Chapter 332: They Had Their Fun—Now It's My Turn
Staring at the seven-colored thundercloud in the sky, the old alchemist surnamed Wang could no longer hold back his tears. He knelt in midair, overwhelmed with emotion.
Seven-colored Pill Thunder!
It was actually seven colors!
His teacher's strength… was terrifying beyond belief!
In the courtyard, Tian Huo Zun Zhe swept his gaze across the sky, his brows slightly furrowed as he noticed slight distortions in space—imperceptible to the naked eye.
There was a presence hidden there—so faint it would've gone undetected if not for a subtle leak of aura. It belonged to a peak Dou Zun… perhaps even a cultivator who had compressed their Dou Qi into the rare Nine-Rotation Dou Zun Realm!
In the Pill Region, only the legendary Three Pill Tower Giants were known to possess such strength.
Still, the Pill Tower had always been friendly to high-tier alchemists. Xiao Yuan was a young prodigy. That one of the giants might appear to win him over wasn't entirely unexpected.
And whether this figure meant harm or not, Tian Huo Zun Zhe wasn't worried.
There was no point worrying anyway—such cultivators were on a whole different level. They couldn't be stopped. If conflict ever came, they could only hope to survive, not win.
"Seven-colored Pill Thunder…"
Xiao Yuan wiped the sweat from his brow as he looked at the dazzling thunderclouds above. Even he couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement.
This was, without a doubt, the highest-quality pill he had ever made!
"You've officially graduated."
Xiao Yan didn't speak, but the faint white flame flickering in his eyes said it all. Yao Lao's voice echoed in Xiao Yuan's mind.
Hearing this, Xiao Yuan—despite his composure—felt a mix of emotions: joy, pride, gratitude, fulfillment.
It hadn't been long since he began his training—just about five years. For most, reaching eighth-tier alchemist level in five years was absurd.
But during those five years, aside from brief moments of rest with his beloved, he had been endlessly cultivating: Dou Techniques, alchemy, Dou Qi—an unceasing cycle of effort.
Now, his alchemy stood at the pinnacle of the Dou Qi continent. Only the reclusive ninth-tier alchemists surpassed him.
Yes, there were stronger eighth-tiers, but none so strong that he would feel inferior.
Thanks to the Soul-Nurturing Pearl, his soul remained brimming with vitality despite his slight fatigue.
Looking at the magnificent seven-colored thunderclouds brewing above, Xiao Yuan could barely contain his glee.
Such massive Pill Thunder—if absorbed by his puppets—it would be pure bliss!
The power of Pill Thunder rose with pill quality. A thundercloud of this level could threaten even ordinary Dou Zuns. Even Tian Huo Zun Zhe would have to take it seriously.
But Xiao Yuan had a better solution.
Raising his hand toward the sky blazing with radiant lightning, he summoned the five senior members of the North Pavilion of Wind and Thunder Pavilion.
All of them were… excellent people!
As five silvery figures emerged, their metallic sheen gleamed brilliantly. Xiao Yuan's already good mood turned even better.
The ancient figure who created the method of crafting Heavenly Demon Puppets was a genius. To allow puppets to absorb Pill Thunder to enhance themselves—what brilliance!
"Take care of it," he commanded solemnly, like a Pavilion Master issuing orders.
Then he folded his arms and gazed at the sky, waiting for the show to begin.
Above, the seven-colored thunderclouds grew increasingly volatile. Deep rumbles echoed across the heavens. Thunderbolts danced within the cloud layer.
Zzzap!
Suddenly, the cloud compressed sharply. A seven-colored lightning bolt, thick as a giant python, burst forth with a deafening roar. It split the sky and struck down toward the Black Demon Cauldron below.
In a flash of silver, the five puppets shot skyward and collided head-on with the thunderbolt, much to the astonishment of onlookers.
"Sigh…"
Gasps filled the area. The puppets appeared to be Dou Zong-level. Everyone had assumed Tian Huo Zun Zhe would act. No one thought the renowned eighth-tier alchemist would only send five Dou Zong puppets!
"They're absorbing the lightning?!"
But those with sharper eyes quickly saw the truth and cried out.
The lightning grew brighter as the puppets bathed in it, confirming what was happening.
"No wonder the master was so confident—those puppets are extraordinary!"
"Heh, this kid's collection is impressive. I've seen thunder-absorbing puppets in an ancient ruin once… too bad they were destroyed during the competition for them."
In the spatial void above, the elegant woman regained some calm. Seeing the five puppets Xiao Yuan summoned, she smiled softly and murmured.
"This kid's clever. With thunder of this level, those five puppets might all advance to Dou Zun-grade fighters!"
Tian Huo Zun Zhe stroked his beard, eyes fixed on the sky.
Xiao Yi Xian, once worried, now fully relaxed. Her gaze turned to Xiao Yuan's confident profile, eyes shimmering.
Xiao Yuan's growth never failed to astound her.
Cai Lin, Yun Yun, and Tang Huo Er all looked stunned—hands over their hearts or mouths in disbelief.
Just before coming to Central Plains, Xiao Yuan had only just reached seventh-tier alchemist level. Now, not only had he broken into the eighth tier, but he had even produced a pill that summoned seven-colored Pill Thunder!
Even among Pill Tower elders, few could boast that feat.
Tang Huo Er was the most thrilled.
She knew what Xiao Yuan's alchemy meant to Blazing Flame Valley.
He was the key to its rebirth.
Yun Yun felt emotional too. The boy who used to call her "sister" had now grown into a man standing atop the continent. His strength rivaled Dou Zuns. Dou Zuns willingly served as his guards.
What had Yanran been thinking back then?
She couldn't help but recall her own disciple.
Cai Lin's gaze softened. As queen of the snake-people, she bore many burdens. She had never imagined she'd one day fall for a human—especially one who, back when he was just a Dou Practitioner, had dared take advantage of her.
Now, this man was terrifyingly strong—peerless in power and alchemy among his peers.
It was hard not to be drawn to someone like that.
She… really enjoyed being near him.
Boom! Boom!
Thunder roared like rampaging dragons in the sky. Bolts of lightning poured down upon the five Demon Puppets.
Lightning exploded on contact, sending fine electric serpents slithering through their bodies, rapidly strengthening their inner structure.
From afar, they looked like thunder gods, hovering amid electric brilliance. Their presence alone made onlookers' scalps tingle.
Inside the room, Xiao Yuan stood calmly, arms crossed. The five puppets had absorbed all the thunder for him, making the process effortless.
For nearly half an hour, the thundercloud raged on, releasing hundreds of devastating strikes.
But none could harm the puppets. On the contrary, their silvery forms began to take on golden hues.
Especially Fei Tian—his entire body became wrapped in golden brilliance. He was now a true Heavenly Demon Puppet!
"No wonder they call it seven-colored Pill Thunder!"
Xiao Yuan smiled in satisfaction.
Four peak Dou Zong puppets and one newly advanced Dou Zun—this was a massive gain.
Each Dou Zong puppet, with their near-invulnerable bodies and no pain sensitivity, could match anyone from the Bai or Qian clans at Canaan Academy.
If they worked together, even Tian Shuangzi could be stalled.
Just as Xiao Yuan was admiring them, the thundercloud above seemed to grow angry from having its power constantly absorbed.
It compressed again, energy converging. The cloud shrank.
"Huh?"
Xiao Yuan noticed the shift and blinked.
Come on… can't take a little fun?
"Heh, pissed off the Pill Thunder, did he?" Tian Huo Zun Zhe laughed but didn't intervene.
There was no need—unless it summoned Black Demon Thunder, normal thunder posed no threat to these puppets.
But Black Demon Thunder only came with ninth-tier pills. Seven-colored thunderclouds didn't reach that level.
Still, the atmosphere changed. The air buzzed with violent energy. Even Dou Qi felt sluggish.
BOOM—BOOM—BOOM!
Within the cloud, a near-black lightning bolt full of destruction began forming.
"Eh?"
Tian Huo Zun Zhe's eyes widened.
That color… didn't look right!
"Could this be Black Demon Thunder?!"
Someone in the crowd gasped.
"No… not quite. I've seen the real thing. This is more like a Black Demon Thunder imitation—similar, but much weaker."
Xiao Yuan smiled and explained to Xiao Yan, a dark thunder seal emerging on his brow.
"The puppets had their fun… now it's my turn!"
With a wave of his hand, he recalled the puppets.
The black lightning, having lost its target, hesitated—then locked onto Xiao Yuan.
Zzzt!
The bolt tore through space toward him.
"Demonic Thunder Body!"
Xiao Yuan whispered. Green and black lightning flared across his skin.
In an instant, he appeared in midair and punched toward the oncoming bolt.
BOOM!
The earth-shaking sound rang out. Even the air felt heavy. Weaker cultivators turned pale.
Under the black lightning's force, Xiao Yuan's body charred, and he was sent crashing downward. Cracks in space split open around him.
"Madness!"
Onlookers thought he'd lost his mind—taking on the thunder with his bare body?
"Teacher!"
Elder Wang screamed, looking like the world had ended.
"Relax. You think that brat's the type to die like that?"
Tian Huo Zun Zhe chided. Watching the old man cry over someone young enough to be his great-grandson made it hard to keep a straight face.
"Eh?"
The elder looked up again.
Xiao Yuan's body stabilized midair. His aura surged terrifyingly.
A wild, youthful laugh echoed across the skies:
"Again! Give me more!"
"Heavens!"
Everyone turned their eyes upward.
The charred figure now charged straight into the sky, lightning crackling around him.
A more refined, devastating energy radiated from his body as he rushed into the thundercloud itself—absorbing the black lightning head-on!
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1