Chapter 973

"But for ordinary disciples, this is an opportunity to defy the heavens and change fate."

860. Bai Zhu, defying the heavens and changing fate!

"So, the sect that was destroyed in the past also used the Body-Refining Furnace to improve the aptitude of ordinary disciples on a large scale."

Otto pondered for a moment and shook his head.

"I probably know the fundamental reason why they were exterminated..."

"Oh?"

Everyone looked over curiously. Kiana said innocently:

"Wasn't it because they exposed their wealth and were backstabbed by their former allies?"

"You are too naive."

Otto shook his head.

"Think carefully, who has the patent for having enough disciples with powerful talent in the cultivation world?"

"It's... the three great holy lands!"

Theresa's eyes lit up, and she looked at Otto with some surprise.

"Shushan, Little Thunder Sound Temple, Jixia Academy..."

Ningguang nodded thoughtfully, and a bit of clarity dawned in her heart.

"Having the Body-Refining Furnace, one can improve the aptitude of bottom-level disciples, plus..."

"The use of the Body-Refining Furnace is not something ordinary people can withstand, and it requires massive resources. This point is destined to touch the reverse scales of many people..."

"Think carefully, it could shake the pattern of the cultivation world and requires scraping massive resources from the cultivation world..."

"These two points seem to have put them on the must-kill list... then..."

Otto didn't say any more, but everyone already understood.

That sect was exterminated, and after that, the clan that backstabbed them was also exterminated.

After going around in circles, the Eight Strange Skills fell into the hands of Shushan and the other two holy lands. This matter is very interesting.

Xiao frowned slightly and said in a deep voice:

"This matter is not allowed to be mentioned again."

"Yes, Senior Brother Xiao, it was just the junior brother's wishful speculation."

Otto nodded with a smile.

Everyone also moved their thoughts away from that speculation.

In a world where the strong prey on the weak, if they weren't people of Shushan, that would be fine. But as vested interests...

Sorry, they can only say 'good riddance'.

"So, all in all, it's unlikely for ordinary disciples to want to use the Body-Refining Furnace

Venti shook his head and said helplessly:

"This Body-Refining Furnace thing is a bit of a white elephant for us."

"After all, you are looking at it from your own perspective."

Zhongli said softly:

"If ordinary disciples, or even members of the Spirit Race, knew about it, they would exhaust their entire fortunes just to trade for a single chance."

"Moreover, the fundamental reason why Head Seat Ei forged the Body-Refining Furnace is not actually to improve a disciple's talent."

Ei nodded slightly and said softly:

"My sister's true spirit still exists and does not need to be resurrected; I only need to craft a perfect body for her."

"The Body-Refining Furnace is precisely the best crucible for that."

"Once I have crafted the body for my sister, the Body-Refining Furnace will be of no use to me, but as it is a top-grade treasure, it is worth keeping."

"At that time, I will leave it to the Sect Master to decide."

Hearing this, everyone looked once again at Bai Zhu inside the Body-Refining Furnace; by now, the flames had obscured everything, and Bai Zhu's figure could no longer be seen at all.

But it appeared that it had already reached the final stage.

All the resources within the Body-Refining Furnace had been burned away, and at this moment, the humming frequency was gradually decreasing.

After an unknown amount of time, a delicate fragrance wafted into everyone's nostrils.

The Body-Refining Furnace settled down and slowly opened.

A scorching, scalding spiritual energy rushed toward them; it was the overflow of energy from the top-grade spirit stones.

A full thirty thousand top-grade spirit stones had vanished into smoke; just thinking about it made one's heart ache.

But then, Bai Zhu slowly stepped out from the Body-Refining Furnace.

His complexion did not look pale, nor did he seem to have just suffered such torment.

At a rough glance, and feeling his aura, he seemed quite mysterious.

It looked like...

"Did it succeed?"

Kiana looked at Bai Zhu with curiosity.

The latter nodded slightly, unable to suppress his excitement.

"I have not failed the mission!"

861. Talent Improved, Shushan's Number One Alchemist

Recalling the pain from just moments ago, a lingering fear flashed in Bai Zhu's eyes.

That kind of despair was far more terrifying than he had imagined.

If it weren't for his obsession with longevity, he would have collapsed long ago.

But fortunately, the result was quite good.

"Do you need to test it?"

Ei handed Bai Zhu a talent-testing stone, and the latter nodded.

"I remember that Senior Brother Bai Zhu's original talent was..."

As he spoke, Tighnari suddenly paused. Bai Zhu smiled, waved his hand, and said:

"No need to be concerned, just speak plainly. Today's me is not the me of yesterday. Before, my talent was indeed very poor, even inferior to many outer sect disciples."

"Mid-grade Wood Spirit Root, low-grade Water Spirit Root, low-grade Fire Spirit Root."

"A three-spirit-root aptitude is quite rare in Shushan..."

Bai Zhu gave a self-deprecating smile. Old Yang said softly:

"Senior Brother Bai Zhu, there is no need for that. Although your talent had flaws, Senior Brother Bai Zhu was the first person to cross the Nine-Fold Heart-Questioning."

"Senior Brother Bai Zhu's name still remains on the Heart-Questioning Array's Heavenly Ladder Stone; this is already a legend."

Hearing this, Bai Zhu pursed his lips and smiled; if there was anything worth being proud of, this was it.

"Come and test it quickly! Let's see how effective the Body-Refining Furnace is!"

Kiana urged him. Bai Zhu took a deep breath and gripped the talent-testing stone.

The next moment, a green light seemed to brew within it, and in an instant, a surging pillar of light shot into the sky.

Compared to Bai Zhu's previous performance, this time, it was simply astonishing.

Three gorgeous colors intertwined, transforming into a rainbow cloud that covered the top of Bai Zhu's head.

"The color of the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown..."

Zhongli narrowed his eyes slightly, and after a moment, he praised:

"Although it is still three spirit roots, but... top-grade Wood Spirit Root, high-grade Water Spirit Root, high-grade Fire Spirit Root."

"With these three attributes combined, Bai Zhu will henceforth become Shushan's number one alchemist."

"Possessing these three spirit roots is the most suitable for alchemy."

Seeing Bai Zhu not speaking, looking trance-like at the top of his head, Zhongli said softly:

"Such talent is already very excellent; you need not be overly greedy for more."

Bai Zhu came back to his senses, his face full of smiles as he said:

"Head Seat Zhongli is overthinking it. This disciple is not unwilling; it's just... I didn't expect it to be this strong."

"With this kind of aptitude, this disciple is already extremely satisfied. From the very beginning, I knew that I wasn't actually suited for martial combat cultivation."

"Since the heavens have given me the talent for alchemy, and I enjoy alchemy, naturally I want to walk this path to the end."