Chapter 628 622: The Exchange Meet Begins

When the disciples from the Four Great Divine Beast Families appeared, a fervent gleam lit up the eyes of the younger generation of Alchemists. Although they were all here to compete for the title of Pill Emperor and were technically rivals, under the dazzling aura of these disciples, few harbored any real designs on the throne. After all, compared to these four great prodigies, their own strength paled in comparison. Why else would they be considered the top contenders?

The crowd watched the three slowly approaching figures with intense gazes. However, just as they were preparing to step forward and curry favor, they saw the trio walk straight past them, making a beeline for Shen Haoran.

Seeing this, the crowd was stunned. 'It's Shen Haoran again! Wu Daotian is one thing; a big oaf like him seeking out Shen Haoran is understandable. Tian Ruyi looking for Shen Haoran because of Feng Miaoke also makes sense. But Long Aotian and the other two have never even met Shen Haoran, have they? Why did they make a beeline for him the moment they arrived? Isn't he just an Alchemist from the Human Race? And only a Fourth Grade one at that! Does he have some kind of treasure on him or something?' In that instant, the crowd's gazes toward Shen Haoran grew even more hostile.

Shen Haoran was taken aback to see Long Aotian and the other two walking straight toward him. Feeling the hostile gazes from all around, he instinctively rubbed his nose. 'I'm certainly attracting a lot of attention today.' He just couldn't figure it out. 'What could these three possibly want with me?'

"You must be Brother Shen, Shen Haoran? I am Long Aotian of the Flood Dragon Race!" Long Aotian took the lead, walking up to Shen Haoran and extending a hand as he introduced himself.

Hearing Long Aotian's introduction, Shen Haoran was taken aback again. The Four Great Divine Beast Families weren't actually true Vermilion Birds, Black Tortoises, Cyan Dragons, and White Tigers, but rather other races that merely carried their bloodlines. However, in terms of address, the Four Great Divine Beast Families preferred to call themselves the Vermilion Bird Race or the White Tiger Race. It was quite rare for someone like Long Aotian to refer to his own as the Flood Dragon Race.

"We were never the Cyan Dragon Race to begin with; that's just what the outside world calls us. Comparatively, I much prefer being a Flood Dragon!" Long Aotian seemed to have read Shen Haoran's mind, explaining with a soft chuckle.

At his words, Shen Haoran also revealed a friendly smile. 'Someone as sincere and straightforward as Long Aotian is a friend worth making.'

"So you're the Shen Haoran who taught that stinky bird a lesson? You look pretty soft. You don't look like you can take a punch, so how are you so gutsy? Still, I like it! I've couldn't stand the sight of that stinky bird for ages!" As Shen Haoran and Long Aotian were talking, the little girl from the Black Tortoise Race circled Shen Haoran, sizing him up as she spoke, her little face filled with excitement.

Shen Haoran's face darkened at the little girl's words. 'This is the first time anyone's ever called me soft, and it's a little girl, of all people. Come on, when it comes to being soft and delicate, is there anyone here who can possibly compare to you...?'

"My name is Yan Jue! Since you taught that stinky bird a lesson for me, you're my little brother from now on. Don't worry, if that stinky bird dares to cause trouble for you, I'll have your back!" the little girl from the Black Tortoise Race declared, patting her flat chest authoritatively. This left Shen Haoran not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"Ahem... Brother Shen, please don't take offense. Little Jue is just like that!" Long Aotian offered an embarrassed laugh from the side, then promptly pulled Yan Jue to his side and held her there.

Seeing this, Shen Haoran just chuckled softly. He wasn't about to get into a serious argument with a little girl—even if she was no ordinary little girl.

"Hmph. What a fake. He's just some Alchemist from the Human Race, yet the rumors about him are all over Central City. Now that I see him, he's nothing special!" But just as some people took a liking to Shen Haoran, others naturally found him an eyesore. Bai Shaohong of the White Tiger Clan snorted coldly, his gaze toward Shen Haoran filled with disdain.

Shen Haoran's expression turned cold at Bai Shaohong's words. Because of Lady Ya, Shen Haoran held no goodwill for anyone from the White Tiger Race. He replied coolly, "You're not qualified to comment on what kind of person I am. You only need to remember one thing: I'm stronger than you."

At Shen Haoran's words, Bai Shaohong's expression flickered. The other Alchemists from the various branch halls also gave Shen Haoran odd looks, including his new acquaintances, Long Aotian and Yan Jue. Even they, fellow members of the Four Great Divine Beast Families, wouldn't dare claim to be stronger than Bai Shaohong. 'For Shen Haoran to make such a boast... he really is as arrogant as the rumors say.'

"Hmph. The person who dares to say that to my face hasn't been born yet! Since you're so confident, I'll have to properly test you at the exchange meeting later. We'll see if your skills are as impressive as your words, or if you're all talk!" Bai Shaohong snorted.

"I'll be ready whenever you are," Shen Haoran replied calmly, his expression unchanged, leaving Bai Shaohong fuming.

"That kid actually accepted Bai Shaohong's challenge? He's really courting death!"

"I know, right? I heard Bai Shaohong became a Seventh Grade Alchemist half a year ago. His Seventh Grade Alchemist Badge was personally awarded by our Medicine Hall Master!"

"Even the other prodigies like Long Aotian wouldn't dare say they could beat Bai Shaohong. This Shen Haoran's arrogance knows no bounds!"

"Hah! He's just looking to get humiliated. I bet he's just trying to get some attention for the Burning Flame City Medicine Hall. After all, their branch is about to be kicked out of the top twenty!"

Hearing Shen Haoran accept Bai Shaohong's challenge, the surrounding Alchemists began to whisper among themselves, their faces filled with schadenfreude. This Shen Haoran had dared to ignore them earlier; now, someone was going to put him in his place for them.

"Alright, quiet down!" Just as the crowd was whispering amongst themselves, an authoritative voice rang out. Ji Wuqing emerged from behind a stone platform and walked before the crowd, his presence silencing their chatter.

"The Saint Child from Holy Light City has been delayed for some special reason and has not yet arrived. Therefore, we shall begin this exchange meeting now!" Ji Wuqing announced. This meeting was merely a prelude to the main competition for the Pill Emperor's title, not a true contest, so the rules weren't particularly strict. In fact, it was less of an 'exchange' and more of a preliminary bout, a chance to gauge everyone's strength and for the participants to get a sense of where they stood.

"Alright, come forward and draw lots!" Ji Wuqing retrieved a wooden box from his Storage Ring and placed it before the crowd. The participating Alchemists then came forward one by one to draw their designated lots from the box.

Just then, Long Aotian, who was standing beside him, explained the true nature of the exchange meeting to Shen Haoran. It was simply a series of duels between two people, but the combatants could only use their Spiritual Thought. After all, for an Alchemist, a powerful Spiritual Thought was the most crucial requirement.

Since Burning Flame City had placed last in the previous competition for the Pill Emperor's title, Shen Haoran was the last to draw his lot. When he saw the number "Eighteen" on his slip, he looked up to find his opponent. Upon seeing Yin Xueyu's ghastly expression, Shen Haoran realized the number on his opponent's slip must be "Seventeen."

"Enemies really are destined to meet," Shen Haoran said with a soft chuckle. But in stark contrast to his relaxed demeanor, Yin Xueyu's face was a mask of despair. The matchups were set, however, and he could only shake his head and curse his bad luck.

"The exchange meeting will now begin! All non-participants, clear the stage!" Ji Wuqing announced in a booming voice. With the exception of the two duelists, everyone else retreated to the spectator stands on either side. The preliminary exchange for the Pill Emperor competition had officially begun...