Today marked the final day of the Summit Competition, and the Assembly Summit Grounds were packed to the brim with people.
The vast arena buzzed with excitement, every corner occupied.
In the past, the final day of the Summit was all about the martial battle finals.
But this year, the atmosphere was entirely different.
The murmurs and exclamations among the crowd were not about extraordinary techniques or powerful disciples from the major sect but about something far more unexpected.
It was all about a nameless sect that dominated the auxiliary occupations.
"Ah! I can’t believe this is really happening!" someone in the crowd exclaimed.
"Me neither," another replied. "It feels like I’m dreaming."
"A single sect dominating five auxiliary occupations... that’s unheard of. They’re going to make history today."
"True! After this competition, no one will ever dare call the Dust Valley Sect small again."
"Right, right. If they’re small, then what does that make the rest of us...especially the ancient sects?"
"Hey, watch your tongue!" a man warned quickly.
"Look at the expressions of those ancient sect representatives. They look like they want to murder someone."
All eyes turned to the distance, where the ancient clans and sects were arriving one after another, their faces twisted in barely contained anger.
The Dust Valley Sect’s sudden rise had dealt a heavy blow to their pride, their prestige, and their long-standing reputation.
For generations, the Lotus Sword Sect had been acknowledged as the unrivaled power on the continent.
At every Summit, their disciples claimed the top spot in martial combat.
No one questioned it.
Even those who couldn’t win in battle took joy in the auxiliary field where they could still shine.
But this year, that balance was shattered.
The Dust Valley Sect had come like an unforeseen storm, sweeping across all five auxiliary competitions like a rising tide.
Their rise was so sudden that it overshadowed the Lotus Sword Sect’s fame in martial battles.
With the auxiliary hall overflowing with people. Even those who had missed the first round refused to miss the final.
Secluded masters came out of their close door training to witness the Dust Valley Magic. Their numbers were even greater than the disciples.
"Look! They’ve arrived!" someone shouted suddenly.
The crowd trembled as people instinctively stepped aside, parting ways.
From the entrance, a group entered with calm and pride.
The moment their insignia came into view, murmurs rippled through the hall.
"Dust Valley Sect..." someone whispered in awe.
While everyone’s attention was on the newcomers, the Alchemy Hall Master from the capital narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.
His expression was unreadable, a faint frown creasing his brow.
No one could tell what was running through his mind.
A few feet away stood an old woman in a loose gray robe, her presence sharp and commanding.
She was the Sect Master of the Silent Pill Sect, a legendary figure in the world of alchemy.
Her name alone was enough to make even the proudest alchemists bow in respect.
It was said that with her talent alone, she had raised the once nameless Silent Pill Sect into an ancient force.
She had restored countless fragmented pill recipes, refined ancient techniques, and even invented new fire control methods that made refining faster and more efficient.
Cutting refining time in half.
Yet, despite her fame, she stood quietly without drawing the awe of the crowd.
Behind her were the disciples of her sect, their expressions solemn.
Her gaze briefly lingered on the disciples of the Dust Valley Sect.
Her sharp eyes seemed to pierce through their calm and confident faces as if trying to find truth behind their unconventional refining method.
After a moment, she looked away.
’I want to see... if their method can truly rival mine.’
"Welcome, everyone, to the final day of the competition." The Chief Judge’s voice echoed.
His words brought everyone’s attention to him.
"Please, let the final contestants step forward!" he declared.
A soft murmur swept through the audience.
From the Capital Alchemist Hall, a tall, thin young man stepped forward with a confident stride.
From the Silent Pill Sect, a beautiful yet cold-faced young woman emerged, her every step precise and controlled.
And finally, from the Dust Valley Sect, two girls walked forward.
They had an ordinary look.
Yet the moment they appeared, a collective hiss escaped the crowd.
Everyone who had watched the competition from the beginning recognized them instantly.
These two ordinary girls had shocked the world with their alchemical talent. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾·𝗇𝖾𝗍
As the three sides stood facing one another, a heavy silence descended.
The anticipation was almost tangible.
Every gaze locked on the center stage.
This was the moment the entire continent had been waiting for.
Would the Dust Valley Sect truly make history today?
"Now, for the final task," the Chief Judge announced, his voice resonating through the hall.
"Each contestant will refine the same pill... the Bone Mending Pill."
"What?!" gasps filled the room.
"The Bone Mending Pill?" many echoed in disbelief.
Those who were not alchemists turned to their companions for answers.
"What’s so special about that pill?" they asked.
An elderly alchemist leaned forward and whispered, "The Bone Mending Pill is a Peak Tier-One Pill...one of the hardest to refine. Its success rate is barely ten percent, even for Tier-1 Alchemist Masters."
Shock spread through the hall.
Even among Tier-One Alchemists, this pill was known as a nightmare.
Many had tried and failed countless times.
But now, they were going to use it for the final competition test.
However the Alchemist Hall Master and the Silent Pill Sect Master do not have any change in their expressions.
From the corner of their eyes, both glanced toward the Dust Valley Sect them smiling faintly, calm and composed.
The two masters were stunned inwardly.
Do they not know how difficult it was to refine the Bone Mending Pill or are they just too confident in their disciples?
They recovered quickly and focused on their disciples, as for the Dust Valley Sect confident they would soon see.