Chapter 342: Public Alchemy
Medusa and the others weren't surprised, as Xiao Ze had already made his intentions clear earlier. Xiao Yi Xian hesitated and then said, "Now that the Sky Alliance has just swept through the Black Corner Region and many strong figures have joined, shouldn't we rest and recuperate first? Otherwise, it might be easy for them to harbor other intentions."
Xiao Ze thought for a moment. Indeed, it was possible, as these new and powerful allies had just joined and were immediately thrown into intense warfare. It was natural for them to think that the Sky Alliance might treat them as expendable. "In that case, let's do something to make them feel that joining the Sky Alliance was the right choice, and that we don't see them as cannon fodder!"
A sudden idea came to Xiao Ze, and he smiled, saying, "Resting would take too long, why not hold a public commendation instead!"
"Commendation?" Qing Lin asked, puzzled.
"Do you mean," Xiao Yi Xian quickly caught on, "to reward those who contributed during the unification war in the Black Corner Region, to show them that the Sky Alliance clearly rewards and punishes?"
"Exactly," Xiao Ze nodded at Xiao Yi Xian.
"So, shall we take some medicinal pills from the Sky Alliance's stock to reward them?" Medusa remembered the massive amount of treasures and medicinal ingredients they had collected during the war. Even as a former queen of the Serpent Empire, the sheer volume of treasures they had found in the Black Corner Region was astounding.
"No, this time I plan to perform public alchemy, right in Sky Alliance City," Xiao Ze said with a smile. "This will be a good opportunity to showcase my alchemy skills and attract other alchemists to join the Sky Alliance."
"Exactly, a public demonstration of your alchemy could dispel all doubts about you and also attract more alchemists to join the Sky Alliance. After all, an organization as large as the Sky Alliance can't rely solely on you for alchemy," Xiao Yi Xian added eagerly, outlining the many benefits of public alchemy.
"Public alchemy, followed by an award ceremony... The attractiveness of the Sky Alliance will probably skyrocket. As the news spreads, more and more people will want to join the Sky Alliance!" Medusa also chimed in.
Qing Lin looked at Xiao Ze with admiration, "Young Master Xiao Ze, you are truly amazing. A public alchemy demonstration will not only increase the cohesion within the Sky Alliance but also bring many other benefits."
"Alright, I didn't realize before how good you are at flattery," Xiao Ze chuckled as he patted Qing Lin on the head, smiling at Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa. "If there are no objections, then let's start preparing. We'll hold the public alchemy tomorrow in the central square of Sky Alliance City!"
The three women nodded and left together to organize the public alchemy event. Soon after, a bombshell news spread rapidly through the entire Sky Alliance City: The leader of the Sky Alliance was going to perform public alchemy!
There had been rumors before that the leader of the Sky Alliance was an eighth-grade alchemy master, and many had joined the Sky Alliance because of this. In the Northwest Continent, unlike the Central Plains, the vast majority of people might never witness an eighth-grade alchemist in their lifetime.
Now, an eighth-grade alchemist was planning to perform alchemy publicly! For those who heard the news, it was incredibly enticing. Although there had been some skepticism, when they saw the construction of a platform in the center of Sky Alliance City, any doubts were dispelled, replaced by unparalleled anticipation.
They were eager to see how an eighth-grade alchemy master practiced his craft. Such an event, even alchemists in Sky Alliance City who had been merely observing were stirred, each filled with anticipation and desire.
Seeing a high-level alchemist at work was extremely beneficial for lower-level alchemists. Even Xiao Yan from Canaan City had heard that Xiao Ze was going to perform public alchemy and rushed over. His own alchemy skills still had some way to go before reaching the master level, so witnessing his younger brother's alchemy would be highly beneficial.
The next day.
The central square of Sky Alliance City was packed with people. If not for the Sky Alliance staff maintaining order, an accident might have already occurred. Besides the platform that had been erected in a single day, some members of the Sky Alliance who had made meritorious contributions during the unification of the Black Corner Region were also present.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the space above the platform twisted and four figures stepped out. Their presence swept across the central square like a storm, instantly quieting the noisy crowd.
Xiao Ze stood at the forefront, dressed in the alchemist uniform of the Pill Tower, the Pill Tower badge on his chest gleaming in the sunlight, making him look distinguished and imposing. The three women behind him, usually the center of attention, now seemed like mere backdrops, highlighting Xiao Ze's presence even more.
Countless eyes were focused on Xiao Ze. With a slight smile, he took out the Spirit Gathering Cauldron, and several storage rings lay on the table—these were the ingredients needed for the public alchemy.
Xiao Ze's gaze fell on the members of the Sky Alliance below the platform and he said with a smile, "You all know why we are holding this public alchemy session—to reward you for your contributions."
"The Sky Alliance will not forget what you have done for it!"
Under the gaze of the crowd, many members of the Sky Alliance were so moved they trembled, although they had not yet received any medicinal pills. But the scene alone excited them tremendously, prompting them to shout out the Sky Alliance's slogan loudly.
"For the Sky Alliance, fight!"
After Xiao Ze spoke, golden flames surged within the Spirit Gathering Cauldron, his movements fluid and graceful as he took out herbs from the storage rings and placed them into the cauldron.
Xiao Ze wasn't showing off, but everyone felt it was a pleasure to watch. Even those who knew nothing of alchemy were mesmerized.
Xiao Yan stood on the rooftop of a tall building, watching Xiao Ze's alchemy process on the platform, utterly amazed.
"Watching my younger brother's alchemy, I can never get enough!"
Yao Lao was also deeply impressed. As the once top alchemist of the continent, he knew well that Xiao Ze's fluid mastery of alchemy came from reaching the pinnacle of alchemical skill.
"Xiao Yan, Xiao Ze's alchemy skills are probably not inferior to your teacher's now," Yao Lao said seriously.
To the layman, the spectacle was entertaining; to the expert, the techniques were insightful. Although Xiao Ze wasn't making any pills above the seventh grade during this session, from the alchemical process alone, Yao Lao could tell that Xiao Ze's skills were on par with his own.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but swallow hard, knowing Yao Lao's former reputation as the number one alchemist on the continent, revered as the Pill Emperor!
To hear his teacher say that Xiao Ze's skills were not inferior to his own, one could imagine the level Xiao Ze's alchemy skills had reached!
"It seems I need to double my efforts in alchemy!"
Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Yao Lao smiled reassuringly, pleased that Xiao Yan was no longer doubting himself because of Xiao Ze's progress.
Or rather, Xiao Yan had become so dedicated that no matter what happened, he would not stop pursuing his goal to match Xiao Ze! Every challenge only spurred Xiao Yan to try harder.
"Don't worry, your talent in alchemy is also excellent. You can certainly surpass me and become even better," Yao Lao reassured him.
Dear readers, I urge you to keep up with the latest chapters! Your current reading is very important! Thank you very much!
(End of chapter)