Chapter 524: I Want to Keep a Low Profile, But My Strength Won't Allow It!
The venue for the Pill Gathering participants was a massive, awe-inspiring plaza that stretched far beyond the visible horizon.
Countless spectators filled the surrounding area, creating a deafening uproar that roared like a mighty dragon, shaking the entire sky.
As the competing alchemists began emerging one after another from the spatial passageway, the crowd erupted even further.
To the onlookers, there was nothing unusual about this scene.
After all, they had no idea that the Pill Realm was no longer the same.
To them, it was just another year of the Pill Gathering, with participants exiting the realm as usual.
However, the number of survivors was far lower than expected.
Even after including those who had crushed their emergency spatial escape beads to leave early, the total count was less than half of those who had originally entered!
This alone was proof of how many had been killed inside the realm.
Yet, such casualties were not uncommon.
Even in previous gatherings, there had always been killings this time was merely on a larger scale.
In the past, most competitors were Fifth-Tier Alchemists, and their battles were relatively minor.
But this time, only Sixth-Tier Alchemists had qualified, meaning every participant was at least at the Dou Huang level.
With such powerful fighters, bloodshed was inevitable.
And yet, even with that expectation, the level of massacre that had unfolded still exceeded all predictions.
It was no surprise, though many of the participants were hidden old monsters from Central Plains!
These veterans played by a different set of rules.
Unlike the younger generation, they had no hesitation every encounter was a fight to the death.
Some of them were even from the same era as the Three Pill Tower Giants!
As the deafening cheers filled the air, Wu Tian, Dan Chen, and Cao Ying finally stepped onto the plaza.
At that moment, the excitement reached its peak
The entire plaza boiled like a pot of boiling water, with the roars of the crowd shaking the very heavens.
The sheer force of the sound waves made even some of the weaker participants feel their heads ache, and the clouds above were completely scattered by the intensity of the noise.
"Look over there! That's the Demonic Enchantress, Cao Ying!"
"No kidding! And beside her… isn't that Dan Chen of the Dan Clan?"
"So that's the Dan Chen that Cao Ying considers her greatest rival? Wow… they really are equally matched!"
"Heh… brother, the way you're saying that makes me think you're talking about something other than alchemy…"
"Ahahaha! Brother, great minds think alike! Those two are absolute top-tier beauties in every aspect!"
"Hah! You're exposing yourself, aren't you?"
Amidst the laughter, two men were suddenly dragged away by nearby Pill Tower guards.
Clearly, discussing these two women in public was a dangerous act unless one's status was equal to theirs.
Otherwise, the only fate was death.
Of course, while many kept their thoughts private, there were always fools who couldn't resist speaking aloud.
After all, some people thrived on fantasies…
"Wait… look at the man standing between Cao Ying and Dan Chen! That's… not Song Qing?"
"Yeah… you're right! Hold on does anyone see Song Qing among the survivors?"
"Now that you mention it… he's not here at all! Could it be that he was killed?"
"There are very few people who could've done that… unless…"
The speaker didn't finish his sentence, but everyone already knew what he was implying.
Their gazes all shifted toward the young man standing between the two women
The man who had just walked out of the spatial passageway.
Wu Tian.
He had intended to keep a low profile.
But his strength refused to allow it.
Wu Tian could clearly feel the weight of countless gazes locked onto him.
Among them were desire, admiration, envy, respect, helplessness…
And a burning killing intent.
As the low-profile Pavilion Master, Wu Tian had tried his best to remain unnoticed.
Wouldn't it be nice to blend in as just another ordinary contestant?
But, unfortunately…
That was never an option for him.
His natural aura set him apart, making him stand out like a shining star in the night sky.
Even without trying, he dominated the crowd's attention.
In fact
Even those who had originally positioned themselves to stand out had now stepped back, unwilling to stand too close to him.
The reason?
Fear.
This was a man who had casually escorted them out of a shattered realm.
He was ridiculously powerful and also annoyingly handsome.
Standing next to him only made everyone else look worse.
They simply weren't worthy.
Wu Tian sighed.
He just wanted to find a quiet place to stand…
So he moved toward a different group.
Instantly, the moment he took a step forward, the surrounding contestants scattered like frightened birds.
The reaction was even faster than before
The instant he approached, people fled like they had seen a primordial beast.
Wu Tian: "..."
Am I a walking plague or something?
He then turned toward a particular young man and smirked.
"Hey there, you seem like a decent-looking guy. Surely you won't run away, right?"
The young man, who had been seated calmly, merely smiled faintly.
Then he ignored Wu Tian completely.
Wu Tian: "..."
Even he was being dismissed now?
Seeing that there was nowhere for him to stand, he sighed and moved to an empty space.
Immediately, Dan Chen and Cao Ying followed, standing directly on either side of him.
Like two radiant leaves, they made Wu Tian shine even brighter.
This unexpected formation left the entire crowd dumbfounded.
Who was this guy?
Why were both Cao Ying and Dan Chen standing so close to him?
What had he done inside the Pill Realm?
Could it be… he was the one who killed Song Qing?
Or…
Had he "sealed the deal" with both women inside the realm?
Otherwise, why would these two legendary prodigies be voluntarily clinging to him?
Gone was their previous cold arrogance
Instead, they were openly holding onto his arms!
In broad daylight, no less!
Two peerless beauties, both actively pursuing a single man?
This was utter madness!
At that moment, the Pill Tower elder who had first emerged from the portal glanced up at the floating stone platforms above.
"These platforms," he announced, "will be the battlegrounds for your final duel.
"But for now… none of you are qualified to step onto them just yet."
He had already been ordered by the Three Giants to ignore what had happened in the Pill Realm.
So, for now…
All he did was recite a bunch of meaningless words.
Long story short
"You all need to rest for three days before the next round begins.
You are not allowed to leave.
…But don't worry.
Food will be delivered.
And of course…
There will be high-class maidservants to attend to your every need~~~!"
(End of Chapter)
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