The first three days of the Centennial Pill Grand Event were dedicated to Dao discussions led by the Yao Family's experts and other alchemists. This time, the Supreme Profound Sect once again did not participate. Several Heaven-tier Alchemists from the Yao Family shared their profound Alchemy Insights.
Lu Xuan, true to form, remained lounging in his cave dwelling, completely out of sight. Meanwhile, Elder Cang Li had practically dragged Ye Chen away.
Soon, one after another, alchemists from the Yao Family ascended the stage to share their Alchemy Insights.
Three days later, the final alchemist from the Yao Family took the stage: Yao Feng, an Old Ancestor from the Saint Son's Lineage, making his grand finale appearance. Clad in a simple grey robe, his eyes gleamed with an arrogant confidence as he slowly began to speak.
"I have refined pills for countless years, learning to discern spirit herbs by scent..." Yao Feng declared, his voice resonating with authority. "In alchemy, the greatest pitfalls are overreaching and underestimating the practicalities. One must meticulously consider the medicinal properties of herbs, the subtle reactions of spiritual essences. Without herbs, there can be no pills, and this holds true even at the very pinnacle of alchemy. This is the Dao of alchemy: precision and stability above all else!"
Yao Feng spoke for a full three hours, his discourse flowing like a grand river, clearly exerting himself, a few beads of sweat even glistening on his brow. Many alchemists nodded in admiration. Indeed, he was worthy of being called the foremost alchemist of the Yao Family, and arguably the Southern Wilds! His Alchemy Insights were profoundly beneficial to them.
Old Ancestor Yao Feng was quite pleased with the crowd's reaction. "Esteemed colleagues," he announced, "do any of you have further insights to share? If not, this Dao discussion will conclude!" As his voice faded, Elder Cang Li spoke up, "I believe the Dao of alchemy doesn't necessarily need to be so constrained."
A Yao Family alchemist inquired, "What do you mean by that?"
Elder Cang Li then posed a question to the assembly, "I wonder if any of you have heard of the concept of 'Ultimate Alchemy'?"
Old Ancestor Yao Feng's expression flickered. He had, of course, heard of Ye Chen's audacious pronouncements from Yao Baili and others. However, many alchemists present had only recently emerged from seclusion and were unaware of the events that transpired a year ago at the Grand Dao Sect's Pill Refining Exchange Conference.
"Elder Cang Li," they pressed, "what profound insights do you possess? The ultimate form of alchemy? We are eager to hear more!"
Elder Cang Li pointed directly at Ye Chen, declaring, "This theory was put forth by none other than Ye Chen!"
Ye Chen, ever humble, quickly interjected, "Not me, Elder. It was my Master."
Elder Cang Li, ignoring Ye Chen's correction, slowly recited, "Let Heaven and Earth be the furnace, creation be the craftsman, yin and yang be the fuel, and all myriad things be the raw material... One can take the boundless starry sky as a furnace, the Grand Dao itself as spirit herbs, and the River of Time as the spirit fire, to refine all heavens..."
As his words echoed, the numerous Heaven-tier Alchemists were utterly stunned. These were seasoned veterans, having cultivated alchemy in the Southern Wilds for countless years. Yet, this was the first time they had ever encountered such a theory! To take the starry sky as a furnace! To use the Grand Dao as spirit herbs! To wield the River of Time as the spirit fire! To refine all heavens! Many white-haired, white-bearded elders shot to their feet, their bodies trembling uncontrollably. This theory struck them like a bolt from the blue, profoundly shaking their understanding! It was simply too astonishing! As if a whole new world had been unveiled before their eyes!
Several highly respected alchemy grandmasters inquired, "Which one is Ye Chen? I wish to make his acquaintance."
Elder Cang Li, beaming with pride, immediately pulled Ye Chen forward. "That's him," he declared with an arrogant flourish.
Ye Chen, meanwhile, wore a speechless expression. When had Elder Cang Li memorized his entire speech from the Pill Refining Exchange Conference? Unbeknownst to him, Elder Cang Li had transformed into a fervent "loyal Ye Chen fan." Now, standing beside Ye Chen, Cang Li's face was a mask of proud aloofness. In his estimation, when it came to alchemy theories, if Ye Chen claimed to be second in the Southern Wilds, no one would dare claim to be first!
Instantly, all eyes in the venue were drawn to Ye Chen. Such a young alchemist? If he could even reach Jade-tier at that age, his talent would be truly heaven-defying! (Though in the cultivation world, the 'younger generation' often included anyone under three hundred years old, making such a feat even more remarkable.)
On the high platform, Old Ancestor Yao Feng's face turned noticeably sour. He had been the grand finale! Yet, a mere "unconventional" discourse from Ye Chen had managed to cause such a sensation. Clearly, everyone had completely forgotten his own three-hour Dao discussion! Ye Chen had utterly stolen the show.
A grey-robed elder looked at Ye Chen. "Little Friend Ye Chen," he said, "your words are truly profound. A single discourse from you is worth an epoch of pill refining!" For these Heaven-tier Alchemists at the peak of their craft, their refining techniques were already perfected. What they craved was a higher level of Alchemy Insights.
And without a doubt, Ye Chen's words had shattered their understanding! In moments, the crowd swarmed around Ye Chen, bombarding him with eager questions.
Old Ancestor Yao Feng was left stranded on the high platform. A flash of displeasure crossed his eyes. How could the combined insights of over a dozen Heaven-tier Alchemists from the Yao Family ultimately be overshadowed by a single statement from Ye Chen? Outrageous! This is the Yao Family's home turf!
The Saint Son's Lineage of the Yao Family was similarly seething with resentment. Did Ye Chen and Elder Cang Li not understand who the hosts were here?
Ye Chen was completely surrounded. "Little Friend Ye Chen," they pleaded, "could you elaborate further?"
Ye Chen, however, adopted his Master's calm and collected demeanor. "It cannot be spoken," he replied. "For a thousand alchemists, there are a thousand Grand Daos of alchemy. Esteemed seniors, you must comprehend it for yourselves."
The alchemists paused, then a murmur of understanding spread. "He has a point!" They decided to simply gather around Ye Chen, entering states of enlightenment.
Half a day later, more than a dozen alchemists had indeed gained profound insights.
"I've comprehended!" "Many thanks, Little Friend Ye Chen!"
Old Ancestor Yao Feng had long since departed, now watching the scene coldly from the Yao Family's grand hall, his face contorted into a furious, sneering grimace. "Outrageous! Is Ye Chen acting like he owns the place? Is he the host? I wonder if the Yao Family is still named Yao, or if it's now Ye?"
The other elders of the Yao Family's Saint Son's Lineage also wore icy expressions. Their three-day Dao discussion conference, which had initially earned the Yao Family's alchemists widespread acclaim, had ultimately seen all the limelight stolen by Ye Chen! No one had even noticed when Old Ancestor Yao Feng had left! This infuriated the Yao Family's Old Ancestors. Wasn't this just a blatant disrespect to them as hosts?
Old Ancestor Yao Feng's face was frigid. "Tomorrow is the younger generation's alchemy competition," he stated flatly. "Summon Yao Huanhuan and the others." Soon, Yao Huanhuan and the other young alchemists of the Yao Family entered.
Old Ancestor Yao Feng questioned them with a solemn expression. "In tomorrow's alchemy competition, the Yao Family must secure first place. Second place is unacceptable." Yao Huanhuan and the others paused, understanding Old Ancestor Yao Feng's intent. With numerous major powers of the Southern Wilds gathered, the Yao Family, as the leading alchemy force, had to utterly dominate the other factions.
The reason was simple: the Yao Family had always been first, save for that one incident a year ago at the Grand Dao Sect. After a moment of silence, a timid grey-robed youth hesitantly spoke, "Old Ancestor, at the Grand Dao Sect's Pill Refining Exchange Conference, Ye Chen took first place. His alchemy attainments are not to be underestimated."
Smack! Old Ancestor Yao Feng instantly slapped the youth, sending him flying. The grey-robed youth tumbled ten times across the floor. "Undermining our own spirit to elevate another's!" Yao Feng scoffed coldly. "What an idiot!"
The many young disciples felt a chill in their hearts. Old Ancestor Yao Feng turned to Yao Huanhuan. "Do you have the confidence to claim first place?"
Yao Huanhuan smiled. "I wonder how much Ye Chen's alchemy has improved? I can now refine Heaven-tier Pills."
Old Ancestor Yao Feng's voice was cold. "I only care about the results." "I can do it!" Yao Huanhuan could only reply.
The next day, the younger generation's alchemy competition began. Lu Xuan also made an appearance, ostensibly to show some support for his second disciple. However, upon arrival, he simply settled into a recliner and promptly fell asleep.