Chapter 248 Congratulations on reaching the eighth rank!
Within the dimly lit room, the four-hundred-foot-tall pillar of energy condensed and converged into a single energy ball the size of a pill, which Lin Feng swallowed whole.
"Boom!"
Like a raging storm, the immense battle qi energy crashed against Lin Feng's body like giant waves pounding the shore.
Fortunately, Lin Feng's body, through repeated bombardments of the pill lightning, had already reached the level of a peak seventh-tier magical beast.
Otherwise, this terrifying battle qi energy would have blasted him to pieces in an instant! The battle qi energy,
comparable to a four-star Dou Zun, washed over Lin Feng's body without causing him any pain; it was, after all, Lin Feng's energy.
Lin Feng clearly sensed that, with the constant flow of battle qi energy, his body, which had stagnated at the peak of a seventh-tier magical beast, was rapidly strengthening.
Battle qi was inherently violent, but compared to the body-tempering materials Lin Feng used daily...
Compared to other energies like Dragon Emperor's essence blood and Pill Lightning, such energy is relatively gentle, so the improvement of one's body through battle qi is not as obvious.
The situation now is clearly different. Under the massive surge of battle qi, a solid barrier appeared in no time.
Then, a terrifying surge of battle qi instantly shattered it!
"My physical body is comparable to an eighth-tier magical beast!"
Slowly opening his eyes, letting the battle qi continue to wash over him, feeling his body still growing stronger, Lin Feng could no longer suppress his laughter.
"Hahaha!"
After a while, he calmed down, raised his right hand, and gently slashed at the space in front of him, creating a spatial wormhole in the courtyard.
"This is the unique mark of a Dou Zun powerhouse!"
He wiped away the spatial wormhole with his backhand, and Lin Feng was about to continue his seclusion to consolidate his newly increased realm.
A strange feeling suddenly appeared in Lin Feng's heart, followed by an uncontrollable overflow of his soul power. The spiritual energy hidden deep within heaven and earth surged towards Lin Feng as if without wind.
"This feeling, could it be...?"
A flash of ecstatic joy crossed his eyes. Lin Feng quickly sat cross-legged, his palms changing hand seals according to the "Grinding Stone Soul Forging Method," and spiritual energy surged forth at an even faster pace.
Outside the courtyard, a sense of doubt gradually welled up in everyone's hearts. Why hadn't Lin Feng appeared yet?
"Sister Xian'er, does breaking through to the Dou Zun realm require a long period of consolidation?"
"This," Little Fairy Doctor hesitated. Her situation was somewhat different; the vast energy was all stored within the Netherworld Poison Fire. Perhaps this was why she could emerge from seclusion immediately.
"Old Man Zhu Li, do you know what's going on?"
"Hmm!"
Zhu Li slowly stepped forward, looking at the courtyard ahead, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.
"Perhaps it's because the energy gained at once was too much, causing a slight decrease in control. He's consolidating it right now!"
This was the first time Zhu Li had seen such a situation. After all, breaking through to the Dou Zun realm was as easy for him as eating and drinking.
In fact, his breakthrough was somewhat special; he had fallen asleep unknowingly while traveling through space due to excessive drowsiness.
But who knew that when he woke up, he had already become a Dou Zun powerhouse. He had no recollection of the breakthrough process whatsoever.
"Ying'er, didn't I tell you to wait inside the Little Pill Tower? How did you escape, and even bring Dan Chen out with you!"
In Xuan Kongzi's office, he looked helplessly at his disciple, Cao Ying, who appeared to be apologizing.
But Xuan Kongzi knew the reputation of the Cao family's little devil and was well aware of her temperament; he naturally wouldn't be fooled.
"President, Dan Chen was curious, so she asked Sister Cao Ying to bring me out!"
Dan Chen hesitated for a moment before speaking timidly, her face flushing red, as if it were the first time she had lied.
"Alright!"
Seeing this, Xuan Kongzi waved his hand, indicating that the matter was over.
Judging from their expressions, Xuan Kongzi knew the reason for the incident, but it wasn't a big deal and there was no need to make a fuss.
"You all saw that five-colored pillar of light that pierced the sky just now, did you have any insights?"
"Master, was that really Senior Brother Lin Feng's breakthrough? Ying'er has also seen a Dou Zun in the clan break through, but his aura was much weaker than this!"
Recalling that terrifying pillar of light, especially the dragon shadow and lightning snake wrapped around it, it actually managed to lift Lin Feng from a three-star Dou Zun to a four-star Dou Zun, it was simply terrifying!
"Lin Feng's talent is naturally incomparable to ordinary people!"
Although he said this, Xuan Kongzi's shock was no less than Cao Ying's. However, as a teacher and a giant of the Pill Tower, he naturally couldn't be overly surprised!
"That's not the point. Lin Feng has already broken through to the four-star Dou Zun realm, while Ying'er and Dan Chen, you're only Dou Huang and Dou Zong respectively, which is rather low in comparison!"
"Furthermore, although your realms aren't simply boosted by pills as the outside world thinks, Dou Qi without combat experience is far too superficial in the eyes of true experts!"
"A true alchemist not only excels in alchemy but also possesses considerable combat power, just like me."
"Master, what do you mean?"
Cao Ying was also puzzled. Did her master want her two delicate girls to learn mercenary combat?
"There's still exactly one year until the Pill Tower Alchemist Grand Gathering. Spend the next six months fully improving your alchemy skills, aiming to reach the eighth rank."
"For the other six months, I'll arrange for Ying'er, Dan Chen, and some other talented alchemists from the Pill Tower to train in some ruins!"
"Otherwise, you might be eliminated in the second round of the Grand Gathering!"
"But isn't there Senior Brother Lin Feng? With his four-star Dou Zun strength, protecting us is a piece of cake!"
Cao Ying, who was about to obediently agree, suddenly blurted out, her mischievous nature kicking in. As
soon as the words left her mouth, she sensed something was terribly wrong. Before Xuan Kongzi could get angry, she quickly gave Dan Chen a meaningful glance, and the two of them took off running towards the door.
"Sigh, this little brat, when will she stop making this old man angry!"
Despite her words, Xuan Kongzi's smiling face revealed how much he liked his disciple, Cao Ying.
"Even if you hadn't said anything, I would have had Lin Feng protect you during the assessment!"
Meanwhile, far away in the Northern Region of Central China, at the Blood Pool of Tianshan, Xiao Yan, who had already reached the three-star Dou Zong realm, arrived there as in the original story, thanks to the many strange flames present.
"Senior Brother Lin Feng once said that beneath the volcano here lies energy accumulated over countless years of eruptions."
"Although this place is most suitable for peak Dou Huangs to break through to the Dou Zong realm at crucial moments!"
"However, without the supply of strange flames for the Burning Technique to absorb in the short term, this is still a good way to quickly improve."
"As for the poison of the volcanic lava, hehe, what does it amount to in front of it?"
Xiao Yan slowly raised his palm, and a ball of multicolored flames rose slowly, exceptionally beautiful and dazzling.
"It's a pity that Senior Brother Lin Feng is also an alchemist. Otherwise, I really would like to exchange the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame with him!"
"After all, if he advances to the Dou Zun level, the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, ranked only nineteenth, will be of little use to him except for alchemy!"
"Very well! Let's get the benefits from the Blood Pool first. Moreover,"
looking at the middle-aged man approaching from not far away, "if we don't remove the fire poison of the Gold-Eating Rat clan, it will be difficult to obtain the real benefits at the bottom of the Blood Pool!" "
Tian Shuangzi, are you sure that the Calamity Poison Body has appeared in the Central Continent?"
Inside a crystal-clear white hall, a cold voice rang out, its urgency barely concealed.
A cold wind blew by, and some frost formed again on the hall, but the middle-aged man below the hall paid no attention to it.
This was because this place was the Ice River Valley!
A land of perpetual cold, the Ice River Valley's territory extended for thousands of miles, inhabited by humans and magical beasts.
Either one must possess an exceptionally high cultivation level or have ice-attribute battle qi; otherwise, this place would be absolute torture.
"Reporting to the Valley Master, according to the information from the disciples within the valley, a Calamity Poison Body did indeed appear in Saint Pill City that day."
Tian Shuangzi, who had already reached the Dou Zun realm, wasn't overly fearful. He slowly stepped forward and sat down in his seat.
"What's even more terrifying is that it actually blatantly broke through to the Dou Zun realm in Saint Pill City, and even its battle qi pillar exceeded three hundred zhang!"
"What!?"
The Ice River Valley Master instantly stood up from his seat, his face filled with disbelief.
As someone who had acquired the Calamity Poison Body through acquired means, he knew the terrifying nature of this physique and also knew that it was absolutely impossible for someone with an innate Calamity Poison Body to break through to the Dou Zun realm.
According to records, most Calamity Poison Bodies, even at the Dou Zong realm, could no longer suppress the primordial poison within their bodies and would erupt.
Ultimately, they lost their minds, recklessly letting the poison spread, and ultimately died from a combined attack by powerful individuals or self-destruction.
"This Calamity Poison Body has actually broken through its limitations and entered the Dou Zun realm. It must possess some kind of fortuitous opportunity!"
Venerable Ice River paced back and forth in the hall, even the millennia-old ice couldn't extinguish the fire in his heart.
"If I can capture it, not only can I transform my acquired Calamity Poison Body into an innate Calamity Poison Body, but the opportunity it possesses could even allow me to roam freely in the Dou Zun realm!"
"Even in the future, achieving the level of our ancestor is still possible!"
"Valley Master, that Calamity Poison Body is not only a three-star Dou Zun, but it is said that its partner also broke through to a four-star Dou Zun on the same day. Moreover, it is a prodigy of the Pill Tower, a seventh-grade high-level alchemist!"
Seeing that Ice River seemed about to make a move, Tian Shuangzi quickly revealed the remaining information.
With their Ice River Valley's ancestor having gone to the far north to seek an opportunity to break through half a lifetime and not yet returned, given the current size of Ice River Valley, let alone the Pill Tower, even the Calamity Poison Body and its partner might not be able to capture them.
Tian Shuangzi's words were like a bucket of cold water, bringing Binghe, who had been fantasizing about capturing the Calamity Poison Body and cultivating all the way to the Half-Saint realm
, back to reality. Thinking of the Ice River Valley's recent state, his face immediately darkened.
"Could it be that I really have to miss this opportunity?"
Binghe's heart was filled with resentment. His ancestor had gone to the far north to find the miraculous power that could bring about a qualitative change in ice attributes, but over a hundred years had already passed.
Even for a Dou Zun expert, over a hundred years was not a short time; who knew if he had already met with misfortune?
Heaven knows how difficult it had been for him, with his strength not even reaching the high-level Dou Zun level, to support the vast Ice River Valley and maintain its status as a super power all these years.
Even the pavilion masters of the Four Directions Pavilion had been somewhat disrespectful to him!
Thinking of this, Binghe became even more frantic.
"No, we must find a way to capture the Calamity Poison Body. If we give him time to cultivate, once he overcomes the limitations of the poison body, he can quickly reach the high-level Dou Zun realm, or even the Transcendent Realm!"
"Plus, if he achieves the eighth-grade alchemist realm, even if the Ancestor returns, he might not offend such an alchemist for my sake!"
"After all, behind him stands the behemoth that is the Pill Tower. The Pill Tower will definitely provide great protection for such a genius alchemist. With such a connection, how can we possibly harm his partner?"
Binghe paced back and forth in the hall, his expression becoming increasingly crazed, making Tian Shuangzi, who was standing to the side, feel a little frightened.
"What's wrong with Valley Master? Could it be that because he was transformed into the Calamity Poison Body, he is prone to going into qi deviation?"
"Soul Palace!"
"What!?"
Binghe suddenly spoke, startling Tian Shuangzi, who subconsciously asked.
"Tian Shuangzi, if we want to obtain the Calamity Poison Body, the only way now is to unite with the Soul Palace!"
"Moreover, perhaps because it can control the primordial poison, this Calamity Poison Body has actually been allowed to stay in Saint Pill City by the Pill Tower."
"And on the Central Continent, the only one that is not afraid of the Pill Tower and even slightly surpasses it is the Soul Palace!"
"If the Soul Palace makes a move, a mere three-star Dou Zun will surely be captured easily!"
Binghe became more and more excited as he spoke, to the point that his blood rushed and his face turned red.
"Valley Master, when the ancestors left a hundred years ago, they explicitly forbade Binghe Valley from colluding with the Soul Palace. If the ancestors return, how should we explain it?"
Seeing Binghe's crazed expression, Tian Shuangzi quickly tried to dissuade him.
"Besides, with our ancestors absent, we have no right to speak with the Soul Palace on equal terms!"
"You need not worry about this. I, the Valley Master, will personally take action and surely give the Soul Palace an irresistible reward!"
"Valley Master..."
"Hmph! Enough! I have made my decision. You just need to do as I say!"
Seeing that Tian Shuangzi was still trying to dissuade him, Binghe's face was full of impatience. Compared to his future, what was this mere Binghe Valley?
As long as he was alive, Binghe Valley would still exist. As for these ancestors, ha, those old fogies could abandon their sects for their own opportunities. Why couldn't I?
Once I obtained the Calamity Poison Body and the opportunities it held, I might even advance to the level of a half-saint before them. Those old fogies would then be my grandsons!
"Buzz"
In the Central State Holy Pill City, where Lin Feng was in seclusion, ten days had passed since he broke through to the Dou Zun realm.
Just as Zi Yan and the others thought he would be going into seclusion for a relatively long time, a strange fluctuation suddenly emanated from the room.
As this powerful pressure was about to spread outwards, its owner seemed to consciously withdraw it.
However, the people living in the nearby courtyards, apart from the Han family members, were all at least nine-star Dou Zong level experts.
Although the fluctuation was fleeting, it was still noticed by the group.
"That aura is…?"
"It's Brother Lin Feng!"
With a question and answer, Cai Lin and Little Fairy Doctor immediately recognized the owner of the aura, exchanging a glance with joy on their faces.
When everyone arrived outside Lin Feng's seclusion room, they witnessed a rather strange scene.
A somewhat ethereal soul was standing in mid-air above the room. Upon closer inspection, it was indeed Lin Feng!
However, why did he appear so ethereal?
"Amazing!"
A voice filled with emotion slowly rang in everyone's ears, followed by the figures of Xuan Kongzi and his two companions emerging from the space. The speaker was none other than Xuan Kongzi.
"Guild Master Xuan Kongzi!"
Upon seeing the newcomer, the somewhat ethereal Lin Feng above the room bowed slightly.
"No need for formalities, Lin Feng, you've finally reached this realm!"
Lin Feng said nothing more. His ethereal soul slowly returned to his physical body, and an unprecedented feeling suddenly rose from the depths of his soul.
It was as if the heavens and earth had opened another veil for him; from the perspective of his soul power, the spiritual energy that was previously difficult to absorb had now become active.
"Moreover," a wisp of soul power slowly emerged from his body, "this soul is full of vibrant energy. Is this the key to advancing to the eighth-grade alchemist?"
Without further investigation, Lin Feng stabilized himself for a moment, then slowly rose and pushed open the long-sealed door.
"Crack!"
"Congratulations on reaching the eighth-grade realm!"
Chapter 249. The Iron Guardian Reappears
Upon seeing Lin Feng appear, Xuan Kongzi and several other giants spoke first, their faces beaming with smiles.
"The next generation of the Pill Tower has truly grown up!"
Zi Yan and the others also approached, their joy evident even though they didn't speak.
"It's just luck. Lin Feng still has a long way to go to reach the level of Elder Xuan and your contemporaries. He needs to continue working hard!"
"Hahaha, you're as humble as ever!"
Xuan Kongzi and the others shook their heads and chuckled. However, it was precisely because of Lin Feng's personality that they were so close to him.
If he became arrogant after achieving some success, disregarding his seniors, he would only become a laughingstock!
After all, which of those who became giants of the Pill Tower wasn't a renowned genius in their youth?
Moreover, even if your talent is truly unparalleled, you could still perish before reaching your peak!
"Lin Feng, I have a suggestion. I wonder if you would like to hear it?"
"Oh, Elder Xuan, please speak frankly. If Lin Feng can do it, he will certainly try!"
"As you know, the Pill Tower Gathering is at most a year away."
Xuan Kongzi slowly stepped forward, stroking his beard, a hint of wisdom flashing in his eyes.
"With your talent, coupled with the explosive period unique to the Soul Realm after advancing to the Spirit Realm, if you can seize it well, you might even be able to refine four- or five-colored pill lightning by the time of the Pill Tower Grand Gathering!"
"Then, this year's champion will surely be yours!"
"Before that, I hope that when you refine eighth-grade pills, you can go to a mysterious place to avoid being exposed prematurely and attracting the covetousness of the Soul Hall."
"After all, they are very wary of the geniuses of the Pill Tower!"
"Elder Xuan is absolutely right. After I have arranged everything, I will go with Elder Xuan!"
After pondering for a moment, Lin Feng roughly guessed the mysterious place that Xuan Kongzi mentioned. If he was not mistaken, it should be the mysterious Little Pill Tower!
Little Pill Tower: The true core of the Pill Tower. It is said that many old monsters are hidden inside, and at the very least, they are powerful alchemists capable of refining eighth-grade six- or even seven-colored pills.
Of the ten elders at the head, three are now powerful figures. This suggests that the other seven, even if not eighth-grade nine-color alchemists, are at least eighth-grade.
Furthermore, there are even one or two master alchemists capable of refining ninth-grade pills!
Such beings are extremely rare, even on the entire Dou Qi Continent, each a master of alchemy!
While Lin Feng and Xuan Kongzi were discussing matters, in a dark and damp area of Zhongzhou, perpetually shrouded in heavy fog, howling winds emanated from its depths, inspiring fear.
Even mercenaries who risked their lives wouldn't venture there to search for treasure.
However, deep within the fog, rows of tall, pitch-black buildings stood, seemingly foreshadowing the evil within.
Deep within the main hall, rows of illusory figures were pierced by indistinct chains, and screams could be heard intermittently—a truly horrifying sight.
"Valley Master Binghe, how dare you venture alone into the depths of my Soul Palace? Do you intend to sacrifice yourself for the great cause of my Soul Palace?"
A hoarse voice suddenly echoed from within a grand hall, followed by a sinister, cackling laugh.
"Nine Heavens Venerable, Binghe has come alone this time with utmost sincerity. Why don't you listen to my offer?"
Standing before Nine Heavens Venerable Mo Yu was none other than Valley Master Binghe Venerable of Binghe Valley. Although it was unclear how he knew the location of the Soul Palace,
even Mo Yu had to admire his courage for daring to come alone.
Under the same conditions, Mo Yu would never have dared to go to the Pill Tower alone!
"Oh? Interesting. In that case, I, the Heavenly Venerable, will give you a chance. If your answer does not satisfy me, hehehe..."
Looking at Binghe's figure, Mo Yu suddenly let out a sinister laugh. It would only be a short time; if the offer Binghe made did not satisfy him, then he could add another four-star Dou Zun's soul to his achievements today!
"Nine Heavenly Venerable, my Ice River Valley is willing to surrender to the Soul Palace. I wonder if this would be considered a merit for you, Nine Heavenly Venerable?"
Ice River had already thought it through on the way here. With the departure of several elders, Ice River Valley had been reduced to a force on par with the Four Directions Pavilion in the eyes of the truly powerful forces.
To persuade the Soul Palace to capture the Calamity Poison Body, and even risk offending the Pill Tower, Ice River Valley's only option now was to surrender en masse!
Furthermore, if the Soul Palace was not satisfied, whether he could even leave this hall today was another matter entirely.
"Ice River Valley's surrender? That's somewhat interesting. Let this Heavenly Venerable think about it!"
Unexpectedly, the Ice River Valley's lord was actually Ice River Valley's biggest traitor, causing Demon Rain Heavenly Venerable to pause for a moment, even failing to unleash his signature eerie laugh.
"Tap tap tap"
"The Palace Master and the others have been making some big moves lately, and we haven't heard from them for a long time."
"However, with my elder brother's strength, as long as that old codger Dan Tower doesn't make a move, if it weren't for the other imperial clans, even if he turned the entire Central Continent upside down, it wouldn't be a big deal."
"And if I, the Celestial Venerable, could bring Ice River Valley under my control, the speed of collecting souls in the future would probably become even faster, which would be a great achievement!"
"I might even receive a reward for this and be promoted to a nine-star Dou Zun, who knows!"
"However, we also need to see what Ice River is up to."
After making up his mind, Mo Yu suddenly looked up, revealing an extremely pale face.
"Ice River, this Celestial Venerable can accept your Ice River Valley, but before that, I want to know what you're really planning!"
"You only have one chance, I hope you seize it. If you dare to mock me, you won't want to know the consequences, hehehe."
"Nine Celestial Venerable, to be honest, besides my innate ice-attribute battle qi, I've also refined an acquired Calamity Poison Body."
"An acquired Calamity Poison Body? Hehehe, Ice River, so that's what you're planning."
Hearing the term Calamity Poison Body, Mo Yu instantly recalled the intelligence from Saint Pill City some time ago.
A Calamity Poison Body had actually broken through the innate limitations, reaching the Dou Zun realm without unleashing its power. Of course, this wasn't anything special for the Soul Palace.
Even those Calamity Poison Bodies who had approached the Half-Saint realm over thousands of years had still died under the siege of numerous forces in the Central Continent.
Even if one achieves the demigod level, it's still nothing before the Soul Palace!
"Nine Heavens Venerable has excellent eyesight. Binghe has come here not only to seek refuge in the Soul Palace, but also to request that the Soul Palace capture this Calamity Poison Body."
"If Nine Heavens Venerable is willing to help, Binghe will certainly obey your orders from now on!"
Binghe suddenly knelt on one knee, his face showing respect.
"As long as I obtain the Calamity Poison Body and seize the opportunity it holds, even if I am only at the demigod level, I will have a chance to break through. At that time, I will have a chance to avenge today's humiliation!"
Looking at the kneeling Binghe, Mo Yu did not immediately agree. If they wanted to deal with this Calamity Poison Body, they would have to enter the territory of Saint Pill City.
If it were just him acting alone, let alone whether the operation would succeed, even getting out would be another matter!
"Get up!"
"Thank you, Heavenly Venerable!"
Binghe, thinking that Moyu had agreed, was overjoyed. Just as he was about to ask Moyu when the operation would take place, a cold voice came.
"If you want to work for my Soul Palace, you must first be sincere. Release your soul essence!"
"Heavenly Venerable, what do you mean by this?"
At this moment, Binghe finally had a vague premonition of something bad, and his expression turned somewhat ugly.
"Hmph! You have no right to speak in front of this Heavenly Venerable!"
As soon as the words fell, Moyu's figure suddenly disappeared, and when he reappeared, he was already behind Binghe.
A jet-black chain appeared in his hand, and after swirling a few times, it suddenly plunged into the depths of Binghe's head, planting a mark that emitted an evil black aura!
After doing this, the figure of the Nine Heavenly Venerable Moyu suddenly disappeared, and only an evil, strange voice echoed in the dark hall.
"Binghe, remember this: with the strength of your Binghe Valley, you're only fit to be the dogs of our Soul Hall!"
"As for when we'll set off to capture that Calamity Poison Body, just wait and see when it emerges from Saint Pill City! Hehehehehe!"
"It's over!"
Outside the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool in the Northern Region of Central Continent, the patriarch and elders of the Gold-Eating Rat clan stood atop the mountain, overlooking the endless blood plasma within the crater.
"Elder Jin Valley, do you think Mr. Xiao Yan will be able to break through to the four-star Dou Zong realm this time?" The one
who spoke was Jin Shi, the patriarch of the Gold-Eating Rat clan. Half a month ago, before the Blood Pool trial began, Xiao Yan directly approached the Gold-Eating Rat clan, stating his desire to use the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool to accumulate energy.
Originally, Jin Shi didn't want to pay him any attention, but who knew that as soon as Xiao Yan spoke, Jin Shi's attitude changed instantly.
"Clan Chief Jinshi, if I'm not mistaken, the entire Gold-Eating Rat clan suffers from fire poison to varying degrees, doesn't it?"
Though it was a question, Xiao Yan's words carried unmistakable certainty.
"Who are you? How dare you know the secrets of my Gold-Eating Rat clan?"
Jinshi's face turned extremely ugly, while the elders, including Jin Gu, silently stepped forward, surrounding Xiao Yan.
Judging from the situation, if Xiao Yan didn't reveal the truth, things might not end well today.
"I am Xiao Yan, a seventh-grade alchemist!"
"What?!" As soon as
Xiao Yan finished speaking, Jinshi and the others' attitudes changed drastically again, quickly becoming respectful.
"Without further ado, the Gold-Eating Rat clan will provide me with the finest blood pool for half a month of cultivation, and I will personally remove the fire poison from the Gold-Eating Rat clan. How about it?"
Waving his hand, Xiao Yan, who still hadn't figured out a way to revive his teacher, didn't have much patience at this moment.
Although Yao Chen had said that the three giants of the Pill Tower and the people involved in the Starfall Pavilion were all old friends of his
, especially Feng Xian, the Pavilion Master of the Starfall Pavilion, with whom he had a life-or-death bond, and that he could seek their help if needed after arriving in Zhongzhou,
Xiao Yan did not follow Yao Chen's instructions upon arriving in Zhongzhou. Instead, he went to Saint Pill City to find Lin Feng.
Of course, Lin Feng happened to be in seclusion, so they could not meet.
As for the three giants of the Pill Tower, Xiao Yan had no trust in them whatsoever. Even Han Feng had betrayed him back then.
Therefore, apart from his senior brother Lin Feng, with whom he had personal contact, he did not trust anyone else.
As for Feng Xian, he had learned from his inquiries that he had been searching for him all these years, so Xiao Yan planned to go to the Starfall Pavilion after the trip to the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool.
Speaking of which, Xuan Yi had also been inquiring for years about why Xiao Yan had not gone to seek his help, and Lin Feng was partly to blame.
Because after Lin Feng brought news of Yao Chen, Xuan Yi withdrew the bounty.
Therefore, Xiao Yan, who had been under immense pressure during this period, dared not attempt anything and abandoned the idea of seeking help from Xuan Yi.
"Clan leader, Mr. Xiao Yan has broken through to the four-star Dou Zong realm at such a young age, which is much stronger than the top geniuses of the younger generation of the Four Directions Pavilion."
"Whether he can break through or not is not something I, a mere Dou Zong nobody, can take seriously!"
Although he said this, Jin Gu's tone was full of pride, because with the help of Xiao Yan's Breakthrough Pill, he had broken through his bottleneck of many years and advanced to the Dou Zong realm!
"You!"
Clan leader Jin Shi shook his head with a wry smile, his eyes full of emotion.
"Yes, how could we possibly see through such a genius? Fortunately, we have befriended him this time, and I believe that our Devouring Gold Rat clan will have a bright future!"
"I didn't expect that it would be my Iron Protector's turn to make a contribution so soon!"
In the Soul Hall where Nine Heavens Venerable Demon Rain was located, a deep voice slowly rang out. It was the Iron Protector that Lin Feng had subdued in the Northwest Continent!
With Lin Feng's help, he successfully arrived in Zhongzhou, and after several twists and turns, ended up under the command of the Nine Heavens Venerable Mo Yu.
During this time, he had been lying low deep within the Soul Palace, only occasionally venturing out to deliver messages to Lin Feng, never revealing a trace of his presence!
Just now, the Soul Palace here issued a message: keep a close watch on the group of people with the Calamity Poison Body residing in Saint Pill City.
Hearing this, he knew his opportunity had arrived. The Calamity Poison Body group—wasn't that Lin Feng's group?
Iron Protector, who had lived in constant fear for years, dreading being killed by Lin Feng using a secret technique without achieving any merit, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
As for why he didn't tell Mo Yu about being controlled by Lin Feng, Iron Protector wasn't stupid. Leaving aside the fact that with his level, even meeting an elder was uncertain, let alone a Heavenly Venerable.
Besides, if Lin Feng's control method was extremely difficult to deal with, even a Heavenly Venerable couldn't solve it, then his life would be in danger!
As a member of the Soul Hall, Protector Tie didn't believe that Mo Yu would spare his life under those circumstances!
Chapter 250 Recent Developments
Time flew by, and another eight or nine days passed. After Lin Feng broke through to the Spirit Realm, he only briefly reminisced with Cai Lin and the others, and toured Saint Pill City before they all went into seclusion again.
Cai Lin, in particular, felt an even stronger sense of urgency after seeing Lin Feng and Little Fairy Doctor both reach the Dou Zun realm.
Meanwhile, urged by Elder Zhu Li, Zi Yan bid farewell to Lin Feng and the others and returned to Dragon Island.
However, before leaving, Zhu Li gave each of them a jade slip, declaring that unless a Dou Sheng intervened, crushing the jade slip would solve the problem!
"Lin Feng, what I'm taking you to later is the true core of the Pill Tower—the Lesser Pill Tower!"
"If you can be chosen by the Grand Elder and accepted as a disciple, your chances of reaching the ninth-grade alchemist realm will be extremely high!"
"Elder Xuan, you know my temper!"
"Very well!"
Xuan Kongzi waved his hand helplessly. When Lin Feng was a seventh-grade alchemist, he rejected the eighth-grade, nine-colored Heavenly Thunder Child; now, at the eighth grade, he rejected the Grand Elder's ninth-grade treasure pill—it seems the same logic applies.
"Even without becoming his disciple, with your talent, many seniors will surely do their best to cultivate you!"
There was one thing Xuan Kongzi didn't say: "Because your background is clean, completely different from that beast who betrayed you years ago."
Before deciding to take Lin Feng to the Lesser Pill Tower, based on past experience, Xuan Kongzi and the others thoroughly investigated Lin Feng's background.
They ultimately discovered that Lin Feng could basically be considered the disciple of that old fellow Yao Chen, which left the three giants both amused and exasperated.
Moreover, Xiao Yan, whom Lin Feng mentioned, was also discovered by them. He was currently cultivating in the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool in the Northern Region of Zhongzhou, but for some reason, he hadn't come to find the three of them.
Even the Starfall Pavilion hadn't gone there.
"However, after learning that Yao Chen had most likely arrived in Zhongzhou, Xuan Yi has already set off for the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool. He'll probably see his old friend soon!"
Many thoughts flashed through his mind, but his hands didn't stop. With a wave of his hand, a spatial wormhole appeared before the two of them.
"Let's go!"
Looking at the spatial wormhole opened by Xuan Kongzi, Lin Feng couldn't help but admire it. As expected of a near-half-saint level expert, this level of spatial manipulation was truly beyond his imagination.
"However, with the Dragon Emperor's understanding of space, once he reaches the advanced Dou Zun level, his spatial manipulation shouldn't be inferior to Elder Xuan's!"
Thinking of this, Lin Feng no longer hesitated and stepped into the dark spatial passage. With a soft
"hum,"
the passage seemed to tremble slightly the moment Lin Feng stepped in, then slowly closed. A few breaths later, even those who came later wouldn't notice that someone had just created a new space.
About a quarter of an hour later, the two emerged from the pitch-black world, greeted by a rich and wondrous sight. Everywhere
they looked were top-grade spiritual herbs. Many species, nearly extinct in the outside world and only found in wild environments or ancient ruins, were abundant here!
There was even a giant spiritual herb that had grown for nearly ten thousand years, slowly emitting a hazy glow in the distance, giving Lin Feng a tremendous shock.
If he wasn't mistaken, this was one of the main ingredients recorded in the Pill Tower's library for refining a ninth-grade Profound Pill!
"Gulp."
Looking at the mountains and fields of spiritual herbs, Lin Feng couldn't help but swallow, his eyes burning with desire.
If—and he meant if—he were truly given the spiritual herbs here to cultivate his alchemy skills, he was confident he could advance to the eighth-grade, five-colored alchemist realm in a short time!
"Xuan Kongzi, the newcomer you brought this time is remarkable!"
Just then, a loud voice shattered Lin Feng's illusions. An old man in a gray robe suddenly appeared.
"Old Monster Hou, what brings you here? Weren't you researching new formulas lately?"
Xuan Kongzi seemed somewhat surprised to see the newcomer.
"Lin Feng, let me introduce you to a senior from the Little Pill Tower!"
Seeing Lin Feng's gaze turn in their direction, Xuan Kongzi stroked his beard and began to introduce him.
"This senior is one of the elders of the Little Pill Tower, a peak Nine-Turn Dou Zun expert, and his alchemy skills have also reached the Eighth Grade Nine-Color Realm!"
"If you have any questions in the future, you can consult him!"
"Old Monster Hou, this is Lin Feng, the most outstanding disciple of the Pill Tower in recent years. Currently, his theoretical knowledge and soul realm in alchemy have both reached the requirements for refining Eighth Grade pills!"
"I brought him to the Little Pill Tower this time because I want to focus on improving his alchemy skills in the coming days, so that he can win the championship in the grand event a year later." "
Let the entire Dou Qi Continent know the strength of the younger generation of the Pill Tower!"
"Wait, if I'm not mistaken, you little fellow, you're not even thirty yet
, are you?!" Before Xuan Kongzi could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Old Monster Hou. It can only be said that he lives up to his name as an old monster, as he is indeed concerned about Lin Feng's age.
"Reporting to Senior Hou, this junior is indeed not yet thirty!"
Lin Feng slightly clasped his hands, looking at the gray-robed old man in front of him, wondering what his intentions were.
"Hahaha, young friend Lin Feng, why don't you become my disciple?"
Hearing Lin Feng's confirmation, Old Monster Hou laughed loudly, then eagerly added,
"This..."
Lin Feng, unsure of his true intentions, could only look to Xuan Kongzi, hoping for a way out.
"Old Monster Hou, I know your little scheme perfectly well. Isn't it just because you lost to Yao Chen back then that you want to take on a talented junior to prove you're stronger than Yao Chen?"
"To tell you the truth, Tian Lei Zi also proposed this idea when Lin Feng was at the seventh rank, but Lin Feng refused!"
"Now that he's advanced to the eighth rank, do you think he'll agree?"
"Alas! It seems I've missed another opportunity!"
Old Monster Hou sighed helplessly, intending to leave, but then, as if remembering something, he patted his forehead and took out a small jade bottle from his storage ring.
"Lin Feng, consider this a gift from Old Monster. I hope you will bring glory to the Pill Tower at the grand gathering a year from now, just as Xuan Kongzi said!"
"Senior Hou."
Lin Feng accepted the jade bottle that Old Monster Hou tossed to him, and was about to express his gratitude when Old Monster Hou suddenly disappeared.
"Lin Feng, just accept it. That's just Old Monster Hou's personality."
"If you please him, even if he gives you an eighth-grade, nine-colored pill, it won't be a big deal."
"But if you displease him, he'll hold a grudge for life, just like Yao Chen back then. Even after hundreds of years, he still talks about it!"
"Let's go. We need to take advantage of the time now, when your soul power is extremely active after breaking through to the Spirit Realm, to quickly improve your alchemy skills." "
During this period, your soul power is extremely sensitive. This is the best time to improve your alchemy skills!"
"Yes!"
While Lin Feng entered the Little Pill Tower to learn alchemy techniques of grade eight and above, Xiao Yan, who was inside the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool, was also at a crucial moment.
He was residing in a secret realm created by the Gold-Eating Rat clan at the bottom of the Blood Pool, the crimson energy around him incredibly dense.
Around Xiao Yan, a fused strange fire was burning fiercely, devouring all the fire poison of the crimson energy.
Yes, devouring. Before a few strange fires, this mere volcanic poison was merely an appetizer.
After nearly half a month of accumulation, Xiao Yan had already reached the peak of the four-star Dou Zong level, just one step away from breaking through the bottleneck and reaching a new realm.
The rich, crimson energy, refined repeatedly by the strange fire and refined through the evolved Burning Technique, was gradually absorbed into his body.
"It seems Xiao Yan will emerge from seclusion soon!"
At the mountain peak outside, a graceful noblewoman, witnessing this scene, showed a hint of joy on her face.
Beside her, however, Jin Shi, the patriarch of the Gold-Eating Rat clan, and Elder Jin Gu, who had just advanced to the Dou Zong realm, trembled, barely daring to breathe.
This was because the beautiful woman standing beside them was none other than Xuan Yi, the only woman among the three giants of the Pill Tower!
Half an hour earlier, a spatial rift had suddenly appeared above the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool. At the time, Jin Shi and Jin Gu assumed a powerful force was about to exterminate their clans.
After all, who would open a spatial rift above someone else's territory unless they were an enemy?
Of course, Xuan Yi, about to see her lover, didn't care about such things. After consuming a high-grade seventh-rank pill, Jin Shi beamed and began explaining to Xuan Yi.
"Boom!"
Just then, a tremendous sound suddenly erupted from the Blood Pool of Tianshan. Immediately afterward, crimson energy burst forth from the bottom of the pool, and crimson magma shot into the sky!
Combined with the billowing smoke, it seemed as if even the air itself was about to ignite.
"Whoosh!"
A young figure suddenly shot up from the bottom of the Blood Pool, instantly arriving hundreds of meters above the volcano. This person was none other than Xiao Yan!
"Finally, mid-stage Five-Star Dou Zong!"
"You are Xiao Yan?"
Before Xiao Yan could fully appreciate the difference of a Five-Star Dou Zong, a gentle yet urgent voice interrupted him. Xuan Yi, who had been standing atop the mountain, instantly appeared beside Xiao Yan.
"You are...?"
Xiao Yan, who had considered himself a genius for his age, having broken through to Five-Star Dou Zong, second only to Lin Feng, suddenly turned pale upon feeling the oppressive energy emanating from him.
"Looks like I've become arrogant lately! The world won't only give you opponents your own age!"
"Didn't that old bastard Yao Chen tell you? I'm your master's wife, Xuan Yi!"
Although she didn't sense Yao Chen's aura on Xiao Yan for some reason, judging from the flames wrapped around Xiao Yan just now, he must have cultivated Yao Chen's unique Burning Technique.
Therefore, Xuan Yi intended to seize the initiative from the start.
"Master, master's wife?"
He thought this beautiful woman was an enemy he had somehow provoked, but who knew that her words would leave Xiao Yan speechless. When did his shameless old master find him a master's wife?
"Not bad, you're much more obedient than that ingrate Han Feng. This is a gift from your master's wife, take it!"
Seemingly very satisfied with Xiao Yan's answer, Xuan Yi couldn't wait to take out a small white tiger from her storage ring and place it in Xiao Yan's hand.
"What is this?"
Xiao Yan stared at the little white tiger in his hand, his pupils shrinking sharply. If he wasn't mistaken, could this be the legendary—Grade 8 pill!
"Hehe, this is just a little gift from your master's wife to you, my good boy. Just accept it!"
"Xiao Yan, your master's wife is asking you, where did your master go?"
"Master, he..."
Xiao Yan, who was initially quite shocked by the Grade 8 pill, suddenly fell silent upon hearing Xuan Yi's question, making Xuan Yi very anxious.
"Xiao Yan, you silly child, just say what's wrong, your master's wife will make the decision for you!"
Seeing Xuan Yi's anxious face, and recalling that his master had indeed said that the three giants of the Pill Tower were trustworthy back in the Northwest Continent, Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment before taking out the Bone Nether Ring.
"Back in the Northwest Continent, because of my willfulness, my master exhausted all his soul power."
"Now, relying on ordinary spiritual objects, it's impossible to revive my master!"
"What!?"
Xuan Yi slowly accepted the Bone Nether Ring, her hands trembling slightly as she looked at the familiar ring.
"Yao Chen, you old codger, I will definitely revive you!"
After a long while, Xuan Yi finally came to her senses and looked at Xiao Yan, who was also in pain, with a look of relief.
"Xiao Yan, don't blame yourself. The reason your master did this was because you are his pride, wasn't it?"
"Leave the rest to your master's wife. Do you want to go back to the Pill Tower with her? With the many spiritual treasures stored in the Pill Tower, we can definitely revive your master!"
"My master has given me a second life, and I will definitely protect him!"
"In that case, let's set off!" As soon as
Xuan Yi finished speaking, she waved her hand, and a spatial rift appeared above the Blood Pool. After exchanging a few words with Jin Shi of the Gold-Eating Rat Clan, Xiao Yan also entered the spatial rift.
"I didn't expect Mr. Xiao Yan to have such a connection. His future is limitless!"
In Tianya City of the Northwest Continent, a figure in cyan green, accompanied by two alluring women dressed in cyan green, slowly arrived at the location.
"Brother Lin Feng, I've arrived!"
Inside the Soul Palace's outpost where Nine Heavens Venerable Demon Rain resided, a figure completely concealed within a black robe slowly raised his head, revealing a pale face—it was none other than Iron Protector of the Northwest Continent!
"I've finally waited for my chance! Master, Old Iron is coming to the Pill Tower to find you!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a thick black fog enveloped the area, and a gust of cold wind swept by, and Iron Protector's figure vanished!
Meanwhile, inside another hall within the Soul Palace's outpost, Ice River was filled with resentment.
"Demon Rain, how dare you place such a vicious prohibition on me! Once I obtain the Calamity Poison Body, I'll make you pay!"
(End of Chapter)