Chapter 439: Soul-Awakening Breakthrough Pill
As the dazzling and warm sunlight tore through the dense clouds and bathed the mountain peak, a deep, ancient chime echoed slowly across the space.
When the chime rang, the air atop the mountain twisted slightly, and seven elderly figures appeared without warning on a stone platform at the plaza. At the sight of them, many people present bowed respectfully and greeted in unison:
"Greetings, honored elders!"
In the Little Pill Tower, the Grand Elders' Council was the highest authority, and its members were all highly revered figures—most of them selected from within the Tower itself, all senior and virtuous individuals. Therefore, their words were deeply trusted.
Standing among the crowd, Xiao Yuan glanced toward the seven elders. His gaze swept past them and eventually rested on four in the center. Among them, one stood out the most: an elder in coarse hemp robes with an unreadable expression. Even Xiao Yuan was slightly surprised by him.
"Two mid-stage Half-Saints, one late-stage Half-Saint… and one who's just stepped into the Two-Star Dou Sheng realm. Not bad—but still weaker than Soul Hall…"
Xiao Yuan paused on the robed elder and sighed inwardly.
"That man is the Grand Elder of the Little Pill Tower—second only to the Founder. Even I must address him as a junior."
Yao Lao whispered beside him.
Xiao Yuan blinked in shock. If even Yao Lao treated him like a senior, then this Grand Elder's seniority was truly terrifying.
As Xiao Yuan watched the man, the robed elder's deep, star-like eyes suddenly turned toward him, a flicker of surprise appearing in them.
Even with his soul power, he couldn't see through Xiao Yuan. Could this young man truly have reached the Heavenly Perfection realm?
Yes—the Pill Tower's Three Giants hadn't revealed Xiao Yuan's true strength. After all, few would believe someone had a quasi-Emperor soul.
But a Heavenly Perfection realm was different.
Only the Pill Tower's Founder had reached that level. All the other senior elders remained at the late-Heavenly tier, unable to break through. So upon hearing of Xiao Yuan's strength, it was natural they'd be curious.
For that reason alone, adjusting some minor rules was acceptable. After all, all they cared about now was alchemy.
As the Grand Elder's gaze settled on him, Xiao Yuan sensed an invisible force press down. Others didn't feel it, but he could—yet to him, it was nothing compared to the pressure he'd felt refining the Soul of the Heavenly Tomb.
Seeing that his expression didn't change at all, the Grand Elder nodded subtly and looked away. His calm, aged voice echoed across the plaza:
"Today is a rare lively day in the Little Pill Tower. The elder selection—everyone here knows the rules. I won't repeat them. You may take any herbs you need from the mountain. Whoever produces the highest-grade pill will be the victor. If there are no questions, all qualified participants may step forward."
He was old, but efficient—no unnecessary talk. He pointed to the center of the plaza.
"Yes!"
With his signal, respectful voices echoed as dozens of figures stepped forward, each choosing an open space.
"I'll head out too."
Seeing this, Xiao Yuan smiled.
"Good luck!"
Xuan Yi responded with a smile.
With a flicker, Xiao Yuan appeared on a clear spot, drawing stunned glances from those around.
A young face in this crowd was highly unusual. Most of the competitors were reclusive elders. Though they'd heard the selection was moved up, they didn't know why someone so young was included.
"This young man is Xiao Yuan, Yao Chen's disciple—and the future President of the Pill Tower. By rules, he's eligible to participate."
The Grand Elder clarified calmly.
"So that's it…"
"Didn't know Yao Chen had taken a disciple again."
"Still, this is the elder selection—not some trial for newbies. Is Yao Chen just letting him gain experience?"
Many murmured among the crowd. The title of next Pill Tower President held weight, but not enough for someone so young to compete with veterans. Most assumed Yao Chen wanted Xiao Yuan to learn by watching the masters.
Xiao Yuan ignored them, eyes closed, adjusting his state.
Once all contestants had stepped forward, the Grand Elder spoke again:
"If all are ready, begin."
Tension spread through the plaza. Faces grew solemn.
Clang!
A sharp, metallic ringing echoed through the air. Dozens of imposing cauldrons appeared as contestants summoned their alchemy furnaces with loud booms.
"Begin!"
At the command, multicolored flames flared up from within each cauldron, instantly heating the air.
Smiling faintly, Xiao Yuan raised his palm. With a sudden grip, brilliant golden flame surged forth.
Boom!
It expanded instantly, forming a golden fire cauldron midair—entirely made from flame!
"That's… Heavenly Flame?"
"Such terrifying fire control… but forming a cauldron from flame? Isn't that too risky?"
Gasps and murmurs rose. Xiao Yuan's conjured fire cauldron landed before him, solid and stable. Many seasoned alchemists frowned in concentration—it took insane control and soul power to do this.
Even Old Freak Hou, standing not far away, looked over with a scowl. He sneered coldly—flashy tricks. Typical of younger generations.
Xiao Yuan flicked his finger. The flame within the cauldron split into nine fiery dragons, coiling within it.
But he didn't begin refining right away—instead, he closed his eyes again.
This puzzled many, but no one dared underestimate him anymore.
"What's he planning to refine?"
Xuan Kongzi murmured from the crowd.
"I've taught Xiao Yuan almost everything I know. Of the three ninth-tier formulas we have, only one is suitable for now."
Yao Lao said quietly.
At this level, a formula was crucial. Without one, refining a pill was as good as dreaming. Yao Lao had spent years collecting just two—both basic ninth-tier treasure pills.
After reviewing the process in his mind, Xiao Yuan finally opened his eyes. With a wave, he summoned a glowing orb—the soul essence he'd extracted from Gu Yang.
As a late five-star Dou Sheng, Gu Yang's soul had reached late-Heavenly tier. And fused with a Soul Clan spirit, his essence was nearly at perfection.
That one soul essence could boost a soul from mid-Heavenly to late-Heavenly tier.
This time, Xiao Yuan wasn't using any of Yao Lao's known recipes.
Instead, it was one he got from Xiao Xuan—a formula looted from a Soul Clan ninth-tier alchemist.
A ninth-tier treasure pill: Soul-Awakening Breakthrough Pill.
It used a late-Heavenly soul essence as the main ingredient, combined with over a thousand medicinal materials, to produce a pill that gave the user a 70% chance to break through to Heavenly Perfection.
When Yao Lao and the others saw that soul essence, they were stunned.
What kind of pill was he trying to make?
The Pill Tower's Three Giants looked at Yao Lao in confusion.
"He must have his reasons…"
Yao Lao hesitated but trusted his disciple wouldn't take such a gamble without confidence.
Whoosh!
Xiao Yuan swept his hand, and a flood of herbs poured from his ring—countless rare ingredients swirling overhead. Just counting the varieties, there were over a thousand.
Even seasoned alchemists were dumbfounded.
Xiao Yuan ignored them. With a flick of his finger, herbs shot into the cauldron, each assigned to one of the nine flame dragons.
Herbs streamed into the cauldron, forming a steady flow. Within minutes, a terrifying energy aura spread from the furnace, warping the air.
Though his spectacle drew attention, others weren't slacking either. These were all elite alchemists—each movement echoed with mastery and power.
Besides Xiao Yuan, the most dazzling was Old Freak Hou. Disagreeable as he was, his skill was unquestionable. Once almost the Pill Gathering champion, he had only grown stronger with time.
Atop the stone platform, the seven elders nodded as they surveyed the field.
"Looks like Hou Qing has a good chance of winning."
One elder smiled. The others nodded in agreement.
But the Grand Elder remained silent. His calm gaze lingered on Xiao Yuan.
Few people could hide their power from him. But this youth had done it.
Using a soul essence like that—he'd never seen such a thing.
That essence came from a late-Heavenly realm soul. Even he wasn't beyond that level.
To use it for alchemy… this was not ordinary.
His instincts said: this young man was dangerous—brilliant, but dangerous.
But also… his methods looked eerily like something the Soul Hall would do…
The Grand Elder suddenly felt uneasy.
(END CHAPTER)
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