Upon receiving the bucket of "Star Power Nutrient Solution" undiluted, Lie Yangzi felt as if he were holding a potentially explosive stellar bomb, so frustrated he almost ascended to heaven on the spot. Warning! A blatant warning! The terrifying purifying power contained within that pale blue liquid made even this expert in playing with fire feel his heart pound. He had no doubt that if this stuff were poured onto his alchemy furnace, half of the earth fire essence he had painstakingly nurtured would be purified!
Under the divine power of "Star Purification Powder," the berry industry on Starfall Peak rapidly recovered, even benefiting from the misfortune. The branches and leaves became more refined, and the star-life energy contained within the berries seemed even more concentrated. The mass production plan for "Minor Star Powder" was in full swing, and Dan Ding Peak was buying berries at inflated prices, causing Starfall Peak's spirit stone reserves to visibly swell. Lin Yuan walked with an air of superiority, looking at everyone as if they were walking spirit stones.
Seeing the joyful expressions on the faces of the Dan Ding Peak disciples as they received the "Minor Star Powder," and hearing the outside world's praise for Xingyun Peak's "Star Pesticide" and "cheap divine pills," Lie Yangzi felt a tightness in his chest and a burning pain in his face. No! He had to get revenge! He had to completely crush Xingyun Peak in the art of alchemy, letting everyone know who truly belonged to the Tianyan Sect's orthodox alchemy lineage!
Thus, preparations began in earnest for the "Heavenly Evolution Alchemy Grand Competition," initiated by Lieyangzi in conjunction with several friendly peak masters, including Jianming Peak and Wanfa Peak (mainly due to their displeasure with Xingyun Peak's rising prominence). The competition extended invitations to rising alchemy talents from various sects and families in the Eastern Region, claiming its aim was to exchange techniques and promote the prosperity of alchemy. Of course, an invitation letter, extremely "humble" in its wording but brimming with "praise to kill," was also sent to Xingyun Peak.
"…Peak Master Lin pioneered the Starry Sky Alchemy Dao, his talent is astonishing and unparalleled, shaking the ages. This grand competition is hereby established, and we respectfully invite Peak Master Lin to grace us with his presence, to guide the younger generation, and to open a new era and a new path for alchemy in the Eastern Region…" Gu Chen read the invitation, his mustache bristling with anger: "Bah! You old scoundrel! He clearly wants to embarrass you, Peak Master, in front of the whole world! He knows you… uh, your alchemy… is rather… unique! He wants to make you lose face in public!"
Lin Yuan held the invitation and curled his lip. A blatant conspiracy! A naked conspiracy! Go? His "wok-fried pill refining technique" was fine for his own turf, but on a grand stage, facing countless renowned pill refining masters and geniuses, if he showed weakness, the reputation Starfall Peak had just built would be ruined. Not go? That would be admitting defeat! It would solidify his reputation as a "deceitful fraud," and he would be ridiculed by Lie Yangzi and his gang.
As he was struggling with his decision, a clear, cold voice sounded beside him:
"If Master departs, this disciple will protect the Dharma."
Feng Qinghuang, having ended her resonance with the myriad star gnomon at some point, walked to Lin Yuan's side. Her aura was deep and composed, her peak Tribulation Transcending power concealed, yet the unwavering determination in her starry eyes was undeniable. She wouldn't hesitate to replace the peak master of Dan Ding Peak with anyone who dared to embarrass her master.
"Yes! Peak Master! Go! We must go!" Gu Chen, as if injected with adrenaline, pointed to the heavy Chaos Star Pot in the corner, its bottom bearing several mysterious scratches. "With me here! With Feng girl here! And with our Peak-Suppressing Artifact, the 'Chaos Star Pot'! You can go with complete peace of mind! You just need to pour the ingredients into the pot, and leave the rest—heat control, star power guidance, law suppression… all to Brother Pot! I'll assist you! I guarantee those bumpkins will have their eyes opened, to see what true 'simplicity is the ultimate sophistication' really means! What 'the pot shakes the Dao of Alchemy' truly means!"
Lin Yuan looked at Gu Chen, who was full of fighting spirit, then at the Empress's disciple beside him, whose aura was unfathomable and whose eyes were firm. Finally, his gaze fell on the Chaos Star Cauldron, which had made great contributions in battle and now seemed to be gleaming with eager light...
A surge of heroic spirit instantly dispelled his hesitation!
"Go! Why wouldn't we go!" Lin Yuan slapped his thigh, his spirit soaring. "Lie Yangzi wants to see me make a fool of myself? I'll show him what the power of the 'pot' really is! Let him know that in the face of absolute strength... uh, the power of the pot, all schemes are just paper tigers! Lao Gu, get the pot ready! Let's go smash things up!"
...
On the day of the Grand Alchemy Competition, Dan Ding Peak was packed with people, an unprecedented spectacle.
On the vast plaza, alchemy geniuses and renowned figures from all corners of the Eastern Region gathered. Various uniquely shaped, radiant alchemy furnaces were placed in designated areas, their vents spewing forth scorching flames, filling the air with a rich medicinal aroma and a tense atmosphere.
On the high platform, Lie Yangzi and several peak masters sat upright, watching the scions of prestigious families below skillfully process medicinal herbs and nurture their alchemy furnaces, a reserved yet satisfied smile on their faces. This was the true orthodox way of alchemy! This was the grandeur of a great sect! His gaze swept towards the entrance of the plaza, a barely perceptible sneer playing on his lips: Lin Yuan, let's see how you die today!
Just then—
"Lin Yuan, the peak master of Starfall Peak, has arrived!"
The moment the announcement was made, it instantly drew everyone's attention!
At the entrance, Lin Yuan led the way, dressed in a brand-new blue robe (he had changed it specially), a seemingly benevolent smile on his face. Behind him, Feng Qinghuang, clad in a flowing moonlight gauze, was aloof and stunningly beautiful. Although she deliberately concealed her peak Tribulation Transcending aura, her superior bearing still drew the attention of countless people, inspiring awe. Further behind, Elder Gu Chen, like a loyal servant, carried on his shoulder… a strangely shaped, entirely silver-gray iron pot with several mysterious scratches on its bottom… a massive iron pot?!
"puff--!"
"What...what is that? An iron pot?"
"The peak master of Starfall Peak? The one who founded the Starry Sky Pill Dao? What...why is he carrying a pot? To cook?"
"Hahahaha! This is hilarious! Bringing an iron pot to the Alchemy Competition? Are they trying to be funny?"
After a brief silence, the square erupted in uncontrollable laughter and chatter! Everyone stared at Lin Yuan and the pot on his shoulder as if he were a fool.
Lie Yangzi almost burst out laughing, barely managing to hold back his laughter. It worked! This good-for-nothing really brought shame upon himself! He coughed with feigned authority, "Silence! Peak Master Lin is a distinguished guest of our sect, and his alchemy... is quite unique. Please don't be surprised. Please, Peak Master Lin, take a seat."
Ignoring the laughter around him, Lin Yuan, along with Feng Qinghuang and Gu Chen who was carrying the blame, swaggered towards the most conspicuous spot in the center of the square, a spot that Lieyangzi had specially "arranged" for him.
"Master, please." Gu Chen solemnly placed the Chaos Star Cauldron on the specially made, oversized stone platform (it couldn't fit on an ordinary alchemy furnace platform), as if placing a divine artifact.
Lin Yuan nodded, rolled up his sleeves, and under the watchful, mocking, and curious gazes of countless people, he began to pour things into the pot like a chef!
Splash!
A few bundles of the most common "Spirit-Nourishing Grass"!
A few cheap "Tranquilizers"!
A large jar of thick starfruit juice!
Finally, Lin Yuan magically produced several pieces of "stardust sand" that shimmered with a faint light and a small pinch of... something that looked like soot from the bottom of a pot (actually a trace amount of chaotic dust left over from the last time he sorted through the chaotic source energy)? He poured it all in at once!
"..." The entire room fell silent once again.
Is this...is this really alchemy? Or is it just cooking pig feed?
Lie Yangzi could barely suppress the sneer on his lips. Useless! Just as expected! He can't even recognize all the medicinal herbs! Let's see how he gets out of this mess!
"Light the fire!" Lin Yuan waved his hand, mimicking the style of a restaurant chef.
Light a fire? Light what fire? Everyone was puzzled.
Lin Yuan suddenly pressed his hands onto the star runes on both sides of the Chaos Star Cauldron!
"Buzz—!!!"
The Chaos Star Cauldron erupted with an unprecedentedly brilliant silver-gray light! The mysterious scratches on the cauldron instantly lit up, like living blood vessels! An invisible, terrifying gravitational force, carrying the aura of chaotic annihilation, exploded outwards from the cauldron!
Rumble, rumble, rumble—!!!
The entire Dan Ding Peak Plaza seemed to be gripped tightly by an invisible giant hand! All the burning fire pits, as if their necks were being choked, instantly extinguished their flames, flickered a few times, and then... *poof! poof! poof! poof!*
All! Extinguished!
Not just the plaza! At the same time, all the alchemy rooms, weapon-refining rooms, and earth fire cultivation rooms on the entire Dan Ding Peak... all places that relied on earth fire, all of them mysteriously... went out!
Dead silence!
Absolute silence!
The square, which was just moments ago filled with roaring flames and the aroma of herbs, suddenly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop!
All the alchemists, whether geniuses or veterans, remained frozen in place, still in the motion of activating incantations or throwing medicinal herbs, staring dumbfounded at the cold, lifeless fire pit beneath their alchemy furnaces!
"My...my inner fire...has been extinguished?"
"Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pill! My Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pill! The timing is just right!"
"What's going on?! Is there something wrong with the earth's fire veins?!"
"It's that pot! It's that pot from Starfall Peak that's responsible!"
After a brief moment of shock, came a deafening roar of horror, anger, and panic! Countless gazes, like sharp swords, shot toward the center of the plaza, toward the still gleaming silver cauldron that seemed to be silently mocking the entire Dao of Alchemy!
Lie Yangzi abruptly stood up from the high platform, his face turning from red to green, then to purple, and finally deathly pale! He was trembling all over, pointing at Lin Yuan, his lips trembling, but he couldn't utter a single word! Fear! An unprecedented fear gripped him! That pot... that pot could actually... extinguish the entire earth fire of Dan Ding Peak?! This was simply... cutting off the very foundation of Dan Ding Peak!
Lin Yuan was also stunned.
He... he just wanted to show off, to attract some star power to start "stirring up pills"! Who knew this guy would be so powerful? He directly absorbed all the earth fire? This... this is a huge mess!
He subconsciously looked at Feng Qinghuang and Gu Chen beside him.
Feng Qinghuang remained calm, but the aura of a peak Tribulation Transcending expert emanating from her body subtly rippled outwards, acting as an invisible barrier to keep out the angry gazes and escaping oppressive force. Her cold eyes swept across the entire scene, carrying a hint of warning.
Gu Chen, on the other hand, wore an expression of fanaticism and... a sense of entitlement? He shouted at Lin Yuan, "Peak Master! Mortal earth fire is unworthy to compete with Brother Guo's brilliance! It's better to extinguish it! lest it tarnish the purity of our Starry Sky Pill Dao! Please continue! Star power is eternal!"
continue?
Lin Yuan looked at the chaotic and indignant square, then at the pile of messy ingredients in his pot. Under the silver-gray light and faint aura of chaotic annihilation emanating from the Chaos Star Pot, the ingredients were slowly rotating and merging, emitting a strange aroma that blended the fragrance of herbs and trees, the coolness of stars, and a trace of chaotic energy...
He steeled himself, and under Feng Qinghuang's icy shield and Gu Chen's fanatical gaze, forced a smile that said, "Everything is under control," and addressed the silent square:
"Ahem! Everyone! Please calm down!"
"Earth fire? Mere trifle! It's gone, so be it! It'll be a good opportunity for everyone to witness... what true stellar power is all about in alchemy!"
"Watch closely!"
He suddenly channeled his spiritual power into the pot's walls!
"Chaotic Star Cauldron! Star-Refined Spirit! Get me... to cook!"