Through Zi Yan's intermittent words, Xiao Li finally pieced together Zi Yan's experience—
Not long after Xiao Li left Jia Nan Academy, people from the Ancient Void Dragon Clan found Zi Yan.
It was probably because the royal bloodline within Zi Yan had been activated, allowing the Ancient Void Dragon Clan to sense her aura, find her, and bring her back to the Ancient Void Dragon Clan.
As a royal bloodline of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, Zi Yan's significance to the Ancient Void Dragon Clan was immense.
To fully activate the royal bloodline within her and rapidly increase her cultivation, the Ancient Void Dragon Clan used many methods on her.
However, those methods were a bit too much for Zi Yan, and she wanted to escape.
Furthermore, learning that the Pill Gathering was about to begin and that Xiao Li would participate, Zi Yan came here in advance to wait for him.
"Did the people in your clan know that you snuck out by yourself?" Xiao Li asked.
"Who cares," Zi Yan muttered softly, "Anyway, I'm out now, and I won't go back so soon."
She had finally managed to come out once, and she wouldn't go back so quickly. No matter what, she had to have a good time for a while.
"Or perhaps, Xiao Li, you don't miss me? Does my appearance make you unhappy?" The little girl suddenly wrinkled her delicate nose, with a hint of resentment.
Although her body had fully matured and she was a tall, beautiful woman now.
Her personality was still much like a little girl's. This would probably only change once she fully awakened the royal bloodline within her.
"How could that be? I'm just worried about your safety, especially since you're carrying our child."
Xiao Li put his arm around Zi Yan's slender waist, gently stroking her slightly bulging belly.
"You still remember… I thought you had forgotten about our baby," Zi Yan said with a resentful expression.
Her true form was a magical beast, and like Medusa, magical beasts don't give birth after just ten months of pregnancy.
Zi Yan had been pregnant for eight or nine months now, but her belly was only slightly bulging. If one didn't look carefully, it would even be unnoticeable that she was pregnant.
"How could I forget? I was planning to return to the academy to visit you all after the Pill Gathering, but I didn't expect you to come here to find me," Xiao Li quickly hugged the girl in front of him, comforting her gently.
Zi Yan's personality was still childlike and easily softened.
She was a bit angry initially, but with Xiao Li's hug, her anger immediately dissipated.
"Xiao Li, I really missed you…"
Zi Yan opened her arms and hugged Xiao Li tightly.
"I know,"
Xiao Li comforted her softly.
After a long separation, although Xiao Li also wanted to comfort Zi Yan properly.
But now was not the time.
He was still participating in the Pill Gathering's assessment and didn't have much time.
So, after hugging Zi Yan for a while, Xiao Li had no choice but to get down to business—finding medicinal ingredients.
All the medicinal ingredients in the Ten Thousand Medicine Mountain Range had been moved here by that Ancient Dragon Bear, and Zi Yan was the Ancient Dragon Bear's boss, so finding medicinal ingredients here was extremely simple.
Xiao Li quickly gathered all the medicinal ingredients required for the task.
He also had Xiao Yan, Cao Ying, and Dan Chen gather their task ingredients as well.
As for the others, Xiao Li didn't bother with them.
These medicinal ingredients belonged to the Ancient Dragon Bear. Xiao Li could freely obtain other medicinal ingredients because of Zi Yan.
Anyone else who wanted to take medicinal ingredients from here would first have to get past the Ancient Dragon Bear.
After resolving the matter of the medicinal ingredients, Xiao Li and the others had to rush towards the exit of the Dan Realm.
Finding the medicinal ingredients and submitting them within the stipulated time was considered completing this round of assessment.
Although Zi Yan was reluctant, she had no choice but to let Xiao Li and the others leave.
Anyway, she had her own way of leaving the Dan Realm. When she returned to the outside world, it would be perfectly fine for her to meet up with Xiao Li again... Dan Realm exit.
Xiao Li's group rushed at full speed and finally saw a huge plaza ahead.
Dense figures stood on the plaza.
"That must be the Dan Realm exit," Xiao Li breathed a sigh of relief.
The time limit was non-negotiable. If they had gathered all the medicinal ingredients but failed to submit them within the stipulated time, it would also be considered a failed task.
This situation was the most frustrating.
Fortunately, Xiao Li and the others arrived relatively early and did not waste time.
Hundreds of people had already gathered in the plaza, all of whom had collected the required medicinal ingredients and were lining up to submit them to complete the task.
Xiao Li's group also dutifully lined up, submitted their medicinal ingredients, and then left the Dan Realm... The long-awaited sunlight streamed down, carrying a bright aura that made Xiao Li feel a little dazzling.
Inside the Dan Realm, although there was also a sun, due to the barrier, the sunlight appeared very hazy.
Now back in the outside world, this real sunlight gave a completely different feeling.
"Indeed, the air in the outside world feels more real."
Xiao Li took a deep breath, looking at the dense crowd of spectators below the stage.
Now, those who could emerge from the Dan Realm exit meant that they had successfully passed the first two stages and arrived on the stage for this final stage.
Regardless of their performance next, being able to stand on this stage at least proved that they had the strength to contend for the championship!
Countless eyes were focused on these individuals.
Until time passed and the Dan Realm's exit completely closed.
The closing of the exit meant the thorough end of the second stage of the trial.
If anyone was still inside the Dan Realm at this time and hadn't come out, even if they had found the medicinal ingredients required for the task, they would be judged as having failed the task.
Such were the rules; no one had special privileges... Finally, over a thousand people remained in the plaza.
These more than a thousand people were the contestants qualified to participate in the third round of assessment.
On the tall tower, the Pill Tower Three Giants stepped out into the air.
Xuan Kongzi looked down at the crowd and said loudly, "Congratulations on successfully passing the first two rounds of assessment and reaching the stage of the final round of assessment."
"The first two rounds of assessment have concluded, and you no longer need to dwell on your previous scores, because the upcoming third round of assessment is the true test."
"Regardless of the results of the first two rounds, as long as you can achieve first place in this final assessment, you will be the champion of this Pill Gathering!"
Xuan Kongzi's words were inspiring, exciting everyone on stage.
"Then, I announce that the final round of assessment for this Pill Gathering now begins!"
As the last sentence echoed through the plaza.
The audience below erupted in cheers, their shouts soaring into the sky.
"All participants, please choose your own stone platform and refine the most confident pill within the stipulated time."
"Ultimately, whoever's pill is of the highest quality will be the champion."
Xiao Li looked at Dan Chen and Cao Ying, smiling,
"Ladies, it's time for a competition."
Dan Chen's personality was gentle, but at this moment, an unprecedented determination appeared in her eyes, and she nodded,
"I will give it my all."
Cao Ying, however, gave a charming smile and said, "Then let's see who can win the championship."
The two women were full of fighting spirit...