Chapter 388: Refining the Source Star Pill

When Zhou Yuan returned to his cave dwelling, he still wore a troubled expression, likely agonizing over how to acquire a "Heavenly Merit" within three months. He dared not doubt the words of Elder Xuan, a highly experienced figure within the Cangxuan Sect, for if he truly angered him, he might genuinely lose the "Primordial Azurewood Mark."

Therefore, he had no choice but to honestly comply with Elder Xuan's instructions and exchange it for a Heavenly Merit within three months.

"What's wrong?" Yao Yao, who was in the cave dwelling, couldn't help but ask casually when she saw Zhou Yuan's troubled face upon his return.

Zhou Yuan recounted the matter with Elder Xuan with a bitter smile.

"A Heavenly Merit?" Hearing this, Yao Yao also raised her fair, jade-like face in surprise. She naturally knew how rare a "Heavenly Merit" was within the Cangxuan Sect.

Many veteran Purple Sash disciples struggled to earn even a single "Heavenly Merit" over several years.

"Let me see that Primordial Azurewood Mark," Yao Yao then said.

Zhou Yuan clearly had nothing to hide from Yao Yao. He immediately took out the green plant and handed it to her.

Yao Yao gently weighed the green plant, her beautiful eyes slightly closed. Her spirit was incredibly strong, allowing her to vaguely sense the information hidden within the plant. Although incomplete, it was enough for an initial understanding.

After a moment, she opened her beautiful eyes and softly said, "A very powerful Genesis Art, truly worthy of having been left by that elder."

The fact that Yao Yao, who was usually very discerning, gave such a high evaluation showed just how profound the "Primordial Azurewood Mark" was.

"Exchanging a Heavenly Merit for a Genesis Art of this caliber isn't a loss," Yao Yao remarked.

Zhou Yuan nodded with a bitter smile. He naturally knew it wasn't a loss; otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed. However, Heavenly Merits were incredibly difficult to obtain, as Heaven-tier missions only appeared a few times a year.

"First, let Shen Wanjin help you inquire about it," Yao Yao suggested.

"As for you, find some time to refine the 'Origin Star Pill' first and reach the Fourth Layer as soon as possible. Otherwise, with your current strength, even if a Heaven-tier mission appears, you might struggle to complete it."

Zhou Yuan nodded, as he had been thinking the same thing. Shen Wanjin was currently thriving in the Cangxuan Sect, with access to the most comprehensive information. With his help, Zhou Yuan could avoid waiting daily at the Mission Hall.

His priority, however, was to improve his own strength.

If he could reach the Fourth Layer of the Primordial Beginning stage, in terms of direct combat ability, even if he encountered Xu Yan again, he would be able to fight him equally, rather than being forced into a brutal, mutually destructive struggle.

Thus, over the next few days, Zhou Yuan completely entrusted Shen Wanjin with gathering information about Heaven-tier missions, while he himself sat cross-legged deep within his cave dwelling, adjusting his state and waiting for the best moment to refine the Origin Star Pill and achieve another breakthrough.

This wait lasted five days.

Deep within the cave dwelling, a spring continuously gushed forth pure Genesis Qi, filling the air with a faint mist. Just a few breaths were enough to feel refreshed and invigorated.

Zhou Yuan sat quietly on a green stone beside the spring. His breathing was long and even, his chest showing no rise or fall, as if he had entered a state of suspended animation.

After a long moment, a breath finally expelled from his nostrils, and his eyes slowly opened.

In the depths of his eyes, a subtle brilliance flickered, like gems concealing their inner radiance.

After a full five days of adjustment, his state had reached its peak, making it the perfect time to refine the Origin Star Pill and achieve a breakthrough.

Zhou Yuan sensed over seven hundred Genesis Qi stars flickering with light within his Qi Manor. As they pulsed, wisps of pure Genesis Qi emanated and circulated throughout the manor.

"Although I'm only at the Third Layer of the Primordial Beginning stage, the Genesis Qi foundation within my Qi Manor is more abundant than that of an ordinary Sixth Layer practitioner..."

"Take Xu Yan, for example, with his Seventh Layer strength. From our previous fight, I estimate his Genesis Qi stars might be somewhere between one thousand and one thousand five hundred..."

"However, my Genesis Qi stars are all formed from the peak Sixth-grade Heaven-reaching Profound Python Qi, so their quality is much higher than his."

"I just wonder, if I successfully break through to the Fourth Layer this time, how much will the Genesis Qi foundation within my Qi Manor increase?"

Zhou Yuan's thoughts churned. Finally, he took a deep breath, dispelling all distracting thoughts. Then, with a grasp of his hand, a jade box appeared. Inside the box, a round, lychee-sized, celadon-jade pill was revealed.

A subtle fragrance diffused, and the mist deep within the cave dwelling seemed to grow even denser.

The celadon-jade pill slowly rose, then hovered by Zhou Yuan's mouth before he swallowed it in one gulp.

The moment the Origin Star Pill entered his mouth, it transformed into a powerful warm current that erupted, a scorching sensation flowing like lava. Instantly, it ravaged Zhou Yuan's limbs and bones like a roaring dragon.

The vast and pure Genesis Qi made Zhou Yuan's body seem to swell several times over, and his bones creaked under immense pressure.

Zhou Yuan's expression became extremely solemn at this moment. He immediately activated the "Ancestral Dragon Scripture," gathering the violent and scorching pure Genesis Qi, guiding it to flow through his meridians.

After being refined by the Ancestral Dragon Scripture, wisps of Genesis Qi gradually settled into his Qi Manor, condensing like a whirlpool. Deep within the whirlpool, a speck of light formed, growing brighter and brighter until it completely transformed into a brand-new Genesis Qi star, floating within the Qi Manor.

Feeling the new Genesis Qi stars gradually forming within his Qi Manor, a surge of joy passed through Zhou Yuan's heart. However, he quickly suppressed his excitement, focused his mind, and continued to refine the vast and pure medicinal power within his body.

Deep within the cave dwelling, the diffusing medicinal fragrance grew increasingly rich.

As time passed, the Genesis Qi fluctuations around Zhou Yuan, who was seated on the green stone, began to steadily rise. The surrounding air vibrated, faintly emitting a low whistle.

Evidently, all of this indicated that the Genesis Qi foundation within Zhou Yuan's body was rapidly strengthening.

However, as Zhou Yuan was immersed in the pleasure of his Genesis Qi growing within him, he did not notice that a coiled mass of blood-red energy in his palm, as if stimulated by something, slowly began to wriggle.

A faint crimson light blossomed, as if a venomous dragon, long dormant, had opened its terrifying eyes.

Outside the cave dwelling.

In a flower garden, Yao Yao, her black hair neatly coiled, was meticulously tending to the vibrant flowers she had planted. Suddenly, her jade-like fingers, holding a flower stem, trembled slightly.

Her fingertip was pricked by a thorn, and a trace of crimson appeared.

Yao Yao's willow-like brows furrowed slightly. She put her jade finger into her rosy mouth and gently sucked on it. Then, she straightened up, her ethereal eyes gazing toward the depths of the cave dwelling.

In that previous instant, she seemed to have vaguely sensed a malevolent dragon's roar.

Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and then she let out a soft sigh.

"So, it has truly come..."