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His expression turned solemn for the first time, fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead, his body swaying slightly.
Just at this moment!
Hum!
A surge of majestic crimson-gold Qi and blood, like a dormant volcano suddenly erupting, violently swept out from Xiao Qing's body!
The Qi and blood, like a rainbow, surged directly toward the milky white sky of the Pill Realm.
The heat and power contained within it had shockingly reached the Half-Saint level!
This crimson-gold Qi and blood did not collide blindly; instead, it fused perfectly with Xiao Qing's Spirit Realm Great Perfection soul power!
With the soul as the guide and Qi and blood as the Foundation, it transformed into a tough barrier interwoven with crimson-gold, forcefully resisting the hierarchical pressure from the Heaven Realm Soul!
The two invisible forces collided fiercely within a radius of more than a zhang around Xiao Qing's body, causing the space to emit faint distortions and humming sounds!
"A Half-Saint level physical body?!"
"At the Dou Zun Realm, he actually cultivated his physical body to this extent?!"
This time, even Xuan Kongzi and the other two, along with the other Elders in the Little Pill Tower, could not help but exclaim in shock, their faces filled with disbelief.
They were very clear about what a Half-Saint physical body meant; it was a Body Refining achievement almost impossible to reach at the Dou Zun Realm!
Elder Qinghua was so excited he almost jumped up, looking at Xiao Qing as if he were looking at a peerless treasure.
Yao Chen was on the side, his heart surging like a stormy sea.
He was not only surprised that Elder Lin had actually used Heaven Realm Soul pressure, but even more pleased with Xiao Qing's way of responding.
Combining the Qi and blood power of a Half-Saint physical body with soul power to resist higher-level soul pressure in this way.
This kind of on-the-spot adaptability and control over one's own power had already far surpassed his peers.
Even many veteran Half-Saint powerhouses might not necessarily have such Comprehension.
He nodded secretly, knowing that his disciple had not only passed the test but also displayed potential that even the old monster Lin had to be moved by.
On the calm, unruffled face of Grand Elder Lin, a trace of genuine surprise and undisguised admiration finally appeared.
He took a deep look at Xiao Qing, and the Heaven Realm Soul pressure that had surged like a tide instantly vanished without a trace; it came quickly and went just as quickly.
As the pressure dissipated, Xiao Qing's body swayed, his face turned slightly pale, and his aura was somewhat chaotic.
But he immediately steadied his figure, his eyes even brighter than before.
The confrontation under the extreme pressure just now seemed to have refined away the impurities in his soul.
Making his soul power even purer and cleaner, and he even vaguely touched a barrier that was previously imperceptible yet more vast.
That is the barrier to the Heavenly Realm!
For the first time, a clearly visible smile appeared on Grand Elder Lin's face.
"Good!"
He nodded, his voice still calm but carrying unprecedented affirmation, saying.
"With a Spirit Realm soul combined with the Qi and blood of a Half-Saint, you were actually able to withstand my Heavenly Realm Early Stage soul pressure without a mental collapse."
"Such a Foundation, mental state, and Comprehension are all at the top-tier level!"
"In my lifetime, I have only seen one person with such Aptitude: you."
"You are qualified to go and view the Inheritance of our Little Pill Tower's 9th-Rank Alchemist!"
His gaze turned to Yao Chen, his tone carrying a trace of emotion, as he said: "Yao Chen, you have taught your disciple very well."
Yao Chen bowed in return, his face filled with gratification and pride, saying: "Elder Lin, you overpraise; it is the disciple who has strived for himself."
Xuan Kongzi and the others also came back to their senses at this time and walked forward one after another, their faces wearing complex smiles—both gratified and shocked.
Xuan Kongzi said with great exclamation: "Congratulations to young friend Xiao Qing for passing Elder Lin's test!"
"I didn't expect that you not only have astonishing soul power, but your physical body has also reached the Half-Saint level..."
"I'm afraid that even if the three of us join forces now, we might not necessarily be able to guarantee a win against you."
Although this statement had a component of humility, it also stated a partial fact.
With both his soul and physical body surpassing the norm, Xiao Qing's true combat power had already exceeded that of an ordinary Dou Zun Peak, clearly having barely reached the combat power of the Half-Saint level.
Xiao Qing took a deep breath, suppressing his churning Qi and blood and the throbbing of his soul.
He bowed respectfully to Grand Elder Lin again, his voice carrying a trace of fatigue but appearing even more firm and steady, saying:
"This Junior thanks Elder Lin for showing mercy; Xiao Qing will keep the kindness of this tempering and guidance in my heart!"
Grand Elder Lin nodded slightly and said no more.
He turned around and used his thin, withered finger to lightly trace the gate of the cyan stone tower behind him, which looked ordinary but exuded an ancient aura.
Hum!
The mysterious and difficult-to-understand runes on the tower gate lit up one by one.
Emitting a low and distant humming sound, as if a giant beast that had been sleeping for eternity was awakening.
The heavy stone door began to gradually open inward.
In an instant, an ancient and vast aura, indescribable in words, rushed toward them like a bursting flood!
Within this aura, it seemed to contain the Origin mysteries of all medicinal herbs in the world, as well as countless principles of Alchemy.
Just by inhaling one breath, it gave people a feeling of sudden enlightenment, as if they had suddenly understood many things.
Grand Elder Lin turned to the side, signaling for Xiao Qing to go in, his voice calm and profound as he said: "Come in, little guy."
"The library at the top of the tower contains not only the Alchemy Inheritance of 9th-Grade Treasure Pill and Xuan Pill, but also the Ninth Grade Golden Pill Alchemy Inheritance left by the founder of the Pill Tower."
"The path of a 9th-Rank Alchemist is vast and boundless; it cannot be walked in a day or two."
"I hope you can find your own Dao of Alchemy in there."
The words were simple but profound, embodying the infinite expectations of an Elder standing at the Peak of the continent's Alchemy for his successor.
He paused, then said to Yao Chen, Xuan Kongzi, and the others: "Yao Chen, Xuan Kongzi, you should also come in together..."
"The recent increasingly frequent abnormal movements of the Soul Hall still need to be discussed carefully."
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere suddenly became a bit heavier.
Clearly, outside the calm Pill Realm, the undercurrents were already very turbulent.
Xiao Qing looked at the opened tower gate, feeling the Alchemy mysteries radiating from within, which seemed capable of swallowing all desire for knowledge, his mood excited and difficult to calm.
He knew that behind this door was the highest hall of Alchemy and another indispensable cornerstone for his path to the Peak of the continent.
Xiao Qing took a deep breath and, accompanied by Yao Chen, Xuan Kongzi, and the others.
Followed the back of Grand Elder Lin, which seemed hunched but appeared to be able to hold up the sky of the entire Alchemy world.
He stepped into the core of the Little Pill Tower, which symbolized the ultimate dream of countless Alchemists.
The tower gate slowly closed behind him, cutting off the disturbances outside.
But it opened up a more vast, mysterious world that pointed directly to the Origin for him.
Chapter 161, The Gaze of Hun Miesheng, the Gratification of Gu Yuan 【600 Monthly Votes Extra Update】
Deep within the Soul Hall, a place known as the Tiangang Hall.
This place did not resemble the mortal world; it was more like a corner of Hell.
On the high dome, there were no sun, moon, or stars; only countless twisted, wailing soul phantoms were locked by invisible chains.
Embedded on the pitch-black walls like murals, emitting a sinister aura that made one's soul feel cold.
On the floor of the great hall flowed a viscous river of black energy, seemingly gathered from countless grievances, flowing silently.
At the end of the great hall was a huge throne piled up with countless pale skulls.
On the throne, a figure leaned lazily.
His entire body was shrouded in thick, impenetrable black fog, and the black fog was not still.
Instead, it was writhing and churning like a living creature, and there were dots of bottomless black flames that seemed capable of swallowing all light leaping and burning within it.
One could not see exactly what he looked like; only a pair of eyes occasionally revealed themselves from the gaps in the black fog and black flames.
They were two smears of blood-red that were startling, filled with indifference toward life and an evil majesty that looked down upon all living beings.
He was the Hall Master of the Soul Hall.
Hun Miesheng!
The outside world knew him as a Late Stage Four-Star Dou Saint, but in reality, he hid the cultivation of an Early Stage Five-Star Dou Saint.
In the empty, dead-silent hall, only the sound of wailing souls never ceased.
One of Hun Miesheng's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of the skull throne.
The knuckle collided with the white bone, making a light "tap, tap" sound, which seemed particularly terrifying in this environment.
"Yao Chen..."
"You have quite a tenacious life; you actually really found an opportunity to re-condense your physical body and even broke through to the Dou Sheng Realm."
A hoarse and low voice came from the black fog, carrying a trace of imperceptible coldness.
"His disciple, Xiao Qing... looks even less simple."
Floating in front of him was a mirror condensed from black Qi, and some images flashed vaguely in the mirror.
Yao Chen and Xiao Qing above Holy Pill City, the scene of everyone's attention in front of the Pill Tower.
As well as the fragmented information about Xiao Qing suppressing the Eight Desolations Destruction Flame that had circulated after the collapse of the ancient Secret Realm earlier.
"Not yet twenty, yet he has reached the Dou Zun Realm, is a Grade 8 Alchemist Grandmaster, and has a Spirit Realm Great Perfection soul... Heh."
Hun Miesheng let out a low laugh of unknown meaning, his blood-red gaze flickering in the black flames.
"Such Aptitude, such growth speed—even if placed among the ancient clans, it is extremely rare."
"Tsk, the remaining bloodline of the Xiao Clan..."
"Are they going to emerge again?"
His tone was very flat, as if he were evaluating a rare item rather than a brilliant living person.
"Hall Master."
In the shadows below, a blurry figure emerged, kneeling respectfully on the ground, and said:
"According to the latest intelligence, Xiao Qing has already followed Yao Chen into the Little Pill Tower of the Pill Tower; it seems he has gone to receive the core Inheritance."
"In addition, Ancestor Huo Yun of the Burning Flame Valley once personally went to the Starfall Pavilion and had a secret conversation with Yao Chen; their relationship seems very close."
"The Gu Clan... seems to also have some attention on Xiao Qing."
"Oh?" Hun Miesheng's tapping on the armrest paused slightly, and he said:
"Little Pill Tower..."
"That old immortal, Old Monster Lin, seems to value this kid very much."
"Burning Flame Valley..."
"A bunch of descendants of old antiques who play with fire; not worth worrying about."
"As for Gu Yuan..."
A trace of wariness and deeper calculation flashed in his blood-red eyes.
"His precious daughter seems to have a very unusual relationship with this Xiao Qing..."
Hun Miesheng was silent for a while, and the black flames swirling around him seemed to become a bit more active.
"Xiao Qing... his potential is indeed great, but in the end, he is still too weak; he is not worth me taking personal action."
Hun Miesheng said slowly, his voice carrying a playfulness like a cat catching a mouse.
"However, this kid has fused multiple Heavenly Flames, and both his soul and physical body are different from ordinary people; perhaps..."
"He has his unique value."
"Pass down the order: raise this kid's intelligence Level to 'Earth' Level; focus on monitoring him."