Chapter 420: Transformation Achieved

The spiritual essence from all directions grew increasingly dense, transforming into streams that flowed into the cauldron, while the silver spiritual flames beneath the ground burned even more fiercely, carrying the essence of vitality and surging into the vessel. Water and fire intertwined, refining the golden elixir, faintly manifesting as the dual energies of yin and yang, producing the harmonious resonance of dragons and tigers, with the fragrance of the elixir permeating the air. This spectacle was profoundly moving, utterly extraordinary—what was being refined in the cauldron was no longer mere spiritual medicine. It had absorbed the underground spiritual veins, celestial essence, and even the lightning that had struck, altering its very composition.

“No wonder it’s so domineering. Just the phenomenon of this alchemy is transcendent and rare!” Huo Ling’er, the Nine-Headed Lion, and Yun Xi were already awestruck. Even the most seasoned alchemists of venerable age might never have witnessed such methods.

Dragons and tigers in harmony, yin and yang in fusion, drawing the fiery essence from below and the celestial elixir from above—all converging within a single cauldron, birthing golden elixirs imbued with the essence of the Dao. The alchemical technique was astonishing. Now they understood why even Shi Hao’s formidable physique had cracked, nearly shattering within the cauldron—this was a qualitative transformation.

The elixir recipe was world-shaking, accompanied by thunder and lightning, with the dual energies of yin and yang in attendance. What was being refined had begun to assimilate the essence of heaven and earth, containing the aura of the Great Dao. Using it to break through barriers was naturally overwhelming.

Shi Hao endured excruciating pain, tempering his bones and muscles, persisting despite the risk of his body disintegrating. He drew the elixir’s energy into himself, continuing to assault the gates of his body’s hidden treasures, unleashing his latent potential.

Using the cauldron to refine himself, he had already advanced to the mid-stage of the Array Formation Realm. Now, he was consolidating his foundation, polishing his physique, hoping to stabilize completely without leaving any hidden flaws. After all, this breakthrough had been too violent—he had been stuck at this bottleneck for a long time, yet today he had surged forward in a single leap. The sudden eruption had been too intense, shaking his very foundation.

The greatest flaw manifested in his body, covered in cracks like a spiderweb, nearly causing his physical form to collapse. This required urgent repair.

“This is a forced breakthrough—extreme and violent, forcibly tearing open the gates of his body’s treasures to release his potential. One misstep, and both body and soul would be annihilated.” The onlookers trembled in fear. Ordinary people could never attempt such a closed-door cultivation—it was a near-certain death. Fortunately, Shi Hao’s physique was strong enough to withstand it without shattering.

“A grain of sand contains a world; a blade of grass holds paradise. Whether as insignificant as an ant or as vast as a celestial body, if one can open their own ‘gates,’ they can unleash boundless power. But how many can achieve this? The slightest misstep leads to annihilation, erased from existence forever.”

“In truth, the reason he suffered such damage, his body cracking apart, is precisely because his latent potential is too immense. Others have attempted forced breakthroughs before, but none possessed treasures within their bodies as formidable as his,” the Nine-Headed Lion remarked.

Everyone nodded. The potential within Shi Hao was boundless, terrifying even. The aura that had leaked during this process was enough to leave them dumbstruck, far surpassing others. This wasn’t just reflected in the strength of his soul—every inch of his flesh contained power as vast as an abyss. Once unleashed, it would shake the world.

Within his flesh and blood, one formation after another took shape, successfully inscribed. Among them, the symbol of a single blade of grass pulsed with vitality, while the Kun Peng grew even more lifelike, as if infused with life. There were also the Vermilion Bird, the ancient divine ape Zhu Yan, and others.

Now, the golden cauldron no longer trembled, emitting a soft glow as the dual energies of yin and yang ceased their boiling, settling into tranquility and slowly infusing the vessel. Only now had true harmony between yin and yang been achieved, reaching perfection. The golden elixir within the cauldron grew more spherical, its cracks vanishing as it fully condensed.

Shi Hao’s cracked body was also being repaired, nourished by golden radiance like parched earth receiving sweet dew, slowly healing and regaining vitality. Bloodstains faded, his skin gleaming like polished jade, and his blood flowed with thunderous resonance—a sign of the dragon-tiger harmony within his body, proof that his breakthrough had stabilized.

“Success!” The crowd knew that Shi Hao had seized the creation of heaven and earth, successfully advancing. The violent aura had dissipated, his body no longer cracking. Instead, a gentle halo emanated, beginning to nourish him.

*Clang!*

The cauldron lid fell, shrouding the vessel in mist. The onlookers could no longer see inside—this was the final stage of refinement. Shi Hao sat motionless, wrapped in medicinal mud, undergoing the last phase of consolidation. His body was nourished, his wounds healed, his aura skyrocketing as he grew even stronger.

Cultivation was never easy—the further one progressed, the harder advancement became. Yet with each step forward, strength increased exponentially. Moreover, Shi Hao’s latent potential was immense, earning him the title of Young Supreme. Every improvement he made caused his combat power to soar, far surpassing other kings of his rank.

*Crack!*

A shattering sound came from within the cauldron, startling everyone in the courtyard. They feared something had gone wrong. Then, with a loud *clang*, the lid was blasted open, and Shi Hao stepped out.

“Such a waste of treasures!” the Crimson Bird wailed.

The golden elixir had shattered into pale golden fragments. Shi Hao’s body gleamed as if carved from gemstones. He donned fresh robes, his vitality surging, divine power raging—a clear sign that he had reached a new peak in life.

Everyone knew Shi Hao had broken through, far stronger than before. In this era where even venerable experts struggled to protect themselves, he could now roam the world unchallenged!

The crowd stared at the elixir fragments in the cauldron, lamenting the waste. To discard something like this? It had been refined from nearly fifty spiritual herbs! Who would be so extravagant? These were treasures beyond measure!

“They can still be refined further. I’ve absorbed eighty percent of their potency—twenty percent remains,” Shi Hao said, replacing the lid and reigniting the silver flames to continue the refinement.

Then, he retreated to the backyard, bathing in a clear spring and changing into fresh robes. When he reappeared, he was radiant, transcendent, and lively. Though his face still bore traces of youth, he was now a mid-stage Array Formation Realm king, exuding an intangible majesty.

The group marveled. Was there any king younger than him in this era? At just fifteen, he had reached such heights—truly a legend across the ages!

Golden light spilled from the cauldron—the shattered elixir fragments were reforming. Meanwhile, outside the garden, two figures arrived, speaking with the garden’s owner to confirm something.

“Ade, you’re quite sharp to have found such a big fish,” a burly middle-aged man praised.

Days earlier, Shi Hao had inadvertently purchased a “True Phoenix Bone,” provoking the stall owner Ade and the figures behind him—these two had now arrived. They also suspected Shi Hao of buying the forty-eight spiritual herbs and had been keeping watch. After questioning the garden’s owner, they confirmed that someone inside had refined a grand elixir, stirring a tempest of spiritual energy.

“Ade, go report to *that person*. Tell them someone here used forty-eight spiritual herbs to refine a treasure elixir,” the fierce-looking middle-aged man ordered. He had long suspected that the item sold was a phoenix bone, only to be swapped out by the buyer. Now, he sought revenge.

Of course, he knew that someone capable of purchasing forty-eight spiritual herbs was no ordinary figure. Thus, he sent Ade to inform a high-ranking figure of the Divine Medicine Sect while he himself refrained from acting rashly.

Inside the courtyard, the cauldron glowed—a batch of golden elixirs was nearing completion. The Nine-Headed Lion and the others dismantled the surrounding formations, no longer needing to conceal Shi Hao’s activities. The now-calm spiritual energy surged in, converging into the cauldron.

Half a quarter-hour later, the sound of dragons and tigers roared from within the cauldron. The lid was lifted by a misty aura, sliding aside as golden light burst forth.

“Impressive. Such a batch of elixirs is truly rare. Hmm? Only two? That’s a bit few. Never mind—give me one,” a voice called from outside the courtyard.

A group entered—aside from Ade and the middle-aged man, there was a young man leading them, flanked by attendants.

The Crimson Bird sneered. “Who do you think you are, demanding an elixir like that? Do you even know your own worth?”

Shi Hao, the Nine-Headed Lion, and the others frowned. It was clear this was trouble brought by the stall owner—a petty villain, unashamedly grinning.

“You want a golden elixir? Fine. Bring twenty spiritual herbs to trade,” Shi Hao said flatly.

“You don’t know the rules of Medicine Capital, do you? Using our underground spiritual flames requires taxation. I believe refining such an elixir must have consumed vast amounts of spiritual essence. Therefore, you owe us one elixir,” the young man retorted coldly.

“You decide the taxes? Who do you think you are?” the Crimson Bird snapped.

“Exactly. I say you pay, so you pay. Medicine Capital was founded by our Divine Medicine Sect—we are the rule-makers,” the young man declared arrogantly.

With that, he reached into the cauldron, aiming to seize the medicinal residue and the two dragon-eye-sized golden elixirs.

*Thud!*

Shi Hao wasted no words. A single kick sent the young man flying, blood spewing from his mouth before he collapsed unconscious.

Ade and the middle-aged man paled. This was a true case of a mighty dragon crushing the local snakes. They realized things had taken a dire turn.

“You’re audacious, acting so recklessly. Do you think Medicine Capital has no one to stop you?” A carriage tore through the sky—the Divine Medicine Sect’s Grand Elder had arrived.

Upon seeing the unconscious youth, he ignored Shi Hao, instead fixing a cold glare on Ade and the middle-aged man. “You dared incite my descendant to come here? Your courage is astounding!”

*Boom!*

A massive hand descended—this was a peak Array Formation Realm expert. Ade and the middle-aged man screamed in terror.

“Spare us, Elder! This man bought forty-eight spiritual herbs at once! We tried to report to you but couldn’t find you!”

“That doesn’t excuse manipulating my descendant!” The Grand Elder’s hand fell, and the two spat blood, their cultivation utterly crippled. Their faces turned ashen with despair.

Then, the elder turned to Shi Hao, sneering. “Even if my descendant was at fault, it wasn’t your place to discipline him. Hand over the elixir and slap yourself as penance.”

“You’re truly seeking death,” the Crimson Bird sighed. Even if this man was strong—a peak king—he was no match for Shi Hao.

The Nine-Headed Lion and the Fire Crow watched coldly.

*Swoosh!*

Shi Hao flicked a finger, and a silver streak pierced the unconscious youth, crippling his cultivation.

“You—!” The Grand Elder roared, manifesting an earthen giant’s hand to strike.

Shi Hao met it with a punch. *Splat!* The hand shattered, blood gushing.

The Grand Elder turned pale. Who was this youth, barely in his teens, capable of crippling a peak king’s strike so effortlessly?

“My apologies, friend. This old man was mistaken.” He bowed immediately, realizing he faced a terrifying figure—one who could only be the infamous “Little Stone” of the Wasteland.

Without hesitation, he scooped up the crippled youth and fled.

Ade and the burly man stood frozen, sweat pouring down their faces. Even their ruined cultivation paled in comparison to the horror of seeing the Divine Medicine Sect’s Grand Elder flee in fear.

At the heart of Medicine Capital stood a low mountain, revered as the most sacred land in the region. Legend held that the ancient Medicine God had achieved divinity here through nirvana. Beneath it, immortal mist swirled, flames surged—a “Gate of Life” in the world.

Now, beside an ancient well on that mountain, a gray-robed figure sat motionless. Upon closer inspection, it was a woman, her skin like flawless jade, her dark hair cascading to obscure her peerless beauty.

Had any venerable experts been present, they would have been stunned—this was the same woman who had once stormed the Demon Spirit Lake alone, retrieving Shi Yi as if strolling through an empty courtyard.

“Elder, you promised to aid our Divine Medicine Sect in exchange for borrowing our ancestral well. Now, someone has humiliated us. We beg your intervention,” the Grand Elder pleaded upon his return, bowing deeply before the enigmatic gray-robed woman.