The medicinal pill he concocted using his own unique recipe was a Tier 8 pill—the Phoenix's Elemental Core Pill. Its effects were nothing short of miraculous. The pill had the potential to elevate one's cultivation by a full major realm, but its potency depended on the user's Dou Qi affinity, which had to align with the nature of the ingredients used.
For instance, if the pill was refined using fire-attributed ingredients, its full power would manifest only in fire-affinity cultivators. Once consumed, not only would their cultivation rise, but their Dou Qi would undergo a metamorphosis, igniting their combat prowess to unimaginable heights.
The mere ability to ascend by one major realm was already earth-shattering. However, this pill harbored another effect that left the hearts of countless Dou Zun experts burning with desire—it could assist them in passing through the fabled Nine Changes of the Dou Zun Peak.
Upon consumption, the pill's energy would flood a Dou Zun's body, saturating it with boundless Dou Qi. This energy surge would prevent any further accumulation, allowing the expert to immediately begin compressing and refining their Dou Qi. Completing just one cycle of this process brought them one step closer to the ultimate breakthrough, the Ban Sheng realm.
Even more astounding, the quality of the pill was determined by the numbers of Pill Lightning it could attract during its refinement. If the pill successfully summoned nine different-colored Pill Lightning, a peak Dou Zun who consumed it would instantly ascend to the Ban Sheng class, bypassing the period of vulnerability usually associated with such an immense breakthrough.
With such unparalleled effects, it was no wonder why the pill was the object of desire for every peak Dou Zun. For them, this pill represented the shortest and safest path to Ban Sheng, a realm that was otherwise would took a lifetime to reach.
The Nine Change Peak—a stage where a peak Dou Zun must repeatedly compress and refine their Dou Qi when their body can no longer contain any more. This process had to be completed nine times, each cycle refining their Dou Qi and bringing them closer to the legendary Dou Sheng realm.
Yet, even after completing these nine transformations, one would not immediately enter Dou Sheng but instead step into Ban Sheng—the half-saint realm. This crucial phase was the foundation, the stepping stone to Dou Sheng. Without it, the path to becoming an elite Dou Sheng would forever remain out of reach.
To describe the Nine Change Peak in words was simple, but the reality was a trial of one's limit. Imagine the immense amount of Dou Qi a peak Dou Zun must possess—filling that to its limit not once, but nine times. Such a terrifying requirement was the reason why this stage was known as the most grueling and dangerous class before reaching Dou Sheng.
Xiao Hua's hand swept through the air, and in the next moment, countless medicinal ingredients flew out from his Storage Rings, suspended in midair around him. At a glance, there were at least a hundred ingredients floating, each radiating a faint glow of energy and medicinal fragrance.
His expression grew solemn as he surveyed the scene before him. The Phoenix's Elemental Core Pill was the most advanced pill he had ever attempted to refine—a Tier 8 pill, far beyond the ordinary. It was not only the highest in difficulty but also required an extreme level of precision.
The complexity of refining a Tier 8 pill was beyond what most could imagine. Without an extraordinary level of spiritual control, even the sight of the numerous ingredients would be overwhelming. The sheer number of rare and volatile components could easily disorient a weaker alchemist.
Moreover, the true challenge lay not just in handling the ingredients but in the terrifying precision needed to refine them. A single misstep in timing or technique could lead to disastrous failure. Only someone with impeccable mastery could hope to succeed in crafting such a formidable pill.
Furthermore, Xiao Hua's situation was even more challenging as he had to maintain the 'Extreme Fire Cauldron' form throughout the refining process. This technique required intense focus and mastery of flame control, amplifying the difficulty of refining the Phoenix's Elemental Core Pill. It was no wonder that his expression was taut with tension; failure was not an option.
With a swift motion, Xiao Hua waved his hand, and four jade boxes materialized in the air, gently floating before him. These jade boxes held the core ingredients needed to refine the pill—precious materials attuned to the fire, lightning, and ice affinities of Dou Qi. These rare treasures were the heart of the Phoenix's Elemental Core Pill, specifically tailored for cultivators possessing these unique affinities.
"Huu..."
Xiao Hua exhaled a deep breath, his eyes flickering with a solemn determination. The weight of the task ahead was evident, yet his resolve remained unshaken. With a wave of his sleeve, several ingredients separated themselves from the vast array hovering around him. In a steady flow, they were tossed into the translucent golden-green cauldron, each one landing precisely where it needed to be, guided by his meticulous control.
The refinement had begun.
As soon as the medicinal ingredients entered the cauldron, they rapidly withered under the scorching heat of the 'Tribulation Lotus Flame'. However, under Xiao Hua's masterful spiritual control—honed through countless of experience—the ingredients were not consumed by the flames.
Instead, they were refined with extraordinary precision, transforming into pure medicinal powder within a brief span of ten minutes. With just a thought, the refined powder drifted to a corner of the cauldron, suspended in wait for the next step.
Xiao Hua's hand moved again, and more medicinal ingredients followed in a continuous stream, entering the cauldron in a meticulously controlled flow. Even though he had refined the first batch of powder at an astonishing speed, there was no rush in his movements.
Every action was calm and deliberate, his control flawless, without the slightest hint of panic or restlessness. Each gesture was like a perfectly timed note in a grand symphony of refinement.
His steady composure was a testament to his expertise. Ever since he attained the rank of an eighth-tier Alchemist, Xiao Hua had refined countless pills for the elders of the Inner Academy. With each success, his connection to the flame deepened, and now, it responded to his every thought. The moment he willed it, the flame adjusted its intensity to achieve the highest level of purity in the ingredients, leaving no impurities behind.
As he refined more ingredients, Xiao Hua sensed something subtle and vague. A faint trace of spiritual aura had been infused into the medicinal powder. Though the spiritual aura was nearly imperceptible, it quietly elevated the potency of the refined powder, pushing it beyond the ordinary. Such a trace improvement, though small, could be the key to perfection in a pill of such high tier.
'So this is the spirituality of the pill... No wonder refining a tier 8 medicinal pill is leagues beyond tier six and tier seven pills,' Xiao Hua murmured to himself, his thoughts swirling with newfound understanding.
He had refined several tier six and tier seven medicinal pills in the past, with Su Qian guarding him during the process. At that time, he had already sensed traces of spirituality within the pills, albeit faint and undeveloped, with a hint of intelligence.
These pills would often attempt to escape once their spirituality awakened, driven by their instinctual will. However, Xiao Hua had always been quick to suppress them, forcing them into jade bottles before they could act on their desires.
But now, with this tier 8 medicinal pill, he could sense the difference—one that went far beyond his past experiences. The spirituality within this pill was not just a trace or a vague consciousness; it had developed into something more substantial. There was no doubt in Xiao Hua's mind that it possessed a form of basic intelligence.
In fact, a tier 8 medicinal pill was more than just a refined collection of ingredients; it held a life force of its own. It was no longer merely an object but something that could be considered a living entity, a creature in its own right.
Xiao Hua had swiftly refined half of the medicinal ingredients into medicinal powders and liquids within a mere half-hour, his movements smooth and precise. His expression remained focused and solemn throughout, showing no sign of fatigue despite the immense concentration required.
His eyes flickered toward the four jade boxes floating before him. While he had a surplus of the other ingredients, these four—five, counting the Heaven Demon Phoenix's Blood Essence—were irreplaceable. They were the heart of the Phoenix's Elemental Core Pill, and any mistake involving them would be catastrophic.
He had to exercise the utmost care when handling these precious treasures!
With a flick of his hand, one of the jade boxes silently opened, revealing the radiant form of the Nine Heavens Frost Blossom.
This palm-sized flower was breathtakingly beautiful, its nine delicate, translucent petals glistening with frost as if eternally encased in ice. At its center, a bead of pure, condensed essence radiated an icy aura so potent that the air around it seemed to freeze, crackling with cold energy.
The Nine Heavens Frost Blossom was an extraordinarily rare and precious treasure, known to bloom only in regions where the Bone Chilling Flame had once been born. However, the conditions for its birth were harsh, and it would only emerge after a thousand years if the Bone Chilling Flame continued to dwell in that area for five hundreds years more.
Upon seeing the palm-sized Nine Heavens Frost Blossom, a brief hesitation flickered in Xiao Hua's eyes. Such a rare and delicate treasure would give even the most seasoned alchemist pause. However, he quickly suppressed the thought, not allowing doubt to disrupt his focus. With a decisive wave of his hand, he tossed the flower into the translucent golden-green cauldron. His mind immediately locked onto the task ahead, shifting his full concentration toward controlling the flame.
Within the cauldron, the flames roared to life, fiercely enveloping the flower. Yet, despite the intense heat, the seemingly fragile, glass-like flower remained untouched, showing no signs of withering or breaking. The Nine Heavens Frost Blossom, which appeared so delicate, held its form as if the terrifying flame were nothing more than a gentle breeze.
Upon closer inspection, one would notice a faint, fluorescent blue light radiating from the flower's translucent petals. This ethereal glow acted as a protective barrier, isolating the flower from the surrounding heat and flame.
Xiao Hua was not surprised. As a flower born in the icy depths of the Bone Chilling Flame's domain, it was only natural that it possessed an instinctive defense. On the continent, all intelligent beings on the continent developed methods to protect themselves, and this flower was no exception. He had anticipated this moment, fully aware that the refinement process would not be immediate.
Xiao Hua remained calm, knowing that the key to success was patience. The stalemate between his flame and the flower's protective aura would eventually break. As long as he maintained his focus and persisted, he would be able to subdue and refine the essence of the Nine Heavens Frost Blossom, no matter how long it took.
Xiao Hua slightly shut his eyes, maintaining a calm demeanor while controlling the flame. The refinement of the Nine Heavens Frost Blossom required immense patience and time. If he recklessly increased the temperature, the delicate balance would be destroyed—the flower would vanish in the heat, and the precious medicinal liquid he needed would evaporate into nothingness, rendering all his efforts and patience wasted.
The refinement stretched on for half a day, the time slipping by unnoticed in his intense focus. It was only after these long hours that the petals of the Nine Heavens Frost Blossom began to gradually melt under the persistent flame.
Droplets of milky-white liquid started to form in the crevices of the flower, their surface glistening under the flames. They seemed almost alive, gently wiggling as though they possessed a life force of their own.
After another hour, the petals of the Nine Heavens Frost Blossom had completely melted, leaving behind the shimmering bead. Despite the complete transformation of the petals into a milky-white liquid, the bead remained unchanged, its icy brilliance still intact.
This bead was one of the key reasons the Nine Heavens Frost Blossom was such a vital ingredient for the Phoenix's Elemental Core Pill, especially for cultivators with ice-affinity Dou Qi.
However, once the petals were fully refined, dealing with the bead became a much simpler task. Xiao Hua needed to "grill" the bead with his flame, applying just the right amount of heat to extract its core essence—an ethereal, transparent white liquid that held the flower's cold energy.
After grilling the bead for another half hour, its radiant sheen gradually darkened, transforming into a dull, withered black. The essence within had been completely forced out, leaving the bead devoid of energy, turning it into useless scrap.
Xiao Hua finally sighed in relief, his eyes glimmering as he gazed upon the cold essence he had painstakingly extracted.
Now came the final step in this part of the refinement—merging the milky-white liquid from the petals with the cold, transparent liquid from the bead. The process, though delicate, proceeded without resistance, and within half an hour, the two liquids had blended into a single, flawless essence.
Xiao Hua sighed in relief when he looked at the essence have been extracted and now he have to merge the milky-white liquid with the white transparent liquid. There was no resistance and the merging take merely half an hour.
After the merging process, the milky-white liquid transformed into a cloudy-white substance, gently suspended within the flame. It moved with a subtle, almost lifelike wiggle, as though the combined essence had gained a sliver of consciousness.
Without hesitation, Xiao Hua waved his hand, and the various medicinal powders and liquids that had been suspended in the corner of the translucent golden-green cauldron surged forward. Under his precise control, they were all cast into the cloudy-white liquid, his expression solemn as he oversaw the delicate merger.
This second merger step, though complex, proceeded flawlessly under Xiao Hua's expert guidance. Around an hour later, a cluster of refined liquid items floated within the golden-green flame, shimmering faintly with the power of the combined ingredients.
The first refinement phase had been a success. Xiao Hua exhaled softly, feeling a wave of relief and satisfaction wash over him. Yet, he did not allow himself to linger in this moment of victory. There were still several key ingredients awaiting refinement, each as complicated and critical as the last.
One jade box after another opened as Xiao Hua progressed to the next critical phase of the refinement.
The second jade box revealed a vibrant green berry, its surface etched with fiery veins that seemed to pulse with strong fire energy.
This was the Divine Jade Flame Berry, delicate in appearance yet burning with flame that were nearly impossible to extinguish. Its fiery-red energy was renowned for cleansing and greatly enhancing the cultivation and physical strength of those with fire-affinity Dou Qi.
The third jade box unveiled the Crimson Thunder Vine, a vivid red vine with sharp, jagged leaves that crackled with small arcs of lightning. This vine grew wild in areas where powerful lightning storms gathered, infused with the raw energy of the lightning. When refined into certain medicinal pills, the Crimson Thunder Vine could purify the body of impurities and strengthen the physical form, invaluable to those relied on physical strength.
Finally, the fourth and last jade box revealed the Azure Dragon Lotus, a magnificent flower with wide, azure petals that shimmered with a metallic sheen. The very air around it rippled with unseen power, a testament to its overwhelming potency.
At its center, a pearl glowed with mystic blue light—the essence of a dragon-type Magical Beast. The Azure Dragon Lotus was famed for its ability to extend the lifespan of cultivators and bestow immense strength and vitality. Moreover, consuming the central pearl would grant one the ability to unleash a dragon's roar that could shake the very soul of those who heard it.
Each of these ingredients—Divine Jade Flame Berry, Crimson Thunder Vine, and Azure Dragon Lotus—were extreme-grade treasures, potent beyond imagination. They were not only key to the success of refining the Phoenix's Elemental Core Pill but also dangerous in their raw state. Handling them required immense skill and spiritual control.
Four quiet days had passed since Xiao Hua began the arduous process of refining the Phoenix's Elemental Core Pill. On the second day, he had successfully merged the Azure Dragon Lotus, which had been transformed into an azure-colored liquid, with the Blood Essence of the Heaven Demon Phoenix.
The merging of these two potent forces had required intense focus, but it was a key milestone in his refinement process.
After completing the fifth step, Xiao Hua allowed himself a brief moment of rest, knowing that the next steps would be even more complex and demanding. His mind remained sharp as he meticulously prepared for the more intricate stages of the refinement, where the slightest mistake could undo all his work.
By the fourth day, as dawn's light began to creep over the horizon, Xiao Hua's shut eyes gently opened. His gaze fell upon the translucent golden-green cauldron, and a solemn expression settled on his face. Inside the cauldron, four clusters of medicinal liquids floated in perfect suspension.
Though they appeared modest in size, the sheer concentration of medicinal power they emitted caused the air around them to quiver with energy.
These four clusters were the culmination of his efforts over the past four days, each one representing a key ingredient refined to its purest form. The process had tested his spiritual control, patience, and mastery of the alchemical arts, but now the most crucial phase lay ahead.
Xiao Hua knew that the next step would decide the success or failure of the entire process. He needed to merge these four potent liquids together, a task that demanded absolute precision and focus. Once merged, he would then calcinate the mixture with his flame, guiding it into an embryonic form, slowly coaxing it to take shape as the Phoenix's Elemental Core Pill.
The merger was the most crucial step in refining the Phoenix's Elemental Core Pill, a step where the slightest mistake could lead to complete failure.
Xiao Hua knew the stakes—failure now would not only cost him precious time but also deplete his spiritual strength to a terrifying degree. There was no room for error.
Refining a pill of this tier while simultaneously maintaining the translucent 'Extreme Fire Cauldron' was an exhausting task. The cauldron, with its delicate balance, required his constant spiritual attention to ensure it didn't vanish, adding an immense layer of difficulty to the already taxing process. Even with his exceptional endurance, Xiao Hua could feel fatigue creeping in.
And that was saying something, considering his soul had undergone tempering by Heavenly Astral Lightning and was continuously nourished by the lingering energy of the Celestial Ancient Frost. Few could boast of such powerful soul refinement, yet even for him, this task was proving incredibly demanding.
Xiao Hua did everything he could to maintain his peak condition, calming his mind and body. His gaze sharpened with resolve as a thought flashed through his mind. The Tribulation Lotus Flame, which had been lingering within the translucent cauldron, surged forth at his command. It wrapped itself around the three pure medicinal liquids, its golden-green flames dancing with an ethereal intensity.
The process of merging medicinal strength imposed rigorous demands on an alchemist's control. Even the slightest unexpected change could render all of one's efforts futile.
Hence, this step was of utmost importance!
Every alchemist understood this fundamental truth; otherwise, they would not be worthy of the title. It was precisely for this reason that Xiao Hua directed all his focus toward this critical moment.
His mighty spiritual strength permeated every corner of the medicinal cauldron, ensuring that even the most minute fluctuations would be instantly detected by his keen mind.
Thanks to his extensive experience, Xiao Hua navigated the merger without a hitch. Though the process was agonizingly slow, he knew that no rational alchemist would dare to hasten it at this stage.
Stability was paramount in all aspects of alchemy; it took precedence over speed and haste.
The process of merging the medicinal essences was the most time-consuming step in the entire pill refinement. Xiao Hua's painstaking fusion stretched on for ten full days before it finally neared completion...
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"Is this… a medicinal fragrance?"
Outside the cave, Xun Er felt a subtle tremor ripple through the air, and soon, a dense wave of medicinal fragrance drifted her way. It was faint yet carried an allure so profound that it clung to her senses, lingering with a powerful gentleness.
This was no ordinary scent—its essence slipped into her being like a tranquil river, gentle on the surface but concealing unfathomable depths. With each breath, the fragrance seeped into her meridians, nurturing her from within. Her spirit felt light, her blood quickened, and a soothing warmth filled her heart, spreading into a feeling of indescribable satisfaction.
"This is indeed… a medicinal fragrance," came a cold, indifferent voice from beside her.
Xun Er turned to see Lady Xue Yue, a silver-haired beauty radiating an aura of frosty indifference. She had been monitoring the formation array and keeping guard, ensuring no one wandered into the forest while Xiao Hua refined the medicinal pill.
"Dense yet faint… strong but not overwhelming. Gentle yet extremely profound. It seems the child has been taught well," Xue Yue murmured, her gaze distant.
"Lady Xue Yue… does that mean the pill is nearly complete?"
Xue Yue shook her head. "From the thick smell of fragrance, I estimate it will fully form in another five or six days."
"So, just a little longer until Brother Xiao Hua completes the pill!" Xun Er's voice was filled with anticipation.
But Xue Yue's expression remained impassive. While Xun Er was immersed in excitement, Xue Yue was calculating their next move, considering a safe place to retreat with Xun Er once the pill was complete. The sheer potency of the energy emanating from the cave confirmed that Xiao Hua was refining a high-tier medicinal pill. It was only a matter of time before the huge phenomenon occurred and its immense aura attracted other powerful experts from across the Black-Corner Region.
These jades held a unique enchantment: whenever a message arrived, they would flicker, the frequency and brightness of the light indicating the message's importance—routine updates, crucial information, and, at the highest urgency, an alert.
The token served as the Chaos Gate's lifeline, each flicker and hue revealing the nature and urgency of the message.
A subtle glow meant a mere update; a quick, sharp flicker signaled something urgent. Each member's signature color marked their identity: Xiao Hua's obsidian black, Xun Er's lime-green, Li Mei's milky-white, Ming Cheng's dark blue, Xin Yu's sky-blue, Li Mei's ruby, and Wei Jie's amethyst.
Seeing the sky-blue hue, Xun Er's eyes sharpened. Xin Yu rarely sent urgent messages; for her to reach out with such intensity meant the news was dire.
With curiosity flickering in her gaze, she surged her Dou Qi into the jade token, and a green glow streamed from it toward her brows. Instantly, she received Xin Yu's message, and the revelation left her stunned. She hadn't anticipated this news—it was urgent enough that the members of Chaos Gate were calling Xin Yu and the others back last month.
"Once everything is settled, I'll inform Brother Xiao Hua," Xun Er resolved in her heart, lifting her gaze toward the cave. Her eyes softened as she waited for Xiao Hua to finish his refinement and emerge from the shadows within.
————|
Time flowed relentlessly, slipping away like sand through clenched fingers. Half a month had passed in the blink of an eye since Xiao Hua first began refining the pill.
Throughout this period, Xiao Hua remained indifferent to the world outside. His mind was like a sealed fortress, blocking out all distractions, focused solely on the refinement process. After ten slow, arduous days, the essence of over a hundred rare ingredients had merged into a single, indistinct sphere, suspended within the flames of his medicinal cauldron—a fist-sized, embryonic form.
Though it could hardly be called an embryonic form, the most challenging step of the refinement was finally over. Now, as long as Xiao Hua maintained his condition, he would soon be able to truly complete the Phoenix's Elemental Core Pill!
Within the translucent 'Extreme Fire Cauldron', a fierce golden-green flame roared, its intense heat causing the cauldron to glow faintly red. Yet, Xiao Hua remained indifferent to the external spectacle. His entire focus was locked on the slowly rotating sphere within the flames.
This spherical object, born from the merging of over a hundred different medicinal essences, had already shrunk from the size of a fist to that of a pigeon egg. As the flames licked it, the object's shape grew ever rounder, more defined.
Xiao Hua could sense a subtle, mysterious energy ripple forming as the sphere continued to condense. It was an extraordinary phenomenon—one that even a peak-grade tier 7 medicinal pill could not produce.
Five more days passed in silence as Xiao Hua remained deeply focused on the final stages of pill formation.
During this time, powerful fluctuations surged within the 'Extreme Fire Cauldron'. Any seasoned alchemist with sharp senses would immediately recognize these as the unmistakable signs of a tier 8 medicinal pill coming into existence.
"Soon..." Xiao Hua muttered softly, his unwavering gaze fixed on the heart of the translucent cauldron.
Within the flames, a medicinal pill had taken shape—a light-blue sphere, as if condensed from crystalline ice and snow. Faint glimmers of light flickered across its surface, resembling the gaze of a mystical eye, emanating an eerie yet captivating aura.
A wave of excitement stirred within Xiao Hua's heart as he observed the pill slowly rotating amidst the golden-green flames. The Phoenix's Elemental Core Pill was nearly complete.
Bang—!
After what seemed like an hour, a brilliant and powerful glow erupted from within the medicinal cauldron, as radiant as a rising sun. However, contrary to expectation, the overwhelming energy ripple that typically accompanied such an event did not break free. Instead, the 'Extreme Fire Cauldron' trembled faintly, its seemingly fragile frame containing the terrifying energy within.
Xiao Hua slowly rose to his feet, his serene gaze fixed on the translucent cauldron. He could feel the immense power swirling inside, but his expression remained calm and composed. After a moment of silence, he took a deep breath, then with a sharp motion, he waved his sleeve!
Boom—!
With a single wave of Xiao Hua's sleeve, the lid of the 'Extreme Fire Cauldron' instantly vanished. A surge of shocking energy fluctuations erupted from the cauldron, crashing violently against its translucent interior with a deafening boom.
Though the cauldron had contained the majority of the terrifying energy, once the cover was removed, a portion of the ripple escaped. The immense force swept outward, causing the stone platform beneath Xiao Hua to crack under its pressure.
Bang—!
The soul-stirring energy ripple had just begun to spread when the 'Extreme Fire Cauldron' trembled once more. Suddenly, a massive emerald-green fire pillar shot skyward with a sharp, cutting sound, as if it were slicing through the very air.
The cave in the path of the fire pillar instantly shattered, turning into countless fragments of rock. The overwhelming force could not be resisted, and the light pillar pierced through the cave's roof, roaring into the heavens.
The searing glow of the fire pillar blazed across the sky, visible from fifty kilometers away, like a beacon of unrestrained power.
The faint energy fluctuations within the fire pillar caused Xun Er, who had been silently waiting for Xiao Hua, feel shock rising within her heart. She swiftly stood up, her eyes narrowing as she gazed at the towering emerald-green flame pillar.
"This kind of fluctuation..."
Standing at the entrance of the cave, Xun Er softly murmured, "A Tier 8 Medicinal Pill... He hesitated to refine one before because of how much it strains his body."
"It's not surprising," a voice interjected. Xue Yue stepped forward, coming to stand beside Xun Er. "His situation is rather unique."
Both Xun Er and Xue Yue understood well the reason behind Xiao Hua's hesitation. He lacked a medicinal cauldron capable of withstanding the immense strength of his flame. Naturally, the burden became far greater when he had to form the pill using only his Spiritual Strength while maintaining the medicinal cauldron he made using his flame and Spiritual Strength.
"I wonder how many different-colored Pill Lightnings he can attract..." Xue Yue's eyes stayed fixed on the emerald pillar of flame, a small smile tugging at her lips. As her gaze sharpened, the warmth faded, replaced by a chilling glint. "If he attracts fewer than eight, I'll have to inform my sister that her teaching methods require more... strictness."
Xun Er could only smile helplessly. She knew that alchemists would be furious to hear such words—refining a Tier 8 medicinal pill without failure was already an extraordinary feat. To attract eight different-colored Pill Lightnings? That was beyond harsh.
"Brother Xiao Hua... it seems Lady Xue Yue is even stricter than Lady Azure," Xun Er thought to herself, feeling a twinge of pity for the demanding conditions Xiao Hua needed to meet to satisfy Xue Yue's high expectations.
Yet, despite the difficulty, Xun Er felt no doubt. Xiao Hua, the only man she had ever acknowledged, would undoubtedly rise to the challenge and meet even this near-impossible condition.
Despite her calm demeanor, Xun Er was deeply anxious. What troubled her most was the sheer magnitude of this commotion—it could not be concealed.
Whish—!
As if to confirm her fears, the sound of rushing wind filled the air. Xun Er's expression darkened as she looked up, spotting several figures rapidly closing in on their location.
"Lady Xue Yue..." Xun Er glanced at her companion, her anxiety clear in her eyes as her thoughts lingered on Xiao Hua's safety.
"Don't worry," Xue Yue said with a reassuring calmness. "That boy won't die, even if he faces a peak Dou Zong." Her words were steady, but there was an edge of confidence that eased Xun Er's nerves.
Without hesitation, Xue Yue grabbed Xun Er's arm, pulling her toward the forest. "What we need to worry about is you, lass. A fight is inevitable, and with your current strength, it's too easy for you to get hurt."
Xue Yue glanced back at Xun Er, taking note of her expression. Despite Xun Er's best efforts to maintain a calm façade, Xue Yue could easily see the frustration flickering in her eyes. Xun Er was clearly disheartened by her inability to lighten Xiao Hua's burden.
With a soft sigh, Xue Yue felt the weight of the moment. Xun Er was a 6-Star Dou Ling, ranking among the top ten in the 'Strong Ranking' within the Inner Academy. Yet, she knew that such a ranking held little value against the approaching adversaries.
Gently, Xue Yue rubbed Xun Er's head, offering a warm smile. "Lass, you aren't weak, nor are you untalented. Your current strength speaks volumes of your talent and dedication. You just need to remain patient if you want to keep up with him."
Xue Yue understood that Xun Er was not the type to be coddled or protected. She had her own strength and resolve. However, the foes they faced were far too powerful; remaining there would only invite disaster.
As for Xiao Hua, Xue Yue had no worries. She had witnessed him once fight a Half-Step Dou Di Magical Beast. Even though its strength had been suppressed by four major realms, reducing it to the Dou Zong class, it was still a creature that had once reached the Half-Step Dou Di realm.
And that was when he was still a Dou Ling! Now that he had advanced to the Dou Wang class, the chances of him falling to a mere Dou Zong, even one at its peak, were slim.
Moments later, several figures hovered in the sky, their gazes fixed on the towering fire pillar that pierced through the heavens.
As the number of figures in the sky approached hundred, a strange fog rapidly coalesced at the peak of the fire pillar. In mere moments, the mist condensed into the shape of a cloud.
Everyone, including Xue Yue and Xun Er deep within the forest, fell silent. Their eyes were locked onto the sky, where thunderclouds began to churn ominously.
Under their intense gazes, the thunderclouds twisted and surged. Lightning crackled within them, flashing like silver serpents dancing across the sky. Gradually, layers of color surfaced through the clouds—one after another—until, at last, nine brilliant colors were revealed!