Chapter 33: Unparalleled
"Good heavens, what kind of pill is this?"
Exclamations filled the air as many of the less experienced observers, mostly those below the Dou Wang level, stared in awe. For some, this was their first time witnessing the emergence of a six tier pill.
Among the more seasoned alchemists fifth tier and even some sixth tier shock rendered them speechless. A number of them sprang from their seats, their gazes filled with disbelief.
"How is this possible? Someone this young can refine the Imperial Extreme Pill?" a few alchemists cried out in astonishment.
"The Imperial Extreme Pill?" The name quickly spread through the crowd like wildfire.
As one of the most renowned six tier pills, capable of raising a Dou Huang cultivator's strength by one star, its fame was widespread. Even those who had never seen it had certainly heard tales of its potency.
"That golden, radiant pill… is that really the Imperial Extreme Pill?"
"Impossible! It's a six tier pill, and not even an average one at that. It's among the upper ranks of its class!"
"Don't believe me? That's what the sixth tier alchemists themselves are saying!"
Shock Among the Masters
In the seats reserved for the elders and distinguished guests, countless seventh tier alchemists shot to their feet.
"This… This is a true prodigy!"
Among them, Elder Dan Yangzi of the Dan Clan and Cao Clan's patriarch were just as stunned. They exchanged a glance before looking at their respective granddaughters in the arena, uncertainty and hesitation flickering in their eyes.
"Yao Chen, your disciple is truly monstrous!" said Xuan Kongzi, one of the Pill Tower's three great leaders, wearing a wry smile.
"Jealous, aren't you?" said another elder, shaking his head.
Yao Chen chuckled lightly, pretending to remain humble. However, the slight curl of his lips betrayed the pride swelling in his chest.
"That old fox," muttered Xuan Yi, the only woman among the three great leaders, under her breath.
Xiao Yan Takes the Stage
In the arena, Xiao Yan held the golden pill, its brilliance shimmering in his palm. A gentle breeze blew past, making his white robes flutter like snow. The setting sun bathed his figure in golden light, lending him an ethereal, almost divine presence.
"Xiao Yan! Xiao Yan!" A girl's voice rang out, and soon, the entire crowd erupted in unison, chanting his name like a tidal wave.
At that moment, the white robed youth seemed like the very sun itself, overshadowing every other talent in the arena.
Cao Ying's Crushing Defeat
Cao Ying stared blankly at the dazzling pill in Xiao Yan's hand, a wave of helplessness surging through her.
The gap between her Dou Spirit Pill and Xiao Yan's Imperial Extreme Pill was as vast as a canyon. Though separated by only one tier, the leap from the fifth tier to the sixth was monumental.
Even with her prodigious talent, it would take her at least two more years of relentless effort to hope to match Xiao Yan's feat today.
For the first time in her life, Cao Ying a woman accustomed to dominating her peers in her strongest field had been utterly crushed.
Her usually radiant, seductive face turned pale. A faint trickle of blood escaped the corner of her lips as she succumbed to unconsciousness.
A Sudden Collapse
"Hey! Are you okay?" Before her vision fully darkened, she glimpsed a flash of white dashing toward her. Warmth enveloped her as she fell into a gentle embrace.
"Ying'er!" exclaimed the Cao Clan's patriarch, his expression shifting dramatically.
In the stands, Xuan Yi's face also darkened with concern. In the blink of an eye, her figure disappeared, reappearing beside Xiao Yan in the arena.
"Senior Xuan Yi," Xiao Yan greeted, recognizing her immediately.
Xuan Yi didn't respond, instead reaching out to take Cao Ying from his arms. With a quick infusion of Dou Qi, she examined her condition. A moment later, she exhaled in relief.
"She's fine. She's simply exhausted from overexertion in refining pills, combined with emotional strain. A few days of rest and meditation will set her right."
After leaving these words, Xuan Yi vanished with Cao Ying, reappearing outside the arena.
The Judging
As Xuan Yi disappeared, Xuan Kongzi stepped onto the stage, his gaze sweeping over the contestants. When his eyes landed on Xiao Yan, he lingered, a faint smile forming on his lips.
"Now that all pills are complete, contestants, please present your creations for judging."
At his command, the remaining young alchemists placed their pills in their hands. With a wave of his hand, Xuan Kongzi summoned the pills into the air, where they floated toward the judging panel.
Before departing, Xuan Yi had carefully placed Cao Ying's Dou Spirit Pill into her cauldron.
The judges' gazes were drawn first to the Dou Spirit Pill, marveling at its quality. Yet, all attention quickly shifted to the Imperial Extreme Pill in Xiao Yan's hand, its golden glow undiminished.
"Such brilliance…"
"It's truly a masterpiece of the sixth tier!"
Even the seventh tier alchemists seated among the guests struggled to hide their admiration.
In the stands, whispers filled the air. Among the young talents, many had already realized that Xiao Yan had secured the championship.
At the center of it all, Xiao Yan stood tall, his calm demeanor unwavering.
"Champion of champions," someone murmured.
And in the hearts of all present, there was no doubt: the white robed youth had etched his name into history.
When all the pills floated to the judges' panel, Xuan Kongzi extended a finger and gently tapped the air.
The pills arranged themselves into a pyramid formation in midair. At the very top, shining brilliantly like a sovereign among mortals, was none other than the Imperial Extreme Pill.
Below it were the Dou Spirit Pill, Blood Lotus Pill, and Three Mark Azure Spirit Pill.
Xuan Kongzi's Announcement
"Everyone!" Xuan Kongzi's voice resonated across the arena.
"As you can see, among all the pills refined today, the Imperial Extreme Pill stands in a class of its own. Therefore, I hereby announce the champion of this year's Youth Alchemist Competition: Xiao Yan!"
The crowd's attention immediately locked onto the platform, and a heartbeat later, a deafening wave of cheers erupted like a storm.
"Xiao Yan!! Xiao Yan!!"
The arena was filled with thunderous applause and cheers, interspersed with the high pitched screams of young women. Some admirers screamed so passionately they were on the verge of fainting.
From this day forward, all of Dan Region would know the name Xiao Yan the prodigy who, at the tender age of fifteen, refined a sixth tier Imperial Extreme Pill.
His master, Yao Chen, was already a towering figure among alchemists in Zhongzhou. But Xiao Yan's feat today marked him as an unattainable summit, an insurmountable peak for countless aspiring young alchemists.
The Champion's Reward
"Xiao Yan," Xuan Kongzi continued with a gentle smile, "as the champion of this competition and with your extraordinary talent, you may one day surpass your teacher and perhaps even become a legendary ninth tier alchemist."
"Thus, as your reward, I present you with this Soul Nurturing Heavenly Pill. May it aid you on your path as an alchemist!"
With a wave of his hand, a sky blue pill surrounded by ethereal mist appeared in midair.
"Gulp!"
The appearance of the Soul Nurturing Heavenly Pill elicited audible gulps from the crowd. Thousands of pairs of eyes burned with envy as they stared at the floating pill.
An eighth tier pill was a treasure so rare and valuable that even Dou Zun level experts would covet it.
Xiao Yan's Composure
Xiao Yan glanced at the pill but made no move to grab it. Instead, he retrieved a uniquely crafted white jade bottle from his storage ring. With a gentle flick of his Dou Qi, the bottle emitted a powerful suction force, drawing the pill into it.
"A Soul Nurturing Pill Bottle?"
Xuan Kongzi raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"As expected of the Xiao Clan so wealthy. This bottle, forged from ancient spirit jade, is worth nearly as much as a basic eighth tier pill itself," he mused silently.
Other Rewards and the End of the Competition
After announcing Xiao Yan as the champion, Xuan Kongzi proceeded to name the rest of the top ten contestants, awarding each with valuable prizes.
When all was said and done, Xuan Kongzi officially declared the competition over.
With a slight bow to Xuan Kongzi, Xiao Yan turned to smile warmly at Dan Chen before taking to the skies.
His destination? Yao Chen.
Strategic Plans
Of course, finding Yao Chen wasn't Xiao Yan's primary goal.
His true objective was to persuade Yao Chen to take him to Xuan Yi, so he could check on Cao Ying.
Now was the perfect moment.
After her crushing defeat, Cao Ying's spirits were at their lowest leaving her vulnerable. And for Xiao Yan, it was the ideal opportunity to strike while the iron was hot.
In his mind, this was an unmissable chance to leave an indelible mark on her heart.
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