Chapter 362: Ten Years of Meditation at Tianwu Dao Platform, Ten Thousand Years of Silkworm Silk Entering the Cave

"This is the material for refining the Heavenly Fiend Divine Origin Pill. There's only one set. If you fail... I presume I don't need to elaborate on the consequences."

The Blood-Eyed Demonic Flood Dragon, now in human form, stood beside Wang Yu.

His expression, though somewhat serious, showed no regret or reluctance.

So... this set of medicinal ingredients shouldn't be his.

However, before proceeding, Wang Yu cupped his fists and bowed.

"Senior Yu, this pill formula requires some time for me to study. I can't start refining it right away. It would be best to practice a bit, perhaps by attempting to refine some lower-grade pills with similar effects."

Only then did the Demonic Flood Dragon recall that the last time Wang Yu helped Yu Tangtang refine the Dragon Heart Ancestral Blood Pill, it also took him several years of study before he opened the furnace. Now, he was refining a more difficult spiritual pill.

This step was certainly unavoidable.

"How long will it take?"

"Three years at a minimum; ten years, and I can definitely open the furnace for refining."

Hearing this, the Blood-Eyed Demonic Flood Dragon pondered. This transaction was commissioned by a fellow clansman, the Blazing Demonic Flood Dragon, from deep within the Northern Fractured Mountain Range, with whom he had a very close relationship.

Ever since he had Wang Yu, an alchemist who provided high-quality spiritual pills, under his wing, the Blazing Demonic Flood Dragon had repeatedly sought to trade for Tier 4 spiritual pills, and he had accepted the offered remuneration each time.

After a long deliberation, he finally spoke.

"What's the absolute fastest you can do it?"

"Uh... ten years."

Wang Yu replied, steeling himself. His intention for these ten years was actually to buy time and avoid a confrontation, primarily to raise his Human Pill Art, Blood Pill Art, and Monster Refining Art to Tier 3.

He wanted to delay his decisive battle with Fu Xiao.

The Blood-Eyed Demonic Flood Dragon clearly didn't think that way. This time, his silence lasted even longer, and Wang Yu couldn't discern what he was thinking.

"Cough, cough—"

"If I had this item, how many years would it take?"

Old Yu, looking pained, took out a lotus-seat-like stone cultivation platform. Wang Yu was initially puzzled, but upon touching it with his spiritual sense, his pupils contracted.

He actually felt his comprehension improve for a fleeting moment.

Wasn't this the divine item he had longed for?!!

"Senior, please enlighten me."

"This is the Heavenly Enlightenment Platform!"

Old Yu leaned against a stone lion statue, a wistful expression on his face. "This item is rumored to be a relic left behind by an immortal when they imparted their teachings."

This realm only had two legends of immortals.

The one from ancient times had no detailed records, only fragmented descriptions found in the ruins of sects from that era, which could be ignored.

This Heavenly Enlightenment Platform was most likely a treasure left over from the ancient Blood Fiend Rebellion.

"Legend has it that during the ancient Blood Fiend Rebellion, the immortals initially did not descend personally but chose twelve disciples to impart their methods."

"The Heavenly Enlightenment Platform has a total of seventy-two auxiliary platforms and thirty-six main platforms. When they form the 'Heavenly Heart Enlightenment Diagram,' it can greatly enhance a cultivator's comprehension, even allowing them to fully grasp immortal techniques."

Such a secret was truly something Wang Yu was hearing for the first time.

His curiosity greatly increased.

"Is this a main platform?"

"Nonsense, this is a defective auxiliary platform. All one hundred and eight Heavenly Enlightenment Platforms were largely destroyed long ago, and not much of their mystical power remains, but it should be enough for your use."

Wang Yu didn't care if it was damaged or not. He only cared if it could be used in his "placement slots." Theoretically, only permanent enhancements could be synchronized.

However, he hadn't tried this unique method of gaining comprehension by sitting on it and losing the effect upon leaving, so he had no right to speak without experience.

He immediately said aloud.

"Thank you, Senior Yu, for bestowing this treasure. May I give it a try?"

"Who said I'm giving it to you!!!"

Old Yu cursed loudly, seemingly wanting to slap him, but he held back, merely poking him a few times.

"Try it here. You're not allowed to take this treasure out of my cave dwelling. Here's the Heavenly Fiend Divine Origin Pill formula, take it."

"Yes, I understand, Senior."

Wang Yu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

If you're not giving it, then don't. Why be so fierce? He showed no attitude of someone asking for a favor. When he composed himself and sat down, the feeling of spiritual clarity and continuous flashes of inspiration in his mind almost made him indulge in it, but after observing his "placement slots," Wang Yu couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

Useless!

The text description hadn't changed at all. Actually, if he thought carefully, when he consumed the Exquisite Inner Core, besides his comprehension increasing, he also gained a period of "enlightenment" state.

That hadn't been synchronized to the placement slots back then. No matter how powerful this Heavenly Enlightenment Platform was, it couldn't change fundamental things; at most, it was a temporary buff!

But if he stayed on it continuously, it would indirectly be "permanent," and the auxiliary effect would still be there.

He discreetly glanced at Old Yu.

Wang Yu changed all seven "placement slots" to the Heavenly Fiend Divine Origin Pill formula. With internal and external cooperation, he wanted to see how long it would take.

While he was at it, he also wanted to comprehend his Human Pill Art, Blood Pill Art, and Monster Refining Art. Such an opportunity was rare and not to be missed.

Thus, the promised month flew by, but the Divine Origin Pill formula ultimately only took Wang Yu one year. This was mainly due to excellent internal and external coordination.

The "placement slots" constantly provided him with practical experience.

The foundation of his comprehension was very solid, almost indistinguishable from actually trying it himself. The Heavenly Enlightenment Platform also applied a super comprehension buff to his main body!

Direct enlightenment within his mind, combining comprehension with practice, naturally led to rapid progress.

So, after a year, he continuously adjusted his "placement slots," beginning to thoroughly study one art after another. He wanted to maximize his time there, even exchanging future alchemy rewards for more usage time of this treasure.

In the second year, Human Pill Art reached perfection.

In the third year, Blood Pill Art reached perfection.

In the fourth year, the alchemy section of Monster Refining Art returned to Tier 3 level.

In the fifth year, the Infant Transformation Pill formula reached perfection.

In the sixth year, all returned to the normal "placement" mode, and Wang Yu's energy was devoted to his primary cultivation method.

Thus... ten years passed in an instant.

The Ice Soul Sacred Demonic Scripture, perfected!

The most direct benefit of perfecting his cultivation method was the ability to use his high proficiency to compensate for a lower realm, thereby increasing his cultivation speed.

The spiritual power refined daily immediately increased from "10 wisps/day" to "15 wisps/day."

His self-cultivation efficiency also reached "4 wisps/day." These two could be stacked, as Wang Yu didn't need to worry about the "placement slots"; they refined spiritual power directly and infused it into his body.

There were no hidden dangers whatsoever.

While the accumulation of spiritual power was slightly delayed over these ten years, the benefits gained were immeasurable.

Even the progress of the Icy Dragon Alchemy Art in advancing to Tier 4 was more than two-thirds complete. With normal "placement" for another twenty years, it would definitely advance!

It would be even faster with the aid of the Heavenly Enlightenment Platform.

Unfortunately, Old Yu absolutely refused to give it to him, and after such prolonged intense use, the mystical power contained within had indeed been significantly depleted.

He estimated it could be used for about fifty more years.

This day, a roaring dragon's cry echoed in his ears.

"Wang Yu! If you don't open the furnace now, I'll tear you to shreds!"

This person was clearly enraged.

Wang Yu quickly rose, a look of regret on his face as he stepped down from the Enlightenment Platform.

Having sat on it for so long, when he got down, he felt disoriented, as if he couldn't walk properly, his head was heavy and foggy, like it was covered with a black cloth, and his mental agility plummeted.

"Senior Yu, I'm here... I can open the furnace now."

With the conditions he now possessed: Tier 4 Ice Dragon Alchemy Flame, Icy Dragon Alchemy Art two-thirds of the way to advancement, Tier 4 spiritual sense assistance, Heavenly Fiend Divine Origin Pill formula proficiency maxed out... With so many favorable conditions, the success rate had already greatly increased.

If he couldn't refine it successfully, he might as well just bash his head against a block of tofu and die. Especially after perfecting his Human Pill Art and Blood Pill Art, Wang Yu's mastery of alchemy had reached its peak.

His various unconventional methods for salvaging situations were also incredibly skilled.

He hardly needed to consider the possibility of failure; achieving the required mid-grade Tier 4 was certainly possible. He could even try for high-grade, though that would depend on his luck.

"Senior Yu, please prepare a Tier 4 alchemical furnace and one thousand high-grade spiritual stones. If my spiritual power runs low, these spiritual stones will be needed for rapid recovery."

He didn't dare mention top-grade spiritual stones. Although Senior Yu was rich, he couldn't compare to the reserves of an entire sect.

He knew when to stop. However, the few requests he made still made the Blood-Eyed Demonic Flood Dragon's face darken.

"Wait here. I'll go to the Alchemy Hall and borrow a top-grade alchemical furnace for you. If you fail, be careful, or you'll pay the price."

"I wouldn't dare boast, but I have about a sixty to seventy percent chance."

"...Hmph!"

The relationship between the two, on the surface, seemed like Wang Yu was being controlled.

In reality, the Blood-Eyed Demonic Flood Dragon couldn't bear to abandon his sunk costs and insisted on letting Wang Yu try. Unequal partnerships were like this: a little loss of face was all it took.

Getting actual benefits was the key.

Seizing every opportunity and playing both sides was already his way of survival, and after so many years of refinement, he had reached an extremely excellent level.

He didn't have to wait long.

A Tier 4 top-grade alchemical furnace, unlike anything Wang Yu had ever seen, descended from the sky. It had nine beast-head fire mouths, made primarily of Blazing Gold Essence and infused with Flowing Soul Divine Iron.

With Six-One Clay as an auxiliary material, it offered a significant boost to alchemists. With this furnace as an aid, Wang Yu's confidence grew even stronger.

"Begin. I will personally guard you."

"Understood."

He silently recited the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra a few times to eliminate distracting thoughts and the dullness from getting off the Heavenly Enlightenment Platform. Then, the faint white Ice Dragon Alchemy Flame surged forth.

It transformed into nine ice flame dragons that burrowed into the beast-head fire mouths.

This made the Blood-Eyed Demonic Flood Dragon's eyes narrow. As a Tier 4 late-stage Grand Cultivator of the Flood Dragon race, he acutely sensed the strangeness of this flame.

It seemed to specialize in devouring ice-attribute dragon species?

—Evil!

This refinement of a Tier 4 spiritual pill went even smoother than last time, with no accidents whatsoever. In just one month of intense refining, the spiritual pills rapidly took shape.

"Seven pills formed: one high-grade, six mid-grade."

Extremely good luck!

As if divinely aided, he utilized all available conditions to their fullest. Wang Yu's alchemy skill was truly unparalleled.

"Good! Excellent!"

The Blood-Eyed Demonic Flood Dragon waved his spiritual energy column, gathering all the spiritual pills into his palm. In front of Wang Yu, he placed three mid-grade pills into one bottle.

The other three mid-grade and one high-grade were placed into a second bottle.

He then carefully put them away, clearly treating them as his private property. This action made Wang Yu's eye twitch. He roughly guessed Old Yu's reason for cooperating with the demon race.

Not only could he receive alchemy rewards, but he could also secretly pocket half of the finished products.

No wonder he could become a Grand Cultivator.

Worth learning!

"Hahahaha, I truly didn't misjudge you."

Wang Yu bowed his head and said, "There's one more thing I'd like to ask for your help with, Senior."

"What is it? Speak freely!"

Asking for more usage time of the Heavenly Enlightenment Platform was not urgent. After this cooperation, the Blood-Eyed Demonic Flood Dragon would surely be tempted to seek him out a second time, perhaps even entrusting him with his personal collection of spiritual herbs for refining.

That would be the perfect opportunity to extort him, and he had to bring Yu Tangtang with him. For now, he wanted to borrow the Demonic Flood Dragon's connections.

"I'm looking for a Tier 4 artifact refining master to help repair an item. Could I entrust this to you, Senior?"

"Easily done."

Cold Blood Peak cave dwelling, not returned to for ten years. The people waiting at the entrance had long since dispersed; they also had things to do. Wang Yu looked at the scattered black and white chess pieces on the ground at the entrance, truly unable to guess what had happened.

After clearing away the mess, he entered the cave dwelling to wait.

To repair the "Three-Foot Snow" magic robe, he needed ten-thousand-year snow silkworm silk. The Frost Devil Monarch definitely had this item, so he just had to wait for the other party to come to him.

On his way back, he had specifically inquired about the movements of the Zhuo clan from Guifang.

What was strange was that whether Zhuo Shouqing and Zhuo Yuanshen returned, or Zhuo Shouyun returned, they had all vanished without a trace, like mud oxen entering the sea.

Wang Yu had no means of understanding the situation in Guifang.

So he could only inquire about Fu Xiao. He didn't get detailed information, only a rough idea that the other party had been cultivating quietly on a spiritual mountain near the sect entrance.

His purpose was self-evident: he was waiting for Wang Yu to come out!

With his position as the Seventh Elder of Cold Blood Peak, Fu Xiao couldn't use Zhuo Shouyun's people to besiege him, so he could only act alone.

Fu Xiao had grown from a crippled spiritual root to his current strength, so Wang Yu wouldn't underestimate him. While Wang Yu was preparing his methods, Fu Xiao must also have many trump cards ready.

He still needed to wait a bit longer.

After refining the Infant Transformation Pill, repairing the "Three-Foot Snow," and refining the five Heavenly Demon bodies into pills, he would definitely be in an invincible position before fighting the opponent.

Late at night, the person Wang Yu was waiting for indeed came knocking.

The other party must have been closely monitoring the Blood-Eyed Demonic Flood Dragon's situation; when he returned the top-grade alchemical furnace, his mood would have revealed clues.

Coming now indicated he knew Wang Yu had succeeded.

"Frost Devil Monarch, please come in—"

The cave dwelling's formation opened wide, and Wang Yu personally stepped out to greet him.

The Frost Devil Monarch, thin as a bamboo pole, had a very amiable demeanor.

"Seventh Elder, did you know I was coming?"

"My displaying my alchemy talent is precisely to serve the sect's ancestors. Resources are hard to earn, you see."

"Hahahahaha!"

The Frost Devil Monarch suddenly burst out laughing. With a wave of his withered hand, the familiar top-grade nine-beast-head alchemical furnace appeared in Wang Yu's cave dwelling.

So, Senior Yu returned it, and then you borrowed it again. He wondered what the Alchemy Hall thought... especially lending it to Wang Yu, someone who had broken their monopoly.

It truly was odd!

"Help me refine a pill. If you succeed, you can ask for anything you want."

He didn't need to consider the consequences of failure. He understood the temperament of Demonic Nascent Soul cultivators very well: nothing more than killing, extracting souls for lamp oil, endless torment... and so on.

There was a reason why alchemists were scarce in the Scarlet Kite Sect. This was one of the symptoms.

Although the Scarlet Kite Sect was thoroughly enjoying learning from the Great Lake, significantly increasing their overall strength, the stronger they became, the more the brutal underlying mechanism of the strong preying on the weak, survival of the fittest, once again bared its fangs.

"I want ten-thousand-year snow silkworm silk."

"Alright. This is the formula for the Grand Yin Devil Origin Pill, which shares a lineage with the Vast Cold Pill. How much time do you need to study the formula?"

Wang Yu took the jade slip, examined it, and then relaxed.

He could refine it, and it was even much easier than the Heavenly Fiend Divine Origin Pill. His alchemy skill, specializing in ice attributes, was not to be underestimated. If he operated correctly, he might even be able to secretly pocket a portion of these cultivation pills used by Nascent Soul cultivators.

"Give me three months. Please, Devil Monarch, help guard the alchemy chamber from outside."

"Of course."