Chapter 010: Golden Pill Realm

Yao Yuan settled into Zhu Bu Xi's residence, her primary focus now cantered on cultivation and her steadfast goal of ascending to the esteemed Golden Pill realm. As she seated herself within the confines of the spirit-gathering array, she could instantly sense the dense concentration of spiritual energy permeating the space, its potent tendrils caressing her very being.

Cradled in her palm, a jade vial glistened in the subdued light, containing a mysterious elixir gifted by Zhu Bu Xi himself. According to her host, this concoction – dubbed the 'Pill Breaker' – would aid her in condensing the coveted Golden Pill. A skilled pharmacist in his own right, Zhu Bu Xi had personally crafted this elixir, imbuing it with his mastery of the alchemical arts.

Yao Yuan brought the vial to her nose, inhaling its fragrance with cautious curiosity. Producing a slender silver needle, she meticulously tested the elixir for any traces of poison. While she harboured no ill intent towards Zhu Bu Xi, whom she regarded as a benevolent soul, prudence dictated that one should always err on the side of caution. Satisfied with the results, she unstoppered the vial and downed its contents in a single, determined gulp.

Almost immediately, she could feel the elixir's potent effects coursing through her meridians, converging upon her dantian before radiating outward to every extremity. With practiced precision, she directed the flow of this newfound energy, following the intricate patterns prescribed by the 'Fairy Plays with Butterfly' technique. Each unique movement increased in power with every successive cycle, building upon the previous iteration in an intricate dance of cultivation.

The process, as outlined in the ancient manual, called for a staggering 128 cycles. However, in her current state, Yao Yuan knew her limits well – eight cycles would be her maximum threshold. Beyond that point, the excess energy would engorge her spiritual pathways to the brink of rupture, a calamitous outcome she had no desire to experience firsthand. To perish by detonating one's own body would indeed be a tragic and ignoble end.

Upon completion of the eighth cycle, she promptly expelled the residual energy, her body heaving with the exertion. Yet, her trials were far from over. Next, she would need to engage in a series of intricate yogic movements, each posture designed to strengthen her physical form and imbue it with suppleness and flexibility. This particular aspect of her training filled her with a sense of self-consciousness, a discomfort born from the inherent vulnerability of the poses – a sentiment she swiftly dismissed, grateful for the solitude afforded by her private quarters.

Once the sequence of movements was complete, she could repeat the entire process anew, cycling through the arduous routine with unwavering dedication. Such was the monotonous yet essential path of a cultivator, a journey paved with countless hours of rigorous practice – the only true means to attain the power she so fervently sought.

Days went by, her strength steadily blossoming, her spiritual energy becoming increasingly compact and potent. Yao Yuan could feel the reserves within her dantian straining against the confines of her Foundation, the very limits of her current realm threatening to shatter under the immense pressure. This was the telltale sign – the harbinger of an impending breakthrough.

The elixir bestowed by Zhu Bu Xi, coupled with the amplifying effects of the spirit-gathering array, had propelled her to the precipice of ascension. As she channelled the energy through the final cycle of her current round, she felt an ominous crumbling emanate from the depths of her dantian. The foundations of her cultivation, once solid and unyielding, now cracked and splintered, giving way to the overwhelming force of her burgeoning power.

In a blinding instant, the energy coalesced into a shimmering golden pill, signalling her triumphant transition into the Golden Pill realm. A torrent of spiritual energy erupted from her dantian, flooding her meridians and suffusing every fibre of her being before spilling forth in a radiant nova.

Yet, the golden pill acted as a nexus, a singularity that began to inexorably draw in the ambient spiritual energy, absorbing it with an insatiable hunger. As more and more energy was consumed, the pill's brilliance intensified, its surface etching itself with intricate patterns reminiscent of billowing clouds.

The process seemed to stretch into eternity, the world around Yao Yuan fading into insignificance as she rode the currents of this cosmic metamorphosis. Finally, when the last vestiges of energy had been assimilated, she opened her eyes, revelling in the profound sense of power that now coursed through her veins – a might that eclipsed even her former peak.

Rising to her feet, she stretched her aching limbs and flexed her stiff neck, a contented smile gracing her lips. 'At last,' she mused, 'I have reclaimed my former glory.' It was time to emerge from her cocoon, to bask in the embrace of fresh air and indulge in the restorative bliss of a hot bath – a well-deserved respite from the rigors of cultivation, and a chance to shed the lingering odours of her exertions.

Yao Yuan exited the sanctum of the training room, a space meticulously designed to grant cultivators the utmost seclusion and solitude. A maid, ever-vigilant, materialized before her, her deference palpable. "Miss, the hot bath is prepared and awaits your pleasure."

"Lead the way, please," Yao Yuan responded, marvelling at the impeccable professionalism of Zhu Bu Xi's household staff, their attentiveness extending to the most minute details – maintaining a constant supply of steaming bathwater, ready to soothe the aches and pains of the devoted cultivator.

"Ahh, this is heaven on earth," she groaned in unabashed enjoyment as she submerged herself in the welcoming warmth of the bath. Extending her right palm, she summoned a droplet of water to dance upon her skin, her newfound mastery over spiritual energy enabling her to exert an exquisite level of control, courtesy of the [Fairy Plays with Butterfly] technique.

With but a fleeting thought, the droplet morphed into the delicate form of a butterfly, its ethereal wings unfurling as it took flight, drifting away from her outstretched hand. Intrigued, Yao Yuan focused her intent, gauging the maximum distance at which she could maintain her ephemeral creation – a span of ten meters before the connection wavered and dissipated.

"Marvelous," she breathed, awestruck by the sheer potential of her newfound abilities. Now that she had attained the Golden Pill realm, a vast repository of techniques lay at her fingertips, yearning to be unveiled and mastered, the [Butterfly Dance] being but the first of many.

According to the ancient manual, she could eventually command up to a hundred of these gossamer constructs, each one an extension of her will made manifest. For now, her singular butterfly would suffice as she delved deeper into the intricacies of this art, unravelling its mysteries and uncovering its true purpose – a task that would undoubtedly transcend mere parlour tricks performed on street corners.

Reluctantly, she dragged herself from the soothing depths of the bath, her body rejuvenated and her spirit invigorated. Donning a crisp black gentleman's robe, she resolved to seek out Zhu Bu Xi, her benefactor and friend, for she owed him a debt of gratitude that words could scarcely encompass. 

"Brother Yao, I see you have successfully broken through to the Golden Pill realm. My sincerest congratulations," Zhu Bu Xi greeted her, his tone warm and genuine.

"The thanks belong solely to you, my friend," Yao Yuan replied, her gratitude evident in every syllable. "Without your assistance, I could not have achieved this pivotal milestone so swiftly."

Zhu Bu Xi waved off her words of appreciation with a dismissive gesture. "Nonsense, your foundation was already formidable. I merely provided a timely catalyst to expedite your ascension." His gaze sharpened, tinged with curiosity. "Now that you have attained the Golden Pill realm, do you still intend to pursue admission into the esteemed Yun Heng Sword Sect?"

Yao Yuan's expression hardened, her resolve unshakable. "Indeed, I shall still try my fortune at their entrance examination, for the Golden Pill realm is but a single step on my journey towards becoming a God-General."

A glimmer of respect flashed in Zhu Bu Xi's eyes as he inclined his head. "Then you have my utmost blessings. But remember, should you ever require aid, you need only ask – a friend's door is always open."

"I shall never forget your kindness, nor the debt I owe you," Yao Yuan vowed solemnly, her heart swelling with a profound sense of camaraderie and purpose. 

**To be continued