Xiao Ze listened quietly as Xuan Kongzi explained. It was much as Cao Ying had described; clearly, a standard procedure had taken shape over the years.
"Whoever passes all three trials and stands until the very end will be crowned this Pill Gathering's champion. The champion will not only earn the right to become a candidate for Pill Tower Giant, but also receive an ancient method of soul cultivation, one that can help them reach the Eighth or even Ninth Tier!"
The moment those words rang out, the whole arena erupted.
Everyone was stunned by Xuan Kongzi's announcement.
Countless alchemists' eyes burned with excitement.
The Eighth Tier, even the Ninth—beings so close to legend that they hardly dared dream of reaching them.
But now, as long as they became the Pill Gathering champion, they would have a chance to step into those ranks.
How could that not drive them wild?
The value of the Pill Gathering championship had just risen even higher!
Of course, the prize held far less appeal for Xiao Ze.
Already an Eighth-Tier alchemist, his soul realm had reached the peak of the Spirit Realm. If he used his remaining Spirit Luck Dust to cultivate, Xiao Ze was confident he could break into the Heavenly Realm!
High above, Xuan Kongzi looked over the crowd, their excitement at its peak, and smiled faintly. He glanced up at the sky, then flicked his sleeve.
An invisible ripple spread, and the leisurely toll of a bell rang through the air once more.
"The time has come. All Fifth-Tier alchemists, enter the first trial: the Soul Illusion Array!"
Xuan Kongzi raised his hand and pointed toward the center of the plaza. There, the deep-gray space twisted at dizzying speed.
Rumble!
As soon as his voice fell, the teeming crowd surged into