“Boom!” A terrifying energy storm raged in the sky, turning the space within a thousand zhang radius into pitch black. Under that horrific collision, the space here had completely collapsed!
As they gazed at the dark expanse in the sky, most people’s expressions changed. Even though they had lived for many years, it was still extremely rare to see such a level of confrontation. Everyone knew that if they were caught in that energy storm, with their strength, they would probably only last for two breaths before even their souls would shatter.
“That Xiao Yan actually dared to confront the Black Demon Lightning head-on.” The Elders on the stone platform murmured in astonishment.
“Xiao Yan is at the early stage of a one-star Dou Zun. It wouldn’t be much of a problem for him to handle a Black Demon Lightning,” the Elder in the hemp robe glanced at the sky and said calmly, “This type of Black Demon Lightning, although not as numerous as the eight-colored Pill Lightning, is extremely terrifying in power. Even a half-Saint wouldn’t dare to recklessly take that hit just now.”
“One-star Dou Zun?” Upon hearing this, the six Elders standing by were slightly shocked. Although they had expected it, they still couldn’t help but be stunned when they heard the confirmation from the Elder. They had spent so many years cultivating to barely reach the half-Saint realm, and yet Xiao Yan, who was so much younger, had already surpassed them. It truly made them feel humbled.
“It seems that this selection will be won by Xiao Yan,” an Elder sighed lightly, “If so, then the alliance’s affair will probably give them an advantage.”
“Although the alliance violates the rules of the Dan Pagoda, doing what is necessary at the right time, seeing how strong the Soul Hall is and with the Soul Clan backing them, seeking allies for survival is also a feasible method.” The Elder in the hemp robe spoke after a moment of silence.
“Pagoda rules, pagoda rules—if there is no pagoda, then what are the rules for?” Hearing the Elder’s words, which sounded somewhat more accommodating, the others looked at each other and could only nod slowly.
In the sky, the raging energy storm dissipated after about ten minutes. As the storm dissipated, the collapsed space gradually began to self-repair. Warm sunlight once again poured down from the heavens, illuminating the mountain peak.
As the storm dissipated, every gaze turned to the sky. There, a young figure stood in mid-air, seemingly untouched by the terrifying energy storm from before.
Up in the sky, sensing the dissipating storm, Xiao Yan’s tense body finally relaxed. He clenched his fists, feeling a numbness spreading from them. The power of the Black Demon Lightning was somewhat beyond his expectations. From the touch earlier, Xiao Yan understood that if he hadn’t reached the Dou Zun realm, his fate would likely not have been any better than the five Heavenly Demon Puppets.
“So, this is the Pill Lightning brought about by a Nine-Grade Treasure Pill, indeed powerful,” Xiao Yan praised in his heart. Although the Black Demon Lightning’s power was astonishing, it seemed that there weren’t many of them. Thus, after releasing that bolt of black lightning, the thick dark clouds in the sky gradually faded away.
“Roar!” At the moment the dark clouds dispersed, the fire dragon below suddenly roared toward the sky. Its massive body then burst with a dazzling glow, emanating a frightening energy fluctuation.
“Bang!” As the energy fluctuation grew more violent, the fire dragon let out a groan and, to everyone’s surprise, its huge body exploded.
The instant the fire dragon’s body burst, a beam of light shot out from it, then darted toward the horizon, hidden by the scattering flames.
“Trying to run?” Just as the beam of light sped off, Xiao Yan laughed loudly. With a flash, he appeared like a phantom in front of the light and grabbed it with his large hand.
“Roar!” Facing Xiao Yan’s grasp, the beam of light expanded rapidly and transformed into a massive, fierce beast. Its huge claws, with a piercing sound, slapped directly at Xiao Yan.
“Clang!” When the beast’s paw met Xiao Yan’s fist, it wailed in agony and its enormous body quickly flew back.
Seeing the giant beast flying back, Xiao Yan smiled and chased after it. Realizing that Xiao Yan was chasing it again, the beast’s body emitted an intense light and rapidly shrank, transforming in a flash into a human silhouette. As the light faded, Xiao Yan was left dumbfounded, for another “Xiao Yan” was standing in the sky.
“Fascinating, so this is a Nine-Grade Treasure Pill, capable of transforming into a human,” Xiao Yan shook his head with a laugh. If the pill were allowed to escape, it might transform into something bizarre. Of course, the more likely scenario was that a stronger cultivator would sense its anomaly and capture it. Although the Nine-Grade Treasure Pill possessed some intelligence, its true power wasn’t enough to rival Xiao Yan.
“Roar!” The Nine-Grade Treasure Pill, now in the form of “Xiao Yan,” clearly didn’t understand human speech, so it could only roar continuously at Xiao Yan.
The strange spectacle in the sky attracted many curious gazes. Even among the present alchemical masters, Nine-Grade Treasure Pills were rarely seen. Thus, witnessing the pill transforming into a human form, they were filled with amazement.
“Haha, this kid actually succeeded in refining it. But I wonder what kind of pill it is. A Nine-Grade Pill cannot be refined without a recipe.” Xuan Kongzi chuckled.
Yao Lao shook his head, for even he didn’t recognize the pill. The only thing he could detect was a hint of Bodhi Pill’s essence, but this pill was undoubtedly several times stronger.
In the sky, Xiao Yan did not prolong the confrontation. Seizing an opportunity, he grabbed the pill and sealed it. Then, with a swift motion, he touched the pill’s forehead, causing its body to shudder and rapidly shrink, transforming into a smooth, green pill about the size of a longan.
The pill floated in Xiao Yan’s palm, surrounded by layers of pill fog, giving it a mystical appearance.
After collecting the Nine-Grade Pill, Xiao Yan slowly descended from the sky, glancing at the pale and green-faced Old Master. The latter also held a fiery red pill, but it was clearly inferior compared to Xiao Yan’s.
“Gentlemen, please introduce your pills,” an Elder smiled as Xiao Yan landed.
“Flame Demon Clear Profound Pill, an Eight-Grade Pill with nine-colored Pill Lightning. If consumed by someone with fire-based Dou Qi, it has a chance of mutating the Dou Qi and enhancing their combat power,” Old Master proudly introduced the pill he held. Whether he won or lost, the fact that he could refine the Flame Demon Clear Profound Pill proved his skill. Not everyone could refine a pill that induced Dou Qi mutation.
“Xiao Yan, what about you?” Xiao Yan gently held the green pill and smiled, “Bodhi Great Recovery Pill, a Nine-Grade Treasure Pill. Its effects are similar to the Bodhi Pill, but it doubles the success rate of advancing to half-Saint from the Peak Battle Sect.”
“Double? How is that possible?” Xiao Yan’s words immediately caused a chorus of exclamations.
“Oh?” Even the Elder in the hemp robe was taken aback. Advancing from the Peak Battle Sect to half-Saint was notoriously difficult, and countless top-tier cultivators were stuck at this step until their lives ended. A Bodhi Pill was enough to make these cultivators go wild. Originally, the success rate with the Bodhi Pill was close to 20%. With this enhancement, it reached a terrifying 50%—meaning that just one Bodhi Great Recovery Pill could increase the success rate by 50%!
If this information spread, the Peak Battle Sects would come to the Starfall Pavilion with everything they had, begging for a pill. This Bodhi Great Recovery Pill was a fortified version of the Bodhi Pill, a recipe that Xiao Yan had deduced after countless experiments during the hundred-lifetime cycle within the Bodhi Tree. Only Xiao Yan, with his unique flames and the enhanced Bodhi Heart, could refine it. Others, even knowing the recipe, couldn’t reproduce the pill’s effects.
However, the only downside was that the primary ingredient, the Bodhi Seed, was extremely rare. Even Xiao Yan had less than ten.
“Xiao Yan, you should know that making up false claims will result in disqualification,” an Elder hesitated before speaking.
“Rest assured, Elder. If it’s false, I’ll take full responsibility,” Xiao Yan replied with a smile.
Seeing this, the Elders exchanged glances and finally nodded slowly.
“Since that’s the case…” The Elder in the hemp robe looked at Xiao Yan and declared, “The Bodhi Great Recovery Pill is superior in quality to the Flame Demon Clear Profound Pill. Therefore, the winner of this selection is Xiao Yan.”
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