230: Refining Intent in the Ruins, the Promise of the Pill Tower

Deep within Pill City, a serene courtyard.

Li Ao sat cross-legged in a quiet room, a Jade Slip for Alchemy, gifted by Xuan Kongzi, floating before him. He didn't read it word by word; instead, his Soul Power swept over it, directly analyzing the “True Meaning of the Medicine Dao” contained within, using the Concept of Returning to the Void.

The characteristics of medicinal ingredients, energy structures, the roles of sovereign, minister, assistant, and guide… vast information, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, was rapidly summarized, deduced, and absorbed by his Sea of Consciousness. For him, the essence of Alchemy was also the orderly construction of energy and matter under rules, which had commonalities with his Guixu Great Dao.

At his fingertips, a wisp of Gui Xu Life Force circulated, simulating the characteristics of all fires in the world, from gentle to violent, as if directed by his arm. His Soul Realm was already extremely high, and his precise control far surpassed that of ordinary Alchemy Grandmasters.

In just a few days, he had already grasped the essence of Alchemy up to the eighth-grade level contained within the Jade Slip. For him, understanding the principles was far more important than mechanical repetition.

On this day, Xuan Kongzi visited, and sensing the perfectly harmonious aura within the quiet room, as if resonating with the medicinal principles of heaven and earth, the astonishment in his eyes deepened.

“Young friend’s progress is truly incredible,” Xuan Kongzi stroked his beard in admiration. “It seems this old man’s initial judgment was correct; your Dao has already far exceeded the scope of ordinary Alchemy.”

Li Ao opened his eyes, his gaze calm: “ The president is overrated.. President, you overpraise me. What about the medicine spirit token?”

Xuan Kongzi said solemnly: “I was just about to tell you about this. With your current strength and the reputation you’ve built in the Northwest Continent and the Northern Region of Central State, especially… the matter of defeating the Elder Zun of the Hall of Souls, you are no longer comparable to ordinary young Geniuses. If we were to let you compete with juniors like Cao Ying and Dan Chen, it would be inappropriate and diminish your status for no reason.”

He took out a verdant Jade Slip, from which a rich medicinal fragrance emanated, and spatial fluctuations were faintly visible. “This is a medicine spirit token. This old man has already spoken with an old friend from the Medicine Clan, and he can vouch for you, allowing you to directly participate in the core segment of the Medicine Ceremony, the ‘Medicine Stone Heart Inquiry’.”

“Medicine Stone Heart Inquiry?” Li Ao took the Jade Slip.

“Precisely,” Xuan Kongzi explained. “This is a method the Medicine Clan uses internally to test core disciples or specially invited distinguished guests. It’s not an open Alchemy competition, but rather, within a Secret Realm in the Medicine Clan Ancestral Land, one faces numerous rare medicines and unusual stones, testing one’s fundamental understanding of medicinal properties, the purity of their Soul, and their ability to resonate with spiritual objects of heaven and earth. Those who pass will be qualified to observe the final ceremony of the Medicine Ceremony and will have the opportunity to make a request to the high-ranking members of the Medicine Clan. This is more direct than winning the championship at the Pill Convention in terms of accessing the core of the Medicine Clan.”

Li Ao nodded; this indeed better suited his current needs and level. “In that case, many thanks for the President’s arrangements.”

“However,” Xuan Kongzi’s tone turned serious, “the internal factions of the Medicine Clan are complex, especially the Grand Elder’s lineage, which is quite wary of outsiders. Although you are introduced by my old friend, you still need to demonstrate a sufficient standard in the ‘Medicine Stone Heart Inquiry’ to silence any dissent. Furthermore, the Hall of Souls’ influence is pervasive; it’s hard to guarantee they won’t make moves within the Medicine Clan as well. You must be careful.”

“I understand.” A cold glint flashed in Li Ao’s eyes. If the Hall of Souls dared to obstruct his path to obtaining medicine, he wouldn’t mind letting the Medicine Clan’s land have a few more nirvana ancient talisman.

After Xuan Kongzi left, Li Ao continued to immerse himself in Cultivating, not practicing Alchemy, but further solidifying his analysis of the Origin of medicinal properties, and integrating a trace of the Gui Xu Life Force’s characteristics into his perception, making his sensing of spiritual objects of heaven and earth even more acute.

A few days later, Cao Ying and Dan Chen visited together. The two women were now hot new stars of the Pill Tower, but after sensing the unfathomable aura on Li Ao, which merged with heaven and earth, they both put away their former arrogance and adopted a respectful attitude.

“Mr. Li Ao,” Cao Ying smiled charmingly, her beautiful eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of imperceptible reverence. “I heard that you will directly participate in the Medicine Clan’s ‘Medicine Stone Heart Inquiry’, which is truly enviable. Although Dan Chen and I also received medicine spirit tokens, we still need to start from the outer segments.”

Dan Chen also nodded gently, her voice gentle: “I wish you all the best, Mr. Li Ao.”

They knew very well that the person before them was already on a completely different Realm. The rumor of him eliminating an Elder Zun of the Hall of Souls in Tianbei City with a single thought had already spread among the top circles of Central State.

Li Ao nodded slightly to the two women as a response. He did not care about such false fame.

Soon after, Xuan Kongzi sent a message that the spatial passage leading to the Medicine Clan’s ancestral land was about to open.

Li Ao and Medusa stood side by side on the Pill Tower’s dedicated teleportation square. Medusa was still in a purple robe, her elegance unparalleled; after this period of recuperation, her aura had also become more condensed.

“Are you ready?” Medusa looked at him.

“Yes.” Li Ao’s gaze turned towards the gradually stabilizing spatial vortex, his eyes deep. The Medicine Clan Ancestral Shrine, the sensing of the nirvana ancient talisman, and the hope of reviving Xiao Yi Xian, all depended on this journey.

Without further hesitation, the two stepped into the spatial passage.

Light flickered, and their figures vanished from the square.

Their next appearance would be in that mysterious and isolated — Medicine World!