90: In front of the star wall, the axe is bright

Deep within the Pill Tower's inner sanctum, atop a solitary peak suspended above a sea of clouds, the summit wasn't pointed but rather leveled into a smooth, mirror-like platform. In the center of this platform stood an immense jade wall, seemingly connecting heaven and earth.

The Star Wall wasn't a solid entity; instead, it was formed from countless flowing points of starlight, emanating a vast, ancient, and boundless aura. These points of light flickered erratically, at times coalescing into profound runes, at others dispersing into a sky full of starlight, as if containing the ultimate truths of the universe's creation and destruction.

This was one of the Pill Tower's sacred sites—the Star Wall.

At this moment, three figures stood silently before the Star Wall. They were the top three participants of the Pill Realm Trial: Xiao Chen, Han Xue, and Ye Chong. They had earned the right to comprehend here for three days.

Xuan Kongzi's illusory figure appeared, his ethereal voice drifting over: "The Star Wall was created by our Pill Tower's predecessors, drawing upon the power of the surrounding stars and integrating their Soul Imprints.

What is hidden within the wall is not Dou Technique or cultivation methods, but rather insights into the laws of heaven and earth and the origin of the soul. How much you gain depends entirely on your fortune. Remember, do not force it; proceed according to your capabilities."

As his voice faded, the illusory figure dissipated.

Han Xue and Ye Chong exchanged glances, both seeing solemnity and yearning in each other's eyes. They each found a spot, sat down cross-legged, and cautiously extended their Soul Power towards the Star Wall, quickly becoming immersed.

Expressions of joy or pain appeared on their faces, clearly indicating they had begun to engage with the profound mysteries within the wall.

Xiao Chen did not rush to sit down. He stood before the Star Wall, gazing up at the endlessly flowing points of starlight. His Spirit Realm Great Perfection soul naturally resonated with this expanse of heaven and earth.

He could feel that the law fragments contained within this Star Wall were far more complete and profound than those in the Illusionary Heaven Realm, especially the insights into "stars," "space," and "soul," which held immense attraction for him.

He slowly closed his eyes. Instead of actively "capturing" insights like Han Xue and the others, he completely emptied his mind, allowing his soul to "feel" the grand rhythm emanating from the entire Star Wall, like a sponge.

Within his Sea of Consciousness, the Heaven Opening Axe Intent, which had been tempered in the Illusionary Heaven Realm and had already touched the threshold of "true meaning," began to circulate on its own, subtly echoing the Star Wall's fluctuations.

Gradually, Xiao Chen entered an exceptionally profound state. He seemed no longer a person but had transformed into a speck of dust, merging into this starry universe.

His "intent" was no longer merely a forceful axe chop; it now carried the vastness of the stars, the immensity of space, and the infinite possibilities of the soul.

"Heaven Opening... it's not just a domineering strike. The stars rotate with their trajectories; space extends with its dimensions; the soul grows through its journey... These are all 'order,' they are 'Dao,'" a realization dawned in Xiao Chen's mind.

"My axe intent should not only be about severing but also about containing the artistic conception of 'establishing order' and 'pioneering new paths!'"

With one thought, a hundred thoughts followed! The illusory battle axe in his Sea of Consciousness began to undergo subtle changes. The axe blade remained sharp, but the axe body seemed to carry a galaxy, with ripples of time and space flowing, and even a hint of agile vitality contained within!

Although still illusory, its artistic conception had already surpassed mere "form and intent," truly touching the edge of "true meaning"! The Heaven Opening Axe Intent began to evolve towards a higher realm of creating heaven and earth and establishing order!

At the same time, the Star Wall seemed to sense his unique "intent." On its surface, several of the most brilliant points of starlight suddenly lit up, transforming into streaks of light that actively plunged into Xiao Chen's glabella!

Boom!

Xiao Chen's entire body trembled violently! Three completely different ancient scenes appeared in his mind:

The first was of a Pill Tower predecessor, refining pills under a sky full of stars, using the power of the stars as fire, drawing the essence of the surrounding universe into the cauldron, and achieving a successful batch of pills that resonated with the stars! This was the ultimate comprehension of the fire of the stars and the Way of Alchemy!

The second was of an ancient powerhouse, tearing apart the void with bare hands, constructing a spatial passage, and traversing thousands of miles! The mastery of spatial nodes and the exquisite application of the Power of Space contained within it far exceeded Xiao Chen's current understanding!

The third was the most blurry, yet it made Xiao Chen's soul palpitate the most! It was a chaotic expanse, a blurry giant axe phantom splitting the chaos, but immediately after, the scene shattered, revealing only countless falling stars, crumbling continents, and a chillingly evil will filling the heavens and earth...

This seemed to be a fragmented memory left by some ancient great power about an apocalyptic war!

These three imprints, like the sweetest spring water, nourished Xiao Chen's soul and artistic conception. His affinity for the Power of Stars greatly increased, his understanding of space deepened, and more importantly, the residual aura of that apocalyptic scene gave him a more intuitive understanding of the potential immense crisis, making his Dao Heart even firmer!

Three days passed in a flash.

When Xiao Chen opened his eyes again, his pupils seemed to hold flowing galaxies, profound beyond measure. His aura was perfectly round and restrained, but the subtle pressure of his artistic conception made Han Xue and Ye Chong, who had just awakened from their comprehension, feel a surge of trepidation.

"Brother Xiao (Xiao Chen)..." Han Xue and Ye Chong looked at Xiao Chen, their gazes complex. Their gains over the three days were immense, with advancements in both Soul Power and alchemy comprehension, but compared to Xiao Chen, it was like the difference between a firefly and a bright moon.

The aura of harmony with heaven and earth and profound understanding that Xiao Chen possessed was something they were far from achieving.

"Congratulations, Brother Xiao, on your great achievement in artistic conception." Ye Chong cupped his hands, his tone carrying genuine admiration. Han Xue also nodded slightly.

"You two are too polite, it's just a matter of individual fortune," Xiao Chen returned the gesture, his tone calm.

Leaving the Star Wall, Xuan Kongzi's illusory figure reappeared. His gaze swept over the three, lingering on Xiao Chen for a moment, the satisfaction in his eyes growing deeper.

"Not bad, you all have gained something. Go back and digest it well. Half a month from now, the Pill Tower will host the 'Five Great Families Alchemy Grand Ceremony,' and at that time, various forces from the Central Plains will come to observe.

The three of you can all represent the younger generation of the Pill Tower. Do not tarnish the reputation of our Pill Tower."

The Five Great Families Alchemy Grand Ceremony? Xiao Chen's heart stirred. This was a grand event in the alchemy world of the Central Plains. At that time, it would be a mix of dragons and snakes, a good opportunity for training and gathering information.

"This disciple will do his best," the three responded in unison.

Returning to the independent courtyard arranged by Xuan Kongzi, Xiao Chen immediately began to cultivate in seclusion, digesting the gains from the Star Wall. He did not rush to improve his Dou Qi cultivation but instead focused all his attention on consolidating the newly born "Heaven Opening Axe Intent True Meaning" and comprehending the three Star Wall imprints.

Time flew by in cultivation. Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, the atmosphere throughout the entire Pill Domain became exceptionally lively. Within Pill City, carriages and horses bustled, with representatives from various forces across the Central Plains arriving in an endless stream.

Among them were many powerful experts with profound auras, and even some subtle presences that made Xiao Chen feel a hint of pressure.

The Pill Tower's central plaza had been arranged into a massive venue. On the high platform, the Pill Tower's three giants—Xuan Kongzi, Heavenly Thunder Master, and Mysterious Robe—sat in the center, flanked by the elders of various Pill Tower departments and the patriarchs of the Five Great Families (Dan, Ye, Qiu, Bai, Han).

Below were observers from various factions and young Alchemists participating in the grand ceremony.

Xiao Chen, Han Xue, Ye Chong, and others, as core disciples of the Pill Tower, were located at the very front of the venue. Xiao Chen calmly scanned the venue, his soul perception quietly spreading out, and immediately detected several subtle and chilling gazes fixed upon him.

"People from the Soul Hall... they really came," Xiao Chen sneered inwardly, remaining outwardly calm. Besides the Soul Hall, he also sensed several powerful auras, some as hot as fire, others as cold as an abyss.

These should be people from other major sects or ancient races.

"Dong!"

A long, melodious bell chime rang out, and the entire audience fell silent.

Xuan Kongzi stood up and proclaimed loudly: "Today, the Pill Tower's Five Great Families Alchemy Grand Ceremony officially begins! The ceremony is divided into two rounds: The first round, 'Hundred Herbs Source Identification,' tests knowledge of medicinal ingredients and soul perception.

The second round, 'Pill Fire Contest,' is a stage competition to refine a designated pill and determine the champion!"

"Now, the first round begins!"

As Xuan Kongzi's voice fell, hundreds of stone platforms rose in the center of the plaza. Each platform held a jade box enveloped by an energy barrier. The barrier blocked soul detection, and the medicinal ingredients inside the box were unknown.

"Contestants must, within one hundred breaths, without opening the jade box, rely solely on soul perception to write down the name, age, medicinal properties of the ingredients inside, and the names of three or more pills that can be refined from them. Those with a correct rate of 70% or more will advance!"

As soon as the rules were announced, many young Alchemists' expressions subtly changed. This was extremely difficult, demanding an almost harsh level of soul perception.

Xiao Chen's expression remained normal as he walked to a stone platform. His Spirit Realm Soul Power permeated the barrier like flowing mercury, and the form, aura, and energy fluctuations of the medicinal ingredient inside the box were instantly clear to him.

"Thousand-Year Blood Spirit Ganoderma, 1120 years old, fiery medicinal properties, primarily replenishes Qi and blood, strengthens the soul... can refine 'Blood Soul Pill,' 'Crimson Sun Melting Snow Pill,' 'Barrier Breaking Pill'..."

He wrote swiftly, his movements fluid, completing it in less than thirty breaths.

Soon, the first round ended. Nearly half of the contestants were eliminated. Xiao Chen, Han Xue, Ye Chong, and other Pill Tower geniuses naturally advanced with ease.

In addition, several young Alchemists from other forces also performed outstandingly, attracting attention.

After a short break, the second round, "Pill Fire Contest," began. This round required refining a low-grade seventh-tier pill—the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill! The refining process of this pill was complex, demanding extremely high control over heat and Soul Power.

During its formation, there would be a dragon-like phenomenon of Yin and Yang Qi, making it one of the benchmark pills for evaluating the skill of a seventh-tier Alchemist!

In the center of the plaza, over a hundred medicine cauldrons rose simultaneously, and flames of various colors ascended, creating a spectacular scene.

Xiao Chen brought out a sixth-tier medicine cauldron he had obtained from the Thousand Medicine Workshop. He did not use his Soul Heart Flame but instead activated a pale golden Dou Qi flame. This flame subtly contained a trace of Star Power and the sharp edge of Heaven Opening Axe Intent, making it distinct.

His technique was skilled, his movements fluid. His mastery of medicinal property fusion and timing was flawless, causing many elders on the high platform to nod in approval.

However, just as the pill refining reached the most critical stage of liquid fusion, an unexpected change occurred!

Not far to Xiao Chen's left, a cold and beautiful woman from Ice River Valley (Ice Talisman) suddenly lost control of her ice-cold flame in her medicine cauldron, unleashing an extremely chilling shockwave that swept outwards!

This shockwave was not directed at Xiao Chen, but its extreme coldness was enough to interfere with, or even freeze, the flames of nearby Alchemists, leading to refining failure!

"Oh no!"

"Ice Talisman lost control!"

Exclamations erupted! The medicine cauldrons of several Alchemists closest to Ice Talisman vibrated violently, their flames flickering erratically, on the verge of failure!

The one directly in its path was none other than Xiao Chen!

The chilling shockwave instantly struck. Xiao Chen's pale golden flame in his medicine cauldron dimmed sharply, flickering violently, and the medicinal liquid inside the cauldron began to show signs of solidifying!

On the high platform, Xuan Kongzi frowned slightly but did not intervene. This was an unexpected event within the allowed scope of the grand ceremony, also testing an Alchemist's adaptability.

Everyone thought Xiao Chen's pill refining would surely fail this time, but he remained calm in the face of danger, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes!

"Stabilize!"

He inwardly roared. His Spirit Realm Soul Power instantly erupted, not to forcibly suppress the cold current, but to integrate the "establishing order" artistic conception from his newly comprehended "Axe Intent True Meaning" into the flame!

The originally flickering pale golden flame seemed to be endowed with an invisible framework, instantly stabilizing, its form even becoming more condensed! The encroaching cold current, upon colliding with this flame imbued with the "establishing order" artistic conception, was quietly resolved and pushed away, like waves hitting a reef!

The solidification trend of the medicinal liquid in the cauldron also reversed!

Not only that, Xiao Chen seized this opportunity, using his Soul Power to guide a trace of the cold current's original aura, doing the opposite, skillfully introducing its "extreme Yin" power into the medicinal liquid, forming a subtle balance with the original Yang medicinal power!

"Yin and Yang complement each other, the Dragon Pill is formed!" Xiao Chen's hand seals changed, the medicine cauldron vibrated violently, and the cauldron lid shot into the sky!

"Roar! Roar!"

Two black and white dragon-shaped pill auras roared out from the cauldron, intertwining and circling in the air, with continuous dragon roars and astonishing phenomena! The pill fragrance permeated the entire venue!

The Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill was complete! And of extremely high quality!

The entire venue fell silent! Then, an earth-shattering uproar erupted!

"It's done?! It actually succeeded under the impact of Ice Talisman's cold current?!"

"He not only stabilized his flame but also utilized the power of the cold current?!"

"What kind of flame control technique is this? Unheard of!"

On the high platform, Xuan Kongzi's eyes burst forth with unprecedented brilliance, and he clapped his hands, laughing loudly: "Good! Controlling fire with intent, turning danger into opportunity! This child shall be the champion of this grand ceremony!"

Ice Talisman looked at Xiao Chen, who had calmly completed his pill, and even her cold face showed a trace of shock and complexity. Han Xue, Ye Chong, and others were even more convinced.

Xiao Chen put away the pill, his expression calm. After this battle, the name "soul sword" Xiao Chen would undoubtedly resonate throughout the Central Plains alchemy world with the grandeur of the Five Great Families Alchemy Grand Ceremony!

What he didn't know was that in a corner of the venue, a figure shrouded in shadow was staring at him with extremely venomous eyes, quietly crushing a communication jade token.

The winds and clouds of the Central Plains, due to his astonishing performance, once again accelerated their surge. A larger stage and greater crises awaited ahead.