Celestial Refining Divine Scripture

Yang Yuan descended from the sky, nodded slightly to the guards, and walked straight in.

Raising his eyes, he saw Xu Yang and the other two, and couldn’t help but freeze for a moment.

Then, he walked directly over to them.

Ji Hong and Zhou Tai both wore serious expressions, simultaneously feeling an invisible pressure.

"I didn’t expect the three of you to be such good friends."

Yang Yuan smiled indifferently, but a trace of mockery flashed in his eyes: "Although Xu Yang lost to me, I fear you two also are no longer Xu Yang’s match."

Zhou Tai’s eyes surged with anger, about to lash out, but Ji Hong pulled him back abruptly.

Ji Hong’s face remained unchanged, speaking calmly: "From the moment you ascended the Immortal Pride List, the title of the top core disciple was yours."

"If skills fall short, one’s only choice is to accept defeat gracefully."

"Zhou Tai, do you think you could beat Mr. Xu?"

Zhou Tai was confused, but grinned: "I couldn’t beat him."

Though he hadn’t tried, he admitted he probably wasn’t Xu Yang’s opponent.

Yang Yuan frowned slightly, unable to read Ji Hong’s intentions.

Ji Hong let out a low chuckle: "Mr. Xu’s Alchemy Dao is unparalleled; his Immortal Dao talent is monstrous, Ninth Grade Immortal Foundation, best in Northern Continent—honestly, losing to you feels somewhat undeserved."

"But Mr. Xu joined the sect two years after us and is only at the Late Stage of True Immortal."

"Late Stage of True Immortal, indeed..."

Ji Hong suddenly lifted his head, sneering: "Yang Yuan, where does your confidence come from?"

"Do you dare to seal your own cultivation at the Late Stage of True Immortal?"

"Have you ever seen the cultivation speed of a Ninth Grade Immortal Foundation?"

"Do you understand the immense foundation a Ninth Grade Immortal Base provides?"

"Not to mention, with the added boost of his peerless Alchemy Dao, Mr. Xu now can nearly refine upper-tier second-grade pills."

Each sentence was like a sharp blade, tearing away the facade of confidence and arrogance from Yang Yuan, exposing raw wounds, making his heart convulse violently.

Yet he had nothing to rebut.

"Hahaha."

Seeing Yang Yuan’s increasingly ugly expression, Ji Hong felt thoroughly delighted, laughing heartily.

"Ahem ahem."

"Yang Yuan, you, alas."

Zhou Tai forced down his laughter, pointed at Yang Yuan, putting on a look of pity, then turned and walked away.

Xu Yang’s mouth twitched as he saw Yang Yuan nearly unable to hold back his impending outburst, and chose not to provoke further, swiftly leaving with Ji Hong and Zhou Tai.

Yang Yuan shook with rage, his face ashen.

"Ji Hong, Zhou Tai, you two losers, you’ll never catch up to me in this lifetime."

"All you’re good for is empty words."

"Xu Yang... Ninth Grade Immortal Foundation? Let’s see if you can survive first."

...

After parting with Ji Hong and Zhou Tai, Xu Yang quickly made his way to Dan Feng.

He found that his master, first and second senior brothers hadn’t returned yet.

Not just at Dan Feng—most of the top experts on Black Fire Immortal Mountain were still away.

Xu Yang opted to cultivate for the time being.

The next day arrived.

While cultivating, Xu Yang suddenly heard his master’s voice transmission: "Boy, come to the main hall."

Xu Yang woke in an instant, hurried out from the secret chamber, and headed for Dan Feng’s main hall.

Upon entering the main hall, he found his first and second senior brothers also present.

Both men had flushed faces, their auras noticeably stronger than before, with a joy they could not conceal.

"Master."

Xu Yang bowed first, then looked suspiciously at his elder brothers: "Did you two go with Master on his trip?"

"Hahaha, that’s right."

Yi Que couldn’t help but laugh: "Pity the youngest brother wasn’t there—following Master means a huge harvest!"

"Any Golden Immortal who saw Master was extremely enthusiastic; ordinary opportunities were gifted directly, and even amazing Golden Immortal fates—many would willingly give some up."

"Enough, shut up,"

Dan Qi snapped, shooting Yi Que a warning glare.

Yi Que promptly shut his mouth.

The first senior brother only chuckled, appearing calm and collected.

"Congratulations, senior brothers."

Xu Yang cupped his fists and bowed.

It was clear his senior brothers had gained incredible fortunes.

"Hmph, two useless brats, gained so much but still not Golden Immortal." Dan Qi scoffed.

Yi Que gave a helpless smile: "Master, becoming Golden Immortal isn’t that easy."

"Still, within ten years, I’m confident I’ll break through."

Ten years!

Yi Que was only just over thirty; at latest, by his forties, he’d become Golden Immortal—which was truly remarkable.

"Ten years? I can probably do it in five," the first senior brother said quietly.

Yi Que glared at the first senior, displeased but silent.

Dan Qi shook his head and sighed.

Xu Yang kept his head down, trying not to laugh.

"Little brother, though you didn’t go with Master, Master prepared a gift for you." Yi Que, fearing Master would get angry again, quickly changed the subject.

Gift?

Xu Yang paused, curiosity peeking as he looked at his master.

Dan Qi glanced at Xu Yang, sensing he was just a hair away from reaching the Celestial Immortal Realm.

Then, with a wave of his sleeve—

A pill swept over in front of Xu Yang.

"This treasure pill is refined with fragments of ancient stars and several Third Grade Immortal Elixirs; I call it the Star Fury Elixir. After taking it, your strength will raise by one tier for about the time of a cup of tea."

"Remember, you can only take it after reaching Golden Immortal strength. If you’re Early Stage of Golden Immortal, it can grant you Middle Stage of Golden Immortal might."

He knew that Xu Yang’s cultivation lagged behind his combat strength, so he didn’t mention Golden Immortal cultivation itself.

Golden Immortal-level combat power—Xu Yang would likely possess that while still in the Celestial Immortal Realm.

Xu Yang’s face shone with joy upon hearing this.

"Thank you, Master."

This was a third-tier treasure pill!

"Master, isn’t there more?" the eldest brother murmured.

More?

Xu Yang’s eyes lit up.

Dan Qi shot his eldest brother a glare, then waved his sleeve again.

This time, it was two brilliantly colored, shining pills—each crystalline and translucent.

Yet the dazzling colors gave a rather unpleasant first impression.

Xu Yang’s heart raced—could it be...

"These two pills, both third-tier, are mainly composed of all sorts of third-tier poisons and essence blood, mixed with Fire Fiends from spirit fires like Earth Fiend Heavenly Gang."

"Throw one out and it explodes, engulfing an area a thousand feet across with all kinds of toxic substances—if you’re not at Middle Stage of Golden Immortal, you can hardly withstand it. No distinction between friend or foe."

"The other two are Antidote Pills."

"But even with an Antidote Pill, if you’re at the epicenter, suffering severe erosion, you’ll still be hurt."

Dan Qi ended with a solemn warning.

Xu Yang nodded repeatedly, staring at the dazzling pills, excitedly licking his lips.

The eldest brother really did get Master to personally act.

Pills personally refined by Master—enough said.

These were deadly trump cards.

Xu Yang contentedly tucked the pills away with utmost care.

This was his confidence to travel the Eastern Continent.

Even confronted by a typical Golden Immortal, he’d have nothing to fear.

"Brat, you’re planning to go to the Eastern Continent, right?"

"Because of Liou Xueyan. And I want to venture to the Eastern Continent as well,"

Xu Yang replied gravely.

Staying in the Northern Continent held no further challenge for him.

"Going to the Eastern Continent is fine."

"But for everything else, Master won’t provide further protection. Training must look like training—those few pills, unless in a life-and-death crisis, you must not use them."

Dan Qi’s expression became solemn.

"I understand, Master."

"Before heading to the Eastern Continent, there’s still something to be done."

"Come with me—the two of you may go back."

Dan Qi waved his hand, his sleeve sweeping up Xu Yang, vanishing from the great hall.

"What’s Master taking little brother to do?"

"How should I know?"

"Must be a good thing. Leave it be; I need to go digest everything. Later, I’ll prepare to head to the Eastern Continent—give little brother a surprise."

"Second brother, you’d better work hard. If luck’s with me, I might even break through to Golden Immortal in three years."

...

Elsewhere.

Xu Yang regained his senses to find himself in a place shrouded with endless black fire.

He looked up at the sky, but all he saw was a stretch of darkness and void—he couldn’t tell where he was.

Yet the surging sea of fire—even across the barrier—made his scalp tingle with dread.

"Master, what is this place?" Xu Yang couldn’t help but ask.

"This is the sect’s forbidden ground—the Void Celestial Fire Shifting Array!"