Chapter 279: Seven Nine Tier Pills
Tianwaitian (Beyond the Heavens).
As days passed, the alchemy competition in the Martial Arena approached its conclusion. The skies above the arena flickered with lightning and phenomena, all heralding the birth of high tier pills.
In the ninth level of Tiance Manor, Xiao Tiance stood by a window, gazing toward the Martial Arena. As a master alchemist himself, he knew that the flashes of pill lightning in the distance signified the imminent completion of powerful, high tier pills by the alchemists.
Ling'er's Curiosity
"Little Master, you've been standing here for several days now," Ling'er said, tilting her head as she materialized on his shoulder.
"Indeed," Xiao Tiance responded with a smile, his gaze fixed on the distant phenomena. "A gathering of this scale is rare. Nearly all of the best alchemists from across the Dou Qi Continent have come to Tianwaitian for this event. Watching them is a pleasure."
"But, Little Master, your alchemy skills are obviously far superior to theirs," Ling'er remarked, her confusion evident.
Xiao Tiance chuckled.
"Ling'er, you're not an alchemist, so you wouldn't understand. Look over there do you see the lightning with nine different colors? That indicates an eight tier, nine colored pill. Using special techniques, such as Spirit Nurturing, it could even be elevated to a nine tier treasured pill.
"And beside it, the phenomenon is even more intense that's a true nine tier pill.
"Starting from the seventh tier, pills attract pill lightning. Some pill lightning comes in various colors. Pills that successfully take shape possess rudimentary intelligence and may even attempt to escape from the alchemist's control.
"An eighth tier pill possesses significant intelligence and may engage in combat with its creator. The quality of such pills is determined by the number of lightning colors ranging from two to nine.
"Nine tier pills are categorized into treasured pills, mystic pills, and golden pills, in ascending order of quality. The most powerful nine tier pills can take human or beast form, like the patriarch of the Pill Tower, who is a transformed mutated mystic pill.
"When refining a nine tier treasured pill, Black Demon Lightning appears far stronger than nine colored lightning. Even Dou Sheng experts would struggle against it.
"At the next level, refining a nine tier mystic pill requires harnessing the power of the heavens and earth, and the process will summon Pill Rain.
"Finally, nine tier golden pills are exceedingly rare on the Dou Qi Continent. Fewer than a handful of alchemists are capable of refining them. When a golden pill is created, it attracts Ninefold Golden Lightning a force so terrifying that even a Dou Sheng would flee upon encountering it."
Sharing Knowledge with Ling'er
As he explained, Xiao Tiance's mood visibly improved, clearly enjoying the spectacle before him.
To enhance her understanding, he transmitted his alchemical knowledge directly into Ling'er's mind. After absorbing it, her interest piqued, and she settled on his shoulder, watching the phenomena with newfound fascination.
Before, Ling'er had viewed the competition as a simple display of skills. Now, armed with Xiao Tiance's insights, she recognized the profound expertise on display.
Glancing at the enraptured Ling'er, Xiao Tiance's lips curved into a smile.
Her ability to instantly absorb knowledge and transform it into practical use was remarkable. The more he learned about her, the more grateful he felt for forging their contract.
With Ling'er by his side, battles in the future would feel like he had a second self a powerful and unpredictable ally.
Chaos in the Arena
Back at the Martial Arena, chaos reigned as alchemists battled against their own creations.
Pill cauldrons exploded, sending alchemists scrambling. Amid the commotion, only the most skilled remained focused: Yao Chen, the three Pill Tower Elders, and others were steadfast despite the challenges.
Above their cauldrons, Black Demon Lightning swirled ominously, signaling the emergence of nine tier treasured pills.
The Power of Black Demon Lightning
Black Demon Lightning was notoriously powerful. In the original tale, even a brief touch from this lightning could pulverize the Sky Demon Puppet. Xiao Yan had encountered it during the refinement of the Bodhi Rebirth Pill, but the lightning then was far weaker than the current display.
The current storm, with four nine tier treasured pills forming simultaneously, unleashed an overwhelming power. Even five or six star Dou Shengs would struggle to withstand its force.
Watching from the Viewing Platform
On the main platform, Gu Yuan observed the brewing storm and turned to Xiao Qing.
"Clan Leader Xiao, the Black Demon Lightning gathering above Yao Chen and the three Pill Tower Elders seems beyond their ability to endure. Shouldn't you lend a hand?" Gu Yuan asked with a smile.
Xiao Qing responded with a chuckle, shaking his head.
"Facing pill lightning is part of an alchemist's trial. If they cannot endure it, they have only themselves to blame for their misfortune."
Hearing this, Gu Yuan nodded, deciding not to intervene. Like the others, he was curious to see how many of the contestants could withstand the Black Demon Lightning.
A Familiar Jade Pendant
Amid the brewing storm, Yao Chen suddenly retrieved a jade pendant from his storage ring.
The moment it appeared, Xiao Qing's expression darkened. He recognized the pendant it was one he had given to Xiao Yan.
The pendant contained a seventh tier spirit array capable of trapping even a seven star Dou Sheng. Its material, a rare Black Ink Jade, was so valuable that its worth could rival the resources needed to raise a Dou Practitioner to the Dou Zun peak.
It had been a gift for Xiao Yan's protection, a gesture of support from Xiao Tiance himself. Yet here it was, in Yao Chen's hands.
Gu Yuan's Observation
Noticing Xiao Qing's reaction, Gu Yuan chuckled.
"Clan Leader Xiao, if I'm not mistaken, that jade pendant contains a spirit array. I must say, Yao Chen seems to have a close relationship with the Xiao Clan."
Xiao Qing snorted but said nothing.
His irritation was palpable. Xiao Yan's decision to gift such a priceless treasure to Yao Chen, who was now using it to defend against the Black Demon Lightning, struck him as reckless.
The jade pendant's protective array could only be used once. After that, the pendant would disintegrate into dust.
Xiao Tiance's Silent Reflection
Far away in Tiance Manor, Xiao Tiance stood by the window, watching everything unfold. His eyes briefly flickered with cold amusement.
"Xiao Yan... you truly know how to waste resources. Let's see how you handle what comes next."
"No need for concern, Clan Leader Gu. It's just a jade pendant inscribed with a seventh tier spirit array. While valuable, such pendants are quite abundant within the Xiao Clan at least a hundred of them exist. My Third Uncle's disciples alone have dozens of these pendants, treating them like mere trinkets."
Xiao Qing shot Gu Yuan a disdainful glance before continuing, "Oh, I almost forgot. The Gu Clan has never owned such items. No wonder you're so surprised to see one."
While Xiao Qing's tone was cutting, his words were truthful. Among the Xiao Clan, the people with the most pendants like this were none other than Huang Min and Huang Lingyun. Each carried at least three pendants inscribed with ninth tier spirit arrays. They even had backups of pendants with master tier arrays for emergencies.
Fortunately, both Huang Min and Lingyun proved their worth as investments. In a few years, the Heavenly Phoenix Tribe would likely produce a Dou Di (Battle Emperor) alongside two nine star Dou Sheng peak experts enough to utterly crush the Gu Clan.
Gu Yuan's Reaction
"Haha, as expected of the Xiao Clan's wealth and power," Gu Yuan said, his tone neutral.
He wasn't angered by Xiao Qing's retort. Ever since he learned that Xiao Tiance had decided to give the Ancient Emperor's Inheritance to Xiao Xun'er, his heart had already settled, even developing a sense of submission toward the Xiao Clan.
After all, the Ancient Emperor's Inheritance was the key to creating a Dou Di. With enough time, Xiao Xun'er would inevitably ascend to that level.
The mere thought of it kept Gu Yuan in high spirits. Lately, a smile rarely left his face.
A Shocking Display
Their conversation was interrupted when a massive ancient rune shot into the sky from the Martial Arena. An enormous barrier descended, enveloping the Pill Tower's Three Elders and Yao Chen.
"Crack!"
A deafening roar echoed as the Black Demon Lightning struck the barrier. The dazzling light that accompanied it made the spectators feel as if the apocalypse had arrived.
When the lightning cleared, the barrier remained intact. Seeing it unscathed, Yao Chen flashed a triumphant smile, even glancing smugly at the Pill Tower's Three Elders, as if to say, "You owe me for saving your hides!"
Xiao Tiance's Annoyance
Yao Chen's smugness was lost on Xiao Tiance, who was observing the scene from Tiance Manor's ninth floor. His brows furrowed, and his eyes glinted with irritation.
He had always made it clear that pendants inscribed with his spirit arrays were meant strictly for combat or emergencies. They were not to be used lightly.
He didn't need to guess to know that Yao Chen had no right to possess such a pendant it had to have come from Xiao Yan.
Ling'er's Observation
Sensing Xiao Tiance's displeasure, Ling'er tilted her head and asked, "Little Master, are you angry?"
Xiao Tiance shook his head, his tone calm but edged with frustration.
**"Not angry, just disappointed. Some people are given great treasures but fail to cherish them.
"Take that Black Demon Lightning, for instance. It's formidable, sure, but if Yao Chen and the Three Elders had worked together, they could have withstood it. They wouldn't have come out unscathed, but they'd still be fine.
"Instead, Yao Chen wasted a pendant I painstakingly crafted. That pendant, inscribed with a seventh tier spirit array, is worth far more than the combined value of all the nine tier treasured pills they're trying to refine.
"It's like trading a watermelon for a sesame seed."**
Ling'er, now equipped with alchemical knowledge, nodded thoughtfully.
"By your description, Yao Chen is indeed foolish. The spirit array he used was the Mountain Suppression Soul Array, wasn't it? If used in battle, it could trap even an eight star Dou Sheng. Unless its energy was exhausted, escaping it would be nearly impossible a perfect life saving tool."
Xiao Tiance smiled faintly, patting Ling'er's head.
"Exactly. That's why I said it was wasteful. But it's just a pendant, one I crafted long ago as a casual project. Losing it isn't a big deal."
Yao Chen's Blissful Ignorance
Meanwhile, Yao Chen, oblivious to Xiao Tiance's thoughts, was beaming as he secured his freshly refined nine tier treasured pill. Chatting happily with the Three Pill Tower Elders, he radiated satisfaction.
The Black Demon Lightning dissipated, and the elders also stored their pills. It was then they noticed Yao Chen's jade pendant crumbling into dust.
"Yao Chen, what was that you used? We've never seen anything like it," Xuan Kongzi asked, astonished.
"Oh, that? It's called a Spirit Array Pendant," Yao Chen replied smugly. "Pretty powerful, isn't it? Xiao Yan gave me three of these. Now I only have two left."
He failed to realize the stir his words caused among the Xiao Clan's members. Many of them glared at him, their eyes burning with indignation.
To them, the pendant was a treasure they could only dream of obtaining. Yet Yao Chen had squandered it on Black Demon Lightning, an act they saw as wasteful and disrespectful.
Even Xiao Yan, standing nearby, felt the weight of their glares and broke into a cold sweat. But his focus quickly returned to his pill refinement, which was nearing completion.
A New Phenomenon
Suddenly, droplets of Pill Rain began falling from the sky. The spectators erupted in excitement as they scrambled to catch the drops.
"Pill Rain! A nine tier mystic pill has been born!"
"Incredible! Lord Yao Dan of the Medicine Clan has refined a nine tier mystic pill!"
The crowd's awe quickly grew as two more phenomena appeared simultaneously, signaling the birth of two additional nine tier mystic pills.
"It's Xiao Yan and the Divine Farmer! They're refining nine tier mystic pills too!"
"Seven nine tier pills in one day... This is beyond extraordinary!"
A Dire Problem
Despite the excitement, the expressions of Yao Dan, Xiao Yan, and the Divine Farmer turned grim.
Tianwaitian's dense Dou Qi could only support the birth of two nine tier mystic pills at a time. With three being refined simultaneously, all three faced imminent failure.
"There's not enough Dou Qi energy!" the three thought in unison, their hearts sinking.
Then, to everyone's surprise, the Divine Farmer laughed heartily.
"What a privilege it has been to compete with such esteemed alchemists. However, since the energy here can only sustain two pills, I shall step back to ensure success for the other two. A loss for me is a win for the art of alchemy!"
His words were met with admiration, but for Yao Dan and Xiao Yan, the pressure only intensified.
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