The tide ebbs and flows, the flow never ceases.
The same was true of Shengdan City. After experiencing the bustle of the once-every-thirty-year Alchemy Conference, it entered a period of unusual tranquility known as the "Sage."
Unknowingly, five months had already passed since the Alchemy Conference.
Perhaps the most significant event of these five months was Cao Ying's ascension to Dou Zong.
As for the occasional saviors sent forth by the Soul Palace, with multiple Dou Zuns on hand, they naturally caused no commotion.
That day, the sky was clear and the breeze was gentle.
The three great figures were enjoying tea and discussing heroes within the Alchemy Tower, evaluating the most outstanding young people of the day. This was a recent hobby of Xuankongzi's.
Simply to show off!
After all, how could any evaluation of the younger generation be complete without mentioning his eldest disciple, Cao Ying, known as the Cao Family's enchantress? And how could any discussion of the younger generation be complete without mentioning his youngest disciple, Chen Guan, who, in the eyes of the world, had triumphed at the Alchemy Conference and severely defeated a Dou Zun powerhouse with the strength of a Dou Zong?
Such a wonderful topic, of course, needed to be discussed repeatedly, and it wouldn't be too much to boast about for three to five years.
As Tianleizi and Xuanyi were boasting, a sudden gust of wind arose, and the energy of heaven and earth suddenly fluctuated violently.
For a moment, all three paused their conversations, looking down at Chen Guan's courtyard with surprised eyes.
"It seems Chen's Bu Tian Dan is incredibly effective. With Yun Yun's original aptitude, even with the Po Zong Dan, there's no way she could have reached Dou Zong in less than six months. And with a solid foundation, her current talent is formidable even in Zhongzhou."
Xuanyi felt helpless as he watched Xuankongzi, who was openly and covertly mentioning Chen Guan again.
"Yao Chen also refined a pill over the past four months. After taking it, he's now recovered to the peak of an eight-star Dou Zun. He's even caused the two Tianzuns in the Soul Palace to abandon their blockade of Xingyun Pavilion. Is there any need to say more about the Bu Tian Dan's effectiveness?"
"Yun Yun's breakthrough is quite a big deal. Those above Dou Zong in the Inner City will probably have noticed," Tianleizi chuckled.
In Zhongzhou, especially in Shengdan City, reaching Dou Zong is not uncommon.
But the noise emanating from Chen Guan's courtyard was hard not to raise eyebrows.
"It's alright. With Tianhuo and the others here, we don't need to worry about such a trivial matter. Even if the sky falls today, I won't move."
Xuan Kongzi raised his teacup and sipped it with a smile.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, something unexpected happened.
A sudden, intense ripple erupted from the boundless void. The azure sky, like a sheet of oiled paper, was tossed up and down by the fierce wind, whistling and whistling incessantly. Endless celestial energy seemed drawn to it, frantically converging towards this point.
In comparison, Yun Yun's breakthrough below paled in comparison.
And the source of the noise was the star field!
"So fast?!"
Xuan Kongzi abruptly dropped his teacup and stood up, his gaze blazing high above. A glint flashed in his eyes, as if he could see through space.
The tremendous movement hadn't yet subsided. The gathering sea of celestial energy suddenly began to swirl at an extremely high speed, gradually forming a vortex that surged inward.
However, this vortex hung upside down in the sky!
Such a spectacle was truly a spectacle.
The entire population of Shengdan City, drawn to it, looked up, exclaiming in amazement and wondering what the heck was going on. Confusion and fear abounded, yet few could truly grasp the cause.
Suddenly, three figures emerged from beneath the vortex. It was Xuankongzi and his companions.
"Be patient, there's no danger."
Their calming voices echoed throughout everyone. Years of accumulated prestige finally quieted the chaotic Shengdan City, and everyone watched with curiosity.
After a brief reassurance, Xuankongzi remained silent, awaiting the outcome with anticipation.
The energy vortex persisted for over ten minutes before slowly dissipating. Then, a vast aura spread out like a tide, then quickly receded.
Just when many thought the mystery was about to be solved, another unexpected event struck.
From the previously calmed heavens, thick, dark clouds surged. In an instant, lightning and thunder roared, and a fierce, howling wind blew incessantly.
This sudden scene stunned everyone, their faces filled with bewilderment.
Even the three experienced giants were stunned, their brows furrowed.
"Something's not right, this is a celestial phenomenon..."
Xuan Yi paused for a moment, then, as if realizing something, suddenly glanced at Xuan Kongzi and Tian Leizi.
Like her, their faces were filled with bewilderment. Clearly, all three had come to the same conclusion!
Their gazes abruptly turned toward the void where the star region lay. Given their status, they were all baffled.
"The emergence of a heavenly-grade technique?!"
On the Dou Qi Continent, there are generally three possible explanations for any celestial phenomenon.
First, the appearance of a high-level elixir, which would trigger a shower of elixir thunder.
Second, reaching a certain level of cultivation would also trigger this phenomenon, though generally speaking, this was rare, as those who could reach this level were extremely rare across the entire Dou Qi Continent.
As for the third possibility, it was the emergence of a so-called heavenly-grade technique or fighting skill.
It's worth noting that "coming to the world" doesn't mean a technique or fighting skill has been brought to light, but rather that it has emerged from nothing.
More accurately, it should be described as creation!
The sky wasn't filled with the fragrance of elixirs, clearly not the appearance of a high-grade elixir. The second possibility was also ruled out. Although Chen Guan's strength had greatly increased, it was still far from enough to trigger a celestial phenomenon. Therefore, only the final option was sufficient.
The Three Giants could only lament their good fortune in the case of a Heavenly-grade martial art or fighting technique, but the creation of a Heavenly-grade martial art or fighting technique held a whole new level of significance.
After all, even the members of the Small Dan Pagoda had never achieved such an honor.
And now, a Dou Zong—no, a newly promoted Dou Zun—had done it!
How could they have imagined this?
"Unbelievable! This kid is simply... holy shit!"
Tian Lei Zi exclaimed, struggling for a moment, unable to come up with the right words.
Xuan Yi, who disliked his cursing, ignored all that and nodded in agreement.
"We should be thankful he's on the right path. Such people are destined for excellence. Standing in the sun will surely make them heroes, while standing in the shade can guide disaster!"
As they spoke, the two looked at Xuan Kongzi, their eyes tinged with rare envy.
Was this old fellow a scarab in his previous life? A lifetime of pushing dung balls earned him this life's good fortune?
Thunder rumbled, and a new wave of strange phenomena persisted for about a quarter of an hour before returning to calm.
Inside the courtyard, Venerable Skyfire and Old Monster Phantom Poison were giving Yun Yun, who had just broken through, as well as Little Medical Immortal, Zi Yan, and the others.
Despite their distinct appearances and temperaments, they wore identical smiles, never more certain than now that their original choice was the right one!
Little Medical Immortal and Yun Yun were beaming with joy. They shared Chen Guan's success and failure!
As for Zi Yan, she was slightly shocked...
within the star field.
Chen Guan, dressed in a blue robe, sat in the center of the sea of fire. With a thought, the Burning Decision began to flow.
Whoosh!
The moment the Burning Technique activated, Chen Guan felt a continuous surge of energy, as if tangible, surging into his body. His
mental energy radiated, and the vast expanse of the starry sky entered his mind. He could see the boundless sea of fire begin to violently ripple.
He focused his mind and carefully sensed the speed of his Dou Qi. It was over ten times more intense than ever before!
And this ferocity wasn't limited to the speed of Dou Qi's circulation; the entire process of energy absorption, refining, and storage had undergone a drastic change.
At this point, Chen Guan could practically say goodbye to Dou Qi-restoring pills. Barring a catastrophe like the one that wiped out Xiao Yan's ancestors, even wasting his Dou Qi would be difficult!
"Heaven Rank, Earth Rank—truly the difference between heaven and earth!"
Chen Guan sighed, pausing his practice. He spread his palms, and a faint green flame erupted from them.
Instantly, a terrifying heat spread, and the space surrounding the flame began to distort.
Although he hadn't personally experienced it, Chen Guan was confident that the strange fire he wielded was no less powerful than any of the five remaining on the Strange Fire Ranking!
This time, the Three Thousand Flames had brought about a complete transformation within Chen Guan.
As expected, his strength successfully crossed the Dou Zun threshold. The so-called hidden dangers were no longer a concern thanks to his specially developed Heaven-Repairing Pill.
Regarding his cultivation technique, the Three Thousand Flames also failed to disappoint him, barely allowing him to break through to the Heavenly Stage.
Not a bit more, not a bit less, it could be considered just barely reaching it.
However, the Heavenly Stage is the Heavenly Stage, and it's definitely not comparable to the Earthly Stage!
Finally, regarding the soul, refining the Three Thousand Flames not only soared Chen Guan's strength, but also increased the strength of his soul.
Chen Guan's current soul strength was above the Spiritual Realm, but not yet at the Heavenly Stage. Perhaps, half a step to the Heavenly Stage would be a more accurate description. To truly reach that level, he still needed the final straw that broke the camel's back.
However, Chen Guan remained unhurried; he had always had a goal in mind for increasing his soul strength.
A burst of Three Thousand Flames brought Chen Guan a near-radical improvement.
His only frustration was that his own strange fire now had a strange, dark green hue, like a ghostly fire.
However, this did offer two amusing aspects: it paired perfectly with Little Medical Immortal's Netherworld Poison Fire.
Furthermore, donning the Chen Guardian vest made him look even more presentable!
"Time to go out."
After adjusting to the surge of power within him, Chen Guan slowly stood up. With a step, the surrounding flames instantly split and dispersed in both directions, clearing a path.
Stepping onto the void, Chen Guan's figure was hundreds of feet away!
Soon, he reached the star gate from which he had entered. He
retrieved the jade bead given by Xuan Kongzi from his ring. After a moment's thought, Chen Guan put it away.
Reaching out his hands, he grasped the void with unaided skill and tore it apart. Instantly, a vast spatial rift spanning tens of feet opened, allowing bright sunlight to stream in.
"Look, who's coming out?" someone in the city exclaimed.
Chen Guan swept his eyes around, looking down at the countless people below.
"Danta, Chen Guan!"