Chapter 365: Transformation
One month later.
Xiao Yuan descended from the sky enveloped in lightning.
In the past month, he had refined three eighth-tier pills. Although they only summoned two three-colored and one five-colored pill lightnings, they were more than enough to heal Hua Yu's injuries.
Meanwhile, his cultivation had now reached the peak of the Dou Zong realm—just a step away from breaking through to Dou Zun.
Of course, what he still lacked wasn't Dou Qi, but the progress of his Six Qi Transformation cultivation.
Although he had obtained the Earth Heart Jade Essence, a rare treasure brimming with earth elemental power, he had been too busy ever since and had no time to focus on his training.
If not for that, he would've already stepped into the Dou Zun realm by now.
Now that his pill refinement tasks were complete, he could finally begin cultivating the Six Qi Transformation again.
"Sister Yun, please deliver these pills to Elder Hua Yu for me. I'll need to enter seclusion for a while."
Xiao Yuan spoke solemnly.
During this time, Yun Yun had spent most of her days with Hua Yu, switching to train in the Flower Sect's techniques under Hua Yu's personal guidance.
Her gentle and kind temperament had earned Hua Yu's growing fondness. Coupled with her decent talent, their relationship had grown exceptionally strong.
As for Xiao Yuan, he secluded himself in one of the Flower Sect's restricted zones—extremely secure. Now, only Hua Yu and Yun Yun could freely access this place.
And this location was the most spiritually rich area in the entire sect.
A breakthrough here would yield twice the results with half the effort.
Xiao Yuan retrieved the Earth Heart Jade Essence, and dark-gold Heavenly Flame surged from his palm, forming threads that cut the essence into several smaller pieces.
With a wave of his hand, he tossed them into the Black Demon Cauldron. Glowing lines from his ring followed, entering the cauldron and arranging themselves in perfect order.
Thanks to Zi Yan and Xiong Zhan's massive haul of rare ingredients from the Pill Realm, Xiao Yuan now had a formidable collection. Whatever he needed—he had it.
This batch consisted mostly of earth-attribute materials: Ten-Thousand-Year Earthroot, Earth Tuckahoe, Huangyuan Fruit... each of these alone was worth as much as a mid-tier seventh-grade pill.
Today's pill: the Earthforce Pill.
After consumption, it could channel the power of the Earth Heart Jade Essence, allowing the user to tap into the surrounding land's force—temporarily boosting their strength dramatically. Even a Dou Zun could gain a two-star power boost.
As long as the user's feet touched the ground, their defense would also spike considerably.
Of course, such potent energy came with risks. Without a tough enough physique, the medicine alone could crush the user.
So its duration entirely depended on how long the user could endure its power. It was often a pill used in desperate, do-or-die battles.
But for Xiao Yuan, this pill was perfect for refining the Taiyin Damp Earth Qi, one of the six elements in the Six Qi Transformation.
He could absorb the medicinal energy, use it to power up, and channel the earth energy into his Qi Palace—fortifying his earth-type Dou Qi.
However, this would be his first time refining the Earthforce Pill—and he had only enough materials for one attempt.
He had to give it his all. No mistakes allowed.
Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes. His soul power spread like a tide, engulfing every inch of the cauldron.
Dark-gold flames danced, casting a golden hue over him, making him seem almost divine.
Ten days later.
Inside the cauldron, a deep yellow pill spun quietly as streams of medicinal aura curled upward. Overhead, the sky grew dark.
Six-colored clouds churned, unseen by anyone outside the sect.
This hidden spot was one reason Hua Yu had chosen it for Xiao Yuan—it was well concealed, making it harder for others to detect anything.
They were also wary of Acting Sect Leader Hua Jin.
Years ago, when Hua Yu was crippled, Hua Jin distanced herself from her master. This drove Hua Yu into isolation.
Even the Grand Elder—once close to her—saw little of her after that.
Later, rumors of Hua Jin's close ties to Yaohua Xiejun of the Heavenly Underworld Sect spread. It seemed she wanted to use those connections to claim the sect's leadership.
But Hua Yu never agreed to pass her mantle down. That only made Hua Jin more determined to seize power by any means.
To someone like Hua Yu, who had watched Hua Jin grow up, her tricks were child's play.
Still, the Heavenly Underworld Sect's ambition for the Flower Sect wasn't new. So news of Hua Yu's recovery—and of Xiao Yuan's presence—had been carefully kept secret.
Officially, Xiao Yuan had left the sect. His Thunder Clone, with its realistic disguise, maintained the illusion.
Only Yun Yun remained openly—appearing to be a woman Xiao Yuan had placed in the sect as a favor to his elders.
Hua Jin didn't suspect a thing.
Her attitude toward Yun Yun wasn't particularly kind, but since Yun Yun had joined under Hua Yu, the coldness seemed reasonable.
Meanwhile, Hua Yu had focused on refining Xiao Yuan's pills and mentoring Yun Yun. As a famed expert in her prime, her resources were abundant. With her favor, Yun Yun improved rapidly.
The Grand Elder continued suppressing Hua Jin's authority. In the past, she had no choice but to allow Hua Jin to act as acting sect master. But now, her pressure was a calculated move to keep suspicions at bay.
As for Xiao Yuan—he didn't concern himself with these internal politics. Once Hua Yu's injuries were healed, these problems would solve themselves.
After soaking in the pill lightning and absorbing it completely, Xiao Yuan finally began his breakthrough to the Dou Zun realm.
He held the completed Earthforce Pill, but didn't rush to take it. Instead, he rested, restored his state to peak, and only then swallowed the pill.
Boom!
The moment he did, a surge of energy as heavy as the earth itself flooded his body.
Yellow light wrapped around him.
The ground beneath him responded, sending vast power into his body.
With the earth-attribute energy bolstering him, Xiao Yuan's aura exploded upward.
Two-Star Dou Zun!
Though not as overwhelming as using his Heavenly Flame Triple Transformation, this was real power—gained by all five of his Qi Palaces rising to Two-Star level.
This much energy would have torn most Dou Zuns apart. But he absorbed it all flawlessly.
Soon, the yellow energy condensed into glowing runes across his body—Earth Sigils, symbols of how well one had absorbed the Earthforce Pill's power.
Xiao Yuan was covered from head to toe—perfect absorption.
Thanks to his Demonic Thunder Physique and countless refinements via pill lightning, his body could withstand it.
Once the energy settled, he began refining the Taiyin Damp Earth Qi.
He used the Heavenly Flame to fuse the earth energy and channeled it through his meridians into his Yellow Earth Qi Palace.
As the energies merged, Xiao Yuan drew the most refined earth essence and infused it into his spleen.
A warm, grounded feeling spread through him.
His presence faded into the earth. Even the Pill Tower's top experts wouldn't sense him—only the vast earth energy he had become one with.
His body, too, grew tougher—like steel forged in fire.
He had entered a state of metamorphosis, awaiting the moment he would break free and soar.
Central Plains – Pill Tower
Outside the Pill Tower, a vast square paved with granite was usually bustling.
But now, the crowd had formed into a massive ring. At its center stood nearly a hundred figures, exuding a chilling presence.
"Those look like people from the Heavenly Underworld Sect…"
"That gray-robed elder—is that their Sect Master, Chen Tiannan? Even he came in person?!"
"I heard they're here for Xiao Yuan. Apparently, he killed their young master Chen Xian at the alchemists' market before the Pill Gathering."
"No wonder they look so murderous. This isn't going to end peacefully…"
As whispers spread, the gray-robed Chen Tiannan's gaze swept across the crowd. Wherever it landed, people fell silent.
Heavenly Underworld Sect was infamous for its ruthlessness. Offending them meant certain death.
"Chen Sect Master, this is the Pill Tower. What's the meaning of this show of force?"
Suddenly, a cold shout rang out.
A withered figure appeared—Grand Elder Qiu Ling, leading a squad of Pill Tower elites.
"Elder Qiu, don't try to scare me with the Pill Tower. Others may fear you—I don't. My son died at Xiao Yuan's hands. Today, I've come to take him back—with interest!"
Chen Tiannan declared coldly.
Qiu Ling frowned. "Your son tried to kill the Pill Tower's future leader and was slain in return. We didn't even press charges against your sect—and now you dare come demanding answers?"
"Hmph! I've heard Xiao Yuan murdered and robbed him! Hand him over—I'll handle the interrogation myself!"
Chen Tiannan sneered.
"You think the Pill Tower is yours to command?! You, Chen Tiannan, don't have that kind of authority!"
Qiu Ling's voice turned harsh.
"Well, Elder Qiu, whether or not you recognize it, the Heavenly Underworld Sect has three sub-sects. If even the death of a sect master's son goes unanswered, who will ever respect our name again?"
A calm voice cut in.
From behind Chen Tiannan, a handsome man stepped forward. With his fair, feminine features and cold air, he radiated both beauty and cruelty.
"And you are?" Qiu Ling narrowed his eyes.
"Yi Chen, of the Heavenly Underworld Sect," the man smiled.
At the mention of his name, a chill swept through the square.
"Yi Chen… Could he be... Yi Shura, the Asura of the Heavenly Underworld Sect?"
(END CHAPTER)
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