There stretched a vast square, entirely built from red rocks, extending endlessly as far as the eye could see. The square was crowded with people, and a deafening noise emanated from it.
The space above constantly distorted and fluctuated, with space boats emerging and shrinking in size as figures inside them descended from the sky like falling beans.
As Xiao Ming slowly opened his eyes, this scene came into view, and he couldn't help but smile, "We're back."
It had been three months since they left the Ten Thousand Snake Mountain Range and returned to Holy Pill City. During this time, Xiao Ming and his companions not only made their way back but also explored the Central Plains to broaden their horizons.
Qing Lin's strength had already reached the nine-star Dou Emperor after consuming the pills Xiao Ming had refined. With the wisp of Fallen Heart Flame origin that Xiao Ming had given her, there were no signs of unstable Dou Qi.
As for Xiao Yi Xian, Xiao Ming refined some potent poisons for her using the Snake Clan's inventory from the Ten Thousand Snake Mountain Range. Her strength had risen from the peak of the eight-star Dou Ancestor to the peak of the nine-star Dou Ancestor.
Crossing the threshold from nine-star Dou Ancestor to Dou Venerate was a significant leap.
Ordinarily, this step required relying on time or external forces to break through. Xiao Ming had planned that once he became a Great Elder of the Pill Tower, he would utilize the Sun Fire Ancient Altar of the Ye Clan to help Xiao Yi Xian break through to the Dou Venerate realm.
During these three months, the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python remained dormant, and Medusa did not make an appearance. However, when Xiao Ming used his soul power to scan the little one's body, he discovered it was filled with enormous energy. It seemed that the little one had gained significant benefits from the Blood Pool.
Venerable Tian Huo's cultivation did not progress much in these three months, as it was a relatively short period.
However, Xiao Ming realized that without a Heaven Flame, Venerable Tian Huo's Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique would be significantly weakened. Therefore, he lent Venerable Tian Huo the Flame Creation Skill to study.
The Flame Creation Skill allowed for the cultivation of Fake Heavenly Flames, albeit inferior to the real ones. Xiao Ming didn't think much of them, but Venerable Tian Huo was quite interested.
He began buying beast flames from various sources, intending to refine five Fake Heavenly Flames for his use.
Beast flames were not cheap, and a substantial amount was needed to condense enough power to create a single Fake Heavenly Flame. Although Venerable Tian Huo had some money after his resurrection, he was not particularly wealthy. In fact, he even borrowed over one billion gold coins from Xiao Ming, using his Dou Techniques as collateral.
Xiao Ming waved his hand and allowed him to repay the debt later when he had more money. In truth, Venerable Tian Huo did not even need to repay the debt since the amount was insignificant to Xiao Ming, who was extremely wealthy.
To be honest, if Venerable Tian Huo was shameless enough, he could easily plunder some of the smaller and medium-sized factions in the Central Plains, quickly amassing a large sum of money. Other factions wouldn't dare to interfere.
Not forgetting the rewards from the simulator, Xiao Ming managed to obtain a recipe for a Ninth-Tier Treasure Pill and a two-star Dou Venerate Sky Demon Puppet through the simulations during these months.
Xiao Ming's own strength had broken through to the nine-star Dou Ancestor, and like Xiao Yi Xian, reaching the Dou Venerate realm was a significant threshold. Xiao Ming had discovered a method to help Xiao Yi Xian breakthrough, but he had yet to figure out how to do it himself.
While he knew of some auxiliary medicinal pills that could increase the success rate of a breakthrough, they were not a guaranteed solution. Even with the tempering of his Dou Qi with the help of the Fallen Heart Flame, it was unlikely that Xiao Ming could break through to the Dou Venerate realm in a short period. Medicinal pills could only go so far.
Thus, Xiao Ming leaned more towards finding Heavenly Treasures, although they were scarce and difficult to obtain. Even with the simulator, he struggled to come across many suitable ones.
'If only I could devour the Three Thousand Burning Flame in the Star Region, the intense energy it contains would undoubtedly break through my bottleneck,' Xiao Ming pondered silently.
The Three Thousand Burning Flame, which had required the three Pill Tower's Association Heads to seal it, possessed such immense power that devouring it would allow Xiao Ming to directly reach the Dou Venerate realm and potentially advance multiple stars consecutively.
However, without the Dragon Seal of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe, even with Xiao Ming's current strength, it was impossible for him to devour the Heavenly Flame. He knew that dreaming about it was a fool's errand.
'Looks like I should focus on enhancing my alchemy skills and spiritual energy,' Xiao Ming concluded.
His spiritual strength was nearing the mid-stage of the Spirit Realm, with a breakthrough expected in a few days. Fortunately, he had managed to gather all the necessary ingredients for the Spirit Nourishment Powder this time.
Xiao Ming intended to refine the powder, using a portion for himself and exchanging the remainder for more ingredients.
It wouldn't be long before he reached the perfect stage of the Spirit Realm, and with his soul strength increased, it would be easier to improve his alchemy skills.
Lost in his thoughts, Xiao Ming continued walking alongside Xiao Yi Xian and the others, following the crowd out of the square.
Qing Lin lifted her pretty face and asked, "Young Master, where are we going next?"
"Let's find an inn first. As one of the Eight Great Elders, the Pill Tower will arrange a residence for us. We can move there later," Xiao Ming replied.
Qing Lin and the others expressed no objections, and they made their way into the central area of Holy Pill City to find a place to stay.
...
The next day, Xiao Ming awoke to the gentle embrace of his partner. After getting dressed, he prepared to head to the Pill Tower when someone from there approached him.
"Elder Xiao Ming, Association Head Xuan Kong Zi invites you to visit him," the person informed him.
"Oh? I was just about to go to the headquarters. Lead the way," Xiao Ming responded calmly.
Soon, the two arrived at the towering Pill Tower in the center of Holy Pill City. Xiao Ming's return garnered attention from many onlookers.
"Hey, who is that young man? He looks incredibly handsome, and there's something familiar about him..."
"I feel like I've seen him before too. Wait! Isn't that Master Xiao Ming? I heard he's been away for half a year, look like he's back now."
"This time he's back, he should be assuming one of the positions as the Eight Great Elders. Xiao Ming is known to be approachable. Hehe, maybe I can send my granddaughter to try and win him over. She's so beautiful, and who knows, she might become his concubine. Then our family will rise to the top!"
"Why do I feel that Xiao Ming's strength is a bit hard to see through? Could it be that he has surpassed us? I mean, I'm an eight-star Dou Ancestor!"
"Do you feel the same way? I thought it was just me!"
As these words were spoken, those who had been whispering nearby fell silent and exchanged surprised glances with one another.
There stretched a vast square, entirely built from red rocks, extending endlessly as far as the eye could see. The square was crowded with people, and a deafening noise emanated from it.
The space above constantly distorted and fluctuated, with space boats emerging and shrinking in size as figures inside them descended from the sky like falling beans.
As Xiao Ming slowly opened his eyes, this scene came into view, and he couldn't help but smile, "We're back."
It had been three months since they left the Ten Thousand Snake Mountain Range and returned to Holy Pill City. During this time, Xiao Ming and his companions not only made their way back but also explored the Central Plains to broaden their horizons.
Qing Lin's strength had already reached the nine-star Dou Emperor after consuming the pills Xiao Ming had refined. With the wisp of Fallen Heart Flame origin that Xiao Ming had given her, there were no signs of unstable Dou Qi.
As for Xiao Yi Xian, Xiao Ming refined some potent poisons for her using the Snake Clan's inventory from the Ten Thousand Snake Mountain Range. Her strength had risen from the peak of the eight-star Dou Ancestor to the peak of the nine-star Dou Ancestor.
Crossing the threshold from nine-star Dou Ancestor to Dou Venerate was a significant leap.
Ordinarily, this step required relying on time or external forces to break through. Xiao Ming had planned that once he became a Great Elder of the Pill Tower, he would utilize the Sun Fire Ancient Altar of the Ye Clan to help Xiao Yi Xian break through to the Dou Venerate realm.
During these three months, the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python remained dormant, and Medusa did not make an appearance. However, when Xiao Ming used his soul power to scan the little one's body, he discovered it was filled with enormous energy. It seemed that the little one had gained significant benefits from the Blood Pool.
Venerable Tian Huo's cultivation did not progress much in these three months, as it was a relatively short period.
However, Xiao Ming realized that without a Heaven Flame, Venerable Tian Huo's Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique would be significantly weakened. Therefore, he lent Venerable Tian Huo the Flame Creation Skill to study.
The Flame Creation Skill allowed for the cultivation of Fake Heavenly Flames, albeit inferior to the real ones. Xiao Ming didn't think much of them, but Venerable Tian Huo was quite interested.
He began buying beast flames from various sources, intending to refine five Fake Heavenly Flames for his use.
Beast flames were not cheap, and a substantial amount was needed to condense enough power to create a single Fake Heavenly Flame. Although Venerable Tian Huo had some money after his resurrection, he was not particularly wealthy. In fact, he even borrowed over one billion gold coins from Xiao Ming, using his Dou Techniques as collateral.
Xiao Ming waved his hand and allowed him to repay the debt later when he had more money. In truth, Venerable Tian Huo did not even need to repay the debt since the amount was insignificant to Xiao Ming, who was extremely wealthy.
To be honest, if Venerable Tian Huo was shameless enough, he could easily plunder some of the smaller and medium-sized factions in the Central Plains, quickly amassing a large sum of money. Other factions wouldn't dare to interfere.
Not forgetting the rewards from the simulator, Xiao Ming managed to obtain a recipe for a Ninth-Tier Treasure Pill and a two-star Dou Venerate Sky Demon Puppet through the simulations during these months.
Xiao Ming's own strength had broken through to the nine-star Dou Ancestor, and like Xiao Yi Xian, reaching the Dou Venerate realm was a significant threshold. Xiao Ming had discovered a method to help Xiao Yi Xian breakthrough, but he had yet to figure out how to do it himself.
While he knew of some auxiliary medicinal pills that could increase the success rate of a breakthrough, they were not a guaranteed solution. Even with the tempering of his Dou Qi with the help of the Fallen Heart Flame, it was unlikely that Xiao Ming could break through to the Dou Venerate realm in a short period. Medicinal pills could only go so far.
Thus, Xiao Ming leaned more towards finding Heavenly Treasures, although they were scarce and difficult to obtain. Even with the simulator, he struggled to come across many suitable ones.
'If only I could devour the Three Thousand Burning Flame in the Star Region, the intense energy it contains would undoubtedly break through my bottleneck,' Xiao Ming pondered silently.
The Three Thousand Burning Flame, which had required the three Pill Tower's Association Heads to seal it, possessed such immense power that devouring it would allow Xiao Ming to directly reach the Dou Venerate realm and potentially advance multiple stars consecutively.
However, without the Dragon Seal of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe, even with Xiao Ming's current strength, it was impossible for him to devour the Heavenly Flame. He knew that dreaming about it was a fool's errand.
'Looks like I should focus on enhancing my alchemy skills and spiritual energy,' Xiao Ming concluded.
His spiritual strength was nearing the mid-stage of the Spirit Realm, with a breakthrough expected in a few days. Fortunately, he had managed to gather all the necessary ingredients for the Spirit Nourishment Powder this time.
Xiao Ming intended to refine the powder, using a portion for himself and exchanging the remainder for more ingredients.
It wouldn't be long before he reached the perfect stage of the Spirit Realm, and with his soul strength increased, it would be easier to improve his alchemy skills.
Lost in his thoughts, Xiao Ming continued walking alongside Xiao Yi Xian and the others, following the crowd out of the square.
Qing Lin lifted her pretty face and asked, "Young Master, where are we going next?"
"Let's find an inn first. As one of the Eight Great Elders, the Pill Tower will arrange a residence for us. We can move there later," Xiao Ming replied.
Qing Lin and the others expressed no objections, and they made their way into the central area of Holy Pill City to find a place to stay.
...
The next day, Xiao Ming awoke to the gentle embrace of his partner. After getting dressed, he prepared to head to the Pill Tower when someone from there approached him.
"Elder Xiao Ming, Association Head Xuan Kong Zi invites you to visit him," the person informed him.
"Oh? I was just about to go to the headquarters. Lead the way," Xiao Ming responded calmly.
Soon, the two arrived at the towering Pill Tower in the center of Holy Pill City. Xiao Ming's return garnered attention from many onlookers.
"Hey, who is that young man? He looks incredibly handsome, and there's something familiar about him..."
"I feel like I've seen him before too. Wait! Isn't that Master Xiao Ming? I heard he's been away for half a year, look like he's back now."
"This time he's back, he should be assuming one of the positions as the Eight Great Elders. Xiao Ming is known to be approachable. Hehe, maybe I can send my granddaughter to try and win him over. She's so beautiful, and who knows, she might become his concubine. Then our family will rise to the top!"
"Why do I feel that Xiao Ming's strength is a bit hard to see through? Could it be that he has surpassed us? I mean, I'm an eight-star Dou Ancestor!"
"Do you feel the same way? I thought it was just me!"
As these words were spoken, those who had been whispering nearby fell silent and exchanged surprised glances with one another.
