Zhu Ziyang was preparing to refine a type of pill called the Juyuan Pill.
The Juyuan Pill is a low-grade medicinal pill that aids in soul power cultivation by accelerating the circulation of soul power. It is especially beneficial for Soul Masters below the Soul Ancestor level. Once a staple resource for ancient Soul Masters, it is now considered a lost technique.
The refining process for the Juyuan Pill is quite simple, and the required materials are relatively common—making it perfect for beginners.
For Zhu Ziyang, this pill was the most suitable option, meeting both his cultivation needs and his goal of earning money.
He took out his soul tool pill furnace and injected soul power into it, activating the core flame inside.
This pill furnace was a Level 4 soul tool. Though called a pill furnace, it was essentially a regular one with a built-in flame core. The flame core itself was also a Level 4 soul tool. Once soul power was injected, the flame could reach temperatures of 1500°C, more than sufficient for refining low-grade pills like the Juyuan Pill.
Once the furnace reached the proper temperature, Zhu Ziyang began the first step: purification of the medicinal herbs.
First came the Huìyuán Flower, the main ingredient of the pill, which possesses energy-gathering properties. The formula recommends a hundred-year-old Huìyuán Flower, but Zhu Ziyang used a thousand-year-old one, which would enhance the pill's effectiveness by several levels.
About ten minutes later, once he felt the essence of the flower was fully extracted, he opened the furnace, took out the purified essence, and began the next step.
Next was the Shèngyuán Fruit, second only to the Huìyuán Flower in importance. It enhances soul power, and even a hundred-year-old fruit costs at least 10,000 gold soul coins, making it the most expensive ingredient in the formula.
He repeated the same process to purify the Shèngyuán Fruit's essence.
Then, he combined the two essences and began high-temperature refining to remove any remaining impurities.
After about fifteen minutes, he added Jade Ganoderma, Astragalus Root, and Qinghe Beast Blood. The Jade Ganoderma and Astragalus were common medicinal herbs used as supplements. Notably, Qinghe Beast Blood comes from a docile small soul beast, known to calm the mind and balance the mixture—acting as both catalyst and stabilizer.
Once all ingredients were inside, Zhu Ziyang intensified his soul power input, raising the furnace's heat dramatically. He had entered the second phase: Fusion.
This step required intense heat to repeatedly fuse and refine all the materials into a semi-solid liquid. It was the most important step, requiring delicate control over the flame. With a soul tool furnace, Zhu Ziyang had to precisely regulate his soul power.
Two hours later, it was finally complete.
Zhu Ziyang let out a breath of relief, a relaxed smile on his face. So far, everything had gone smoothly.
Now came the final step: Pill Formation.
This stage involves solidifying the refined medicinal liquid into pill form. It may seem simple, but it is actually the most failure-prone and time-consuming part of the process.
Zhu Ziyang's expression turned serious as he began forming the pills. He adjusted the soul power input to control the furnace's flame temperature. After careful testing, he found the ideal temperature.
He maintained the flame and carefully controlled a small amount of the liquid, slowly compressing it with the heat as time quietly passed.
Meanwhile, in the Tianhun Empire, at the Yunhe Grand Canyon—
A boy, a girl, and a white-haired, strong old man stood together.
"Xiao Ya, are you really sure about this? You can still change your mind," Yu Beibei said to Tang Ya.
"Yes! I've made up my mind. The ancestors of Tang Sect and my parents… it's like they're all crying out, telling me the path we believed in was wrong. Deep down, we already knew—but no one dared to admit it.
Now that Zhu Ziyang has pointed it out, maybe it's a good thing!" Tang Ya's face showed both pain and resolve. "Rather than walk a road doomed to failure, I might as well be bold and choose a path no one else has taken. Besides, didn't you say even your family's elders agree with Zhu Ziyang?"
As she spoke, she looked toward the expressionless old man beside her.
"If that's your choice, then I won't say more. Just remember—I'll always support you!" Yu Beibei said seriously.
"Mm! Thank you, Beibei!" Tang Ya smiled sincerely.
She then sat cross-legged in front of a green vine with yellow speckles, pulling in the yellow soul ring floating above it.
At that moment, somewhere unreachable by mortals—
A soft glow, like a mother's hand, gently brushed the cloud-like mists, delicate as a young girl's skin. In this ethereal space stood a majestic palace, hazy yet real under the caress of light.
A figure stood silently among the mist, gazing into the distance.
He had long, waterfall-like blue hair flowing to his feet. From behind, his graceful figure could easily be mistaken for a woman. His royal blue robe shimmered like rippling water, and one's gaze would be instantly drawn into the deep, ocean-like blue—so captivating it seemed to swallow the soul.
His youthful face, seemingly in his twenties, held eyes that were both empty and all-seeing. Occasionally, a flicker of purple light flashed within them—hauntingly intense. It gave off an aura of fleeting beauty and instant death.
"Why?" the man whispered, confusion in his eyes. "Why has my connection to the Tang Sect suddenly weakened? Did something happen? That shouldn't be…"
He moved his long fingers through the air, as if unraveling a thread.
"Hmm? No problems… everything is in place. So why... could it be… has He noticed?"
A strange light flickered in his eyes.
"Damn it. My perception of the Douluo Continent is starting to blur? Could it really be His doing? Was I too hasty...? Whatever. The setup is complete—time to wait."
He resumed manipulating the mist with his fingers. A sharp light flickered in his deep eyes as he whispered:
"It's close—very close. That new star's fate is now tied to the Tang Sect. Now, I just wait. I hope the person you chose, with their great destiny, won't disappoint me. Otherwise… heh…"
"The Sun-Moon Empire, soul tools—they'll all be my pawns in the end. Heh… I even gave up Xiao Qi for this…"
He chuckled darkly, then stretched out a hand. A pale blue orb appeared in his palm. Within it, a small girl could be faintly seen.
He murmured, "Be good, my daughter. Your coming-of-age gift is nearly ready. Just wait until the beast takes the bait…"
"Enjoy your final moments, Will of the World? Tch~"
The man's figure vanished into the mist. A scornful voice echoed from above.