Nine-Star Dou Zong

As the deafening clamor of the Pill Gathering slowly receded like the tide, the golden halo of glory gradually settled in the sky above the square, and the originally crowded people began to disperse in an orderly manner along the pre-planned passage.

The strange fragrance of the pills still lingered on the stone path, and the roar of the Eight-and-a-Half-Colored Pill Lightning tearing through the sky seemed to still echo in the air.

Just then, a slightly deep but undeniably firm voice suddenly rang out from the gaps in the crowd on the east side of the square, precisely stopping Lin Ming was turning around to reunite with his relatives and friends.

"Lin Ming!"

These two words, though not tall, were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing Lin Ming to stop in his tracks.

Lin Ming subconsciously turned to the side, his gaze passing through the sparse figures—he saw Xiao Yan standing not far away by the white jade railing, his eyes, which always carried a hint of arrogance, now shining brightly, his gaze fixed intently on him.

The young man, who had just shocked the entire audience with his Five-Colored Pill Lightning and should have been the center of attention, now seemed to have his radiance overshadowed by Lin Ming's achievement. Yet, there was no trace of the expected hostility or resentment on his face. Instead, there was a pure sense of unwillingness surging deep in his eyes, along with an almost overflowing fighting spirit.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling slightly, as if trying to calm the turbulent emotions in his heart.

He took two steps forward, each step exceptionally steady, and said, word by word, "Just wait! You won this Pill Gathering, but I, Xiao Yan, will never admit defeat! One day, I will surpass you—in alchemy, I will refine pills even better than yours; in strength, I will reach the heights you look up to, and completely surpass you!"

These words resonated deeply, carrying the unique vigor and unyielding determination of youth, as sharp as a drawn sword.

Strangely, however, there was not a trace of sinister scheming or resentful jealousy in their words. Instead, it was more like a challenge made between close friends over drinks, a declaration of heartfelt recognition that the other person was a goal worth pursuing with all their might.

Sunlight streamed through the clouds, casting a soft golden glow on Xiao Yan, giving him an air of solitary courage and magnanimity.

Sensing the pure, unadulterated competitive intent in Xiao Yan's words, Lin Ming was slightly taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He had thought that after the disparity at the Pill Gathering and all that had happened before, Xiao Yan would harbor resentment, but he never expected him to be so upright.

In response, Lin Ming wore a sincere and carefree smile, his eyes and brows showing a hint of appreciation.

Lin Ming felt no dislike for this Flame Emperor; on the contrary, he admired him and wanted to befriend him. Now, seeing that the Emperor Yan also harbored such feelings, Lin Ming was even happier.

Lin Ming took two steps forward, meeting Xiao Yan's gaze. His eyes held no contempt, only respect for his opponent.

Lin Ming nodded slowly, a hint of playfulness in his smile, yet also an unmistakable seriousness. He replied, "Ambitious! I'll be waiting for that day. However, surpassing me won't be so easy; you'll have to work harder—I'm always ready, little brother Xiao Yan."

That address, "Little Brother Xiao Yan," carried a hint of brotherly teasing, yet strangely diluted the tense atmosphere of the conversation, making the challenge more relaxed and like an older brother's encouragement and expectation for his younger brother.

On a high platform not far away, the Three Great Heads of Pill Tower Xuan Kongzi, Xuan Yi, Tian Lei Zi, and Yao Chen, took in this scene. A look of relief and joy flashed across their eyes.

Xuan Kongzi stroked his long, snow-white beard, his face full of smiles, and slowly said, "Good, very good! True competition is never a life-or-death rivalry, but rather mutual assistance that leads to mutual achievement; true geniuses never crush each other, but rather work together to forge ahead. These two are both outstanding individuals. If they can maintain this healthy competitive spirit, encourage each other, and progress together, it will truly be a blessing for the Yao Realm, and a fortune for this continent!"

Tian Lei Zi, unusually, set aside his usual seriousness and nodded, adding, "Eight-and-a-Half-Colored Pill Lightning and Five-Colored Pill Lightning are both once-in-a-century geniuses. Now that they can recognize each other and compete healthily, their future achievements will surely be limitless."

Yao Chen's face was also full of a gratified smile. He looked at his disciple who never easily admitted defeat, and then turned his gaze to Lin Ming, who was shining brightly not far away. He was filled with emotion.

"It's Xiao Yan's good fortune to encounter such a rival and friend on his path to growth. With Lin Ming as a towering figure in front of him, he is constantly reminded not to slack off, thus unleashing his deeper potential and preventing him from becoming complacent and stagnant due to minor achievements. And Lin Ming, at such a young age, already possesses such a character—unassuming, calm, upright, and honest—his future achievements are truly limitless."

What these elders feared most was the mutual hatred and infighting among geniuses caused by jealousy—how many brilliant young people had ruined their futures simply because they couldn't overcome the hurdle of "jealousy"?

Seeing Lin Ming and Xiao Yan like this now, all the worries in my heart have disappeared, leaving only a great sense of relief and joy.

After bidding farewell to Xiao Yan, Lin Ming left the square, surrounded by Elder Yao, Xiao Yi Xian, Zi Yan, Xu Shilin, and other close friends. The day's glory and awe deserved a grand celebration to bring it to a perfect close.

The group returned to Lin Ming's temporary Courtyard in Sacred Pill City. Elder Ye Zhong had already arranged for it to be decorated in a festive and warm style.

On the enormous round table, the finest delicacies from the major restaurants of Sacred Pill City were laid out, their aromas filling the air. Jars of fine wine, treasured for many years, were brought out one by one, their clay seals broken, and their rich fragrance instantly spread out.

"Hahaha! Good! Excellent! Lin Ming, I knew I hadn't misjudged you! Eight-and-a-Half-Colored Pill Lightning! Pill Gathering Champion! A candidate for a future giant! Hahaha, let's drink a toast!"

Elder Yao was the most excited. He picked up a large bowl of wine, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp. His hearty laughter shook the rafters.

Although Xiao Yi Xian wasn't good at drinking, her pretty face was slightly flushed at this moment. Holding a glass of Fruit Wine, she looked at Lin Ming with bright eyes and said softly, "Congratulations, Lin Ming."

A thousand words are contained in these three simple words.

Zi Yan hugged a wine jar taller than herself, her face flushed with excitement, and shouted, "Lin Ming, you're amazing! Champion! Let's drink!"

If Xu Shilin hadn't been watching over her, this little girl probably would have passed out drunk.

As the senior brother, Xu Shilin was filled with emotion as he looked at his junior brother who was now shining brightly. He felt both proud and excited. He drank with Lin Ming repeatedly. Although he didn't say much, his flushed face and moist eyes said it all.

Xin Lan, Ye Zhong, Tang Zhen, Tang Huo'er, and others also raised their glasses, offering words of congratulations, creating a warm and lively atmosphere. At this moment, there were no external disturbances or scheming, only the most sincere sharing and joy.

The celebratory banquet continued until late into the night before everyone, still tipsy and satisfied, returned to their rooms to rest.

The noise subsided, Courtyard returned to tranquility. The cool moonlight shone through the window lattice and into the room.

Lin Ming was not asleep. He sat cross-legged on the bed, his face showing little sign of drunkenness, but his eyes were clear and sharp.

The moment the Bodhi Primordial Beginning Pill was finally Pill Formation and triggered the Eight-and-a-Half-Colored Pill Lightning, the Dou Qi within his body, which had already reached the Peak Eight-Star Dou Ancestor, began to stir slightly, as if it had touched an invisible barrier.

It was only because of the special circumstances at the time that he forcibly suppressed it.

Now that everything is settled and my mind is relaxed, the signs of that breakthrough surge back like a tide, even clearer and more intense than before!

"It's time..."

Lin Ming muttered to himself, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. Without any hesitation, he swiftly formed cultivation hand seals in front of him, and the Flame Mantra Cultivation Method within his body roared into operation!

Boom!

As he activated Cultivation Method technique, the vast, ocean-like Dou Qi within his vortex surged and compressed wildly like a bursting dam! A powerful suction force erupted from his body, greedily devouring the energy of the surrounding world.

As the core of the Middle Continent, Sacred Pill City already possesses an astonishingly rich abundance of Heaven and Earth Energy. At this moment, it is as if summoned by an emperor, transforming into visible streams of energy that converge from all directions, flowing into Lin Ming's body like swallows returning to their nests.

His body seemed to have transformed into a bottomless pit, frantically absorbing this pure energy. His meridians felt a throbbing pain as the energy washed over them, but more than anything, he felt a sense of exhilaration as if he were about to break free from his shackles!

The invisible barrier between the Eight-Star Dou Ancestor and Nine-Star Dou Zong began to tremble violently under the impact of such vast energy, and cracks spread rapidly across its surface.

At the same time, the Inner World within him, created by the Chaos Spirit Five Elements Art, was also drawn in and began to expand synchronously. The Chaos energy at the boundary of the original eighty-nine-zhang-circle Chaos space began to churn violently, pushing outwards with difficulty but determination!

Time slipped away quietly during the cultivation. The moonlight outside the window gradually dimmed, and a faint glimmer of dawn appeared on the horizon.

As the first rays of dawn were about to pierce the darkness of the next day—

The Dou Qi that had accumulated enough power within Lin Ming's body finally unleashed its final, earth-shattering impact at a certain moment!

"Snap!"

A crisp, shattering sound, seemingly originating from the depths of his soul, that only Lin Ming could hear, suddenly rang out!

That seemingly impenetrable barrier crumbled instantly!

Boom!!!

A powerful aura, several times stronger than before, surged forth from Lin Ming's body like a sleeping Giant Dragon awakening, causing the tables and chairs in the room to shake slightly! Fortunately, he had set up a barrier before cultivating, so the aura did not leak out.

The surge of energy lasted for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before gradually subsiding and finally stabilizing completely.

Lin Ming suddenly opened his tightly closed eyes, and a sharp glint, as keen as a hawk, flashed in his dark pupils!

He slowly opened his palm, feeling the powerful and surging Dou Qi within his body, which was like a river flowing endlessly. He couldn't help but smile with a delighted expression.

Nine-Star Dou Zong!

On the eve of his journey to the Star Domain to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame, he finally took this crucial step, officially breaking through from the Peak Eight-Star Dou Ancestor to the Nine-Star Dou Zong!

At the same time, he focused his mind into his body and saw that the boundaries of his Inner World had been stabilized, and its range had expanded from the previous eighty-nine zhang to a full ninety zhang!

Although it had only expanded by one zhang (approximately 3.3 meters), Lin Ming could clearly feel that the stability of this space and its upper limit for energy storage had significantly improved. This would be of immeasurable benefit to his future battles, cultivation, and even exploration of the mysteries of space.

Feeling the surge of power and the expansion of space within his body, Lin Ming took a deep breath, his eyes filled with confidence and anticipation.

"Nine-Star Dou Zong... Ninety-zhang space... Three Thousand Burning Flame, I, Lin Ming, have arrived!"