"Oh, you're not a disciple of the Pill King Pavilion? Then where did you get this Emperor Yan's Ruyi Scepter?" the elderly Emperor Yan asked, somewhat surprised.

Yuan Ming hesitated; to explain the origin of this scepter would require him to reveal that he comes from the Abyss.

The Abyss seemed like a very special place, and unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want others to know that he came from there.

"Never mind, if you don't want to say, there's no need to force it. The fact that you've obtained this scepter suggests some affinity with me and the Pill King Pavilion. Even as a Loose Cultivator, you are eligible to inherit the legacy of the Pill King Pavilion. But before that, there's something I need to clarify. You have Demonic Qi inside you, and your physical training shows characteristics of the Demon Clan. What is your relationship with the Three Realms Sect and the Demon World?" the elderly Emperor Yan asked in a deep voice, his tone carrying a hint of murderous intent.

Yuan Ming suddenly felt a chill, as if he had been thrown stark naked into a frosty world, with everything exposed before this cadaver.

His mind raced, and he quickly said, "I have absolutely no connection with the Three Realms Sect or the Demon World. The Demonic Qi inside me is due to an old body refining cultivation technique from the Demon World I once acquired and practiced."

The elderly Emperor Yan said nothing, raising his right hand adorned with a ring inlaid with a white gemstone.

A streak of red light flashed across the white gemstone and quickly vanished.

"It seems you are still somewhat honest, and haven't lied," nodded the elderly Emperor Yan, throwing the Emperor Yan's Ruyi Scepter back.

Yuan Ming urgently collected the scepter, unable to resist glancing at the gemstone ring. This thing seemed capable of sensing the truth of people's words, clearly a treasure for Soul Cultivators.

"The Demon Cultivators of the Three Realms Sect destroyed my sect and killed my disciples. The Pill King Pavilion and they are sworn enemies, so it's not impossible to learn some methods of the Demon Clan. Only by knowing oneself and one's opponent can victory be achieved!" said the elderly Emperor Yan.

"Yes," Yuan Ming responded.

"We've spoken enough idle words; it's time to get down to business. The Pill King Pavilion's inheritance is here. The first item of inheritance is this Complete Heaven Exquisite Tripod. It contains twelve types of Earth Fire, and in addition to being a top-grade alchemy furnace for refining elixirs, it is also a top-tier Spiritual Treasure. The twelve kinds of Earth Fire contained within it have immense power when wielded. As for the second item of inheritance, it's this Pill King Secret Manual, an Alchemy Treasure Book passed down through the Pill King Pavilion, containing Dan Recipes painstakingly collected by our sect, as well as the elixir refining insights of alchemy masters throughout the ages," the elderly Emperor Yan pointed to the redwood table and said.

Hearing that, Yuan Ming's eyes burned as he looked at the two items on the table, eager to step forward and take them. For character sheets and glossaries, visit *.

A red-gold flame shot out from the Complete Heaven Exquisite Tripod, transforming into a Red Gold Fire Whip. It swept past in front of Yuan Ming, leaving a charred deep mark on the ground.

Yuan Ming was startled, hastily withdrawing his foot, and looked towards the elderly Emperor Yan.

"The Pill King Pavilion bears the responsibility of passing down the Alchemy Dao in the Chuyun Realm, and these two treasures are of inestimable value. Do you think you can just take them so easily?" the elderly Emperor Yan chuckled faintly.

"What do you plan to do, sir?" Yuan Ming asked, bowing his hands in courtesy.

"I observe that although you're not an alchemist, your Divine Soul is exceptionally strong, and your control over Flame Power is quite adept, showing good potential for alchemy. I'll give you a chance. I have here two trials; if you pass one, you can take one treasure, but if you pass both, you can inherit all the Pill King Pavilion's legacy," the elderly Emperor Yan stated.

"Please, sir, set the trials," Yuan Ming suppressed his enthusiasm and said with cupped fists.

"The first trial is your Fire Manipulation Technique. Pass this trial, and you can take the Complete Heaven Exquisite Tripod," the elderly Emperor Yan said.

As soon as his words fell, the Complete Heaven Exquisite Tripod on the table suddenly wobbled and floated into the air.

Before Yuan Ming could prepare, a scarlet light suddenly shone upon the tripod, and a Red Fire Python leaped out, charging straight at Yuan Ming.

Yuan Ming immediately felt a scorching wave of fire surging toward him and subconsciously prepared to ward it off with his palm.

But realizing that the test was of his Fire Manipulation Technique, he quickly adjusted, withdrawing his force and transitioning from offense to defense. He activated the Zhu Rong Heart Technique, and a gentle red glow poured from his palm, weaving an expansive net that enveloped the Red Fire Python.

After being wrapped in mana, the Fire Python instantly dispersed with a "poof," turning into a blaze that scattered in all directions.

Yuan Ming focused his gaze and activated the Zhu Rong Heart Technique with all his might to control the dispersing Fire Python.

However, the blaze transformed from the Fire Python contained terrifying Flame Power, and fiercely resisted, like wild beasts charging in all directions.

"Damn it!" Yuan Ming cursed quietly, pushing the Zhu Rong Heart Technique to its limits, barely restraining the scattered flames.

He exhaled a surge of Red Wind, wrapping around the flames, using the wind to guide the fire, causing it to gather once more into a single entity and reform into a Fire Python.

Continuing to operate the Zhu Rong Heart Technique, the Fire Python swiftly became docile, revolving around him ceaselessly under the guidance of the wind and the bonds of mana, as if it was tamed.

Yuan Ming glanced toward the cadaver, as if asking if he had passed the test.

However, apart from the Soul Fire flickering in the sunken eye sockets, the cadaver conveyed no message at all.

At that moment, an orange-red light lit up again on the Complete Heaven Exquisite Tripod hanging in the void, and a Fire Python darted out, charging towards Yuan Ming.

Yuan Ming saw this and with one hand guided the Red Fire Python, using the Zhu Rong Heart Technique to guide the orange-red Fire Python once more.

But as that orange-red Fire Python gradually approached, just as it was about to be enveloped by his mana, it suddenly turned and crashed into the Red Fire Python.

With the sound of flames soaring, the orange-red Fire Python burrowed into the body of the Red Fire Python, and their flames fused, quickly becoming one.

Their merged form still appeared fiery red, with no change in shape, but the fine snake scales on their surface began to transform into large patches of fish scales.

In an instant, when covered in fish scales, the flames on its body surged, temperature sharply rising, and the power contained within also doubled.

Yuan Ming's controlling and restricting mana was instantly broken, and the Zhu Rong Heart Technique lost its effect.

The Red Fire Python immediately became uncontrollable, its mouth wide open, lunging to bite Yuan Ming.

Without moving a muscle, Yuan Ming stepped back, suddenly raising his hands, the Zhu Rong Heart Technique's red light doubling in his palms to withstand the Fire Python's impact. After a brief stalemate, he instantly controlled his mana to cover the Fire Python's entire body.

Once his mana wrapped around it, Yuan Ming exhaled the Red Wind, guiding it with the force of the wind.

However, this time it had no effect.

After the two Fire Pythons merged, they unleashed far greater power than before, their flames fiercely surging, directly burning through Yuan Ming's Red Wind and exhaling a scorching Fire Breath towards him.

Seeing this, Yuan Ming was not flustered. He struck out with one palm, dispersing the Fire Breath, then both palms simultaneously reached out, grasping in the void, forming two large red mana-condensed hands that clamped down at both ends of the Fire Python.

He then manipulated his hands to knead and twist, and the two red hands played with the Fire Python, soon subduing it.

But just before Yuan Ming could rejoice, three rays of light suddenly lit up simultaneously on the Complete Heaven Exquisite Tripod, and a Golden Fire Python, a Green Flame Fire Python, and a Bright Blue Fire Python consecutively shot out from the tripod, charging towards Yuan Ming.

Seeing this, Yuan Ming frowned, quickly grasping both hands, twisting the Red Fire Python into a large fireball, intending to subdue and control it before dealing with the newly emerged two Fire Pythons.

Unexpectedly, when the three Fire Pythons flew in mid-air, they approached each other and directly fused into a Golden Fire Flood Dragon with dragon horns, though lacking scales and dragon claws, it already displayed its majesty, emanating an aura more powerful than the Red Fire Python in his hand.

The temperature in the hall rapidly soared due to the presence of these two Fire Pythons, with a suffocating burnt sensation spreading.

Helpless, Yuan Ming's mana surged and boiled, one hand gripping the Red Fire Python tightly, the other reaching out with a claw towards the Golden Fire Flood Dragon.

In the void, a large red hand tightly grasped the body of the Golden Fire Flood Dragon, which struggled fiercely, its flames surged, the intense heat scorching the red hand, with the mana contained within rapidly depleting.

Yuan Ming was secretly shocked. Just three Fire Pythons merging had such power. If all five merged into one, it would become even harder to handle.

If only dispersing these Fire Pythons would suffice, it would be fine, but the test focused on his Fire Control Power. If he simply and brutally annihilated these Fire Pythons, it would likely be deemed a failure.

At that moment, nothing would be gained, it would not be worth it.

Thinking this, he gradually increased the force in his hands, and unleashed his mana without reservation.

The red hand suppressing the Golden Fire Flood Dragon began to enlarge rapidly. Once it enveloped the entire Flood Dragon, it started to forcibly contract, continuously compressing its body, forcing it to curl and shrink.

"You've learned the Zhu Rong Heart Technique of the Zhu Rong Sect? Unfortunately, your skills are lacking, relying only on brute force; Fire Manipulation Technique is nothing noteworthy." Emperor Yan's slightly disappointed voice echoed.

"Senior, haven't I failed yet?" Yuan Ming defiantly responded.

As long as the Fire Python has not gone out of control and he hasn't destroyed it, this test has not yet failed.

"Constantly suppressing will only invite stronger resistance, you won't be able to hold out for long." Emperor Yan shook his head and said.

Just as Yuan Ming was feeling indignant, his eye twitched.

He saw another glow on the Complete Heaven Exquisite Tripod, as a Blue Fire Python and a Purple Flame Fire Python simultaneously shot out, moving incredibly fast, giving Yuan Ming no chance to control them, as they plunged into the body of the Golden Fire Flood Dragon.

The Golden Fire Flood Dragon, upon absorbing these two Fire Pythons, instantly grew four sturdy Flood Dragon claws, its aura soared abruptly, and the flames on its body burned through the large hand formed by Yuan Ming's mana, breaking free.