The green lotus leaf was indeed worthy of being the heaven and earth treasure that birthed the Green Lotus Core Flame. Its toughness far surpassed ordinary medicinal ingredients.
Gu Changqing swallowed a green lotus seed to replenish himself, all the while urging the multicolored flames in his control. Only then was he able to refine the green lotus leaf.
Recently, his strength had increased to the fourth layer of the Foundation Establishment realm, comparable to a Dou King in Dou Qi cultivation. Part of this growth was due to his own cultivation, another portion came from dual cultivation with Queen Medusa, and a significant part was from absorbing the energy of the Green Lotus Core Flame.
Queen Medusa, a powerhouse at the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment realm, had been aiding Gu Changqing through their dual cultivation. Gu Changqing, mastering the technique, naturally benefited from this, although it required him to expend vast amounts of life essence to assist in her evolution.
Now, after consuming another green lotus seed—each containing the energy condensed over a century from the lotus flower—Gu Changqing not only replenished his energy after alchemy but also refined his body further, increasing his strength.
Thus, his cultivation naturally advanced to the fifth layer of Foundation Establishment.
With this increase in power, Gu Changqing's pill refinement became even smoother. He descended to the ground, placing the refined green liquid from the lotus leaf into the Black Demon Cauldron, followed by the pre-prepared medicinal ingredients, which he added in specific sequences. The materials fused harmoniously with the lotus liquid.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and during this time, Gu Changqing consumed another green lotus seed to replenish the Dou Qi he had expended. He then began the critical step of forming the pill.
Gu Changqing employed the unusual Nine Star Pearl Condensation technique. First, he split the fused "medicine clump" into nine portions, making them revolve and merge with one another repeatedly.
This process, though lengthy, greatly enhanced the efficacy of the final product, boosting the pill's quality significantly.
Another six days went by in the blink of an eye.
Just as the serpentfolk began to suspect that Gu Changqing might have failed in his alchemy, the sky above their sacred city darkened. Thunderclouds gathered swiftly, and the sound of rumbling echoed across the land.
"Not good! It's Pill Lightning!"
"A phenomenon like this only occurs when a seventh-tier pill is being refined! We underestimated this human's capabilities!"
"All serpentfolk, retreat from the central area of the city! Prepare to withstand the Pill Lightning!"
The serpentfolk leaders, the Eight Commanders, were stunned. They had not expected Gu Changqing's alchemy to summon such a grand heavenly phenomenon. The skies were clearly signaling the birth of a seventh-tier pill!
Pill Lightning only descended during the creation of seventh-tier pills and above. While the existence of stronger tiers was known, such events were far beyond what the serpentfolk had ever witnessed.
"All serpentfolk below Dou Spirit, evacuate the sacred city! Everyone else, form the defensive formation!"
Queen Medusa personally stepped forward to direct the preparations. Her expression was serious, but within her eyes, excitement gleamed.
This human was indeed a great asset for the serpentfolk—a seventh-tier alchemist was a rare treasure, even in the vast and prosperous Central Plains. To have him ally with them was a blessing she couldn't let slip away.
At that moment, deep within the Tagor Desert, four powerful figures moved silently, watching the events unfold in the sacred city.
These were the true powerhouses of the serpentfolk—the Four Elders, all of them peak Dou Emperor experts. They rarely interfered with the tribe's affairs, only emerging in times of great crisis or monumental events, such as when Queen Medusa was with child.
Now, the emergence of a seventh-tier pill was enough to warrant their attention.
Queen Medusa flew to Gu Changqing's side, ready to help him resist the Pill Lightning.
However, Gu Changqing merely glanced at her and said coldly, "Return."
Queen Medusa's eyes narrowed. "Do you think you alone can withstand the Pill Lightning from a seventh-tier pill?!"
The weakest Pill Lightning from such a pill was equivalent to a full-powered strike from a five-star Dou Ancestor. Even the most skilled alchemists who could refine seventh-tier pills rarely did so without protection, which is why so many sought the backing of powerful clans for support.
"Stop wasting your breath and go clean yourself up. Wait for me obediently—my patience is running thin," Gu Changqing's gaze unabashedly roamed over Queen Medusa's voluptuous figure, as if his internal fire had become uncontrollable. Over the past nine days, he had consumed three green lotus seeds, raising his cultivation to the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment. However, the immense energy from the seeds had ignited an even greater desire within him.
"Bastard! You'll die from overindulgence in women one day!"
Queen Medusa cursed as she stormed away.
At that very moment, the first bolt of brilliant Pill Lightning descended from the heavens, like a dragon crashing toward the Black Demon Cauldron.
"Slash!"
Gu Changqing raised a shimmering azure sword, slashing upward with a single stroke.
The multicolored sword energy cleaved the heavens, clashing head-on with the Pill Lightning.
A fierce explosion ensued, the sword energy obliterating the lightning bolt in a shower of sparks. The serpentfolk below stood dumbfounded as they witnessed Gu Changqing's sword shatter the Pill Lightning.
Before they could recover, a second bolt of even more radiant Pill Lightning descended, targeting the Black Demon Cauldron once more.
"Skyward Domain, open!"
With a low cry, Gu Changqing thrust his sword skyward. An invisible force seemed to pull the very heavens down, forming a massive energy barrier above the cauldron.
Boom!
The Pill Lightning collided with the energy barrier, shaking the entire serpentfolk city. Even the ground beneath them trembled.
The lightning scattered, breaking apart the barrier as the energy dissipated.
But before anyone could catch their breath, a third and even more dazzling bolt of Pill Lightning tore through the sky, hurtling toward the cauldron with unstoppable force.
It was clear now that Gu Changqing wasn't merely refining an ordinary seventh-tier pill—this was a high-grade or even peak-level seventh-tier pill, capable of summoning three incredibly powerful bolts of lightning.
"Let's see just how strong you are, Heavenly Pill Lightning!"
As Queen Medusa prepared to rally the serpentfolk and activate their defensive formation to help Gu Changqing, she was stunned to see him roar defiantly and charge directly toward the descending bolt of lightning.
"You're insane! Get back here!"
Queen Medusa's expression changed as she shouted in anger, her body instinctively following after him.
"He's mad! He's actually going to face Pill Lightning head-on!"
"Shit, is he trying to get himself killed?!"
"Has he lost his mind? Get back!"
The Eight Commanders of the serpentfolk tribe also paled, realizing the terrifying force contained within the final bolt. It was equivalent to the full strength of a seven-star Dou Zong! Facing it alone was nothing short of suicidal.