The Pharmacological Clan, founded upon the art of pharmaceutical crafting, boasts the largest group of pharmacists across the continent. While they may harbor a certain pride when facing pharmacists from the Central Region, this pride is well-founded. Perhaps due to their bloodline, the clan's members naturally excel in pharmaceutical cultivation, and among them are many with exceptional innate talent. As a result, although it may not be common to find a dozen renowned pharmacists in the Central Region, such figures are certainly neither rare nor exceptional within the Pharmacological Clan. With such solid foundations, their sense of superiority when compared to other pharmacists is entirely understandable.
Of course, this only refers to the mid-level of the pharmacy practitioners. When compared to others, the medicinal clans have not achieved significant advantages at the very apex of the pharmacy pyramid. Although their bloodline strengths enable them to excel in pharmaceutical techniques, relying solely on these talents is insufficient to propel them to the pinnacle of the pharmacy world—on occasion, such innate abilities even become obstacles to their ascent to the highest ranks. This, perhaps, is a minor drawback of bloodline strengths. Pharmacy practitioners are ranked from one to nine grades, with one being the lowest and nine the highest. Among the nine-grade masters, there are three distinct levels: Master of Precious Pills, Master of Supreme Pills, and Master of Golden Pills.
Currently, Xiao Yan had already reached the status of a Master of Precious Dan when he first crafted a Nine-Rank Precious Dan—though this achievement had not been officially verified by any organization. At this level, no single faction can any longer serve as a validator, for they are among the very elite of the entire realm of alchemical cultivation.
The Xuan Dan Masters are essentially among the most outstanding figures in the pharmaceutical realm across this continent, with only a few such individuals existing. As for Jin Dan Masters, it has been nearly a thousand years since anyone has achieved this rank—because no one has yet succeeded in crafting a Nine-Rank Jin Dan. Above Jin Dan Masters lies the legendary Di-Pin rank, the pinnacle of excellence, unattainable by anyone.
This prelude of the Pharmacopoeia lasted for several days before finally drawing to a close, yet fortunately, the participants were no ordinary figures—many had not even moved from their seats throughout the entire period. When the prelude concluded, Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the young members of the Pharmacopoeia clan, and gave a slight nod. Over these several days, he had observed their strengths and was impressed by their exceptional talents. Many of the young individuals displayed remarkable potential, and with sufficient opportunities, they could surely carve out significant positions within the realm of alchemical cultivation. With such a steady influx of fresh, talented blood, the Pharmacopoeia clan would continue to thrive. Of course, there were limits—should no more Battle Emperors emerge within the clan over time, their ancestral vitality would gradually wane, much like that of the Xiao clan, eventually rendering them no different from ordinary humans.
Of course, those moments would eventually come, but they were still quite distant in time—now that one thinks about them, it seems rather premature, almost overworrying. During these several days of observation, Xiao Yan had also encountered several familiar faces. Among them was Yao Xingji, the one who had originally extended the invitation to Xiao Yan for the Pharmacopoeia. Now, after years of cultivation, Yao Xingji had made significant progress in his alchemical techniques and had managed to secure a spot among the top five at this Pharmacopoeia Assembly—an impressive achievement. As for the first place, it was no surprise that it went to the man named Yao Tian, whom Xiao Yan had first met outside the Fiery Spirit Realm. Yao Tian, undoubtedly the most outstanding among the younger generation of the Pharmacopoeia Clan, had managed to summon a nine-color pill lightning storm with his concocted pills, outshining all others. Even the senior elders of the clan were visibly delighted.
Yet, when their eyes inadvertently fell upon Xiao Yan, who was meditating quietly beside the herbal elder, the confident smile that had just begun to bloom instantly faded, giving way to a deep sense of frustration. They had long heard the rumors—Xiao Yan was already capable of crafting ninth-rank elixirs. But the Dan Lightning he summoned was even more powerful, a dark demonic lightning, surpassing even the nine-colored Dan Lightning of Yao Tian, which now seemed notably subdued.
Xiao Yan smiled slightly, gently rubbing his palm against the jade cup. Having observed this scene for several days, he found himself growing increasingly eager. "This final highlight—besides you—should be the Hun Xuzi, Shen Nong Elder, and Wan Huo Elder. These three are far from ordinary; in terms of experience, even I fall far short of them." said the herbal master. "Has the medicinal pill from the medicine clan stepped forward?" Xiao Yan glanced at the medicinal pill resting at the head of the table. "As the head of the clan, he naturally carries certain pride." The herbal master smiled, then solemnly added, "Yet his skill in potion-making is no weaker than any of the four of you." "The head of the Medicine Clan, the leader of the largest group of alchemists on the Continent of Qi—should he lack genuine ability, how could anyone believe in him?"
"Xiao Yan smiled, knowing full well the reasoning—no matter how proud he might be, he would surely not underestimate a terrifying powerhouse who had reached the rank of Seven-Star Battle Saint. As Xiao Yan and Yao Lao conversed quietly, the medic seated at the head of the table also slowly rose, drawing the attention of the entire audience to him. "Heh, after the appetizers, the main course must surely follow. I understand perfectly what each of you is thinking," said Yao Dan, offering a calm smile to the gathered crowd. "This Medication Convention features four competitors vying for the title. Even if I don't mention them explicitly, I'm certain you all know who they are. The final victor among these four will claim the prestigious title of the Continent's Premier Alchemist. I believe that anyone who emerges victorious here will surely command unwavering respect and no objections." "Please come forward, gentlemen."
"Heh, Drug Clan Elder is indeed straightforward. I've long heard that the Pharmacopoeia is the gathering of the very top alchemists across the Continent. Today, I've come precisely to seek your guidance from all of you. The title of the Continent's foremost alchemist—I, from the Hún Clan, have a particular interest in it, and thus, I'd like to reclaim it." As soon as Hún Xūzi finished speaking, his figure materialized like a ghost, appearing mid-air with a calm yet subtly arrogant tone. "Hmph. The Drug Clan is renowned for alchemy—perhaps it's better suited to remain with us!" Elder Wàn Huǒ snorted, shifting his form to also appear mid-air, meeting Hún Xūzi's gaze with unwavering resolve. The moment Elder Wàn Huǒ stepped onto the stage, the surrounding audience erupted into cheers. After all, this was the Drug Clan's home ground, and they naturally didn't want to see the Hún Clan take away a title that held such prestige for them.
"Though I myself have little regard for such hollow titles, should the esteemed title of the foremost pharmacist on the continent rest upon your shoulders, it would indeed be a significant shame for us seasoned pharmacists." With his feet planted in the void, the elder Shen Nong's cane—woven like a tapestry of medicinal herbs—swayed gently, causing the jade vials upon it to chime crisply. Suspended in the sky, his tone was neither warm nor cold, clearly unimpressed with Houn Xu's performance, for the reputation of the Houn clan among pharmacists had long been tarnished. "The Elder Wan Ho, Houn Xu, and Elder Shen Nong—these three are truly titans of the current pharmaceutical world. This contest will surely be worth watching!" As the three figures hovered above, excitement surged across the plaza, countless pharmacists' eyes blazing with fervor, for the levels they had achieved were precisely the aspirations of their lifelong pursuit.
Hun Xu Zi glanced at Wan Huo Elder and Shen Nong Elder, smiled gently, and with both hands resting behind his back, radiated an unmistakable masterly presence. Without mentioning his character, Hun Xu Zi's mastery in the art of alchemy truly commanded awe.