Chapter 458: Three Types of Fifth-Grade Treasure Pills, Emperor's Secret Treasury

Although the two had agreed to cooperate, their fundamental relationship remained unchanged. They were both rivals and adversaries. While battling the Scarlet Heaven Demonic Lord together was one thing, they would not hold back if they were competing for a Divine Transformation opportunity. They would seize any chance to strike a fatal blow.

In this regard, Old Demon Scorching Sun was clearly at a disadvantage, and his ability to achieve a breakthrough remained uncertain. For demonic cultivators, the true challenge lay in the absence of a reliable Divine Transformation inheritance. Otherwise, after reigning as the demonic path's supreme power for tens of thousands of years, they would not still lack a single Divine Transformation cultivator. The Taihu region inherited legacies from ancient sages and, in the current era, even created their own Sword Dao Divine Transformation cultivation technique. In contrast, the demonic path's origins trace back to ancient demons. Upon breaking through to Divine Transformation, they were destined to be tainted by demonic energy. This corruption could only be resisted if one's spiritual cultivation was exceptionally profound, or if one employed the secret techniques of the Heaven-Refining Demonic Sect to refine and even harness this demonic will for their own purposes. Wang Yu did not yet know what specific methods the Lord of Yellow Springs and Old Demon Scorching Sun intended to use.

However, the method for entering the Longevity Medicine Vault was not Wang Yu deliberately causing mischief; it was genuinely impossible to enter directly. Given that this place far surpassed the Immortal Official's Medicine Vault in scale and could not be fully surveyed, a cautious approach was the only option.

After a brief hesitation, Old Demon Scorching Sun, recognizing his disadvantage, spoke first. "Then allow me to go first. I have great faith in young friend Wang's abilities; he surely won't disappoint us."

The Lord of Yellow Springs, of course, had no objections, responding with a broad smile. "Please!"

Wang Yu immediately flew down the large opening to the bottom of the Longevity Medicine Vault. He pressed his hand, adorned with the Coiled Dragon Ring, against the surface, then turned to Old Demon Scorching Sun. "Senior," he instructed, "do not activate any spiritual power or divine sense. Just try to walk straight through."

"Ignore the restrictions?"

"Ignore them."

"Alright…"

Old Demon Scorching Sun hesitated, flying past Wang Yu. He gave him a profound look, then gritted his teeth and plunged directly forward. Instantly, the restrictive light barrier rippled like water. Old Demon Scorching Sun vanished in a blink. Before Wang Yu could speak, the Lord of Yellow Springs swiftly approached him, his expression revealing a mixture of excitement and anticipation. "Quickly send me inside!"

"Certainly, Master. You may simply attempt to enter directly."

The Lord of Yellow Springs halted his forward movement, then abruptly grabbed Wang Yu's wrist and pulled them both towards the restrictive light barrier. Evidently, even with the opportunity right before him, he hadn't forgotten Wang Yu's importance. He wouldn't commit the folly of rushing in alone and leaving Wang Yu behind. Wang Yu's abilities were essential for their exit, and even more so for ambushing the Scarlet Heaven Demonic Lord, as he was needed to activate the Yin-Yang killing formation.

Their surroundings changed instantly. A similar layout came into view, but the Longevity Medicine Vault was more than a hundred times larger than the Immortal Official's Medicine Vault. During ancient times, the Ice Prison Realm had just transitioned from a perpetually frozen land into a normal world. This was a unique period when various natural treasures erupted forth. Treasures were abundant, to the point where even a common weed possessed spiritual properties. Considering that the ancient Immortal Dynasty, which governed that era, collected resources from an entire realm, the sheer wealth of the ancient Human Emperor's private medicine vault was beyond imagination.

Within the Longevity Medicine Vault, there were no large-scale storage units like medicine cabinets. Instead, it adopted a compartment layout, much like the ninth floor of the Immortal Official's Medicine Vault. Each individual compartment, sealed by a restriction, contained an altar-like structure. On this structure rested a jade-colored treasure box, which held precious pills or spiritual herbs, almost all of them Fifth Tier. Thanks to exceptional preservation methods and the fact that this was the ancient Human Emperor's private collection, both the quantity and potency of the items met the high expectations of Old Demon Scorching Sun and the Lord of Yellow Springs.

At their level, even if not alchemists, they would have studied secret methods for verifying elixirs. They swiftly chose a compartment. They immediately began to dismantle the restrictions. The Lord of Yellow Springs had a significant advantage in this area; while his Yellow Springs Turbid Flow was specifically designed to counter magical artifacts, its potent corrosive abilities were highly effective against inanimate objects like these. Old Demon Scorching Sun's methods were powerful, but when faced with intricate and delicate targets, he felt somewhat helpless.

Surprisingly, even under these circumstances, neither of them asked Wang Yu for help in lifting the restrictions. Standing behind them, Wang Yu quickly understood. Throughout history, self-interest has always been the fundamental driver of cooperation, betrayal, alliances, and all interactions between multiple parties. Now that they were inside the Longevity Medicine Vault, with treasures everywhere, they remained cordial collaborators—for now. Once one person acquired more than the other, a major conflict would be inevitable. Even knowing it could lead to detrimental consequences, they wouldn't be able to resist. Therefore, they chose not to ask for Wang Yu's "cheating" assistance. They would gather the treasures themselves!

Wang Yu shared the same sentiment; otherwise, he wouldn't have decisively forgone the opportunities within the imperial palace. He feared that once he saw them, his greed would uncontrollably surge forth. He simply couldn't restrain himself. Just like now. With so many Fifth-Tier precious pills readily available, how could he not take them? What would be the point of cultivating the demonic path then? It would be a waste!

Wang Yu was an honest person, though he occasionally indulged in minor deceptions. While the Longevity Medicine Vault was indeed the ancient Human Emperor's private collection, it was still accessible to certain individuals, such as the Empress, the Crown Prince, high-ranking court officials, and alchemy grandmasters. Some areas, frequented by many, weren't ideal for storing private items. According to the Coiled Dragon Ring's feedback, there should be a secret vault within the Longevity Medicine Vault. That was where the Human Emperor's true secrets were hidden.

Wang Yu mused aloud, "Seniors, since I've come this far, how about I also take three precious pills?"

Given the vast number of Fifth-Tier precious pills available, and Wang Yu's role in granting them access, they wouldn't be so stingy. The Lord of Yellow Springs was the first to respond. "Young friend, please help yourself. However, if you come across any precious pills that aid in breaking through to Divine Transformation, I ask that you leave them for me."

"Of course."

Old Demon Scorching Sun also nodded in agreement, but remained silent, single-mindedly attacking the restrictions, as if completely engrossed. Seeing this, Wang Yu began to wander through the medicine vault on his own. Both old demons kept a portion of their divine sense closely on him. Some things didn't need to be said; the unspoken understanding was clear. They still harbored caution and kept Wang Yu under surveillance. Wang Yu, however, remained unconcerned.

With the Coiled Dragon Ring in hand, his judgment regarding the precious pills within the restrictions was far more accurate. The entire Longevity Medicine Vault contained over a hundred known Fifth-Tier precious pills. There were also over a hundred Fifth-Tier spiritual herbs, yet only a handful truly reached the top grade of that tier, accounting for roughly 5%. This was certainly not the entirety of a Human Emperor's private collection.

As he walked, Wang Yu suddenly stopped before a restrictive light barrier. He reached out and effortlessly retrieved the treasure box containing a pill. This sight made both old demons' eyes widen. Although they were aware of Wang Yu's superior access, his casual ease still left them feeling uneasy. It was too frustrating. The Lord of Yellow Springs stared intently at the precious pill, noticing its blood-red, glazed appearance. Within, a small, crimson flood dragon lay coiled, from which abundant vital energy surged forth. This was a precious pill primarily focused on physical body enhancement. He instantly felt relieved. As long as it wasn't a precious pill that aided in reaching the Divine Transformation realm, nothing else mattered; Wang Yu could take whatever he pleased.

Wang Yu then raised it and briefly showed it to the two of them. He announced, "The first one."

Though his expression was calm, Wang Yu's heart swelled with excitement. He had encountered this precious pill in ancient texts, not from the Scripture Hall, but from ancient demon tribe records. This precious pill was of the Fifth Tier, top grade. It was called the Blood Abyss Glazed Precious Pill! This was a breakthrough spiritual elixir that aided in reaching the Fifth Tier of body refining, comparable to a breakthrough spiritual item for the Divine Transformation stage, but exclusively for body cultivation. Both demonic and human races could use it. It possessed the miraculous ability of flesh and blood regeneration, allowing one to break through and then stand anew. Even if a breakthrough attempt failed, the elixir could save one's life, granting a second chance at advancement. However, activating the elixir's full effect was quite challenging. It wasn't the kind of pill that worked simply by being consumed and refined. Instead, it held a hidden power within the body that, when one was gravely injured and near death, could be activated to trigger a destructive yet reconstructive breakthrough. To fully achieve this, one needed cultivation at the peak of Fourth Tier body refining. Otherwise, it would merely mend injuries and provide a supplementary boost to physical cultivation.

After acquiring the precious pill, Wang Yu immediately consumed it without a moment's hesitation. After all, being in a perilous situation, even if he couldn't unleash its full potential, it was still valuable for self-preservation.

Next, for his second precious pill, he chose the Fifth-Tier mid-grade Demonic Blood Reverse Origin Pill. This pill could help demonic cultivators with bloodlines below the Heavenly Grade elevate their bloodline by one level. Its most potent effect was to grant demonic cultivators of superior Earthly Grade bloodlines a lower Heavenly Grade bloodline. It was clear for whom this was intended. He made this choice because the two old demons were watching him too closely. If he took overly valuable pills for himself, they would undoubtedly be displeased. Therefore, he could only select items that were less contentious but still beneficial to him. Even without the little fox by his side, she would still have her share of good fortune. Choosing the right person to follow was truly important.

The third precious pill Wang Yu selected was for divine sense, a Fifth-Tier mid-grade item known as the Pagoda Phantom Spirit Elemental Pill! Its effect was straightforward and potent: simply consume and refine it. Its formidable medicinal properties were sufficient to grant Wang Yu divine sense power nearing the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, equivalent to a nascent Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul cultivator.

As he finished selecting his three precious pills, the two old demons successfully broke through their first restrictions and obtained their initial gains. They then busily began choosing their next targets. The Lord of Yellow Springs was considerably faster than Old Demon Scorching Sun. By the time the latter was choosing his second target, the Lord of Yellow Springs had already dispelled half of his second restriction. The disparity was clearly visible and would only widen as time passed, eventually making them restless. Besides seeking Wang Yu's help, another option was to strike first. How would Old Demon Scorching Sun choose?

Wang Yu leaned against a vermilion coiled dragon pillar, quietly observing the two's competitive efforts. He hadn't moved again; had he truly content himself with just three precious pills and ceased to covet others? Anyone familiar with Wang Yu would know that was impossible. "Fortune favors the bold" was often a prelude to his setbacks, yet repeated disappointments had never deterred him from this adage. He would still make his move when the time was right. He was remarkably stubborn. After refining the Rainbow Feather Strange Stone, his Aurora Escape Technique had reached the supreme Fourth Tier, and his illusory clone had become even more lifelike. With Wang Yu's perfected mastery, it was entirely possible to temporarily deceive the two old demons. However, timing was crucial. He needed to act at the precise moment their focus wavered, distracted by their own progress. The coiled dragon pillar he leaned against was by no means a random choice. Based on his observations and covert scans, Wang Yu was certain this was the entrance to the Human Emperor's Secret Vault. Now, he simply awaited the opportune moment.

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Imperial Palace in Dongji Capital. The Scarlet Heaven Demonic Lord's ancient war chariot was parked there, while three Fourth-Tier black flood dragons, in human form, stood silently alongside two child attendants, waiting patiently. On the soft couch behind the curtain, the Scarlet Heaven Demonic Lord had been diligently refining the Fifth-Tier medicinal power ever since he devoured Nether Son's Nascent Soul. The refinement proved significantly more challenging than he had anticipated. However, it would only take a few more days to complete, as Nether Son had already partially consumed and refined it, leaving its full medicinal power yet to be unleashed. It wouldn't consume much time.

His delay in acting was also a cautious measure; he was "slowly chewing" on the memory information hidden within the Nascent Soul. A cultivator's Nascent Soul, integrating a portion of their soul, could also be forcibly searched for memories using secret soul-searching techniques. This discovery struck him as bizarre. He had observed Nether Son's entire experience within the Celestial Star Tower, finally confirming that a Divine Transformation opportunity did indeed exist. The problem was that Nether Son had specifically inquired with the Tower Spirit while meditating and refining. He had requested a breakthrough protection mechanism, pausing the challenge, under the pretext of achieving a breakthrough. Theoretically, the Tower Spirit should have ensured no one could disturb him until he either succeeded or failed. Yet, comparing this to what actually transpired, Wang Yu had managed to subvert the Celestial Star Tower Spirit's rules with a mere token, which should have been utterly impossible.

The Scarlet Heaven Demonic Lord's eyes narrowed, and he abruptly rose to his feet. A mere ant had dared to deceive him, sealing its own doom! However, with the imperial palace's opportunities right before him, there was no need to cause a commotion over such a trivial matter. After he claimed his gains here, he would naturally dispatch countless willing Nascent Soul cultivators to settle the score. "Hmph!" He strode confidently into the Imperial Palace.

The three black flood dragons and two child attendants exchanged glances, perplexed by the Demonic Lord's sudden change in mood, but dared not inquire. They could only follow closely at his side. Relying on his formidable strength, the Scarlet Heaven Demonic Lord boldly chose one of the most conspicuous buildings in the Imperial Palace as his first target: the Golden Throne Hall! This was the grand assembly hall of the ancient Immortal Dynasty. While such places were indeed grand and prestigious when exploring ruins, the issue was that they typically didn't house significant treasures. Not even the Imperial Seal would be kept in such a location. This was a cognitive blind spot stemming from a lack of understanding of the Immortal Dynasty's system. Such arrogance meant the Scarlet Heaven Demonic Lord would eventually taste bitter consequences.

Meanwhile, the Lord of Yellow Springs, who had just breached his fourth compartment, and Old Demon Scorching Sun, who had just completed his third, simultaneously revealed expressions of delighted surprise. Their spirits soared, envisioning a wonderful future. The former had acquired a precious pill that aided in breaking through to Divine Transformation. While not as potent as a true breakthrough spiritual item, it could still increase their chances by twenty percent. The latter had acquired a spiritual herb. Its specific effects were unknown, but it was undoubtedly excellent, otherwise Old Demon Scorching Sun wouldn't have been so elated.

Seizing the moment, Wang Yu, whose body was leaning against the pillar, subtly withdrew a clone from himself, which then seamlessly merged into the coiled dragon pillar. Both old demons looked over simultaneously. The illusory Wang Yu, meanwhile, stared at their gains with fervent eyes, instantly calming any lingering unease in their minds. Back to work!