Yang Hao had always felt that the four masters carried many secrets. These four individuals, especially Tian Xuanzi, were not at all like ordinary Saint Domain experts; their aura and demeanor were even more unfathomable than that of a Sovereign.
It turned out Yang Hao had been right again.
As Yang Hao and Shi Mingyuan followed the four masters through the spatial portal, a sudden surge of energy surrounded him. It felt as though he were standing in a windswept canyon, battered by fierce gusts.
Once he steadied his mind, he realized the sudden surge in power came from the masters beside him. Their strength was rapidly expanding to a terrifying degree.
Starting from the Saint Domain, within seconds their auras reached Saint Domain peak—but that was only the beginning. Soon after, they began radiating Divine Domain energy, nearly matching the level of a Sovereign.
What left Yang Hao utterly speechless, however, was the golden glow emanating from Tian Xuanzi.
Such golden Divine energy was only spoken of in legends, something even Hun Yuanzi had only heard about but never seen.
Golden Immortal!
The highest level a human cultivator could reach—equivalent to an upper-tier divine race’s Yuan Shang expert.
This person stood right in front of Yang Hao, and not long ago, Yang Hao had actually defeated him.
Only now did Yang Hao truly understand the meaning of a world of difference. Stepping through that spatial portal was like moving from earth to the heavens.
The gap between a Golden Immortal and Yang Hao was like the difference between a towering mountain and a blade of grass.
Everything happened so quickly that Yang Hao was left stunned and overwhelmed. He didn’t even notice that he had arrived in a place resembling a paradise.
The surroundings were serene, with lush mountains, clear rivers, and gentle sunlight shining down—exactly like the Earth of ancient times.
“Where… where is this?” Yang Hao finally managed to ask a coherent question.
Tian Xuanzi looked at Yang Hao with a hint of warmth in his eyes and sighed, “This is the Xianyin Realm. Since you’ve been to the Shenyin Realm, you should understand how this place came to be.”
It was as if lightning had struck Yang Hao’s mind. Suddenly, everything became clear.
After the Sovereign unified the Immortal Sects, he had used the war between gods and demons to set a trap. Using ten Primordial Divine Swords, he created a massive seal that concentrated all divine energy. This seal had even managed to activate the divine restriction left behind by the Primordial God.
As a result, all divine beings in the universe were sealed within the Shenyin Realm. Once they stepped beyond its boundaries, their power would drop to just one percent.
This restriction allowed the Sovereign to eliminate all divine threats and become the sole god in the universe.
Yang Hao had believed this story completely, seeing no loopholes—until later, in the imperial capital, when he gradually realized a problem.
The world wasn’t only populated by divine beings.
What about the human cultivators? The countless cultivators who had ascended through the ages—Scattering Immortals, Ascended Immortals, and Golden Immortals—who had reached the same level as the divine?
Where had they gone?
Today, in this place, the truth would finally be revealed.
Tian Xuanzi gazed at Yang Hao, knowing he had already figured it out, and nodded.
“That’s right. You’re not wrong. This is where immortals have hidden. There are dozens of such Xianyin Realms. In the past, all cultivators who ascended to immortality were sealed here. Thus, the only immortal, the only god in the universe, remained the Sovereign alone.”
Following Tian Xuanzi toward the gathering in the Xianyin Realm, Yang Hao was still in awe. He had once visited the Shenyin Realm and knew the immense power of the divine race. Yet they dared not leave their sealed domain, not even a single step.
But these immortals were bolder. They had even sent people out and accepted Shi Mingyuan as a disciple.
Still, even with a hundredfold suppression of their power, a Golden Immortal could still reach Saint Domain strength. Though weaker than before, it was more than enough for self-defense.
Thinking that he had actually defeated four Golden Immortals, Yang Hao couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement. It must have been something unprecedented since the dawn of the cosmos.
“Are you a disciple of the Dan Ding Dual Cultivation Sect?” Tian Xuanzi suddenly asked.
“Yes,” Yang Hao respectfully replied. Golden Immortals were figures from ancient legends, and Tian Xuanzi’s age was unfathomable.
Tian Xuanzi nodded and led Yang Hao into a traditional Chinese-style house built on a nine-tiered stone foundation, with wooden beams, black tiles, and white walls—reminiscent of the Elder Council’s architecture.
As they entered, Hun Yuanzi suddenly awoke. The usually sealed senses of his consciousness were stirred by some force.
Inside the house, it was empty except for rows of meditation cushions. Dozens of cultivators, each at least at the Ascended Immortal level, sat in quiet meditation. Compared to the divine beings, these immortals in the Xianyin Realm seemed to live a far more ascetic life.
Tian Xuanzi led Yang Hao forward and pointed to an elderly man seated on one of the cushions.
“That is your master.”
Yang Hao blinked in confusion, when suddenly Hun Yuanzi became wildly agitated, nearly bursting out of Yang Hao’s dantian. Only then did Yang Hao realize that Tian Xuanzi’s words had not been directed at him, but at Hun Yuanzi.
The old man on the cushion slowly opened his eyes, studied Yang Hao’s dantian for a moment, and sighed softly, “Hmm, how things have come to this.”
Hun Yuanzi was beside himself with emotion. Knowing the urgency of the situation, Yang Hao immediately projected his Yuan Ying and relinquished control of his body.
Sure enough, the moment Yang Hao left his body, Hun Yuanzi dropped to his knees before the old man, sobbing, “Master, Master…”
The sound of this voice, echoing across a thousand years, stirred even the most composed of the seated immortals.
Yang Hao was stunned. The figure seated on the cushion—could it be Hun Yuanzi’s master? Could it be Yun Hezi, the great immortal who had ascended before the Sovereign’s conquest of the Bronze Cauldron Mountain?
Yun Hezi had been Hun Yuanzi’s direct master. Before ascending, he had passed the leadership of the Dan Ding Sect to Hun Yuanzi. But soon after, the entire sect was destroyed by the Sovereign.
“Your unworthy disciple,” Hun Yuanzi wept bitterly, no longer resembling the ancient ghost he was. “I failed to protect our sect. The Dan Ding Sect perished under my watch. I am a sinner for all time.”
Yun Hezi remained silent for a moment. Though he had long known of the sect’s destruction, hearing it from Hun Yuanzi now stirred countless emotions within him. He placed his hand on Hun Yuanzi’s head and gently stroked it.
“If even we have become like this, how could it not be hard for you? A thousand years ago, you were a genius unmatched in your time. Now, look at you.”
“As long as I can revive the Dan Ding Sect, I would gladly give my life,” Hun Yuanzi said, and indeed, that was how he had lived all these years.
Yun Hezi’s gaze grew distant. To him, the Dan Ding Sect was now a distant memory. The once-thriving Bronze Cauldron Mountain was gone, and among the countless disciples who once roamed its hills, only Hun Yuanzi remained—a lone wandering soul.
The past glory had long faded into history, and they, once revered as gods by thousands, were now imprisoned within restrictions.
Yun Hezi sighed deeply. He understood Hun Yuanzi’s pain and softly said, “I did not make a mistake choosing you as my successor. Not in the slightest.”
Hun Yuanzi wept bitterly.
Many of the surrounding immortals also shed tears. Their sects, too, had been destroyed or crippled during the unification of the Immortal Sects under the Sovereign. But unlike Hun Yuanzi, none of them had a disciple who had spent a thousand years striving to restore their legacy.
After the emotional reunion between master and disciple, Yang Hao returned to his body and knelt before his grandmaster.
“Yang Hao, the first disciple of the 86th generation of the Dan Ding Dual Cultivation Sect, pays homage to my grandmaster.”
Yun Hezi finally smiled gently and hurriedly helped Yang Hao up. “No need for such formalities. You are now the sect leader yourself. That the Dan Ding Sect has been revived under your leadership is a great achievement.”
Without saying much more, Yun Hezi took several items from his person and handed them all to Yang Hao.
Those around them watched in astonishment. Those who recognized the items knew they were Yun Hezi’s treasured protective artifacts, cultivated over a thousand years. Yet he gave them all away without hesitation to his grandson-disciple, clearly showing his deep affection for this prodigy who had revived the sect.
Afterward, Yun Hezi led Yang Hao to Tian Xuanzi, who sat at the highest position, clearly the most revered among them.
“Hao’er, this is Master Tian Xuanzi, the third-generation ancestor of our Dan Ding Dual Cultivation Sect. Pay him your respects.”
Upon hearing this, Yang Hao immediately knelt and bowed deeply.
After all, this was one of the rare Golden Immortals, equivalent to an upper-tier divine being. To have a master-disciple relationship with such a figure was an immense blessing.
Tian Xuanzi’s expression softened, no longer the cold demeanor he usually wore outside. He nodded at Yang Hao with warmth.
“Rise. I’ve heard of what you’ve done. Very well done.”
Yun Hezi, as a grandmaster, had already lavished Yang Hao with treasures. Naturally, Tian Xuanzi, of such high status and seniority, could not appear stingy. Just as he was about to reach into his robes—
Yun Hezi suddenly spoke, “Ancestor, that bracelet…”
At his words, the entire room fell silent.
Several immortals on the cushions couldn’t help but smirk. Everyone here knew the history of that bracelet. Tian Xuanzi had always valued it more than his own life—how could he possibly part with it?
Yet, to everyone’s shock, Tian Xuanzi hesitated, then actually removed the bracelet and placed it on Yang Hao’s wrist.
It was a heavy bracelet, seemingly made of meteoric material, yet smooth like jade, with a faint shimmer of starry blue-violet light flowing within its black surface.
“This bracelet,” Tian Xuanzi said, “is called Chen Yue. Among the thirty artifacts of the Creator, it ranks second, surpassed only by the Flame Bow.”
Yang Hao stared at the seemingly ordinary bracelet in astonishment, never expecting it to have such a legendary origin.
The surrounding immortals gasped in disbelief—some even cried out in shock.
“Chen Yue Bracelet” was a name well known throughout the Xianyin Realm and even the ancient Immortal Realm. Countless immortals had coveted it, but Tian Xuanzi had refused to part with it, even at the cost of conflict.
As one of the most revered ancient immortals, it was said that Tian Xuanzi had only reached Golden Immortal status because of Chen Yue’s power. Normally, a sect leader ascending to immortality would pass down their treasures to the next generation, allowing future disciples to ascend as well.
But Tian Xuanzi had never done so. Even after becoming a Golden Immortal, he kept the bracelet with him, directly leading to the Dan Ding Sect producing no Golden Immortals after the third generation.
Thus, Tian Xuanzi was mocked among immortals as the most stingy and selfish ancestor in history.
Yet today, for reasons unknown, this most miserly old man had finally relented and freely gifted his cherished bracelet to Yang Hao. Even the sect’s ancestral grandfather must have seen great potential in this young man.
After helping Yang Hao acquire such a top-tier artifact, Yun Hezi wasn’t done yet. He led Yang Hao around, making him kneel and pay respects to each immortal seated on the cushions.
It was a brilliant move. Though these immortals were not from the Dan Ding Sect, they were now all in the same boat in the Xianyin Realm, with no sect distinctions anymore. As a junior, it was only natural for Yang Hao to show respect.
But the real trick was this: a bow was never free. When a junior bowed to a senior, a gift was expected. And Yun Hezi’s eyes were sharp—he would immediately name exactly what he wanted from them.
By the end of the rounds, Yang Hao had gained an immense fortune—at least dozens of treasures rivaling divine artifacts.
The immortals smiled warmly at Yang Hao, but inwardly cursed the Dan Ding Sect as a den of bloodsuckers—both the young and old were nothing but greedy ghosts.
From that day on, a major aftereffect emerged in the Xianyin Realm: many immortals no longer wished to meet newcomers—even avoiding their own disciples.
Why?
Because all their treasures had been given away.
After thoroughly “plundering” the immortals, Tian Xuanzi and Yun Hezi finally led Yang Hao toward the core of the Xianyin Realm.
“After the battle at Elder Mountain, how many people remain in the Dan Ding Sect?” Tian Xuanzi asked as they walked.
Yang Hao replied, “Before the battle at Elder Mountain, the Dan Ding Sect was at its peak, with hundreds of thousands of disciples, nearly all from noble families. Our medicinal pills were sold in every corner of the empire. But after that, most disciples scattered, leaving only a few thousand core members in the Oracular Autonomous Territory. However, now the Qianlong Pavilion has pledged allegiance to me. So, with over two hundred Saint Domain Qianlong and nine Dragon Blessing Legions integrated into the sect, our strength is not weak.”
“Qianlong Pavilion?” Yun Hezi exclaimed. “That organization still exists? It hasn’t been destroyed by the Sovereign?”
“They claim to be indestructible,” Tian Xuanzi said calmly. “I have some connection with the founder of the Qianlong Pavilion. It’s only natural that you lead it now.”
Yang Hao nodded without asking further. Tian Xuanzi’s age was beyond reckoning. It was entirely possible that he had lived five thousand years ago and had known the founder of the Qianlong Pavilion.
“Where are we going?” Yang Hao felt they were heading deeper into the wilderness, as they approached a dark, towering mountain.
“You’re about to witness a miracle,” said Yun Hezi proudly. “My disciple, you truly have great fortune to witness this in your lifetime.”
“A miracle?” Yang Hao had already received more than enough good fortune for one day, and had become somewhat numb to it. But Yun Hezi wasn’t exaggerating. Together with his master, Tian Xuanzi, they led Yang Hao to the foot of the dark, towering mountain and told him to look up. “Behold, this is it.”
“This?” Yang Hao blinked, failing to grasp its significance. Before him stood a black mountain, over a thousand meters high, seemingly forged of iron, yet exuding a chilling coldness. Across different sections of the mountain were inscribed numerous mysterious and arcane talismans, similar to the teleportation formation he had previously seen. They appeared to be various components designed to absorb the power of the stars.
“This is a pill-refining furnace,” Yun Hezi eagerly explained.
“A pill furnace?” Yang Hao still couldn’t comprehend.
But Hun Yuanzi, inside his belly, had awakened and exclaimed in astonishment:
“The Grand Pill Cauldron? This is the Grand Pill Cauldron?”
Yang Hao suddenly realized the magnitude of the miracle before him.
The black structure wasn’t a mountain at all—it was a pill furnace as large as a mountain. In the Pill and Cauldron Cultivation Sect, it was known as the Grand Pill Cauldron.
Throughout both ancient times and the present, the Grand Pill Cauldron has been regarded as a miracle in human cultivation history. Not only was the creator of the cauldron considered miraculous, but even those who forged and established it became part of that miracle.
Historically, only one Grand Pill Cauldron was ever recorded. In ancient times, it was invented by a grandmaster of the Pill and Cauldron Cultivation Sect. He devised the method for its creation and named it the Ultimate Cauldron—meaning with this one pill furnace alone, all other pill furnaces could be rendered obsolete.
The emergence of the Grand Pill Cauldron completely transformed the fate of the Pill and Cauldron Cultivation Sect, making its disciples far more efficient in cultivation than those of the Qi Absorption Sect. As long as disciples gathered all the necessary ingredients and threw them into the Grand Pill Cauldron, they could produce the main pills.
It was precisely because of the Grand Pill Cauldron that the cultivation world experienced rapid advancement and ushered in the first golden age of spiritual cultivation.
However, behind this prosperity, factional rivalries still simmered. During the first golden age of spiritual cultivation, experts from the Qi Absorption Sect allied with dozens of other sects and launched a surprise attack on the Pill and Cauldron Cultivation Sect. Though they failed to wipe out the sect, they successfully destroyed the Grand Pill Cauldron.
From that point on, the Pill and Cauldron Cultivation Sect declined for a century. Without the Grand Pill Cauldron, all disciples’ cultivation came to a halt. If not for the emergence of a few later prodigies who found substitutes, the sect might have disappeared thousands of years ago.
After the Grand Pill Cauldron was destroyed, it was never rebuilt. This wasn’t due to a lack of desire among the sect’s disciples, but rather their complete inability to do so.
Although the original grandmaster had designed the method for constructing the cauldron, it was passed down orally. By the time of its destruction, the technique for forging the Grand Pill Cauldron had already been lost.
Even if blueprints had existed, people at that time would have been unable to recreate it. The construction of the Grand Pill Cauldron required an incalculable number of immortal artifacts and immense spiritual energy. Even dedicating all the resources of the sect at that time wouldn’t have sufficed.
Thus, the Grand Pill Cauldron became the greatest regret in the history of the Pill and Cauldron Cultivation Sect for thousands of years. Even when Hun Yuanzi was training Yang Hao, he often lamented that if only the Grand Pill Cauldron existed, Yang Hao’s progress would have been much faster.
But now, the legendary Grand Pill Cauldron stood right before Yang Hao—an undeniable miracle. He gazed at the enormous pill furnace, as large as a mountain, and examined the intricate yet mysterious talismans at each location, realizing how much spiritual energy had been infused and how many resources and rare treasures had been consumed.
“How was this created?” Hun Yuanzi stared in disbelief. “Master, how could this be possible?”
“It was impossible before,” Yun Hezi smiled, stroking his beard. “But with Master Tian Xuanzi, everything became possible.”
Tian Xuanzi remained calm. “The Grand Pill Cauldron was indeed my creation. After entering the Hidden Immortal Realm, the immortal friends and I had nothing better to do, so we reconstructed it.”
Yang Hao could only stick out his tongue in astonishment. To casually create something of such magnitude—truly a sign of extreme boredom. Yet only in this Hidden Immortal Realm could the Grand Pill Cauldron be recreated.
Firstly, the Grand Pill Cauldron’s creator himself was here. With Tian Xuanzi present, better than any blueprint. Additionally, all the immortals in this realm had fallen into hardship, so naturally, there were no factional disputes. The spiritual energy they carried was useless anyway, so they might as well contribute it and find something meaningful to do.
Thus, after five hundred years, the unparalleled Grand Pill Cauldron finally reappeared.
Yang Hao was the lucky beneficiary.
After Tian Xuanzi showed Yang Hao every part of the Grand Pill Cauldron and briefly explained its principle—using stellar energy instead of fire—he finally got to the point.
“You’ve already surpassed the Frostwalking Stage and have achieved great success in the Pill and Cauldron Cultivation Sect. However, breaking through your current realm will require significant effort,” Tian Xuanzi said after a pause. “Using traditional methods, it might take you several hundred years to reach the Supreme Realm. The problem is, by the time you become a Dispersed Immortal, the Supreme might already have become a Golden Immortal.”
“Where are we going?” Yang Hao felt they were heading into increasingly remote territory as they approached a towering, pitch-black mountain.
“You’re about to witness a miracle,” Yun Hezi said proudly. “Disciple, if you get to see this in your lifetime, it’s truly an immense blessing.”
“Ah?” Yang Hao had already experienced enough blessings today to feel somewhat numb. But Yun Hezi wasn’t exaggerating. Together with their ancestor, Tian Xuanzi, they led Yang Hao to the foot of the dark mountain and told him to look up. “Behold—this is it.”
“This?” Yang Hao blinked, unable to comprehend what he was seeing. It was just a massive black mountain, roughly a thousand meters tall, seemingly forged entirely of iron yet exuding a chilling cold. Across its surface were countless intricate and arcane inscriptions, resembling the components of a star-absorbing formation similar to the teleportation array he had seen before.
“This is an alchemy furnace,” Yun Hezi eagerly explained.
“An alchemy furnace?” Yang Hao was still bewildered.
But inside him, Hun Yuanzi suddenly snapped awake and roared in astonishment, “The Great Alchemy Cauldron? This is the Great Alchemy Cauldron?”
Yang Hao jolted in realization—he was standing before an unimaginable miracle.
That black mass wasn’t a mountain at all, but an alchemy furnace as vast as one. The disciples of the Alchemy Cauldron Dual Cultivation Sect referred to it as the Great Alchemy Cauldron.
From ancient times to the present, the Great Alchemy Cauldron had been regarded as a marvel in human cultivation history. Not only was its creation considered miraculous, but even those who forged and established it became part of the legend.
Historically, only one Great Alchemy Cauldron had ever been recorded—invented during the primordial era by an ancestor of the Alchemy Cauldron Dual Cultivation Sect. He devised its construction method and declared it the Ultimate Cauldron, capable of rendering all other alchemy furnaces obsolete.
The emergence of the Great Alchemy Cauldron completely transformed the fate of the Alchemy Cauldron Sect, making its disciples’ cultivation far easier than those of the Breath Absorption Sect. All they needed was to gather the required materials, toss them into the cauldron, and refine the core elixir.
It was the existence of this Great Alchemy Cauldron that propelled the entire cultivation world into rapid advancement, ushering in the first golden age of immortal cultivation.
Yet, beneath the prosperity, sect rivalries persisted. During that first golden age, masters of the Breath Absorption Sect allied with dozens of other factions to launch a surprise attack on the Alchemy Cauldron Sect. Though they failed to eradicate the sect, they succeeded in destroying the Great Alchemy Cauldron.
From then on, the Alchemy Cauldron Sect languished for a century. Without the cauldron, all disciples’ progress stagnated. Had it not been for the emergence of a few geniuses who found alternatives, the sect might have vanished millennia ago.
After its destruction, the Great Alchemy Cauldron was never rebuilt—not because the sect’s disciples didn’t want to, but because they simply couldn’t.
The original ancestor had passed down the construction method orally, and by the time of its destruction, the knowledge had long been lost. Even with blueprints, the people of that era lacked the resources—countless immortal artifacts and vast spiritual energy—to recreate it.
Thus, the Great Alchemy Cauldron became the Alchemy Cauldron Sect’s greatest regret for millennia. Even when Hun Yuanzi taught Yang Hao, he often lamented that with the cauldron, Yang Hao’s progress would have been far faster.
But now, the legendary Great Alchemy Cauldron stood before Yang Hao.
This truly was a miracle. Yang Hao gazed at the colossal alchemy furnace, marveling at the intricate and profound inscriptions covering its surface, each infused with immense spiritual energy and forged from untold resources and treasures.
“How was this made?” Hun Yuanzi muttered in awe. “Master, how is this possible?”
“Originally, it wasn’t,” Yun Hezi stroked his beard with a smile. “But after meeting Ancestor Tian Xuanzi, everything became possible.”
Tian Xuanzi remained composed. “The Great Alchemy Cauldron is my creation. After entering the Hidden Immortal Realm, we immortals had little to do, so we rebuilt it.”
Yang Hao couldn’t help but stick out his tongue. “Little to do” led to this monumental project? That was some serious leisure time. But only in the Hidden Immortal Realm could the Great Alchemy Cauldron be recreated.
First, its original creator was here—Tian Xuanzi’s presence was better than any blueprint. Second, all the immortals here were in exile, free from sect prejudices. With their spiritual energy otherwise useless, they pooled it together for this endeavor.
Thus, after five hundred years, the unparalleled Great Alchemy Cauldron was reborn.
And Yang Hao was the lucky beneficiary.
After touring the cauldron and explaining its star-powered mechanism (no fire required), Tian Xuanzi finally got to the point.
“You’ve already surpassed the Frost Treading Realm and mastered the Alchemy Cauldron Sect’s techniques. But breaking through your current level will take effort,” Tian Xuanzi said after a pause. “Using traditional methods, reaching the Supreme Realm might take centuries… By then, even if you become a Loose Immortal, the Supreme One might already be a Golden Immortal.”
“So I’ll never catch up?” Yang Hao clenched his fists. “Does that mean we can’t take revenge?”
“Even with the Great Alchemy Cauldron?” Hun Yuanzi was equally frustrated.
Tian Xuanzi ran his hand over the cauldron’s cold surface. “It helps, but the Alchemy Cauldron Sect’s traditional methods are still too slow and difficult.”
Had anyone else said this, they’d have been mobbed. The Alchemy Cauldron Sect was famed as the easiest cultivation path—if they called it hard, the Breath Absorption Sect might as well give up.
But no one dared refute Tian Xuanzi. As the sect’s third-generation ancestor and its most gifted master—reaching Loose Immortal before thirty and Golden Immortal before sixty—he was also the last Golden Immortal the sect produced. In his lifetime, he designed the Great Alchemy Cauldron and four of the nine core elixirs.
Under him, the Alchemy Cauldron Sect flourished.
Unhurried, Tian Xuanzi continued, “Over the centuries, I’ve gained insights. Combined with the cauldron’s star-absorbing power, I’ve devised an accelerated method.”
“Accelerated?” Yang Hao hesitated. Speed usually meant risk.
Yun Hezi hummed an ancient folk tune, staying silent.
Only Hun Yuanzi was enthusiastic. “Ancestor, whatever this method is, try it on this kid. He’s tough—can handle any pill.”
Yang Hao groaned inwardly. Joining the Alchemy Cauldron Sect felt like falling into a den of thieves. Yun Hezi’s earlier scavenging expeditions now seemed like preparation for this “accelerated” ordeal.
Sure enough, when Tian Xuanzi revealed the method, even Hun Yuanzi fell silent, and Yang Hao’s legs turned to jelly.
“It’s simple,” Tian Xuanzi explained gently. “The Great Alchemy Cauldron was meant to refine elixirs—condensing stellar energy into pills. But a tiny pill can only hold so much energy. So I thought: why not place a person inside? Instead of refining pills, refine the cultivator. The stellar energy would infuse directly into the body, magnifying the effect a thousandfold.”
Yang Hao shuddered, too terrified to even flee.
He was a peak Saint Realm expert, ruler of the East and West—a figure of status. But even a god wouldn’t endure this.
Refining a person?
Using the greatest alchemy furnace to refine a human? This wasn’t acceleration—it was a fast track to death.
Anyone, even a fool, would see the danger. The Great Alchemy Cauldron was a fusion of extreme forces, melting materials together. Even a precious gem would emerge unrecognizable—let alone a person.
Just imagining the searing flames and violent energy inside made Yang Hao’s skin crawl.
“No… no way…” Yang Hao shook his head violently.
Hun Yuanzi, usually reckless, stood by his disciple this time. “Esteemed masters, this is too extreme. Yang Hao’s cultivation is advanced, but he’s still mortal. The cauldron’s refining would destroy him. Even a small forging furnace nearly killed him last time.”
Yang Hao nodded fervently. He wanted to ascend quickly, but this was too perilous.
Tian Xuanzi smiled knowingly. “For others, this would be deadly. But for Yang Hao, it’s a path to rebirth—far less dangerous.”
“Huh?”
“You’ve mastered the Fire Dao,” Tian Xuanzi reminded him. “The cauldron converts stellar energy into supreme flames. Nothing impure survives—but fire can’t harm you. What’s there to fear?”
“But…” Hun Yuanzi knew more. “The cauldron’s refining isn’t ordinary fire.”
“There’s risk, but not mortal danger,” Tian Xuanzi insisted. “With the treasures we’ve prepared and the immortals guarding you, seven days inside will elevate you directly to Loose Immortal.”
“Loose Immortal?!” Yang Hao gaped. That was two realms above his current state. In just seven days, he’d become a demigod—unrestricted, unlike the sealed lower deities.
“Exactly. You’ll still be below the Supreme One’s Celestial Immortal realm, but with further training, you’ll match him.”
Hun Yuanzi fell silent. The risk was great, but the reward was greater.
Yang Hao was already the universe’s second-strongest, commanding forces rivaling the Imperial Senate. Only the Supreme One’s power held him back.
If Yang Hao ascended, he could challenge the Supreme One—securing independence for the East and West and revitalizing the Alchemy Cauldron Sect. But the risk remained.
As if to unsettle Yang Hao further, Tian Xuanzi added, “Surviving the seven days is only half the battle. The real danger is the Heavenly Tribulation after becoming a Loose Immortal.”
“Tribulation?” Hun Yuanzi scoffed. “With so many immortals here, we can shield him.”
“The Heavenly Tribulation is the Creator’s energy barrier—the divide between immortals and gods,” Tian Xuanzi explained. “Gods are perfect beings, their power progression natural. But humans, as lower beings, aren’t meant to wield divine strength. The Creator designed the tribulation to stop us.”
“So it’s a roadblock?” Yang Hao asked.
“Precisely,” Tian Xuanzi said coldly. “In the Creator’s order, humans are eternal slaves. The tribulation crushes those who near godhood.”
Yang Hao paled. “But with so many experts here, can’t they block it for me?”
“Against a normal tribulation, even tenfold, we’d manage,” Tian Xuanzi admitted.
Relieved, Yang Hao thought: if the heavens fell, the tall would hold them up. No real danger, then.
“With the Grand Pill Cauldron, surely it’s not impossible,” Hun Yuanzi was equally unwilling to accept this.
Tian Xuanzi caressed the cold shell of the Grand Pill Cauldron. “With it, things will certainly improve, but the traditional cultivation methods of the Pill and Cauldron Sect are still too difficult and slow.”
If anyone else had said this, they might have been beaten to death by a group of immortals. The Pill and Cauldron Cultivation Sect was already known as the easiest and simplest cultivation sect in history. If even they were considered difficult, then the Qi Absorption Sect might as well just give up.
But when Tian Xuanzi said it, no one dared to argue. This man was the third-generation grandmaster of the Pill and Cauldron Sect, the legendary figure with the highest talent and insight. He had reached the Dispersed Immortal Stage before the age of thirty and became a Golden Immortal before sixty, the last Golden Immortal of the Pill and Cauldron Sect. During his lifetime, he designed the Grand Pill Cauldron and created four of the nine major pills in later generations.
In short, the Pill and Cauldron Cultivation Sect flourished and expanded under his guidance.
Tian Xuanzi, however, remained unhurried and spoke slowly. “In these past few hundred years, I’ve gained many insights. Combined with the Grand Pill Cauldron’s ability to absorb stellar energy, I’ve devised a rapid cultivation method.”
“Rapid cultivation?” Yang Hao was momentarily stunned, but not overly excited. To him, quick methods usually came with risks.
Yun Hezi looked strangely amused but said nothing, humming an ancient mountain song.
Only Hun Yuanzi was enthusiastic. “Master, what’s this rapid cultivation method? Try it on this kid. His body is strong enough to handle any pill.”
Yang Hao felt deeply frustrated. He now realized that joining the Pill and Cauldron Cultivation Sect was like entering a den of thieves. He had thought that Yun Hezi taking him around to collect resources was pretty good, but now he suspected it was all leading to this rapid cultivation plan.
Sure enough, when Tian Xuanzi revealed the rapid cultivation method, not only did Yang Hao’s legs weaken, but even Hun Yuanzi lost his bravado.
“It’s quite simple,” Tian Xuanzi explained as gently as possible. “The Grand Pill Cauldron was originally for refining pills, absorbing stellar energy and condensing it into pills. But a single pill can only contain so much energy. So I thought of another rapid method—why not place a person directly inside the Grand Pill Cauldron? Instead of refining pills, we refine people. The stellar energy would be directly infused into the body, with effects a thousand times more powerful.”
After hearing this, Yang Hao shivered all over, his legs too weak even to run.
To be fair, Yang Hao was already a peak Holy Domain expert, the joint ruler of the East and West, a figure of considerable standing in the outside world.
Yet even a god descending from heaven wouldn’t dare attempt such a method.
Refining humans?
Using the greatest pill furnace in history to refine a human being? That was a rapid cultivation method? It was practically a recipe for instant death.
Even a clever person like Yang Hao could see the problem. Let alone the dumbest fool, who would know this method was wrong. What was the Grand Pill Cauldron? It was a pill furnace, a crucible that fused the most intense forces, melting together various ingredients.
Even if you threw a precious jade into it, you wouldn’t recognize it when it came out. Let alone a human being!
Just looking at the dark, black shell of the Grand Pill Cauldron, Yang Hao could already imagine the raging flames and unimaginable energy fluctuations inside. He pictured his skin and bones slowly burning to ashes.
“No… no…” Yang Hao shook his head furiously like a rattled drum.
Hun Yuanzi might have been a bit reckless, but at critical moments, he still stood by his disciple. “Esteemed masters, this method is truly inappropriate. Although Yang Hao has achieved some success in cultivation, he’s still a human body. How can he withstand the refining process of the Grand Pill Cauldron? Last time, even a small furnace nearly killed him.”
Yang Hao nodded repeatedly as he listened to his master. He wasn’t against rapid ascension to immortality, but this method was far too dangerous.
Tian Xuanzi smiled slightly, as if anticipating their reaction. He raised one hand and said, “This method might be extremely dangerous for others, but for Yang Hao, it’s a case of ‘placing oneself in death to achieve life,’ significantly reducing the danger.”
“Hmm?”
“Don’t forget,” Tian Xuanzi reminded him, “you’ve already grasped the essence of fire. The Grand Pill Cauldron absorbs stellar energy and transforms it into supreme fire power. In that fire, almost nothing impure can survive. But since you possess the essence of fire, no flame in the world can harm you. What are you worried about?”
“But…” Hun Yuanzi knew a bit more than Yang Hao.
“The refining process inside the Grand Pill Cauldron isn’t just ordinary fire.”
“There are risks, yes, but not necessarily deadly,” Tian Xuanzi said confidently. “With the many magical artifacts we’ve prepared for you, plus the protection of a group of immortals, we can ensure that after seven days of cultivation, you’ll ascend directly to the Dispersed Immortal Stage.”
“Dispersed Immortal!!” Yang Hao was stunned. That was two cultivation realms above his current level. In just seven days, he could become a Dispersed Immortal, making him effectively a lower-tier divine being, and even one without suppressed powers.
“Exactly,” Tian Xuanzi affirmed. “Although you’ll still be slightly below the Supreme’s current Golden Immortal Stage, with further cultivation, you’ll definitely have a chance to fight him.”
Hun Yuanzi fell silent. The risk was enormous, but so was the temptation.
Yang Hao was already the second most powerful expert in the universe, second only to the Supreme. With the combined military forces of the East and West, they could rival the Imperial Senate. Their only concern was the Supreme’s supreme divine power.
If Yang Hao himself became a god, even if he couldn’t eliminate the Supreme, he wouldn’t necessarily fear him. This would greatly benefit the independence of the East and West, not to mention the revitalization plan of the Pill and Cauldron Sect. But the fundamental issue remained the risk.
Tian Xuanzi, as if not scaring Yang Hao enough, further emphasized the danger. “Actually, during the seven days of cultivation, you’ll have at least a 50% chance of survival. The real problem comes after you become a Dispersed Immortal—your ascension trial.”
“Trial? What’s there to fear?” Hun Yuanzi laughed. “With so many immortals here, everyone can chip in and withstand the heavenly tribulation.”
“The heavenly tribulation is a form of energy set by the Creator, the very distinction between immortals and divine beings,” Tian Xuanzi sighed. “The divine race are perfect beings created by the Creator, regarded as gods by ordinary people. Their power progression follows the Creator’s laws. They are born as rulers, so their power advancement doesn’t trigger the so-called heavenly tribulation. But ordinary humans are different. We, as ordinary intelligent beings, are considered subordinates in the Creator’s order. We shouldn’t possess divine-like power. Yet humans have always relentlessly pursued power, creating countless cultivation methods, eventually reaching the realm of gods. To prevent this from happening, the Creator created the heavenly tribulation.”
“So, Grandmaster, you’re saying the heavenly tribulation is a barrier set by the Creator to stop our cultivation?” Yang Hao asked.
“Exactly,” Tian Xuanzi coldly replied. “In the Creator’s order, the hierarchy is strictly defined. His perfect system is designed to keep ordinary humans forever as slaves to the divine race, serving as the foundation of this system. Once one of us successfully cultivates and is about to obtain divine power, the heavenly tribulation will appear at the right moment. It is the Creator’s power left in the universe, creating obstacles for cultivators. Countless people have spent their entire lives cultivating, only to be destroyed by the heavenly tribulation at the end.”
“Then…” Yang Hao thought about his own impending tribulation and felt uneasy, but still asked, “With so many senior experts here, helping me withstand the heavenly tribulation should be no problem, right?”
“Several dozen high immortals can easily withstand an ordinary heavenly tribulation. Even if it’s ten times stronger, we can still give it a try,” Tian Xuanzi said.
Yang Hao exhaled in relief. If that was the case, there shouldn’t be much of a problem. There was no real risk, after all. If heaven fell, there were taller people to hold it up.
Yang Hao
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