Chapter 62: Dan Lei!

At the center of the Inner Academy, there was a small platform approximately ten feet wide. This place was the highest area within the Inner Academy and was generally restricted to common students. 

It was said that Mang Tianchi once trained here, leaving behind the aura of a Dou Zun. Subtle spatial fluctuations permeated the space around the stone platform, almost imperceptible to the naked eye.

These spatial fluctuations were quite peculiar, acting like a magnet that absorbed all the surrounding heavenly energy, making it an excellent place for cultivation. 

Although common students were generally prohibited from ascending, Su Qian had specially opened it this time for Jiang Yun to refine a seventh-grade pill. Moreover, students were expressly allowed to come and watch. At this moment, the area was already filled with Inner Academy students and elders.

Suddenly, a faint rumbling thunder echoed in the air. In a flash, a figure shot over from a distance like a streak of lightning and landed on the stone platform.

As Jiang Yun made his appearance, exclamations burst from the crowd!

"Is that Senior Jiang Yun?"

"So handsome, but a bit tiny. I can't quite imagine what it would be like to be together with him!"

"Dream on! I dare to imagine, so what if he's a bit small? Everyone grows; I can definitely wait."

"What daydreams are you having? Look over there, senior Jiang Yun already has a childhood sweetheart from the moment he joined the academy. Do you know what her strength is?"

"When she just joined the academy, she was already a Dou Wang. Now, she's probably a Dou Huang. With her around, do you 'mortals' think you can catch the senior's attention?"

Some were immediately dissatisfied, believing that no flower raised at home could compare to wildflowers outside. Besides, the two had been together for so long, they were likely bored of each other by now. They looked in the direction mentioned and saw an aristocratic and imposing figure.

Seeing her, people involuntarily trembled, as if gazing upon a natural-born empress, making them instinctively submit. 

At this moment, Zi Yan looked over with her gem-like eyes, exuding an aura of majesty that made the chattering students go stiff, not daring to breathe.

Zi Yan cast a disdainful glance at them, thinking they were all gaudy wenches. With her Dou Huang power, any minor disturbance here could not escape her ears, and she had heard these discussions countless times before.

"Mundane women! As if Little Yun would ever look at you?" she mumbled to herself, somewhat blaming Su Qian. "It's all that old man's fault. What's so interesting about pill refinement?"

Right now, Zi Yan resembled a child who found her exclusive treasure suddenly exposed to everyone, her face filled with discontent.

"So fast!"

Seeing Jiang Yun's arrival, the gathered elders were slightly astonished. Just now, they hadn't even had time to react. This speed was truly astonishing.

"He's gotten stronger again!" exclaimed Wu Tianlang, who had already broken through to become a Dou Zong, looking at Jiang Yun with a tinge of melancholy.

"Isn't that only natural?" Su Qian retorted, casting a side glance at Wu Tianlang with a ghost of a smile.

Wu Tianlang was somewhat dumbfounded by Su Qian's proud tone. What's with this sense of arrogance?

Elder Huo frowned as he looked at the numerous silhouettes around. "With so many people, aren't you afraid they'll interfere with him?"

"Haha, don't worry. There are spatial fluctuations set up around the stone platform by the Dean. It's difficult for outsiders to disturb him."

"Moreover, the emergence of a seventh-grade pill will always be accompanied by celestial phenomena and possibly even Dan Lei. Those spatial fluctuations around the platform might help him somewhat," Su Qian said with a wave and a smile.

Hearing Su Qian's assurance, Elder Huo nodded secretly, turning his gaze back to Jiang Yun. Though he had doubts about Jiang Yun refining a seventh-grade pill, it didn't stop him from worrying about the environment for the refining process.

At this moment, Jiang Yun had adjusted his state to an unprecedented peak. Strong Dou Qi overflowed around him, making him appear extraordinarily imposing. Such a feeling was hard to come by even for some peak-level Dou Huangs.

Jiang Yun was currently like a beacon in the dark, extremely noticeable. 

Not far from the stone platform, in a high-rise pavilion, several familiar figures stood observing. If Jiang Yun were here, he would recognize them, including Liu Qing, all of whom he'd met once before. 

Over the past year, they had made a name for themselves within the Inner Academy, showcasing their extraordinary talents.

Lin Xiuya looked down and saw that most open spaces in the Inner Academy were now black with crowds, all eyes fixated on the black-robed youth on the stone platform.

Seeing the youth in the spotlight, Lin Xiuya felt a rush of excitement, exclaiming, "A real man should be like this!"

"I believe one day, we can do it too. What, don't you have confidence?" Liu Qing asked, feeling his own heat rising, turning to look at Lin Xiuya.

"Of course. One day, I'll also make the Inner Academy move because of me!" Lin Xiuya replied confidently, showing a self-assured smile, never doubting his potential.

"But—"

"Senior Jiang Yun is younger than us!" A silvery-haired cold beauty gazed at Jiang Yun on the stage and murmured.

"..."

Who would have thought you'd say that, Han Yue, right in the feels!

"Uh-huh—" Lin Yan laughed to himself as he watched Lin Xiuya and Liu Qing get owned by Han Yue, though he coughed slightly after feeling their glare.

"Since the establishment of the Jia Nan Academy, two individuals have advanced to Dou Huang before graduating, and one to Dou Zong. The latter was extraordinary, and combined with their inherent high talent, could achieve this. Today, Senior Jiang Yun might become one of them too!"

As expected, upon hearing Lin Yan's words, attention shifted away. Han Yue bit her lip, her clear eyes gazing at the stone platform. She'd heard rumors that Jiang Yun was already a fifth-grade alchemist.

At such a young age to refine fifth-grade pills—it indicated terrifying potential. Even across Central Plains, this was significantly rare. 

With his help, could she resolve her family's crisis?

With that thought, Han Yue felt her heart flutter slightly. Though it seemed like an old cow eating young grass, if it was Jiang Yun, it might be possible.

However, glancing at the silently standing Zi Yan beside him, she felt disheartened. She knew Zi Yan, another Inner Academy genius who entered as a Dou Wang and likely now a Dou Huang. With her around, who else could catch Jiang Yun's eye?

For the first time, this celestial maiden felt a sense of inadequacy.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yun on stage was completely unaware of the commotion his appearance had caused. His mind and focus were entirely immersed, undisturbed by external forces.

Roaring flames churned within the medicinal cauldron, gradually elevating the temperature until the whole area felt slightly heated.

As flames roared, Jiang Yun waved his hand, and numerous medicinal herbs flew from his storage ring. Wrapped in Dou Qi, they hovered around the stone platform, looking like tiny glowing orbs, making a splendid sight from below.

Ground Essence Pill: A seventh-grade pill, capable of enhancing a Dou Zong practitioner's strength by one star! 

Its efficacy was straightforward but crude, enough to make countless Dou Zong chase after it relentlessly.

The refining method for the Ground Essence Pill slowly emerged in Jiang Yun's mind, each crucial step imprinted flawlessly.

With a gentle direction from his fingers, batches of medicinal herbs dropped into the cauldron. Within, the previously dormant white flames surged like a hungry wolf, devouring the medicinal materials.

Refining so many herbs at once required stringent control over spiritual strength. However, given Jiang Yun's current entry into the Spirit Realm, he was qualified and capable.

As time passed, the medicinal ingredients in the flames withered under the Undying Sacred Flame, eventually turning into powder. Pure medicinal liquids remained and gathered.

Now that the medicinal ingredients were fully refined, it was time for fusion!

"It's coming—the most crucial moment in pill refining!" Even Elder Huo couldn't help but feel nervous, straightening up and staring unblinkingly at the cauldron before Jiang Yun.

Hearing Elder Huo's words, the other alchemy department elders nodded emphatically. If Jiang Yun succeeded, it would be a seventh-grade pill. 

To them, such pills were legendary. Throughout their lives, they had rarely seen them, let alone used one.

As a result, everyone watched Jiang Yun's refining process with both tension and expectation.

Inside the cauldron, the white flames enveloped several uneven liquid masses. Under Jiang Yun's control, myriad energies of varying hues fused slowly.

Sensing the calm transmitted through his spiritual power, Jiang Yun felt assured. His technique and luck seemed favorable—it was more than halfway to success on the first try. Once all the medicinal energies blended perfectly, they would gradually condense into a pill embryo.

Of course, this was an extremely slow process.

According to Jiang Yun's estimation, this fusion might take at least three days.

With a thought, Jiang Yun slowly closed his eyes, dedicating a part of his mind to operate his inner techniques and absorb the surrounding heavenly energy. His spiritual power continued to hover within the cauldron, adjusting the fire and the fusion of medicinal energies.

Three days passed in a flash!

During these three days, the students gathered in the Inner Academy showed no impatience. Every time they looked up at the stone platform, eyes filled with admiration for the unmoving figure.

They had always known higher-grade pills were valuable, but today gave them a concrete understanding.

Reflecting on Jiang Yun's efforts from this period, they couldn't help but marvel. No wonder high-grade pills were so precious—it was not something just anyone could endure.

Jiang Yun calmly controlled the flames within the cauldron. Inside, the undying flame roared like thunder, echoing non-stop.

The third day smoothly passed, and on the morning of the fourth day, as the first rays of sunlight fell, Jiang Yun slowly opened his eyes.

Under the sunlight, his black pupils gleamed brilliantly while a dormant aura, like an awakening lion, began to exude from him.

Looking into the cauldron, he saw a yellowish pill embryo mingling within the white flames. About the size of a dragon's eye, its surface was pitted and unattractive but was gradually smoothing under the fiery caress.

Jiang Yun could sense its abundant, pure medicinal power!

The pill embryo was now complete; the next step was to nurture the pill!

Five hours elapsed, and the pill within the flames was devoid of any flaws. White patterns etched its surface, making it appear almost sentient and extremely mystical.

The moment the pill took its completed form, the sky above the Inner Academy began to darken swiftly. Layers of black clouds gathered, filled with silver lightning slithering like snakes.

"It's done!"

"A seventh-grade pill accompanied by lightning tribulation means Jiang Yun has succeeded!"

The sudden celestial phenomenon left everyone in the academy dumbfounded as they stared at the darkened sky. They had no idea pill refining could lead to this.

Elder Huo's eyes shone brightly as he gazed at the figure on the stone platform, or more precisely, the yellowish pill in the cauldron.

"It's a success!"

The unprecedented spectacle in the sky caught Su Qian and the others' attention.

Looking at the lightning within the dark clouds, Su Qian felt a bit unreal. Although he had faith in Jiang Yun, he hadn't expected him to succeed on the first try.

Moments later, glancing at the half-enveloped Inner Academy, Su Qian sternly commanded,

"All elders, listen up! Activate the grand array in the Inner Academy. If the pill lightning descends, act immediately!"

"Yes!"

Heeding Su Qian's command, the Inner Academy elders did not dare waste time, responding in unison.

They methodically directed the students to evacuate and dispersed around the Inner Academy, their formidable Dou Qi rising and resonating with each other.

Zi Yan, the nearest to Jiang Yun, flickered and appeared beside him, staring intently at the lightning above, her face full of seriousness.

Under this heavenly pressure, even she felt a faint sense of dread.

(End of Chapter)