On the distant horizon, a colossal city came into view.
Inside and outside the city walls, spirit grasses and medicinal plants were everywhere, and the air was thick with the fragrance of herbs.
What drew the eye most was a towering, spire-topped pagoda located at the city's center. It soared into the clouds, reaching for the heavens.
Thick, multicolored mist coiled around the tower's structure, causing it to flicker in and out of sight, as if it were a dwelling place for immortals.
"The Alchemy Tower headquarters is also known as Alchemy City.
That spire in the middle is the Alchemy Tower itself," Fengyun Jue said to Ye Yunfei, pointing at the pagoda.
"Mm," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Master, let's enter the city first and find a place to stay," Fengyun Jue suggested.
"Alright," Ye Yunfei agreed.
Thus, Fengyun Jue drove the carriage into Alchemy City and secured lodgings at an inn.
This city, deserving of its status as the Alchemy Tower headquarters, had medicinal herb shops and all manner of establishments related to pill refining lining its main streets and alleys, offering everything imaginable.
Numerous street vendors peddled spirit herbs and pills along the roads, creating a bustling and lively atmosphere.
Ye Yunfei, accompanied by Fengyun Jue, began to wander through Alchemy City.
Whenever he saw a spirit herb shop, Ye Yunfei would enter and purchase every valuable spirit herb and treasure herb that caught his eye.
During the previous period where he had been refining pills for others, Ye Yunfei had amassed a vast fortune, more than enough to splurge.
"Lingzhen Pavilion."
Ye Yunfei arrived in front of a nine-story-tall spirit herb shop adorned with a dazzlingly ornate facade. He looked up at its signboard.
"Master, this is the headquarters of Lingzhen Pavilion.
Rumor has it that Lingzhen Pavilion is actually a business owned by the Alchemy Tower, operated by one of its Elders," Fengyun Jue whispered to Ye Yunfei.
"I see.
Let's go in and take a look." Ye Yunfei walked inside.
To Ye Yunfei's surprise, this Lingzhen Pavilion had many First-Grade and Second-Grade Treasure Herbs for sale, and even one Third-Grade Treasure Herb.
Of course, the prices were shockingly high.
Naturally, Ye Yunfei didn't pass up the opportunity and purchased them all.
After leaving Lingzhen Pavilion, Ye Yunfei continued visiting other spirit herb shops, making lavish purchases of spirit herbs and treasure herbs.
After a good part of the day, Ye Yunfei's gains were plentiful.
By now, Alchemy City was already packed with people.
Tomorrow was the day of the Alchemy Competition Conference.
Countless factions from across the Central Continent had sent representatives to the Alchemy Tower.
The Alchemy Tower's status was too unique. Not only was it one of the top-tier powers in the Central Continent, but it was also a gathering place for alchemists.
Thus, for every Alchemy Competition Conference hosted by the Tower, all major and minor factions actively participated.
First, to show goodwill towards the Alchemy Tower; second, to seize the opportunity to recruit some alchemists; and third, to purchase the required pills from the Tower.
"Look!
It's Luo Han!
One of the monstrously talented disciples the Alchemy Tower is focusing on cultivating!"
Suddenly, someone on the main street shouted.
A youth in black robes appeared. He was handsome, with a cold, aloof, and arrogant expression. He walked with his hands clasped behind his back and his head held high, like royalty on an outing.
Behind him followed two elderly men at the Mystic Liquid Realm middle stage, guarding him closely.
"I heard that Luo Han had already become a First-Grade Treasure Pill Master two years ago.
Two years have passed now, who knows how high his pill refining skills have reached?
He might already be a Second-Grade Treasure Alchemist."
"Good heavens! He's only twenty-five! So young to be a Second-Grade Treasure Alchemist is simply monstrous!"
...
Luo Han's appearance attracted the attention of many passersby. Discussions and exclamations of awe were constant.
"Besides Luo Han, the Alchemy Tower has also cultivated Hu Qing and Situ Yue, also young pill refining monsters.
It is said that tomorrow at the Alchemy Competition Conference, these three young geniuses are the most likely to become the Pill Monarch's personal disciples.
All other Tower disciples are just there to make up the numbers."
Someone sighed in admiration.
"Your information is a bit outdated.
Recently, the Alchemy Tower has produced another pill refining genius called Xiao Chuchu.
She is reportedly the young lady of the Lingzhen Pavilion and only emerged from seclusion a few days ago.
Tomorrow, she will also be one of the geniuses competing to become the Pill Monarch's closed-door disciple."
Someone nearby immediately chimed in.
"Oh?
Xiao Chuchu became a monstrous disciple of the Alchemy Tower?"
Hearing the discussion, Ye Yunfei was somewhat surprised.
After touring nearly every spirit herb shop in Alchemy City, Ye Yunfei brought Fengyun Jue back to their lodging inn.
"Are you Master Liuyun?"
As soon as they reached the inn entrance, a large group of people rushed over and surrounded the two men.
"That's correct." Ye Yunfei's expression darkened.
"Is Young Master Zhou Sheng in your possession?!"
A grey-robed Elder stepped forward, advancing on Ye Yunfei, and barked the question.
"He is." Ye Yunfei nodded.
Ye Yunfei understood that these people before him were most likely from the Tianxuan Sect.
Back in Tianlan City, Ye Yunfei had captured Zhou Sheng and imprisoned him within the Phantom Mirror Tower.
Zhou Sheng was the son of the Tianxuan Sect's Patriarch.
Now, the Tianxuan Sect's people had finally come knocking.
"How dare you!
Young Master Zhou Sheng is the biological son of our Tianxuan Sect Patriarch, a noble and exalted status! You actually dared to capture him! What punishment do you think you deserve!
Release Young Master Zhou Sheng immediately!
Then, come with us to see our Patriarch and accept the punishment he deems fit for you!"
The grey-robed Elder shouted sternly.
"How dare you show disrespect to my Master!
Perish!"
Before Ye Yunfei could even speak, Fengyun Jue had already taken a step forward, striking out directly with a palm attack aimed at the grey-robed Elder.
"A Mystic Liquid Realm late stage expert!"
The grey-robed Elder's face changed, as he himself was also at the Mystic Liquid Realm late stage.
Boom...
The grey-robed Elder countered, and a battle between him and Fengyun Jue erupted.
Fengyun Jue hailed from the Fengyun Family, a top-tier force in the Central Continent. His combat prowess was naturally formidable.
The grey-robed Elder was shocked to find he was no match for the old servant before him and was forced to retreat step by step.
The battle between two Mystic Liquid Realm late stage experts created an earth-shaking commotion.
The tremendous impacts and explosive sounds of clashing energies spread far, audible throughout the entire Alchemy City.
"It's people from the Tianxuan Sect!
And Master Liuyun!"
"The Tianxuan Sect seems to want to deal with Master Liuyun!"
"Who would have thought that old servant beside Master Liuyun is a Mystic Liquid Realm late stage expert!
He can even overpower Elder Liu of the Tianxuan Sect!"
Immediately, many curious onlookers gathered to watch.
The grey-robed Elder currently fighting Fengyun Jue was surnamed Liu and was a Tianxuan Sect Elder.
"Take action! Capture that brat!"
Elder Liu, being pressed back by Fengyun Jue and seething with fury and shock, roared.
Immediately, the other Tianxuan Sect members, ferocious in demeanor, surrounded Ye Yunfei, intending to make a move against him.
Boom!
Suddenly, a tall, stalwart figure descended from the sky and landed forcefully beside Ye Yunfei.
It was Lu Dachong.
"Who dares to lay a finger on Master Liuyun!"
Lu Dachong roared in anger.
Boom...
A torrential spiritual pressure poured from his body, directly blasting away those Tianxuan Sect disciples who wanted to attack Ye Yunfei. They were sent flying amidst screams and cries of pain.
"Master Liuyun, don't worry. As long as I'm here, no one dares touch you," Lu Dachong said to Ye Yunfei.
He had come to Alchemy City also preparing to attend tomorrow's Alchemy Competition Conference, and he hadn't expected to encounter Ye Yunfei again.
"Thank you," Ye Yunfei looked at Lu Dachong before him, feeling a bit speechless.
Ye Yunfei suddenly realized it seemed that lately, wherever he went, he kept running into Lu Dachong.