Wu Shattered Star River

The square was already crowded with people, with many square tables set up on the square and on both sides.

These were probably for spectators to sit at. Jiang Han glanced around and noticed many powerful individuals.

Many of these powerhouses had auras as deep as an abyss and gazes like thunder, while others radiated qi and blood like a blazing sun, creating a sense of oppression from afar.

Madam Yu led the two of them towards the north side of the square. Many people recognized her along the way and greeted her with smiles.

Madam Yu occasionally stopped to chat with some of the powerhouses, appearing to be well-connected.

"Swish, swish, swish!"

As Madam Yu was exchanging pleasantries with a powerhouse, three people approached from a distance. Madam Yu glanced at them, her expression changed slightly, and her eyes turned cold.

Sensing this, Jiang Han's gaze swept over and he saw a young man in a purple robe leading the group.

This young man didn't conceal his aura at all. Even hundreds of feet away, he felt like a primeval behemoth, exuding immense pressure.

The young man was tall and upright, with distinct facial features and bronze skin. He had sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. He strode forward, ignoring the people on either side, his gaze fixed coldly on Madam Yu.

The surrounding immortals were alarmed and turned to look at the young man.

An old man with a strong aura, seemingly an Immortal Lord, greeted him with a smile, his face showing flattery as he cupped his hands and said, "Young Master Xing Gu, I didn't expect to see you here!"

The Immortal Lord's flattering words received no response. The purple-robed youth didn't even look at him, striding past and heading straight for Madam Yu.

Madam Yu's expression had returned to calm, but Aunt Zhen behind her appeared somewhat nervous, quietly moving closer to Madam Yu.

Countless gazes were cast over. Seeing the purple-robed youth, many women's eyes lit up, and some immortals moved closer.

The purple-robed youth ignored them all, striding up to Madam Yu. His oppressive aura intensified as he approached. Jiang Han felt like he was standing before a primeval behemoth, finding it difficult to breathe.

The young man's eyes were only on Madam Yu. He stopped in front of her and spoke, his voice cold: "Yu Xi, can you escape?"

Madam Yu's expression was icy as she said coldly: "Xing Gu, this is Yinghuo Star."

"If I want to take action!" The young man smiled and said: "I would dare to draw my sword even in the Heavenly Court!"

As soon as Xing Gu finished speaking, the aura of the silver-haired old woman, Aunt Zhen, suddenly spread out. She stepped forward, standing in front of Madam Yu, a long sword appearing in her hand.

Two middle-aged men standing behind Xing Gu flashed forward, immediately standing in front of the youth, weapons also appearing in their hands. Their auras surged, almost suffocating Jiang Han.

The entire scene fell silent. Almost all eyes turned to them, and several teams of soldiers quickly flew over, surrounding the group.

An aged female voice rang out from the north: "Xing Gu, Yu Xi, this is Yinghuo Star. If you want to cause trouble, go back to your Heavenly Concealment Pavilion."

This aged voice clearly belonged to a powerhouse. Xing Gu smiled, waved his hand, and said: "Elder Cang, please calm your anger. I'm just playing around with Yu Xi."

The two middle-aged powerhouses in front of him quickly sheathed their weapons and retreated. Madam Yu waved her hand, and Aunt Zhen stepped back behind her.

Xing Gu turned his head, looked at Madam Yu again, and said: "Yu Xi, you can't escape. You can never escape in this lifetime!"

After speaking, Xing Gu turned around with the two middle-aged men and sat down behind the square table on the left side of the first row in the north.

He sat cross-legged on the futon, closed his eyes, and ignored the immortals who came over to greet him, being extremely arrogant.

"Let's go!"

Madam Yu led Jiang Han and Aunt Zhen towards the left, not going to the north to sit, but going to the east.

After Madam Yu sat down, Jiang Han and Aunt Zhen sat in the row behind her. He turned his gaze towards Xing Gu, feeling somewhat curious.

Judging from Elder Cang's tone, was this Xing Gu from the Heavenly Concealment Pavilion?

It felt like he and Madam Yu weren't enemies, but more like the kind of love that couldn't be obtained? He was pursuing Madam Yu, but Madam Yu didn't like him?

However, one thing was certain, this Xing Gu should have a very high status in the Heavenly Concealment Pavilion, perhaps a descendant of the Pavilion Master?

Jiang Han was very curious, but he didn't dare to ask too much. Madam Yu's expression was exceptionally cold at the moment, and Aunt Zhen also had a dark face. He could only sit patiently.

Immortals continued to enter the venue, and some disciples from wealthy families could also be seen entering, surrounded by attendants, making a grand display.

After waiting for half an hour, the north and east sides were basically filled with immortals, numbering tens of thousands. Moreover, many strong immortal auras could be sensed on the scene, possibly Immortal Lords or Immortal Sovereigns, or even Immortal Kings.

Jiang Han's realm was low, and his experience was limited, so he couldn't distinguish the exact level. Moreover, some powerhouses probably had aura-concealing beads, making them look like ordinary people without any strong aura.

After waiting for another two incense sticks' worth of time, the space above the square fluctuated, and then an old woman leaning on a black wooden cane appeared in the arena.

As soon as she appeared, almost all the immortals in the arena stood up. Madam Yu also stood up, and Jiang Han and Aunt Zhen naturally followed suit.

"Greetings, Elder Cang!"

The group bowed in salute, and Jiang Han secretly marveled. This Elder Cang should be an Immortal King level, right? And have a very high status in the Heavenly Court? Otherwise, why would everyone salute her?

Only three immortals in the arena didn't salute Elder Cang. A middle-aged man with a beautiful beard sitting in the center of the north didn't even stand up, only nodding slightly to Elder Cang.

Elder Cang cupped her hands, and her aged voice resounded throughout the arena: "Welcome, fellow Daoists, to Yinghuo Star to participate in the Heavenly Pill Assembly. Everyone knows the rules, so I won't say any more. Let the first round of the competition begin!"

"Uh…"

Jiang Han was a little confused. They weren't going to explain the rules or anything, and they were just starting?

Madam Yu turned her gaze to Jiang Han. A spatial ring lit up in her hand, and she took out a wooden box, saying: "Jiang Han, there are fourth-grade pill ingredients in the wooden box, as well as refining tools and materials. Just take them and enter any black pagoda."

"Inside the black pagoda, spatial rings can't be used, and it will also isolate the detection of outside powerhouses. After Elder Cang announces the start of the competition, you must refine the Soul-Melting Pill as quickly as possible inside. Then, you can walk out of the pagoda and hand in the refined pill."

"Okay!"

Jiang Han grabbed the wooden box and walked towards a black pagoda next to him. Many soldiers walked onto the square at this moment, standing next to each pagoda respectively.

Jiang Han randomly chose a pagoda to enter. Inside was a sealed small hall.

The soldier outside walked in and cupped his hands: "Sir, I need to do a check, please forgive my offense!"

Jiang Han nodded slightly. The soldier didn't search him or check the wooden box, but took out a bead. The bead shone brightly, covering Jiang Han and the wooden box.

After only a moment, the soldier put away the bead and cupped his hands: "Sir, no problem, sorry for the disturbance!"

The soldier retreated. The spatial ring in Jiang Han's hand flashed, and he wanted to try if he could use it.

Without any surprise, the spatial ring lit up, but he couldn't take anything out.

Jiang Han reached into his bosom and took out a small cauldron from inside. This was the Little Sky Beast Cauldron from Ding Zi Hao.

Jiang Han had taken out the Little Sky Beast Cauldron in advance. Since the spatial ring couldn't be used, he was afraid that the Sky Beast Cauldron couldn't be used either, so he had taken out this small cauldron in advance.

He checked the ingredients in the wooden box and found that Madam Yu had prepared ten portions of materials for him. There were also two very high-grade cauldrons and some fire crystals and firestones, which were to prevent him from failing to refine the pills.

After checking, he sat quietly and waited.

After a full two incense sticks' worth of time, Elder Cang's voice finally rang out: "Refining begins!"