A figure flashed suddenly—Cao Dan was sent flying like a kite with its string cut. He didn't even have time to groan before crashing into the courtyard outside, leaving behind a massive crater. He lay there unconscious.
"Y-Young Master Cao Dan—!"
His attendants panicked, rushing to attack Goku. But before they could even take a step, a gust of energy swept them all away, slamming them into the ground, where they writhed in pain.
"Get lost! If you're not convinced, you're welcome to come back anytime!"
Goku's domineering figure stood proudly in the hall. Xin Lin's eyes sparkled as she watched him.
---
The next morning, outside the Ye family gates, every clansman stood in attendance. Their eyes burned with fervor as they looked toward Goku and the others. They had already witnessed his terrifying power. As for his alchemy? They didn't doubt it for a second. With his age and talent, how could his rank as an alchemist possibly be low? For them, reclaiming a seat in the Pill Tower was practically assured.
This blind trust wasn't based on logic—it came from the heart, from the soul itself. It simply felt natural.
"Second Brother, Third Brother," Ye Zhong said gravely, "I'll be traveling with Lord Goku to the Holy Pill City. The clan will be left in your hands."
"Understood," one elder nodded solemnly. "Though the Ye family has declined, we still have connections in the Pill Tower. Leave things here to us."
Ye Zhong gave a satisfied nod. "Be cautious of the Cao family. After what happened yesterday, I doubt they'll let it go so easily."
"We understand."
"Enough with the nonsense—let's go already."
Goku waved his hand impatiently and strode toward a northern plaza in Ye City.
Ye Zhong exchanged a glance with his fellow elders, then hurried to follow with Xin Lin in tow. Only he and Xin Lin accompanied Goku—sending more people would be useless.
Within Ye City was a spatial wormhole, though small and poorly maintained. It could not directly connect to the Holy Pill City, requiring several transfers along the way.
After a short walk, they arrived at a stone platform in the plaza, where the slowly rotating wormhole shimmered faintly.
"This wormhole looks so run-down. Are you sure it's safe to travel through?" Zi Yan asked, wrinkling her nose at the unstable ripples it emitted.
Ye Zhong gave a bitter smile. "In the Ye family's prime, we had two Dou Venerates who voluntarily maintained it. But with our decline, we can no longer invite such experts. Forgive the sight…"
"Senior Goku, could you… fix it?" Xin Lin asked expectantly. She knew his power—repairing a wormhole should be nothing to him. If he did, it would be a huge boon for the Ye family.
"Stop this senior thing. Just call me 'Goku,' and I'll consider it.".
Ye Zhong's eyes, lit up. He had nearly forgotten—this man's strength was far above a Dou Venerate. Repairing a wormhole would be child's play. Yet, wisely, he didn't act overly fawning; he knew small tricks would only earn Goku's disdain.
With a flick of his finger, Goku sent a ripple of spatial energy into the wormhole. Instantly, the chaotic fluctuations smoothed out, stabilizing completely.
"That… that's it?!" Ye Zhong was dumbstruck. In his eyes, this was the work of a Dou Saint—or perhaps someone standing at the very peak of the pyramid. His respect for Goku only deepened.
Suppressing his excitement, Ye Zhong quickly pulled out a black miniature ship from his ring. With a pat, it expanded into a large vessel. He stepped aboard, activating a protective energy shield. The ship trembled, then accelerated, diving into the wormhole.
Moments later, Goku and the others followed.
Within the silent space tunnel, the ship expanded further and streaked forward at great speed.
Zi Yan glanced around and asked, "Didn't you say the Pill Gathering starts today? If we're still on the road, won't we be late?"
Ye Zhong stiffened, then sighed. "Because Xin Lin ran away, Cao Dan kept stalling. He insisted she be married into his family before helping us. But this trip is only the preliminary assessment. As long as the main competition hasn't started, we should still make it."
"How long will this ship take to reach Holy Pill City?" Zi Yan asked again.
"About three days…"
"Three days?!" Zi Yan yelped. "You mean we're stuck on this clunky thing for three days?!"
Ye Zhong gave an awkward smile.
"Hmph! Goku, I don't want to be stuck here that long. Let's get to Holy Pill City right now!" Zi Yan clung to his arm, pouting.
Goku shook his head with a wry smile. "I had planned to let you sightsee a little, but spending three days here is indeed too boring."
He raised his hand, and the tunnel warped violently. Ahead, a silvery light appeared, radiating immense spatial power.
"W-we've… arrived already?!" Ye Zhong's jaw dropped. They had only just entered, and yet…
The ship hurtled through the silver glow—
—and in the next instant, a massive square appeared before them.
All around, countless other wormhole-ships emerged, alchemists clad in robes stepping out with fervent eyes fixed upon the city ahead.
This was Holy Pill City—the sacred ground of every alchemist!
---
The crimson square of Holy Pill City was packed with a sea of people. Their collective noise surged skyward, so loud that even the clouds seemed to thin under the roar.
"So this is Holy Pill City? It's amazing!" Zi Yan exclaimed, her bright eyes sparkling with excitement. The rich aroma of medicinal herbs filled the air, making the little glutton restless.
"Don't get any ideas. This place isn't like the Inner Academy. It's crawling with experts," Goku warned, ruffling her hair.
"…I know."
"Holy Pill City… We actually arrived in an instant…" Ye Zhong was speechless. Goku's casual manipulation of the wormhole had reduced a three-day journey to nothing. Even a Dou Saint couldn't achieve that.
A figure surfaced in his mind—the godlike warrior who had awakened the sovereign of the world.
'Could he be… that man?'
The thought alone made his heart pound wildly.
Goku tilted his head skyward. Beyond the blue skies, through the layers of space, he saw a colossal dragon coiled endlessly, its eyes shut, its scales wrapped in sinister purple-black flames.
"The Three Thousand Burning Flame… Heh. Too bad for you. To me, Heavenly Flames no longer matter."
Now, as Sovereign of this world, Goku could create flames at will. Such fires no longer held the same allure.
"Xin Lin, take Zi Yan to look around. I'll follow Elder Ye Zhong to the testing grounds. Only candidates are allowed there."
"Yes,G- Goku. Then… let's go, Zi Yan."
"Don't cause trouble, Zi Yan!" Goku added.
"I know, I know! Come on, Xin Lin, let's go explore!" Zi Yan giggled, her eyes already gleaming mischievously. "This is Holy Pill City—there's bound to be treasures everywhere…"
While Goku and Ye Zhong approached the assessment grounds, they found a long line stretching out before them. Ye Zhong frowned, then leaned close to Goku.
"Lord Goku, please wait here for a moment. I'll go smooth things over. At this rate, we might not even finish the assessment today."
___
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