Martial Conquest of the Nine Desolates
Chapter 176 - 174 Various Heavenly Prides

Chapter 176: Chapter 174 Various Heavenly Prides

At the foot of a great mountain in Black Dragon Country, Xiao Ye, having made all the necessary preparations, took out ten Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures along with the blood of a Ferocious Beast at the Innate Limit. He then began to brew the Ten Treasures Pill according to a Body Secret Technique created by the Sixth Elder.

The method to concoct the Ten Treasures Pill was extremely complex, but fortunately, the Sixth Elder had left behind many notes on concoction, which allowed Xiao Ye to avoid many detours.

Gurgle, gurgle!

Xiao Ye watched the boiling iron cauldron without blinking, occasionally adding a few drops of Ferocious Beast blood.

Boom!

Five days later, a muffled sound came from the cauldron, followed by a plume of thick black smoke.

"Failed again." Xiao Ye showed a wry smile on his face—this was already his third failed attempt.

He then perked up, took out the notes from the Sixth Elder and reflected on where he went wrong in the concoction process.

Without the Ten Treasures Pill, relying only on the tempering of Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, let alone one year, even five years wouldn’t be enough for his Physical Body Power to break through to Four Cauldrons. Beyond a certain point, increasing physical strength becomes incredibly difficult.

"The members of the Xiao Alliance are waiting for me; I can’t let them down!" Xiao Ye clenched his fists.

The threat of the Sun and Moon Sect put tremendous pressure on Xiao Ye, feeling as if he were shouldering a heavy mountain. Without reaching the peak of the Xuanwu Realm, he would never be able to shatter this mountain. Would the people of the Xiao Alliance have to live under others forever because of him?

He neither wished for, nor would he allow that! So, he must reach the peak of the Xuanwu!

Bear in mind, the Emperor’s Cultivation Land where the Empress performed her arduous training possesses treasures against the heavens, such as the Bodhi Leaf. If he could obtain it, then reaching the peak of the Xuanwu quickly would be no mere fantasy.

Of course, that presupposes he must muster enough strength to become one of the Five Young Supreme in Black Dragon Country!

"I will not allow myself to fail; the Ten Treasures Pill must be concocted!" Xiao Ye roared determinedly.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, a rich, fragrant scent came from the cauldron, swiftly spreading ten miles around.

There lay a longan-sized Elixir, emitting a dazzling green light, pulsating as if it were alive.

"Success!" Xiao Ye’s face was filled with excitement.

Now, in the deep autumn season, despite the circumstances, sprouts broke through the soil influenced by the Ten Treasures Pill, and trees within a ten-step radius also began bursting with new life.

Xiao Ye stood there dumbfounded then quickly stored away the Ten Treasures Pill.

Such a miraculous Elixir, if seen by a strong practitioner of the Xuanwu Realm, might be snatched away in a heartbeat.

"To quickly advance my Physical Body to Four Cauldron Power, three Ten Treasures Pills would be sufficient!" Xiao Ye’s spirits lifted as he continued concocting.

With the experience of the first successful concoction, the subsequent attempts were much easier. After several more failures, two more Ten Treasures Pills were successfully concocted.

"Luckily, I had President Ji Hong prepare several extra portions of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, or otherwise, there wouldn’t have been enough to concoct these three Ten Treasures Pills," Xiao Ye thought with a glint in his eyes.

Once his Physical Body breaks through to Four Cauldrons Power, not only will his strength greatly increase, but he will also be able to establish Cause and Effect with the Empress.

Without delay, Xiao Ye started to consume the first Ten Treasures Pill, aiming to break into Four Cauldrons Power.

...

The days passed, and as the Black Dragon Country entered the cold winter season, a heavy snow blanketed the land, and cold winds howled through the heavens.

However, this heavy snow couldn’t extinguish the fiery hearts of the Martial Artists of Black Dragon Country, as the Heavenly Pride Battle was only a short nine months away.

This event of national interest poses the question: which five Young Talents will triumph on Black Dragon Country’s highest stage and become the Five Young Supreme?

As the Heavenly Pride Battle approached, the skirmishes on the Hidden Dragon List became more intense. Many previously unknown young practitioners emerged across the land, embarking on their paths to powerful ascendance, surpassing one opponent after another.

Under the enormous temptation of the Emperor’s Cultivation Land, no one could remain calm.

One by one, dazzling names earned their places on the Hidden Dragon List and became the talk of many Martial Artists.

In White Cloud City of Black Dragon Country, inside a tavern.

"It’s said that there are no fewer than ten Young Talents with Perfect Innate True Qi on the Hidden Dragon List, which is truly terrifying."

Numerous Martial Artists gathered together, discussing the rising Young Talents, with the atmosphere incredibly heated.

"Tsk tsk, these Young Talents are real monsters. Many of the older generation Martial Artists haven’t even touched the Innate Limit. I would be laughing if I reached Perfect Innate True Qi in my lifetime," a burly man said in a gruff voice.

"Don’t you think Zhao Qian, the Young Master of Chongyang Sect, is a real monster?"

"Yes, I’ve heard that Zhao Qian is not yet twenty years old, and he already reached Perfect Innate True Qi a month ago. In this Heavenly Pride Battle, it’s not just about becoming a Young Supreme, he’s definitely up for the top ten."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement. Being able to reach Perfect Innate True Qi and the Innate Limit before the age of twenty was indeed monstrous.

"Zhao Qian counts for nothing!" a Martial Artist said coldly, "Have you all forgotten about the castaway from Chongyang Sect, Xiao Ye?"

Everyone fell silent at the mention of Xiao Ye.

Because Xiao Ye’s feats were astonishingly remarkable.

First, he killed the Sun and Moon Sect Leader’s own child, then he dominated the competition among Direct Disciples and won first place, and in the end, he slew Xue Sha, not even four Mystic Martial experts with their Sealing Jade Talismans could detain him.

Each and every one of these deeds was far beyond the capability of ordinary Young Talents to achieve, and his potential was much greater than that of Zhao Qian.

"What a pity that Xiao Ye has not shown himself for a long time, nobody knows what level his strength has reached now. If Zhao Qian loses to Xiao Ye again, then Chongyang Sect’s face would be completely lost."

"Alas, with the threat of the Sun and Moon Sect, Xiao Ye might not show up at the Heavenly Pride Battle."

Once this was mentioned, everyone around sighed; without Xiao Ye, the Heavenly Pride Battle would certainly lose some of its luster.

"A monster? In front of the Independent Practitioner Genius Wang Lin, who would dare to claim to be such a thing?" Right then, a voice suddenly rang out.

Ever since the events in Fierce Beast City became known, Wang Lin’s fame rose to the sixth position on the Hidden Dragon List, shaking the entire Black Dragon Country, because he was the only Independent Practitioner among the top ten.

Many people even went to the major forces of Black Dragon Country to verify Wang Lin’s status as an Independent Practitioner, and once it was confirmed, Wang Lin’s name grew even more resounding.

A young man who cultivated by himself and managed to reach the sixth position on the Hidden Dragon List was indeed the most talented among his peers, and thus, he was honored by many martial artists as the Independent Practitioner Genius.

This was indeed a true monster!

"I think I saw Wang Lin crush a beast of Innate Limit with his foot on Piaomiao Peak about two hundred miles outside of the city yesterday," a young man whispered.

What!

"Crushed a beast of Innate Limit with one foot? Could Wang Lin’s strength possibly be that terrifying?"

The martial artists in the tavern were dumbfounded, full of disbelief.

"Did you say, Independent Practitioner Genius Wang Lin was on Piaomiao Peak two hundred miles away?" A fierce-looking martial artist stood up and quickly walked over to the young man, his body exuding a powerful aura.

The young man, somewhat afraid, said, "I... I was standing very far away and couldn’t confirm if that was really Independent Practitioner Genius Wang Lin."

Whoosh!

No sooner had these words been spoken than the fierce-looking martial artist dashed out of the tavern.

"Independent Practitioner Genius Wang Lin has appeared, let’s hurry over and see!" The other martial artists in the tavern stood up one after another, excitedly rushing out, their enthusiasm undiminished even by the heavy snow.

In an instant, the originally packed tavern became empty, leaving the owner on the verge of tears.

Even the young man was left speechless, never expecting his words to cause such an effect.

Soon, news of Independent Practitioner Genius Wang Lin appearing at Piaomiao Peak spread throughout White Cloud City, and that day a large number of martial artists left the city, heading for Piaomiao Peak.

To witness a young genius like Wang Lin with their own eyes was indeed a stroke of fortune in one’s three lifetimes.

However, before they reached Piaomiao Peak, Xiao Ye had already left the mountain with Flame Saber on his back and parcel in hand; these people were bound to be disappointed.

"Humph, a Third-class Innate Limit beast dares to covet my Ten Treasures Pill?" Xiao Ye walked along the snowy road.

After swallowing the first Ten Treasures Pill, while he was refining the pill’s energy, he crossed through Wu’an County, where ferocious beasts were many.

The location for the Heavenly Pride Battle was in the Imperial City of Black Dragon Country; he planned to walk there all the way.

When he reached Piaomiao Peak just outside White Cloud City, the Ten Treasures Pill’s fragrance had actually attracted a Third-class Innate Limit beast, which he then stomped to death with a single foot.

"The medicinal power of the first Ten Treasures Pill has been completely refined; my Physical Body Power has increased by several times." Feeling the surging power within his body, Xiao Ye’s eyes sparkled with confidence.

His strength was now nearing the First-class Innate Limit; even beasts of the Second-class Innate Limit would not be a match for him in a single move.

Soon after, Xiao Ye consumed the second Ten Treasures Pill, with only one pill left; its fragrance became much fainter, and his Physical Body Power grew rapidly.

Xiao Ye continued to rigorously train on the road, his face concealed by a Human Skin Mask, as he made his way toward the Imperial City.

Half a year later, his Flame True Intent reached seventy percent completeness, and the Lonely Moon Seal from his Sun and Moon Seal Technique was also cultivated to Perfection Level, greatly increasing his Attack Power.

One day, Xiao Ye appeared in a city near the Imperial City, where many young talents were arriving on Flying Warships to head to the Imperial City to participate in the Heavenly Pride Battle.

"I wonder, among the young prodigies, is there anyone who can be my adversary?" Xiao Ye looked up at the sky, his long hair fluttering, and then quickly stepped out of the city, as fast as lightning.

"Huh? Am I seeing things? Did I just catch a glimpse of Independent Practitioner Genius Wang Lin?" A young talent at the Late Stage of Innate Ninth Layer paused, gazing in the direction of the city gate.

"Haha, Brother Liu, Wang Lin’s strength is barely stronger than yours, how could his speed possibly cause you to see double? It must be an illusion," another young talent laughed freely.

"True, even those ranked in the top five on the Hidden Dragon List couldn’t be so fast that I fail to see clearly," nodded the young talent, not taking it to heart any further.

Xiao Ye walked out of the city and looked up at the vast sky; the desolate land suddenly moved something within him.

"Four Cauldrons achieved, the Empress is revealed; this time I must break through to the Four Cauldron Power with my Physical Body Power," Xiao Ye’s eyes glinted as he reached the summit of a mountain and sat down cross-legged.

That’s right, Xiao Ye had consumed all three Ten Treasures Pills, his Physical Body Power was merely a whisker away from condensing the Four Cauldron Power!