"Three years, huh..."
Upon hearing this, Su Min paused for a moment before giving a few simple instructions. She then stepped through the spatial passage and returned to East Mulberry Island.
After all, their main territory was still in the East Mulberry Province. This place was more like an outpost—expansion wasn't a priority. Thanks to Su Min's reputation, they had always maintained a harmonious relationship with the Ancient Mansion Holy City.
Currently, their sect was severely lacking in Nascent Soul cultivators, but it wasn't a critical issue. Once her identity as a sixth-rank alchemist spread across the world, Nascent Soul and even Divine Transformation cultivators would come knocking.
After all, there were always lucky casual cultivators who managed to obtain sealing crystals. Whether these people were trustworthy remained a question, but Su Min had plenty of options. Right now, her most urgent task was to seek out the Azure Dragon King and inquire about the Weak Water.
Because hidden within it was the Northern Water's Profound Origin—a divine water she absolutely had to obtain. However, the moment she stepped into the East Mulberry Province, Su Min froze. The aura of the little Golden Crow had grown even more formidable than before. The Fusang Divine Tree, which had been stored away, now stood tall between heaven and earth once more.
"The Fusang Divine Tree truly is an inexhaustible treasure. The old Golden Crow went to great lengths for his child."
Su Min knew that the little Golden Crow had inherited the full bloodline power of its predecessor. Though the old Golden Crow had perished before the Great Cataclysm for unknown reasons, he had left behind the most precious gift for his child—the essence of the Fusang Divine Tree.
It contained an extremely pure energy. As long as the little Golden Crow continued absorbing and refining it, her cultivation would advance unhindered. In just a few years, she had already reached the middle stage of Spirit Transformation and was still in secluded cultivation.
No wonder Kong Hui had confidently declared that as long as the little Golden Crow was present, the Future Bliss Mountain wouldn't dare launch a full-scale attack.
"Moreover, the little Golden Crow seems to have undergone a special transformation due to the Yin-Yang Blood. Her potential might be even higher now."
Muttering to herself, Su Min decided not to disturb the little Golden Crow's seclusion. For Divine Transformation cultivators—especially divine beasts like her—secluded cultivation could last for extremely long periods. After all, even within the same realm, the difference in lifespan between them and ordinary cultivators was vast. There was no comparison.
(Though, of course, none of them would outlive Su Min.)
Since the little Golden Crow was still in seclusion, Su Min saw no reason to interrupt. Instead, she headed straight for the Dragon Palace to find the Azure Dragon King.
Currently, both the Peacock King and the Azure Dragon King spent most of their time in a half-slumbering state. They had their own inherited legacies—though not as impressive as the little Golden Crow's, they were still extraordinary. After the little Golden Crow's emergence, the two had also entered a semi-secluded state.
Under such circumstances, even Su Min wouldn't disturb them unnecessarily.
"You've come."
Since Su Min wasn't adept in water-based techniques, her movements underwater were quite noticeable. Combined with the fact that she made no effort to conceal herself, the Azure Dragon King quickly sensed her arrival.
"Indeed. What about the Weak Water?"
"It's here, but the Weak Water will only converge three years from now. At your current mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, entering it would be extremely dangerous."
"No matter. I've had some fortuitous gains this time."
With a flick of her wrist, a massive Eastern Azure Wood materialized within the Dragon Palace.
The Azure Dragon King was momentarily stunned. Divine woods like this could absorb and store the essence of heaven and earth, which could then be directly transferred to the user—provided they didn't overuse it.
Seeing the sheer size of the Eastern Azure Wood, the Azure Dragon King immediately understood Su Min's confidence. He nodded and said no more.
"For this trip into the Weak Water, you cannot bring the little Golden Crow. As an extreme fire divine beast, her presence could trigger massive disturbances. The combined power of the Sun True Fire and the Fusang Divine Tree might even disrupt the flow of the Weak Water itself."
"I know."
Truthfully, Su Min had never planned to bring the little Golden Crow in the first place. She was the sect's stabilizing force. Su Min didn't want to return only to find the entire sect in ruins.
Who knew how long this seclusion would take? Back when she refined the Eastern Azure Wood, it had taken over a decade—and that was just for the essence, without any additional energy.
After a brief exchange, Su Min turned to leave. The Azure Dragon King was still in seclusion, and by the time she returned from the Weak Water, he might have already stepped into the Divine Transformation stage. Regardless of his combat prowess, his rapid progress was enviable.
"Only three years left. It's hard to make any substantial improvements in such a short time."
After leaving the Dragon King's abode, Su Min rubbed her temples in frustration. Three years was nothing more than a blink of an eye for her. Unless she stumbled upon a special opportunity, breaking through was nearly impossible.
But special opportunities weren't so easy to come by.
"I should focus on stabilizing my alchemy realm first—at least prepare the Divine Transformation Pill."
A gleam flashed in Su Min's eyes. The Divine Transformation Pill was a necessary breakthrough elixir. Though she was still far from the Divine Transformation stage, it never hurt to be prepared.
Soon, she returned to her small courtyard within the sect. The alchemy cauldron she had "borrowed" from the Great Thunder Temple reappeared, and blazing flames flickered within the room.
Su Min had now entered seclusion to refine the Divine Transformation Pill. As for the Nascent Soul Pills she had previously concocted, she had already handed them over to the sect.
"Yingying left in such a hurry… It must be a significant opportunity—one only the Lunar Sovereign Body can harness. Sigh..."
Though she muttered complaints, her hands never stopped moving. Dozens of ingredients entered the cauldron one after another, their medicinal properties meticulously extracted. Her techniques alone would leave fifth-rank alchemists spellbound.
While Su Min focused on pill refinement, the Buddhist Water-Land Dharma Assembly reached its conclusion. Spectators returned to their respective sects, and with their departure, a piece of news spread like wildfire:
"The former top-ranked genius of the Heavenly Rankings had become a sixth-rank alchemist."
This news exploded like a bomb across all major powers. In the glorious eras of the past, this might not have been a big deal—but in the current era, it was monumental.
Moreover, Su Min's progress was terrifyingly fast.
How long had it been since the end of the Golden Core Heavenly Rankings? Back then, Su Min had only been a fourth-rank high-level alchemist. Yet, in just a few decades, she had broken through again—leaping straight to the sixth rank!
In the current world, the strongest experts of major sects were all at the Divine Transformation stage. Only a rare few had half a foot in the Dao Comprehension stage, and those like Kong Hui—who had fully stepped into it—could be counted on one hand.
Thus, the ancestors of various sects were stirred into action. The pills they desperately needed were precisely sixth-rank elixirs.
Soon, preparations for rare herbs and lavish gifts began. The first to bear the brunt of this frenzy was Tian Yinzi.
"The Grand Elder is in seclusion and is not receiving guests at the moment."
Facing the endless stream of visitors bearing gifts, Tian Yinzi felt like pulling his hair out. He had now reached the late-stage Golden Core realm and, as the sect leader, had obtained a Nascent Soul Pill. His talent was undeniable—he had survived the Six-Nine Heavenly Tribulation and achieved Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment.
After all, the East Mulberry Province was rich in resources. Any cultivator qualified for Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment could obtain the necessary materials.
But now, he was slightly troubled.
The visitors were all sect leaders of major powers—each representing their ancestors, who were Divine Transformation experts. Tian Yinzi had no choice but to grit his teeth and receive them.
"It seems I'll have to step down soon. Once this matter is settled, I'll prepare for the next sect leader election. Sigh..."
Looking at the pile of invitations in his hands, Tian Yinzi sighed deeply.
When he first took over, the Heavenly Dao was still suppressing cultivation. Early-stage Golden Core was the limit, and he could comfortably handle affairs. But now, things were different.
No wonder most sects had Golden Core cultivators as their nominal leaders. Their situations were probably similar to his. High-level cultivators were all busy cultivating—just look at the Grand Elder, who was constantly striving for breakthroughs.
And she was the sect's true safeguard. No one dared to complain.
Meanwhile, in the Ancient Mansion Holy City, a group of people looked as if they had swallowed bitter pills.
"That sixth-rank Flesh and Bone Restoration Pill—can it heal the ancestor's severed arm?"
The Holy Son of the Ancient Mansion stared solemnly at the elder before him. The elder's aura was formidable—he had reached the late-stage Divine Transformation realm, making him a powerhouse in his own right.
But right now, his face was twisted in pain, and one of his arms was completely severed.
For a Divine Transformation cultivator, regenerating flesh wasn't difficult—as long as the soul remained intact. Yet, judging by his condition, even his soul had been damaged. If one could peer into his body, they would see that his soul's arm was also severed.
"Cough, cough… Yes. A few days ago, I encountered a mysterious man. He tried to devour our sect's spiritual veins. The guards couldn't stop him, so I intervened. After a fierce battle, my arm was severed—though I managed to wound him and force him to retreat."
The ancestor's expression was strange. His opponent had been bizarre—his cultivation seemed slightly higher, yet there was an odd sense of incompleteness about him. Most terrifyingly, his techniques were extraordinary. The ancestor had nearly died there.
"This..."
The Holy Son's face darkened. That sixth-rank pill wouldn't come cheap. And—
His gaze unconsciously drifted toward the ancestor, whose face instantly turned ashen. Because it was this very ancestor who had stopped them from sending reinforcements back then, hoping to take advantage of the situation.
Now, not only had they failed to gain anything, but they had also strained relations with Su Min. If things had remained as before, Su Min might have casually handed over the pill in exchange for some materials. After all, what was a priceless treasure to others was nothing special in her eyes.
But now, if they wanted her help, they would have to pay a hefty price.
"Sigh..."
The old man sighed deeply.
Who could have imagined that Su Min would advance so quickly? In such a short time, she had reached the sixth-rank alchemy realm. He had lived long enough to witness many geniuses, but no matter how talented they were, they would eventually hit their limits.
Most would never take that final step, forever remaining among the masses.
In his eyes, going to war with the Blood Puppet Sect for someone like Su Min had been unthinkable. Only the Holy Son, who had interacted with her more, had possessed the foresight.
But back then, he hadn't had the final say.
"Fine. Prepare the gifts. We'll ask Master Su for help. This world isn't as simple as it seems. In the future… we may still need her assistance."
With another sigh, the ancestor ordered the preparations.
He had to obtain the Flesh and Bone Restoration Pill.
After all, this wasn't just any sixth-rank pill—it wasn't mere limb regeneration.
It could heal a Divine Transformation cultivator's damaged soul.