274: Senior has passed the first level!

There, a vast, deep-gray space existed, with distorted light around its edges, filled with a faint gray gas.

He explained, "To ascend the stage, you must first pass two selections.

That is the first trial, called the Illusion Stage. It contains numerous overlapping spaces, and the gray gas is generated by a type of Illusory Soul Beast within it, capable of hindering Soul perception.

After passing through the Illusion Stage, you then enter the Dan Realm."

"The Dan Realm?"

Tang Huo'er was surprised; from the name, it seemed to be a self-contained space, much like the Burning Flame Valley.

The Dan Realm was created by a Fighting Saint and later fell into disrepair due to certain reasons, but it contains a vast amount of medicinal ingredients, making it a Holy Land in the hearts of Alchemists.

Every Alchemist qualified to enter the Dan Realm receives a prescription. By gathering the medicinal ingredients within the Dan Realm, they can exchange them for a Space Stone to exit.

This also signifies passing the second trial, after which they can ascend the stage for the Alchemy competition.

"The Pill Tower generally doesn't interfere with anything that happens within the Dan Realm, and I cannot accompany you inside. You must be careful and guard against Old Mu Gu."

Yao Tianhuo looked at Lin Xiu, a worried expression appearing in his eyes.

"I understand."

Lin Xiu nodded, a look of solemnity, the first in a long time, appearing on his face.

After a moment, a bell chime echoed from afar, drifting towards this area.

The crowd gradually quieted, all looking up at the distorted Void Realm.

On a stone platform on the east side of the plaza's stone tower, more than a dozen figures appeared; these were all high-ranking Elders of the Pill Tower.

A white-haired old man, Xuan Kongzi, floated in the Void Realm. After speaking a few gentle words and explaining the rules of the Pill Gathering, he announced its commencement.

"The reward for this champion is actually an ancient Soul Cultivation method?!"

Upon hearing the announcement, Xiao Yan's eyes lit up, a fervent look in them.

Beside him, Yao Chen glanced at him, "You want to participate? What's the use of going? That's the champion's prize."

Immediately, Xiao Yan drooped like a frost-bitten eggplant, his head falling.

"If I had such a good Disciple, even if he wanted the stars in the sky, I would find a way to pluck them for him."

Suddenly, a gentle voice quietly sounded.

A beautiful woman emerged from the distorted Void Realm.

"Elder Xuan Yi..."

Recognizing the person, Xiao Yan's face broke into a brilliant smile.

Since arriving at the Pill Tower, if asked who treated him best, this beautiful woman ranked second, with no one able to claim first.

Xiao Yan had inquired and learned that this woman and his teacher once had some emotional entanglement.

"Little Yanzi, tell me what you want. I'm not like some teachers who are so stingy with their Disciples."

The beautiful woman looked at Xiao Yan, a smile blossoming on her face, but her tone held a hidden sharpness.

Yao Chen silently moved two steps closer to Venerable Feng, rubbing his nose as he discussed the Pill Gathering's contestants with him.

Seeing this, the beautiful woman gritted her teeth.

"Elder Xuan Yi, does the Pill Tower have similar Fighting Skills that enhance Soul Power?"

Xiao Yan had interacted with her several times and knew the beautiful woman in front of him had a straightforward personality, so speaking directly was surely the right approach.

The beautiful woman's expression paused slightly, "You can exchange for something else as a Pill Gathering reward. Among them, uniqueness is what makes it precious. Therefore, what the Pill Tower usually offers is the best and most unique."

"Elder, can I exchange the Soul Handprint I've learned with him?"

Xiao Yan remembered his Senior Brother liked to collect all sorts of strange Fighting Skills, and a Move that attacks with Soul Power would surely interest him.

"With whom? Such a thing, most people wouldn't easily exchange, right?"

The beautiful woman hesitated. Something that could help boost Soul Power would be beneficial for both one's combat strength and Alchemy skills.

Seeing Xiao Yan continuously looking at her, she thought for a moment and said, "As long as the other party agrees not to spread it, it's fine for you to give it to him. If there's a problem, I'll handle it. Don't worry, I'm not like your teacher."

"That's good then. I'm sure Senior Brother will agree."

Xiao Yan happily clenched his fist.

"Senior Brother? Who is he? Are you so sure he can win the championship?"

The beautiful woman looked surprised. This was only the first trial; Xiao Yan already knew who the champion would be?

"Lin Xiu! My Senior Brother is named Lin Xiu, the one helping the Ye family participate in the assessment. I believe he will definitely win the championship."

Xiao Yan answered with great conviction. Having witnessed Lin Xiu help his teacher refine a body, he clearly understood his Senior Brother's Alchemy level.

Furthermore, Senior Brother possessed a Fire Spirit, giving him control over fire far beyond ordinary people. The champion of this Pill Gathering would surely be him.

"Him?"

The beautiful woman was startled, clearly having an impression of Lin Xiu. Perhaps worried that Xiao Yan's greater hope would lead to greater disappointment, she reminded him, "Little Yanzi, many people are participating in the Pill Gathering. There are hidden talents within, so don't have too high expectations."

"Elder, look, Senior Brother has already passed the first trial!"

Xiao Yan didn't answer; instead, he pointed towards the distant gray space.

Immediately, both Yao Chen and the beautiful woman were stunned, casting their gazes over.

One had to know that from the start of the first trial until now, only a few words had passed; not much time had elapsed at all.

And both of them knew about the Illusion Stage and understood its difficulty.

Standing before an entrance to a spatial passage, Lin Xiu urged, "Elder, give me the prescription."

"How did you..."

The old man sitting on the giant turtle had a hint of bewilderment in his eyes, "It's only just begun."

"I'm faster."

Lin Xiu glanced at the passage behind him, "Elder, to be honest, I've made enemies. Can I not wait for them and enter the Dan Realm first?"

Considering Xiao Yan's reminder, Lin Xiu also felt that the probability of Old Mu Gu coveting him was quite high.

Therefore, after entering the Illusion Stage, he immediately activated the Earth High-Rank movement Fighting Skill, Nine Thousand Thunder Movement, speeding through like lightning. He found the exit even before the illusion had fully formed.

Thus, Lin Xiu flashed out without hesitation.

He only had Venerable Skyfire behind him, unlike Xiao Yan, whose teacher Yao Chen had ties with the Pill Tower. If anything truly happened, the Pill Tower wouldn't turn a blind eye.

"Alright."

The old man pondered for a second, then took out a prescription and handed it to Lin Xiu, "You have ten days to search. If you encounter danger, you can crush this Space Stone early, and it will bring you out.

Additionally, there are Demonic Beasts in the Dan Realm. After years of reproduction, their strength is formidable. Do not provoke them rashly, or if you lose your life, don't blame me for not warning you."

"Understood, understood."

Lin Xiu took the items and plunged into the passage indicated by the old man's finger.

His vision spun, and his body was carried by a force, beyond his own control.

After a brief dizziness, Lin Xiu found his vision returned to normal, surrounded by an unfamiliar environment.

It was desolate all around, with yellow sand covering the ground, and occasionally a few withered plants could be seen.

Whoosh!

The sand below surged, as if something was moving beneath it.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a deep yellow figure burst from the sand and lunged towards Lin Xiu.

The swirling yellow sand fell away, revealing the thick body of a python.

"Courting death."

A cold light flashed in Lin Xiu's eyes. He raised his right foot and brought it down sharply.

The giant python seemed to have deliberately offered its head to Lin Xiu's foot, which landed directly on it.

The next second, the giant python's body exploded entirely. Amidst the flying flesh and blood, a Demonic Core floated towards Lin Xiu, who grasped it in his hand.

"Seventh-tier Early Stage. This really is my treasure land; I can't leave easily."

Lin Xiu put away the Demonic Core, his eyes shifting.

Subsequently, his face began to change, and his aura gradually became different.

After a few breaths, the image of an ordinary, unremarkable middle-aged man emerged, exuding a sharp metallic aura, completely unrelated to the fire attribute of an Alchemist.