Xu Zimo glanced at the notice that had just been posted, then turned to Miss Jing and asked, “What is this Myriad Alchemy Gathering?”
“It’s one of Brahma City’s grand festivals,” Miss Jing explained.
“Right now, the Brahma Monarch God Realm is split into two factions, one is the Demon Faction, the other is the Buddha Faction. The two are constantly at odds, each wanting to abolish the other and claim sole rulership over the Brahma Monarch God Realm. The so-called Myriad Alchemy Gathering is a grand event for alchemists. Every year, the Demon and Buddha factions compete in secret. Whichever side wins claims control of Heaven's End, Ocean's Edge for the next three years.”
“This sounds interesting,” Xu Zimo said with a faint smile.
“Monk, just you wait, we’re not done with this matter,” the black-robed elder said furiously.
“And what exactly can you do about it?” the monk sneered. “The Alchemy Gathering is a contest of skill. Even the Realm Lord can’t interfere. Frankly, your Demon Faction should’ve been abolished long ago, if not for the Realm Lord shielding you.”
“Bullshit!” the black-robed elder roared. “Believe it or not, I’ll beat you into the dirt right now.”
“Then come try. I’m not afraid of you,” the monk shot back, temper flaring as he stepped forward.
The two were on the verge of clashing when a calm voice suddenly broke in.
“How exactly are points awarded at this Myriad Alchemy Gathering?”
Both turned their heads to see a purple-robed youth holding the mission plaque with a smile.
It was Xu Zimo. He studied the plaque in his hand.
It only said: Represent the Demon Faction in the Gathering; points awarded based on results.
But it gave no specifics.
“Who are you?” the black-robed elder barked.
“Don’t go pulling plaques you don’t understand.”
“I’m here to enter the Gathering,” Xu Zimo replied.
“I just want to know how the points are calculated.”
“To represent the Demon Faction, you must first pass my test,” the elder said. “Not just anyone qualifies, we can’t waste the quota. If you make the top ten, you’ll earn a thousand points. Top five earns ten thousand points. And from fifth place upward, each rank multiplies the points tenfold.”
“What about first place?” Xu Zimo asked.
“First place?” the elder laughed heartily.
“Young man, don’t aim too high. But if you somehow win first place, I’ll guarantee you free entry and exit from Heaven's End, Ocean's Edge for three years.”
“Deal,” Xu Zimo nodded.
“Not so fast. This afternoon I’ll hold a collective test, you won’t be the only one. We can’t let you enter alone,” the elder added.
Xu Zimo simply nodded. It was still morning, plenty of time before then.
After exchanging names with the elder, Xu Zimo left the Saint Sovereign Tower with Miss Jing and Moon-Pluck Fairy.
“You’re really going to take part in this Gathering?” Miss Jing asked.
“Why not?” Xu Zimo countered.
“It’s just a trivial matter.”
“You’ve never refined pills before, have you? Don’t underestimate alchemy,” she warned.
The Moon-Plucking Fairy also nodded.
“Alchemy and cultivation are worlds apart. The higher you go, the harder it gets. Even if you’re a Grand Emperor, it doesn’t mean you’ll beat those alchemists.”
Xu Zimo only smiled. If he dared accept, it was because he was fully confident.
Among the Ten Primordial God-Scriptures, one was the Primordial Alchemy God-Scripture.
It was a method created specifically for alchemy. Its techniques and the pills it produced were among the best under heaven.
For him, this was no difficulty.
“Let’s go check out the venue of this Myriad Alchemy Gathering,” Xu Zimo said.
The Saint Sovereign Tower stood at the heart of Brahma City.
And right beside it was the central plaza where the Gathering would be held.
It was here that every participant would refine their pills. Rumor had it that judges from the Alchemy God Tower would be invited to preside.
The scale of the Gathering was said to be unparalleled.
For the residents of Brahma City, it was the grandest event of all.
When Xu Zimo and his companions arrived at the plaza, they saw it stretched for millions of square kilometers.
Around it stood towering dragon pillars.
These were Alchemy Dragon Pillars.
High-grade pills, once completed, could summon celestial phenomena. When true divine pills were born, even tribulation lightning could descend.
The Alchemy Dragon Pillars existed to suppress such tribulations.
With the protection of Alchemy Dragons, no lightning fell, and all Primal Daos were warded off.
But they were extremely costly to maintain, and were used only for events of this scale.
The plaza itself was marked out with black lines, dividing it into millions of separate square spaces. Each alchemist would refine within their own square, forbidden from crossing boundaries to disturb others.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
As Xu Zimo was observing, Moon-Pluck Fairy suddenly snapped in anger.
He turned and saw her glaring furiously at a man nearby.
The man wore a gray robe and had a shaven head.
Around his neck hung a string of skull beads.
But his face was pale, his steps unsteady, clearly a man drained by wine and women.
“What happened?” Xu Zimo asked.
“That man just tried to touch her,” Miss Jing whispered. “She dodged in time.”
“What are you doing?” the bald man sneered back.
“Shameless,” Moon-Pluck Fairy said coldly, retreating to stand beside Xu Zimo.
“Oh? You call me shameless? Then if I don’t act shameless, wouldn’t that disappoint you?” The bald man cackled and lunged for her again. His actions were no different from a street thug.
“Go kick his ass. If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility,” Xu Zimo shrugged.
The Moon-Plucking Fairy nodded gratefully.
Though weaker than Xu Zimo, her cultivation was by no means low. On Immortal Brew Island, she carried weight in her own right.
Raising her hand, immortal aura surged as she struck.
The bald man screamed as he was blasted backward.
His skull cracked against the nearby steps, blood pouring down his face.
His cultivation was only around the Spirit Meridian Realm. To call him an ant was no exaggeration.
“Rolling Meat got beaten!” someone exclaimed.
“Who? Outsiders, I bet.”
Onlookers eyed Moon-Pluck Fairy, some offering advice.
“You’d better leave. Beating Rolling Meat won’t be so easy to resolve.”
“That’s right, his father is the abbot of Golden Cicada Temple. He’s not someone you can offend.”
“Huh, monks can marry now?” Xu Zimo chuckled.
“You don’t understand,” someone explained. “Here in Brahma City, Buddhist monks don’t forbid such things. Wine and meat may pass through the body, but the Buddha dwells in the heart. As long as the heart is sincere, it doesn’t matter. Monks here may marry and have children.”
“No matter. We can handle it,” Xu Zimo said with a wave.
“Don’t say we didn’t warn you,” someone sighed. “You’ll trip sooner or later. Pity, such a beautiful woman.”
Xu Zimo glanced back.
That so-called Rolling Meat lay unconscious on the ground, his head split open and bleeding.
“Let’s go find a place to rest,” Xu Zimo said.
After all, the Myriad Alchemy Gathering would begin tomorrow.