Martial Ascent to Divinity-Chapter 641 - 620: Divine Pill

Zhang Xinglie turned around, carrying the vegetables as he left the market. When no one was watching, he put them into the magic spirit bag inside his clothes and slowly walked home.

The pale golden sunset shone on his face.

His expression was calm, and his gaze was steady.

Even in such circumstances, he never complained about life.

He kept exercising every day, studying divine text, and reading, searching for direction for the future.

He had already decided that after taking a break, he would fully accept his current situation, apply to Yunhua to change his major, and pursue a path in humanities or research.

He walked to the bench in the park and slowly sat down.

He stared dazedly ahead.

His current body was still at the great innate level, filled with power.

Logically, walking a few steps shouldn’t tire him.

Yet, for some reason, after walking for a while, he would feel extremely tired all over.

It felt like something was pressing down on him, making it hard to breathe.

A shadow approached, blocking the sunlight.

Zhang Xinglie didn’t mind, but the person stood beside the bench, not moving for a long time.

Feeling something was off, Zhang Xinglie looked up, seeing a familiar face in the twilight sun gazing at him.

Their eyes met, their expressions calm.

Their eyes, reddened by the sunset.

"When did you arrive?" Zhang Xinglie’s voice was slightly hoarse, his throat dry.

"While you were buying cabbages," Zhou Leng said.

"Save where you can, spend where you should; it’s not like before."

"Killing innate demons shouldn’t be a problem; you won’t lack money." Zhou Leng sat down.

"You want me back on the battlefield?" Zhang Xinglie retorted.

"In the Demon Spirit World, even rebirth exists, not to mention limb regrowth," Zhou Leng’s tone was relaxed.

"The power of the Celestial Calamity Envoy cannot be dispelled."

"Do you still remember the Star Refining Furnace?"

"Of course."

"I’ve already understood part of the power of the Star Refining Furnace. Among them is a pill book that records a divine medicine called ’Undying Pill.’ With enough ingredients, a divine pill can be refined. Not just the Celestial Calamity Envoy, even the power of the Celestial Calamity God can be dispelled."

"Really?" Zhang Xinglie’s eyes lit up.

"Why would I deceive you? You remember Master Wu’s Little Star Pill? Also, look." As Zhou Leng spoke, the Star Refining Furnace flew from his hand, slowly rotating, indeed glowing more brightly than before, seemingly updated.

Zhang Xinglie took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and said, "Alright, I’ll await your good news!"

Zhou Leng said, "Although it can be healed, it might take several years, so you have to be patient. The pill recipe is complex; you know the Star Refining Furnace refines stars, I have to keep finding the relevant ingredients."

Zhang Xinglie tapped the ground with his cane, saying, "Isn’t Blue Star also a star?"

"That’s why you’re a top student, so quick-witted. If worst comes to worst, I’ll refine the whole Blue Star to cure you," Zhou Leng said.

Zhang Xinglie laughed heartily, saying, "How have you been recently? I saw your video; is your recovery good?"

"Very good. Just think, my meridians were severed, true qi gone, yet I’ve ascended. What’s a missing arm or leg for Zhang Xinglie? If external skills don’t cut it, your inner power is strong; it doesn’t hinder your breakthrough to Grandmaster. If you feel you can’t defeat demon Grandmasters, cover your face and focus on killing innates," Zhou Leng spoke with a careless attitude.

Zhang Xinglie smiled and said, "You’re right! Such minor obstacles can’t hinder Zhang Xinglie. Zhang Xinglie intends to ascend the peak of martial arts with you! We once said, when we grow up, after ascending to Saint, we’d go to the top of Mount Tai, where the Three Saints left their portraits, and take a photo together!"

"Of course!" Zhou Leng smiled.

The two chatted about old times as usual.

The sun set, the stars filled the sky, and Zhang Xinglie never stood up.

Talking about the future, Zhou Leng said, "I’m partnering with the Demon Spirit Master to start a company; we need capable and familiar people as advisors, are you interested?"

Zhang Xinglie smiled, "I don’t have time. My meridians and dantian will be healed soon, at most a month, then I’ll return to Yunhua. My advisor and dean said they’d always welcome me back, all the benefits as before. Historically, many martial artists have been injured, the dean said I could completely walk the path of the one-armed Martial Saint Lin Yinghun, bringing the characteristics of one arm to the extreme, practicing the most fierce ’Great Oblivion Fist,’ one power breaking ten thousand laws."

"Alright. If you have any issues, be sure to let me know, don’t keep them to yourself. We’ve grown up together since childhood, nothing to hide," Zhou Leng said.

Zhang Xinglie laughed, patting Zhou Leng’s shoulder, "Don’t worry. When have you seen me cower? Except for life and death, everything else is minor."

The two chatted for a long time, and Zhang Xinglie never stood up.

Finally, Zhou Leng checked the time and said, "You must have seen the news, my adversaries have been increasing lately, need to hurry back to the Guhe Research Institute to lay low."

"Alright, quickly get back to cultivation, don’t delay."

Zhou Leng stood up, Zhang Xinglie also stood up.

Zhou Leng smiled, turned to leave, waving his hand behind him.

It was just like when Zhang Xinglie left Rucheng back then, waving his hand like this.

Zhang Xinglie smiled, waving his hand.

Only after Zhou Leng disappeared into the night did Zhang Xinglie slowly walk home with his cane.

After sitting for so long, his body felt even more tired.

From a distance in the park woods, Zhou Leng hesitated repeatedly, finally sighed lightly and didn’t follow.

Since Zhang Xinglie didn’t want him going to his home, it was clear he still had unresolved issues in his heart.

It’s not too late to meet again after he puts it down.

Zhou Leng stood in the night for a long time, then ran out of Xiong City, heading towards Rucheng.

Along the way, he did not encounter any surveillance and went to a hidden place to take out the Magic Spirit Bag and went inside.

He took out the Star Refining Furnace and looked at it.

In fact, up to now, the Star Refining Furnace had shown no changes.

Any mention of Pill Sutras or Undying Pill was fabricated.

Zhou Leng was also aware that the power of the Celestial Calamity Envoy was far greater than imagined.

After looking at the Star Refining Furnace for a long time, he took out the Tiger Talisman.

Holding the Tiger Talisman in both hands at the center.

"Disciple Zhou Leng request the Sect Leader Senior Sister to appear."

A wisp of white smoke slowly emerged, congealing into the half-transparent figure of Shen Yunxian.

Her bearing was peerless, her white robe like an immortal’s, her phoenix crown azure, her eyes deep.

"I told you, you only have one chance to call me out."

Shen Yunxian seemed stern, displeased that Zhou Leng was using up his only chance so soon.

"My friend Zhang Xinglie has been affected by the power of the Celestial Calamity Envoy, losing an arm and a leg. I asked the demigods of the Demon Spirit World, but they had no way. I wonder if you and the Star Refining Furnace might have a solution."

"The Celestial Calamity Envoy... However, the power descending here is ultimately limited. Based on your information, the Celestial Calamity Envoy is likely preparing for a double descent."

"Double descent?"

"The Celestial Calamity Envoy is merely the weakest wisp of divine thought. As the power is used continuously, it weakens more and more until it’s even weaker than a Grandmaster. Its true purpose is to aid the Demon Purgatory in slaughter, obtain recognition from the chaotic will of the Demon Prison World, and thus descend more power, which is the Celestial Calamity God, also known as the Descending God."

"Descending God... can reach Void God level?"

"In normal conditions, the Descending God is at the Peak of Martial Saint, but can perform a brief ’bloom’ to bring its power to the Void God level, easily destroying planets. However, even if the Descending God doesn’t bloom, just with the peak power of Martial Saint, it can slaughter ordinary Void Gods, a reverse god-slaying."

"Reverse god-slaying..." Zhou Leng’s face turned slightly cold.

"My powers are limited; I can’t directly heal your friend, but I can expend my last strength to help you activate the Star Refining Furnace, allowing you to use it ahead of time. The precondition is that you need to go to the Divine Literature Academy first, and learn the Divine Texts. Once you have perfect scores in Divine Text, I’ll then enable the Star Refining Furnace for you. But... from then on, I cannot help you anymore. Do you think sacrificing your future for your friend is worth it?"

Zhou Leng was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Whether it’s worth it or not, everyone has their own judgment. Besides, if I don’t do it, it’s like erasing my youth, my childhood little by little. It’s like using an eraser to wipe clean all memories related to Zhang Xinglie, and wiping away the part of me connected to him as well. Just like you, are you willing to use this opportunity to save our Senior Brother or Third Brother?"

Shen Yunxian was silent for a while and said, "How can you, a normally honest kid, be so cunning and opportunistic? Do you know how high your seniority would be if the Ancient River Sect continued?"

"How can this be considered opportunistic?" Zhou Leng said seriously.

Shen Yunxian glared angrily, but ultimately couldn’t do anything to this only sapling of the Ancient River Sect.

"You should start cultivating talented Ancient River Sect disciples quickly. When the time comes for ascension to divinity, let them become the Sect Leader, you can’t delay the Ancient River Sect!"

"Please rest assured, Senior Sister. If someone truly can take my place, I will immediately step down for the virtuous. How about Senior Brother Blood of Tyranny?"

"Next one." Shen Yunxian was blunt.

"There’s someone called Mountain and River Origin, I have mentioned him to you."

"Next one." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Are you selecting a consort here?"

"Smooth-talker."

"Only Zhang Xinglie has higher talent than me."

"That’s your main point, isn’t it?"

"This is the truth. Although Elder Song is a prodigy, he is too kind-hearted and obsessed with Martial Arts. He is not suitable to lead the Ancient River Sect. Apart from me, Zhang Xinglie is the only option for Sect Leader."

Shen Yunxian snorted coldly, saying, "You’re quite lucky. The pills refined by the Star Refining Furnace do have a way to dispel the power of the Celestial Calamity Envoy and allow his flesh to regenerate. Here, I’ll list some herbs for you. From now on, start collecting these herbs. Begin refining when you can activate the Star Refining Furnace."

"What are the chances?"

"With my help, a seventy percent chance."

"Alright."

Shen Yunxian looked up, and her eyes surprisingly reflected the whole image of Earth.

"What a pity, this is our last meeting..."

After saying this, Shen Yunxian turned into a ball of light and entered the Star Refining Furnace.

Within the Star Refining Furnace, the inner chamber rumbled and spun, emitting a faint glow.

Zhou Leng stored it into a wooden box with space, put away the demonized small house, and quickly left.

Returning to Rucheng, Zhou Leng presided over the newest initiation ceremony of the Ancient River Sect.

This time, a full hundred thousand entered the sect.

There were not only people from Dragon Country but also from other countries.

Zhu Shiji and several other Martial Saints dedicated to Martial Arts were among them, although they hid their identities.

After completing the initiation ceremony, to prevent the secrets of the Ancient River Sect from leaking, heavenly fire descended.

Over a thousand people turned to ash, stunning the whole scene.

Zhou Leng was very gratified that there were no traitors among the Martial Saints.

Subsequently, Zhou Leng met many Martial Saints with Zhu Shiji, added them as friends on Martial Faith, and exchanged basic Martial Arts.

Zhou Leng took this opportunity to ask them about the power of Martial Saints, especially concerning the True Qi of the stars.