Chapter 243 – Refining Pills with One Dynasty's Power, Unprecedented Through the Ages

After hearing Lu Chen’s explanation about Gu Cultivators, Yi Hanqing couldn’t help but sigh: “Gu Cultivators, Gu first then cultivation. The methods of a True Immortal are truly beyond ordinary imagination.”

If Lu Chen’s deduction was correct, then the entire Great Ying Dynasty was essentially a massive gathering place for Gu Insects.

To gather so many Gu Insects together and make them identify as members of the Human Race was absolutely no simple matter.

While these beings maintained human forms, things might still be manageable.

But should any unforeseen event occur, causing them to reveal their true Gu Insect forms, they would find themselves submerged in a vast ocean of Gu Insects.

By then, even if they wanted to leave, escape wouldn’t come easily.

This realization instantly tightened the hearts of Yi Hanqing and the others.

Because once trapped in such a sea of tens of thousands of Gu Insects, only a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator could possibly retreat unscathed.

Beyond this, Yi Hanqing and the others considered another possibility.

If the Gu Yue True Immortal’s Legacy was also centered around these Gu Insects, then accepting it would mean abandoning their human forms to pursue the Gu Path.

For most present, this held little meaning.

Yi Hanqing looked at Lu Chen and asked: “Junior Brother Lu, beyond this Legacy being useless to us, you must have other reasons for telling us this?”

Lu Chen nodded, then revealed another purpose for gathering everyone.

“The unsuitable Legacy is only one reason. The truly important matter is that I believe this inheritance might never have been intended for us, but for genuine Gu Insects.”

“Should anyone accept this Legacy, the outcome… could be far worse than what I’ve described.”

“Of course, these are merely my speculations. Senior Brothers and Sisters may treat them as reference. The final decision rests with you – I’m simply sharing my thoughts.”

After hearing this, Yi Hanqing and the others fell into prolonged silence.

Some among them showed clear signs of internal conflict.

After all, a True Immortal Inheritance represents an opportunity that comes once in centuries, even millennia.

With the chance for Immortal Ascension right before their eyes, even knowing the dangers involved, few could easily walk away.

However, some reached immediate decisions upon hearing Lu Chen’s advice.

“Since Fellow Daoist Lu puts it this way, I’ll take my leave early. Honestly, I wouldn’t have come to muddy these waters if not for my Master forcing me.”

Having spoken, Shangguan Yunmeng made her position clear.

Truth be told, she hadn’t fully grasped everything Lu Chen explained.

But this didn’t prevent her from understanding his core message.

It could be summarized in one sentence:

This trial holds no value for them – leave if possible.

Considering herself a ‘wise person’, Shangguan Yunmeng specialized in taking advice, particularly from intelligent sources.

And in her eyes, Lu Chen was undoubtedly intelligent.

Following Shangguan Yunmeng’s declaration, Yi Hanqing also stated his position: “I specialize in the Sword Path. This True Immortal Inheritance truly holds little use for me.”

“As the saying goes, indecision brings calamity. Now seems an appropriate time to depart.””Moreover, the recent journey to Book Mountain Sea of Learning has already yielded me substantial gains. Leaving now would make this trip truly worthwhile.”

Beside him, Meow King licked his paw and said indifferently, “I’ve got no particular ambitions. No matter who the Immortal’s Legacy falls upon, it definitely won’t be me. Whether we stay or leave makes no difference to me. Since everyone says we should go, then let’s go.”

After hearing these analyses, some people chose to follow Lu Chen’s advice and prepared to depart soon.

But some still couldn’t give up.

“Junior Brother Lu, though you’ve said this, I still want to give it a try.”

“Me too. I know you mean well for us, Junior Brother Lu, but with the True Immortal Inheritance right before my eyes, I’d feel regretful if I did nothing.”

“But rest assured, Junior Brother, if it truly proves impossible, I won’t force it.”

Lu Chen wasn’t surprised by these words.

Yet out of camaraderie, he kindly advised, “It’s only natural for you Senior Brothers and Sisters to make such a decision.”

“If you trust me, Senior Brothers and Sisters, I suggest you refrain from going out casually during this period. Just wait in the Academy for half a year. Within six months, everything should reach a conclusion.”

The Senior Brothers and Sisters who wished to stay eventually nodded and accepted Lu Chen’s suggestion.

After these discussions, everyone left Lu Chen’s Cave Residence one by one.

Watching their departing figures, Lu Chen finally turned his gaze beyond the Academy.

Outside the Academy, a dark cloud had silently enveloped the distant sky.

It clearly foreshadowed an impending storm, with the wind heralding the rising storm.

“I’ve nearly mastered the Creation Pill Art. What I lack now are suitable Alchemy Materials.”

“If my predictions are correct, this should allow me to gather at least one set of ingredients for refining a fourth-grade Spirit Pill.”

“Thus, I should hopefully achieve fifty million units of cultivation Spiritual Power before returning, meeting the conditions for a Golden Core Stage Breakthrough.”

“Everything… is nearly coming to an end.”

With that, Lu Chen resumed his meditation.

But unlike his usual focused Qi circulation, Lu Chen now seemed less like he was cultivating and more like preparing for an upcoming great battle.

Three months later, September, late autumn, deep night.

The Imperial City’s walls towered into the clouds, majestic and grand.

Under the autumn moonlight, the walls reflected a pale glow, evoking an inexplicable sense of solemnity and oppression.

On the walls, soldiers of Great Ying stood guard with spears, their expressions stern.

Though they appeared to be normally defending the Imperial City, their gazes weren’t directed outside but constantly watched a certain direction within the city, as if guarding against something.

Meanwhile, the Great Ying Imperial Palace was eerily quiet.

Many court officials walked toward the Great Hall, each step exceptionally light.

In the spacious hall, aside from footsteps and breathing, no other sounds could be heard.

Those who entered the Imperial Palace Great Hall remained there for a long time without leaving.

In the corridors, palace guards patrolled back and forth, their words and actions meticulous and serious, daring not the slightest error.

After an unknown length of time, the tightly shut Great Hall doors slowly opened.

Great Ying Emperor Zhao Zhongming emerged, clad in golden battle armor, his steps steady and resolute.The battle armor was entirely golden, with intricate patterns carved all over it, clearly no ordinary item.

Behind him, a group of Great Ying Dynasty Gu Cultivators followed him out.

The first few following him were all Three Realms Cultivators, including the heads of the four great cultivator families of the Great Ying Dynasty.

At a rough glance, there were actually as many as seven Three Realms Gu Cultivators gathered around Zhao Zhongming.

Including Zhao Zhongming himself, there were now a full eight Three Realms Gu Cultivators within the Imperial Palace.

Such a force was nearly unstoppable without the appearance of a Fourth Realm Nascent Soul Stage cultivator.

And the task that required Zhao Zhongming to gather so many Three Realms Gu Cultivators was certainly no simple matter.

Zhao Zhongming looked at Cui Shouye and the others, smiling as he said, “My beloved ministers, are you prepared?”

Cui Shouye and the others knelt on one knee, speaking in unison: “We await Your Majesty’s command!”

“Then let us depart.”

“Yes!”

With Zhao Zhongming’s order, the previously quiet Imperial Palace suddenly became noisy.

Additionally, the Great Ying Dynasty’s armies outside the Imperial Palace were now being mobilized.

After entering the city, these troops immediately advanced toward the direction of the White Deer Academy.

Many commoners, seeing the soldiers and horses passing by outside, quickly closed their doors and windows.

Though they didn’t know what was happening, they instinctively understood that the Imperial City would not be peaceful tonight.

“Have they arrived…”

Within the cave residence, Lu Chen, who had been in seclusion, slowly opened his eyes and looked toward the direction outside the Academy.

Though it appeared quiet outside the Academy with nothing unusual, he could sense a strong killing intent.

This killing intent wasn’t directed at any individual but was a special, concentrated aura.

Lu Chen had anticipated this scene three months ago, so he wasn’t surprised.

Although he didn’t know exactly what had happened to Zhao Zhongming, he had inferred Zhao Zhongming’s general plan based on the Great Ying Dynasty’s attitude toward trial participants like them and the special ‘Dragon Son’ he encountered at the Huaiyang Prefecture Demon Suppression Division.

First, after Lu Chen killed the Dragon Son at the Huaiyang Prefecture Demon Suppression Division, he obtained a special cultivation manual called “Immortal Thief.”

The most notable feature of this manual was its ability to achieve the level of stealing from heaven and replacing the sun, thieving without form.

Specifically, this manual could forcibly steal things like ‘talent’ and ‘bloodline’—things that were originally unstealable—through immortal methods, transforming them into one’s own power.

That Dragon Son from Huaiyang Prefecture had his original fate stolen by Zhao Zhongming using “Immortal Thief,” granting Zhao Zhongming a long lifespan and cultivation talent he originally lacked.

If that were all, Lu Chen might not have thought much of it, merely considering Zhao Zhongming an emperor seeking immortality.

But after discussing with Cloud Deer and verifying his suspicions, Lu Chen’s view of Zhao Zhongming was no longer that of a dynasty emperor solely focused on seeking immortality.

Instead, he saw him as an ambitious schemer dissatisfied with being a frog at the bottom of a well, seeking a broader world.

Because if it were only about lifespan, Zhao Zhongming, relying on Immortal Thief, could theoretically obtain unlimited lifespan.

There would be no need to continue setting up formations in the Demon Suppression Division that could intercept the Dynasty’s Luck.This could only mean that Zhao Zhongming’s ambitions were far greater than he had imagined.

Lu Chen put himself in Zhao Zhongming’s position to ponder.

If he were in Zhao Zhongming’s place, what goal could possibly drive him to remain unsatisfied even after achieving third-stage cultivation and obtaining the Immortality Art, compelling him to intercept Dynastic Luck to further enhance his strength?

Undoubtedly, only the possibility of breaking free from the shackles and escaping this world.

If Zhao Zhongming truly sought this outcome, he would have only two choices.

One was to advance further, reaching a place beyond the Great Ying Dynasty, such as the Palace of Heavenly Inquiry.

The other was to find a passage to leave the Great Ying Dynasty, such as through the White Deer Academy.

If Zhao Zhongming chose the former, it wouldn’t affect trialists like Lu Chen.

But if it were the latter, the situation would become very serious.

Because among the three questions Lu Chen had posed to Cloud Deer, this aspect was included.

Although Cloud Deer hadn’t provided detailed answers, Lu Chen had still obtained the answers he sought.

He concluded that if Zhao Zhongming wanted to leave the Great Ying Dynasty, there was only one method: through the identity of a ‘True Immortal Trialist,’ or by utilizing the trialists’ dimensional gate to depart.

As for why he wouldn’t choose to breakthrough to the fourth stage, enter the Palace of Heavenly Inquiry, and then seek a way to leave this realm,

Lu Chen inferred this was likely related to the unique cultivation system of Gu Cultivators.

Though he had never seen a fourth-stage Gu Cultivator, after understanding the essence of Gu cultivation, he naturally compared them to Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.

The Nascent Soul of a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator was essentially the ‘True Spirit’ realized after comprehending one’s true self.

Whereas the true self of Gu Cultivators was clearly the Gu Insects within their bodies.

But if the Gu Insects were to awaken their true selves, it would be uncertain whether the body would be controlled by the Gu Insects or the cultivators themselves.

This was one reason why Lu Chen had advised Yi Hanqing and others to leave the True Immortal Trial.

Actually, Lu Chen had also considered the possibility of Zhao Zhongming possessing a trialist and using their body to leave.

But he felt that if it were that simple, Zhao Zhongming wouldn’t have orchestrated so many schemes.

The Immortality Art, the Dynastic Luck formation, seizing the fate of his descendants…

Everything Zhao Zhongming had done undoubtedly indicated his grand ambitions.

Therefore, Lu Chen believed that if Zhao Zhongming truly wanted to break free from this world’s constraints, the most likely approach would be to storm the Academy and force other trialists to make Cloud Deer open the exit from the trial.

Then Zhao Zhongming would use this opportunity to leave the Great Ying Dynasty together.

Of course, Lu Chen couldn’t claim his deductions were absolutely accurate.

But it was prudent to prepare for the worst in all situations.

Six months—this was a reasonable timeframe Lu Chen had deduced based on the circumstances of the True Immortal Trial.

And events had unfolded much as he had anticipated.

The army gathered outside the White Deer Academy demonstrated this clearly.

Lu Chen stood up, and four Flying Swords emerged from his Divine Soul, circling around him.

After appearing, these Flying Swords gradually concealed themselves around the Academy, silently spreading the Sword Domain they contained.

After completing these preparations, Lu Chen looked up toward the Celestial Palace of the Academy.

Under the night sky, thick dark clouds obscured the originally bright moon, enveloping the entire Academy in a somber gloom.Faced with this scene, Lu Chen murmured softly, “Using the strength of an entire dynasty for Alchemy—this is an unprecedented feat throughout the ages.”

“I only hope the final outcome does not disappoint me. Otherwise, all my arrangements would have been somewhat superfluous…”

With these words, Lu Chen pushed open the door of his Cave Residence and headed in a certain direction within the Academy…

(End of Chapter)