Chapter 377 Ninth-Rank Golden Core Ancestor, Female Battle Saints

medicinal ingredients flew out of the storage ring one by one. There were thirty-six main ingredients and seventy-two supplementary ingredients. Every single one had been meticulously selected by him; their age, medicinal properties, and Origin were all perfect without the slightest error.

Inside the supreme cauldron, flames rose.

This time, he did not use Dou Qi fire, but instead utilized the Three Thousand Burning Flame.

The purple-black flames surged within the cauldron, carrying Dragon Might and the power of immortality as they melted and purified those rare medicinal ingredients one by one.

Shen Wen closed his eyes. The power of his Emperor Realm Soul poured into the cauldron like a tide, precisely controlling every step.

The melting order of the ingredients, the temperature changes of the flames, and the timing of the medicinal Fusion—every detail was within his control.

One day, two days, three days passed.

Half a month later, dark clouds began to gather above Pill City.

These were no ordinary dark clouds, but a color that was nearly ink-black.

The dark clouds were as thick as a physical substance. As they surged, black lightning flickered faintly within them. They stretched from above Pill City all the way to the horizon; within ten thousand miles, everything was ink-black.

Black Demon Lightning.

Moreover, it was a black lightning even more terrifying than that of a Ninth-Grade Treasure Pill.

Inside the Pill Tower, everyone looked up at the dark clouds that blotted out the sun, their faces turning pale.

"It's Black Demon Lightning again..."

"What is the Tower Revered Master refining? Last time, for a Ninth-Grade Treasure Pill, there were only three bolts. This time... how many will there be?"

"Can you even count them?"

No one could count them. The black lightning in the dark clouds was dense, like countless venomous snakes weaving through the cloud layers. Every bolt emitted a heart-stopping pressure.

Old Man Shennong stood in the medicinal garden leaning on his cane. He looked up at the dark clouds, a hint of complexity in his cloudy old eyes.

"A Grade 9 Profound Pill," he muttered in a low voice. "This kid has surpassed this old man."

Shen Wen stood on the stone platform, looking up at the ten-thousand-mile expanse of dark clouds in the sky, his expression calm.

He raised his hand.

The great dao treasure bottle condensed into form above his palm, its mouth facing upward as an ink-black vortex slowly rotated.

The black lightning in the dark clouds struck down simultaneously—dozens, hundreds of bolts, dense and overwhelming.

The Black Demon Lightning, which was enough to severely wound a Dou Sheng, vanished without a trace the moment it fell into the bottle's mouth, like a clay ox entering the sea.

The great dao treasure bottle trembled slightly. The runes on the bottle's body lit up for a moment before returning to tranquility.

A wisp of extremely pure energy was fed back from the bottom of the bottle, flowing into Shen Wen's body through his arm.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, revealing a hint of satisfaction.

The dark clouds dispersed, and sunlight spilled down once more.

The next moment.

Countless pill rain fell, covering the entire Pill Domain.

"It's pill rain, pill rain! A Grade 9 Profound Pill has been born!"

"So the Tower Revered Master was refining a Grade 9 Profound Pill!!"

"We have a Grade 9 Profound Alchemist!"

...

Inside the Pill Tower, everyone was buzzing with discussion. This was a Grade 9 Profound Pill; how long had it been since one was born!

With their Tower Revered Master having refined a Grade 9 Profound Pill, the Pill Tower would truly become the Holy Land for all Alchemists!

Inside the supreme cauldron, a faint black light shot into the sky!

The light tumbled, twisted, and expanded in the air, transforming in the blink of an eye into a giant dragon that was pitch-black all over.

The giant dragon roared toward the sky, its voice shaking the surrounding wilderness, its dragon eyes filled with the light of spirituality.

It glanced at Shen Wen, then turned around, kicked off with its four hooves, and fled frantically toward the horizon.

Shen Wen raised his hand and lightly clenched it.

The power of the space ancestral talisman erupted with a boom, as silver-gray light instantly enveloped a radius of a thousand feet.

The fleeing black dragon seemed to hit an invisible wall; its figure suddenly jerked and was frozen in mid-air.

Shen Wen slightly closed his fingers, and the black dragon was forcibly dragged back like a small beast gripped by an invisible hand.

It struggled and roared, its dragon tail lashing wildly, yet it could not break free from the restraint of that power at all.

The light gradually receded, and the black dragon transformed back into a Medicinal Pill, lying quietly in Shen Wen's palm.

Grade 9 Profound Pill.

It was done.

Shen Wen looked down at the pitch-black pill in his palm, sensing the vast power contained within, and nodded inwardly.

He turned to look at Xuan Danzi standing in the distance and smiled slightly.

"Old Ancestor, it's your turn."

Xuan Danzi took a deep breath, walked to the front of Shen Wen, and sat down cross-legged.

Advancing an already formed Grade 9 Profound Pill into a Ninth Grade Golden Pill was simpler than refining a Ninth Grade Golden Pill directly, but it was only "simpler."

Shen Wen took more than half a month.

During that half month, he worked day and night without rest. His Emperor Realm Soul operated at full power, dismantling, reorganizing, and sublimating the medicinal power, runes, and spirituality within Xuan Danzi's body bit by bit.

Every step was like walking on thin ice; not a single mistake could be tolerated.

Xuan Danzi kept his eyes closed. His form constantly switched between illusion and reality—sometimes appearing as a human, sometimes as the pill itself.

The pill suspended in mid-air was deep black, its surface flowing with the faint light of runes, reflecting the power in Shen Wen's palm.

The twenty-third day.

Xuan Danzi's body suddenly jerked.

The pill suspended in mid-air abruptly lit up. The deep black light turned to pale gold, becoming brighter and more intense, enveloping the entire stone platform in a warm halo.

The runes on the pill's surface began to transform. Those originally obscure and difficult-to-understand patterns lit up one by one, then reorganized into even more profound and ancient forms.

Spirituality was surging.

Xuan Danzi's aura began to climb. The barrier of a Six-Star Dou Sheng shattered with a boom at this moment—Seven-Star, Eight-Star, Nine-Star...

It didn't slow down until it reached the mid-stage of a Nine-Star Dou Sheng.

In the sky, dark clouds began to gather.

It wasn't just over Pill City, but the entire Pill Domain.

From Pill City to the borders of the Pill Domain, within ten thousand miles, everything was ink-black.

The dark clouds were as thick as a physical substance. As they surged, golden lightning flickered faintly within them.

It wasn't Black Demon Lightning; it was Nine Profound Golden Lightning.

The hallmark of a Ninth Grade Golden Pill.

The golden lightning was dense and overwhelming, every bolt emitting a pressure that could destroy the world.

The entire Pill Domain was trembling, the ground was cracking, and space was twisting, as if unable to withstand this power.

Inside the Pill Tower, everyone's face was deathly pale.

Nine Profound Golden Lightning.

That was an existence that, according to legend, could severely wound even a high-level Dou Sheng. Now that it was pouring down overwhelmingly, the entire Pill Domain was going to be blasted into dust.

Old Man Shennong's expression also changed. He had lived for over a thousand years and had never seen such a terrifying celestial phenomenon.

"This kid..." he muttered, his voice trembling.

Shen Wen stood on the stone platform, looking up at the ten-thousand-mile expanse of dark clouds in the sky, his expression still calm.

He raised his hand.

He struck out with a palm.

It wasn't a Dou Technique or a secret method; it was just an ordinary palm strike. But the moment that palm print was struck out, the entire sky darkened.

A phantom of a hand that blotted out the sun rose into the sky, meeting that ten-thousand-mile expanse of dark clouds.

The palm print collided with the dark clouds. There was no roar or explosion, only a low, muffled sound, like a giant boulder falling into a deep pool.

The moment the palm print touched the ten-thousand-mile expanse of dark clouds, they dissipated silently, like melting snow under a scorching sun.

The golden lightning bolts shattered and were annihilated one by one, without even having time to make a sound.

Sunlight spilled down once more, and the sky was clear for ten thousand miles.

Inside the Pill Tower, everyone stared blankly at this scene, their mouths open, but they couldn't make a sound.

One palm.

One palm had dispersed the Nine Profound Golden Lightning that covered the entire Pill Domain.

Just what was their Tower Revered Master's cultivation level?

Old Man Shennong leaned on his cane, looking at the back of Shen Wen as he withdrew his palm, his cloudy old eyes filled with shock.

He suddenly remembered the scene when he first met Shen Wen in the Shennong Mountain Range.

At that time, this kid was only a Dou Zong, respectfully calling him "Revered Master" in front of him.

Now, he could no longer see through Shen Wen's depth.

Jin Danzi opened his eyes, looked down at his hands, then looked up at the already dissipated dark clouds in the sky, his eyes reddening.

"A Ninth Grade Golden Pill..." he muttered, his voice trembling. "I have become a Ninth Grade Golden Pill..."

He stood up, walked to Shen Wen, and gave a deep bow.

"Shen Wen, thank you."

Shen Wen waved his hand: "Old Ancestor, you're being too polite."

Jin Danzi straightened up, looked at Shen Wen, and laughed loudly. "From now on, I shall be called Jin Danzi!"

When the news reached Ancient Dragon Island, Zhu Kun was in the discussion hall listening to several Elders report on clan affairs.

After hearing the message, he was silent for a moment, then waved his hand to dismiss the Elders.

"A Ninth Grade Golden Pill..." He leaned back in his chair, his golden pupils looking out of the hall as he muttered, "Just how many secrets does this kid have?"

He thought of Shen Wen's "cultivation" over the past half year.

He was either refining pills or enjoying himself with his wives and concubines; the number of times he actually sat down to Cultivate properly could be counted on one hand.

Yet his cultivation had climbed all the way from a Two-Star Dou Sheng to a Three-Star Dou Sheng in this half year.

Zhu Kun shook his head.

He had lived for thousands of years and had never seen such a person.

Shen Wen gradually stopped traveling outside.

For matters that required his presence, he would decline if possible; if he couldn't, he would let Cao Ying or Xiao Yi Xian handle them.

He stayed peacefully in the Shen Residence, refining pills, cultivating, and spending time with his wife and children, living like a hermit.

However, his Foundation outside was becoming larger and larger.

On the Nine Serene Earth Nether Python's side, Yao Ming and Yao Xiaotian, two Dou Shengs, were in charge, managing that vast Beast Region like an iron bucket.

Every move of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan was under their surveillance.

On the Void Ancient Dragon's side, although Zi Yan was young, with Zhu Kun backing her up, the four Dragon Islands had been completely unified.

Those clan members who had once followed the rebels were killed, imprisoned, or utilized as appropriate. She was swift and decisive, even more so than Zhu Kun back in the day.

The Pill Tower went without saying.

Shen Wen was the Tower Revered Master, the Three Great Powers were his subordinates, and most of the Elders of the Little Pill Tower were old friends of his Revered Master, Old Monster Lin. Throughout the entire Pill Tower, not a single person dared to disobey him.

And in the Northwest, the Heavenly Serpent Empire's conquest finally reached its end.

Hei Jue's transmission jade talisman arrived on a certain noon.

Shen Wen was drinking tea in the Flower Hall. He took the jade talisman and probed it with his Soul power; a moment later, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

"The Heavenly Serpent Empire has unified the Northwest."

Cao Ying looked up and put down the ledger in her hand: "Has the name been changed?"

Shen Wen nodded: "The Heaven Pill Empire."

The corners of Cao Ying's lips curved slightly as she picked up her teacup and took a sip: "That is a good name."

The news of the Heavenly Serpent Empire unifying the Northwest did not cause much of a stir in the Central Plains.

To those colossal entities entrenched in the Central Plains, that barren land in the Northwest was merely a primitive corner. Who won or lost didn't even enter their eyes.

But everyone knew who stood behind the Heaven Pill Empire.

Shen Wen.

Pill Tower Revered Master, Ninth-Grade Alchemist, son-in-law of the Void Ancient Dragon.

No one dared to touch that territory.

After unifying the Northwest, the Heaven Pill Empire's conquest did not stop.

Hei Jue's iron cavalry continued to push north, heading toward the northern region of the Fighting Qi Continent.

The forces there were a bit stronger than in the Northwest, but they were still just the best of a bad bunch.

There were a few Dou Zun level experts, but Dou Sheng? Not a single one.

Wherever Hei Jue's iron cavalry passed, people surrendered at the sight of them.

Shen Wen didn't care about these things.

He only needed the Heaven Pill Empire to keep expanding and continuously provide him with Power Of Faith.

The Great Origin Technique had been completely mastered.

The Power Of Faith gathered from various places was refined, settled, and absorbed by him, opening up a fifth Origin within his body.

That Origin was different from Dou Qi and different from Soul; it was a purer, more fundamental power.

It merged into his flesh, bones, and Soul, making his Foundation even more stable than before.

Shen Wen sat cross-legged in the Quiet Room, sensing that new power in his body and nodding slightly.

Three-Star Dou Sheng.

His cultivation had only increased by one star in this half year, but the quality of this one star was far beyond that of an ordinary Dou Sheng.

The techniques obtained from System rewards, the rewards gained from the ladies' favorability, and the power refined from the Dragon-Phoenix Harmony Scripture had all merged into his Foundation.

His current depth was already so profound that even he himself found it ridiculous.

The ladies' cultivation was also improving rapidly.

The effects of the Dragon-Phoenix Harmony Scripture were demonstrated vividly during this half year.

When Shen Wen cultivated with the women, the Dragon-Phoenix Power in his body resonated with their Physiques, and their cultivation rose silently like a tide.

Cai Lin was the first to break through to Dou Sheng.

The Nine-Colored Sky Swallowing Python Bloodline was already powerful, and with Shen Wen's infusion, she was a Two-Star Dou Sheng as soon as she broke through.

Xiao Yi Xian followed closely behind.

The Poison Saint's Legacy was completely digested by her, and the Calamity Poison Body underwent a qualitative change under the catalysis of the Dragon-Phoenix Harmony Scripture. When she stepped into Dou Sheng, a celestial phenomenon occurred, and a poisonous mist covered a thousand-mile radius for three days and three nights.

Tang Huo'er was not slow either.

With the Fire Phoenix Body plus the Immortal Nirvana Scripture, and combined with Shen Wen's Dragon-Phoenix Power, her cultivation soared like a rocket. When she broke through to Dou Sheng, a Fire Phoenix phantom circled above Pill City for half a day.

Qing Lin was even more exaggerated.

The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils were already Heaven-Defying, and with the Soul of the Ancient Nine-Headed Sky Snake completely refined by her, when she broke through to Dou Sheng, nine snake pupil phantoms appeared behind her simultaneously, and snake-type Demonic Beasts within ten thousand miles all knelt down.

Dan Chen broke through the latest, but also the most steadily.

With the Supreme Pill Body plus Shen Wen's infusion, when she stepped into Dou Sheng, a pill fragrance filled Pill City for seven days. Those old fellows who had been in seclusion for years were so intoxicated by the scent they couldn't sit still.

Only Cao Ying, because she had given birth to Shen Yunlong, had a depleted body and recovered a bit slower.

But she was Shen Wen's primary wife and was usually the most diligent in her cultivation. Combined with the boost from the Dragon-Phoenix Harmony Scripture, she also stepped into Dou Sheng half a year later.

One residence, seven Dou Shengs.

If this news were to spread, it would be enough to shock the entire Central Plains.

But Shen Wen did not make it public, and the ladies did not show off.

They still went about their business as usual—refining pills, handling affairs, and accompanying the child—as if breaking through to Dou Sheng was just a trivial matter.

However, there was one thing that made the ladies quite depressed.

Despite Shen Wen working so hard, despite the day-and-night cultivation of the Dragon-Phoenix Harmony Scripture, and despite them all breaking through to Dou Sheng in this half year—

Not a single person was pregnant.

Xiao Yi Xian wasn't.

Tang Huo'er wasn't.

Qing Lin wasn't.

Dan Chen wasn't.

Zi Yan wasn't either.

Cao Ying wanted another one, but her body hadn't fully recovered yet, so Shen Wen wouldn't let her overexert herself.

"How could this be?" Dan Chen sat in the Flower Hall, holding a bowl of fetal-soothing soup, her small face wrinkled. "I've drunk so much of this, why isn't there any movement?"

Xiao Yi Xian covered her mouth and chuckled: "What's the rush."

Dan Chen pouted: "But I want to give Brother Shen Wen a child."

Tang Huo'er leaned back in her chair, crossed her arms, and snorted: "Maybe it's your Brother Shen Wen's problem."

Shen Wen happened to walk in through the door. Hearing this, his footsteps paused.

"What problem do I have?" He sat down beside Tang Huo'er and reached out to wrap his arm around her waist.

Tang Huo'er slapped his hand away and turned her head, though the tips of her ears were slightly red.

Cai Lin held her teacup, her tone indifferent: "The higher the cultivation, the harder it is to have offspring. This is common knowledge."

The Flower Hall fell silent for a moment.

The ladies glanced at each other, all seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.

They naturally knew this principle.

For Dou Sheng level experts, wanting to conceive offspring was naturally hundreds of times harder than for ordinary people.

Shen Wen was now a Three-Star Dou Sheng, and they were all Dou Shengs as well; wanting a child was indeed not an easy task.

"No rush." Shen Wen leaned back in his chair, his tone casual. "What is meant to come will eventually come."

Zi Yan walked in through the door, her purple-gold dress shimmering in the sunlight.

"Brother Shen Wen is right." She sat down beside Shen Wen, light flowing in her purple-gold eyes. "Anyway, we're still young; we have plenty of time."

Cao Ying put down the ledger, her gaze sweeping over the ladies, the corners of her lips curling up slightly.

"Alright, stop looking so gloomy." She paused, her tone carrying a bit of mischief. "If you're really in a hurry, then just work harder."

The ladies' cheeks flushed red, and no one replied.