102: Seclusion and Turmoil

The Cultivation Secret Chamber in the core area of the Pill Tower was far beyond comparison to the outside world.

The Secret Chamber where Li Ao resided had complex Spirit Gathering Formations inscribed on the ground, drawing in the purest Heaven And Earth Treasure energy from the Soul Realm and wisps of scattered Soul Power Origin. The walls were cast from the companion Ore of soul-warming jade, which could calm the mind and nourish the Soul. Cultivating here for a single day was comparable to a month's effort outside.

He did not rush to raise his Dou Qi Rank, but instead focused his attention on three areas.

First, he needed to consolidate his rapidly increasing Soul strength. Although his half-step Heavenly Realm Soul was strong, the recent treatment of Medusa, the continuous high-intensity precise control, and the confrontation with Mu Gu Old Man on the Soul level had given him a deeper understanding of his own Soul. He needed to completely digest this comprehension, making his Soul strength more harmonious, transparent, and effortlessly controllable. He activated the secret technique recorded in the *Great Void Spirit Refining Art* (assumed to be his Soul Cultivation Technique), and his Soul Origin was repeatedly tempered as if by an invisible hand. The gray Annihilation Concept became deeper and more restrained.

Second, he was comprehending the Annihilation Rule. During the final moments of treating Medusa, the interweaving of "life" and "death" produced by the merging of the uncontrolled lotus seed energy and Medusa's Soul had greatly impacted him. Annihilation was not purely about ending and dying; perhaps it also contained the deeper Profound Truth of "new life being conceived in destruction" and "only by returning to silence can one perceive reality." He immersed himself in the comprehension of the Rule. Deadly gray light sometimes lingered around his fingertips, and at other times, an imperceptible wisp of light containing strange vitality flashed past.

Finally, he was Cultivating the *Black Iron Hegemon Body*. This Body Refining Cultivation Technique, obtained from the mysterious black iron, was the foundation of his close-combat prowess. As his strength increased, especially due to the subtle influence of the Annihilation Rule on his Physical Body, he felt that the Bottleneck of the second stage Peak had loosened. He took out some Body Refining medicinal ingredients collected from the storage ring of the Void Realm bandits and the Soul Hall Protector, and, utilizing the dense energy in the Secret Chamber, began to charge toward the third stage of the *Black Iron Hegemon Body*—the Bronze Battle Body!

Once successful, his Physical Body would undergo a qualitative change, allowing him to withstand direct attacks from high-Rank Dou Zongs without injury!

Just as Li Ao was diligently secluded, Medusa was also undergoing unique "Cultivation" in the adjacent Secret Chamber.

She was a Soul entity and did not need to absorb Dou Qi; her method of Cultivation was completely different from ordinary people. Her core focus was continuously refining and purifying her own Soul Origin, and deeply exploring the changes brought about by the seven-colored spirit nurturing lotus and the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python Bloodline.

She hovered in the air, seven-colored radiance flickering around her body like breathing. The runes on her brow became clearer and more profound, faintly emitting an ancient pressure capable of commanding all snakes. Her Soul strength was steadily increasing. Although her Realm was still at the One-Star Dou Zong Peak, the refinement, profoundness, and control she had over her Soul strength were advancing toward a higher level.

At the same time, she was constantly recalling and organizing the memory fragments in her Bloodline Legacy that were once blurry but were now much clearer, searching for information related to the "heavenly soul merging blood pill" and the "blood essence demon fruit," as well as Soul battle techniques suitable for her current state.

Time flowed by during the quiet Cultivation.

Half a month later.

The Secret Chamber where Li Ao was located suddenly shook, and a massive force of vital Qi and blood surged up like smoke, yet it was firmly sealed within by the Formation of the chamber. The dark gold luster on his exposed skin gradually transformed into a deeper, more ancient bronze color! His muscle lines became smoother and more perfect, seemingly containing explosive power, and his bones and internal organs were humming faintly, undergoing a fundamental transformation.

The third stage of the *Black Iron Hegemon Body*—the Bronze Battle Body—was complete!

At this moment, relying solely on his Physical Body strength, he was sufficient to contend head-on with Five-Star or even Six-Star Dou Zongs! Coupled with the Annihilation Rule and profound Dou Qi, his actual strength had leaped to an entirely new level!

Furthermore, his Soul had fully stabilized during the half-month of hard Cultivation, and his comprehension of the Annihilation Rule had advanced further. Although he had not achieved a Breakthrough into the Heavenly Realm, his mind was clearer and his perception was sharper.

He slowly ceased his work, a bronze luster flashing and disappearing in his eyes. Feeling the surging power within his body, he nodded in satisfaction.

Just then, the communication Formation in the Secret Chamber lit up, and the voice of Elder Xuan Yi transmitted:

"Little friend Li Ao, if you are free, please come to the discussion hall for a talk. There are important matters to discuss."

Li Ao's heart stirred. He tidied his clothes and pushed open the stone door of the Secret Chamber. Almost simultaneously, the door of the adjacent chamber quietly opened, and Medusa's Soul entity drifted out.

Having not seen her for half a month, her Soul entity appeared even more solid, the seven-colored halo revolving around her, carrying a breathtaking beauty and majesty. She looked at Li Ao, her purple eyes lingering for a moment on the faint bronze luster he emitted, and she nodded slightly: "It seems you have gained quite a bit."

"Your Majesty's demeanor is also greater than before," Li Ao replied. He could sense that Medusa's Soul was more restrained, yet the hidden power within it was increasingly unnerving.

The two said no more and walked side-by-side toward the discussion hall.

Inside the discussion hall, besides Xuan Yi and Tian Leizi, there was also a middle-aged man wearing the attire of a Pill Tower deacon, whose aura seemed slightly hurried.

"Little friend, Your Majesty the Queen, you have arrived." Elder Xuan Yi's expression was somewhat solemn. "This is Deacon Han, who is responsible for gathering external intelligence. He has just relayed an urgent message."

Deacon Han quickly saluted the two and then spoke rapidly: "According to the messages desperately relayed by our informants positioned outside the Hall of Souls, and the summary of movements from various factions, the Hall of Souls seems... to be mobilizing forces on a large scale, aiming directly for the far south of the continent—the Savage Ancient Domain!"

"The Savage Ancient Domain?" Li Ao and Medusa exchanged glances, both seeing a sharp glint in the other's eyes. That place was precisely where the "blood essence demon fruit" might grow!

"That's right," Tian Leizi interjected, his voice deep. "According to our analysis, the scale of the Hall of Souls' operation this time is not small, led personally by a Heavenly Venerate of extreme strength. Their exact purpose is not yet fully clear. But combining it with what Her Majesty the Queen requires and the characteristics of the Savage Ancient Domain, it is highly likely that they are also after that 'blood essence demon fruit,' or some other ancient object that has miraculous effects on the Soul and Bloodline!"

Elder Xuan Yi added: "The blood essence demon fruit has an extremely long maturation cycle and is guarded by powerful entities. Every time it appears, it causes a bloody storm. The Hall of Souls is determined to obtain it this time, and if they succeed, regardless of what conspiracy they use it for, the consequences will be endless. Moreover, this item is crucial for Her Majesty the Queen to reshape her Physical Body."

The implication was clear: the Hall of Souls' goal likely conflicted with theirs! Furthermore, the opponent had deployed a Heavenly Venerate! (Note: The Hall of Souls Ranks are roughly: Soul Emissary, Protector, Elder Zun, Heavenly Venerate, Vice Hall Master, Hall Master.)

A Heavenly Venerate's strength was at least that of a high-Rank Dou Venerate, far surpassing an Elementary Elder Zun like Mu Gu Old Man!

"Is the information reliable?" Li Ao asked in a deep voice.

"Eighty percent certainty," Deacon Han confirmed. "We lost three important undercover agents just to confirm the general direction of the Heavenly Venerate's deployment. Moreover, traces of Hall of Souls experts have recently been found near several space wormholes close to the Savage Ancient Domain."

A brief silence fell over the discussion hall.

This was a huge crisis, but at the same time, it might be an Opportunity! An Opportunity to steal food from the tiger's mouth and intercept the blood essence demon fruit ahead of time!

A cold light flickered in Medusa's purple eyes, and her icy voice broke the silence: "I must obtain the blood essence demon fruit."

Li Ao looked toward Xuan Yi and Tian Leizi: "What are the Pill Tower's plans?"

Elder Xuan Yi and Tian Leizi exchanged a glance, then slowly said: "The situation in the Savage Ancient Domain is complex. It is not within the traditional sphere of influence of our Pill Tower, and the risks there are extreme. It is inappropriate for the Pill Tower to intervene openly on a large scale, lest we trigger a full-blown conflict with the Hall of Souls."

His tone shifted: "However, we can provide support for the two of you. This includes a detailed map of the Savage Ancient Domain, the distribution of known dangerous areas and Heaven And Earth Treasure, and... a 'thousand illusions breath hiding talisman' that can temporarily alter your aura and conceal your presence. This Talisman was made by the Chairman years ago and is sufficient to evade detection by anyone below the Heavenly Venerate Rank."

"Furthermore, we will provide support from the periphery, creating some chaos to draw away some of the Hall of Souls' attention. As for whether you can successfully seize the blood essence demon fruit, that will depend on the methods and Opportunity of the two of you."

This was the maximum assistance the Pill Tower could offer under the current circumstances. Sending high-Rank experts directly was unrealistic; it would be equivalent to declaring war on the Hall of Souls.

Li Ao understood the implications, and he looked toward Medusa.

There was no hesitation on Medusa's beautiful face, only cold resolve: "It is enough."

Li Ao nodded and cupped his hands toward Xuan Yi and the other person: "Thank you, two Seniors. We accept this task."

Risk and Opportunity coexisted. For Medusa to reshape her Physical Body, and to stop the conspiracy the Hall of Souls might carry out with this item, they had to venture into the Savage Ancient Domain!

"Without further delay, here are the map and the breath hiding Talisman. Prepare yourselves and depart as soon as possible." Elder Xuan Yi handed two Jade Slips and an ancient Talisman to Li Ao. "Remember, the Savage Ancient Domain not only contains people with malicious intentions but also countless ancient remnants and natural Forbidden Grounds. Be careful in all matters!"

A new journey pointed toward that continent Forbidden Ground, full of primitive nature and danger—the Savage Ancient Domain!