Chapter 140: Obtaining the Emperor Grade Nascent Pill (Part 2)
"Grandmaster level Spirit Array Green Lotus Confining Array, activate!"
In the ancient emperor's cave estate, as Xiao Tiance's voice echoed, a massive green lotus, towering hundreds of meters high, began to bloom. Moments later, the lotus fully enveloped the Emperor Grade Nascent Pill. Not only that, the lotus's core transformed into fine, silk like threads, as thin as silkworm silk, tightly binding the pill's limbs.
To call it "tied up like a dumpling" would not be an exaggeration.
"Curse you! Let me go, you insolent mortal!"
The Emperor Grade Nascent Pill roared threats at Xiao Tiance while struggling fiercely. Yet, no matter how it fought, the lotus threads clung firmly, rendering escape impossible.
"Tsk tsk, as expected of a grandmaster level spirit array. Although it took quite some time to prepare, its power is astonishing. Even a Dou Emperor level expert would have difficulty breaking free from this in a short time. Amazing, truly amazing!"
Xiao Tiance's face lit up with satisfaction as he couldn't help but marvel.
There was no denying it he was thoroughly impressed by the effects and strength of this grandmaster level array. After mastering it, he realized that his previously prized ninth level arrays were utterly insignificant in comparison. It was like comparing heaven and earth no contest whatsoever.
Considering this, Xiao Tiance glanced at the Emperor Grade Nascent Pill, still wasting effort on futile resistance. Smiling, he advised:
"Stop struggling. Against this grandmaster level array, escape is impossible for you.
Besides, I suspect the real reason you've been trapped here for thousands of years is that you couldn't break the grandmaster level array on the bronze gate outside, correct? That array is one of the most basic grandmaster level arrays and pales in comparison to the one I'm using now."
Inside the Spirit Array
Hearing these words, the Emperor Grade Nascent Pill's expression changed for the first time it showed signs of panic. Desperately, it pleaded:
"Please! Let me go. I know all the secrets of this cave estate. I'll tell you everything!
Just now, I noticed your strength and talent. By all rights, you should have already ascended to the rank of Dou Emperor, but your progress has been stagnant. Don't you want to know why?"
Oh? The once arrogant "this Emperor" had dropped its haughty tone, now referring to itself with the humble "I." Clearly, it was truly desperate.
"Heh, letting you go isn't entirely impossible. You may be an Emperor Grade Pill, but you're not fully formed yet. Even if I refine you, it wouldn't significantly boost my power.
So, speak. What secrets do you know? If they satisfy me, I might consider sparing you." Xiao Tiance chuckled.
In truth, he was stalling for time. The Emperor Grade Nascent Pill was still brimming with energy, and the Green Lotus Confining Array needed more time to drain its Dou Qi. Meanwhile, why not see if the pill knew anything beyond what had been detailed in the original story? A pleasant surprise would be a bonus!
"Really? You're not lying to me?"
The pill froze, clearly surprised that Xiao Tiance agreed so readily. Suspicious, it sought confirmation.
"If you keep wasting my time, I'll just destroy you here and now. Your medicinal essence is in perfect condition. With some refinement, I can push you to a fully formed Emperor Grade Pill," Xiao Tiance snapped coldly, cutting off any further debate.
It was a joke to think he'd actually let the pill go. The sole reason he had painstakingly collected the Ancient Emperor's Jade was for this Emperor Grade Nascent Pill. As for the Ancient Emperor's inheritance that had helped Xiao Yan ascend to Dou Emperor in the original story, Xiao Tiance wasn't so foolish as to believe he had the same plot armor to succeed where even the protagonist barely survived.
To Xiao Tiance, the method of becoming a Dou Emperor didn't matter whether through a rare flame, a pill, or even waiting for Xiao Yan to open the path to the Great Thousand World. As long as it worked, he would pursue it.
Giving up any opportunity was simply not an option.
"Wait! Wait! Fine, I'll talk!"
The Emperor Grade Nascent Pill hurriedly continued, its tone pleading:
"This is the cave estate of the Ancient Emperor Tuoshe. After he ascended to the higher realm, no one has entered here.
Inside, there's not only the Ancient Emperor's inheritance but also countless Heavenly Rank cultivation techniques and Dou Skills like the ones you've already collected.
Beyond that, there were numerous pills, but I've consumed most of them over the years, gradually cultivating myself to the level of a Half Emperor.
I originally planned to acquire a cultivation technique called Burning Volume and use the flames here to devour and strengthen myself, gaining access to the Ancient Emperor's inheritance. But while I was in secluded training, someone used a shadow portal to steal Burning Volume.
That's everything I know. I hope you'll honor your word and spare me!"
The pill finished speaking, its gaze fixed on Xiao Tiance, still tinged with doubt.
"Sigh."
Xiao Tiance sighed softly. To be honest, nothing the Emperor Grade Nascent Pill revealed was new to him it was all outlined in the works of the web novelist, Heavenly Silkworm Potato.
"Hmm?"
The pill, noticing Xiao Tiance's lack of reaction, became suspicious. It was as if Xiao Tiance already knew everything it had just revealed.
Sure enough, Xiao Tiance shook his head slightly, sighing:
"What a pity. The so called secrets you've shared offer nothing new to me. A web novelist named Heavenly Silkworm Potato already revealed it all to me."
"What is this 'Heavenly Silkworm Potato' novelist?"
The strange term left the Emperor Grade Nascent Pill utterly bewildered. It had never heard of such a thing before.
Amused by the pill's confusion, Xiao Tiance decided to give it one last chance.
"Do you have any other secrets? If not, prepare to meet your end. Everything you've mentioned is already known to me."
"Impossible! Ever since the Ancient Emperor ascended, no one in the Dou Qi Continent could have known these things. Wait… it must have been Void Swallowing Flame! That despicable traitor! He wouldn't have escaped without my help, yet he dares to betray me like this!"
The Emperor Grade Nascent Pill seethed, cursing Void Swallowing Flame furiously.
At that moment, seeing Xiao Tiance prepare to act, the pill hurriedly shouted:
"Wait! I know one more method to become a Dou Emperor. It's the way all Dou Emperors before the Ancient Emperor ascended!"
"Speak."
Xiao Tiance paused, his gaze calm as he looked at the pill.
"Source Energy. As long as you have Source Energy, with your Nine Star Dou Saint Peak strength, you could instantly ascend to the rank of Dou Emperor," the pill explained hastily.
"Sigh, all these so called secrets are outdated. If I already had Source Energy, would I still be stuck here, unable to ascend to Dou Emperor?" Xiao Tiance sighed, feeling disappointed. He had hoped for some good news, but it turned out to be a waste of time.
As he spoke, a spirit seal appeared in his hand, and he prepared to destroy the Emperor Grade Nascent Pill, dispersing its consciousness.
At that moment, the pill frantically exclaimed, "I know where Source Energy is!"
Xiao Tiance froze mid action. A smile crept onto his face.
"Congratulations, you've saved your life. I'm satisfied with this secret. Now tell me, where can I find Source Energy? But beware if you dare to deceive me, I will show no mercy."
The pill let out a relieved sigh before explaining:
**"I'm not lying. I truly know where Source Energy is. Before Tuoshe Ancient Emperor ascended, he mentioned that this world was nearing its limit. At most, seven or eight more Dou Emperors could emerge before the Dou Qi Continent would shatter under the strain.
To protect the continent, he sealed all the Source Energy before his ascension."**
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance's first instinct was to believe it. After Tuoshe Ancient Emperor, including Xiao Yan, only six Dou Emperors were ever known Soul Heaven Emperor, Xiao Yan, Gu Yuan, Xiao Xun'er, Medusa, and Zhu Kun. Afterward, there was no record of another Dou Emperor appearing. Even when Xiao Yan reached the Great Thousand World and established the Endless Flame Alliance, no other Earth Supreme was mentioned aside from Yao Chen.
The explanation made sense.
After a brief pause, Xiao Tiance raised his head and asked seriously:
"Enough chatter. Tell me where is the Source Energy that Tuoshe Ancient Emperor sealed? If you help me locate it, I'll let you go. I might even share some Source Energy with you to help you ascend to Dou Emperor."
One would have expected the Emperor Grade Nascent Pill to be elated and divulge the location, eager to save itself. Instead, it sneered and mocked Xiao Tiance:
"Telling you is pointless. Without the strength of a Dou Emperor, you can't even sense the presence of Source Energy. And even if you know where it is, you can't break the seals Tuoshe Ancient Emperor placed around it."
"Crack!"
The sound of Xiao Tiance's fingers tightening echoed as his fury boiled over. He glared at the pill and demanded coldly, "Are you toying with me?"
The pill laughed maniacally.
**"Haha! So what if I am? Do you think I don't see through you? You never planned to let me go. No matter how many secrets I tell you, you won't spare me.
Are you angry? Haha! Good! Stay mad! Even if you know these secrets, it won't help you. Without Burning Volume, you can't access the Ancient Emperor's inheritance. Without becoming a Dou Emperor, you'll never find Source Energy.
It's a dead end. Do you think I stayed here all this time out of stupidity? Haha! Enjoy your frustration!"**
Xiao Tiance's anger surged, but he quickly regained composure. With a cold smirk, he formed more seals and activated the Green Lotus Confining Array.
The lotus tightened its grip, crushing the Emperor Grade Nascent Pill's humanoid form until only its head remained. Xiao Tiance finally stopped and smiled.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but I do have Burning Volume. Annoyed yet?"
"Impossible! You weren't among those who entered the Shadow Realm back then. How could Burning Volume be in your possession?!" The pill's calm shattered as it descended into panic. If Xiao Tiance truly had Burning Volume, it meant he had just foolishly handed over the means to ascend.
"Nothing is impossible. Rest in peace."
With a satisfied smile, Xiao Tiance crushed the pill's remaining head. Moments later, a glowing pill brimming with potent energy appeared within the array. Xiao Tiance studied it with interest before summoning it into his hand.
After a brief examination, he nodded knowingly.
"As expected, the Emperor Grade Nascent Pill can't directly elevate someone to Dou Emperor. It still requires further refinement. Soul Heaven Emperor was ruthless yet bold. It's no wonder he managed to ascend to Dou Emperor in the end."
After sealing the pill in a jade bottle and storing it in his spatial ring, Xiao Tiance turned his attention to the surrounding Heavenly Flames. Upon closer inspection, he realized that while the flames seemed endless, their essence was slowly being depleted and replenished from a source below the plaza.
**"It's useless to overthink. These flames are mere remnants, without their true essence. Even if I take them, they'll serve no purpose.
The original story mentioned that the Emperor's Source is hidden beneath this Ancient Emperor's statue. Only someone who resonates with the flames can access it."**
With this in mind, Xiao Tiance approached the statue. Running his hand across its surface, he found it felt like ordinary stone, devoid of any unique qualities.
**"The story claimed that even Zhu Kun and Gu Yuan together couldn't move this statue. While I'm confident I could overpower Zhu Kun, I'm not sure I could match them both combined.
Still, it's worth a try. If I can access the Emperor's Source, it'll be an unexpected bonus."**
He clenched his fist, gathered his Dou Qi, and struck the statue with all his might.
"Boom!"
The moment his fist landed, a powerful force rebounded, sending shockwaves through the air. Xiao Tiance staggered slightly but quickly steadied himself.
"Hiss!"
Sucking in a cold breath, he muttered, "As expected, Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's defenses aren't something ordinary people can break."
Realizing brute force was futile, Xiao Tiance chose not to waste further energy. His full strength punch hadn't even scratched the statue. Clearly, raw power alone was insufficient to unlock its secrets.
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