Chapter Thirty-Eight: An Audience with the Palace Lord

At this moment, the alchemy contest had clearly reached its climax. Everyone present could see that Yao Chen was not crafting a sixth-grade pill, but most likely a seventh-grade one.

Despite Yao Chen never failing once, Gu He, after a single setback, had managed to pull ahead, almost reaching the crucial moment of pill condensation. In contrast, Yao Chen showed no sign of condensing his pill. The thought struck all those witnessing the scene as absurd—so young, yet already a seventh-grade alchemist? Even if one started learning from birth, it seemed impossible to attain such a level so quickly. Moreover, an alchemist's advancement required a corresponding cultivation realm. This realization only made the crowd feel more incredulous.

A seventh-grade alchemist, suspected to be of the Dou Emperor rank, willingly followed Lin An. What kind of charm did Lin An possess—or what powerful background lay behind him?

Time continued to pass in silence. Lin An and Yun Shan had already returned to their seats. Unbeknownst to all, Lin An, an unremarkable disciple of the Cloud Mist Sect, now wielded strength capable of dominating the entire Jia Ma Empire.

At last, Gu He succeeded in refining a sixth-grade Breaking Mirror Pill, its quality quite satisfactory, leaving even Gu He himself pleased. Only then did he turn his gaze towards Yao Chen nearby.

Throughout the process, Gu He had remained focused, undisturbed by outside influences, and thus had no idea what Yao Chen was doing.

“To have persisted this long is already beyond my expectations. But alas… if you fail to produce a sixth-grade pill, all your effort will be in vain…” Gu He hadn’t finished speaking when his eyes widened in disbelief.

“This... how can this be?”

“You’re not refining a sixth-grade pill... but a seventh-grade one?”

Gu He’s voice was quiet, but many could hear him clearly. What had been mere speculation was now confirmed by Gu He himself.

Such alchemical skill, such composure—this could not possibly be achieved at such a young age. Who are you, truly?

Gu He no longer dared to underestimate Yao Chen, for he was likely a seventh-grade alchemist. Just as among warriors, a single realm made all the difference; so too with alchemists. The influence of a seventh-grade alchemist far exceeded his own. Yet, he could not fathom why someone with such ability would willingly follow a junior like Lin An.

Suddenly, ominous clouds began to gather overhead, heralding the pill tribulation drawn by the seventh-grade pill. Only by overcoming this tribulation could the pill be considered truly refined.

Gu He dared not linger, for the tribulation would spare no one. If it descended, the entire area would be affected. Nearly everyone hurriedly distanced themselves, fearful of being caught in its wake. Fortunately, the space was open, suitable for weathering the tribulation.

“It seems this contest was destined for me to lose!” Gu He shook his head, admitting Yao Chen’s alchemical skill utterly surpassed his own. Had he known, he would never have agreed to the contest; he had only brought calamity upon himself!

Given Yao Chen’s current strength, he could not withstand the pill tribulation alone. Thus, the task of defending against it fell to Yun Shan.

While many worried about who would face the tribulation, Yun Shan finally appeared. When his formidable Dou Sect aura was revealed, everyone was astonished. Especially seeing Yun Shan withstand the tribulation, it became clear—the Cloud Mist Sect was about to rise.

The appeal of a seventh-grade alchemist, combined with Yun Shan breaking through to the Dou Sect realm… the Cloud Mist Sect would soon eclipse the Jia Ma Empire’s royal family and become the true hegemon.

Many awaited the royal family’s humiliation with schadenfreude, eager to see how the empire would respond.

Though the tribulation was fierce, Yun Shan’s ever-replenishing Yin energy enabled him to withstand it. Soon, he presented a lustrous, jade-like pill to Lin An, placing it in his hands.

This was a public declaration to all present: not only did Yao Chen, the seventh-grade alchemist, serve Lin An, but Yun Shan—the former sect master of the Cloud Mist Sect—did so as well.

The sudden turn of events startled everyone present, especially Qian Qixian and the Seventh Elder.

During Lin An’s brief absence, Qian Qixian had approached Yun Yun, urging her to expel Lin An from the Cloud Mist Sect, perceiving Lin An and Yao Chen as threats. Yet, upon witnessing Yao Chen refine a seventh-grade pill, he realized just how ludicrous his plans had been.

Now, as the former sect master Yun Shan knelt and presented the pill to Lin An, Qian Qixian and the Seventh Elder were rendered speechless.

All along, they had schemed against Lin An, only to discover they were nothing but jesters in his eyes—he had never even considered them worthy opponents.

Privately, they felt fortunate; had they acted against Lin An at the Nalan clan, they would not have known how their deaths came about.

Equally stunned were Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran, and Nalan Su—especially Nalan Yanran. She had thought she knew her junior brother well, never imagining he had hidden himself so deeply. Even his loyal servant was a seventh-grade alchemist.

Seventh-grade… to be honest, Nalan Yanran had never even considered such a possibility.

Now, her heart was filled with bitterness. She had believed her beauty and talent made her a fitting match for Lin An, but now realized she was the one reaching too high.

Lin An took the seventh-grade pill from Yun Shan—a Transforming Pill.

Accompanied by a thunderous beast roar, the Empire’s guardian magical beast, the Nether Sea Flood Dragon, appeared.

Hearing its roar, the previously despairing royal family finally felt a weight lift from their hearts.

Some had doubted whether the Nether Sea Flood Dragon and the ancestor Jia Xing Tian dared not appear, intimidated by Yun Shan’s strength. Now, seeing the figure atop the beast, all fears were dispelled.

As long as the sixth-grade magical beast, the Nether Sea Flood Dragon, and ancestor Jia Xing Tian were present, even a Dou Sect would not intimidate the royal family.

In the next moment, Jia Xing Tian descended from the beast’s head, landing directly before Lin An.

“Greetings, Palace Master!”