Alchemists Gather, Prodigy Yun Xiao

Five days later

Alchemy Emperor Manor

At this moment, all the renowned alchemists of the Central Heaven Domain had gathered at the Alchemy Emperor Manor. Outside, they were figures of great prestige, but here, each one was meek and well-behaved, not daring to act out of line.

It was always others who waited for them—never had they been the ones waiting for someone else.

Yet now, everyone stood quietly, awaiting the appearance of the Immortal Alchemy Emperor, Yao Niming.

When Yao Niming finally appeared, a ripple of awe passed through the crowd.

Though all present were alchemists, few among them had ever laid eyes on Yao Niming.

After all, Yao Niming had long been a legend, having achieved the Emperor Realm thousands of years ago. His reclusive nature meant that not just anyone could meet him.

"Greetings, Alchemy Emperor!"

"Greetings, Alchemy Emperor!"

Everyone bowed respectfully, their reverence unwavering.

Yao Niming's life was a legend, and in the art of alchemy, he stood peerless. To these alchemists, he was both a model and a deity.

Yao Niming nodded in acknowledgment, but his gaze swept through the crowd as if searching for someone.

Has he not come?

For the past few days, Yao Niming had been anticipating news of Yun Xiao. Yet, even at the appointed time, Yun Xiao had not arrived.

Bound by his prior commitment to the others, Yao Niming would not break his word just to wait for one person—such was not in his nature.

Perhaps the Alchemy Emperor City, a place all alchemists yearned for, held no allure for Yun Xiao.

"Master, there has been no news of Yun Xiao entering the city. Should I send someone to inquire further?" Medicine Destiny asked.

"No need," Yao Niming shook his head. He was not one to force things—whether Yun Xiao came or not was up to him.

Hearing the name Yun Xiao, the other alchemists exchanged puzzled glances. Though Yun Xiao was known as a prodigy and was currently in the spotlight, was he truly worthy of such attention from Yao Niming?

A mere rising star, yet the Alchemy Emperor himself took notice?

Though confused, none dared to pry further. Right now, they were far more eager to see the treasure that even the Immortal Alchemy Emperor could not decipher.

"You all know why I have summoned you here today," Yao Niming began without preamble.

"Over two thousand years ago, I came across a peculiar orb—one I could not comprehend in the slightest."

"Since then, I have attempted to refine it, but after all these years, the orb remains unchanged."

"Thus, I have gathered you all today to pool our knowledge and see if we can refine this object together."

"Should we succeed, none of you will leave unrewarded."

"You honor us, Alchemy Emperor. Merely being part of this is already a privilege."

"Indeed, to be deemed worthy of collaborating with the Alchemy Emperor is a blessing beyond measure."

"Hahaha, Alchemy Emperor, I’ll speak plainly—I won’t hold back. You’ve got plenty of treasures to spare!"

"True enough! But what I’m most curious about is what kind of orb could leave even the Alchemy Emperor stumped."

Without further ado, Yao Niming waved his hand, and a cauldron materialized in the open space before them.

At the sight of the cauldron, the alchemists' eyes gleamed—was this the legendary Seven Revolutions Heaven-Earth Cauldron, the very one used by the Alchemy Emperor?

A master alchemist required a masterful cauldron, one that could enhance the success rate of refinement and produce higher-grade pills.

Forget the orb inside—just the cauldron alone was enough to make these alchemists salivate.

After admiring the cauldron, they turned their attention to the orb within.

"The orb is crystal-clear, yet it emits no aura, no energy fluctuations whatsoever."

"Indeed. It looks like the most ordinary of orbs—almost too ordinary."

"Precisely because of that, it must be extraordinary. After all, none of us can see through it."

"Exactly. If it were truly ordinary, how could it remain unrefined after all these years? This object is anything but mundane."

"Perhaps it requires a special flame to refine?"

"But the Alchemy Emperor’s flame is the Undying Spirit Flame. If even that fails, what other flame could possibly work?"

"Could it be that the Undying Spirit Flame is incompatible with this object? Maybe another flame should be tried?"

"Very well. Let me test it. I recently subdued the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame—let’s see if it can refine this thing."

One alchemist stepped forward, summoning a wisp of azure flame—the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame.

As the flame entered the cauldron, the alchemist poured all his strength into refining the orb.

Yet, as time passed, the orb remained unchanged. Eventually, he had no choice but to concede defeat.

"Alas, it seems my Azure Lotus Spirit Flame is ineffective."

"Let me try."

"I’ll give it a shot as well."

One by one, they attempted their own methods. Yao Niming observed silently, but the results were disappointing.

Total failure—no one could refine the orb.

"How is this possible? What kind of object is this, to be so stubborn?"

"Of course it’s difficult! The Alchemy Emperor couldn’t refine it in thousands of years—did you think we’d succeed in a mere moment?"

"Then what else can we do? Surely we can’t just give up?"

"Think, everyone. Let’s brainstorm together."

As top-tier alchemists, none were the type to surrender easily. Though disheartened, they quickly rallied.

The sight of so many master alchemists collaborating was nothing short of spectacular.

Yao Niming did not interfere. In fact, he found the scene heartening.

If alchemists could maintain such passion and cooperation, it would be a boon for the entire alchemy world.

Many hands make light work—this was far better than each minding only their own affairs.

On this point, Yao Niming felt a pang of guilt. Though he bore the title of Alchemy Emperor, his contributions to the alchemy world were few. He was a legend in name only.

"Master, Yun Xiao has arrived."

Medicine Destiny’s words caused Yao Niming’s eyes to flicker. Yun Xiao had come after all.

Though late, it was not by much.

A young man strode into the Alchemy Emperor Manor, clad in crimson robes, his face as flawless as jade, his bearing extraordinary.

Yun Xiao’s arrival drew the attention of the others.

"Is this Yun Xiao?"

"Yes, it’s him. I’ve seen him before."

"How old is he? What’s his cultivation level? What rank is he as an alchemist?"

"I’ve heard Yun Xiao is only twenty-two. Judging by his aura, he’s already at the seventh level of the Divine Ability Realm? His talent in cultivation is this formidable too?"

"I recall that about half a year ago, this kid's cultivation was only at the third level of the Divine Ability Realm. In just six months, he advanced four whole realms?"

"Right, half a year ago, his alchemist rank was still Earth-rank."

A twenty-two-year-old Earth-rank alchemist?

In the Tai Xuan Realm, the ranks of alchemists align closely with cultivation levels, progressing as follows: Yellow-rank, Mystic-rank, Earth-rank, Heaven-rank, King-rank, Emperor-rank, and Sovereign-rank.

Most people spend their entire lives striving to reach Emperor-rank alchemist. After all, only one person—Yao Niming—has ever broken through to the Sovereign-rank. For everyone else, attaining the rank of Sovereign-rank alchemist remains an unattainable dream.

But now, whether it's his cultivation talent or alchemy prowess, Yun Xiao's abilities are nothing short of astonishing. Who knows? The next Sovereign-rank alchemist might very well be him.

"Junior Yun Xiao pays his respects to the Alchemy Emperor."

"The journey was long, and my strength was limited, so I arrived a little late."

Yao Niming observed Yun Xiao—neither submissive nor arrogant, yet free from pride or conceit—and found himself quite pleased. Still, this was only their first meeting, and it was too soon to judge the young man's true character.

"No matter. Your presence is what counts."

Yao Niming smiled and nodded, brushing aside Yun Xiao's tardiness before briefing him on the situation once more.

"Wait, the Alchemy Emperor is treating Yun Xiao with special favor? What’s going on here?"

"Well, given Yun Xiao’s talent and skill, doesn’t he deserve it?"

"Fair point. But this is the Alchemy Emperor we’re talking about. Even if Yun Xiao is a once-in-a-generation prodigy, he’s still just a young man. It almost feels like the Alchemy Emperor has something else in mind."

"Could it be… he’s considering taking him as a disciple?"