Previously on The Martial Emperor with Dragon Blood...
Dragon Scale Valley, Dark Palace, and other factions united to challenge the Dan Clan's control over the Alchemist Contest. They proposed new rules ensuring transparency and preventing the past disqualification of Ye Mo. Despite initial anger, the Pill Saint agreed to the new rules, confident his clan would still dominate. Meanwhile, Ye Mo, disguised, observed the proceedings, harboring a grudge against the Pill Saint.
Within the Dan Clan's Pillar Tower, more than a dozen elders were seated on either flank, with the Pill Saint and the Dan Clan Leader occupying the most prominent positions. The air inside the tower was thick with a somber mood.
"Dragon Scale Valley, Dark Palace, Light Divine Temple – their audacity is truly astounding," Dan Baicao, the Dan Clan Leader, remarked, his gaze chilling. This day spelled an unparalleled humiliation for his Dan Clan.
"Clan Leader, should news of today’s events leak, what face will our Dan Clan have left?" Dan Dongfeng queried.
"The leaders of those factions have been established powers within the Divine Venerable Seven Souls for ages; there's little we can do against them," Dan Baicao stated, shaking his head. He then turned to the Pill Saint, "Pill Saint, might you be able to request assistance from the Supreme Elder of the Dead Soul Royal Family?"
"It is possible, though it will require some form of compensation," the Pill Saint replied.
"Compensation? Our Dan Clan possesses an abundance of Pei Yuan pills. Expedite contact with the Dead Soul Royal Family's Supreme Elder, preferably one from the Divine Venerate Eight Souls – I wish for them all to be eliminated," Dan Baicao declared with rising anger.
"Haha, fortunate for us, I maintain an Energy Clone within the Dead Soul Royal Family's territory. Furthermore, I am well-acquainted with Fire Sky Venerate, an expert of the Divine Venerate Eight Souls and one of the Soul Master's four Supreme Elders. Please, wait a moment," the Pill Saint proposed. Eager to retaliate against the forces of Dragon Scale Valley, he considered this day the most ignominious in his tenure as Pill Saint. Without exacting vengeance, his internal fury would remain unquenched.
Time crept by, the Pillar Tower enveloped in an almost oppressive silence, so profound that one could nearly discern heartbeats. All present awaited news from the Pill Saint.
Suddenly, the Pill Saint's eyes snapped open, a smile gracing his lips. "Fire Sky Venerate has agreed, but he requests fifty thousand Ascending Soul Pills and fifty thousand Divine Venerate Pills."
"What? Fifty thousand Ascending Soul Pills and fifty thousand Divine Venerate Pills?" Dan Baicao expressed his shock at the exorbitant sum. Even securing the services of a Divine Venerate Eight Souls expert from outside would not command such a price.
"Fire Sky Venerate mentioned that if this endeavor proves successful, you will be considered his friends – personal friends," the Pill Saint elaborated.
This statement was tantamount to a pledge, a guarantee from a Divine Venerate Eight Souls expert, a commitment that such resources could hardly quantify.
"Excellent!" Dan Baicao managed to exclaim, suppressing his dismay and clenching his jaw. "When will Fire Sky Venerate be arriving?"
"He indicated that matters will proceed according to your wishes," the Pill Saint confirmed.
"Very well, then extend an invitation to Fire Sky Venerate to grace the Dan Clan with his presence at noon tomorrow. Once the competition concludes and the participants depart, we shall see to the eradication of all forces like Dragon Scale Valley," Dan Baicao decreed.
As dusk descended and the Shining Moon Pavilion ascended to its zenith, nearly all participants settled into cross-legged repose upon Heaven's Wall City. Some martial artists had even erected temporary shelters.
During this period, numerous participants sought entry into the Dan Clan's domain, unaware of the unfolding situation. Upon inquiry, they discovered that an alchemy competition was scheduled for the following day.
"I never anticipated you would be the champion of the alchemy competition, Ye Shao," Yang Rong remarked, approaching with the dragon scales. The dragon scales regarded Ye Mo with evident surprise. It was presumed that during their conversation, Yang Rong had revealed Ye Mo's true identity.
"Merely an undeserved reputation!" Ye Mo responded with a shrug.
"Might I inquire why you are not participating in the competition? If you were to compete, you would undoubtedly secure the championship once more and bolster the Dan Clan's prestige," the dragon scales inquired with curiosity.
"With Yang Rong participating, that is sufficient; I have no need to. After all, everyone within the Dan Clan knows me. If I were to reveal my identity, they would likely bar me from entry," Ye Mo mused, stroking his chin. His smile was exceptionally bright, projecting an air of confidence in Yang Rong's capabilities.
"Haha, in that case, I find myself rather intrigued. Miss Yang Rong speaks of your exceptional talents not only in alchemy but also in martial arts cultivation. It would indeed be pleasant to engage in a spar with you," the dragon scales chuckled, offering a greeting to Yang Rong before returning to their encampment.
"It appears the dragon scales harbor a certain interest in you," Ye Mo observed, noticing Yang Rong's gaze lingering on the departing dragon scales.
"He is quite capable, but compared to you, he falls far short," Yang Rong replied, snapping back to the present with a smile.
"However, speaking sincerely, he is the one who truly cherishes you. Perhaps you should give it some consideration; it's possible your Yang family could even form an alliance through marriage with Dragon Scale Valley," Ye Mo quipped with hearty laughter.
As Ye Mo and Yang Rong conferred, the hours slipped by unnoticed. The black of night gave way to the dawn, and the grand alchemy competition was nearing its commencement.
The vigilant guards and earnest disciples of the Dan Clan eventually ushered all the participants into their domain, assembling them upon the expansive Dan Clan plaza. This vast space had already been sectioned into distinct zones, with each individual occupying their designated spot, its sheer size accommodating every competitor with ease.
Forces such as Dragon Scale Valley, the Dark Palace, and the Light Divine Temple each deployed up to a hundred guards to oversee the competition grounds, augmented by an equal contingent from the Dan Clan.
The esteemed Pill Saint, alongside the revered elders of the Dan Clan, occupied prominent seats, joined by the Valley Master of Dragon Scale Valley and other notable figures, all observing the unfolding contest.
Representatives from various other factions, both prominent and minor, were seated around the plaza, observing the competition. While their primary interest wasn't in alchemy itself, their underlying motive was to scout and potentially recruit skilled alchemists for their own organizations.
"Long Wanli, all the participating Pill Furnaces have undergone inspection; shall we commence the competition?" the Pill Saint inquired serenely.
"Indeed, let us begin!" Long Wanli responded with a nod.
"As the esteemed Clan Leader of the Dan Clan, I officially declare the commencement of this alchemy competition!" Dan Baicao announced, rising slowly to his feet. He continued, his voice resonating through the plaza, "With all participants prepared, we shall now proceed. The allotted time is equivalent to one stick of incense. Demonstrate your utmost mastery in alchemy, and the individual who successfully crafts the most challenging and purest Pei Yuan pills combined shall be crowned the champion of this prestigious event."
"Let the competition now begin!"
With Dan Baicao's decree, the alchemists immediately set to work. The necessary medicinal ingredients, already provided and prepared by the Dan Clan, lay within their reach.
"Young Master Ye, are you truly intending to refine the Heavenly Spirit Resurrection Pill once more?" Yang Rong questioned, despite her own considerable skill in alchemy and capacity to create the pill, she knew its purity would likely not be exceptional.
"Do not trouble yourself with the refining process; I shall assist you with the flames," Ye Mo replied reassuringly. He had, by this point, fully embraced the role of an assistant, dedicating himself to managing and adjusting the fire for Yang Rong's Pill Refining Powder. Their small setup garnered little immediate attention.
The Pill Saint's gaze systematically scanned the assembly of alchemists. He noted the absence of the Pill Demon's heir this year and the inconspicuous presence of Young Master Ye. The skills displayed by the other competitors paled in comparison to Dan Chenzi and the disciples under the Pill Saint's tutelage. Even without any foul play, the championship was expected to be a contest between Dan Chenzi and a disciple of the Pill Saint.
"Long Wanli, your son's alchemy prowess is noteworthy. I presume he is refining the Divine Shadow Pill? However, even with a hundred percent purity, the Divine Shadow Pill may not secure the top position," the Pill Saint remarked with a faint smile.
"I have never claimed my son would achieve first place; his true passion does not lie in alchemy. When the Wraith Demon Emperor once spoke with me, he emphasized that both alchemy and artifact refining serve merely as supplementary skills to martial arts. True martial cultivation is the fundamental cornerstone for survival within the Wraith Land," Long Wanli stated, his expression unwavering. He recalled past missions undertaken with the Wraith Demon Emperor, a flicker of emotion crossing his features. He mused that if the Wraith Demon Emperor were still alive, he would undoubtedly fight fiercely in his stead.
