Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

"Here, here! A toast to Ling the Pill Master!"

In the great hall, the Sect Leaders and Elders of the various sects raised their glasses to Ling Fei, their faces full of respect. None dared to show him the slightest disrespect.

After Ling Fei displayed his strength this time, his status had intangibly risen to an extremely high level.

One could say that not even the Sect Leaders could compare to Ling Fei now.

Only experts of the Divine Mansion Realm could afford to put on some airs around him.

"Thank you for your praise, seniors." Ling Fei stood up and raised his glass. "I will certainly do my best and not disappoint your expectations."

Ling Fei was also filled with confidence about his future.

First, his Soul Power was extremely strong, far beyond that of an ordinary person.

Second, he had the Pill King’s supreme insights into the Alchemy Dao, giving him a higher perspective than other Alchemists.

Furthermore, Ling Fei’s Martial Arts talent was also extraordinary, and his potential was so great that it even far surpassed that of the Yuan Feng Pill King.

"Excellent!" Seeing Ling Fei drain his glass with such a confident expression, the elders from the various sects were also filled with hope.

The Minor Sects all expressed their desire for closer ties with the Lingyun Sect.

One could say that as Ling Fei, Sect Leader Yuan, and the others sat upon the high platform, with the crowd of experts below raising their glasses, it felt as if they were holding court.

In the past, the Lingyun Sect would never have commanded such status.

This was the influence of a future Pill King. The elders of the various sects were all willing to take a lower position.

They did it for one reason: the chance for a future breakthrough.

And so their own blood relatives could become geniuses.

That was enough!

"We are all Cultivators of the Southern Wilderness. It is only right that we join hands and advance together to explore the path to the Martial Arts Peak." As everyone expressed their desire for closer ties, Sect Leader Yuan smiled. He declared that the Lingyun Sect was willing to work with all the other sects. Only by doing so could the Lingyun Sect gather support and reach the top.

Upon hearing this, the elders of the various sects all looked delighted.

As long as the Lingyun Sect had no intention of trying to dominate everyone, they were more than happy to see a Pill King emerge in the Southern Wilderness.

Besides, even if the Lingyun Sect grew powerful, they would still benefit from it in some way.

At the very least, the emergence of a Pill King meant they had a chance to break through to a higher Realm. It was an opportunity they hadn’t had before.

Without a Pill King, their cultivation would be doomed to stagnate forever.

For a Cultivator, the most terrifying and unbearable fate was stagnating Cultivation.

"To celebrate Ling Fei’s victory in the alchemy competition, once the event concludes, the Lingyun Sect will present a Spirit Awakening Pill to each of the other sects."

Sect Leader Yuan announced to the elders of the various sects.

This was the result of a discussion with Ling Fei via voice transmission.

To win over the other sects, the Lingyun Sect needed to offer some incentives.

This would make things much easier in the future.

"Haha, in that case, we thank Fellow Daoist Yuan and Ling the Pill Master." Upon hearing this, all the Cultivators from the various sects beamed.

The Spirit Awakening Pill was a true Miracle Elixir. Who wouldn’t want one?

"You are too kind." The gathering then dispersed.

...

The elders of the various sects left one after another.

One by one, they bid farewell to Ling Fei.

At this moment, Ling Fei’s popularity had reached an all-time high.

The female disciples of the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers even sent him flirtatious glances from time to time.

Even the expression of an alchemy genius like Wan Qianxiang changed noticeably when she looked at Ling Fei.

’After this, our relationships with the major sects have finally stabilized. The pressure on the Lingyun Sect should lessen now.’ Ling Fei breathed a sigh of relief.

’If I had lost the alchemy competition, it’s not hard to imagine the situation the Lingyun Sect would be in.’

Therefore, even though he was now basking in glory, Ling Fei didn’t dare to become the least bit complacent.

’That Xu Zitao is really something. To think he could refine a Second Grade Spirit Pill, and he almost managed to produce two pills in a single batch.’ Ling Fei’s gaze sharpened.

"It was truly a stroke of luck that Ling Fei won this time!" Sect Leader Yuan sighed in relief as he watched the cultivators from the other sects depart.

He could still vaguely recall the emotional turmoil among the elders when Xu Zitao successfully refined his Spirit Pill.

At that moment, the Lingyun Sect had been in an extremely awkward position.

If they had lost by even a hair’s breadth, the Lingyun Sect might have been plunged into a situation with no hope of recovery.

"Yes, I never expected the Beiming Sword Sect to produce an alchemy genius like Xu Zitao. They certainly hid him well!" Grand Alchemist Yuan Chun sighed with emotion. "When Ling Fei successfully refined his Spirit Pill, I was completely confident we would win. Who could have expected Xu Zitao to suddenly appear?"

Fortunately, Ling Fei had even greater skills up his sleeve than what he had shown.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have known how to deal with this turn of events.

"Ling Fei, that Spirit Awakening Pill...?" Nearby, Master Yuan Lang’s gaze sharpened, and he looked towards Ling Fei.

Instantly, Grand Alchemist Yuan Chun, Sect Leader Yuan, and the other elders all looked at Ling Fei with curiosity.

Where in the world did the refinement method for such an elixir come from?

Everyone was extremely curious.

"Ahem, the refinement method for this Spirit Awakening Pill is something I obtained by chance," Ling Fei said with a dry cough.

’I actually refined the Spirit Awakening Pill using the Spirit Awakening Dao Pattern as a catalyst.’

’If I said it was part of the Yuan Feng Pill King’s legacy, the Sect would ask me to transcribe a copy. How could I possibly do that?’

’Of course, I can’t just admit I have a Spirit Awakening Dao Pattern either.’

’It’s just too unbelievable.’

From the change in the other Alchemists’ attitudes, Ling Fei could guess just how heaven-defying this elixir truly was.

Otherwise, Xu Zitao would not have lost his composure like that.

"’Obtained by chance?’" The crowd looked skeptical.

Master Yuan Lang couldn’t help but glance at Grand Alchemist Yuan Chun.

"If our ancestor had this Pill Formula, he would have passed it down to us to improve the Lingyun Sect’s strength. Besides, it seems the Yuan Feng Pill King never refined this type of elixir during his lifetime. I think it’s possible Ling Fei really did obtain this Pill Formula by chance," Grand Alchemist Yuan Chun sent via voice transmission.

He had been suspicious before.

It was only out of wishful thinking that he had initially assumed it came from the Yuan Feng Pill King.

"Haha! In any case, with this Pill Formula in our hands, the Lingyun Sect’s position in the Southern Wilderness is unshakable!" Sect Leader Yuan laughed heartily.

Now everything depended on Ling Fei.

"Rest assured, Sect Leader. The Spirit Awakening Pill is just the beginning. I believe that with time, I can refine elixirs with even more divine effects," Ling Fei said.

"Good. A young man should have such confidence." Sect Leader Yuan smiled, satisfied. "As for that young lady from the Beiming Sword Sect, feel free to have her join the Lingyun Sect. Don’t worry about anything else. From now on, the Lingyun Sect will be your shield."

"Oh!" Ling Fei’s heart leaped with joy upon hearing this.

Sect Leader Yuan hadn’t spelled it out, but his meaning was crystal clear.

He was saying that Shangguan Wan’Er could leave her sect without any fear of retaliation from the Beiming Sword Sect.

Because Ling Fei had demonstrated peerless talent in alchemy, he had earned the respect of all the sects and had become the primary hope for the experts of the Southern Wilderness to increase their power.

To move against Ling Fei would be to crush everyone’s hopes, wouldn’t it?

Therefore, even the Beiming Sword Sect would have to think twice now.

"Thank you, Sect Leader." Ling Fei’s heart filled with joy at this thought.

He had his reservations before.

’If Shangguan Wan’Er left her sect and the Beiming Sword Sect used it as a pretext to start a conflict, what would I do if the Great Sun Thunder Sound Temple and the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers didn’t step in?’

But now, that concern didn’t seem nearly as significant.

’In that case, I should immediately refine two Spirit Awakening Pills and gift them to the Great Sun Thunder Sound Temple and the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers.’

’If I want their support, I have to give them something in return.’

’After all, without sufficient benefits, who would support me for no reason?’

Thus, after bidding farewell to the elders of the sect, Ling Fei immediately went to refine elixirs.

Two hours later, Ling Fei had refined two batches of elixirs.

’Two pills for each sect. This should be enough to express my gratitude for the help from the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers and the Great Sun Thunder Sound Temple back at the Falling Star Mountain Range.’

He then sent word to the representatives of the two sects.

"Two Spirit Awakening Pills!" After receiving the elixirs, the elders of both sects were overjoyed.

Afterwards, they immediately took their leave and returned to their own sects.

The Great Sun Thunder Sound Temple also had Alchemists.

One of the elders was currently holding a Spirit Awakening Pill, examining it from all sides.

"Xuan Yin, how is this elixir?" After the Alchemist had examined it for a while, the tightly shut eyes of Master Xuan Ji, who was beside him, snapped open, and he asked.

"Senior Brother, this pill’s refinement is perfect. It is a Flawless Second Grade Spirit Pill. It has an incomparably mystical Pill Pattern on its surface. When I sense it with my Heart Spirit, my mind becomes clear. I believe the pill’s Spirit Awakening effect is entirely due to this Pill Pattern. For us to try and refine this pill... it would be extremely difficult!" Xuan Yin sighed.

"If you consume it, do you think you could comprehend some of its secrets?" Master Xuan Ji asked.

Although the Great Sun Thunder Sound Temple was allied with the Lingyun Sect, the benefits would be endless if they could master this refinement method for themselves.

"Let me take it and see," said Master Xuan Yin.

He then took the Spirit Awakening Pill.

...

Meanwhile, in the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers, a somewhat older female Alchemist also took out a Spirit Awakening Pill and began to carefully observe and sense it.

"This Pill Pattern is mystical, profound, and vast... it’s impossible to comprehend!" Finally, the Alchemist sighed, giving up on the idea.

"Then take it and see what happens," said Sect Leader Wan.

"Yes!" The woman nodded and then consumed the Spirit Awakening Pill.

Half an hour later, Master Xuan Yin opened his eyes.

"Well? How was it!?" The other elders of the Great Sun Thunder Sound Temple asked, their faces full of anticipation.

"When I took the elixir, a Pill Pattern surged forth, entering my Divine Mansion and attempting to merge with my soul to dispel my ignorance. This pill is simply too mystical. I have never seen such a Pill Pattern before. Unfortunately, because it is so profound, I couldn’t memorize it no matter how hard I tried. Forcing myself to remember it would only have injured my Heart Spirit," Master Xuan Yin said, shaking his head.

"This Spirit Awakening Pill is simply a Heaven and Earth Spirit Pill, not something an ordinary person can refine!"

He gave the Spirit Awakening Pill the highest possible praise.

"Even you couldn’t comprehend its mystical principles, Junior Brother?" Master Xuan Ji sounded slightly disappointed.

"Senior Brother, there is no need to be so insistent," Master Xuan Yin said. "After taking this pill, my Heart Spirit feels clear, and many of my past doubts have been resolved. If I cultivate diligently, I might be able to take another step forward in the future. Obtaining this pill is already a great stroke of fortune. Why must we ask for more?"

Now, his Heart Spirit was clear, and even his understanding of the Buddhist Dao was deeper.

"Oh!" Master Xuan Ji’s eyes lit up. "Are you serious, Junior Brother?"

"Of course," Master Xuan Yin said.

"In that case, the value of this pill is no less than one refined by a Pill King!" Master Xuan Ji exclaimed.

"This Ling Fei, if he is allowed to grow, will be a blessing for the Martial Arts Cultivators of our Southern Wilderness," Master Xuan Yin said.

"It seems we will have to get much closer to this Lingyun Sect in the future," Master Xuan Ji said in a low voice.

...