Opening the Furnace

After a boom, the crowd saw the array patterns gradually shattering and Dharma power surging. They reacted swiftly, leaping back through the air in retreat, afraid that something might go wrong.

At the core of the Taiyi God-Lock Array, spiderweb-like cracks gradually spread, brilliance spilling in every direction.

In an instant, an ancient, primordial aura wafted forth alongside a refreshing pill fragrance. Like a storm sweeping away the clouds, it surged across heaven and earth.

Crack, crack, crack—

The ancient array's barrier of light surrounding the furnace gradually broke apart.

Rolling, scorching Mystic Qi came roaring out like an inverted waterfall, shooting straight into the sky—a truly magnificent sight!

A heatwave rushed toward him. Xu Yan flicked his sleeve, and a layer of Primordial Qi Force emerged around his Dao body, blocking the scorching spiritual waves outside.

Thump, thump, thump—

Then, sounds like a beating heart rang out from within the Heaven and Earth Furnace. The pill qi that had long been suppressed tore through the sky like thunder, continually rippling outward.

Xu Yan's brow twitched slightly. He activated the Edict Script and carefully observed with his divine sense.

"It's as though something is refining all things within."

Xu Yan pondered this inwardly.

"An ancient pill has emerged from the furnace!"

Not far away, Jiang Qingcheng called out loudly.

The commotion lasted for half the time it took to burn an incense stick. Then everyone stepped through the air and landed at the furnace's edge, looking down.

Beneath the pitch-black, bottomless furnace, spiritual light seemed to roar upward. An ancient pill fragrance struck their nostrils, intoxicating their souls.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a pill the size of a longan shot toward them at incredible speed, carrying rolling Mystic Qi. Like a meteor tearing through a black abyss, it was exceptionally eye-catching.

"Look!" a disciple said.

Everyone stared intently, barely able to restrain themselves from making a move.

However, they had already agreed that Senior Brother Jiang would retrieve the pills.

Jiang Beixuan remained calm. With a sweep of his broad white sleeve, a vast surge of Mystic Qi roared forth. The Mystic Qi was like heavy fog—seemingly gentle, yet containing divine power within.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

Jiang Beixuan spread his palm, and Mist Image Dharma Power enveloped the pill. Using the Object Manipulation Technique, he seized the ancient pill in one grasp.

Everyone fixed their eyes on it and examined it closely.

The pill was wrapped in a wisp of chaotic golden airflow, flawless and immaculate. It was a peerless treasure pill!

Xu Yan raised a brow. Wasn't that a Dragon Breath Pill?

Wei Daowu, standing beside Jiang Beixuan, lowered his gaze slightly and asked, "What kind of treasure pill is this? Its Mystic Qi is so dense, and there is even the power of blood and qi hidden within it."

Jiang E's beautiful eyes shone with wonder as she stared fixedly at the pill. She seemed to recognize it, and she declared, "This is an ancient Pulse Opening treasure pill, the Dragon Breath Pill. Not only can it refine Mystic Qi, it can also enhance a cultivator's physical capabilities!"

"A peerless Pulse Opening pill? Those are rare indeed," someone said.

"And it is an ancient treasure pill at that, with the effect of strengthening one's body."

To refine a flawless treasure pill, one not only needed a Daoist master of the arcane arts with exceptional pill-refining skill, but also time for it to mature.

The great families with deep foundations naturally possessed such pills, but most were bestowed upon direct-line heirs or disciples of extraordinary talent.

Jiang Beixuan held the treasure pill and swept his gaze around the area. His Pulse Opening cultivation was nearly complete, so a Pulse Opening pill like this was no longer of much use to him.

Jiang Beixuan said solemnly, "An ancient Dragon Breath Pill, a peerless Pulse Opening pill. Any fellow Daoist who wants it may name their price."

The expressions of those around him varied, countless thoughts racing through their minds.

These prodigies at the eighth or ninth layer of Pulse Opening would sooner or later cultivate their Pulse Opening to completion. Though this pill was good, compared to a divine treasure like the Heaven Mending Pill, it still fell far short.

"Fifty spirit stones!"

Not far from Xu Yan, Yang Qian abruptly raised his great saber and shouted aloud.

"One hundred spirit stones."

Tuoba Ke from among the Nine Star Kui Island disciples spoke unhurriedly.

The crowd began bidding. Before long, the price had risen to three hundred and fifty spirit stones, already an extremely high sum.

Someone from Nine Star Kui Island wanted to keep raising the price, but Tuoba Ke stopped them. Clearly, they wanted to hold back their resources. If a Heaven Mending Pill emerged, they would need to give their all to win one for Murong Ziyao.

An ordinary high-grade Pulse Opening pill cost around fifty spirit stones. A peerless Pulse Opening pill would cost at least five times as much. The Dragon Breath Pill was somewhat different—it was an ancient Pulse Opening pill, and even more precious.

Three hundred and fifty spirit stones was the price offered by an heir of a lesser sect. It was his entire fortune, and his expression showed considerable pain.

This pill clearly held greater appeal for independent cultivators and Daoists from lesser sects.

Xu Yan seemed to be pondering something as he clenched his Qiankun Bag.

Including the Nine Star Kui Island disciples he had robbed earlier, he now had only three hundred and twenty-one spirit stones in his bag—all flawless, high-grade spirit stones.

To cultivators of the [Foundation Establishment Path], spirit stones were their lifeline. Not only could they be used for trade, they could also be crushed for cultivation.

"Forget it. I'll take it slowly."

Xu Yan shook his head and released the Qiankun Bag. He still had two Dragon Breath Pills at present. They were indeed good pills, most suited to Daoists like himself who cultivated both body and qi while opening their pulses.

No one else called a price. Jiang Beixuan turned his gaze toward the lesser-sect disciple.

At that moment, Qin Yiren beside Xu Yan suddenly spoke loudly. "Four hundred spirit stones."

"Could you be Fellow Daoist Qin from Tiandu Immortal City?" Jiang Beixuan recognized her and asked in a deep voice.

"I have long heard of Brother Jiang's great name." Qin Yiren nodded in response without changing expression.

Quite a few people glanced sideways at the silver-robed woman from the Immortal City.

Tiandu Immortal City's direct-line disciple of the Qin Clan—Qin Yiren's father was the Lord of Heavenly Capital City. This senior was quite renowned in eastern Cang Province.

Immortal cities like those in eastern Cang Province had only appeared in the recent ancient era. That turbulent age of rising winds and billowing clouds was precisely when the Taiyuan Divine Sect had risen to prominence.

Back then, some Immortal Cities had joined forces with other sects in eastern Cang Province to resist the Divine Sect, only to meet a bleak end.

The Immortal Cities that still existed now were basically forces that had maintained good relations with the Divine Sect in those days.

The lesser-sect disciple stopped bidding. It was not because he feared Qin Yiren's background, but because his purse was empty. He only had so many spirit stones. Sighing, he shook his head to himself.

"This pill shall belong to Fellow Daoist Qin."

Jiang Beixuan swept his sleeve, sending the Dragon Breath Pill over with Dharma power. Qin Yiren caught the pill in one grasp and sent the spirit stones over in turn.

At this moment, Jiang Qingcheng looked over with a smile at the corner of his mouth and a strange expression in his eyes. "Fellow Daoist Qin, you possess an Extreme Yin Spirit Vein. The Dragon Breath Pill's medicinal force is overbearing, so it seems rather unsuitable for you."

Qin Yiren ignored Jiang Qingcheng. Holding the treasure pill between her fingers, she occasionally glanced at Xu Yan from the corner of her cool gaze. She seemed somewhat bashful, uncertain what to say.

With so many people here, she felt even more restrained.

Xu Yan looked at her and casually said, "Fellow Daoist Qin, this Dragon Breath Pill..."

"This pill is a gift for Brother Xu." Qin Yiren extended the pill before Xu Yan. She did not look at him, her eyes only flickering constantly as she hurriedly said in a somewhat flustered tone, "Thank you, Brother Xu, for helping me obtain the Great Teleportation Token earlier!"

Xu Yan looked at her with slight surprise. Qin Yiren was truly attentive. His earlier movement of pressing on his Qiankun Bag had clearly meant he wished to bid for this pill, and she had noticed.

Xu Yan did not stand on ceremony and directly accepted the pill. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Qin."

At this sight, quite a few people in the area cast strange looks at the two of them. Those gazes made Qin Yiren even more flustered. She simply remained silent, pretending nothing had happened as she looked into the abyss at the furnace's bottom.

I had forgotten—she is a direct-line heir of an Immortal City. Her family's foundation must be abundant indeed.

Xu Yan put away the pill, his thoughts wandering. Having traveled together after receiving guidance from the Dharma King, they had formed a good bond. Though she appeared cool and aloof, she was also a person of deep feeling, worthy of befriending.

Soon after, only a few breaths later.

More ancient pills burst forth from below.

There were not only Dragon Breath Pills, but also Huangtian Pills. These pills were extraordinary, containing the Mystic Qi of the Five Elements. They could help cultivators temper their Dao embryos and were rare treasure pills.

They were immediately fought over by numerous disciples.

In less than half an hour, more than twenty treasure pills had emerged. Every one was a flawless, peerless treasure pill, leaving everyone speechless.

Xu Yan stared beneath the furnace. A particularly distinct pill aura seemed to be slowly approaching, and the Edict Script in his palm had also grown slightly warm.

"This is..."

"It's here! A Heaven Mending Pill is emerging from the furnace."

When the people present saw that spiritual light, all their gazes trembled as they roused themselves to full alertness.