Spiritual Energy Takes Form, A Powerful Breakthrough

The moment Chen Chang'an fused with the fetal pearl, in the blink of an eye, everyone sensed a drastic shift in the surrounding spiritual energy.

Looking up, a swirling vortex of spiritual energy had already formed above the Alchemy Emperor Manor.

How could such an overwhelming surge of spiritual energy appear in an instant?

The speed at which it was being devoured was simply monstrous!

"What... what is happening? What exactly is that pearl?"

"It’s no ordinary treasure, absolutely extraordinary! Who would have thought refining it could bring such immense benefits?"

"Ah, what a pity. None of us could refine it, yet this man seized the opportunity."

"That’s his skill. But I’m curious—how did he refine it? Could it be that the pearl originally belonged to him?"

"I’m more intrigued by how he managed to drain the spiritual energy from a radius of hundreds of thousands of kilometers in mere moments."

"Exactly, the speed is terrifying... and it hasn’t even stopped yet."

Chen Chang'an’s absorption rate was beyond comprehension. In an instant, all the spiritual energy within dozens of kilometers had gathered here.

And judging by the vortex in the sky, an endless stream of spiritual energy was still rapidly converging toward this spot.

No one knew just how much energy would ultimately be absorbed—it was already pushing the limits of some people’s perception.

Inside the Alchemy Emperor Manor, the crowd exchanged stunned glances, while outside, the commotion grew even more frenzied.

Such an extraordinary phenomenon appearing in the manor could only mean one thing in their eyes—the treasure had been successfully refined.

"Success? Has it really succeeded?"

"Incredible, utterly incredible! Even the Undying Alchemy Emperor couldn’t accomplish it, yet someone actually refined it?"

"Who do you think did it?"

"Hmm... hard to say. Could it be that alchemy prodigy, Yun Xiao?"

"Impossible! He’s talented, but still too young and limited in ability."

"Maybe it was those few who just entered? The phenomenon appeared right after they went in—it must be connected to them."

"Pah! That’s getting ridiculous. They refined it the moment they stepped in? Who do you think they are? Gods? More powerful than the Alchemy Emperor?"

As the crowd argued heatedly, the spiritual vortex in the sky began to undergo a strange transformation.

"Is that... spiritual energy taking form?"

"How vast must the energy be to reach this level?"

"Just how much has he gathered?"

Kuang Zhongtang looked at Chen Chang'an with a sense of helplessness. Was this guy even human? If he was this monstrous, did Kuang Zhongtang stand any chance of ever surpassing him?

Yao Niming, however, studied Chen Chang'an with a puzzled expression. Something felt off—was Chen Chang'an actually breaking through in cultivation?

But if so, what realm would someone like him reach?

In Yao Niming’s mind, Chen Chang'an’s strength had always been at the peak of the Emperor Realm. He even believed Chen Chang'an was the true master of the Forbidden Forest.

For such a figure to break through was beyond belief.

As Yao Niming pondered, the spiritual vortex in the sky gradually condensed into a massive dragon of pure energy.

The dragon circled above before suddenly plunging straight into Chen Chang'an’s body.

BOOM!

The moment the spiritual dragon merged with him, Chen Chang'an’s cultivation surged explosively.

Divine Ability Realm—second layer, third layer, fourth layer...

His power skyrocketed all the way to the first layer of the Divine Transformation Realm before finally stabilizing.

Such a breakthrough speed was unprecedented, and the sheer volume of spiritual energy he absorbed left everyone awestruck.

Yet they still couldn’t fathom how such an immense amount of energy only brought him to the first layer of the Divine Transformation Realm.

Wait...

Hold on.

Divine Transformation Realm—first layer?

His previous cultivation was really only at the first layer of the Divine Ability Realm?

How was that possible?

Among the crowd, only two were utterly shocked: Yao Niming and Kuang Zhongtang.

Yao Niming couldn’t comprehend why Chen Chang'an’s cultivation had regressed so drastically, while Kuang Zhongtang was completely dumbfounded.

If Chen Chang'an had truly been at the first layer of the Divine Ability Realm earlier... then did that mean Kuang Zhongtang, a cultivator of the Immortal Realm, couldn’t even defeat him?

Damn it, how was anyone supposed to live with that?

Refreshed and revitalized, Chen Chang'an felt an indescribable comfort after his breakthrough. The sense of something that had always belonged to him but was missing was slowly being restored.

"You... you were really at the Divine Ability Realm before?"

"Why? Why couldn’t I defeat you even then?"

Kuang Zhongtang rushed forward as soon as Chen Chang'an stabilized, his voice trembling with agitation.

His words sent another wave of shock through the onlookers. Kuang Zhongtang was an Immortal Realm expert—had he actually fought Chen Chang'an before?

And lost?

A Divine Ability Realm cultivator defeating an Immortal Realm expert? That... had to be a joke. Right?

"Even if I had no cultivation at all, you still couldn’t harm me. Stop obsessing over it—it’s exhausting," Chen Chang'an retorted dismissively.

"Monster! You’re an absolute monster!"

"You... you’re not even human!"

Kuang Zhongtang was at a loss for how to process Chen Chang'an’s absurdity. This guy couldn’t possibly be human—no human could be like this.

Right, he definitely wasn’t human!

"Brother Chen, I’m also curious. Logically, we met eight thousand years ago. How could your cultivation be like this?"

"Weren’t you at the peak of the Emperor Realm?"

Yao Niming’s question struck like a thunderbolt, leaving everyone suffocating under the weight of the revelation.

Peak of the Emperor Realm?

He was a peak Emperor Realm expert?

"Holy hell, I’m actually seeing a living peak Emperor Realm cultivator?"

"Idiot, have you ever seen a dead one?"

"Well... no, never had the chance!"

"If the Alchemy Emperor says he was at the peak, there’s no mistake. But why is he only at the first layer of the Divine Transformation Realm now?"

"Don’t underestimate that ‘first layer’—I have a feeling his strength is terrifying."

Chen Chang'an had no way to explain this, nor would anyone believe him if he tried.

It was just like how, in the past, he had denied being at the peak of the Emperor Realm—yet Yao Niming refused to accept it.

"Nothing much. Just felt like starting over for fun."

Starting over... for fun?

Was this guy even speaking human language?

Who just casually discards peak Emperor Realm cultivation?

Have some decency!

Chen Chang'an’s words were a brutal blow to everyone present. Others dreamed of reaching the Emperor Realm their entire lives, let alone the peak.

Yet here was a man who tossed it all aside because he was "bored," restarting his cultivation just for the sake of it.

How infuriating!

"Hahaha!"

"Brother Chen, you’ve always been this unrestrained. Truly admirable."

"By the way, that pearl must have originally been yours, right? Is that why you could refine it?" Yao Niming laughed heartily.

"Indeed, this item originally belonged to me, though due to certain circumstances, it ended up lost elsewhere."

Just as expected!

"In that case, it must be fate. Who would have thought that something I stumbled upon by chance would turn out to be the possession of a dear friend?"

"Now that the matter of the pearl is resolved, it feels like a weight has been lifted from my heart."

Yao Niming's words made Chen Chang'an frown slightly, sensing something off about the man.

Ignoring the puzzled looks from the others, Yao Niming turned his gaze toward Yun Xiao.

"Yun Xiao, you possess remarkable talent and exceptional aptitude in alchemy."

"I wish to take you as my disciple and pass on my legacy. Would you be willing?"

So, he really intends to take on a disciple?

Though Yao Niming's decision surprised the crowd, it wasn’t entirely unexpected. After all, he had only ever taken one disciple in his life—Medicine Destiny—whose potential was somewhat limited. It made sense for him to seek a worthy successor.

"That kid’s luck is incredible, to earn the favor of the Alchemy Emperor himself."

"True. If we had the chance to study under him, our alchemy skills would surely reach new heights."

"Ah, but such fortune isn’t meant for the likes of us."

Envious glances were cast toward Yun Xiao, yet to everyone’s astonishment, he hesitated. After a moment, he bowed apologetically.

"I’m sorry, but I have no intention of becoming a disciple."

He refused?

Yun Xiao actually turned down the Alchemy Emperor?

No one could make sense of it. Even if the kid was arrogant or overly confident, wouldn’t guidance from such a legendary master be invaluable? Why reject it?

"You… truly won’t reconsider?"

"Thank you for your kindness, Alchemy Emperor, but I must decline."

"Very well. I won’t force you."

Yao Niming chuckled, then turned his attention back to Chen Chang'an.

"To reunite with an old friend as my life nears its end—I can depart without regrets. As for the rest, let fate decide."