Chapter 368: Indifferent to Life and Death—If You Disagree, Then Fight
Yao Lao's ethereal form flickered faintly, surprise rippling across his translucent features. He had not anticipated that the Heavenly Flame Xiao Jietian spoke of would be none other than the legendary Three Thousand Burning Flame—renowned throughout the ages as the "Undying Flame."
In the vast expanse of the Central Plains, few dared to forge true enmity with one who wielded this undying blaze.
A cultivator in possession of the Three Thousand Burning Flame was akin to a demonic cockroach—tenacious beyond mortal measure. So long as no killing blow severed the thread of life, no matter how grievous the wound, flesh would knit, bones would mend, and combat strength would return in the mere blink of an eye.
"Tian Ge… where is this Heavenly Flame located?" Xiao Yan asked, eyes burning with fierce longing. He rubbed his palms together, a fawning grin spreading across his face.
"The location ties directly to the next piece of news," Xiao Jietian replied, turning his gaze toward Yao Lao. "Does Venerable Yao still recall the Pill Gathering?"
Yao Lao's hand—slowly stroking his translucent beard—froze mid-motion. He sank into contemplation for several breaths before snapping back to the present. His eyes narrowed as he regarded Xiao Jietian with a mixture of curiosity and faint suspicion.
"The Pill Gathering?" Xiao Yan echoed blankly, scratching his head. He had heard Yao Lao speak of the Pill Tower before, yet never of this grand event.
"The Pill Gathering resembles the alchemist tournament you once participated in," Xiao Jietian explained, "yet its scale dwarfs all comparison. It is a grand convocation encompassing the entire continent. Countless alchemy prodigies from every corner of the land gather to vie for supremacy. The champion rises to fame across the realms in a single breath. All three giants who now stand at the pinnacle of the Pill Tower were once champions of the Pill Gathering."
He paused, then added with a faint smile:
"Your teacher was also a champion of one such gathering. After claiming victory, he gradually ascended to become one of the most renowned and influential figures on the Dou Qi Continent."
Xiao Yan's eyes instantly lit up. He turned to gaze at Yao Lao with open reverence, already imagining the future boasts he could make:
"My teacher is the venerable Yao Chen! Who is your teacher?"
Yao Lao gave a soft cough, looking slightly uncomfortable beneath his disciple's worshipful stare.
"Are you implying that the Three Thousand Burning Flame lies within the Pill Tower?" Yao Lao asked, frowning slightly as he fixed Xiao Jietian with a piercing stare. "Are you planning to have us seize it from the Pill Tower? Setting aside those stubborn old fogeys inside—even merely offending the Pill Tower for the sake of a single Heavenly Flame would bring far more harm than benefit."
He had never heard rumors of a Heavenly Flame concealed within the Pill Tower before his fall, so it must have been discovered sometime afterward.
The Pill Tower was a sacred land in the hearts of alchemists across the Central Plains—and even beyond. It sheltered countless high-grade alchemists. To antagonize the Pill Tower was to antagonize the vast majority of alchemists on the continent. Such enmity was no trifling matter.
Xiao Yan likewise restrained his earlier eagerness. He gave an awkward laugh.
"Tian Ge… though I can be reckless, I haven't gone mad to that degree."
Merely thinking about offending every alchemist across the continent sent a faint chill down his spine. As an alchemist himself, he understood better than anyone the terrifying network and influence those of his profession commanded.
"Such a rare and powerful Heavenly Flame as the Three Thousand Burning Flame—given the nature of the Pill Tower's elders, they would surely guard it with the strictest defenses. Seizing it would be far from easy. It may have already been subdued long ago." Yao Lao shook his head slightly. Even at the height of his power, he had always treated the Pill Tower with considerable caution.
"They have not refined it—nor can they," Xiao Jietian said with a small smile, noting their reactions. "Obtaining this Heavenly Flame requires no robbery. You need only participate in the Pill Gathering to earn the opportunity to claim it."
"Participate in the Pill Gathering? What does that have to do with the Heavenly Flame? Is the champion's prize a Heavenly Flame? Would the Pill Tower truly be so extravagant?" Xiao Yan scratched his head in bewilderment.
"You could say that," Xiao Jietian nodded.
"Ah?!" Xiao Yan cried out in shock. "A Heavenly Flame ranked ninth being offered as a prize? That's far too lavish!"
"The Pill Tower would never be so generous without reason," Yao Lao said, frowning deeply. "Do you know the true motive behind this, Xiao Jietian?"
"I know a little."
Xiao Jietian continued calmly:
"When the Pill Tower first discovered the Three Thousand Burning Flame, it had already existed for countless years and grown extraordinarily powerful. During that period, the Pill Tower made repeated attempts to subdue it—all of which ended in failure. Many alchemists were even slain by the flame. Faced with such grievous losses, they had no choice but to seal it away."
"And this time, the top ten finishers of the Pill Gathering will receive generous rewards… as well as the opportunity to attempt to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame."
After listening, Yao Lao spoke in a low voice:
"Hearing you describe it, this feels somewhat similar to the Fallen Heart Flame sealed beneath Jia Nan Academy—only one serves for nurturing talent, while the other is born of necessity. It seems the Pill Tower had reached the end of their wits with this Heavenly Flame and thus offered it as a prize in the Pill Gathering—to see whether any prodigy could resolve the problem for them."
"Regardless of the outcome, the Pill Tower profits. Whether the qualified subdue it or fail, they gain a favor owed. One must understand that those capable of reaching the top ten possess immense potential or realm. Becoming a Grade Eight Alchemist—or even a Tier Nine Alchemist—in the future poses no difficulty."
"If it remains unsubdued, they gain a favor. If it is subdued, they gain both a favor and the removal of a hidden danger. As expected of the ever-shrewd Pill Tower—extracting maximum benefit from what appears to be a mere ethereal opportunity."
Xiao Jietian strongly agreed with Yao Lao's analysis. There was another layer as well: should an alchemist learn of the Heavenly Flame's existence yet lack the strength to subdue it now, that did not mean they would forever remain powerless. Such knowledge might prompt them to join the Pill Tower, biding their time for a future chance to claim the flame.
Thus the Pill Tower would gain the addition of geniuses, further strengthening its foundation.
Of course, another unspoken reason existed—this Heavenly Flame had originally been prepared for the Son of Destiny, Xiao Yan. But others knew nothing of that.
"Only the top ten receive a chance to attempt to subdue it?" Xiao Yan clenched his fists, muttering with his head lowered.
Xiao Jietian nodded.
"Indeed. Unless your strength can suppress the entire Pill Tower and seize it by force, the only legitimate path is to participate in the Pill Gathering and secure a place among the top ten."
Yao Lao watched Xiao Yan in silence, offering neither comfort nor encouragement. The decision belonged entirely to his disciple.
In the beginning, he had employed various schemes, temptations, and subtle guidance to make Xiao Yan cultivate the Burning Technique—initially for his own purposes. Yet after so long together, Yao Lao had long since come to regard Xiao Yan as his true successor.
After two or three breaths of silence, Xiao Yan slowly exhaled. A fiery glint ignited within his eyes. The corners of his mouth gradually curved upward into a wide, reckless grin. Then he threw back his head and laughed loudly:
"I never expected to waver here. It seems I've grown too comfortable in these peaceful days. My teacher once outshone all others to claim the championship. As his disciple, how can I bring shame upon him? A place among the top ten is mine for certain—and I shall even contend for the crown!"
In truth, Xiao Yan had nearly declared, "The championship is mine without question." But then he remembered that Xiao Jietian's alchemy skills far surpassed his own. Comparing himself to Tian Ge would likely end in humiliation—so he chose a more modest phrasing.
"Hahaha! Well said—well said indeed!" Xiao Jietian laughed heartily, slapping Xiao Yan's shoulder. "This is the true you: indifferent to life and death—if you disagree, then fight!"
Yao Lao watched his disciple with open gratification, unable to suppress the proud smile that curved his lips. The fledgling he had once sheltered beneath his wing had finally grown strong enough to soar freely through the azure sky.