“That is not right. If a seventh-rank Spirit Pill were produced, there would be a phenomenon. But now, why is there no phenomenon at all?” Li Muwan stared at the Spirit Pill, muttering to herself without blinking.

Wang Lin grabbed the air with his right hand, and the Spirit Pill immediately moved, flying toward his hand. Holding the pill between two fingers, Wang Lin focused his gaze on it.

The pill was cyan in color. From within the spiderweb-like cracks on its surface, waves of spiritual might radiated, and the entire secret room became unimaginably dense with Qi at this moment.

"This is a seventh-rank Spirit Pill?" Wang Lin looked at Li Muwan and asked.

Li Muwan stepped forward, stood beside Wang Lin, took the pill from his hand, and after examining it carefully for a few moments, sighed: "To be precise, this pill belongs to the pseudo-seventh-rank; it is actually a high-grade sixth-rank. The time we took to open the pill seal must have differed significantly, which caused the surface of the pill to crack and its quality to drop. If this pill had been opened using the correct method, its quality would certainly have reached above the seventh rank. As a sect from a fourth-rank Cultivation Country, the Qihuang Sect must have concocted a rare high-grade fifth-rank Spirit Pill and then stored it with a pill seal. Based on the quality of this pill, I fear it has been stored for at least several thousand years."

Wang Lin's eyes flashed as he stared at the Spirit Pill and said: "Do you recognize this pill?"

Li Muwan pondered for a moment, her beautiful eyes lighting up, and said: "The Qihuang Sect's Alchemy takes an unconventional path. They have three most famous Spirit Pills. If I am not mistaken, this pill should be the Cyan Cloud Pill! It is rumored that this Cyan Cloud Pill has unfathomable effects; breaking through the Core Formation stage should be effortless."

Wang Lin pondered for a moment. After taking the pill back, he said to Li Muwan: "Wait for me!"

Li Muwan nodded gently, a hint of tenderness appearing in her eyes, and said softly: "Don't worry. Even if you fail, it does not matter. With the help of this pill cauldron, I will definitely cause the Cloud Heaven Sect's Heaven-Seizing Seven Cauldrons to shatter. By then, they will certainly be too busy to pay attention to us."

A cold glint appeared in Wang Lin's eyes, and he said indifferently: "It should not be that much trouble!" After saying this, he looked back at the pill cauldron, sat cross-legged on the ground without a word, and tapped his right hand on his glabella. Instantly, his entire body vanished from the spot out of thin air.

Li Muwan bit her lower lip. If she left for too long, it would surely arouse suspicion. After pondering for a moment, she waved her right hand, and a Formation appeared on the wall. Li Muwan propelled her delicate body forward, sinking into the Formation, and disappeared from the secret room.

At this very moment, in the square above the secret room, Ouyang Zi's Alchemy had reached a fever pitch. His eyes were flickering with excitement, and he was muttering to himself. After a long while, he let out a low shout, soared into the air, and waved his hands downward. Instantly, the Alchemy cauldron shook.

At this moment, the winds and clouds changed color. The originally pitch-black sky suddenly brightened. A Spirit Pill shimmering with golden light was seen slowly floating up from within the cauldron, rising higher and higher.

Around this Spirit Pill, six Wandering Souls slowly revealed their figures. These six souls were precisely the six Alchemists who had been blood-sacrificed earlier. They hovered beside the Spirit Pill.

Ouyang Zi's expression was solemn as he cupped his hands and said loudly: "Six Fellow Daoists, this old man's pill is thanks to your assistance; I have nothing to repay you with. From now on, this pill shall be named the Six Paths Spirit Pill, to commemorate you all!"

Once these words were spoken, the six incarnated Wandering Souls each showed an expression of gratification on their faces. After looking at the Spirit Pill with reluctance for a few moments, they dissipated one by one.

At the same time, the Spirit Pill slowly descended and was grabbed by Ouyang Zi. Although his expression remained as usual, his heart was quite excited, and he thought to himself: "Success! With this, this old man can attempt to concoct a sixth-rank Spirit Pill!"

Returning to Wang Lin, he sat cross-legged in the Heaven Defying space, staring at the cyan Spirit Pill in his hand with a look of hesitation. After a short while, his gaze steadied, and without a word, he tossed the pill into his mouth.

As the pill entered his mouth, it immediately turned into a stream of cyan Qi, rapidly coursing through Wang Lin's body. The Ancient God Technique operated crazily, devouring this endless Qi.

At the same time, Wang Lin's Golden Core spun rapidly and began to grow dramatically.

Slowly, threads of purple Qi appeared within the Golden Core. As the threads increased, Wang Lin's cultivation instantly reached the Great Perfection of the late Core Formation stage.

At this moment, his cultivation was still growing continuously, and the Golden Core continued to expand. Gradually, drops of golden liquid dripped from the Golden Core, as if it were melting.

In this instant, his body became transparent, and all the changes within could be clearly seen.

At this moment, Wang Lin's state of mind was calm and unperturbed. He meditated carefully, waiting for the moment of Nascent Soul Formation. When the Golden Core completely melted, that would be the time for Nascent Soul Formation. In order to form a Nascent Soul, Wang Lin had struggled for over 400 years. In reality, this speed was not the fastest in the Cultivation World, but it was not the longest either.

For Wang Lin, the meaning of forming a Nascent Soul was completely different from others.

Once he could successfully form a Nascent Soul, it would mean that the first step of his previous plan had been successfully completed. The second step was to fuse the Clone and the original body together. Relying on this Fusion, he would lead the original body to form a Nascent Soul!

Once the original body could form a Nascent Soul, his extreme realm Divine Sense would achieve its first Breakthrough. If he could truly achieve this, then he would be the number one person in the entire State of Chu!

Even in the Cultivation Devil Sea, he would have a foothold and the capital to contend with Soul Transformation Stage Cultivators.

The most important point was that he would have the strength to return to the State of Zhao for revenge. Teng Huayuan—this name had been hated in Wang Lin's heart for over four hundred years. This hatred could no longer be described by any words, nor could it be stopped by anyone. Whoever tried to stop him would have to pay a price in blood!

In 400 years, Wang Lin did not know what Realm Teng Huayuan's cultivation had reached. But regardless, once Wang Lin's original body successfully formed a Nascent Soul, as long as Teng Huayuan had not reached the Soul Transformation Stage, his fate would not change in the slightest.

Wang Lin absolutely did not believe that a mere four hundred years could allow an Early Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator's cultivation to skyrocket to the Soul Transformation Stage. One must know that above the Nascent Soul Stage, not to mention major ranks, even the improvement of every small Realm was extremely difficult.

The world of cultivation was like a stepped tower; the higher one went, the rarer it became.

Among the seven Realms—Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Soul Transformation, Nascent Soul Transformation, and Soul Transformation—the Nascent Soul Stage was a watershed. Once one reached the Nascent Soul Stage, it meant one could step into the true threshold of cultivation and become one of the strong.

Besides revenge, there was another important reason that spurred him to constantly Cultivate: the sense of crisis from the long-haired man in the Ancient God Land.

He believed that with the long-haired man's unparalleled talent, he would definitely find another way to leave the Ancient God Land. Once the other party left the Ancient God Land, the first person he would seek out would definitely be him!

After fusing with the Ancient God's memory Legacy, Wang Lin could feel that he was transforming almost every day. This change was mainly in his heart and mind; he could feel that he was slowly transitioning and gradually moving closer to the world of the Ancient Gods.

Before Cultivating, Wang Lin's greatest dream was to pass the imperial examinations, to hold his head high, and to let his parents live a good life. His Fourth Uncle had given him the qualification to pursue immortality, which opened a new path for him. At that time, he thought the county seat outside his village was already the largest city. As for the capital where the Mortal emperor resided, he hardly dared to imagine it, and he had never seen it.

When he first entered the Cultivation World, his dream changed from fame to becoming an Immortal. At the same time, he learned that the State of Zhao was merely a tiny, insignificant place; in this world, countries like the State of Zhao were everywhere.

Subsequently, after experiencing great changes, Wang Lin constantly spurred himself on, thinking of every possible way to make himself stronger. His goal was to kill his way back to the State of Zhao and exact his revenge! Having traveled through various countries, Wang Lin had seen much, and his horizons suddenly broadened. He learned that beneath his feet was the Vermilion Bird Star, and that the State of Zhao was merely a third-rank Cultivation Country. Above it, there were fourth-rank, fifth-rank, and even the ultimate sixth-rank Cultivation Country, the Vermilion Bird Country.

He learned that the highest ruler of this Vermilion Bird Star was actually the Vermilion Bird Country.

After obtaining the Ancient God Legacy, his mind was shocked once more. In that vast starry sky, there were simply too many planets like the Vermilion Bird Star. The enormity of the Ancient Gods and their power to destroy a planet at will gave him a deep sense of intoxication.

At that moment, Wang Lin's state of mind underwent a drastic transformation. His dream elevated once again: to constantly pursue cultivation and make himself stronger. Only in this way could he survive in this Cultivation World.

It could be said that at this time, Wang Lin's state of mind finally detached from hatred. He was no longer Cultivating for the sake of revenge, but to pursue a dream—a strong mindset that refused to be stepped upon by others and sought to pursue the limit.

This kind of state of mind was a determination that a strong person must have and must always hold firm.

Ten days later, Wang Lin walked out of the Heaven Defying space. As soon as his body appeared, it immediately merged into one with his original body inside the pill cauldron in the secret room. At the same time, wisps of Qi from the Heaven-Seizing Seven Cauldrons on the square were silently and slowly drawn down into Wang Lin's body.

The original body and the Clone were undergoing the final Fusion. Not the slightest mistake could be tolerated here; otherwise, all previous efforts would be wasted. At this moment, Wang Lin's heart was unperturbed, and he was immersed in the Fusion of his Clone and original body.

Time passed slowly. Within Wang Lin's body, apart from the extreme realm cultivation hindering his cultivation, there was also a thin thread of Heavenly Tribulation. Whether he could succeed in the end, no one knew; all of this could only depend on the choice of fate.

The Qi stored for over a thousand years within the Heaven-Seizing Seven Cauldrons on the square was being continuously infused into Wang Lin's body in this way. His Ancient God Technique operated crazily, like a black hole, domineeringly sucking in this Qi.

In the instant the Clone and original body fused, the Ancient God Technique was also undergoing some kind of change. The first layer of the Ancient God Technique, in summary, only had two words: Devour.

And the second layer was Absorption.

Devouring and Absorption were two completely different Realms. Devouring meant that all Qi entering Wang Lin's body, regardless of its properties, would be devoured by the Ancient God Technique and converted into Qi suitable for his cultivation. This was a passive Realm.

And Absorption was an active Realm, a powerful Realm that could absorb the cultivation of others.

In reality, the strength of the Ancient God race relied entirely on the inherited Ancient God Technique. Every Ancient God, after awakening, would naturally receive the inherited Cultivation Technique of the Ancient God Technique in their mind.

As an Ancient God, only after cultivating the Ancient God technique to the second layer does one truly possess powerful offensive capabilities. By unleashing the second layer technique with an Ancient God body, nearly all spiritual energy within countless miles will be absorbed into the body, then devoured and digested using the first layer, thereby forming a cycle.

However, the Ancient God technique is, after all, a technique of the Ancient God race. If Wang Lin had obtained the Power Legacy, he could naturally Cultivate it to the second layer. But now, with his Mortal body, the difficulty of reaching this level of absorption is truly too great.

Although the Ancient God technique has undergone some changes, this transformation is truly insignificant compared to the real second layer.

Time flew by, and the day of the Dual Cultivation ceremony for Li Muwan and Sun Zhenwei arrived.

On this day, the entire Cloud Heaven Sect, both inside and out, was filled with joy. The sky was cloudless and azure blue, and one could see streaks of sword light rapidly speeding toward the Cloud Heaven Mountain Range from all directions.

Almost every School and cultivation Family within the State of Chu sent people here. The vast majority of them were Sect Leaders or their head Disciples who came in person. Such an Aura could only be possessed by the Cloud Heaven Sect; no other School could achieve this.

Because so many people came, the Cloud Heaven Sect opened its mountain gates wide and enveloped the entire Cloud Heaven Mountain Range within the mountain-protecting Formation. Besides this, they dispatched countless Outer Sect Disciples to patrol various important locations, while also serving the role of welcoming guests.

One must know that Li Muwan's status in the Cloud Heaven Sect was quite transcendent; after all, she was one of only three fifth-rank Alchemists. As for Sun Zhenwei, he was also famous. His father, an Elder of the Outer Sect, had a cultivation that had already reached the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul Stage Middle Stage, and was hailed as one of the candidates most likely to enter the Late Stage and become a Progenitor in the last hundred years.

Besides this, Sun Zhenwei was also highly regarded by the Outer Sect. Once his cultivation reached the Nascent Soul Stage, there would be a series of appointments. In fact, in secret, he had already been designated as one of the candidates for the next Outer Sect Sect Master. If his father could become a Progenitor, then he would naturally become the future Outer Sect Sect Master.

Otherwise, it would be impossible to let him Dual Cultivate with Li Muwan. In a sense, this Dual Cultivation ceremony, besides allowing the Inner Sect to firmly bind Li Muwan, was for the Outer Sect a way to elevate Sun Zhenwei's status, paving the way for him to take over the Outer Sect in the future.

The visitors from various Schools were well aware of these matters. This Dual Cultivation could be said to be a turning point for the Inner and Outer Sects of Cloud Heaven to further merge.

After all, the Cloud Heaven Sect was divided into Inner and Outer Sects; the Inner Sect focused on Alchemy, and the Outer Sect focused on cultivation. It was through their mutual cooperation that the Cloud Heaven Sect had its current status.

Sun Zhenwei was dressed in a red robe, his tall, straight figure looking gentle yet possessing an air of handsomeness. He was currently standing behind the Sect Masters of the Inner and Outer Sects and several Elders, standing outside the main hall to welcome the distinguished guests.

Although he had a smile on his face, the corners of his eyes kept twitching. In reality, the closer it got to the day of the ceremony, the more his heart pounded with fear, as if he had a premonition of impending disaster.

This feeling seemed extremely ridiculous to him. If it were any other day, it might be understandable, but today was a big day for the Cloud Heaven Sect. Almost all the Nascent Soul Stage Late Stage Progenitors had come out of seclusion. If anyone were to cause trouble today, their only outcome would surely be death.

Unless the other party's cultivation had reached the Soul Transformation Stage!

However, Sun Zhenwei did not believe that a Soul Transformation Stage Cultivator would come to cause trouble at the Cloud Heaven Sect. Moreover, even if it were the Soul Transformation Stage, given the Cloud Heaven Sect's background with the Giant Demon Race, any Soul Transformation Stage Cultivator would have to show some consideration.

Thus, Sun Zhenwei could find almost no reason to let himself be so fearful. He smiled inwardly, thinking to himself that he was overthinking it.

However, despite saying this, in his mind, the extremely cold gaze of the person who knew Li Muwan would flash from time to time.

At this moment, an old man in gray robes standing a few steps ahead of Sun Zhenwei glanced at him, slowed his pace, and after Sun Zhenwei approached, said in a deep voice: "Zhenwei, do not overthink. If that person who knows Elder Li comes here today, Father will definitely make sure he cannot escape! Even if his cultivation reaches the heavens, it will be of no use. I have already discussed this matter with the Sect Master, so you can rest assured."

The old man's tone was calm, but it held an unquestionable Aura. This person was none other than Sun Zhenwei's father, one of the Outer Sect Elders.

Sun Zhenwei quickly and respectfully agreed. Regarding Wang Lin's matter, he could hide it from anyone, but he dared not hide even a fraction of it from his father, having long since told him everything.

Now hearing that the Sect Master was involved in this matter, his heart was even more at ease. When he looked up, he saw the white-haired old man, who was standing side-by-side with the Inner Sect Sect Leader at the very front, turn his head and smile slightly at him.

This person was none other than Liu Fei, the Outer Sect Sect Master of the Cloud Heaven Sect. His cultivation was mysterious and unfathomable. It was rumored that he had already reached the Nascent Soul Stage Late Stage, but he cultivated a mysterious technique that could conceal his cultivation, making it very difficult to see through unless one's strength was a notch higher than his.

The person beside this white-haired old man was Song Qing, the Inner Sect Sect Leader. Behind him followed a group of people. If one looked closely, one could see that their cultivation levels varied, but everyone among them, if placed in another School, could immediately become a distinguished Chief Alchemist.

"Sect Leader Sima of the Haoran School and Elder Xuli, come to offer congratulations!" A long announcement came from the distance, the sound echoing one after another, traveling all the way from the Cloud Heaven Mountain Range.

At the same time, two long rainbows broke through the air, one after the other. When they landed outside the main hall, they revealed the figures within. One of them wore a purple robe, and his face was full of the vicissitudes of life.

This person was none other than Sima Yunnan, the Sect Leader of the Haoran School. After he appeared, he immediately laughed heartily and cupped his hands, saying: "Brother Song, Brother Liu, congratulations!"

Beside him was Xuli, dressed in a green shirt. Given his status, he naturally could not interrupt at this moment, so he smiled and cupped his hands.

The Outer Sect Sect Master Liu Fei laughed heartily and stepped forward a few paces, cupping his hands and saying: "Fellow Daoist Sima, you and I have not seen each other for over ten years in the blink of an eye. If not for our Sect sending out invitations today, I am afraid it would have been difficult to invite you here."

The Inner Sect Sect Leader Song Qing stroked the beard on his chin and laughed from the side: "Old man Sima, you promised to give me a thousand-year-old Vermilion Fruit last time. Did you bring it today?"

Sima Yunnan laughed: "You two, stop making things difficult for me. Fine, your memory is quite good. I brought the Vermilion Fruit, but I have a grand-Disciple who is about to undergo Core Formation. You must give me a hundred or eighty pills; otherwise, I will not give you this Vermilion Fruit!"

The three of them laughed heartily and chatted for a few more sentences. Liu Fei waved his hand, and Sun Zhenwei immediately stepped forward to guide them, taking Sima Yunnan and Xuli into the main hall.

Sima Yunnan carefully sized up Sun Zhenwei for a few moments and laughed: "Indeed, a talent of rare quality. His cultivation is already at the threshold of the Nascent Soul Stage. Within a hundred years, the Cloud Heaven Sect will surely add another Nascent Soul Stage expert. Good!"

Sun Zhenwei smiled gently and respectfully said: "Senior, you flatter me. This Junior truly does not deserve such praise."

Sima Yunnan nodded and walked into the main hall with Xuli.

Inside the main hall, there were several tables placed, upon which were fine wine and Immortal fruits. At this moment, there were already many people from various Schools inside the hall, either chatting softly with each other or laughing and bowing to one another.

After Sima Yunnan entered, there was inevitably more bustle. After accompanying them for a while, Sun Zhenwei stood up, retreated, and left the main hall.

After he left, Sima Yunnan and Xuli sat by a table. The two looked at each other, and Sima Yunnan transmitted his voice: "The person you mentioned, hidden in the Cloud Heaven Sect?"

Xuli's expression remained normal, and he also transmitted his voice: "Sect Leader, this is just my guess, it is not certain. That person had monstrous Evil Qi on him and disappeared in this Cloud Heaven Mountain Range back then. Moreover, three months ago, a mysterious person appeared within the Cloud Heaven Sect. This person still managed to leave safely under the pursuit of three Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators. According to the spy's description, I feel that this person is the one I encountered back then. As for whether he is hidden here, I do not know."

Sima Yunnan pondered for a moment and thought inwardly: "If this person is truly as Xuli described, he must be a giant monster from the Cultivation Devil Sea. Hehe, the Cloud Heaven Sect has attracted the attention of the devil Cultivators from the Cultivation Devil Sea; this might not be a bad thing for our Haoran School!"

"Immortal Master Tianyi of the Luoyue School and Elder Shi Tianlai, come to offer congratulations!" Another long announcement came, and Sima Yunnan looked up toward the outside of the main hall.

At this time, people from various Schools arrived one after another. Except for some large Schools and Sects that were personally hosted by Sun Zhenwei, the rest of the Schools and Families were all guided by Cloud Heaven Sect Disciples and sent to the main hall one by one.

Soon, the entire main hall was almost full, with everyone talking loudly, making it quite lively. There were also some who did not care for the bustle, sitting in corners, either drinking alone or closing their eyes in meditation.

Around the main hall, a full circle of Outer Sect Disciples stood. Their cultivation levels were all at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and they stood straight like pine trees, eyes fixed forward without looking sideways.

Before long, Liu Fei and Song Qing walked in from outside the main hall. Behind them followed dozens of Elders. As for Sun Zhenwei, he followed closely behind. Besides these people, Li Muwan was also prominently among them. She wore a purple veil on her face, and her gaze was calm.

After everyone entered the hall, the visitors from various Families and Schools stopped talking and looked over.

At the head of the main hall, Liu Fei glanced at Song Qing and smiled as he stepped back two paces. Song Qing nodded to acknowledge, swept his gaze across the entire hall, and said in a calm voice: "Fellow Daoists, today is a joyous day for our Cloud Heaven Sect…"

Before he could finish his words, suddenly, the entire main hall shook violently. At the same time, a monstrous pressure surged from beneath the ground. Under the sweep of this pressure, all the Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators in the hall immediately and involuntarily stood up, all of them showing expressions of shock, their Divine Sense probing toward the ground.

A trace of tenderness appeared in Li Muwan's eyes. She knew, Wang Lin, had come!

——Having written 6000 words for consecutive days, my old back problem has flared up again. Sigh, today's chapter was written while enduring the pain. When I finished the last word, I couldn't straighten my back. Dear readers, for the sake of Er Gen continuing to update while sick, please throw some monthly votes. We are still over 100 votes away from the top six by the end of the month. Let Er Gen get an extra thousand yuan bonus this month.