Starting as a supporting character in Doupo

Page 391

Hearing the other alchemists' mockery and the subtle, appraising glances from them, the green-haired alchemist's face instantly darkened. His gaze towards Xiao Fan and the others hardened, and he said, "At your age, besides swindling, how could you possibly have reached the level of being invited by Valley Master Tang? You must know that this time Valley Master Tang invited alchemists of rank six or higher. I refuse to believe that you... I..."

The green-haired old man looked at Xiao Fan and his group and spoke aggressively.

Hearing the other party's words, Xiao Fan frowned slightly and glanced at the green-haired alchemist. The other party's tone immediately paused, and then Xiao Fan slowly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of impatience: "Whether you're a fraud or not seems to have nothing to do with you, right? Do you think your judgment is better than that of the Burning Flame Valley? If you're not good enough, don't assume everyone else is as useless as you."

Faced with Xiao Fan's humiliation, the green-haired alchemist's face turned ashen with rage. What angered him most was the look in Xiao Fan's eyes just now. For some reason, in that instant when Xiao Fan stared at him, he felt as if he were so close to death...

"Impossible, absolutely impossible............"

The green-haired alchemist sized up Xiao Fan and his group, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty, but he dared not act recklessly any longer...

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the main hall, and everyone's eyes turned towards the main entrance.

Soon, Elder Chi Huo, who had just left, appeared in everyone's sight, and in front of Elder Chi Huo was a middle-aged man who looked somewhat dignified.

As soon as the middle-aged man appeared, Xiao Fan and Xiao Yan's eyes fell on him. After all, if the strange fire in his body was genuine, then within the Burning Flame Valley, only the Valley Master of Burning Flame Valley, Tang Zhen, who was at the Dou Zun realm, possessed a strange fire!

"Um?!"

Tang Zhen also turned his gaze to Xiao Yan. As for Xiao Fan, because of the wonder of the Chaos Fire within him, Tang Zhen could not sense the strange fire that Xiao Fan controlled.

Sensing Xiao Yan's extraordinary abilities, Tang Zhen recalled Elder Chi Huo's introduction earlier, and a smile finally appeared on his tired face.

As for the argument between Xiao Fan and his group and the green-haired alchemist, Tang Zhen and the others acted as if they hadn't heard it and didn't mention it. None of the alchemists brought it up either.

"Hehe, sorry to have kept you all waiting!"

Tang Zhen stepped into the main hall, cupped his fists slightly to greet everyone, and quickly won the favor of all the alchemists. After all, it was a great honor for a Dou Zun expert to be so polite to them. Every alchemist felt flattered.

"Since you are all here, you must be aware of my requirements. As long as you can help me refine the pills I want, I will do my best to fulfill any of your requests, as long as they are not against morality."

Chapter 135 Conflict

Upon hearing Tang Zhen's words, a hint of excitement appeared on the faces of the group of alchemists.

This was a promise from a Dou Zun powerhouse, and the reputation of Burning Flame Valley was not like that of the Heavenly Nether Sect. Burning Flame Valley was highly credible in the hearts of the people. Moreover, the reputation of Tang Zhen, the Valley Master of Burning Flame Valley, was talked about by many powerful figures in the outside world.

"Hehe, I won't say much more. I'm sure you all understand that there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Since I made such a promise, I will naturally keep my word. However, this matter is very important to me, so it's not that I don't trust you all, but rather that I have no other choice."

Tang Zhen's gaze swept over the group of alchemists. As he slowly spoke, the demeanor of a Dou Zun powerhouse was revealed, and his earlier affability did not diminish his imposing presence.

"Everyone, the environment for this alchemy is special. As you all know, I possess a unique flame. Only those who can endure for ten minutes within my Nine Dragons Thunderfire are qualified to participate in the alchemy. If you are ready, please proceed."

Tang Zhen spoke slowly. The numerous alchemists, upon hearing his request, showed a hint of surprise. After all, everyone knew the name of the Nine Dragons Thunderfire. Hearing Tang Zhen's demand that they endure within it for ten minutes, many hesitated. They weren't skilled in combat, and the strange fire was inherently terrifying and violent; they might even get injured…

However, after recalling the conditions Tang Zhen had just proposed, everyone realized that such a generous reward made taking a slight risk worthwhile. Moreover, with so many alchemists present, they trusted that Tang Zhen would guarantee their safety.

Without wasting much time, after only a slight hesitation, the group of alchemists immediately spoke and followed Tang Zhen to an open-air plaza.

"Everyone, if you can't hold on any longer, please don't force yourself. Just crush this talisman and you'll be fine."

Tang Zhen looked at everyone, waved his hand, and several ice shards emanating a faint chill fell into Xiao Fan's and the others' hands.

After giving Zi Yan a look and telling her to stay quietly to the side, Xiao Fan and Xiao Yan stepped into the square.

Upon seeing Xiao Fan and his companion's actions, not only the group of alchemists but even Tang Zhen's eyes narrowed, revealing a hint of surprise.

After all, even he only knew that Xiao Yan was a seventh-grade alchemist, and was unaware that Xiao Fan, whose legs were weak, was also an alchemist...

Furthermore, the fact that they dared to enter the arena indicates that their alchemy skills are not low...

Thinking of this, a hint of surprise flickered in Tang Zhen's eyes.

However, Tang Zhen wasn't thinking about that right now. Looking at the group of alchemists who had already entered the square, Tang Zhen's eyes narrowed, and he said to everyone, "Everyone, be careful!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a thunderous roar, like that of a giant dragon, resounded. Immediately afterward, a terrifying energy wave emanated from Tang Zhen's body, carrying a scorching aura, and swept towards the square.

"hiss!"

Sensing the terrifying power of the Nine Dragons Thunderfire, the group of alchemists on the plaza, who had already made great mental preparations, remained calm and began to use their own methods to resist the aura of the Nine Dragons Thunderfire.

As the Nine Dragons Thunderfire surged, many alchemists on the plaza began to resist desperately. Even Xiao Yan was experiencing the terror of a Dou Zun powerhouse up close for the first time.

Feeling the terrifying aura emanating from just the Nine Dragons Thunderfire, Xiao Yan's understanding of Dou Zun powerhouses became clearer, and a sense of urgency rose in his heart.

In the entire square, only Xiao Fan seemed unaffected, standing quietly in place. He looked at Xiao Yan, whose body was trembling slightly, but did not help him. His gaze swept over the surrounding alchemists, constantly observing their performance.

"Hehe, interesting..."

Outside the plaza, Tang Zhen watched Xiao Fan's performance without the slightest surprise. He had merely released the aura of the Nine Dragons Thunderfire; if he could influence a Dou Zun with just that aura, it would be utterly laughable...

"this........."

Seeing this, Elder Chi Huo, who was standing next to Tang Zhen, also showed a hint of surprise on his face, and his face was full of admiration.

It was only after he had settled Xiao Fan and his group in and was reporting back to the Valley Master that he learned of their identities. Seeing Xiao Fan walking on flat ground in the strange fire without any effect, he couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness at Xiao Fan's terrifying talent.

Why is there such a big difference between people who are all the same?

Not only has this person reached the Dou Zun realm at a young age, but they are also a high-level alchemist. Although I don't know their alchemy level, the fact that they dared to step onto the stage in Burning Flame Valley means that their alchemy skills should have reached the sixth rank.

As for the seventh rank... Elder Chi Huo shook his head.

At this age, reaching the Dou Zun level in cultivation is already terrifying enough. To simultaneously cultivate medicine and reach the sixth rank is already a testament to genius! The seventh rank? How is that possible...?

Thinking about this, Elder Chi Huo couldn't help but laugh at his own absurd idea.

Meanwhile, on the plaza, some alchemists noticed Xiao Fan walking on flat ground without any effect. A look of shock appeared on their faces. But this moment of distraction caused the soul power that was originally resisting the Nine Dragons Thunderfire to stagnate slightly. Then, they could no longer hold on and could only crush the ice shards in their hands.

A pale blue energy enveloped him, and then he left the square with a regretful expression.

He wasn't resentful at all. He knew in his heart that even if this hadn't disturbed his mind, he could have held on for at most another minute before he would still be eliminated.

As the alchemist failed, it seemed to trigger a chain reaction, with one alchemist after another ending in failure, helplessly crushing the ice shards in their hands, and finally being eliminated with regret.

Watching the alchemists being eliminated one by one, Tang Zhen clenched his fists tightly inside his sleeves, a sense of regret rising in his heart.

If he weren't lacking in alchemy talent, why would he be pinning his hopes on others? Although he could refine some low-level pills with the Nine Dragons Thunderfire, high-level pills remained an insurmountable hurdle for him...

But... I wonder if their involvement will lead to a miracle...

Tang Zhen's gaze involuntarily fell on Xiao Fan and Xiao Yan in the square. One of them possessed a strange fire, and the other had reached the Dou Zun realm. Moreover, both of them were alchemists. Thinking of this, a glint of light flashed in Tang Zhen's eyes.

As time passed, only five alchemists remained of the original group on the plaza.

Xiao Fan and his companion, along with the green-haired alchemist and two other alchemists, included one whom Xiao Fan had heard addressed as "Master Illusion" earlier in the main hall. This seventh-grade alchemist, Xiao Fan assessed him and concluded that with Master Illusion's soul power, he should be able to endure for exactly ten minutes...

As for the green-haired alchemist, Xiao Fan only glanced at him before looking away; the other's trembling body indicated that he had reached his limit.

As expected, with a muffled groan, the green-haired alchemist immediately crushed the ice shard in his hand and gave up with a look of reluctance.

When he opened his eyes and saw Xiao Fan strolling leisurely in the distance, a look of surprise first appeared on his face, followed by a hint of resentment and anger in his eyes. He withdrew his gaze, left the square, and walked towards the group of eliminated alchemists...

Not long after the green-haired alchemist failed, another alchemist besides Master Huan also had no choice but to give up when there was only one minute left in the ten-minute time limit.

After all, he knows his own situation best. He's already exhausted all means to hold on until now; continuing would damage his very essence, a losing proposition...

After all, this is just a selection process to see who is qualified to participate, not an immediate guarantee of Tang Zhen's support. It's simply not worth risking everything for such an uncertain opportunity...

"time up!"

As the ten minutes were up, Tang Zhen gave a soft shout, then waved his hand, instantly drawing the Nine Dragons Thunderfire that had enveloped the square back into his body.

As Tang Zhen withdrew the Nine Dragons Thunderfire, the oppressive force of the strange fire that had enveloped the plaza dissipated completely, and the pressure felt by everyone vanished.

"call............."

On the plaza, Xiao Yan exhaled a breath of hot air, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and a look of joy appeared on his face.

The pressure from the Nine Dragons Thunderfire had not caused him any harm. On the contrary, because of the aura of the Nine Dragons Thunderfire, he had been suppressing the strange fire and his raging battle qi, and his cultivation had actually improved a bit.

Xiao Yan realized that he was probably not far from breaking through!

Thinking of this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but show a hint of excitement on his face!

The alchemists in the crowd watched the three who had persevered to the end, their expressions shifting between light and dark. No one had expected that Xiao Fan and his companion, two young upstarts, would be the ones to hold out. As for Master Huan's strength, they had all witnessed it and had no objections.

Among the alchemists, many eyes were fixed on the green-haired alchemist, as if they were waiting for something.

Chapter 136 Entering the Valley

Seeing the gazes of the group of alchemists, Xiao Fan and the others were immediately drawn to the green-haired alchemist.

Noticing that everyone's gaze was on him and feeling Tang Zhen's stare, the green-haired alchemist broke out in a cold sweat and felt a pang of regret. However, thinking of the alchemist who supported him, he regained his composure and looked at Tang Zhen.

"What, Fellow Daoist Kurong, do you perhaps have some other advice to offer?"

Tang Zhen felt the other person's gaze, his eyes narrowed slightly, and a vast energy emanated from his body, giving him an aura of authority without anger.

"Gulp~..."

Sensing the aura emanating from Tang Zhen, the green-haired alchemist whom Tang Zhen called Ku Rong narrowed his eyes. Recalling the situation in the formation just now, a trace of unwillingness appeared on his face before he spoke to Tang Zhen: "Valley Master Tang, if you have already chosen your candidate, just say so. Why use this competition to humiliate us like this?"

As Ku Rong spoke, his expression changed constantly, revealing a hint of anger, as if Tang Zhen had done something that would incur divine and popular wrath.

"humiliation?"

Hearing Ku Rong's words, Tang Zhen's face showed a hint of astonishment. He was surprised by the insult Ku Rong had uttered. He exchanged a glance with Xiao Fan, and seemed to understand something. He looked at Ku Rong again, and the anger that had risen from being slandered turned into a smile.

“Isn’t it!”

Seeing the smile on Tang Zhen's face, Ku Rong was even more convinced that it was because Tang Zhen had secretly done something. He stood up, pointed at Xiao Fan and the other two, and said, "Two young lads, I don't believe that they can reach the level of a sixth-grade alchemist at such a young age. Besides, even if they have reached the level of a sixth-grade alchemist, what makes them think they can last so long in the Nine Dragons Thunderfire?"

Ku Rong gesticulated wildly as he launched into what he considered righteous criticisms of Xiao Fan. He then turned and pointed at the several alchemists behind him, saying, "Among all these alchemists, who isn't a renowned one? Who isn't more famous than him?"

"Take me for example. I've been immersed in alchemy for decades, and I've now reached the peak of the sixth-grade alchemist, just one step away from the seventh grade. My soul power is also among the best of my fellow practitioners. In the end, I couldn't continue, and they..."

Ku Rong looked furious.