao Yan took out was the same as the normal requirement for Eighth-Tier Nine-Colored Pill, even less than what he had taken.

This can even be used directly to determine the quality of the resulting pill!

Gu Yan's lips curled up slightly, but he wasn't too foolish and didn't make any boastful remarks halfway through the game.

Xiao Yan glanced at him indifferently, without saying anything.

He did take out very few Medicinal Herbs, but the pill he refined was the Myriad Beast Pill, with the flesh and blood of magical beasts and their Magic Core as the main ingredients.

The other Medicinal Herbs are merely auxiliary materials and do not serve as the main source of energy.

Ninth Tier against Eighth Tier —once the elixir is completed, he will surely win!

Thinking of this, Xiao Yan spread his hands, and bursts of Heavenly Flames surged forth.

Three Thousand Burning Flame, Bone Spirit Cold Flame, Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, Turtle Spirit Earthfire...

Gu Yan glanced at it enviously, held his breath, and summoned his own flame, a crimson Ninth-Rank Beast Flame.

This Ninth-Rank Beast Flame usually gives him the upper hand when competing with others in flames. Even when encountering low-tier Heavenly Flames, he can barely hold his own, and the amplification it brings is even greater.

Now, facing Xiao Yan's high-level Heavenly Flames, the flames cowered, completely losing the imposing presence of Ninth-Rank Beast Flame.

Gu Yan took a deep breath, comforting himself that he would obtain the Three Thousand Burning Flame after this competition, which made him feel a little better. Then he looked up at Xiao Yan.

At this moment, Xiao Yan had already summoned seven Heavenly Flames.

Following the Turtle Spirit Earthfire, the Fallen Heart Flame, the Sea Heart Flame, and the Fire Cloud Water Flame appeared in succession, making everyone envious.

Just when almost everyone thought that the eighth Heavenly Flames, the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame, was about to appear, an unexpected dark red flame appeared.

The dark red flames burned slowly, and a heavy, oppressive feeling spread outwards.

"Fire... Volcanic Rock Flame!"