512 The Public Enemy of the Alchemists is Going to be Defeated?! (1/2)

”I hereby announce... the commencement of the Top 100 showdown of the Magical Hand Conference. Would all participants gather at the First Arena.”

The deep voice echoed throughout the entire central plaza, resonating within everyone's ears. Together with an accompanying ticking clock sound, it continued blasting its message!

Within a heartbeat, the central plaza was filled with the deafening roar of the audience, each of them equally excited about the commencement. The ruckus threatened by them seemed to penetrate the heavens themselves as they reverberated through to the horizon.

”Finally, it's going to begin. I cannot bear waiting a moment longer!”

”The showdown is finally about to start! I want my Goddess An!”

”Haha! I've been looking forward to this for a long time. My Senior Brother Mu Bai is the best!”

…

The faces in the audience were filled with excitement and delight while they chatted non-stop. Among this crowd, there were some who were alchemists while there were some who were not. However, they all had an idol they admired.

Within the Pill Palace, refining elixirs had long ago formed a trend of its own, and that was the reason for the Magical Hand Conference.

The professions of Doctor and Poison Master were created by those who did not possess talent in refining pills but still sought after that prized title of Alchemist. Because the Pill Palace didn't reject such talents, the Magical Hand Conference had a category for such special talents.

However, at its core, the Magical Hand Conference was still the main stage for alchemists. This was where alchemists showcased their worth.

It had to be said, however, that art of Doctors and Poison Master were not part of the orthodoxy of pill refining. Their struggles were nothing than the opening acts to set the stage for the Alchemists to bloom.

This time there was no judge who asked Bu Fang what he was going to cook. For that, Sorceress An Sheng couldn't help but lament that slim wasted chance, in her heart, she was reluctant.

A stream of people soon arrived at the first arena. Due to Bu Fang, there were only 91 contestants in this top 100 showdown. However, this was a competition dedicated to the top 100, it wouldn't stand to have only 91 contestants. Hence, within that three days period, a revival round was held to help select the other nine contestants.

Finally, the remaining nine contestants were selected.

Among the nine was a certain Senior Brother Liu who was eliminated due to Bu Fang. Although this Senior Brother was still depressed, his eye revealed a glimmer of restored confidence.

On the arena stage, Senior Brother Liu, Senior Brother Zhang and Duan Yun were standing together. As they eyed Bu Fang, each of their facial expressions differed wildly from each other.

Senior Brother Zhang's eyes reflected the deep apprehension within himself. He narrowly managed to advance in the elimination round with Bu Fang inside. He was clearly aware of Bu Fang's strength. Even now there remained some lingering fear in his heart.

Duan Yun, on the other hand, was excited. To be able to see Owner Bu in Heavenly Mist City was a serendipitous surprise for him.

Senior Brother Liu's glare toward Bu Fang was that of an angry wolf. He swore he would take revenge against the person who brought so much humiliation to him!

At first, Bu Fang was slightly taken aback by each of the gazes they threw at him. However, he promptly and solemnly nodded his head as a greeting.

On the audience stand, Ximen Xuan, back taut with the weight of the heavy sword strapped to his back, found a seat for himself and sat down.

”Brother Ximen, to think you had the mood to come down and watch the competition?”

By coincidence, Xiao He was seated not far from Ximen Xuan, and he smiled towards Ximen Xuan.

Ximen Xuan rolled his eye, as the corners of his mouth uttered a word.

Xiao He was stunned and later he became enraged.

Creep…

What's a grown man like you doing uttering such words!? Just because you whispered them doesn't mean that I couldn't hear them.

Xiao He was livid! To be called a creep by a beautiful lady was one matter, but to be called that by a grown man... he was almost ready to erupt.

However, Xiao He could only keep this grievance in his heart.

Three days ago at Cloud Mist Restaurant, he had eaten Owner Bu's Red Braised Meat. That amazing taste... even now he could still feel its seductive hands wrap around him refusing to let go. There was just nothing that could resist such a temptation. Thus, he ended up spending the next three days at Owner Bu's restaurant.

Now that Owner Bu had wound up taking part in the competition, he decided to have a look out of sheer curiosity.

As for Ximen Xuan, the situation was almost the same for him.

However, when Xiao He asked him the previous day whether he wanted to come along, Ximen Xuan strictly refused. Yet today he still came and even sat beside Xiao He. Awkward...

On the arena stage, a few shadows could be seen floating down from a warship.

These were the judges for this entire Magical Hand Conference and the overall in-charge of this competition, with startling levels of cultivation.

Grand Master Gu He was always smiling, like an amiable old child.

Grand Master Xuan Ming was one of Heavenly Mist City's Four-Cloud Alchemist. With his esteemed status, he was also the main person in charge; every important detail of the competition went through him.

”Three days have gone by. I hope your preparations have gone smoothly. The top 100 competition is about to start. You will soon face off against your own respective opponents. Showcase your true strength! After all... throughout each round of this competition, only one will make it through to the Magical Hand Conference Top 50!”

Grand Master Xian Ming's solemn voice boomed in the air as he floated mid-air, long robes fluttering majestically with the winds. Coupled with the resounding snaps of his otherworldly garments, he seemed to project an aura of a resplendent immortal.

The contestants within the First Arena started to stir with excitement.

”I assume everyone present should already be aware of their opponent's identity since three days ago. Now will be the time to ballot the order of the matches… Will everyone direct your gaze to the array over there?”

Grand Master Xuan Ming waved his hand toward the back of his body.

The judges situated at the four corners of the arena nodded their heads at the same time as True Energy surged out from their bodies and entered the crystals which were situated inside the array.

Whoosh…

A rumbling sound could be heard as pillars of light shot into the sky from the four corners of the array. As the light gathered together, it formed a light curtain which covered the entire sky. It was as though countless stars were twinkling in the sky.

While everything was happening...

In both the Pill Towers of both Heavenly Pill City and Heavenly Shine City, a ray of light charged into the sky. As the light beam covered the sky, a blurred image appeared.