Xiao Li directly killed Elder Mu Gu, and no one else dared to speak.
Xuan Kongzi only symbolically fined Xiao Li a thousand gold coins; besides that, there was no other punishment.
After all, Pill Tower and Soul Hall were originally mortal enemies, and Xiao Li killing Elder Mu Gu was even a good thing for Pill Tower.
It was only because the Pill Gathering was still ongoing that Xuan Kongzi merely put on a show to express Pill Tower's impartiality.
The reason Xiao Li killed Elder Mu Gu was also very simple: he just found this guy irritating.
Not only did he take advantage in front of Xuan Kongzi and the others and then act smug, but he even dared to mock Xiao Li.
With Xiao Li's fiery temper, how could he tolerate it?
Moreover, Xiao Li knew about Elder Mu Gu and Soul Hall's subsequent plan to cause destruction after entering the Star Realm.
Since there would be a conflict with them sooner or later, it was better to take the opportunity now to eliminate Elder Mu Gu directly, which would also reduce the number of competitors for the Three Thousand Yan Flame.
What Pill Tower dared not do, he would do!
"President Xuan, I accept the punishment."
Xiao Li honestly took out a thousand gold coins and handed them to Xuan Kongzi.
If Elder Mu Gu knew that his life was only worth a thousand gold coins, he would probably be so angry that he would come back to life even after dying.
From then on, the Pill Gathering officially concluded, and everyone dispersed.
Besides the champion being an undoubtedly hot topic, this Pill Gathering also had many other discussion points.
For example, Elder Mu Gu attempted to win the championship and humiliate Pill Tower, but Xiao Li turned the tide; another example was Elder Mu Gu provoking Xiao Li and being instantly killed on the spot.
These were all topics worthy of relish.
In addition, the other top ten participants in this Pill Gathering were also worth discussing.
Xiao Yan, Old Monster Qing Hua, Cao Ying, Dan Chen, and other Alchemists who refined Eighth-Grade Pills, although not as good as Xiao Li, were nonetheless genuine Grandmaster Alchemists.
Among them, it was not very surprising to everyone that Cao Ying and Dan Chen achieved these results.
After all, they were outstanding talents among the Five Great Families, and such talent was normal.
Old Monster Qing Hua was an elder generation Grandmaster Alchemist with a considerable reputation, so having this strength was to be expected.
As for Xiao Yan, everyone was shocked when they learned that he and Xiao Li were brothers.
Two brothers, both entering the top ten of the Pill Gathering, one first and one third.
Isn't that too abnormal?
Which family could cultivate two such young Eighth-Grade Alchemists at the same time?
Even if their ancestral grave was smoking, they couldn't do it, right?
Indeed, like brother, like brother!
...After the Pill Gathering ended, Xiao Li returned to the Ye family's manor.
After receiving congratulations from Ye Zhong and Ye Xinlan, he went to rest, and as soon as he lay down, he couldn't help but fall asleep.
After more than ten days of sleepless nights, concentrating wholeheartedly on alchemy, even if Xiao Li was made of iron, he couldn't endure it.
However, his body's recovery ability was indeed strong; he completely recovered after only sleeping for one day and one night.
The next morning, he was full of vigor, with no trace of fatigue.
"Xiao Li, you're awake."
Ye Xinlan brought washing water and personally attended to Xiao Li, helping him brush his teeth and wash his face.
"Hmm, after a good sleep, I feel much better."
Xiao Li stretched broadly, letting out a comfortable sound.
There was nothing more comfortable than a big stretch right after waking up.
"I thought you'd sleep for at least two days," Ye Xinlan said with a sweet smile on her face.
Looking at the girl's gentle smile, Xiao Li couldn't help but reach out and pull her into his arms, chuckling mischievously,
"If you don't accompany me, how can I sleep for two days?"
"Elder and the others are still waiting for you outside, we should first... Mmm~"
Xiao Li kissed the girl's thin lips, making her swallow the rest of her words.
"Don't mind them, let's do something serious first."
While gently kissing, Xiao Li's hand slowly moved up Ye Xinlan's body.
"Xiao Li, it's broad daylight... and there are people outside," Ye Xinlan's cheeks blushed, flustered.
"What if there are people? We announced to the outside that you are my fiancée, isn't doing this kind of thing very normal?"
Ye Xinlan's defenses were being breached one by one, her clothes were all unbuttoned, revealing a perfect delicate body.
"You, you shouldn't look so directly..."
Ye Xinlan covered her chest with both hands, her face flushed red with shyness, extremely embarrassed.
"You're so beautiful, how can I not look more?"
Xiao Li chuckled mischievously, pushed away Ye Xinlan's hands, and replaced them with his own.
Soon, alluring sounds echoed in the room... After a good moment of intimacy with Ye Xinlan.
Originally, Ye Xinlan had come to help Xiao Li get up.
Now, Xiao Li was awake, but Ye Xinlan was so tired that she fell asleep in his room and couldn't get up.
Meanwhile, Xiao Li, feeling refreshed, arrived at the main hall.
Ye Zhong was waiting for him in the main hall, and besides him, there was also a stunningly beautiful woman in a purple dress—Zi Yan!
"Xiao Li, you're finally up!" Seeing him come out, Zi Yan couldn't help but get excited, quickly stood up, and walked over.
If it weren't for the presence of others, she might have directly pounced into Xiao Li's arms.
"Mm, just woke up."
"I heard you won the Pill Gathering championship, congratulations!" Zi Yan smiled.
"Thank you."
"You're going into the Star Realm to subdue the Three Thousand Yan Flame the day after tomorrow, right? I think you need my help," Zi Yan said mysteriously.
Xiao Li suddenly found it a bit amusing: "What help can you give me?"
"Hehe, even the Pill Tower Three Giants couldn't subdue the Three Thousand Yan Flame, do you think others have that ability?" Zi Yan said.
In terms of strength, the Pill Tower Three Giants could only be considered first-rate in the entire Central Plains, not top-tier.
But in terms of alchemy and the ability to subdue Heavenly Flames, the Pill Tower Three Giants' skills were far beyond what others could compare to.
Yet, even they couldn't subdue the Three Thousand Yan Flame, let alone anyone else.
"However, although this Three Thousand Yan Flame has been sealed by Pill Tower, it doesn't belong to them."
"To be precise, the Three Thousand Yan Flame belongs to our Ancient Void Dragon Clan."
"Back then, one of our ancestors encountered the Three Thousand Yan Flame when it was still in its infant fire state and left a Dragon Seal on its soul."
"It can be said that without our Ancient Void Dragon Clan's Dragon Seal, even a Dou Sheng expert would not be able to subdue the Three Thousand Yan Flame," Zi Yan said seriously.
And Xiao Li knew all this information.
"So, you came this time to bring me a solution?" he asked.
"Hehe, so smart."
"I brought you the Ancient Dragon Blood of our Ancient Void Dragon Clan, which can also leave a Dragon Seal on you, giving you a chance to subdue the Three Thousand Yan Flame." Zi Yan took out a jade bottle from her storage ring.
Ancient Dragon Blood... Xiao Li was about to reach out for the jade bottle, but Zi Yan quickly pulled it back.
"It's not that easy to get Ancient Dragon Blood, you know."
"You little girl... have you learned to play hard to get with me now? Tell me, what do you want?" Xiao Li said exasperatedly.
Zi Yan's face was slightly red as she leaned close to Xiao Li's ear and whispered,
"I want you to satisfy me..."