170: Danhuang Square, a subtle fragrance wafts through the air.

Danhuang Square, located in the very center of Tianshu City, covered a vast area. It was paved with a type of warm, white jade and could accommodate hundreds of thousands of people without appearing crowded. At this moment, the square was a sea of people, with a deafening roar of voices. The air was filled with thousands of different pill and medicinal fragrances, so thick they were almost tangible.

Surrounding the square stood nine stone sculptures of Pill Furnaces, each with a different form and reaching a height of a hundred zhang. It was rumored that they were symbols of the nine ancient Alchemy Great Masters, radiating an ancient and majestic aura. In the center of the square was a giant, temporarily constructed yet still magnificent platform; this was the main stage for Alchemy competitions, lectures, and the announcement of major matters during the Myriad Elixirs Grand Gathering.

Lin Xuan and the four women followed the flow of people into the square. They did not squeeze into the most crowded central area, but instead chose a spot relatively close to the edge with a decent view to stop and observe.

The square was divided into several zones. There was the "Exhibition Zone" specifically for major Alchemy Sects and clans to showcase their heritage and set up stalls, where the dazzling array of Medicinal Pills, Pill Formulas, and Spirit Medicine was overwhelming. There was the "Free Market" provided for Loose Cultivators or small factions to trade freely; it was a mixed bag, but one could often find unexpected treasures. There was also an area shrouded in a Formation with a solemn atmosphere; that was the "Alchemy Competition Zone" where the upcoming Alchemy competition would be held.

"So many people..." Gongsun Yu exclaimed softly, looking at the shoulder-to-shoulder scene before her. She stayed close to Lin Xuan's side, her small hand unconsciously clutching the corner of Lin Xuan's robe, as if afraid of being separated by the crowd.

Su Wanqing scanned the entire venue with cold eyes, her Divine Sense acting like invisible tentacles, cautiously probing the surroundings. She could feel several Divine Senses no weaker than the Nascent Soul stage interweaving and colliding above the square; clearly, the big shots from all sides were watching in secret. She also keenly captured a few strands of Divine Sense belonging to Heavenly Frost City, carrying an icy, sinister aura, slithering through the crowd like poisonous snakes, seemingly searching for something.

Qu Feiyan appeared quite relaxed. She held onto Lin Xuan's other arm, her charming eyes curiously examining the displayed Medicinal Pills and Spirit Medicine. Occasionally, when she saw something strange, she would comment in a low voice, her warm breath brushing past Lin Xuan's ear intentionally or unintentionally. "Junior Brother, look at the 'Seven Orifices Exquisite Pill' exhibited by the 'Hundred Herb Hall'. It's blown out of proportion, but it's just a clever trick, flashy and without substance." Her voice was not loud, but it carried the certainty of an expert.

Lin Xuan nodded slightly. His attention was focused more on places that might provide clues about the phoenix blood vine or nirvana flower, especially the areas where the Medicine King Sect and the rumored Daoist Master Miao Dan might appear.

Just then, a magnificent bell chime rang out from the high platform in the center of the square, suppressing the noise of the entire venue. An old man wearing a Seven-Star Daoist robe, with white hair and a youthful face, and an aura as deep as the sea, walked slowly onto the platform. His gaze was calm but carried a convincing majesty.

"It's Elder Qixuan of the Pill Emperor Sect! A powerhouse at the Late Nascent Soul Stage! I didn't expect him to personally host the opening of this grand gathering!" A knowledgeable Cultivator exclaimed in a low voice.

The Pill Emperor Sect was the leader of the Eastern Region's Alchemy world, and its strength and heritage were unfathomable.

Elder Qixuan's voice was gentle, yet it clearly spread throughout the entire square: "Fellow Daoists, welcome to Tianshu City to participate in this Myriad Elixirs Grand Gathering. The path of Alchemy is vast and boundless, aiming to save lives and explore immortality... I hope everyone will exchange what you have, hone your skills, and promote the Dao of Alchemy here..."

After a concise and dignified opening, Elder Qixuan announced the official start of the grand gathering and gave a general introduction to the schedule for the next few days, including the youth Alchemy competition tomorrow, the lecture by the Alchemy Great Master the day after, and the auction of rare treasures that might appear on the last day.

With the start of the grand gathering, the atmosphere in the square became even more enthusiastic.

Lin Xuan took the four women to browse the Exhibition Zone first. The Medicine King Sect's booth was quite impressive, displaying several types of rare Grade 5 and Grade 6 Medicinal Pills, attracting many onlookers. However, their Core Disciples and Elders were arrogant, and when asked about news of Grade 7 divine medicines like the phoenix blood vine or nirvana flower, they were either tight-lipped or directly stated they didn't have any.

"It seems the hope of getting the main medicine directly from the Medicine King Sect is slim," Su Wanqing said softly.

Lin Xuan was not surprised. If such divine medicines could be obtained easily, it would be strange instead.

They turned to the Free Market. It was even more chaotic here, with shouting and arguing everywhere. Various "Ancient Pill Formulas" of dubious authenticity and "divine medicines" of unknown origin could be seen everywhere, requiring extremely sharp eyes to discern.

Yun Shang's Star Spirit Body played a role at this moment; her sensitivity to the aura of spiritual items far exceeded that of ordinary people. At an inconspicuous stall set up by a down-and-out old Cultivator, she sensed an extremely faint, scorching aura that faintly resonated with the piece of phoenix blood vine root on Lin Xuan.

"Senior Brother Lin, look at that." Yun Shang quietly tugged at Lin Xuan's sleeve, pointing to a pitch-black, inconspicuous lump of wood on the stall that looked like charcoal.

Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed, and the System scanned it instantly.

【 Item detected: Phoenix Perching Wood Core (Damaged) covered by foul aura. It contains pure Wood Spirit Qi and a faint Phoenix remnant, which can be used as a top-grade auxiliary material to stabilize the medicinal properties of the nirvana phoenix blood pill, with a value far exceeding the Lightning-Struck Phoenix Perching Wood. 】

Another top-grade auxiliary material! And it was perfectly covered by some foul aura; if not for Yun Shang's special spirit body, it would have been impossible to discover!

Lin Xuan walked to the stall calmly, picked up an ordinary Magical Artifact next to it, and asked, "Fellow Daoist, how do you sell this?"

The down-and-out old Cultivator lifted his eyelids and said listlessly, "One hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

Lin Xuan paid the Spirit Stones, picked up the Magical Artifact, and then pointed at the black wood lump as if unintentionally: "How much for this fire poker? It looks quite sturdy."

The old Cultivator didn't even look and waved his hand: "Throw-in, it's yours."

Lin Xuan was secretly delighted, but his expression remained calm as he collected the "fire poker" as well. This trip to the Free Market could be considered an unexpected gain.

Just as they were about to leave the Free Market, a commotion ahead caught their attention.

Several young Cultivators in luxurious clothing with arrogant expressions were surrounding a stall. The leader was a young man in brocade clothes holding a folding fan with an arrogant face. He was berating the stall owner—a female Cultivator with a beautiful face but a timid expression:

"Situ Mingyue! It is your blessing that this Young Master has taken a fancy to your 'Ice Heart Snow Lotus'! Ten Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, are you selling or not?"

It was the Young Master Liu who wanted to force a purchase of Gongsun Yu's Lightning-Struck Phoenix Perching Wood in front of the Treasure Pavilion before! And the female Cultivator being troubled by him was precisely Situ Mingyue, who had sold the Lightning-Struck Phoenix Perching Wood to Lin Xuan!

At this moment, Situ Mingyue was tightly holding a spiritual flower with a snow-white body and crystal-clear petals in her arms; it was the Grade 5 Spirit Medicine Ice Heart Snow Lotus. Her face was pale, and she shook her head stubbornly: "Young Master Liu, this item is urgently needed for my brother to heal his injuries, I cannot sell it..."

"Toasting but not eating fine wine!" Young Master Liu's face sank, his folding fan snapped shut, and he winked at his followers behind him, "Get it for me!"

Seeing that the followers were about to forcefully rob it, although the surrounding crowd was indignant, no one dared to step forward. The Liu family was considered a power in Tianshu City, and no one wanted to provoke them easily.

Just then, a calm voice sounded:

"For this Ice Heart Snow Lotus, I offer one thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones."

Lin Xuan walked out of the crowd slowly, looking at Young Master Liu with a calm gaze.

Young Master Liu turned his head when he heard the voice. Seeing Lin Xuan, he was stunned for a moment, then an extremely wonderful expression appeared on his face—first astonishment, then disbelief, and finally it turned into thick resentment and a trace of fear! He recognized Lin Xuan! It was this guy who made him lose all face in front of the Treasure Pavilion!

"It's you again!" Young Master Liu gritted his teeth, pointing at Lin Xuan, "Are you determined to go against this Young Master?!"

Lin Xuan couldn't be bothered to talk nonsense with him, directly took out a Spirit Stone bag, and said to Situ Mingyue: "Miss Situ, this is one thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. I will buy this Ice Heart Snow Lotus."

Seeing Lin Xuan, Situ Mingyue felt like she had seen a savior. Tears welled up in her eyes instantly, and she nodded quickly: "Thank you, Young Master! Thank you, Young Master!" She took the Spirit Stones, handed the Ice Heart Snow Lotus to Lin Xuan, and then quickly disappeared into the crowd without looking back.

Watching Lin Xuan complete the transaction right in front of him, Young Master Liu was trembling with anger, his face turning blue. He stared at Lin Xuan, his eyes full of murderous intent, but seemingly wary of the city rules during the grand gathering, as well as Lin Xuan's unfathomable strength (he still didn't know Lin Xuan's true cultivation, but being able to spend a fortune at the auction meant he was definitely not ordinary), he finally didn't dare to make a move on the spot.

"Good! Very good! Lin Fan! This Young Master remembers you! Let's wait and see!" Young Master Liu dropped a harsh threat and left dejectedly with his followers.

The surrounding crowd looked at Lin Xuan, discussing heatedly; some admired his righteous action, while others worried about him causing trouble with the Liu family.

Qu Feiyan walked to Lin Xuan's side, her charming eyes sweeping over the direction where Young Master Liu disappeared, and sneered: "What a persistent fly." She took the Ice Heart Snow Lotus from Lin Xuan's hand, looked at it, and said, "The quality is not bad. It can be used to refine some calming pills for Little Sister Yu, which will help her recovery."

Hearing this, Gongsun Yu felt moved, and her gaze towards Lin Xuan became even softer.

Su Wanqing frowned slightly and said in a low voice: "Another local bully provoked. Although not to be feared, it may cause trouble, so we need to be more careful."

Lin Xuan nodded and handed the Ice Heart Snow Lotus to Qu Feiyan for safekeeping. He didn't care about the Liu family's revenge, just felt that this Situ Mingyue seemed to have bad luck and always encountered trouble.

After this interlude, the five of them lost the mood to continue wandering, so they prepared to return to the Listening to Bamboo Pavilion.

However, just as they were about to walk out of the square, Lin Xuan's footsteps paused slightly, and his sharp gaze swept toward a shadow at the edge of the square. Just now, he clearly felt a Divine Sense full of malice and greed, like a poisonous thorn, lingering on him for a moment. Its intensity far exceeded that of Young Master Liu, and was even no weaker than the Nascent Soul Elder of Heavenly Frost City!

That Divine Sense flashed and disappeared, as if it had never appeared.

"It seems that those watching us are not just Heavenly Frost City and the Liu family." Lin Xuan sneered in his heart, but his expression remained calm, and he led the four women to leave Danhuang Square calmly.

The first day of the grand gathering passed in apparent calm, but with undercurrents surging. And the real storm was perhaps quietly gathering in a corner that no one noticed.