135: Nine cycles of elixir formation

Inside the medicinal hut of the Tianwaitian Headquarters, the medicinal fragrance was so thick it had almost materialized. Cheng Lingsu stood before the Pill Furnace, her slender hand lifting lightly as she tossed a stalk of Nine-Leaf Soul-Returning Grass into the furnace. The furnace fire was cyan-blue; it was the "Li Fire Stove" specially forged for her by Ouyezi, with controllable temperatures, most suitable for refining high-grade Medicinal Pills.

Beside the Pill Furnace, Guo Jing stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze vigilantly scanning the surroundings. Ever since the incident at the Hundred Flowers Valley, Jun Xiaoyao had put him in charge of guarding the medicinal hut—the temptation of the nine revolutions soul returning pill was too great, and they had to be on guard.

"Hero Guo, I need to borrow your Internal Energy." Cheng Lingsu didn't turn her head, her voice carrying a hint of urgency. The medicinal liquid inside the Pill Furnace was turning a strange black, clearly due to a deviation in the heat.

Guo Jing took a step forward, pressing both palms against the sides of the Pill Furnace as his thick Nine Yin True Qi poured in continuously. The Nine Yang-attribute Internal Energy merged with the heat of the Li Fire Stove, actually causing the medicinal liquid inside the furnace to gradually regain its crystal-clear luster.

Cheng Lingsu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly added the final medicinal ingredient, the "Ice Crystal Lotus." With a soft sound, the lid of the Pill Furnace popped open, and three longan-sized Medicinal Pills floated out. They were golden all over, with a faint halo flowing on their surfaces—the nine revolutions soul returning pill was complete!

"It's done!" A flash of joy crossed Cheng Lingsu's eyes as she carefully placed the Medicinal Pills into a jade bottle.

Guo Jing withdrew his palms and looked at the jade bottle, smiling honestly, "Can this Medicinal Pill really bring the dead back to life and regrow flesh on bone?"

"Naturally." Cheng Lingsu handed the jade bottle to Guo Jing, "The Young Lord said the first one is for your protection, the second is for Lord Dark Blade, and the third will be kept by the Young Lord himself."

Guo Jing took the jade bottle and solemnly tucked it into his robes, "Thank the Young Lord for me."

*** Meanwhile, in the underground palace of the Xuantian Sect.

Sect Master Daoist Xuantian stroked the bronze box in front of him, which contained the manual for the "Xuantian Sword Qi." The Grand Elder bowed and said, "Sect Master, Beyond Heaven snatched the Nine-Leaf Soul-Returning Grass from the Hundred Flowers Valley and refined the nine revolutions soul returning pill. Now everyone in the Jianghu is saying that Jun Xiaoyao has a wealth of talent under his command, even being able to summon figures like Cheng Lingsu, who is peerless in both medicine and poison..."

"Enough!" Daoist Xuantian interrupted him, a flash of jealousy in his eyes, "Isn't it just a Medicinal Pill? My Xuantian Sect's Xuantian Sword Qi is an ancient Legacy, far more powerful than some Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms!"

"But..." The Grand Elder hesitated, "The spies we sent to Beyond Heaven sent back news that Jun Xiaoyao is summoning a new figure again. It's said their strength is comparable to the Void Shattering Realm..."

Daoist Xuantian's pupils shrank suddenly, "Void Shattering? That's impossible! How could the System summon such a Heaven-Defying figure?"

"The spies saw it with their own eyes. A Five-Colored Radiance appeared over the Tianwaitian Headquarters, and the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi fluctuated violently. It must be a phenomenon of a top-tier figure descending." The Grand Elder was full of worry, "Sect Master, we can't wait any longer. If we don't act now, I'm afraid we won't even have a chance to resist."

Daoist Xuantian remained silent for a moment, a look of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes, "Pass my order: summon the envoys of the Seven Great Sacred Lands to discuss matters at the Xuantian Sect in three days. I don't believe that with the combined power of the Seven Great Sacred Lands, we can't handle a single Beyond Heaven!"

*** Tianwaitian Headquarters, study.

Jun Xiaoyao toyed with that nine revolutions soul returning pill. The Medicinal Pill felt warm in his hand, with a faint flow of vitality. Zhao Gao stood to the side and handed over a secret report, "Young Lord, the Xuantian Sect is contacting other Holy Lands, seemingly intending to join forces against us."

"As expected." Jun Xiaoyao put the Medicinal Pill back into the jade bottle, "The Seven Great Sacred Lands have occupied the Central Plains for hundreds of years and formed a long-standing alliance of interests. Since I moved against the Hundred Flowers Valley, they naturally feel threatened."

"Does your subordinate need to make some preparations in advance?" Zhao Gao asked, a flash of killing intent in his eyes.

"No need." Jun Xiaoyao shook his head, "Let them jump out first; it'll be easier to resolve everything at once. By the way, where is the new figure summoned by the System?"

"Waiting in the front hall." Zhao Gao bowed, "The figure summoned this time is extremely powerful. Your subordinate suggests..."

"I know." Jun Xiaoyao stood up, "Let's go see what this 'Void Shattering Realm' expert is truly capable of."

*** In the front hall, a figure stood with his back to the door, dressed in faded white cloth clothes, with a wine gourd hanging at his waist, his form as tall and straight as a pine tree. Hearing footsteps, he slowly turned around. His face was resolute, and his gaze was as sharp as an eagle's. He was precisely the figure just summoned by the System.

[Character Panel automatically unfolds:

Name: Qiao Feng (Xiao Feng)

From the World: demi-gods and semi-devils

Realm: Void Shattering Realm Early Stage

Martial Skills and Cultivation Techniques:

1. Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms: Extremely hard and yang, combining hardness with softness, the palm force can shake heaven and earth.

2. Dog Beating Staff Technique: Exquisite and peerless, ever-changing, the number one staff technique in the world.

3. Seventy-Two Ultimate Skills of Shaolin (Partial): Proficient in several Shaolin stunts, with deep Internal Energy.

Additional Item: Black Iron Dog Beating Staff

Loyalty: 10% (System forced binding)]

Qiao Feng cupped his fists toward Jun Xiaoyao, his voice like a resonant bell, "Qiao Feng greets the Young Lord!"

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the "Void Shattering Realm Early Stage" on the panel, a flash of satisfaction in his eyes. The Void Shattering Realm was already the peak combat power of this continent. Qiao Feng's arrival undoubtedly raised Beyond Heaven's strength to another level.

"Hero Qiao, no need for such formalities." Jun Xiaoyao pointed to a chair nearby, "From now on, you will be an Enshrined Expert of Beyond Heaven, assisting Guo Jing in managing the Martial Hall and training the Luowang Assassins."

Qiao Feng laughed heartily, "Since the Young Lord has given the order, Qiao Feng shall naturally comply. It's just that I have a reckless nature. If I cause any offense, I hope the Young Lord will be magnanimous."

"Hero Qiao's straightforward nature is exactly what my Beyond Heaven needs." Jun Xiaoyao said calmly, "The Xuantian Sect is contacting other Holy Lands, intending to act against my Beyond Heaven. Do you dare accompany me to meet them?"

Qiao Feng patted the wine gourd at his waist, a flash of Battle Intent in his eyes, "Forget the Seven Great Sacred Lands, even if all the heroes of the world were to gather, I, Qiao, would take them on alone!"

*** Three days later, Xuantian Sect's assembly hall.

The Sect Masters of the Seven Great Sacred Lands gathered together, the atmosphere heavy. Daoist Xuantian sat in the main seat and said in a deep voice, "Everyone, Beyond Heaven is ambitious. They annexed the Southern Border and seized the netherworld ore vein. Now they are even bullying the Hundred Flowers Valley. If we allow them to continue developing, within a year, all of our Holy Lands will become their vassals!"

The Master of the Hundred Flowers Valley had a grim face and added, "Jun Xiaoyao's methods are ruthless. For the sake of an assassin, he actually destroyed my pill room and snatched my medicinal herbs. Such behavior is no different from a bandit!"

"In my opinion, we should join forces and wipe them out before their wings are fully grown!" a burly old man said. He was the Abbot of the Vajra Temple, with a fiery temper.

Just then, a Disciple rushed in, "Reporting to the Sect Master, Beyond Heaven has sent someone with a letter!"

Daoist Xuantian took the letter and opened it. His face instantly turned pale. There were only a few words on the letter: "Three days from now, at the Tianwaitian Headquarters, Jun Xiaoyao awaits your instruction. If you do not dare to come, then dissolve your status as Holy Lands and submit to the command of Beyond Heaven."

"Arrogant!" Daoist Xuantian slammed the letter to the ground, "Jun Xiaoyao is provoking us!"

"He's banking on us not daring to go!" the Abbot of the Vajra Temple roared, "We must go, to let him know the power of the Seven Great Sacred Lands!"

The other Sect Masters chimed in, and the assembly hall was filled with righteous indignation. Only Daoist Master Ziyang frowned, faintly feeling that something was fishy—Jun Xiaoyao clearly knew they were going to join forces, so why did he dare to take the initiative to challenge them? Could it be that he had nothing to fear?

*** Tianwaitian Headquarters, Jun Xiaoyao looked at the secret report handed over by Zhao Gao, which recorded the movements of the Seven Great Sacred Lands.

"They've all decided to come?"

"Yes. Except for the Ziyang Sect, which is somewhat hesitant, the other six Holy Lands have already begun to mobilize experts, preparing to 'keep the appointment' in three days," Zhao Gao reported.

A cold smile curled on Jun Xiaoyao's lips, "Good. Guo Jing, Qiao Feng, you two get ready. In three days, let them see what true strength is."

Guo Jing and Qiao Feng responded in unison, "Your subordinates obey!"

Cheng Lingsu stepped forward and handed over several jade bottles, "Young Lord, this is the 'Aura-Dissolving Powder' I newly refined. It can temporarily suppress the Protective Aura of the Land Immortal Realm. It might come in handy."

Jun Xiaoyao took the jade bottles and nodded, "You've been thoughtful."

Outside the window, the winds and clouds gathered. A great battle that would sweep through the entire Jianghu was already on the verge of breaking out. Jun Xiaoyao stood by the window, looking at the distant horizon, his eyes without a trace of ripple. The Seven Great Sacred Lands? In his eyes, they were just seven jumping clowns.

What he wanted were the resources and the right to speak for the entire Jianghu. Those who stood in his way would have only one end—destruction.

Three days from now, at the Tianwaitian Headquarters, blood is destined to flow like a river. And all of this is just the beginning.