Back at the Mu Clan-
The atmosphere had pletely changed.
If previously it had felt like a quiet lockdown-
Now, it was a fortress.
Sealed and impenetrable.
No outsiders were allowed entry.
Not even those with extremely close relationships to the Mu Clan.
Everything was shut out.
The reason was obvious.
The entire Mu Clan Elders had thrown themselves into studying the recipes. given by Bai Zihan.
All focused on a single goal.
Seventh Grade Pills!
A realm they had been unable to reach for generations.
Naturally, such a moment could not tolerate any disturbance.
Secrecy became absolute.
Even the formations surrounding the clan were reinforced multiple times over. Nothing was left to chance.
To outsiders-
This behavior was strange and suspicious.
Even unsettling.
The Mu Clan already had the Bai Clan as its backer.
With Bai Tianheng's growing power, there were few forces in the region bold enough to provoke them.
And yet, they had chosen to isolate themselves pletely.
Speculations began to spread.
Some believed the Mu Clan had offended a powerful force beyond the Empire.
Others thought they were preparing for an impending conflict with a great
sect.
A few even whispered about internal turmoil.
But inside the Mu Clan-
No one cared.
They had no time to.
pared to what they were pursuing, rumors were meaningless.
The outside world was almost irrelevant.
Right now, what they were doing would change their Empire!
Inside a heavily reinforced alchemy chamber-
Silence reigned!
An elder sat before the furnace.
His name was Mu Tianxuan, Mu Yuelan's father and Bai Zihan's grandfather.
His hair had long turned white.
His aura was deep, steady, yet stagnant.
Mu Tianxuan was the Mu Clan's best alchemist and the one who had the highest chance of success at refining Grade-7 pill, which was why he was the first to attempt.
Every Elders were present, wanting to witness what might be the history that would be told for generations to e.
Mu Tianxuan took a deep breath.
For hundreds of years, he had remained at Peak Grade-6 Alchemist.
Unable to take that final step.
Until today.
Before him-
Flames danced with precision.
Controlled.
Refined.
Every movement of his was flawless.
Around him, the other elders stood in silence as they watched.
Not a single one dared to speak.
Among the ten Seventh Grade recipes, Mu Tianxuan chose the simplest one.
After all, it was their first time refining a Grade-7 pill, and choosing the easiest one was the wisest choice.
While this was the easiest pill to refine, even so, it was still a Seventh Grade pill.
A grade none of them had ever tried to refine.
Time passed slowly.
Each step progressed carefully.
Every phase was executed with extreme caution.
No one blinked.
No one relaxed.
Even breathing seemed heavier.
Until the final step arrived.
Mu Tianxuan easily handled that part as well and finished refining the pill.
Many were excited, thinking that they had finally refined a Grade-7 pill.
"I knew Master Mu Tianxuan-no, it should be Grandmaster Mu Tianxuan now -could do it."
"As expected of the best alchemist in the Mu Clan. Success on the first attempt." "Looks like we are going to rise! Grandpa will bee the first Seventh Grade Alchemist of the Desolate Heaven Empire!"
Everyone thought that Mu Tianxuan had succeeded and that they now had
someone in their ranks who could be called Grandmaster.
But then a faint tremor ran through the furnace.
The flames surged slightly.
The elder's expression tightened.
Then it happened.
The sky above the Mu Clan shifted.
Dark clouds began to gather.
Slowly at first, then rapidly.
A heavy pressure descended.
The kind that made one's heart sink.
The elders' expressions changed instantly.
Pill Tribulation!
For a moment, some of them were stunned.
As if they had forgotten such a thing even existed.
After all, none of them had ever refined a Seventh Grade pill before.
This was their first time witnessing it.
But reality did not wait for them to process.
The clouds thickened.
Lightning flickered faintly within.
Even with the formations activated-
Even with layers upon layers of concealment-
It was impossible to hide.
This was not something that could be suppressed pletely.
Not something that could be concealed.
They knew well that others would see this, but could only pray that none of
them could recognize what it was.
But how could that be possible?
One or two might not recognize it, but among so many people, there would
surely be a few-perhaps several-who could.
***
And outside-
In the shadows surrounding the Mu Clan-
Figures moved.
Hidden observers.
Spies from various clans and sects.
They had been watching for days, waiting.
The moment the sky changed, their expressions shifted drastically.
They immediately began recording everything.
Sending messages.
Reporting back.
Some were confused.
Others uncertain.
But-
Not all.
A few recognized it instantly.
Their pupils shrank.
Their breathing quickened.
Pill Tribulation!
Seventh Grade Pills and above were the only ones that could summon such a
phenomenon.
Without hesitation-
They transmitted the information back to their respective forces.
Absolutely Urgent!
Because they all understood what this meant.
The Mu Clan was attempting to refine a Grade-7 pill-a realm none had been
able to touch in the Desolate Heaven Empire.
***
Inside the alchemy chamber-
The moment the tribulation clouds formed-
Mu Qingyuan's expression changed.
His voice rang out instantly.
"Block it!" There was no hesitation.
Because everyone present understood-
If the Pill Tribulation was not stopped-
It wouldn't just destroy the pill.
It could also injure-
Or even kill-
The alchemist refined it.
The next moment-
The elders moved. In perfect coordination.
Layer after layer of defensive treasures was thrown out.
Barrier talismans ignited. Protective arrays activated. Spiritual shields overlapped one another.
Forming a dense wall above the furnace.
BOOM! The first bolt of lightning struck.
Violent.
Fierce.
Carrying the will of the heavens.
It slammed directly into the defenses.
The entire chamber trembled. But it held.
The elders' expressions tightened.
Spiritual energy surged as they reinforced the barriers.
Then-
Another strike!
BOOM!
And another!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The tribulation descended relentlessly.
Each bolt stronger than the last. But the Mu Clan was prepared. With so many Peak Grade-6 Alchemists present-
With their accumulated wealth of defensive treasures-
They endured it.
Blocked it.
Again and again.
The lightning roared. The chamber shook.
But the furnace remained intact.
The elder at its center- Unmoving. Focused to the extreme. Finally- After what felt like an eternity-
The tribulation began to weaken. The clouds thinned.
The lightning faded.
Until-
Silence returned.
The sky cleared. The pressure vanished.
The Pill Tribulation....
Had passed. For a brief moment-
No one moved.
Then-
Every gaze turned toward the furnace.
Eyes burning.
Hearts pounding.
Anticipation surging. Because now-
All that remained-
Was the result. Their very first- Seventh Grade Pill!
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