Yuan-Gathering Pill

[Physique: Azure Wood Body (Tier 2), Li Fire Body (Tier 2)]

Lu Heng immersed his consciousness in the Book of Destiny, gazing at the changed physiques as the corners of his lips curled upward slightly.

He then opened his eyes. Firelight seemed to flicker within them. Feeling something stir within him, Lu Heng immediately extended his hand as Dou Qi gradually gathered in his palm. The next moment, a crimson flame burst to life above it.

One had to know that condensing tangible flame was something only a fourth-grade alchemist could accomplish, yet Lu Heng had managed it as a mere one-star Dou Zhe.

"So this is the Li Fire Body..."

Lu Heng sensed the changes within his body.

His Dou Qi absorption speed had increased by a full twofold! Moreover, the explosive power of his fire-attributed Dou Qi far surpassed that of ordinary people.

But before long, Lu Heng discovered a problem that was not quite a problem.

The upper limit of his Dou Qi reserves had indeed increased, like a small teacup turning into a large kettle.

But that also meant filling this kettle in order to advance would require several times more energy than others needed!

A profound foundation, invincible within the same realm!

Still, feeling the surging power within his body, Lu Heng felt that it was all worth it.

For cultivators, time was the cheapest thing in the world.

In the blink of an eye, half a year quietly passed.

Over those six months, the situation in Wutan City underwent subtle changes.

Because of that "peeping while bathing" incident, Xiao Yan had been chased by Xiao Yu for an entire month. Yet because of it, his relationship with Xiao Xun'er had grown even closer.

Meanwhile, the Miteer Auction House had become a holy land in the hearts of mercenaries throughout the area surrounding Green Mountain Town.

There was no other reason than the perpetually scarce Beast Power Pills.

Every morning, before the auction house even opened, a long line had already formed outside.

Those mercenaries who lived by the blade were even willing to fight viciously over a Beast Power Pill that could save their lives.

Even some of the great families from neighboring Black Rock City, as well as those from Black Rock City, specifically sent people over to purchase them.

The words "Beast Power Pill" had already become the Miteer Auction House's golden trademark.

Inside Lu Heng's residence.

Lu Heng slowly opened his eyes and let out a long breath of stale air, ending a day's cultivation.

Over half a year, under that terrifying accumulation of resources, his cultivation had risen from the peak of one-star Dou Zhe to six-star Dou Zhe.

If word of that speed got out, the entire Jia Ma Empire would probably be shaken.

And that was with his advancement experience bar being higher than everyone else's!

If it had been an ordinary person, they would likely have reached eight-star or nine-star already, perhaps even touched the threshold of Dou Master.

"Six-star Dou Zhe... still a little too slow."

Lu Heng shook his head somewhat dissatisfiedly.

During the past six months, he had done little besides refining medicine and cultivating, rarely leaving the Mittel Auction House.

The main reason was that Lu Heng felt his strength was still insufficient. He was now over ten years old, and thanks to medicinal meals and cultivation techniques, he had grown quite a bit taller than before.

Medicinal ingredients were piled like mountains throughout the room as Lu Heng took stock of his supplies from this period.

A six-star Dou Zhe was a monster among his peers, but in the entire Jia Ma Empire, he would not even make a ripple.

If he wanted to survive the coming trial, relying solely on external aids like Beast Power Pills would not be enough. He had to improve his actual strength.

"It's time to make those two things."

Lu Heng muttered softly.

Yuan-Nurturing Powder and Yuan-Gathering Pills.

The formulas for these two medicines simply did not exist anywhere on Dou Qi Continent. One could increase cultivation speed during the Dou Qi stage, while the other could directly raise a Dou Zhe's strength.

Yuan-Nurturing Powder was taken orally. Its medicinal power was mild, and it could increase cultivation speed during the Dou Qi stage by more than threefold.

As for the Yuan-Gathering Pill, that was even more formidable.

It could directly raise a Dou Zhe's strength by one star with no side effects. If a nine-star Dou Zhe took it, there was even a fifty percent chance of breaking through the barrier and advancing to Dou Master.

If something like that got out, let alone Wutan City, even the great families of the Imperial Capital would go mad.

During this time, Lu Heng had simulated the refining process countless times in his mind. He had also attempted it many times in the alchemy room.

The failure rate was very high.

But today, that mysterious and indescribable feeling had arrived.

Lu Heng had a feeling that today was the day he would refine the Yuan-Gathering Pill!

He pushed open the door and stepped out.

It was already nearing dusk.

The Miteer Auction House remained brightly lit. Carriages formed a long line outside, most belonging to various factions seeking Beast Power Pills.

Lu Heng entered through the side entrance with practiced familiarity.

Passing through the corridor, Lu Heng headed directly toward Ya Fei's private office area.

As soon as he reached the door, he heard the clattering of abacus beads from inside, along with a woman's somewhat languid complaint.

"These old geezers want dividends, but they refuse to put in any effort. Do they think I'm running a charity?"

Lu Heng pushed open the door and entered.

Ya Fei was sprawled over her desk, a pen in hand, while the account books before her were piled high enough to nearly bury her.

Hearing the sound, Ya Fei raised her head.

The moment she saw Lu Heng, the irritation on her lovely face instantly turned to delight. She tossed aside the charcoal pencil and leaned back in her chair.

"Oh, what a rare visitor."

Ya Fei stretched lazily, the alluring curves beneath her red dress on full display.

"My busy man finally decided to come out of the cultivation room?"

"I came to see Sister Ya Fei."

Lu Heng walked to the desk, naturally picked up the teapot, and poured her a cup of water.

"And to borrow some fire."

Ya Fei accepted the teacup and shot him a seductive glance.

"Borrow fire? Do you mean the Earth Flame in the alchemy room, or the fire in your sister's heart?"

Lu Heng nearly lost his grip on the teapot.

Sister Ya Fei really was becoming more and more bewitching.

"Of course I mean the alchemy room."

Lu Heng coughed, his expression perfectly serious.

"I feel like I'm in good form today, so I'm preparing to try those two new formulas."

Ya Fei put away her teasing expression and sat upright.

She knew what the "new formulas" Lu Heng spoke of meant.

"How confident are you?"

"Fifty percent."

Lu Heng raised five fingers.

"But it's fine if I fail. At worst, I'll blow up a few furnaces. Sister Ya Fei is wealthy enough to afford the losses anyway."

Ya Fei burst into laughter and reached out to flick his nose.

"Go on, then. If you blow them up, I'll buy you new ones. As long as you're safe, that's all that matters."

Lu Heng nodded and turned toward the alchemy room at the back.

When he reached the door, he paused and looked back at Ya Fei.

The setting sun streamed through the window and bathed her in a golden glow, making her breathtakingly beautiful.

"What is it?" Ya Fei noticed his gaze.

"Nothing." Lu Heng smiled. "Sister Ya Fei, wait for my good news."

If the Yuan-Nurturing Powder could be refined this time, perhaps Sister Ya Fei's Dou Qi cultivation, stagnant for many years, could finally advance as well.

In this world where the strong preyed on the weak, even if he stood before her to shield her, it was always better for Sister Ya Fei to possess some strength for self-defense.

The stone door slammed shut.

Lu Heng took a deep breath. The warmth in his eyes instantly faded, replaced by absolute concentration.

Tonight, he would succeed!