"They're coming out! They're coming out!"
Someone with sharp eyes shouted, cutting through the buzz of discussion. Every voice died down in an instant, and all eyes turned toward the corridor ahead.
At the far end of the long hallway, the Four Emperors under the Peacock Great Emperor cleared the path. Behind them walked the Peacock Great Emperor alongside a young man dressed in the robes of a Pill King.
Behind this group of young men followed a procession of Pill Kings, each wearing the Pill King robes of Holy Mountain Peacock — renowned as the strongest alchemists the Holy Mountain had to offer.
From the other end of the corridor, the delegation from Pill Fire City emerged at the same time. The Pill Zenith Great Emperor led the way, flanked by a retinue of elite personal guards surrounding a refined, scholarly middle-aged man.
"So it really is Pill King Ji Lang. Looks like Pill Fire City is taking this seriously this time."
"Pill King Ji Lang — they call him a half-step Pill Emperor. Ordinary ninth-level Pill Kings don't even qualify to become his apprentice. Tsk, tsk — Pill Fire City is dead set on winning this!"
"Whatever Pill Fire City wants, no one can take it from them. At least in the domain of alchemy, that's absolutely the case."
"Look over at the Royal Capital of Liuli. That young man walking with the Peacock Great Emperor — could that be the so-called Pill King Zhen?"
"That should be him. He seems pretty composed."
"What's there to not be composed about? He probably knows perfectly well he's just here to go through the motions. He's going to lose anyway, so where's the pressure?"
"Fair point. He's so young — the Royal Capital of Liuli probably never expected him to win. Going through the motions, getting some experience — there's really nothing to be nervous about."
"That's not necessarily true. Even if it's just going through the motions, facing a spectacle like this, it's hard not to feel some nerves. The way I see it, this Pill King Zhen from the Royal Capital of Liuli might not be as bad as everyone thinks."
"That makes sense. The fact that he managed to rise to prominence in the Royal Capital of Liuli in such a short time means he must have some special abilities. Just look at his composure — that tells you this Pill King Zhen isn't someone who's simply here to go through the motions."
Opinions flew in every direction, each person with their own take.
As the two delegations drew closer, all discussion ceased once more.
The Peacock Great Emperor laughed heartily: "Brother Pill Zenith, you and I have been dealing with each other for thousands of years. This is the first time we've been able to sit back, enjoy our leisure, and watch the younger generation compete."
As the master of Holy Mountain Peacock, the Peacock Great Emperor's tone displayed the magnanimity and generosity of a gracious host, without the slightest trace of aggression.
The Pill Zenith Great Emperor smiled faintly: "Brother Peacock, it's true that we get to sit back and relax — but as for a fair competition? I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed."
"Oh?" The Peacock Great Emperor's smile didn't waver as he raised an eyebrow.
"If you'll pardon my candor, I don't believe the young man you've sent is qualified to compete with my Pill King Ji Lang. This isn't even a contest between equals." The Pill Zenith Great Emperor's tone was supremely domineering.
His overbearing words drew frowns from everyone on the Holy Mountain Peacock side.
Fortunately, the Peacock Great Emperor maintained strict discipline among his people. Though they were angry, no one lost their composure.
The Peacock Great Emperor chuckled softly, showing no sign of being provoked by the inflammatory words, and replied at ease: "Brother Pill Zenith, it's unwise to speak too soon about anything."
"About other matters, perhaps I shouldn't speak too soon. But in the domain of alchemy, I see no reason for Pill Fire City to be modest."
The Peacock Great Emperor let out a derisive laugh. "So you're saying, Brother Pill Zenith, you've never once considered what happens if you lose this match?"
"Lose?" The Pill Zenith Great Emperor burst into laughter. "Brother Peacock, do you honestly think your Royal Capital of Liuli has even a sliver of a chance at winning?"
"The world is full of uncertainties." The Peacock Great Emperor smiled enigmatically. "At the very least, I won't be like you, Brother Pill Zenith, making such sweeping declarations in advance."
"Empty words mean nothing." The Pill Zenith Great Emperor smirked dismissively. "Since the Royal Capital of Liuli is so confident, why not show everyone just how much substance backs up that confidence?"
"Ji Lang, these young people don't know the heights of heaven or the depths of earth. A lesson or two in moderation would do him good." The Pill Zenith Great Emperor shot a sidelong glance at Jiang Chen, a corner of his lips curling into undisguised contempt.
Ji Lang smiled and bowed his head: "Your disciple respectfully obeys the decree."
Watching Pill Fire City's display, Jiang Chen felt nothing but disdain. In his previous life, he had encountered far too many powerful factions putting on airs like this.
More often than not, the ones who strutted around the loudest and jumped the highest before the fact ended up suffering the most humiliating defeats afterward.
Teach me a lesson?
Jiang Chen couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Never mind the Divine Abyss Continent — even across all the Myriad Heavens Planes in his previous life, there was virtually no one in the world of alchemy who could lecture him.
This Pill King Ji Lang was clearly more formidable than any Pill King he had encountered before — possibly even surpassing all the veteran Pill Kings of Holy Mountain Peacock.
But so what?
Did he really think that was enough to teach a lesson to an alchemist renowned across the Myriad Heavens?