Chapter 62 The Alchemy Gathering

Chapter 62: Chapter 62 The Alchemy Gathering

The next morning.

The streets of the city were already filled with people.

Today was the day of the alchemy gathering.

Cultivators from different families and sects were heading toward the same destination.

The atmosphere was lively.

Excited voices could be heard everywhere.

"The alchemy gathering is finally beginning!"

"I heard the Jade Medicine Sect prepared hundreds of alchemy platforms."

"Many young alchemists from the surrounding regions are participating."

"This year’s gathering is supposed to be much larger than the previous one."

"The Jade Medicine Sect really knows how to organize an event."

Among the crowd—

Eight young figures walked together.

Lin Chen.

Lin Qing.

Lin Mo.

Lin Yu.

Lin Xin.

Lin Wan’er.

Lin Shiyu.

And Lin Ruyan.

Lin Xin looked around curiously.

"So many people."

Lin Wan’er nodded.

"I didn’t expect there to be this many participants."

Lin Shiyu looked toward the distant crowd.

"Most of them seem to be alchemists."

Lin Mo smiled.

"That’s because we’re going to an alchemy gathering."

Lin Shiyu looked at him.

"I know that."

Lin Mo laughed.

"I was just saying."

Lin Qing shook her head.

"You two can argue later."

Lin Yu looked toward the massive structure ahead.

"We’re here."

Everyone raised their heads.

A massive complex stood before them.

It was several times larger than the Pill Association they had visited yesterday.

Huge jade pillars surrounded the entrance.

Above the main gate was an enormous golden plaque.

JADE MEDICINE ALCHEMY GATHERING

The words radiated a faint spiritual light.

Hundreds of cultivators were entering the grounds.

Jade Medicine Sect disciples stood on both sides of the entrance, maintaining order.

Lin Ruyan quietly looked around.

Her eyes contained a hint of curiosity.

This was the first major alchemy gathering she had ever attended.

She wasn’t nervous.

She was simply interested.

---

As the eight entered—

They immediately noticed that the gathering grounds were enormous.

Hundreds of circular platforms had been arranged across the main square.

Each platform contained an alchemy furnace.

Behind the platforms were rows of seats for spectators.

Higher up were special viewing areas.

Those seats were reserved for representatives of powerful families and sects.

The entire venue was already packed.

Lin Xin looked around.

"Wow."

Lin Wan’er nodded.

"This is much bigger than I imagined."

Lin Shiyu smiled.

"I wonder how many people are participating."

Lin Yu glanced toward the registration records.

"At least several hundred."

Lin Mo laughed.

"Ruyan, you’re going to be busy."

Lin Ruyan smiled.

"I’ll do my best."

Lin Qing looked toward the central platform.

"Something is about to happen."

The eight turned their attention forward.

A group of cultivators wearing green robes entered the central platform.

The Jade Medicine Sect’s emblem was clearly visible on their robes.

The crowd immediately became quieter.

Then—

An elderly man walked onto the stage.

His aura was calm.

Yet the moment he appeared, many cultivators immediately became respectful.

He looked across the gathering grounds.

Then spoke.

"Welcome to the Jade Medicine Alchemy Gathering."

His voice spread throughout the entire venue.

"We welcome every young alchemist who has traveled here."

"We also welcome the families, sects, and independent cultivators who have come to observe."

The crowd applauded.

The old man continued.

"The purpose of this gathering is simple."

"To allow the younger generation of alchemists to compete."

"To exchange knowledge."

"And to discover those with true talent in the Dao of Alchemy."

The crowd became excited.

The old man raised his hand.

"However, this gathering will not be decided by a single test."

The crowd immediately became quiet.

"There will be three stages."

Three enormous words appeared above the central platform.

FIRST STAGE.

SECOND STAGE.

FINAL STAGE.

The old man continued.

"The first stage will test your knowledge."

"The second stage will test your ability to identify pills."

"And the final stage..."

He paused.

"...will test your ability to refine pills."

The crowd immediately became excited.

"Three stages!"

"That’s more complicated than last year’s gathering."

"Of course."

"This is the Jade Medicine Sect."

"They wouldn’t organize an ordinary competition."

Lin Ruyan quietly listened.

The old man continued.

"The first stage will eliminate those who lack sufficient knowledge."

"The second stage will eliminate those who lack sufficient experience."

"And the final stage..."

His eyes swept across the young alchemists.

"...will determine the true geniuses."

The crowd erupted in excitement.

---

A young cultivator beside Lin Ruyan whispered:

"I heard only the strongest fifty alchemists will enter the final stage."

Another replied:

"That’s right."

"And the final stage will be judged by several high-ranking Pill Masters of the Jade Medicine Sect."

"Not only that."

"I heard Grand Elder Jin Tianming himself will observe the final round."

The moment that name was mentioned—

The surrounding cultivators became excited.

"Grand Elder Jin Tianming?"

"The Pill Saint?"

"He’s actually going to observe?"

"Of course."

"He’s Senior Sister Jin Ling’er’s grandfather."

Lin Ruyan’s expression remained unchanged.

Lin Qing glanced toward her.

Ruyan didn’t react.

Lin Qing smiled faintly.

---

Suddenly—

A commotion came from the entrance.

Several cultivators turned around.

A group of young alchemists wearing elegant green robes walked into the gathering grounds.

They immediately attracted attention.

"Jade Medicine Sect!"

"They’re the sect’s younger generation."

"Look!"

"That’s Jin Ling’er!"

The crowd became even louder.

Jin Ling’er slowly walked into the venue.

She wore a beautiful green alchemist robe.

Her expression was proud.

Several Jade Medicine Sect disciples followed behind her.

Some cultivators immediately began whispering.

"She’s already a Rank 4 Pill Master."

"She’s the granddaughter of Grand Elder Jin Tianming."

"Her alchemy talent is incredible."

"She’s definitely one of the favorites."

"She might even win this year’s gathering."

Jin Ling’er clearly heard the surrounding voices.

A faint smile appeared on her face.

She looked confident.

Then—

Her gaze moved across the crowd.

It suddenly stopped.

Lin Ruyan.

Jin Ling’er’s expression changed slightly.

She clearly remembered yesterday’s confrontation.

Their eyes met.

Jin Ling’er smiled coldly.

Lin Ruyan simply looked away.

Jin Ling’er clenched her fingers.

Just wait.

She silently thought.

I’ll make you regret coming here.

---

Meanwhile—

Lin Xin leaned closer to Lin Ruyan.

"That’s the girl from yesterday."

"I know."

Lin Xin smiled.

"She looks like she’s already angry."

Lin Wan’er laughed.

"Maybe she’s nervous."

Lin Shiyu nodded.

"Probably."

Lin Ruyan shook her head helplessly.

"You three..."

Lin Qing smiled.

"Don’t worry about her."

Lin Ruyan nodded.

"I’m not worried."

---

The elderly host raised his hand.

The crowd gradually became quiet again.

"The first stage will begin shortly."

A massive screen appeared above the gathering grounds.

Names began appearing across it.

Hundreds of participants.

Each name was accompanied by their age and alchemist rank.

The crowd immediately began looking through the list.

"Rank 3!"

"Rank 4!"

"There are so many Rank 3 Pill Masters."

"Look!"

"Jin Ling’er is there!"

Jin Ling’er — 18 years old — Rank 4 Pill Master.

The crowd erupted.

"She’s only eighteen!"

"Rank 4 at eighteen?"

"Her talent is incredible!"

"Grand Elder Jin really taught her well."

Jin Ling’er smiled proudly.

Then—

Another name appeared.

The crowd looked at it curiously.

Lin Ruyan — 16 years old — Rank 5 Pill Master.

Silence.

For several seconds—

Nobody reacted.

Then someone shouted:

"Rank 5?!"

The entire gathering exploded.

"What?!"

"Sixteen years old?"

"Rank 5 Pill Master?!"

"Is that a mistake?"

"How can that be possible?"

The surrounding cultivators immediately turned toward Lin Ruyan.

Lin Xin’s eyes widened.

Lin Wan’er covered her mouth.

Lin Shiyu smiled.

Lin Mo laughed.

Lin Yu looked at the screen calmly.

Lin Qing folded her arms.

Lin Chen simply smiled.

Lin Ruyan remained completely calm.

Across the gathering grounds—

Jin Ling’er’s smile disappeared.

Her eyes widened.

"Rank 5?"

She stared at the name.

"That’s impossible."

Several Jade Medicine Sect disciples exchanged glances.

One of them swallowed.

"Could the registration records be wrong?"

Another shook his head.

"The Pill Association wouldn’t make such a mistake."

The crowd became increasingly excited.

"A sixteen-year-old Rank 5 Pill Master!"

"Where did she come from?"

"What’s her background?"

"Lin Clan?"

"Has anyone heard of that family?"

Nobody answered.

Even the powerful cultivators in the viewing areas began paying attention.

The elderly host looked toward the registration records.

His expression became slightly surprised.

But he quickly regained his composure.

He raised his hand.

"Silence."

The crowd slowly became quiet.

"The records have been verified."

"All registered participants have passed the required qualification."

"Therefore..."

His eyes moved toward Lin Ruyan.

"Lin Ruyan of the Lin Clan is officially recognized as a Rank 5 Pill Master."

The crowd erupted again.

Jin Ling’er’s expression became ugly.

She clenched her fists.

The girl she had mocked yesterday...

Was actually a Rank 5 Pill Master.

And she was sixteen.

Lin Ruyan calmly stood among the crowd.

Lin Qing looked at her.

Then smiled.

"Looks like your time to shine really did come earlier than expected."

Lin Ruyan laughed softly.

"I told you I was here to participate."

Lin Xin immediately added:

"Don’t forget us."

Lin Wan’er nodded.

"Our time will come too."

Lin Shiyu smiled.

"Exactly."

Lin Ruyan looked at the three girls.

"Of course."

---

The elderly host raised his hand again.

"Enough."

The entire gathering became silent.

"The first stage is about to begin."

The massive screen changed.

A list of questions and spiritual herb illustrations appeared.

"The first stage."

"Spiritual Herb and Alchemy Knowledge."

"You will be given one hundred questions."

"Each question will test your understanding of spiritual herbs, pill formulas, medicinal properties, fire control, and alchemy theory."

"Each participant will have one hour."

"The top hundred participants will advance."

The crowd immediately became serious.

The host raised his hand.

"Prepare yourselves."

The hundreds of young alchemists stepped toward their assigned platforms.

Lin Ruyan walked forward calmly.

Jin Ling’er also stepped onto her platform.

The two stood several positions apart.

Jin Ling’er glanced toward Lin Ruyan.

Her eyes contained determination.

Lin Ruyan simply smiled.

The host raised his hand.

"First stage..."

"Begin!"

End of Chapter 62