Chapter 274: Qi of Battle: Six Stages
As Yao Yan had expected, his identity as an Eighth-Rank Senior Alchemist caused quite a stir within the Hun Clan. There were very few high-ranking alchemists in the Hun Clan, and most of them were outsiders, not even members of the Hun Clan. Many were "puppets" controlled by the clan, with no prospects of advancement.
These alchemists were captured by the Hun Temple and brought to the Hun Clan, some choosing to join the clan and gain some freedom, while others, with stubborn personalities, refused to align with the Hun Clan and were turned into puppets dedicated to refining pills, losing all freedom.
Therefore, in the entire Hun Clan, the only well-known high-ranking alchemist was Hun Xuzi.
However, this situation was changing now. Hun Xuzi's disciple, the Young Clan Leader of the Hun Clan, had already achieved the status of an Eighth-Rank Senior Alchemist at a young age. With Yao Yan's age and talent, it was only a matter of time before he reached Ninth-Rank Pill Master.
As for the resources needed for growth, the Hun Clan was more than capable of providing them.
As the news spread throughout the Hun Clan, the name "Hun Yan" became etched into many minds. At the same time, a large number of Hun Clan Dou Zun-level individuals began to visit Hun Xuzi's mansion, requesting pills from Yao Yan. Among them were many city lords who controlled various cities in the Hun Realm, with statuses much higher than that of ordinary Dou Zun-level cultivators. The gifts they brought were extremely valuable.
Yao Yan accepted all the pill requests, and within just a few days, he had gathered dozens of formulas for Eighth-Rank Senior Pills, as well as countless rare medicinal materials.
This turned out to be a huge windfall for Yao Yan.
According to the recognized rules of alchemists, those requesting pills had to prepare three or more sets of materials, and these Hun Clan city lords were all old Dou Zun cultivators with nearly a thousand years of experience, making them wealthy enough to avoid being stingy with Yao Yan. Some even prepared more than five sets of materials, asking him to refine the pills, not caring about failure, and seeking to make good relations with him.
"Master, why bother with such a troublesome job? The Hun Clan has plenty of alchemists who specialize in Eighth-Rank Senior Pills. You could just let them do the work." Tian Zi Huo, floating around Yao Yan, spoke with some confusion.
"This isn't troublesome for me. On the contrary, it's a form of cultivation. Whether it's refining battle qi or strengthening Hun power, it has its benefits." Yao Yan answered while memorizing the pill formulas.
He had never neglected his alchemy skills, as it was a path that led directly to the Great Way.
The process of refining pills also allowed him to experience the concept of destiny... Yao Yan felt that his future path lay in alchemy. He wanted to create a method that would transform everything he devoured into nourishment, evolving into a divine method that was deeply compatible with alchemy.
The cultivation path, after all, was similar to refining oneself into a pill—using different materials to ultimately reach different paths and destinations.
Besides this...
Yao Yan was also building connections. If he ever reached that point in the future... it would be useful.
One must always prepare for the future.
"The cultivation of humans is truly troublesome~" Tian Zi Huo lazily said, clearly uninterested in the human method of alchemy. For Heavenly Flames like itself, all that was needed was sufficient fire attribute energy, and it could directly increase its power.
However, the stronger one became, the more energy was required—often far exceeding the energy needed for humans to increase their power.
This had something to do with the mysteries of the human body.
Tian Zi Huo still hadn't reached that step, so it was naturally unclear. Moreover, its origin wasn't complete, and its upper limit had already been restricted.
Yao Yan didn't argue with Tian Zi Huo. He never thought it was troublesome. On the contrary, he found the human cultivation path fascinating. He couldn't imagine how much effort and many lives the Gu sages had spent to explore this complete cultivation path. These were things that no Heavenly Flame could comprehend.
"Has Void Lord ever refined pills?" Yao Yan suddenly thought of something and asked Tian Zi Huo.
"Seems like he has... but later found it boring, so he stopped." Tian Zi Huo's face flickered with a thoughtful expression before responding.
Boring?
Yao Yan didn't think so. He believed that Void Devouring Flame had definitely studied the Divine Alchemy Method, a method originating from the Tuo She Gu Emperor, which could transform an Emperor-level pill into its original form. This method must have some connection to alchemy. However, Tian Zi Huo was unaware of these secrets, as it had always been a tool fire created to control the entire Blood Sacrifice World.
Now, with the Hun Clan's plans to open soon, the Blood Sacrifice World would gradually close, and the Hun Clan disciples inside would slowly come out.
Everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion.
The only variable was himself!
"Whoosh!"
The space warped, and Hun Yi appeared in the courtyard, handing Yao Yan a purple-glowing spatial ring. His head lowered, and his aged voice carried a hint of respect. "Young Clan Leader, this contains the techniques and battle skills you requested!"
"Thank you, Elder Yi." Yao Yan politely said as he took the spatial ring. Inside, along with various techniques collected by the Hun Clan, there were also core techniques of the Hun Clan. With his current status, he could freely view and cultivate them.
He was still very interested in the Heaven Devouring Art. Although it couldn't alter the battle qi attribute or the method itself, with the help of evil energy, he could use it to transform the Heaven Devouring Art!
Evil energy didn't care about the attributes of the method.
"Quite lively~" A calm voice sounded from the room. After a moment, the space beside them tore open with black flames, and Hun Xuzi's figure walked out. His expression was indifferent as he scanned the room before finally landing on Yao Yan. He threw a jade bottle towards him.
Yao Yan caught it without inspecting it first and respectfully bowed to Hun Xuzi. "Greetings, Master!"
"Won't you take a look? This is a gift I've prepared for you." Hun Xuzi's lips curled into a faint smile as he looked at the jade bottle in Yao Yan's hand.
Yao Yan, curious, opened the bottle, and immediately an indescribable medicinal fragrance filled the air. Just smelling it made his body feel a slight numbness, even giving his Hun a cool sensation, causing him to freeze for a moment.
"Master, what is this pill?"
"It's a Ninth-Rank Precious Pill, the Holy Spirit Pill. It can help a Nine-turn Dou Zun directly break into the Semi-Saint stage. It accelerates the transformation of Semi-Saint-level power... but the medicinal properties are extremely violent. If one cannot bear it, they will explode and die." Hun Xuzi chuckled, "Dou Zun cultivators are not qualified to take the Ninth-Rank Precious Pill!"
After a pause, he continued, "But this pill is perfect for you. Your body has already absorbed a drop of Dou Sheng blood, giving you some of the immortality of the Dou Sheng level. You've reached the peak of Nine-turn Dou Zun, and your body is strong enough to withstand this pill's violent energy. You can convert all the medicinal energy into your own and break into the Semi-Saint realm as quickly as possible!"
"Even if there is an accident, it will help you sort out the medicinal energy and ensure a steady absorption and transformation."
Hun Xuzi's gaze turned to Tian Zi Huo, his eyes cold with a hint of warning.
"Don't worry, Master. I will protect Young Master," Tian Zi Huo said with a mischievous grin.
"See that you do. If anything happens to him, you will cease to exist." Hun Xuzi said coldly. The value of Void Devouring Flame was high, but for the Hun Clan, Yao Yan's value had already surpassed that of Tian Zi Huo.
Tian Zi Huo continued to smile but said nothing. As part of the original essence of Void Devouring Flame, disappearing wasn't easy.
"Swallow it. The first step, I'll monitor you." Hun Xuzi turned to Yao Yan and spoke in a deep voice.
Yao Yan nodded and looked at the golden pill floating out of the jade bottle. Taking a deep breath, he swallowed it and sat cross-legged. He began to circulate the Burning Decision technique, allowing the surging battle qi to flow through his veins, while his Heavenly Realm Hun power covered his entire body, locking onto the Holy Spirit Pill that slid down into his stomach!
The Ninth-Rank Precious Pill was on a different scale compared to Eighth-Rank pills, just like how Dou Sheng was on a completely different level compared to Dou Zun. The energy contained within the Holy Spirit Pill was terrifying. If it exploded all at once, it would instantly reduce Yao Yan to dust.
Luckily, alchemists could convert this energy into the "gentlest" medicinal power for weaker cultivators to absorb and refine, even granting it unique properties.
"Buzz~"
Under Yao Yan's Hun power, the Holy Spirit Pill didn't immediately transform into medicinal energy. Instead, it trembled slightly before golden mist began to seep from its surface, merging into Yao Yan's body. An indescribable feeling of expansion began to tear at his body, and intense pain swept over him. His bones cracked, as though they couldn't bear the weight of this overwhelming energy.
And this was only the surface energy of the Holy Spirit Pill...
Yao Yan was already accustomed to this pain. Without changing his expression, he continued to circulate the Burning Decision technique, using his Heavenly Flames to wrap around the Holy Spirit Pill, refining the heavy medicinal energy and integrating it into his body.
With the stimulation of the fusion Heavenly Flames, the Holy Spirit Pill released vast amounts of medicinal energy. The golden energy even turned the flesh around his abdomen into gold. The unresolvable medicinal energy began to invade Yao Yan's entire body, even turning his blood into brilliant gold.
The sheer volume of this medicinal energy was beyond words, seemingly beyond what Yao Yan could endure.
But as the golden energy reached his bones, his body's Jade Bones began to activate, as if starving, devouring the golden energy in large amounts. The immense energy nourished his bones, making them clearer and brighter, transforming toward true immortal jade bones.
During this process, Yao Yan's body gradually withstood the invasion of the medicinal energy, beginning to slowly absorb and transform it. Even his Hun power was nourished, with a strange coolness flowing throughout his body. The pain and comfort coexisted, making him lose track of time, as if returning to the womb.
"Wake up!"
A cold voice echoed, pulling Yao Yan out of his trance.
Yao Yan suddenly opened his eyes. The room was still the same, but his body had undergone a strange transformation. A large amount of medicinal energy leaked out, causing a golden halo to emanate from his skin, turning him into a true little golden figure. However, the intense pain made him aware of his current state.
Hun Xuzi's expression was serious as he said, "Don't let the medicinal energy from the Holy Spirit Pill numb you. You must remain completely conscious during the transformation process. If you lose control, your consciousness will fall into oblivion. Many Semi-Saints have failed during this process!"
"You need to control the transformation process, not be controlled by the medicinal energy. The difference is huge. If the transformation is incomplete, you'll be stuck at the Semi-Saint level for life!"
"Body, battle qi, soul... The transformation of all three requires your control. Everyone's transformation process is different. Some people will transform their Hun first, but you're transforming your body first, which is great. A powerful body can carry stronger battle qi and Hun power!"
Yao Yan listened to Hun Xuzi's words, unable to speak at the moment. His body was flooded with medicinal energy, making him feel incredibly heavy, as if shackled. He could only try his best to stay conscious while running the Burning Decision technique to refine the energy within him, controlling the direction and speed of the transformation.
As he maintained control, the golden light emanating from his body began to dissipate, replaced by the purple-green fusion Heavenly Flames, enveloping his entire body.
He began to attempt transforming his body through alchemy.
This method had been used on him by Hun Xuzi years ago. The process was still fresh in his memory. It had almost penetrated every cell. Now, it was just a matter of trying it again.
"Very good~" Hun Xuzi was very pleased with Yao Yan's reaction and speed. The fact that he could adjust so quickly showed his talent and will. The process of transformation wasn't easy, and the trials involved were no less than body refining.
If it weren't like this, how could it be called a Saint?
...
...
In Wutan City, Xiao Clan.
"Qi of Battle: Six Stages!!"
"Xiao Mei, Qi of Battle: Six Stages! Level: Intermediate!"
"Yay, another improvement!" The thirteen-year-old girl clenched her small fist, a smile of joy appearing on her face. Unable to contain herself, she shouted out loud, and then, under the smiling gazes of the others, she shyly stuck out her tongue, holding her skirt as she jogged away from the test stone.
"At thirteen, reaching Six Stages of Battle Qi, I bet in three to five years, she'll become a true fighter. Truly the seed of our clan~"
"Yes, but the more incredible one is Young Master Xiao Yan. He formed his Qi vortex at eleven and became our clan's youngest fighter. He's barely fourteen now, and I remember the Clan Leader tested him last year. His strength was already at Nine-Star Fighter level. I wonder if he has made progress this year. If he has... a fourteen-year-old Fighter, tsk tsk, what terrifying talent!"
"Comparing to Young Master Xiao Yan is pointless. He's an unparalleled genius, and no one in the Jia Ma Empire can match him."
Under the envious and kind gazes of the crowd, the young girl, only thirteen, jogged over to a young man's side, lifting her youthful, bright face to look up at him. She cheerfully called out, "Xiao Yan brother, am I great!"
The young man named Xiao Yan, accustomed to the attention, smiled faintly. With composure and confidence, he reached out and ruffled her head, laughing, "Mei'er is great, but still needs to work harder!"
"Mm!" Xiao Mei smiled happily, standing close to Xiao Yan, basking in the attention like a little bird.
(END CHAPTER)
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