The Dao of Reincarnation (84-86) (Patreon)

Chapter 84: The Peerless Pill Venerable (Part 12)

Yan Zhaoxi carried herself with unmistakable pride. Not yet thirty and already a seventh-grade alchemist—she had every right to that arrogance.

Two months earlier, Su Chen might have chosen to avoid direct confrontation. Now, however, his gaze remained calm, and his voice left no room for doubt. "This Blazing Sun Golden Lingzhi—I claim it."

Yan Zhaoxi's phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly. She let out a soft sigh. "What a pity…"

Neither of them would yield. A battle was inevitable. Another spatial rift tore open, swallowing both figures.

Facing a true pill-dao monster like Yan Zhaoxi, Su Chen did not dare to underestimate her. Both chose to refine seventh-grade pills without hesitation.

One month later. Outside the Ancient Pill Domain.

Yang Wang, standing among the eliminated crowd, suddenly spotted a familiar crimson figure appear at the edge of the zone. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief. When he looked again, a face as beautiful as a blooming flower hovered inches from his own.

In any other place, seeing Yan Zhaoxi would have delighted him. But this was the elimination zone! Before he could process what was happening, a delicate pink fist smashed into his face.

Yan Zhaoxi was furious. She had lost by a single misstep! Rage consumed her. This time, she had emerged into the world with one goal: to claim first place in the grand alchemy conference across the five domains. Yet she had not even survived the elimination round!

Poor Yang Wang became her unwilling punching bag.

…

When Su Chen opened his eyes, he found himself back in the familiar surroundings of Blazing Valley. The victor, after all, was him. Another month passed before he finally claimed the Blazing Sun Golden Lingzhi.

With this single seventh-grade herb in hand, Su Chen did not pause. He knew that relying solely on the Golden Lingzhi would make victory precarious at best. He continued searching for additional seventh-grade ingredients.

Soon, word spread through the Ancient Pill Domain: the monster genius of the Yang Pill Sacred Land, Yan Zhaoxi, had been defeated. Shock rippled through every faction.

The name Su Chen burst into prominence like a dark horse, reaching the ears of every pill-dao prodigy. No one dared underestimate him anymore. No one dared look down on the Eastern Wasteland again. The title "pill-dao monster" was now openly acknowledged as belonging to Su Chen.

Half a year later.

The entire Ancient Pill Domain trembled violently. Beams of light pierced the heavens and fell upon every participant who had not yet been eliminated.

When Su Chen opened his eyes, he stood on a vast platform of flawless white jade. All around him gathered familiar and unfamiliar faces alike.

"Congratulations to all of you for passing the elimination round. What comes next is the final battle of the alchemy conference. Use every herb you obtained in the Ancient Pill Domain and refine the pill you take the greatest pride in. The highest grade, the highest score—only that will determine the victor!"

The voice of a Pill Saint echoed from the sky above.

Su Chen found an empty alchemy chamber, entered it, and began his refinement. The pill he intended to create hovered on the cusp of eighth grade: the Five Elements Creation Pill. It required five seventh-grade herbs, each of a different elemental attribute.

Unfortunately, even counting the Blazing Sun Golden Lingzhi, he had secured only three of the five necessary seventh-grade Five Elements herbs. The remaining two had eluded him.

"Three… that will suffice!"

Though it would not be the complete Five Elements Creation Pill, among seventh-grade pills it still ranked at the absolute peak.

Su Chen had his own plan in mind. The other pill-dao monsters were no less formidable. In an instant, dazzling phenomena shot into the sky from every direction.

High above, the great figures of the Pill Dao watched every movement below.

"It has been a long time since so many monsters have emerged in a single generation of our pill path."

"Not only have those old hermits released their hidden prodigies—even the Eastern Wasteland produced a remarkable young man. He actually defeated Yan Zhaoxi of Yang Pill Sacred Land. Tsk tsk."

"Zhaoxi was merely careless for a moment, allowing that boy a fluke victory. If she had shown her true strength, he would have been eliminated long ago."

"Heh, how old are you, still picking on a junior? A loss is a loss. That Eastern Wasteland youth is no simple character. Unless my senses deceive me, his physique is the Seven Apertures Exquisite Body."

"Seven Apertures Exquisite Body? That constitution has become exceedingly rare… the last time I heard of one was seventeen hundred years ago."

"Seventeen hundred years ago—the one from the Eastern Wasteland's Purple Sun Su Clan? What a pity. If that member of the Su Clan had not died, the Central Continent might have gained another sacred land orthodoxy. Instead, they provoked someone they should never have crossed."

"Su… the youth from the Eastern Wasteland is called Su Chen, isn't he?"

"…"

Silence fell among them.

After a long pause, someone spoke in a low, troubled voice. "This matter… has become somewhat difficult to handle."

One month later.

Most alchemists had completed their pills. Fewer than ten remained on the platform, still persisting. Dazzling, majestic pill-dao phenomena rose one after another. Every conceivable alchemy technique displayed the profound mysteries of the Dao of pills.

Then, with a deafening bang, Su Chen's furnace exploded in front of him. The massive disturbance instantly drew the attention of every pill-dao monster still competing.

"Looks like someone failed."

"It's that one from the Eastern Wasteland… so defeating Yan Zhaoxi really was just luck."

"Failure means elimination. One less rival to contend with."

"…"

The commotion lasted only a moment. In the blink of an eye, everyone refocused and poured their full concentration back into their own refinement.

No one noticed that amid the billowing smoke and dust where the furnace had stood, eight fire dragons now coiled and breathed roaring flames. They fused together to form a blazing new cauldron, cradling a single pill at its heart.

Su Chen… had not failed at all.

…

Chapter 85: The Peerless Pill Venerable (Part 13)

Outside the arena.

The explosion of Su Chen's furnace sent a jolt through every heart present. A furnace explosion meant failure in refinement. Failure meant elimination. Yet as the dust and smoke slowly cleared, revealing Su Chen's actions, astonishment swept across the crowd.

A faint smile curved Ghost Valley Pill Sovereign's lips. "I knew this boy wouldn't fall so easily… It's the Eight Desolations Alchemy Method. Junior brother, did you see? Your Eight Desolations Alchemy Method will resound across the Central Continent on this day. This was your lifelong wish—and our master's wish as well. At last, it is coming true!"

Song Wanqing's beautiful eyes shimmered as she gazed at the dazzling figure. A thousand complex emotions swirled in her heart. From the direction of Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land came wave after wave of excited cheers.

Over at Yang Pill Sacred Land, Yan Zhaoxi let out a cold snort. "The only one worthy of defeating me, Yan Zhaoxi, is the champion of this alchemy conference. Su Chen, don't you dare disappoint me!"

As time passed, days later, earth-shaking phenomena tore through the sky as though they would pierce the very fabric of space. One pill-dao monster after another successfully refined a seventh-grade pill. Each one brimmed with absolute confidence in their creation.

"Hm? That guy actually hasn't been eliminated yet?"

The crowd noticed Su Chen still persisting. Pillars of light erupted across the platform, whipping up fierce winds and gathering tides of spiritual Qi.

Metal, wood, water, fire, earth.

The dense power of the five elements converged into a massive, multicolored halo of radiant splendor.

Su Chen opened his eyes, surprise flickering within them. The Five Elements Creation Pill… had formed!

In that same instant, blood streamed from his eyes, nose, and ears. The injuries he had been suppressing finally erupted.

The Five Elements Creation Pill was already extraordinarily difficult to refine. Combined with the Eight Desolations Alchemy Method, Su Chen had pushed his cultivation to the absolute limit, sustaining himself through sheer willpower until this moment. He collapsed into unconsciousness.

When Su Chen awoke again, seven full days had passed. He found himself soaking in a medicinal bath, his body drenched. The surroundings were completely unfamiliar.

Su Chen changed into fresh robes and left the medicine hall. The moment he stepped outside, he saw an eighth-grade alchemist clad in purple robes waiting at the entrance.

When the man saw Su Chen emerge, a warm smile spread across his face. "You're awake. The Pill Saints have been waiting for you for quite some time."

Su Chen followed the purple-robed alchemist to a grand hall. Inside stood several proud young figures. Yet the moment they saw Su Chen enter, the arrogance in their eyes transformed into genuine respect.

An elderly man with snow-white hair wore simple robes, yet a golden badge gleamed on his chest, bearing the image of a blazing sun. His gaze fell upon Su Chen, filled with admiration. "Young Su, congratulations. You have claimed first place in this grand alchemy conference. From this day forward, no alchemist across the five domains will fail to recognize your name. Are you willing to become an honorary elder of Pill God Hall?"

Faced with an invitation from a Pill Saint, Su Chen bowed slightly. "This junior is deeply honored."

An honorary elder needed only to lend his name to Pill God Hall—the benefits were tangible and immense. What truly surprised Su Chen was that he had actually won first place in the entire conference! He had emerged victorious among thousands of prodigies! Even with his tempered state of mind, ripples of emotion stirred within him.

First place in the alchemy conference. The rewards were naturally generous: the right to enter Pill God Hall and select one ancient secret art, along with unrestricted access to study the refinement techniques of every great pill-dao master within the hall.

Su Chen remained for three full years. During that time, he refined and perfected the Eight Desolations Alchemy Method. From time to time, Pill Saints lectured on the dao of pills, advancing his skill even further. Though he had yet to step into eighth grade, he could now refine seventh-grade pills without the slightest chance of failure.

"It's time to return to the Eastern Wasteland."

Pill God Hall was excellent. But it was not his home.

When news spread that Su Chen intended to leave for the Eastern Wasteland, numerous elders and prodigies of Pill God Hall came to see him off.

"Su Chen, are you truly returning to Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land? With your alchemy talent, remaining in Pill God Hall would bring far greater achievements and a brighter future!"

Song Wanqing spoke up, trying to persuade him to stay.

Su Chen shook his head. "Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land treated me well. The sacred land is still in its growth phase and sorely lacks alchemists. How could I turn a blind eye and hide away cultivating in the Central Continent? This skill in alchemy—I must repay it to the sacred land… Everyone, the roads of the cultivation world are long. Until we meet again."

Su Chen departed, traveling back to the Eastern Wasteland together with the Prison-Suppressing delegation.

The people of Pill God Hall watched him leave alongside the others from Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land, their hearts filled with complicated emotions. They could not understand why Su Chen would give up the chance to deepen his cultivation in Pill God Hall and choose instead to return to the Eastern Wasteland, where the pill dao lagged far behind.

Yet they respected his decision. Perhaps that very bearing…was the mark of a true alchemist.

Su Chen left the Central Continent. But in the Central Continent, he left behind a legend…

…

One month later.

Inside the spatial tunnel, Myriad Forms Pill Venerable's expression remained complicated, filled with a thousand emotions. He had never imagined that the champion of this grand alchemy conference would come from their Eastern Wasteland… His original intention had been simple: bring Su Chen to the Central Continent to witness the golden age of pill dao and meet the various geniuses.

What delighted him most was that even after achieving fame across the Central Continent, even when facing recruitment offers from every major pill-dao sacred land, Su Chen had remained steadfast in his gratitude toward the sacred land. Without hesitation, he chose to return to the Eastern Wasteland and to the sect.

"To have such a disciple in Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land is truly a blessing accumulated over three lifetimes. The ancestral founder must be watching over us!"

Myriad Forms Pill Venerable murmured to himself.

Boom!

Suddenly, the spatial tunnel shook violently, lurching with terrifying force.

Myriad Forms Pill Venerable sensed the danger at once and shouted to everyone aboard, "Enemy attack! We are under assault!"

Terrifying auras awakened one after another from the vessel. A pair of enormous hands tore the spatial tunnel apart. A pair of dreadful eyes peered through the rift at the people on the ship, as though regarding a swarm of insignificant ants.

"A saint… It's a saint!"

Su Chen lifted his head and looked toward that horrifying figure. His heart trembled. That overwhelming aura was all too familiar. A saint—an existence who had stepped into the saint realm, capable of ripping open void tunnels with bare hands.

"Hand over the Su Clan bloodline. Out of respect for the Undefeated Saint King's face, this seat will spare your lives. Otherwise…"

A terrifying killing intent shredded the spatial tunnel. Thunderous words boomed across heaven and earth.

"Today, this place becomes your burial ground!"

Myriad Forms Pill Venerable's expression changed drastically. He roared in response, "Insolent fool! Su Chen is a disciple of the Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land. No matter who you are, do not dream of forcing our sacred land to hand over one of our own! Summon the saint artifact!"

At his furious command, the elders stationed around the vessel acted in unison. Mysterious runes flared to life. A crescent longbow wreathed in holy radiance materialized in Myriad Forms Pill Venerable's grasp.

"The Radiant Holy Bow—if the Radiant Saint were still alive in the flesh, this old man might retreat three steps. But now it is merely a damaged saint artifact!"

A giant hand rose casually and crushed the holy arrow that tore through space. The saint's cold gaze swept across the people of Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land.

"Since you refuse to hand over the Su Clan bloodline… then perish together!"

Chapter 86: The Peerless Pill Venerable (Part 14)

"Damn it!"

Su Chen suddenly remembered something the old man had once mentioned. Su Weichang had found him abandoned in the snow. Around his neck had been a longevity lock engraved with the character "Su."

Su Chen had always known the longevity lock was no ordinary object, yet he had never paid it much mind and had never actively sought out his origins. Now it seemed… this one overlooked detail. Had become fatally dangerous!

"So this life… ends just like that. Really feels a bit unwilling."

A bitter taste rose in Su Chen's heart.

Just as the giant hand was about to envelop the entire vessel, a beam of light descended from the heavens. It pierced straight through the massive palm.

Su Chen focused his gaze. It was a golden holy spear. An aura both familiar and strange emanated from the spear.

"Old ghost… you, a saint, actually bully the young and attack a disciple of my Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land. Do you think there is no one left in Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land?"

A middle-aged man clad in golden armor descended from the sky. With a casual wave of his hand, the golden holy spear hummed in response.

Su Chen looked up at the man. There were traces of an old acquaintance in his features, yet it was not the same person.

"Sacred Lord!"

Su Chen recognized him. The disciples and elders of Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land also recognized him.

Song Jun recognized him as well.

Song Jun sealed the blood flowing from his palm and asked with a grave expression, "Prison-Suppressing Sacred Lord! Why are you here?"

One golden holy spear, one set of golden armor. Both were saint king artifacts—fully awakened saint king artifacts! Even for him, they posed a serious threat… Although the Prison-Suppressing Sacred Lord had not yet stepped into the saint realm, with two fully awakened saint king artifacts boosting him, his combat power absolutely crushed that of an ordinary saint!

Song Jun still could not understand why the Prison-Suppressing Sacred Lord had appeared here. Unfortunately, the Prison-Suppressing Sacred Lord was not one for idle talk. Every second of saint king power consumed an astronomical amount of resources for the sacred land. Without another word, he charged toward Song Jun.

The saint's expression changed dramatically. A single spear thrust pierced straight through his chest.

"Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land… this seat will remember the enmity of these two spears. One day, I will repay it a thousandfold!"

Song Jun's figure vanished between heaven and earth. Knowing he was no match, he chose immediate retreat. The Prison-Suppressing Sacred Lord withdrew the golden holy spear and sighed softly. "What a pity. He still escaped…"

If he had already become a saint and wielded saint king weapons, how could he have let this great enemy flee?

The Prison-Suppressing Sacred Lord descended onto the vessel. Myriad Forms Pill Venerable asked in confusion, "Sacred Lord, why are you here?"

The Prison-Suppressing Sacred Lord glanced toward Su Chen. "An old friend in the Central Continent sent word that someone intended to act against one of our sacred land's disciples. Though Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land currently lacks a saint-grade powerhouse, we are not soft persimmons to be squeezed at will! Upon receiving the message, this lord deduced the enemy would surely intercept us on the return path. I hurried here as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, I failed to keep that old ghost here."

Su Chen asked, "May I ask, Sacred Lord—who was the saint that attacked us just now?"

The Prison-Suppressing Sacred Lord answered, "Song Jun, a saint of the Song Clan from the Central Continent. Rest assured. Since Song Jun dared to bully the young, once this lord becomes a saint, I will personally bring saint king weapons and pay a visit to the Song Clan! You have not let down Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land. Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land will not let you down either."

Su Chen thought for a moment, then took out the longevity lock and asked the Prison-Suppressing Sacred Lord, "Does the Sacred Lord perhaps know of this disciple's origins?"

The Prison-Suppressing Sacred Lord accepted the longevity lock and nodded. "This lord does indeed know your origins. The Central Continent has already informed me. However… knowing too much may not be a good thing. Do you truly wish to know?"

Su Chen nodded. Whether he had origins or not actually mattered little. What mattered was that Su Chen wanted to see—how many enemies this life still held.

The Song Clan of the Central Continent… Su Chen had committed the name to memory. He, Su, had always been one to hold grudges. If he had not won first place in the alchemy conference and drawn such attention—if no one had warned the Prison-Suppressing Sacred Lord in advance—then this life might have ended inexplicably, slain by a saint. Wasting so many Reverse Fate Points… just thinking about it made him feel stifled.

The Prison-Suppressing Sacred Lord let out a long sigh. "Your origins… it is a long story. It begins seventeen hundred years ago, with your ancestor…"

Su Chen finally understood the truth of this life. He had been born into the Su Clan of the Central Continent. His ancestor had been a legendary figure, a powerhouse who stood half a step into the saint realm. He too had possessed the Seven Apertures Exquisite Body.

Just as he was on the verge of becoming a saint, he was ambushed by the ancestor of the Song Clan. The Song Clan spread word that the Su Clan had captured one of their geniuses and refined him into a blood pill in an attempt to break through to sainthood. In the ensuing battle, the Su Clan ancestor was slain. The Purple Sun Su Clan was destroyed, and the few scattered survivors were hunted down relentlessly by the Song Clan.

Su Chen had been the young master of the Su Clan. The blood of the Su lineage flowed through his veins.

Su Chen: "…"

The Prison-Suppressing Sacred Lord continued, "Whether the Song Clan's accusations were true or false is unknown. But with your Seven Apertures Exquisite Body, the Song Clan will never give up hunting you."

Su Chen nodded. So this was what it felt like to be targeted as a child of destiny! He was only at the Profound Connection Realm, yet he had already drawn the personal attack of a saint. Utterly shameless!

Su Chen felt deeply speechless.

"It seems talent and comprehension don't come from nowhere… If one's background is too low, trouble is inevitable!"

This had been truly dangerous.

…

The group returned safely to Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land in the Eastern Wasteland. News of Su Chen winning first place in the Central Continent alchemy conference spread like wildfire.

Li Yichen stared in shock. "Holy crap, Brother Su, you're insane!"

First among the younger generation of pill dao across all five domains!

Then a thought struck him. He leaned in cautiously. "Brother Su, given our relationship… surely there's a friends-and-family discount when I ask you to refine pills, right? The number-one young alchemist in the five domains is actually my good bro… hehe!"

Su Chen looked at the grinning youth who resembled an excited fool and gave a faint smile. "Of course. From now on, every pill you, Li Yichen, ask me to personally refine will be at eighty percent price."

Li Yichen's face lit up. He slapped the table and laughed heartily. "Great! Brother Su, I knew I hadn't misjudged you. From now on, if there's anything you need, just say the word to your brother Li Yichen!"

Su Chen calmly added, "However… starting today, the contribution points required whenever I personally refine a pill for you will be doubled."

Li Yichen's smile froze. His face filled with bitterness. "Brother Su, you know how poor Sword-Hiding Peak has always been. You can't be this heartless…"

Su Chen pretended not to hear.

Li Yichen drank sullenly, already thinking he would have to visit the Myriad Flower Peak much less often in the future.

Time passed in a flash. Thirty years went by.

Su Chen remained in Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land the entire time.

One day, the sacred land trembled. A terrifying aura rose like a blazing sun. Across the Eastern Wasteland, countless powerful gazes turned toward Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land.

Su Chen lifted his head and narrowed his eyes.

"It's the aura of a saint… The Sacred Lord has finally taken that step. Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land now has its first saint!"

Joy and emotion surged in Su Chen's heart. After more than two thousand years, the promise once thought impossible to fulfill. After countless twists and turns, it had finally come true! The first saint of Prison-Suppressing Sacred Land's lineage had appeared!