Chapter 153: The Profound Pill Death Tribulation

Yuan Shun erupted into maniacal laughter.

With a sweeping gesture, dozens of grayish-white High-Grade Spirit Stones, each inlaid with a nail-sized speck of pale purple, materialized around Han Yi.

Huo Ming was startled.

He moved to intervene, but Yuan Shun was faster. After positioning the stones around Han Yi, he waved his hand through the void, causing the Celestial Cycle Profound Astral Formation, which enveloped the Profound Pill Sect, to spin wildly.

"Huo Ming, this is critical. Go outside the tower and guard it. Stop anyone who approaches—anyone at all. Do you understand?" Yuan Shun's expression was grave, a rare sight for Huo Ming.

"As you command. Even if it costs me my life, I will defend Zhurong Peak," Huo Ming solemnly vowed before turning to leave.

He materialized atop Zhurong Peak's tower, meditating in the void. Drawing upon the peak's Formation Arts, he coalesced streams of starlight that enveloped the entire mountain, focusing especially on the tower within Zhurong Palace.

No sooner had he completed his preparations than terrifying auras erupted from the other eight Inner Peaks. Foundation Establishment and Golden Core Stage cultivators sent their Divine Sense clashing through the void, demanding answers. Huo Ming remained silent.

Moments later, the turbulent Divine Sense subsided, though numerous gazes still lingered on Zhurong Peak.

On Zhurong Peak, Huo Ming remained suspended in the void, continuously activating the Formation Arts to safeguard the sacred mountain.

Meanwhile, inside the tower of Zhurong Palace, Han Yi was startled by Yuan Shun's sudden appearance. However, this was the critical moment of his Foundation Establishment Stage breakthrough, rendering him completely immobile.

"Use your Divine Soul as the core, control the fluctuations of your Spirit Sea. Calm your mind and guard your spirit," Yuan Shun's voice resonated, instantly steadying Han Yi's slightly wavering mental state.

At that precise moment, Han Yi's Sea of Consciousness expanded and stabilized, while his Spirit Sea began to churn violently. As if guided by divine inspiration, he activated the Fire Astral Profound Art.

Instantly, every pore on his body burst open, frantically absorbing Spirit Qi.

Standing beside him, Yuan Shun channeled the Spirit Vein of Zhurong Peak and shattered the Mid-to-High-Grade Spirit Stones surrounding Han Yi, flooding the tower with spiritual energy.

The overwhelming torrent of Spirit Qi surged into Han Yi's body, far exceeding his expectations. The sheer quantity could only be described as terrifying.

Of course, Han Yi wasn't worried about the Spirit Qi itself. He was inside the Zhurong Palace Tower, a primary node of a Fourth-Tier Spirit Vein. Even with his immense needs, the supply should be more than sufficient. Moreover, he had surrounded himself with Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, and with Martial Uncle Huoming guarding him, they could find more Spirit Qi if needed.

Still...

Yuan Shun's sudden appearance inevitably stirred his thoughts and filled him with suspicion.

The Sect Leader of the Profound Pill Sect was a Peak Golden Core Realm powerhouse. If he harbored any ill intentions towards Han Yi, the latter would stand no chance of resisting.

However, based on past experience, Han Yi didn't believe the Sect Leader was that kind of person. Moreover, having only just reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, what could he possibly possess that would be worth seizing? His greatest secret, the Proficiency Panel, couldn't be stolen even if he were killed.

The only plausible explanation was the unique nature of his Foundation Establishment compared to others.

The Ninefold Soul Tower—yes, it had to be this Inheritance.

Han Yi recalled that when he received this Inheritance, Supreme Elder Qin Wuxian had mentioned that the Sect Leader had obtained it from the Great Qin Holy Land. Combined with its peculiar method of transmission, Yuan Shun's sudden appearance must be related to this Inheritance.

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Han Yi quickly deduced Yuan Shun's purpose.

Could it be that Yuan Shun intended to seize his Soul Tower?

But now was not the time for such musings.

Above his Spirit Sea, wisps of mana continuously coalesced and cascaded downward, yet they couldn't keep pace with the rapidly expanding sea.

Twentyfold, thirtyfold...

The gradual expansion of the Spirit Sea was a tangible process, directly impacting his physical body, making it feel agonizingly slow.

This stood in stark contrast to the frenzied, rapid expansion of his Sea of Consciousness within his Divine Soul, which completed its transformation in less than the time it took to finish a cup of tea.

Inside the secluded meditation chamber atop the tower, the concentration of Spirit Qi had reached such an extreme level that it formed a swirling vortex of spiritual mist, with Han Yi at its very center.

Three meters away, Yuan Shun sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his gaze fixed intently on Han Yi. More precisely, he was peering through the swirling mist, his vision penetrating Han Yi's Sea of Consciousness to focus on the illusory Ninefold Soul Tower within.

Seven days later, the expansion of Han Yi's Spirit Sea finally ceased, having reached eighty-eight times its original size.

At the precise moment the Spirit Sea stopped expanding, the transformation within his Sea of Consciousness reached its final and most critical stage.

Three meters away, Yuan Shun's eyes lit up, bathing the meditation chamber in a sudden white light. Yuan Shun had come here specifically to witness this pivotal transformation.

Within Han Yi's Sea of Consciousness, the illusory Ninefold Soul Tower suddenly soared upward, shrinking rapidly before plummeting straight down onto the crown of the Divine Soul meditating in the void at the center of the Sea of Consciousness. It vanished completely as it descended into the Divine Soul.

Then, without warning, disaster struck.

The meditating Divine Soul shattered abruptly, dissolving into a dense mass of Primordial Chaos Qi.

Han Yi, who had been closely monitoring the Divine Soul's transformation, felt a violent tremor course through his body. His consciousness dimmed and abruptly vanished.

However, this disappearance lasted only a moment before his awareness flickered back into existence, allowing him to finally exhale in relief.

As soon as Han Yi regained consciousness, he sensed a profound change.

Within his Sea of Consciousness, his newly reconstituted Divine Soul sat cross-legged, with no trace of the Soul Tower. Yet, with a slight shift in his awareness, the Divine Soul transformed into a Soul Tower taller than a man. The first tier at its base was solid, while the upper tiers remained ethereal.

My Divine Soul... it seems to have merged completely with the Ninefold Soul Tower.

The Soul Tower was now his Divine Soul, and his Divine Soul was the Soul Tower.

Startled, Han Yi abruptly opened his eyes, not yet having time to fully grasp the transformation within his Sea of Consciousness.

Three meters away, Yuan Shun stood with eyes blazing with enlightenment, a genuine smile spreading across his face. This was the smile of one who had glimpsed the Dao, witnessed the Truth, and comprehended a fundamental truth.

"So that's it... I understand now."

Before Yuan Shun could elaborate, he leaped to his feet, vanished from the Meditation Chamber, and shot into the sky like an arrow. He pierced the sea of clouds and crashed down onto Profound Pill Peak, momentarily tearing a gash in the mysterious mist that had shrouded the peak for sixty years. Before anyone could react, the mist resealed itself, leaving only a fleeting glimpse of what lay beneath.

"Was that the Sect Leader?"

"What's going on? Why did the Sect Leader go to Zhurong Palace? What's Huo Ming up to?"

"Something must have happened."

Yuan Shun's sudden departure sparked a flurry of speculation among the Supreme Elders, Elders, and disciples of both the Inner and Outer Peaks.

As Huo Ming returned to the tower of Zhurong Palace, the numerous gazes that had been fixed on Zhurong Peak withdrew.

Inside the quiet Meditation Chamber, Han Yi was, to be honest, completely bewildered. But after the initial shock, he breathed a sigh of relief. At least Yuan Shun hadn't come to seize his Soul Tower.

Especially now that the Soul Tower had fused with his Divine Soul. Taking the Soul Tower would mean taking his very Divine Soul—certain death for him.

Though some unknown event had clearly occurred, the outcome, thankfully, hadn't been disastrous.

The next moment, Huo Ming reentered the Meditation Chamber. Seeing Han Yi open his eyes and sensing the aura of the Foundation Establishment Stage emanating from him, he nodded approvingly. "Excellent, Han Yi. You've reached the Foundation Establishment Stage."

"Moreover, you passed the Three Gates and weathered the Five Tribulations entirely on your own. Clearly, your breakthrough was flawless."

"Let's go back."

Han Yi stood up, a smooth, refined aura emanating from him. Though still slightly unstable, it was undeniably the genuine aura of the Foundation Establishment Stage.

He bowed to Huo Ming in gratitude, then stepped out of the tower.

In that instant, countless strands of Divine Sense swept over him.

Startled, Han Yi watched as the Divine Senses swiftly retracted. Daring not linger, he hurried out of Zhurong Palace, descended Zhurong Peak, returned to Azure Dragon Peak, and finally breathed a sigh of relief after entering his courtyard and activating the protective formation.

The Divine Senses that had scanned him belonged to the Supreme Elders and Foundation Establishment Stage Elders currently focused on Zhurong Peak. Their probes had immediately confirmed Han Yi's successful Foundation Establishment.

Speculation ran rampant: what was the connection between Yuan Shun's unexpected appearance and this newly advanced disciple? Why had the injured Yuan Shun personally emerged from Profound Pill Peak to safeguard his Foundation Establishment?

Some theorized Han Yi was Yuan Shun's relative, while others suggested he held a unique status that even required Yuan Shun's personal protection.

The storm that had arrived and departed so swiftly had passed, leaving behind a lingering veil of speculation.

Seven days later, in the courtyard's meditation chamber, Han Yi opened his eyes, his cultivation fully stabilized. The faint crimson proficiency panel within his vision had undergone a significant transformation:

Name: Han Yi

Lifespan: 50/248

Cultivation Realm: Early Foundation Establishment (1/100)

Cultivation Technique: Fire Astral Profound Art (Perfected 99/100)

Skills:

- Ninefold Soul Tower (Peak Perfection 9/100)

- Alchemy Technique (Perfected Purity 49/100)

- Spirit Void Finger (Peak Perfection 39/100)

- Sword Control Technique (Peak Perfection 46/100)

- Light Body Technique (Peak Perfection 38/100)

- Fire Shield Technique (Peak Perfection 27/100)

- Turtle Breath Technique (Perfected Purity 65/100)

- Wind Wall Technique (Perfected Purity 39/100)

- Li Fire Sword Manual (Perfected Purity 89/100)

- Aura Concealment Technique (Masterful 29/100)

- Qi Observation Technique (Masterful 11/100)

- Talisman Crafting Art (Initial Glimpse of the Dao 29/100)

"Next, it's time to choose a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation technique," Han Yi thought to himself. He focused his Divine Sense on his Spirit Sea, which had expanded to eighty-eight times the combined size of his original Middle and Lower Dantians, exactly matching the expansion of his Sea of Consciousness.

Within the Spirit Sea, Mana coalesced into a vast ocean, hence its name. Yet no extraordinary phenomena manifested there.

Similarly, in his Sea of Consciousness, only his Divine Soul sat cross-legged in the void, without a trace of any unique phenomenon.

Only Han Yi—or rather, only Han Yi and Yuan Shun—knew that his Divine Soul could transform directly into the Ninefold Soul Tower. This was the true manifestation of his First-Grade Immortal Foundation, except that the phenomenon resided in his Sea of Consciousness rather than his Spirit Sea.

Three days later, Han Yi visited the Azure Dragon Palace, found Gu Yu, and selected a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation technique—an advanced sequel to the Fire Astral Profound Art called the Great Sun Divine Gang.

Gentle and harmonious, its greatest strength lay in its exceptional ability to accelerate cultivation progress. However, its combat prowess was merely average. These two traits perfectly suited Han Yi's needs.

After all, with his Proficiency system, his combat prowess relied primarily on skills rather than cultivation techniques.

While the Proficiency Panel was helpful for advancing his Cultivation Realm, it offered little assistance in mastering combat techniques. This new cultivation technique perfectly compensated for that deficiency.

Seven days after acquiring the Technique Transmission Jade Disk and practicing the technique, Han Yi abruptly stood up in his courtyard, swiftly deactivated the Formation Arts, and strode forward.

It wasn't that he didn't want to continue cultivating; rather, at that very moment, nine deafening bell tolls reverberated throughout Azure Dragon Peak—no, across the entire Profound Pill Sect.

Each toll was louder than the last. The first few were heard through ordinary senses, but the final three resonated directly within the Divine Soul itself.

Even cultivators in secluded retreats would be roused from their trances.

Nine bell tolls... the Profound Pill Tribulation.

Han Yi shuddered. He hastily stored all his belongings from the courtyard into his Storage Pouch and hurried forward.

The Green Ripple Sword on his back shot into the air with a sharp whoosh. He leaped onto the blade and soared into the sky.

Though this was his first time flying, his powerful Divine Soul granted him perfect stability, as steady as if he had flown a thousand times before.

On Azure Dragon Peak, Spirit Light flashed as over a dozen Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators rose into the air, converging on Azure Dragon Palace.

Han Yi joined them.

Upon entering Azure Dragon Palace, the elders nodded in greeting. Though he recognized few of them, Han Yi returned their courtesies respectfully.

Bai Wanqing was among them.

Bai Wanqing glanced at Han Yi, her grave expression softening into a faint smile tinged with curiosity.

Come to think of it...

She hadn't paid much attention to Han Yi in recent years. She was astonished to learn that he had successfully reached the Foundation Establishment stage just half a month ago—a development she had never anticipated.

After exchanging courtesies with Bai Wanqing, Han Yi stood beside Gu Yu.

"Martial Uncle Gu, what exactly is happening?" Han Yi whispered.

Gu Yu shook his head. "I don't know for sure, but it's no wonder the Heavenly Soul Sect and Blood God Sect are attacking."

"Also, Han Yi, now that you've reached Foundation Establishment, there's no need to call me 'Martial Uncle' anymore. 'Senior Brother' will do."

Han Yi nodded and stepped aside, falling silent. His gaze swept over the assembled Elders. Some faces were familiar from past encounters, while others were completely new to him.

The numerous Foundation Establishment Stage Elders showed no surprise at Han Yi's presence.

Half a month ago, Yuan Shun had staggered out of Profound Pill Peak, gravely wounded, and personally guarded Han Yi's breakthrough in Zhurong Palace. Moreover, Huo Ming, the Sect's newly appointed Supreme Elder, had overseen Han Yi's advancement, meditating in the Void above Zhurong Peak. These extraordinary events had sparked widespread speculation.

Standing among the Elders, Han Yi felt increasingly uneasy. The way they looked at him made him uncomfortable, though he couldn't quite pinpoint why. Unwilling to press for answers at such a moment, he suppressed his discomfort.

A moment later, Fu Xuanxu, the Supreme Elder stationed at Azure Dragon Peak, appeared. He scanned the assembled cultivators, his gaze pausing briefly on Han Yi, his expression inscrutable, before moving on.

"Nine bells have tolled—the Profound Pill Tribulation has begun."

"As you all know, this signifies the sect's gravest crisis," Fu Xuanxu continued. "Therefore, I need not elaborate further. This preemptive strike aims to catch them off guard, carving a path to survival through the Profound Pill Tribulation."

"Among us, only Han Yi recently broke through to the Foundation Establishment Stage. Gu Yu, you will lead him on this mission."

Gu Yu and Han Yi both nodded in agreement.

Having achieved Foundation Establishment himself, and with the nine bells signaling the Profound Pill Sect's existential crisis, continued seclusion was no longer an option. His only path now lay in descending the mountain.

Of course, Han Yi harbored his own reservations. If the Profound Pill Sect's gates were breached during their absence, he would not sacrifice himself for the sect. He would undoubtedly choose to flee. As for whether he would seek refuge in Qian Prefecture or journey far into the Great Qin territory, he had yet to decide.

After the strategic briefing, Han Yi fully grasped the gravity of the sect's dire situation.

It was no exaggeration to say that the Profound Pill Sect now faced a life-or-death crisis. Outside the Profound Pill Mountain Range, all communication with the five Immortal Cities traditionally reserved for the sect's use had been severed. This meant the enemy had already reached the sect's gates.

To break this deadlock, the Supreme Elders of the Profound Pill Sect convened and decided to launch a preemptive strike, gambling everything on a daring counterattack to carve out a path to survival.

Gu Yu and Han Yi were assigned to Red Phoenix City, one of the five Immortal Cities, while Bai Wanqing was dispatched to another. Located at the easternmost edge of the five cities, Red Phoenix City was considered relatively safe due to its geographical position.

In less than the time it took to brew a cup of tea, Han Yi flew out of the Azure Dragon Palace with Gu Yu, soaring towards the mountains. In mid-air, they rendezvoused with other Elders from the Inner Peaks, forming a nine-member team.

This elite team of Elders, led by Huo Ming, the newly appointed Supreme Elder, immediately set course for Red Phoenix City.

When Huo Ming's gaze landed on Han Yi, his eyes paused momentarily before quickly reverting to normal. With a wave of his hand, he summoned an Immortal Boat. The group boarded, and the vessel transitioned from stillness to full speed in the blink of an eye.

A streak of light flashed across the sky as the Immortal Boat vanished into the distance.

Standing on the deck, Han Yi turned to look back at the receding mountains.

Profound Pill Peak remained shrouded in mist, unchanged as ever.

From the Nine Inner Peaks, figures soared into the sky, transforming into streaks of light that converged high above. Other Immortal Boats flashed past, having already taken flight.

Below, Inner Sect Disciples on the Inner Peaks were more scattered than usual, while Outer Sect Disciples on the hundred-plus Outer Peaks seemed even more bewildered than before.

After all, the Nine Tribulation Bells had resounded throughout the Profound Pill Sect. Everyone had heard them, and none could deny the Sect's imminent crisis. Panic was inevitable.

Han Yi turned away from the chaos below, focusing on the path ahead.

Truth be told, his heart was equally conflicted. Having spent three decades in this world, he felt a deep connection to the Profound Pill Sect—a sense of belonging that made it impossible for him to stand by and watch its destruction.

Yet protecting the Sect was now beyond his capabilities.

Plans never survived contact with reality. Han Yi felt adrift, left with no choice but to take each step as it came.

Red Phoenix City, a mid-sized Immortal City, lay slightly east of Nanyang County's capital. Relative to the Profound Pill Sect's mountain gate, it was situated in the southeast.

High above, a streak of light suddenly materialized, its spirit energy rippling outward. In the blink of an eye, an Immortal Boat decelerated from full speed to a complete stop.

The Immortal Boat halted, and Huo Ming retracted it before soaring onward.

"Remember," he said, "our target is a Cultivation Market west of Red Phoenix City. This market sprang up just half a month ago. Our Sect's investigation has revealed that it's backed by the Blood God Sect and the Heavenly Soul Sect."

"Therefore, we will destroy the market with a swift and decisive strike. Annihilate every cultivator within, regardless of their identity."

Huo Ming's Divine Sense swept across the Sect members. Han Yi understood his intent instantly, and a collective chill ran through their ranks as their Divine Senses echoed their agreement.

About half an hour later, a market came into view. In reality, it was little more than a dozen buildings clustered at the foot of a mountain. To the untrained eye, it would appear to be a mere village.

They stopped roughly a kilometer from the market. Huo Ming produced a Magic Treasure: a Three-Legged Golden Cauldron. A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes as he tossed the cauldron high into the air. As it rose, the cauldron swelled rapidly, transforming into a colossal vessel a hundred meters tall.

Huo Ming formed hand seals and chanted an incantation. In less than half a breath, the giant cauldron tilted, unleashing a crimson torrent of molten lava-like liquid. This viscous stream of liquid fire flowed like molten metal, sending a jolt through the Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators present.

The heat radiating from the torrent was terrifying, radiating outward in waves of unbearable intensity.

"That's Martial Uncle Huoming's Magic Treasure, the Abyssal Fire Cauldron. They say he refined that torrent of liquid fire after entering a mysterious place in the East Sea. He named this molten blaze the Abyssal Fire."

"The Abyssal Fire is terrifying. Death awaits anyone it touches, burning even the Divine Soul to ashes."

"Just over three months ago, Martial Uncle Huoming used the Abyssal Fire to incinerate the Third Vice Sect Leader of the Heavenly Soul Sect, instantly achieving fame."

Beside Han Yi, Gu Yu, aware that Han Yi had only recently emerged from seclusion, transmitted the information through Divine Sense, instantly relaying the entire story.

At that very moment, the torrent of Abyssal Fire collided with an invisible Formation Arts barrier. Upon impact, the Abyssal Fire burned a hole through the barrier, obliterating it in less than a breath. The fiery deluge surged onward like a crimson star river cascading from the heavens, a spectacle of immense power.

Yet, the lurking danger made Han Yi's eyelids twitch uncontrollably.

The Abyssal Fire's impact with the barrier alerted the cultivators within the hidden cultivation market. Several voices erupted in shock and fury.

"Who dares to be so audacious?"

"What in the world is that?!"

"Damn it, it's the Profound Pill Sect! We've been discovered!"

"Kill them all!"

In an instant, more than a dozen figures soared into the air, one exuding a presence that shook the very Void, surpassing even Huoming's power—a cultivator in the second layer of the Golden Core Stage.

On the ground, over a hundred Qi Refining Disciples scattered in panicked disarray.

But it was too late.

The Abyssal Fire had already arrived, sweeping through with annihilation.