C5 The Might of the Dragon Cannot be Touched!!
The most elite pills can induce changes in the body that even dragons couldn't foresee, making them quite fascinating.
However, the pill Chen Xing currently held was significantly less impressive. Compared to his former self from 100,000 years ago, it didn't even measure up to a piece of candy, which at least has the benefit of being sweet and flavorful.
At present, Chen Xing possessed only a powerful Dragon Soul and had reached the second level of Body Tempering. He was less significant than an ant and incapable of refining such a potent pill.
He examined the pill he had crafted with approximately 96.7% medicinal potency, his face showing clear distaste.
"Well, I might as well make do and take it."
Pills are the quickest way for a human body to evolve. He was determined to enhance his strength!
Making Charstand pay was not just an idle threat!
As the Water Clear Heart Pill dissolved in his mouth, a vast expanse of misty water vapor emerged, coursing through his limbs and bones as if his entire body were immersed in water.
To an onlooker, it would appear as though a blue sphere of water enveloped him, with gentle waves of power meandering through his body, purging it of impurities and causing his pores to relax and become exceptionally clear.
"Ah, this is comfortable. Indeed, being enveloped in water is the most soothing," Chen Xing murmured contentedly, as if he were luxuriating in a delightful bath.
Any alchemist witnessing this scene would be astounded beyond belief!
The Clear Water Heart-Cleansing Pill was a fifth-grade Spirit Pill, primarily used to cultivate the Water Root!
Its success rate might not be the highest, but its mild nature and low risk, coupled with its healing and marrow-cleansing properties, placed it among the elite of fifth-grade pills—a veritable treasure pill that was beyond price.
Despite its rarity, wealthy families in the cultivation world were often willing to invest heavily in nurturing their offspring with such pills. And with success, they would gain a Soul Seed!
The Soul Seed plays a crucial role for cultivators, which is why Liu Cheng, the bearer of dual Spiritual Roots, was held in such high regard.
Yet, Chen Xing was using such a treasured pill as if it were nothing more than bathwater!
What a travesty to squander such heavenly gifts!
The success rate for cultivating a Water Root was never high, and without proper preparation, it was bound to be even lower.
As expected, once the water vapor dissipated, Chen Xing's body exuded a subtle water essence. His skin had become much paler and had a translucent quality.
Yet, he had not succeeded in forming the Water Root.
"Not too shabby," Chen Xing remarked, clenching his fists. Inside him, a surge of power flowed freely. Before he realized it, he had reached the peak of the third level of Body Tempering.
It wasn't surprising, really. A fifth-grade pill might not be primarily for advancement in cultivation, but the rich spiritual energy it contained made advancing through the Body Tempering stages seem effortless.
"Hmm... I think I could handle another one." With that, he unleashed the Dragon Soul's power and retrieved the same medicinal herbs he had used earlier. He enveloped them in the air, molding them with care. This time, he took his time and put in more effort. At last, another blue bead formed.
This bead was even more translucent than the first – utterly breathtaking! If he were to claim it was a dragon bead, people would surely believe him!
This time, the pill's efficacy was at 99%!
Chen Xing nodded in approval; this was more like his handiwork. A hundred thousand years ago, he held his alchemy to a high standard – eighty percent was barely passing.
"It's a shame, with this current body, the chances of crafting a perfect pill are slim."
The difference between a perfect pill and one at ninety-nine percent might be a mere 0.01%, but the distinction was monumental.
A perfect pill would undergo a transformation! It would draw in extraordinary phenomena and inscribe its own mark upon the user – a true divine pill!
Even back when he was a dragon, a hundred thousand years ago, creating such a masterpiece was no small feat. Strictly speaking, such creations were more than just pills; they were works of art, worthy of collection.
Chen Xing opened his mouth and swallowed the pill, which resembled a dragon bead, savoring it carefully.
"Mmm, slightly sweet."
His body was once again enveloped in water vapor, now even more vibrant and welcoming. It was as if a small dragon was playfully spiraling within, full of spirit and life.
Thanks to his enhanced physique, Chen Xing's body absorbed spiritual energy far better than before, allowing his cultivation level to soar from the fourth layer to the fifth, and then to the sixth!
Levels that would normally take years of diligent cultivation were breezed through by him as if piercing through paper.
He paused only upon reaching the sixth level, and with minimal effort, he was on the verge of attaining the peak of this layer.
The primary reason for this rapid progress was his lack of preparation when consuming the pills; he hadn't dedicated himself to cultivating earnestly but was simply reveling in the experience. Had he done so, he surely would have ascended to even greater heights!
Once the mist cleared, a faint blue haze lingered around him, taking its time to fade away.
Indeed, this time it was concealed, not vanished!
Chen Xing, with his Water Root, had succeeded!
The pill with ninety-six point seven percent efficacy, and another at a staggering ninety-nine percent, had contributed to the formation of his Water Root without any surprise.
With pills at his disposal, he was unstoppable!
"Hmm, there's a bit too much spiritual energy remaining in my body. I'll need some time to channel it and fully integrate it before I can continue with the pills," Chen Xing mused, a touch of regret in his eyes.
The cooling rate of the Dragon Soul alchemy far outpaced the time he needed to assimilate the spiritual energy from the pills. The inability to consume more pills was truly frustrating!
He closed his eyes and settled into a deep state of cultivation. Wisps of water vapor wafted from his form.
The Water God Illusion Technique!
This was one of the premier cultivation methods he had devised for his human followers a hundred millennia ago!
Due to his immense power, crafting cultivation techniques for his subjects was a pastime of the dragons, akin to alchemy.
The newly cultivated Water Root, buoyant and ethereal, harmonized with the Water God Illusion Technique, rapidly assimilating the residual spiritual energy from the pills and transforming Chen Xing's entire being from the inside out.
...
Upon opening his eyes to the dim light of dawn, Chen Xing's gaze was vibrant, his eyes shimmering with a clarity akin to pure water.
He rose to his feet and opened the door.
Taotao was startled by the sudden movement beside her.
As a maid, her duties began before the crack of dawn, and at the moment, she was dozing off.
"Young Master, why are you up so early today?" She rubbed her sleepy eyes and gazed at Chen Xing. Her eyes glazed over in awe; looking at the Young Master for the first time that day, she felt as if she were seeing the stars themselves! Her vision brightened, and she felt a renewed sense of alertness.
"Go back inside and sleep. I'm heading out."
Chen Xing gave her shoulder a reassuring pat and walked towards the door with a smile.
Taotao remained frozen in place for a moment before snapping back to reality. "Young Master, where are you off to?"
From a distance, Chen Xing gave a casual wave. "Off to school, of course."
Taotao rubbed her eyes once more. "Is that really the Young Master?"
Before becoming a maid, she had believed Chen Xing to be nothing more than a lascivious libertine. Yet, her recent interactions with him had revealed a very different person.
She cocked her head to the side, pondering.
Such a young master... It would hardly seem inappropriate for one to willingly rush into his arms. How could he ever be labeled a lecherous devil?
Then, with a jolt, she turned crimson with embarrassment.
What on earth was she thinking?
...
"Good morning," Chen Xing announced cheerfully as he entered the classroom and waved. The only other person present so early was the class monitor, Luo Shuining.
Luo Shuining paused, then nodded slightly and responded coolly, "Morning."
"Class monitor, we must be on the same wavelength. How did you know I'd be coming to class today and even sit there waiting for me?" Chen Xing inquired with curiosity. Luo Shuining had taken the seat of his adorable desk mate, Yan Yuhan.
"I wasn't waiting for you. This seat is mine now," Luo Shuining stated, tapping on her desk with a hint of impatience.
"Yours? Then what about Yuhan..."
"Yuhan has left and withdrawn from Starfall Academy. I have no idea where she's gone. She wanted to see you one last time a few days ago, but you never showed up. She never got her final goodbye."
"Oh." Chen Xing nodded, a hint of disappointment crossing his face as he settled into his seat.
He hadn't anticipated Yan Yuhan's abrupt departure. They were desk mates with a good rapport, yet he knew little about her family background.
But he genuinely felt a connection with her. If possible, he mused, once he had some free time in the future, he might marry her. In the small town of Shui Lan, supported by the Chen family, they could live a carefree life together.
But now, she was gone.
Luo Shuining cast a glance at him, a flicker of irritation passing through her. Other boys would be overjoyed to share a desk with her, some even going as far as to offer prayers of thanks. Yet there was Chen Xing, looking utterly forlorn! Did he find her so much less appealing than Yan Yuhan?
She couldn't help but feel a twinge of defeat.
"Hey! Isn't that Chen Xing? The so-called mighty dragon has finally deigned to attend Starfall Academy?" Lee Qing's voice dripped with sarcasm as he entered the classroom, a sneer plastered on his face.
He had been itching for a chance to put Chen Xing in his place but hadn't expected to come home to news of the Charstand executing the Chen family's stewards. The thought filled him with a sense of relief, a refreshing feeling washing over him.
Chen Xing gave Lee Qing a cold look and ignored him.
There were too many jesters like him; it wasn't worth the effort to engage with each one.
Chen Xing's silence seemed to unsettle Lee Qing, who felt as though his punch had missed its mark, the impact far less significant than the embarrassment Chen Xing had caused him days earlier.
His gaze shifted to Luo Shuining beside Chen Xing, envy and jealousy bubbling up within him. Yan Yuhan, the second beauty, had left, and now Luo Shuining, the top beauty, had taken her place, even volunteering to be class monitor! He couldn't fathom how this kid's luck with women ran so deep.
"Ah, to have such a terrifying creature in one's own house, and to lose one's father so easily, truly terrifying," Lee Qing said with a cold laugh, the sharpness in his tone intensifying.
A flicker of rage passed through Chen Xing's eyes.
To insult his family was to provoke the untouchable dragon's might!
His form shifted abruptly, a soft blue glow radiating from him. Just a moment before, he appeared to be sitting motionless, enveloped in the blue aura. But in an instant, Chen Xing had soared into the air, his foot crashing down onto Lee Qing's face!