Chapter 521: Xiao Xuan's Considerations
After deciding their course of action, Xiao Ze began to recall the ninth-grade pill recipes he had mastered. As treasures comparable to heavenly martial arts, even Xiao Ze had only a few ninth-grade pill recipes at his disposal. While he had some recipes for ninth-grade treasure pills, those for ninth-grade mystical pills were few and far between. One was the highly adaptable Thunder Tribulation Pill he acquired from the Pill Tower, which varied in quality based on the strength of the thunder used in its creation. The pinnacle of this pill, created with Nine Mystical Golden Thunder, was a ninth-grade mystical pill that had helped Xiao Yan advance from mid to late Dou Sheng, bridging a vast gap in power.
However, Xiao Ze currently lacked access to Nine Mystical Golden Thunder, and the Black Demon Thunder he had gathered, even if used entirely for Thunder Tribulation Pills, would hardly reach the level of a ninth-grade mystical pill. The qualitative gap between Black Demon Thunder and Nine Mystical Golden Thunder was too significant to overcome by sheer quantity.
Another recipe in Xiao Ze's possession was another ninth-grade mystical pill recipe from the Pill Tower. The current Pill Tower master was himself a variant of a ninth-grade mystical pill. After becoming chairman of the Pill Tower, Xiao Ze gained access to this recipe, which he planned to use.
In the original story, even as the top alchemist under the public eye, Yao Chen only had access to two ninth-grade treasure pill recipes. Ninth-grade mystical pill recipes were almost impossible to find, a level of rarity that even Yao Chen, as a Medicine Saint, could not access. But Xiao Ze, being a genuine Medicine Saint and head of the Pill Tower, had resources far beyond what Yao Chen could imagine.
Thus, not only did Xiao Ze have a ninth-grade mystical pill recipe, but he also had gathered all the necessary heavenly materials and treasures needed for it. With time to spare in the Heavenly Tomb, he decided to attempt the creation of the pill. With more than a year before he had to leave the tomb, there was enough time to try making the pill twice if needed.
However, creating a ninth-grade mystical pill required an exceptional location, which he would choose near Xiao Xuan's mausoleum and would consult the ancestor due to previous reasons. For now, he had to focus on challenges from other Dou Sheng-level beings and return to the mausoleum later.
Boom! Sensing a terrifying disturbance from afar, an elder dressed in green robes beneath the earth shook his head, "Better avoid provoking them."
He was relieved he had fled into the earth to escape earlier. In addition to the formidable Dou Sheng who wielded the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, there was another terrifying Dou Sheng likely a descendant of Xiao Xuan causing upheaval in the third layer of the tomb. The previous display of thunder and fire was still fresh in his memory. Two Dou Shengs of similar strength had fallen quickly in that realm of thunder and fire.
Despite the tomb's suppression of powerful beings, who would dare to act against a descendant of Xiao Xuan? They were unapproachable and better avoided unless one wanted to find themselves with no escape, facing a fearsome power respected even by the spirit of the tomb itself.
Soon after, Xiao Ze and Xun'er returned to Xiao Xuan's mausoleum. Their ability to sense was too keen; especially after the fall of the two soul clan Dou Shengs, other Dou Shengs were even more wary, yielding little gain for Xiao Ze and Xun'er. Forced by circumstances, they returned to the mausoleum.
Upon reaching the ancient stele, Xun'er hesitated, nervously holding Xiao Ze's hand. "It's alright, I'm here," Xiao Ze comforted her, helping her relax.
They touched the stele, and in a flash, they were inside the mausoleum. Xiao Xuan, hands clasped behind his back, greeted them, "Not much of a harvest, right? Those Dou Sheng-level beings are highly intelligent, knowing when to avoid danger is why they have survived so long in the third layer."
Seeing that Xiao Xuan did not mention their earlier discretion, both Xiao Ze and Xun'er relaxed. "Indeed, those Dou Shengs, once they conceal their aura and hide beneath the tomb's surface, are undetectable even by soul powers at the peak of the Heavenly Realm," Xiao Ze replied somewhat helplessly.
"Do you need my help? Though the tomb's suppression is strong, dealing with a few Dou Shengs is still well within my capacity."
"I wouldn't want to trouble the ancestor. I plan to refine a ninth-grade mystical pill; the gains from this period should suffice for Xun'er's cultivation," Xiao Ze declined respectfully.
Xiao Xuan's eyebrows raised slightly. Even in his era, a master capable of crafting a ninth-grade mystical pill was among the pinnacle of alchemists. If Xiao Ze could truly create such a pill, it would mean he had reached the zenith of alchemy in this era.
Sensing Xiao Ze's soul realm, Xiao Xuan hesitated but chose not to speak. Although Xiao Ze's soul realm had reached the peak of the Heavenly Realm and was still advancing rapidly, it was crucial not to rush things concerning the soul. Waiting for Xiao Ze's soul realm to hit a bottleneck before using the tomb spirit's soul origin might be a better choice. Considering Xiao Ze's relationship with Xun'er, gaining permission to re-enter the tomb later shouldn't be difficult.
Unaware of Xiao Xuan's quick deliberation, Xiao Ze formally requested, "Ancestor, I wish to refine a ninth-grade mystical pill here; I hope it won't disturb you."
"Ha, no trouble at all. I'd like to witness the creation of a ninth-grade mystical pill myself!"
(End of Chapter 521)
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