Chapter 310: Stemming the Tide, A Brief Respite in the Grand Assembly

"He possesses an azure flame?" Gazing at the surging azure flame in Xiao Yan's hand, people on the stands around cried out one by one, amazement mixed in their voices. Although many were not herbalists, they understood the basic rule—that fire never combines with any other; yet Xiao Yan challenged their cognition with this single act.

For alchemists, the miracle he created appeared even more astonishing on the battleground. In the knowledge of refining, no other profession understood the impossible as they did; when multiple burning flames came forth from a single person, this defiance of nature could unleash devastating heat threatening to evaporate its master.

Compared to the audience watching outside, the faces of all the experienced herbalists on the battleground were stunned beyond words—it was clear; the green flames emanating from Xiao Yan far surpassed the previous violet ones.

"A secret card indeed." The young princess murmured while her lustrous eyes twinkled as she eyed the azure flames in Xiao Yan's hand.

"That surely is a rare magical fire known as a Heavenly Flame... I didn't expect such a thing to genuinely exist..." Liu Ling whispered his realization in his heart while gulping in the thick, flaming air around him.

"Hold on... Is this... a Heavenly Flame?" Elder Fa Ma widened his astonished eyes as his mind raced to decipher the elegant dancing flames. The famed alchemist of the region could not hide the surprise and disbelief in his tone.

"Hah hah hah. I already said not to underestimate that man. Hidden within him are secrets far beyond expectation!" The old hermit Hai Bodong chuckled gleefully at Elder Fa Ma's bewildered expression.

"Fearless beyond his kind..." Elder Jia, the respected alchemist and seasoned Dou Huang, was similarly flabbergasted. His knowledge ran deep enough to recognize that only the wonders of nature possessed such destructive capabilities. Recalling the fierce battles of decades past against opponents who wielded Heavenly Flames—though their powers had been much weaker, their uncontainable blaze had still pushed him to his limits.

Fa Ma inhaled, steadying his breathing as his eyes locked upon Xiao Yan's figure. His lips slowly curved into a reassuring smile as he thought within:

"The contender still won’t find obtaining the crown simple... not yet."

As a gentle breeze flowed, Ya Fei chewed her lip lightly, her thoughts tangled in bewilderment over the meteoric evolution of this once inexperienced youth. How had two years altered him so completely, turning him into someone who could astound even the Dou Huang elders?

"Could it have come from her?" Her gaze slid toward Nalan Yanran nearby, a whisper escaping her lips.

"Indeed... now I see why great-grandfather placed such faith in him. With hidden potential like this..." a murmur passed Yao Ye's lips, her long beautiful legs shifting beneath her as her expression warmed into one of understanding admiration for the one youth now capable of equaling the mysterious gray-cloaked challenger.

With all eyes focused on him, Xiao Yan stood untroubled by the gazes from outside, concentrating instead on the alchemy vessel before him, where his violet flame had faded into elegant green flames that now filled its furnace.

Flicking his fingers across the stones, the ingredients vanished into the fiery vessel. Yet after a final inspection, one last piece—the Thick Earth Ganoderma—remained omitted. In his analysis, this seemingly vital element was wholly redundant.

Such doubts toward tradition required tremendous inner confidence and courage. Countless seasoned alchemists would rather believe their failure stemmed from technique rather than the formula itself. Only through such conviction and strength could one truly thrive amid competition.

And thus, with time as a dwindling currency, only two competitors stood out: Xiao Yan, battling side by side with the gray-cloaked mystery. Other contenders had been relegated to spectators, like the little princess and Liu Ling at their stations.

Across the battlefield’s square expanse, only two furnaces pulsed with embers while gazes shifted back and forth. Meanwhile, under intense scrutiny, the competitors hurried onward, refining their materials relentlessly with the utmost precision and care.

While most required their hands to remain in contact with their alchemy furnaces, Xiao Yan's mastery of the Green Lotus Core Flame allowed detachment, permitting full manipulation even at a distance—his dancing fingers conjuring flame from afar.

Gracefully, his technique surpassed the others—no one performed refinement more elegantly or magnetically than he did in these alchemical arts.

"C'mon... just a hair quicker..." urged the little princess inwardly, desperate as patriotic determination surged within her to see the foreign-aligned competitor fail.

“That gray-clad rival refines much too quickly. While his flames seem weaker than Rock Owl’s, each stroke feels precise—not a single second is wasted in the process. On the front line, Rock Owl appears challenged; yet so long as his flame remains an anomaly, he'll remain competitive. Push a little harder, victory may yet be attainable!”

Clenching his jaw tightly as he scrutinized the scene, clan representative Liu Ling observed both participants closely with mixed concern. Though usually reserved by nature and spirit, his instincts cried out with national pride—if that gray shadow were to claim victory at the Jia Ma Assembly, it would be a grave embarrassment to the empire’s younger generation.

And so, amid the dual pulses of flame, thunder echoed as palm met stone in simultaneous acts, releasing the fruits harvested through ardent alchemical processes. With elegant motion akin to art, emerald tendrils surged forward, merging with the waiting jade vessels as the components coalesced.

As the materials cooled, their eyes met briefly over opposing furnaces.

“I win...” the gray-clad youth retorted smugly, smirking with apparent gloating.

Unfazed, Xiao Yan’s eyes hardened as his sleeves flared, collecting all eight bottles with practiced ease. In one unbroken motion, the ingredients flew forth into the great furnace once more—green flames roaring anew as transformation began. Yet just moments before, the gray-clad youth had already acted first and cast in his own refined materials.

Now two crucibles crackled, alchemical reactions stirring the eight components through their final stages toward transmutation. Watching on, Elder Fa Ma sighed wistfully as he observed that only a mere few seconds separated them.

Setting aside all disturbance from the gray-robed youth, the spectacle itself was electrifying, utterly capturing the spectators' attention.

“Senior?” Turning with renewed anticipation etched across his face, the eager Hai Bodong asked for Fa Ma’s verdict after witnessing the spectacle.

“I truly cannot say! While ‘Yan Xiao’ holds a superior elemental advantage through his mysterious flame, this ‘strange one’ surpasses him in experience and skill earned through age. Their abilities balance one another out—making the outcome impossible to predict!"

"That young contender certainly knows how to put pressure on his opponents..."

“Though he’s unlikely to fall... even with diminished spiritual strength. Remember, he once reached the level of refining a tier-six medicinal pill... could a champion from such heights truly slip so suddenly?” Hai Bodong mused skeptically under his breath amid mounting anxiety and wonder. Back inside the alchemical square...

Focused and motionless, both opponents kept their watchful eyes fixed intently as flames danced with wild rhythm between the two furnaces—their faces reflected in orange-yellow and jade hues as they approached the culmination.

"Just one more bit, push hard..." Clasping her delicate white hands tightly in her lap, the little princess murmured anxiously, watching the transformations in both furnaces through keen eyes that recognized the approaching threshold: the preliminary signs of pill formation had already appeared within the two cauldrons.

As the medicinal fragrance wafted into the crowd, sharp alchemical senses stirred in those attuned to it, like Liu Ling. Hearts pounded like war drums among the onlookers, breathless with anticipation...

"He nears it..."

Elder Fa Ma clenched both fists upon the balcony rail.

"Close chase though... the opponent is swiftly catching up behind..."

Deep within the dancing flame, Xiao Yan observed in silence. His black irises glowed emerald in the firelight, within them reflected a nascent orb steadily taking shape—a medicinal pill in embryo. As he analyzed the situation carefully, realization struck!

With one decisive motion—his clenched fist striking the alchemical altar resoundingly—he forced the premature pill into the world amidst a fiery eruption. Gasps rippled around as the unfinished elixir burst forth.

"This is reckless!!! You can't interrupt the post-alchemy phase of an immature pill like that!" Elder Fa Ma exploded, the wooden balcony shivering beneath the force of his outburst. Disbelief gripped all present—including the little princess and Liu Ling, whose shocked whispers escaped lips still tingling from the audacity of it.

Ignoring the stares, the youth leapt forward. His hand shot out, catching the fledgling pill amid the flames before him. No sooner had his palm claimed its prize than a fresh burst of fire swelled from his body, bolstering the structure as its final stabilization settled into firm form.

Landing gracefully, Xiao Yan flicked his finger lightly.

The pill instantly transformed into a streak of light that shot into a jade flask; then green light blazed brilliantly from his stone platform, declaring victory.

"He's insane!!!"

The gray-clad youth’s sneer faltered in shock, his expression twisting into pure lividness at his opponent’s recklessness—a gamble that had nearly doomed him, yet fortune had favored madness tonight.

Fury exploded. A palm smashed his jade vessel into powdered crystal. After a long, tense pause, a second resonant burst of alchemical completion followed—but he had been delayed by a full minute behind his competitor.

Silence reigned... before erupting like wildfire!

Roars of approval shook the arena as joyous cries and ecstatic cheers reverberated through the amphitheater, making the stands tremble like thunder rolling overhead.

Holding the jade flask, Xiao Yan drew a steady breath, raising his eyes upward as a faint smile broke across his previously stoic lips.

"Bravo, youngster. Bravo!" Elder Fa Ma cheered aloud from the dais.

“Madman... but... such bold audacity...” The little princess and Liu Ling exchanged relieved glances after a moment.

"But it wasn’t merely a gamble... he only dared because he had confidence. In such a moment, intuition and faith must align for one to act that way!" Observing the calm composure and elegant bearing he displayed as triumph surrounded him, Nalan Yanran murmured in admiration. Even compared with the previous rounds, this spectacle far surpassed any past finale.

"Congratulations, Mr. Yan Xiao... just... please refrain from repeating such wild feats..." the little princess sighed, her half-hearted scolding laced with affection.

“You've been formidable... Yet in the final round, I won’t hold back either...” Liu Ling gave a slight shrug, a friendlier expression now subtly forming on his face.

Smiling silently without replying directly, Xiao Yan turned his eyes back toward the darkened face beneath the gray silhouette. With a casual gesture of his thumb, subtly signaling superiority, a rare flicker of youthful arrogance showed beneath his collected demeanor.

Returning that fiery glare toward the dismissive gesture, the pale youth’s lips formed a whispered threat: “Don't celebrate so early! In the final round... we resume again, but this time with no more restraint on my side!"

Without reply, unfazed, Xiao Yan simply waved a hand lazily and turned his gaze away from the gray-clad challenger.

Meanwhile he caught sight of the leftover Thick Earth Ganoderma still lying carelessly on the table. With complete nonchalance, he flicked it away.

As the fellow herbalists registered the act, comprehension spread in waves: enlightenment struck! Their eyes suddenly lit up, and grateful gazes shifted respectfully toward him even as they hurried frantically to salvage their own final attempts.

Watching the ensuing scramble unfold, Xiao Yan shrugged and casually adjusted his supplies. As the sand in the great wall timer drained toward its end, the final completion of the remaining pills was left to the other participants. His task was already over.

With each passing second, the cheers gradually receded into the background. The crowd turned its attention toward the remaining contestants... yet amid those focused gazes, many younger women’s eyes still drifted toward that humble figure resting casually at his station. Suddenly, because of his feats, even the plainness of his disguise seemed unable to conceal the charm he now exuded, and his ordinary countenance had become unexpectedly pleasing in their eyes.

Half an incense stick later, emerald light blazed from both the little princess’s and Liu Ling’s jade flasks. They met each other’s gaze, shared mutual relief, and let out sighs as more scattered lights of success began to appear among the remaining candidates.

Unfortunately, because of the distance, only a select few nearby had benefited from the subtle hint Xiao Yan had dropped earlier. Most of the contestants farther away remained baffled, unable to identify the flaw in the recipe, and with the added complication of the Thick Earth Ganoderma, failure followed almost inevitably.

Even without that variable, the Wind Traveling Spirit Medicine was still a formidable tier-three medicinal recipe, difficult for many competitors regardless of background. Those who had only barely reached the level of a tier-two alchemist could hardly maintain a stable success rate, while even some newly advanced tier-three alchemists fell short through a moment’s inattention.

Under such brutal criteria, the number of contenders dwindled rapidly, dropping from the original thousand to barely three hundred.

By the time the final grains of sand had settled, the number of figures still standing was only a little over one hundred, while countless others had been eliminated in the harsh evaluation of the first two rounds.

As Elder Fa Ma’s jovial laughter rippled over the arena, signaling the end of the day’s competition, only then did Xiao Yan lift his gaze to meet the approving smiles twinkling from the VIP seats high above.

After the evaluations, the wielder of the Heavenly Flame naturally took first place. The gray-clad youth ranked second, followed by the little princess, then Liu Ling, with the remainder filled by various tier-three alchemists of adequate mastery.

At the close of the day, night gradually spread its curtain across the sky, cloaking the day’s intensity in twilight serenity while soft moonlight shimmered over the sprawling capital.

"My dear contenders of today!” the elder said cheerfully as silence fell. “Take a good rest. Tomorrow will bring the most crucial and decisive challenge yet—therefore, all contenders must ensure they are fully prepared for the ultimate final trial, lest they leave with lifelong regret.”

Hearing the elder’s final decree bring the day’s rounds to a close, a collective sigh of relief escaped the exhausted crowd. Both mental and physical strain had taken their toll; even Xiao Yan nodded slightly in agreement with the weariness shared by the others.

After securely storing his medicine cauldron within his storage ring, Xiao Yan lifted his eyes and noticed that the gray-clothed opponent had left the moment Elder Fa Ma finished speaking. Even while departing, the gray-clad youth had thrown one last chilling glare back before disappearing into the darkness beyond the arena.

As Xiao Yan slowly followed, he passed through the gathering crowd toward the exit. Fresh night air met his face outside the battleground. He inhaled deeply, letting the built-up tension ease away, though he also noticed the adoration-filled gazes of many women lingering curiously upon him in the moving crowd.

A smile touched his lips at the realization, and he shook his head lightly at such fickle admiration... when suddenly a familiar sweet voice sounded behind him, calling softly:

"Mr. Yan Xiao, congratulations..."

He turned and saw an approaching group. At the front were three beauties—Nalan Yanran, Ya Fei, and Yao Ye—with elder Nalan Jie following slightly behind, chatting with several others.

"Yanran, it was only good fortune..." The modest reply came naturally as he greeted them warmly.

Yanran returned a knowing smile; she had grown accustomed to hearing his humble answers during their encounters these past months.

"Princess Yao Ye invites you to a grand feast tonight with the princess, Liu Ling, and the little princess to celebrate today’s victory..." She gestured warmly among the gathered beauties as she explained. Each of them was known throughout the capital as one of the brightest jewels of her generation, and standing together they formed a dazzling sight that drew the eyes of countless men near the exit.

He paused at the invitation, weariness and consideration struggling within him before he offered a sincere and apologetic refusal.

“Your Highness’s invitation greatly honors me. Regretfully, today has been far too exhausting, and with the final challenge awaiting at dawn, I truly do not have the leisure to attend. Please accept my gratitude—and allow me to take my leave.”

After bowing politely, he departed in haste, striding purposefully through the crowd. The stunned women blinked at the unexpected refusal as he vanished completely into the city streets.