Supreme Alchemist-Chapter 2373 - 2363: Gathering of the Strong

Long Yan paid no heed to the gazes incessantly cast his way; instead, his focus rested solely on the impending Tianshan Conference. As time flowed on, a myriad of talented young elites arrived at the foothills of Tianshan, making it a veritable feast for geniuses. Many of those gathered were famous figures within the Qin Dynasty.

Among them, some exuded an aura so potent that it made Long Yan’s blood stir with excitement. Although Long Yan held a certain level of renown as the Guest Elder of Yanmen Commerce Association, it was confined to the commercial circles. These Heaven’s Proud Sons of the cultivation world wouldn’t recognize him.

At that moment, Long Qingli gently tugged at Long Yan and began introducing some of the formidable competitors present. Having spent years in the Qin Dynasty, Long Qingli had heard of their names to varying extents.

"That young man in heavy armor over there is widely acknowledged as the First Person of the Qin Dynasty."

After pondering for a moment, Long Qingli began detailing some of the opponents deemed to be strong in terms of skill. In past Tianshan Conferences, there had been many senior cultivators participating as well, but it didn’t stop some truly prodigious individuals from emerging. This First Person, Ying Rentian, was one of them—a Second Prince of the Qin Dynasty. Though not the Crown Prince, he had already become a general guarding one region at a young age.

It was evident that surrounding cultivators recognized Ying Rentian, as they stepped forward to greet him. Ying Rentian responded with a warm smile and a wave, but the killing intent radiating from his body was impossible to conceal despite his pleasant expression.

During the last Tianshan Conference, Ying Rentian’s master had claimed the third position on the Sky Ranking. This time, Ying Rentian, currently deemed the foremost among the younger generation, had been trained under the guidance of that former Sky Rank third-place holder. His current strength was an enigma.

As Long Qingli spoke with Long Yan, her gaze swept across the crowd, searching for other noteworthy opponents. But when she turned back, she saw that Long Yan’s intense focus was fixed on a young man standing in the corner, emanating an aura of Evil Qi so concentrated it seemed almost tangible, his face concealed behind a mask that looked hauntingly godlike.

The cultivators passing near him avoided him like the plague, fearful of provoking this ominous figure. Yet judging by his strength, he was only in the early stage of Divine Emperor Second Level—an opponent who should pose no challenge to Long Yan. Even as Long Qingli searched her memory, she could find no information on this enigmatic young man, implying he likely wasn’t anyone noteworthy.

"Who is he?"

Long Yan asked quietly, his voice directed to Long Qingli. His gaze burned with a peculiar intensity, and he had a hunch that the youth before him was anything but ordinary. After all, the force within this youth, revealed under the White Tiger’s Secret technique, couldn’t possibly be feigned.

"I don’t know who he is, but judging from his attire, he seems to be from Shura Dao."

Shura Dao was merely a second-tier faction among the many sects within the Qin Dynasty, categorized as a type of Demon Cultivator. It held little reputation. However, their participation in this year’s Tianshan Conference was perhaps a gambit to try and secure a ranking of some sort.

"Shura Dao?"

Long Yan murmured the name to himself, mentally marking it. If the opportunity arose, he decided he would confront this youth. Long Qingli, meanwhile, shifted her focus away from the mysterious figure and returned to introducing the three young Sword Saints among the younger generation.

In the path of cultivation, there were many varied methods of refining oneself; sword cultivation was but one of many. When honed to a certain realm, each method could attain astonishing power. Sword cultivation, in particular, stood out. Among the Tianshan disciples attending this year’s Conference was one notably renowned Young Sword Saint.

The title of Sword Saint didn’t depend on cultivation base alone but instead referred to comprehension and mastery of sword techniques. Thus, a Sword Saint was typically a highly talented young swordsman. Though these three Young Sword Saints didn’t possess exceptionally advanced cultivation bases, their grasp of swordsmanship far surpassed most sword cultivators.

"I remember one of the three hails from Tianshan, another from Shu Mountain, and the last from Wanjianmen."

Long Qingli gently bit her lower lip, adopting a thoughtful expression. The Tianshan disciple was named Jian Wuchen—a fair-skinned, handsome youth. Scanning the crowd, Long Qingli finally spotted him encircled by admiring cultivators. His sword-shaped eyebrows and star-like eyes, coupled with every graceful gesture he made, elicited shrieks of excitement from countless female cultivators.

"So that’s Jian Wuchen?"

Long Yan regarded him leisurely, casting a curious glance. Being a fellow sword wielder, Long Yan could immediately sense the near-air-piercing sword momentum emanating from Jian Wuchen. As one of Tianshan’s top disciples participating in the Conference, Jian Wuchen exhibited an aloof demeanor. Sword cultivators needed unwavering dedication to their craft, or they’d fail to achieve much in that realm.

"You seem awfully nonchalant about him."

Long Qingli rolled her eyes upon seeing how dismissively Long Yan regarded Jian Wuchen, realizing her earlier concern had been a waste.

"Not at all. I’m simply confident in my abilities."

Long Yan replied with a cheeky grin, earning a sultry eye-roll from Long Qingli. She muttered a teasing remark about his narcissism before continuing to introduce other prominent figures. Among the three Young Sword Saints, Jian Wuchen was the only one who had come—he was also considered the very best among Tianshan’s disciples attending the Conference. While the other two Wanjianmen disciples were undoubtedly exceptional, they hadn’t piqued Long Yan’s interest.

"Now, here’s the main attraction: Di Wuchang of the Emperor Clan, a top contender for this year’s championship."

Following Long Qingli’s pointing finger, Long Yan’s gaze landed on a beaming young man. Although Long Yan’s group of two men and three women had drawn considerable attention, Di Wuchang’s entourage was even more striking.

Surrounded by a flock of adoring followers—male and female alike—Di Wuchang’s charisma was almost overwhelming. Long Yan counted over ten individuals encircling him, which stirred faint feelings of inadequacy within him. Di Wuchang truly embodied the title of "golden stallion."

Clearly, Long Qingli also disliked Di Wuchang’s methods. However, although his flamboyant demeanor resembled that of a mere spoiled nobleman, his strength was anything but ordinary. Initially, the Emperor Clan’s Di Lingtian had disapproved of Di Wuchang’s debauched lifestyle, but after witnessing the astonishing power cultivated through his unique martial arts technique, Di Lingtian had turned a blind eye.

Di Wuchang’s cultivation technique, the Hehuan Scripture, was a dual cultivation method. While not strictly classified as an Evil Technique, it was outrageously carnal in nature. The Hehuan Sect—originally shunned by all cultivators and branded an Evil Cult—had been transformed by the emergence of a pioneering Sect Master. Under their leadership, the sect escaped its former infamy.

This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦