World's No. 1 Swordsman-Chapter 404: The Glazed Pure-Flame Pill

The lightning slowly faded. On the ground of the electric pool, a charred being twitched a few times. A layer of blackened skin cracked open and began to peel away.

Spiritless slowly drifted over from the side. Yaoyun stood on its tip, frowning down at the dark, human-shaped lump of charcoal. She hummed softly, in thought.

The "charcoal" soon coughed, spitting out a mouthful of black powder.

Wang Sheng breathed heavily and trembled. The remaining black skin crumbled apart, revealing a new skin layer that shimmered faintly. He looked a little more handsome than before, too.

It had to have been an illusion...

Wang Sheng instinctively sat up and looked down at his completely carbonized trousers. With practiced ease, he reached into the pendant wrapped around his finger, pulled out a pair of camouflage pants, and put them on without even the slightest hesitation. He had no reason to be embarrassed before his sword spirit. Not only the secrets of his body, but even the secrets of his heart had long been laid bare before her.

"Want to continue?" Yaoyun asked leisurely.

Wang Sheng immediately shook his head, then exhaled slowly. "Doing something too much is as bad as doing it too little. Let me rest for a bit. Has my senior sister woken up yet?"

Yaoyun smiled. "Not yet. You stayed in the Dream Realm for over a year. She's only been there for four months. It'll be some time before she wakes."

"Four months..." Wang Sheng looked down at his hand and clenched it lightly. Wisps of lightning still flickered across his arm.

"How does my Dao Body compare to Tribulation Realm cultivators?"

After a moment's thought, Yaoyun replied, "It's hard to tell. Your Dao Body is now almost as durable as a treasured artifact capable of withstanding lightning bolts. I can't help but wonder how much of a threat your heavenly tribulation at the Tribulation Realm will be to you."

He smiled faintly. That was precisely the result he had wanted.

Wang Sheng didn't know about the detailed classifications of heavenly tribulations and dared not think too deeply about them. He feared that the moment he started pondering, heavenly might would descend upon him again.

According to the Palace of Heavenly Punishment's tier list, he could now withstand the punitive lightning tribulation that fell on heavenly Ascended Immortal Realm soldiers, which were meant to punish, not kill.

If so, then his Dao Body should already be as strong as that of Ascended Immortal Realm cultivators. His resistance to lightning tribulation was even more outstanding. He was even confident that he could fight Grand Immortal-Ascension Realm cultivators who specialized in lightning techniques now. Though a powerful physique didn't directly strengthen the Heavenly Ziwei Sword Intent, it allowed Wang Sheng to fight fearlessly in close combat.

He was currently at the middle stage of the Rebirth Realm, and he was still slowly metamorphosing. Within him, the first trace of immortal spirit had already formed within his Nascent Soul, merging further with his Dao Body. His physique still had room to grow.

After some thought, Wang Sheng raised his head. "I'll return to my senior sister and enter seclusion. I promised her I would wait outside, and I can't go back on my word."

Yaoyun just snorted softly in response. She flew to the side and deactivated the array that powered the Palace of Heavenly Punishment.

Before returning to the Platform of Immortal Dream, Yaoyun took him to the Pavilion of Pills, the Small Immortal Realm's treasury.

The Cultivation Research Institute currently produced over ten million alchemical pills every year, but most were of ordinary grade and had limited effects. The Medicine God Valley occasionally released some treasure-grade pills, but only in small quantities. Moreover, most were meant for healing.

Meanwhile, the Pavilion of Pills was full of celestial-grade pills. They were categorized into four main types: healing, cultivation advancement, immortal power restoration, and temporary combat enhancement. There were hundreds of specialized subtypes, too.

A cultivator could immediately enjoy three benefits upon reaching the Small Immortal Realm in the Moon Palace. They would gain access to true cultivation techniques; celestial-grade pills from the Pavilion of Pills; and the Platform of Immortal Dreams, where one could cultivate for a hundred thousand years in a dream.

If one felt filial, they could visit the Palace of Immortals, which their forefathers once inhabited, to offer incense and pay their respects. If they had a special need to have lightning strike them, like Wang Sheng, they could visit the Palace of Heavenly Punishment. They were guaranteed to leave feeling thoroughly refreshed and invigorated.

Cultivators who had reached the Ascended Immortal Realm and became True Immortals could enter even more sacred grounds within the Small Immortal Realm, like the Ascending Immortal Hall, where newly ascended immortals could deepen their comprehension of their Dao; and the Palace of Immortal Combat, where they could get personal protective artifacts.

Though mere remnants of the Heavenly Court's vast resources and legacy, they were all exceptionally useful.

When they arrived at the Pavilion of Pills, Wang Sheng looked up at the enormous wooden structure, which was as tall as a mountain. He couldn't help but sigh. "This entire place is filled with pills?"

"The celestial pills in my Qiankun Ring are of far higher grade than those here," Yaoyun replied calmly. "Your cultivation is still too shallow for you to take them out, though."

Wang Sheng smiled. "Mm."

He sheathed Spiritless, while Yaoyun stood on his shoulder. Together, they headed to the grand entrance, which was like the gates of a great city.

"Are there any rules for obtaining pills here?" he asked.

Yaoyun softly answered, "Heavenly soldiers normally received a fixed quota each year according to their rank. If they were injured, immortals delivered healing pills to them. If they wished to advance their cultivation, they could trade their battle merits for pills here."

"That's surprisingly reasonable." Wang Sheng chuckled, then frowned slightly. "Wait, I'm not a heavenly soldier. How do I receive mine?"

Yaoyun just smiled.

After climbing hundreds of steps, Wang Sheng finally reached the front of the great palace. Spiritual light gathered from all around, forming an elderly woman leaning on a cane.

She slowly bowed and, in an ancient tone, greeted, "Welcome, Your Highness."

Yaoyun nodded slightly and told Wang Sheng, "The Pavilion of Pills' spirit is stronger than those of other palaces since she oversees countless celestial pills. Her spiritual intelligence is also more complete."

Wang Sheng smiled, his eyes narrowing with delight.

Finally, a department where Yaoyun can still enjoy special privileges!

"Rise. I am no longer among the living and exist only as a sword spirit. This man is my sword master," Yaoyun said. "Wherever he goes, I go. Handle all matters as you see fit."

"Understood," the old woman replied softly. She then straightened up and bowed again to Wang Sheng.

Wang Sheng was not one to be overly polite. Calmly, he accepted the bow. "You may rise. I don't have the airs of a prince."

Smiling kindly, the old woman stood upright. She looked hesitant, unsure how to address Wang Sheng.

'Immortal'? But this young man is clearly only at the Rebirth Realm, and he's not even forty years old yet. 'General' doesn't fit since he doesn't have a rank in the Heavenly Court. 'Imperial Son-in-Law' definitely isn't right either, is it?

Finally, she gently greeted, "Lord Sword Master, please take any celestial pills you wish. However, many of them are extraordinarily potent and are only useful to those who have reached the Ascended Immortal Realm."

Her wording was tactful, but she had made it clear enough.

"These pills are not to be taken recklessly. Your small mortal body might end up exploding," Yaoyun warned.

Wang Sheng coughed twice. Yaoyun returned to Spiritless, leaving him to converse with the pavilion spirit.

The old woman invited him in, and Wang Sheng stepped forward. As the great hall glowed with misty immortal light, soft, ethereal music played. Inside, he found rows of massive wooden shelves, each a hundred meters tall. In them were countless delicate cauldrons, each likely an immortal treasure used to store pills.

Wang Sheng had long acknowledged his lack of worldly knowledge. Still, seeing this endless sea of celestial pills made him realize just how little he truly knew.

"Lord Sword Master, what sort of pills do you seek?" the old woman asked warmly.

"I'd like some pills for healing and enchanted-power restoration. Perhaps a few with more special effects, too."

"How many of the first two types?"

Wang Sheng thought for a moment. "Give me as many healing and restorative pills as you can."

Smiling, the pavilion spirit nodded. With a wave of her hand, two nearby cauldrons opened, and countless crystalline pills floated out. A golden and a silver porcelain bottle flew over, each collecting half of the pills.

Wang Sheng, who simply watched from the side, soon found himself with six hundred celestial pills from the Heavenly Court—half for healing and the other half for restoring enchanted power.

"Does that suffice, Lord Sword Master?"

"It does," Wang Sheng replied solemnly. "I face strong opponents rather often. I'll return for more when I run out."

The old woman looked slightly worried, but she just faithfully performed her duty instead of prying further. Spirits of palaces and pavilions like her were akin to librarians. They possessed little fighting ability and simply tended to their domains.

"What kind of special pills are you looking for?"

After a moment of hesitation, Wang Sheng answered, "I have a close friend. Though born as a fox fiend, she is pure and kind. She followed masters of both the immortal and Buddhist sects a thousand years ago, cultivating diligently.

Unfortunately, due to certain matters of the heart, she fell into devilry and had to be sealed. Still, she never harmed the innocent or committed true crimes. I'd like to have pills that can purify her devilish seed."

The old woman thought deeply for a while. She then nodded. "Please wait here, Lord Sword Master. I'll go search for some. Pills that cleanse devilish seeds are quite rare. Because of the Heavenly Court's rules, heavenly soldiers and generals usually kill cultivators with devilish seeds on sight.

"Still, many immortals have refined strange pills using peculiar materials and left them here in the Pavilion of Pills. Some of them might have the effect you seek. May I ask about your friend's cultivation realm?"

"She's already reached the Grand Immortal-Ascension Realm, but she can only use as much power as a Tribulation Realm cultivator. Otherwise, her devilish seed will possess her."

"I see. Please wait here for a while, Lord Sword Master. I shall return."

The old lady summoned a futon and a small table. Once Wang Sheng had thanked her and sat down, she dissolved into threads of immortal light.

Soon, she called out, "Do you require any other uncommon pills, Lord Sword Master?"

"Yes." Wang Sheng paused, then casually added, "I also need pills that improve vitality. Make sure their medicinal force is gentle. That should be all for now."

"Please wait a moment, Lord Sword Master. I will fetch them."

Wang Sheng smiled and nodded.

If even celestial pills couldn't restore Shi Qianzhang's overly yin-weakened body, then there was truly nothing more he could do.