"Nine-Colored Pill Lightning!"
The cry echoed across the landscape as everyone's gaze locked onto the sky. The vibrant colors of the lightning streaked through the heavens, filling the air with awe. Even Xun Er and Xue Yue, usually composed, couldn't suppress the shock that rippled through their hearts.
"Hahaha! It truly is the Nine-Colored Pill Lightning!"
"To think I'd witness such a legendary phenomenon in my lifetime!"
"Who could have imagined that our Black-Corner Region would harbor an alchemist capable of summoning this celestial wrath…"
"Indeed. Even the esteemed Medicine Emperor, Han Feng, never reached this level before."
The entire forest trembled with excitement. The appearance of Pill Lightning was a rarity in the Black-Corner Region. For many here, this was the first time they had laid eyes upon such a spectacle. And yet, not just any Pill Lightning—a Nine-Colored Pill Lightning, the rarest and most formidable of all.
None had ever imagined that their first encounter with such a phenomenon would be at this exalted level, one only spoken of in legends.
The entire forest was boiling with fervor. Countless eyes blazed red with fervent desire as they stared at the thunderclouds swirling above, charged with the terrifying power of the Nine-Colored Pill Lightning. Every gaze was fixated on the phenomenon, and excitement surged through the crowd like a raging fire. The blood in their veins felt like it was boiling under the pressure of witnessing such a legendary event.
For this celestial wonder to manifest before their very eyes—something that most only heard of in ancient texts—how could they not be shaken to the core?
Agitation, awe, and greed swirled in their hearts!
All eyes instinctively turned toward the smoldering crater left by the fire pillar. Every soul present was desperate to see the identity of the alchemist who had summoned this heaven-defying tribulation.
What they saw left them stunned.
A lone figure stood amidst the swirling dust, a young man in his twenties. His stance was upright, sharp, and unwavering—his very presence evoking the image of an unsheathed sword. His gaze was lifted skyward, unfazed, as he stared into the roiling depths of the Nine-Colored Pill Lightning above.
Shock rippled through the crowd like a tidal wave. Expecting to see a weathered, white-haired elder, an esteemed master who had spent centuries perfecting his refinement techniques and alchemy, they were instead met with the sight of a mere youth—yet one who had reached the realm of the eighth-tier alchemist!
"Impossible…" they whispered, faces filled with disbelief. Even Han Feng, the Medicine Emperor himself, had not achieved this level at such an age—despite being the personal disciple of Yao Lao!
Whispers of awe and shock spread through the crowd like wildfire. The young man stood resolute, his figure like a sword aimed at the heavens, ready to challenge the Nine-Colored Pill Lightning and claim his place among the legends.
Sensing their gazes, the young man cast an indifferent glance, then shifted his focus back to the thunderclouds, his eyes locked on the Nine-Colored Pill Lightning above.
Naturally, no one felt offended by his indifferent demeanor. In the face of such a heaven-shaking phenomenon, their presence was insignificant. All attention should rightfully be on the Pill Lightning—especially when it was the rare and formidable Nine-Colored Pill Lightning.
.....
"Fortunately, I had the Heaven-Illusion Appearance Pill at hand," Xiao Hua muttered softly as he swiftly swallowed the pill, his form shifting into that of a young man in his twenties.
He was well aware that the commotion caused by the refinement of a Tier 8 Medicinal Pill would inevitably draw experts from all corners. Without hesitation, he used the pill Lady Azure had specially prepared for him, masking his true identity just in time.
His gaze flickered briefly as he caught sight of two elderly figures standing imposingly in the sky, while three more hidden presences lurked within the forest. Though the latter had concealed their auras, Xiao Hua's keen senses easily discerned that they were all at the Dou Zong level. To his surprise, he recognized three of them—two in the sky and one among the hidden—but the identities of the other two remained a mystery, sending a chill down his spine.
A blood-haired old man stood ominously, draped in a skull-yellow robe. His face was gaunt, resembling a mere mask stretched taut over brittle bones, giving him the unsettling appearance of a living skull. Deep within his sunken eyes glimmered a serene yet eerie light, akin to ghostly flames, exuding an aura both strange and menacing.
This old man was the founder of the Demon Flame Valley. In the latter part of the novel, after Xiao Yan decisively kill three of the valley's elders, this old man come to the Inner Academy, fueled by his insatiable greed for the 'Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva' and vengeance for the deaths of his three elders.
Standing a slightly in a distance was another elderly man clad in a yellow robe, adorned with enormous golden pythons intricately sewn into the fabric. The snakes glimmered faintly in the sunlight, creating an illusion as if they were alive, radiating an unusual pressure that could make even the boldest hearts tremble.
This was Mo Tian Xing, the Sect Master of the Black Emperor Sect—a detestable figure known for his cunning nature and hypocritical demeanor.
Amidst the shadows of the forest, another old man lurked, shrouded in a gray robe that concealed his features. A mask with a beak obscured his face, adding to his air of mystery. He was Ying Shan, the old man who had once claimed the 'Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva' at the Grand Auction hosted by the Black Emperor Sect, only to have it snatched away by Xiao Yan.
Two more old men lurked in the shadows of the forest, their gazes fixed upon the pillar of light that pierced the sky. One was clad in a flowing white robe adorned with intricate snowflake patterns, while the other wore a blood-red robe that seemed to pulse with a life of its own.
These two enigmatic figures were shrouded in mystery; their faces remained hidden beneath their hoods, obscured from view. Yet, Xiao Hua could sense a chilling aura emanating from one, a stark reminder of the depths of coldness that lingered within. The other exuded a potent stench of blood, as if he had emerged from a gruesome pool, leaving an unsettling impression.
The reactions of those around them spoke volumes; experts and warriors alike moved away quietly, their expressions tinged with fear and respect. It was clear that these men were feared figures with formidable reputations in the Black-Corner Region.
"Old Ground Demon Ghost, Mo Tian Xing, Old Ying Shan... and now two Dou Ancestors whose identities elude me," Xiao Hua sighed lightly, a sense of foreboding settling in his chest. He understood all too well that escaping unscathed from this encounter would be an unlikely feat.
He had initially intended to use the formation array within the cave and the dense aura of the Heaven Demon Phoenix to conceal the aura of the Tier 8 medicinal pill.
Xiao Hua recalled a scene from the novel where Xiao Yan had successfully dispersed Pill Lightning, preventing its descent. The energy of the area had masked the pill's aura so completely that the Pill Lightning scattered without striking. Inspired by this, Xiao Hua had hoped to replicate that success.
Yet, it seemed he had sorely underestimated the power of a Tier 8 medicinal pill. The overwhelming energy it emitted was far beyond anything he could suppress. This immense phenomenon unfolding before him was a stark testament to his failure.
Shaking his head, he cast aside the flood of thoughts swirling within him. His gaze sharpened, locking onto the sky where the nine-colored Pill Lightning gathered ominously.
Thunderclouds rumbled ominously across the vast expanse of the sky, which had been forcefully split into distinct sections. Each segment was dominated by vibrant, colorful thunderclouds, crackling with a terrifying power. The fierce arcs of lightning streaked across the heavens, sending chills down the spines of all who witnessed the spectacle below.
The air grew heavy with tension, as bolts of lightning randomly struck the ground, threatening to obliterate anyone unfortunate enough to be in their path—leaving not even a trace of their corpses behind.
Amid the intensifying chaos, the thunderclouds churned violently. Suddenly, a blinding bolt of lightning ripped through the sky with an ear-splitting bang. The heavens lit up, as if the sun had momentarily risen, revealing the sheer terror of the nine-colored Pill Lightning. Its overwhelming might sent shivers down the hearts of the people who is watching.
Enduring Pill Lightning was an essential trial for any alchemist refining high-grade pills. Starting from Tier 7 medicinal pills, these pills gradually acquired intelligence, becoming extraordinary creations of heaven and earth. In response, the heavens would send down a natural calamity, known as Pill Lightning, to hinder their completion. The higher the pill's grade, the greater its intelligence, and with it, the more terrifying the Pill Lightning that descended.
If the alchemist failed to protect the pill during this trial, it would be reduced to nothing, destroyed by the very heavens themselves. Thus, receiving Pill Lightning and shielding the medicinal pill from its wrath became the final, most dangerous test.
The strength of the Pill Lightning intensified with the pill's quality, and even an elite Ban Sheng would not dare take this nine-colored thundercloud lightly.
In the forest below, every observer felt the suffocating pressure of the destructive energy swirling within the thundercloud. Their faces turned pale, and a deep-rooted fear gripped their hearts.
It was precisely for this reason that the Old Ground Demon Ghost and the others refrained from making any rash moves. Had it been a Tier 7 Pill Lightning, they might have intervened, perhaps doing the young man a favor by blocking it. But to stop a nine-colored Pill Lightning summoned by a Tier 8 medicinal pill? That was akin to courting death.
Their gazes shifted to the young man within the cave, a flicker of surprise flashing through their eyes. Despite their vast experience, they couldn't gauge his strength. It was as if an invisible barrier cloaked him, obscuring his true power from their keen senses and leaving them uncertain.
With Xiao Hua's formidable Spiritual Strength, even a Dou Zun expert would struggle to see through his abilities—let alone these old men. Understanding this, they wisely ceased their attempts to probe further. Instead, they silently hoped that this young man possessed the means to protect the medicinal pill. If successful, they might reap the benefits of his efforts.
Xiao Hua burst into laughter, his voice bold and unwavering. "Come!"
As if in response to his challenge, the thunderclouds above churned even more violently. A deep, ominous rumble echoed across the land, shaking the ground beneath. Suddenly, a thigh-thick bolt of lightning, bright and fierce, shot through the clouds with a sharp hiss.
Chi—!
The thundercloud contracted abruptly, condensing its vast power into a single point. In the next instant, a nine-colored bolt of lightning descended from the heavens like an enraged dragon. It ripped through the sky with a deafening roar, the air itself tearing apart under its might. The terrifying bolt streaked toward the massive platform where Xiao Hua stood, its violent force ready to strike him head-on.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Xiao Hua's lips. From the deepest part of his body, a majestic roar echoed, shaking the very air around him. In the next moment, orange-colored lightning surged out from his form, arcing and dancing across his body like serpents of pure energy.
Suddenly, the lightning condensed, and from within his body, a massive Lightning Beast emerged. Its colossal form easily filled the cave, its sheer presence blotting out the sky and standing as a shield before the nine-colored Pill Lightning. The powerful and oppressive aura it exuded caused the hearts of Old Ground Demon Ghost and the other four experts to beat uncontrollably, their minds gripped by awe and unease.
"What... is that?" Ying Shan muttered softly, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"Could it be a Magical Beast?" Mo Tian Xing narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the orange-colored Lightning Beast. But after a moment, he shook his head, dismissing the thought. Its aura was unlike any Magical Beast he had encountered before. This only deepened his curiosity about the young man's true identity.
The Lightning Beast opened its massive maw, and in one swift motion, it sucked in the descending nine-colored Pill Lightning, which tore through the sky like an enraged dragon. It devoured the terrifying lightning greedily, like a starving man feasting after a month of hunger.
As the beast consumed the powerful Pill Lightning, its colossal body began to emit a faint glow. The overwhelming energy, potent enough to obliterate an elite Dou Zun, was effortlessly absorbed by the Lightning Beast. To those watching, it was an unbelievable and fearsome sight.
Gradually, the faint glow surrounding the beast intensified, its aura becoming even more terrifying. What was once pure orange now shimmered with specks of golden lusters, as if the beast was evolving—growing stronger with each passing moment.
"Is it absorbing the thunderbolt's strength?" Old Ground Demon Ghost murmured in disbelief, his eyes locked onto the churning thundercloud above. A flicker of astonishment passed through his sunken, ancient eyes. The destructive energy contained within the nine-colored Pill Lightning was truly terrifying, yet this beast was effortlessly devouring it.
A flash of greed sparked within his gaze. Initially, he had come for the medicinal pills, but now his desires had shifted. He craved the Lightning Beast. If he could control such a creature, countless alchemists would owe him favors whenever they sought to refine high-tier medicinal pills. The possibilities were endless.
Moreover, there was no question that the power of this orange-colored Lightning Beast was formidable, perhaps even beyond the reach of most Dou Zuns. Its ability to consume the nine-colored Pill Lightning with ease hinted at strength that was truly terrifying.
'With this beast, even Mang Tian Chi would tremble before me,' Old Ground Demon Ghost thought, narrowing his eyes as a chilling glint flickered within them. His mind had already begun plotting.
....
Bang! Bang!
Bright thunderbolts danced ferociously across the sky, roaring like colossal dragons. In an instant, a radiant lightning glow surged from all directions, converging into a single, massive bolt that crashed down toward the orange-colored Lightning Beast.
The thunderbolt struck with violent force, blasting against the body of the orange-coloured Lightning Beast. A bright-silver arc shattered on impact, splitting into countless tiny electric serpents that slithered across the humongous frame of the Lightning Beast.
Yet, the Lightning Beast remained indifferent, unfazed by the crackling serpents of lightning. It understood that no matter how fiercely they attacked, they posed no threat. They would soon become mere sustenance. With a low rumble, the beast opened its maw wide, and a powerful suction force erupted from within, swallowing the massive thunderbolt along with the myriad of electric serpents, devouring them all with ease.
Rumbling thunder echoed ceaselessly across the sky as the churning nine-colored thundercloud loomed like a relentless lightning machine, spewing out powerful thunderbolts one after another. Each bolt crashed down mercilessly onto the orange-colored Lightning Beast.
For twenty agonizing minutes, the nine-colored thundercloud surged, releasing hundreds of terrifying thunderbolts. The sky was filled with flashes of lightning and the crackle of immense power.
Xiao Hua exhaled in relief. He knew all too well that if even two of those thunderbolts had struck him directly, his body would have been reduced to ashes. These bolts were the kind that even an elite Ban Sheng would have to face with utmost caution—much less someone like him, a mere Dou Wang. Though his body had been tempered by Heavenly Lightnings, the nine-colored Pill Lightning was far beyond what he could withstand.
Luckily, there was the Lightning Beast. Without it, even Xiao Hua had no idea how he would have survived such a calamity—lightning capable of effortlessly killing Dou Zuns.
Xiao Hua soon noticed something unusual. Each time the orange-colored Lightning Beast devoured a thunderbolt, its body emitted a faint glow. At first, it was so dim that he thought it was merely an illusion. However, as time passed and the beast continued to consume the lightning, the glow grew brighter, and mysterious runes began to surface across its massive form.
"What is happening to it?" Xiao Hua's expression was filled with bewilderment as he watched the Lightning Beast undergo this unexpected transformation.
He could feel its aura growing stronger with each passing moment, reaching a frightening level of power as the runes on its body glowed even brighter. This was unlike anything he had ever witnessed—not even when he summoned the blue-colored Lightning Beast to confront the remnant spirituality of the Heaven Demon Phoenix.
Though this sudden change was perplexing, Xiao Hua sensed that it posed no danger to him. In fact, he felt more curiosity than concern. What effect could this transformation have on the Lightning Beast?
When the blue-colored Lightning Beast had devoured the remnant spirituality of the Heaven Demon Phoenix, Xiao Hua's soul was nourished, and his Spiritual Strength had been recovered upon its return.
A flicker of realization crossed Xiao Hua's face as curiosity turned into excitement. He muttered softly, "I wonder what kind of benefits the orange-colored Lightning Beast will bring me this time."
As Xiao Hua mused, the nine-colored thundercloud above seemed to react with fury. The constant devouring of its thunderbolts by the Lightning Beast had provoked it.
Suddenly, the cloud churned violently, and an unusual suction force surged out. To everyone's shock, several smaller thunderclouds were drawn in as though towed by some invisible force. Slowly, they converged around the core of the nine-colored Pill Lightning.
Old Ground Demon Ghost and the others were stunned as they witnessed this phenomenon. The Pill Lightning gathered above their heads, coalescing with other clouds, all gravitating toward the place where Xiao Hua stood. Within moments, an immense thundercloud, far larger and more ominous than before, darkened the sky overhead, its terrifying presence blotting out the heavens.
Suddenly, the enormous thundercloud caused a stir among the onlookers near the cave. The oppressive lightning in the sky grew even more terrifying, and those present could feel its destructive power. If one of those bolts were to strike at random, it could easily leave them gravely injured.
Xiao Hua's eyes narrowed as he realized that the nine-colored Pill Lightning had been thoroughly provoked by the situation.
"I never imagined a nine-colored Pill Lightning could absorb the natural energy of the surrounding forest. I thought such a phenomenon only occurred when refining a tier 9 Mysterious Pill," he muttered, his expression darkening. "It seems the appearance of the Lightning Beast has truly incited its wrath."
With his extraordinary spiritual perception, Xiao Hua could clearly sense the natural energy in the vicinity being forcefully drained, pulled toward the thunderclouds by the immense suction force they emitted. The very life essence of the forest was being devoured to fuel the sky's fury.
Even the spectators could feel the terrifying force as the Dou Qi within their bodies began to show signs of breaking free under the relentless suction of the nine-colored Pill Lightning. Panic and shock surged in their hearts.
Without hesitation, they swiftly retreated, fearing that the Dou Qi they had painstakingly cultivated would be pulled from their bodies by the violent thunderstorms overhead. Such a loss would be catastrophic.
As the crowd scrambled to distance themselves, the trees surrounding the cave began to wither rapidly, their life force forcefully drained by the thunderclouds. The once vibrant forest now seemed lifeless, stripped of its energy.
The air around the cave's plaza grew thick with violence as the gathering thundercloud swelled in power. The sheer, overwhelming might of the thunder spread across the sky, causing the Dou Qi within their bodies to feel sluggish and suppressed under the weight of the storm.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The thundercloud finally unleashed its terrifying destructive power after fully condensing. Bright thunderbolts shot down from the massive cloud in all directions. Mid-flight, they abruptly changed course, as if guided by an invisible hand, all converging toward the orange-colored Lightning Beast.
Roar—!
A furious and earth-shaking roar erupted from the Lightning Beast. Never had it imagined that a mere Pill Lightning would dare act so arrogantly before it. Even if the Pill Lightning was divided into nine and its will hidden away, it did not mean its authority could be trampled so easily.
With a terrifying growl, the orange-colored Lightning Beast's colossal body moved with startling speed, tearing through the void. It streaked toward the descending thunderbolts, its massive form colliding head-on with the bright lightning that came crashing from the heavens.
Boom—!
The violent collision between the orange-colored Lightning Beast and the nine-colored Pill Lightning erupted in an ear-splitting, thunderous explosion. A shockwave of terrifying power rippled outward from the impact, sending countless people flying. Blood sprayed from their mouths as they crashed to the ground, utterly powerless against the force. The very space around the clash began to warp, dark-black spatial cracks tearing open amid the overwhelming energy.
"What a terrifying clash!"
Many onlookers paled in fear as they beheld the jagged black lines splitting the sky. Their eyes were wide with shock as they gazed at the orange-colored Lightning Beast, which fought with unyielding dominance against the nine-colored Pill Lightning, as though proving its true power and authority.
Even from five hundred meters away, the crowd could clearly sense the growing strength of the Lightning Beast as it continued to devour the thunderbolts pouring relentlessly from the sky.
Each bright bolt that descended only fueled the widening smile on Xiao Hua's face. Though he remained unsure of the exact benefits the orange-colored Lightning Beast would bring him, there was no doubt in his mind that it was to his advantage.
His gaze lingered on the mysterious runes now covering the beast's colossal body, their glow intensifying with every bolt devoured. The aura of the Lightning Beast had become even more terrifying, rising in strength as the storm raged on.
"Soon…"
Xiao Hua murmured, gently licking his lips, his crimson-azure eyes gleaming with anticipation.
....
The thundercloud loomed thick and ominous, blanketing the sky. The repeated booms of thunder left many with ringing ears and numb senses. Today, they had witnessed something beyond their wildest imagination—a nine-colored Pill Lightning, a phenomenon they had only ever heard of in ancient myths.
Yet, what truly left them speechless was the sight before them: such a legendary and fearsome Pill Lightning, devoured and treated like a mere meal by the colossal beast. Confusion and disbelief filled their hearts as they tried to comprehend the absurdity of the situation.
It wasn't that the nine-colored Pill Lightning lacked power. The spectators could feel the terrifying energy radiating from it, watching as it obliterated everything around the cave. The destruction was undeniable.
But the beast... The beast was far more terrifying, far more domineering than even the fabled Pill Lightning. It treated the lightning not as a threat, but as nourishment. And in its fury, the beast seemed indignant that the Pill Lightning it consumed dared to challenge its authority and trample upon its might.
The torrent of thunderbolts rained down relentlessly for nearly half an hour. During that time, the bright bolts of lightning furiously ravaged everything in their path, obliterating the landscape around them. The eyes and ears of those present had also suffered under the deafening bombardment.
Fortunately, the other three Lightning Beasts within Xiao Hua silently shielded him, ensuring that the fierce clash would not affect him directly.
As the violent battle between the nine-colored Pill Lightning and the orange-colored Lightning Beast raged on, the once faint and blurry mysterious runes on the beast's body began to glow with an intensely bright red light, each rune now brimming with boundless energy.
Finally, the Pill Lightning, after half an hour of relentless struggle, ceased its resistance. Slowly, it allowed itself to be devoured by the beast. It had come to understand—no matter how much it fought, it was destined to be nothing more than a delicacy before this terrifying entity.
The intense energy fluctuating within the cloud layer gradually weakened, and the once-thick thunderclouds began to dissipate under the countless gazes fixed below.
As the terrifying Pill Lightning finally receded, Xiao Hua's eyes remained on the orange-colored Lightning Beast. The mysterious runes covering its body emitted a faint hum, resonating with the energy of heaven and earth, as if awakening something ancient and profound.
"Even now, I still don't understand what's happening to it…"
Xiao Hua's bewilderment only deepened as he stared at the Lightning Beast. It stood motionless, not returning to his body as it normally would. Confusion filled his mind as he wondered just what transformation was taking place before his eyes.
"I should focus on the pill first," Xiao Hua murmured, shaking his head as his gaze shifted toward the pill suspended in mid-air.
Unlike tier 7 medicinal pills, which lacked true vitality, a tier 8 medicinal pill possessed its own spirituality. The energy it contained was far denser, far more potent than anything a tier 7 pill could offer.
Tier 7 pills were mere dead pills in comparison to a tier 8 pill!
The dense spiritual aura of the Phoenix's Elemental Core had taken the form of a half-meter tall phoenix, regal and elegant in its majesty. After enduring the baptism of the nine-colored Pill Lightning, no other pill could compare to its grandeur.
With a slow, deliberate movement, the phoenix's head turned toward Xiao Hua. A flash of intelligence gleamed in its noble eyes. It flapped its graceful wings, and the pill floated gently toward him, hovering silently before him, as if recognizing its master.
A faint, satisfied smile appeared on Xiao Hua's face. The accomplishment of refining a tier 8 medicinal pill filled him with immense gratification.
Yet, a small pang of disappointment tugged at his heart—he couldn't share this moment with Lady Azure. But he consoled himself with the thought that, once she awoke, he would refine another pill, just as remarkable.
His thoughts turned to his master, Elder Huo, and the promise he had made. The pill he was to refine next would bring Elder Huo's spiritual state to the Soul State. The satisfaction of refining such a pill would surely be a moment worth sharing with Lady Azure.
Storing the Phoenix's Elemental Core in a delicate jade box, Xiao Hua slipped it into his Storage Ring. Just as he was preparing to leave, an oppressive force suddenly bore down on him.
"Tch!" Xiao Hua clicked his tongue in annoyance, his eyes narrowing as he glanced upward. Five figures were swiftly approaching.
"I completely forgot about them," he muttered under his breath, irritation flashing across his face.
In his excitement, Xiao Hua had completely forgotten about the people watching the entire spectacle. It wasn't surprising—his mind had been consumed by the thrill of refining a tier 8 medicinal pill, one that could summon a nine-coloured Pill Lightning, was something so rare and difficult that everything else is irrelevant. In that moment, the presence of these onlookers had entirely slipped from his mind.
He narrowed his eyes, feeling the weight of their gazes. His voice carried a teasing edge as he addressed the approaching figures.
"Have you guys enjoyed the show? Or was there anything lacking?"