area51novel 459. Light the pillar of fire
459. Light the pillar of fire
Rumors are flying around Saint Pill City these days, and some people have even spread the word that Xiao Yan possesses a strange fire, and that it is quite powerful.
However, the lighting of the Nine Dragon Fire Pillars doesn't solely depend on the quality of the flames; the host's own strength is also crucial. Few know the truth about Xiao Yan's breakthrough that day; most people only know that he killed Thunder Venerable and that he was the disciple of Medicine Venerable Yao Chen.
However, Lingzhuo updated the rankings three times under the spotlight, a performance that has won people's hearts. Therefore, at this moment, more people still have more confidence in Lingzhuo's record.
"Do you think Xiao Yan will really take first place as the Pill Tower predicted?"
"How could that be? He's definitely not as good as Ling Zhuo."
"As far as I know, Ling Zhuo's speed in breaking through this level has surpassed that of many elders of the Pill Tower. If Xiao Yan can break through to 80 points, he will be considered successful."
"Danta already said it, how could it be false? That's laughable."
……
The noise from below the stage didn't bother Xiao Yan, although he preferred a quiet atmosphere. At the same time, Xiao Yan sensed that many powerful individuals were also paying attention to him, including some with astonishing strength.
The conflict between the Spirit Race and the Dan Tower involves the interests of far too many people, and any change at this time will alter the stances of many.
Therefore, Xuan Kongzi advised him to come to this trial first! Firstly, because this trial is handled by the Pill Tower, there shouldn't be any major variables. Secondly, Xiao Yan's flame, formed by the fusion of three different flames, is far stronger than the Wind Fury Dragon Flame, which is ranked eighteenth on the Different Flame Ranking. This is the area where Xiao Yan has the best chance of defeating Ling Zhuo.
Ling Zhuo's identity was no secret within the Pill Tower, so even though Xiao Yan possessed the ability to fuse with a different kind of fire, and even though Xiao Yan was the direct disciple of the Medicine Venerable, most of the higher-ups in the Pill Tower still believed that Xiao Yan was inferior to Ling Zhuo.
The only one with a chance to defeat Ling Zhuo is Wei Jiangyuan, whom they have chosen. However, the Pill Gathering is the most important event, so Xuan Kongzi has rejected Wei Jiangyuan's requests to compete for the Heavenly Talent Ranking several times, determined to let him shatter the Ling Clan's goal of winning the championship in one fell swoop at the Pill Gathering.
Xiao Yan was the one that the Pill Tower found to be the most likely to fight against the Spirit Clan during this period.
With everyone watching, crimson flames surged from Xiao Yan's body, and the countdown began!
"Xiao Yan, you really did come to ruin my plans." On a pavilion with the best view, Ling Zhuo felt the flames that made him quite uncomfortable and muttered to himself.
A figure dressed in black robes, who had rushed over, looked at Xiao Yan excitedly and whispered, "Hehe, let me see your true abilities!"
Under Xiao Yan's control, the purplish-red flames surged towards one of the fire dragon pillars and then directly poured into the dragon-patterned pillar.
Click click click!
As the sound of ice shattering rang out, gusts of icy air surged forth from the dragon-patterned pillar, forming the first line of defense against the crimson flames. Even the Crimson Lotus Heart Flame was immediately halted by this chilling aura, and ice and fire began to fiercely clash in the air, neither giving way to the other.
The audience seemed prepared for this scene. Even though they were extremely concerned about Xiao Yan's results, they didn't get too close to the Dragon Pattern Pillar, because their previous experience told them that the area around the Dragon Pattern Pillar was the core of ice and fire. A slight misstep could result in injury from the aftershocks. Could something as simple as resisting the chilling currents of a different kind of fire be easy?
The purplish-red flames burned steadily, constantly battling against the cold breath. Although they were blocked, some of the flames still managed to reach the dragon-patterned pillar. As the temperature rose, the dragon-patterned pillar began to emit a purplish-red glow, but its eyes remained still.
"This speed isn't fast enough. Xiao Yan is already in trouble?" In a pavilion overlooking the center of the plaza, there were two old men, none other than the two giants of the Pill Tower, Xuan Kongzi and Xuan Leizi.
Xuan Kongzi stroked his long beard and said, "Don't underestimate him; he's sensing something."
"What do you feel?"
"Don't forget, this dragon-patterned pillar is part of the test for eighth-grade alchemists, so lighting it is indeed quite difficult. Especially that chilling aura, which has a strong inhibitory effect on flames. He didn't rush to attack it, but instead sensed the limits of the chilling aura."
Xuan Kongzi saw through Xiao Yan's intention: "The flames he is releasing now are definitely not at their strongest. This young man's alchemy skills are exactly like his teacher's, steady and comprehensive."
Xuan Leizi looked at Xuan Kongzi and suddenly asked curiously, "By the way, why didn't Xuan Yi come? Isn't she always the one who cares most about Xiao Yan?"
She said she didn't want to come.
Why?
"I don't know, but the original words were: 'I don't want to see the stubborn old man raise such stubborn children.'"
Upon hearing this, Xuan Leizi laughed heartily, but after laughing, he sighed with emotion: "So many years have passed, and she has never let go of Yao Chen."
Xuan Kongzi looked at Xiao Yan in the center and said in a low voice, "This matter is not that simple..."
Xiao Yan tirelessly unleashed his Crimson Lotus Heart Flame onto the first dragon-patterned pillar. Many people who had initially held high hopes for Xiao Yan began to complain, because Xiao Yan's speed was simply too slow!
As expected, it will take Xiao Yan at least an hour to light up the first dragon-patterned pillar, while Ling Zhuo's record is three and a half hours. If things continue like this, it will be a pipe dream for Xiao Yan to surpass Ling Zhuo.
Only a few noticed that Xiao Yan's flames had remained unwavering throughout. The true powerhouses, however, were now on high alert, for they knew Xiao Yan was far more than they thought.
As time went by, under Xiao Yan's continuous pouring of flames, the first dragon-patterned pillar finally lit up with all its dragon patterns. Flames burst forth from the dragon's eyes, and the dragon patterns seemed to leap out of the pillar, as if they were a real dragon with a spirit.
However, almost an hour had passed, and the other eight dragon pattern pillars were still empty. It would be difficult for Xiao Yan to even get a score of fifty, because the speed at which he could light up the dragon pattern pillars would become slower and slower due to the consumption of his fighting spirit.
"Too slow!"
"A mere hour isn't even enough to serve as a page for Young Master Ling!"
"The Medicine Master has been dead for many years, yet this person still impersonates him?"
"Xiao Yan, if you're bad at cooking, practice more!"
……
Xiao Yan ignored the jeers and taunts from the audience, and simply smiled. From lighting the first dragon-patterned pillar, he had already learned a lot of information, such as what level of firepower was needed to reliably overcome the cold current and light up the dragon-patterned pillar.
Then, with a thought, a lifelike, purplish-red lotus of flames swirled and danced in his palm, and eight beams of fire surged forth, flying out from the lotus of flames at the same time. The eight beams of fire were almost identical, and Xiao Yan smiled slightly.
Eight pillars ignited simultaneously!