By then, crowds had gathered outside the Xiao Residence, every one of them a Dou Zun.
The oppressive force of the deep, pitch-black clouds overhead was more than anyone below Dou Zun could endure. Even if others wanted to watch, they could not.
"These fluctuations... could someone be refining a ninth-grade pill?"
Anyone who could enter the Pill Tower's Inner Region had some connection to the tower, whether they were alchemists or powerful figures on friendly terms with it. Their knowledge needed no questioning, and after watching the scene for a short while, they guessed what was happening.
At that possibility, shock filled many eyes, and some even murmured aloud.
"Who could possibly be refining a ninth-grade pill...?"
"Look over there. That seems to be the residence of the Pill Tower's Ninth Elder."
"The Ninth Elder? That young Ninth Elder whose alchemy rivals, or even surpasses, the titans of the older generation?"
"Oh? You've heard of him too?"
"Isn't that obvious? Who in the Pill Region hasn't heard of the Ninth Elder's illustrious name?"
"If it really is the Ninth Elder, that's far too monstrous. They say he's only thirty now. A thirty-year-old grandmaster alchemist..."
"Hiss... terrifying indeed!"
As the crowd whispered and marveled, the dark clouds overhead began to change.
A large, circular opening appeared in the clouds above the Xiao Residence, with a bolt of pitch-black lightning as thick as an arm flickering incessantly within it.
The terrifying power of annihilation within that bolt spread outward, making everyone nearby's scalp prickle.
"Black demon lightning! That's black demon lightning!"
Suddenly, a five-star Dou Zun pointed at the pitch-black lightning within the opening and cried out, his body trembling and his eyes filled with fear.
"Black demon lightning! According to legend, that terrifying heavenly lightning only descends when a ninth-grade