"Chairman Fa Ma flatters me. This junior still has much to learn," Xiao Yan said calmly, neither humble nor arrogant.
Hai Bodong directly rolled his eyes as soon as these words left his mouth. This guy was too fake, one face in public and another in private. Just moments ago, he had said he already considered the pill recipe as good as in his pocket.
Fa Ma nodded with a smile and said nothing more. He slowly closed his eyes to rest, waiting for the competition to begin.
"Hehe, Old Hai, you're quite early today."
Upon hearing the laughter, Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong turned to see a white-haired old man dressed in simple linen robes smiling at Hai Bodong.
Xiao Yan's Spiritual Strength sensed that this person's cultivation was actually on par with Ling Ying's, both were 9-star, or even peak Dou Emperors. Naturally, he realized that this was Jia Xing Tian, the guardian of the Jia Ma Imperial Family.
Yesterday's exchange between him and Hai Bodong was meant as a warning. They feared that with Hai Bodong's return as an elite Dou Emperor, the Miteer Clan, the largest merchant clan, would grow even stronger and potentially threaten the imperial family's position.
This was also one of the reasons Hai Bodong had wanted to transfer his assets to Xiao Yan. The imperial family would never allow a single clan to possess power capable of shaking their foundation.
Xiao Yan glanced behind Jia Xing Tian. Following him was naturally the Little Princess Yue Er. After all, like him, she was also a participant in today's competition.
What intrigued Xiao Yan more was the other woman beside Yue Er. She was dressed in luxurious brocade robes and had a tall, slender figure. Her facial features bore some resemblance to the Little Princess, but she possessed an innate cold elegance. Beneath this cold demeanor was a majestic aura cultivated by the imperial family.
If Yue Er was a little princess, then this woman was a queen.
Perhaps noticing Xiao Yan's curiosity, Jia Xing Tian smiled and introduced, "Little friend Xiao Yan, you must know Yue Er. Beside her is her elder sister, Yao Ye. The army protecting this Grand Meeting is entirely under her command."
Xiao Yan was startled. This was a female marshal!
"Yao Ye, this is the little friend Xiao Yan I mentioned to you, the top scorer in the internal test. Moreover, his actual strength is unfathomable. Last night, he defeated Mu Zhan single-handedly. He's a strong contender for the championship in this Grand Meeting," Jia Xing Tian said with a smile.
A flicker of surprise passed through Yao Ye's eyes upon hearing this. She certainly knew Mu Zhan, who had recently been promoted to commander of the Empire's Guardian Army. He was a man of considerable strength.
Yet he had been defeated single-handedly by this seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth before her?!
"Greetings, Mr. Xiao Yan."
Yao Ye's captivating eyes fixed on Xiao Yan as she gracefully extended her jade-like hand, a slight smile on her lips. That fleeting smile caused the noble youths around the VIP seats to become utterly entranced. The usually cold and elegant Grand Princess had never treated anyone like this before.
"Greetings, Princess Yao Ye." As expected of royalty! Xiao Yan couldn't find any fault with her demeanor.
He smiled and extended his hand, gently clasping that soft, delicate hand that felt as if it had no bones.
After exchanging greetings, everyone took seats in the front row of the VIP area. Princess Yao Ye happened to sit right beside Xiao Yan. A subtle, refreshing fragrance wafted from her direction, causing one's heart to flutter slightly.
Naturally, Xiao Yan didn't dare make any inappropriate moves. He kept his gaze fixed ahead, staring at the vast and somewhat daunting plaza below. He even glanced at Ling Ying not far away, constantly reminding himself to stay calm!
Before long, the slightly delayed Nalan Clan, Miteer Clan, and Mu Clan—the three major clans—also arrived at the VIP seats.
Particularly eye-catching were Nalan Yanran and Ya Fei walking together in the center. Though their temperaments differed, both were stunningly beautiful.
The two women walking side by side naturally drew all eyes, causing the noble youths behind them to become extremely excited.
They even drew more attention than the three elite Dou Kings from the three major clans who accompanied them.
"Little brother Xiao Yan, didn't you say last night that the first place would be none other than you? It would be embarrassing if you went back on your word," Ya Fei chuckled softly, covering her mouth as she gracefully took a seat on Xiao Yan's other side.
"I certainly won't disappoint Sister Ya Fei."
Nalan Yanran pondered for a moment but didn't sit in the seat originally arranged for her. Instead, she chose a spot not far behind him.
Although Xiao Yan appeared fortunate to be surrounded by two great beauties—Yao Ye and Ya Fei—he was, in fact, sitting on pins and needles, wishing the competition would start immediately.
He had just felt Ling Ying's gaze sweep over him. Forget making any moves; he didn't even dare to speak loudly.
Gradually, more and more alchemists entered the plaza, and the spectator stands began to fill up. The atmosphere became lively, much like a grand football match, with the entire venue buzzing with enthusiastic chatter.
Infected by this atmosphere, even the Little Princess clenched her small fists, excitement welling up in her heart. Thinking of the magnificent scene when thousands of flames would rise simultaneously, she couldn't help but feel a bit impatient.
In contrast, Xiao Yan yawned lazily, appearing as though he hadn't fully woken up, without a hint of nervousness.
As for Liu Ling, who was staring at him like a venomous snake, Xiao Yan paid him no mind whatsoever.
Before long, when a clear bell rang out across the plaza, the previously noisy venue quietly settled down.
Listening to the bell that echoed throughout the plaza and even the entire Jia Ma Sacred City, Fa Ma stood up tremblingly. He slowly walked to the front, his gaze sweeping over the alchemists in the plaza below.
At this moment, over a thousand alchemists raised their heads, casting respectful gazes toward this elder who commanded immense prestige in the Jia Ma Empire's alchemist community.
"As the Chairman of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Association, I hereby declare: The Seventh Alchemist Grand Meeting officially begins!"
Instantly, the entire venue erupted into a deafening roar of cheers!
After a while, Fa Ma turned to look at Yue Er, Liu Ling, and Xiao Yan, who had not yet entered the stage, and said with a smile, "It's time for you all to enter."
Upon hearing this, Liu Ling and the Little Princess were eager to make their appearance.
"Then I'll go ahead."
Liu Ling was the first to respond. After a hearty laugh, he lightly tapped the ground, his body soaring to the edge of the high platform. He glanced at the vast plaza below and, with a leap, amidst the astonished gasps from countless people in the VIP seats, he directly jumped down.
Two visible pillars of Dou Qi suddenly burst from beneath his feet. Using the cushioning force of the Dou Qi, he landed on the ground unscathed and swiftly walked toward the center of the venue under the fiery gazes of the crowd.
The alchemy platforms for the top three in the internal test were arranged at the very center of the plaza.
"You're not the only one who can jump." The Little Princess pouted. Her delicate figure leaped, and she also directly flashed out from the high platform. Her body was like a falling leaf, floating down elegantly and gracefully. That beautiful posture and pure white dress made her seem like a celestial maiden descending to the mortal world.
Seeing the Little Princess's ethereal movement technique, Hai Bodong glanced at Jia Xing Tian and said, "The Imperial Family's highest-grade agility-type Dou Technique—'Flying Willow.' You even taught her that?"
"She has only learned some superficial aspects of this agility-type Dou Technique, purely pursuing aesthetic beauty. If she were to use it in battle, it wouldn't do," Jia Xing Tian said, although the smile at the corners of his mouth had long since betrayed his pride.
At this moment, all eyes turned toward Xiao Yan, the top scorer in the internal test. Yao Ye and Ya Fei beside him were also curious about how he would make his entrance.
Xiao Yan sighed, slowly stood up, and said helplessly, "Honestly, we're not children anymore. What's so great about competing like this?"
Whoosh!!! With a sound of wind being torn apart, a pair of enormous, blood-red flaming wings that blotted out the sky suddenly appeared behind him.
"What the?! A Dou King!!"