Hong!
Noticing the unrest outside, Xiao Hua flicked his sleeve. A vast barrier instantly formed, sealing the raging heat within the refinement grounds and preventing it from spilling outward.
Sensing this change, the gathered experts exhaled in relief as the suffocating temperature around them dropped sharply. Yet none dared to relax completely—for their eyes could still see the pill refinement grounds beneath Xiao Hua melting and distorting under the terrifying blaze.
They all knew that the flame was formed from the fusion of five flames and five thunders, yet not a single one among them could discern the true identities of those flames and lightnings.
With their extraordinary perception and knowledge, Xiao Yan, Yao Chen, Fa Ma, and Gu He faintly detected that each of the five flames carried the aura of a Heavenly Flame. However, there was something elusive—something that defied their understanding—that made them hesitate to affirm their thoughts.
As for the five thunders, not one of them could recognize their origins. They had heard of Pill Lightning—Xiao Yan and Yao Chen had even experience it before—but never had they heard of these five lightnings. The more they observed, the more they realized: these bolts were not only different from Pill Lightning, they were far more terrifying.
While confusion and unease surged among the audience, the blazing flame shifted under their stunned gazes—slowly condensing into the shape of a medicinal cauldron.
Xiao Hua gave a faint nod at its completion. With a light rub of his hands, countless medicinal ingredients—each brimming with the essence of Heaven and Earth—poured out from the Mysterious Heaven Ring upon his finger. Like a flowing stream, they entered the cauldron with sharp whistling sounds.
The instant they touched the cauldron's flame, the ingredients were directly refined, transforming into the purest medicinal essence without the slightest resistance.
Then, a vast and mighty Spiritual Strength unfurled from Xiao Hua's body, sweeping across the grounds like an unseen tide. The alchemists who sensed it paled, their expressions turning solemn. In their eyes gradually surfaced not only respect, but also fear.
"What terrifying spiritual pressure..."
Yao Chen let out a long sigh, his voice heavy. He could clearly perceive that Xiao Hua's Spiritual Strength had surpassed the realm of any alchemist he had ever known.
Even within the Yao Clan—an ancient clan that once cast him aside, famed throughout the continent for their mastery of alchemy—he doubted there existed anyone who could match Xiao Hua's level.
Xiao Yan nodded in astonishment as he felt the overwhelming spiritual pressure radiating from Xiao Hua. He had once heard Yao Chen describe the Spiritual State of one's Spiritual Strength, and now he wondered in disbelief—had his cousin already stepped into the Heavenly State… or perhaps even the legendary Di State?
Unmoved by the reactions outside, Xiao Hua focused solely on the pill refinement before him. The medicinal essences, already refined into their purest form, began to merge under his control.
He carried absolute confidence in his ability to successfully refine a Tier 9 Mysterious Pill. That confidence stemmed from one simple truth—his soul had already stepped into the Di State. If not for this breakthrough, he would have definitely have some slight hesitation to refine a Tier 9 Mysterious Pill today.
At this realm, mistakes in pill refinement were almost nonexistent. Any subtle change or fluctuation would be immediately perceived and corrected by the watchful gaze of a Di State soul. It was this unfathomable clarity that gave Xiao Hua such assurance.
Even so, the refinement of a Tier 9 pill was not something that could be completed overnight. It would take at least a month or two of unbroken focus. With that, Xiao Hua folded his legs, seated himself cross-legged in midair, and closed his eyes, silently immersing himself in the process.
The crowd remained in absolute patience. No one dared to leave. To witness the refinement of a Tier 9 Mysterious Pill was a once-in-a-lifetime fortune, especially for the alchemists present.
Time flowed quietly. A month passed like an undying flame within the cauldron—steady, silent, and unwavering. Xiao Hua's figure mirrored it, motionless, eyes shut as though carved from stone.
At last, his tightly closed eyes slowly opened. His gaze fell upon the fire cauldron, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.
Forming a complex seal with his hands, he let out a resounding cry, "Gather!"
The word echoed like thunder. At once, wild winds howled as natural energy from all directions surged toward the cauldron. The suction force was terrifying, devouring everything in its grasp. Within moments, a mottled energy storm erupted, whistling madly across the sky before being swallowed whole by the fire cauldron…
The terrifying aura of pill refinement swept across the sky, causing countless onlookers to swallow hard, their throats dry. Even the seasoned alchemists present were shaken by the scene before them.
None of them had ever heard of absorbing natural energy during pill refinement. On the contrary, they were taught that excess energy often disrupted the balance of medicinal properties, leading only to failure.
But such beliefs belonged only to ordinary alchemists. For someone deep experience—one who had once part of the Yao Clan, even if now expelled—this scene revealed a different truth. Yao Chen's gaze fixed upon the sky where natural energy surged wildly, his expression gradually darkening.
"Gathering the power of Heaven and Earth to refine a pill… this method—he truly intends to refine a Tier 9 Mysterious Pill!"
At that moment, his eyes flickered with deep solemnity, his face heavy with grave concern.
The refinement of a Tier 9 Mysterious Pill demanded an unimaginably vast amount of natural energy. Yet therein lay the problem.
Within the Jia Ma Empire, even extending to several thousand kilometers in all directions, the energy of Heaven and Earth was far from dense enough. By Yao Chen's calculations, even if every strand of energy within that vast radius were to be drained dry, it would still be insufficient to complete the refinement.
"If Xiao Hua cannot resolve this flaw… this refinement is destined to fail," Yao Chen muttered under his breath, his voice so low it was lost to the wind, unheard even by Xiao Yan beside him.
Hong!
Before the echo of his words faded, a brilliant light burst from the center of Xiao Hua's brows. From that glow, a glazed blue seed slowly emerged, shimmering with divine luster, wholly unaffected by the searing heat of the pill refinement ground.
Shua—!
The glazed blue seed soared skyward the instant it emerged, piercing through the skies before slowly scattering into countless motes of azure light. Like rainfall, those motes spread across heaven and earth, merging into the vast world.
In the next instant, the natural energy of the surroundings surged violently. Heaven and Earth's essence, once thin and ordinary, suddenly grew dense, rich, and pure—comparable to the cultivation heavens of ancient clans. The shocking change left countless hearts trembling.
Yet before anyone could savor this miraculous abundance, all of it was instantly swallowed by the cauldron at the center of the grounds. Not a single wisp escaped for others to grasp.
Even Yao Chen, whose heart had long been tempered by countless storms, was shaken by this sight. But soon, relief flashed within his solemn gaze. He now understood that Xiao Hua truly had the means to refine a Tier 9 Mysterious Pill.
A faint, complicated smile tugged at his lips as he thought: When the old fellows of the Yao Clan learn that a youth barely past twenty has achieved what they could not… how will their faces look?
The path of an alchemist was divided into nine tiers. Tier 1 was the foundation, while Tier 9 stood as the summit. And within Tier 9 itself, the grandmasters were further separated into three realms—Treasure Pill Guru, Mysterious Pill Guru, and the near-mythical Golden Pill Guru.
Xiao Hua had already proven himself capable of refining a Tier 9 Treasure Pill, and by right had stepped into the realm of a Treasure Pill Guru. Yet such feats could no longer be "verified" by any alchemist association or faction—at this stage, none among them possessed the qualifications to pass judgment.
Those who stood at the ninth tier were already at the peak of the continent's alchemist world.
Moreover, Xiao Hua's achievement had been nothing short of monstrous. He had not only refined a Tier 9 Treasure Pill but had refined two of them simultaneously—a feat unheard of since ancient times.
Now, if he succeeded in refining this Tier 9 Mysterious Pill, he would ascend to the rank of Mysterious Pill Guru, one of the most exalted titles across the continent. Such figures were exceedingly rare—so rare, in fact, that it had been nearly a thousand years since anyone had stepped into the even higher realm of Golden Pill Guru, those capable of refining the fabled Tier 9 Golden Pill.
And above even that stood a realm whispered only in legends—the Di Class. Di was the ultimate, a summit so distant that none in history had ever truly surpassed it.
While Yao Chen was deep in thought, the distant sky suddenly howled as boundless energy whistled violently, gathering into a colossal tornado. One end of this vast storm was anchored to the blazing fire cauldron, while the other devoured heaven and earth without restraint, madly drawing in the endless tide of natural energy. All of it poured unceasingly into the cauldron's maw.
The people around the pill refinement grounds turned pale. At that moment, the Dou Qi within their own bodies began to stir restlessly, as if it might be ripped away at any instant by the terrifying suction force Xiao Hua had unleashed.
A chill surged through their hearts. Panic-stricken, they quickly retreated, afraid that the Dou Qi they had cultivated through years of bitter toil would be stolen in the blink of an eye. The loss would be devastating.
Fortunately, though the suction was terrifying, the torrential increase in the world's natural energy meant they were not the main targets of its pull. Only then were they able to stabilize themselves and escape calamity.
Yet the phenomenon in the sky did not cease. For three full days, the heavens howled. The earth trembled beneath the endless current of energy that surged madly into the cauldron. No one could count how much essence had been absorbed.
They only knew that, despite the mysterious glazed seed's earlier appearance enriching heaven and earth, the surrounding air now felt frighteningly thin, as though even the heavens had been drained dry.
During these three days, Yao Chen took the chance to explain the cause of this phenomenon and why Xiao Hua was drawing upon such immense energy.
The alchemists present were shaken. Though their horizons had been broadened, cold dread lingered in their hearts. To think—a single Tier 9 Mysterious Pill demanded such an unimaginable amount of heaven and earth energy.
This spectacle alone was enough to make countless alchemists despair, leaving them to truly feel the extreme, nearly impossible difficulty of refining a Tier 9 Mysterious Pill.
Xiao Hua remained utterly focused on the pill refinement. Suddenly, a faint smile curled upon his lips. Deep within the cauldron, a speck of light quietly bloomed, nourished by the torrents of natural energy flooding into it.
Rumble!
The heavens instantly changed. Dark clouds rolled across the once-clear sky, blotting out the sun as a boundless black mass spread over the land. Within the abyssal clouds, arcs of black lightning flickered and tore across the firmament, each bolt brimming with destructive might that could shatter mountains.
The deep, rolling thunder reverberated through heaven and earth, leaving countless onlookers frozen in shock. For many, it was the very first time they had witnessed the terrifying descent of Pill Lightning…
Xiao Hua raised his head. His eyes burned with feverish brilliance, his smile widening as he gazed upon the black lightning that veiled the heavens. With a flick of his sleeve, the fire cauldron trembled. A hole formed at its top, like the lid of a celestial vessel opening to reveal the treasure within.
At once, a majestic wave of medicinal fragrance surged outward, spreading far and wide. From the cauldron, countless radiant beads of pill-light scattered, descending from the heavens in a magnificent rain. It was as though the world itself had given birth to a divine phenomenon—a rain of pills gracing all beneath the sky!
The scene was so sacred that the hearts of countless alchemists quivered uncontrollably. One after another, they fell to their knees, overcome by reverence. Even Xiao Yan and Yao Chen, seasoned and proudful as they were, could not resist bowing their heads in awe.
Xiao Hua drew in a deep breath, his chest trembling slightly as he gazed upon the wondrous sight. His voice, though soft, carried to every ear as he whispered with unshakable conviction:
"Pill Rain Descends, Mysterious Pill Appears!"
Da! Da! Da!
As Xiao Hua's voice spread, countless pills rained down from the heavens, striking the square below with crisp sounds like falling raindrops. Though these pills could not be considered true medicinal pills, they were condensed entirely from pure energy. Anyone fortunate enough to consume them would gain immense benefits to their body and cultivation.
Suspended high in the sky, Xiao Hua remained calm. Though this was his first time personally witnessing the mysterious phenomenon of 'Pill Rain Descends, Mysterious Pill Appears', he showed no sign of surprise.
His sharp eyes pierced through the radiant glow within the cauldron, beholding the pill that lay at its heart.
Through his spiritual perception, he confirmed there was not a trace of imperfection within it—its quality had reached the pinnacle. A proud, satisfied smile lifted the corners of his lips.
After all, this pill had been refined solely for his daughter. For her sake, he could allow neither flaw nor mediocrity. Anything less than perfection would be an insult to his resolve as a father.
Down below, the square had fallen into absolute silence. Countless eyes were fixed upon the glow within the cauldron. Greed, hunger, and desire surged madly in their hearts, yet all swiftly suppressed the thought. To covet what Xiao Hua possessed was to seek death.
Yao Chen's chest rose and fell rapidly, excitement surging through him. Never in his wildest hopes had he thought to personally witness such a miracle—Xiao Hua had successfully refined a Tier 9 Mysterious Pill. A pill that had not appeared in the world for hundreds of years now revealed itself before his very eyes.
Even those old fellows of the Yao Clan, who had cast him out, had likely never experienced such a scene in their long lives.
Rumble!
The black lightning churned above like enraged pythons, wildly tearing through the sea of clouds. That ferocious heavenly might pressed down upon the earth, causing countless necks to shrink instinctively. None dared to even imagine what would happen should one of those bolts crash down upon their heads…
Bang!
"Hmph! Pill Lightning or not, this pill is something I will never allow you to destroy!"
The moment Xiao Hua's voice echoed, arcs of indigo lightning surged around his body, crackling with terrifying force. In the next instant, those bolts shot upward, piercing straight into the thunderclouds.
A deafening bestial roar erupted from within the dark sea of clouds, followed by the sound of frenzied devouring. Faintly, one could discern the vague silhouette of a colossal beast, ravenously swallowing bolt after bolt of black lightning in an overbearing manner.
This terrifying devouring continued for nearly ten minutes before the shadow slowly faded. At last, the beast itself transformed into pure indigo lightning, condensing into a single stream that shot down and merged into Xiao Hua's body.
Immediately after, countless strands of purified lightning power cascaded from the heavens, pouring directly into the brilliant pill within the fire cauldron.
Buzz! Buzz!
The cauldron trembled violently. The moment the lightning essence surged into the pill, the final traces of impurity were burned away. A dazzling radiance exploded outward as the Tier 9 Mysterious Pill was finally perfected.
But before anyone could blink, the pill suddenly transformed into a streak of light, attempting to flee toward the endless skies.
Xiao Hua's eyes narrowed, a cold laugh slipping from his lips. "After all the time and effort I've poured into refining you, how could I possibly allow you to escape?"
At his thought, the colossal spiritual figure looming above extended its vast hand. Tearing through the fabric of space, it seized the streak of light in its grasp, suppressing the pill's desperate attempt at flight.
Immediately, his body shrank before rushing into Xiao Hua's brow. The brilliant medicinal pill then obediently hovered in front of him before settling into his hand.
Xiao Hua examined it closely—the pill was about the size of a longan seed, smooth and lustrous as though carved from flawless jade. Its surface shimmered with a faint pearl-white glow, reminiscent of crane feathers beneath the morning sun. Wisps of misty white fog drifted gently from its form, coiling and dispersing like the silhouette of a crane spreading its wings amidst the clouds.
When brought near, it released a refreshing fragrance—not sharp, nor overwhelming, but pure and invigorating, like breathing the crisp air atop a mountain at dawn.
Though light as if weightless in his palm, it radiated a hidden strength, firm and unyielding, like tempered steel concealed within softness.
"Alliance Chief is mighty!"
A thunderous cheer erupted the moment everyone saw the pill successfully refined. Countless alchemists, including Xiao Yan and Yao Chen, had flushed faces and burning gazes fixed on Xiao Hua. This was their first time witnessing not only an alchemist of such tier, but also a Pill Lightning of this terrifying level…
Xiao Hua smiled faintly at their fervent voices, nodding in acknowledgment. With a wave of his sleeve, the barrier dispersed. His gaze then shifted downward, landing upon Cai Lin and Xiao Yuyan. A soft smile curved on his lips as he gave them a signal.
Understanding his intent, Cai Lin rose gracefully. In the blink of an eye, she appeared before him, carrying Xiao Yuyan in her arms.
Xiao Hua leaned forward, showing the pill to his adorable daughter with a gentle smile. His voice softened, carrying both pride and warmth.
"Yuyan, this pill was refined by Father—made especially for you."
Xiao Yuyan's eyes lit up as she leaned closer, brimming with curiosity toward the pill her father had refined just for her.
Under her careful gaze, she noticed delicate vein-like patterns etched across its surface, faintly resembling the bones of a crane. These lines pulsed softly with light, as if the pill carried a rhythm akin to the heartbeat of life itself.
"What a beautiful pill…" she whispered, her eyes shining in fascination. Though she had seen many pills before, none could compare to the one before her now.
"Hehe, isn't it?"
Hearing her words, Xiao Hua's lips curved into a proud smile. A rare, childlike joy surfaced on his face, his expression filled with fatherly affection. Clearly, his daughter's praise stirred a deep satisfaction within him.
Cai Lin's cold and elegant face softened with gentleness as she watched the scene. The sight of Xiao Hua's eyes filled with such unrestrained affection stirred her heart. For her, Xiao Yuyan was more precious than her own life, and seeing the man she loved treat their daughter with such warmth was a joy beyond measure.
'To think he would dote on her this much…' Cai Lin smiled faintly, a trace of helplessness and unexpected sweetness surging within as she watched the rich affection in Xiao Hua's gaze.
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