Song Wuqe also understood alchemy, though only at a beginner level. Yet even he could tell at a glance that the Bone-Yao Golden Pill before him possessed an extremely rich fragrance—so intense that it was almost comparable to a fifth-grade pill.
"The Sect Master's alchemy is truly unparalleled!" Song Wuqe changed his tone with astonishing speed.
Everyone was stunned. The way the situation had transformed today was almost surreal. If word of it spread, most people would never believe what had happened. The day had swung violently between extremes multiple times. If everyone present had not possessed strong mental fortitude, they might not have been able to withstand so many shocks.
"This is really unbelievable." Leng Ruo stared at the Earth-Spirit Pill in her hand.
Just a few days ago, Lin Ye had still been a disciple under her Listening-Mystery Peak. Yet in the blink of an eye, he had turned into the leader of the entire Wind-Thunder Profound Sect.
However, Lin Ye later explained a few things to Wen Lang. He did not truly care about this sect—his real goal was to make sure Wen Lang could secure his footing. After that, Wen Lang would formally take the position, while Lin Ye would withdraw into the shadows, turning the sect into one of his resource channels.
If Wen Lang became Sect Master immediately, complications would inevitably arise later.
Listening-Mystery Peak, Lin Ye's courtyard.
Wen Lang sat in the courtyard shaking his head again and again.
"What on earth did we just experience...?"
He wanted to say something to Lin Ye, but found himself speechless. Lin Ye's actions had been flawlessly calculated. He only killed those directly involved. He displayed Star River Realm power, executed Pei Tianzhuo, then immediately distributed pills in enormous quantities without hesitation, combining ruthless strength with overwhelming generosity.
"The reason I took the Sect Master seat is because your strength is not yet sufficient to suppress those people," Lin Ye said.
"In the next seven days, I will raise your cultivation to the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm."
"My identity does not need to be announced publicly."
"Once you reach the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm, you will naturally take over as Sect Master. I do not ask for much—half of all sect tribute will belong to me from then on."
Lin Ye spoke as if everything had already been arranged.
Half of the tribute? That was not a problem. Maintaining the sect only required around thirty percent. Most tribute traditionally ended up in the Sect Master's pocket anyway. Giving it to Lin Ye was completely reasonable.
But Wen Lang still did not understand the earlier part.
"Seven days? Heavenly Phenomenon Realm?" Wen Lang asked.
Lin Ye placed a pill on the table.
A fifth-grade pill.
Golden Spirit Pill.
Among fifth-grade pills, it was ordinary—far inferior to the Candle-Bone Star-Refining Pill. But it was still enough to break Wen Lang's long-stagnant bottleneck.
"This... this is a fifth-grade pill!" Wen Lang jumped up, his expression trembling with shock.
Just its aura alone made him feel like he might pass out in bliss.
Lin Ye's promise to raise Wen Lang into the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm was clearly not referring to the first layer. It had to be at least the fifth layer, otherwise he would not be able to stand firmly as a ruler.
"Calm down," Lin Ye said with visible disgust.
"I... I was not prepared for this," Wen Lang stammered, sweating profusely.
Even the most detached cultivator could not stay calm when a fifth-grade pill appeared in front of them.
Realizing his loss of composure, Wen Lang quickly sat back down and carefully stored the pill away.
"By the way, the relic left to you by Zhonghai was originally meant to be delivered after you came of age, but now it does not matter. I will give it to you directly."
Wen Lang had been safeguarding it all this time. After all, what so many people were killing each other for was precisely that object.
Lin Ye was also extremely curious. Otherwise, he would not have bothered returning.
Wen Lang took out a black wooden box from his storage ring.
An array seal covered the surface of the box.
Wen Lang produced an engraving knife and began adjusting the array patterns on the box. In a short time, the seal unraveled.
It turned out Wen Lang possessed real talent in formations. This was why the item could be entrusted to him—because only he could open it.
Otherwise, Geng Shiqiu and his allies would have targeted Wen Lang rather than Lin Ye.
"I will take my leave," Wen Lang said.
Lin Ye nodded. After Wen Lang left, Lin Ye opened the box.
"This is...?"
The moment Lin Ye saw what lay inside, his heart jolted violently.
An ordinary person—even a Star River Realm cultivator—might not recognize it. But Lin Ye had seen such a thing in his past life. He had even possessed one, though his had been stronger.
He had never expected to obtain such an object so soon.
Now it was clear why Geng Shiqiu and the others had fought so desperately for it. If they had succeeded, the reward would have been immeasurable.
Inside the box was a crystal sphere.
Within it flowed a sealed force—so thin it looked like a strand of hair, seemingly fragile.
Yet it was one of the most extreme treasures in heaven and earth.
A Xuan Meridian.
A human body possesses eight major meridian categories. Every cultivation method runs through these channels. The more complete and efficient the circulation, the greater the accumulation of qi. That was why cultivation methods were ranked by quality.
But among the eight, the Ren Meridian and the Du Meridian—often called the twin core meridians—could be enhanced through a Xuan Meridian.
It was not merely "unblocking."
It was adding an entirely new meridian pathway.
That was the true power of a Xuan Meridian.
If a cultivator obtained one, their cultivation speed could exceed others by hundreds or even thousands of times.
In his past life, Lin Ye had obtained a Skyfire Xuan Meridian, which enhanced his alchemical flame. In the early days, it had been the key that allowed his alchemy to rise explosively.
But back then, Lin Ye's cultivation was already at Moonwheel Realm.
A letter also lay in the box, written for Lin Ye.
Its contents were mostly apologies, and after reading it, Lin Ye felt a subtle ache in his chest. Zhonghai had risked his life to obtain this treasure, purely for Lin Ye.
"Do not worry. This Xuan Meridian will not be wasted."
Lin Ye spoke silently in his heart.
The letter also mentioned a sect called the Xuan Gate. This treasure had originally been seized from one of their disciples, and they might possess methods to track it. Lin Ye was warned not to reveal the Xuan Meridian until he had sufficient strength.
Lin Ye ignored that warning.
If they wanted to come and take it, they were welcome to try.
"Let me see what attribute you have."
Xuan Meridians could have many different attributes. A person could possess at most two. They were incomparably rare, and fusing them was extremely difficult.
Lin Ye used qi to melt the crystal sphere.
A threadlike force emerged, wrapped in his qi, and flowed into his body.
Soon it attached itself to the Ren Meridian.
Agonizing pain erupted instantly.
It felt as though a blade inside his body was slicing him open again and again—every inch of flesh cut hundreds of times over.
Lin Ye inhaled sharply.
That torment continued for half an hour.
Even Lin Ye nearly lost half his life.
But at last, the fusion completed.
After steadying his breath, Lin Ye circulated the Nine-Turn Shura Art and felt the changes.
The moment he cultivated, the Xuan Meridian amplified everything.
It was like a massive vortex, continuously drawing power from the Shura Blood Sea.
Boom!
Information surged into Lin Ye's consciousness.
Nether Xuan Meridian.
It increased cultivation speed, allowed entry into a Nether State, enhanced combat power, and intensified killing intent.
The speed increase was absurd.
In only a short time, Lin Ye's qi cultivation smashed through another bottleneck.
Boom!
Breakthrough.
Heavenly Phenomenon Ninth Realm.