Xiao Chen brought the Transcendent Grade Soul Ascension Pill to Sect Master Yuan.
Seeing the pill, Sect Mater Yuan asked "What kind of pill is this? Why do I feel Heavenly energy resides in the pill?"
"It's Transcendent Grade 3 Soul Ascension Pill," said Xiao Chen
Sect Master Yuan and Elder Le nearly choked in disbelief at the revelation. "This means that the only person capable of creating Transcendent quality pills, in the Verdant Sky Empire is none other than Sect Elder Xiao Chen." His shock was palpable as the implications of this realization sank in.
This also indicated that Xiao Chen's insights and techniques in alchemy were far superior. His ability to refine a Transcendent Grade pill, a feat beyond even the most esteemed alchemists, set him apart as a prodigy in the art. Such skill not only highlighted his natural talent but also suggested a deep understanding of the principles of alchemy that others had yet to grasp.
For a brief moment, Sect Master Yuan contemplated hiding Xiao Chen away. This young alchemist had single-handedly elevated the entire sect with each groundbreaking step he took. The thought of losing such a pivotal asset to jealousy or rivalry weighed heavily on his mind. If word of Xiao Chen's extraordinary talent spread, it could attract unwanted attention from other sects or even powerful factions seeking to exploit or eliminate him.
Now aware that it was a Transcendent-level pill, Sect Master Yuan hesitated to accept it. Despite its Grade, no alchemist had yet achieved a Transcendent quality in their craft. Even Liu Feng, the renowned 9th Star alchemist from the Alchemist Association who is one of the elders of a prestigious institution overseeing all alchemy schools, had never managed to create a pill of such quality. The General Rule of Alchemy world was, currently Perfect grade is the limit.
The weight of Xiao Chen's accomplishment loomed large in the air, making the sect master acutely aware of the significance and potential consequences of this pill.
After some persuasion by Xiao Chen and Elder Le, Sect Master Yuan swallowed the Soul Ascension Pill, it dissolved instantly, releasing its potent energy into his meridians. A surge of qi flooded his body, more intense than any he had experienced before. This energy was pure, refined, and vast compared to lower-quality pills, Now those pills felt chaotic or unbalanced pills when compared to the Transcendent level pill.
To put it simply, all the pills he'd taken before now felt like trash in comparison. Xiao Chen had completely spoiled him with the Transcendent pill.
The pill's essence began to spread throughout his body, like rivers of spiritual light flowing through his meridians, nourishing his organs, blood, and soul. The energy purified his qi, washing away impurities, and expanding his internal dantian, which was already pushed to its limits before the breakthrough.
Sect master Yuan could feel his soul core solidifying, becoming denser and more refined.
His dantian expanded to a new level, accommodating a sea of qi far greater than before. His divine sense erupted outward, covering vast distances, allowing him to sense the subtle movements of qi and energy in the world around him.
Xiao Chen and Elder Le, who stood nearby, could sense the profound changes in Sect Master Yuan after his breakthrough.
Grateful for the Transcendent Grade Soul Ascension Pill, Sect Master Yuan expressed his thanks to Xiao Chen. He felt that to him the breakthrough to Soul Transformation Realm was as effortless as drinking water, all thanks to the pill he had received from Xiao Chen.
"Xiao Chen, at first I believed the surge in Qi within our sect was solely due to your Golden Lotus Array, but it seems I was only half correct."
Xiao Chen was caught off guard by Sect Master Yuan's sudden remark
"After the breakthrough, I can sense the surrounding energy much more clearly. There are two spiritual veins beneath us, though they're buried quite deep. Previously, due to a small surface leak and my cultivation level at the time, I couldn't detect them. Your formation has been drawing Spiritual Qi from these veins, which explains the sudden surge in Qi and why we've all been able to cultivate more rapidly.
Now that I've broken through to the Soul Transformation realm, I can faintly sense the presence of these spiritual veins," said Sect Master Yuan.
"It may feel advantageous now, but without sufficient strength to protect them, these spiritual veins will only bring calamity to our sect," Sect Master Yuan said gravely.
Xiao Chen agreed with what Master Yuan said
Only sects with substantial power can claim ownership of spiritual veins. These veins accelerate the cultivation of disciples, allowing them to surpass their peers from other sects, attracting more disciples, and raising the sect's prestige. But these spiritual veins serve more than just cultivation purposes. When solidified, they are mined and used as currency in the martial world. Because of this, spiritual veins are coveted by countless forces. If word gets out about the spiritual veins beneath Mo Sect, with our current strength, the sect would be completely wiped out.
Xiao Chen pondered for a while thinking of a solution, Since formation brings out spiritual Qi, the simple solution is to make amends to formation.
"I have a solution for that " saying that he went around changing array flags and materials, Now he changed the Dual property of Array to Only Defensive property dropping Qi gathering ability, on top of it he added another spiritual concealment array to hide spiritual veins from prying sense of others. It can be now called the Golden Defensive Lotus Array.
He requested the Sect leader's assistance in finding a room or space situated above the spiritual veins. They discovered an abandoned room on the surface that happened to lie along the path of the spiritual vein.
He retrieved some materials from the vault and established a Dragon Vein Spirit Gathering Formation within the room.
They now use the room as a cultivation chamber, which boasts a tenfold increase in Qi. Each individual is allotted specific time slots to ensure there are no future conflicts.
Sect Leader Yuan and Elder Le were pleased with Xiao Chen's idea and backed his thought process. Elder Le further suggested, "In the future, you can use this chamber by exchanging Sect credit points for a set period of time."
Xiao Chen nodded in approval.
Suddenly, the surrounding disciples sensed a noticeable decrease in Qi. Concerned, they rushed over to where Elder Le, the Sect Master, and Xiao Chen had gathered, fearing something had gone wrong. After the Sect Master explained the situation, everyone agreed it was the best course of action for the Sect and Congratulated the Sect Master for the breakthrough to Soul Transformation Realm.
After the other disciples went their ways, Elder Le hesitantly asked Xiao Chen for a Soul Ascension Pill to help him achieve his breakthrough later.
Xiao Chen agreed and went back to his room, suddenly he thought of his amulet and tried to scan using AI, unlike formation inheritance, he was unable to find anything. He kept the keepsake back in the spatial ring.
The following day, an emissary and Other disciples from the Emei Sect arrived at the Mo Sect to deliver the Dragon Bloodline Pill and the coordinates to the lower realm. Upon their arrival, Sect Master Yuan personally greeted the emissary and welcomed them into the main pavilion.
"Greetings, Sect Master Yuan. I am Liu Yu from the Emei Sect, here to deliver the prize for the winner," Liu Yu announced.
She was taken aback by Sect Master Yuan's cultivation level; it had been reported that he was in the mid-Nascent Soul Realm, but the man before her was actually in the early Soul Transformation Realm.
As she entered, the emissary was momentarily stunned by the sight of the Golden Defensive Lotus Array. Although she couldn't identify it, she was thoroughly impressed by its strength and craftsmanship. It was one of the finest grade 3 defensive arrays she had ever seen, designed with techniques thought to be long lost.
"How could the Mo Sect acquire such a formation, even if it's only grade 3? It seems made using the long-lost technique, Did they have any inheritance related to formation" she pondered as she advanced further.
She noticed a subtle fluctuation in the surrounding Qi but couldn't pinpoint its source, as it was cleverly concealed by a Spiritual Concealment Array. "The Mo Sect is hiding something. I must inform the Sect Master."
Though her official mission was to present the prizes, Liu Yu had another, more discreet task - to investigate the Mo Sect. Recent intelligence had reported strange phenomena occurring around the sect, and she was determined to uncover the truth.
The others who had accompanied Liu Yu were given accommodations near the disciples' quarters. Meanwhile, Liu Yu accepted an invitation to the main pavilion for tea with Sect Master Yuan. As they sat together, they engaged in conversation about the current martial affairs and discussed the Turbid Sands Realm, the world the Emei Sect had presented.
The Turbid Sands Realm is a mineral-rich desert world, teeming with resources yet fraught with danger. Its inhabitants are the formidable large Sand Worms, creatures of varying cultivation levels. These massive beings burrow through the sands, creating shifting dunes and treacherous terrain. Their sheer size and strength make them a significant threat to any cultivators who dare to explore the realm, as some possess formidable spiritual abilities that can challenge even the most seasoned warriors. Navigating this realm requires not only skill but also a deep understanding of the unique challenges posed by its native Sandworms.
During the discussion, Liu Yu subtly attempted to probe for more information. With a delicate mix of charm and a slight hint of seduction, she tried to draw out any hidden details from the Sect Master Yuan. Her true intentions were to uncover any secrets the Mo Sect might be concealing, all while maintaining a polite and graceful demeanor.