Chapter 324: Burning the Soul
"So this is Holy Pill City?"
After transferring through two cities, Xiao Yuan stepped out of the space tunnel and looked with surprise at the immense, endless plaza before him, built entirely from crimson rock.
Standing amid it all, Xiao Yuan and the others were like ants—completely unremarkable.
Behind them, the spatial wormhole rippled violently. One space vessel after another surged forth, shrinking rapidly after emergence. From them, human figures rained down like beans scattered from the heavens.
"This is just one of the eight spatial plazas located in the outer region of Holy Pill City." Ye Zhong glanced around, his expression slightly complicated. Ever since the Ye Clan declined, they had rarely returned here. Even during previous Five Great Clans' assessments, they had come in embarrassment and left in disgrace.
Xiao Yuan was stunned to learn that just one of these eight plazas was nearly a tenth the size of Ye City. Holy Pill City having eight of them?
"Heh, don't be so shocked. Holy Pill City has both an outer and inner region. We're currently in the outer area. The Pill Tower itself is located within the inner region. But whether inner or outer, all of this is Pill Tower territory," Ye Zhong explained. "This place may be called a 'city,' but it's nothing like a normal one. In terms of sheer size, dozens of Ye Cities wouldn't match it."
Xiao Yuan nodded in disbelief. This wasn't a city—it was practically a nation. But it made sense, since it was the sacred ground for all alchemists on the continent.
"And it's still not peak traffic yet," Ye Zhong added with a chuckle. "When the Pill Gathering approaches next month, that's when it gets terrifying. Even a city this large will feel crowded."
Xiao Yuan could only smile wryly. Only now did he truly realize how much of a backwater bumpkin he'd been. Holy Pill City had opened his eyes.
"So where to now?"
Shaking off his awe, Xiao Yuan and the others turned to Ye Zhong. None of them were familiar with Holy Pill City—it was their first time visiting. Everything depended on Ye Zhong's guidance.
"In a few days, the Five Great Clans' assessment will begin. Since we've traveled all day, let's find a place to rest. Tomorrow I'll take Xiao Yan to one of the Pill Tower's test points. You'll need a certified alchemist rank badge to participate in the Pill Gathering," Ye Zhong said after thinking for a moment.
"An alchemist rank badge?" Xiao Yan blinked. "That's required?"
He'd only ever acquired one back in the Jia Ma Empire—a third-tier badge. Since then, he'd never bothered.
"Heh, Pill Tower certification is far more strict than anywhere else. That's why its badges carry universal authority across the continent. To enter the Pill Gathering, having one is mandatory."
Xiao Yuan nodded. He had no objections. It had been years since his last test—he was curious to see how they'd assess him now.
Just as Ye Zhong was about to lead the group to a resting place, the sky behind them rippled with violent space fluctuations. A snow-white carriage, drawn by several radiant silver flying horses, emerged.
The sudden appearance of this majestic vehicle immediately drew countless gazes and exclamations.
"Void Pegasus Beasts?! Who has such an extravagant ride?"
"Void Pegasus?" Xiao Yuan's brow lifted as he looked up. Though only sixth-rank, they were rare beasts with the ability to fly through void space. Faster and more comfortable than any space vessel, they were priceless and rarely seen even at auctions. Yet this carriage had multiple pulling it?
Ye Zhong's eyes narrowed, and his brows furrowed slightly.
"Elder Ye, do you know who that belongs to?" Xiao Yuan asked curiously.
"See that sigil on the carriage? That's the Dan Clan's symbol. If I'm not mistaken, that's someone from the Dan Clan—here either for the assessment or the Pill Gathering."
Xiao Yuan looked and indeed saw a golden, pill-shaped clan emblem on the carriage.
"The Dan Clan…" he murmured. Of the Pill Region's Five Great Clans—Dan, Cao, Bai, Qiu, and Ye—the Dan Clan was the most low-profile but undisputed in strength. Cao was the loudest, Bai was also prominent, Qiu was middling, and Ye… well, they were at the bottom now.
"If the Dan Clan is here, the others should be arriving soon," Ye Zhong said thoughtfully. "I wonder who the Dan Clan is sending this year?"
"Do they have anyone who can rival Cao Ying?" asked Xiao Yan, clearly more interested in potential competitors.
"Hard to say. The Dan Clan's always been quiet, but their alchemy talent is frightening. In their prime, they held three seats on the Pill Tower's Elder Council," Ye Zhong replied with some hesitation. "But for an event like this, they probably won't send their very best youth. The assessment isn't hard for them. That's our opening. If we're lucky, we can reach the top three."
Xiao Yan nodded. He knew how important this assessment was to the Ye Clan. Without his help, their younger generation wouldn't even make the cut.
As they chatted, the white carriage with its Void Pegasus Beasts vanished into the distance.
"Come on, let's head to one of the Ye Clan's properties and get some rest. We'll go to the Pill Tower test site tomorrow, get that badge, and plan from there," Ye Zhong said, though his tone held a hint of worry. The other four clans might send even stronger young elites than before. None of them would be easy to beat.
With that, Ye Zhong took off. Xiao Yuan and the others followed.
After wandering the outer region for half an hour, they landed in a relatively quiet courtyard near the southern part of the city.
The place was clearly old and abandoned, with a wooden plaque reading "Ye Residence" barely legible.
"This used to be one of the Ye Clan's properties. After our decline, no one maintained it. But it'll do for a temporary rest," Ye Zhong said.
Xiao Yuan and the others had no complaints. Though worn, the place was quiet and secluded—perfect for a bit of peace.
"Heh, if it's good enough, that's all that matters. Let's rest for the night. Tomorrow is important."
As night fell, the entire Holy Pill City became cloaked in a mystical twilight.
In one of the courtyards, Xiao Yuan sat cross-legged, cultivating a soul technique.
With his newly attained Soul Realm level, he quickly noticed that the night sky here was different—more spiritual. His soul soaked up the starlight like a sponge, surrounding him in a halo of shimmering glow.
Xiao Yan emerged, planning to chat, but stopped upon seeing Xiao Yuan so focused. Looking up, he too entered a meditative state.
The faint glow from their souls made even the withered grass around them burst into green life, unnoticed by ordinary senses.
Xiao Yan's soul continued expanding… until suddenly, he felt himself pulled into a strange place. A massive, nearly endless dragon coiled in the void. Its eyes were shut, and its body was wrapped in eerie purple-black flames.
The moment Xiao Yan's soul touched the flame, a strange familiarity struck him—followed by a soft moan from deep within his soul.
"Th-Three Thousand Burning Flame?"
"Who dares trespass upon the Star Domain of Holy Pill City?!"
An angry voice suddenly roared in Xiao Yuan's soul!
The force of it nearly shattered his extended soul—but just then, another immense soul force emerged to counteract the attack.
"Hm? There's another?"
An old, puzzled voice murmured.
"Please don't misunderstand, senior. This is our first time in the Pill Region. We were drawn by the starlight while meditating and accidentally wandered too far. We'll leave now," Xiao Yuan replied calmly, collecting Xiao Yan's soul and withdrawing.
"Hmm, a Soul Realm consciousness?" the elder voice mused as Xiao Yuan's presence faded.
Back in the Ye Residence, Xiao Yan's eyes shot open, and he trembled. His face went pale as he turned toward the inner city.
There—it had to be where the Three Thousand Burning Flame was sealed.
"That… that must be the Star Domain. That's where the flame is."
He rubbed his temples, still dizzy from the earlier spiritual pressure.
"Brother, your soul power's grown again," Xiao Yan said softly.
"I felt a powerful presence up there and didn't go in. You, on the other hand, went straight in. Good thing it was just your dispersed soul and the distance was great—otherwise that attack could've injured you."
Xiao Yuan turned toward his brother with a wry smile.
"I didn't expect my soul to stretch that far, but now that I've seen the Three Thousand Burning Flame, I'm relieved. I'm going to win this Pill Gathering."
Xiao Yan clenched his fists, eyes burning with determination.
"I believe in you," Xiao Yuan smiled, then looked serious.
"This starry sky is no ordinary one. If we can draw in its spiritual light, it could greatly benefit our soul cultivation."
"Draw in the starlight?" Xiao Yan repeated, confused.
He'd never heard of a technique that could draw down stars—though he had heard that the Three Thousand Burning Flame could absorb stellar energy.
"Not the light itself. It's the spiritual essence we want—not the visible glow," Xiao Yuan explained. Then, to Xiao Yan's shock, he ignited part of his soul power with soul fire.
"Brother!"
Xiao Yan jumped in alarm, panicked by what looked like self-destruction.
"Relax. Just watch and learn."
With a flick of his hands, Xiao Yuan formed a seal, and the burning soul ignited a translucent fire that shot toward the heavens.
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1