BTTH : From Humble Beginnings to Dou Di

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Boom!

Just as Xiao Yan was deep in thought about how to get his hands on some puppets, another deafening explosion of thunder rolled across the distant sky.

In an instant, the space above one of the stone platforms flared with dazzling silver lightning serpents. However, the white-clothed woman who had caused this commotion wore an expression of helplessness on her delicate face.

”It seems Xiao Yixian failed to refine an eighth-tier pill this time.”

In the spectator stands, Tian Huo Zun Zhe let out a sigh of pity as he observed the scene in the distance.

Beside him, Ye Zhong shook his head slightly and said, ”Although Xiao Yixian’s soul power is quite powerful, and her lack of the wood attribute makes refining an eighth-tier pill extremely difficult.

Still, because her pill is imbued with spirit essence, even if it doesn’t reach the eighth tier, it’s far superior to the pills we Spirit Realm alchemists can refine.”

Now that Ye Zhong himself had reached the peak of a seventh-tier alchemist, he naturally understood better than anyone just how difficult it was to successfully refine an eighth-tier pill. Thus, he wasn’t surprised that Xiao Yixian had failed to summon a two-colored Pill Thunder.

Still, for someone who technically didn’t even meet the qualifications to be an alchemist to have a pill refinement level surpassing that of a legitimate alchemist like him — that was something that left him quite astonished.

Although Xiao Yixian’s pill quality this time was already excellent, the audience had already been dazzled by the earlier multi-colored thunderclouds. So now, when they saw only a one-colored thundercloud, they didn’t react with much surprise.

At this moment, almost all attention in the square was focused on the few stone platforms where alchemists were still refining pills. Among them, the ones that drew the most gazes were Lin Feng’s and Old Mu Gu’s platforms.

After all, the remaining competitors who were still refining were mostly those who had failed multiple times and were now making their final, desperate attempts. Only Lin Feng and Old Mu Gu had yet to fail or succeed — no explosions, no completed pills.

Naturally, that made them the center of attention.

At this moment, the disguised Old Mu Gu slowly lifted his face under countless watching eyes. His lips curled into a strange, sinister smile.

Then, he stood up, his cold gaze sweeping over Xiao Yan before turning toward Xuan Kongzi and the Pill Tower Elders. His eyes gleamed with mocking amusement. Sensing his eerie look, Xuan Kongzi and the others immediately felt their hearts sink — a bad premonition rising within them.

”Jie jie, Xuan Kongzi, my apologies,” Old Mu Gu cackled. ”It seems the champion of this Pill Gathering will belong to none other than me! Hahaha!”

Seeing the change in the Elders’ expressions, Old Mu Gu began laughing wildly.

This time, he no longer bothered to disguise his voice — his laughter echoed in his true, sinister tone. At the same time, the aura he had concealed so carefully was completely unleashed, filling the arena like a chilling wave.

As his laughter faded, he flicked his finger, and a pillar of light — far more terrifying than any produced by the previous eighth-tier pills — erupted from his cauldron, shooting straight into the heavens.

The blinding brilliance was so intense that many in the stands felt stabbing pain in their eyes and instinctively shut them tight.

”Jie jie, so this is the extent of the disciple trained by Yao Chen? Truly disappointing!”

As the immense light pillar soared skyward, Old Mu Gu turned his head toward Xiao Yan, his cold laughter echoing through the square.

This little bastard had humiliated him so badly back in the Pill Realm.

Now that he had the chance, he would savor the opportunity to mock him publicly. Although he knew that for someone Xiao Yan’s age to have achieved such strength was already remarkable, that didn’t stop him from launching a psychological attack.

”Who is this mysterious man in black?!”

Sensing the vast power contained within that massive light pillar, countless spectators below were filled with shock and suspicion.

Whispers swept through the crowd as everyone stared at the black-robed figure, a sense of unease spreading through the entire arena...

Just from the energy fluctuations of the pill refined by this alchemist alone, it was clear that even those who appeared earlier—like Cao Ying and Old Qing Hua—had not reached such a level. With such skill, there was no way this person could be some unknown nobody.

Of course, although most of the people present could not recognize the owner of that voice, this was Holy Pill City—the headquarters of the Pill Tower. There was no shortage of powerful experts here, and among them, several instantly recognized who it was.

Immediately, all those who realized the truth fell silent. After all, the power behind this person was not something any of them—mere Dou Zuns—could afford to provoke. As for the figures standing on the high platform, such as Xuan Kongzi and the others, their faces gradually darkened.

”Old Mu Gu!”

The smiles on the faces of the Pill Tower’s Elders slowly faded, and they glared coldly at the black-robed figure below, uttering each word clearly.

”I didn’t expect him to have a method that could deceive all three of us. And that appearance... it’s not his real face. It seems a Hall of Souls expert must have acted to conceal his aura and features.”

Upon seeing the newcomer, Xuan Yi’s expression also turned frosty, her voice low and serious.

After all, Old Mu Gu’s own strength was only around Three-Star Dou Zun. If he had used his own means, there was no way he could have hidden from their eyes. Now, it was certain—some powerful figure must have orchestrated this!

”Three Leaders, what should we do now?”

Behind Xuan Kongzi, a white-robed Elder of the Pill Tower stepped forward, his face grim as he asked in a low voice. Judging from the situation, the quality of Old Mu Gu’s pill was clearly far above that of everyone who had gone before.

If they let him continue, there was a real chance he might seize the championship of this Pill Gathering. If that happened, the Pill Tower’s face would be trampled upon—humiliated beyond measure.

After all, everyone across the Central Plains knew that the Pill Tower and the Hall of Souls were mortal enemies. If, under the eyes of countless witnesses, someone from the Hall of Souls were to win the Pill Tower’s highest honor... what kind of absurd joke would that be?

Naturally, what the Elder could think of, Xuan Kongzi could as well. His expression was extremely grim.

After a long silence, Xuan Kongzi spoke in a deep voice: ”Let’s just keep watching. Although Old Mu Gu is a member of the Hall of Souls, we never explicitly stated that the Hall of Souls cannot participate in the Pill Gathering.

Therefore, he still has the right to compete. If we were to strip him of his qualification here and now, in front of everyone, it would damage the Pill Tower’s reputation.”

”Then are we just going to let him take the championship title like this?”

Hearing that, the Elder couldn’t help but speak anxiously.

”Stop arguing and just watch for now. As long as he doesn’t break any rules, no matter what, we can’t make a move against him,” Tian Leizi said, frowning slightly at the Elder’s impatience.

Seeing this, the old man could only step back and fall silent.

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