Deep within the dense and misty forest, the booming sound of explosions echoed from time to time. Birds scattered from the trees, and the air itself seemed to tremble. Amidst the chaos, a young man with sharp, cold eyes moved like a ghost through the undergrowth — Soyang.
Currently, Soyang was hunting spirit beasts. However, his expression was far from pleased.
"Tch," Soyang clicked his tongue, dodging the swipe of a ferocious silver-fanged tiger. "It's getting more difficult to kill high-ranked beasts. What should I do?"
Ding!
[Host, you need a weapon and combat skills to deal with stronger beasts.]
The mechanical voice of the System rang in his mind.
Soyang sighed and nodded. "You're right. But where am I supposed to get the spirit stones needed to buy them?"
[Host, you seem to have forgotten — you are an alchemist. You can sell your pills for a fortune.]
At those words, Soyang's eyes lit up. A slow smirk crept onto his face. "Heh, that's true. Looks like it's time to make some money."
Without wasting any more time, Soyang left the forest. His figure moved like a shadow as he traveled toward the nearest city — Skycloud City.
---
Scene Shift: Skycloud City
Upon entering the bustling city, Soyang found an inn and rented a quiet room on the top floor, away from prying eyes. Once inside, he locked the door, drew the curtains, and sat cross-legged on the floor. From his spatial ring, he pulled out a simple black cauldron — his Coldream Cauldron.
Igniting the Eternal Heart Flame in his palm, Soyang gently transferred the fire beneath the cauldron. Instantly, a searing heat filled the room, causing the temperature to rise sharply.
He retrieved several rare herbs and spiritual ingredients from his ring, tossing them into the cauldron with precise movements. A fragrant medicinal aroma soon filled the air.
The temperature inside the cauldron fluctuated wildly. Some of the herbs melted into glowing liquids, merging together, changing colors and viscosity. Soyang's brow furrowed slightly as he carefully controlled the flame, using his Eternal Heart Flame to stabilize the concoction.
Minutes turned into hours. Finally, with a bright flash, the liquid inside condensed, forming smooth, round pills that emitted a gentle glow.
Soyang exhaled lightly, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead.
"Five pills... 5th-grade Healing Pills," he muttered, satisfied. They could easily fetch a decent price.
But Soyang wasn't done yet. "If I want better weapons and skills, ordinary pills won't cut it. I need something extraordinary."
He thought for a moment, then decided: the higher the pill grade, the greater the reward.
He needed a place with stronger spiritual energy to refine higher-grade pills.
Thus, he left the inn and climbed toward a lonely peak outside the city — the Azure Flame Peak.
---
Atop Azure Flame Peak
The winds howled fiercely, but Soyang stood firm atop the rugged hill. Here, spiritual energy was dense, and the heavens above seemed closer, perfect for high-grade alchemy.
He laid out the rarest ingredients he had, some gathered from his inheritance space, some bought with great effort.
"This time," he murmured, "I'll make a 6th-grade Cultivation Enhancement Pill."
Sitting cross-legged, he ignited the Eternal Heart Flame once again and began the delicate process. The herbs danced in the flames, releasing radiant streams of energy. The temperature climbed rapidly, the cauldron shuddering from the power within.
Hours passed.
Suddenly, the sky above turned ominously dark. Clouds gathered, swirling violently. Thunder boomed in the heavens — first white, then red, then yellow, then finally green. Four-colored tribulation thunder rolled across the sky.
Ding!
[Warning: Pill Tribulation detected. 6th-grade and higher pills will attract Heaven's Wrath!]
Soyang smirked, standing up boldly without fear. "Come, let's see who's stronger!"
A bolt of pure white thunder shot downward. Instantly, the Eternal Heart Flame barrier enveloped Soyang, absorbing most of the impact. The ground around him cracked and smoked, but he remained unscathed.
The tribulation grew furious. The clouds turned an ominous orange, and an even more terrifying bolt prepared to strike.
Soyang didn't hesitate. He gathered his Eternal Heart Flame into a spear at his fingertip and pointed it at the sky.
As the final thunderbolt struck, Soyang's flaming spear pierced upward — the two attacks collided, shaking the very heavens. The world trembled for a moment before the tribulation dispersed.
Victory.
Inside the Coldream Cauldron, a single crimson pill floated, radiating powerful energy.
Its surface shimmered like jade, glowing faintly red.
Soyang's eyes widened slightly. "7th-grade Red Jade Yang Pill... it's even better than I expected."
This pill could massively boost cultivation for martial artists — extremely rare and sought-after. Even in a great sect, it would cause a stir.
Soyang laughed loudly, the sound rolling across the empty hill.
---
Return to Skycloud City
The next morning, Soyang returned to the city, walking with casual arrogance.
While passing through the market, he noticed posters advertising an upcoming auction at the famous Skycloud Auction House.
"Perfect timing," he mused, and made his way there.
Inside, a pretty young receptionist in a green dress greeted him politely. "Honored guest, how may I assist you today?"
"I'm here to sell some pills," Soyang said simply.
The girl's eyes lit up with interest. "Please, this way."
She led him to a private room, where an elder with a long white beard and sharp gaze awaited. The elder bowed slightly upon seeing Soyang.
"What treasures do you wish to auction, young master?"
Without a word, Soyang tossed out a small bottle. Inside were the 5th-grade Healing Pills.
The elder inspected them carefully, nodding with a smile. "Excellent quality. These pills will fetch a good price."
Then, Soyang casually retrieved another bottle — this one contained the 6th-grade Cultivation Enhancement Pills.
A powerful medicinal aura filled the room the moment the elder uncorked it. His hands trembled slightly.
"Sixth-grade..." he whispered, his eyes gleaming. "Young master, these will cause a sensation!"
Soyang smirked inwardly. But he wasn't done yet.
He leaned forward and whispered, "There's more. Tomorrow, I'll bring something even rarer."
Hearing this, the elder immediately arranged for Soyang to be granted a VIP pass to the auction, reducing his seller's tax to only 5% instead of the usual 10%.
After settling the paperwork, Soyang left, pocketing the gold-embossed pass.
Returning to his inn room, he leaned against the window, watching the sunset.
"Tomorrow," he muttered to himself, "Skycloud City will remember my name."
Chapter end