Word Count: 2,631 Words
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Xiao Yan took a deep breath as he gazed at the black medicinal cauldron before him. With a flick of his finger, a terrifying flame born from the merging of eight different Heavenly Flames appeared. Trailing a brilliant tail, it shot straight into the cauldron and erupted inside.
Waves of blazing fire churned inside the cauldron. The ever-rising temperature produced by the merging of eight Heavenly Flames was powerful enough to make one shudder.
By Xiao Yan's estimation, the power of this newly merged Heavenly Flame could likely rank between the top eighth and the top fifth among all Heavenly Flames.
As the flame emerged, a hint of scorching heat gradually enveloped the surrounding area.
Xiao Yan waved his sleeve as the flames blazed upward. Instantly, numerous medicinal ingredients floated out from his storage ring. Wrapped in Dou Qi, they hung in mid-air outside the stone platform like tiny, glowing orbs, creating a dazzling spectacle when seen from below.
Little Fairy Doctor noticed Xiao Yan preparing to refine pills, and her beautiful eyes revealed a touch of excitement. She retrieved a small stool and sat in the front row to watch.
"The 'Instant Qi Pill' is a consumable pill that only barely reaches the level of a low-grade tier 7 pill," Xiao Yan explained. "Its effect is to restore a massive amount of Dou Qi in an extremely short time. Even for Dou Ancestors, it is remarkably effective. If used when both sides are exhausted in battle, the restored Dou Qi might just turn the tide."
The pill Xiao Yan was refining was the Instant Qi Pill, which instantly replenished an immense amount of Dou Qi. It was typically used by Dou Ancestors or peak Dou Emperors; for others, the sudden surge of Dou Qi might be counterproductive.
The main ingredients consisted of four types: three tier 6 medicinal ingredients, one tier 7 medicinal ingredient, and the Monster Core of a Rank 6 magical beast. In addition, over sixty kinds of lower-grade supplementary ingredients were required.
Fortunately, those small Tunling Clan members had only absorbed the bloodline strength of magical beasts, leaving behind numerous Monster Cores that he could use for alchemy.
Over the past half-year, Xiao Yan had attempted to refine tier 7 pills multiple times, though most attempts ended in failure. On a few occasions, even when he successfully formed a pill, flaws prevented the Pill Lightning from descending.
If it were not for the fact that the failed ingredients could be used to make candies for Zi Yan, he might have been scolded to death by her.
Among the various tier 7 pills he attempted, the Instant Qi Pill was the one he came closest to successfully refining. Therefore, he planned to use this opportunity to break through and officially become a 7th-tier alchemist!
All the intricate details of the Instant Qi Pill recipe slowly surfaced in his mind. He meticulously memorized every critical point without missing a single detail.
With nearly seventy types of ingredients, this was the most complex pill Xiao Yan had ever attempted, even surpassing the Zong Breaking Pill and the Emperor Heaven Pill in required materials.
Taking several deep breaths, he cleared his mind of distracting thoughts. He raised his head, sensed the temperature inside the cauldron, and nodded slightly. With a subtle motion of his finger, a beam of light swept over and transformed into a small, emerald-green fruit that landed in his hand.
Once the fruit was tossed in, the previously dormant flames roared up like ravenous wolves. In just a few breaths, the flames devoured it completely.
Refining a tier 7 pill no longer involved extracting ingredients one by one. Some ingredients needed to be refined in pairs or even several at once. Constantly monitoring the changes in the ingredients with Spiritual Strength and adjusting the flame's temperature were essential.
Simultaneously refining so many ingredients placed strict demands on one's Spiritual Strength and fire control abilities. Fortunately, Xiao Yan now possessed both the qualifications and strength for this task.
The ingredients that charged into the flames withered rapidly within a few breaths upon contacting the merged Heavenly Flame. Their main bodies turned to ashes, leaving behind drops of pure medicinal liquid. Under Xiao Yan's exquisite command of his Spiritual Strength, they fused slightly before dripping evenly onto the sole tier 7 medicinal ingredient, merging with it.
Two days and one night had passed by the time all the ingredients were refined. The myriad ingredients required for a tier 7 pill made the process extremely time-consuming.
When all the medicinal essences and the Monster Core fused together, the heavy Black Demon Cauldron trembled violently. Had it been an ordinary medicinal cauldron, it might have shattered from the shaking alone.
Xiao Yan's expression fluctuated as he stared at the violent Monster Core inside the cauldron. He let out a cold snort. A mass of black flame surged out from within the merged Heavenly Flame. Under the autonomous control of Mao Wu, the flame directly devoured all the lingering resentment of the magical beast without damaging the Monster Core.
Sensing calmness within the liquid cluster with his Spiritual Strength, Xiao Yan breathed a small sigh of relief. The subsequent procedures became much more stable. Judging by the current state, once all the medicinal strengths fully merged, the embryonic form of the pill would gradually condense.
And this waiting period lasted another full day!
Suddenly, Xiao Yan opened his eyes and looked up at the sky. Faint anomalies appeared as countless clouds began to converge, slowly forming a vortex.
"The pill is about to form!" The Amethyst Winged Lion King was startled, raising its head to observe the swirling dark clouds. Without a doubt, this was the phenomenon associated with a tier 7 pill!
A tier 7 pill possessed a certain level of spirituality, and when the pill formed, it would cause extremely terrifying phenomena in the world, attracting Pill Lightning.
From afar, it looked as if doomsday had arrived. After emerging from the cauldron, if the alchemist were the slightest bit careless, the spiritually aware pill might even fly away.
Little Fairy Doctor, Zi Yan, and even Venerable Tian Huo all focused their gazes. If Xiao Yan could truly refine a tier 7 pill, it would mean he had taken a significant step into the realm of 7th-tier alchemists. With further practice, his alchemy skills would only improve.
Moreover, his Spiritual Strength and fire control abilities already surpassed those of ordinary 7th-tier alchemists, and his progress would only accelerate!
"An ordinary low-grade tier 7 pill attracts one bolt of Pill Lightning, equivalent to a strike from a 3- to 5-star Dou Ancestor..." Venerable Tian Huo's expression was somewhat solemn. As a Dou Venerate, he had naturally seen tier 7 pills before and understood their wonders.
Seeing Little Fairy Doctor wanting to step forward to help, he quickly stopped her. "Your Woeful Poison Body is unstable right now and already at a critical point. It is best if you do not act rashly."
Little Fairy Doctor had already reached the 7-star Dou Ancestor stage, which meant she was very close to the eruption of her Woeful Poison Body. Moreover, the Woeful Poison Body could erupt prematurely and did not necessarily wait until one reached the Dou Venerate realm.
"Besides, do not underestimate him. He is now a 3-star Dou Emperor. It is time for him to test his skills." Venerable Tian Huo revealed a slight smile, his eyes showing a hint of pride as he looked at the figure, which appeared only as a black dot in the sky.
At this moment, five clusters of Heavenly Flames slowly floated around Xiao Yan. In the face of the might of the heavens, he showed no fear whatsoever.
This was equivalent only to a strike from a Dou Ancestor, not that of an actual Dou Ancestor. Xiao Yan was not afraid to withstand a single blow.
"So this is Pill Lightning..."
His gaze locked tightly onto the silver, snake-like lightning dancing within the dark clouds. Sensing the immense power within, a hint of surprise and fervor flashed in his eyes.
For countless alchemists, their greatest lifelong aspiration was to refine a high-grade pill that could summon Pill Lightning. In their eyes, it was a supreme honor.
Xiao Yan was no exception!
"Fire Spirits, manifest!"
The Earth Seed Flame of the Nihility Devouring Flame, the Ten Thousand Beast Flame, the Fallen Heart Flame, the Yin-Yang Twin Flame, and the Sea Heart Flame appeared one after another, standing beside Xiao Yan.
"Five Spirits Flame Expelling Formation!"
At this moment, Xiao Yan resembled an emperor of flames. With a wave of his hand, the five Heavenly Flames obeyed his command and began to form a mystical formation. A wondrous connection established between the flames.
Boom boom boom!!
Strange phenomena occurred in the sky the moment the five Heavenly Flames transformed into Fire Spirits and coalesced into the formation. The space around them began to fluctuate violently, and the originally calm natural energy seemed drawn by some force, becoming extremely turbulent. The moisture in the surrounding flowers and grass evaporated.
As if angered by this 'Flame Emperor' Xiao Yan, the lightning in the sky roared like dragons, its rumbling growing increasingly intense.
Boom!
In the next second, the silver lightning within the dark clouds converged increasingly. Eventually, the entire sky's atmosphere became extremely oppressive. Suddenly, the dark clouds split open, and a silver lightning bolt about half a foot wide, accompanied by a world-shaking boom, shot out from the clouds like a massive silver python. Its target was clearly the pill the size of a dragon's eye behind Xiao Yan!
A hint of solemnity flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes as he saw the silver lightning crash down. Raising his hand, terrifying Dou Qi and Spiritual Strength surged out from his body!
"Five Spirits Flame Shield!"
Facing the massive lightning strike, Xiao Yan naturally wouldn't foolishly clash head-on. His task was to block it, not to challenge the heavens.
The Five Spirits Formation activated with a buzzing sound, and a five-colored Heavenly Flame shield instantly appeared before him. A Five Spirits Flame Shield stood between Xiao Yan and the silver lightning.
The Five Spirits Flame Shield could both scorch the heavens and ward off heavenly might!
Under Xiao Yan's fervent gaze, the terrifying silver lightning crashed heavily onto the Five Spirits Flame Shield.
Boom boom boom!! Sizzle sizzle!!
The silver lightning and the Heavenly Flames collided. Instantly, under the impact of the terrifying force, the Five Spirits Flame Shield sank heavily, and tongues of flame from the five Heavenly Flames scattered. Yet the silver lightning fared no better; countless thin lightning arcs scattered, striking the ground with continuous rumbling and blasting holes into the earth.
But no matter how fiercely the lightning arcs attacked, they could not break through Xiao Yan's Five Spirits Flame Expelling Formation. Although this Pill Lightning represented the wrath of the heavens, his Heavenly Flames were also born of the world and remained unafraid!
Soon, the silver lightning gradually weakened. After all, this was only a low-grade tier 7 pill, and the Pill Lightning consisted of a single strike. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan possessed a Low Tian Class Qi Method and an endless supply of Dou Qi to support him.
When the Pill Lightning weakened to a certain extent, suddenly a cluster of black flame surged out from the Five Spirits Flame Expelling Formation. Mao Wu was bold enough to devour even the might of the heavens!
When Mao Wu evolved into the Earth Seed Flame, it dared to swallow heavenly might itself. It let out a satisfied burp that indicated it was quite content.
"Trying to escape!" Xiao Yan's eyes sharpened as his Spiritual Strength surged out, instantly capturing the Instant Qi Pill that was attempting to flee.
"I helped you withstand the heavenly tribulation, and you want to run without even a word of thanks!" Xiao Yan flicked his finger, sending the Instant Qi Pill into the jade bottle he had prepared in advance. Preserving a tier 7 pill was an art in itself.
Little Fairy Doctor's beautiful eyes flickered with a strange light as she gazed at Xiao Yan, who was adorned in a silver-white alchemist robe. He had truly reached the level of a 7th-tier alchemist!
At just over twenty-two years old, Xiao Yan was already a 7th-tier alchemist! This was too astonishing!
Sensing Little Fairy Doctor's admiring gaze, Xiao Yan's vanity was greatly satisfied, and he couldn't help but stand a little taller.
"Little Fairy Doctor, I'm giving this pill to you." Xiao Yan coughed lightly and said in a tycoon-like manner with one hand behind his back.
"To me?" she exclaimed in surprise.
"This Instant Qi Pill is used by Dou Ancestors. Right now, you are the only Dou Ancestor here. If you master that Tian Class Dou Technique, consuming an Instant Qi Pill should allow you to use it one more time. Having enough Dou Qi for an extra use of a Tian Class Dou Technique in battle could be the key to victory," Xiao Yan said solemnly, handing the jade bottle to Little Fairy Doctor.
Venerable You Du's inheritance was not suitable for anyone else. Even Dou Venerate-level Poison Masters would not gain much from it. Many of the items were related to the Woeful Poison Body, and even the strongest Dou Technique could only be cultivated by someone with a Woeful Poison Body. Naturally, it all went to Little Fairy Doctor.
Accepting the jade bottle, she did not refuse, and a gentle smile appeared on her face as she nodded.
"Xiao Yan, when are we going back?" Zi Yan pouted. She had been confined here for nearly half a year and was going stir-crazy.
Xiao Yan pinched her soft cheeks and laughed, "Today!"
Excitement flashed across Zi Yan's face when she heard that he was finally planning to leave this place. Even the Amethyst Winged Lion King and its cub looked thrilled. They could finally return.
Xiao Yan chuckled. He needed to return not only because the Great Meeting of Factions was approaching, but also because he had to visit the Hall of Souls.
The power of the Nihility Devouring Flame made even his heart tremble. Mao Wu had not only evolved but also devoured that massive Tunling Clan member by using their own power against them.
Naturally, he had obtained Dou God Bloodline!
The vial that once held only a single drop within the Nihility Devouring Flame's space was now half full.
'No wonder the Hun Clan's Dou God Bloodline is so potent, producing one powerful expert after another. The true form of the Nihility Devouring Flame likely obtained the power of the Tunling King...'
Xiao Yan had not forgotten that Hun Lao Gui had taken out a vial full of Dou God Bloodline back then. Now he understood that the Dou God Bloodline was obtained by using the power of the Nihility Devouring Flame to seize the bloodlines of descendants from other Dou God Clans.
Moreover, to cultivate the God Seal Technique, he still needed Grade 6 bloodline strength. At present, he only had enough for half.
He needed to return to the Hall of Souls and get some answers from Hun Huzi!
Removing his alchemist robe, Xiao Yan once again donned the pitch-black Soul Robe and pulled up his hood. His lips curled into a cold smile, and his eyes turned sharp.
"It's time to properly welcome the audience who have been waiting outside for so long."
Little Fairy Doctor and the others also put on black robes to conceal their appearances and followed behind Xiao Yan. It was obvious that outside, a large crowd must be waiting for the Space Lock to be lifted again!