Chapter 177

Chapter 177: Collective Transformation

Yi Qianqiu, a Great Boundless Perfect Stage alchemist, had made a name for himself in the Southern Region a hundred years ago with his exceptional pill-refining skills. He was sought after by many holy places and forbidden zones, and even saints from the Great Xia Empire personally tried to recruit him, promising to help him attain the rank of a saint-level alchemist.

His mastery of alchemy was unparalleled, and his words carried immense weight. When he declared that the Dragon Pills would help Yuluan ascend like a dragon, it was clear the transformation ahead of her would be extraordinary.

“Can I really do it?” Yuluan asked, doubting herself. Despite her growth in many aspects, she still lacked confidence in her place within the Southern Region’s future.

“Trust your master. Your bloodline is extraordinary,” Yi Qianqiu reassured her.

“I might have the Chi Dragon bloodline,” Yuluan admitted.

“Chi Dragon?” Yi Qianqiu chuckled. “That’s very good. While it’s not as powerful as the true dragon bloodline, it’s still strong. This Dragon Pill is a divine pill. If I were in my prime and had refined it myself, I might have created a holy Dragon Pill. But even as a divine Dragon Pill, it is exceptional. With ten of them, if you truly have the Chi Dragon bloodline, they could awaken it to the Chi Dragon royal bloodline. Go now—enter seclusion, take this leap in your cultivation, and undergo the greatest transformation in your life.”

Yuluan felt her blood boil with excitement.

Zhang Yang knew that, despite Yuluan’s usual fierce and domineering demeanor, deep down, she was kind and considerate. It was difficult for her to accept taking all ten Dragon Pills for herself.

So, he gently placed the ten Dragon Pills into Yuluan’s hands and said, “Sister Yuluan, don’t let your master—or me—down.”

Tears glistened in Yuluan’s bright eyes as she tightly grasped the Dragon Pills and whispered, “I will definitely succeed.”

She stepped into the Mountain River Pill Furnace to begin her seclusion.

Yi Qianqiu then turned his attention to the three hundred and seven Dragon Bone Pills. Scanning the members of the Snow Guards and the Wolf King Guard Squad, he smiled and said, “One per person—one for each horse, one for each wolf. These will enhance your Roots. You will no longer be ordinary.”

Zhang Yang waved his hand, distributing the pills.

Then, he beckoned Ling Yue, Xu Li, and Lang Xiaotian closer and retrieved ten True Spirits of Fire and six Earth True Spirits from his storage bag.

The three gasped in astonishment.

These treasures were easily on par with the Dragon Bone Pills in value and effectiveness.

“Work hard,” Zhang Yang encouraged, patting their shoulders.

The three, along with the entire Snow Guards and Wolf King Guard Squad, retreated into seclusion.

Finally, there was the Ironback Blue Bull. While Zhang Yang and Yi Qianqiu were momentarily distracted, the bull devoured six Dragon Bone Pills and then wandered off to isolate himself.

Now, only Zhang Yang remained.

“These won’t be useful to you,” Yi Qianqiu remarked, looking at Zhang Yang with a mix of awe and regret. “I know about your tribulations. Your transformation is slightly beyond my understanding. Perhaps only a saint could explain why you are so powerful. I wonder… are you walking the immortal path?”

Zhang Yang felt a tremor in his heart but remained outwardly calm. The fewer people who knew about his path, the better.

Currently, only Chi Zhenyi and Lou Pingfan were aware.

If Yi Qianqiu had even a suspicion, that was already too many.

Moreover, the final strike of the Ten-Thousand-Meter Ghost King during his Ascending to Heaven calamity made him wonder if the Ghostly Divine Platform was also aware.

“You don’t need to answer,” Yi Qianqiu said, exhaling deeply. “I won’t mention this to anyone.” He paused, then murmured, “Eternal Night without immortals… that has always been our ultimate goal in martial arts.”

He sighed. “A hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye, and the world has changed. I wonder—what is the current state of the Southern Region?”

As Zhang Yang kept his energy focused, remaining vigilant for those in seclusion, he began recounting recent events—how the Vast Forest had emerged as a holy place, the state of its power, and the ever-changing dynamics of the region.

At first, Yi Qianqiu remained composed, but gradually, astonishment crept into his expression. Eventually, he stared blankly at Zhang Yang, lost in thought, occasionally showing doubt. However, recalling Zhang Yang’s tribulation and considering the possibility of the immortal path, he chose not to question further.

When Zhang Yang finished speaking, Yi Qianqiu took a long moment to process everything before exhaling deeply.

“You need time to recover, and there are two places you can go,” Zhang Yang suggested. “One is the Green Sparrow Palace—your sworn sister, the palace master, will undoubtedly take care of you. The other is the Vast Forest, which you are already familiar with.”

Yi Qianqiu blinked and then smiled. “Are you trying to recruit me into the Vast Forest as well?”

Zhang Yang chuckled. “With your exceptional talents, the Vast Forest would be honored to have you. If you join, I guarantee you will ascend to the level of a saint-level alchemist!”

Yi Qianqiu did not respond immediately, lost in thought.

He had always loved roaming the world, and if not for his near-death experience a hundred years ago, he would have long ventured beyond the Southern Region. That ordeal had left him shaken, making him realize the importance of securing his legacy and passing down his pill-refining techniques.

The Green Sparrow Palace wasn’t suitable for him—it was predominantly female, and his alchemy methods, which involved the balance of yin and yang, weren’t suited for them.

“I can go to the Vast Forest,” Yi Qianqiu finally said, “but I want no restrictions. If I wish to leave, I will leave.”

Zhang Yang was overjoyed and readily agreed.

This strengthened their bond, paving the way for deeper exchanges.

Yi Qianqiu then proceeded to ask Zhang Yang a series of questions, and Zhang Yang answered without hesitation.

By noon, the first to emerge from seclusion were the Snow Guards and the Wolf King Guard Squad.

Both the warriors and their mounts—horses and wolves alike—had undergone remarkable transformations. Their auras were now powerful and commanding.

During their time in the Vast Forest, the Snow Guards and the Wolf King Guard Squad had reached the Touching Heaven realm. After a long absence, they had received guidance from the Small Tree King and seized numerous opportunities within the forest, advancing to the Ascending to Heaven realm. Their potential had been unlocked, and with the aid of the Dragon Bone Pills, they had become extraordinary.

The second group to emerge was Ling Yue, Xu Li, and Lang Xiaotian.

Their growth was particularly striking.

Ling Yue and Xu Li, as disciples of Chi Zhenyi, had their Roots refined upon his emergence, leading to astonishing progress that hinted at the grace of the Southern Region’s prodigies.

Lang Xiaotian, though composed, exuded a quiet intensity—like a divine blade still sheathed. Hidden for now, but once unsheathed, he would surely shock the world.

The third to emerge was the Ironback Blue Bull.

Even Yi Qianqiu was surprised by his speed in refining.

The Dragon Cow he had hunted had been at the Small Boundless stage. Though it had endured a century of suffering, its bull horns—the essence of the Dragon Cow—made the refining process arduous.

Now, the Ironback Blue Bull exuded a sense of strength and majesty.

Intricate patterns adorned the horns on his head, concealing mysteries as if they could pierce the heavens.

He truly embodied the aura of the Bull Demon King.

The last to emerge was Yuluan.

Her transformation was the most profound.

The moment she stepped out of the Mountain River Pill Furnace, her presence was undeniable. Even without actively releasing her aura, the dragon fire beneath the earth surged in response, erupting into flames that twisted like dragons behind her, as if paying homage to a True Dragon.

She appeared even more radiant.

Though her face remained the same, her skin now had a delicate, almost luminous quality, as if it would release water at a touch. She stood tall, exuding a heroic beauty.

Her complexion was smooth as fine jade, and her eyes, deep as the night sky, shimmered with brilliance and mystery.

But the most astonishing change—two thumb-sized dragon horns had sprouted from her forehead.