Under the blazing noonday sun, the sky above Jia Ma Sacred City suddenly changed.
Clouds surged and twisted as two enormous dragons—one blue, one green—materialized from mist and energy, their roars shaking heaven and earth. The radiance of the sun itself dimmed before their struggle, the sheer spectacle leaving all who witnessed it trembling in awe.
The entire capital boiled with noise and confusion. Jia Ma Sacred City, the heart of the empire, was home to countless experts and nobles, yet even the most worldly of them gaped in disbelief at this terrifying heavenly phenomenon.
Deep within the imperial palace, in a quiet courtyard, an old man in coarse linen robes stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Though his aura was perfectly restrained, a vast, oppressive presence lingered about him. His sharp eyes were fixed upon the sky where the twin dragons twisted. His gaunt, weathered face flickered with astonishment.
"This… this level of heaven-and-earth phenomenon," he muttered. "It can only appear when a 6th Tier or higher pill is born. Could it be Gu He refining? No… that's coming from the direction of the Alchemist Association. Don't tell me… Fa Ma has finally broken through to the 6th Tier? But how could there have been no sign at all?"
As he spoke, hurried footsteps sounded outside. A middle-aged emperor wearing a dragon robe entered, followed by a retinue of royal guards. He stopped at the courtyard gate and bowed deeply.
"Ancestor," he said respectfully, "how should the royal family respond to this heavenly phenomenon?"
The old man's tone was low but firm. "No matter who this 6th Tier Alchemist is, the royal family must not offend them. Send word to the treasury—prepare a generous gift. I'll personally investigate the matter."
His voice faded along with his figure, vanishing into thin air.
Across the Jia Ma Sacred City, in several great estates, powerful figures emerged one after another, each gazing toward the heavens with somber faces and undisguised shock.
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The Alchemist Association
Within the Association, every alchemist stared at the swirling celestial phenomenon, faces—young and old alike—lit with feverish excitement.
For true alchemists, the act of refining was their faith, their way to glimpse the Dao. To witness the birth of a 6th Tier Pill with their own eyes was a blessing akin to enlightenment.
Elder Xuan Hao was already weeping openly. The boy he'd once taught now stood as a master capable of refining a 6th Tier Pill. His own disciple had finally brought glory to his name.
Hai Bodong, by contrast, remained composed. He had seen a similar sight once before in Desert City when Liu Xi refined the Breaking Adversity Pill, though this time the spectacle was far grander.
Lu Man's heart, however, was racing. 'To think the man I follow possesses such astonishing mastery… how wise I was not to cross him that day.' Her lips curved slightly. 'If I can strengthen ties with him now, I'll have secured a true treasure.'
As for Qing Lin, she didn't fully understand what a 6th Tier Alchemist represented—but seeing the brilliance in Liu Xi's eyes and the reverence around him, admiration filled her small heart.
'Young Master is amazing… truly amazing!' she thought proudly.
Liu Xi, meanwhile, stood quietly before the cauldron, watching the Dou Ling Pill slowly emerge from the flame. He ignored the commotion in the sky. 'It's not like lightning's going to strike me,' he mused.
'With this pill, and the Earth Fire Lotus Seed I still have, I should be able to advance to a 4-Star Dou Wang. Cultivating step by step really is too slow. Good thing I have pills.'
Outside the Association, the streets were already packed. Thousands of cultivators had gathered, drawn by the heavenly sign. None dared approach too closely—the strongest among them were mere Da Dou Shi compared to the mighty figures who guarded the Association. They could only look on in reverence.
Then, a streak of light cut through the sky.
A linen-robed old man descended gracefully before the Association's gates, Dou Qi wings spreading behind him. His landing was followed by several more figures descending one after another—each radiating power.
The true rulers of Jia Ma Empire had arrived.
The leader, a smiling, smooth-faced elder, cupped his hands toward the linen-robed man. "Elder Jia, you've come as well!"
The man addressed as Elder Jia was none other than Jia Xingtian, the royal family's guardian and one of the empire's strongest experts.
Without turning, he replied evenly, "A 6th Tier Pill has been born within my Sacred City. Naturally, I've come to pay my respects—and see who has achieved such a feat."
"Elder Jia!"
"Elder Jia!"
The others followed with respectful greetings.
Inside, President Fa Ma's brows furrowed slightly. He had already sensed the arrival of one Dou Huang and three Dou Wangs outside the hall. Under normal circumstances, he would have gone to greet them, but this was the most critical moment of the pill's formation. He couldn't risk leaving.
Just then, Lu Man's melodic voice broke the tension. "I'll handle it."
A faint smile touched her lips. 'Perfect chance to make a good impression—and keep trouble away from Master.'
With that, her figure vanished. A surge of cold Dou Qi swept through the air as her full Dou Huang strength burst forth.
Hai Bodong sighed, rising from his seat. "Forget it. I'd better go too—before she actually starts a fight. I'll use the chance to say hello to a few old friends."
---
Outside the Association, Lu Man appeared in a flash of light. Facing the four approaching powerhouses and the vast crowd beyond, she unleashed her aura without hesitation. The overwhelming might of a Dou Huang rolled out like a storm, freezing the air itself.
"Today, my master is refining a pill," she said coolly, her voice melodic yet sharp with authority. "Until the pill is complete, no one may enter."
Shock flashed across the eyes of Jia Xingtian and the three Dou Wangs behind him.
"A Dou Huang… guarding a 'master'? Just who is this alchemist inside?"
None dared act rashly. The unknown strength behind such protection was enough to give even the royal guardian pause.
Then Hai Bodong's familiar voice echoed lazily from above.
"Still alive, are you, old Jia?"
Jia Xingtian froze, blinking in disbelief. His gaze sharpened. "Hai Bodong… the Ice Emperor? You're not dead?"
The one who reacted most strongly, however, was Miteer Tengshan of the Miteer Clan. His voice trembled as he stepped forward. "Senior Hai… you're alive! The heavens truly favor us!"
Hai Bodong smirked. "What, disappointed I didn't die, Tengshan?"
"N-no, of course not!" the man stammered.
"Hmph. Anyway," Hai Bodong said, folding his arms, "just wait. Once my little friend finishes refining, I'll introduce you properly."
As his words faded, the dragons above began to dissolve into motes of light. Inside the hall, Liu Xi lifted his hand.
With a flick of his wrist, the newly-formed pill shot out of the cauldron and landed neatly in his palm, glowing with a faint azure light and radiating heat.
Fa Ma, Qie Mi'er, and the other elders hurried forward. All eyes locked on the pill—its surface smooth, marked with delicate pill patterns. The faint fragrance carried immense vitality.
Fa Ma's voice quivered. "Yes… there's no doubt. A true 6th Tier Pill—the Dou Ling Pill."
He swallowed hard, then asked hesitantly, "May I… touch it?"
Liu Xi smiled faintly. "Of course."
He handed the pill over without hesitation.
Fa Ma accepted it reverently, examining it for a long moment. Then, a decision crystallized in his mind.
Turning to face the gathered crowd, he raised his voice solemnly.
"From this moment forward—Liu Xi shall serve as the Grand Elder of the Alchemist Association. His position stands above even my own!"
The entire hall erupted in uproar.
Liu Xi blinked, momentarily stunned. 'Wait… I only agreed to hold an honorary title. How did I suddenly become the Grand Elder?!'
(End of Chapter)
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