On the day of the competition, there were no clouds in the blue sky for tens of thousands of kilometers
The sunlight was warm, but not harsh. The hot desert breezes that passed through the city carried the noise within it, giving one a refreshing feeling.
Today was a great event for the Alchemists' Association.
Groups of human figures, dressed in long alchemy's robes, began appearing in the quiet streets.
These were people of a highly respected profession, rarely seen in such large numbers.
Because of their immense power and incomparable importance, alchemists appeared somewhat mysterious and were deeply respected in the hearts of ordinary people
Today, these well-known alchemists were like ants leaving their nest.
The competition venue resembled a Roman coliseum. Zhang Yong and Su Ming walked through a narrow passage leading to the arena.
Inspectors from the Alchemists' Association were stationed at the entrance.
Only members of the association and participants were allowed in through this gate, while the spectator entrance was elsewhere.
Since the two of them carried registration badges, they weren't stopped
Secretly, Zhang Yong was impressed by the place as he stepped inside.
The vast open area finally unfolded fully before his eyes.
The rocky arena was absurdly large, able to hold tens of thousands of people, with cauldrons scattered across its center.
The arena was circular, surrounded by tiered seating where countless seats had been prepared for the audience. Opposite the spectators' seats were those for the distinguished guests—more luxuriously decorated and reserved for the higher levels of the association and powerful figures.
By now, the stands were packed to the brim.
Tension already hung thick among the competitors.
Inside the hall, some people stood in pairs or trios. Zhang Yong's gaze swept over them and he was somewhat shocked to discover that many of those gathered were actually third-grade alchemists, most of them already over twenty-five.
In truth, it was natural for many third-grade alchemists to attend since this was usually their limit. If they managed to reach the top three, they would have the chance to obtain a Heavenly Flame. How enticing was that?
"Xiao Qian, this time I won't let you surpass me—I will defeat you!"
A loud voice suddenly erupted among the contestants, carrying hostility.
The hostile words drew everyone's attention to the source. A tall young man with long golden hair and black eyes stood confidently, pointing his finger at another young man standing calmly in the crowd. The latter, dressed in yellow robes, appeared unusually composed, forming a stark contrast to the angry youth.
"Ku Linan, you'll never change, will you?" the calm young man said with a faint smile. "How many times have you challenged me only to be defeated?"
Ku Linan gnashed his teeth. "I won't rest until I repay the humiliation you caused me!" His fists clenched and trembled.
Xiao Qian raised his hands helplessly. "You're trash, and so is your family. No wonder you lost to me."
Away from the arena, rumors began spreading rapidly.
"Isn't that Xiao Qian? They say he reached third-grade alchemist without a master's guidance. An elder from the association wanted to take him as a disciple, but not only did he refuse—he insulted him, saying they were trash!"
"Ku Linan is well-known too, also self-taught, but the association never accepted him as a disciple. No wonder he's angry."
Then, suddenly, a melodious voice rang out:
"Everyone, take your positions."
It belonged to a young woman in a beautiful red dress, standing atop a small tower in mid-air.
At her words, silence fell so deep it crushed all prior conversations.
Immediately, the participants dispersed and stood before their cauldrons.
"Welcome everyone, to the Alchemy Competition. I will be your host today—Mo Ling."
All eyes turned toward the young woman, and the arena erupted in cheers and shouts.
Raising her hand, she pointed toward the seats of honor. "First, let us present the fifth-grade alchemist and president of the Alchemists' Association, Cha Yonghe!"
In the VIP area, an old man with a short beard, streaked with white among his brown hair, stood and waved at the crowd.
Then Mo Ling gestured to the other side. "And next, the Imperial Empire's Jade Beauty—the royal princess!"
All eyes quickly shifted to a young woman in resplendent red-and-gold garments, her long black hair cascading down her back. She offered a calm smile and waved from afar.
"She's here," Su Ming muttered softly, his gaze somewhat lost.
Zhang Yong noticed his expression and couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
Looking around, Zhang Yong also spotted the two sisters he had encountered earlier standing before their cauldrons.
Mo Ling clapped and said loudly, "This competition has gathered many young talents from across the empire. Naturally, the association won't be stingy. The top three winners will earn the right to obtain an Origin Flame and become honorary elders of the Alchemists' Association. The first place winner will also receive a fourth-grade pill recipe."
For alchemists, obtaining a fourth-grade pill recipe was already a lifelong dream. If one could get their hands on it, they would never regret it. Unlike the Origin Flame, which depended on luck and talent, a recipe was tangible. Not to mention, selling it could fetch no less than five crystal coins, besides the honorary elder reward.
(10,000 spirit stones = 1 crystal coin)
Mo Ling clapped again. "As for the first round, the theme is speed—refining a first-grade pill. The fastest will be the winner."
Her words weren't as simple as they sounded. No one took them lightly. They all knew: the higher one advanced in alchemy, the less time was needed to refine low-grade pills, but making pills of one's level grew far more difficult. To ensure success, an alchemist might lock themselves away for days. If a pill failed, the materials would be wasted, or worse—the cauldron might explode if concentration faltered. Speed meant superior understanding, solid foundation, and the firmest mind.
Mo Ling smiled. "From among thousands of participants, at most one hundred will qualify."
This news shocked everyone. Only ten percent would advance, while ninety percent would be eliminated. A harsh and massive culling indeed.
Men from the Alchemists' Association brought trays with herbs to be used in refining. Mo Ling then raised her hand toward the president.
"Each participant will be given the same share. Now, we ask the president to declare the competition open."
President Cha Yonghe stood and announced loudly, "Let the Alchemy Competition begin!"
At once, flames of spiritual energy flared as contestants tossed herbs into their cauldrons.
Xiao Qian laughed arrogantly. "Heheh, you fools! The winner is already decided—it's me!" He immediately lit his cauldron and began refining.
Ku Linan roared, "I won't allow that!" and began refining as well.
Both of their flames burned fiercely yet were controlled with great precision. Their talents were undeniable.
Suddenly, mocking laughter rang out. "You're both fools. The winner is me."
Everyone turned toward the voice. It was Zhang Yong himself.
The Xue sisters' eyelids twitched as they looked at him.
The pink-haired sister whispered, "Sister, it's that scoundrel!"
Whispers quickly spread among the contestants.
"Who is he? Which clan is he from?"
"How dare he act so arrogant, comparing himself to known geniuses?"
"I don't have time for this nonsense. I must focus on my pill."
Xiao Qian's gaze narrowed as he stared at Zhang Yong. "How can you be so sure? You haven't even started refining!"
Zhang Yong smirked arrogantly. "Do you think I'm trash like you, needing minutes to refine a first-grade pill?"
Xiao Qian sneered. "Hah! If you can refine faster than me, I'll call you grandpa and bow three times."
Zhang Yong glanced at him sideways, smiling faintly. Raising his palm, the air surged from all directions toward him. With his right hand, he grasped the herbs as searing winds wrapped around them. Flames burst from his fist, and his eyes flashed crimson. "That's why I said you're trash."
Opening his hand, a red pill rested in his palm.
What he had just used was the Instant Alchemy Palm, a technique he had learned from Wu Ruxian during their time trapped underground.
Shock upon shock rippled through the crowd. A previously unknown youth had just surpassed renowned talents. Who was he? Where did he come from?
Zhang Yong raised his arms as if embracing the heavens. "Now, bow before me, grandson—before the ultimate King of Alchemy!"
His arrogant display made the other contestants both furious and curious—would Xiao Qian really bow to an unknown youth and call him grandfather?
Xiao Qian gnashed his teeth but said nothing more. Four minutes and fifty-six seconds later, he finally finished his pill. If not for Zhang Yong's earlier feat, he would have been the fastest.
Pointing at Zhang Yong with hateful eyes, he shouted, "I object! He must have cheated! I demand justice!"
Before the host could speak, President Cha Yonghe rose and declared, "Contestant Zhang Yong did not cheat. Our observers saw no such thing."
Xiao Qian screamed again. "Impossible! He must have cheated!"
The president's eyes narrowed. "Contestant Xiao Qian, doubting the association will get you disqualified and punished. Do you dare question us?"
Xiao Qian clenched his teeth and backed away.
At that moment, Zhang Yong called out, "Hey, where do you think you're going?"
Xiao Qian turned with a grim face, bitterness in his mouth. "What do you want?"
Zhang Yong walked toward him, raising his thumb downward. "Bow to your grandfather, you unfilial brat! Didn't you say you'd bow three times? Everyone heard you."
"I'll never call some unknown brat my grandfather. Dream on!"
Zhang Yong's smile turned cold. Everyone watched closely. "So you're not just trash, but shameless too? Tsk tsk… what a disgrace. Shouldn't a man keep his word? What do you think, everyone?"
The crowd looked at Xiao Qian with pity and mockery.
He hesitated, then turned away. "I admit defeat, but I won't call you grandfather."
"What was that?" Zhang Yong's killing intent suddenly locked onto Xiao Qian, suffocating him.
Instantly, a masked man in black appeared beside Zhang Yong, gripping his shoulder. "Contestant Zhang Yong, private fighting is forbidden during the competition."
Zhang Yong withdrew his killing intent at once, smiling. "What? I was just joking. A joke won't kill anyone."
Walking up to Xiao Qian, he placed a hand on his shoulder. "Alright, grandson, how about another bet? If you surpass me in the next round, I'll kneel ten times, not just three. But if I win, you'll bow five times—until your forehead bleeds. No objections allowed."
Xiao Qian hesitated, torn between anger and fear, yet curiosity sparked within him. After a moment, he said bitterly, "You sound so confident about the next round… fine, I accept! But if you lose, you'll kneel to me ten times and admit you cheated today."
Zhang Yong smirked as he walked away. "Very well, grandson. But when I say I cheated, I'll also say my poor grandson forced me to bear the blame for his lack of talent. How pitiful is that?"
Back at his cauldron, Zhang Yong glanced at President Cha Yonghe. Their gazes met.
Zhang Yong thought to himself 'Why did the president help me? And more why didn't he question me about my technique, I heard Xiao Qian once offended an elder, but that's not enough reason…'
Meanwhile, Cha Yonghe stared sharply at him.'That technique… the Instant Alchemy Palm, without doubt. It's the legacy of the Heavenly Pill King from a thousand years ago. Could it be this boy inherited that legacy? If so, we must recruit him at any cost'
The crowd erupted with cheers, but Mo Ling quickly stepped in to regain control. Raising her hand, she called out firmly, "Quiet! Quiet! I know everyone is excited, but let us continue with the first round."
In the end, Zhang Yong placed first, Xiao Qian second, Ku Linan third, Su Ming fourth, and the Xue sisters fifth and sixth. As time passed, more competitors finished.
When the hundredth alchemist completed his pill, a large gong sounded. Mo Ling announced, "With that, the first round is complete."
At her words, those eliminated extinguished their flames and left in disappointment.
Zhang Yong simply smiled quietly.
(Emotions gained: 120,730 points)
'Thanks to that grandson for the points. But in truth, all I can manage with the Instant Alchemy Palm is refining first-grade pills. What I did was just to attract attention. If they demand second-grade pills, forcing it might backfire on me…'