Chapter 538: Fire Control Champion

Would Wei Wuying have risen to the position of Sect Master of the Xiaoyao Sect if he were an amateur?

One glance, and his attention was immediately captured by Jiang Chen's technique. The young man's astonishing handwork and seamless rhythm were impressive enough — but even for a seasoned expert like Wei Wuying himself, achieving such flawless precision would not have been a certainty.

What was truly terrifying was that Jiang Chen was not merely maintaining a smooth rhythm; his completion count was also far ahead of everyone else.

By contrast, Wei Xing'er — born with the Innate Fire Spirit Body — was actually trailing Jiang Chen by a considerable margin!

Danche smiled leisurely. "I can't speak for the other categories, but the fire control champion definitely won't be going to your Xiaoyao Sect!"

Wei Wuying was rendered speechless, his grim old face growing even more sinister.

Just then, another stir erupted from the crowd nearby: "Look everyone — that Three Stars Sect disciple is actually outperforming Zhu Feiyang!"

All eyes turned toward the commotion, where they saw that a Three Stars Sect disciple named Ding Tong was surpassing Zhu Feiyang in both speed and technique — and the advantage was not subtle.

Danche had initially only been keeping an eye on Zhu Feiyang. Zhu Feiyang's speed was roughly on par with Shen Qinghong's. But Ding Tong's speed exceeded Zhu Feiyang's, and even surpassed that of Wei Xing'er from the Xiaoyao Sect. Though he still trailed Jiang Chen slightly, the gap was remarkably narrow.

"Tch, tch — that's a dark horse if I've ever seen one! Looks like Ding Tong is going to quietly lock down the fire control championship!"

"Everyone said the Three Stars Sect was going to be a surprise contender, but I didn't quite believe it. Who would have thought Ding Tong would be this outstanding? Where did he come from? Has anyone heard of this kid before?"

Sect Master Zhu of the Three Stars Sect smiled with restrained pride. "There's no need for wild speculation. Ding Tong is a talent we happened to discover. His emergence as a dark horse was entirely within our expectations."

Clearly, not a single person in the crowd had noticed Jiang Chen's performance.

Tianming Shangren of the Northern Abyss Sect suddenly grinned. "Ding Tong is impressive enough, but he's not the best. The real dark horse is over at Danqian Palace."

"Danqian Palace?" Every gaze swiveled toward the Danqian Palace section.

The reaction was unanimous — every face froze in the same stunned expression Wei Wuying had worn moments earlier, as though turned to stone.

At this point, two-thirds of the allotted time had passed, and Jiang Chen was already approaching the finish. Of the thirty-six fire sources, he had completed more than thirty!

Moreover, judging by his momentum, the remaining fire sources showed no sign of slowing him down. He was on track to finish in a single unbroken flow.

That seamless rhythm left everyone watching in a daze.

Every person present was an expert. Who among them didn't understand what this meant?

"This… what is this young man's name?" Not everyone, it turned out, knew who Jiang Chen was.

Several sect masters looked toward Palace Master Danche with puzzled expressions.

Palace Master Danche chuckled. "You should all be familiar with this young man. He comes from the Treasure Tree Sect and is now one of the most outstanding alchemy talents among the younger generation at my Danqian Palace."

He deliberately emphasized "one of," clearly accounting for Mu Gaoqi.

"He's that Treasure Tree Sect disciple? Jiang Chen?"

"You can't be serious. The Treasure Tree Sect could produce a talent like this? There must be some mistake."

"Danche, you're not pulling our leg, are you?"

Tianming Shangren laughed. "He really is that Treasure Tree Sect disciple. I can vouch for it."

Sect Master Zhu of the Three Stars Sect — who had attended the original alliance ceremony — took a closer look and indeed recognized Jiang Chen's face.

With a dark expression, he confirmed: "This is indeed the Treasure Tree Sect disciple Jiang Chen."

His words set off an uproar. No one had imagined that this young man hailed from the Treasure Tree Sect.

"The Treasure Tree Sect's alchemy水准 can reach this level? I refuse to believe it."

"Perhaps the boy's alchemy talent is extraordinary, and it was only after joining Danqian Palace that he made such rapid progress?"

Everyone looked to Palace Master Danche, eager for an explanation.

Palace Master Danche smiled. "His talent is genuinely exceptional. Since joining Danqian Palace, we have devoted significant effort to his cultivation."

Naturally, Palace Master Danche could not say too much and offered only a few casual deflections.

As they spoke, Jiang Chen had moved on to the final three fire sources.

"This young man's fire control technique is outrageous. Brother Danche, is this one of Danqian Palace's exclusive methods?"

Palace Master Danche laughed heartily. "That, I'm afraid, I cannot disclose."

Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Jiang Chen completed the summoning of the last three fire sources in one seamless effort. All thirty-six fire sources resonated in unison, swirling around the formation's perimeter and activating the entire array in a spectacular display of light and energy.

The thirty-six fire sources danced in the air, each taking on a different form.

"All thirty-six fire sources awakened?"

"The formation resonated with them?"

"This young man's fire control talent has already surpassed the level of the Wanxiang Domain. Even placed in the Upper Eight Domains, he would be absolutely competitive!"

"Unbelievable, simply unbelievable. Brother Danche, who would have thought you could dig up such a treasure from a backwater like the Sixteen Kingdoms Alliance!"

"Brother Danche, congratulations — this is a genuine treasure. Even I'm getting a little envious!"