Most loose cultivators lacked resources and had to rely entirely on themselves. Their competitiveness was relatively weaker, but that did not rule out some exceptional talents. After all, the cultivation world was full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Song Wanníng dared not take anything lightly.
While the group waited, several figures descended from above the plaza.
Song Wanníng looked up and immediately focused on the figure in the center.
That person had white hair and an otherworldly face, with a cold and pure aura like a bright moon over the mountains. The people around him looked dull in comparison.
Several people followed him, all with serious expressions that radiated silent authority.
Even without flaunting it, their extraordinary aura and confidence were obvious.
No guess was needed—they must be from the Central Domain, and their status was likely very high.
Especially the one in the center.
Song Wanníng's gaze lingered on him for a moment before moving to the figure on the far left.
That was the true lord of Wuyang City, a genuine Unity stage powerhouse.
But she was very low-key, her aura ordinary and easy to miss unless one looked carefully.
Song Wanníng frowned. This was her first time seeing a Unity stage cultivator in person.
The others had similar reactions. When the group arrived, many expressions changed slightly. Especially their looks toward the city lord were filled with respect.
Mahayana stage cultivators were extremely rare in the cultivation world, and Unity stage was already the highest level many could reach. No one dared to provoke them lightly.
Moreover, the entire Wuyang City was under the city lord's control, so everyone had to show her face.
"Welcome, everyone, from afar. You truly bring glory to Wuyang City."
The city lord descended, a polite smile on her face.
"Those beside me are cultivators sent from the Central Domain."
She pointed to the white-haired man. "This is Huo Jinchuan, a young master of the Huo family from the Central Domain."
Unlike the Four Domains, where sects and species mixed, the Central Domain's great powers were organized by family clans.
Sects like the Dan Sect were nowhere near the strength of these clans and often depended on them.
The Huo family was one of the seven great families of the Central Domain, with formidable strength.
"Wow, someone from the Huo family? Why can't I tell his cultivation level?"
"I can't tell either. This person is so mysterious…"
"As expected from the Huo family. Such a handsome young man!"
Various murmurs rose. For cultivators from the Four Domains, the Central Domain was a revered cultivation paradise. Its spiritual energy was abundant, resources rich, and cultivation speed unmatched.
Unfortunately, the Central Domain was sealed by spatial barriers, so outsiders could not enter freely.
This added to its mystique.
Song Wanníng was somewhat familiar with this. The Central Domain was a bit like the Secluded Land in the lower realms—rich in resources and spiritual energy.
But unlike the Secluded Land, people in the Central Domain could ascend and come and go freely. It was outsiders who could not enter casually.
No wonder so many cultivators envied it.
"All right, I believe everyone has been waiting long enough. This city lord won't keep you in suspense!"
The city lord smiled and waved her hand. Immediately, over three hundred stone platforms appeared across the plaza.
Each stone platform already had the herbs for the first round prepared.
"All the medicinal materials for this competition are provided by Wuyang City, so the pills refined here belong to Wuyang City. Anyone who objects may withdraw from the competition now."
The materials for the Alchemy Dao competition were extremely precious. Wuyang City would never lose money on this.
Seeing no objections, the city lord continued, "The pills refined will be judged by several young masters from the Central Domain to ensure fairness. This competition's entire process and results are fully transparent. Cheating or slackers will not be tolerated!"
Her sharp gaze swept over everyone, bringing a wave of intense pressure.
At that moment, Song Wanníng felt as if she was being stripped bare for inspection, a dark glint flashing through her eyes.
Unity stage strength was truly something else.
Fortunately, the pressure lasted only for a breath, then faded. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and dared not harbor any deceitful thoughts.
"All right, let the competition begin!"
The city lord waved again and took her seat with the Central Domain group in the high seats.
The competition was hosted by the city lord's steward.
"All participating cultivators, please enter the field immediately. Latecomers will be disqualified!"
At the order, the competitors jumped onto the stone platforms.
Song Wanníng and Lu Yi chose adjacent platforms. To ensure fairness, the platforms were not assigned but freely chosen by cultivators.
Once everyone was on their platforms, Song Wanníng's expression suddenly changed.
The demon clan's young master was personally competing?
The Alchemy Dao competition selected talented alchemists, with restrictions on cultivators: one had to be under three hundred years old or have a cultivation level no higher than Divine Soul.
The demon clan young master just happened to meet these conditions.
It seemed he was aiming for the Central Domain!
Song Wanníng realized the reason and withdrew her gaze, focusing on the herbs before her.
But Xiao Heyun's voice echoed in her mind from time to time.
"System, I must surpass this demon clan young lord!
I want him to know that he just had a lucky birth. He won't get all the good things!"
Then he ranted, showing great hatred for the demon clan young master.
Song Wanníng temporarily severed the Three Lives Mirror's connection to Xiao Heyun to avoid his pointless chatter.
By now, she understood him well. He was ambitious, cynical, and greedy for everything.
"Now, the first round officially begins. Please use the prepared materials to refine a grade-seven Soul Nourishing Pill!"
At the steward's announcement, the cultivators immediately began their work. Starting with a grade-seven pill left no room for cheating.
Song Wanníng examined the materials and quickly began her preparation. For her, a grade-seven pill was quite simple. She focused on controlling the pill's quality and quantity to ensure she would not fall behind.
From the start, she never intended to hide anything or rely on a last-minute comeback. She wanted to advance steadily and confidently all the way to the finals. As for the final result, she did not push for it but would never let Medicine King Sect have their way.
A faint smile curved Song Wanníng's lips as she threw herself into pill refining.
Below the stone platform, Wu Qingfeng stared fixedly at Song Wanníng's platform, hoping she would be eliminated in the first round.
But for some reason, since the moment he saw Song Wanníng, his heart felt uneasy, as if something bad was about to happen.
He clenched the railing tightly, the killing intent in his eyes growing stronger.