C18 Examination!

The Qi Refining Pill's potency was intense, yet it could inflict considerable harm on a cultivator's Essence Vein. Yang Xiao was aware that while pills provided significant support, repeated use of the same type of pill could lead to a tolerance, diminishing its effectiveness.

"The priority is to solidify my foundation. Once my cultivation level advances, I can combine it with the Qi Refining Pill to maximize its potential," Yang Xiao mused, gazing at the cauldron before him. He exhaled deeply and then closed his eyes.

As a Pill Refining Master in the game, one would always regulate their breath to ensure optimal mental clarity before starting to refine pills. This state was crucial for maintaining the quality and success rate of the pill-making process.

Yang Xiao was well aware of this. He had already expended considerable time and energy on the Pill Refining Building's assessment and had engaged in a skirmish with Wang Zeyu and two others. Now, he needed to recalibrate and replenish his Vital Spirit and energy.

More than four hours had passed in focused meditation when Yang Xiao finally opened his eyes, having fully recuperated.

Feeling his mental state at its zenith and the previous exhaustion vanished, Yang Xiao knew it was the ideal moment to craft the pill.

"The Essence Obeying Pill, a Grade One pill, is highly effective for Qi Refining Stage cultivators in opening their Essence Vein, though its impact varies with the pill's grade," he reflected, a glint in his eye.

Yang Xiao then opened his backpack, laying out the day's collection of herbs:

Four stalks of two-year Spiritual Grass.

Three ten-year Azure Fruits.

Three fourteen-year Fire Spirit Beads.

Three thirteen-year Celery Mushroom Ginsengs.

One sixteen-year Ice Spirit Ganoderma.

Pleased with these valuable ingredients, Yang Xiao nodded to himself and proceeded to take out a piece of Fire Strike Gold.

Fire Strike Gold is a golden stone formed from the condensed fiery essence of the heavens and earth. With just a small release of Vital Spirit, a Pill Refining Master can ignite the Fire Strike Gold to produce the specialized flame required for pill refinement.

This flame is no ordinary blaze; it possesses a heat entirely unlike that used for cooking. Hence, Yang Xiao had no fear of inadvertently setting the wooden structure ablaze.

"Let's begin," Yang Xiao declared. He then activated the Vital Spirit within him, directing it toward the palm-sized Fire Strike Gold.

"Boom!" Instantly, a blue flame burst forth from the Fire Strike Gold, gently heating the medicinal cauldron above it.

Time always seems to fly when one is deeply focused on refining pills. Almost as quickly as an incense stick burns, Yang Xiao observed the temperature of the medicinal cauldron shift. When the moment was right, he began adding the medicinal herbs.

First, he introduced a thirteen-year-old Ginseng, followed by a fourteen-year-old Fire Spirit Bead, and then a ten-year-old Green Lian Fruit. Once the three herbs in the cauldron had nearly dissolved, Yang Xiao added the two-year-old Spirit Opening Grass.

This Spirit Opening Grass would enhance the effect of the fourteen-year-old Fire Spirit Bead, amplifying the potency of the finished pill. The final ingredient was the sixteen-year-old Ice Spirit Ganoderma, a herb that, as its name suggests, is found only in icy regions. This extraordinary Ganoderma had an explosive medicinal effect, facilitating smoother cultivation of the Essence Vein and reinforcing its stability.

As time continued to pass, marked by the burning of another incense stick, Yang Xiao methodically placed each herb into the cauldron. Once all were added, he ceased his actions and began to channel the vital energy within him, allowing the Vital Spirit to permeate the Fire Strike Gold and the cauldron.

Time marched on, and before long, over half an hour had elapsed.

"Bam!" The sound of the cauldron bursting echoed loudly. The lid was nearly blown off, but Yang Xiao swiftly pressed it down with his hand, even as a crack formed along the lid's edge.

Whoosh!

Only now did Yang Xiao finally allow himself a moment of relief, wiping the sweat from his forehead and silently celebrating.

"Phew! At last, the pill is refined."

The Essence Obeying Pill had demanded considerable effort. Observing the fading glow of the Fire Strike Gold, Yang Xiao gradually withdrew his Vital Spirit.

"Bang."

With a gentle tap, Yang Xiao lifted the lid of the medicinal cauldron before him.

A delicate scent wafted out, quickly filling the entire room.

The Essence Obeying Pill was complete.

Yang Xiao removed the still-warm pill and examined it closely, a hint of a smile forming at the corners of his mouth.

"Grade One Rank Seven, not too shabby. This should make opening my Essence Vein a bit easier."

In his hand, Yang Xiao held a pale red pill, its subtle hue begging for admiration.

After a brief rest and a deep breath, Yang Xiao swallowed the freshly refined Essence Obeying Pill.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

Upon consuming the Essence Obeying Pill, a surge of potent energy immediately radiated throughout his body. In that moment, Yang Xiao felt as if he were enveloped in a warm spring, the sensation incredibly soothing.

The pill's medicinal power slowly manifested, merging with the Vital Spirit within Yang Xiao, and transforming into a fierce strength.

"Time to open another Essence Vein!"

With determination, Yang Xiao began to circulate the Vital Spirit within his dantian, directing its flow and speed toward the second Essence Vein in his body.

This second Essence Vein, situated between the heart and the Pill Boy, promised to significantly enhance Yang Xiao's energy and physical strength, as well as advance his cultivation level upon its opening.

Moreover, since the cultivation technique of the Four-dragon Ring differed from standard practices, Yang Xiao decided to focus on opening the Essence Vein before tackling the Four-dragon Ring's barrier.

With a clear goal in mind, Yang Xiao closed his eyes and immersed himself in deep cultivation.

Time flew swiftly by, and when Yang Xiao reopened his eyes, dawn had already broken on the following day.

"Phew... Cultivating with the aid of the Four-dragon Ring really does make things a lot easier."

Yang Xiao let out a slow breath, murky with impurities, and felt the changes within his body. His Essence Vein had opened up once more, expanding the space in his dantian. It brimmed with Vital Spirit, and Yang Xiao felt as though he had boundless energy and strength.

"The Spirit Gathering Stage! It's the first step for ordinary people to embark on the path of cultivation, to accumulate a certain amount of Vital Spirit within the body, triggering the power of the blood and enhancing their life force."

As he mused, Yang Xiao stretched his arms, and a series of satisfying cracks echoed from his bones.

"The basic level of the Spirit Gathering Stage should be sufficient for me to advance to the deeper realms of the Four-dragon Ring."

With this thought, Yang Xiao stood up, tidied himself, and walked out after opening the door.

He settled his room bill and, without even stopping for breakfast, made his way back to the Yang family home.

"Weiyue! You're up early!"

Upon arriving, Yang Xiao found Yang Weiyue washing his soiled clothes and couldn't help but express his concern, "You shouldn't overexert yourself, especially with your frail health."

"Brother, I'm not tired at all. I'm actually feeling much better now."

Yang Weiyue wiped the sweat from her brow and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, smiling as she spoke.

"Alright then," Yang Xiao conceded with a helpless shake of his head and knelt down to help her with the laundry.

Once they had finished washing and hanging the clothes to dry, Yang Xiao didn't rush back to his cultivation. Instead, he took Yang Weiyue out for breakfast. He felt a twinge of guilt for the hardships his younger sister had endured and wanted to spend quality time with her now that he had the chance.

The streets of Azure Connection City buzzed with activity that morning, with many vendors already bustling about their business. Having made a tidy sum the day before, Yang Xiao had planned to treat himself to a lavish meal, but at his sister's insistence, they ended up at a modest rice porridge stall.

The porridge might have been plain, but Yang Weiyue savored every bite. Seeing her enjoyment, Yang Xiao joined in, finding contentment in the simple meal they shared.

After the siblings had finished their meal, Yang Xiao was ready to escort Yang Weiyue back to the Yang Mansion. Yet, as they approached the city gate, a young woman on a white horse galloped towards them at breakneck speed.

Clad in a pristine white robe, the young woman cut a striking figure. In her right hand, she wielded a silver longsword with a blade so sharp and bright it seemed to slice through the darkness like a beam of light.

Her skin was fair, her eyes clear, and her features exquisitely defined. As her steed thundered forward, her hair billowed out behind her. Yang Xiao found himself captivated by her beauty, which was so arresting that it was difficult for anyone to avert their gaze.

As the young woman made her entrance into the city, she drew the attention of many men. A woman of such extraordinary beauty was a breathtaking sight wherever she went.

Upon entering the city, she reined in her horse abruptly as she passed Yang Xiao and Yang Weiyue. Her captivating eyes fixed on Yang Xiao, she gave him a quick once-over. A flicker of surprise crossed her fair face as she murmured under her breath, "Hidden cultivation?"

Her voice was barely audible, but Yang Xiao caught every word. He stopped admiring the young woman's looks, his expression shifting to one of astonishment. She had somehow discerned that he was concealing his cultivation level.

Was I really concealing my cultivation? Yang Xiao's current strength was genuinely at the Spirit Gathering Stage. In the two days since his rebirth, he had advanced from the Essence Condensation Stage to his current level. Although the progression had been rapid, he hadn't concealed his abilities. Could this young woman have detected the power of the Four-dragon Ring? That power could indeed transcend realms, but for her to perceive it was almost beyond belief.