Apex was puzzled as to why Shen Tang would have any association with a sect like the Giga Flower Sect. The only plausible reason Apex could think of was the impending war the Tang family was preparing for, and they intended to use the Giga Flower Sect as expendable pawns.
"Apex, do you know who it is?" Cheng Li asked, observing Apex's motionless state.
"Yes. It's Shen Tang, the Head of the Tang Family," replied Apex.
The group gasped in shock. If their sect was receiving assistance, they expected it to come from a considerably powerful figure, not someone like Shen Tang, who was among the strongest individuals in the Lower Realms.
"What! Why would Shen Tang be at our Giga Flower Sect?!" Long Qui exclaimed, expressing confusion.
"I suspect it's because they are gearing up for war and have chosen to use the Giga Flower Sect as cannon fodder," explained Apex.
The mention of the term "cannon fodder" caused their expressions to turn grim.
"That explains why we've been receiving more help than usual, but why would our Sect Master agree to such a thing?" Du Lei struggled to accept the idea that their Sect Master would willingly sacrifice disciples' lives.
"He might be coerced by the Tang Family or tempted with an irresistible offer. I'll investigate further, but for now, let's return to the sect before sunrise," Apex suggested.
The group nodded in agreement and handed their bags of items to Apex. Apex stored the items within a storage space that was embedded when constructing its body.
Upon reaching the sect, the four disciples bid farewell to Apex and engaged in a conversation amongst themselves, discussing what they had learned before seeking rest.
Meanwhile, Apex retreated to the forest and retrieved the bags containing the items. Apex spread out all the items on the ground, focusing on collecting the cores first.
Apex needed 1,260,000 Qi to break through to the peak of Spirit Apprentice. With the 7th, 5th, 4th stage cores, Apex anticipated nearing the breakthrough.
1,300,000 / 2,560,000
Apex inserted the 4th core into the opening in its stomach.
+ 72,000
Apex proceeded to insert the 5th Stage Core as well.
+ 144,000
Next came the largest core Apex had ever used, the 7th Stage Core.
+ 576,000
Lastly, Apex used the remaining 2nd stage cores.
+ 18,000
+ 18,000
2,128,000 / 2,560,000
Within seconds, Apex absorbed 828,000 Qi. The substantial amount of Qi caused its body to emit a blue glow for a much longer duration compared to the previous absorption.
Anyone witnessing this would be astounded by Apex's extraordinary abilities.
The glowing subsided after three minutes, and Apex returned to its usual red color. With the Qi absorption complete, Apex focused on the materials, particularly those capable of forging Mid Grade Pills.
[Moonfire Herb]
[Frost Lotus]
[Thunderroot Herb]
[Serpentbane]
[Essencebloom]
[Harmonic Fern]
With such a plentiful supply of Mid Grade materials and herbs, Apex could produce two Mid Grade Pills.
Using the same opening where Apex inserted the cores, it placed the three ingredients: Moonfire Herb, Frost Lotus, and Thunderroot Herb.
As the ingredients settled within the opening, Apex's red glow transformed into a bright orange hue. A few seconds later, the opening revealed a small orange pill, no larger than a thumbnail.
Apex examined the pill closely.
[Mid Grade Pill][Purity: 100%]
[500% Increase in Qi Absorption]
[Small Increase In Chances of Enlightenment]
Though this may appear deceptively simple, what Apex achieved was unprecedented. Most pills, regardless of grade, typically had a purity of around 30%, which diminished their effectiveness. Even creating a pill with 50% purity would make one an incredibly talented alchemist, and Apex had created a pill with 100% purity in mere seconds.
Hence, the Mid Grade Pill Apex produced surpassed the quality of most High Grade Pills and even surpassed any Supreme Pill below 10% purity.
And creating pills of Mid Grade or higher required a larger number of skilled alchemists, and depending on their abilities, the process could take several days.
This was one of the reasons Apex had constructed this new body. Its previous form lacked the capability to create pills and absorb cores.
Apex repeated the process with the remaining three ingredients. After a few seconds, the next pill was completed, colored green.
[Mid Grade Pill][Purity: 100%]
[500% Increase in Qi Absorption]
[Small Increase In Chances of Enlightenment]
Apex stored the pills in its storage to give to Cheng Li and Long Qui, as they had brought most of the materials.
While Apex could use the pills to easily reach the peak of Spirit Apprentice, it was more beneficial if the four disciples used them instead, as it would facilitate Apex's task.
With dawn approaching, Apex changed back to its human form with black hair and golden eyes. It flew to Tang City and waited outside the Black Pearl for Yu Xin, only to notice a new guard in place. It seemed that the previous guard had either quit or been dismissed.
The guard noticed Apex standing outside the Black Pearl and reacted aggressively.
"This is not a place for children to loiter around. Scram, or I won't be polite!" warned the guard, growing angrier when Apex remained unmoved. He was about to attack Apex when a beautiful voice intervened.
"Stop. He's with me," Hu Xin said, appearing and chastising the guard, who immediately dropped to his knees and apologized to Apex.
Apex, unaffected by the guard's initial hostility, accepted his apology.
Hu Xin escorted Apex into the Black Pearl and guided him to Yu Xin's room. Upon entering without permission, they found Yu Xin seated in a green robe, enjoying her breakfast.
Upon seeing Apex, she smiled and greeted him.
"Good morning, Zhou Fan! Join me and Hu Xin for breakfast."
"Good morning, Yu Xin and Hu Xin. I would be honored to have breakfast with both of you," Apex replied, bowing before taking a seat at the small circular table meant for four.
However, before Apex could inquire further, it asked a question. "Why do you eat food? As a Spirit Lord, you don't require sustenance other than Qi."
Yu Xin nodded and explained, "That's true, but this is no ordinary food. It's Spiritual Food infused with abundant Qi, which aids in cultivation."
As Yu Xin glanced at Apex, she noticed a significant change from the previous day. Astonished, she spat out her food and exclaimed, "What! You've already reached the 9th Stage!"