Chapter 176
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Chapter 176: The Pill is Complete! A Sufficient Amount
The requirements for the Mountain River Pill Refining Technique were exceedingly stringent. Even Yi Qianqiu, who had devoted his entire life to collecting this supreme alchemical art, traversed the vast Southern Region in search of a location suitable for the Mountain River Pill Furnace. He scoured the land for the perfect flames and captured the Dragon Cow. Everything was set, but at the crucial moment, he suffered a backlash from the Dragon Cow, narrowly escaping death.
He could not bear the thought of his lifelong efforts being wasted due to the lack of a final step.
Thus, even when struck by the Dragon Cow’s backlash, he chose to protect this place, preserving the chance to restart the process. This decision left him beyond the help of sacred life water; he could only sustain his life and seek other means for recovery.
Despite his condition, he was eager to witness the extraordinary divine pill that the Mountain River Pill Refining Technique could produce.
Without his direct control, the celestial pill he once aspired to create was out of reach, and even a holy pill was a challenge. Yet, he was confident that, under his guidance, a pill nearly as potent as a holy pill could be produced, thanks to the Mountain River Pill Refining Technique.
Moreover, the abundance of materials in Zhang Yang’s possession made him wonder if Zhang Yang had plundered several alchemists.
Zhang Yang, however, was generous and allowed Yi Qianqiu to use whatever was necessary.
Under Yi Qianqiu’s guidance, Yuluan began her preparations.
Zhang Yang assisted the Ironback Blue Bull in severing the Dragon Cow’s horns.
The Dragon Cow was no more, but its horns remained.
Most of its body had deteriorated, yet the horns, resembling dragon horns, still contained the Dragon Cow’s insights, which would greatly benefit the Ironback Blue Bull.
With this task completed, the Ironback Blue Bull carried Yi Qianqiu to the summit of the Mountain River Pill Furnace.
Zhang Yang and Yuluan followed.
They finalized Yi Qianqiu’s enhancements to the Mountain River Pill Furnace and ascended to the top.
From their vantage point, they could see all the Snow Guards and some members of the Wolf King Guard Squad.
Ling Yue, Xu Li, and Lang Xiaotian approached to greet them.
Now, it was Yi Qianqiu’s turn to direct the alchemical process.
He issued a series of commands, and everyone sprang into action.
Upon learning that Zhang Yang could unleash the Baxiang Divine Fire, Yi Qianqiu instructed him to pour a substantial amount into the Mountain River Pill Furnace, which roared to life.
At Yi Qianqiu’s behest, Yuluan performed a secret technique to weave sunlight into a furnace lid.
From the vast array of materials Zhang Yang had provided, she selected one hundred thirty-seven types, totaling over two thousand items, and cast them into the furnace.
The sunlight furnace lid sealed the opening.
Yuluan, Ling Yue, Xu Li, and the others worked together to activate the process.
This was the essence of pill refining.
Though Yi Qianqiu was not personally refining the pills, he remained anxious, frequently rising to observe. His frail body worsened his condition, yet his spirit remained undeterred.
Pill refining was no simple task; it was a complex and demanding process where even the smallest error could lead to failure.
However, the Mountain River Pill Refining Technique differed from conventional alchemy. Most of its power was embedded within the Mountain River Pill Furnace itself, allowing Yi Qianqiu to attempt pill refining despite his weakened state.
Time crept by.
Yi Qianqiu’s focus was razor-sharp; he watched intently, barely breathing.
Lang Xiaotian and his men maintained a defensive perimeter.
Zhang Yang stood nearby, indifferent to the art of pill refining, caring only about the healing pills that might result—since they represented a significant portion of his wealth.
Mo City had yielded a bountiful harvest, with many valuable items brought back to the Vast Forest, though a portion had been left behind.
Combined with earlier acquisitions from the Vast Forest and the spoils from Ghost City, his collection was astounding—enough to astonish even Yi Qianqiu.
Yet, the immeasurable divine treasures expended during his first Ascending to Heaven calamity had been substantial.
The materials used this time nearly depleted his reserves. Should the pill refining fail, he felt as though his heart would bleed.
This preoccupation made it difficult for him to focus on making breakthroughs.
An hour passed, and the pill refining continued.
Two hours later, the process was still underway.
Three hours in, Zhang Yang noticed a flicker of confusion on Yi Qianqiu’s face, which heightened his own anxiety.
Even Yuluan, Ling Yue, and Xu Li, who were diligently performing the secret techniques as instructed, grew restless.
Yet, the pill furnace continued to roar within.
Unnoticed, night descended.
Before they realized it, dawn had broken.
As the eastern sky lightened, Yi Qianqiu, already severely weakened, consumed six healing pills to maintain his alertness.
The moment the purple energy of dawn appeared, he sprang to his feet, disregarding his grave injuries and frail state, and reached into the air with reckless abandon.
Tendrils of purple energy descended softly into the furnace.
Yi Qianqiu, like a phoenix reborn, stepped forward. After careful observation, he reached out, drawing strands of light from the void and the depths of the earth. Like dragons, they coiled and surged into the Mountain River Pill Furnace.
Finally, he raised his hands and forcefully struck the sunlit furnace lid.
Crack!
The furnace lid shattered, releasing a radiant, seven-colored morning light from within.
Boom!
The Mountain River Pill Furnace quaked violently, and myriad Forbidden Law Patterns unexpectedly unveiled scenes of mountains and rivers.
Zhang Yang peered intently. Though he could not see clearly, he discerned colorful mists rising, morphing into dragons that swirled inside—a chaotic dragon dance.
Yi Qianqiu clenched his teeth, formed hand seals, and struck down with force.
The Mountain River Pill Furnace trembled intensely.
All the light and hues within, along with the flames beneath the earth, converged into the furnace’s base.
Following a thunderous roar, a delightful fragrance emanated from within.
Dazzling divine light burst forth, transforming the sky into a vibrant spectacle.
Zhang Yang inhaled the fragrant pill aroma, feeling invigorated, as if on the verge of transcendence. If he felt this way, the others must have felt it even more profoundly.
“It worked! It worked!”
Yi Qianqiu excitedly pointed at the Mountain River Pill Furnace, but before he could say another word, his vision darkened, and he collapsed into Zhang Yang’s arms.
Completely drained, he fell into unconsciousness, his vitality fading fast.
Zhang Yang immediately administered a drop of sacred life water.
After some time, Yi Qianqiu slowly regained consciousness. His first words were, “Where are my pills? Where are my pills?”
Zhang Yang sighed, recognizing the depth of Yi Qianqiu’s obsession with alchemy—so deep that he disregarded his own life.
He quickly dispatched Ling Yue and Xu Li to retrieve the pills.
Before long, the two returned, their faces filled with excitement and joy, each carrying ten jade bottles.
“There are three types of pills, totaling over nine hundred healing pills.”
They placed the bottles before Yi Qianqiu.
Yi Qianqiu sniffed and examined them, a hint of color returning to his pale face. His weak voice trembled with excitement: “Ten Dragon Pills! Three hundred and seven Dragon Bone Pills! Five hundred and ninety-one Dragon Spirit Pills! Excellent! Excellent! My near-fatal efforts were not in vain—I succeeded! I succeeded! Hahaha…”
He laughed heartily—before fainting once more.
Everyone rushed to revive him.
Yi Qianqiu weakly raised his hand and pointed at Yuluan. “You—take ten Dragon Pills.”
“W-What?” Yuluan was startled.
Yi Qianqiu smiled. “Your bloodline is special. I sensed it the moment I first saw you. It resonates with the dragon fire here. You were too caught up in the excitement to notice. If your bloodline is strong enough, taking ten Dragon Pills will awaken it. If not, they will still enhance your transformation, allowing you to undergo a profound change in martial arts. From now on, you will soar to the skies like a dragon and proudly roar across the Southern Region!”
