As time passed, the long-awaited moment finally arrived. Under countless expectant gazes, a clear bell rang out across the vast plaza—announcing the start of the Alchemist Grand Assembly.
Qie Mi'er immediately turned to Liu Xi. "Grand Elder, please announce the beginning of the competition!"
Liu Xi didn't refuse. He knew the occasion called for someone who could command the entire stage.
He stood, stepped to the front of the VIP dais, his expression calm yet imposing. His eyes swept across the sea of people, and then his voice—infused with Dou Qi—rolled through the air like thunder.
"I, Liu Xi, in the name of the Grand Elder of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Association, declare the Seventh Alchemist Grand Assembly—open!"
"Boom!"
The crowd erupted. The mere presence of a 6th Tier Alchemist—one spoken of in legend—was enough to ignite the passion of tens of thousands. In that moment, under the brilliance of his reputation, Liu Xi was undoubtedly the brightest figure in the entire square.
And yet, he remained calm. With a flick of his sleeve, he turned gracefully and returned to his seat, leaving behind only a composed, elegant silhouette.
Even though he had spoken but a single sentence, the audience's cheers only grew louder. Such was the influence of a 6th Tier Alchemist.
Back at his seat, Liu Xi shot Qie Mi'er a look that clearly said, "You know what to do." Then he reclined comfortably in his chair.
Qie Mi'er sighed inwardly, rose to the front, and announced solemnly: "Now, will all contestants please take their positions!"
---
Most of the independent alchemists were already in place, and as his words fell, those backed by major factions began rising from their seats in the VIP stands, heading briskly toward the stairway leading to the arena below.
Among them, Liu Ling—who had accompanied Nalan Yanran—wore a dark expression. He'd long been infatuated with Nalan Yanran, but now all her attention seemed drawn to Liu Xi.
Yet, facing a man whose strength and status rivaled his own teacher's, how could Liu Ling voice even a trace of displeasure? Determined to win back her gaze, he resolved to display his charm in front of everyone.
Instead of taking the stairs like the others, Liu Ling stepped to the edge of the platform and leapt down. Using an exquisite light-body technique, he landed gracefully on the plaza floor without stirring a speck of dust. Applause and cheers rang out instantly.
Nalan Yanran only cast him a brief, indifferent glance before turning away—completely unimpressed. If Liu Ling knew, he might have spat blood from frustration.
Following him, the young Princess Yao Yue also leapt lightly from the dais. Her lithe figure drifted down like a falling petal, drawing a chorus of whistles and howls from the crowd.
The lively little princess might have meant nothing to Liu Xi—but to the younger men in the audience, she was an unattainable goddess.
And Xiao Yan? He entered the arena the proper way—walking down the stairs with the others. In his Yan Xiao disguise, his face was plain and unremarkable, and without any flashy moves, he blended perfectly into the sea of nearly two thousand competitors—utterly invisible.
---
Meanwhile, in one corner of the plaza, a gray-robed youth quietly exhaled when he saw that Liu Xi himself wasn't competing.
'Good… no need to face that monster,' he thought.
This young man was Yan Li, Vice President of the Alchemist Association of the Chu Yun Empire. He had come to the Jia Ma Empire in disguise, with one purpose—to win the championship and suppress the rising arrogance of Jia Ma's Association.
'Ever since Jia Ma Empire produced a 6th Tier Alchemist three years ago, their influence among the neighboring nations has soared,' he thought bitterly. 'Our Chu Yun Association's reputation has plummeted. Talented disciples abandon us to join Jia Ma's ranks. At this rate, our Association will end up as their branch office!'
His eyes flashed with resentment.
'This time, everyone back home has pinned their hopes on me. I must seize the championship, prove that the Chu Yun Alchemist Association is not beneath Jia Ma's, and restore our pride!'
A grin crept over his face. 'Once I return victorious, I'll be promoted to President—and marry the First Princess. My future will be limitless! Haha… hahahaha!'
His strange laughter drew uneasy glances from nearby alchemists.
"…What's wrong with that guy? Did the heat fry his brain?" one muttered.
"Hard to believe someone like that calls himself an alchemist," another scoffed.
---
Elsewhere in the arena, two other disguised competitors exchanged wary glances. Both looked to be near the age limit—around thirty. One hailed from the Luo Yan Empire, the other from the Mu Lan Empire.
Like Chu Yun, their Alchemist Associations were suffering under Jia Ma's expanding influence. With no 6th Tier Alchemist to counterbalance the threat, both nations had secretly dispatched their best-trained members to compete here, hoping to claim the title and restore prestige to their respective Associations.
---
The first round of the competition would test a simple yet foundational skill: refining the Bone Regrowth Pill, a 2nd Tier pill.
Each contestant received a handwritten pill recipe and two sets of ingredients—meaning they had only two chances. The test would judge precision, control, and basic alchemical technique.
As the gong sounded, thousands of competitors bent over their tables, studying the recipe intently. Some looked confident, others confused, still others pale with nervousness.
---
On the VIP platform
"Haha, little friend," Jia Xingtian's booming laugh carried over the crowd. "In your eyes, which of these alchemists has the best chance of claiming the final championship?"
Liu Xi turned his head. The old man's expression was calm, but the glimmer of pride in his eyes betrayed his intent—it wasn't a real question. It was boasting.
Liu Xi smiled faintly. "Princess Yao Yue's talent isn't bad. But if you ask me, the one with the best chance of winning… is that young man, Yan Xiao."
He meant it.
Even Liu Xi had to admit that Xiao Yan was his greatest rival on the path of destiny. Not only was his talent exceptional, but his nature was firm and ruthless. He never hesitated to kill or seize what he needed. And with Yao Chen—an 8th Tier Alchemist—as his teacher, Xiao Yan was the biggest wild card in this entire tournament.
"Oh?" Nalan Yanran's eyes widened. She hadn't expected Liu Xi to rate that unassuming contestant so highly. "But Liu Ling is Grandmaster Gu He's personal disciple. Even he falls short in your eyes?"
Liu Xi chuckled. "Gu He's disciples are capable, no doubt. But this Yan Xiao… I find him far more promising."
He smiled calmly, but deep down, a flicker of intent crossed his eyes. Because precisely since he valued Xiao Yan so much—he had no intention of showing mercy when the time came.
Around them, Hai Bodong, Miteer Tengshan, Nalan Jie, and Mu Chen all turned curious gazes toward the arena.
Who was this Yan Xiao, that even the Grand Elder himself would speak of him with such regard?
(End of Chapter)
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