Chapter 254 - 253: Soul Condensing Pill
Chapter 254: Chapter 253: Soul Condensing Pill
"The gap has gotten even wider!"
Yun Qianyue and Li Feng stood at the front of the crowd, their expressions complex and difficult to read as they stared at the number "Ten" on the stele’s surface.
A flicker of gloom crossed Yun Qianyue’s bright eyes, visible over her purple veil, but it was quickly replaced by an even more determined light.
As for Li Feng, he clenched his fists, a fighting spirit rising in his eyes. He was clearly deeply provoked by Fang Han’s progress.
"Tenth..."
Fang Han slowly sheathed his sword, seemingly oblivious to the huge roar from the crowd behind him.
He looked up, glanced at the number "Ten" on the stele’s surface, and then his gaze moved upward to Chu Feng, who was ranked "Ninth."
Only one spot now separated him from Chu Feng!
His expression was calm and untroubled, but a sharp resolve was quietly rising in his heart.
’Next month, I’ll definitely crush Chu Feng beneath my feet!’
"Do you guys think Senior Brother Fang Han can get on the Celestial Pride List next month?"
A disciple couldn’t help but ask his companion in a low voice, his tone filled with anticipation and excitement.
"Difficult! Extremely difficult!"
Hearing this, a slightly older disciple nearby immediately shook his head, his face grave.
"Senior Brother Chu Feng managed to get on the list last year with his Early Stage Fifth Grade Cultivation, but it will be very difficult for Senior Brother Fang Han to do the same this year with the same cultivation level."
"But... why?"
The disciple who asked was curious.
"It’s because in the past year, no one has been removed from the Celestial Pride List for being too old. And after a year, with the talent of the hundred people on the list, their strength has surely improved immensely!" the slightly older disciple analyzed, concluding,
"Senior Brother Fang Han’s talent is outstanding, so it’s only a matter of time before he ascends to the Celestial Pride List. But to succeed next month... the chances are probably slim."
This analysis was logical and reasonable. Many of the surrounding disciples revealed thoughtful expressions upon hearing it, then nodded one after another in agreement.
"Indeed. Who among those on the Celestial Pride List isn’t a stunning talent? After a year, it’s impossible for them to have made no progress!"
"It seems Senior Brother Fang Han will need a few more months before he can make the list."
The discussions reached Fang Han’s ears, but his expression remained unchanged, his heart untroubled.
’These disciples’ analysis isn’t without reason.’
’The hundred people on the Celestial Pride List, to be ranked among them, even at the very bottom, must possess uncommon talent. In a year’s time, it’s impossible for them to have stayed in one place.’
’The difficulty of kicking someone off and ascending to the Celestial Pride List next month is indeed immense.’
’To be honest, even he wasn’t completely confident.’
’However, he wouldn’t get worked up over the potential gains and losses.’
’If he could succeed next month, that would naturally be for the best.’
’If not, given his current rate of improvement, he was confident he could force his way onto the Celestial Pride List within one or two months!’
With his mind made up, Fang Han didn’t linger. He turned, parted the crowd, and left with steady steps.
Behind him, the great uproar and discussion surged like a tide, continuing for a long time without ceasing.
...
「Inside the study of Chu Feng’s Villa, True Inheritance Courtyard.」
Chu Feng sat in a rosewood Grandmaster’s Chair, his fingertips unconsciously tapping on the smooth armrest, making a dull "TAP, TAP" sound.
The branches outside the window swayed, casting shifting shadows on his gloomy and uncertain face.
CREAK—
The study door was gently pushed open, and Chu Chong hurried in, a trace of unconcealable panic on his face.
"Cousin, Fang Han... Fang Han went to test at the Overall Martial Arts Stele!"
Chu Feng’s tapping fingers suddenly stopped. He looked at Chu Chong.
"What was the result?"
His voice was low, carrying a hint of barely perceptible coldness.
"Tenth! Fang Han’s rank rose to tenth on the overall list!"
Chu Chong swallowed and hurriedly relayed the disciples’ discussions in the plaza about whether Fang Han could ascend to the Celestial Pride List next month.
"He’s already tenth..."
A deep sense of dread and anger replaced the look in Chu Feng’s eyes.
’Fang Han’s ranking is rising way too fast!’
’So fast that it even made his heart palpitate with fear.’
When he heard that the disciples in the plaza were discussing the possibility of Fang Han making it onto the Celestial Pride List next month, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"Ascend to the Celestial Pride List? Hmph, wishful thinking!"
Chu Feng snorted coldly, the corners of his mouth curling into a mocking arc.
’He was wary of the speed of Fang Han’s improvement, but he didn’t believe Fang Han could get on the Celestial Pride List next month.’
’Outsiders might not know how much the people on the Celestial Pride List could improve in a year, but he himself knew very clearly.’
’The Celestial Pride List was far more than just a simple ranking. Only those who had made it onto the list knew of the marvels it contained and the benefits it brought.’
’Fang Han wants to kick someone off and ascend to the Celestial Pride List next month? What a joke!’
"Keep a close watch on Fang Han’s every move. Report any abnormalities to me immediately!"
Chu Feng ordered coldly, a sharp glint in his eyes.
"Yes, Cousin!"
Chu Chong hurriedly bowed and agreed, not daring to show the slightest neglect.
...
「Early morning at the beginning of the month.」
Sunshine filtered through the window lattice and into the Quiet Chamber.
Fang Han slowly concluded his practice and opened his eyes. A deep cyan gleam swirled in their depths before quickly fading.
His Inner Qi was already over ninety percent full. He was only a day or two away from breaking through to the Middle Stage of Fifth Grade.
"Senior Brother, Steward Zhou from the True Inheritance Courtyard is here. He is waiting in the living room."
Outside the Quiet Chamber, the voice of the maid, Qiu Lan, sounded.
"Please ask Steward Zhou to wait a moment. I’ll be there right away."
Fang Han stood up, straightened his robes, pushed open the door of the Quiet Chamber, and strode toward the living room.
Inside the living room, Steward Zhou Heng was already seated, accompanied by two servant disciples holding trays.
Seeing Fang Han enter, Zhou Heng’s face broke into a warm smile. He stood and cupped his hands in greeting.
"True Inheritor Fang, congratulations on advancing your rank again to tenth on the overall list!"
"Steward Zhou, you’re too kind."
Fang Han returned the courtesy, and they both sat down.
"True Inheritor Fang, please give me your Identity Jade Token. I will transfer this month’s Contribution Points reward to you."
After a few pleasantries, Steward Zhou Heng took out the ancient-looking Inheritance Jade Inkstone.
Fang Han handed over his Token. Zhou Heng operated it skillfully and, a moment later, handed the Jade Token back.
"For tenth place on the overall list, this month’s Contribution Points reward is fifteen thousand points. It has been transferred to your Jade Token. Please verify it, True Inheritor."
Fang Han took the Token and infused a wisp of Inner Qi into it.
’After buying four bottles of True Spirit Pills last month, I had 14,050 points left. Now it has become—29,050 points!’
’Only 950 points away from the thirty-thousand mark!’
’This was an enormous amount of Contribution Points!’
’Such a vast sum of Contribution Points was enough to exchange for several top-level Martial Arts or purchase a massive amount of Cultivation Resources.’
A sense of unprecedented wealth filled his heart, putting Fang Han in a rather pleasant mood.
"The Contribution Points are correct. Thank you for your trouble, Steward Zhou."
Fang Han put away his Token, his tone calm.
"This is this month’s rare resource allotment for True Disciples."
Zhou Heng smiled, took three quaintly styled Jade Bottles from the tray of a servant disciple behind him, and handed them to Fang Han.
The Jade Bottles were warm and smooth to the touch. On their bodies, three elegant words were inscribed in an ancient seal script—Soul Condensing Pill.
"Soul Condensing Pill?"
Fang Han took the Jade Bottles, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
He remembered that the Soul Condensing Pill was among the elixirs Yun Muyao had offered in exchange for the Earth Spirit Pill last month, but he had chosen the Vajra Pill at the time.
And with the help of that bottle of traded Vajra Pills, as well as his own bottle, his body’s strength had increased by a full fifty percent from its original base.
A fifty percent increase in physical strength was already enough to put his base combat power a large margin above other Martial Artists of the same realm.
"Steward Zhou, what are the effects of this Soul Condensing Pill?"
Fang Han looked up at Zhou Heng and inquired.
Upon hearing this, a solemn expression appeared on Steward Zhou Heng’s face, and he slowly explained.
"True Inheritor Fang, this elixir is refined from rare medicinal ingredients such as the ’Soul-Stabilizing Flower’ and ’Clear Heart Grass’. Its effects are extraordinary, mainly focused on condensing and strengthening a Martial Artist’s spirit. Over time, it can subtly enhance one’s fine control over Inner Qi."
He paused, his tone carrying a trace of longing.
"According to the notes of the sect’s seniors, long-term consumption of this elixir can stabilize and enhance the spirit and clarify one’s will. It is of considerable help for a future breakthrough to the Grandmaster Realm."
"It helps with breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm?"
Fang Han’s heart trembled slightly upon hearing this.
’The Grandmaster Realm was a transcendent state, a legendary realm that countless Martial Artists dreamed of but could never hope to reach in their lifetime.’
’Throughout history, countless astonishingly brilliant talents had been trapped at the Peak of First Grade, unable to take that final step for their entire lives.’
’For this Soul Condensing Pill to actually be helpful in breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm... even though it required long-term use, its effects could already be described as heaven-defying.’
"Thank you for clearing my doubts, Steward Zhou."
Fang Han suppressed the turmoil in his heart and carefully put away the three bottles of Soul Condensing Pills.
"There’s no need to be so polite, True Inheritor. The resources have been delivered, so I won’t disturb you any longer. Farewell."
Steward Zhou Heng cupped his hands in a farewell salute, then turned and left with the servant disciples.
After seeing Steward Zhou Heng off, Fang Han returned to his Quiet Chamber.
He took out a Jade Bottle containing the Soul Condensing Pills, uncorked it, and a cool, refreshing medicinal aroma with a faint scent of herbs and wood wafted out.
Just a light sniff made his spirit feel slightly invigorated, and his thoughts seemed to become a little clearer.
’It really is miraculous!’
A look of delight flashed in Fang Han’s eyes.
’Spiritual power, or the Power of Heart and Soul, was profound and mysterious, yet it was crucial for a Martial Artist.’
’It affected one’s control over Inner Qi, as well as one’s reactions and judgment when facing an enemy.’
’The higher one’s cultivation, the more prominent the role of the Power of Heart and Soul became.’
’However, he had never heard of a secret manual specifically for cultivating the Power of Heart and Soul. At the very least, even the Qingxuan Sect, one of the Seven Sects, didn’t have one.’
’One could only imagine how precious this Soul Condensing Pill, which could enhance one’s spirit, truly was.’
’I’ll take one first and test its effects.’
Fang Han tipped out a longan-sized elixir, cyan-white in color with natural cloud-like patterns on its surface, and put it in his mouth.
The elixir melted the moment it entered his mouth. A cool stream of air instantly surged through his limbs and bones, finally converging in the sea of consciousness between his brows.
Fang Han felt a wave of clarity wash over his mind, as if it had been cleansed by a clear spring.
A long time later, he emerged from this state of clarity.
’Let’s see the effect!’
With a slight shift of his will, the vast, river-like Inner Qi of the Profound Wind Technique began to circulate within his body.
The speed of the rushing Inner Qi, its trajectory, and even every subtle transformation seemed to be presented more clearly in his perception than ever before.
Controlling it felt less deliberate and more smoothly proficient.
’It really works!’
A look of delight flashed in Fang Han’s eyes.
Although the increase in his Power of Heart and Soul was extremely subtle—almost imperceptible if not for his keen senses as a Fifth Grade Martial Artist—the more refined sense of control over his Inner Qi was tangible.
’Three bottles of Soul Condensing Pills, thirty pills in total. If I take them all, my Inner Qi Control Power will surely increase by a large margin!’
Expectation grew in Fang Han’s heart.
The benefits of improving one’s Inner Qi Control Power were immense.
When cultivating Martial Techniques, the circulation of Inner Qi would be more precise and efficient, allowing one to achieve twice the result with half the effort.
When facing an enemy, he could maximize the effect of every bit of Inner Qi, enhancing the power of his moves.
It even had indescribable benefits for breaking through to higher realms in the future.
The Soul Condensing Pill truly deserved its reputation as a rare resource.
He carefully put away the remaining elixirs, suppressing the urge to immediately take a second one.
’All medicine has a bit of poison; there must be an interval between doses.’