On the way back to Pill City, the atmosphere was unusually heavy. The news that the Lord of Darkness's true body was coming weighed on everyone's hearts like a great boulder. Xuan Kongzi stood at the bow of the pill boat, gazing down at the mountains stretching below, his brow tightly furrowed as he pondered something.
Xiao Yan shut himself in a cabin, digesting the information left behind by the Pill God's remnant will. Countless exquisite pill formulas and pill-refining techniques flowed through his mind, encompassing everything from the purification of basic medicinal liquids to insights into refining emperor-grade pills. At their heart lay the ultimate secret of the Nine Revolutions Purification Pill: only by using Heavenly Flames as a catalyst and fusing them with the power of space could one refine a "Primordial Purification Pill" truly capable of purifying the source of darkness.
"Primordial Purification Pill..." Xiao Yan murmured, a grave look flashing in his eyes. According to the records left by the Pill God's remnant will, the pill required nine Heavenly Flames containing the source of space, supplemented by Water of the Nine Heavens Star River and Primordial Purple Qi. Leaving aside legendary things like the Water of the Nine Heavens Star River and Primordial Purple Qi, he had mastered only three of the nine Heavenly Flames he needed.
"It seems I still have a long road ahead of me in collecting Heavenly Flames." Xiao Yan sighed softly and turned his gaze to the Burning Heaven Cauldron in his hands.
The Burning Heaven Cauldron was purple-gold from top to bottom, its body engraved with intricate Pill Patterns and designs of stars. It felt smooth and warm to the touch, yet he could sense the vast power it contained. He tried channeling Origin Qi into it, and the cauldron immediately lit up with a faint golden glow. A surge of pure pill essence flowed back into him, nourishing his meridians.
"This Burning Heaven Cauldron isn't just a supreme treasure for refining pills. It can also aid cultivation." Xiao Yan's interest stirred, and he examined it more closely. Countless fine lines were carved inside the cauldron, forming a unique space. He could sense that, unlike the space in his Storage Ring, this one was filled with the power of the pill fire's source. Nothing could be better for nurturing medicinal herbs and Heavenly Flames.
Even more to his delight, the Burning Heaven Cauldron seemed capable of amplifying the power of Heavenly Flames. When he guided the Green Lotus Core Flame into it, the flame instantly surged several times in size, and its temperature rose to another level. It also became purer, without the slightest trace of wild violence.
"With the Burning Heaven Cauldron, both my pill-refining skills and my control over Heavenly Flames can reach another level." Xiao Yan was delighted, feeling more confident about the future.
Along the way, he also tried to make sense of the blurry images. The battle between the Pill God and the Lord of Darkness was a heart-shaking sight. The Burning Heaven Cauldron in the Pill God's hands burned with nine-colored flames, and every strike purified vast swathes of dark power. What caught Xiao Yan's attention was that the Pill God's profile bore some resemblance to his own.
Could I really be a descendant of the Pill God? Xiao Yan was full of questions. He came from the Dou Qi Continent, so how could he share a bloodline with the ancient Pill God of the Great Thousand World? He would probably have to find more ruins connected to the Pill God before he could answer that question.
Five days later, the pill boat returned to Pill City.
Xuan Kongzi immediately summoned all the Pill Region's senior figures and the experts who had come at his invitation to an emergency meeting in Pill King Hall.
The atmosphere in the hall was solemn. Besides the Pill Region's nine Pill Venerates, representatives from the Southern Region's other eight major factions were present, including Lin Qingxue of Hundred Herbs Hall and the valley master of Black Wind Valley. All eyes were fixed on Xuan Kongzi as they waited for his decision.
Xuan Kongzi rose and swept his gaze over the gathering. "Everyone," he said gravely, "I believe you already know. On our journey to the ancient Pill Hall, we not only obtained the purification pill formula, but also confirmed that the Lord of Darkness's true body will soon descend upon the Great Thousand World."
Whispers rippled through the hall. Though they had been prepared for the news, hearing it with their own ears still made their hearts tremble.
"Lord Xuan Kongzi, what do you intend to do?" the valley master of Black Wind Valley asked, his tone grave.
"Prepare for war." Xuan Kongzi's voice was firm and decisive. "We must make every possible preparation before the Lord of Darkness breaks through the seal."
He paused, then continued, "First, we must devote all our efforts to refining purification pills. I will make the Nine Revolutions Purification Pill's formula public. I hope you will mobilize every alchemist under your command to produce them day and night. The more, the better."
"Second, we must unite the forces of every faction. The Lord of Darkness's power far exceeds our imagination; no one can stand against him alone. I propose that we use the Southern Region as our foundation and join forces with the factions of the Eastern, Western, and Northern Regions to form the Great Thousand Alliance and fight the darkness together."
"Third, we must search for ancient ruins. During the ancient war, many supreme experts left behind treasures and cultivation techniques for combating the darkness. We must find these ruins as soon as possible and strengthen ourselves."
Xuan Kongzi's three proposals won unanimous approval. In the face of a crisis that threatened to destroy the world, all grievances seemed insignificant. Joining forces against the enemy was their only way out.
"Lord Xuan Kongzi, refining purification pills requires a vast quantity of medicinal herbs, especially 'Spirit-Purifying Grass' and 'Light Flowers.' These herbs are extremely rare, so I'm afraid..." a Pill Venerate said worriedly.
"There's no need to worry about that." Lin Qingxue rose and spoke calmly. "Hundred Herbs Hall has discovered a sea of Spirit-Purifying Grass deep in Ten Thousand Medicines Valley. In addition, we have long had dealings with the Temple of Light in the Western Region and can ask them for help obtaining Light Flowers."
"Good!" Xuan Kongzi nodded. "With your assurance, Miss Lin, I can rest easy."
"As for joining forces with the other three regions," the valley master of Black Wind Valley said, "I have some connections with the Ice Plains Tribe in the Northern Region and the Heavenly Wind Kingdom in the Eastern Region. I can go and persuade them in person."
"The Demonic Sea in the Western Region is shrouded in dark power year-round, making the situation there the most complicated. I'll go," said a stern-faced middle-aged man. He was the pavilion master of the Burning Heaven Pavilion in the Western Region, and his cultivation had already reached the Initial Origin Venerate stage.
Everyone took charge of their respective duties, and a plan was soon in place. After the meeting ended, they departed Pill City one after another to carry out their assignments.
Only Xuan Kongzi, Xiao Yan, and Mo Chen remained in Pill King Hall.
"Xiao Yan," Xuan Kongzi said, looking at him, "the ultimate secret of the purification pill formula is in your hands. I'm afraid the heavy responsibility of refining the Primordial Purification Pill will fall to you."
Xiao Yan nodded. "I understand. It's just that the medicinal herbs and Heavenly Flames needed for the Primordial Purification Pill are far too rare..."
"As for the herbs, I'll mobilize all the factions to search for them. As for the Heavenly Flames..." Xuan Kongzi pondered for a moment. "I know of a place that may have a Heavenly Flame you need."
"Oh?" A glimmer of anticipation flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes.
"Burning Heaven Cliff in the Eastern Region. Legend has it that the Netherworld Ghost Flame, a companion flame of the Fallen Heart Flame, is there. But the terrain is treacherous, and there's also a powerful guardian beast. No one has managed to obtain it in all these years," Xuan Kongzi said. "Moreover, there's an ancient teleportation array near Burning Heaven Cliff. It's said to lead to the Pill Realm, the Pill God's homeland. You may be able to uncover more secrets about your bloodline there."
The Pill Realm?
Xiao Yan's heart stirred. It was an enormous temptation.
"I'll go!" Xiao Yan said without hesitation.
"Good." Xuan Kongzi nodded with satisfaction. "Mo Chen, go with Xiao Yan so you can look after each other. Also, here's a map of the Eastern Region and some Origin Stones for you to use on the journey."
Mo Chen cupped his hands. "Yes, Master."
The two left Pill King Hall to prepare for their journey to the Eastern Region.
Before their departure, Lin Qingxue came to see them off. She handed Xiao Yan a storage pouch. "There are some Spirit-Purifying Grass seeds and Hundred Herbs Hall communication talismans inside. If you run into trouble in the Eastern Region, you can use a talisman to call on Hundred Herbs Hall's branches there."
"Thank you, Miss Lin." Xiao Yan accepted the storage pouch, warmth stirring in his heart.
"Take care on the road." Lin Qingxue looked at Xiao Yan, a hint of worry and reluctance to part in her eyes.
"You too," Xiao Yan said with a smile. "Wait for me to come back."
Lin Qingxue's cheeks reddened slightly, and she nodded gently.
Xiao Yan and Mo Chen delayed no longer. They summoned the pill boat and flew toward the Eastern Region.
The Eastern Region was unlike the Southern Region. Mountain ranges crisscrossed the land, volcanoes dotted it, and the climate was scorching. It was said that in ancient times, it had been a sea of fire that gave birth to many fire-attribute Heavenly Flames and spirit pets.
"Burning Heaven Cliff is at the southernmost end of the Eastern Region, near Severed Realm Mountain. That's where the Eastern Region borders the space beyond the realm. Space there is extremely unstable, and spatial rifts often appear," Mo Chen said, pointing at the map. "It will take us at least half a month to get there."
Xiao Yan nodded, gazing into the distance. Their journey to the Eastern Region concerned not only the Heavenly Flames and the Primordial Purification Pill, but might also unravel the mystery of his bloodline.
He tightened his grip on the Burning Heaven Cauldron, feeling the source of the pill fire within it and the resonance of his bloodline. His gaze grew ever more resolute.
The road ahead was still full of unknowns and dangers, but he feared nothing.
For he knew that what he carried on his shoulders was not merely his own fate, but the hope of the entire Great Thousand World.
The pill boat cut through the sky, flying toward the distant Eastern Region. Behind it was the Southern Region, feverishly preparing for war; ahead lay a journey full of unknowns and an approaching storm.
The legend of Xiao Yan was still being written.
(To be continued)