C41 The Shortcomings of the Innate Ability

Yun Haoyan nodded, then pressed on with his questioning:

"Do you often employ your innate ability when concocting pills?"

"Absolutely!" Elder Miao replied without a moment's hesitation.

"Do you understand how innate abilities come to be?" Yun Haoyan inquired, a smile playing on his lips.

Elder Miao carefully chose his words before responding:

"To my knowledge, innate abilities are embedded within a person's soul. Everyone is born with such a capability.

The nature of one's innate ability is determined at birth. Some possess strong abilities, others weak, some have these abilities, and some do not."

Yun Haoyan nodded in agreement, then shook his head slightly:

"You're partially correct.

Firstly, the innate ability does reside in the soul. Though it's speculative, it's also factual.

Secondly, innate abilities aren't predestined."

"They're not predestined?" Elder Miao's eyes bulged with surprise as he gazed at Yun Haoyan.

"Indeed, they are not.

Innate abilities aren't fixed at birth. They can be acquired through diligent cultivation, or even taken by force."

"Taken by force?" Elder Miao was utterly astounded. Such a radical concept was new to him.

"Yes!" Yun Haoyan affirmed, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity.

He recalled the woman who had coveted his God Level innate ability with avarice.

"However, you needn't worry. Plundering an innate ability is exceedingly challenging. Ordinary Heavenly innate abilities aren't even worth the effort.

Innate abilities aren't inherent; they're bestowed by the universe itself."

"A gift from the universe?"

Elder Miao had never encountered such a mystical idea before.

"Are you familiar with the God Level innate abilities?" Yun Haoyan asked, his voice laced with intrigue.

"God Level innate abilities? I've never come across such a term. I'm only aware of Yellow, Profound, Earth, and Heavenly levels. The concept of a God Level innate ability is completely new to me."

Elder Miao felt a profound shift within himself. He hadn't anticipated that Yun Haoyan's initial mentorship would grant him access to such invaluable wisdom.

Yun Haoyan chuckled and remarked:

"It's understandable that you're unaware. This secret is typically shared only among the ranks of Martial Saints and Martial Monarchs."

"The only way to ascend to the Martial Monarch Realm is through a God Level innate ability."

"Martial Monarch?" Elder Miao was dumbstruck. The notion that a God Level innate ability could be tied to the Martial Monarch tier was beyond comprehension.

"Let's set that aside for now. We should focus on how innate abilities affect alchemy," suggested Yun Haoyan, steering the conversation in a new direction.

Elder Miao was still reeling from the revelation; it was his first encounter with such a closely guarded secret.

"Innate abilities can be a double-edged sword for alchemists."

"They can be detrimental?" Elder Miao was taken aback by the assertion.

"Indeed, they have their drawbacks," Yun Haoyan affirmed, offering a reassuring smile before continuing, "They can actually impede an alchemist's progress."

"Impede? No way. Without my Earth Level innate ability, I never would've achieved the rank of Pill King. It played a crucial role in my breakthrough to that realm," Elder Miao countered, shaking his head in disagreement.

"And what about advancing to Pill Emperor? If you continue to depend solely on your alchemy innate ability, do you really think you can make that leap?"

"It's out of the question. You could refine pills until your dying day and still not reach the Pill Emperor level."

"Perhaps my talent just isn't sufficient," Elder Miao conceded after a moment's thought.

Yun Haoyan chuckled and replied, "Elder Miao, remember you're a Rogue Cultivator. You reached Pill King status without the backing of any powerful resources. If your alchemy talent is lacking, then who's is considered good?"

In truth, Elder Miao's innate ability surpassed that of Yun Haoyan's previous life. But his constant reliance on that innate ability for pill refining was precisely why he had yet to break through to the Pill Emperor realm.