C19 Heavenly Essence Pill

By the time Qiao Gao awoke, ten hours had passed. The daily rate for the Green Dragon Cultivation Room was a steep 1000 yuan crystals, and yet, Qiao Gao had used such an extravagant space merely for slumber. Such wastefulness would be unthinkable even for a master at the Soul Connecting Stage. Of course, Qiao Gao had succumbed to sleep because his soul force was depleted from casting the 'Soul Splitting Technique'.

"The essence energy in a Green Dragon Cultivation Room is incredibly dense. A good rest here, and I've regained more than half of my vitality," Qiao Gao remarked as he opened his eyes and stretched languidly, his gaze shimmering with profound light.

"Hmm? Why am I on the floor?" He noticed his body on the ground and another version of himself still on the bed.

"This Yin Fiend Corpse Worm clone is truly miraculous," he said, transforming into a black worm and looking up in amazement.

"The Soul Splitting Technique is astounding. With this Yin Fiend Corpse Worm clone, I'm covered from every angle—360 degrees with no blind spots! Others would find it nearly impossible to catch me off guard." Qiao Gao's excitement was palpable as he experimented with his new perspective, finding it both novel and extraordinary.

Once he had gotten used to the switch in vision, Qiao Gao redirected his focus to the shriveled Essence Vein within him. "How could this Essence Vein be..." His shock was evident, his face a picture of incredulity.

The once withered Human Rank Essence Vein, previously as unyielding as a dried sponge, now pulsed like a vigorous dragon, zealously absorbing essence energy.

"Buzz~~~" The Essence Vein thrummed, bursting forth with radiant light, followed by the release of a piercing aura.

"Heaven Rank Essence Vein!" Qiao Gao's eyes bulged, and his mouth gaped open wide enough to fit a fist. "This desiccated Essence Vein, once purged of the Yin Fiend Corpse Worm, has transformed into a Heaven Rank Essence Vein!"

With fists clenched in exhilaration, Qiao Gao reveled in his discovery. Eventually, the Heaven Rank Essence Vein within him completed its absorption of the Essence Energy, and his aura surged with vitality.

Having fully unlocked two meridians, Qiao Gao felt a surge of power coursing through his body. His eyes sparkled with a cold, lightning-like gleam, exuding an overwhelming presence.

"Who would be so malicious as to implant such a vile thing as the Yin Fiend Corpse Worm inside me?" The initial rush of excitement gave way to suspicion in Qiao Gao.

Who on earth harbored such deep animosity against him? Without the memories of the Myriad Tribulation Pill Monarch, Qiao Gao would have been done for!

"Finding a toxin like the Yin Fiend Corpse Worm suggests considerable strength. The culprit is at least a Soul Connecting Stage warrior, possibly even a Heaven Connecting Stage Expert," Qiao Gao pondered, a hint of unease furrowing his brow.

"If it's a Heaven Connecting Stage expert, that spells trouble." Qiao Gao sensed a pressure like never before.

Despite his current prowess, having unlocked two meridians—one of Heaven Rank and the other of Holy Rank—Qiao Gao remained a Vein Connecting Stage warrior. His arsenal, including the Demon God Body Refinement, Dragon Confining Hand, and the Yin Fiend Corpse Worm clone, would suffice against a nine-meridian expert.

But facing a Soul Connecting Stage expert was a different story; it spelled danger.

And against a group of Soul Connecting Stage experts, even with his array of techniques, escaping death would be a tall order—let alone contending with a Heaven Connecting Stage Expert, who was a whole realm higher and capable of soaring through the skies!

"I must swiftly unlock all nine primary meridians to enhance my self-preservation capabilities!" Taking a deep breath, Qiao Gao retrieved an ornate palace box.

The box's mechanism, intricate with complex runes, was rigged to self-destruct if opened incorrectly, destroying the Heavenly Essence Pill within.

Qiao Gao studied the palace box intently for a long moment, then his face broke into a self-assured grin.

Such a box, booby-trapped with explosive runes, would stump anyone else. But with the memories of the Myriad Tribulation Pill Monarch at his disposal, Qiao Gao was unfazed by the challenge.

"Snap!"

As expected, a crisp sound echoed from the Azure Dragon Cultivation Room, followed by an intensely rich fragrance of a pill wafting into Qiao Gao's nostrils.

"So, this is the famed Heavenly Essence Pill?"