A week later, Xiao Hua stepped out of the wooden cabin and headed straight toward a certain mountain range.
Now, he hovered silently in midair, gazing down at a massive crater with an expression devoid of emotion. After a few breaths, he turned his head, eyes narrowing for an instant before his figure blurred—vanishing like mist as he shot toward the direction he had looked.
A moment later, he arrived before an ice cave radiating an intense, bone-piercing cold. Turning his head slightly, he took in the sight of the surrounding forest—now a frozen realm where the cold energy ran rampant, forming thick white mists and sharp frost that clung to every surface.
So dense was the cold Qi that even an elite Dou Huang could be frozen solid if caught unprepared. Within this frigid mist, one's Spiritual Strength and Dou Qi would be suppressed unless they possessed formidable cultivation or carried a powerful flame to shield themselves from the biting chill.
"As expected of Sister Xue Yue. Even after ten years, the cold energy here remains this terrifying…" Xiao Hua murmured inwardly, a trace of awe flashing in his eyes at Xue Yue's frightening control and strength with ice.
"This is merely her playing around," Lady Azure snorted softly, her voice laced with mirth. "If you succeed in crafting her a new body, just wait—the entire Great Thousand World's frost and snow will be suppressed before Sister Xue Yue, their rightful queen."
Xiao Hua could only shake his head at her remark, a wry smile tugging at his lips. Yet deep within, his respect and astonishment for Xue Yue grew even stronger. Even if he poured his full strength into altering the land, he doubted he could sustain such a transformation—let alone maintain it for ten years without the cold Qi weakening in the slightest.
"Anyway, I should focus on the matters at hand..."
A soft, exasperated murmur escaped Xiao Hua's lips before he turned around and stepped into the ice cave. As he ventured deeper, the air grew colder, denser, until a familiar sight emerged before his eyes—a figure sealed within crystal-clear ice, his expression twisted with regret and unwillingness.
Naturally, this was the Old Ground Demon Ghost—the one Xiao Hua had battled shortly after refining his first Tier 8 medicinal pill, the Phoenix's Elemental Core Pill. Though the fight had been fierce, the final blow had not come from him, but from Xue Yue.
Xiao Hua stared at the frozen figure with an indifferent gaze. In truth, he found the old man rather unfortunate—if not for Sister Xue Yue's intervention after his escape, the battle might have ended differently. But he also understood why the cold and indifferent Xue Yue had acted on her own.
'Had he not shown greed for the orange-colored Lightning Beast, Sister Xue Yue wouldn't have bothered to move,' he thought, a trace of pity flashing through his heart.
Indeed, the man's fate had been sealed the moment his greed was exposed. Despite surviving the berserk power of the Second Strike of Nine Supreme Chaos Strike—albeit barely, with his life hanging by a thread—his chances of survival had still been considerable.
Unfortunately, his fatal mistake had not been in the battle itself, but in what he desired that sealed his fate.
With a wave of his hand, a powerful force surged forth, instantly shattering the ice that had encased the Old Ground Demon Ghost. Without hesitation, Xiao Hua stored the corpse into his storage ring.
Then, he raised his arm and spread his fingers wide. Five flames of different colors rose elegantly from his palm, dancing with a mystical light. With a casual flick, the five flames floated outward and began to merge, forming a vibrant and radiant medicinal cauldron made entirely of flame.
As the cauldron solidified in midair, a fiery phoenix took shape within it, spreading its wings as it gracefully circled the cauldron. Furthermore, the temperature within the icy cave rose sharply, the once bone-chilling cold quickly replaced by scorching heat.
The frost covering the walls and floor of the cave began to melt, dripping away beneath the overwhelming temperature radiating from the flame-forged cauldron.
With the cauldron now fully formed, Xiao Hua waved his hand through the air, and a stream of medicinal ingredients flew out from his storage ring one after another, hovering before him in perfect order.
With a downward sweep of his arm, the medicinal ingredients were swiftly tossed into the flaming cauldron. One by one, they were devoured by the fire phoenix within, vanishing amidst the swirling flames.
Once the fiery phoenix had consumed all the ingredients, Xiao Hua seated himself cross-legged and began focusing his mind. Under his precise control, the medicinal essence was gradually refined and merged, forming the foundation of a pill.
Time flowed quietly, and several hours passed in silence as the fiery phoenix continued to dance in the cauldron.
Naturally, the number of ingredients was not large, and for someone of Xiao Hua's level, neither the refinement nor the process posed any true challenge. It was only a matter of time before it reached completion.
Buzz!
A soft hum echoed from the fire cauldron as it began to tremble slightly. In response, Xiao Hua opened his eyes and slowly rose to his feet.
With a wave of his hand, the fire phoenix swelled and soared out of the medicinal cauldron. As it ascended, its form expanded rapidly, growing larger with each beat of its blazing wings. A clear, resounding cry echoed from its beak as it pierced through the air, its voice carrying both majesty and power.
By the time it reached the sky above, the fire phoenix had grown to a length of several thousand feet. In that moment, a wave of powerful medicinal fluctuations erupted from its graceful form, rippling outward like a tide.
Bang!
A thunderous boom suddenly echoed across the heavens, as if responding to the surge of energy. The natural forces in the surroundings stirred wildly, the once-still air turning turbulent as spiritual energy became chaotic and fierce.
This was a strange natural phenomenon that occurred when a high-tier medicinal pill was about to form. However, since this was only a Tier 6 pill, the scale of the phenomenon was relatively small.
Regardless, once this was complete, he planned to refine a physical body for Tian Huo Zun-zhe and have him deliver it to Cai Lin. There were still matters he needed to attend to.
As this thought crossed his mind, the medicinal fluctuations in the air suddenly began to recede. The intense energy gradually faded, and the once restless surroundings slowly returned to calm.
Once the natural phenomenon fully subsided, the fire phoenix let out a final cry before descending rapidly. In the next instant, its massive body released a blinding light, followed by a powerful surge of energy.
Bang!
The energy fluctuation grew wild and violent. Then, under Xiao Hua's calm gaze, the fire phoenix exploded into countless sparks.
From within the burst of flame, a single ray of light shot upward, escaping the remnants of fire. It streaked through the air before arcing back down and flying toward Xiao Hua.
The light came to a stop above his outstretched palm, revealing a medicinal pill about the size of a dragon's eye, warm and steady in its glow.
"Finally, the Soul Recovery Pill is complete. Now, I can give this to Cai Lin. But first…" Xiao Hua smiled in satisfaction as he stored the pill in his Mysterious Heaven Ring. Then, with a flick of his hand, he retrieved a coffin and slowly opened it, revealing a jade-white skeleton within.
This skeleton was something he had obtained from the System—a corpse of peak Dou Zun expert who had undergone three changes. While he wasn't particularly surprised that the System regarded such a corpse as a treasure, receiving it still left him somewhat speechless.
"Ke ke… Is this the body you plan to use for my revival, Master Xiao Hua?"
As Xiao Hua stared at the skeleton, a white glow emerged from the snow-white ring, and Tian Huo Zun-zhe's spiritual form floated out of the light.
"That's right, Tian Huo Zun-zhe," Xiao Hua replied with a nod. "Once I refine the skeleton and merge it with the essence of a powerful magical beast's bloodline, I'm confident you'll be restored to your peak—or perhaps even stronger."
He spoke with certainty. Xiao Hua believed that once Tian Huo Zun-zhe was revived, there was a real possibility his strength could reach the level of a 9-Star Dou Zun—an outcome that would greatly benefit him when they head for the Central Plains.
"But the refinement and merging process will take some time, so please be patient," he added.
"Ke ke. I understand. I shall follow your instructions and wait patiently. After all, this is your field of expertise. My fate lies in your hands, Master Xiao Hua," Tian Huo Zun-zhe replied with a light chuckle, stroking his beard with a calm smile.
For someone who had been sealed in the magma world for so long, waiting a few weeks meant little.
Xiao Hua gave a nod and glanced at the skeleton with a thoughtful expression. Ordinary alchemists would need a long rest to recover after refining a medicinal pill, especially one involving soul power.
But with the Celestial Ancient Frost and the Glazed Soul Flame in his body, the exhaustion from earlier had already faded.
Xiao Hua took out a jade box and a jade bottle, placing them before him. With a flick of his finger, the jade box floated toward Tian Huo Zun-zhe.
"This box contains a Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill. Once I give the signal, swallow it and enter the skeleton."
"I understand." Tian Huo Zun-zhe nodded in acknowledgment.
After handing over the jade box, Xiao Hua took a deep breath and continued softly, "I'll begin refining the body now. Once it's complete, you'll be able to begin the merging process."
Without waiting for a response, the jade bottle drifted into Xiao Hua's hand. Within it, green-red blood slowly swirled, exuding a terrifying energy fluctuation that caused the air around them to tremble.
Tian Huo Zun-zhe narrowed his eyes and stroked his chin with interest. "Is this… Heaven Demon Phoenix's Blood Essence?"
"I found a Heaven Demon Phoenix's corpse a few years ago. After refining it, I preserved its blood essence," Xiao Hua replied calmly.
Unlike Xiao Yan, who was forced to use an alternative, lower-quality method due to a lack of resources, Xiao Hua spared no effort in this revival. He had all the necessary ingredients—and more importantly, the means to use them without compromise.
After all, his storage ring held more than enough Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pills. He could afford to go all out.
'Even so, to find the corpse of a Heaven Demon Phoenix in this remote corner of the world…' Tian Huo Zun-zhe shook his head slightly, inwardly amazed at Xiao Hua's luck.
In all his long years, he had never once seen the corpse of a Heaven Demon Phoenix. These proud creatures always returned to their altar when they sensed death approaching, leaving nothing behind for others.
Yet beyond surprise, what Tian Huo Zun-zhe felt most was gratitude. Xiao Hua had chosen the highest quality ingredients for his revival without hesitation. How could he not feel satisfied? How could he not admire such sincerity?
'It seems I truly chose the right person to entrust myself to.' A joyful thought stirred in his heart. He felt increasingly confident in his decision to follow Xiao Hua and join the force he was building in the Central Plains.
As Tian Huo Zun-zhe sank into his thoughts, Xiao Hua raised a hand. The green-red blood essence in the jade bottle surged forth, shooting out and splashing onto the jade-white skeleton.
Hiss!
White smoke rose instantly as a sharp hissing echoed through the cave. The blood essence reacted violently with the white bones, marking the beginning of the refining process.
Seeing this, Tian Huo Zun-zhe silenced his thoughts. He understood—his role would begin soon, but until then, all he could do was wait patiently for Xiao Hua's signal.
Zi! Zi!
The green-red liquid rapidly spread as soon as it made contact with the jade-white skeleton. In the blink of an eye, the bones began to transform, taking on a beautiful green-red hue. At the same time, a rich energy ripple pulsed from within the skeleton.
Xiao Hua raised his hand at the sight. The green-red skeleton slowly lifted into the air on its own. With a flick of his sleeve, five flames of different colors surged out, wrapping the skeleton in a vibrant five-colored blaze.
'As expected, merging the overbearing blood essence of the Heaven Demon Phoenix is no simple task,' Xiao Hua thought to himself.
He understood clearly—only by using his five Primordial Heavenly Flames, or Heavenly Flames, to thoroughly temper the domineering energy into every bone could the skeleton properly absorb it.
Under the fierce roasting, faint green-red light shimmered across the skeleton's surface. Despite this, the high temperature caused tiny bubbles to form on the bones, which occasionally burst, releasing waves of dense energy into the air.
Xiao Hua closed his eyes, fully focused on the tempering process. It consumed an immense amount of time and effort.
Nearly half a day passed before he finally reopened his tightly shut eyes. The bright sky has become darken at this moment.
By now, the bright green-red hue of the skeleton had faded significantly. Though still colored, it no longer radiated with its previous brilliance. Xiao Hua understood—this was a sign that the Heaven Demon Phoenix's blood essence had thoroughly seeped into the skeleton, refined and subdued under the continuous roasting.
Tian Huo Zun-zhe watched the scene unfold with a mix of amazement and admiration. In his heart, he was certain—Xiao Hua's control over flame had already reached a level far beyond that of the younger generation.
Even some old monsters who had trained their flame control for centuries might struggle to match his precision and mastery.
Though he had expected Xiao Hua to be skilled, witnessing it firsthand still left him speechless. It was a pity he hadn't been conscious during the refinement of the Tier 9 Treasure Pill—he had been in deep slumber, recovering his strength.
After a period of refinement, the jade-white skeleton underwent a striking transformation. Its entire frame had taken on a green-red hue. Only the right hand remained partially jade-white, though even that now bore streaks of green-red near the wrist. The two colors had fully merged under the relentless grilling of the five Primordial Heavenly Flames.
"Tian Huo Zun-zhe!"
Xiao Hua's expression turned serious as he called out with a deep voice upon seeing the changes reach their peak.
"Understood!"
Tian Huo Zun-zhe nodded firmly. Without hesitation, he retrieved the Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill from the jade box and swallowed it. In the next moment, his figure turned illusory, transforming into a streak of light that shot straight into the skeleton.
Bang!
The skeleton trembled violently the moment Tian Huo Zun-zhe's soul fused into it. Those once-empty eye sockets gradually lit up with a faint glow. At the same time, a mysterious and oppressive energy surged from within, spreading outward. Under its influence, strands of flesh began to form across the surface of the bones—an eerie and miraculous transformation.
This phenomenon was naturally the result of the Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill. Moreover, it was no ordinary pill—it had experienced an eight-colored Pill Lightning, and its potency was far beyond the norm.
"Tian Huo Zun-zhe, you must endure! If you falter, all of this will fail!"
Xiao Hua's voice deepened, his expression growing grim as he observed the rapidly forming tissue writhing along the skeleton. With a sharp cry, the five flames surrounding the skeleton suddenly flared with greater intensity.
Under the searing heat of the flames, the newly formed flesh was incinerated into ashes. Yet as the ashes scattered, that mysterious energy surged forth once more, and the regeneration of flesh resumed at an even faster pace.
In the end, the rapid writhing of flesh granules could be clearly seen. A blurred human outline, shrouded in blood and energy, was swiftly taking shape.
The burning and regeneration continued for nearly ten hours. Under the persistent tempering of the flames, the flesh fully formed, and the skin gradually took on its complete structure.
By now, the skeleton on the stone platform had fully transformed into a human body.
What remained was the final step—Tian Huo Zun-zhe's complete fusion with this vessel. Once that was achieved, Yao Tian Huo would truly return to life, reborn through flame and blood.
…
Within the cave—once an icy chamber, now melted by the intense heat of the refinement process—Xiao Hua stood silently. He watched the elder figure sitting cross-legged, eyes shut, engulfed in the lingering flames.
Xiao Hua quietly exhaled, a faint sigh of relief escaping his lips. No abnormalities had surfaced—everything had gone according to plan. The physical body was now fully refined. From this point on, the rest depended on Tian Huo Zun-zhe.
As long as he could perfectly fuse with the vessel, true rebirth would follow.
"Hu…"
Wiping away the cold sweat on his forehead, Xiao Hua let out a long, weary breath. The continuous refinement over the past three days had taken a heavy toll. Even with his vast Dou Qi reserves and rapid recovery speed, mental exhaustion was not something that could be easily replenished.
"Still, thanks to the Primordial Heavenly Flames, the process didn't take as long as it could have…"
He muttered softly, then sat down on a nearby stone platform to rest. His mind shifted to something he hadn't checked in some time—the System.
With a thought, a translucent screen appeared before him. His gaze swept toward the ACP Rate and his current balance.
Before entering the ivory tower with Cai Lin, he had upgraded his ACP Rate after drawing an ACP Reward from the Gacha. Since then, he'd been earning 190 ACP every 12 hours. Now, his accumulated balance had reached 329,640 ACP.
Xiao Hua chose to draw from the Gacha, selecting a ten-draw option at once. It cost him 300,000 ACP, leaving only 29,640 ACP in reserve. His intent wasn't just to increase his Gacha Accumulation—he also wished to confirm a lingering suspicion in his heart.
But after reviewing all the rewards, a relief sigh escaped his lips.
None of the draws yielded the medicinal ingredients he had hoped for—ingredients that could be refined into a pill capable of addressing Cai Lin's unique condition: her inability to control her physical body due to the Heaven Swallowing Python's spirit having overtaken it, leaving her to exist as a mere soul trapped within.
'So I really was overthinking it… I thought the System was manipulating my path, guiding every step of my future. But perhaps, I am just being paranoid over it,' Xiao Hua murmured, half to himself.
His gaze lingered on the list of rewards—there were indeed extremely rare ingredients and some soul-nourishing pills, yet none that could facilitate the merging of a soul with its body.
He had once believed that this path had been manipulated upon him by the System. But now, it seemed it was simply unfortunate luck that he failed to obtain those ingredients through Gacha Draw.
Regardless, he noticed that he had received three ACP reward bonuses—one of which granted an exceptionally large amount. When he checked his balance, his ACP had risen significantly, reaching 1,575,610.
First, he upgraded his ACP Rate, allowing him to gain 190 ACP every six hours. Then, he used 1,260,000 ACP to draw from the Gacha forty-two times. However, after reviewing the rewards, nothing stood out as particularly useful or noteworthy.
With a calm breath, he decided to invest in another ACP Rate upgrade, leaving him with only 15,610 ACP.
When he saw that his ACP Rate had now increased to 190 ACP per hour, Xiao Hua nodded in satisfaction and closed the translucent panel with a thought. Closing his eyes, he sat in silent meditation, patiently waiting for Tian Huo Zun-zhe to fully awaken—reborn as a true expert once more.
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