127: Junior brother, that's the competition area, you've gone to the wrong place!

Quite a few geniuses from other regions of the Human Race had also arrived—the Purple Cloud Divine Palace, the Star Holy Land, the Great Yin Dynasty... there were also many familiar faces.

People like Xie Lingfeng and Lei Jianming, who knew nothing about Alchemy, had actually come too, though they were mainly here to observe and lend support, not to compete.

But what drew Lu Yu's attention the most was a group of people on the other side of the square, all wearing identical white robes with a nine-story pagoda emblem embroidered on their chests.

They were numerous, numbering in the dozens, each with a steady demeanor, sharp eyes, a rich and pure medicinal fragrance about them, and none were weak in cultivation.

Even the Disciples of the Fentian Sacred Valley subconsciously maintained a certain distance from the area they occupied, their gazes holding a mix of reverence and complexity.

The Pill Tower.

Once the supreme Holy Land of the Dao of Alchemy in the Cloud Heaven Realm, although now overshadowed by the Fentian Sacred Valley, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse—their foundation was unfathomably deep.

Within the Pagoda, Nine-Rank Alchemists and Mahayana Stage powerholders presided, their influence spread across the Seven Domains, and they even had dealings with some factions from the Demon and Yao Domains.

The Pill Tower was strict in accepting Disciples, refusing those with poor character, which resulted in a relatively pure membership, most of whom pursued the Dao of Alchemy as their lifelong goal.

Lu Yu's gaze swept over the Pill Tower contingent, quickly locking onto a young man in black standing at the edge.

Xiao Yan.

Today, he had changed into a relatively neat black martial attire. He was still alone, seemingly also maintaining a distance from the other, slightly haughty members of the Pill Tower.

His head was slightly lowered, his expression unclear, but his posture was upright. Compared to the solitary, hurried figure he had encountered in the city before, he now seemed more composed and reserved.

Through the System, Lu Yu could vaguely sense that the weak yet vast Soul fluctuation within the ring on his finger seemed more active today.

A Pill Tower member, Xiao Yan.

It seemed his Alchemy Emperor teacher had some connection to the Pill Tower as well.

Just as Lu Yu was observing, a long, resonant bell toll suddenly echoed from above the square.

Hmmmm—!

The bell's reverberation drowned out all the clamor.

On the high platform at the front of the square, several figures materialized out of thin air.

At their head was an old man wearing crimson-gold Daoist robes, with an ancient, unadorned face and white hair and beard. He wasn't deliberately releasing his aura, but standing there, he seemed to merge with the entire square's earth-fire Spiritual Veins, giving off a feeling of unfathomable depth, profound as an abyss, vast as the sea.

The Fentian Sacred Lord!

His gaze swept gently over the entire assembly. His voice wasn't loud, yet it clearly rang in everyone's ears:

"Welcome, Fellow Daoists, for traveling from afar to participate in this Alchemy Convention of my Fentian Sacred Valley."

"The path of the Dao of Alchemy is vast and boundless. This convention aims for mutual exchange and verification. All those under a hundred years of age, with Alchemy skills reaching the Fourth Rank or above, may participate. Background is irrelevant; only Alchemy skill matters!"

As his words fell, enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted across the venue.

The Fentian Sacred Lord raised his hand, pressing down lightly, and continued, "The convention is divided into three rounds. The first round: Material Identification and Purification. The second round: Prescription Formulation and Pill Completion. The third round: Free Expression, competing for the championship! The rules will be explained in detail by our Valley Elders shortly. Now, all participants, please enter the arena!"

As his words ended, countless intersecting lines of array patterns lit up on the massive crimson crystal ground at the center of the square.

Independent pill-refining areas, separated by transparent light barriers, slowly rose—hundreds of them!

The young Alchemists, who had long been eager to test their skills, rose one after another, transforming into streaks of light as they flew towards their assigned areas.

Yan Linger moved with lotus-like steps, her figure drifting gracefully down to land in one of the foremost areas.

Ghost Hand gave a sinister chuckle, transforming into a wisp of black smoke that vanished into his area.

The handsome men and beautiful women of the Azure Luan Clan and the Fire Fox Clan also made their elegant entrance.

The Pill Tower members, however, were unhurried and composed as they descended.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, clenched his fist, and also walked towards his assigned spot.

Lu Yu saw Lin Xiaoyou's paper human clone pass by him, saying in a soft, delicate voice, "Junior Martial Brother, I'm going."

With that, Lin Xiaoyou drifted towards an area in the corner.

Although it was a paper human clone refining pills, it was no different from Lin Xiaoyou herself being present. Many people hadn't even realized that this Lin Xiaoyou was still just a paper human clone.

Lin Xiaoyou's current cultivation was at the Soul Transformation Perfection stage. Although her personal cultivation hadn't reached the Void Return Stage, her Alchemy skill had already surpassed her cultivation level, reaching the Sixth Rank first!

Moreover, Lin Xiaoyou was currently only forty-one years old, naturally qualifying for this competition.

Watching Lin Xiaoyou's retreating figure, as her Fifth Senior Sister, Li Miaoer stood up to cheer her on!

"Go, Junior Sister! With you taking action, first place is sure to be within your grasp!"

The others agreed with Li Miaoer's words. Although Lin Xiaoyou wasn't very famous within the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Sect—many hadn't even heard of her—and was even less known in the outside world.

But Lin Xiaoyou's own Alchemy skill and her innate talent were exceptionally top-tier!

Her lack of fame was simply because Lin Xiaoyou disliked the limelight and didn't care for renown, preferring to hole up in her own home all day long.

Staying at home so much she was practically growing mold!

Those who knew Lin Xiaoyou were all filled with confidence in her.

Several of the Pill Peak's Alchemy Prodigies from the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Sect also followed closely behind Lin Xiaoyou towards the competition grounds.

But when Lu Yu also stood up, straightened his robes, and started walking towards the stage, the people beside him all froze in unison.

"Junior Martial Brother?"

Li Miaoer was the first to cry out, grabbing his sleeve, her tone full of shock and suspicion, her expression utterly bewildered.

"Where are you going? That's the participant area, you're going the wrong way!"

Liu Yunshu also looked over in confusion.

Luo Qingxue blinked her ice-blue eyes, a flicker of surprise passing through them.

Even Yan Lingluo, who had been resting with her eyes closed, lifted her eyelids, her crimson pupils glancing at him sideways.

Lu Yu stopped, turned back, and grinned at them, revealing a row of white teeth, his eyes sparkling with eagerness. "I'm not going the wrong way. I'm going to have some fun."

Have some fun? Fun with what? Alchemy?!

Li Miaoer's mouth formed a perfect 'O'.

Even Liu Yunshu's gentle face was full of bewilderment.

Luo Qingxue even frowned slightly.

Having spent so much time with Lu Yu, they knew he was formidable in the sword Dao, had a powerful Physical Body, and possessed Heaven-Defying Luck, but they had never heard that he could also practice Alchemy!

This thing couldn't be mastered by talent and brute strength alone. It required a vast accumulation of knowledge, countless hours of tedious practice, and unique flame control.

"Lu Yu, when did you learn Alchemy?"

Liu Yunshu asked softly, her tone pure concern and puzzlement.

The others had the same question in their hearts at that moment. Lu Yu had practically grown up under the watchful eyes of Li Miaoer and the other close ones. Whether he could practice Alchemy or not—how could they not know?

Lu Yu winked mysteriously. "Learned it in secret. Don't worry, just watch my performance!"

"I'll definitely bring back first place for our Heavenly Evolution Immortal Sect!"

Having said that, he delayed no longer, gently freed his sleeve from Li Miaoer's grasp, and with a flicker of his figure, drifted down to an unassigned, vacant pill-refining area on the square below.

His posture was tall and proud, his confidence in Alchemy overflowing!