Chapter 9: The Alchemist's Arena
The Alchemist's Guild competition was a grand spectacle. The arena, a vast space of white stone, was filled with the clamor of a thousand voices and the low hum of cultivation. Lin Xuan stood among the competitors, his plain gray robes a stark contrast to the colorful attire of the other alchemists. Liu Yue, Luo Shuang, and Liu Yang watched from the stands, their faces a mix of worry and hope.
Master Huo, his long beard swaying, announced the challenge: "Refine a 3rd-grade pill in one hour! The finest alchemical flame and the sharpest mind will win!"
Lin Xuan's hands moved with practiced ease. He used a normal red flame publicly, hiding the true power of his silver-blue flame. He meticulously crafted a glowing pill from Spirit Bone Grass and Starlight Petal. Suddenly, a Zhi Clan spy, disguised as a competitor, sabotaged a rival's cauldron, sparking chaos.
As the crowd descended into pandemonium, three assassins, all at the 7th Layer of Qi Gathering, targeted Lin Xuan. Their qi blades slashed through the air, but his Illusion Diversion clone flickered to life, drawing their initial attack. He moved with Celestial Glide, a blur of motion as he dodged their strikes. Tooth Dagger tore through an assassin's chest. A qi spear grazed his arm, but his Iron Body Art held. He used Energy Devour to weaken their strikes, their power fading with each blow. The last assassin's qi eagle raked his back, but he plunged Tooth Dagger into its heart.
The crowd erupted in cheers, mistaking the brutal fight for a part of the show. Master Huo, however, knew better. He strode to Lin Xuan and, with a knowing look, declared him the winner, awarding him a pouch of rare herbs and a bag of spirit stones. "You've made some powerful enemies today," he warned. Lin Xuan glanced at Liu Yue in the stands, her face a mix of relief and admiration, and felt that familiar ache flare in his chest.