CHAPTER 182: CHAPTER 179: BESTOWING THE PILL_1

"The last step, Pill Coagulation!"

In the alchemy chamber, Qin Wudao sat upright before the Pill Furnace. His face was deathly pale, his lips were split with numerous sores, and his skin was dry and cracked. His entire body was as withered as bone.

He had no time to attend to his body’s wretched state, focusing all his effort on manipulating the Heavenly Dragon Demon Flame. It released immense heat, creating wave after wave of scorching air that made the sturdy walls and floor show signs of melting.

It was like a steam cooker; ordinary Martial Artists staying inside would be steamed to death within an hour.

In the Alchemy Furnace, five unformed pills spun at high speed. Several pill veins had appeared on their surfaces, emitting an iridescent, precious glow and containing powerful energy.

Qin Wudao’s soul power enveloped the pills, ensuring they would not be damaged by the flames.

This was tantamount to roasting his soul over a fire, a tremendous torment for Qin Wudao.

Whether it was alchemy or weapon refinement, both required a strong cultivation base for support.

With Qin Wudao’s Heavenly Realm strength, refining the ’Sacred Pill’ was still a considerable strain. The stinging pain from his soul and the burning sensation on his skin continuously assailed his willpower.

It could be said that he was at the end of his rope, liable to faint at any moment.

"Solidify for Us!"

Qin Wudao bit his tongue. The sweet, metallic taste of fresh blood filled his mouth, momentarily reviving him. With a series of hand seals, the Heavenly Dragon Demon Flame erupted with brilliant light.

A massive amount of Spiritual Energy converged towards the Alchemy Furnace!

The five pills began to grow plump and lustrous, emitting a rich medicinal aroma. Above the Alchemy Furnace, they formed a magnificent, five-colored radiance.

Hold on, success is just around the corner! Qin Wudao inwardly roared. His body trembled violently, his consciousness grew dim, and even his vision blurred with multiple overlapping images.

BOOM!

Suddenly, the Heavenly Dragon Demon Flame surged, and its temperature rose slightly.

THUD!

THUD!

THUD!

Three dull sounds echoed in quick succession.

Qin Wudao’s expression changed drastically. Just as he was about to intervene and salvage the situation, he felt a terrifying shockwave erupt from the Pill Furnace. It sent him flying, and he crashed against the wall, losing consciousness.

In the alchemy chamber, the medicinal aroma permeated the air. Amidst the terrifying shockwave, two resplendently golden pills hovered in mid-air.

"Not good!"

Li Ru, who had been closely attending Qin Wudao, was concealed outside the alchemy chamber. Hearing the commotion within, he didn’t even pause to think before pushing the door open and rushing in. The scene that greeted him was one of utter devastation.

"Your Majesty!"

Upon seeing the unconscious Qin Wudao, Li Ru’s expression changed drastically, his previous composure gone. He roared in panic, "Guards! Quickly summon the Imperial Physician!"

A few patrolling guards hurried off to fetch the Imperial Physician.

Upon learning that Qin Wudao was injured and unconscious, the entire imperial palace descended into chaos. Court officials rushed over as soon as they heard the news.

「In the Imperial Study!」

Several Imperial Physicians were treating Qin Wudao. Outside the hall, court ministers stood assembled, their faces etched with deep worry.

After an hour, an Imperial Physician emerged, carrying his medical kit.

"How is His Majesty’s condition?" Li Si stepped forward to inquire.

"Rest assured, Your Excellencies. His Majesty is merely suffering from overexertion. He will make a full recovery after a period of rest! Ah, yes, His Majesty has awakened. He summons the Vice Premier for an audience!" the leading Imperial Physician announced. After offering a respectful salute to the assembled officials, he departed from the imperial palace.

Zhuge Liang! Li Si’s expression stiffened. He was the head of all civil officials, the reigning Prime Minister. Yet, after His Majesty awakened, the first person summoned was not him, but Zhuge Liang—a man he had always considered a thorn in his side.

This sent a chill through his heart.

"Since His Majesty is well, let us return to our duties!"

The other ministers breathed a collective sigh of relief and quickly dispersed.

Li Si clenched his fists tightly for a moment, then slowly relaxed them, departing with the other ministers.

When Zhuge Liang entered the Imperial Study, he saw Qin Wudao seated upon the imperial throne. His face was pale, but his eyes were remarkably firm and shining with spirit.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Zhuge Liang saluted respectfully.

"Please rise." Qin Wudao pointed to a nearby chair, gesturing for Zhuge Liang to sit. He then smiled and said, "Beloved Minister, your cultivation has reached the Peak of the Supreme Saint Realm. When do you anticipate your breakthrough?"

After sitting, Zhuge Liang replied gravely, "Reporting to Your Majesty, although this subject has reached the Peak of the Supreme Saint Realm, I still lack confidence in achieving a breakthrough."

The Saint King Realm—King among Saints. Countless Supreme Saint Realm Martial Artists strive their entire lives yet fail to break through to it.

"That is easily remedied. We have a Sacred Pill here that can increase the chances of breaking through to the Saint King Realm by thirty percent!" Qin Wudao retrieved a vial of medicinal pills from his robes and said to Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang’s body trembled, his heart pounding with excitement. Which cultivator wouldn’t know the famed Sacred Pill? Many factions regarded it as a legacy treasure, only to be used when an exceptionally monstrous prodigy appeared.

He never imagined that Qin Wudao would give him the pill that His Majesty had refined with such painstaking effort!

After all, he hadn’t been in the Qin Empire for long and had yet to make any significant contributions. His cultivation level was his only notable strength.

"Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable! This subject’s merits and contributions are insufficient to warrant the use of a Sacred Pill. Otherwise, it will be difficult to convince the masses!" Zhuge Liang declined.

"Pills are refined to be used. Beloved Minister, just accept it. Moreover, Nie Feng might betray us at any time. If you break through to the Saint King Realm sooner, We can rest easier, and so can the court officials," Qin Wudao said, perceiving Zhuge Liang’s apprehension and offering a reassuring smile.

"This..." Upon hearing Nie Feng’s name, Zhuge Liang hesitated.

"What? Does Prime Minister Zhuge believe himself unworthy of using the Sacred Pill?" Qin Wudao said, goading him.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty! This subject will definitely break through to the Saint King Realm and protect the everlasting foundation of the Qin Empire!"

Although he knew it was a deliberate provocation, Zhuge Liang hesitated for a moment before accepting the medicinal pill. Firstly, he believed in his own abilities; secondly, there was the crisis posed by Nie Feng.

"Good!"

"Time is pressing, Beloved Minister. Go and prepare. You may directly requisition any needed resources from the national treasury. The Spiritual Spring Mustard Seed Realm will also be opened to you," Qin Wudao said with a faint smile.

Zhuge Liang nodded solemnly, saluted respectfully, and then departed with heavy steps.

I will not betray Qin Wudao’s trust! I absolutely must break through to the Saint King Realm! he secretly swore.

...

「In the Heartland of the Divine Court!」

On a vast plain, the Divine Army was encamped. All their banners had been changed to bear the character ’Nie’, and they fluttered in the wind.

Suddenly, the ground began to tremble, startling the resting soldiers awake. Hundreds of thousands of them hastily grabbed their weapons and emerged from their tents. Looking eastward, they saw six streaks of blood-red light speeding towards them.

An overwhelming Evil Qi surged between Heaven and Earth.

"Six First Revolution Saint King Realm experts. The Divine Court’s heritage is quite substantial!"

In the central command tent, Nie Feng was drinking with his generals. Sensing the powerful enemies’ approach, the corners of his lips curled into a cold sneer. Unhurriedly, he poured a cup of wine and placed it over a candle flame to warm.

Soon, the spirit wine began to boil.

Nie Feng did not drink it but set it down on the table.

"War King, what is the meaning of this...?" a general asked, scratching his head in puzzlement.

"I will return to drink heartily after I have slain these approaching foes!" Nie Feng’s bold voice reverberated through the tent as his figure gradually faded, eventually vanishing completely.