The Eternal Saint of Alchemy

Master Guyuan stood between nine stone pillars, holding a bamboo scroll in his hand, his gaze slowly sweeping over the crowd.

"The rules for the second exam are very simple." His voice wasn't loud, but it was clear to everyone: "The Nine Dragon Cauldrons will be used in turn to refine the pills. Successfully refining a Grade 3 pill is acceptable. There are no restrictions on type; please bring your own materials. Failure to refine will result in immediate elimination."

Upon hearing this, a collective gasp of astonishment rippled through the surrounding area.

A Grade 3 pill! And it was a success on the first try!

Although everyone present was a prodigy in alchemy selected from various regions, refining a third-grade pill was far more difficult than refining a second-grade pill. Mastering the heat, the proportions of the medicinal ingredients, and controlling the spiritual energy—any mistake in any of these steps would render the entire effort futile.

Most importantly, although the Nine Dragons Cauldron can adjust its temperature on its own, it is difficult for first-time users to adapt to its rhythm, and it may even have the opposite effect.

"Who wants to go first?" Master Gu Yuan looked at everyone present.

"I'll do it!"

A handsome young man dressed in a fiery red robe strode out, his brows furrowed with arrogance.

"My name is Zhao Wuyan, from the Zhao family!"

Xiao Fan raised an eyebrow. The Zhao family? Could they be Zhao Wuji's brothers?

Zhao Wuyan walked towards the Nine Dragon Cauldron and calmly took out one medicinal herb after another, placing them on the table. Crimson Flame Grass, Fire Spirit Fruit, Earth Core Fire Lotus, and Blood Coagulation Vine were all fire-attribute spiritual herbs, clearly indicating that he intended to refine a grade three fire-attribute pill.

He placed his hands on the Nine Dragons Cauldron, and as spiritual energy was injected, the nine dragon-shaped reliefs gradually lit up, emitting a faint red glow.

Inside the alchemy furnace, medicinal herbs were thrown in one by one, flames roared, and the temperature suddenly rose.

"He's got some skills," Xiao Fan thought to himself.

It must be said that Zhao Wuyan's alchemy skills were indeed very sophisticated, and he had an excellent grasp of the heat. In just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a rich medicinal aroma wafted out of the furnace.

"It's done!"

Zhao Wuyan opened the furnace lid, and saw three bright red pills fly out and float in the air, with faint flame patterns flowing on them.

Master Gu Yuan walked over, looked at it carefully, and nodded.

Zhao Wuyan looked smug, his gaze towards Xiao Fan filled with provocation.

Xiao Fan didn't take it to heart and waited quietly.

Su Jin was the second.

Although this guy is arrogant, he does have real skills. This time, he refined a Grade 3 Condensation Pill. Although its quality is not as good as the Blazing Sun Pill refined by Zhao Wuyan, it is still above average and passes the test.

Next, more than ten people went up on stage; some succeeded, and some failed. Out of more than fifty people, only a dozen or so passed the second round of interviews.

It wasn't until the afternoon that it was Xiao Fan's turn.

He stepped forward, not rushing to administer the medicine, but gently stroking the Nine Dragons Cauldron with his hand, feeling the spiritual energy within.

The runes and patterns on the Nine Dragon Cauldron are different from those on ordinary alchemy furnaces. Each rune has its own specific rhythm, and only under this rhythm can it exert its greatest power.

He closed his eyes and concentrated, letting a wisp of true essence penetrate his body and resonate with the spiritual energy within the alchemy furnace.

A moment later, he opened his eyes and a smile appeared on his lips.

right here.

"Xiao Fan, let's get started," Gu Yuan instructed.

Xiao Fan calmly took out the medicinal herbs.

The medicinal materials he used were different from others—in addition to the main ingredients required for grade three pills, there were several seemingly unrelated materials: a piece of dead wood, a piece of ore whose nature was unknown, and a handful of grayish-white powder.

The crowd looked at each other, puzzled.

Su Jin frowned and said, "Why do we need these things? Alchemy is different from weapon crafting; what's the point of needing ores?"

Zhao Wuyan gave a cold laugh: "Just making a show of it."

Ignoring the surrounding chatter, Xiao Fan placed the medicinal herbs one by one into the Nine Dragons Cauldron.

The withered wood was put into the furnace, turning into a wisp of green smoke that blended with the medicinal liquid.

The ore was melted into liquid by the high temperature and fused with the medicinal liquid. Ashes were sprinkled on the furnace, emitting a blinding white light.

Xiao Fan placed his hands on the cauldron, continuously pouring his true essence into it. One by one, the nine dragon-shaped reliefs lit up, turning from red to gold, shining brightly.

A rich, unfamiliar medicinal fragrance wafted from the cauldron, filling the entire plaza. Everyone took a deep breath, feeling completely refreshed, and even their spiritual energy became more active.

Two full hours passed before the lid of the cauldron opened automatically.

A bright green pill flew out of the furnace and hovered in mid-air. Nine pill patterns intertwined and outlined a dragon-shaped pattern.

"Nine-Turn Dragon-Shaped Cinnabar Pattern!"

A gasp of surprise rang out from the crowd.

Nine-fold Danwen is already a mark of a high-grade elixir. Dragon-shaped Danwen is even more remarkable. Legend has it that only elixirs that surpass the third grade, or even approach the fourth grade, have the potential to develop dragon patterns!

Master Gu Yuan hurriedly stepped forward and picked up the pill with trembling hands.

"This is... Dragon Pattern Jade Pill, top-grade third rank! Not only can it repair meridians, but it can also raise one level of cultivation!" He looked at Xiao Fan in disbelief.

"I was lucky," Xiao Fan said with a smile, wiping away his sweat.

Gu Yuan looked at him, his eyes filled with surprise, admiration, and a subtle, complex emotion.

"Xiao Fan, you've passed the second round." He took a deep breath and said loudly.

The audience erupted in uproar.

Su Jin was dumbfounded, Zhao Wuyan turned ashen-faced, and the other examinees were filled with shock and envy.

Xiao Fan clasped his hands in a salute, then stepped aside without saying another word.

Suddenly, a dazzling golden light shot up from the ninth floor of the Pill Tower, soaring into the sky and reaching the heavens.

Everyone turned to look, and saw the runes on the top of the tower flashing wildly, emitting a buzzing shriek.

Gu Yuan's expression changed, and he asked, "What happened?"

As they were speaking, a middle-aged man in white flew out of the tower and landed anxiously on the square.

"Senior! The seal has loosened!"

Master Gu Yuan dropped the bamboo slip he was holding: "A Soul-Devouring Beast?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Fan's pupils contracted slightly.

Soul-devouring beasts? Soul-devouring beasts were also imprisoned in the Pill Tower?

The image of the black, eyeless beast with its gaping maw flashed through his mind in the Netherworld Mountain Range.

"Hurry up! Everyone get out of the plaza!" Gu Yuan shouted, and at the same time, he made a hand seal, and a golden light shot towards the top of the tower.

But it was too late.

A crack suddenly appeared on the ninth floor of the Pill Tower, from which a large amount of black energy surged out and condensed into an enormous head, which was none other than the Soul Devouring Beast!

This Soul-Devouring Beast was even larger than the one in the Netherworld Mountains, and the evil aura emanating from it sent shivers down one's spine.

"roar-"

The Soul-Devouring Beast opened its mouth and let out a piercing shriek.