161: Chapter 161 Representing Medicine King Valley at the Pill Tower Conference

Meanwhile, in the depths of Medicine King Valley.

Inside an ancient pill hall, the fragrance of medicine permeated the air, and spiritual mist swirled.

In the center of the hall stood a dark green Pill Furnace, about nine feet tall, with three legs and two handles. The body of the furnace was covered in profound Alchemy runes, with spiritual light faintly circulating between them.

Zhou Tianchen sat cross-legged in front of the Pill Furnace, his hands changing seals. Golden Alchemical Fire surged from the qiankun furnace, precisely wrapping around the liquid medicine condensing within.

His expression was calm, his breath steady, and every movement flowed like moving clouds and flowing water, without a single superfluous gesture.

Several zhang away opposite him, an old man wearing a cyan-grey Daoist robe stood with his hands behind his back. His gaze fell upon Zhou Tianchen's Pill Furnace, his eyes full of focus and appreciation.

The old man had white hair and beard, and his body was surrounded by a scent of medicine so rich it was almost tangible. His eyes reflected the golden flames dancing in the Pill Furnace, his expression solemn and gratified.

He was the Master of Medicine King Valley — Dan Chenzi.

An Advanced Heaven Rank Alchemist, at the Peak of Tribulation Transcendence, he was the undisputed number one in the Southern Wilderness's Alchemy world.

"The temperature control of the Alchemical Fire is precise, without the slightest error," Dan Chenzi said in a low voice, his tone hoarse yet gentle.

"The timing of adding the ingredients is perfect. To control such pure Alchemical Fire with a Soul Transformation cultivation base, and to be able to refine even Earth Rank Medicinal Pills to such perfection—this talent, I am ashamed to compare myself to."

Beside him, Dan Qingzi also stood with his hands behind his back. Hearing these words from the Master of Medicine King Valley, he was slightly moved.

Dan Chenzi was steady in temperament and rarely praised others. Being able to make him say the words "ashamed to compare myself to" was enough to prove to what extent Zhou Tianchen's attainments in Alchemy had reached.

Dan Chenzi was silent for a moment, then spoke again: "The batch of Ningyuan Pills that young friend Tianchen is refining, although they are Intermediate Earth Rank, show faint signs of breaking through to Advanced Earth Rank. For someone with his cultivation to reach this step is not simple."

Dan Qingzi nodded in agreement: "Indeed. I have been watching him refine pills for the past few days, and the more I watch, the more I feel that there is some kind of Great Dao principle hidden in his Alchemy techniques."

"It looks simple, but in fact, every move secretly aligns with the laws of the operation of heaven and earth."

Dan Chenzi did not answer, his gaze still resting on Zhou Tianchen's Pill Furnace.

Deep in his eyes, a complex emotion flashed—amazement, emotion, and a hint of unspeakable regret.

He had cultivated for tens of thousands of years and spent most of his life immersed in Alchemy, believing he had already glimpsed the true meaning of the Dao.

But during these few days of discussing Alchemy with Zhou Tianchen, he felt more and more clearly that his own understanding of the Dao seemed to still be stuck before a certain boundary, while that young man had already crossed that threshold.

In the Pill Furnace, the golden flames suddenly retracted. A gentle spiritual light shot up from the furnace mouth, turning into ripples of spiritual light above the pill hall.

The fragrance of medicine permeated the air, so rich it seemed ready to condense into substance, making everyone present feel refreshed.

Zhou Tianchen stopped the furnace and stood up. He raised his hand in a guiding gesture, and a cyan Medicinal Pill slowly rose from the furnace, hovering above his palm.

The body of the pill was round as jade, with fine pill patterns circulating on its surface, emitting a gentle and vast aura.

"Intermediate Earth Rank, High Grade," Zhou Tianchen muttered to himself, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes, "The quality is much better than the last batch."

He turned around and bowed slightly to Dan Chenzi and Dan Qingzi: "This Junior has embarrassed himself, making the two Seniors wait for a long time."

Dan Chenzi stroked his beard and laughed: "Young friend Tianchen, you are joking. This batch of Ningyuan Pills, even in Medicine King Valley, can only be refined to this quality by an Earth Rank Alchemist."

"For you to achieve this step with a Soul Transformation cultivation base, I can only admire you."

Zhou Tianchen shook his head slightly: "This Junior merely took advantage of my Cultivation Technique and Pill Furnace; I do not deserve such praise from you, Senior."

After hearing Zhou Tianchen's modest words, Dan Chenzi's gaze became a bit more solemn.

He was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly, his voice hoarse and gentle: "Young friend Tianchen, there is a matter I would like to discuss with you."

Zhou Tianchen bowed: "Please speak, Senior."

Dan Chenzi stood up and walked to the hall door. His gaze passed through the open door, looking at the distant mountains shrouded in spiritual mist. His tone carried a hint of reminiscence:

"The Pill Tower in the Central Plains holds an Alchemist Conference every few hundred years. At that time, the top Alchemists from the five regions of the Xuanhuang World will gather to discuss Alchemy on the same stage."

"That is the largest grand event in the entire Alchemy world of the Xuanhuang World. Those who can stand out there are all leaders of Alchemy in their respective regions."

He turned around, his gaze falling on Zhou Tianchen, and said solemnly: "For the next Pill Tower Conference, I hope you can represent Medicine King Valley and participate."

Zhou Tianchen was slightly stunned, then a flash of light appeared in his eyes.

The Pill Tower of the Central Plains was the Holy Land for Alchemy in the Xuanhuang World, where top Alchemists from the five great regions gathered to discuss the Dao and exchange techniques.

He had read many records about the Pill Tower in the Scripture of Alchemy. It was a broader and more top-tier stage than the Alchemy Exchange Conference of Medicine King Valley.

"If this Junior can participate, I will certainly not fail your high expectations, Senior," Zhou Tianchen bowed, his tone steady yet carrying a hint of anticipation.

Dan Chenzi nodded, a flash of gratification in his eyes: "Your talent and insights in Alchemy are extraordinary, as I have seen."

"If you can show your talent at the Pill Tower Conference, it will also be a great help to your future path of the Dao."

He paused and continued: "However, that is a matter for a few years from now. The most important thing right now is still the Cloud Sea Grand Ceremony."

Dan Qingzi took over the conversation, his tone carrying a hint of emotion: "The Cloud Sea Grand Ceremony concerns the Xuanhuang Key and the Xuanhuang Fortress. Those who can enter the top five can represent the Southern Wilderness to go to the fortress to compete for the Opportunity."

"Although young friend Tianchen is famous for Alchemy, I have observed you sparring with the Disciples in the valley these past few days, and your combat strength is not inferior to the outstanding peers at all."

Dan Chenzi also nodded slightly. Although he hadn't seen Zhou Tianchen fight with his own eyes, he learned from Dan Qingzi that Zhou Tianchen had competed in more than ten matches with Medicine King Valley Disciples over the past half month, without a single defeat.

To defeat more than a dozen opponents of the same rank or even higher with a Middle Stage Soul Transformation cultivation base could no longer be explained by a simple advantage in Cultivation Technique.

"Young friend Tianchen, in your sparring with the Disciples in the valley these past few days, have you encountered any tricky opponents?" Dan Qingzi asked with a smile, his tone teasing.

Zhou Tianchen thought for a moment and shook his head: "The Disciples of Medicine King Valley are top-notch in Alchemy, but they really don't have much experience in direct combat. During the matches, they mostly stick to the routines of techniques, lacking some flexibility in life-and-death situations."

He then added, "However, a few of the Disciples have very solid basic skills. If they can have more practical combat experience, they will not be bad in their future growth."

After hearing this, Dan Qingzi gave a wry smile, but did not refute.

The Disciples of Medicine King Valley were indeed biased towards Alchemy cultivation, and their combat aspects were relatively weak. He himself was clear about this point.

"You have already gone very far on the path of Alchemy. I didn't expect you to be so outstanding in combat as well."

Dan Chenzi's gaze held a bit more inquiry: "The method you Cultivate, young friend Tianchen, seems not as simple as just the art of Alchemy?"