Chapter Sixty-Four: Spiritual Power Transforms into a Dragon

“My dear nephew, it’s best if you don’t go out these next few days, lest that old scoundrel Xuanyuan tries to trip you up from the shadows…”

“Alright. It just so happens that my cultivation is becoming difficult to suppress—this is a good time for me to shut myself away for a few days.”

“That’s for the best.”

Gu Xiaopang had never been one to shy from trouble, yet now, at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, his cultivation was loosening again; it felt as if a dam was about to burst, the waters already lapping over its edge, and a careless moment might push him directly to Perfection.

After bidding farewell to the two young women, Gu Xiaopang turned and returned to his room.

…

“Master, I can hardly suppress it any longer.”

“You must keep suppressing it. Only after all the spiritual energy in your body has been transformed into liquid should you advance; that is the optimal path.”

“I understand. What should I do next?”

“Take out the Five Elements Spiritual Ring Pill and the Soul Cleansing Pill you received at your coming-of-age ceremony.”

“Alright.”

“First, take one Soul Cleansing Pill. It will refine and purify your soul’s strength. The stronger your soul, the more effectively you can suppress your cultivation, and it will greatly benefit your spiritual power and perception. After that, take the Five Elements Spiritual Ring Pill and continue tempering your elemental powers…”

“By the way, Master, there are three Soul Cleansing Pills. If I take one, will the remaining two be of any use to you, since you exist as a soul?”

“You're thoughtful.”

“These Soul Cleansing Pills are of a lower grade, so even if they help me, the benefit is limited.”

“No matter, as long as they’re useful. That’s settled then, I’ll go cultivate now, and you keep the other two pills…”

“Very well, I won’t stand on ceremony with you.”

…

After swallowing a Soul Cleansing Pill, Gu Xiaopang immediately felt a pure, clear energy spread through his mind, enveloping his soul and penetrating ever deeper…

A quarter of an hour later, countless impurities were washed from his forehead, leaving only a more refined soul force behind. Where once his mind felt shrouded in mist, now it was crystal clear, and his control over spiritual power and perception was greatly enhanced.

“Suppress!”

At this mental command, his soul force immediately pressed down upon all spiritual energy within his body. The previously restless energies, swirling atop the liquefied spiritual essence, now settled as if enclosed within an alchemical furnace, returning to stillness.

“It’s time for the Five Elements Spiritual Ring Pill.”

Without delay, Gu Xiaopang picked up a green pill and placed it in his mouth. It dissolved instantly, and a green energy rushed toward the Wood Elemental Pearl in his dantian—not so much seeping in as being actively devoured. In the blink of an eye, all the green energy was absorbed, and the trembling Wood Elemental Pearl began to spin, faster and faster—one breath, two… nearly twenty breaths before it finally slowed and quieted. Now, though the pearl was slightly smaller than before, it shone more than twice as bright.

Sensing his enhanced control over wood spiritual power, he took the remaining colored pills one after another, beginning a comprehensive upgrade of all five elemental pearls…

After consolidating his gains, Gu Xiaopang let out a long, turbid breath.

“Master, I’ve finished tempering— the effect is remarkable.”

“Good. Once you reach the Golden Core stage, you must continue suppressing your power from the very beginning. Advance step by step in your strongest form… If you can obtain higher-grade tempering pills, the process will be much faster.”

“I understand, old man. I’ll get back to refining pills when I have time— cultivation is a long road, and both you and I will need all sorts of medicinal support.”

“I’m in no rush. For my soul to return to its peak will require rarest of herbs; you’ll understand this in time.”

“In your recent battles, your techniques have been too single-minded…”

“In the future, you must devote more effort to mastering the Five Elements techniques of the Myriad Dragon Codex.”

“Of course.”

…

After another week of secluded cultivation, Gu Xiaopang’s wood and fire elemental energies had been refined to a much greater degree, the previously scattered power now tightly restrained within.

With a change of his hand seals, two streams of colored energy emerged from within, coiling around him in the form of dragons—a truly magnificent sight.

“Roar!”

As Gu Xiaopang pointed a single finger, the fire energy dragon shot forth with a thunderous roar, blasting the distant room door to splinters, embers scattering everywhere…

“What was that sound?”

“It sounded like a mighty beast’s roar?”

“It came from Brother Evergreen’s room—let’s go take a look!”

…

Gu Xiaopang, in his idle experiment, had unwittingly drawn several people from the surrounding rooms…

“What an interesting lad!”

“With just that one move, he could easily defeat someone at the peak of Foundation Establishment.”

High in the tower of the Prefect’s residence, two figures sat cross-legged. Ever since their shadowy reconnaissance a few days ago, they would often glance toward the Prefect Song Wuji’s secluded courtyard a kilometer away. Now, hearing the beast’s roar, one of them spoke with interest.

“Xiao Cang, transmit a message and summon him here.”

“Yes, sir.”