Liu Ling, Princess Yao Yue, and others noticed that a direct confrontation was already brewing between Xiao Jietian and Yan Li. As the first and second place finishers in the first round, and also the two strongest dark horses, everyone stopped what they were doing to watch them.
They wanted to see where the problem in this assessment lay, because they had all failed once. Another failure would mean leaving the venue in regret.
Xiao Jietian pondered for a moment, then lowered his head to tidy the table. He put everything away except for a single purple Thick Earth Ganoderma, which he left in the very center of the table.
Noticing Xiao Jietian's action, some quick-witted alchemists instantly understood the issue and cast grateful glances his way. They then quickly re-ignited their cauldrons and began refining again. Even Liu Ling, who was usually at odds with Xiao Jietian, did the same.
...
After the hourglass ran out, Xiao Jietian scanned the arena, seeing that only about a hundred people remained.
What a terrifying elimination rate. After two rounds, only so few were left.
Afterward, just like in the first round, the elixirs were tested for their efficacy. Among them, about ten people who had cheated were also eliminated.
In the rankings for elixir efficacy, Xiao Jietian was first, Xiao Yan second, and Yan Li third.
By the time the assessment and testing were complete, dusk had already fallen, and the surrounding streetlamps began to glow.
"Everyone, tomorrow is the final of the Alchemist Convention. The championship will be decided then. Do not be absent, or you will regret it for a lifetime."
"The universe is undecided; you and I are both dark horses."
Fa Ma laughed heartily, then left the VIP section.
Everyone also gathered their belongings and walked out of the square.
Xiao Jietian arrived outside the square, where Ya Fei and the other two were waiting at the entrance.
Seeing Xiao Jietian emerge, the three of them, disregarding the onlookers, threw themselves directly into his arms.
"Xiao Jietian (Little Brother Xiao Zhitian, Young Master), you are truly amazing! First place in both rounds of the assessment—that's really incredible!"
Feeling their heartfelt joy, Xiao Jietian couldn't help but reveal a satisfied smile.
"Alright, so many people are watching. I'll give you all plenty of hugs when we get back."
"Who cares about that?"
Ya Fei and the two girls, their faces slightly flushed, left Xiao Jietian's embrace and stood beside him, staking their claim.
Seeing this scene, many young men and women clutched their chests, looking heartbroken, while other men had "tears of envy" streaming from the corners of their mouths.
On the other side, Xiao Yan was also detained by Nalan Yanran and Yao Ye for conversation.
Afterward, Yao Ye invited Xiao Jietian and the others to a celebration banquet, but he politely declined.
He cupped his hands to Yao Ye and the others, then took Ya Fei and the two girls away from the square to return to the Mittel family.
Xiao Yan also wanted to follow but was entangled by Nalan Yanran and Yao Ye, unable to break free.
...
That night, the three Dou Huangs of the Jia Ma Empire acted as eavesdroppers and clearly identified the gray-robed man: Yan Li, the Vice President of the Izumo Empire's Alchemist Guild, a middle-aged man who had used a facial transformation pill.
Even Master Fa Ma had to admit that he wasn't playing fair.
During this period, the three also made a move against Yan Li, who destroyed all of his remaining recovery elixirs.
After some threats, the three Dou Huangs left and retreated. If word got out, they might even become famous in a single battle, but the grass on their graves would certainly grow tall.
The three Dou Huangs returned to Fa Ma's office. The three old men talked for about ten minutes, and Fa Ma gritted his teeth, deciding to take out some good items to sponsor the competition.
"Old Ice, please help me invite Little Friend Xiao Jietian over. I have something to discuss with him."
Hai Bodong understood his intention, nodded, and used his Dou Qi to form wings, flying towards the Mittel family. The communication stone wasn't convenient to use in front of the other two, especially Jia Xingtian, as this item was of even greater importance to their empire.
It was a strategic-level material. This item could even change the overall operational efficiency of a nation.
He searched around but couldn't find Xiao Jietian, and the communication stone also received no reply. He guessed that Xiao Jietian might have returned to the Eternal Heaven World.
Finally, he only found Xiao Yan through the communication stone and then swiftly flew towards the Alchemist Guild, carrying him along.
Xiao Yan's mind was still in a daze. After receiving a message on his communication stone, he had just finished reading it. The message said the Alchemist Guild had something good to give him.
Before he could even ask what it was, Hai Bodong had already burst in, picked him up, and flown him all the way to the Alchemist Guild.
"Where is Little Friend Xiao Jietian?"
Fa Ma looked at Hai Bodong in confusion and asked.
"I can't find that kid. He's probably enjoying himself somewhere in the Eternal Heaven World. You can only find him when he wants to be found; don't even think about it at other times."
Hai Bodong shrugged and said helplessly.
Fa Ma looked at Xiao Yan before him. Knowing that his strength was also very good—even capable of suppressing Yan Li—his heart relaxed quite a bit.
"Little Friend Yan Xiao, I apologize for the abrupt disturbance. Please bear with me."
Fa Ma said with a smile to Xiao Yan, who was still processing what Hai Bodong had told him on the way.
"It's nothing. I hadn't rested yet anyway."
Considering that there was something good for him, Xiao Yan modestly cupped his hands.
...
At this moment, the Xiao Jietian they were discussing was currently enjoying an enthusiastic "sparring session" with the two women.
Ya Fei and the other woman's earlier whispers, after a mutual agreement to "go all out," finally began their combat sparring.
The three of them sparred with such intensity that the world turned upside down, and fragments of exotic clothing were scattered everywhere.
...
"Don't worry about him. Xiao Jietian has many trump cards," Hai Bodong said with a smile, seeing Fa Ma lost in thought.
If Xiao Jietian knew Fa Ma was looking for him, he wouldn't care. Looking for him was nothing more than to give him a pill formula. He had a pill book and was not lacking in formulas. The Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill was not something he was particularly suited to refine. It would be better to give it to Xiao Yan and then have Xiao Yan refine it for him.
He had helped him so much; it was time for him to show his worth.
"In that case, so be it."
Fa Ma knew Hai Bodong was very familiar with Xiao Jietian, so he could only temporarily trust his words.
"Elder Fa, this is...?" Xiao Yan looked at Fa Ma and Hai Bodong with a puzzled expression.
"You two chat. I have nothing to do, so I'll head back first." Hai Bodong directly used his Dou Qi to form wings and left Fa Ma's office on the highest floor of the Alchemist Guild.
"Sit down and talk."
Xiao Yan found a chair and sat down properly.
"The reason I called you here this time concerns the championship of this Alchemist Convention."
Fa Ma stroked his beard and said in a deep tone.
He then first explained to Xiao Yan the existence of Yan Li, as well as his identity information and strength.
"Tomorrow's competition will be a free-for-all. Contestants must provide their own formulas, medicinal ingredients, and everything else."
Fa Ma dropped another bombshell.
"D*mn it!"
Xiao Yan's jaw hung open. This was a completely unexpected situation. He guessed that when this rule was announced tomorrow, most people would be furious. This entirely depended on one's background, the strength of one's collection, and luck.
It was very difficult for ordinary grassroots alchemists, without extraordinary fortunate encounters, to break through under such a rule set.
Without a truly immense opportunity, how could one possibly overturn the accumulation of effort from well-established aristocratic families spanning hundreds of years?
The two talked for a while, and Fa Ma gave Xiao Yan a black scroll, which was the formula for the Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill.
The value of this formula was even greater than many fifth-grade formulas.
Finally, under Fa Ma's gaze, Xiao Yan read the scroll one last time.
After reading, Xiao Yan took three sets of medicinal ingredients and bid farewell to Fa Ma.
...
In the Eternal Heaven World, Xiao Jietian, looking at the two unconscious women, got up and went to the table.
"Xiao Yan must have gotten the formula by now."
Xiao Jietian took out his communication stone, saw the messages inside, and roughly guessed everything.
"Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill, that's a good item, but I've also prepared the elixir for tomorrow."
"It's no problem to surpass the Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill."
Xiao Jietian's lips curved into a confident smile.
He had prepared the medicinal ingredients for the elixir he intended to refine for this convention a long time ago.
If it were just for himself, he might not have taken this out.
It was only because Xiao Yan displayed the ability to control two types of flames in today's assessment that he was willing to reveal it.
He himself did not possess two types of flames.
Whether this formula was in Xiao Jietian's hands or Xiao Yan's hands, there wasn't much difference; it was still the Xiao family's property.
While he was at it, he inventoried his own items. A drop of purple liquid appeared in his hand. This drop of liquid was precisely the hidden item within the Violet Royal Ganoderma that Xiao Jietian had bought in the Alchemist Guild's treasure hunting area earlier.
This drop of liquid was called Purple Heart Liquid, one of the main medicinal ingredients for the Marrow Cleansing Pill.
"It's still too difficult to gather all the medicinal ingredients within the Jia Ma Empire."
A faint sigh echoed in the room.