At the break of dawn the next day, as a golden ray of sunlight pierced the silence of the night, thousands more golden beams slowly followed, bathing the entire Dan Region in a radiant gold.
At the heart of the Dan Region, Holy Pill City looked even more splendid under this brilliant golden light.
Inside an alchemy room at the base of Pill Tower, Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes. With the aid of the Revival Pill, all the exhaustion from before had vanished. He was now more refreshed than ever.
"After this intense round of alchemy training, my soul has become more refined, and even this once-flimsy Dou Qi has become a bit more solid than before."
Feeling the power now coursing through his body, Xiao Yan couldn't help but hop out of bed and stretch hard. A chorus of popping sounds echoed from his joints like a string of firecrackers.
"Ah, that feels good!"
Letting out a long breath, Xiao Yan stashed away his cauldron and headed toward the competition grounds.
Though this Youth Alchemy Competition was of decent scale, it still couldn't compare to the legendary grand Pill Gathering. Even so, when Xiao Yan arrived at the competition plaza, it was already a sea of people.
"Look at that boy—so young, yet he's already formed Dou Qi wings. His talent is monstrous."
"Judging by his age, he's probably around fifteen or sixteen, and already a Dou King. He's bound to become a rising star."
Two men were chatting while munching on meat buns.
"You bumpkins. That boy is a disciple of the Medicine Sovereign. With someone of his fame and strength as a mentor, it would be strange if his student were ordinary."
The murmuring crowd was suddenly silenced by a strikingly beautiful red-robed girl who stepped forward.
"Look! It's the demoness from the Cao Clan!" someone exclaimed.
"She's reached the Dou King level too? Freakish talent."
"If I could marry her, I'd basically be set for life."
"Haha, someone's dreaming! Quick, someone pee on him to wake him up—just not the diabetic ones, don't want it sweet."
"Let me! Mine's golden yellow!"
BONG!
A clear bell tone rang out, reverberating across the skies and cutting through the noise like a sword through silk.
With the bell's echo, the once-chaotic plaza gradually quieted down.
All eyes turned to a tall stone platform—the spot where the Pill Tower Elders were expected to appear.
Not long after the bell chimed, a rush of wind could be heard, and multiple figures descended from the sky.
Xiao Yan scanned the figures and noticed that only Xuankong Zi, the head of the Pill Tower Triad, had arrived. Clearly, while this competition was important, it still didn't hold a candle to the Pill Gathering.
"Hehe, I am Xuankong Zi, here on behalf of the Pill Tower to welcome all young alchemists. You are like the newly risen sun in the sky—the future of alchemy on this continent."
Xuankong Zi swept his gaze across the group of young contestants. Most of them still had the innocent faces of youth.
The youngest was only twelve, holding a bottle of magical beast milk. Yet the brocade robe he wore was clearly embroidered with the insignia of a 2nd-tier alchemist.
The oldest was only eighteen, barely an adult, and already bore the insignia of a 4th-tier alchemist on his chest.
Although they were just a group of kids, no one dared to underestimate them. Regardless of their scary talent, each of these young alchemists had an exceptional background.
Some of their fathers or grandfathers were likely high-tier alchemists of great renown.
"Children, thank you for coming to participate in this competition from all over the Dan Region, and even beyond. I'll get straight to the point—the rules are simple: you choose your own ingredients and refine a pill you believe showcases your best abilities.
The one who produces the highest-tier pill with the best quality will be crowned champion!
And the prize for the champion... is a Tier 8 Pill—the Soul-Nurturing Heaven Pill!"
"Whoa!"
As Xuankong Zi's voice fell, a wave of excitement swept through the crowd.
"A Tier 8 Soul-Nurturing Pill! It has remarkable effects on nurturing the soul. Consuming it can improve a pharmacist's soul potential and help a 7th-tier alchemist break through to Tier 8."
This announcement caused a stir not just among the audience but also among the contestants. As prodigies in the alchemy world, they knew full well how valuable such a pill was.
Even Xiao Yan felt a strong desire for it.
Tier 8 pills were incredibly rare. While the Xiao Clan might still have some in stock, Xiao Xuan had forbidden him from using the family's treasure vault to enhance his strength, insisting he temper himself in the outside world.
So this pill held tremendous appeal for Xiao Yan.
"The time has come. Let's not waste it. You may now select your ingredients. As long as they're for Tier 7 or below pills, the Pill Tower will provide two sets for free."
With a chuckle, Xuankong Zi signaled, and several Pill Tower guards—each at Dou King level—walked around with red trays, inviting participants to write the name of the pill they intended to refine.
"Xiao Yan, this time... I will definitely defeat you."
From not far away, Cao Ying glared at Xiao Yan, her voice cold.
"No need to look so grim. We're just rivals, not enemies." Xiao Yan waved dismissively, unconcerned by her challenge.
"You're right. We're not enemies. But still, I repeat: I will defeat you!" Cao Ying's expression softened slightly, but her sharp eyes still brimmed with hostility—or rather, fighting spirit.
"Heh. Then get ready to be flattened by yours truly."
Xiao Yan chuckled and ignored Cao Ying's angry glare. Instead, he turned toward the delicate figure of Dan Chen.
The fish had bitten the bait. Now it was time to see if the fisherman had the skill.
"Dan Chen, do your best out there!" said Xiao Yan with a warm smile, the sunlight casting a perfect glow across his face.
Golden rays framed his clean-cut features and spotless white robe, and with his natural roguish charm, many of the watching girls couldn't help but blush.
"Mm." Dan Chen nodded seriously, her soft peach blossom eyes still watching Xiao Yan with slight caution.
But perhaps realizing her demeanor was a bit rude, she hesitated, then blushed and said,
"You... you too. Good luck!"
"Heh, with your encouragement, I have to win now."
Xiao Yan teased, causing Dan Chen's face to flush even more.
Off to the side, Cao Ying, who had been glaring daggers at Xiao Yan, frowned unconsciously upon seeing this interaction.
"What a cute girl. I kinda want to bully her a little..."
That thought flashed through Xiao Yan's mind. At that moment, a Dou King guard approached him with a red tray.
Collecting himself, Xiao Yan picked up the brush and wrote five large characters on the slip of paper:
Xiao Yan: Emperor's Extreme Pill!
....