It was Fellow Daoist Huang!
Alchemy King Zhen was Fellow Daoist Huang? Fellow Daoist Huang was Alchemy King Zhen?
In that instant, a bolt of lightning seemed to rip through
"Yes, yes—Alchemy King Zhen is Fellow Daoist Huang! No wonder he urged me to come to Liuli Royal City. Alchemy King Zhen appreciates me! He wants to take me under his wing!"
"So it really was… I never would have guessed—Alchemy King Zhen was Fellow Daoist Huang all along. Then that arrogant, domineering demeanor he put on—that was all an act, wasn't it? Just to confuse those people?"
When the Peacock Emperor saw
"Coming back now isn't too late. Look—all these alchemy prodigies have been waiting eagerly for you. Shouldn't you give them something?"
A hundred of them were sons and daughters of the various powerful factions in Liuli Royal City.
The other hundred were independent cultivators from all over.
On the whole, the faction scions naturally had a higher average caliber. But on an individual basis,
Of course, this was merely his first impression.
"My friends, I, Zhen, am humbled by your warm regard. The Liuli Royal Tower Tournament is a grand event held only once every sixty years. The fact that you've risen above tens of thousands of competitors means every one of you possesses extraordinary talent. Regardless of how the semifinals turn out, you are already all winners. So here is my promise: anyone who makes it into the top three overall in these semifinals, I will grant them an alchemy opportunity. When the time comes, I will give you a choice. I can't make any guarantees, but one thing is certain—this opportunity will absolutely not disgrace your standing as the top three."
If an ordinary person had made such a promise, no one would have taken it seriously. Unless it was the Peacock Emperor or some other Great Emperor speaking.
But ever since the battle over the Longevity Pill, the name "Alchemy King Zhen" had taken on an almost mystical magnetism that compelled belief.
The moment
But almost immediately, someone shouted, "That's not fair! Why only the top three?"
"Exactly, Alchemy King Zhen! They make the top three—they've already gained more than enough. Giving them opportunities is just icing on the cake. Why not throw the rest of us a lifeline?"
"That's right! We're not asking for much—just have Alchemy King Zhen give lectures and teach us. Like when the Taiyuan Pavilion first opened—several days of lectures!"
"Last time it was three days. This is a far grander occasion—at least seven days!"
"Seven days? Not enough! I say ten!"
In an instant, voices rose one after another from the crowd.
But even from their eyes, it was clear they were just as eager. After all, despite Alchemy King Zhen being affiliated with the Peacock Emperor's faction, the only ones harboring any real hostility were a handful of scions from the Shura Emperor's faction. Everyone else was neutral. And with no factional grudge in the way, their admiration for Alchemy King Zhen's victory over Pill Fire City's Alchemy King Xi Lang was wholly genuine. Such expectations were hardly surprising.
Watching
Which member of the Wei family didn't feel a swell of pride? Which one didn't feel their face light up?
Under normal circumstances,
He was no longer the person he'd once been—someone content to simply protect himself and stay out of trouble.
Seeing the demons stirring restlessly in the wastelands, watching countless human cultivators facing utter annihilation,
It was precisely because he'd witnessed the demons' movements that he came to appreciate just how remarkable the Peacock Emperor truly was—suppressing his own Heavenly Dao enlightenment for years on end, all to keep watch over the demons.
In his previous life,
In this life, circumstances had forced him into self-preservation. But in his veins, the hot blood of youth still coursed. In his bones, he had inherited the sense of responsibility that his father—the Heavenly Emperor—had embodied.
And so, in this moment, he made his decision.
Lectures? Then lectures it would be.
"Everyone, since you've all made this request, once the Alchemy Tower competition concludes, I will set up a platform right here and lecture for ten consecutive days. I have only one request—please spread the word as widely as possible. The more alchemists who come to attend, the better."
With
"Of course! When Alchemy King Zhen lectures, anyone who doesn't show up is a fool!"
"Exactly! Even if both my legs were broken, I'd crawl here to listen!"