Within a vast sea of lush, verdant forest, a gentle breeze swept through the air. Leaves swayed softly, producing a faint rustling sound as vitality flourished everywhere.
Suddenly, layers of transparent ripples spread across midair. Space trembled slightly, as though distorted by an invisible force. Immediately afterward, a fair and delicate little hand reached out from the twisted void. Moments later, two figures enveloped in purple radiance slowly emerged, it was Zi Yan and Lin Yuan.
Once they stepped out, the purple glow surrounding them dissipated. Zi Yan turned her head and blinked proudly at Lin Yuan.
"Well? Brother Lin Yuan, I'm amazing, right?"
Lin Yuan was still savoring the wondrous sensation of traversing space alongside Zi Yan. Hearing her words, he raised his thumb toward her and praised sincerely, "As expected of you. Truly impressive."
Having personally experienced spatial traversal with Zi Yan, Lin Yuan now understood even more deeply her or rather, the Ancient Void Dragon clan's astonishing talent in spatial abilities. When Zi Yan moved through space, it was as if she had merged completely with it. The process was natural and smooth, giving him a sense of flawless harmony.
'It seems the further improvement of my movement techniques will require Zi Yan's help,' Lin Yuan thought to himself.
"Hehe." Zi Yan beamed happily, then suddenly seemed to recall something. Her expression turned serious. "Since I'm so powerful, I'll definitely be able to help you in lots of ways. Next time you go out, you must bring me along."
"Alright, alright, alright I'll remember. Next time we go out, I'll definitely take you with me. Come on, let's hurry back. Your Sister Qing Lin is waiting for you at home. She's missed you a lot."
"Sister Qing Lin? Hehe, I've missed her too."
Before long, the two returned to Lin Yuan's courtyard.
Sensing their auras, Qing Lin stepped out from the room, still holding the notebook Lin Yuan had given her—Beast Spirit Gathering Array: Fundamentals.
When Qing Lin and Zi Yan saw each other, joy was impossible to hide in their eyes. They hadn't met for half a year. After Lin Yuan entered secluded cultivation, Qing Lin and Zi Yan had spent several months together. With neither having many friends, the two quickly formed a deep bond.
"Zi Yan, me too." Qing Lin gently hugged Zi Yan, softly stroking her silky hair.
After a moment, Zi Yan wriggled slightly in Qing Lin's embrace. Then, with a strange smile tugging at her lips, she pulled away.
Once free, Zi Yan glanced at Qing Lin's chest and muttered softly, "Hehe, so small. Compared to my mature figure, it's not even close."
Hearing this, Lin Yuan glanced at Qing Lin. Compared to ordinary girls her age, her figure was quite good but compared to the fully grown Zi Yan…
At that moment, Qing Lin suddenly felt an inexplicable chill. She scanned her surroundings in confusion before her gaze finally settled on Zi Yan.
Lowering her head, Qing Lin looked at her own chest. Recalling Zi Yan's earlier movements and muttering, a radiant smile bloomed on her delicate face as she asked, "Zi Yan, what exactly do you mean by 'so small'?"
Lin Yuan glanced at Qing Lin. Her smile was still bright, yet an indescribable pressure emanated from her clear eyes, making even him feel uneasy. He had never seen Qing Lin like this before. As for Zi Yan—
"Ah—Sister Qing Lin! I—I mean… I mean your figure is petite and delicate. It's really enviable!" Zi Yan stammered under the intense pressure.
Seeing Zi Yan's flustered state, Qing Lin couldn't help but laugh softly. The oppressive aura in her eyes melted away like ice under the sun, returning to gentle warmth.
Only then did Lin Yuan and Zi Yan both sigh in relief.
Seizing the moment, Lin Yuan smiled lightly and said, "Qing'er, don't worry. You're still young, there's plenty of room to grow. Besides, small can be cute too!"
Qing Lin's face instantly flushed red. She stomped lightly and protested shyly, "Young Master~"
"Haha! It's a rare reunion for the three of us today. I'll cook something nice. I've been studying culinary techniques recently—you're in for a treat."
Qing Lin's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"Yay! I've been waiting forever!" Zi Yan cheered excitedly. "I want to eat—"
Soon, waves of tempting aromas accompanied by laughter drifted out from Lin Yuan's courtyard.
That night, Zi Yan had already fallen asleep. Since she had just broken through, Lin Yuan specially prepared medicinal dishes using extremely rare heavenly materials to consolidate her foundation. After eating, she returned to her room to sleep, digesting the immense medicinal energy.
At this time, Qing Lin stepped gracefully out of the room and approached Lin Yuan, holding the research notes he had written on the Beast Spirit Gathering Array.
After pulling Qing Lin over and seating her in front of him, Lin Yuan looked her over with satisfaction and chuckled. "Late-stage Two-Star Dou King. It won't be long before you reach Three-Star Dou King. With more high-tier magical beast followers, your cultivation speed has increased again. Even Zi Yan was shocked earlier."
Qing Lin smiled as she recalled Zi Yan's surprised expression upon learning she had already broken through to Dou King. However, her brows soon furrowed slightly, as though something weighed on her mind.
"What's wrong? Did you encounter problems in cultivation?" Lin Yuan asked. "You've been holding that array research notebook are there things you don't understand?"
At the mention of serious matters, Qing Lin nodded solemnly. "Yes, Young Master. I ran into some issues while comprehending the Beast Spirit Gathering Array, and I'd like to discuss them with you."
"Oh?" Lin Yuan raised his brows with interest. "Tell me."
"When forming the Beast Spirit Gathering Array, the magical beasts must actively circulate secret techniques to provide energy and qi. However, I've discovered that some of my tamed beasts can't do this. I don't know how to improve the technique."
"So it's a matter of compatibility," Lin Yuan mused briefly before speaking seriously. "Qing'er, you need to adjust your mindset. Cultivating arrays and cultivating techniques aren't quite the same. Techniques are chosen by people but arrays choose people."
"When training this array, you must think like a commander leading an army. Especially you with the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, you'll never lack soldiers. What you need to do isn't to modify the technique, but to select elite forces."
"Elite forces?" Qing Lin asked, puzzled.
"That's right," Lin Yuan explained. "From among your beasts, choose snake-type magical beasts that best adapt to and maximize this technique. Then tame more of the same type, while eliminating those that lack compatibility or usefulness."
He concluded, "While increasing the number of beasts under your control, you should also optimize their quality. Don't let useless followers occupy precious slots."
After pondering his words, Qing Lin's eyes lit up with understanding. "I understand now, Young Master."
Under the night sky, the two continued discussing many of Qing Lin's cultivation problems, with Lin Yuan addressing each one patiently.
Considering the mental strain required to control arrays, Lin Yuan tested Qing Lin's soul strength. Once he confirmed it met the requirements, he decided to pass his latest version of the Purifying Spirit Art to her. With the enhancement from the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, she was perfectly suited for it.
After making his decision, Lin Yuan began transmitting the technique directly.
During the process, he also asked about the cultivation progress of the three Sixth-Grade magical beasts practicing the Three Beasts Savage Art. According to Qing Lin, they had successfully completed the conversion, and their strength had even increased.
"It seems that the cultivation methods inherited from ordinary Sixth-Grade magical beast bloodlines aren't very high-level—likely not even Earth-class," Lin Yuan concluded. "That's one of the main reasons most Sixth-Grade beasts struggle to break through to seventh-grade. Aside from the difficulty of the breakthrough itself, technique grade is a major limitation."
His gaze sharpened as he looked at Qing Lin. "Qing'er, since the three beasts have completed the conversion, proceed to the next step, have them follow the technique's instructions and merge their power."
At this point, anticipation flickered in Lin Yuan's eyes.
The Three Beasts Savage Art allowed three peak Dou Emperor experts to combine their strength to reach Dou Ancestor level. The amplification was immense. The three Sixth-Grade beasts Qing Lin controlled were mid-tier Sixth-Grade beasts, if the fusion succeeded, they would at least wield peak Dou Emperor power.
If this step proved viable, once Qing Lin's cultivation increased further, Lin Yuan would bring her to capture peak Sixth-Grade beasts, enabling the fusion of true Dou Ancestor-level strength.
With the Three Beasts Savage Art paired with the Beast Spirit Gathering Array, Lin Yuan optimistically estimated that Qing Lin might wield Dou Ancestor-level power within a year.
Moreover, during his research and deductions, Lin Yuan discovered that the Three Beasts Savage Art and the Beast Spirit Gathering Array might share an internal connection. If his conjecture proved correct, they would become a powerful aid to him in the future.
Over the next two days, Lin Yuan crafted a Purifying Spirit Art scroll for Qing Lin and prepared large amounts of food supplies for Zi Yan. Afterward, he once again entered the Inner Academy's alchemy chamber.
This time, he planned to refine Mighty Huang Pills for himself, Dou Spirit Pills for Qing Lin, along with several other medicinal pills.
Seated on a meditation cushion, Lin Yuan calmly swept his gaze over the massive cauldron and surrounding medicinal ingredients. He carried himself with the bearing of a true master. With a flick of his finger, a strand of cyan flame leapt forth and entered the cauldron, instantly erupting into roaring flames.
As the first medicinal ingredient, wrapped in Dou Qi, descended into the cauldron, a new round of pill refinement officially began.
Half a month later…
When the final pill emerged from the furnace, Lin Yuan's new round of alchemy was officially brought to an end.
He laid out the results of this refinement.
Two Dou Spirit Pills, three Mighty Huang Pills, along with several combat-type pills, several auxiliary cultivation pills, and several consumable pills.
Fifth-grade pill — Dragon Strength Pill:
After consumption, it allows the user's physical strength to increase drastically for a short period of time.
Fifth-grade pill — Windstride Pill:
After consumption, it enables the user's speed to surge dramatically in a short time.
Fifth-grade pill — Qi Restoration Pill:
A high-tier consumable pill that provides accelerated recovery of Dou Qi, effective even for Dou Emperor and Dou Ancestor.
Fifth-grade pill — Azure Origin Pill:
Unable to directly raise a cultivator's level, but capable of assisting cultivation. It can allow the user's cultivation speed over the course of one month to surpass even the acceleration effect of the Fallen Heart Flame.
Fifth-grade pill — Spirit Speech Pill:
Allows fourth- and Fifth-Grade magical beasts to enhance their intelligence and speak human language. This was a pill Lin Yuan personally developed in order to perfect the Heaven Vault Network.
Sixth-grade pill — Profound Thunder Body Tempering Pill:
After consumption, the wind and lightning power contained within the pill tempers the cultivator's body, strengthening the flesh as well as the toughness and resilience of the meridians.
Looking at the pile of pills before him, a satisfied smile appeared in Lin Yuan's eyes.
"The alchemy techniques of the Dou Qi Continent truly are incomparably miraculous. Their effects are diverse, there are very few problems that pills cannot solve. If one pill isn't enough, then just take a few more."
Afterward, Lin Yuan stored all the pills away. He carefully sensed the Dou Qi flowing throughout his body, and the satisfaction on his face grew stronger.
"Peak two-star Dou Emperor. After cultivating Dou Techniques earlier and spending this period refining pills, I've now completely mastered my own Dou Qi."
"It's time to use the Mighty Huang Pill."
With that thought, Lin Yuan's figure flickered, vanishing from the alchemy chamber.
A short while later, he appeared within an energy-rich valley of the Inner Academy, where Qing Lin was cultivating. Lin Yuan handed the Dou Spirit Pills to her and informed her that he would soon be breaking through a realm, asking her to act as his guardian.
After that, Lin Yuan flew to the peak of a nearby mountain, choosing it as his breakthrough location. He took out the Green Lotus Seat, sat down cross-legged upon it, closed his eyes, and began adjusting his breathing, preparing to bring his condition to its absolute peak.
Half an hour later, Lin Yuan calmly opened his eyes. His aura was now full and stable—clearly having reached his optimal state.
With a flip of his hand, a white jade bottle appeared. Inside it floated a pill the size of a dragon's eye. As he opened the bottle, an unusual fragrance instantly spread out, invigorating the spirit.
It was the highest-quality one among the three Mighty Huang Pills he had refined this time, its quality even surpassed the Mighty Huang Pill he had previously given to Yuan Yi.
Staring at the Mighty Huang Pill, Lin Yuan's gaze grew solemn.
A top-tier Sixth-Grade pill, the Mighty Huang Pill. Every cultivator could only consume one in their entire lifetime. It allowed a Dou Emperor to increase their strength by one to two stars.
After breaking through to Dou Emperor, Lin Yuan had used Fire Jade Marrow to advance from peak one-star Dou Emperor to late two-star Dou Emperor. He had once hesitated over whether to use the Mighty Huang Pill in such a short time, as arguments about "external aids" and "unstable Dou Qi" were always rampant.
However, he quickly came to a conclusion.
Everything should be based on strengthening one's power, there was no need to dwell on such concerns. Even if such issues truly existed, the alchemy of the Dou Qi Continent was so miraculous that a solution would surely exist. If unstable Dou Qi were a problem, then there would be pills to resolve it. And if there weren't—
Then he would simply create one himself.
Rather than worrying excessively about future problems, it was better to solve problems when they appeared. Encounter problems while advancing and solve them while advancing.
Lin Yuan removed the Mighty Huang Pill from the bottle, took a deep breath, opened his mouth, and swallowed it.
The Mighty Huang Pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth, transforming into a slightly warm yet surging medicinal force that violently rushed into Lin Yuan's body, which had already undergone countless temperings. The sheer magnitude of the medicinal power forced a low groan from his throat.
"Such vast medicinal strength, worthy of a peak sixth-grade pill."
Lin Yuan praised softly. He then closed his eyes, allowing his mind to sink inward. The internal condition of his body instantly became clear.
Within his meridians, enormous and pure medicinal energy surged back and forth, filling all the major pathways throughout his body.
After understanding the situation, Lin Yuan's mind stirred. The Green Lotus Core Flame erupted from all parts of his body and surged into his meridians, swiftly wrapping around the massive medicinal power. Then, forcibly guiding it, he began circulating it along the cultivation route of the Heavenly Flame Capital Codex, cycle after cycle.
As Lin Yuan began operating the Heavenly Flame Capital Codex at full power, an energy vortex formed around his seated body, continuously pulling the surrounding heaven and earth energy toward him.
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