Following behind the elder Chi-Huo, Xiao Yan smoothly passed through the vigilant guards outside the hall and then gently pushed open the hall doors... Creak... As the doors opened, the grand and imposing interior of the hall came into view. At the same time, Elder Chi-Huo hurried forward and bowed respectfully to the foremost seat, saying, "Master, I report: Elder Chi-Huo is here, and the master of pharmaceutical cultivation recommended from Tian-Huang City has also arrived." In the hall, there were nearly ten figures seated, most of whom wore robes of pharmaceutical cultivators. Their appearances suggested they were of advanced age, yet they remained calm and composed, showing no sense of being in the headquarters of Burned-Inn Valley. At the foremost position in the hall stood an elderly man of slender build, with red hair and dressed simply in plain hemp robes. His face was always beaming with a smile, yet everyone present was well aware of the significant standing he held within this realm. Beside him stood a graceful woman in red robes, her slender waist adorned with a long, dark red lash that accentuated her figure. Her appearance was quite distinguished, though a touch of noble dignity radiated from her delicate brows. Combined with her fiery red attire, she exuded a bold and spirited presence, quite different from others. When the sound of the hall doors opening was heard, the audience turned their attention toward the entrance. Especially when the elder with the crimson flame mentioned that another master of herbal medicine had arrived, several people turned their gaze toward them with growing interest. "Hehe, Chi-He, you've actually been the last one to complete your task..." The red-haired elder smiled at Chi-He and then said, "Don't you dare leave me to be accused of poor hospitality at the Burned Flame Valley!" Hearing this, Chi-He promptly nodded and turned to address the outer hall, saying, "Young Master Yanxiao, please come in." "Yanxiao?" Upon hearing the name, the group of about a dozen renowned alchemists from the Central Region all slightly furrowed their brows—never had they heard of a master named Yanxiao emerging in the Central Region. As the slender figure slowly stepped into the hall, the strikingly youthful face immediately caught the attention of all present, and the hall fell into a brief, unexpected silence. "Master Yanxiao at your service, Grand Master." As for those unusual glances, Xiao Yan paid them no mind, his gaze fixed directly on the red-haired elder seated at the head of the hall. Since entering the hall, he had subtly sensed a faint sense of pressure—originating precisely from this seemingly unimpressive, slender elder. Upon seeing Xiao Yan, the red-haired elder also paused slightly, though he concealed it well, showing little outward reaction. His eyes slowly swept over Xiao Yan, and with each passing glance, the astonishment in his eyes grew deeper. "Ah, don't be so formal, young friend," the red-haired elder smiled warmly. "My name is Tang Zhen. I didn't expect a young master like you to have already reached the Douzong level—such talent is truly rare." As soon as Tang Zhen spoke, a wave of gasps echoed throughout the hall. The master of herbal medicine seated at the benches stared in astonishment at Xiao Yan—reaching the level of Dou Zong at such a young age was truly exceptional; even within Zhongzhou, such talent would stand out. Beside Tang Zhen, the red-robed woman fixed her gaze on Xiao Yan with a gleam of wonder, her eyes subtly skeptical. As one of the most outstanding young talents of Burned Flame Valley, she was well aware of how difficult it was to reach Dou Zong status at that age. What made her even more surprised was that Xiao Yan appeared to be younger than her—perhaps even younger than herself. Xiao Yan’s face remained calm, though his heart was somewhat surprised. Indeed, the Valley Master of Burned Flame Valley had instantly discerned his strength. As his thoughts turned, his gaze subtly swept toward Tang Zhen seated at the head of the table—only to be struck by astonishment at the fact that he could detect absolutely no trace of the man’s presence. "He has refined his aura to such a perfect degree. Tang Zhen’s strength must surpass even the Thunder and Lightning Sovereign of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion." "It’s no small feat to have such fortune—quite a talent indeed. Yet what we need today isn’t merely a Cultivator of the Cultivation Realm, but a true master of pharmaceutical crafting. Is it possible you’ve mistaken your guest, Elder Chiho?" A seasoned elder, dressed in the robes of a pharmaceutical master, glanced at Xiao Yan and spoke calmly. The elder had very thin lips, immediately appearing as someone who spoke with great directness and courtesy. Of course, as pharmacists, especially those skilled ones, they were naturally proud—everywhere they went, they were treated like senior figures. Their achievements had come not only from talent but also from nearly half a lifetime of rigorous training. Now, with the current Master of the Red Flame Sect simply bringing in a young, inexperienced apprentice and calling him a master of pharmaceutical arts, it was only natural that such seasoned pharmacists would feel a bit unsettled. "Heard this, the elder known as Mo Master could only emit a light sigh, glanced at Xiao Yan with a sideways gaze, and said no more. "Heh, if indeed what Chi Fire has said is true, then this young rock-fox friend's talent must surpass even my daughter's. To reach the Douzong level while simultaneously achieving notable mastery in his alchemy—this is no easy feat," Tang Zhen seemed entirely unaware of Mo Master's earlier skepticism, smiling warmly. "Judging someone solely by what they say, I'd say you're simply growing forgetful, father," the woman in red frowned, snorted, and with bright, piercing eyes fixed on Xiao Yan, slightly raised her snowy chin, a challenge gleaming in her gaze. For years among her peers, she had never encountered anyone who could match her—Xiao Yan's emergence had sparked her keen interest, especially given her own competitive nature. As for the challenge the red-robed woman had directed at him, Xiao Yan merely smiled it off. He could sense that she held no ill will—she was simply displeased by Tang Zhen’s earlier remarks. "Master Xiao, please take a seat," Tang Zhen said warmly to Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan nodded politely and, under the guidance of the Chìhuǒ Elder, found a seat in the hall. "The master we just met—she’s a sixth-rank alchemist capable of crafting sixth-rank peak pills. With a bit more time, she might reach seventh-rank level. She’s rather outspoken, so I’ll just ignore her remarks." The Chìhuǒ Elder murmured this as Xiao Yan settled. Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan subtly nodded his head. It was clear that among the alchemists invited here, aside from himself, none were truly obscure. "Yet, given Xiao Xiao's standing, he wouldn't regard this elder as anything more than a mere figure. Among those present, you need only pay attention to just two—those seated to the left and right of the Valley Master." Upon hearing the elder's words, Xiao Yan's mind stirred, and his gaze shifted slightly. That name, indeed, is quite formidable. "Heh, since everyone has gathered, I shall now briefly outline the matter at hand." Tang Zhen, seated at the head of the assembly, cleared his throat and glanced around the hall before saying, "I believe all of you are already aware that I need to prepare a specific elixir. This elixir ranks as a high-grade seventh-tier medicine." Upon hearing this, the dozen or so master pharmacists in the hall exchanged slightly concerned glances—seventh-tier elixirs were indeed quite advanced, even for some of the present attendees. Under Tang Zhen's words, the two visiting senior elders who had been quietly gazing downward slowly opened their eyes and looked at him, remarking, "A high-grade seventh-tier elixir—this level of elixir, even we two, are unable to produce..." Though both were seventh-tier pharmacists themselves, they could only craft lower-grade seventh-tier elixirs. Mid-tier elixirs might be produced with some difficulty, but high-grade ones would prove exceedingly challenging, with a very low success rate. "Heh, this I shall handle. Though I am not a pharmacist by trade, my abilities are ones that you all lack." Tang Zhen smiled. "All I require are two pharmacists capable of withstanding my Nine-Drake Thunder Gale Fire!" As he spoke, Tang Zhen gently clasped his hands, and a soft silver flame rose steadily from them, drifting upward. Within the flame, nine silver fire dragons could be seen weaving and gliding. "Is this the Nine-Drake Thunder Gale Fire?" Staring at the silver flame, Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Each of you summon your soul energies. If you can endure the scorching of my Nine-Drake Thunder Gale Fire, then you shall have met the qualification," Tang Zhen said with a smile.