327: Two months later

On the alchemy platform behind the Xiao Family's mountain, inside the Medicine Cauldron, flames soared, and a majestic energy fluctuation was slowly condensing and sublimating within the cauldron.

A peculiar medicinal fragrance filled the air, invigorating the mind and even making the Dou Qi within one's body more active.

Today, Jiang Donghua was refining a Seventh-Grade Intermediate pill called the Spirit Cloud Breaking Sect Pill.

This pill had extraordinary effects, capable of helping Dou Zong level cultivators forcefully break through their bottlenecks and steadily advance their strength by one star when their cultivation reached its limit!

For a Dou Zong, every star's advancement was incredibly difficult, so the value of this Spirit Cloud Breaking Sect Pill was self-evident!

The one requesting the pill was a force named the Zheng Family, located hundreds of miles from the Xiao Family.

At this moment, the Zheng Family's patriarch, Zheng Shanhe, along with two other Dou Zong Elders from the Zheng Family, were suspended in the sky not far from the alchemy platform, their expressions excited yet tinged with nervousness, their gazes fixed on the Medicine Cauldron and the lead-black thunderclouds slowly gathering in the sky!

"Hahaha! Good! Excellent!"

Zheng Shanhe felt the increasingly strong energy fluctuations within the cauldron and couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh, his eyes filled with anticipation and fervor.

"With this Spirit Cloud Breaking Sect Pill, the bottleneck that has trapped this old fellow at Peak Seven-Star Dou Zong for many years will surely be broken in one fell swoop! By then, my Zheng Family will also have an Eight-Star Dou Zong!"

The two Elders beside him also had joyful expressions, nodding repeatedly.

"Our Patriarch's great fortune! It is truly a great blessing for our Zheng Family that Master Jiang has agreed to act this time!"

To gather the ingredients for these three Spirit Cloud Breaking Sect Pills, the Zheng Family almost exhausted several years of family savings and additionally paid a huge reward that even the Xiao Family found quite satisfactory.

All of this, in the face of the pill that was about to be obtained, seemed incredibly worthwhile!

"Two Elders, prepare with me!"

Zheng Shanhe reined in his smile, his face becoming solemn, and the majestic earthy-yellow Dou Qi within his body began to surge.

"Pill Lightning is coming; we must block it! We absolutely cannot let the lightning interfere with Master Jiang's alchemy!"

"Yes, Patriarch!"

The two Elders responded in unison, each circulating their Dou Qi, standing ready.

The thunderclouds in the sky grew thicker, silver snakes danced wildly, and the low rumble of thunder pounded like war drums in everyone's hearts.

"Rumble—!"

The first Pill Lightning, like a silver dragon extending its claws, tore through the clouds and struck down with a roar!

"Earth Wall, rise!"

Zheng Shanhe let out a low shout and pushed his palms upwards fiercely!

The majestic Wood Attribute Dou Qi instantly condensed above his head into an enormous, mountain-heavy yellow shield!

The other two Elders also acted simultaneously, pouring their own Dou Qi into it, reinforcing the defense!

"Bang!"

The lightning struck the earthy-yellow shield with a dull roar!

The shield vibrated violently, cracks appearing on its surface, but it ultimately withstood the blow!

"Good! Again!"

Zheng Shanhe laughed with heroic spirit.

As a Peak Seven-Star Dou Zong, he possessed formidable strength, and with the assistance of two Elders, resisting the Pill Lightning of a Seventh-Grade Intermediate pill, although the pressure was considerable, he was full of confidence!

Immediately after, the second and third bolts of lightning struck consecutively!

The three members of the Zheng Family joined forces, each employing their own methods, either resisting head-on or guiding, taking on every violent bolt of lightning!

Although the three were shaken, their blood churning, and their clothes somewhat disheveled, they were not seriously harmed.

When the last and most powerful bolt of Pill Lightning was shattered by Zheng Shanhe with a powerful Di-rank Dou Technique, the Earth-Splitting Mountain-Collapsing Palm, the thunderclouds in the sky finally began to slowly dissipate.

On the alchemy platform, inside the Medicine Cauldron, light was contained, and a dragon-eye-sized, amber-colored pill with seven clear cloud patterns on its surface slowly formed, exuding an intoxicating energy fluctuation.

The Seventh-Grade Intermediate pill—Spirit Cloud Breaking Sect Pill, was complete!

Upon seeing this, the three members of the Zheng Family were so excited that they almost shed tears of joy!

They quickly descended, landing on the edge of the platform, and bowed deeply to Jiang Donghua, who had just finished collecting the pill and looked slightly fatigued, their voices filled with endless gratitude.

"Many thanks, Master Jiang, for your success! This kindness and virtue, our Zheng Family will never forget!"

Jiang Donghua nodded slightly, tossing the jade bottle containing the pill to Zheng Shanhe, and said calmly.

"The pill is complete. Old Ancestor Zheng can consume and refine it here. I can guard you for a moment to prevent any conflict of medicinal power."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Shanhe was even more grateful, shedding tears. After repeatedly thanking him, he eagerly found a quiet corner, took the pill, and began to assault the Eight-Star barrier that had troubled him for many years!

Meanwhile, Jiang Donghua sat cross-legged beside him, recuperating and guarding Zheng Shanhe.

Recalling a month earlier, Jiang Donghua was pondering a newly acquired Seventh-Grade High-grade Pill Formula in his quiet room when he suddenly felt something and looked towards the secret chamber.

The stone door, which had been closed for over a month, was now slowly opening from within, and a majestic life force mixed with sharp Wood Attribute Dou Qi surged out like a thawing spring tide!

A figure steadily walked out from the pervasive medicinal mist.

It was Mu Chen!

At this moment, Mu Chen was vastly different from the dying man he was before, with shattered meridians and on the verge of death!

His complexion was ruddy, his eyes sparkled like stars, and his aura was profound and long-lasting, faintly accompanied by the sound of wind and thunder. Even more astonishing was that the energy fluctuations emanating from his body had reached the level of a Six-Star Dou Zong!

"Mu Chen, you..."

A look of pleasant surprise flashed in Jiang Donghua's eyes as he stood up to greet him.

Mu Chen, unable to conceal his excitement, stepped forward quickly and embraced Jiang Donghua tightly, his voice choked with emotion.

"Brother Jiang! Words cannot express my gratitude! You snatched my life back from the King of Hell!"

He released his grip, feeling the surging, powerful energy within his body, far surpassing his past strength, and sighed with emotion.

"The yuan-shaping creation pill truly lives up to its name as a Seventh-Grade High-grade divine pill! Not only did it reshape my shattered meridians to be incredibly tough, but it also stimulated the potential I accumulated from past battles and the various medicinal powers you infused into me during my treatment!"

"This is how I turned misfortune into a blessing, breaking through three stars!"

From a Three-star Dou Zong to a Six-Star, this was simply a transformative change!

Mu Chen felt his entire body filled with power, as if he could shatter mountains with a single punch.

After the joy, Mu Chen's expression turned serious, and he took out a slightly vibrating, emerald-green family communication jade slip from his embrace.

"Brother Jiang, between us, let's skip the pleasantries."

"I'm here to bid farewell today. A month ago, I received an urgent message from my family; there seems to be some troublesome issue in the Hundred Herbs Empire that requires me to return immediately."

"At that time, my injuries hadn't healed, and I feared distracting you, so I didn't mention it."

Just then, Xiao Han, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, entered the quiet room. Hearing the word "farewell," he immediately asked with concern.

"Brother, what is so urgent? Do you need my Xiao Family to send some people to help? Nowadays, in this northern frontier, my Xiao Family still has some influence."

Upon hearing this, Mu Chen laughed heartily, his laughter filled with the strong confidence brought by being a Six-Star Dou Zong, making the quiet room's window frames hum.

"Haha! Brother Xiao Han, I appreciate your good intentions! My Hundred Herbs Empire is in a remote corner, and the top experts within the country are only at the Dou Huang level."

"The troubles it can attract, at most, would be a Peak Dou Huang."

He clenched his fist, his knuckles cracking, and a powerful aura subtly leaked out.

"With my current Six-Star Dou Zong strength, when I return, heh, no matter what kind of monstrous beings dare to bully my Mu Family, I'll just slap them to death!"

"Perfect, I'll also go back and let those old fellows see what kind of state the sickly person in their eyes is in now!"

After laughing, Mu Chen reined in his aura, his expression becoming incredibly serious. He took out a warm, jade-like, greenish jade slip engraved with strange vine patterns and solemnly handed it to Jiang Donghua with both hands.

"Brother Jiang, between you and me, let's not be too polite."

"This jade slip contains a trace of my natal Soul Power imprint. Please keep it safe."

"In the future, no matter where you are in the Central Plains, if you encounter any difficulties, just crush this slip. I will sense it, and even if separated by thousands of mountains and rivers, I will surely rush to you at the first possible moment!"

Jiang Donghua could feel the pure Soul Power and firm will within the jade slip, which originated from Mu Chen.

He did not decline, took the jade slip, and patted Mu Chen's shoulder firmly.

"Brother, take care. Once the matters in the Hundred Herbs Empire are settled, if you wish to find me, I will likely still be lingering in this area for a while. If you face a strong enemy, do not force it; send me a message."

"Don't worry! Once I go back and deal with those ignorant fellows, I'll come back to find you for a drink!"

Mu Chen nodded heavily, his eyes full of reluctance and heroic spirit.

He finally clasped his hands in a salute to Jiang Donghua and Xiao Han, and said loudly.

"Brother Jiang, Brother Xiao Han, we shall meet again!"

Before his words faded, his figure flickered, transforming into a blue stream of light that shot out of the quiet room, soaring into the sky. In a few flashes, he disappeared into the southern horizon, speeding towards the Hundred Herbs Empire.