Battle Through the Heavens: Xiao Yan, I am your second master.

Xuan Kongzi smiled and said, "The most precious pill in this pill competition is the one with the most spiritual essence. Now, the most precious pill in this pill competition has been born, and its owner is the final champion of this pill competition. He is none other than Venerable Tianhe, Jiang Tianhe!"

As soon as Xuan Kongzi finished speaking, a deafening cheer resounded through the sky!

"Ah, Elder Jiang, you've won this time. I'll come back to learn from you again after a few more years of cultivation!" Xiao Li said, cupping his fists to Venerable Tianhe.

"Hey kid, your alchemy skills will probably be even more outrageous in a few years. What? You want to bully this old man?" Venerable Tianhe said speechlessly. This kid is quite the vengeful one.

Although Venerable Tianhe became the champion of this Pill Gathering, Xiao Li, who was the runner-up, has not been forgotten. He is the one who refined an eighth-grade four-color pill lightning with only the cultivation of a Dou Huang. His future is limitless! Many forces have already begun to consider winning him over.

High above the plaza, in the void,

"The little guy did quite well, eight grades and four colors. I probably couldn't have done that at my age back then."

An aged voice spoke to itself from the void.

Just to clarify, it's true that the Pill Tower Ancestor's true form was a pill. Before the Pill Tower expert who refined the Profound Pill died, a wisp of his soul entered the Profound Pill, and that's how the Pill Tower Ancestor was born. This Profound Pill can be considered an alternative rebirth of that Pill Tower expert.

Even the pills used by the patriarch of the Pill Tower are from that powerful figure in the Pill Tower, making the situation quite complex. Therefore, at the end, the patriarch of the Pill Tower is reminiscing about his creator, or you could say, his past.

Chapter 98: Danta Ancestor

"Venerable Tianhe, you have won the Pill Gathering championship and will become one of the candidates for future giants of the Pill Tower," Xuan Kongzi said with a smile.

"Furthermore, as the champion, as previously mentioned, you will receive a scroll of ancient soul cultivation techniques."

Xuan Kongzi raised his hand, and an ancient sheepskin scroll appeared in his palm. Then, with a flick of his wrist, the ancient scroll, accompanied by a beam of light, flashed toward Venerable Tianhe.

As soon as Xuan Kongzi said this, countless eyes turned to Venerable Tianhe. Some were envious, some were jealous, but most were envious. After all, Venerable Tianhe was powerful and his alchemy skills were so amazing that it was reasonable for him to become a candidate for the three giants of the Pill Tower.

Looking at the ancient scroll in his hand, Venerable Tianhe was secretly delighted. He had really made a fortune by participating in the Pill Gathering this time. First, his soul realm broke through to the middle stage of the Spirit Realm, and he also obtained a cultivation technique for cultivating the soul.

If Venerable Tianhe wants to continue improving his alchemy skills, he must enhance his soul power, and this soul cultivation technique is indispensable.

"The champion has been chosen. Do you remember what I said before? This time, the Dan Tower is launching a brand new reward. Anyone who can reach the top ten in the Dan Tournament will be eligible to enter."

Do you all know about the Three Thousand Burning Flames, ranked ninth on the Strange Flame Ranking? That's right, my Pill Tower possesses the Three Thousand Burning Flames, and it's currently unclaimed! Starting from this year, the top ten in the Pill Gathering can travel to the Star Domain to attempt to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flames.

Until the Three Thousand Burning Flames truly recognize their master, everyone will have an equal opportunity to participate; as long as you can become one of the top ten in the Pill Gathering, you will be eligible to participate!

Xuan Kongzi's words caused an uproar. No one expected the Pill Tower to have such a big surprise. There was actually an unclaimed strange fire, and it was even ranked in the top ten of the Strange Fire Ranking!

The Three Thousand Burning Flames, ranked ninth on the list of extraordinary flames, are purplish-black flames that do not originate from the earth but take shape in the starry sky, absorbing the power of the stars to sustain their existence. When they take shape, they cause the extraordinary phenomenon of silver fire falling from the sky and the indistinguishability of day and night.

Due to their unique birth environment, these extraordinary flames often possess extremely high intelligence and are difficult to capture. Those who subdue them will gain the "Three Thousand Stars Physique," enabling them to self-repair and strengthen themselves by absorbing the power of the stars.

The Three Thousand Burning Flames is known as an immortal strange flame. Not only is it incredibly powerful, but it also possesses such formidable characteristics that not only alchemists but also powerful figures across the continent desire to subdue it.

The top ten participants in this alchemy competition, except for Xiao Li, all wore expressions of joy. Venerable Tianhe, Chixiaozi, people from the alchemy world, and the Cao family were all exceptionally happy.

Strange Fire is a treasure for alchemists. The top ten alchemists all have a chance to try it out. I wonder who will win this rare treasure?

Xuan Kongzi sighed inwardly. This Three Thousand Burning Flames was becoming increasingly difficult to control. He should get rid of it as soon as possible. As long as it wasn't subdued by the Soul Palace, it was fine with anyone else.

Xuan Kongzi: "Two days later, the top ten participants in the Pill Gathering can go to the Pill Tower headquarters, and I will take you to the Star Domain."

. . . . . .

After nearly a month, the grandest alchemy gathering in Zhongzhou has come to an end. This alchemy gathering produced three grade eight pills, making it arguably the most prestigious alchemy gathering in recent years.

The name of Venerable Tianhe resounded throughout the Central Continent, but everyone still remembered the young man ranked second, the young man named Wang Li, who refined an eighth-grade pill with the cultivation of a Dou Huang!

Many powerful figures have begun to investigate the young man's background, but they know very little. All they know is that Wang Li is a student at Canaan Academy and was brought by Mang Tianchi.

Then it was discovered that Wang Li had a close relationship with Yin Gu and was suspected to be one of Yin Gu's core disciples.

music academy,

"Li'er, there are rumors outside that you are a core disciple of our Yin Valley. How about this, you go back to Yin Valley with your master's wife? With your master's wife's resources in Yin Valley, you can use them at will, and your position will be equivalent to that of the Grand Elder. How about that?"

Su Wanyin said with a smile that she really wanted to bring Xiao Li into the Sound Valley.

"Well, let's forget about that. I still have to go back to the Northwest Continent. But I'll think about it carefully. If I ever come to the Central Plains again, I hope my master's wife will take me in." Xiao Li doesn't want to join a major power for the time being; he needs to stay and oversee the Xiao family for a long time.

"I see. Anyway, the Sound Valley is always open for you. By the way, after you see your teacher, tell him to come to the Sound Valley to find me." Su Wanyin instructed Xiao Li on an important matter.

"Okay! I got it, kid."

Su Wanyin then left. The Pill Gathering had ended, and she should return to the valley to handle her affairs.

These days, Su Wanyin has been of great help to Xiao Li, giving him a prescription to enhance his soul power, an eighth-order medicine cauldron, and using the reputation of Yin Valley to promote him.

Xiao Li owed Su Wanyin a lot of favors. Xiao Li thought that after the Xiao family was stabilized, joining Yin Valley was not out of the question. At least among the public forces in Zhongzhou, Xiao Li was familiar with Yin Valley.

Xiao Li originally intended to give Su Wanyin the Grade 8 Tricolor Purple-Green Supreme Pill he obtained from Tianyuan City, but Su Wanyin refused.

Because this Grade 8, three-colored Purple-Azure Supreme Pill has little effect on Su Wanyin at this time, and can no longer help Su Wanyin improve her cultivation by one star, unless it is a Grade 8, four-colored Purple-Azure Supreme Pill, which might be possible.

The difference between eighth-grade pills is huge, and the difference between pills of the same color is the difference in medicinal power and spiritual energy.

Su Wanyin is currently a six-star Dou Zun. If she breaks through one more star, she will become a seven-star Dou Zun, which is a high-level Dou Zun. The energy required is extremely high. This grade eight, three-colored Purple-Azure Supreme Pill is useful, but it cannot help Su Wanyin break through one star again.

If it were someone like Tang Zhen, a four-star Dou Zun, he could use this eighth-grade, three-colored Purple-Azure Supreme Pill to break through to the first star.

Xiao Li will continue to reside in the Music Academy. After two days, he will go to the Star Domain to see the Three Thousand Burning Flames before leaving Saint Pill City.

Xiao Li gazed at the sky: "I wonder if Teacher has completed his Nirvana?"

Xiao Li looked at the strange starry sky of Saint Pill City and said, "The starry sky here is truly strange."

"Hehe, it is indeed strange, because that place is the Star Domain, where the Three Thousand Burning Flames are sealed."

An aged voice rang out, and Xiao Li felt a chill run down his spine. He turned around and saw an old man dressed in tattered hemp clothes standing behind him with a gentle smile on his face.

"You are? The old man from that day?" Xiao Li recognized the old man as the one he had bumped into that day.

"Hehe, I didn't expect you to still remember me. It is I." The old man's voice was unusually aged, as if he had lived through countless years.

"Greetings, senior. Are you a master from the Pill Tower?" Xiao Li asked the old man.

The old man nodded: "I do belong to the Pill Tower, but that's not important. I've been observing you since that day. You're quite good, and it's good that you have such a mindset. I hope you can continue to maintain it."

Xiao Li clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, senior. Wang Li understands."

At this moment, the old man smiled and said, "Are you sure your surname is Wang? Shouldn't your surname be Xiao?"

"Uh..." Xiao Li was immediately drenched in sweat. Since entering Zhongzhou, he had always called himself Wang Li. Except for a brief moment when he was exposed in Tianhuang City, he used the name Wang Li when he entered Shengdan City to register for the Pill Gathering.

"Hehe, no need to be nervous. This space has been sealed off by me, and that little Thunder Clan fellow can't find us."

"I never expected to see someone from the Xiao clan again after so many years, and someone so outstanding. I'm sure Xiao Xuan would be very pleased if he knew this in the afterlife," the old man said with a smile.

"Xiao Li of the Xiao Clan greets Senior." Xiao Li clasped his hands in a fist salute to the old man.

The old man nodded: "Yes. I have no name, or rather, I am not even human. People call me the Ancestor of the Pill Tower or the Old Monster of the Pill Tower. You can just call me Ancestor."

"Judging from your composure, you must know something about the Xiao clan's past. Since you know, focus on your cultivation. Before you reach the Dou Sheng level, don't delve into these matters; it's too dangerous."

Xiao Li was shocked. He never expected that the old man in front of him was the ninth-grade Xuan Dan ancestor of the Pill Tower, a six-star Dou Sheng!

Chapter 99 Bodhisattva

Xiao Li nodded. He knew about the Xiao clan, but he was still too weak to do anything right now.

"Junior understands."

The old patriarch of the Pill Tower looked at Xiao Li and said with a smile, "It's just that I felt emotional after seeing an old friend. Besides, you really do look like a young Xiao Xuan. Remember to change your appearance when you enter the Central Continent. It would be bad if the Soul Clan found out."

At this moment, Xiao Li was wearing a green robe. His appearance was not particularly handsome, but he had a special temperament. His black hair was tied in a single ponytail, and his pair of dark eyes were very deep.

"Thank you for your guidance, Ancestor," Xiao Li said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

"Well, this scroll of soul cultivation technique and this Bodhi incarnation saliva are for you. We are destined to meet, and as descendants of an old friend, we should help each other out."

An ancient scroll and a rough wooden box appeared in the hands of the Old Ancestor Danta.

"Is this a wooden box made from a branch that fell off the Bodhi ancient tree?" Xiao Li quickly noticed the rough wooden box in the hands of the Pill Tower Ancestor. The box looked rough but exuded a remarkable life force.

"Yes, this wooden box contains Bodhi Transformation Saliva. Bodhi Transformation Saliva is a treasure obtained from the ancient Bodhi tree. It can be consumed directly and has the effect of transforming the soul and improving the physique."

While it doesn't have the legendary power of Bodhicitta to instantly achieve sainthood, it's sufficient for your current needs and can even further enhance your potential.

The old ancestor Danta opened the wooden box, revealing a strange, viscous substance about the size of two fists, slightly greenish in color. It slowly wriggled and floated inside, like a mollusk. As it wriggled, layers of liquid surged, making it look like a living thing.

'Ugh~ It looks a bit disgusting.' Xiao Li got goosebumps looking at the Bodhi incarnation; it looked like a slug.

"How do we use this Bodhi Transformation Saliva?" Xiao Li asked.

The old ancestor of Danta suddenly smiled, grabbed at the void with one hand, and the Bodhi incarnation saliva rose into the air and then entered Xiao Li's mouth at an extremely fast speed.

"Woo~"

Before Xiao Li could even close his mouth, the saliva of this Bodhi incarnation, which resembled a slug, was forced inside him.

After the Bodhi Transformation Saliva entered his mouth, Xiao Li felt a sweet and fragrant taste. The Bodhi Transformation Saliva melted in his mouth and flowed down his throat. As the Bodhi Transformation Saliva gradually dissolved, a bead the size of a thumb appeared in Xiao Li's mouth.

Xiao Li took it out of his mouth, and in his hand was an extremely full emerald green bead.

"Oh? It's actually a Bodhi seed? It looks extremely pure; it can be used directly to refine Bodhi pills." The Pill Tower Ancestor hadn't expected that the Bodhi Transformation Saliva would yield such a harvest.

"Is this the Bodhi seed? Ancestor, would you like some? I've heard that Bodhi seeds can be used to refine Bodhi Pills, which can help even a peak Dou Zun expert advance to a Half-Saint."

Xiao Li wanted to give away the Bodhi seed, since the Bodhi incarnation saliva was given to him by someone else.

"No need. The Pill Tower isn't short of Bodhi seeds. This little thing is for you; it will be useful when you break through to the Half-Saint realm. You must hide it well, though, as this thing is enough to attract a group of peak Dou Zun experts," the Pill Tower patriarch instructed.

"Understood, thank you, Ancestor." Xiao Li clasped his hands in thanks again.

The Ancestor of the Pill Tower said, "Yes, there is also that soul cultivation technique called the Gathering Stars and Nourishing Soul Technique. It can use the power of stars to cultivate the soul. Do you still remember your incantation? It is the initial incantation of this Gathering Stars and Nourishing Soul Technique."

"So it was the Ancestor who guided me that day? Thank you for your guidance, Ancestor." Xiao Li never expected that his adventure in the Pill Tower was related to the Pill Tower Ancestor.

"It was just a casual remark. The key is that you have enough comprehension. Alright, I should be going now. You should carefully refine the medicinal power of this Bodhi Transformation Saliva. I look forward to you growing to the same level as me."

After the Old Ancestor of the Pill Tower finished speaking, he left, and Xiao Li didn't even see how the Old Ancestor of the Pill Tower left.

"Is this what a true powerhouse is? Impressive!"

Xiao Li then began to refine the energy of the Bodhi Transformation Saliva on the spot.

Mang Tianchi suddenly came out of the house. He had finished his wine and was about to get some more when he found Xiao Li cultivating in the courtyard again. Mang Tianchi glanced at him and left. After all, Xiao Li had been cultivating in the courtyard for most of the time recently, so he was used to it.

. . . . . .

Soul Palace,

"Is the news true?" A strange voice suddenly came.

"Reporting to the Vice Hall Master, according to the reports from my subordinates, the news is indeed true. The Pill Tower has announced that anyone who can secure a top-ten finish at the Pill Gathering will have the opportunity to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flames," said a strange, dark figure.

"Very well, I will inform the Palace Master of this matter. The Great Celestial Venerable told Mu Gu to hone his alchemy skills and participate in the next Pill Gathering. The Three Thousand Burning Flames! Our Soul Palace is determined to obtain this! Hehehe—"

. . . . . .

Two days later,

Xiao Li left the Music Academy and headed to the Pill Tower headquarters with Mang Tianchi. On the way, Xiao Li encountered Venerable Tianhe.

"Oh, young friend Wang Li, what a coincidence! You're probably the most unfortunate one to be heading to the Pill Tower headquarters and entering the star field this time," Venerable Tianhe said.

Xiao Li shook his head: "It's not the worst situation. Although we can't subdue it, we can at least take a look at the strange fire. It's good to gain some experience. Elder Jiang, are you planning to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flames?"

Venerable Tianhe pondered for a moment: "It would be best if I could subdue it, but if I can't, so be it. My Tianhe Flame is enough for me."

The two chatted as they walked toward the headquarters of the Pill Tower, discussing everything from different kinds of fire to alchemy and fire control.

Along the way, the two encountered many alchemists from the Pill Tower. When these alchemists saw Xiao Li and Venerable Tianhe, they all made way for them, and their eyes were filled with respect.

One of them is a veteran eighth-grade alchemist who even reached the fifth grade of eighth grade at the Pill Gathering. Even the elders of the Pill Tower rarely reach this level.

The other one was even more extraordinary. He was around twenty years old, definitely no more than thirty, and his cultivation was only at the Douhuang level, yet he was able to refine an eighth-grade four-color pill.

All of the above are reasons why these alchemists in the Pill Tower respect them. That's how the alchemist world is, especially in a holy land like the Pill Tower, where many alchemists are very pure and simply love making medicine.

Along the way, Xiao Li returned the greetings to the alchemists from the Pill Tower and other alchemists, since they all addressed him as Master Wang, so Xiao Li naturally had to respond.

Soon, Xiao Li and Venerable Tianhe arrived at the headquarters of the Pill Tower. Pill Tower staff had been waiting for them for some time. After seeing Xiao Li and Venerable Tianhe, they led them to the top of the Pill Tower.

The top of the Pill Tower is the office of the three giants of the Pill Tower. With the arrival of Xiao Li and Venerable Tianhe, all ten of the top ten in today's Pill Gathering have arrived.

At this moment, in addition to the contestants, the three giants of the Pill Tower, Xuan Kongzi, Tian Leizi, and Xuan Yi were also in the room.

"Hehe, the champion and runner-up have arrived." Xuan Kongzi said with a smile.

"Greetings to the three presidents," Xiao Li said, bowing with clasped hands.