Chapter 120: with translation of chapter title

Underground, he again felt that surge of vital energy from Jiang Yuan, and once again opened his eyes!

He knew, the time had come.

Although his cultivation had been abolished, he could no longer sense the Star‑Observing Mountain.

But he did not hesitate; he resolutely decided to act according to the plan they had previously agreed upon.

Coincidentally, Feng Yimo, Zhao Qingshan, Zhuge Yun, Mr. Huayuan, Mr. Tao and the others had not given up anything just because they wore shackles; they were quietly cultivating themselves, waiting for the opportunity.

They were not part of Jiang Yuan and Shen Qingli's plan, but from the moment the Star‑Observing Mountain appeared, they and Ji Wanxing had already agreed to use the Star‑Observing Mountain to rescue the Heavenly Star Patriarch and break free from the Primordial Yuan Sect.

This is their crisis, and also their opportunity!

They would absolutely not accept any overtures from the Primordial Yuan Sect half‑heartedly; those were merely sugar‑coated shells meant to undermine, slaughter them, and yet gain control of the Star‑Observing Mountain.

"I'm just afraid it will implicate little A Li."

This was their sole concern when they decided to act today.

After all, this was a public setting, and Shen Qingli was present; she would certainly not stand by and do nothing.

If they succeeded then, everyone would naturally be delighted; but if they failed! The little girl who got dragged in would likely be implicated.

However, Ji Wanxing had already said back then that he would make the decision! If it would truly implicate Shen Qingli, he would rather halt everything and wait for the right moment.

Although the opportunity must not be missed, implicating the innocent—especially the little disciple they had just taken in—was simply unacceptable.

The Heavenly Star lineage never sacrifices the life of any innocent when making decisions.

Even if sacrificing that innocent could bring life and hope to the whole group.

That is still not allowed, no matter who the person is, what their cultivation level is, or what their status is.

Now——

Those who remained silent also did not ask each other anything further, nor discuss anything.

They handed over all decision‑making authority to the only one who could move freely outside, Ji Wanxing; when he acts, they will immediately cooperate!

After all, at this very moment they are under strict surveillance and absolutely cannot have any whispered discussions.

So they waited one day, then another……

"The divine medicine is indeed hard to refine; it's just a single leaf, and it hasn't been tempered yet."

Someone was whispering about Shen Qingli's progress, which was practically nonexistent.

But Ge Chongrui could see that the Fusang divine leaf was about to be refined, yet he was very worried about Shen Qingli's medicinal cauldron.

Two days have passed; even the finest cauldron, if it is not a divine cauldron, is nearing its limit.

"Young Master Shen's cauldron seems to be a material from the Xuanti Continent, from that Mount Xuan over there."

"There won't be any strange—

Before the word "special" could even be spoken, everyone heard a crisp "crack" sound, the source of which was Shen Qingli's Nine‑Heaven Mystic Cauldron.

"Ha!" the Cave Heaven Elder almost laughed out loud, "Indeed it cracked! Everyone, quickly help me protect the other junior alchemists, so they aren't affected by Shen Qingli's exploding cauldron.

"What a pity, the divine medicine…" many people felt regret.

But under the summons of the Cave Heaven Elder, the judges had already joined forces around Shen Qingli to erect a strong protective barrier, in order to shield the other alchemists.

However, an hour passed, then half a day passed!

They never waited for Shen Qingli's cauldron to explode; instead they waited for the Fusang divine leaf to be refined.

"Drip."

A drop of pure medicinal liquid fell into the cauldron.

"Hum!"

Vigorous vitality!

Overbearing medicinal power exploded forth!

"Crack!"

The "splitting" sound of the Nine‑Heaven Mystic Cauldron grew louder.

But it not only did not split, it also concealed the divine medicine's vitality and power entirely inside the cauldron.

"What's going on?" one judge wondered, puzzled.

The Cave Heaven Elder stared fixedly at Shen Qingli!

And Di Jin also spoke, "First, let me declare: whoever dares to move my sister, I will make him wish he were dead. Also, don't forget that the little cat beside her is called Jiu Li—not every iron‑eating beast can be called Jiu Li. The leader of the Demonic Sect surely wouldn't be unaware of that, would he?"

Being named for the first time, the usually low‑key Mo Jun was stunned! Because he really didn't know; he only knew that he must never let anyone else in the sect see the sect's first rule.

"It seems you really don't know." Di Jin chuckled, "No wonder your Demonic Sect has shown no movement at all."

"What do you mean, sir?" the old monster beside Mo Jun asked.

Mo Jun felt a hidden tension; to conceal the sect's first rule, he had not even sent word to the previous few generations of Demonic Sect leaders, only informing those elders, and even deceived them by saying that the earlier sect masters seemed to have some insight and could not leave seclusion.

Right now, he fears that this odd little fellow Di Jin will expose his anxiety.

But Di Jin didn't say anything, "It appears your sect has severed the Chisheng lineage."

As soon as those words were spoken, all the members of the Demonic Sect present changed expression!

Because this is true, but it also indirectly indicates——

Jiu Li, to them the Demonic Sect, is of extraordinary significance.

"Please, sir, impart your wisdom." the Demonic Sect elder did not hesitate to ask.

"Why should I impart wisdom? You've all bullied my sister.

In any case, having given the warning, Di Jin believes these words are enough for the Demonic Sect to think things over clearly.

Ji Bai, however, immediately sent a mental transmission to Mo Jun: "Kid, don't be intimidated by him; we just need to follow the plan."

Mo Jun gave Ji Bai a subtle look, indicating assent, but——

The Demonic Sect elder kept staring at Jiu Li; the latter, sensing his overly scorching gaze, gritted his teeth.

This old monster suddenly asked, "Xiao Jun, how did the powerhouses of my Demonic Sect die back then in the Su Nv Sect?"

Mo Jun stared, astonished. How else could they die? No, something really seems off! The powerhouses of their Demonic Sect seemed to die without even lifting a hand.

"Perhaps..." Mo Jun thought of that sect rule again. "Grandmaster Uncle, please hold the fort here; I, the junior, will return to the sect." He had to make sure! Perhaps this sect rule can no longer be concealed.

As he left, Ji Bai frowned slightly.

Meanwhile, Shen Qingli's pill cauldron had not exploded yet.

But the Fusang Divine Leaf had already completely turned into pure medicinal liquid, which entered the cauldron.

"Is it about to form a pill?" someone exclaimed in surprise!

All the examiners had already risen to their feet, and the protective barrier surrounding Shen Qingli had not been withdrawn.

But now, they are protecting Shen Qingli from disturbance!

The divine medicine has been refined, which of course means it is about to become a pill! After all, the hardest part is already over.

The Cave Heaven Ancestor, however, kept pouring cold water on it, saying, "This cauldron is extraordinary, but fusing the pill requires tremendous heat! Can it hold up?"

"Fuse!"

Shen Qingli, with a thought of her divine sense, was indeed urging on the great heat.

She was also using the Vermilion Bird's Blazing Flame to draw forth the Earth Core Fire.

Yet the divine power of the Vermilion Bird's Blazing Flame, after entering the Earth Core Fire, was repeatedly weakened during its long journey to the earth's core by a platinum-colored light and a layer of mysterious seal……

This seems secondary; what has everyone's full attention is still Shen Qingli's medicine cauldron and the divine medicine within it! If—

If she truly can refine an Ascendant Spirit Pill, then she is not merely the lifeblood of all those old monsters; she is also the deity who guides them to ascension!

"The fire level is insufficient!"

The Cave Heaven Ancestor, however, suddenly said.

As the foremost alchemist of the Cave Heaven Realm, he indeed has professional discernment.

Shen Qingli could also feel that the fire level was insufficient—not enough to nurture the divine medicine into a pill, nor enough to break through the layers of seals and trigger the Earth Core Fire!

She could have summoned the divine dragon.

But she could also sense that Xiao Bai, although already advanced to dragonhood, was still in a crucial pearl-transforming stage.

Moreover, if this divine dragon Xiao Bai were to emerge, although it could help her trigger the Earth Core Fire, it could not help her nurture the divine medicine into a pill.

But she cannot afford to lose.

Even if the Primordial Origin Sect is highly likely to break its promise, the Ascendant Spirit Pill itself is sufficient guarantee that they must keep their word.

Once the pill is formed, all those old monsters seeking ascension will depend on her! They will surely make the Primordial Origin Sect keep its promise.

"Then let it come."

Shen Qingli suddenly spoke.

The people were startled, not knowing what she meant by those words.

Shen Qingli, however, had already drawn the scorching power into her dantian, thoroughly merging it with her bones and blood.

She had not done this before, fearing it would destroy her hidden meridians, which are one of her greatest trump cards.

But now……

Taking into account its previous regret.

Shen Qingli decided to trust that it would not harm her.

Thus, at the very moment the Vermilion Bird's divine power entered Shen Qingli's dantian!

"Hum!"

A Vermilion Bird-shaped mark clearly appeared on Shen Qingli's forehead.

"Bang!"

The power within the vermilion scroll fully revived, a continuous golden radiance shot out from the Primordial Origin Peak, piercing the clouds and splitting the sky, straight into the divine realm, taking residence in the Vermilion Bird Divine Palace.

At that instant, Zhong Minglan opened her eyes, and golden light before her eyes took the shape of Shen Qingli.

The Vermilion Bird Divine Seal, representing the inheritance of the Vermilion Bird bloodline, shone brightly on Shen Qingli's brow.

It was exactly the same as the Vermilion Bird Divine Seal on Zhong Minglan's forehead.