Ch. 1112 - The First Half Ends, Alchemical Methods

When the group arrived at the central plaza, it was already packed with people.

The entire Brahma City had gathered, crowding the place until not even a drop of water could pass through.

Fortunately, since the Demon Faction was one of the hosts, they had their own reserved seating.

As Xu Zimo walked in, he noticed that many were already seated.

Part of the audience consisted of elders from the Alchemy God Tower.

Another part was from Buddha Faction, and to his surprise, seated at the very front of the Buddha Faction’s section was a young man, appearing very much like the leader.

There were also a number of renowned alchemists from the Azure Frontier who had been invited.

On the plaza, more than a thousand alchemists were preparing to refine pills.

The fragrance of pills filled the air, pill flames burned toward the heavens, and pill furnaces shook the ground.

“These are all the highest-level alchemists of the younger generation in the Mortal Ascension Heaven. You should watch closely,” Progenitor Thousand-Slaughters said.

“Not bad,” Xu Zimo nodded.

The alchemists refined skillfully, though each had different techniques.

“That one is Alchemy Sovereign Violet Sun. The Violet Sun Pill Refinement Method he created has been the most famous in recent years. For pills under grade six, it practically doubles the efficiency. And that one, Alchemy Sovereign Black-Slaughter, he uses the Heaven-Slaughter Pill Refinement Method. It was created ten thousand years ago by Progenitor Black-Slaughter, who gathered countless strands of fiendish energy. This method uses that energy to expel all impurities from the pill, guaranteeing a 100% chance of producing the highest grade.”

Progenitor Thousand-Slaughters explained one by one to Xu Zimo.

In truth, he was also trying to emphasize the importance of pill refinement methods. This competition was not something one could approach recklessly, as Xu Zimo had done before.

The Demon Faction would send three representatives to compete.

Xu Zimo was only one of them. Before long, the other two arrived.

A man and a woman, their appearances somewhat alike.

After Progenitor Thousand-Slaughters introduced them, Xu Zimo learned they were twins.

The man was Wang Yuan, the woman Wang Yi.

Both were alchemists the Demon Faction had cultivated over the years specifically for the Myriad Alchemy Gathering.

“The three of you must work together to seize victory for our Demon Faction,” Progenitor Thousand-Slaughters instructed.

“Rest assured, Elder, we will give it our all,” Wang Yuan swore earnestly.

“Do not underestimate the opposition,” Progenitor Thousand-Slaughters warned.

At that moment in the central plaza, pill refinement was reaching its final stages. One after another, pills began to be formed.

Though each person’s techniques varied, the Grand Dao is one; ultimately, all produced pills.

The only difference was in their grade.

Every pill refinement method was meant to refine better, higher-quality pills with greater ease.

…………

While Progenitor Thousand-Slaughters was speaking with them, a young man slowly approached from not far away.

Behind him was a little girl, still clutching a candied hawthorn stick in her hand, as if she could never put it down.

The young man’s demeanor was like a spring breeze, gentle and kind.

He wore a tight-fitting black robe. His eyes were deep and pitch black.

On the chest of his robe was the emblem of a pagoda.

“That’s Green Cloud,” Progenitor Thousand-Slaughters whispered.

“The so-called most renowned disciple of the Alchemy God Tower’s younger generation?” Xu Zimo asked.

“Exactly,” Progenitor Thousand-Slaughters nodded.

Green Cloud first greeted several of the Alchemy God Tower’s elders. Then, unexpectedly, he walked directly toward Xu Zimo.

“Daoist Xu,” Green Cloud greeted him.

“We know each other?” Xu Zimo asked curiously.

“Yesterday, in the central plaza, I saw you refining pills,” Green Cloud said with a smile. “After returning, I pondered your method again and again, yet could not see through its mysteries. So I came to ask for guidance. May I know what method that was?”

“Right now we’re opponents,” Xu Zimo reminded him.

“It’s merely an exchange about alchemy. Is victory or defeat so important?” Green Cloud smiled.

“Not to me. But ask Progenitor Thousand-Slaughters whether he thinks it’s important,” Xu Zimo chuckled.

Progenitor Thousand-Slaughters’s face darkened slightly. He said coldly, “The competition is about to begin. Please return to Buddha Faction’s side. Otherwise it doesn’t look good.”

“Very well, very well,” Green Cloud smiled, shaking his head. “After I defeat you, then we’ll discuss.”

As Green Cloud walked away, Progenitor Thousand-Slaughters snorted coldly.

The first half of the competition had ended.

Each alchemist displayed the pills they had refined.

Elders of the Alchemy God Tower examined them one by one.

About ten minutes later, the top three were chosen.

First place was a young man named Mo Yongyuan.

He refined a grade-seven pill, the only grade-seven pill present, so naturally he took first place.

Second place went to a woman named Yin Lihua, who refined a grade-six pill with six Dao Runes. The same as Zhang Heng, who also produced six Dao Runes.

But hers was a Primal-Ancient Cloud Pill, more complex than Zhang Heng’s Five-Divinity Resonance Pill, so she claimed second place.

…………

“So the second half of the competition is just us six?” Xu Zimo asked.

“Others may still participate, but their results won’t count,” Progenitor Thousand-Slaughters replied.

“This is the internal contest between the Demon and Buddha sects.”

The so-called Alchemy Sage gave a long speech on stage. He then awarded prizes to the top three. After that, it was time for the Buddha and Demon factions.

The Realm Lord of Brahma Monarch God Realm, Brahma Wenzhang, also made his appearance at this moment.

He wore a black-and-gold robe, his face calm as he strode confidently onto the stage.

He too gave a speech.

But those familiar with the Brahma Monarch God Realm knew, the sect’s real strength lay with the Buddha and Demon branches. As for the Realm Lord, his authority wasn’t as high.

Many matters weren’t even his to decide.

…………

“Thousand-Slaughters, looks like you won’t stand a chance this year,” Ghost Buddha chuckled.

“Wait and see,” Progenitor Thousand-Slaughters snorted.

“The Alchemy God Tower’s people aren’t invincible. The world is full of talents.”

“Thousand-Slaughters, you’re just fooling yourself,” Ghost Buddha sneered.

With a wave of his hand, three disciples walked toward the center of the plaza.

Jiang Tu, Zhuo Yiyang, and Green Cloud.

The crowd erupted in discussion.

“Buddha Faction’s lineup this year is really strong.”

“Indeed. Forget Green Cloud for now, even Jiang Tu was once a prized disciple nurtured by the Demon Faction. But he defected at the last moment, putting the Demon Faction under great pressure.”

“And who knows how far Green Cloud has grown by now? I remember thirteen years ago, he challenged the thirty-six floors of the Alchemy God Tower and was undefeated. Later, he traveled across mountains and rivers, challenging alchemists everywhere, and never lost once. Now, thirteen years later, he’s rarely been seen refining pills in public. This may be the first time.”

The crowd buzzed with discussion, most of it praise for Green Cloud.

As for the others, they were overshadowed, little more than background to him.

Some even started gambling on the outcome.

Green Cloud’s odds were one to thirty, yet almost no one bet against him.

When the Demon Faction’s side, Xu Zimo and the twins, stepped forward, the entire venue grew noticeably quieter.

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