16
Beside him, Tian Leizi stepped forward. He had a burly figure, imposing even without anger, and his voice was as loud as a booming bell.
His gaze swept over Xiao Qing like lightning, filled with scrutiny, but even more so with approval and admiration: "Little guy Xiao Qing!"
"Although we did not go to the Ancient Secret Realm in person, you, with the strength of a Dou Zun, managed to withstand the Eight Desolations Destruction Flame and even subdued it!"
"This matter has long reached the ears of us old fellows! You have real strength!"
He had a straightforward personality and did not beat around the bush when praising others.
Xuan Yi was graceful and dignified. Her beautiful eyes turned and landed on Xiao Qing. She smiled slightly, her tone kind:
"That fellow Yao Chen, to be able to take in such a good disciple as you, really makes one envious."
Facing the praise of the three top Giants of the continent, Xiao Qing's expression remained calm. He performed the etiquette of a Junior and spoke clearly and appropriately: "Xiao Qing pays respects to all Seniors!"
"Seniors are too kind with your praise; this Junior truly cannot bear it."
"This Junior's Cultivation is still shallow, and I am still far from the Realm of the Seniors. Only by diligently Cultivating can I not fail the expectations of my teacher and all the Seniors."
This reply of his expressed both respect and humility, causing the Three Great Giants to nod repeatedly, the satisfaction in their eyes growing even stronger.
After the pleasantries, led by the Three Great Giants, the group arrived at the deepest part of the Pill Tower.
Here stood an ancient stone platform, engraved with countless complex and profound runes of the Spatial Power, exuding an ancient and distant aura.
"Yao Chen, young friend Xiao Qing, please."
Xuan Kongzi's expression turned serious. He exchanged a look with Tian Leizi and Xuan Yi, and the three of them began to form hand seals simultaneously.
Spatial Power as vast as the ocean surged from their bodies and poured into the runes on the stone platform.
In an instant, the runes lit up one after another, and a brilliant silver light flared up.
The space in the center of the stone platform began to twist violently, eventually turning into a stable space channel shimmering with flowing light.
Inside the channel, one could see countless space fragments flowing slowly like sand in a galaxy.
However, the faint hissing sound of turbulent space currents, which made one's heart palpitate, could be heard, revealing the hidden dangers within.
"This channel leads directly to the 'Pill Realm'. Grand Elder Lin and the various Senior Elders are already waiting there."
Xuan Kongzi pointed at the channel, his tone solemn.
"Please follow us."
Yao Chen nodded and sent a voice transmission to Xiao Qing: "This channel was jointly constructed by the Three Great Giants and is very stable."
"However, the Law of Space contained within is infinitely profound. It was created by the predecessors of the Pill Tower with painstaking effort. Feel it carefully; it will be of great help to your Cultivation of the Law of Space."
Xiao Qing concentrated and looked toward the channel, his Spirit Realm Great Perfection soul power quietly spreading out.
He carefully perceived the incredibly complex and exquisite spatial structures and laws hidden beneath the seemingly calm silver flowing light.
With his current attainment in the Law of Space, he was already able to faintly capture the deeper rhythms and rules within.
"Yes, teacher, this disciple understands."
He replied in a deep voice, a flash of anticipation and gravity in his eyes.
Xiao Qing followed closely behind Yao Chen and the Three Great Giants, stepping into the path leading to the true core of the Pill Tower.
The space channel of the Pill Realm.
Light and shadow flowed, and space shifted.
A Inheritance and trial concerning the 9th-Rank Alchemist path, and perhaps even higher Realms, was about to slowly unfold within the mysterious Pill Realm.
Chapter 160, Ninth Grade Golden Pill Alchemist Inheritance, First Glimpse of the Heavenly Realm Level!
After stepping into the space channel, the brief dizziness passed, and the scene before his eyes suddenly opened up.
This was not the tower or palace he had imagined, but a vast world independent of the outside world.
The sky was a soft milky white, emitting a warm and gentle light, and the air was filled with an inseparable, rich fragrance of vegetation and ancient medicinal Qi.
Taking a deep breath, he felt his soul become clear, and the circulation of Dou Qi within his body became much smoother.
In the distance were layers of emerald green mountains, with waterfalls and streams, and one could faintly see countless precious medicinal herbs swaying and growing in the valleys.
The age of those medicinal herbs was so ancient that if placed in the outside world, they would be enough to trigger a frantic scramble.
"This is the Pill Realm, also what has always been called the Little Pill Tower by the outside world, the true Foundation of our Pill Tower."
Xuan Kongzi introduced it to Xiao Qing with a tone of pride.
The group landed in front of an ancient, simple cyan stone hall. Several figures were already waiting in front of the hall.
The old man in the lead wore cyan linen clothes, had a kind face, and his entire body exuded the powerful fluctuations belonging to a Heaven Realm Soul.
He was none other than Elder Qinghua of the Little Pill Tower, second only to Grand Elder Lin, the Two-Star Dou Saint; he was an expert whose Cultivation had reached the High-Level Half-Saint level!
As soon as he saw Xiao Qing, his eyes immediately lit up.
Without waiting for others to speak, Elder Qinghua quickly stepped forward, looking Xiao Qing up and down, and let out a sound of admiration:
"Good!"
"What a fine little fellow, with restrained spirit and blood Qi as vigorous as a little Dragon!"
"Yao Chen, you fellow, you have truly had incredible luck to be able to find such a good seedling!"
He turned his head to look at Yao Chen, saying it half-jokingly and half-seriously.
"I see this child has a deep affinity with the Alchemist path; why not let him learn from me for a few years?"
"I will definitely make him surpass you!"
Yao Chen was truly dumbfounded when he heard this and quickly waved his hands:
"Senior Qinghua, you are joking. My disciple is very dull; how would I dare to trouble you to teach him personally."
Although he was already a Dou Sheng, he still maintained respect for Elder Qinghua, this Senior expert of the Pill Tower who was an High-Level Half-Saint.
Xiao Qing was also made a bit embarrassed by this enthusiastic Senior and bowed respectfully: "Junior Xiao Qing has met Senior Qinghua."
"Hmm, not bad."
The more Elder Qinghua looked, the more satisfied he became, and he wanted to say something more.
A peaceful yet supreme and dignified voice came from inside the hall:
"Qinghua, don't scare the young man."
With the voice, an old man wearing coarse linen clothes, with a slightly hunched figure and holding an ordinary wooden staff in his hand, slowly walked out of the hall.
This old man had a thin face, as if he had experienced countless years.
Only those eyes were like a vast starry sky, seemingly able to see through people's hearts and see through everything in the world.
He walked with a slight limp, and one could not feel even a bit of Dou Qi or soul power leaking from his body.
But when his gaze swept over, even Yao Chen unconsciously straightened his back slightly.
This person was the anchor of the Little Pill Tower, the 9th-Rank Alchemist, Two-Star Dou Saint, Grand Elder Lin.
"Grand Elder Lin."
Yao Chen cupped his hands in greeting.
"Grand Elder Lin."
The Three Great Giants and Elder Qinghua all bowed, their expressions very respectful.
Grand Elder Lin nodded slightly, his gaze finally landing on Xiao Qing.
That gaze was very peaceful, yet carried a power of scrutiny that could see directly into the depths of the soul.
Xiao Qing immediately felt an invisible pressure. He took a deep breath, bowed again, and said:
"Junior Xiao Qing pays respects to Grand Elder Lin."
A faint smile appeared on Grand Elder Lin's face, like ripples on an ancient well, and he said:
"That fellow Yao Chen praised you to the high heavens. I have also heard about the matters in the Ancient Secret Realm."
"Young man, you are truly impressive..."
He changed the subject, his tone still flat, yet carrying unquestionable majesty and expectation.
"However, the path of a 9th-Rank Alchemist cannot be traversed by talent alone; it values mental state, perseverance, and the toughness of the soul even more."
"If you want to accept the core Inheritance of our Little Pill Tower, you need to pass a test from me. Are you willing to accept it?"
Xiao Qing's eyes were firm, and without the slightest hesitation, he replied in a deep voice: "This Junior is willing to accept Elder Lin's test!"
"Good."
Grand Elder Lin said no more and gently tapped the wooden staff in his hand on the ground.
Hum!
An invisible soul pressure, with him as the center, silently swept out!
This pressure was not aimed at the physical body, but directly impacted the Origin of the soul!
Spirit Realm Late Stage!
The massive soul pressure descended upon Xiao Qing's soul like a mountain!
Although this pressure belonged to the Spirit Realm Late Stage level.
But when exerted by Grand Elder Lin, whose soul was at the Heavenly Realm Middle Stage, its oppressive feeling far exceeded that of an ordinary Spirit Realm Great Perfection!
It was enough to make even a Spirit Realm Great Perfection soul like Xuan Kongzi feel heavy.
However, Xiao Qing's expression was calm, his body stood as straight as a pine tree, and not even the corner of his clothes moved.
His Spirit Realm Great Perfection soul power was gradually circulating, blocking all of this external soul pressure outside.
A trace of unnoticeable surprise flashed in Grand Elder Lin's eyes, and then the pressure suddenly increased!
Spirit Realm Great Perfection!
The pressure doubled!
Xiao Qing's expression remained unchanged, only deep within his eyes, a crimson-gold flame rune flickered slightly.
"Eh?"
Elder Qinghua, who was watching from the side, let out a soft sound of surprise and exchanged a look of astonishment with several other Little Pill Tower Elders.
The stability of this young man's soul Foundation far exceeded their expectations.
Grand Elder Lin nodded slightly, his thin face showing no expression, but the soul pressure surged again!
Half-step Heavenly Realm!
The pressure at this level had already touched upon a trace of the mystery of a Heaven Realm Soul, carrying a certain suppression in terms of level.
If the three Pill Tower Giants at the Spirit Realm Great Perfection level were facing this soul pressure, it would be absolutely impossible to be as relaxed and at ease as Xiao Qing.
"This child... is truly incredible!"
A Little Pill Tower Elder with white hair and beard couldn't help but whisper in admiration.
"His soul is so condensed, his will as firm as a rock; no wonder he could have such a performance in the Ancient Secret Realm."
Another Elder also began to nod in agreement.
Actually, at this point, the test had already been passed.
But in Grand Elder Lin's deep eyes, a spark of inquiry ignited.
He wanted to see, where exactly was the limit of this young man, who was placed with high hopes by Yao Chen and thought so highly of by Qinghua?
The next moment, the vast, ocean-like soul pressure suddenly underwent a qualitative change!
Heavenly Realm Early Stage!
Boom!
It was as if the entire world had pressed down!
It was no longer an accumulation of quantity, but a leap in level!
A level of suppression originating from the Origin of the soul made Xiao Qing instantly feel a wave of dizziness in his mind.
It felt as if his soul was about to break free from the constraints of his body, and be crushed by this power!