BTTH: From Genius to Invincible-Chapter 332: Abyss Submersion

Word Count: 2,604 Words

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"Mm. Although most of their alchemy techniques have been screened off, one can still glean a bit from some subtle actions. Gu Tong has indeed made significant strides in the realm of 7th-tier alchemists." Qiu Ping stroked his beard, unable to help but offer some praise.

In the previous Great Meetings of Factions, the Medicine Bone Sect had surged to fame precisely because Gu Tong had reached tier 7. Although it was only the initial level of tier 7, that was already the pinnacle among the many factions of the North-Western Region.

Only the Chairmen of a few top Alchemist Associations in the North-Western Region possessed tier 7 capabilities.

Even someone like Gu Tong couldn't help but feel a sense of pride upon receiving Qiu Ping's praise. After all, Qiu Ping hailed from the Qiu Clan and was a seasoned 7th-tier alchemist, adept at fire control. The Qiu Clan's fire control methods, in particular, were exceptionally powerful.

Earning his praise was an honor in itself.

Gu Tong deliberately revealed parts of his alchemy process, placing medicinal ingredients into the medicinal cauldron one by one in precise order, even refining several types of ingredients simultaneously. Throughout the process, his actions were smooth and practiced, clearly showing his confidence.

In fact, Gu Tong wasn't the only 7th-tier alchemist present. On Xiao Yan's other side stood an elder of equal skill. He was Sima Lin, representing the Sky Serpent Mansion, also a 7th-tier alchemist. Furthermore, Sima Lin had once served as the Chairman of the Alchemist Association of the Sky Serpent Empire.

It was only through an immense expenditure that the Sky Serpent Mansion managed to have Sima Lin join them and represent the Sky Serpent Mansion in the Great Meeting of Factions. Their goal was to surpass the Medicine Bone Sect in alchemy!

"That old fellow Sima Lin is really giving it his all this time. It looks like he's refining the low-grade tier 7 Beast Emperor Body Tempering Pill. This pill is suitable for Rank 7 magical beasts. Not only can it enhance their physical strength, but it also has the chance to increase their bloodline purity. It even has some effects on high-level Rank 7 magical beasts."

Given that the Sky Serpent Empire was known as the land of magical beasts, it was no surprise that the pills here were geared more toward them.

"Look at the fire seed Sima Lin is using after. That seems to be the Rank 8 beast flame, the Silver Star Dragon Serpent Flame!"

"I was wondering why Sima Lin would join the Sky Serpent Mansion. It turns out the Sky Serpent Mansion even brought out something like this. The value of this beast flame is probably comparable to a peak tier 7 pill, maybe even approaching tier 8."

In Sima Lin's hand, silver starlike sparks flickered. When the flames surged, they resembled coiling silver serpents. Although not as potent as a Heavenly Flame, a Rank 8 beast flame possessed a hint of spirituality, and with a Dou Ancestor's Dou Qi augmenting it, its power wasn't much weaker than a Heavenly Flame.

At the same time, many gazes shifted to the area lit by a green glow.

Countless gazes focused on Xiao Yan's direction. Regardless of who they were, all paid close attention, for the most mysterious and astonishing person present was him.

By now, no one doubted that Xiao Yan's alchemy level was tier 7. After observing for half a day, they saw that he was genuinely refining a tier 7 pill, and at least so far, there was not the slightest sign of failure.

Xiao Yan remained calm and unhurried under the watchful eyes of the crowd. Every movement, every subtle change, every act of control was filled with confidence, steady as Mount Tai and methodical. It seemed as if he wasn't refining a tier 7 pill but leisurely admiring flowers under the moonlight or writing poetry.

Such skill and composure left many alchemists in awe, feeling inferior by comparison.

"Sigh, to become a 7th-tier alchemist at such a young age truly has its reasons," an elder alchemist couldn't help but exclaim.

Many alchemists, especially those around Xiao Yan's age, sighed inwardly at the thought that there were always mountains beyond mountains. Compared to him, any so-called genius seemed as stupid as a pig.

Some young ladies showed expressions of admiration and infatuation. Such a man naturally captivated a large audience. As for the male alchemists, they felt that if they could reach his level in their lifetime, it would already be remarkable.

They didn't dare to hope for anything more.

Time passed minute by minute, day by day. Although the sun rose and set, the mountains outside remained crowded with people, yet it was utterly silent. One could even say that the entire Sky Serpent Mansion was enveloped in stillness.

Countless pairs of eyes focused on Xiao Yan, Sima Lin, and Gu Tong. After all, these were tier 7 pills being refined. Everyone was intensely interested, knowing that if any of them succeeded, a pill that would make anyone drool with envy would be produced.

Moreover, the other alchemists refining tier 6 pills had long since finished. They didn't even dare to make a sound, and even the judges were too lazy to look, as everyone knew these three were the key figures in this competition.

It could even be said that a major shift in the future power dynamics of the North-Western Region hinged on this alchemy contest.

Because of Xiao Yan's presence, even the arena battles, which should have drawn more spectators, became a topic of little discussion.

Hai Bodong stood aside, shaking his head helplessly. Yesterday, he had made a strong comeback, declaring the return of the Ice Emperor by using his exquisite ice-attribute Dou Qi to defeat two 9-star Dou Emperors from the North-Western Region in a one-against-two battle. However, due to Xiao Yan, no one discussed his feat, and even the audience was sparse.

Even Zi Yan had single-handedly defeated all the Dou Emperors from Mulan Valley and the Gold Geese Sect while defending the stage. Even the Dou Emperors from the Sky Serpent Mansion and Thunderbolt Sect were no match for her. She had created an unprecedented miracle. Yet she was mentioned only in passing by the onlookers.

After all, everyone understood one thing. If Xiao Yan truly won, the Yan Alliance would surpass all Alchemist Associations in the North-Western Region, becoming the holy land in the hearts of all alchemists in the region!

At that time, all the rogue alchemists in the North-Western Region would flock to the Yan Alliance. Not to mention anything else, the Yan Alliance would unify the alchemists of the entire region!

A faction where both the youngest generation of alchemists and the strongest faction alchemists were under one banner, and all exceptionally young. How terrifying would such a faction be?

The reason the Alchemist Association could gather so many alchemists was precisely because it was the holy land in the hearts of alchemists. The strongest alchemists resided there!

Most importantly, Xiao Yan was so young. Everyone wanted to know how he could possess such powerful alchemy skills at such an age, so naturally, they would want to join the Yan Alliance, hoping to get closer to the 'Medicine God' in their hearts!

Finally, as time continued to pass, the critical moment arrived—the final step of adding Monster Cores to condense the pills!

Sima Lin and Gu Tong both took out a Monster Core from their storage rings. The moment the Monster Cores were placed into the medicinal cauldrons, the amber-like luster tugged at everyone's heartstrings. The Monster Cores were burned by the flames, slowly transforming into round shapes, becoming embryonic pills.

Roar!!!

A thunderous roar burst from inside the medicinal cauldrons the instant the Monster Cores fused with the medicinal essences. It was incredibly brutal like a raging storm, as if some vicious beast was trying to break free and overturn the sky.

This was precisely why alchemists also needed to have a certain level of strength. Refining pills was not a harmless task!

These were the Monster Cores of Rank 7 magical beasts. The resentment within was not trivial. Rank 7 magical beasts were incredibly ferocious and powerful in life. Even after death, their Monster Cores still contained formidable power.

When the Monster Cores entered the medicinal cauldrons, the beast spirits within attempted to overturn the medicinal cauldrons and escape.

This was the moment to test an alchemist's true strength.

"Hmph!" Sima Lin's eyes glinted sharply as his Tier 7 Spiritual Strength erupted. The Silver Star Dragon Serpent Flame instantly transformed into a massive dragon serpent. The dragon serpent coiled around the beast's resentful spirit, as if trying to strangle it.

Gu Tong also exerted himself. The advantage of possessing a Heavenly Flame became evident. A dragon-like roar echoed from within his medicinal cauldron.

The Wind and Thunder Fury Flame, resembling a tornado, stretched out a dragon claw that firmly pinned the beast soul.

The two 7th-tier alchemists displayed their unique skills, and with the power of their medicinal cauldrons, they quickly subdued the Monster Cores, continuously refining them within.

"Eh? That's strange. Why hasn't Xiao Yan used a Monster Core yet?"

At this point, someone noticed the anomaly and looked toward Xiao Yan's direction.

Xiao Yan had wrapped himself tightly, with the Green Lotus Core Flame resembling a closed lotus, completely concealing his figure.

But no matter how he enveloped himself with the Heavenly Flame, once he added a Monster Core, there should be a violent reaction that could be sensed. Yet, strangely, Xiao Yan remained calm, as if nothing had happened.

"Could it be that he failed in his refinement?"

"That can't be. That would be too disappointing."

However, She Tianhao, Ting Hao, and other high-star Dou Ancestors didn't think so, because they had just sensed a trace of strange Spiritual Strength fluctuation.

Inside the Green Lotus Core Flame, Xiao Yan naturally had not failed. The observers' guesses were accurate in one sense: he had indeed not added a Monster Core.

The reason was very simple. The Great Soul Black Purple Pill didn't require a Monster Core to begin with.

One must know, the Great Soul Black Purple Pill was a pill recipe created by the Hall of Souls, or in other words, it originated from the Hun Clan!

The Great Soul Black Purple Pill was a medicinal pill that enhanced Spiritual Strength. It didn't boost cultivation level, heal injuries, or strengthen physique; this enhanced the soul, so it required energy related to the soul!

Xiao Yan took out the Soul Command Token from his storage ring. A glint flashed in his eyes. All the soul bodies he had collected into the Soul Command Token during the battle at Profound Nether Valley were released with a light tap of his finger.

Woo woo woo!!!

Black mist surged as clusters of ghostly shadows poured out of the Soul Command Token like a flood.

In an instant, the entire space was enveloped by these dark soul bodies.

Among them were the souls of Poison Sect and Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate disciples who had ambushed Xiao Yan, soul bodies of Rank 5 and above magical beasts, and some remnants of soul bodies devoured by the Tunling Clan.

"We're out!"

"Quick, escape!"

"Where is this~~"

A chorus of wailing and howling ghosts sounded.

"Ah! What is this flame!"

"Let me leave this place!"

Escape, naturally, was impossible. This was also why Xiao Yan used the Green Lotus Core Flame to tightly enclose himself.

As for pitying these souls, that was out of the question; these people had all wanted to kill him when they were alive.

Xiao Yan instantly donned the Soul Robe, a fierce light flashing in his eyes. He laughed, "Jie Jie Jie, since you're all going to die anyway, you might as well help me refine a pill."

Venerable Yan was never one to spare his enemies.

Instantly, he formed a hand seal. The Soul Robe fluttered without wind. The shadow beneath his feet began to writhe strangely, finally turning into what looked like a pool of ink!

"Asura Soul Reaping Technique—Second Form, Abyss Submersion!"

A resonant hum followed. The shadow beneath Xiao Yan's feet seemed to transform into an endless abyss. At this moment, it was as if he stood above a bottomless chasm!

What lay beneath his feet was impossible to discern; it was just a vast expanse, a sea of darkness.

As Xiao Yan stood above this abyss, waiting quietly, eerie howls emanated from the dark depths below. Even the strongest individuals couldn't help but shudder at such sinister sounds.

Suddenly, clanging sounds echoed. From beneath Xiao Yan's feet, pitch-black soul chains shot out. These chains seemed to belong to an Asura from beneath the abyss.

The chains lashed out, sounding like muffled impacts, accompanied by miserable shrieks. Every soul body in their path was run straight through and disintegrated in an instant, leaving behind only clusters of pure white soul light.

Xiao Yan naturally recognized these soul light clusters. When he cultivated the Spirit Heart Gathering Soul Technique, weren't the soul lights he absorbed just like these? However, these clusters were much larger than typical soul lights.

In just a moment, the chains emerging from the abyss had annihilated all the densely packed soul bodies.

Those chains swayed in the air. From a distance, it looked as if black tentacles had sprouted from beneath Xiao Yan's feet, exuding a strange and dreadful aura.

The chains continued to sway, seemingly unsatisfied, and finally turned their attention toward Xiao Yan standing above the abyss!

A pair of eyes suddenly appeared in the darkness beneath Xiao Yan's feet, staring intently at him, as if trying to drag him into the endless abyss as well.

Without even a second glance, Xiao Yan snorted coldly, "Get back!"

Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh!

The Flame Mantra circulated, and clusters of Heavenly Flames instantly appeared around Xiao Yan. With a single command from him, they would pounce and annihilate these chains.

Even with the appearance of the Heavenly Flames, these chains didn't immediately retreat. After a momentary standoff, the eyes in the abyss slowly closed, and those chains retracted.

As all the chains withdrew, they also took half of the soul light clusters with them, leaving only half for Xiao Yan, as if exacting a price.

Retracting all the Heavenly Flames, Xiao Yan could only shake his head helplessly. He had known from the very beginning that this Soul Skill was dangerous and strange.

At any moment, it could cause him to fall into a demonic state. And this was merely the second form, Abyss Submersion. If it were the final form, Asura...

However, it was undeniable that this Soul Skill was very strong! He needed such strength now.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, calming his emotions once more. Then, his eyes revealed a trace of solemnity as he looked into the medicinal cauldron, which contained a large amount of medicinal essences.

With a beckon of his Spiritual Strength, the remaining soul light clusters merged into one large mass. He slowly controlled the large cluster, placing it bit by bit into the medicinal cauldron.

This was also why medicinal pills that directly increased Spiritual Strength were exceedingly rare. They required not Monster Cores, but this kind of soul light cluster, which was impossible to obtain without a Soul Training Method.

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes, and then the Green Lotus Core Flame suddenly enveloped all the soul light clusters and medicinal essences.

"Fuse!"