Shi Yan sat cross-legged on the ground, his body flushed crimson, eyes tightly shut. A scorching heat slowly climbed within him, as if he were consumed by an internal fire.

Beads of sweat formed on his brow, only to be instantly evaporated by the intense heat, dissolving into steam. Gradually, a veil of mist enveloped Shi Yan’s body—the mist would appear, then vanish under the heat, yet it perpetually remained.

Shi Yan’s expression slowly twisted into one of grimacing intensity, as if enduring exquisite agony from within.

Beside him, Xiao Hanyi watched with grave concentration, his gaze locked onto Shi Yan, observing every minute shift in his expression.

A few Asura Blood Guards clustered nearby, curious, but under Xiao Hanyi’s stern gaze, they fell silent, daring not to utter a sound lest they disturb Shi Yan.

After an indeterminate time, Shi Yan’s frame began to tremble violently, sweat pouring down him, manifesting as even more vapor. Throughout this ordeal, Shi Yan never let out a single cry of pain; the longer it went on, the more resolute his expression became as he wrestled with the inner torment.

Xiao Hanyi realized he had understated the agony involved in absorbing the Immortal Creation Pill.

The young men of the Yang family, when taking this pill, were always attended by specialists and administered an auxiliary pill, the Profound Ice Pill, specifically to mitigate the pain and counteract some of the Immortal Creation Pill's fierce potency, preventing the recipient from suffering excessive torment.

However, if the Profound Ice Pill was taken, the efficacy of the Immortal Creation Pill would decrease by twenty percent; while reducing pain, the auxiliary pill also dissipated a portion of the primary medicine’s power.

Xiao Hanyi actually held a Profound Ice Pill in his hand, intending to give it to Shi Yan as well. But having witnessed Shi Yan’s innate talent and tenacity, he discarded the idea. He wanted to see if Shi Yan could truly endure it all. Only if Shi Yan reached his absolute limit would Xiao Hanyi produce the Profound Ice Pill to ease the suffering.

Xiao Hanyi could not bear to waste that twenty percent of the Immortal Creation Pill’s potency, which was why he concealed the auxiliary pill, hoping Shi Yan would absorb the maximum benefit. Still, he worried about Shi Yan’s willpower, fearing he might break, so he remained vigilant and prepared.

On the other side.

Xia Xinyan watched the proceedings silently, a flicker of astonishment crossing her beautiful eyes. As the young lady of the Xia family, which maintained close ties with the Yang family, she was privy to the secrets surrounding the Immortal Creation Pill and the Profound Ice Pill.

She knew that unless a Yang family heir was already at the Status or Hundred Tribulations realm, they were customarily given a Profound Ice Pill as backup. Even within the Yang family, many youths, seeking to absorb the pill's full potential, chose to forgo the Profound Ice Pill. Among them, only a minuscule number managed to persevere; most would break down midway, overwhelmed by the searing pain and forced to request the Profound Ice Pill to ward off the terrifying agony.

Xia Xinyan was not far from Shi Yan and Xiao Hanyi. When Xiao Hanyi produced the Immortal Creation Pill, she immediately noticed he withheld the Profound Ice Pill. In that moment, her keen mind deduced Xiao Hanyi’s intention—she understood the gambit he was making.

Xia Xinyan was intensely curious to see if Shi Yan could hold out, whether he would open his eyes prematurely or simply collapse. The Seven Great Spirit-Grade Wonders of the Endless Sea each possessed unique effects, but the Yang family’s Immortal Creation Pill was infamous for its overwhelmingly fierce and potent nature; the accompanying agony was legendary. She suspected Shi Yan wouldn't last, anticipating he would soon succumb to the rampage of the pill’s power, and with that thought, she quietly moved closer.

Xiao Hanyi frowned, glancing back at Xia Xinyan, and made a gesture demanding silence.

Nodding, Xia Xinyan indicated she understood, maintained her quiet demeanor, and paced to Shi Yan’s side, watching him intently.

One day passed.

Throughout this day, Shi Yan remained fire-red, enveloped in mist, his expression a mask of hideous suffering as he endured the colossal pain.

Two days passed.

Shi Yan’s body trembled faintly, the range of the surrounding mist expanded, yet his eyes remained sealed as he fiercely battled the fiery medicinal essence within.

Three days passed.

The mist around Shi Yan began to take on a murky color. On this day, the sweat oozing from his body started showing streaks of dark brown.

Xiao Hanyi’s expression grew even more solemn, a hint of genuine surprise entering his gaze. Xia Xinyan also gasped inwardly, stunned by Shi Yan’s sheer resilience. She knew the Yang family had truly struck gold this time. It was rare for a Yang family scion to take the Immortal Creation Pill at the Human Rank realm and last three days without crying out—each one invariably became a formidable figure in the future.

The fourth day.

On this day, Shi Yan’s entire body shook violently. His sweat soaked his robes, making him appear as if he had been submerged in water. The color of the sweat was no longer murky but a deep, inky black, accompanied by waves of fetid stench that grew progressively stronger.

By this day, the astonishment on the faces of Xiao Hanyi and Xia Xinyan was unmistakable. The observing Asura Blood Guards muttered praises, awe etched onto their faces. These warriors, who had already reached the Status or Nirvana realm, were almost certain that Shi Yan was destined to become one of the Yang family’s most core descendants—his future was limitless.

Shi Yan remained utterly silent, yet he clenched his teeth until they ached, his body trembling ceaselessly, resembling a red-hot iron, radiating an almost unbelievable temperature. Four days—a full four days—and Shi Yan had not uttered a single agonizing groan. Even the most steadfast heroes of the Yang family, when taking the Immortal Creation Pill without the aid of the Profound Ice Pill, would emit heart-rending screams, with some rolling on the ground in a futile attempt to alleviate the internal agony. But Shi Yan stood firm as Mount Tai, like an unmoving bedrock that had endured millennia.

The fifth day.

That night, Shi Yan suddenly let out a fierce roar. His features contorted as he abruptly rose to his feet, the surrounding mist swirling around him like surging waves.

“Young Master Yan!” Xiao Hanyi shouted urgently. “Can you still hold on?”

Opening his eyes, Shi Yan’s gaze was bloodshot. He grinned fiercely through gritted teeth. “Exhilarating!”

“Exhilarating??” Xiao Hanyi froze, staring blankly. “Isn’t it painful?”

“Painful?” Shi Yan shook his head, the crimson hue receding from his face. He laughed. “The pain is past. I have already advanced to the Human Rank, Third Heaven realm. This Immortal Creation Pill’s potency is truly formidable; I almost couldn’t help but roar out loud. Now, the medicinal essence has permeated my entire body, and the scorching, violent force within me is gradually vanishing.”

“Human Rank, Third Heaven!” The surrounding Yang family martial artists cried out in astonishment.

Seventeen years old, achieving the Human Rank, Third Heaven realm! Even the core disciples who grew up within the Yang family, nurtured by countless spirit medicines, rarely managed to reach the Human Rank, Third Heaven realm by seventeen. Shi Yan, having grown up in the Merchant Alliance without the vast resources of the Yang family, reaching this stage at seventeen—such talent, such cultivation speed, was utterly staggering.

Xiao Hanyi’s eyes shone brightly. He took a deep breath and said gravely, “Young Master Yan, it seems I underestimated you. Absorbing the entire effect of the Immortal Creation Pill in five days without external aid is already astonishing. If the Patriarch knew of your performance, he would be overjoyed. Once you return to the clan, Young Master Yan, you will likely be instantly rewarded with an island and a Sixth-Grade Azure-Scaled Dragon.”

“An island? A Sixth-Grade Azure-Scaled Dragon?” Shi Yan blinked, surprised. “How big is the island?”

“Larger than Heavenly Meteor City, enough for you to play around in. Haha, don't be surprised, Young Master Yan. When you return to the family, you will realize just how immense their wealth and power are. The clan currently controls nearly a thousand islands, some several times larger than the entire Merchant Alliance. Then, Young Master Yan, you will understand how insignificant the Merchant Alliance truly is,” Xiao Hanyi stated proudly.

“I look forward to it,” Shi Yan nodded, visibly pleased.

“Young Master Yan, shall we proceed to the Endless Sea?” Xiao Hanyi pondered for a moment. “Young Master Hai is unwilling to return, so there is no need for us to go to Heavenly Meteor City. We should depart now. The Fourth Demon Territory is stirring, and it’s not ideal for me to remain away for long. Returning sooner provides the family with additional strength, and you need to undergo the family baptism to refine the ‘Undying Rebirth Art’ and quickly become a pillar of the clan.”

“Leaving without saying goodbye seems improper. Let’s return to Heavenly Meteor City first. The city is likely chaotic now; the Mo family, Ling family, and Northern Nether family might be targeting the Shi family. Before leaving, I want to ensure the Shi family has no enemies in Heavenly Meteor City,” Shi Yan frowned, musing before stating gravely. Although he was not a true member of the Shi family, Shi Jian, Han Zhong, and Yang Hai had treated him well. If the Shi family was in trouble, leaving silently would be something he could not forgive himself for.

Xiao Hanyi’s contingent possessed enough strength to sweep aside the Five Great Families of Heavenly Meteor City. With this power, the Shi family could clear all obstacles and truly become the supreme power in the Merchant Alliance. He felt he needed to do something for the Shi family, or guilt would plague him—repaying kindness and exacting revenge had always been his guiding principles.

“Young Master Yan is a man of deep sentiment,” Xiao Hanyi nodded. “Then we shall return to Heavenly Meteor City.”

“Uncle Xiao,” Xia Xinyan suddenly spoke.

“Indeed, you two come along as well. We won’t linger in Heavenly Meteor City long; once matters are settled, we head straight for the Endless Sea. How does that sound?” Xiao Hanyi proposed.

Xia Xinyan nodded. “Yes, Uncle Xiao, arrange everything.” As she spoke, she gave Shi Yan another deep look, hesitating slightly before adding, “Uncle Xiao, Shi Yan still possesses the Star Soul of the Three Gods Cult. Don’t forget that.”

“The Patriarch will handle that,” Xiao Hanyi grinned, chuckling slyly. “The Three Gods Cult and the Yang family have always been at odds. I wonder what expression they will wear when they discover Shi Yan acquired Ouyang Zhi’s Star Soul. Haha, Young Master Yan truly has heaven-sent fortune, even obtaining the Martial Soul Source Seal! The Patriarch will be grinning from ear to ear this time.”

“Let’s go,” Shi Yan said no more, voluntarily walking towards the Sixth-Grade Green Blood Demon Bat.

...V