The sect conference was lively in its own way, but to a certain extent, it was also quite dull.
It was similar to the Olympics—over a hundred different events, but no one was interested in all of them. At first, Su Min watched with some curiosity, but eventually, she simply closed her eyes to meditate, completely ignoring the admiring gazes around her.
There was no helping it. Among the hundreds of Divine Transformation experts present, only four or five were women—and the rest were all ancient monsters in terms of age. She was by far the youngest.
"Not bad. We've already secured seven shares of the sealing crystals."
Tian Yinzi kept a close eye on the chaotic battles below. As the one handling logistics, he couldn't afford to be as carefree as Su Min, who acted like a hands-off leader.
Sealing crystals were invaluable treasures—a core necessity for any sect. No one knew when the next Heavenly Decay curse would strike, but if a generation produced too many geniuses, sealing some away to stagger their emergence wasn't a bad idea.
After all, opportunities were finite. There was no need to fight to the death over them.
"Seven shares are too few. The alchemy and Divine Transformation battles are the main events—like marathons. Any intel on other alchemists? I don't want to expend too much energy in the early stages."
Su Min had little interest in the miscellaneous battles. Instead, she turned her attention to Tian Yinzi.
"According to reports, the half-step Dao Comprehension elder from the Heavenly God Sect recently refined a sixth-grade pill. But compared to you, Grand Elder, he's still far behind. You don't need to refine anything too advanced—just two mid-sixth-grade pills in one go to firmly crush them."
Others might be curious about Su Min's alchemy efficiency, but Tian Yinzi knew the truth. With the assistance of the Nanming Lihuo she could typically refine a full batch in a single attempt without failure.
Only untested or highly complex formulas occasionally resulted in a wasted batch.
For familiar recipes, producing two or three pills per batch was normal. For example, the ten Divine Transformation Pills stored in their sect had required only three batches—a fact that would shock anyone who learned of it.
Of course, Su Min's pricing hadn't changed. Take it or leave it—she was the only one offering such services.
"A half-step Dao Comprehension expert refining sixth-grade pills? Not bad talent."
Su Min nodded approvingly, though her words made those nearby twitch. "That elder was far older than her!"
But then again, Su Min had only recently entered the Divine Transformation stage. In the cultivation world, where lifespans were long, seniority was determined by strength—not age—unless it involved close relatives.
Time passed quickly, and soon, the conference reached its climax.
Two major events were about to begin: the Unrestricted among sect ancestors and the alchemy competition.
Unlike alchemy, artifact refining didn't require such meticulous precision. Material limitations often meant outcomes depended more on cultivation level.
But alchemy? That was the true pinnacle of skill.
Artifacts could enhance combat power, but pills elevated cultivation itself. Most cultivators sought immortality, not domination.
"Finally, it's starting—the alchemy competition I've been waiting for. Last time, the Buddhist Water-Land Ceremony was too far away for me to attend."
"Now we'll see Master Su in action. I'm curious about her success rate—demanding three sets of materials per request. Does she refine them all in one batch? And not just one pill per batch, but two or three, yet only giving one in return?"
Some were genuinely curious, whispering their speculations below. Though they spoke softly, every word reached the ears of the experts present.
No one commented, however. Everyone was equally intrigued.
But knowing the truth wouldn't change anything. Su Min's prices were fixed, and even if no one commissioned her, she could simply focus on her own cultivation.
She had nothing to lose, so no one dwelled on it.
Still, curiosity lingered.
During the Water-Land Ceremony, Su Min had only just stepped into the sixth-grade realm. Back then, her skills were still unremarkable. But now, if she aimed for the championship, she would have to showcase her abilities.
"Be careful—don't let her hear. Speculating is pointless. Her prices won't change."
A nearby cultivator warned, silencing the murmurs.
"The alchemy competition is about to begin. Participants must be at least Divine Transformation or fifth-grade alchemists. There are no restrictions—refine whatever you've prepared."
A majestic voice boomed across the sky. The announcer was another half-step Dao Comprehension expert—the strongest in Great Luo Tian aside from Yao Xian'er.
"Finally!"
Su Min, who had been drowsy moments ago, suddenly perked up. With a swift motion, she tore off her outer robe, eliciting wide-eyed stares from the crowd.
But almost instantly, disappointed sighs followed.
Beneath the robe wasn't the tantalizing view they'd hoped for—just her usual casual attire. It was like wearing a T-shirt and jeans under an evening gown. No one knew how she'd managed it, but there it was.
Su Min couldn't care less about their silent lamentations. With a leap, she landed steadily on the platform below—the interior of the Earth-grade artifact serving as the competition grounds.
"Sigh…"
Many shared the same resigned sigh as the younger geniuses. No matter how outstanding they were, a monster like Su Min loomed overhead.
She paid them no mind.
Currently, she could only refine mid-sixth-grade pills. High-sixth-grade was beyond her—her soul strength wasn't sufficient yet. So, she'd stick to mid-sixth-grade. If someone unexpectedly surpassed her, so be it.
"What's meant to be will be." (Que Sera Sera)
As long as it wasn't one of the heavenly treasures needed to unlock her Five Elements Holy Body, she wouldn't resort to extreme measures.
But as she'd guessed, once her strength reached a certain level, hiding it became impossible. She was like a blazing beacon, her every move scrutinized—especially now, with the world newly reopened and the cultivation community's overall power far from its ancient peak.
This time, her alchemy would be the absolute center of attention.
During the Water-Land Ceremony, she'd only just entered the sixth-grade realm. Back then, her skills were still unremarkable.
But now?
From the very first move, she astonished the crowd. With a mere wave of her hand, hundreds of medicinal ingredients materialized in midair before flooding into the cauldron.
"Damn—starting with so many ingredients at once? Isn't she worried about exhausting her soul power?"
Several half-step Dao Comprehension experts exchanged whispers. Though not alchemists themselves, they had once been holy sons of major sects during the golden age.
Back then, sixth-grade alchemists were rare but not unheard of. Some had even glimpsed seventh or eighth-grade masters.
Yet none had operated like Su Min.
"It must be the Nanming Lihuo. Among divine flames suited for alchemy, only two stand out: the Nanming Lihuo and the Six Ding Divine Fire. The latter is the pinnacle for both alchemy and artifact refining. Throughout history, its wielders were grandmasters—even emperors treated them with utmost respect. But aside from the Six Ding Divine Fire, the Nanming Lihuo reigns supreme."
One elder stroked his snow-white beard, smiling as he watched Su Min below. To them, observing Su Min refine pills was like watching a peerless beauty perform an exquisite dance. For cultivators, few things were more captivating.
"A pity the Six Ding Divine Fire had already vanished by the time I was sealed. As for the Nanming Lihuo, no cultivator had ever tamed it before."
"It's the sacred flame of the Vermilion Bird, traditionally wielded only by such innate deities. If not for the Heavenly Decay severing the birth of new Four Symbols, no cultivator could have claimed it."
"Not necessarily. Ancient records mention that holders of the Solar Sovereign, Lunar Sovereign, Great Desolate, and Spirit Emperor constitutions have ascended to emperorship numerous times. But the Five Elements Holy Body? Only one in history has ever reached that pinnacle—just like Lady Su. Though what exactly transpired back then remains unknown."
"That era is too distant—even records have been lost."
"Wait—it's only been half a day. Is she about to complete the pills already?"
As they debated, a rich medicinal aroma wafted from Su Min's cauldron, permeating the entire venue despite the artifact's barriers.
Instantly, the audience was intoxicated.
This was the fragrance of a sixth-grade pill!
Among the hundreds of Divine Transformation experts present, tens of thousands of spectators filled the stands—sect disciples, Great Luo Heaven City residents, and rogue cultivators alike.
For most, a sixth-grade pill was a distant dream, its value exceeding their lifetime accumulations.
Just inhaling its scent felt surreal. Many swayed drunkenly, some even drooling.
No one knew what pill Su Min was refining, but its worth was undeniable.
"Such a potent aroma—what is she making?"
Even the half-step Dao Comprehension experts were intrigued. The only pill that could drive them mad was the Dao Comprehension Pill—but unfortunately, no one on the continent could refine it yet.
They believed Su Min would achieve it in a few centuries—but not now.
"No idea. Sixth-grade pill refinement is incredibly complex. A single recipe can require over a hundred ingredients, and minor variations create entirely different pills. Only the alchemist knows for sure."
They could only shake their heads helplessly. Even another sixth-grade alchemist might not recognize Su Min's formula.
Meanwhile, inside the flames, Su Min had completed purification. Now came the final step—condensation.
At this moment, the expressions of the four major sects' members grew complicated. Su Min had used them as shields while she secluded herself for months. The endless stream of petitioners had nearly overwhelmed their sects. They'd expended considerable effort and earned no small amount of resentment.
Now, it was clear Su Min could have refined all their requested pills in about a week. What had once been an unspoken understanding was now laid bare. But so what? Even knowing the truth, they could only grit their teeth and accept it.
Sects that had thoroughly offended Su Min never fared well. The Blood Puppet Sect had been annihilated—its centuries-old legacy uprooted overnight.
As for Future Maitreya Mountain? Though a super sect, it was now trapped in its own realm by fellow Buddhist factions—a laughingstock.
"Pill formation!"
As mixed emotions churned within the crowd, Su Min's hands moved swiftly. Two pills took shape within the cauldron before soaring out.
"Two pills in one batch?! Damn, she's making a fortune!"
Many gasped inwardly. This was the first time Su Min had publicly displayed her skills, and the revelation was staggering.
"She earns it through sheer skill. But what pills are those?"
"No idea."
The crowd buzzed with curiosity—until Su Min's announcement sent shockwaves through the venue.
"Mid-sixth-grade pill—Spirit Ascension Pill. Consuming it forcibly elevates a Divine Transformation cultivator by one minor stage. However, residual energy doubles the difficulty of breaking through to Dao Comprehension. But for many Divine Transformation experts, this side effect is irrelevant."
"Gasp—!"
Instantly, every early to mid-stage Divine Transformation cultivator present stared at the pills with naked greed.
Dao Comprehension was too distant—over 90% of Divine Transformation experts would never reach it in their lifetimes.
Advancing one minor stage now could save a thousand years of effort—ironically increasing their chances of eventual breakthrough.