BTTH: Auto Cultivation System

Day faded into night, and night into dawn—thus, the world breathed anew beneath the morning light.

The entire city was bathed in a warm glow, as the quiet streets gradually turned lively with people awakening and going about their daily routines.

Amidst the growing bustle, three figures walked slowly through the streets, heading toward a large building made of white marble, its craftsmanship flawless and awe-inspiring.

Standing before the main gate were four vigilant guards, their expressions stern. Upon seeing the three figures approach, their postures straightened as they respectfully cupped their hands.

"Master Xiao Hua. Lady Fairy Doctor. Young Lady Zi Yan."

The trio nodded in acknowledgment. One of the guards promptly stepped forward and led them inside, where a high-ranking servant soon arrived to escort them to an elegant guest room, specially prepared for distinguished visitors.

The guest room was adorned with rare and luxurious materials—each piece worth thousands of gold coins if sold outside. A faint, soothing fragrance lingered in the air, calming the mind and adding to the room's refined atmosphere.

"This room isn't bad at all. Even the tea tastes good," Zi Yan said, enjoying the softness of the seat as she sipped the warm tea prepared by the servant.

After drinking tea brewed by the Little Fairy Doctor countless times, her palate had grown accustomed to high-grade tea leaves. Although this tea didn't quite match that level, she could still tell that the one who brewed it possessed considerable skill.

"Hehe, I'm glad you're enjoying the room, Zi Yan."

A melodious and enchanting laugh echoed in response to Zi Yan's comment. Moments later, the door gently opened, and two figures slowly stepped into the room.

One of them was an elderly man with his eyes closed and a kind smile on his face. He carried the air of a benevolent elder, yet the faint traces of strictness in his aged features subtly hinted at an underlying dignity.

The other figure was a bewitching young woman, clad in a flowing black dress adorned with intricate golden embellishments that shimmered with every subtle movement. Her crimson lips were full and temptingly luscious, exuding an irresistible charm that stirred a primal urge—one could hardly resist the impulse to taste their softness.

Her waist, a perfect hourglass, swayed with an enchanting grace, each motion a mesmerizing rhythm that seemed to beckon and tease. The dress hugged her curves tightly, cinched at the waist by a golden sash that accentuated her seductive silhouette.

From her hips, twin slits ran down either side of the dress, revealing tantalizing glimpses of her long, flawless legs. Wrapped in sheer black stockings that shimmered like mist, and elevated by sleek high heels, her legs seemed to dance between concealment and exposure, exuding a dangerous allure.

The air around her pulsed with overwhelming temptation—an intoxicating aura that clung to her like a second skin. With a single glance, she ensnared hearts, her very presence capable of stirring desire deep within the souls of countless men.

Xiao Hua smiled helplessly at the young woman, thinking to himself that her existence alone truly drive men to question their loyalty to their beloveds.

Rising to his feet, he greeted them with a faint smile. "Primer Tengshan. Sister Ya Fei. It seems I arrived a bit early and disturbed your meeting."

"Haha, not at all, Young Master Xiao Hua," Primer Tengshan laughed heartily, his head shook lightly. "Ya Fei had informed me of your visit, but I failed to make proper preparations. That's my shortcoming."

He paused briefly, his eyes carefully studying Xiao Hua. Even though the young man stood casually, an oppressive force seemed to radiate from him. No aura was released, no pressure emitted—yet the strength that lay beneath his calm surface was unmistakable.

'Such terrifying presence… and this is just his natural state. If he were to go all out, I doubt I could survive a single wave of his hand,' Primer Tengshan thought to himself, awe flashing in his eyes.

"Though I can't quite gauge your cultivation level, I can tell one thing for certain—Young Master Xiao Hua, you've grown even stronger." He nodded with a sincere smile.

"Haha, it was merely luck," Xiao Hua said with a faint smile, shaking his head as if his growing strength was nothing worth mentioning.

Primer Tengshan took it as humility, pleased that such a powerful young man brimming with talent remained modest rather than arrogant—such character was rare.

However, the three young women in the room knew better—they understood the true nature of the Qi Method Xiao Hua practiced.

To them, it wasn't just luck. It was his relentless perseverance and unshakable will that had brought him to where he stood today.

Without those qualities, surviving even the first trial of the Heavenly Judgement Lightning—let alone eight out of the nine—would be nothing more than an unattainable dream.

Ya Fei had heard the details of his harrowing experience from Little Fairy Doctor and Zi Yan. When she learned of his near-death experience during the eighth trial, her heart tightened in distress. Yet, she couldn't help but feel deep admiration for him.

Despite the agony and despair, he had never retreated. Instead, he faced the heavens head-on—and triumphed.

'Only someone with a heart as unyielding as stone could achieve what Xiao Hua has,' Ya Fei thought, a gentle smile curving her lips. 'As long as even a single thread of will remains, he will never fall.'

"Anyway, the medicinal ingredients needed to refine the 'Three Radiance Huang Advancement Pill' have already been prepared in the secret chamber. I hope we can begin the refinement soon," Primer Tengshan said, sensing the shift in atmosphere and quickly steering the conversation back on track.

"Of course. That's what I intended as well. Please lead the way," Xiao Hua nodded, smoothly going along with the change in subject.

"Then, please follow me."

Primer Tengshan turned and headed toward the secret chamber that had been specially prepared for the pill refinement.

Just before following him, Xiao Hua turned toward the Fairy Doctor with a gentle smile. "Well then, I have some work to do. Please keep an eye on Zi Yan—and don't let her eat too much."

"I understand. We'll wait here until you finish your task," Fairy Doctor replied with a soft smile, her expression gentle.

Xiao Hua then turned to Ya Fei, his eyes drifting toward the little girl in purple. "Sister Ya Fei, please don't spoil her too much. I'm afraid she'll clear out all the medicinal ingredients in your storage."

Ya Fei chuckled lightly at his teasing tone. "Don't worry, I've already witnessed her bottomless appetite. I'll make sure to keep a close watch if she even thinks of heading near the storage."

"Why are you all talking as if I'm not here?! Don't you people have any manners?!" Zi Yan huffed, crossing her arms in protest. Her cheeks puffed up in discontent as she pouted, feeling wronged by everyone's teasing.

Her sulky expression drew a round of soft laughter from Xiao Hua, Fairy Doctor, and Ya Fei. With a faint smile lingering on his lips, Xiao Hua finally turned and left the room, following Primer Tengshan toward the secret chamber.

...

"This is the entrance to the secret chamber we've prepared for your use," Primer Tengshan said, gesturing toward the heavy door ahead.

He paused for a moment and then pointed to a table beside the entrance. Resting atop it was a large pile of medicinal ingredients, each one exuding a faint medicinal fragrance. These ingredients were clearly not ordinary—they were all rare and precious treasures.

"These are the medicinal ingredients required to refine the 'Three Radiance Huang Advancement Pill.'"

Some of them, if placed on the auction stage, could easily fetch a minimum of five hundred thousand gold coins. And even at such a steep price, they remained rarely seen in the market.

After all, any knowledgeable merchant or collector would never casually auction off such rare herbs. They understood the value of saving them, especially for the day an alchemist might appear—someone in need of such rare ingredients—offering in return a trade that could far exceed mere gold.

Perhaps fearing the possibility of failure, Primer Tengshan had prepared at least two or more portions of each ingredient. Even the rare Monster Core of a Rank 6 Wood-Type Magical Beast was present in triplicate on the table.

Xiao Hua examined the ingredients carefully, inspecting each one for its age, quality, and medicinal potency. Not a single detail escaped his eyes.

When he confirmed that everything was in perfect condition, he gave a small nod of satisfaction. Then, lifting his gaze, he met Primer Tengshan's eyes—eyes that were watching him intently, filled with nervous anticipation.

He said with a faint smile and reassured tone, "There is no need to worry, Primer Tengshan. Everything is in perfect condition, with nothing being missing."

"That is good." Primer Tengshan sighed in relief.

Though he wasn't well-versed in the intricacies of alchemy, he understood one thing well: if even a single ingredient were flawed, it could plant seeds of doubt in an alchemist's heart—doubt that often led to failure during refinement.

With a wave of his hand, Xiao Hua stored all the medicinal ingredients into his storage ring. "Then, I shall begin the refinement of the 'Three Radiance Huang Advancement Pill.'"

"I understand," Primer Tengshan said with a nod, turning to open the door to the secret chamber. Xiao Hua followed closely behind him.

As they stepped through, a long, slightly dim corridor stretched before them. Once they had entered, the door behind them closed with a dull thud, and the sound of steady footsteps echoed briefly. Several guards had taken position behind the sealed door, ensuring absolute security during the refinement.

Xiao Hua walked alongside Primer Tengshan for some distance before they came to a stop before another door along the corridor.

With a gentle push, the door creaked open, and warm lamplight spilled out into the corridor. The room within was neat and pristine—clearly well-maintained through frequent cleaning. It exuded a quiet, focused atmosphere, making it an ideal environment for alchemical work.

Xiao Hua stepped inside, his gaze sweeping the room in a single glance, taking in every detail.

"Is this place suitable, Young Master Xiao Hua?" Primer Tengshan asked with a polite smile.

Seeing Xiao Hua respond with a silent nod of acknowledgment, he continued, "Since it meets your approval, please proceed with the pill refinement here. I'll stand guard in the corridor outside. Additionally, several elite guards will be stationed at the entrance to ensure no one approaches the chamber."

"During this time, you'll have the peace and quiet needed for your work. I guarantee there will be no interruptions," he added with confidence.

"Okay," Xiao Hua replied calmly, turning around to walk toward the center of the chamber.

Primer Tengshan then quietly exited the room, gently closing the door behind him. Taking a seat just outside, he remained vigilant, determined that nothing would disturb the young alchemist inside.

Inside the chamber, Xiao Hua sat cross-legged at the center of the room. From his body, two glowing orbs—one azure, the other crimson—floated outward and hovered before him.

Moments later, the figures of Lady Azure and Lady Xue Yue emerged from the glowing spheres. With a gentle motion of her hand, Lady Azure released a wave of shimmering energy that swiftly spread throughout the chamber.

A transparent veil of light flickered into existence before vanishing from sight—a powerful barrier had been formed, sealing off the room completely. No sound could escape, and no spiritual sense could penetrate within.

"Is this really necessary?" Xiao Hua raised a brow, sensing the strength of the barrier. It felt… a bit excessive.

"There are members of the Hall of Souls wandering about casually in the Jia Ma Empire. If they sense you're refining a pill, there's a chance they'll come and try to interfere with everything they've got," Lady Xue Yue responded, her tone is calm and cold.

"Even if the poison girl is a strong Dou Zong, she cannot block three of them, more so when she has to focused on the most powerful one." Lady Azure continued. "Meanwhile, your two cousins can stop one of them but who can stop the last one?"

"I'm sorry…"

Xiao Hua scratched his head awkwardly. He had completely forgotten about the Hall of Souls. To him, their strength no longer posed a threat. But that wasn't the case for the others.

Even though Lady Azure and Lady Xue Yue were by his side, he would have preferred not to reveal them unless absolutely necessary. Given the potential for interference, he had to admit that ensuring a flawless pill refinement would be difficult under such conditions.

"Then, I shall begin, Sister Azure." Xiao Hua's previously embarrassed expression turned solemn. Now aware of the potential dangers involved, he knew he had to approach this pill refinement with the utmost caution.

Lady Azure and Lady Xue Yue both nodded and silently stepped back, positioning themselves at either side of the chamber. They extended their spiritual senses across Wu Tan City, carefully monitoring for any movements from the Hall of Souls or other threats that might attempt to disturbed Xiao Hua.

Naturally, they also sent a warning to Little Fairy Doctor and Zi Yan, prompting the two girls to immediately become serious.

Upon receiving the message, Little Fairy Doctor promptly transmitted the news to Xiao Tao and Xiao Yang, informing them that Xiao Hua was in the midst of refining a crucial pill. She instructed them to be on guard and to ensure that no third party with ill intentions came near the Primer Family's residence.

Receiving the warning, Xiao Tao and Xiao Yang quickly made their preparations, ready to rush to the Primer Family residence at a moment's notice.

...

Xiao Hua extended both hands and slowly brought them together. As he separated them, five distinct flames burst forth—each a different color: golden-green, crystal-blue, deep-purple, light-orange, and emerald-green.

Bang!

The moment the flames emerged, they flared up violently. In an instant, they surged above Xiao Hua's head like a swirling cloud of multicolored fire. The five flames, each possessing a unique temperament, began to drift apart, separating into individual fire clouds that hovered five meters away from one another.

Then, each flame cloud began to twist and condense, taking on new shapes. Within moments, they had transformed into exquisite medicinal cauldrons—more than twenty in total—each forged entirely from five different Primordial Heavenly Flame that have merge with Heavenly Lightning. Their forms shimmered like illusions, yet emanated terrifying heat and stable energy.

"No matter how many times I witness it, the 'Extreme Fire Cauldron' technique remains astonishing. It demands control beyond perfection—absolute mastery over flame. The spiritual strength required to maintain it, and the finesse to manipulate it... it's nothing short of extraordinary. Only by surpassing every limit can one reach this level."

Lady Xue Yue murmured in awe, her eyes fixed on the spectacle before her.

"And he's not using ordinary flames. Each of those is a Primordial Heavenly Flame—more violent and untamable than twenty Heavenly Flames combined. Yet he's controlling five of them at once, forming over twenty fire cauldrons with flawless precision."

Lady Azure added with a faint smile, her emerald eyes glowing with pride.

"That's true. At this point, even if he were to obtain another Heavenly Flame, he could likely wield it flawlessly… without making a single mistake," Lady Xue Yue said with a nod, agreeing with Lady Azure's words.

Lady Azure let out a soft chuckle. "Hehe, it seems our little brother has truly become a monster in the art of alchemy."

"Oh?" Lady Xue Yue raised an eyebrow, her gaze landing playfully on Lady Azure. "Even more skilled than you, Sister Azure?"

Lady Azure paused, considering for a moment, before shaking her head slightly. "He's still a step behind me… but not by much. I can already see him surpassing me in the near future. Perhaps once he learns Spiritual Arrays from you, he may even surpass you in that domain as well."

As Xiao Hua continued executing the 'Extreme Fire Cauldron' technique, the two ladies stood in silent admiration, their eyes filled with affection and pride.

His unparalleled control over flame and Spiritual Strength was a spectacle to behold—an art that could only be achieved through relentless pursuit and unwavering discipline.

Just as their conversation settled, Xiao Hua flicked his sleeve. The medicinal ingredients stored within his storage ring shot out in a graceful arc, each one landing precisely within its designated fire cauldron.

In an instant, more than twenty precious herbs began to react to the flames, the pill refinement process entering its first stage.

As each medicinal ingredient entered the fire-formed cauldrons, the dense flames devoured them like hungry wolves pouncing on their prey. In mere moments, the herbs began to wither rapidly under the intense heat.

However, despite the flames' ferocity, they did not reduce the ingredients to ash. Under Xiao Hua's frighteningly precise control over both flame and temperature, the process remained perfectly calculated. The herbs withered gradually, allowing their medicinal essence to seep out, forming rich medicinal liquids. At the same time, the Wood-Affinity Magical Beast Core slowly broke down, turning into fine green powder.

If any of the so-called Alchemy Gurus were to witness this level of control—both in flame manipulation and Spiritual Strength—they would undoubtedly be shaken to their core. Even with centuries of experience in alchemy, many of them would be unable to match what this young man had achieved.

And yet, Xiao Hua—who had not even reached twenty years of age—was already operating at a level that could leave seasoned alchemists in awe. It wouldn't be surprising if some of them cast aside their pride and dignity, rushing forward just for the chance to become his disciple.

As time passed, the repeated refining and steady extraction of essence caused the medicinal ingredients to turn into withered, grey husks, while the monster core was fully ground into fine powder—all within the span of two hours.

Naturally, a few of the medicinal liquids resisted the process. However, upon realizing the cauldrons were forged from powerful flames and there was no escape, their rampaging nature was swiftly subdued within mere seconds.

Once stabilized, the flames rose steadily beneath the medicinal liquids, unleashing a searing heat. In an instant, the surface of each liquid began to boil, producing countless tiny bubbles.

As the bubbles formed, wisps of faint, greyish smoke drifted upward—these were the impurities hidden within the essence. To refine a high-quality medicinal pill, these impurities had to be thoroughly expelled. If even a trace remained, it could disrupt the pill formation, or worse, cause a complete failure during condensation.

Ordinarily, purging impurities from common ingredients could take more than ten minutes. Yet with the might of the Primordial Heavenly Flames, even the most stubborn contaminants were incinerated with ease. The entire purification process concluded in less than five minutes.

Once completed, the medicinal liquids took on a clearer, glossier appearance. Their surfaces rounded slightly, and their colors grew more transparent. If one looked closely, they could even see delicate bubbles churning within—evidence of the immense energy and purity now contained in each drop.

With the refinement stage completed, Xiao Hua moved on to the next phase—the merging process. This step was, without a doubt, the most arduous and perilous part of the entire pill refinement.

To proceed, he had to carefully merge the fire-forged medicinal cauldrons in a precise sequence. However, this was no easy feat. Each cauldron was formed from different heavenly flames, and thus carried its own elemental nature. The moment two cauldrons were brought close, intense resistance surged between them.

If he attempted to merge them forcefully or lost control even for an instant, the cauldrons could clash violently. Such a collision would trigger a chain reaction—cauldrons rampaging, flames colliding, and in the worst case, an explosive backlash that would destroy all the ingredients in an instant.

For that reason, he had to exercise the utmost caution, controlling each flame and cauldron with absolute precision. It was a delicate dance—like taming wild beasts and coaxing them into harmony.

Fortunately, with his deep understanding and refined control, Xiao Hua managed the process flawlessly. His hands weaved through complex gestures as one by one, the medicinal cauldrons merged. Not a single tremor occurred. No energy leaked, and no instability was sensed.

The merging took half an hour. When it was complete, only a single grand cauldron remained, composed of five distinct heavenly flames swirling together. It glowed with an elegant brilliance, its fiery hues gracefully shifting between gold, blue, purple, orange, and green—a breathtaking sight that resembled a divine artifact.

Within its depths, a brown-hued embryonic pill slowly began to take form.

The moment it appeared, the energy within the chamber stirred violently. It was as though a boulder had been cast into a serene lake—the calm shattered, and invisible ripples spread outward in every direction.

Xiao Hua's expression remained calm and unwavering, his mind fully focused on the changes occurring within the medicinal cauldron. At this critical juncture, even the slightest distraction could lead to failure.

As time flowed steadily, the irregularly shaped, brown-hued embryonic pill slowly began to take on a spherical form. A radiant glow emerged from within, gradually transforming the pill's color into a harmonious blend of red, green, and blue.

The moment the pill began to emit its luminous glow, powerful ripples of energy surged outward from the cauldron, spreading in all directions like waves upon a turbulent sea. The unrelenting momentum was both wild and awe-inspiring.

Xiao Hua narrowed his eyes and quickly changed his hand seal. In response, the five flames blazed magnificently for an instant before the chaotic energy began to subside. Soon, the raging commotion calmed and was sealed entirely within the cauldron.

Though the fluctuations did not vanish, they were now trapped inside the cauldron's confines. Even as the radiant tricolor glow grew more intense, not a trace of energy leaked into the chamber.

The red, green, and blue light repeatedly shrank and expanded, pulsing like a heart preparing for something monumental. Despite the increasingly violent energy within, not a single ripple escaped—the cauldron held everything firmly in check.

The glowing light continued to pulse at a rapid pace, as if brewing a final transformation. After several tense minutes, the light suddenly condensed into a tiny, concentrated point.

Xiao Hua's expression grew even more solemn than before. The glow had shrunk so abruptly—he knew this was the final moment. One wrong move now, and everything would be lost.

The glowing spot of condensed light lingered for several more minutes before it suddenly expanded, surging outward in a brilliant eruption. The radiant tri-colored light—red, green, and blue—quickly flooded the entire chamber.

Bang!

With a flick of his hand, Xiao Hua opened the lid of the fire-forged medicinal cauldron. In that instant, a pillar of light, twenty feet thick and composed of red, green, and blue brilliance, shot straight into the sky from within the cauldron.

"It seems… it's nearly complete." Lady Azure's gaze remained fixed on the spectacle, her expression calm and composed.

"The Protectors of the Hall of Souls are observing… but they show no signs of making a move," Lady Xue Yue added, her eyes shifting slightly to the side. Her spiritual perception extended more than twenty kilometers beyond Wu Tan City.

There, in the distant void, two black fogs drifted quietly—sinister and mysterious. The aura they gave off was chilling. These two figures were none other than Protectors of the Hall of Souls. The third, she noted, remained unmoving within the Misty Cloud Sect.

"Perhaps they are unwilling to reveal themselves before their plans are fully in place," Lady Azure said, her gaze following the direction of Lady Xue Yue's line of sight. "For now, they merely observe, lurking in the shadows."

"Regardless, it's a relief. We needn't worry about Xiao Hua being disturbed at this crucial moment," she added softly.

With a wave of her hand, Lady Azure dispersed the energy veil that had sealed the chamber. There was no longer a need to conceal the fluctuations—especially now that a radiant pillar had already erupted into the clouds, impossible to hide.

Turning her attention back to the young man at the heart of it all, Lady Azure's emerald eyes softened. A proud and joyous smile graced her lips. At this moment, her heart swelled with pride—witnessing just how far Xiao Hua had risen.

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