155: Chapter 154 Going Back

The stone house returned to silence.

Jiang Hanzhou sat alone by the window, gazing at the azure sea and sky outside.

The sea breeze was gentle, the waves whispered, and the workers at the fishery were busy on the pier, completely unaware of the storm that had almost swept through.

He slowly withdrew his gaze and took the crimson jade bottle from his bosom.

The bottle was slightly cool, its surface as smooth as jade to the touch.

Through the bottle wall, he could clearly sense the warm aura emanating from the three Medicinal Pills inside—that aura contained a majestic force of blood and Qi, as if a Flood Dragon were sleeping within.

"dragon blood pill."

He murmured in a low voice, a trace of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

Bai Tianxiao's diary had mentioned this pill many times.

And now, he, Jiang Hanzhou, having just entered the Initial Stage of Yuanxiang, already held three in his hands.

This was Opportunity.

This was fate.

He stood up and walked toward the secret chamber deep in the stone house, which was specifically used for secluded cultivation.

The secret chamber was not large, about a zhang square, and simple sound-insulation Formations were engraved on the four walls; although crude, they were sufficient to isolate the noise from the outside.

He sat cross-legged on the cushion, placed the tiger soul saber across his knees, and set the sumeru pouch by his side.

He took a deep breath.

And slowly exhaled.

Then, he opened the jade bottle.

The silver runes sealing the bottle mouth dissipated quietly the moment they were touched, and a rich medicinal fragrance rushed toward him!

The medicinal fragrance was extremely intense, yet not at all pungent; instead, it carried a warm and mellow aura, like aged wine. Just by smelling it, he felt the blood and Qi in his body stir slightly.

Jiang Hanzhou poured one out.

The Medicinal Pill was about the size of a longan, crimson in its entirety, with fine golden patterns flowing on its surface; the patterns wound like a dragon, appearing as if they were alive.

He stared at this Medicinal Pill and probed into it with his Divine Sense—

Boom!

In his Sea of Consciousness, it was as if a Flood Dragon was roaring!

The roar was deafening, containing boundless pressure and dominance, as if it wanted to crush any existence that dared to pry!

Jiang Hanzhou let out a muffled groan, his Divine Sense instantly withdrawing.

He opened his eyes, a trace of shock flashing in them.

As expected of the dragon blood pill.

Even just the residual will of the Flood Dragon within the Medicinal Pill had such might.

If it were a Martial Artist in the Viscera Burning Realm, their Sea of Consciousness would have already been damaged by that just now.

He took a deep breath to calm his mind.

Then, he placed the Medicinal Pill into his mouth.

The moment the Medicinal Pill entered his throat, it turned into a warm liquid, sliding down his esophagus into his abdomen.

The liquid was not scalding hot but carried a just-right warmth, like soaking in a hot spring in winter, so comfortable it made one want to groan.

But the next moment—

Boom!!!

The majestic medicinal power exploded from his abdomen like a volcanic eruption!

The strength, intensity, and dominance of that medicinal power far exceeded Jiang Hanzhou's expectations!

The crimson-gold force of blood and Qi, the azure Tide force, and that strand of golden sharpness that had just solidified were all triggered at this moment!

Three rays of light surged out from his body, forming a brilliant three-colored canopy around him!

Jiang Hanzhou gritted his teeth and desperately circulated the fourth level mental formula of the Li Huo Golden Body Art!

The Lihuo Astral Malice within his body, like a shark that had smelled blood, frantically lunged at that medicinal power, greedily devouring, refining, and absorbing it!

With every devouring, the Lihuo Astral Malice became a bit more solid.

With every refining, the crimson-gold light became a bit more intense.

With every absorption, the sleeping fire dragon deep in his Dantian grew a circle larger.

Time passed slowly.

Perhaps an hour.

Perhaps a day.

Perhaps longer.

Jiang Hanzhou was immersed in this near-mad Cultivate, completely unaware of everything outside.

He just instinctively circulated his Cultivation Technique, instinctively refined the medicinal power, instinctively—

Becoming stronger.

He did not know how long had passed.

He opened his eyes suddenly.

Two rays of sharp light shot out from his eyes, leaving two deep holes in the wall of the secret chamber!

He looked down at his hands.

In his palms, the crimson-gold light flowed ceaselessly, even richer and purer than before.

He closed his eyes and looked within himself.

In his Dantian, that sleeping fire dragon had grown from the thickness of a child's arm to the thickness of an adult's calf!

The scales on the fire dragon were clearer, and fine rune patterns flowed on every scale; this was a sign that the Lihuo Astral Malice had been tempered to the extreme.

"Fourth level..."

He murmured in a low voice.

The fourth level of the Li Huo Golden Body Art, the qualitative change of condensing Qi into flame, was still missing the final bit.

But he was already within reach of that threshold.

He opened his eyes and reached out to pour the second dragon blood pill from the jade bottle.

Without any hesitation.

He placed it into his mouth again.

Boom!!!

An even more violent medicinal power exploded!

This time, Jiang Hanzhou was prepared.

He desperately circulated his Cultivation Technique, guiding that majestic medicinal power into his Dantian, into his Meridians, and into every limb and bone!

The fire dragon devoured frantically, the light on its body becoming brighter and more intense, as if it would ignite at any moment!

Time passed again.

The second dragon blood pill, refined.

The third dragon blood pill, refined.

The moment the last strand of medicinal power was completely absorbed—

A deafening roar suddenly erupted from within Jiang Hanzhou's body!

That roar did not come from the outside, but from the deepest part of his body, from every cell, every drop of blood, every strand of True Qi!

In his Dantian, the fire dragon suddenly opened its huge mouth and let out a silent roar!

Then—

It ignited.

Crimson-gold flames surged out from the fire dragon's body, illuminating the entire Dantian as if it were day!

The flames were so intense that one could not look directly at them, yet they did not harm the Dantian itself; they were just purely burning, purely transforming, purely—

Qualitative change.

Condensing Qi into flame!

The fourth level of the Li Huo Golden Body Art, complete!

Jiang Hanzhou opened his eyes.

Deep in his pupils, two crimson-gold flames were slowly flickering.

He raised his right hand and opened his five fingers.

In his palm, a strand of crimson-gold flame appeared out of thin air, burning quietly.

The flame was not large, only the thickness of a thumb, but it emitted a heart-palpitating high temperature.

The temperature in the secret chamber suddenly soared at this moment, the light of the sound-insulation Formation on the walls flashing wildly, almost shattering on the spot!

Jiang Hanzhou looked at the flame in his palm, the corners of his mouth slowly curling into a smile.

The smile was very faint.

But it contained unspeakable joy.

Three dragon blood pills.

Three days of secluded cultivation.

Not only had he completely stabilized his Golden Sharpness True Intent, but he had also broken through to the fourth level of the Li Huo Golden Body Art in one go.

Now, the True Qi in his body was even more abundant, and the Lihuo Astral Malice had transformed into Lihuo True Flame; his attack power had more than doubled!

If he were to encounter that Jasper from the Silver Wing Family again, he would not need to use three types of True Intent; this strand of Lihuo True Flame alone would be enough to burn him to ashes.

He clenched his fist, and the strand of flame in his palm quietly dissipated.

Then, he closed his eyes, and his consciousness sank into his Sea of Consciousness.

A pale blue light curtain unfolded before his eyes.

【host: Jiang Hanzhou】

【fate: Late Bloomer (Fifth Order)】

【Cultivation: Dragon Elephant Realm · Primal Elephant Realm (Initial Stage)】

【Divine Ability: Great Sun Tide (Fragmented), Tiangang Treasure Refining Art (First Level), Divine Intent Heavenly Saber (Minor Achievement, Fragmented)】

【True Intent: Tidal True Intent (20%), Pure Yang True Intent (20%), Golden Sharpness True Intent (10%)】

His Cultivation was still at the Initial Stage of Yuanxiang, not having broken through.

But Jiang Hanzhou knew that his strength could no longer be compared to three days ago.

He stood up and walked out of the secret chamber.

Pushing open the door of the stone house, the sea breeze rushed toward him, carrying a salty, fishy scent.

On the horizon, the setting sun was slowly sinking into the sea level, dyeing the entire sea area a golden red.

At the end of the jetty, Jiang Tao stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the sea in a daze.

Hearing footsteps, he turned around abruptly, and the moment he saw Jiang Hanzhou, bright light erupted in his eyes.

"Master! You have finished your secluded cultivation!"

He stepped forward quickly, his gaze falling on Jiang Hanzhou, and his pupils shrank slightly.

He had sensed it.

The aura on his Master was more condensed and profound than it had been three days ago, like a sword that had just been unsheathed; its sharpness was restrained, yet it was even more dangerous.

"Congratulations, Master!" Jiang Tao bowed deeply, his voice full of awe.

Jiang Hanzhou nodded slightly, his gaze looking toward the golden-red sea and sky in the distance.

"Has there been any news from Elder Xue?"

"Yes." Jiang Tao straightened up. "Elder Xue sent a message, asking Master to prepare to return to Dragon Abyss Palace with him in three days."

Three days.

Jiang Hanzhou was silent for a moment and nodded.

It was time to go back.

The turmoil in this West Sea had nothing to do with him for the time being.

The Dragon Slaying True Person had escaped, all forces were investigating, and countless old monsters had already set out.

Those matters were not something he could intervene in right now.

He needed to go back.

Return to Dragon Abyss Palace, to Red Fire Peak, and to Elder Xue Mu's tutelage.

And then—

Cultivate with peace of mind.