As they conversed, dish after dish was served, delighting all three senses of sight, smell, and taste. Tender, juicy spirit beast meat paired with brightly colored spiritual grains and vegetables made one's mouth water.
It tasted even better than it looked. Beyond the natural flavor of the ingredients, the spiritual energy packed inside each dish imparted a fresh, pure taste that left everyone feeling thoroughly refreshed and satisfied.
During the meal, President Song asked Shi Yu again, “Is there anything else you want? Don't hesitate to speak up.”
He put on a grand, generous air, as if to say, “Whatever you ask for, I will fulfill it.”
She actually did have one thing she wanted.
Shi Yu blinked and didn't stand on ceremony, speaking frankly, “I want to visit ‘Legacy of Subtle Wonders’ on the top floor of the association.”
Ever since her tour last time, she had been keeping that matter on her mind.
Everyone looked at her with strange expressions. They hadn't expected that when she finally spoke, she would make such a massive request.
“This...”
President Song pondered for a long moment before speaking. “It's not impossible.”
Before Shi Yu could show delight, he added meaningfully, “However—”
“Please go ahead, President,” Shi Yu said.
“‘Legacy of Subtle Wonders’ is the foundation of our association. Even the elders aren't allowed to stay there for long when they visit. If an outsider wishes to enter and view it, they must make a major contribution to the association.”
This made perfect sense, but what counted as a major contribution?
Shi Yu voiced her confusion.
President Song's usually stern face—accentuated by high cheekbones—wore a smile that looked suspiciously like a scheme succeeding. “It's actually quite simple.”
“In one year, the decade-interval Grand Alchemy Exchange Conference will be held in the main city of Hengze Prefecture. You will represent our Lingtai Prefecture Alchemist Association.”
Master Ji had mentioned earlier that he wanted her to participate.
This was no big deal for Shi Yu; it was just a matter of going there anyway.
“—And take first place,” President Song added.
Take first place?
Shi Yu fell into thought for a moment before asking, “The alchemist named Yin whom you and the elders mentioned earlier—is he Tier-3?”
President Song nodded. “Yin Wenzhou has barely entered Tier-3, only just able to form pills at that rank.”
Even a novice Tier-3 was still a Tier-3 alchemist.
To take first place, she would naturally have to reach Tier-3 herself to stand a chance of winning.
In terms of alchemy skill alone, she naturally had no problem, but her cultivation was her only limiting factor.
Normally, one had to reach at least the Foundation Establishment Realm for their spiritual energy and divine sense to endure the exertion of refining a Tier-3 pill.
Shi Yu practiced the 《Soul Tempering Art》, giving her a divine sense far superior to cultivators of the same realm. She also had the assistance of the Void Fissure Spiritual Flame, which greatly reduced her spiritual energy consumption during alchemy.
Yet all of this was still far from enough for her to successfully refine Tier-3 pills.
If she wanted to try, she would at least need her cultivation to reach the late stage of the Qi Refining Realm.
Beside them, Master Ji paused his chopsticks and frowned. “Isn't this pushing Girl Yu too hard?”
“Participating is fine. With Girl Yu's alchemy attainments, who besides that guy named Yin could match her? Securing a spot in the top ten is a sure thing in my book.”
“But as for taking first place, asking her to advance to a Tier-3 alchemist in just one year—isn't that sheer foolishness?”
The other elders chimed in one after another, feeling that President Song's demand was far too high and unrealistic.
President Song, however, said to Shi Yu, “You possess the highest talent for alchemy I have ever seen in my life. Even if you only secure an ordinary ranking, ‘Legacy of Subtle Wonders’ will still be opened to you.”
“However, taking first place may allow the association to share in your glory, but the real benefits belong entirely to you.”
Hearing this, everyone understood President Song's intent. They gradually fell silent, saying no more.
President Song continued, “Why does this Alchemy Exchange Conference—held in smaller competitions every three years and major ones every ten—attract alchemists from across the entire Changyuan Prefecture?”
“Speaking of which, we must mention the Yanyang Spiritual Realm.”
“The Yanyang Spiritual Realm?” Shi Yu repeated, her eyes flickering slightly.
President Song took a gentle sip of spiritual wine. “The Yanyang Spiritual Realm is the primary reason why the Hengze Prefecture Alchemist Association holds such a lofty status.”
“Within that spiritual realm lies a Heavenly Fire, which gives the realm its name.”
“Such a spiritual realm was originally a secret realm born of heaven and earth, brought into existence by surging earth Qi. The Hengze Prefecture Alchemist Association seized the geographic advantage and locked it down tight as their personal property.”
“With a Heavenly Fire existing in that spiritual realm, who wouldn't covet it? Yet the secret realm can only hold a limited number of people. After much jockeying and political pressure from various factions, the Hengze Prefecture Alchemist Association compromised. Whenever the realm is about to open, they host the Alchemy Exchange Conference and allocate ten slots for outsiders to enter.”
“During the conference, the top ten alchemists may enter the secret realm to observe the spiritual fire. The higher your rank, the longer you are allowed to stay inside.”
Having said that, President Song sneered, “Of course, the alchemists from their own association face no such restrictions.”
“Over time, Hengze Prefecture used this to win over many outstanding alchemists from other prefectures.”
Shi Yu caught the key phrase. “What is the point of observing the spiritual fire in the Yanyang Spiritual Realm?”
President Song sighed with emotion. “That Heavenly Fire is named the Yanyang Xuancang Flame, condensed from the origin of Fire Laws. Observing nearby helps cultivators comprehend the Intent of Fire.”
Shi Yu nodded in understanding. Heavenly Fires all carried origin power of laws. For instance, the juvenile Void Fissure Spiritual Flame in her hands carried the power of spatial law.
Afterward, President Song continued to explain the various benefits of winning first place.
Only the champion could stay in the Yanyang Spiritual Realm for a full month, granting relatively ample time to comprehend. As for how much one could glean, that depended on individual fortune.
In addition, there were cultivation techniques, rare spiritual plants, and numerous other rewards—every single one exceedingly rare.
“Which is why I said that if you take first place, the benefits will truly belong to you.”
After listening, Shi Yu couldn't help asking, “Since it's a Heavenly Fire and has been exposed for so long, has no one tried to subdue and refine it?”
Hearing this, Master Ji shook his head with a bitter smile. “The Yanyang Spiritual Realm restricts the cultivation level of entrants—only Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators can enter.”
“The Yanyang Xuancang Flame tests a cultivator's mastery over the Intent of Fire. Cultivators at the Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment stage have shallow comprehensions of intent, making it naturally difficult to earn the flame's recognition.”
President Song scoffed, “The Hengze Prefecture Alchemist Association boldly proclaimed that anyone recognized by the spiritual fire can take it away at will. They only say so because they know they have nothing to fear.”
Shi Yu nodded in realization.
“However,” President Song's face darkened, “ever since Yin Wenzhou joined the Hengze Prefecture Alchemist Association, he has entered the realm during every small and major competition over the past few decades to observe and comprehend.”
“Rumor has it that by next year's grand competition, his comprehension of the Intent of Fire might finally earn the Yanyang Xuancang Flame's recognition.”
Upon hearing these words, everyone's expressions turned rather grim.
President Song shook his head. “If the Yanyang Xuancang Flame truly claims a master, then the Yanyang Spiritual Realm will cease to exist in the future.”
“That is why I hope you rank as high as possible so you can stay in the secret realm longer and seize this rare opportunity to ponder the Intent of Fire.”
“If you can gain something from it, it will benefit you immensely in the future, whether in alchemy or in cultivating fire-attribute techniques.”
Shi Yu silently nodded, understanding his point.
Regardless, for the sake of the Yanyang Xuancang Flame, she was definitely going to attend this Alchemy Exchange Conference.
I should strive to reach the late stage of the Qi Refining Realm before then, she thought to herself.
She was currently only at the fifth layer of the Qi Refining Realm. Beyond the mid stage of Qi Refining, ascending each layer was several times more difficult than before. Trying to advance two layers within a single year was truly no easy feat.
Yet, with a stalk of Dragon Bamboo Grass still inside her Yin-Yang Fate-Tapping Bell, it was not entirely hopeless.
Shi Yu looked at President Song. “President, I will do my best.”
“Good, good, good.” President Song pressed the matter no further and invited everyone to enjoy the meal.
Clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, by the time the feast concluded, Shi Yu felt her body brimming with spiritual energy and her mind crystal clear, leaving her entirely refreshed.
“Having money really is great,” she muttered to herself.
Consuming such spiritual grains and vegetables over a long period would yield immense benefits to one's cultivation and physical constitution—it was just that her purse would suffer for it.
After the meal, Shi Yu bade farewell to everyone and returned to her cave dwelling.
Taking advantage of her prime condition right now, she planned to refine the Lesser Longevity Pill.
Rate on N.U.
