90: Chapter 90 Strange Fire

At this moment, the Star-Plucking Platform was quite lively, as top Alchemists from the thirteen provinces gathered together, a gathering of many talents.

A large number of Cultivators watched from the surroundings; heads bobbed in a crowd that seemed to stretch endlessly.

On the main seat of the viewing area stood a burly figure wearing dragon robes and an imperial crown. His expression was calm and majestic. Just by sitting there, he exuded an unspeakable sense of pressure, like the Dominator of heaven and earth!

The Emperor of the Great Wu Dynasty, Emperor Jingxuan!

Even Nascent Soul Stage experts would feel a tremor in their hearts and a sense of awe when facing Emperor Jingxuan.

Ji Taichang narrowed his eyes slightly, observing Emperor Jingxuan for a few moments until he noticed something.

“National Fortune and Dragon Qi protection!”

It wasn't that Emperor Jingxuan was strong enough to suppress Nascent Soul Stage experts himself, but rather that as the Emperor of the Great Wu Dynasty, he could gather the Dynasty's National Fortune and Dragon Qi, forming a pressure similar to the momentum of the world itself.

Besides Emperor Jingxuan...

There were many world-renowned experts and Great Masters in the viewing area, similarly attracting countless gazes.

Such as Divine Physician Elder Li and Shao Yangzi!!

These two usually kept their whereabouts a mystery and couldn't be bothered to attend previous Alchemy Assemblies, but this time they were both present. However, they seemed somewhat distracted, scanning the Star-Plucking Platform. Not seeing the figure of “Yao Chen,” looks of disappointment filled their eyes.

Next.

Emperor Jingxuan gave a speech, offering a few words of encouragement, and then a court Alchemy Great Master took over to preside over the Alchemy Assembly.

The finals of the Alchemy Assembly were still divided into three arenas for First-Grade, Second-Grade, and Third-Grade Alchemists. The imperial Family provided uniform Materials and Pill Formulas for the refining process, which would ultimately be appraised and jointly judged by a group of Alchemy Great Masters.

Ji Taichang let out a yawn. Bored, he secretly reached out and wrapped his arm around Lin Xueyue's slender waist.

“Don't mess around!”

“So many people are watching...”

Lin Xueyue's delicate body stiffened, her beautiful face heating up as she rolled her eyes at Ji Taichang.

Her coy appearance only added a few hints of charm to her temperament.

Boom—

Just then, a crimson flash of fire suddenly soared into the sky within the venue, releasing scorching high temperatures and even forming the phantom of a lotus, instantly catching the attention of many Cultivators!

“That is... an Extraordinary Fire! The Earth Core Fire Lotus!!”

“Hiss! How many years has it been since an Extraordinary Fire appeared in our Great Wu Dynasty? After over a thousand years, an Extraordinary Fire has actually manifested again!”

“The Earth Core Fire Lotus is of ultimate Yang and strength, capable of maximizing medicinal properties. This is a precious fire that countless Alchemists dream of. How could it appear in the hands of a mere Second-Grade Alchemist?”

“Even an ordinary Nascent Soul Stage expert might not be able to subdue it, and his cultivation is only at the third layer of the Foundation Establishment Stage. How is it possible for him to have tamed the Earth Core Fire Lotus?!”

The entire Star-Plucking Platform broke into an uproar. The gazes of many Cultivators snapped toward the Second-Grade Alchemist competition arena. Everyone's eyes were wide with disbelief!

The group of Alchemists in particular felt their breathing quicken, waves of shock surging in their hearts!

That was an Extraordinary Fire!

In the Second-Grade Alchemist arena, a thin, handsome youth with clear features was surrounded by crimson Extraordinary Fire. His hands were forming seals with incredibly skilled and veteran techniques, rapidly melting down one batch of Materials after another to refine a Medicinal Pill!

“Little Fan... it's him?”

Even Lin Xueyue showed a look of surprise.

Ji Taichang's heart stirred: “You know him?”

Lin Xueyue nodded and explained the background of that handsome youth.

As it turned out.

Lin Fan, like Lin Xueyue, was a disciple of a branch of the Lin Family, though Lin Fan was a bit younger.

Unlike Lin Xueyue, who had shown extraordinary talent since childhood, Lin Fan had a Five Elements Mixed Spiritual Root. His Aptitude was extremely poor, and his father had died in battle while performing a Family mission when Lin Fan was young.

Lin Fan's mother was just a Mortal and couldn't provide him with much help.

This resulted in Lin Fan being isolated and bullied within the Lin Family. Even the childhood betrothal his father had arranged for him was broken by the girl's Family coming to the door to cancel it, making Lin Fan the joke and shame of the Lin Family.

Since then, Lin Fan had faded into the crowd, living in seclusion.

Later, Lin Xueyue left the Lin Family and didn't know what happened to Lin Fan afterward.

But according to Lin Xueyue, Lin Fan had a Five Elements Mixed Spiritual Root and received no resources from the Lin Family. Logically, it should have been impossible for him to Cultivate to the third layer of the Foundation Establishment Stage, let alone obtain an Extraordinary Fire!

“Loser's counterattack, broken engagement, Extraordinary Fire... wait, why does this trope sound so familiar??”

“Does he also have an old man in a ring?”

Hearing this, Ji Taichang's eyes widened slightly, his expression becoming somewhat strange.

Could it be that this Lin Fan is a child of fortune?

“What?! Since when did this Lin Fan have an Extraordinary Fire!”

“Why didn't you hand over such a supreme treasure to the Family? How can you be so selfish!”

“That's not right, wasn't Lin Fan only at the ninth layer of the Qi Refining Stage? When did he Breakthrough to the third layer of Foundation Establishment?!”

“This kid hid himself so deeply...”

Lin Fan's display of the Extraordinary Fire caused an uproar throughout the venue.

Especially within the Lin Family's group, bursts of exclamations broke out. The Lin Family disciples all showed looks of jealousy and greed, staring intently at the Earth Core Fire Lotus on Lin Fan's body!

Seeing this, Ji Taichang stroked his chin, lost in thought.

“This kid is certainly good at enduring. It looks like he obtained the Earth Core Fire Lotus long ago, but specifically waited until the finals of the Alchemy Assembly to reveal it and make a stunning debut!”

“In this way, he can attract the gaze of the whole world and catch the attention and favor of Alchemy powerhouses, thereby seeking a backer and protection for himself!”

“What seems like a dangerous move is actually the safest!”

Ji Taichang quickly guessed Lin Fan's plan.

Sure enough, many Alchemy Great Masters present were looking at Lin Fan with burning gazes, including Divine Physician Elder Li and Shao Yangzi!

Even Emperor Jingxuan couldn't help but look at Lin Fan a few more times, a hint of appreciation in his eyes.

The first round of the competition soon ended. Lin Fan indisputably defeated his opponent and advanced to the next round.

During the intermission, Lin Fan did not return to the Lin Family group but instead headed straight toward Ji Taichang's direction!

“Sister Yue... Wow, it really is you!”

Lin Fan's handsome face was full of surprise as he strode up to Lin Xueyue.

“Little Fan, long time no see.”

Lin Xueyue also gave Lin Fan a smile.

Beside them, Ji Taichang's brow furrowed slightly. He keenly perceived a trace of admiration in Lin Fan's burning gaze!

“You must be Senior Ji Aotian, right?”

Just then, a soft and gentle voice sounded, like a spring breeze blowing, making one feel refreshed and happy.

It was a virtuous and dignified-looking beautiful woman, appearing to be around twenty-eight years old. Her black hair fell like a waterfall, her figure was curvaceous and well-proportioned, and her appearance was quite stunning.

[Ding! Nangong Qingya's favorability has increased by 10 points. You can obtain 10% of Purple Cloud Sword Sovereign's cultivation/abilities. Please choose.]

[Nangong Qingya's favorability: 10 (There will be a surprise when favorability reaches 100!)]