Answering the Challenge
Inside the Alchemist Guild's reception room.
Jia Xingtian's sudden visit surprised both Fama and Gu He. The imperial guardian was still surrounded by a faint aura of Dou Qi, clearly having flown swiftly from the imperial palace.
After the three took their seats and exchanged a few pleasantries, Jia Xingtian looked intently at Gu He and said directly, "President Fama, Grandmaster Gu He, I have come to visit you for two reasons. First, on behalf of the Imperial Family, I sincerely invite Grandmaster Gu He to serve as an honorary elder. Second, I hope that the Alchemist Guild will give its full support to the Empire's military campaign against the Chuyun Empire!"
Fama's slightly chubby face immediately showed a troubled expression. He tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, his voice carrying a hint of evasion. "Elder Jia, this is too sudden. The guild needs to reach a consensus, and I can't just make decisions unilaterally, can I?"
Gu He remained calm, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and the rising steam concealed the emotions in his eyes. "I appreciate your Elder Jia Gu He. However—I have other plans."
Jia Xingtian frowned slightly, about to offer further persuasion, when he told the two the conditions the Imperial Family was willing to offer—a deafening roar!
Another earth-shattering roar, seemingly capable of uprooting the entire capital, ripped through the night sky! The windows of the reception room rattled, and the tea in the cups sloshed violently!
The three of them fell silent at the same time, and suddenly turned their heads to look out the window!
A bright red beam of light, carrying an intoxicating medicinal fragrance and immense energy, shot fiercely into the sky from the direction of the Mittel Auction House!
Its power was so great that it instantly illuminated most of the capital as if it were daytime.
Jia Xingtian's pupils constricted sharply, and he exclaimed, "This is the Mittel Auction House? When did they acquire a Sixth Grade alchemist?"
Fama closed his eyes and concentrated, sensing for a moment before suddenly opening them. "This aura of flame—there's no mistake! It's that mysterious Grandmaster from earlier today! He actually—he actually managed to successfully refine Sixth-Grade Pill in the same day?!"
Gu He stared at the bright red pillar of light that seemed to pierce the sky, his expression complex and unreadable. Only when the breathtaking pillar of light finally dissipated slowly, and the night sky was once again taken over by darkness and moonlight, did he lower his eyes.
However, in the midst of this silence, a laugh with a strange rhythm escaped from his lips, "Ha—"
"Huh? Grandmaster Gu He, what is this—" Upon hearing the voice, Jia Xingtian and Fama turned around at the same time, looking at him in confusion.
"Haha! Good!" Gu He suddenly raised his head, his eyes devoid of any complexity, filled only with a pure and fervent Xiong Zhan! He declared loudly, "Since he has declared war, let us have a match beforehand!"
Before he could finish speaking, Gu He's figure leaped out of the reception room window like an arrow!
He landed directly in the center of the union's spacious square below, lifted his robes, and sat cross-legged!
"Rise!" With a sharp shout, the Fire-Control Cauldron that Huo Yuhao and the other two had given him crashed to the ground with a dull thud.
At the same time, the Storage Ring in his hand flashed with light, and a large number of rare medicinal herbs flew out, floating neatly around the medicine cauldron, emitting a rich medicinal fragrance.
At this moment, there were still some alchemists and other people in the square. They had just barely recovered from the terrifying power of the second Sixth-Grade Pill taking shape when they saw Pill King Gu He suddenly appear in the center of the square and assume a pill-refining stance!
"That's... Grandmaster Gu He?!" a sharp-eyed alchemist exclaimed in surprise.
"Pill King Gu He? What is he doing?"
"Heavens! Grandmaster Gu He is going to concoct medicine on the spot?! Is he going to have a contest with that mysterious alchemy Grandmaster?!"
The crowd instantly stirred, with many people excitedly wanting to get closer and witness this once-in-a-lifetime sight.
"Everyone, step back to the edge of the plaza!" Fama's majestic voice boomed like a bell, instantly drowning out the noise. His slightly plump figure appeared beside Gu He, his serious expression sweeping over the crowd.
"Don't come near, lest you disturb Grandmaster Gu He's alchemy!" Jia Xingtian's powerful voice followed closely behind.
As soon as the words were spoken, a gentle, earthy-yellow aura emanated from the center of the square, spreading outwards like ripples on water, gently yet irresistibly pushing all those who tried to approach to the outermost edge of the square.
"It's Senior Jia Xingtian!"
"And President Fama too!"
"The aura of Peak Dou Emperor ----"
The crowd gasped in awe, and dared not take another step forward.
Gu He ignored the discussions outside. He took a deep breath, flipped his palm, and a ball of deep purple Beast Flame leaped out and accurately entered the Fire-Control Cauldron.
In response to Xiao Yan's challenge, Gu He put in his utmost effort from the very first step of warming the cauldron. The deep purple flames illuminated his focused and battle-ready face.
The observation deck on the top floor of the Mittel Auction House had already been turned into a mess by the energy storm caused by Xiao Yan's alchemy.
Huo Yuhao had little interest in watching Xiao Yan refine medicine. He turned and walked towards Xiao Yi Xian's room, intending to ask her to go to the night market to sample the capital's specialty snacks.
"Xian'er, what are you doing?" Huo Yuhao gently knocked on the door.
Buzz!
A clear energy ripple suddenly emanated from inside the door, then quickly subsided.
--
With a click, the door opened. Xiao Yi Xian stood in the doorway, fine beads of sweat on her forehead, her breathing slightly unsteady. "Brother Huo Yuhao? I was just refining medicine."
With a slight thought, Huo Yuhao conjured a gentle breeze that, like a handkerchief, brushed against Xiao Yi Xian's forehead, wiping away her sweat.
"Is it Fifth-grade Pill?" Huo Yuhao asked.
"Hmm." Xiao Yi Xian nodded, feeling the lingering fragrance of the Sixth-Grade Pill left by Xiao Yan in the air, her voice carrying a hint of undisguised frustration. "Even if my mental strength has improved somewhat, it's still impossible to jump from a beginner Fifth Grade to Sixth Grade alchemist all at once."
It feels very different.
"Actually, you've already improved very quickly!" Huo Yuhao immediately comforted him, "By the time of the competition in seven days, you'll definitely become Sixth Grade alchemist!"
"Cough!" Yao Chen's soul suddenly appeared beside Huo Yuhao, mercilessly pouring cold water on his efforts. "To stably refine Sixth-Grade Pill, one needs at least the strength of Dou Wang. At Xiao Yi Xian's current pace, it will probably take another month or so."
As Yao Chen spoke, he vigorously rubbed Huo Yuhao's head with both hands, narrowed his eyes, and revealed an expression of enjoyment. "Moreover, the quality of the Beast Flame that Xiao Yi Xian is currently using is no longer up to par; it needs to be upgraded."
"Hmm----" Huo Yuhao pondered, his gaze shifting between Xiao Yi Xian and Yao Chen. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he suggested, "Xian'er, how about we try refining medicine together?"
"Together?" Xiao Yi Xian was stunned, her clear eyes filled with confusion. "How can we refine medicine together?"
Huo Yuhao's lips curled into an eager smile. He reached out and grabbed Xiao Yi Xian's wrist, leading her quickly towards the Scenic Lake outside the house.
"Try it and you'll see! I have an idea!"