He turned slowly and reached toward the cauldron.
Something felt different.
The furnace was silent, but beneath its surface, a faint, unfamiliar rhythm pulsed.
"What's this… palm movements?"
The moment Tianyu's hand made contact with the cauldron, his mind was violently pulled away.
The world twisted.
When his vision steadied, he found himself inside a hazy, boundless space. At its centre stood a faceless master, calmly refining a pill. Though the figure lacked features, its presence alone carried immeasurable pressure.
Just before the pill took shape, the master struck the cauldron with his palm.
Boom!
Wind Qi erupted.
Another palm followed this time, carrying earth Qi.
Then it was ice, poison and light.
Each strike caused the cauldron to ring like a great bell; its resonance spread endlessly through the void.
"Twenty-Four Palms of Buddha Refinement," the master spoke.
The voice echoed from all directions.
"Now watch closely, young one."
Tianyu's heart skipped violently. He wanted to speak to ask questions, but his mouth wouldn't move no sound came out.
"Your talent is rare," the voice continued, neither harsh nor gentle, simply absolute.
"So, comprehend as much as you can."
The master's aura suddenly surged.
His palms turned golden, and ancient characters manifested around him like invisible talismans, revolving slowly through the air.
"First Palm—
金身初铸
Jīn Shēn Chū Zhù
Forging the Golden Body!"
He roared and struck the cauldron.
The cauldron trembled violently.
"Second Palm—
罗汉碎骨掌
Luóhàn Suì Gǔ Zhǎng
Arhat Bone-Shattering Palm!"
Another strike—stronger, heavier.
"Third Palm—
佛血焚脉
Fó Xuè Fén Mài
Buddha Blood Burning the Meridians!"
The cauldron screamed.
"Fourth—"
The strikes came faster and faster.
Each palm layered Qi upon Qi, harmonising yet violently distinct. Tianyu's eyes tracked every movement, every fluctuation of energy, and suddenly, understanding washed over him.
Not in words.
But in instinct.
"Twenty-third Palm—
寂灭涅槃劫
Jì Miè Nièpán Jié
Extinction Nirvana Tribulation!"
The master brought his hands together in a closed palm.
As he moved them through the air, his arms multiplied, dozens of afterimages overlapping like layers of reality itself. The space trembled as he roared,
"Refinement Complete — Twenty-Four Palms!
佛道归虚 · 圆满
Fó Dào Guī Xū · Yuánmǎn
Buddha is Dao and Dao is Buddha, the wheels of Dao turn to the Void Perfection."
His palm struck the cauldron one final time.
This time, there was no explosion.
No chaos.
The violent energies that had raged moments before instantly stilled, returning to absolute harmony. The cauldron rang once, soft, deep, eternal.
Then, from its mouth rose a golden pill, hovering silently in the air, vein-like patterns pulsed across its surface, alive with Dao intent, and the moment Tianyu gazed upon it, a lotus bloomed within his mind.
Golden radiance flooded his meridians, flowing through his body like a celestial river. His breath slowed, his heart calmed, and enlightenment surged.
"I understand now…" Tianyu murmured.
"No matter whether human or pill, we are all unfinished products… things meant to be refined."
His voice trembled as heavenly energy poured into him.
"Refine the bones, Qi, mind and body."
Behind him, barely visible, the master watched.
"Kukuku… what a frightening QIld," the Pill Saint chuckled softly. "Had you been born a few centuries earlier, you would have made a truly terrifying disciple."
His formless face seemed to smile.
"Such talent… we have not seen its like in even a thousand years."
The master's form began to fade.
"Oh well," he said lightly.
"Even without my direct guidance, you will reach far greater heights."
His gaze lingered on Tianyu.
"Especially since you already possess that heavenly treasure of yours."
A final smile echoed through the void.
"I suppose you may now be called The Tone Dao Master."
And with that, the Pill Saint vanished.
Crack!
Crack!
Tianyu's mind space fractured as torrents of Qi surged within him.
Invisible barriers shattered one after another, spreading like spiderwebs across his consciousness. His Feng QI fully opened, erupting with brilliant spiritual light. Energy poured through the newly awakened passage, roaring like a freed river.
Only one final node remained at his chest.
Once that opened, he would step into the next realm.
As the rampant energies gradually settled, Tianyu exhaled deeply.
His eyes opened.
He was back in the room.
"Ha… hahahaha…"
Soft laughter escaped his lips.
"The world truly is vast," he said quietly.
"To think I once believed the Patriarch realm was the peak of existence…"
He shook his head, smiling bitterly.
"How foolish I was."
Tianyu rose, then knelt before the cauldron. Placing both palms to the ground, he bowed deeply.
"Thank you for your guidance, Master," he said solemnly.
"Even without knowing your name, this favour is something I will never forget."
The air around him felt different now.
Though he had not yet broken into the next realm, his disposition had transformed. His presence was steadier, sharper, carrying quiet confidence.
With his Feng QI open, Tianyu could now cultivate techniques directly within his mind space, allowing for insight, refinement, and mastery at a pace far beyond that of ordinary cultivators.
He rose slowly.
"Now…"
"It's time to refine the flawless pill."
A calm smile appeared on his face as he sat in front of the cauldron once more.
This time,
There was no hesitation.
Only certainty.
"Let's begin…" Tianyu murmured to himself as he lit the furnace.
He placed the spirit herbs inside.
This time, his movements were far smoother than before, but still rough compared to the master from before.
As the herbs touched the cauldron, the room filled with a rich, layered aroma. Medicinal Qi surged, washing over the chamber.
Tianyu's hands began to move.
Though unrefined, they carried resolve.
He roared.
"Twenty-Four Palms of Buddha Refinement!"
Qi swirled around him, and his hands pulsed lightly with bronze Qi.
His palm struck the cauldron.
PAMMMMMMM!
The cauldron reverberated violently.
He struck again.
A second palm landed, and his hands immediately began to tremble.
"Even mimicking this technique consumes an absurd amount of Qi," Tianyu gritted his teeth.
"If I'm not careful, I'll ruin the pill."
The third palm fell.
At that moment, he felt it clearly that more than half of his Qi was already gone.
"I can… I can reach at least five palms."
He steadied his breathing, forcefully calming his mind.
The fourth palm descended.
The cauldron rumbled, its jade surface glowing faintly.
Then,
The fifth palm.
Tianyu condensed every last shred of remaining Qi, shaping the pill while stripping away its impurities. The cauldron shook violently, its energy spiralling out of control.
Suddenly, the pill burst free, launching into the air.
Tianyu squeezed out the final trace of his strength, guiding it with Wind Qi. The pill drifted gently, trembling, until it settled into his open palm.
"Hah… hahaha…"
His body gave out.
"I finally did it… I fi—"
His vision darkened.
Tianyu collapsed to the ground, completely exhausted, consciousness slipping away.