Behind the void portal, there is a winding blue stone staircase, with lush trees on both sides, casting large patches of green shade on the steps.
Looking deeper along the staircase, the outlines of buildings appear faintly, and the wind carries faint human voices.
Lin Xiu stanstood ds in front of the steps.
Beside him, Xin Lan is negotiating with a disciple wearing the attire of Burning Flame Valley.
She is holding a jade tablet with the Pill Realm Ye family insignia carved on it.
"Go ahead, follow this staircase all the way in, and you will eventually see the reception hall. Do not stray along the way," the Burning Flame Valley disciple advises before handing a jade tablet to Xin Lan.
She thanked him and took the jade tablet, hanging it at her waist.
"Elder Lin, it's all set. Let's go."
Xin Lan came to Lin Xiu's side.
Upon hearing this, Lin Xiu nodded slightly and smiled, "Thank you for your trouble."
"You're too polite, Elder Lin."
Xin Lan gave a gentle smile.
The two walked side by side along the staircase.
"Elder Lin, did you come to Burning Flame Valley because of something arranged by the Academy?"
On the way, Xin Lan turned her head to glance at him with a curious expression.
In her impression, Elder Lin mostly stayed in the Academy for closed-door cultivation. The first time he went out, he dealt with forces like Eight Gates and Han Feng. The second time, he went to Misty Cloud Sect.
People said that each time Elder Lin returned with substantial gains and never came back empty-handed.
"I'm just taking a casual stroll."
Lin Xiu smiled, "Burning Flame Valley happens to have something I need, so I thought I'd try to borrow it."
He paused, then tilted his head and asked, "And you? Why did you come to Burning Flame Valley?"
"My family has recently encountered trouble and needs to find a powerful alchemist."
Xin Lan is from the Ye family of Pill City. In its early days, the Ye family held a seat among the elders of Pill Tower, but later lost it due to some reasons. Over the years, the Ye family has been seeking opportunities to regain that elder position.
The master of Burning Flame Valley regularly hosts alchemy gatherings, inviting many powerful alchemists.
"Actually, I originally planned to find Xiao Yan, but after he left the Academy, he never returned."
Xin Lan sighed softly, and a look of worry appeared on her face.
After all, the cost to hire a Sixth Grade or even Seventh Grade alchemist is not small. If she could find a classmate from the Academy, the cost might be lower.
"Is your family near Pill Tower?"
Hearing her mention Xiao Yan, Lin Xiu suddenly had some recollection of her.
It wasn't from the Academy but from the plot he had seen himself.
"Yes, Elder Lin, how did you know?"
Xin Lan seemed surprised.
"I've heard a little. It's said that Three Thousand Burning Flame is sealed within Pill Tower. Is that true?"
Lin Xiu asked.
"Wow, you know about that too?"
Xin Lan's eyes were filled with surprise. It wasn't that Elder Lin came from a small city in Jia Ma Empire; he seemed quite familiar with the Central Plains.
"Is it difficult to obtain the Three Thousand Burning Flame? I mean, if I wanted to take it, what conditions would be required?"
Lin Xiu trusted his own strength but wanted to gather information and make some preparations in advance. Being prepared never hurts.
"Elder Lin, are you interested in the Three Thousand Burning Flame?"
Xin Lan's expression was a bit numb. Seeing that Lin Xiu looked serious and wasn't joking, she thought carefully and said, "Pill Tower doesn't care much about the Heavenly Flame; it's just worried about it causing harm to the city, so it's sealed it."
"Those who rank in the top ten of each alchemy conference have the opportunity to enter the Star Region and face it directly. Of course, seeing it is just the beginning; subduing it requires a lot more effort."
Top ten?
Lin Xiu murmured to himself, then nodded slightly, "I understand. Thank you for telling me."
"Elder Lin, are you also an alchemist?"
Xin Lan asked, puzzled.
At the Academy, it is well-known that Elder Lin is young. And being young means having less time, which would delay his cultivation, leaving him with limited time to study alchemy.
"Yes."
Lin Xiu did not deny it.
Xin Lan did not press further. If Elder Lin's alchemy skills were sufficient, he wouldn't be kept outside by Burning Flame Valley.
The master of the valley is constantly searching for alchemists. If disciples keep high-level alchemists out, does that mean they want to leave Burning Flame Valley?
They reached the end of the staircase and arrived at a valley's core, where a fiery red grand hall came into view first.
Many guards dressed in red stood outside the hall, their eyes continuously scanning the surroundings.
"Elder Lin, please follow me."
Xin Lan waved and led Lin Xiu to a side door.
The main entrance of the hall was closed, and only alchemists participating in the alchemy process were qualified to enter through it. Xin Lan was there using her family's identity to observe.
After passing through a corridor, Lin Xiu stood behind a window where he could see the entire scene inside the hall.
The grand and imposing hall was brightly lit by flames, and the light was clear.
The seats inside were all occupied by figures dressed in alchemist attire. Most of these people appeared to be of considerable age, as evident from their appearances.
Their expressions remained indifferent, and they did not converse with those around them, as if influenced by their surroundings.
"That elderly man with a slender figure—don't be fooled by his kind smile. He is actually Tang Zhen, the master of Burning Flame Valley."
Following Lin Xiu's gaze, Xin Lan saw an elderly man with red hair dressed in plain linen robes and introduced him to Lin Xiu.
She then looked at the woman in red beside the elder, "She is Tang Zhen's daughter, named Tang Huo'er."
Lin Xiu nodded slightly.
Perhaps sensing his lack of interest, Xin Lan did not continue with the introduction. Instead, her gaze shifted to the alchemists present, as if considering which of them might be worth inviting at a high cost.
Inside the hall.
Tang Zhen must have explained the rules earlier, so he simply opened his palm to reveal a flicker of flame.
Silver flames soared, within which nine silver fire dragons could be faintly seen weaving.
The first to step forward was an elderly man, whom the audience referred to as Master Hua.
The flames he controlled were a type of Beast Flame, and he was quickly defeated in just a few seconds of combat.
"It's a pity; this alchemist Hua Chen is also quite good. If his flame quality could improve a bit more, he wouldn't be without a chance of refining Seventh Grade Pills."
Xin Lan sighed and stopped paying attention to him.
Someone who couldn't even withstand Tang Zhen's flames clearly wasn't enough to help the family compete for the elder position at the alchemy conference.
Next, several more alchemists stepped forward, but none passed the test. This included the alchemist from the Chen family invited by Chi Huo.
As a Heavenly Flame, Nine Dragon Lightning Flame was extremely domineering. With its dragon souls having a deterrent effect, resisting it required not only one's own flames but also sufficient Soul Power.
"These people are really disappointing. Master Mo is a guest elder of Pill Tower. If we ask him for help, we'll definitely be faced with sky-high demands."
Xin Lan stamped her feet in frustration.
In the hall, Master Tang Zhen's expression was also unsightly, showing a trace of disappointment.
He sighed, "Thank you all for your efforts. Now, only Master Huan has passed the test, but what I need is two people…"
He looked at the elderly man, "Master Huan, I apologize for making you come in vain."
The pill to be refined this time had precious materials and was crucial to the safety of the girl, leaving no room for error.
Tang Zhen was preparing to dismiss the alchemists, noting that this time wasn't a complete loss. Next time, he would just need to find someone and invite Master Mo.
"Master Tang, I'd like to give it a try."
Suddenly, a calm voice rang out in the hall.
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