Chapter 569: Unfriendly Arrival

Chapter 569: Chapter 569: Unfriendly Arrival

Top alchemists, accompanied by their friends or disciples, entered the venue one after another. Zhong Shan's group had arrived relatively early. Here, only the competition between alchemists mattered; the emperor was not the central focus.

After Zhong Shan and his companions took their seats, two more individuals were led in by a eunuch. Leading the pair was Xu Fu, whom Zhong Shan had met three months prior, followed by Bai Ye.

Xu Fu, still dressed in his purple robe, wore a serene expression. As he approached, he nodded slightly in Bao'er's direction, then at the Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage, ignoring everyone else. Xu Fu and Bai Ye were seated on the opposite side of the Blue Flame Emperor, silently waiting for the Grand Alchemy Conference to begin.

As more people arrived, the surrounding area of the grand square slowly filled up. The northern section, where Zhong Shan and his group were seated, gradually filled with prestigious guests, including members of major alchemical sects from across Shenzhou.

This gathering brought together the majority of Shenzhou's top alchemical talents. If this event were attacked, it would plunge Shenzhou's alchemical world into a severe decline. However, no force dared to cause trouble at the Grand Alchemy Conference, which was endorsed by various empires and sacred lands. To do so would be suicidal.

Almost all participants had arrived, creating a grand spectacle with nearly ten thousand people. However, a set of seats next to Xu Fu remained conspicuously empty, indicating the absence of another highly esteemed alchemical sect.

The missing sect was from the Taishou Empire! Zhong Shan quickly deduced this, noting that the northern seats were reserved for large or ancient alchemical sects and representatives from empires and sacred lands. Despite showing no outward reaction, Zhong Shan was most concerned about the Taishou Empire. Until the very last moment, their representatives had not arrived. Were they not participating?

"Seal the venue!" The Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage announced loudly.

Sealing the venue meant no more latecomers could join the Grand Alchemy Conference. The Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage, being the most respected figure in the alchemical world, commanded immediate silence and compliance from the crowd.

"CAW~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

A deep, resonant crow suddenly echoed throughout the Grand Alchemy Conference. Unlike the harsh cawing of a typical crow, this sound was like a tolling bell, striking deeply into everyone's hearts. The caw resonated like a thunderclap, overshadowing the Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage's command, as if deliberately challenging his authority.

Everyone felt a sudden wave of heat spread through the square, making them feel stifled. A massive pressure descended from the sky, indiscriminately compelling everyone to bow in submission. The center of the square was swept by this pressure, creating a dust storm that spread in all directions.

People looked up in shock.

A blinding golden light shot down from the sky, forcing those with lower cultivation to avert their gaze. Those with higher cultivation saw a golden sun descending rapidly. Inside the sun was a gigantic crow, not just any crow but a golden crow with three legs, surrounded by blazing flames. It was as if the sun itself was falling to the earth.

"CAW~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

The three-legged golden crow spread its wings and let out another resounding caw, sending another bell-like shockwave through everyone's hearts.

The Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage's eyes flashed with anger, and even the Blue Flame Emperor raised an eyebrow.

A three-legged golden crow—the Crown Prince of the Taishou Empire had arrived! But the Crown Prince had not adhered to protocol, instead descending from the sky in the most dramatic fashion, as if challenging the entire Grand Alchemy Conference. Why? Was it provocation, arrogance, lack of thought, or something else?

The ten-zhang tall three-legged golden crow spread its wings, flames soaring skyward. This was the king of crows, the mightiest of its kind, wielding the most destructive fire of all—True Sun Fire! It was said to be able to burn everything in the world.

Of course, this was only a claim. The current three-legged golden crow's power was far from reaching that level, merely demonstrating the potency of True Sun Fire.

Legend has it that True Sun Fire is the greatest fire in Shenzhou, the emperor of flames, commanding all other fires.

As soon as the three-legged golden crow appeared above the square, it directed its head towards the Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage, as if challenging his authority.

The Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage, at the Imperial Extreme Realm, was the stabilizing force of the Blue Flame Empire. Similarly, the three-legged golden crow was also at the Imperial Extreme Realm, its powerful aura pressing towards the northern square.

"Vermilion Bird? Southern Bright Flame?" Xu Fu muttered from not far away, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"CAW~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

The three-legged golden crow, enraged that its infallible True Sun Fire had been blocked, prepared to unleash an even stronger attack.

"Shen Qi, that's enough!"

A loud voice, as clear as a bell, echoed from the sky.

The three-legged golden crow, though reluctant, withdrew. It then shrank to the size of a palm.

Seeing the golden crow retreat, the Vermilion Bird's eyes flashed with triumph.

"Chirp, chirp, chirp!" The Vermilion Bird joyfully flew around before descending into Tian Ling'er's palm.

"Xiao Hong, you're awake! You scared me!" Tian Ling'er playfully patted the Vermilion Bird's head.

The Vermilion Bird tilted its head, looking displeased, but when Tian Ling'er took out its favorite Fire Spirit Rice, it happily flapped its wings and started eating.

At that moment, a group of figures slowly descended from the sky. The three-legged golden crow, now palm-sized, quickly flew to the foremost person, perching on his shoulder.

This was a man in a golden robe, very burly and exuding arrogance. A red line ran down his forehead, and his eyes gleamed with a haughty indifference. Behind him were nine individuals, each dressed differently.

The man in the golden robe was none other than one of the key figures Zhong Shan had been watching—Seventh Prince of the Taishou Empire, Crown Prince Chongtian, Lu Chongtian!

Zhong Shan clenched his fist. Lu Chongtian, brother to Crown Prince Lingtian!

Bao'er and Qianyou immediately grasped Zhong Shan's fist with their delicate hands, comforting him.

Feeling the softness on his fist, Zhong Shan took a deep breath, looked at the two women, and nodded.

Crown Prince Chongtian and his entourage landed slowly. He glanced at the Vermilion Bird in Tian Ling'er's palm with slight surprise, but quickly concealed it and turned his attention to the Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage.

"Just in time. Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage, it's been a while!" Crown Prince Chongtian greeted with a smile.

"On time? The Grand Alchemy Conference does not welcome such an entrance!" The Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage replied in a flat tone.

"The Taishou Empire comes with great sincerity and under the Emperor's decree. We hope that after this conference, the Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage will join our Taishou Empire. We have prepared the position of Imperial Alchemy Patron for you!" Crown Prince Chongtian declared with a smile.

Crown Prince Chongtian's statement caused a stir in the entire square. What did this mean? Was it an invitation or a threat? Was he forcing the Alchemy Sage to join the Taishou Empire?

The earlier display of power by the golden crow, directly challenging the Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Sage, seemed to be an attempt to diminish his authority.

The arrival was clearly unfriendly!