Support me at patreon for 500+ advanced chapters :
patreon.com/YaoIk
**
At this point, Ye Zhong thought of those precious medicinal ingredients he hadn't managed to gather over the past few days.
Then, turning his gaze toward Lin Feng, he said, "Of course, when contestants enter the Pill Realm to search for materials, even if they collect some ingredients for themselves, the Pill Tower generally won't interfere."
Hearing this, Lin Feng nodded lightly.
He naturally understood what the elder meant—Ye Zhong was subtly telling him to take advantage of the Pill Realm to collect all the materials needed for the Heaven-Defying Spirit Pill.
Even though Lin Feng had already decided to refine the Bodhisattva Pill, he still planned to gather enough materials for the Heaven-Defying Spirit Pill when he entered the Pill Realm.
That way, if he happened to fail in refining the Bodhisattva Pill during the competition, he could still switch to refining the Heaven-Defying Spirit Pill instead of being forced to make a lower-tier pill.
"Oh right, once inside the Pill Realm, the Pill Tower usually won't intervene in anything that happens. So, as long as things are done quietly enough, no one will know.
Therefore, Lin Feng, you must keep a close eye on Xin Lan once you enter. Her strength is still weak—she might not be able to handle some of the stronger alchemists."
As Ye Zhong spoke, concern flashed in his eyes as he glanced toward his granddaughter. Although he was deeply worried, he didn't stop Ye Xin Lan from participating.
After all, the Pill Gathering's selection was indeed harsh, but the reality of the Dou Qi Continent was far crueler than any competition. If one didn't even have the courage to face a trial like this, surviving in such a world would be impossible in the future.
"Elder Ye, don't worry.Xin Lan is my wife—I'll protect her."
Lin Feng nodded firmly, his tone resolute. After all, Xin Lan was his wife. Even without Ye Zhong's reminder, he would go all out to ensure her safety.
As for Xin Lan, upon hearing his words, her delicate face blossomed with a sweet and blissful smile. Then she slipped into Lin Feng's arms, her delicate nose twitching slightly as she quietly breathed in his familiar scent.
Boom!
At that very moment, a deep, resonant bell echoed through heaven and earth. The sound rolled across the vast plaza, and even the deafening chatter of tens of thousands of contestants was instantly suppressed.
The immense crowd fell silent.
Everyone's gaze turned toward the eastern side of the plaza—toward a towering stone platform shaped like a spire. That was where the high-ranking members of the Pill Tower would appear.
Moments after the bell's echo faded, faint sounds of the wind breaking suddenly swept across the sky. The space above the stone platform twisted and distorted. Then, more than ten figures slowly emerged into view before the crowd.
The instant they appeared, the previously noisy plaza fell completely silent.
Lin Feng's eyes quickly swept over the newcomers. He didn't recognize most of them, but after being in the Pill Tower for so long, he had learned enough to make out their identities from their robes.
They were elders from the outer divisions of the Pill Tower. But among those elders stood three particular figures—his enemies—the Pill Tower Three Leaders!
Lin Feng might have wanted nothing more than to kill the three of them and refine their souls, but their reputations on the Central Plains were legendary.
For most alchemists, the Three Leaders were like mythical beings—figures they could only hear about, never see. Now, seeing them appear in person made the entire crowd feel as though they were dreaming.
In that instant, countless gazes filled with awe and reverence focused on the three figures standing proudly upon the high platform.
"Hehe, I am Xuan Kongzi, Leader of the Pill Tower. On behalf of the Pill Tower, I welcome all alchemists who have gathered here today!"
The white-haired Xuan Kongzi stepped forward, his warm, calm voice echoing clearly in everyone's ears. As soon as he spoke, the vast square fell completely silent, not even a whisper to be heard.
Seeing this, Xuan Kongzi nodded slightly and continued with a faint smile, "All of you have traveled thousands of miles to come to the Holy Pill City for the sake of this grand Pill Gathering. Since that is the case, I won't waste any more of your time."
"This year's Pill Gathering will, as always, be divided into three stages. The first trial is called the Soul Fantasy Realm."
Afterward, what Xuan Kongzi said was almost identical to what Ye Zhong had mentioned earlier.
It was obvious that this format had been used by the Pill Tower for a long time, becoming the traditional structure of the Pill Gathering throughout the generations.
"As long as you pass these three rounds of selection, the final victor will become the champion of this year's Pill Gathering!"
After speaking, Xuan Kongzi looked toward the sea of people below, which rippled slightly at the mention of the word "champion," before he smiled faintly and said, "As usual, the champion of this year's event will receive the qualification to become a candidate for one of the Pill Tower's Three Leaders."
"However, the reward this time is especially excellent for those alchemists who lack means to strengthen their soul power. It is an ancient soul cultivation technique of Low-Grade Earth Class!"
"Wow!"
The moment Xuan Kongzi's words fell, an uproar erupted from the densely packed crowd below.
Countless alchemists who understood the value of a soul cultivation technique suddenly had their eyes turn blood-red. After all, every stage of soul power was vastly different from the previous one.
Each subsequent realm had an overwhelming advantage over the one before it. But the price of that advancement was extremely high — raising one's soul level even by a single stage required an immense price.
Thus, the chance of breakthrough was exceedingly small. However, if they could obtain that ancient soul cultivation technique. Then the possibility of a breakthrough would increase exponentially!
To any alchemist aware of its existence, that soul cultivation method was something of irresistible temptation! Even Lin Feng's eyes brightened slightly when he heard the words "Low-Grade Earth Class soul cultivation technique."
Although he already possessed a cultivation technique of similar level, such ancient methods were nearly extinct.
Even among the Ancient Clans, they were extremely rare. From this alone, it was clear how precious and uncommon this item was. Even if he didn't need it himself, keeping it as a collection for his small family would be a great treasure!
At that moment, Xuan Kongzi on the high platform suddenly looked up at the sky. When he saw that the time was right, he gently waved his sleeve. An invisible wave spread out instantly, colliding with the gray void above.
In the next instant, a deep, resonant chime echoed once again through heaven and earth.
"The time has come. All contestants of fifth-tier and above, enter the first round of the Pill Gathering — the Soul Fantasy Realm!"
-------------------------------------------------------------
Support me at patreon for 500+ advanced chapters :
patreon.com/YaoIk