Ninth In the World

Di Jiu was relieved that he could stay and eat well. An Tuning seemed to really treat him as the Alchemy Master who would represent the sect in the competition.

Five days passed in the blink of an eye. When he heard An Tuning say that they had arrived, the flying boat landed.

Di Jiu followed An Tuning and walked down the flying boat. When he realized that nobody was following him, he asked in confusion, “Valley Master An, it’s only the two of us?”

An Tuning replied coldly, “To be specific, it’s only you.”

Di Jiu did not ask anything else. Even though he had a pile of questions, once he saw An Tuning’s cold face, he knew there was no point in asking anything.

Without needing to use his Spiritual Force, Di Jiu could see the densely-packed people. They were at the dock, where the flying boat had stopped. Outside the dock were many shops. A tower that was hundreds of meters tall stood in the middle of these shops, looking especially eye-catching.

Five words floated on the building: Great Age Elixir River Dispensary.

In the distance, the area was surrounded by Defense Arrays. However, Di Jiu could not make this out clearly.

“Follow me for the registration.” An Tuning walked toward the Great Age Elixir River Dispensary.

Di Jiu followed her. On the way, people constantly greeted her respectfully, showing that she had a certain prestige in the Dao World.

When they entered the Elixir River Dispensary, a huge signboard welcomed them: Registration Area of the Alchemy Masters of the Dao World Great Age Elixir River Competition.

“Valley Master An, the First Evolution Dao Sect is late this time. Ha ha…” When Di Jiu and An Tuning entered the hall, a laughing voice was heard.

They saw a wrinkled old man who emitted a gloomy aura, making Di Jiu’s heart feel somewhat greasy.

An Tuning faintly said, “The First Evolution Dao Sect does not rely on elixir pills to cultivate. Therefore, we naturally cannot be compared to the Eternal Court Sacred Dao City, where there are many Alchemy Masters.”

Then, An Tuning ignored the wrinkled old man and immediately went to the registration area before saying, “First Evolution Dao Sect. Outer sect disciple Di Jiu will compete in the Great Age Elixir River Competition.”

“Ah…” The registration disciple was stunned by An Tuning’s words. The First Evolution Dao Sect had only sent one Alchemy Master to compete in the Elixir River Competition? This was the Great Age Elixir River Competition, which was greatly anticipated by the entire Dao World’s sects. The First Evolution Dao Sect was already so formidable that they didn’t even care about the Great Age Elixir River Competition?

The wrinkled old man from the Eternal Court Sacred Dao City, who was also stunned by An Tuning’s words, asked in disbelief, “Valley Master An, the First Evolution Dao Sect is really only sending one outer sect disciple to compete?”

An Tuning looked at the wrinkled old man. “That’s right. Does Deputy City Lord Wan happen to have any advice?”

Deputy City Lord Wan chuckled and said with an insincere smile, “I wouldn’t dare give any advice. However, I respect the First Evolution Dao Sect very much. This sect is indeed extraordinarily bold. I’m still bitterly waiting for the Great Age Elixir River to open, while the First Evolution Dao Sect is not taking these few Divine Essence Pills to heart.”

After sensing An Tuning’s ugly expression, the disciple in charge of registration hurriedly said, “I’ll help Senior register right now. Please hand me the competition jade card.”

His last sentence was meant for Di Jiu. Di Jiu casually handed his competition jade card over and the registration cultivator very soon helped him register. Then, he handed the card back to Di Jiu respectfully.

A few cultivators who had wanted to step forward to greet An Tuning sensed her ugly expression and did not go to avoid a stroke of bad luck.

Once An Tuning and Di Jiu walked out of the Elixir River Dispensary, the discussions behind them grew. They believed that within a day, the entire Great Age Elixir River Competition would know that the First Evolution Dao Sect had only sent one outer sect disciple to compete.

…

After Di Jiu followed An Tuning out of the Elixir River Dispensary, she told him with a cold expression, “Find a place to stay by yourself. The Elixir River Competition will be held in two days. You just need to attend it. Any other matters are secondary.”

With that, An Tuning turned and left, disappearing very quickly into the distance.

Di Jiu sighed, as this was really senseless. However, judging by An Tuning’s tone, she did really seem to have casually sent one person to compete. Even if he didn’t obtain a ranking, it wouldn’t matter.

After circling the shops around the square, Di Jiu shockingly discovered that there were many divine spirit herbs here. He could even purchase level-four and level-five divine spirit herbs.

What surprised Di Jiu pleasantly was that there were many elixir formulas here. Although they were not very cheap, he was willing to part with his crystals. He took out nearly tens of millions of high-grade divine crystals to purchase nearly hundreds of elixir formulas. The cheapest of them cost only a few thousand high-grade divine crystals, while the most expensive cost nearly a million high-grade divine crystals.

After purchasing hundreds of elixir formulas, Di Jiu could finally avoid being the awkward Alchemy Master who only knew 10 kinds of elixir formulas.

“Ding Chi is here. He’s one of the Ten Major Geniuses in the Dao World…” A very low voice could be heard beside Di Jiu’s ear. When he subconsciously turned his head to see, he immediately saw a tall, handsome man with short hair who looked very spirited.

Beside this handsome man were two pretty female cultivators.

“That’s right. Ding Chi is the most outstanding Dao Modeling expert of the Great Buddha Mountain. Only geniuses like Bai Changyi, Yu Qianxi, and Mo Yejiu can be compared to him.”

“No, Mo Yejiu and Bai Changyi are still somewhat lacking. Not only is Ding Chi a top-notch genius, but he is also a Dao Modeling Alchemy Deity. The Vast Pure Sacred Sect’s Fairy Qianxi is one of the Ten Major Geniuses of the Dao World and a Dao Modeling Alchemy Deity.”

…

Di Jiu had not expected to hear Mo Yejiu’s name. When he was about to listen to them more carefully, a cold snort was heard. “Ten Major Geniuses? These nobodies are worthy of being called the Ten Major Geniuses of the Dao World? My foot!”

When the few cultivators who were still discussing heard this disdainful voice, they hurriedly went quiet and stepped aside.

Di Jiu also stepped aside. A young man in black scanned Di Jiu before he slowly walked past.

This was definitely another top-notch second-step Dao Validation expert. Di Jiu could sense that the aura of this person was more formidable than An Tuning’s. The young man in black had the same Dharma treasure as him and he also carried it on his back. Di Jiu’s treasure was a saber, while the young man in black had a black staff.

When this young man had walked far away, someone said in disdain, “This fellow really doesn’t know his place. He actually dared to say that the Ten Major Geniuses are nothing. I’m sure that after tens of thousands of years, any one of the Ten Major Geniuses will crush him under their feet. His only strength should be his older age.”

“Hmph!” A cultivator who had still been discussing the Ten Major Geniuses snorted. “I’m afraid you still don’t know who he is, yet you dare utter such words without restraint.”

“Who is he?” Di Jiu asked.

The cultivator who had snorted said, “He was also one of the Ten Major Geniuses many years ago. He only has one name, and that is Monarch Li Tu.”

The surrounding cultivators gasped upon hearing that.

Nobody retorted anymore, as he was really right. The Ten Major Geniuses of this generation were indeed formidable. However, compared to the generation of Monarch Li Tu, they were indeed nothing.

Monarch Li Tu? Di Jiu suddenly found this name somewhat familiar. He noticed that his surrounding cultivators had not dared say anything after hearing Monarch Li Tu’s name. Many of them lowered their heads and secretly left. Di Jiu hurriedly asked, “Can I ask who the Ten Major Geniuses of Monarch Li Tu’s generation are?”

The cultivator who had said Monarch Li Tu’s name shot a glance at Di Jiu and faintly replied, “They are Di Xinren, Zhong You, Xu Baishang, Zhong Ao, Huan Yueshan, Monarch Li Tu, Jiang Dai…”

The cultivator suddenly stopped and promptly retreated secretly. Di Jiu had seen Monarch Li Tu turn around once again.

However, Di Jiu’s heart shook violently. He had actually realized where he had heard Monarch Li Tu’s name. He had heard it from Zhong Ao.

He had also heard it from Zhong You. The River and Mountain Kettle belonged to Zhong You, and Di Jiu had obtained the Sacred Yin Pearl there, which had also been put away by Zhong You. Zhong Ao had been imprisoned by Zhong You in the River and Mountain Kettle but had been saved by Di Jiu.

He really had not expected to hear about so many people among the Ten Major Geniuses back then and even be friends with one of them.

Zhong You, Jiang Dai, and Xu Baishang all knew about Di Jiu, so he reckoned they would come here at any cost and rip him into scraps.