Chapter 17: The Pill That Shook the World Space
The World Space trembled as a strange ripple passed through its core. From deep within the charred fields of the Ember Veins—an ancient volcanic region sealed for centuries—light erupted like the heartbeat of a dying god.
A single cauldron made of saintly jade levitated from beneath the volcanic crust, veiled in gold mist. Its emergence sent shockwaves across every region.
A Saint-grade Pill
Tory and Jim were resting near a mineral-rich canyon when it happened. The sky warped, and for a brief moment, a faint celestial dragon illusion circled the air.
Jim stood up, expression tense. "A Saint-grade pill just manifested."
Tory checked his system.
> [Treasure Detected: Divine Ascension Pill. Grade: Saint. Effects: Soul Refinement, Elemental Purity, Realm Advancement. Estimated Conflict Rating: S+.]
Tory narrowed his eyes. "That kind of item will lure everyone. Including Saints if they were present."
Jim's eyes gleamed. "I can feel it—it's calling to my flame. My Heavenly Purification Flame is resonating."
"Then let's move fast," Tory said. "Or you'll be the one being hunted."
Near the core of the Ember Veins, dozens of top contenders had already clashed. Floating over a flaming lake, the Divine Ascension Pill hovered within a spiritual formation.
Farel Fang, Selia Aeloria, Vynn Dalas, and seven others fought like demons. Massive beasts summoned. Techniques collided. Weapons howled.
Jim dove in.
His spear swirled in flaming arcs, lightning bolts trailing in its wake. He clashed directly with two Fang family members while navigating the spiritual trap defenses.
Meanwhile, Tory circled the outer region, twisting space with each step to disable the detection arrays others had placed. His gravitational field subtly tilted the entire battlefield in Jim's favor.
Jim released his Heavenly Purification Flame.
The golden-blue fire surged from his palms, forming a vortex.
The formation guarding the pill cracked.
> [Flame Synchronization Rate: 92%. Extraction Initiated.]
The Divine Ascension Pill shot into his hand.
For a moment, silence.
"HE HAS IT!" someone screamed.
Groups that hadn't joined the original battle emerged from the shadows. Ten... twenty... almost fifty cultivators closed in from every direction.
Jim appeared beside Tory. "Got it. Let's run."
Tory nodded. "Two hours before the system's trace-deflection fails."
They vanished.
Behind them, the Ember Veins exploded into light.
They fled through valleys of broken spires and floating monoliths. Hunters came in waves.
Tory set layered spatial folds and dropped gravity fields like traps. Jim blasted enemies with his spear, but kept the pill hidden.
A group of elite assassins from the Crimson Sky Sect ambushed them. Tory unleashed a controlled burst of time distortion, erasing their reactions and turning their attack back on them.
> [Reality Access Allowed: 0.9%. Ash Synchronization Stable.]
Jim stared at him.
"That power... isn't just time."
Tory didn't answer
Later that night, as they rested behind a mountain sealed by spatial locks, Tory checked the map.
"Another vault's awakening."
Jim shook his head. "You go. I'll mislead the hunters."
Tory frowned. "They're after the pill."
"They're after us."
A tense pause. Then Tory nodded.
They split ways under the cover of a dimension-folded mist.
Jim vanished west.
Tory turned east.
Toward the next legacy.