Chapter 131: Cause and Effect

In contrast to the others, Chu Tian’s expression grew even more somber as the humming sound resonated.

After landing slowly, he remained silent. His eyes, faintly bloodshot, were fixed intently on the Alchemical Tower before him.

*Who on earth is this person?*

*To break four of my records in succession—the level of alchemical mastery required for such a feat is impossible for anyone from this tiny Xianlin Sect to possess!*

*Perhaps this is connected to that earlier feeling of heart-palpitating dread!*

"Ding! The Child of Destiny’s state of mind has been damaged. Destiny Value reduced by 300. Extra reward for the Host: 3,000 Destiny Points."

As the system’s voice rang out, Li Changsheng, situated far above in the sky, arched a brow and shifted his focus. As the River of Oblivion faintly manifested behind him, a thread of causality leading directly to the Alchemical Tower emerged.

"Break it immediately."

A profound glint flashed in his eyes as Li Changsheng commanded silently. A faint light flickered along the illusory thread of causality before it gradually faded from sight.

*Hum…*

Almost the moment Li Changsheng’s command was issued, the deep, heavy humming that resonated throughout the entire Xianlin Sect rang out once more!

As the green light on the fifth floor of the Alchemical Tower blazed, the disciples who had previously returned to their seclusion broke out of their meditation once again!

This was highly unusual!

They exchanged glances, all seeing the gravity in each other's eyes. After a brief pause, they rushed toward the scene!

By now, Chu Tian’s expression was incredibly dark. If someone had broken his record by coincidence, that would be one thing, but to shatter multiple levels in a row? Did this not imply that his own Alchemical Demon body was inferior to a mere human?

As this thought crossed his mind, a wave of killing intent began to rise in Chu Tian’s heart.

*Those who humiliate me must not be allowed to live…*

"Ding! The Child of Destiny’s state of mind has been damaged. Destiny Value reduced by 200. Extra reward for the Host: 2,000 Destiny Points."

The system’s voice echoed again. Li Changsheng’s expression remained unchanged, though his gaze, fixed on Chu Tian below, grew increasingly deep.

*This boy has already stirred up murderous intent…*

"How much longer?" Li Changsheng asked calmly via telepathy.

The current situation had already shocked the disciples to their core. What Li Changsheng wanted next was an even greater shock! Only by escalating the shock could he further provoke Chu Tian!

"Rep… reporting to Master…"

"If it were at the Nascent Soul stage, I would… I could break through everything in twenty breaths," Xiao Tianding replied, his voice weak and intermittent. Clearly, reaching this level with his current cultivation was already pushing his limits.

"I grant you the Spirit Refining cultivation. Five breaths."

Li Changsheng did not hesitate. As he transmitted the message, the River of Oblivion behind him trembled. In the blink of an eye, it channeled a surge of incredibly pure spiritual energy into the Alchemical Tower!

At the same time!

*Hum… Hum… Hum…*

Several heavy, resonating booms rang out in rapid succession! Within a mere three breaths, three more levels lit up!

*BOOM!*

Immediately following, the entire Alchemical Tower shook violently! A deafening, explosive roar erupted, blasting into everyone’s ears! Simultaneously, the ninth floor of the tower glowed with a blinding white light as nine distinct colors swirled and converged within it!

*Dong…*

As a melodious bell chime resonated faintly within everyone’s souls, the entire Xianlin Sect was instantly enveloped by a strange, ethereal force!

"This is… the Resonance of the Alchemical Tower!!"

"Only those who have reached the pinnacle of alchemy and herbology can trigger the Resonance of the Alchemical Tower!!!"

"Just what level has this person’s mastery of herbs reached?!"

The surrounding crowd stared in horror, their voices filled with shock. Some were even left completely stunned, standing frozen in place, utterly bewildered!

Even in Chu Tian’s eyes, a thick layer of shock appeared! He himself was an alchemical pill granted form; his alchemical attainments were formidable. Yet, a mere human had reached a pinnacle of mastery that even he found difficult to touch!

With this thought, Chu Tian’s expression grew even more ominous, and the killing intent in his heart became incredibly intense!

"Ding! The Host’s servant has shocked the crowd. Reward: 5,000 Destiny Points."

"Ding! The Child of Destiny’s state of mind is twisted. Destiny Value reduced by 600. Extra reward for the Host: 6,000 Destiny Points."

*You want to make a move?*

*Then I shall give you the opportunity.*

Li Changsheng’s eyes flickered with depth, and the corner of his mouth curled into a cold sneer. As the River of Oblivion behind him trembled, he withdrew the cultivation he had granted, and the light on the causal thread vanished. In a single instant, Xiao Tianding withered.

*Force the Saint Son of Xianlin to kill you.*

As a sense of confusion flickered in his eyes, Li Changsheng’s telepathic command echoed in his mind. After a brief start, Xiao Tianding quickly masked his expression.

*Divine thoughts are not to be speculated upon; the Master must have his reasons.*

With this thought, Xiao Tianding sighed inwardly, his eyes showing disdain. *A mere brat—even if I stood here and let him strike, could he kill me?*

About ten breaths later, the pitch-black Alchemical Tower trembled, and the figure of a refined young man slowly emerged from within. This was none other than Xiao Tianding, having changed his appearance.

"This person is so young!"

"Is… is this truly him?"

The crowd’s expressions shifted again upon noticing Xiao Tianding. He looked far too young! Yet his alchemical mastery was so formidable! It was truly difficult for them to accept!

"The Saint Son’s attainments are nothing more than mediocre."

"Not to mention these herbs in the tower, even the alchemy of the Alchemical Sect can be easily crushed by me."

Xiao Tianding naturally sensed the crowd's reaction; he looked proud, his eyes filled with disdain. As his voice sounded out calmly, he looked down at Chu Tian from above.

"In the way of alchemy, the capable are the teachers. Junior Brother Chu, why don’t you come and kowtow to acknowledge me as your master?"

"Do you think that with your inferior aptitude, you can advance any further in alchemy?"

"In the future, follow by my side—pour tea, fetch water, and run errands."

"If I am in a good mood, I might even give you a few pointers so you don't continue to embarrass yourself with such subpar skills."

Xiao Tianding’s expression remained dismissive, his voice calm and composed. To him, crushing a small fry like Chu Tian in the way of alchemy was effortless. And, of course, that was exactly what he believed. The attainments of the number one alchemist of the Qingling Realm were not something an ordinary person could compare to!

Even if the Saint Son of Xianlin had a mysterious background, so what? In the ancient era of Qingling, alchemy flourished. There were countless legends who became gods or demons through alchemy! He himself had obtained three separate alchemical legacies! With centuries of alchemical accumulation, guiding a brat under twenty was a simple task.

The surrounding crowd remained silent, their expressions complex. In the cultivation world, the strong were respected, and this was doubly true in the path of alchemy. Although this man was arrogant, he had the capital to be so!

"You really are… utterly shameless!"

Chu Tian, however, sneered. As blood vessels faintly spread across his eyes, his somber expression gradually revealed a hint of madness.

"I, the Saint Son, have obtained the legacy of the Ancient Alchemical God!"

"Only after much contemplation did I achieve what I have!"

"It must be you, you despicable villain, who found a loophole in the Alchemical Tower!"

"If you have the ability, show your alchemy furnace! Let us refine pills right here and see who is better!"

Chu Tian’s eyes burned with anger, his voice raspy. His alchemical attainments were supreme; how could he lose in the tiny Xianlin Sect? It must be that this lowly person had cheated! Otherwise, how could he have surpassed him?

"Junior brother, you truly are stubborn."

"Know that there are heavens above heavens and mountains beyond mountains. Such narrow-minded behavior is truly nauseating."

"To make progress in alchemy, one must have a humble heart. Your conduct is of the lowest grade."

"Your aptitude is not worth utilizing, and I, as your senior, offer you kind advice, yet you are so unappreciative."

"It is truly laughable!"

"You are not suited for alchemy. Waste your own cultivation!"

Xiao Tianding looked regretful, his expression one of helplessness. As he spoke, the disdain in his eyes deepened. After his reprimand, he flicked his sleeves and began to walk away.

"Stop!"

But before he had taken two steps, he was halted by Chu Tian’s shout!

*Is he going to attack?*

Xiao Tianding’s heart stirred; he glanced back with cold eyes.

"I am not worthy of alchemy?"

Chu Tian’s eyes were filled with spreading bloodshot veins, and his voice trembled slightly. He had practiced alchemy for ten thousand years, becoming a god of the path. Now, he was being told he was unworthy by a mere Golden Core cultivator? In his life, everyone who met him had to address him as the Alchemy Immortal. How dared this person humiliate him so?

*Simply unforgivable! Lowly scum! You are courting death!!*

"If I am not worthy, then what exactly are you?"

With a voice bordering on madness, Chu Tian’s eyes turned rapidly black, revealing a cold indifference in their depths. As a violent aura filled the space around him, wisps of black energy swirled about! That was… demonic nature!!

"I said you are unworthy, so you are unworthy."

"What, do you want to kill me?"

Xiao Tianding’s expression remained unchanged as he insulted him once more. Inwardly, however, he felt a moment of hesitation. With his keen perception, he could see the strangeness of Chu Tian’s current state—he was even trending toward demonic transformation! Coupled with his own current Golden Core cultivation, if the two of them really fought… he would definitely be slaughtered!!

*But I cannot show fear right now!!*

Reflecting on this, Xiao Tianding felt a pang of heartache. His eyes, looking up at the sky, revealed a hint of sorrow.

*Master… is doing this really okay…*

"Go to hell!"

Chu Tian, unable to endure any longer, flashed with murderous intent. His figure shot forward like an arrow released from its bow! Both were at the Golden Core stage, so their clash was naturally swift! In a mere dozen breaths, they had exchanged dozens of blows! Chu Tian relied on the combat experience of his past life, while Xiao Tianding possessed the spell comprehension of an ancient realm cultivator! For a time, they were evenly matched.

"You lowly scum, you really surprise me!"

"It is time to send you on your way!"

Suddenly, Chu Tian’s eyes glinted coldly, his raspy voice echoing! An extreme, violent aura surged from his body, and a multitude of bizarre patterns emerged on his skin! They were a deep, dark purple, incredibly eerie! The moment these patterns formed, the violent aura around him seemed to reach its peak! Endless black energy churned as a monstrous demonic aura erupted!

With a flicker, he lunged at the youth into whom Xiao Tianding had transformed!

"As a Saint Son, you actually practice demonic arts!"

"It is truly nauseating!"

Xiao Tianding did not show weakness. As bloodshot veins filled his eyes, the spiritual energy in his body surged! With the peak Golden Core aura erupting, he met him with a punch!

Their attacks collided, but it was Xiao Tianding who was blasted away by the force!

"Die!"

Chu Tian’s eyes were filled with killing intent; he grinned. Taking a step forward, he closed the distance again!

"You monster!! Stop!!"

At this moment, the many elders present looked on in horror and shouted! They quickly began forming hand seals to intervene! It was unimaginable that the dignified Saint Son of Xianlin practiced evil demonic arts!!

"Scram!"

Chu Tian no longer looked human. His hair danced without wind. Scarlet-purple light flashed in his eyes, and strange dark purple patterns covered his entire body. Coupled with his black-energy-shrouded form, he was a chilling sight! With a cold shout, he waved his hand, and the black energy around him instantly condensed into a black longsword, slashing toward the many elders! The aura emitted by the longsword was faintly comparable to the Spirit Refining stage!!

*Pfft…*

Following this, Chu Tian spat out a mouthful of blood, his face turning pale. It was clear that the cost of executing this technique was immense for him! But the effect was also obvious!

"Shatter for me!!"

The strongest among the elders were only at the late Nascent Soul stage; how could they block such a terrifying technique? They unleashed their own auras and cast seals, throwing them toward the black longsword!

*Bang! Bang-bang!*

But the moment they made contact, they were shattered into pieces with muffled explosions!

"Ah!!"

At that moment, one elder was touched by the black energy! A scream tore through the sky as his entire body instantly dissolved into blood! The remaining elders scattered in terror! Even those only grazed by the shockwaves suffered heavy injuries!

"Now, it is your turn!"

Sensing the miserable state of the others, Chu Tian’s coldness did not diminish. He sneered, and as his violent aura surged, the black energy swept toward Xiao Tianding!

"You wretch! You wretch!!"

"Despicable and shameless!!!"

Xiao Tianding was startled. The sight of the black energy turning a Nascent Soul elder into blood was too frightening. Now that he was locked in by that same energy, a strong sense of life-and-death crisis rose in his heart! Filled with resentment and screaming in agony, he turned and fled toward the distance!

"You cannot run."

Watching Xiao Tianding’s fleeing figure, Chu Tian sneered. With a wave of his hand, the black energy chased after Xiao Tianding at high speed!

Just then, a cool breeze drifted by, and Chu Tian felt a tightening in his heart! This wind was not ordinary!

"Have you finally revealed yourself?"

Suddenly, a woman’s voice sounded faintly behind Chu Tian. Looking back, he saw a woman with a voluptuous figure and a cold expression—she had appeared behind him without him even noticing!

This person was none other than Liu Ruyan!!

What shocked Chu Tian was not just the appearance of Liu Ruyan, but her current cultivation level. To his perception, it felt like a vast, deep sea!! It even resonated faintly with the power of heaven and earth!!

This was the aura that only a Void Spirit cultivator could possess!!

Liu Ruyan had actually become a Void Spirit!!!

"You…"

Chu Tian suppressed the horror in his heart, his voice trembling. The surrounding crowd was even more stunned and baffled! They could not see through her, nor did they know what a Void Spirit was. They only knew that Liu Ruyan’s current aura was too terrifying! It made anyone who sensed it feel an involuntary surge of fear! It was the awe of the weak toward the strong! They were afraid of Liu Ruyan’s change—it was beyond reason and truly incomprehensible!

"Kneel and await your death."

Before Chu Tian could say anything, Liu Ruyan’s lips parted slightly, and her calm voice echoed. As she waved her hand down lightly, Chu Tian felt a massive force suddenly envelop him!

*BOOM!!!*

Immediately following, a deafening crash exploded! Under this massive force, Chu Tian was instantly pinned to the ground! He could not move an inch!