As more participants passed the first trial, they gathered in small groups across the wide square, each gaze sharp with caution. After all, every person here was now a competitor.
Around Liu Xi, however, was an empty space spanning several meters—a sign of respect for an 8th Tier Alchemist. None dared to draw too close.
But Liu Xi paid them no mind. Instead, his eyes gleamed with curiosity as he swept his gaze across the dense crowd. Finding no familiar faces, he didn't bother looking further.
There was no need. Within his Spiritual Perception, he had already sensed two distinct Heavenly Flame auras. One deep and devouring, as though it could swallow everything; the other chilling, like eternal frost.
'Mu Gu and Xiao Yan… both are here.'
It had been years since their paths last crossed. Liu Xi wondered idly how Xiao Yan had fared. But he was no longer the same man he once was. His perspective of the Dou Qi Continent had changed completely.
He now possessed five Heavenly Flames—while Xiao Yan's fate and fortune, once blessed, had long been stolen by his own hand. Rising again would be nearly impossible for Xiao Yan. Thus, Liu Xi no longer regarded him as a rival.
Unless the man came knocking at his door, Liu Xi had no reason to care. His eyes were now fixed on higher targets—the eight Ancient Imperial Clans, and the true hand controlling the continent: Hun Tiandi.
He had already grasped the true nature of this world. If he could completely fuse all twenty-two Heavenly Flames, he wouldn't just form an "Emperor Flame." He would become the only Dou Di of the Dou Qi Continent.
'I will stand unmatched beneath the heavens!'
Still… there was that Bone Chilling Flame within Xiao Yan. That one, he'd have to reclaim sooner or later.
Just then, Elder Liao opened his eyes, awakening from his half-doze. His weary voice spread clearly through every ear present:
"The time has come. All who have passed the first trial, come forward and collect from me a task scroll, a map of the Pill Realm, and a Spatial Stone."
"On your task scroll is a list of the medicinal ingredients you must find. Only by collecting them all and bringing them safely to the exit will you pass the second round."
"The map marks both the Pill Realm's exit and the locations of the key ingredients. Once you've gathered all required herbs, proceed directly there."
"As for the Spatial Stone—it's your last resort. If you face mortal danger, crush it, and you'll be automatically transported out of the Pill Realm."
"But remember—doing so forfeits your qualification to continue. Understood?"
As he spoke, Elder Liao's dull eyes suddenly gleamed like lightning, stabbing straight into the souls of the gathered alchemists. That brief flicker of power reminded everyone just how terrifying this seemingly frail old man truly was.
"The Pill Realm, due to its ruin, is filled with violent energy unsuitable for long-term human survival," he continued. "You have ten days. Whether or not you succeed, you must reach the exit before that time is up."
Once he saw understanding reflected in their faces, Elder Liao retracted his gaze and slumped lazily again.
"Also—though the Pill Realm overflows with rare herbs, it is equally filled with powerful magical beasts. This is no leisurely outing. Danger will follow your every step. If you wish to withdraw, now is your last chance."
"The Pill Gathering has never been a gentle contest. Only those who have survived blood and flame deserve to seize the highest crown and earn the world's reverence."
Those unworthy had already been filtered out by the first trial. Those remaining were not weaklings—they each held their own trump cards. Instead of fear, their eyes burned with excitement.
Alchemists were seekers of both fame and fortune, after all.
"Since everyone understands, you may now come forward to receive your scroll, map, and Spatial Stone. Prepare to enter the Pill Realm."
With that, Elder Liao fell silent. Everything that needed to be said had been said. The Pill Realm was no place of safety; every Pill Gathering claimed lives that never returned.
But choices had to be made—and everyone must face the consequences of their own.
Though the Pill Realm was not vast—roughly two or three times the size of Holy Pill City—it was large enough that searching for ingredients would not be easy. Knowing this, Liu Xi remained seated, unhurried.
He simply watched as the impatient ones rushed forward to claim their materials. The notion of "getting a head start" didn't interest him. After all, whoever dared to snatch his ingredients wouldn't live long enough to use them.
Gradually, the number of alchemists on the square dwindled. Eventually, only Cao Ying, Song Qing, and their gathered followers remained before they too stepped up to Elder Liao.
Before entering the Pill Realm, Cao Ying shot Liu Xi one last glare—still sulking from his earlier rejection.
Liu Xi smiled faintly and said nothing. With his strength, he had no need for dead weight.
When the square was nearly empty, Liu Xi finally rose and strolled leisurely toward Elder Liao. Accepting the task scroll, map, and Spatial Stone, he stored them casually into his ring and turned toward the spatial passage.
The warped air ahead surged with terrifying fluctuations. Even though the space had long since fractured, it still radiated the boundless might of a Dou Saint.
Taking one calm step forward, Liu Xi entered. A momentary sensation of weightlessness struck him—then faded as quickly as it came.
When he opened his eyes again, he stood upon the air itself, surveying the unfamiliar world around him.
It was a barren plain, its soil dry and ochre, with only scattered patches of green offering faint traces of life.
Far away, small magical beasts darted across the land, kicking up trails of yellow dust before vanishing into the horizon.
Raising a hand, Liu Xi grasped at the air. His palm filled with wild, unstable energy—violent, raw, and ancient.
"So this is the power of a Dou Saint… capable of creating an entire space with divine might. I've only just reached 1-Star Dou Zun—still a long road ahead."
He sighed softly, then retrieved the scroll and map.
"Moonshadow Flower, Firecloud Vine, Millennium Earthfire Bloom… tsk, quite the collection of rare treasures. The Pill Tower really knows how to make things difficult."
Rolling up the scroll, he unfolded the map. It was remarkably detailed, with several major herb zones circled in red.
"The Ten Thousand Medicinal Mountain Range… largest area, richest flora. I'll start there. If I find nothing useful, I'll move on."
Comparing the landscape around him to the map's markings, Liu Xi quickly identified the direction of the mountain range. With a single step, ripples spread through the air—each stride spanning more than ten meters.
At the same time, his Spiritual Power surged from his brow like a tidal wave, sweeping outward in every direction until it enveloped the entire area within a thousand meters.
Within that vast range, nothing—be it human, beast, or herb—could escape Liu Xi's perception.
With such overwhelming power at his disposal, it would've been wasteful not to use it.
(End of Chapter)
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