Even though the War King Family ranks low among the Seven Great Clans and does not have a Celestial, to become one of the Seven Great Powers, their strength is beyond doubt!

The Patriarch came in person?

This truly took Xu Yang by surprise.

"Hehe, no need to be so shocked."

Shi Haoting smiled, "Mr. Xu, your performance is simply astonishing, you know that?"

"You hail from Daqian, with no reflection from the Spirit River. Compared to the Spirit Realm, that place is naught but a forsaken land!"

"To have cultivated to this level in such a forsaken place with miserable environmental conditions is truly remarkable!"

"Now that you’ve arrived in the Spirit Realm and are able to touch the Spirit River, with such favorable circumstances, I believe you can certainly feel it—so long as you have enough resources, your cultivation and strength will undoubtedly soar exponentially!"

Xu Yang nodded slightly.

This was indeed true!

In Daqian, not knowing the existence of the Spirit River and never having felt it before—

Yet after breaking through to True Lord, the foot-and-a-half Heaven-locking Spirit Mark he obtained felt immensely powerful to him.

"Moreover, the quota for the place we’re to go is truly important!"

Shi Haoting’s expression grew solemn as he said gravely, "No matter how terribly dangerous it may be, no matter how many may perish, it’s worth any cost!"

"Because perhaps, there genuinely exists a way there to escape the decline of the Spirit Realm!"

A shock ran through Xu Yang’s heart.

Hearing Shi Haoting mention this again with such gravity, he realized this was no jest.

Afterward, while waiting for Shi Feng to arrive, Xu Yang continued to glean much basic information regarding the Spirit Realm from Shi Haoting’s words.

Regarding cultivation, Spirit Marks are what True Lord experts are most proud of.

Touching the Spirit River, unleashing powerful martial Spirit Intent—

Generally, a freshly-broken-through True Lord who can barely congeal a wisp of a Spirit Mark about an inch long is already quite commendable.

Of course, those on the Celestial Pride List, even when newly entering True Lord, have at least a foot-long Spirit Mark.

The maximum a Spirit Mark can reach is nine feet!

Beyond nine feet, it must become fully solid and merge as Spirit Intent, able to enter the Spirit River directly.

At such time, one would become a Shenxiao Grand Lord.

Speaking of Spirit Marks, among the eight who just broke through—Zhang Lingqiao, Zhang Yuanshan, Meng Ziqiu and others—the smallest Spirit Mark formed was two inches, the largest was Meng Ziqiu with eight inches!

Jian Chuan, who broke through to True Lord in Daqian, also made quite some progress previously and managed to forge a nine-inch Spirit Mark!

None can be considered weak.

Besides, there is the matter of pills.

In the Spirit Realm, there are supreme-grade pills. Basically, any talent or Alchemist above Tier Five or Six can potentially refine a supreme-grade pill.

However, it’s not as easy as it sounds!

Supreme-grade pills are still quite precious in the Spirit Realm!

For instance, a Tier Seven Alchemist enjoys extremely high status even within the War King Family.

"Mr. Xu, are you truly a Tier Seven Pill Master? Able to refine supreme grades?" To be honest, even though Shi Haoting felt Xu Yang wasn’t joking, it was just too unbelievable to accept.

To possess such terrifying martial strength in addition to being a Tier Seven Alchemist—did you start cultivating both in your mother’s womb?

"Hehe, our young master’s alchemy skill is second to none in Daqian!" Yang Yi, seeing Shi Haoting still doubtful, immediately interjected.

Xu Yang smiled slightly, "Don’t rush. When the Shi Patriarch arrives, I shall refine one before you all."

Shi Haoting was filled with excitement.

"With such confidence from Mr. Xu, I believe in your strength even without seeing it with my own eyes."

Suddenly, a peal of laughter came from the courtyard.

Xu Yang was startled out of his wits.

"Patriarch."

"Father."

Shi Haoting immediately stood up, beaming with delight as he gazed at the group suddenly appearing in the courtyard.

Indeed, a whole group!

Other than Shi Feng, three elders of the Shi Family had arrived, as well as Shi Haoting’s father, Stone Jade, and others. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Jian Chuan and the others wore grave expressions, every muscle taut!

This was suppression from an overwhelming gap in strength!

Invisible pressure alone made their hearts pound with fear.

Xu Yang slowly stood up, looking at Shi Feng, and said calmly, "This must be the Shi Patriarch?"

"It is!"

"This junior Xu Yang pays respect to the Shi Patriarch!"

Xu Yang cupped his fists and bowed earnestly.

Though the Shi Family had no Celestial, this one was the strongest among the Shenxiao Grand Lords.

Even in the Spirit Realm, he was renowned far and wide!

"Mr. Xu, you are too courteous."

Shi Feng was all warmth: "Having just received news from Haoting, I could not sit still from happiness."

"Meeting you today, indeed you are extraordinary!"

"You flatter me, Shi Patriarch!"

After some pleasantries, Xu Yang spoke frankly, "Shi Patriarch, I believe Shi Haoting has passed my requests on to you. But before that, it’s necessary for me to prove my alchemy abilities."

Shi Feng’s face became solemn, "Naturally, this is only proper!"

Xu Yang slapped his forehead and smiled wryly, "Ah, Shi Patriarch, could you provide me with some spirit elixirs and pill recipes?"

Shi Feng burst out laughing at once.

With a sweep of his sleeve, several Storage Rings flew to Xu Yang’s side.

Clearly, he had prepared well in advance.

Xu Yang glanced through them and clicked his tongue in amazement.

The spirit elixirs within were practically piled up like mountains.

All at Tier Seven level.

These were spirit elixirs greatly beneficial to the cultivation of True Lord experts.

It was simply astonishing!

"Junior Brother, how are you at refining Tier Seven?" After a cursory glance, Xu Yang turned to Liou Yunfeng.

Liou Yunfeng had just broken through to True Lord, but even back in Daqian, under Gu Jun’s guidance, had already begun working with Tier Seven.

Liou Yunfeng replied in a low voice, "Don’t worry, I can handle most Tier Seven pills."

Xu Yang let out a breath and nodded slightly.

The Shi Family members, upon hearing Xu Yang call Liou Yunfeng his junior brother, were all taken aback.

"Well then, let’s begin together."

Xu Yang handed Liou Yunfeng a Storage Ring, then looked to Gu Jun, "Teacher, you..."

Gu Jun laughed heartily, "Refining Tier Seven is no problem. As for Tier Eight, in the past this old man has done it, but now I’d need my corporeal body restored!"

"This gentleman is not ordinary," observed one of the Shi Family elders, his eyes shining as he regarded Gu Jun.

Shi Feng mused, "It’s fine—restoring your fleshly body at the Shi Family will not be a problem."

By this point, unless one was a fool, there was no doubting Xu Yang’s words!

Of course, witnessing it with their own eyes was still necessary.

Immediately after—

The three sat down cross-legged in the courtyard together.

Shi Haoting could not help but hold his breath, tense yet full of anticipation.

A figure suddenly appeared beside him. Shi Haoting shivered and forced a sheepish smile.

"Hehe, Yu, spare my life!"

"Hmph!"

Yu snorted coldly, cast a withering glance at Shi Haoting, and then turned to Xu Yang.

Shi Haoting let out a sigh of relief and whispered, "Yu, where’s that old tiger?"

"On the way back," Yu replied coolly.

"Oh."

Hummmm!

Spirit Fire flared, and invisible ripples spread outward.

Everyone gathered their thoughts and fixed their attention solemnly.

The three began alchemy together.

Each employing their own style.

Liou Yunfeng worked methodically, using the most orthodox and proper techniques.

Pill furnace, Spirit Fire—placing one herb after another in sequence!

Gu Jun also brought out Spirit Fire and a pill furnace, prompting a subtle reaction from the Shi Family martial artists.

"That furnace and that spirit fire aren’t weak!"

"Even in the Spirit Realm, they’d be considered impressive!"

"Seems Daqian may be forsaken, but it still has its treasures."

The elders secretly exchanged through sound transmission.

Since Gu Jun was a soul body, as he drew in vast Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, performing the Six Heavenly Skills, Shi Feng and the other elders’ eyes lit up instantly.

"This alchemy skill—tsk—even I can’t quite see through it!"

"Impressive indeed."

"It seems the claim of once refining Tier Eight is no exaggeration!"

Their gazes met, each seeing the shock and excitement mirrored in the other’s eyes.

"Look, everyone!

"Watch Mr. Xu—damn, what kind of pill-refining method is that?"

Shi Haoting couldn’t help but exclaim in a low voice.

Everyone’s attention was instantly fixed on Xu Yang.

At that sight, all were thunderstruck!

The pitch-black pill furnace radiated mysterious power, utterly unfathomable!

The black Spirit Fire soared, warping the surrounding space so violently it took their breath away!

Equally impossible to fathom, inconceivable!

Even more astonishing, all the spirit elixirs for a single recipe were hurled in at once.

Even in the Spirit Realm, there may be many unique pill-refining methods, but they’re generally done step by step.

This approach—was a first for anyone present!

Zhang Yuanshan couldn’t help but laugh, "Heh, seems young master’s unique technique is unprecedented even in the Spirit Realm."

"What comes next will be truly shocking!"

Zhang Lingqiao, Bai Song, and Meng Ziqiu exchanged glances, each wearing proud smiles, sharing in the honor!