Chapter 911: Double Breakthroughs

The Mortal Realm

The external incarnation was consolidating its cultivation.

Two days later, he slowly opened his eyes and looked at Qin Sang, who was meditating in front of him. At this moment, Qin Sang had already produced the Corpse Pill, preparing to refine it anew.

Refining the Corpse Pill using the "Seed of Demonic Origin" technique and then transferring it to his external incarnation would save a significant amount of time. This path was uncharted even by Senior Qing Zhu, and Qin Sang had only one opportunity; failure to refine it could destroy the Corpse Pill.

Over the past two years, he had mentally rehearsed this process countless times.

As his external incarnation's cultivation advanced repeatedly, Qin Sang gained new insights each time. After countless revisions, he felt there was little room for further improvement, so he decided to proceed directly and in one go.

The Corpse Pill floated between the two, its surface a dark bluish-black from having absorbed the fierce and ominous qi.

The external incarnation focused intently and activated its cultivation method.

Qin Sang also performed a secret art from the "Seed of Demonic Origin," forcing out drops of his vital blood. These transformed into streaks of incantations that entered the Corpse Pill.

Although the Corpse Pill was an external alchemical artifact, it had been nurtured within Qin Sang's body for decades, becoming inseparable from him. Its progress had stagnated simply because Qin Sang hadn't had the spare energy to focus on finding a way to enhance it.

The "Seed of Demonic Origin" presented an opportunity; the re-refined Corpse Pill would break through its limitations and achieve further enhancement.

However, if the external incarnation advanced using the Corpse Pill, its chances of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage in the future would be almost zero. But that was a concern for later; Qin Sang's own progression to the Nascent Soul stage was still a distant prospect, so he couldn't worry about every detail.

This step proceeded very smoothly. The Corpse Pill was docile, absorbing Qin Sang's vital blood and transforming into a blood-red pill.

Qin Sang's face was slightly pale due to the excessive consumption of his vital blood.

Immediately afterward, the external incarnation let out a low cry, activating a secret art and rapidly sending out incantations. These transformed into streaks of demonic light that landed on the Corpse Pill, attempting to merge with it and subdue it.

The Corpse Pill immediately began to resist fiercely, its true essence surging. The fierce and ominous qi, which had previously been stable, also showed signs of instability. Qin Sang seemed to have anticipated this and intervened promptly to suppress it.

Qin Sang stared intently at the Corpse Pill, daring not to relax in the slightest. This was the most crucial step; as long as the external incarnation could successfully complete the secret art, given their shared essence, subduing the Corpse Pill would not be difficult.

The Corpse Pill continued to resist, but ultimately, due to Qin Sang's "infiltration," the secret art successfully breached it.

"Collect!"

The incarnation opened its mouth wide, and the Corpse Pill instantly transformed into a streak of red light, vanishing into its body.

Simultaneously, Qin Sang's figure flickered, appearing before the incarnation. He pressed his palm lightly on its Dantian, and his true essence surged wildly into the incarnation's qi sea, helping to suppress the Corpse Pill.

Soon after, Qin Sang slowly withdrew his hand, looking thoughtful. "The first step was a smooth success. Next, my external incarnation and I must work together, using blood-feeding and the secret arts from 'Seed of Demonic Origin' to gradually refine the fierce and ominous qi within the Corpse Pill, transforming it into its own Demonic Pill. This process will likely take several months, during which I can also begin preparing to break through to the third layer of 'Heavenly Fiend Refining Form'..."

The external incarnation remained motionless in its meditative posture. Qin Sang glanced at it, then exited the cultivation cave.

One day, a year later.

In an open area outside the cultivation cave, separated by a spiritual formation.

A sudden burst of blood-red light appeared. Two figures clashed and instantly separated. One figure stumbled back seven or eight steps, trembling before finally managing to stand firm.

Qin Sang retracted his hand, his eyes slightly narrowed, suppressing the surging qi and blood within him. He wondered aloud, "The cultivation method of my external incarnation can actually affect an opponent's qi and blood. I wonder if it's because it has been continuously cultivated with blood-feeding..."

These two figures were Qin Sang and his external incarnation.

By now, the external incarnation had successfully refined its Demonic Pill and entered the Core Formation stage!

Out of caution, Qin Sang had proceeded meticulously at every step, only advancing when he was certain there would be no mishaps. Consequently, the entire refinement process took a full year.

There had been two unexpected incidents during this time, but fortunately, the Corpse Pill was originally Qin Sang's, allowing him to successfully resolve them. This ultimately helped the external incarnation refine its Demonic Pill.

The external incarnation's strength was now that of a genuine early-stage Core Formation expert. Furthermore, due to its demonic cultivation, it could catch opponents off guard, potentially putting them at a slight disadvantage.

After testing the external incarnation's strength, Qin Sang showed a satisfied expression. He instructed the incarnation to return and continue consolidating its cultivation, while he himself began to get busy.

Not long after the external incarnation successfully broke through.

Late at night.

Qin Sang set up a large Spirit Gathering Formation, completely filled with mid-grade spirit stones. Beside him lay several jade bottles containing spiritual medicines for healing and rapid true essence recovery, as well as jade boxes holding Tyrant Blood Fruit and Green Misty Root.

The Star Altar was placed before him, with his external incarnation meditating opposite.

The Celestial Eye Butterfly, the Fat Silkworm, and the Twin-Headed Hounds were also summoned by Qin Sang.

Astonishingly, five entities at the Core Formation stage or equivalent were simultaneously present in the cultivation cave. Of course, the Fat Silkworm and Celestial Eye Butterfly were exceptional due to their extraordinary innate abilities, not their raw power matching the stage.

Qin Sang had now cultivated "Heavenly Fiend Refining Form" to the perfected second layer, merely awaiting the infusion of star essence. To maximize his chances of success, he had waited until his incarnation broke through before deciding to act.

Everything was ready, lacking only the final catalyst.

Qin Sang surveyed his surroundings and softly said, "Let's begin!"

With that, he flashed onto the Star Altar and sat cross-legged. The external incarnation, the Celestial Eye Butterfly, and the other spirit beasts also stirred, moving closer to the Star Altar and pouring their true essence into it with all their might.

Qin Sang himself was not idle. He multi-tasked, preparing his cultivation method while also injecting his true essence into the Star Altar to enhance the power of the starlight.

*Puff! Puff!*

The Fat Silkworm and the Celestial Eye Butterfly were the first to become exhausted.

The Celestial Eye Butterfly hugged its wings, appearing as if asleep, while the Fat Silkworm flopped over, lying on the ground like a dead dog.

Next was the external incarnation, its true essence depleted, sitting motionless.

Only Qin Sang and the Twin-Headed Hounds continued to persist.

The Twin-Headed Hounds actually had the highest cultivation level among those present. Qin Sang soon felt an emptiness within his own body. He quickly grabbed a jade bottle and poured the spiritual pills into his mouth.

The Star Altar, like a bottomless pit, unceremoniously absorbed all the true essence.

A faint glow shimmered on the surface of the Star Altar.

The power of the surrounding celestial stars was drawn forth by the Star Altar.

The moment the Twin-Headed Hounds also exhausted their strength and ceased, a pillar of light suddenly appeared above the small island, connecting to the starry sky. Star essence poured down. Fortunately, the island's remote location prevented anyone from discovering this anomaly.

Bathed in starlight, Qin Sang immediately activated his cultivation method with all his might.

The next moment, Qin Sang's heart trembled. He felt an ethereal and profound power descend from the heavens, pouring in through the top of his head. It swept through his body in an instant, like a force of nature, carrying with it dark and obscure star fiend qi.

Qin Sang let out a muffled groan, his body suddenly convulsing. A grimace of pain appeared on his face as he forcibly steadied himself.

His entire body turned crimson, veins bulging as if blood were about to seep out.

What was even more terrifying was the sensation within his body. Under such an immense impact of star essence, his flesh felt as if it were being pulverized, carved open little by little by tiny knives. His bones, meanwhile, felt as if countless ants were gnawing at their marrow.

The agony he was enduring this time was far more terrifying than when he broke through to the second layer.