After resting for a while, having already refined his Soul Origin, Xiao Yan should have gotten up. However, his bright eyes flickered, he calmed his mind, and entered a state of cultivation again. With a thought, the vast, ocean-like Spiritual Strength in his sea of consciousness between his brows also stirred at that moment.
Noticing the changes within Xiao Yan's body, Gu You couldn't help but exclaim in surprise at Xiao Yan's actions. He never expected that Xiao Yan would be so bold. His Spiritual Strength had only just reached the Late Emperor Realm, yet he wanted to try to condense Soul Bead. He really didn't know whether to call him reckless or incredibly courageous.
Although Xiao Yan's strength will be greatly enhanced after condensing the Soul Bead, the dangers involved are not something that ordinary people can withstand.
Forcibly condensing Soul Bead with the Spiritual Strength of the Late Emperor Realm was something even Gu You, with his extensive experience, had never encountered before.
Condensing Soul Bead sounds easy—it's simply about condensing Spiritual Strength into a bead—but the pressure involved is far from as simple as it sounds.
The condensation of the Soul Bead not only tests the alchemist's Spiritual Strength, but also their mental strength. In the process of condensing the Soul Bead, powerful Spiritual Strength is no longer the alchemist's reliance; only an unwavering and tenacious mental strength is the key to supporting the Soul Bead to condense to the end.
It is precisely because of this that so many Second-Tier High-Level Alchemist are unable to condense Soul Bead and break through the barrier to enter the realm of Third-Tier Alchemist. Spiritual Strength can be cultivated and improved, but one's own mind can only be cultivated through one's own heart.
Only inner strength can guarantee the condensation of the Soul Bead, and this can be considered a test for the strong. After all, who among those who can endure the pain of condensing the Soul Bead and successfully advance is not a person with a firm mind and strong strength!
Calming himself down, Xiao Yan slowly mobilized the Spiritual Strength within his sea of consciousness. The method of condensing the Soul Bead was not difficult. Although this was his first time, Xiao Yan was quite adept at it. As an alchemist, controlling Spiritual Strength was an easy task for him.
What Xiao Yan needs to do now is to guide the Spiritual Strength in his sea of consciousness and then condense it through a special method. When all the Spiritual Strength in Xiao Yan's sea of consciousness can be completely condensed and transformed into a physical form, the Soul Bead will be considered to have been condensed.
As Xiao Yan's thoughts turned, the vast, ocean-like Spiritual Strength within his sea of consciousness surged. Then, under Xiao Yan's control, the surging Spiritual Strength slowly rotated within Xiao Yan sea of consciousness. Strands of Spiritual Strength were gradually drawn out from it under Xiao Yan's control, and then they intertwined like two small snakes.
The first step of condensation was the easiest, taking Xiao Yan very little time. He easily condensed the two clusters of Spiritual Strength together. The following steps were basically the same. However, as the Spiritual Strength continued to condense and compress, the soul pressure within the Soul Bead in front of Xiao Yan also rapidly increased. Before the Soul Bead was completely condensed, all the Spiritual Strength Xiao Yan possessed would become his greatest burden. The terrifying pressure would crush his mind. If he couldn't persevere, the worst outcome would likely be that Xiao Yan's soul would be injured!
As his Spiritual Strength gradually condensed, a grayish-white bead slowly formed in Xiao Yan's mind under the infusion of Spiritual Strength. At this moment, Xiao Yan felt the terrifying soul pressure emanating from the Soul Bead more and more clearly. That pressure was far beyond the terrifying level that Xiao Yan had been able to reach before!
At this moment, Xiao Yan felt as if he were carrying a towering Mount Tai on his back. Every part of his body was under terrifying pressure, his muscles were taut like iron, and every cell in his body was struggling against the oppressive force.
As time passed, waves of aching pain, like ants biting, swept through Xiao Yan's body. It felt as if all the bones in his body were about to fall apart. His Spiritual Strength in his sea of consciousness kept draining away and was poured into the grayish-white Soul Bead. Xiao Yan's consciousness gradually became blurred.
Since the Soul Bead was not yet formed, he could no longer mobilize his Spiritual Strength. Normally, Xiao Yan could rely on his powerful Soul Power to keep himself conscious, but at this moment, he could only rely on his willpower!
Within his sea of consciousness, the body Xiao Yan conjured using his Spiritual Strength gradually dissipated, transforming into Spiritual Strength that flowed into the Soul Bead. The terrifying pressure surrounding Xiao Yan grew even more terrifying thanks to the Soul Bead.
"Buzz..."
Suddenly, the grayish-white Soul Bead, which looked to be about the size of a basketball, trembled violently. Immediately afterward, an invisible and terrifying aura pressed down on Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan had no way to avoid it. He knew that if he wanted to successfully condense the Soul Bead, he had to withstand this attack; otherwise, all his previous efforts would be in vain!
The terrifying aura instantly snapped Xiao Yan out of his daze. At this moment, Xiao Yan felt utterly helpless. He never imagined that he would one day be crushed by the very Spiritual Strength he had always been so proud of...
Perhaps, the essence of condensing the Soul Bead is to make alchemists understand that to defeat others, one must first defeat oneself...
For a true powerhouse, the strength of an opponent only fuels their excitement; it is the inability to surpass them that instills fear...
As Xiao Yan thought this, the Spiritual Strength that originally belonged to Xiao Yan surged forth with an overwhelming and terrifying pressure. Even at his peak, when Xiao Yan unleashed his full Spiritual Strength, he could hardly match such might...
When that soul pressure descended upon him, even with Xiao Yan's temperament, he couldn't help but feel a chill. However, before he could make a move, the terrifying Spiritual Strength filled with destructive aura pressed down on him like a storm.
In an instant, Xiao Yan's expression changed drastically, and his illusory body exploded with a bang. Under that terrifying soul pressure, his supposedly firm will was so vulnerable!
"Ah!!!"
"Ah!!!!"
On the verge of a mental breakdown, Xiao Yan Xiao Yan out a series of hoarse, desperate roars from the depths of his heart. Painful blood seemed to gush from his throat, and the feeling of his body being crushed made him truly experience the breath of death. At this moment, Xiao Yan was suffocating. He felt his body no longer obeying his commands, his soul fading away; he was left only with a shell, like a walking corpse. Death had already pressed upon his heart...
"Sigh~ This kid is really reckless..."
"Buzz..."
As a sigh of regret from an old man rose from the depths of Xiao Yan's heart, a surge of immense Spiritual Strength suddenly rushed in. The soul pressure released by the Soul Bead was momentarily blocked, and in that instant, Xiao Yan's collapsed spirit was revitalized!
"While I can save you temporarily, I cannot guarantee your future. From now on, success or failure depends entirely on yourself..."
The moment the soul pressure was blocked, Xiao Yan Xiao Yan's spirit was suddenly lifted. He felt his body suddenly lighten, and all the pressure was relieved. Just as he was wondering about this, Xiao Yan Gu You's voice came softly.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan immediately realized that Gu You had helped him again. If it weren't for Gu You, Xiao Yan couldn't imagine what the outcome would have been.
Silently thanking him in his heart, Xiao Yan knew that now was not the time to express gratitude. He then focused all his attention on the Soul Bead in front of him. As long as he could keep his mind steadfast and persevere to the end, the Soul Bead would be successfully formed!