Chapter 2562: Creation vs. Soul

Roar! Roar!

Dragon roars echoed mightily. A Zao Hua gold dragon and a Shen Hun silver dragon, bathed in lightning, rampaged wildly through the dark tribulation clouds, stirring up the heavens and earth as they clashed. Each collision sent waves of annihilating light spreading outward.

All the spectators looked up, including Yu Di himself. It seemed like a battle between two pills, but it felt more like a fight between two quasi-emperors, with tremendous force that wouldn't end until one side was completely destroyed.

Dan Jun's body tensed as he stared intently, his confidence shaken for the first time.

In contrast, Ye Chen was completely relaxed, the only one not looking up. He knew without watching that the Zao Hua pill would win. It wasn't just a pill—it was his Dao. As a pill refiner with an invincible spirit, his Dao and his pill embodied that same unyielding belief.

As everyone watched, the Shen Hun silver dragon fell behind, relentlessly suppressed by the Zao Hua gold dragon. Its massive body was covered in wounds.

The spectators were stunned. Dan Jun's Shen Hun pill had actually lost to Ye Chen's Zao Hua pill. At this rate, the Shen Hun pill was doomed to defeat.

"Impossible, this is impossible."

Dan Jun gritted his teeth, his quasi-emperor aura surging as if he might charge in to help. As the pill sovereign of the Heavenly Court and Dan Shen's disciple, how could he afford to lose? If he failed, it would disgrace not only himself but also Dan Shen.

But despite his intentions, his Shen Hun pill was powerless.

Roar!

With a piercing dragon roar, his Shen Hun silver dragon was defeated, plummeting from the void and reverting to its pill form. As it fell, its brilliant glow faded, and cracks spread across its surface, as if it might shatter at any moment.

Dan Jun staggered back, nearly tumbling off the cloud platform.

Meanwhile, the Zao Hua gold dragon still soared in the nine heavens, its mighty roars resounding through the world. Its agile body danced through the cosmos, every scale gleaming radiantly.

It seemed less like a pill and more like a true dragon, its roars igniting the blood of all who heard.

That was the essence of its battle intent—an unbeatable will.

"Ye Chen actually won."

"An eight-pattern Shen Hun pill was defeated—what must that Zao Hua pill be like?"

"The future leader of Hua Shan is truly defying the heavens."

Amid the dragon roars, waves of astonishment rippled through the crowd. Not just the great demons of the San Xian Jie, but even the immortal monarchs of the Tian Ting were shocked. The eight-pattern Shen Hun pill, hailed as the strongest below nine patterns, had lost to Ye Chen's eight-pattern Zao Hua pill.

Hua Shan Xian smiled at Kun Lun Lao Tou. "Do you have anything to say?"

"It was my poor judgment." Kun Lun Lao Tou chuckled dryly. He never expected Ye Chen to defeat Dan Jun—his pill refining skills were far superior. It was laughable that he had doubted Ye Chen earlier; this was a real slap in the face.

"If you'd like to come to Hua Shan, you're welcome anytime." Hua Shan Zhen Ren spoke with a leisurely smile. Ye Chen's victory had lifted his spirits, and he couldn't resist poaching talent.

Kun Lun Lao Tou glanced sideways at Hua Shan Zhen Ren, sizing him up without a word. His expression said it all: You have some nerve! Do you really think you can poach someone of my caliber?

Hua Shan Zhen Ren just smiled, his demeanor implying: With your level, I could take you down easily.

"Well done."

As they bantered, excited shouts erupted.

The pill refiners and great demons of the San Xian Jie cheered louder than anyone, delighting in seeing the Dan Shen Dian humiliated. This pill duel was more than just a loss—it was a total embarrassment. Dan Shen's disciple, a quasi-emperor at his peak, had been beaten by a minor Xing Jun in the Da Sheng realm.

Yu Di watched quietly, his brows furrowed. He was as astonished as everyone else—the little stone spirit from Hua Shan was extraordinarily monstrous.

"How interesting." Yin Ming's laugh carried a hint of amusement.

"Impossible, this is impossible."

The pill refiners of Dan Shen Dian howled in dismay. To them, Dan Jun was a symbol of faith, and with the Shen Hun pill's defeat, that faith was shattered.

"Impossible, this is impossible."

No one shouted louder than Dan Jun. He finally steadied himself on the cloud platform, roaring like a mad dog, unable to accept or believe his defeat. As the pill sovereign, how could he lose?

No one responded to his outburst. A loss was a loss.

Ye Chen remained calm, casually sipping from his wine flask.

On their respective cloud platforms, the two of them presented a stark contrast. The elders could see it clearly—Dan Jun hadn't just lost the duel; he'd lost his composure. If Ye Chen had been the one defeated, he wouldn't have reacted like this. That was the difference in their mindsets.

In the void, the Zao Hua pill transformed back into its pill form and descended, circling playfully around Ye Chen like a lively child, full of affection.

That sight left everyone stunned. They'd seen many pills before, but one as vibrant and animated as the Zao Hua pill was unheard of. The veteran pill refiners recognized it immediately—the Zao Hua pill had developed its own pill spirit and treated Ye Chen, its creator, like family. Such a pill was akin to a spiritual artifact.

The venue fell into silence, with no one speaking. Or perhaps they were still reeling from the excitement. This pill duel had been more thrilling than a great battle. Dan Shen's direct disciple had actually lost.

The future lord of Dan Shen Dian had been defeated by the future leader of Hua Shan.

"The Wan Mie Xian Yan—hand it over."

Ye Chen extended his hand, his gaze fixed solely on Dan Jun.

His words made the spectators' eyes light up. Many crossed their arms, turning to watch Dan Jun, especially the great demons of the San Xian Jie, who looked on with glee. He had been so arrogant with his bets earlier, and now he'd lost.

He had dug his own grave.

Many in the Shang Jie felt the same. They were tired of Dan Jun's arrogance and revelled in his downfall. Let him suffer—now they wouldn't have to ask him to refine pills anymore. They'd go to Ye Chen instead; his fees were probably much cheaper, and he was far more agreeable.

Dan Jun didn't move. His eyes burned red and terrifying, his face twisted in rage like a savage demon. The Wan Mie Xian Yan was like his lifeblood; he refused to give it up, whether by cheating or denial.

"This was just a friendly pill duel for amusement. There's no need to take it seriously." A Dan Shen Dian elder stroked his beard, seizing the opportunity to defend Dan Jun. How could they simply hand over something as precious as the Wan Mie Xian Yan?

"If I heard right, you're trying to welch on the bet, aren't you, Dan Shen Dian?" Niu Mo Wang scratched his ear, flicking the earwax onto Jiao Long Wang without a second thought. He was ready for a confrontation.

"My friend, you're mistaken. We—"

"You're just sore losers—spare us the excuses." Jiao Long Wang snorted, cutting off the elder's words.

"You—"

"Hey, do people in the Tian Ting just break their word like it's nothing?"

"That little stone spirit worked hard for his win, and now he gets nothing? Isn't that infuriating?"

"Someone like that would be beaten to death hundreds of times over in the San Xian Jie."

"What about that arbitrator? Just sitting there silent—who knows if he's playing dumb or actually dumb?"

"Keep it down—that's Yu Di."

"So what if it's Yu Di? Even he has to play fair."

The great demons of the San Xian Jie gathered in a crowd, hands tucked in their sleeves, chatting away like prosperous landowners, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

The pill refiners of the San Xian Jie joined in the heckling, relishing this rare chance. They tore into Dan Shen Dian and even dragged Yu Di and the entire Tian Ting into their scolding.

The immortal monarchs of the Tian Ting coughed awkwardly, embarrassed by the barrage of criticism.

Ye Chen also tucked his hands away, standing quietly without a word. He didn't need to argue—with allies like these, they'd tear into the Tian Ting for him.

As proof, their verbal assaults were masterful.

During this, Ye Chen glanced at Yu Di. If he dared protect Dan Jun, Ye Chen would lose his temper.

"Enough."

Yu Di finally spoke, his voice booming with authority.

As the ruler of the Tian Ting, his face darkened. Those troublemakers needed to quiet down—they were cursing him openly on his turf.

Yin Ming's gaze focused. If he were in charge, he'd have ordered the extermination of the San Xian Jie people—this was a golden opportunity.

Unfortunately, his father was still in power.

"Dan Jun." Yu Di's voice was stern as he looked toward the eastern cloud platform.

"Your Majesty, I—"

"Honor the bet and accept the loss."

Those four words carried the force of thunder from Yu Di.

The situation had backed him into a corner as the arbitrator. Sometimes, he had to say the right things and do the right deeds. The flame had to be handed over, or how could he maintain order? As the ruler of the Tian Ting, his authority was on the line.

So, let the Wan Mie Xian Yan go for now. Dan Jun's master could always reclaim it later.

Dan Jun took a deep breath, his eyes reddening further. He didn't want to, but he had to obey Yu Di's command. He was from Dan Shen Dian, but he wasn't Dan Shen himself—even Dan Shen would have to comply today.

In the Shang Jie, Yu Di's word was law.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Dan Jun waved his hand and summoned the Wan Mie Xian Yan, tossing it out carelessly. He then flung his sleeve and stormed off, blood trickling from his mouth—whether from injury or rage, no one could tell. What was supposed to be an easy victory had turned into a complete disaster. Not only had he lost, but he'd also forfeited the flame. His defeat was utter.

Humph!

The Dan Shen Dian pill refiners snorted and left as well.

Awesome!

The pill refiners of the San Xian Jie were overjoyed at their hasty retreat. After years of being overshadowed by the Shang Jie, this was a moment of triumph.

On Ye Chen's side, he caught the Wan Mie Xian Yan and used a powerful technique to erase Dan Jun's mark, storing it in his Dan Hai. He planned to merge it with the Zi Xian Huo using Hun Dun Ben Yuan. This flame was incredibly dominant—if combined with his Jiu Wu Xian Yan, it might even produce Hun Dun Huo.

"The show's over."

Yu Di muttered indifferently, turning and vanishing. Before leaving, he shot a glance at the San Xian Jie crowd, his expression clear: Get out, all of you.

Tch!

The great demons of the San Xian Jie shrugged it off, tucking their hands in their sleeves as they stood. They returned the look: As if we want to stay? Don't bother inviting us next time—what's with the attitude?

Yin Ming also left, ignoring the San Xian Jie people and focusing on Ye Chen with a playful smirk. This pill duel had truly impressed him—Ye Chen was quite the talent.

And he loved dealing with talents, or more precisely, snuffing them out. The feeling was exquisite.

Though the duel had ended, the spectators were still buzzing. They knew Ye Chen was a fierce fighter, but they hadn't realized his pill refining skills were this otherworldly. Even Dan Shen's disciple had been bested. In terms of refining prowess, no one in the Xian Jie could match Ye Chen except Dan Shen himself.

The duel concluded with some rejoicing and some lamenting.

Tai Yi, Si Ming, and Tai Bai clutched their chests, taking the calming pills Ye Chen had given them. Only now did they understand the deeper meaning behind those pills—he had foreseen this all along.

"You sneaky one, why didn't you say anything earlier?" The three grumbled, their long-held frustration like blood in their mouths, unsure whether to spit it out or swallow it.

Like them, many others clutched their chests, downing pills to steady themselves.

This duel had left some bankrupt after decades of savings, back to square one. The pain wasn't just in their hearts—it was in their flesh, livers, kidneys, and everywhere else.

Meanwhile, those who had bet on Ye Chen, like Bi Xia Xian Zi and her group, were elated. This windfall was a rare surprise, especially this year.

Hua Shan Zhen Ren was equally thrilled—he had bet on Ye Chen and made a fortune. This trip to the Shang Jie had been well worth it.

"Looks like you lost a bundle." Hua Shan Xian Zi glanced at Kun Lun Lao Tou.

"Just a trivial amount." Kun Lun Lao Tou coughed dryly, wanting to clutch his chest but barely managing to stand.

Hua Shan Xian Zi suppressed a laugh. Seeing the old man's pained expression, she knew he had bet heavily—and wasn't about to admit it.

"Take a look at those old fellows; it'll make you feel better." Kun Lun Shen Zi nudged Kun Lun Lao Tou, pointing toward the Si Yue Zhang Jiao.

Those four leaders were in the same boat, their faces as dark as could be, clearly having wagered a lot.

When Ye Chen approached, he drew glares that could kill. Those sour expressions said it all: Fine, you won, but at our expense—we're ruined.

While some were ruined, others, like Ye Chen, were raking in wealth hand over fist.

"Kid, you're something else." Kun Lun Shen Zi punched Ye Chen lightly.

"Keep it low-key."

"Once you're done, head back to Hua Shan." Hua Shan Zhen Ren smiled warmly.

"Thanks for understanding, senior."

"In that case, see you at Hua Shan." Hua Shan Zhen Ren chuckled and left, with the immortal and goddaughter following.

As Kun Lun Lao Tou departed, he clutched his chest with one hand and gave Ye Chen a thumbs-up with the other.

After they left, Ye Chen scanned the area and quickly followed. Since he was here, he might as well leave some treasures behind.