The Sword God of the Universe

Chapter 561: Chapter 561: Invitation from the Holy City [Three Updates]

After some consideration, Ma Rong ultimately gave up on bidding any higher.

He really wanted to get a Dragon Tiger Pill, but the price had already risen to 14 million Spirit Stones, which was very high, and even if he continued to bid, it was not certain that he would succeed in obtaining the pill.

So, he gave up.

Another reason was that after Wan Li obtained the Dragon Tiger Pill, the family behind her could summon a large number of Pill Masters to jointly study the Dragon Tiger Pill Formula. Ma Rong, however, lacked such capability.

With Ma Rong giving up on bidding, the others also stopped making offers.

The last Dragon Tiger Pill was successfully auctioned to Wan Li for the price of 14 million Spirit Stones.

So far, the four Dragon Tiger Pills, including two of Perfect Quality which fetched a sky-high price of 40 million Spirit Stones, and the two of First-class quality had gone for an equally staggering sum of 26 million Spirit Stones, totaling 66 million Spirit Stones together.

This was, without a doubt, an astonishing amount.

The pity was that these Spirit Stones had nothing to do with Jing Yan. Although he had refined the elixirs, they did not belong to him, but to Pill Spirit City. Moreover, the materials for refining the Dragon Tiger Pills were also provided by Pill Spirit City.

However, in comparison with the Source Power he was about to receive, the 66 million Spirit Stones seemed insignificant. Source Power was a treasure beyond price, simply not measurable in terms of Spirit Stones. Which among the powerful families owning Source Power would be willing to sell it?

None!

”Now that all four Dragon Tiger Pills refined by Alchemist Jing Yan have been successfully auctioned for 66 million Spirit Stones, the outcome of the competition between Alchemist Jing Yan and Alchemist Wan Lai is also clear. The winner of this Alchemy Competition, taking first place, is Alchemist Jing Yan. Second place goes to Alchemist Wan Lai. Third place goes to Ma Rong Alchemist...” The white-robed elder began to announce the final rankings of the top twenty after receiving a signal from City Lord Hu Donghe.

There were no objections!

Wan Lai, despite his extreme reluctance, remained silent at this time, not saying anything further.

Wan Lai was a proud man, but coming from a distinguished family, he would not do anything distasteful. Of course, he also knew that no matter what he did, the result could not be changed.

Reluctant as he may be, he had to accept his fate and suppress the resentment in his heart. In his eyes, the Source Power belonged to him, but now it had been snatched away by Jing Yan.

”Now, I will personally distribute the awards to the top three Pill Masters, so please stay for a moment,” City Lord Hu Donghe stood up.

Jing Yan and the other two remained while the rest had to leave the Alchemy Hall.

The awards for the top three Pill Masters were personally handed out by the Great Alchemist King, City Lord Hu Donghe. The awards for the other Pill Masters would be given by the ceremony’s host, the white-robed elder.

Including the ten judges, everyone soon left the Alchemy Hall.

Moments later, only Jing Yan and the other two finalists, as well as Hu Donghe and Chang Huan, remained in the Alchemy Hall.

”Alchemist Jing Yan!” City Lord Hu Donghe looked at Jing Yan with a smile.

”Present!” Jing Yan stepped forward.

At this moment, his heart was also pounding with excitement. To say he wasn’t thrilled would be a lie. The reward for first place was enough to make many envious, especially the Source Power!

Jing Yan couldn’t help worrying if some powerful being might set their sights on him, intending to target his Source Power.

His concerns were not unwarranted; having Source Power on him was indeed enough to make many Martial Artists covetous, and some powerful individuals might take the risk of ambushing him to seize his Source Power.

But for now, it was pointless for Jing Yan to worry about these things. He could only take things one step at a time.

”This is your award!”

”One Source Power, one Creation Pill, and five thousand Top-grade Spirit Stones!” City Lord Hu Donghe handed the awards to Jing Yan, ”Alchemist Jing Yan, you are the most talented in Alchemy Dao I’ve seen in my life. I hope, in the future, to see you become a Great Alchemist King.”

”Thank you, Lord Xie!” Jing Yan reverently bowed and accepted the rewards.

This Source Power appeared identical to the one used by Wan Lai before, a pale red ball of energy. Jing Yan took a brief look before promptly storing it in his Sumeru Ring.

Afterward, City Lord Hu Donghe handed over the awards to Wan Lai and Ma Rong respectively.

All three of the top finishers received a Creation Pill as part of their rewards. The difference was in the quantity of Top-grade Spirit Stones; however, for Pill Masters like Ma Rong and Wan Lai, Spirit Stones were of less interest, with only the Creation Pill providing some solace.

”Alchemist Wan Lai, Alchemist Ma Rong, you may leave now,” said City Lord Hu Donghe, waving his hand.

Wan Lai stared deeply at Jing Yan before turning and walking out of the Alchemy Hall.

”Alchemist Jing Yan, we shall part ways for now. See you later,” Ma Rong politely bid farewell to Jing Yan.

”Alright!” Jing Yan responded with a smile.

Although Jing Yan had a smile on his face, his mind was anything but calm. He was already contemplating what City Lord Hu Donghe might want by keeping him behind alone.

”Chang Huan Envoy, would you like to speak first?” City Lord Hu Donghe looked toward Chang Huan.

”Thank you,” Chang Huan replied with a bow to Hu Donghe, then smiled at Jing Yan.

”Alchemist Jing Yan, I’ll speak frankly,” said Chang Huan. ”I would like to invite you to come with me to the Holy City and enter the Holy Palace. I believe the Holy Master will certainly treat you with great respect. In the Holy City, you will have greater opportunities.”

Chang Huan was indeed very direct.

Ever since Jing Yan had listed the materials needed to refine the Creation Pill, Chang Huan had this idea to bring Jing Yan to the Holy City. And after the final competition, he became even more determined.

In his view, with Jing Yan’s talent in Alchemy Dao, if he was in the Holy City, he would undoubtedly become a Great Alchemist King one day. On the Heavenly Origin Continent, the status of a Great Alchemist King was almost as prestigious as that of a Holy Master. By bringing Jing Yan to the Holy City, if Jing Yan became a Great Alchemist King, Chang Huan would also reap considerable invisible wealth.

Upon hearing Chang Huan’s words, Jing Yan raised his eyebrows and looked towards him.

Go to the Holy City?

Until now, Jing Yan had not really thought about going to the Holy City.

Jing Yan knew that the Holy Palace was where the Holy Master resided. If Pill Country could be called the Alchemy Dao Sacred Land, then the Holy Palace was the Martial Arts Sacred Land. If he entered the Holy Palace, it would indeed be beneficial for his development. Furthermore, going to the Holy Palace with Envoy Chang Huan would save him from worrying about others coveting his Source Power.

However, there are advantages and disadvantages. If he entered the Holy Palace, he might not have as much freedom. Jing Yan didn’t believe the Holy Palace was a place he could freely come and go, and once he entered, he might face many restrictions in the future, something Jing Yan was unwilling to accept.

After a brief consideration, Jing Yan decided to refuse Envoy Chang Huan. Entering the Holy Palace, he might no longer encounter any threats. But real powerhouses are not nurtured under the protection of a large tree; they must grow on their own.