Support me at patreon for 60+ advanced chapters :
patreon.com/YaoIk
**
The Chu Yun Empire and the Jia Ma Empire had long been rivals—bitter enemies frequently at war.
What made Chu Yun Empire even more controversial was its open embrace of the profession that alchemists despised most: Poison Masters. This wasn't just an annoyance—it was a taboo.
After all, one profession saves lives. The other takes them through venom and deceit.
They were natural enemies.
What made matters worse was that the so-called "alchemists" of the Chu Yun Empire weren't even truly alchemists.
They made no distinction between medicine and poison.
They refined pills and brewed toxins in equal measure.
As a result, orthodox alchemists from the Jia Ma Empire held deep disdain for them—refusing to acknowledge their qualifications or credibility in the field of alchemy.
To them, these people had betrayed the very principles of the alchemist's path—corrupt, unscrupulous degenerates.
So when the VIPs and contestants learned that the mysterious grey-robed young man was from the Chu Yun Empire, their expressions turned grim.
Every time war broke out between the two nations, those poison masters would unleash their vilest tricks—spreading toxins indiscriminately through powders, liquids, gases—whatever they could devise.
The number of Jia Ma soldiers who died from such vile methods during these conflicts was staggering.
Yes, war brought death.
A soldier stepping onto the battlefield understood that death might come at any time.
But not like this.
Not through such cowardly and cruel means.
That was why poison masters were hated so universally—
With the exception of the Chu Yun Empire, who embraced them fully.
"This says he's a Tier 2 alchemist, and only seventeen years old? Impossible," Fa Ma frowned as he passed the file to Jia Xingtian. "With soul power like that, he's at least peak Tier 4!"
"A peak Tier 4 alchemist at sixteen or seventeen?" Qie Mi Er gave a bitter smile. "President, do you think that's possible? No matter how talented someone is, alchemy relies on time and accumulated experience."
Hearing this, the others secretly sighed in relief.
True. No matter how abnormal someone's soul power was, alchemy itself couldn't be mastered overnight. It took years of practice and refinement.
"A Tier 2 alchemist?" Fa Ma sneered and pointed toward the dazzling emerald pillar in the arena. "Do you really believe that?"
"Er..."
Everyone fell silent, awkward smiles on their faces.
Right. They had almost forgotten—
This very youth had used a simple pill formula to refine a high-grade Tier 2 medicinal pill—a feat bordering on the monstrous.
Fa Ma frowned deeply, eyes fixed on the overly youthful face. He muttered, "I don't know why, but something about that face... feels off."
"Could it be a disguise?" he added in a low voice. "Now that I think about it, his pill refining technique was incredibly practiced—far beyond what a teenage boy should be capable of."
"It's not a disguise," Jia Xingtian said calmly. "If it were, there's no way it could have escaped the notice of all of us."
The others nodded in agreement.
No matter how perfect a disguise might be, it would always have flaws.
Even the finest mask would show a subtle difference in texture compared to real skin.
Ordinary people might not notice it, but those in this room certainly would.
Fa Ma turned and gave Wei Yang a questioning glance.
Wei Yang closed his eyes and secretly sent a voice transmission to Yao Lao:
"Senior, what do you think about that strange 'youth'?"
Yao Lao, as if expecting the question, responded quickly:
"You've already guessed it, haven't you? In such a situation, there's only one explanation."
"Possession!" Wei Yang smiled knowingly.
The reason Fa Ma had found the face strange...
It was because that body had been possessed.
Perhaps the possession was still recent and the soul hadn't fully adapted yet.
Or perhaps some deeper incompatibility existed between the soul and the body.
Either way, a faint rejection between the two remained.
To those with keen senses, it created an aura of unnaturalness.
And really—stuffing such a powerful soul into the body of a teenager?
It would be weirder if it didn't feel off.
"Exactly. Possession!" Yao Lao replied, his tone heavy with disdain and rage. "It's a disgrace. A complete violation of all natural laws!"
And Yao Lao had every right to feel angry and contemptuous.
Could he have used possession?
Of course.
If he wanted a new body, any kind of body—he could have it.
Even the bloodlines of the Eight Ancient Clans, with their eighth-grade or ninth-grade bloodline, weren't necessarily beyond his reach.
Just think: if Yao Lao were to offer Bone Chilling Flame to Wei Yang and say,
"Go fetch me a descendant of the Yao Clan with an eighth-grade or ninth-grade bloodline. This Heavenly Flame is yours."
Wei Yang wouldn't even hesitate.
He'd probably set off for Central Plains immediately, eager to complete the task.
But then why was Yao Lao still painstakingly nurturing Xiao Yan, helping him gather three types of Heavenly Flames to forge a physical body?
Firstly, possession would reset one's Dou Qi cultivation—forcing the soul to start from scratch.
Secondly, there's the issue of soul-body compatibility. While this was a factor, it wasn't a major one. To a master alchemist, such problems could be resolved.
Take, for instance, the reward of this very tournament—the Soul Mending Pill formula.
Lastly… Yao Lao had his own principles.
Possession defied the natural order.
All the senior figures present turned their eyes toward Wei Yang.
Wei Yang slowly opened his eyes and uttered two words:
"Possession."
"..."
The group was instantly struck with realization—though none of them seemed particularly surprised.
Truthfully, many had already begun to suspect it.
"What now?" Qie Mi Er asked in a low voice.
The other side had clearly come to disrupt the competition.
And to use possession to do so?
Utterly despicable.
If this man were to win the championship under broad daylight, then return triumphantly to the Chu Yun Empire...
That would be a colossal humiliation.
Jia Xingtian gave a cold laugh. "Let me make this clear. Since he dared to come—champion or not—he won't be leaving alive. After this is over, our royal family will handle the consequences. The Alchemist Association won't need to get involved."
You think you can stir up trouble here and leave?
You think I, Jia Xingtian, am just here for show?
"Mm."
Seeing Jia Xingtian radiating murderous intent, the others nodded in agreement.
If the man had participated openly and fairly, no one could say a word. Even if he won, they'd have to swallow the loss.
But he had clearly violated the rules, using deceptive means.
"And now what? Just let him keep competing?" Qie Mi Er asked.
Everyone looked to Fa Ma.
"Let him continue," Fa Ma said with a deep breath, frowning. "At a time like this, with everyone watching, it would seem petty if we refused his participation. People would accuse the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Association of being arrogant and unreasonable."
"If word spreads," Fa Ma added, "those who don't know the full truth might even say we couldn't handle losing and kicked him out."
"Hmph. Lucky bastard," Jia Xingtian said with displeasure. "That sneaky little rat."
"He's all wrapped up, clearly trying to hide his true face..."
Hai Bodong cracked his neck and chuckled. "Why don't I help him with that?"
"You won't be noticed?" Fa Ma hesitated. "We can't leave ourselves open to criticism."
"Relax," Hai Bodong said confidently. "Though I'm not at my peak anymore, I can still silently freeze his fragile hat into dust. A little trick like that? I've got it covered."
Hai Bodong was from Jia Ma Empire, after all.
There was no way he'd sit by and watch someone from Chu Yun walk away with the championship title—on their turf.
If that really happened, they'd be the laughingstock of the neighboring empires.
Even this typically cautious old man was fuming.
"This kind of delicate move is best done with Hai old man's ice-type Dou Qi," Jia Xingtian agreed. "Mine's too aggressive—good for smashing rocks, not for subtle work."
"Alright then. Hai old man, you handle it," Fa Ma nodded after a moment of thought. "Reveal his face to everyone. That way, we won't be in such a passive position later. No matter the final result... at least we'll have the upper hand in public opinion."
"I'm on it," Hai Bodong said with a grin, eyes narrowing slightly.
From within his sleeve, a withered finger extended—subtly tapping.
As he tapped, faint, unusual ripples began to spread silently.
Wei Yang watched it all with a calm smile.
From those ripples, he could sense a terrifying chill hidden within.
While Hai Bodong worked in secret, Jia Xingtian and Fa Ma leaned in slightly, pretending to discuss something.
Their posture just happened to block the surrounding gazes, shielding Hai Bodong's actions from the crowd.
--------------------------------------------------
Support me at patreon for 60+ advanced chapters :
patreon.com/YaoIk