Chapter 449: Alchemy in the Spotlight
Inside Xiao Ze's Elder Tower within Saint Pill City.
Even after being appointed as vice president, the Pill Tower offered to relocate him to a better tower, but Xiao Ze declined, not being particular about his living quarters. Now, even as the president of the Pill Tower, he still resided in the same tower.
In his room, Xiao Ze was surrounded by soul power, a mysterious attraction emanating from him, drawing in the faint spiritual energy from the void. At a certain moment, Xiao Ze's eyes snapped open, shining with a vibrant, intelligent light — a sign of his immense soul power.
Blinking, he retracted the light in his eyes, revealing his unique seven-colored pupils once more. "I still couldn't break through to the late Heavenly Realm. The Great Perfection of the Heavenly Realm remains elusive..." Xiao Ze sighed, though he wasn't overly fixated on it. He had already mastered the Xuanqing Soul Restoration Pill and wanted to see if he could elevate his soul realm during this time. Increasing his soul power would boost his confidence in refining Ninth-Rank pills, possibly raising his success rate by another ten percent. However, the threshold for the Great Perfection of the Heavenly Realm was incredibly challenging.
In the original story, Xiao Yan needed the soul origin light cluster he seized from the Soul Hall's Earth Hall, which contained the soul origins of over a million alchemists and strong individuals, to break through to the Great Perfection of the Heavenly Realm. "Over a million soul origins... The gap is that vast?" Xiao Ze frowned. "If reaching the Great Perfection of the Heavenly Realm is this difficult, breaking through to the Imperial Realm must be like climbing to the heavens."
He pondered his two remaining auxiliary binding slots. If Xun'er broke through to the Dou Saint level, he could add another auxiliary binding. These slots were precious, and Xiao Ze hadn't found suitable candidates yet. He planned to reserve at least one for someone skilled in soul techniques, lest he rely solely on fortuitous encounters to elevate his soul realm. Potential targets included the soul origin light cluster from the Earth Hall and the Heavenly Tomb Soul that aided Xiao Yan's Imperial Realm breakthrough. Both were treasures with immense benefits for the soul.
Pondering briefly, Xiao Ze decided to focus on his immediate task: the public alchemy session. Just then, Qing Lin entered, carrying a wooden tray with a black outfit. "Young Master Xiao Ze, today is your public alchemy session. Let me help you dress." Qing Lin smiled as she placed the tray on the table.
"Thank you." Xiao Ze nodded, standing as Qing Lin helped him change into the black attire. Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa also entered, sitting and watching Qing Lin dress Xiao Ze with practiced ease. Once dressed, Xiao Ze summoned a water mirror to inspect himself. The black outfit, embroidered with patterns of sun, moon, and mountains, was both dignified and elegant.
"Looking good," Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa's eyes lit up, admiring Xiao Ze's new look. After some light-hearted banter, Xiao Ze headed to the central plaza of Saint Pill City, the same venue used for the Pill Gathering. The vast space could accommodate many people but was now crowded with eager spectators. In the front row were faction leaders, strong individuals, and many alchemists in various uniforms who had arrived early to secure the best view.
With the floating platforms used during the Pill Gathering now retracted, only a single high platform remained, commanding everyone's attention. As anticipation peaked, Xiao Ze, dressed in black, appeared on the platform, prompting a thunderous cheer that echoed to the sky, dispersing the clouds.
Xiao Ze hadn't anticipated such enthusiasm. In the original story, Xiao Yan didn't receive such fervor, but that was during the war with the Soul Hall, where attention was divided. Now, with no such conflicts, Xiao Ze's achievement as a Ninth-Rank alchemist drew immense interest.
"Thank you all for coming despite your busy schedules. This alchemy session is by request, and I will do my utmost..." After a brief address, Xiao Ze quickly got into position. Golden flames emerged, silencing the crowd. The majestic pressure from the flames evoked awe, and among the alchemists, shock was palpable. Their flames, regardless of rank, recoiled as if encountering a supreme being. Many speculated about the nature of Xiao Ze's golden flame, with some guessing it was the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, though it seemed different.
Thousands of herbs floated around Xiao Ze, lifted effortlessly by his soul power. The golden flame transformed into a cauldron, and several fire dragons emerged, refining the herbs with seamless precision. The process was mesmerizing, even for non-alchemists, who could appreciate the beauty and artistry. Alchemists were especially captivated, their bodies trembling with excitement, eyes fixed on Xiao Ze's every move, not wanting to miss a single detail.
Under the watchful eyes of thousands, the public alchemy session proceeded in serene silence, everyone engrossed in Xiao Ze's meticulous actions.