Xiao Jietian noticed that Nalan Yanran's expression was a little strange—was that a hint of jealousy?
Recalling Nalan Yanran's reaction when she had seen Xiao Yan's disguise before, her expression had changed then too. He thought to himself: Something must have happened between them. This is getting interesting; there's gossip here.
Yao Lao's voice chimed in his mind: I think so too. I'm really looking forward to it. I wonder if this gossip is ripe yet.
As time passed, a clear bell rang out across the square, and the entire space instantly fell from a cacophony into silence.
"By the authority of the President of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Guild, I declare the Seventh Alchemist Convention now open!"
Fa Ma stood up, his body trembling slightly. Though his frame was thin, his voice was vigorous and powerful.
"Cheers!"
The entire venue erupted in cheers and shouts, the sound reverberating through the heavens!
"All contestants, please proceed to your designated positions."
Once the crowd's cheers had somewhat subsided, Fa Ma spoke again, his voice penetrating clearly into everyone's ears.
Hearing his words, the participating alchemists moved, taking their places before the bluestone platforms they had drawn by lot.
"Xiao Jietian, Yan Xiao, Liu Ling, Little Princess, you all return to your respective positions as well. Those are your assigned seats."
The four followed Fa Ma's pointing finger. It was the central area of the entire square, where about ten large bluestone platforms stood. These platforms were not only wider than the others but also seemed to be elevated slightly higher.
Looking at these eye-catching, most prominent contestant positions, the four had varied expressions.
Liu Ling was brimming with excitement, Princess Yao Yue was eager to try, Xiao Yan frowned slightly, while Xiao Jietian's expression remained calm.
"You four, please proceed down now," Fa Ma said, looking at them with a kind smile.
Liu Ling and the Little Princess, full of flair, made their way to their respective contestant platforms.
Xiao Yan, as in the original storyline, walked down in a low-key manner.
Xiao Jietian unleashed a burst of Dou Qi, pushing Xiao Yan out with lightning speed.
"Damn it, Brother Tian, that's not fair!"
Xiao Yan immediately demonstrated his exquisite control of airflow, moving toward the contestant platform.
"It's your turn to perform; I'm looking forward to your display."
Little Fairy Doctor straightened Xiao Jietian's clothes, speaking softly.
Xiao Jietian nodded to the three women and summoned his Golden Feathered Sky Wings.
"Holy cow, Dou Qi Wings!"
"He's a Dou King at such a young age?"
Gasps of surprise immediately erupted from the audience.
Slap!
"Damn your ancestors, why did you hit me?!"
"I'm checking if I'm dreaming."
"Then why don't you hit yourself?"
"It hurts to hit myself."
The people around them couldn't help but laugh at these two clowns.
With a gentle flap of his wings, he shot forward like an arrow, instantly soaring above the contestant seating area. His movements were light and graceful, as if he had merged with the sky itself.
Xiao Jietian slowly descended onto his seat, gently straightened his clothes, and smiled as he nodded to the surrounding audience.
Though his wings had retracted, that image of handsomeness and composure remained etched in the hearts of the audience.
"He's so handsome! From this moment on, he's my idol! I want to have his babies!"
"That's my male god! I can cooperate with him in any position he wants. Even if I die in his arms, I'd be happy!"
A group of female spectators were so captivated by Xiao Jietian that they blurted out all sorts of exclamations, making the surrounding men drool with envy.
"Sister Xian'er, this bad guy really attracts a lot of attention. We'll have to teach him a proper lesson when we get back tonight."
Ya Fei linked arms with Little Fairy Doctor, leaning in to whisper in her ear with a smile.
My man is so handsome; you can only look, but I, your lady, own him outright.
"I think you're the one seeing your Little Brother Xiao Jietian looking so dashing and getting all flustered."
Little Fairy Doctor lightly tapped Ya Fei's forehead, speaking playfully.
"Little Brother Xiao Jietian, you big bad guy, if you're the most outstanding one today, then maybe those embarrassing thoughts you had before... Sister Xian'er and I wouldn't say no."
Ya Fei murmured, her eyes full of affection as she looked at Xiao Jietian in his seat.
Although Ya Fei's words were soft, Little Fairy Doctor was very close and naturally heard them. Her face, hidden behind the veil, flushed, but she did not object.
...
Xiao Jietian stood before the bluestone platform. On the platform, a set of medicinal ingredients was neatly stacked. In front of the ingredients, a thin piece of paper lay quietly. Additionally, a jade mirror was embedded in front of the bluestone platform, faintly flickering with blue and red light.
Xiao Jietian picked up the thin paper and carefully scanned its contents.
Sure enough, it was still this second-tier medicinal pill: the Bone-Generating Pill.
The paper was not like a normal pill formula inscribed with soul power; it merely casually listed the ingredient quantities and other details.
It only provided a rough refining method. Other details, such as heat control, all needed to be grasped by oneself, which undoubtedly increased the difficulty of refinement to a terrifying degree.
There were only two sets of ingredients on the platform, meaning only two attempts. If both failed, one could only leave in disappointment.
Xiao Jietian put down the formula and looked up at Xiao Yan and the other two. Xiao Yan wore a faint, bitter smile, frowning as he examined the formula.
The Little Princess and Liu Ling, on the other hand, were much calmer. They were currently meticulously studying the few refining issues recorded on the thin paper, their brows slightly furrowed.
Under Xiao Jietian's gaze, Liu Ling and Xiao Yan engaged in a silent, eye-to-eye confrontation.
Xiao Jietian once again carefully reviewed the formula, then closed his eyes.
"What is Xiao Jietian doing? He's not even looking at the formula anymore. Is he supremely confident or just arrogant?"
Liu Ling and the others, who were still studying the formula, noticed Xiao Jietian's actions and looked at him in confusion.
Xiao Jietian closed his eyes to concentrate, using his soul power to form an illusory cauldron in his mind. Within it, his powerful soul power began continuously experimenting with combinations of the medicinal ingredients.
This method required a thorough understanding of the properties, effects, and interactions of medicinal ingredients, as well as formidable soul power; neither could be lacking.