Chapter 138: Xiao Yan: Where's My Third Brother?
The azure and black-white flames interwove and surged upward, releasing destructive ripples that took on a tangible form, rippling out and crashing against the Dou Qi barrier jointly maintained by Jia Xingtian, Hai Bodong, and Fa Ma.
Two Dou Huangs and one Dou Wang—such a lineup was beyond what most people in the Jia Ma Empire could ever afford to summon.
And yet, here they were, working together at full strength, all to prevent the chaos caused by Xiao Yan's alchemy attempt from turning the tournament into a funeral.
Of course, while this containment could protect the crowd, if the explosive force were fully trapped within the shield, Xiao Yan would surely be obliterated.
At first, Jia Xingtian and Fa Ma had worried Xiao Yuan might object.
But seeing Xiao Yuan calmly observing, completely unshaken, left them puzzled. Why wasn't he panicking?
Hai Bodong, though wary of fusing two Heavenly Flames, had recently consumed the Soul Revitalizing Purple Pill and restored his strength to the level of a six-star Dou Huang.
If he hadn't been deliberately suppressing his power, he might've already broken through to seven-star.
With this boost, he felt confident that, even if Xiao Yan lost control, he could instantly summon an ice shield to protect himself.
As for Xiao Yan's safety? Hai Bodong wasn't worried in the slightest.
After regaining his strength, he had privately examined Xiao Yan and found his aura unfathomable.
They had exchanged moves before—Hai Bodong knew Xiao Yan harbored more than one Heavenly Flame.
If pushed to the edge, Hai Bodong was sure Xiao Yan would unleash Dou Huang-level power.
Besides, as someone capable of refining sixth-tier pills, Xiao Yan surely possessed a powerful soul. It was entirely possible he could succeed at flame fusion.
Just then, the destructive energy within the protective barrier abruptly weakened.
Under countless shocked gazes, the blue flame in Xiao Yan's palm faded. The black-white flame rose higher, inscribing a second swirl onto the Green Spirit Pill that already bore one.
Those familiar with the elusive Three-Lined Green Spirit Pill began murmuring in awe.
This pill was notoriously difficult—one of the hardest fourth-tier pills to refine.
Even the gray-robed man's pupils shrank when he saw the second line form. Waves of disbelief flooded his mind.
It was already shocking for someone to control two or even three flames.
To switch between multiple flames during refining required immense soul strength—most peak fourth-tier alchemists wouldn't dare attempt it.
And yet this youth—so young—was doing it?
Luckily, the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill he'd refined, while just at the peak of fourth-tier, still had a slight advantage over Xiao Yan's two-lined Green Spirit Pill.
"I refuse to believe you've got a third flame!"
Muttering coldly, the gray-robed man focused on finishing his refinement.
Thanks to the ruckus at Xiao Yan's station, hardly anyone noticed that the little princess and Liu Ling were also refining fourth-tier pills.
But nearby contestants who'd failed were startled to see it. "Whoa—they're making fourth-tier pills too?!"
A sweet medicinal aroma began rising from both their cauldrons, lifting the spirits of those around them.
Back above, Hai Bodong, Jia Xingtian, and Fa Ma watched the black-and-white flame dance above Xiao Yan's hand and exchanged glances with nods of approval.
Successfully fusing two Heavenly Flames and using palm-fire alchemy—Xiao Yan's talent was truly terrifying.
Seeing the second spiral-shaped inscription form, Xiao Yuan smiled faintly.
His part was done.
Now it was just a matter of waiting until the tournament ended—then finding that gray-robed man for a little… chat.
"Looks like it's stable now, huh?"
Jia Xingtian began to turn away—only to pause.
A faint purple scent began wafting from the gray-robed man's cauldron.
"Colored pill fragrance?" Across the plaza, any alchemist who recognized it cried out in astonishment.
"To refine a pill with colored fragrance… That bastard really came prepared!"
Fa Ma's brief smile vanished in an instant.
"What's colored pill fragrance?" Hai Bodong asked urgently.
Fa Ma replied grimly, "It's a sign of fifth-tier quality—though some peak fourth-tier pills can also produce it. Judging by the intensity, it must be one of those.
Compared to that, the pills from Liu Ling and Yue'er fall short. Even Xiao Yan's two-lined Green Spirit Pill won't be enough to guarantee victory now."
Hearing this, Jia Xingtian's eyes turned cold.
If all else failed… they'd just kill the bastard.
Down in the arena, the little princess and Liu Ling froze when they saw the purple smoke. Their faces paled, and they smiled bitterly.
Against such absolute advantage, their efforts felt meaningless.
Xiao Yan also sensed the high grade of the gray-robed man's pill. He glanced at the nearly finished pill in his hand, then whispered:
"Brother… help me."
With that, he placed the yin-yang flame and the pill into his right hand, then used his soul force to activate the cold white ring on his left hand.
Chi!
A pale-white flame bloomed from his palm—eerily cold.
Without hesitation, Xiao Yan brought his palms together, letting the white flame engulf the other.
A new wave of destructive energy erupted—stronger than before.
Hai Bodong instantly reinforced the barrier. "Now!"
Fa Ma and Jia Xingtian joined him again.
Seeing the new white flame, all three men were dumbfounded.
"A third… Heavenly Flame?!"
Gasps rippled through the experienced alchemists in the crowd.
Could one person really control three Heavenly Flames?
Even if they weren't all his, just obtaining and using two others for alchemy was unfathomable.
No one was more shaken than Liu Ling.
His master, Gu He, had recently led an elite team into the desert to find a Heavenly Flame—and failed to even glimpse one.
But Xiao Yan… had three?
From how naturally he wielded the green one, it was likely his own. The other two probably weren't truly his, but even temporary control was astonishing.
Clearly, someone powerful was backing him.
"Damn it—he has another?!"
The gray-robed man nearly lost it. Just who was this brat?
Meanwhile, Xiao Yuan silently continued suppressing the volatility within the yin-yang flame.
Xiao Yan was more familiar with the Bone-Chilling Flame, so fusing it proved less troublesome. With his previous experience, the third fusion went smoothly.
As the black-white flame dissipated, the bone-white flame flickered gently. In its heart, a dragon-eye-sized green pill glowed—its surface showing a third, pale-white inscription.
Fa Ma's eyes widened. He stared at the pill more intently than Xiao Yan himself.
Two flame transitions. Palm alchemy. A flawless three-inscription refinement.
Xiao Yan's talent was monstrous.
On the stands, Xiao Yuan leaned back and closed his eyes, recovering.
He still had a fight coming. While he wasn't much of an alchemist, he was very good at combat.
That gray-robed man would answer some questions soon—about Xiao Yi Xian.
As the final flame extinguished, the Three-Lined Green Spirit Pill was complete.
Xiao Yan looked at the pill in his hand—barely able to contain his excitement.
Even he hadn't expected to succeed on the first try.
Nearby, the gray-robed man also finished. But his face was pale, his whole body cold. He already knew—he had lost.
The three lines on that pill spelled it out plainly.
Fa Ma descended rapidly, examined the pill, and, after confirming its quality, broke into a huge grin.
"Excellent! Excellent!"
Hai Bodong and Jia Xingtian landed beside him.
"What kind of pill is that?" Hai Bodong asked curiously.
The entire arena leaned in. Everyone wanted to know.
"The Three-Lined Green Spirit Pill," Xiao Yan declared with confidence.
Gasps erupted.
This fourth-tier pill could help a Dou Shi break into Da Dou Shi. For those already at that level, it could increase one star—with no side effects.
The highest-grade version—this one—could potentially boost a Da Dou Shi by three stars temporarily, though there was a small risk of backlash.
Even so, its value far outstripped the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, which only boosted one star and could only be taken twice.
Liu Ling and the little princess's pills had no Dou Qi-enhancing effects. The others had only managed third-tier pills.
"As per the rules," Fa Ma announced from the VIP stand, "the winner of the Alchemist Assembly is the one whose pill is highest in tier and practical use.
With overwhelming superiority, Xiao Yan's Three-Lined Green Spirit Pill claims the championship of this year's Jia Ma Empire Alchemist Assembly!"
The gray-robed man wanted to protest—but he couldn't.
Xiao Yan's entire refinement process had been visible to all. Even ignoring the pill's tier, his palm-forged technique alone had earned universal respect.
Grinding his teeth, the man grabbed his pill and fled the stage.
His only hope now was to escape with his life.
As Fa Ma's words echoed across the field, the crowd exploded in cheers. Countless people leapt from their seats, waving and shouting in ecstasy.
The Xiao Clan's members were the most excited. If conditions allowed, they'd be waving banners by now.
This was the Alchemist Assembly championship!
Even a Dou Huang like Jia Xingtian would treat Xiao Yan with respect now—if only for his future potential.
Xiao Zhan couldn't hold back. "Yan'er! Well done!"
Xiao Yan instinctively turned toward the stands—seeing his father smiling proudly, Ya Fei nodding in approval, and…
Wait.
Where was his third brother?
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1