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**
When the first ray of morning light poured down from the horizon, piercing through the darkness that blanketed the land. The entire Holy Pill City instantly boiled over.
Today, Holy Pill City would be the true focus of the world.
The eyes of all of Central Plains were converging here. Waiting, for the one who could stand firm until the very last moment.
And those who could stand out from these alchemist geniuses gathered from all corners of the Dou Qi Continent would undoubtedly be true favored children of heaven.
Every champion of the Pill Gathering throughout the generations had left behind a resounding name in the history of the Dou Qi Continent, without exception, as if they carried a grand destiny upon their shoulders.
It was precisely for this reason that the weight of the Pill Gathering was magnified countless times over. Whoever could become the final champion, their name would surely be recorded with prominence in the future history of the Dou Qi Continent.
This kind of glory was enough to drive anyone insane. After all, in one's lifetime, who would want to live as a mediocre nobody?
In the courtyard of the Wei Residence.
Several figures gradually gathered.
Today, even Wei Yang was dressed in rare form, wearing a set of purple alchemist robes issued by the Pill Tower, with a badge of rank pinned upon his chest.
On the badge, seven purple-gold stars sparkled with dazzling radiance. This outfit was perhaps the most formal attire Wei Yang had worn in years.
From this, one could see the place the Pill Gathering held in the hearts of alchemists. At his side, Xiao Yan and Xian'er were similarly attired in formal robes.
The three of them faced the morning glow, exchanging smiles. Their three badges, under the morning light, shimmered brilliantly, as though competing with one another.
"This time, we're all competitors, fighting for the champion's seat." Wei Yang said with a smile.
"I've been waiting for this day for a long time." Xiao Yan grinned, rubbing his fists together, his gaze burning hot.
"I'm just here to participate. Top ten… probably won't be my share." Xian'er spread her hands helplessly.
Reality was cruel. She hadn't even reached half-step Spirit Realm yet. Even if she performed beyond her limits, at best she could display the strength of a peak Tier 7 alchemist. With that, entering the top ten was a bit of a stretch.
Qing Lin carried a little one in each arm, giggling.
"Go for it, Sister Xian'er!"
"Go for it~ go for it~" the two little ones shouted along, mimicking in their childish voices.
Xian'er couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head, then pouting her lips playfully at the two little ones, which only made them kick and flail their limbs excitedly.
Qing Lin fumbled in fluster trying to hold onto them, which made Xian'er chuckle softly and draw her gaze back with a hint of satisfaction.
Since Qing Lin had stepped into Dou Zun, she had later managed to surpass and even reach half-step Spirit Realm. And that, naturally, had given Xian'er quite a blow.
Wei Yang lightly adjusted his fresh new robes, waved his hand, and said, "Let's go."
As his words fell, he took the lead, striding toward the front gates. Behind him, Xian'er and the others smiled and quickly followed.
Their group's lineup could be said to be exceptionally strong. Apart from Wei Yang and Xiao Yan who were still Dou Zong, all the others were Dou Zun.
Xian'er, Qing Lin, Ah Da, Du Jiao, Tian Huo Zun Zhe — a full five Dou Zun!Uh, of course, the two milk-fed little ones didn't count, they were purely extra baggage.
The venue for the Pill Gathering was located in the northern district of Holy Pill City's inner region. And here, even several days prior, it had already been filled with a terrifying, boundless crowd. Some old hands had long since taken up good spots here.
Therefore, when Wei Yang and his group arrived, what they saw was only an endless sea of heads, stretching beyond sight.
The deafening roar of voices shot into the sky, before merging into a terrifying sound wave that spread outward, dispersing the white clouds above. The commotion was so great, it could be clearly heard even a hundred li away.
At this moment, Wei Yang and his group stood atop a building, looking out in every direction. Before them lay a massive square, nearly a thousand zhang across. Suspended in midair above the square were numerous stone platforms.
These platforms emitted a faint glow, looking extraordinarily mysterious.
"Mister Xiao Yan, Mister Wei, those stone platforms are the final seats for the contestants." Ye Zhong, who had long been waiting nearby, flashed over, pointing at the floating, crowd-focused stone platforms as he explained with a smile.
"The final seats?" Hearing this, Xiao Yan raised his brows.
Wei Yang and the others also turned their eyes over.
"Hehe, the Pill Gathering is extremely grand, with an enormous number of participants. So it's impossible that just by signing up, you immediately qualify to step onto the stage."
"Before entering the main grounds, strictly speaking, there are still two rounds of selection."
Ye Zhong chuckled, then pointed toward the vast square that seemed to stretch endlessly, "Do you see that deep gray space over there?"
Following Ye Zhong's finger, the group looked over, and sure enough, they saw a patch of deep gray space.
That space seemed forcibly twisted into being, and within the distorted area, thick gray mist swirled, and blocking vision.
"The most basic requirement for a Pill Gathering contestant is to reach the level of a Tier 6 Alchemist."
"And that deep gray space is the first test, known as the Soul Fantasy Realm."
"That gray mist comes from a kind of magic beast called the Fantasy Soul Beast. It not only blocks vision, but also interferes with soul perception.
Add to that the layered, labyrinth-like twists of the space, and once you enter, you'll lose your sense of direction and become completely lost inside."
"If a contestant can't walk out within the allotted time, they lose their qualification to continue." Ye Zhong explained in detail, still smiling.
Wei Yang and the others nodded.
"If you pass through the Soul Fantasy Realm, then you qualify for the second round: the Pill Realm."
When he mentioned the Pill Realm, Ye Zhong's expression became visibly solemn as he continued slowly, "The Pill Realm is a strange space, said to have been created long ago by a Dou Sheng expert of the Pill Tower. But later, for certain reasons, it gradually fell into ruin."
"Even so, the Pill Realm is an alchemist's dream paradise. Inside are countless treasures of heaven and earth, as well as rare medicinal ingredients that can hardly be found outside!"
"Every alchemist who enters will be given a list. On it are recorded several rare herbs. Contestants must rely on their own ability to find and obtain all of them within the Pill Realm."
"Only then can they exchange for a Space Stone at the exit and leave the Pill Realm to participate in the final competition."
As he spoke, Ye Zhong gestured at the floating stone platforms in the distance, "And these platforms are reserved for those who make it through to the very last round. Not everyone has the right to stand up there."
"So that's how it works." Wei Yang and the others nodded lightly, voicing their admiration.
With these two rounds of selection, those who tried to bluff their way through would be weeded out. The ones left behind after this harsh filtering would be true elites, fit to compete for the ultimate championship.
"In the Pill Realm, the Pill Tower usually does not intervene in what happens, even if it involves killing."
"And as long as you do it without leaving evidence, no one will ever know. That's why every Pill Gathering inevitably sees alchemists perish inside."
"This selection may seem harsh, but reality itself is far crueler than any competition. If you can't even pass this kind of trial, how can you possibly survive on the continent, let alone become a true master?"
Ye Zhong's voice lowered as he warned, "So if you encounter someone with ill intent in there, don't hesitate or hold back. Just act."
At those words, Wei Yang and the others narrowed their eyes slightly and nodded.
This Pill Gathering… was far bloodier than they had imagined. It wasn't just about refining pills.
After all, when the forest is big, you'll find every kind of bird. There would always be those who refused to follow the rules.
Just then—
Dong!
A heavy bell toll suddenly rang out across the heavens and earth. The booming chime swept outward, spreading for hundreds of miles. Even the deafening roar of the crowd was suppressed beneath its sound.
In that moment, everyone's eyes burned with fiery excitement.
Wei Yang felt his blood faintly begin to boil within his body.
The Pill Gathering had officially begun!
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