After chatting with Brandon Tu for a while, Evan finally understood how the major sects and great families controlled these cities and extracted maximum profit.
Seeing Brandon so troubled, Evan couldn't bear it and wanted to help. He asked, "City Lord Tu, are there any restrictions for this Grand Alchemy Contest?"
"Restrictions? Not really. As long as the city lord or their chosen representative can refine pills, that's enough. Then everyone compares the final results, and the winner is decided." Brandon thought for a moment before answering Evan.
"So what kinds of pills are usually refined? What grade?" Evan wanted to understand first, to see if he actually had the ability.
"The highest is just Human-Grade pills. For us city lords, the best we can make is Human-Grade. Unfortunately, every time I refine Human-Grade pills, they're always the fewest and lowest quality." Brandon had learned some alchemy skills years ago, but his results were always inferior to others—he felt embarrassed even mentioning it.
Hearing that Human-Grade was the highest, Evan quietly made up his mind. He said to Brandon, "City Lord Tu, this little beggar would like to see it for himself. Would you let me come along?"
Brandon had already lost hope for this contest. Hearing Evan's request, he felt there was nothing to lose and agreed, treating Evan as a companion.
Because of this decision, Brandon would later feel grateful he let Evan follow him.
Time quickly passed. Led by Brandon, Evan arrived at Centralgate City, which governed White Slope City. At first glance, Evan saw this city was much larger than White Slope—at least ten times bigger, not just two or three times. It was also far wealthier. Just the guards at the city gate wore armor and weapons that were low-grade spiritual items, glowing faint green. By comparison, White Slope didn't even have regular guards, only some cultivators acting as makeshift security. Evan couldn't help but feel sorry for Brandon.
Brandon walked up to the guards, took out a token, and said, "City Lord of White Slope!"
The guards looked up, glanced at the token, and said unhurriedly, "You may enter."
"What...?" Seeing the guards' dismissive attitude toward Brandon, Evan was about to step forward and ask, but Brandon stopped him, pulling him into the city. "Let's go. These guards are the city lord's personal guards—don't bother arguing with them."
"City Lord Tu, is it always like this for you?" Evan asked in disbelief.
"I'm the exception. Watch them." Brandon pointed behind him at a newcomer, who also took out a token and handed a bag of unknown contents to the lead guard.
The lead guard immediately smiled and said, "City Lord Wang, follow me."
Evan finally understood—these so-called personal guards only cared about money, not people. As the man passed Evan, he turned and laughed, "Isn't that City Lord Tu?"
"Morning, City Lord Wang," Brandon replied with a forced smile.
"I'll wait for you at the City Lord's Manor. I want to see what you'll bet with this year, haha!" The man laughed and left the crowd.
Brandon snorted coldly, "Damn dog, so arrogant."
"City Lord Tu, who was that just now?" Evan watched the man's back, feeling a surge of disgust—just now the man had pressured Evan, nearly making him vomit blood.
"That's Wang Futian, who often takes first place these past few years. His city is Batong City, a third-tier city east of White Slope. He has a small crystal mine nearby, so he's quite proud. Plus, he's skilled in alchemy and always steals the spotlight each year," Brandon explained, watching Wang Futian's back.
Evan watched the man's back, already making up his mind.
Brandon didn't realize Wang Futian had pressured Evan just now, so he didn't notice Evan's expression and simply led him toward the City Lord's Manor.
Arriving at the City Lord's Manor, Evan saw how tiny White Slope's estate was by comparison. The manor before him was enormous, surrounded by personal guards—a clear step above White Slope.
With Brandon's credentials, they entered smoothly. Guided by a guard, they reached the grand hall—the so-called 'grand hall' was actually the main reception area, named for its vastness. It could easily hold thousands of people.
As Brandon and Evan appeared, mocking voices rang out: "City Lord Tu, you're the last one again!"
"All the city lords are here so early," Brandon replied with an unchanged smile.
Evan scanned the hall. Aside from one luxurious central spot, the other five seats were similar. Four were already occupied—clearly the city lords of four other cities, all watching Brandon with mocking eyes.
Hearing Brandon's greeting, the city lords acted arrogant, flashing strange smiles, then focused their gaze on Evan. Some even released their aura without restraint, making Evan want to slap them all.
"City lords, please go easy on him!" Brandon sensed four distinct auras targeting Evan. Though furious inside, he didn't want to fight them face-to-face.
"A little beggar, not even a cultivator," someone scoffed. Once one spoke up, the other three also showed their contempt and started chatting among themselves.
Brandon led Evan to the last seat. Evan saw it was the most remote spot—there were two seats on each side of the central luxury seat, making four, and Brandon, the fifth, could only sit far from the center.
After sitting down, Brandon introduced the four others to Evan.
One was Wang Futian, another Li Mugui, another Xiao Xiaocong, and the last Fei Jieling. Their strength matched Brandon's, but Wang Futian's alchemy was the best.
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Evan was about to ask which cities they belonged to when a loud voice rang out, "City Lord arrives!"
Hearing this, the five city lords stood up. A middle-aged man entered, followed closely by a young man. The middle-aged man nodded to the five, then went straight to the central luxury seat. At his signal, the youth sat with him on the plush bench.
"Who is that youth?" Everyone wondered. Anyone who could sit with the city lord was clearly important.
Evan was curious too. Brandon explained that the middle-aged man was City Lord Nangong Yan, stronger than Brandon, already at the Breaking Pill Stage above Core Formation.
Nangong Yan looked over the five city lords, then fixed his gaze on Evan. Seeing only a common beggar, he ignored him and announced, "It's time for the annual Grand Alchemy Contest. Who are your candidates this year? Will it be the usual face-off?"
The five looked at Nangong Yan, then reported their participants.
Seeing everyone's fear of Nangong Yan, Evan realized this man was far more than he appeared. Even his gaze was sharper than Brandon's, and his aura, though seemingly calm, inspired dread. Facing such a figure, Evan knew not to provoke him, but deep down he reminded himself to cultivate hard, walk the path of the strong, and seek the legendary immortals.
Nangong Yan saw they would compete as usual and smiled. "Then let's stick to the old rules. I won't be the judge this time."
"What?" Everyone was shocked. If Nangong Yan wasn't judging, then who would?
Nangong Yan pointed to the youth beside him and smiled. "He's the youngest Human-Grade alchemist in my city. Nearly half the pills he refines are top-quality. I'm taking him to a first-tier city soon, so I brought him to watch your pill refining and see your skills."
"Him? That boy is a Human-Grade alchemist?" The five city lords were stunned. Alchemy was much harder than cultivation—cultivation only got harder later, but alchemy was difficult from the start. Even more shocking was that the youth could make half his Human-Grade pills top-quality, proof of incredible skill.
Evan was surprised too, but not as exaggerated as the others. The youth stood proudly, enjoying the attention, flashing an innocent yet wicked smile. When his eyes met Evan's, Evan didn't react, which annoyed the youth. The city lords treated him with respect, but a beggar dared look at him that way—this stirred the youth's competitive spirit.
Nangong Yan noticed the youth's expression and again glanced at Evan, seeing only a beggar and not caring. He announced, "His name is Bi Linzi, from the famous Pill Sect. He's here for training in the mortal world, so I brought him along. From now on, treat him as you would treat me."
"A Human-Grade alchemist has that much influence?" Evan was surprised, but relaxed after hearing Bi Linzi was from the Pill Sect. It was all thanks to his powerful backing and youth—he had room to grow.
The city lords thought the same, so they respectfully addressed Bi Linzi as 'Little Friend Bi,' a term elders use for juniors.
"Alright, since you all know each other, take out your offerings now. According to the rules, we'll officially begin pill refining tomorrow," Nangong Yan spoke again, drawing everyone's attention back.
As Nangong Yan finished, the four city lords—except Brandon—produced their prepared crystal ore or top-grade herbs, placing them on the ready tables.
Nangong Yan examined the crystal ore and herbs one by one, nodding in approval. When he reached Brandon, his expression soured, seeing only a hundred pieces of low-grade crystal ore on Brandon's table.
The four city lords saw Brandon's offerings and began smiling maliciously. Only Evan felt nervous for Brandon, worried Nangong Yan might explode in anger.
Knowing trouble was coming, Brandon quickly said, "City Lord, these are all the crystal ore I have left these years. Please forgive me."
After hearing Brandon's explanation, Nangong Yan pondered for a moment, then finally said, "I hope you're prepared next year. Don't let this happen again!"
"Yes, City Lord!" Brandon replied respectfully.
"Alright, go rest. The contest starts tomorrow." Nangong Yan stood up and left with Bi Linzi, disappearing from everyone's sight.