Ascension Method

Inside the Quiet Room, the medicinal fragrance had not dispersed.

Xuan Danzi withdrew the finger he had pointed at the Soul Power demonstration in the Void Realm, and the complex light and shadow display of medicinal power changes slowly faded away.

His clear eyes looked at Shen Wen, his tone calm yet straight to the core:

"I have carefully considered the Medicinal Pills you refined previously."

"The success of the Eighth Grade Pill you refined relied more on your exquisite control over fire, and the sheer magnitude of your Soul Power—far exceeding others at the same rank—to forcibly integrate the medicinal properties. There was a fair amount of trickery involved."

He paused, then continued, "As for the Dragon Phoenix Fusion Blood Pill, the concept is indeed extraordinary, but fundamentally, its success relied more on the divine efficacy inherent in peerless Materials like the Heavenly Demon Phoenix and the Void Ancient Dragon Emperor's blood.

Pill Art, in this case, was not the most decisive factor."

Shen Wen listened attentively, showing no embarrassment at having his shortcuts exposed; instead, his eyes showed contemplation.

He knew that the Old Ancestor spoke the truth.

"And the bone-generating blood-fusing pill you refined," Xuan Danzi shifted the topic, "seemed to be at the seventh-grade Peak, attracting four-colored Pill Lightning and touching the threshold of the Eighth Grade.

But that was because you utilized the Fallen Heart Flame, and more crucially, that unique Origin power of fire within your body—"

Although he did not explicitly mention the ancestral talisman, his gaze seemed capable of seeing through many things.

After all, having this Legacy was a good thing, but he needed to make it clear that Shen Wen could not always rely on such special circumstances.

"Under the superimposed stimulation of these two powers, you actually used an energy intensity far exceeding what is required for a seventh-grade pill, forcibly 'boosting' the pill's quality."

"You did not truly rely on the seamless Perfection of Alchemy to allow the Medicinal Pill to naturally reach that level."

Shen Wen nodded slightly and admitted, "Old Ancestor is insightful. Your Disciple did... indeed rely on external forces at that time."

"Therefore," Xuan Danzi summarized, "strictly speaking, you have not yet successfully refined an 'ordinary' Eighth Grade Pill from start to finish, relying solely on Alchemy itself."

He looked at Shen Wen, his gaze devoid of blame, but rather carrying a hint of guidance: "The reason why the Eighth Grade Pill is a Natural Chasm for Alchemists.

It lies not only in the rigid requirements for the Soul Realm, but also because the precise control over medicinal power Fusion, energy balance, and the drawing forth of Heaven and Earth Rules has entered another level."

"Next, I will teach you some special techniques that Grade 8 Alchemists must master, but which may not be detailed in ordinary Legacies," Xuan Danzi said. "For example, the Spirit Ascension Method."

"The Spirit Ascension Method?" Shen Wen's heart stirred, and he blurted out, "Old Ancestor, isn't the Spirit Ascension Method... the secret Alchemy technique originally created by Venerable Yao, Senior Yao Chen?

Your Disciple once heard him mention it briefly, but he did not pass it on."

Xuan Danzi glanced at Shen Wen upon hearing this and shook his head gently.

"The Spirit Ascension Method was not originally created by Yao Chen," he corrected in a calm tone. "To be precise, this is a direction that every Alchemist aspiring to climb to higher grades.

After reaching the Eighth Grade, they will almost all begin to encounter and attempt to comprehend on their own."

"Yao Chen's Genius lies in this," a rare trace of admiration flashed in Xuan Danzi's eyes, "He took this path—which many knew existed but stumbled upon—and forcibly pioneered a significant section forward, forming a relatively systematic and more powerful method.

His Spirit Ascension Method is no longer just 'slightly enhancing the pill's spirituality,' but is capable of 'forcibly raising the pill's potential grade.' This is essentially a Breakthrough."

"As for the 'Spirit Ascension' practiced by ordinary Grade 8 Alchemists, most of it is just utilizing their own Soul and unique understanding of medicinal properties.

In the final moment of the pill's formation.

They inject a trace of extra Spiritual Charm into the Medicinal Pill, slightly enhancing its quality or the stability of its medicinal effects—it is merely icing on the cake.

Although the two share the same Origin, their level and effect are vastly different."

Shen Wen suddenly realized: "So that's it. The difference between increasing cultivation and achieving a Breakthrough in Realm... Venerable Yao is indeed astonishingly talented."

Xuan Danzi nodded slightly: "It is good that you understand the difference.

Yao Chen's path is certainly brilliant, but you do not need to belittle yourself.

Your Alchemy talent is absolutely not inferior to his back then.

However, the path must be walked step by step. You must first master the most basic and universal 'Spirit Ascension' technique proficiently.

Only by laying a solid Foundation can you discuss other things in the future, or even... walk your own path."

He looked at Shen Wen and handed over a Jade Slip that recorded the basic essentials of the common Spirit Ascension Method and several practice models.

"For the next period, you should first carefully contemplate this method and simulate practice using your Soul Power.

Once you feel you have some grasp, I will guide you to actually refine a true Eighth Grade Pill, starting from scratch."

Shen Wen received the Jade Slip with both hands, his expression solemn: "Your Disciple understands, thank you, Old Ancestor, for your guidance."

He said no more, immediately calmed his mind, and plunged his Soul Power into the Jade Slip.

He began studying that crucial, though not exclusive, step toward the higher halls of Alchemy.

The Spirit Ascension Method... Inside the Quiet Room, Xuan Danzi's figure had already departed, leaving behind only a faint medicinal fragrance and the Jade Slip recording the common Spirit Ascension Method.

Shen Wen sat cross-legged, not rushing to pick up the Jade Slip for conventional study.

His mind stirred slightly. Deep within his Sea of Consciousness, the profound scriptures of the Future Non-Existence Sutra flowed silently, and golden light enveloped his Soul Origin.

The Power of Deduction quietly activated.

He directly introduced the information from the Jade Slip into this golden deduction Domain.

In an instant.

The complex descriptions and models regarding energy fine-tuning, the timing of Spiritual Charm injection, and the balance points of medicinal properties were no longer words needing to be chewed over one by one.

Instead, they transformed into countless clearly visible energy streamlines and trajectories of change.

Under the blessing of the Future Non-Existence Sutra, Shen Wen's speed of thought and comprehension were elevated to an unimaginable Realm.

The subtle points that ordinary Alchemists needed months or even years of repeated contemplation and trial-and-error to grasp were, in his eyes, like peeling silk cocoons, layer by layer, clearly distinct.

The intention behind every step, the possible direction of every change, and even the hidden, unspoken Supreme Principles of Alchemy contained within, were rapidly absorbed, integrated, and merged into his existing Alchemy System.

At the same time, he could clearly feel that his current Soul Power was much more vast and solid than before.

The effect of devouring and refining the Soul Origin of the Hall of Souls Venerables and many Protectors was significant, making his Late Stage Heaven Realm Soul Foundation even firmer.

He was steadily moving towards Great Perfection.

The strength of his Soul Power, in turn, made the deduction of the Future Non-Existence Sutra smoother and more efficient.

Just in the process of this high-speed deduction and comprehension, Shen Wen suddenly noticed a trace of abnormality.

It did not come from the outside world, but originated from the core area where the Future Non-Existence Sutra circulated, deep within his Soul Origin.

A strange power, warm and pure yet difficult to describe specifically, was infiltrating from the ethereal Void Realm, silently nourishing his Soul like a trickle of water.

This power was neither Dou Qi nor ordinary Soul Power; it was more ethereal, carrying intentions of piety, trust, and even attachment.