Impassable Cliff

"Heavens, what kind of pill is that!"

Many low-level cultivators exclaimed. Most of them were below the Dou Wang rank and had never witnessed the appearance of a sixth-grade pill.

But quite a few fifth and even sixth-grade alchemists could no longer sit still. One after another, they suddenly stood up from their seats, their eyes filled with disbelief.

"Impossible! How can someone so young refine a Huangji Pill!?"

Several alchemists cried out in shock.

"Huangji Pill?"

As soon as the name was spoken, it spread like wildfire among the crowd. As a pill capable of directly boosting a Dou Huang expert by one star, the Huangji Pill was renowned among sixth-grade pills. Even those with low cultivation had heard of it, even if they hadn't seen it before.

"That golden, dazzling pill is the Huangji Pill!"

"Nonsense! That's impossible! The Huangji Pill is a sixth-grade pill and ranks quite high among them!"

"That's what those sixth-grade alchemists just confirmed! Why would I lie?"

"This can't be! That boy looks so young—how could he possibly refine a sixth-grade pill?"

In the elders' seats and the VIP area, all the seventh-grade alchemists stood up with a whoosh.

"Genius. A true, peerless genius!"

In a VIP booth, Ancestor Cao and Master Danyangzi were both dumbfounded.

The two exchanged glances, then looked at their two granddaughters in the center of the square, flickers of indecipherable light flashing in their eyes.

"Yao Chen, your disciple is truly defying the heavens!"

Xuankongzi watched the young man slowly collect the golden pill into his palm, a wry smile forming on his face.

"That Yao Chen... really is annoyingly lucky!"

"Lucky? Lucky my ass. That kid failed several times trying to refine the Huangji Pill, and just happened to succeed this time. It's pure luck!"

Yao Lao declared righteously, but the grin on his face nearly reached his ears.

In the middle of the square, Xiao Yan held the golden-glowing Huangji Pill in his hand. A breeze passed by, and his white robe fluttered like snow. At that moment, the setting sun's glow landed upon him, giving him an otherworldly, divine aura—like a young deity.

"Xiao Yan! Xiao Yan!"

No one knew which girl first called out his name, but soon the entire square erupted with madness, chanting his name.

The waves of voices surged like tides. At this moment, the white-robed youth on the field was like a radiant sun. No matter how talented others were, they were merely background, easily eclipsed by his light.

"Xiao Yan..."

Cao Ying stared blankly at the Huangji Pill in Xiao Yan's hand, a wave of powerlessness rising in her heart.

Though the Douling Pill and the Huangji Pill were only one grade apart, it was the chasm between fifth and sixth-grade pills. Even with Cao Ying's talent, she would need at least two years to catch up—and that was already assuming she worked to her absolute limit.

From childhood to now, this was the first time Cao Ying had been completely crushed by someone her age in the field she was most proud of.

Her beautiful, seductive face turned even paler. In the end, a trace of blood spilled from the corner of her lips, and she slowly collapsed.

"Hey, what's wrong with you?"

Before her eyes closed, she saw a white-robed figure flash toward her and fall into a warm embrace.

"Ying'er!"

The once-spectating Ancestor Cao's expression changed drastically, and on the Dan Tower, Xuan Yi's face also darkened.

The next moment, her figure appeared in the center of the square.

"Senior Xuan Yi."

Xiao Yan looked at Yao Lao's old flame.

Xuan Yi said nothing. She simply took Cao Ying from Xiao Yan's arms, infused Dou Qi into her body, and only after confirming there was no serious harm did she let out a breath of relief.

"She's fine. This child has simply overexerted herself refining pills recently. Coupled with emotional distress, she had a minor Qi deviation. She'll recover with a few days' rest and mental adjustment."

Xuan Yi waved her hand, and the next second, she disappeared with Cao Ying. Simultaneously, Xuankongzi appeared on the square.

Under the watchful eyes of the entire crowd, Xuankongzi on the high platform gave a slight smile, then slowly stepped forward, sweeping his gaze across the sky before finally settling on the white-robed youth.

"Now that the pill has been completed, I ask all contestants to present the pills you've refined."

Upon hearing Xuankongzi's voice, the young contestants quickly placed their pills in their palms. With a wave of Xuankongzi's hand, the pills began to float toward the judges' platform.

As for Cao Ying's Douling Pill, Xuan Yi had placed it into the cauldron before leaving.

Once all the pills had floated to the judges' area, Xuankongzi pointed his finger lightly.

The pills formed a pyramid in the sky. At the very top—unmistakably—the golden Huangji Pill shone brilliantly, like a true monarch among all pills!

Beneath it were the Douling Pill, Blood Lotus Pill, and Three-Pattern Qingling Pill.

"Ladies and gentlemen!"

Xuankongzi's voice echoed through the heavens.

"As you can see, among all the pills, the Huangji Pill stands head and shoulders above the rest. Therefore, I officially declare the champion of this youth alchemist competition to be... Xiao Yan!"

In that instant, countless gazes snapped toward the stone platform. Moments later, deafening cheers erupted across the entire venue.

"Xiao Yan!!"

"Xiao Yan!!"

Screams from countless girls rang out—some fangirls even shrieked so hard they nearly passed out from breathlessness.

(Note: Latest novel updates available first at Liù Jiǔ Shū Bā Shǒu Fā [69书吧]!)

From this day forth, all of Dan Territory would know of a youth named Xiao Yan—who, at the age of fifteen, refined a sixth-grade Huangji Pill.

His teacher was a mountain peak many Central Plains alchemists could not hope to scale. And he—he would become the impassable cliff for all aspiring young alchemists.

"Xiao Yan, as the champion of this youth tournament, with your heaven-defying talent, you may one day surpass even your teacher. You may have the chance to become a legendary ninth-grade alchemist."

Xuankongzi smiled slightly, and with a wave of his hand, a mysterious sky-blue pill appeared in the air.

"Gulp..."

As the Yunling Tiandan emerged, the eyes of countless people on the square turned scorching hot. The sound of gulping echoed everywhere.

An eighth-grade pill—enough to tempt even Dou Zun powerhouses.

Looking at the swirling, misty, sky-blue pill, Xiao Yan did not reach out. Instead, he pulled out a uniquely-shaped white jade bottle and activated his Dou Qi. A massive suction force instantly pulled the Yunling Tiandan into the bottle.

Yunling Nourishing Pill Bottle?

Xuankongzi smiled at the sight.

As expected of the wealthy Xiao Clan. This bottle, made from ancient spirit jade, was probably worth more than a standard eighth-grade pill itself.

After announcing the champion, Xuankongzi read out the names of the top ten and awarded them their prizes one by one.

Only then did he declare the competition officially concluded.

As Xuankongzi's voice faded, the grand tournament had finally come to an end.

After bowing slightly to Xuankongzi, Xiao Yan smiled at Dan Chen, then turned and flew off in search of Yao Lao. Of course, Yao Lao wasn't the real target—he was hoping to get Yao Lao to take him to Xuan Yi, so he could check on Cao Ying.

After all, this was the lowest, most fragile point of a woman's mental state—a perfect opportunity for Xiao Yan to swoop in.

Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap—I woke up and got five monthly votes! I'm so damn happy!

Thank you all for your awesome support!!!

By the way, starting next chapter, the MC begins his harem-building journey.

Let me say it upfront again: the male lead is a certified scumbag and hopeless perv.

If you're a saintly gentleman, feel free to bow out now.

(End of Chapter)