Within the Ten Thousand Medicinal Mountain Range, the entire sky suddenly shifted. Vast streams of invisible energy poured down from the heavens, gathering atop the mountain peaks.
At the heart of this phenomenon lay Xiong Zhan's cavern abode—where Liu Xi sat in seclusion, his soul undergoing an astonishing transformation.
Inside the cavern's herb courtyard, Cao Ying's alluring face was frozen in disbelief. As a high-level Alchemist herself, she naturally recognized the signs—this was the prelude to a soul advancement. Yet, Liu Xi's Spiritual Power had already been higher than hers before. How long had it even been? And now, he was advancing again?
For a moment, she felt an immense blow to her confidence. She had already been at a disadvantage in every aspect, and now Liu Xi's soul was ascending to an even greater realm, widening the gap between them even further.
Her emotions churned—frustration, admiration, a hint of envy—until at last, they settled into sincere respect.
'If I'm called a demoness for my talent… then what should Liu Xi be called? His talent far surpasses mine.'
Across the courtyard, Xiong Zhan stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression thoughtful. He wasn't an Alchemist and couldn't normally sense Spiritual Power fluctuations, yet even he now felt the strange, weightless energy in the air.
"So this is spiritual energy—the essence required by those who've stepped into the Spirit Realm Soul and beyond," he murmured, awe flickering in his eyes. "Master Liu's potential truly has no limits. No one must interrupt his advancement."
He turned toward the cave entrance, his presence suddenly oppressive as his voice rolled like thunder: "Pass down my command—starting now, no man or beast may approach within a hundred meters of this cavern. Anyone who dares trespass… kill without mercy!"
"Yes, We obey The King's decree!" two voices outside answered at once before fading swiftly into the distance to deliver the order.
Within the cavern, the Core Soul Marrow that Liu Xi had consumed circulated through his body before converging between his brows. It merged with his Soul, continuously fueling its growth.
The rapid rise in his Spiritual Power simultaneously triggered the operation of the Soul Tempering Technique. Endless streams of Heaven and Earth energy surged in from every direction, accelerating his breakthrough toward the High Level Spirit Realm Soul.
But with the growth came agony—his soul felt as though it were being torn apart, his brows furrowing as tremors rippled through his body. The pain was searing, yet beneath it, he could sense his soul becoming denser, sharper, and immeasurably more powerful.
'Pain means growth,' he thought. 'This agony is the price of evolution.'
Outside, the heavens themselves seemed to change in response. The storm of energy subsided as quickly as it had come, the skies clearing to tranquil sunlight once more.
Then, from within the cavern, a terrifying burst of Spiritual Power erupted outward. It spread like a tidal wave, pressing down on everything in its path. Even Zi Yan, Xiong Zhan, and Cao Ying felt their hearts tighten as if pinned by some invisible beast.
The suffocating sensation came not from Dou Qi, but from the very depths of their souls. Even Cao Ying—whose Spiritual Power had long reached the Spirit Realm—found herself completely suppressed beneath Liu Xi's aura.
Such overwhelming might… it was simply beyond reason.
Just as quickly as it appeared, the pressure vanished, fading like a receding tide.
After several days of seclusion, the door to the inner chamber finally creaked open. Liu Xi stepped out calmly, a faint smile on his lips, his eyes shining like stars—deep and luminous, carrying an unspoken power that drew all attention.
"Big Brother, you're out!" Zi Yan's delighted voice rang out the moment he appeared, her small face lighting up with a radiant grin.
Liu Xi nodded with a warm smile, gently rubbing her head. "Thank you for standing guard, Zi Yan. How long was I in seclusion? I hope I didn't overstay the limit."
She squinted in contentment, clearly enjoying his affectionate gesture. "It's been seven days! In two more, the Pill Realm will close. I can take you out when that happens, but you'd lose your qualification for the Pill Gathering. You woke up just in time!"
"Oh? I see." Liu Xi exhaled lightly, relieved. Missing the Pill Gathering deadline after such a breakthrough would've been a true loss.
"In that case, we should head for the Pill Realm's exit soon," he said, turning toward the cave mouth. "What about you and Xiong Zhan?"
Zi Yan grinned, trotting alongside him. "Of course we're going with you! Once we reach the exit, I'll take the big guy and leave first. This broken little world can't hold us anymore."
Her words made Liu Xi's eyes brighten. Ever since her strength had advanced, Zi Yan's spatial talent as a member of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe had begun to fully awaken.
To soar freely through the Void was the ultimate gift of her bloodline. The Ancient Void Dragons were born rulers of space—creatures that none would dare attempt to tame.
None… except Liu Xi.
Not as a mount, of course—but given their bond, there was no doubt Zi Yan would willingly carry him through the Void itself.
"Well said," Liu Xi praised, smiling. "Zi Yan is becoming more and more dependable. With you around, there's nowhere in the world we can't go."
Hearing that, Zi Yan puffed up proudly, her tiny hands clasped behind her back. "Of course! If I can sneak out of Dragon Island, what place could ever hold me?"
Liu Xi could only sigh inwardly.
'With the difference in strength between Zi Yan and Elder Zhu Li, there's no way that old dragon didn't "let her escape" on purpose…'
When they arrived at the herb courtyard, Liu Xi paused in surprise. The vast field that had once been filled with herbs was now bare.
Before he could ask, Xiong Zhan and Cao Ying came forward. The former grinned broadly, saying, "Congratulations, Master Liu. Another step forward! Your path will only grow brighter from here."
Cao Ying smiled sweetly, her eyes soft with admiration. "Master Liu's seclusion was truly long—seven days! In two more, the Pill Realm closes. Now that you've emerged, we should leave quickly if we want to make it in time."
Seeing that she had waited patiently for him all this while, Liu Xi was quietly impressed. He nodded. "Indeed. We should head for the exit now. It'd be a disaster to miss the Pill Gathering over this."
Before departing, Xiong Zhan suddenly held out a vivid green storage ring, his face showing clear reluctance yet no hesitation.
Liu Xi glanced between the ring and Xiong Zhan's expression, then noticed Cao Ying's envious gaze—it wasn't hard to guess what was inside.
After a short pause, he accepted the ring and said softly, "Then I won't decline. Should Brother Xiong ever need a pill refined, just ask. I'll never refuse a friend's request."
(End of Chapter)
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