124: Undercurrents and breakthroughs, the refinement of spirit by ten thousand flames

Deep within the Pill Tower, a top-tier Cultivation secret chamber specially prepared for Li Ao and Medusa.

This place not only had Spiritual Qi far richer than the outside world, but it was also connected to the core of the Pill Tower’s “Myriad Flames Burning Heaven Pagoda” earth pulse, with the faint circulation of the Origin Qi of myriad flames, offering unparalleled benefits for fire-attribute Cultivators and Soul Cultivators.

“The Formation here is fully activated, sufficient to block all probes below Dou Sheng, and even that Heavenly Venerate’s Divine Thought cannot penetrate,” Elder Xuan Yi said solemnly as he personally escorted the two to this location. “The Guild Leader has ordered the Pill Tower to enter a state of Level 1 alert, and at the same time begin contacting various forces with long-standing grievances against the Hall of Souls. You two should Cultivate here with peace of mind, and quickly improve your strength, as a storm is approaching.”

After seeing Elder Xuan Yi off, the heavy stone door of the secret chamber slowly closed, completely isolating the outside world’s clamor and undercurrents.

Inside the secret chamber, Li Ao and Medusa exchanged glances, both seeing the urgency in each other’s eyes.

“A Heavenly Venerate from the Hall of Souls… at least a Peak Dou Zun, or even a Half-Saint,” Medusa’s purple eyes flickered with cold light. “This King needs to completely control this Physical Body as soon as possible, and thoroughly integrate the Bloodline Power.”

She sat down cross-legged and took out the seven-colored illusion heart lotus seed she had obtained from the Illusory Mist Swamp. The lotus seed was crystal clear, with shimmering light flowing within, emitting pure Soul fluctuations and fragments of the Law of Illusion. She did not consume it directly but placed it on her glabella, slowly guiding and absorbing its essence with her royal Bloodline and Soul Power, refining her Soul, stabilizing her nascent Physical Body and surging power, and attempting to comprehend that trace of the Rule of Illusion to further perfect her “Heavenly Serpent Illusion Domain.”

Li Ao, on the other hand, walked to the center of the secret chamber, where there was a core Formation that drew upon the earth’s fire pulse. He did not rush to absorb energy but first closed his eyes to concentrate, his Soul sinking into his Sea of Consciousness.

Within the Sea of Consciousness, the wisp of hazy Annihilation Rule Origin slowly rotated, appearing more solid and profound than before. Consecutive clashes with Hall of Souls powerhouses, especially the final forced severance of Protector Wu’s Domain structure and resistance against the Heavenly Venerate’s Divine Thought, had deepened his comprehension of the Annihilation Rule by another layer.

“Annihilation is not just about ending and destruction… returning to nothingness is the only way to see the truth, and only then can… new life be conceived…”

He recalled his insights when healing Hua Yu and confronting the nine nether soul-devouring miasma. A wisp of gray light flickered at his fingertips, sometimes transforming into dead silence and nothingness, and at other times faintly showing a subtle, almost imperceptible glow containing a strange vitality. His control over the Annihilation Rule was progressing towards a more harmonious and fundamental direction.

At the same time, he took out the ancient Soul skill Jade Slip he had obtained from Fairy Qinghua—the “Divine Mind Separation Art.”

As his Soul Power probed, profound information flowed into his mind. This art did not directly enhance Soul Power but was a method of Cultivating to divide and refine the Soul Origin into countless independent “Divine Thoughts.” Once Cultivated to Major Achievement, one could manifest a thousand thoughts with a single intention, simultaneously controlling multiple complex tasks. Whether it was Alchemy, setting up Formations, or engaging in combat, one could multitask with infinite wondrous uses. For him, who needed precise control over the Annihilation Rule and the Void Swallowing Flame, this was undoubtedly a timely aid.

“I will begin Cultivating this art, and at the same time, draw upon the myriad flames Qi from this place to refine my Soul and Dou Qi, and charge towards Seven-Star Dou Zong!”

Li Ao finalized his plan and no longer hesitated. He formed hand seals, and the “Divine Mind Separation Art” began to circulate. The vast Soul Power in his Sea of Consciousness began to be carefully divided and tempered, like steel undergoing a thousand refinements, removing impurities and becoming more condensed and agile.

Concurrently, he activated the Formation beneath his feet.

“Om—!”

A thick, chaotic-colored pillar of flame was drawn from the depths of the earth pulse, soaring into the sky and completely enveloping Li Ao! This was no ordinary flame, but the Origin Qi of the myriad flames of heaven and earth gathered by the Myriad Flames Burning Heaven Pagoda, scorching, violent, yet containing endless creation.

“Chichi!”

Terrifying flame energy instantly surged into Li Ao’s limbs and bones! If his Physical Body hadn't been powerful, and if he hadn't had the Void Swallowing Flame protecting him, he would have been instantly incinerated into ashes!

He grunted, his face flushed, and veins bulging. The Black Iron Hegemon Body automatically activated, and a bronze luster flashed wildly beneath his skin, greedily absorbing the flame energy to temper himself. The Dou Qi vortex in his Dantian also spun at an unprecedented speed, frantically compressing and refining the surging flame energy.

The most painful was his Soul! The myriad flames Qi also scorched his Soul, as if trying to melt it! However, under the operation of the “Divine Mind Separation Art,” his Soul, though in pain, was repeatedly hammered by an invisible hand, becoming tougher and purer. The wisps of Divided Soul that had been separated swam in the flames, as if undergoing Nirvana.

This was an extremely perilous yet opportunity-filled process! With the unique environment of the Pill Tower and the ancient Soul skill, he was undergoing a comprehensive transformation!

Time slowly passed amidst the painful torment and the increase in power.

On the other side, Medusa was also enveloped in seven-colored light. The lotus seed transformed into pure energy, continuously merging into her flesh, Soul, and Bloodline. Her aura became increasingly profound and solid, and the dark golden patterns on the scales of the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python phantom behind her became clearer. Her royal prestige was restrained but appeared even more terrifying. Her control over her own power was rapidly increasing.

Outside the Pill Tower, the Central Plains’ situation was in flux.

The news that a Heavenly Venerate from the Hall of Souls had locked onto a distinguished guest of the Pill Tower, circulated quietly among the top forces through unknown channels, causing an uproar.

The Hall of Souls did not directly attack the Pill Tower, but its subordinate forces became increasingly rampant, constantly attacking forces friendly with the Pill Tower, searching for powerful Souls, and adopting an extremely aggressive stance. At the same time, rumors claimed that several Elder Zuns of the Hall of Souls who had not appeared for a long time, and possibly even existences at the level of Deputy Hall Masters, had already ended their seclusion and were setting their sights on the Pill Domain.

The Pill Tower also showed no weakness. The Guild Leader personally came forward, contacting Sects such as the Flower Sect and Sound Valley, which had long-standing grievances with the Hall of Souls, subtly forming an Alliance to counter the Hall of Souls. A large number of powerhouses belonging to the Pill Tower were also recalled, and spatial wormholes in various regions had their control strengthened. A chilling atmosphere enveloped the entire Central Plains.

Everyone felt that an earth-shattering storm, sweeping across the continent, was brewing over the Pill Domain, and the fuse was the two young people who had entered the Pill Tower!

Half a month passed in a flash.

Inside the Pill Tower’s Cultivation secret chamber.

The seven-colored light enveloping Medusa suddenly retracted. She slowly opened her eyes, and within her purple pupils, a seven-colored glow flashed and disappeared, as deep as the starry sky. Her aura had completely stabilized at the Peak of Seven-Star Dou Zong, even faintly touching the threshold of Eight-Star! Her control over her own Bloodline and power had reached the Transcendent Realm.

Where Li Ao was, the chaotic flame pillar had already disappeared. He sat quietly, his aura harmonious and restrained. The bronze luster beneath his skin seemed to have settled, becoming more ancient and profound.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes. There was no sharp light bursting from them, only a chaotic and desolate emptiness that seemed capable of containing all things.

“Om!”

A powerful aura erupted from within him, instantly breaking through the obstruction of the Bottleneck!

Seven-Star Dou Zong, achieved!

Not only that, but his Soul Power, refined by the “Divine Mind Separation Art” and the myriad flames Qi, although his Realm still remained at the Half-step Heavenly Realm, its condensed state and control had undergone a qualitative leap! With a slight thought, he could divide out hundreds of clear Divine Thoughts, as if he possessed countless eyes and arms!

He slowly raised his hand, and above his palm, a wisp of hazy Qi lingered. This wisp of Annihilation Rule was more solid and agile than half a month ago, and the faint hint of vitality within it had also grown slightly.

“It’s time…”

Li Ao’s gaze pierced through the secret chamber, looking beyond the Pill Tower, his eyes cold and resolute.

The storm was approaching, and he was ready to meet it.

And just then, the secret chamber’s communication Formation lit up, and Elder Xuan Yi’s solemn voice came through:

“Little friend Li Ao, Your Majesty the Queen, please come to the discussion hall immediately! The Hall of Souls… has made a move!”

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