Battle Through the Heavens: Starting with Cao Ying as an apprentice

"Some achievements?" Shennong the Elder sneered.

"Who doesn't know the methods you used to obtain those 'achievements'! The Soul Clan's alchemy technique is nothing more than an evil path that forcibly transforms life and even the soul into medicinal power!"

"Heretical path?" Hun Xuzi laughed instead of getting angry, a strange blush appearing on his pale face.

"Shennong, the old man, the way of alchemy is a matter of the victor and the vanquished."

"What does the method matter as long as the supreme elixir can be refined?"

"And you call me a heretic, but don't medicinal herbs have life? Aren't they still used by you to refine pills!"

"And those ninth-grade pills, which one doesn't have a life? Aren't they all eaten anyway!"

These words caused an uproar in the audience.

Seeing this, Yao Dan slowly stood up, and with his movement, the power of the entire Medicine Mountain seemed to be activated.

Countless herbs moved swiftly without wind, and the myriad fragrances of herbs converged into a visible blue stream of energy, forming a huge phantom image of a medicine cauldron behind him.

"Hun Xuzi, I don't care what your alchemy philosophy is." Yao Dan's voice remained calm, yet carried an undeniable authority:

"But since we are now on the territory of my Medicine Clan, you must abide by our clan's rules. If you are sincere in your desire to communicate, I will treat you with courtesy; if you intend to cause trouble..."

The illusory image of the medicine cauldron suddenly solidified, and illusory flames began to rise from within it.

"...Then I'll show you the power of medicine pills!"

The air seemed to freeze.

The sudden appearance of Hun Xuzi cast a shadow over the originally lively and peaceful Pharmacopoeia.

On the plaza, all the members of the Medicine Clan had secretly activated their battle qi, and dozens of powerful auras locked onto Hun Xuzi. As long as the clan leader gave the order, they would attack him en masse.

Hun Xuzi remained calm.

He even had the leisure to straighten his cuffs, his posture as elegant as if he were attending a tea party.

Hun Xuzi bowed slightly, his movements impeccably precise: "Clan Chief Yaodan has misunderstood."

"I have come here today solely to participate in the pharmacopoeia. After all..."

He raised his head, a glint of something unfathomable flashing in his eyes.

"I've heard that the prize in this year's Pharmacopoeia is a fragment of the 'Nine Transformations Sacred Pill' recipe. With such a tempting offer, which alchemist in the world could resist it?"

Nine-Transformation Sacred Pill!

Upon hearing this name, even the ancient Shennong's pupils contracted.

That's the legendary top-tier Xuan Dan, just one step away from the Golden Core stage. It's said that consuming it can increase the success rate of high-level Dou Sheng experts by 30% when breaking through!

Although it is only a fragment, its value is immeasurable.

Yao Dan gave Hun Xuzi a deep look, and after a long while, slowly waved his hand.

The enormous phantom of the medicine cauldron gradually dissipated, and the pressure in the air eased.

"Please take a seat." Yao Dan's voice was unreadable.

An elder of the Medicine Clan reluctantly waved his hand, and a black stone platform rose at the edge of the square—neither near the elders' seats nor in the guest area, hanging there alone, as if it were a silent isolation.

Hun Xuzi didn't take it to heart, smiled slightly, and his figure appeared on the stone platform, where he sat down peacefully.

Shennong frowned as he looked at the medicine pill and asked using telepathy, "Brother Medicine, do you really believe he only came for the pill formula?"

Yao Dan looked ahead and replied telepathically, "Of course I don't believe it, but today is the Pharmacopoeia, and all the alchemists in the world are watching. If we cause chaos because of one person, it will only make our Yao Clan seem petty."

"But what if he's secretly plotting something..."

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Yao Dan's eyes, and he said coldly, "I am confident that I can keep him here!"

Seeing the elixir's confidence, Shennong nodded and asked no further questions.

Chapter 381 The Youngest Ninth-Rank Alchemist!

The atmosphere in the square gradually warmed up, but everyone could feel that the faint gloom had not yet dissipated.

The original pure medicinal fragrance was now mixed with a faint, eerie sweetness, like a drop of poison quietly added to the fine wine at a grand banquet.

Little Fairy Doctor gently touched Cao Ying's hand and said in a very low voice, "Senior Sister, that person... is very strong."

Cao Ying nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over Hun Xuzi without leaving a trace. Then she quietly transmitted her voice to Xiao Yixian beside her, her voice carrying a hint of solemnity: "This person's cultivation is unfathomable, definitely above mine... In my opinion, he is probably already at the level of a Seven-Star Dou Sheng."

She paused, then turned her gaze to Yao Dan and Shennong Elder not far away, and continued to transmit her voice through a secret technique: "Clan Chief Yao Dan's aura is as deep and profound as an abyss, he should have also stepped into the Seven Star Dou Sheng realm."

"As for Senior Shennong, although his aura is slightly inferior, it is still as vast as the sea, presumably he is a six-star Dou Sheng. However, the three of them have one thing in common—"

A glint of light flashed in Cao Ying's eyes: "Their soul power has all reached the Great Perfection of the Heavenly Realm."

These words were not deduced out of thin air.

Long ago, Su Baichen had already helped her refine the remaining soul essence that Zhu Kun had seized, allowing her to break through the bottleneck in one fell swoop, making her exceptionally sensitive to the soul fluctuations of the Great Perfection of the Heavenly Realm.

At this moment, although the three of them had concealed their auras, the perfect and unified rhythm of their souls could not escape her perception.

Her gaze darkened slightly, and her tone in the telepathic message became more wary: "Moreover, before we left, Master specifically instructed us that the Soul Clan is very likely to target the Medicine Clan this time, and today's Medicine Ceremony will probably not be peaceful."

Cao Ying smiled slightly, a hint of wisdom flashing in her eyes: "Junior sister is right, and I have a feeling that today's pharmacopoeia will probably not end peacefully."

As they spoke, Yaodan stood up again, her voice once more resounding throughout the hall:

"Pharmacopoeia, begin!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the ancient medicine cauldron in the center of the square suddenly lit up, and the totems on the cauldron seemed to come alive, with all kinds of herbs growing and spiritual medicines exuding fragrance.

Immediately afterwards, hundreds of small medicine cauldrons rose up around the square, with an alchemist standing beside each cauldron. They were either young or old, nervous or calm, but their eyes all burned with a burning pursuit of the way of medicine.

Prelude to the Pharmacopoeia: Some talented young alchemists showcase their alchemical skills.

Most of the people present watched very attentively. The Medicine Clan mainly focuses on alchemy, and their alchemy skills are extremely advanced. The young disciples of the Medicine Clan who came on stage are at least sixth-grade alchemists!

Unbeknownst to anyone, beneath the black stone platform where Hun Xuzi sat, a barely perceptible wisp of black energy was quietly seeping into the mountain, spreading slowly and steadily like ink dripping into clear water.

The prelude to the pharmacopoeia lasted for several days.

"Senior sister, these disciples of the Medicine Clan are indeed well-established and skilled, far surpassing the younger generation of the Pill Tower, and even some elders."

Little Fairy Doctor withdrew her gaze from the square and turned to Cao Ying, speaking softly.

Cao Ying nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over the young disciples of the Medicine Clan who were leaving one after another, her tone carrying a hint of approval:

"After all, they are an ancient clan that made their name through alchemy. They have a profound foundation and are naturally incomparable to ordinary forces."

"Just like the well-known Senior Yao Chen, he was born into the Yao Clan and is now a renowned alchemy master across the continent."

“That’s true.” Little Fairy Doctor nodded in agreement.

With the prelude over, the young disciples of the Medicine Clan filed out, leaving the center of the square much emptier.

All eyes in the room were focused on the several renowned alchemy masters on the stone platform, whose auras were profound and whose fame had already spread throughout the continent.

"Hehe, it seems everyone is eager to see the real highlight of this year's Pharmacopoeia." Yao Dan, the patriarch of the Yao Clan, stood in the main seat, taking in the eagerness of the crowd below. He stroked his beard and smiled, his voice booming like a bell.

"Hahaha, that's for sure! I've come here for the championship title!" Shennong laughed heartily, and as he spoke, his gaze seemed to casually sweep over the figure shrouded in black robes beside him—Hun Xuzi.

“Old Shennong, this championship… won’t be easy.” Elder Wanhuo of the Medicine Clan stepped forward, first glancing at Hunxuzi as well, then turning to the old man Shennong, his tone carrying a friendly reminder and a hint of competition.

Hun Xuzi seemed oblivious to the gazes and cryptic words directed at him, simply standing quietly to the side, his wide black robe concealing all his emotions.

His heart was filled with cold indifference: [Fight all you want, fight all you want. When this pharmacopoeia comes to an end, that will be the day of your destruction.]

His gaze subtly shifted to where Cao Ying and Little Fairy Doctor were on the stage, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

However… these two juniors are a bit of a problem.

At this moment, Shennong Elder, Wanhuo Elder, Hunxuzi, and Yaochen slowly ascended the platform one after another, each occupying a stone platform, their auras solemn and imposing.

"Junior sister, I'm going up now," Cao Ying said softly to Little Fairy Doctor, her eyes clear and calm.

Little Fairy Doctor nodded to her and gave her an encouraging look.

Thus, under the gaze of countless eyes, some astonished, some curious, and some suspicious, Cao Ying gracefully leaped up and landed lightly on the central stone platform, standing shoulder to shoulder with the four world-renowned alchemy masters.

This scene immediately caused a stir in the square, and even Yao Dan, who was in the main seat, showed a clear look of surprise in his eyes.

[How is this possible? How old is this girl! How could it be...]

Elder Wanhuo spoke first, his tone quite amiable, yet tinged with doubt: "Young lady, this is a contest between ninth-grade alchemy grandmasters, are you sure you don't want to..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was already clear.

Upon hearing this, Shennong shook his head and chuckled, "Wanhuo, Wanhuo, you still need to work on your eyesight. The fact that she dared to step onto the stage and stand beside us without any fear speaks volumes, doesn't it?"

Yao Chen stroked his beard and smiled, replying, "Exactly. Don't underestimate her; she is Su Baichen's personal disciple, and I know how skilled Su Baichen is in alchemy."

"And Cao Ying was his successor in alchemy."

"What?!" Elder Wanhuo was truly taken aback and couldn't help but take a closer look at the stunningly beautiful and composed woman in purple before him.

Facing the gazes of the crowd, Cao Ying remained neither humble nor arrogant, and readily admitted: "Senior Wan Huo, what Teacher Yao Chen said is true. This junior, Cao Ying, has indeed advanced to the ranks of ninth-grade alchemists."

"The younger generation is truly formidable... indeed, the younger generation is formidable!" Elder Wanhuo was stunned for a moment before slowly exhaling, his face full of emotion and admiration.

Their conversation, though not deliberately hushed, carried clearly to every corner of the square.

"A ninth-grade alchemist?! This... how is this possible?!"

"Judging by her appearance, how old is she? Even if she started learning alchemy from the womb, it's still too unbelievable!"

"Su Baichen's disciple... if it's the legacy of that master, perhaps... it really is possible?"

A tidal wave of exclamations, doubts, and discussions erupted as everyone's eyes were fixed on Cao Ying, as if trying to discern something extraordinary about her.

On the stone platform, a young woman in the prime of her life stood alongside four renowned alchemy masters. This striking scene instantly propelled the atmosphere of this year's Pharmacopoeia to its first climax.

Chapter 382 The Spirit of Different Flames!

The air in the square seemed to freeze.

The five grandmaster alchemists each occupied a corner, their invisible auras intertwining and colliding, filling the vast square with a solemn atmosphere that was both awe-inspiring and unsettling.

Below the stage, countless gazes were drawn to the five people as if by a magnet, and even their breathing became unconsciously softer.

Ninth-Rank Grandmaster of Alchemy!