Chapter 646 - 640: The Third Round Begins

Under the threat of the Flame Burst Array, Shen Haoran, Long Xiaotian, and the others had no choice but to retreat from the Dragon Tomb. The black-robed figures were far more troublesome than anticipated; they seemed to have prepared countless countermeasures. It looked like resolving this matter simply was no longer an option.

"Does this mean we can only destroy it when they activate the Hundred-Refinement Soul-devouring Array?" Long Xiaotian said with a frown. "If we wait until then, won’t countless Martial Artists be sacrificed? It’ll be too late!"

Hearing this, Shen Haoran nodded. "Some sacrifices are inevitable. The Flame Burst Array will only disappear in three days when the Hundred-Refinement Soul-devouring Array activates. So, if we want to destroy the Array Base, we can only act then."

"But in three days, don’t you have to participate in the Pill Emperor competition?" the Elder of the Cyan Dragon Race asked. "You’re the only one here who understands Arrays. If you’re not present, how can we destroy it?"

"Don’t worry. I’ve already made full preparations!" Shen Haoran said with a mysterious smile. At that moment, deep within the Dragon Tomb, a small, pitch-black beast was listlessly prodding at the faint dragon phantoms. This little beast was none other than Changmao.

Shen Haoran had left Changmao behind in the Dragon Tomb. The Array Base of the Hundred-Refinement Soul-devouring Array was protected by Yin Qi, and no one could break the grand array without an extremely deep understanding of them. However, Shen Haoran and Changmao were connected by thought, and he had already told Changmao the method to break the array. As long as Changmao destroyed the Array Base after the Flame Burst Array disappeared, the Hundred-Refinement Soul-devouring Array would cease to function.

Seeing the confident smile on Shen Haoran’s face, Long Xiaotian and the others felt a sense of relief. They reminded themselves that there’s always a way out. Besides, with an Array Master like Shen Haoran on their side, they had no choice but to trust that he had a solution for the crisis.

After they finalized their plan, Shen Haoran returned to the guest room arranged for him by the Cyan Dragon Race. He immediately sat cross-legged and began his Cultivation. ’The Pill Emperor competition in three days is bound to be turbulent. If I destroy the Hundred-Refinement Soul-devouring Array, it will definitely provoke a backlash from those black-robed figures. I have to be fully prepared.’

...

Meanwhile, somewhere in Central City, a figure in a black robe hurried into a guest room. This was the same person from the Medicinal Garden known as "Number One." Number One bowed his head to a young man on the bed and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, there was a disturbance at the Array Base in the Cyan Dragon Race’s Dragon Tomb. It seems to have been discovered!"

"Oh? The Array Base was discovered?" Hearing Number One’s report, the young man slowly opened his previously shut eyes. His two golden pupils shone with a dazzling light, seemingly dispelling all the darkness in the room. If Shen Haoran had been there, he would have cried out in shock. This young man was, surprisingly, the Saint Child of Holy Light City.

"Yes, but the disturbance has since subsided. I believe they must have discovered the Flame Burst Array and know not to act recklessly. Otherwise, the Dragon Tomb would be destroyed along with the Array Base!" Number One let out a creepy laugh from beneath his black robes.

"Mm, I see," the Saint Child said with absolute confidence. "I inscribed that Hundred-Refinement Soul-devouring Array using the Lord’s Demon Blood and added a Flame Burst Array around the perimeter. Even an Array Master from Ancient Times couldn’t break it, let alone that bunch from the Cyan Dragon Race. There’s no need to worry about this."

"How are the preparations for the other matters coming along?" the Saint Child asked coolly.

"Reporting to Your Highness," Number One replied respectfully, "the Demon Seeds have mostly been distributed. We are just waiting for the Lord to emerge and feast to his heart’s content!"

"Excellent. You’ve done well." The Saint Child looked at the humble Number One and nodded in satisfaction. "When the Lord emerges, I will put in a good word for you!"

Hearing the Saint Child’s words, Number One was ecstatic. He immediately said gratefully, "Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Your Highness!"

’Now, we just have to wait three days for the Lord’s arrival!’ A scarlet glint flashed in the Saint Child’s eyes, his originally golden pupils turning pitch-black. ’At that time, the entire Demon Race, this entire continent, will bow at the Lord’s feet!’ A pillar of Demonic Qi instantly enveloped the room...

...

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. The third and final round of the Pill Emperor competition had finally begun. The title of Pill Emperor would be decided in this round, and it was a day that drew everyone’s attention. Nearly all the Martial Artists in Central City had turned out, gathering outside the Medicine Hall to await the start of the grand event.

Shen Haoran and Long Aotian arrived at the Medicine Hall together. Seeing the countless Demon Race Martial Artists, both of them frowned deeply. If all of them were to be sacrificed by that Hundred-Refinement Soul-devouring Array, they couldn’t even imagine what kind of monster would be summoned.

Just as Shen Haoran and Long Aotian were feeling concerned, a voice like heavenly music rang out, though it sounded incredibly grating at that moment. "Long Aotian, since when have you fallen so low as to associate with a Human Race Alchemist?"

Shen Haoran and Long Aotian turned to see Feng Miaoke and Tian Ruyi slowly approaching them. Wu Daotian, trailing behind, saw Shen Haoran and was about to wave a greeting, but he resentfully lowered his hand under Tian Ruyi’s threatening gaze.

"Feng Miaoke, is it any of your business who I’m with? You’re not my wife, so why are you being so nosy? Or what, do you have a crush on me?" Long Aotian glanced coolly at Feng Miaoke, a cold sneer on his lips as he spoke. In Central City, the Cyan Dragon Race was on good terms with the Black Tortoise Race, but they weren’t particularly fond of the Vermilion Bird Race. Adding to that, both he and Feng Miaoke were geniuses of the Demon Race and were constantly in competition. Because of this, Long Aotian didn’t hold back his words at all.

"Hmph. It’s true what they say: he who touches pitch shall be defiled. You become just like the company you keep! You’ve brought shame upon the Four Great Divine Beast Families!" Feng Miaoke gave Long Aotian a cold look, then shifted her gaze to Shen Haoran, her contempt completely unconcealed.

In response to Feng Miaoke’s provocation, Shen Haoran merely gave her a brief glance before ignoring her completely. ’With a self-centered person like her,’ he thought, ’the more attention you give them, the more they’ll push their luck. The best way to handle her is to just ignore her, treat her like she’s thin air.’

Seeing Shen Haoran’s expression, which clearly showed he didn’t regard her in the slightest, Feng Miaoke became furious. Everywhere she went, she was the center of attention, the object of countless people’s adoration. Yet now, she was being looked down upon by a mere Alchemist from the Human Race.

"Shen Haoran, don’t think you can act so wantonly just because you have the Cyan Dragon Race backing you," Feng Miaoke said coldly, staring at him with a dark expression. "You should know that here in Central City, the Cyan Dragon Race isn’t the only one who calls the shots!"

"Are you done?" Shen Haoran waved his hand impatiently. "If you’re done, please move. You’re blocking our way. A good dog doesn’t block the path... oh, no, a good *bird* doesn’t block the path. And any bird blocking the path is certainly not a good bird!" He had tried to ignore Feng Miaoke, but she was really pushing her luck.

"You..." Hearing his words, Feng Miaoke’s feathers practically ruffled in fury. Just as she was about to retort, she was pulled back by Tian Ruyi. Tian Ruyi knew a little about Shen Haoran’s style; if a scene broke out here, Feng Miaoke would undoubtedly be the one to lose out.

"You just wait! I will defeat you in the Pill Emperor competition and show you what a true genius is!" Feng Miaoke furiously spat out before being dragged away by Tian Ruyi...