Within a secluded cave in the southern reaches of East Dragon Island, Liu Xi sat cross-legged before the crimson Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron. Inside the cauldron, azure flames roared wildly, devouring the herbs he had placed within. Each plant was refined under the intense heat, its essence melting into pure medicinal liquid.
With his current level of Spiritual Power, Liu Xi's control was flawless—failure was no longer something he needed to worry about. One by one, the ingredients fused perfectly, until only the final material remained.
He took out a large, beautiful Green Lotus Platform. His gaze lingered on it for a moment. The lotus that had once nurtured the Green Lotus Core Flame had long since served its purpose. Now, it was merely a remnant treasure—useful, but forgotten among the many rare items stored in his ring.
However, this lotus still carried faint traces of the Green Lotus Core Flame's aura, which could suppress the violent nature of Fire Beads. Moreover, as a plant imbued with both wood and fire attributes, it could harmonize opposing energies.
"Green Lotus Platform… help me one last time."
His palm extended slowly, sending the lotus into the cauldron. The cyan flames wrapped around it instantly, but instead of devouring it, they seemed to dance with joy.
Sensing the familiar aura, the lotus rotated gracefully within the fire, glowing with shifting colors rather than withering.
Liu Xi waited patiently, his Spiritual Power enveloping the lotus, observing every transformation. The lotus, capable of gathering flame energy, endured the burning for a remarkable length of time.
After three full hours, its endurance reached its limit. The once-vibrant petals began to shrivel, and wisps of faint blue mist seeped from its surface.
The mist swirled gently above the lotus, growing thicker as more vapor leaked out, eventually beginning to condense into a fluid form.
With a soft bang, the lotus finally disintegrated into ash, leaving behind a hovering mass of jade-green liquid the size of a human head.
The liquid gleamed like flawless emerald, radiating pure elemental energy.
With a motion of his hand, Liu Xi drew the green liquid toward him, storing it carefully in a chilled jade box. Then, he retrieved a scarlet Fire Bead that pulsed with violent energy—the crystallized core of a Dou Zun-level being—and sent it into the cauldron.
The cyan flames surged upward, wrapping around the bead. Under the burning heat of the Heavenly Flame, the bead trembled, its wild energy steadily suppressed.
Liu Xi wasn't trying to refine it completely. His goal was to soften it, to make it malleable. Full refinement would simply turn it into energy, the same as directly absorbing it.
Under the flames, the bead's hard surface began to soften, its shell turning pliable as the contained fire energy struggled to burst free.
At that crucial moment, Liu Xi added the previously prepared medicinal liquids into the cauldron. The gentle energy surrounded the bead, but soon it began to shake violently again—on the verge of exploding.
Liu Xi remained calm; this was exactly where all his previous attempts had failed. Cutting off a small portion of the Green Lotus liquid, he flicked it into the cauldron.
The verdant fluid shimmered faintly as it merged into the mixture, acting as a bridge that buffered the Fire Bead's instability.
Gradually, the furious trembling eased. Liu Xi exhaled in relief, a rare smile appearing on his lips.
"Heh, I didn't expect the Green Lotus Platform to help me again. Once a tool of cultivation, and now… an alchemical treasure."
He watched as the green liquid continued to merge, its energy seeping into the Fire Bead. The bead began to melt slowly, turning viscous—its shape gradually transforming into a glowing, gelatinous substance.
Seeing everything stabilize, Liu Xi maintained the flame's heat with precision, his Spiritual Power locked onto the cauldron to monitor every fluctuation.
"This time… it might just work."
Hours passed quietly. Finally, the raging energies within the cauldron settled. What remained was no longer a bead, but a small lump of translucent green gel pulsing faintly with light.
Raising his hand, Liu Xi formed a suction force in his palm, drawing the glowing gel out of the cauldron.
He studied the soft, quivering lump in his hand—it shimmered with pure fire energy and a faint medicinal fragrance. Whether it was a success or not, he would only know after testing. Still, at least this time… the cauldron hadn't exploded.
"This thing probably can't be called a pill," he muttered. "But if it can replenish Dou Qi efficiently, then its purpose is clear—enhancing cultivation speed."
Confident in his own handiwork, Liu Xi cut off a small portion with a flick of sharp Dou Qi and stored the rest in a jade box.
The gel looked almost appetizing, like emerald jelly. After a brief hesitation, he gritted his teeth and popped it into his mouth.
The substance melted instantly, spreading a refreshing warmth through his meridians.
"Mmm… not bad. Smooth, no bitterness, no trace of violent energy. The power within flows evenly—it can be directly refined…"
Satisfied, he formed a cultivation seal and closed his eyes, allowing the energy to merge with his Dou Qi.
——
Meanwhile, far away in the Beast Region—
At the Bone Mountain Range, the spatial barrier of the Dou Saint's Relic finally collapsed completely, revealing the ancient ruins to the world.
Countless human and beast factions had gathered, waiting for this moment. As the gates opened, figures from across the Central Plains descended—veterans and elites alike.
Had Liu Xi been present, he would have sensed many familiar auras: the Hall of Souls' Old Monster Zhai Xing, Tang Zhen of Burning Flame Valley, the First Elder of Sound Valley, Venerable Bing of Ice River Valley, and even Venerable Lei and Venerable Huang of the Four Pavilions…
They came in droves, Dou Zun experts numbering in the dozens, their combined might enough to shake the continent.
Beast Tribes joined as well—the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe, and countless others, their ranks teeming with 8th Rank Magical Beasts.
Yet when they entered the ruins, they found nothing—an empty shell. Not a single true treasure remained.
"What kind of joke is this?" someone cursed. "A so-called ancient ruin? It's cleaner than a novice sect's treasury!"
Soon, frustration turned to ridicule. The expedition that had promised glory ended in disappointment, and news of the "worthless ancient relic" spread swiftly throughout the Central Plains—becoming the subject of much laughter.
Some whispered that someone had entered early, stripping the ruins bare before anyone else could arrive.
Who it was, however, remained an unsolved mystery—one that left even the mightiest forces puzzled and uneasy.
(End of Chapter)
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