Chapter 2522 Final Stage The arena trembled under the relentless barrage of tribulations, each explosion sending shockwaves across the space. The force not only rattled the platforms but also the minds of the alchemists, each of them aware that every successful creation raised the stakes, pushing them further into the competition. For Emery, however, victory was not the goal. He had no desire to claim the title of the best alchemist, nor was he motivated by personal glory. His only objective was to gain enough recognition, a reputation that would leverage his search for a way back home. With this in mind, he could focus on creating something that would stand as his greatest alchemical achievement. Drawing upon celestial recipes as the foundation, years of meticulous experimentation, and the sharp precision of his VIA analytical ability, Emery crafted the most ambitious formula he had ever attempted. Yet, conceiving and manifesting the idea into reality were two vastly different challenges. With immense effort, Emery successfully refined his portion of the cauldron's concoction, creating a fusion infused with intense darkness energy. However, as he was using mostly tier 6 and 7 materials as its base, the best he could achieve was a tier 7 pill with one or two originalities—a result inferior to the excellence of a tier 8 masterpiece. This was not enough. Emery was ready for the next stage of his recipe. He would amplify the potion's potency by merging it with Baldoni's creation—a pure tier 7 pill brimming with radiant light energy. "Let's begin!" he declared, his voice steady with resolve. Both Baldoni and Livi nodded in unison. Livi, the Baphomet, would be responsible for providing an intense, sustained flame, while Baldoni would assist in stabilizing the concoction. Each of them understood the difficulty of what they were about to attempt; such fusion was an endeavor even master alchemists hesitated to undertake. With a deep breath, Emery ignited his core, channeling his proficiency in both the Laws of Darkness and Light. The contrast of energies surged within him, with darkness coiled around him like a living entity, while light flickered in sharp, precise bursts. As the two essences clashed within the cauldron, an ominous roar echoed from the heavens. The sky darkened, swirling with unstable energy before splitting apart with a blinding flash—lightning tribulation, the sign of a tier 8 apothecary attempt. The tension in the crowd heightened. "Look at that! The outsider... he's summoning a grand tribulation lightning!" "No... It's a partial one! It's not the full force of a true grand tribulation." Despite the impressive display, the seasoned alchemists among the audience quickly identified that Emery's creation was still within the realm of a common tier 8 pill. Though formidable, it was not the ultimate triumph many had hoped to witness. On a nearby platform, Horus smirked. His earlier anxiety about being surpassed faded as he watched Emery struggle, amusement flickering in his eyes. He remained convinced that his own creation would stand superior. But Emery paid no heed to the onlookers. His entire being was focused on the pill before him, his mind locked in a battle for control. Summoning every ounce of skill, he adapted to the rhythm of the fusion, employing his newly learned spirit-concocting technique—[Mythical Concoction Art], while enhancing them with his Dao Deivine techniques. His hands moved in precise, calculated gestures, syncing with Baldoni's flow to guide the unruly energies into a structured harmony. Yet the true challenge remained. Unlike the other alchemists present—cosmic realm experts who could call upon the power of the cosmos itself—Emery lacked such overwhelming reserves. Instead, he relied on external aid: the ever-burning power of Khaos and the sacred essence of the Elysian Tree. Their combined energies intertwined with his, forming a powerful support network that pushed his concoction toward transcendence. The air crackled with tension. The cauldron trembled under the weight of the fusion. Emery could not afford to fail. If he lost control now, the two opposing forces would not simply yield an imperfect pill—they would collapse entirely, resulting in total failure. He had to succeed. "Refine!" Emery roared, exerting every fiber of his being into stabilizing the creation. However, during such a critical process, a booming sound erupted from the most anticipated platform. Galeli, the renowned grade 8 alchemist, had reached the final stages of his concoction. He stood before his scorching cauldron, his hands steady as he reached the final, most crucial stage of his concoction. The entire arena held its breath, watching as waves of searing energy pulsed from his workstation, warping the very air around him. Then, with a deafening roar, the cauldron ruptured. A shockwave of fire erupted outward, engulfing the stage in an inferno so intense that even cosmic experts instinctively raised their defenses. The sheer force of the explosion sent tremors through the coliseum, shaking its very foundations. And then—the sky itself responded. Above Galeli's platform, the heavens darkened as the tribulation clouds coalesced. The usual crackling blue lightning began to shift, deepening into a fierce, ominous purple. It was the mark of an unparalleled achievement, a grand tribulation reserved for only the most divine creations. A wave of murmurs swept through the awestruck crowd. "He's done it…" A voice rang out, barely above a whisper. "A pill on the cusp of Tier 10… The godly tier!" From the judges' platform, Grand Master Calidorne a grade 9 master, himself appeared impressed as he examined the display before him. The overwhelming surge of heat and energy radiating from Galeli's platform sent shockwaves across the arena. The intensity of the flames disrupted the air, creating a violent storm that threatened to engulf everything in its wake—including Emery's concoction. Emery felt it immediately. His carefully maintained balance was unraveling, the delicate equilibrium between light and darkness being thrown into chaos by the surge of external energy. If he lost control now, everything would be lost. "I must hold on!" The tribulation lightning loomed above, waiting for the decisive moment to strike. x x x