C5 Zhuang Dou

"Xing, what caused the conflict with the third elder today?"

The third elder stood apart from the usual elders, as he was a Pill Refining Master with absolute prestige within the Zhuang family. Even Zhuang Dou showed him respect, reliant on him for the family's Pill supply. Thus, when Zhuang Dou received the report, he hurried over, hoping to resolve the tension between his son and the third elder.

"I couldn't be bothered to speak with him," Zhuang Xing stated nonchalantly.

Zhuang Dou glanced at his son and sighed, a sense of helplessness washing over him.

"Xing, how did you manage to defeat Zhuang Xiang today?"

Zhuang Xiang's cultivation level was at Qi Refining Stage Level Seven Heaven, while Zhuang Xing was only at Qi Refining Stage Level Two Heaven. With such a vast gap in their abilities, no one would expect Zhuang Xing to come out on top.

"Zhuang Xiang is nothing but trash. Defeating him was easy," Zhuang Xing retorted dismissively.

Zhuang Dou was taken aback, his body quivering slightly. He stared at Zhuang Xing in astonishment and asked, "Xing, your cultivation level?"

"Qi Refining Stage Level Five Heaven."

"What?" Zhuang Dou's eyes widened in disbelief as he gazed at Zhuang Xing, as if seeing him for the first time.

He remembered Zhuang Xing being stuck at Qi Refining Stage Level Two Heaven for the longest time. How had he suddenly advanced to Level Five Heaven?

What's more, Zhuang Xing's power now surpassed that of a cultivator at Level Seven Heaven. How could this be possible?

Noticing his father's astonishment, Zhuang Xing allowed himself a slight smile. If Zhuang Dou knew that Zhuang Xing had ascended from Level Two Heaven to Level Five Heaven in just a brief moment, what would his reaction be?

"Xing, what's your secret to such rapid progress in your cultivation?"

Zhuang Xing simply smiled, offering no reply, but handed a small box to Zhuang Dou.

"Father, take this Pill. I believe it will help you achieve your next breakthrough."

The Pill in question was the Top Grade Pill that Zhuang Xing had previously refined. Zhuang Dou had been stagnant at Spirit Wheel Stage Level Three Heaven for quite some time. Without the aid of this Pill, he would likely remain stuck there much longer.

"What is this? A Qi Gathering Pill?"

Zhuang Dou slowly opened the container and was immediately greeted by a pleasant fragrance. He recognized the Pill; he had consumed many in his time. But none had ever matched the quality of this one. It surpassed even the High Grade Qi Gathering Pills he had encountered.

"Indeed."

This was no ordinary Qi Gathering Pill; it was a Top Grade Qi Gathering Pill. In Cloud Peak City, no Pill Refining Master had ever managed to craft such a pill.

"Xing, you need these pills more than I do. Take this Qi Gathering Pill. If I need one, I can simply request it from the third elder."

The third elder's mastery of the Pill Refining Technique was exceptional, making even High Grade Qi Gathering Pills trivial for him to produce. Yet, this Pill seemed superior to any High Grade Pill he had seen before, and he was genuinely puzzled about how his son had acquired it.

"Father, please keep it. I can refine Pills myself."

"Xing, what are you implying?"

Suddenly, Zhuang Dou's shock gave way to realization as he exclaimed, "Xing, are you a Pill Refining Master?"

Zhuang Xing offered a modest smile. With Zhuang Dou looking on in amazement, he gave a slow nod.

"My goodness, Xing, are you really telling the truth?"

Zhuang Dou was astounded. A Pill Refining Master held a prestigious status. Even a Rank One Pill Refining Master would be highly esteemed in the Zhuang family. Discovering a Pill Refining Master among them would compel the Zhuang family to extend every courtesy and seek an alliance.

"There's no falsehood in my words."

He was more than just a Pill Refining Master; he was a Pill God. In the entire cosmos, if his Pill Refining Technique were ranked second, no one would dare claim the first spot.

"Hahaha, my son, a Pill Refining Master! I'd like to see who dares to speak ill of him now."

Zhuang Dou burst into hearty laughter. Zhuang Xing had previously shown no aptitude for cultivation, remaining at the Qi Refining Stage Level Two Heaven for five long years. But now, with his newfound talent in Pill Refining, he had become a distinguished Pill Refining Master. His lack of cultivation talent was irrelevant.

Zhuang Xing was genuinely elated to see his father so joyful. He was well aware of the years of worry his father had endured on his behalf. His father had been under tremendous pressure. But now, all that was about to become history.

"Father, it's getting late. You should head back and get some rest."

Night had fallen, and the moon was high in the sky.

"Alright, Xing, you should get some rest as well."

Zhuang Dou was overjoyed today. His son was a Pill Refining Master and had crafted a Pill for him. This Pill held more value to him than any other because it was a gift from his son.

As he walked, Zhuang Dou turned the Pill over in his hand, contemplating its uniqueness. It seemed superior even to a High Grade Pill, yet he couldn't identify what type of Pill it was.

Baffled, Zhuang Dou eventually sought the wisdom of the third elder. True to his reputation as a Pill Refining Master, the third elder, after testing the Pill, declared it was not just any ordinary Pill, but a one-of-a-kind Top Grade Pill.

Upon hearing this verdict, Zhuang Dou was speechless and astounded for quite some time.

Meanwhile, Zhuang Xing was completely unaware of these developments. That evening, he was far from idle. After his dinner, he set to work on refining Pills.

He retrieved thirty batches of ingredients from the Pill Room and succeeded in producing thirty Top Grade Qi Gathering Pills, achieving an unprecedented 100% success rate. Such a feat would astonish anyone familiar with Pill Refining, where failure rates are notoriously high. While average Pill Refining Masters have a success rate of merely 10%, and the more skilled ones might reach 30%, a Pill Refining Master with a 100% success rate was virtually unheard of.

Having completed his Pill refining, Zhuang Xing approached the window to gaze outside and allowed himself a brief respite.

"I will make a comeback," he vowed, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, yet he felt no pain.

Previously, his obsession with the Pill Dao had left his cultivation lacking. He had enlisted many to guard him during his vulnerable moments, but in the end, they had betrayed him, conspiring with others to launch a surprise attack. This experience had taught him a profound lesson.

He had been resurrected. This time around, he resolved to devote even more time to his cultivation, striving to bolster his strength. He could no longer depend on others. Only by enhancing his own power would he be able to stand fearless before anyone.