BTTH : Emperor Yang

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**

Xiao Yan and Yao Lao had left.

They returned to prepare for the Three-Year Agreement that would take place in a few days.

Beneath the eaves, Wei Yang sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, eyes closed in meditation, forming seals with his hands. However, he wasn't cultivating Dou Qi—instead, his brows were slightly furrowed.

At this moment, he was cultivating the Nine-Refinement Heavenly Soul Technique.

This was Wei Yang's first time cultivating a soul technique.

Within the vast space of his Sea of Consciousness, a thick mist pervaded the air, casting everything into a dim gloom.

In the depths of that space, a soul form dressed in a black robe embroidered with golden patterns sat cross-legged. Its appearance was identical to Wei Yang's, and it too formed hand seals, immersed in cultivation.

As the cultivation progressed, the entire soul body quivered slightly, as if undergoing some kind of tempering.

At the same time, with each inhale and exhale of the soul, faintly glowing specks—mysterious light particles imperceptible to the naked eye—drifted through the surrounding fog. These particles carried a dim and subtle wave of spiritual fluctuation, as though they had fallen from the depths of the endless void. Eventually, they encircled Wei Yang's soul and slowly merged into it, being absorbed.

"Hmm?" A slight tingling pain caused Wei Yang's brow to furrow faintly.

The cultivation of the Nine-Refinement Heavenly Soul Technique was not something that could be achieved overnight. It required years of persistence and accumulation before a qualitative transformation could occur.

It was like a piece of stubborn iron—only after countless strikes and refinements could it become tempered steel.

And while tempering the soul, a stinging pain would accompany the process. This pain wasn't intense, but it was constant, lingering throughout the soul cultivation.

"According to the method's description and the notes Yao Lao left behind, this is the sensation of the First Refinement. The Nine-Refinement Heavenly Soul Technique consists of nine refinements, and with each stage, the pain one experiences during soul tempering increases exponentially."

"The pain of the first refinement is like needle pricks... but by the time it reaches the ninth refinement, the pain will surge to the extreme—akin to the pain of childbirth!"

Wei Yang couldn't help but take in a sharp breath.

The pain of childbirth was widely considered the most excruciating pain known to man.

Just thinking about the future—how every session of cultivation during the ninth refinement would be accompanied by such agony—made Wei Yang's scalp tingle slightly.

"Right now, the pain from the First Refinement is like tiny needles piercing the flesh, but the effects are indeed remarkable. I've only just begun cultivation, and already I can feel my soul power slowly but steadily increasing, approaching the threshold. Though the progress is slow, it is constant—an accumulation bit by bit!"

"With my current soul power, I might not even need to complete all three refinements. Just finishing the First Refinement might be enough for me to break through to the Spirit Realm."

"However… I mustn't rush the breakthrough. I need to suppress it and wait until all three refinements are complete before breaking through in one go!" Wei Yang thought to himself.

This was a process of laying a solid foundation and accumulating deep reserves. Naturally, Wei Yang wouldn't hastily break through to the Spirit Realm, but instead aimed to accumulate as much as possible during the Mortal Realm, forging an incredibly firm and stable base.

His soul foundation was already far thicker than most, extraordinary by nature. His Sea of Consciousness was much more expansive than that of a typical peak Mortal Realm cultivator.

Now, by accumulating even more and breaking through only after the Third Refinement, his future soul foundation would surely be terrifyingly strong.

"Let's begin."

Wei Yang took a deep breath, a trace of anticipation flashing in his eyes. He steadied his mind and devoted himself fully to the cultivation of the First Refinement.

As the cultivation continued, the pain within his soul gradually intensified—slowly but steadily increasing.

At the same time, those dim, soul-imbued specks of light—whose origin was unknown, as if silently emerging from the depths of the endless void—were continuously absorbed and devoured by Wei Yang's soul.

Gradually, deep within his soul's origin, faint waves of spiritual fluctuation began to emerge.

This was a process of accumulation, one that would eventually lead to a complete qualitative transformation.

Dusk.

In the sky, the setting sun leaned westward.

The red light stained the clouds, dyeing the heavens in a crimson hue, as though the sky itself had been set ablaze.

The courtyard, too, was bathed in a red glow.

Hoo~

Wei Yang slowly opened his eyes, ending his day of cultivation. He exhaled a long breath of turbid air.

"So this… is what they call soul essence?" Wei Yang murmured softly.

He could clearly feel that within the depths of his soul—at its very core—there was now a faint wave of spiritual fluctuation.

This… was the secret of the Spirit Realm soul.

Compared to a Mortal Realm soul, it was a fundamental difference in essence!

Just like the difference between a beast flame and a Heavenly Flame—worlds apart.

Soul essence!

And now, Wei Yang's soul had already begun to give birth to a faint trace of soul essence.

He was not far from a complete qualitative transformation—from achieving a soul of the Spirit Realm.

"Because of the strength of my foundational soul, the First Refinement is rather easy for me. In less than a day, I've already completed more than half of the cultivation… At this rate, the First Refinement should be complete in no more than three days!"

Wei Yang smiled. "Second Refinement, Third Refinement—it shouldn't be difficult either. My soul is already at the peak of the Mortal Realm. Maybe within a month, I can fully complete the three refinements… and step into the Spirit Realm!"

A trace of joy surged in Wei Yang's heart.

The legendary Spirit Realm...

It was within reach!

Hmm?

Just as Wei Yang was immersed in anticipation, a slender, snow-white hand, delicate as jade, suddenly appeared before his eyes, gently swaying.

"Hehe, Brother Yang, what are you daydreaming about?" A pleasant laugh echoed beside his ear.

Wei Yang's eyes slowly refocused. As he returned to his senses, what met his gaze was Xian'er's beautiful, fair face—smiling sweetly at him.

He couldn't help but chuckle. Reaching out, he pulled Xian'er's soft and fragrant body into his arms and lowered his head to plant a light kiss on her rosy lips.

Xian'er giggled, her eyes crescent-shaped with delight. She allowed Wei Yang's playful gesture without resistance and even snuggled a little closer, finding a more comfortable position as she leaned against his chest affectionately.

It wasn't until a moment later...

That she, slightly breathless, gently pressed down on Wei Yang's increasingly restless and mischievous hand, murmuring, "Stop messing around—be serious for once. Someone's here to see you."

"Who is it now?" Wei Yang's tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction.

Xian'er grinned and tilted her head, gesturing toward the courtyard entrance with her chin. "It's Elder Jia. He came at noon. I saw you were cultivating, so I didn't disturb you. He's been waiting outside for over half the day."

Wei Yang let out a casual "Oh." "Why's he here looking for me?"

"No idea. He didn't say." Xian'er shook her head and stood up from Wei Yang's embrace, straightening her slightly messy clothes while giving him a playful glare.

Wei Yang gave a cheeky laugh.

"You're awful," Xian'er pouted softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Then she asked, "Do you want to see him?"

Wei Yang clicked his tongue helplessly. "Might as well."

"Then I'll go let him in." Xian'er chuckled lightly, turning with a fragrant breeze and skipping away with graceful steps.

"Where's Qing Lin?" Wei Yang called out to her back.

"She went off wandering around the trading district."

"Mr. Wei."

Jia Xingtian, dressed in a plain hemp robe, stepped into the courtyard with a wide smile and greeted him.

"Elder Jia." Wei Yang nodded, motioning for him to sit. He picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for the old man.

Jia Xingtian sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, received the tea with a word of thanks, took a sip, and praised the quality of the brew.

"What brings Elder Jia here?" Wei Yang got straight to the point.

Jia Xingtian set down the teacup and cupped his hands respectfully. "I came to request a Tier 6 pill."

"What pill?" Wei Yang's brows lifted slightly.

"The Mixed Bone Molding Pill!"

"The Mixed Bone Molding Pill?" Wei Yang murmured the name softly.

In his heart, he already understood—this pill was likely intended for that Serene Sea Scaly Beast.

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