Chapter 602: Disciples' Sparring

Yan Buji sat to the side, carefully studied the prescription of the United Heart Strength Pill, and asked:

"This prescription must be for some kind of pill that uses resplendent flesh and blood to stimulate the effect of spiritual energy absorption, right? Why would Paolong Sacred Land need such a pill?"

"It couldn't be because of that treasure, could it?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"It's both a pill to suppress qi deviation and a pill to enhance spiritual energy absorption; is Paolong Sacred Land testing that treasure's power, otherwise why would they need such a pill?"

Yan Buji thought for a moment and also felt it made sense.

"But no matter what, we were invited here to help refine pills; just refine the pills well, we don't need to worry about the rest."

"That's right."

Afterwards, a few people discussed the prescription's issue, then each returned to their rooms to begin refining pills.

Yan Buji began refining the United Heart Strength Pill; this pill, which stimulates spiritual energy absorption by damaging one's own flesh and blood, truly counts as a left‑path pill. Its benefits are great, but its drawbacks are equally obvious.

"It's like a martial artist training: after the skin splits and flesh tears heal, the body becomes tougher. But using a pill's power to damage oneself to achieve faster spiritual energy absorption cannot improve the original absorption rate; it's merely pulling up seedlings to help them grow." Yan Buji wore a strange expression.

As the spiritual material in his palm continually refined, Yan Buji thought about these questions while refining the pill.

A few days passed.

After taking the Avoid Thunder Pill, Yan Buji condensed the liquid medicine in his hand, which gradually took shape under the tempering of Heavenly Fire.

"I roughly understand the pill's refining steps; just pay attention to the details."

Soon, Yan Buji refined a top‑grade Fivefold Transformation United Heart Strength Pill.

Gazing at the round, red pill in his palm emitting a peculiar fragrance, like the musk of some animal, the scent was overly strong and made him somewhat uncomfortable.

"Although the effect of the United Heart Strength Pill is easy to guess, I still don't understand why Paolong Sacred Land needs these pills."

Thinking this, Yan Buji stood up intending to go out and see the situation.

Logically, since they were invited here to refine pills, it wouldn't be proper to wander around elsewhere.

However, if someone asks, he can simply produce a pill and say he's out to clear his mind—no problem.

Next, Yan Buji walked out of Lian Dan Tang, but before he could exit the gate, two Core Formation Cultivators came to meet him.

"Seniors, what is this?"

"I, Yan Buji, have just finished refining a batch of pills; my spirit is depleted, and I intend to walk around to clear my mind—may I?"

"Of course." The Core Formation Cultivator smiled: "But since you're new here, let us show you the way."

"Thank you for the trouble."

Yan Buji didn't refuse either, after all, on their turf they couldn't let him run around wildly.

The two stood one on each side of Yan Buji; after leaving Lian Dan Tang, he looked around and said: "Friends, is there anywhere nearby I can go?"

"Senior Yan, there are naturally many places you can go. The Outer Gate has Lian Dan Tang, Internal Affairs Hall, disciples' quarters, the martial training field, etc.; where would you like to go?"

"Well..." Yan Buji hesitated, truly not knowing where to go.

"How about Senior Yan goes to watch the recent disciples' sparring match?"

"Disciples' sparring? To behold the bearing of your sect's disciples would also be a pleasure; please lead the way." Yan Buji clasped his fists and smiled.

"You are truly too courteous, senior."

The two led the way, and Yan Buji followed them all the way to the martial training field.

Seeing the disciples gathered in a circle around, most were at the Foundation Establishment and Core Formation stages, with many Golden Core cultivators watching from the crowd; Yan Buji felt his heart tighten.

Is this what a major power looks like?

"The disciples present here are those who have only recently joined in recent years; some exceptionally talented disciples have already entered the Inner Gate, many others have been sent out and not returned, plus those still in secluded cultivation, so those present now are less than half."

"Is it really that formidable?"

"Just the Golden Core cultivators in the crowd are not few; according to them, this is not even the exact number of the entire Outer Gate."

"Not to mention the Inner Gate."

"As expected of Paolong Sacred Land, this is merely the tip of the iceberg of its manpower strength."

Watching those Foundation Establishment and Core Formation cultivators spar, some even early Foundation Establishment versus early Core Formation. Various arts, Accumulation Devices, talismans, and even formations were employed, making the scene immensely grand. It shows these disciples' combat ability is not weak, but they all held back, not intending to fight to the death.

However, when cultivators duel not to the death, one cannot see the true strength of either side; sometimes one's thoughts differ completely from another's, leading to hesitant moves, which can easily cause loss of control in the match.

Therefore, after so many years of cultivation, Yan Buji has known many people but never engaged in friendly duels with them; either he doesn't fight, or if he fights he won't hold back.

Some special cases excepted.

"Your sect's disciples are truly formidable, able to cross realms with Foundation Establishment strength to fight Core Formation cultivators; their dueling experience is extremely rich." Yan Buji praised.

"Haha, Senior Yan is joking; I don't know which of the two disciples on stage you think will win."

"I think it's that Core Formation disciple; you can see he's held back, making his moves hesitant, but once he recovers he should win easily." Yan Buji smiled.

"You're mistaken; that Foundation Establishment disciple is someone our Outer Gate recruited just last year."

"Last year?" Yan Buji blinked: "You mean he hadn't cultivated before?"

"Yes. This person is named Ye Lin; he was initially brought over by an Inner Gate Elder. After cultivating in the Outer Gate for a year, he already reached Foundation Establishment!"

Yan Buji's face twitched as he looked at the somewhat youthful figure in the arena: "Could this Ye Lin be some kind of top‑tier aptitude?"

"Not bad; he is said to be one of the ten great Immortal Aptitudes, 'Following Heaven's Knowing Fate'!"

"Really an Immortal Aptitude?" Yan Buji's face full of envy.

"In just one year crossing the boundary between mortal and cultivator and smoothly achieving Foundation Establishment—this is the cultivation aptitude Yan Buji has long sought but cannot obtain."

"Another person added: 'It's said Ye Lin also has some connection with Inner Gate Elder Pang Mingde; otherwise he wouldn't have been brought into our sect.'"

"But after all, it's an Immortal Aptitude; once known, people will still vie for it."

The two chatted, while Yan Buji stood aside watching Ye Lin.

"Speaking of which, the truly Immortal Aptitude cultivators he has actually seen are pitifully few; not to mention how many cultivators Yan Buji has encountered in five hundred years, but those who could display such top‑tier aptitude are either not yet grown or simply never seen."

"This is a scene he could never witness from the lower strata of the cultivation world; not to mention powers like Paolong Sacred Land, where would ordinary powers allow top‑tier aptitude disciples to freely go out and travel?"

This also left Yan Buji without a clear understanding of the true nature of the cultivation world, but in the Paolong Sacred Land, merely seeing and hearing—even though he was already prepared—still left him greatly shaken.