CHAPTER 197: CHAPTER 197 BREAKTHROUGH (6)_1

"Water Chains," whispered Shangguan You softly. Her fingertips manipulated the Water Element, splitting it into thousands of water columns that formed chains, wrapping around a nearby Spiritual Tree.

"Bring the Spirit Fruit over," Shangguan You gently commanded. The chains around the tree formed a palm-like shape and rolled the Spirit Fruit directly to Shangguan You.

Shangguan You took the Spirit Fruit, bit into it, and began to eat.

"Return."

As her words fell, the Water Chains successfully returned to her fingertips and vanished.

"Hahaha, what a stroke of luck," Shangguan You laughed heartily. I never expected such a high level of artistic mastery within that small lake, and now it has merged with me; I can manipulate the Water Element at will. I wonder if I can even command the waters of the vast sea, she mused. While thinking, she made her way toward the Medicine King Tower.

Having gained the power of the Water Element, I wonder what treasures await me in the Medicine King’s Vault, she thought. The purple light from the Medicine King Tower grew increasingly intense. Shangguan You proceeded to the second floor, her gaze fixed on the closed door to level 3.

Shangguan You took a deep breath, channeled the Spiritual Energy in her body to her hands, and slowly pushed open the doors to the third level.

With a loud THUD, the heavy doors swung open. The space inside was filled with a brown glow. The moment the doors opened, this glow rushed toward her at an astonishing speed.

The light flashed, swiftly entered her body, and vanished without a trace. Shangguan You was stunned by the subsequent transformation. Before she could contemplate further, a pain shot through her head, followed by a flash of golden light. The cultivation technique of the Medicine King Canon from level 3 gushed into her mind like spring water, forcing her to absorb the new knowledge.

Shangguan You was like a sponge, continuously absorbing the fresh knowledge pouring into her mind, digesting it over and over.

Information about three elixirs surged into her mind.

First, there were Bone Growth Pills, capable of regenerating hundreds of bones.

Second, Marrow Cleansing Pills. She learned that while the Jade Dew Pill could strengthen the body and improve physical constitution, the Marrow Cleansing Pill could completely transform it. This transformation would enable even those previously unable to practice Cultivation to become suitable for it. Cultivators are exceedingly rare in current society, she recalled, partly due to the mysterious nature of Cultivation sects and partly because many physical constitutions are inherently limiting. With the Marrow Cleansing Pill, an ordinary constitution can be changed, allowing for much better absorption of the Spiritual Energy between Heaven and Earth.

Third, Spirit Gathering Pills, which helped accumulate Spiritual Energy from the surroundings, making it easier for the body to absorb.

The formulas for these three elixirs also flooded her mind simultaneously.

After a while, Shangguan You gradually organized the knowledge in her mind. She then stepped into level 3. Her gaze fell upon the Medicine King Cauldron, which had shed its dark hue and now glowed with a pale golden color, exuding wafts of medicinal fragrance.

There was also a row of bookshelves on the third floor, laden with numerous books. Shangguan You casually pulled one out, which was about the Water and Earth Elements. She frowned slightly. Is it because of the Water Spirit Bead that I can now freely use the Water Element? she wondered.

Can the Water Element also be upgraded by my ability level? Shangguan You frowned slightly.

Was that the Earth Element that flew into my body when I pushed open the door just now? As she mused, she flicked her finger, and a light-blue water droplet appeared once again on her fingertip. I’m sure this is the Water Element, she thought. But what about the Earth Element?

Earth Element! Shangguan You called silently in her mind. Unfortunately, the Earth Element didn’t respond like the Water Element, which was joyously bouncing on her fingertips. Do I also need to find the Earth Spirit Bead and combine it with whatever just flew into me from that space to use it?

Shangguan You was puzzled. Is there anyone who can give me an answer?

She flipped through the book in her hands, growing more and more astonished. The book stated that the power of the elements encompassed Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth—five types in total. She had currently only obtained the power of Water. This means I haven’t accessed the other four, she realized. She had acquired the Water Spirit Bead by chance, and only within her space could she actually use it. Does this mean that to use the abilities of the other four elements, I also have to first obtain their corresponding Spiritual Pearls?

With these questions in mind, Shangguan You flipped through a few more books. She found information on Medical Arts, poison techniques, and even some records about the Five Elements and Bagua. She glanced over them quickly before putting the books down. A new thought struck her, and she left the tower again. Following the formulas for the Marrow Cleansing Pill, Spirit Gathering Pill, and Bone Growth Pill, she began to collect the necessary herbs.

The main ingredient for the Spirit Gathering Pill was the Spirit Fruit from her space, combined with other herbs. The Marrow Cleansing Pill, on the other hand, required Spring Water and Purple Lotus seeds from her space, mixed with some special herbs. Fortunately, Shangguan You hadn’t eaten all the lotus seeds; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to craft the Marrow Cleansing Pill. The Bone Growth Pill’s formula was even simpler.

In just a moment, Shangguan You had gathered all the required herbs. She then flickered back into the tower. Concentrating the Spiritual Energy within her body into her hands, she tossed all the ingredients for the Marrow Cleansing Pill into the Medicine King Cauldron.

Gathering Spiritual Power in both hands, she slowly infused it into the Medicine King Cauldron to begin the refining process. With the Marrow Cleansing Pill, her father, uncle, grandfather, and Big Brother Qing could practice Cultivation just like her. This wasn’t just beneficial for their health; it meant they could always stay with her.

I’m not alone anymore, Shangguan You mused, a faint smile playing on her lips. For my family, I must successfully refine this Marrow Cleansing Pill.

Minutes ticked by, yet no medicinal fragrance emanated from the Medicine King Cauldron. A fine sweat formed on her forehead. Normally, refining Medicinal Pills was effortless for her. But now, attempting to create the Marrow Cleansing Pill had almost depleted all the Spiritual Energy in her body. Still, the cauldron showed no sign of activity, not even the faintest scent of medicine. What’s happening?

Gritting her teeth, Shangguan You poured her physical strength and remaining Spiritual Energy into the Medicine King Cauldron once more. The cauldron fiercely absorbed the unceasing influx of Spiritual Energy. Then, with a loud BANG, the lid blew off! Shangguan You was thrown back several steps as a shower of blackened dregs flew rapidly towards her, covering her completely in soot. She had failed to refine the pill.

Shangguan You sighed deeply. She had actually failed. Why? I’ve always refined pills this way. Why didn’t it work this time?