"You must urgently seize the time to rush your breakthrough in realm," Hun Lao transmitted his voice to Ye Yunfei. "Although your current combat power is already very strong and your body has attained divinity, if your realm does not break through to become a Deity, it may limit you from growing stronger in the future."
"Yes, I must strive to break through to godhood in terms of realm a little earlier," Ye Yunfei nodded.
Ye Yunfei understood in his heart that if his realm continued to stagnate at the Perfected Demigod level, it would gradually begin to restrict his strength from reaching greater heights.
From then on, Ye Yunfei entered a state of secluded cultivation.
First, Ye Yunfei utilized one Soul Body, along with ten Soul Force Planets, to contemplate and cultivate the alchemy inheritances he had obtained within the True Phoenix Tomb. Simultaneously, he used another Soul Body to cultivate the Grand Method of Returning Ten Thousand Swords to the One. He also took out a massive amount of divine crystals and piled them around his body, then activated the Ancient Nine-Yang Scripture. The eight divine meridians within his body appeared like eight giant dragons, endlessly and tirelessly devouring the energy from the divine crystals placed around him.
Within Ye Yunfei's Soul Sea, a large quantity of Soul Force energy-type crystals were stacked. The Soul Nourishing Tree shimmered, throwing out thousands of branches, leaves, and root hairs to absorb the Soul Force energy contained within these crystals.
Ye Yunfei also released the Nine Divine Beasts of his Nine Palaces Totem Wheel, stationing them not far away. He took out a large pile of Deity-level cultivation resources for these Nine Divine Beasts to devour and refine.
Ye Yunfei discovered that after the Nine Divine Beasts devoured and refined Deity-level cultivation resources, their combat power soared. It was faintly beginning to transcend the scope of a Perfected Demigod, growing ever closer to an Early Void God.
"As long as these Nine Divine Beasts devour a sufficient quantity of Deity-level cultivation resources, their combat power will definitely be able to reach the Deity level," Ye Yunfei secretly thought, sensing the continuously rising energy auras from the bodies of the Nine Divine Beasts.
And so, Ye Yunfei cultivated multiple techniques and martial arts simultaneously, all while continuously studying the alchemical arts. Possessing two Soul Bodies and over twenty Soul Force Planets allowed Ye Yunfei to cultivate multiple techniques during each cultivation session, resulting in truly astonishing efficiency.
However, during this round of secluded cultivation, Ye Yunfei devoted half his effort to the alchemical arts. The alchemy inheritances he obtained in the True Phoenix Tomb were extremely profound, granting him massive benefits. His alchemy level had been rapidly climbing all this time.
Unknowingly, half a year had already passed inside the Phantom Tower.
Half a year later.
"I wonder if I can refine Divine Pills now?" Ye Yunfei suddenly opened his eyes and spoke.
During this half year, Ye Yunfei had ceaselessly contemplated the art of alchemy and had reached an extremely high level.
"But before formally starting pill refinement, I need to refine a few exotic flames." Ye Yunfei muttered to himself.
With a flick of his sleeve, Ye Yunfei sent four jade vials flying out, hovering before him. Each vial contained an exotic flame. Two of these exotic flames were obtained in the Alchemy Hall of the True Phoenix Tomb, while the other two were ones Ye Yunfei had acquired earlier.
Ye Yunfei studied these four exotic flames and discovered they were the Thousand Bones Flame, the Six-B Heavenly Yang Fire, the Great Unity Yin Fire, and the Primordial Pure Flame. Among them, the Thousand Bones Flame and the Six-B Heavenly Yang Fire were of the Yang attribute, while the Great Unity Yin Fire and the Primordial Pure Flame were of the Yin attribute.
"These four exotic flames are on a much higher level than the ones I refined before," Ye Yunfei thought to himself, feeling quite satisfied.
Next, Ye Yunfei began refining these four exotic flames. Because all four were relatively high-level, it took Ye Yunfei a full month to successfully refine them all.
"With these four exotic flames added, I will have much greater confidence in flame control for my future alchemy!" Ye Yunfei muttered.
After refining the four exotic flames, Ye Yunfei took out a pill cauldron. Within the Alchemy Hall of the True Phoenix Tomb, Ye Yunfei had obtained several excellent-quality pill cauldrons. These pill cauldrons were all Deity-level. Using a Deity-level pill cauldron to refine Divine Pills would increase the Pill Yield Rate.
"Alright, starting now, it's time to attempt refining Divine Pills," Ye Yunfei said, looking at the pill cauldron before him, taking a deep breath, and then speaking.
Next, Ye Yunfei took out a large batch of divine-grade herbs and began attempting to refine Divine Pills.
The alchemy inheritances Ye Yunfei obtained in the Alchemy Hall of the True Phoenix Tomb contained many pill formulas for divine-grade pills, and the level of each formula was quite good.
"Refining divine-grade pills is much more difficult than I imagined."
At the start, almost every batch of pills Ye Yunfei refined ended up as wasted dregs, causing Ye Yunfei to reveal a bitter smile.
However, Ye Yunfei knew this was a necessary stage. Becoming a Divine Pill Master was not easy; the requirements were high in all aspects. For example, the level of the cultivated alchemy inheritance, the depth of comprehension of the alchemical arts, the flames one possessed, the quality of the pill furnace, and, more importantly, undergoing extensive practice and accumulating sufficient experience. Only by achieving perfection in every aspect could one possibly refine Divine Pills.
So, although he failed continuously at the beginning, Ye Yunfei did not give up. He persisted, batch after batch, continuously practicing alchemy.
During this process, the only thing that pained Ye Yunfei was the Deity-level herbs and various heaven-and-earth treasures used for alchemy that were constantly wasted due to failed pill refinement. These Deity-level treasures were extremely valuable, but for the sake of cultivating the alchemical arts, even if it pained him, there was no choice.
Unknowingly, a year passed inside the Phantom Tower.
One year later.
"I can finally refine Divine Pills! Although they are the lowest-grade Divine Pills, this means that from now on, I am officially a Divine Pill Master!"
Looking at the pill furnace before him and sensing the rich pill fragrance wafting from within, Ye Yunfei showed an excited expression.
Next, Ye Yunfei reached out and slapped the lid of the pill furnace in front of him. With a bang, the lid flew to the side, and then a Divine Pill leaped out of the furnace, radiating brilliant divine light.
This was a pure white Divine Pill that seemed to possess life. It circled around and around Ye Yunfei's body.
"Not bad."
Ye Yunfei examined the first Divine Pill he had refined and felt relatively satisfied. Although this time the Pill Yield Rate was only one pill, as long as he could refine a true Divine Pill, he could improve the Pill Yield Rate through continuous practice in the future.
"This pill is used to replenish energy. I'll try it immediately."
Ye Yunfei reached out, grabbed the Divine Pill, and swallowed it in one gulp.
*Boom!* The Divine Pill immediately erupted with a terrifying torrent of medicinal potency. Rolling energy like raging torrents rampaged and roared everywhere within Ye Yunfei's body.
Ye Yunfei immediately activated the Ancient Nine-Yang Scripture to refine and absorb all this energy.
"The effect is still quite good."
Ye Yunfei nodded in satisfaction.
"However, the Pill Yield Rate is only one pill. That's not enough yet. Keep practicing."
For the following period, Ye Yunfei took out another large batch of divine-grade herbs and began refining pills again.
The large amount of divine-grade herbs Ye Yunfei obtained in the True Phoenix Tomb couldn't be used up in a short time.
Unconsciously, another half year passed within the Phantom Tower.
During this half year, Ye Yunfei continuously practiced alchemy, and his alchemy level improved by another significant margin. The quality and Pill Yield Rate of the Divine Pills he refined had both reached a very good standard.
"Alright, from now on, I can refine Divine Pills for myself and those around me as needed at any time."
Ye Yunfei stopped continuing his alchemy and spoke.
"During this period, I've practiced refining quite a few pills used to enhance bodily strength. I'll refine and absorb them all first."
Ye Yunfei took out a batch of Divine Pills he had refined and began refining and absorbing them.
This batch of Divine Pills greatly benefited the physical body; they were specifically used to enhance body quality and bodily strength.
A few days later, Ye Yunfei completely refined and absorbed these Divine Pills. His bodily strength and physical quality had improved considerably once again.
Next, Ye Yunfei checked the results of his recent secluded cultivation in all aspects. First was the Nine Divine Beasts of the Nine Palaces Totem Wheel.
During this period, the Nine Divine Beasts had devoured a massive amount of Deity-level cultivation resources, and each divine beast's body was wreathed in terrifying energy auras.
"I wonder if these Nine Divine Beasts can match an Early Void God in battle?" Hun Lao couldn't help but ask, looking at the Nine Divine Beasts.
"I don't know either. When the time comes, we'll just have to let them try to find out," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
"My Soul Power energy level has also improved quite a bit."
Sensing his Soul Power energy level, Ye Yunfei was comparatively satisfied.
"Next time, I need to spare some time to cultivate a few more Soul Force Planets," Ye Yunfei thought secretly.
Next, Ye Yunfei checked his swordsmanship level.
"My swordsmanship level seems to be stuck at a bottleneck. In the future, I'll have to spend more time cultivating the Sword Dao," Ye Yunfei muttered, discovering that the improvement in his swordsmanship level during this period wasn't very ideal.
"Also, my Heart Force energy level hasn't shown much progress either and seems to be in a stagnation period. I wonder when I'll be able to achieve a breakthrough in my Heart Force energy level," Ye Yunfei sighed.