Chapter 634 - 628: Yao Wuchen

High above in the sky, the Patriarchs of the Four Great Divine Beast Families all greeted Vice Hall Master Ji. The Medicine Hall was holding such a grand event within Central City, and as the city’s rulers, it was only natural for the Four Great Divine Beast Families to make an appearance. This was not only to show their support for the Medicine Hall but also to display their own clans’ strength. After all, they were responsible for security during the Medicine Hall’s grand event.

After the Patriarchs of the Four Great Divine Beast Families had all arrived, Ji Wuqing and the other three shouted once more. This time, they respectfully invited only one person: the Grand Hall Master of the Medicine Hall, the supreme leader in the hearts of all Alchemists in the Demon Race Medicine Hall. As Ji Wuqing and the others called out, their voices trembled with excitement.

"We respectfully invite the Medicine Hall Master, Yao Wuchen!"

"ROAR!"

The moment Ji Wuqing and the others finished speaking, the Alchemists below erupted in a torrential roar. Their gazes burned with fervor as they stared at the sky, awaiting the arrival of that figure. Even Shen Haoran, who wasn’t a member of the Demon Race Medicine Hall, was swept up by the atmosphere. He felt a small thrill of excitement but was even more curious about this Medicine Hall Master.

Amidst the crowd’s cheers, a figure slowly walked over from the horizon. Although his movements seemed unhurried, each small step he took instantly covered hundreds of meters. The seemingly distant figure closed the distance in just a few breaths, appearing before everyone.

’So this is the Medicine Hall Master, Yao Wuchen?’ Shen Haoran stared at the ethereal-looking elder, his eyes filled with shock. From Yao Wuchen, Shen Haoran sensed an incredibly profound aura, one that could only be condensed through the baptism of time. ’This Yao Wuchen must have lived for an unfathomably long time. He’s definitely an old monster.’

Moreover, the aura emanating from Yao Wuchen was far more powerful than that of Feng Qingwu, Long Xiaotian, and the other two Patriarchs. ’I thought the Patriarchs of the Four Great Divine Beast Families were the strongest experts in the Demon Race, but the Medicine Hall Master’s strength is even greater. No wonder Yao Wuchen was saved for last as the grand finale.’

"Greetings, Hall Master Yao!"

After Yao Wuchen appeared, every Martial Artist present, including the Patriarchs of the Four Great Divine Beast Families, bowed respectfully. Yao Wuchen rarely made public appearances, as he was usually in seclusion deep within the Medicine Hall. It was a mystery why he had chosen to appear for this Pill Emperor contest. However, he surely had his reasons. The Martial Artists present were thrilled, feeling that being able to see the legendary Medicine Hall Master once in their lifetime made the trip worthwhile.

"The Medicine Hall Master... he’s actually from the Human Race!" At that moment, Shen Haoran stared at Yao Wuchen in midair, stunned, as if he had discovered a new continent.

"That’s right. Not only is the current Medicine Hall Master from the Human Race, but every Medicine Hall Master has been a human Alchemist. It’s a rule passed down in the Medicine Hall that no one can break. However, to become the master of the Demon Race Medicine Hall and lead so many demon Alchemists, one must first gain their recognition. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be qualified to be the Medicine Hall Master," Long Xiaotian explained from the side.

"Oh, there’s a rule like that?" Shen Haoran nodded in surprise. ’No wonder when I was at the Medicine Hall in White Fox City, Hall Master Hong often said we were all one family. So the Grand Hall Master of the Medicine Hall is a human Alchemist after all.’

Shen Haoran looked back up at Yao Wuchen in the sky, then glanced at the frenzied demon Alchemists on the ground and couldn’t help but click his tongue. ’Setting aside Yao Wuchen’s power, the fact that he, a human, is worshipped by so many demon Alchemists proves he is by no means a simple man.’

While Shen Haoran was still surprised, Yao Wuchen, a gentle smile on his face, gently pressed his hand down, signaling for the crowd to be quiet.

Seeing Yao Wuchen’s gesture, the crowd below immediately fell silent. They stared at him with burning intensity, waiting for him to speak.

"Today is the Demon Race Medicine Hall’s grand event, the Pill Emperor contest held once every five years. This is a celebration for the Alchemists of the Demon Race, a gathering of geniuses. Here, you will display the fruits of your decades of bitter training and fight with all your might for supreme glory! At the same time, this is a declaration to the world that this is your era, the era of the young! So, for your glory, go and fight!" Yao Wuchen’s voice wasn’t loud, but it struck everyone’s heart like a heavy hammer, instantly igniting their emotions. At once, a world-shaking roar erupted once more.

Feeling the Heaven-Shaking roars around him, the blood in Shen Haoran’s own body began to burn. At the end of the day, he was still a young man of eighteen or nineteen, with endless passion and impulse in his bones. It was just that the burdens on his shoulders were too heavy, forcing him to hide these feelings away, which made him seem like an utterly calm machine. But in an atmosphere like this, even his hidden passion was stirred.

"I now declare the Pill Emperor contest officially open! You have already passed the first round. Next, you will proceed to the second. We’re changing the rules this time. For the second round, you will need to enter my personal Medicinal Garden to gather Spirit Medicine. Within seven days, you must find the Spirit Medicines listed on the prescription I give you and return here. Doing so will count as a pass!" Yao Wuchen said with a smile.

Hearing Yao Wuchen’s words, the many contestants were stunned. In previous Pill Emperor contests, the second round was always a direct competition of Alchemy skills. Why were they being asked to gather Spirit Medicine this time? However, Yao Wuchen quickly cleared up their confusion.

"Throughout history, Alchemists have always been seen as walking treasure troves. To force us to perform Alchemy for them, some people resort to violence. Most Alchemists focus their energy on the art of Alchemy, leaving them at the mercy of others. To change this, one’s own Cultivation will henceforth be an important criterion for evaluating an Alchemist. In my Medicinal Garden, I also raise Spirit Beasts. Most of these Spirit Beasts are Tier Four or above, with the strongest being a Tier Eight Spirit Beast. Your task is to pick the Spirit Medicine from the clutches of these Spirit Beasts and escape safely. That will be considered a success!" Yao Wuchen explained.

Upon hearing this, the faces of the Alchemists below grew grim. A Tier Eight Spirit Beast was equivalent in strength to the Spirit Emperor Tier! Asking an Alchemist to confront a Spirit Emperor Level expert was a tall order indeed. However, what Yao Wuchen said was not wrong. Alchemists were becoming increasingly vulnerable in the outside world precisely because their own strength was insufficient. If they wanted to change this, they had to make a change. This Pill Emperor contest was an opportunity, and it was also the reason why Yao Wuchen had come out of seclusion.

"There’s no time to lose. The assessment begins now!" Yao Wuchen shouted. He then reached out and swiped his hand through the air, and a massive spatial rift appeared before the contestants.

"This is the entrance to the Medicinal Garden. You will receive the prescription once you are inside. Move out now!" Yao Wuchen said to the crowd.

Hearing this, the competing Alchemists all took a deep breath, then leaped into the pitch-black spatial rift.

Seeing this, an amused smile touched the corners of Shen Haoran’s lips. He too took a leap and followed the others inside...