BOOOOOOOM!
Zhao Yan's aura surged violently as he stared at the Perfect-Grade Nascent Soul Breakthrough Pill in Qin Chen's hand.
Even as the strongest Core Disciple of the Azure Sky Sect, he never imagined he'd receive such a treasure.
It would've been lucky to receive a breakthrough pill at all, let a lone perfect-grade.
There is a massive difference between low grade, medium grade, high grade, peak grade, and perfect grade pills.
Perfect-grade pills of this nature would help Zhao Yan make even more progress after breaking through.
Qin Chen flicked the pill toward him.
"Take it," he said flatly. "With this, your breakthrough to Nascent Soul is guaranteed."
Zhao Yan instinctively caught the pill, his fingers trembling slightly. This was an absolute treasure.
Every disciple's eyes burned with desire as they watched.
If Zhao Yan was getting one…
Wouldn't that mean—
Before they could even ask, Qin Chen's golden eyes swept across them.
"I know what you're thinking," he said coolly.
The gathered Core Disciples stiffened.
"The answer is no."
Gasps filled the air.
Liu Feng frowned. "But Senior Brother Qin, if Zhao Yan is receiving one, then—"
Qin Chen cut him off with a wave of his hand.
"Nascent Soul Realm is not something you can rush," he said firmly.
Everyone fell silent.
Zhao Yan, who was still holding the pill, clenched his jaw.
Qin Chen continued.
"Awakening your Nascent Soul is not simply a matter of using a pill. The Golden Core Realm is about accumulating and refining your core, shaping it into something powerful."
"But the Nascent Soul Realm is different."
He raised his hand, and for a moment—
BOOOOOOM!
An overwhelming aura pulsed from him, but it wasn't Qi, nor was it his sword intent.
It was something deeper.
More profound.
The disciples felt as if they were being pricked by millions of tiny blades.
Qin Chen had the Zenith Sword Soul, so not only had he already sensed his soul, but his talent in that regard was undoubtedly at the top.
"The moment you enter the Nascent Soul Realm, your own soul must awaken."
Liu Qingcheng's eyes widened. "Our… soul?"
Qin Chen nodded.
"Your Nascent Soul is the true foundation of your future cultivation. If you don't have a clear Dao, if your spirit is weak, if your Golden Core is unstable, then even with a Perfect-Grade Nascent Soul Breakthrough Pill—you will die."
"Additionally, some people have the chance to awaken unique souls, which can make your future cultivation path much easier. Have faith in yourselves."
A chilling silence filled the air.
They hadn't thought about it like this before.
Liu Feng hesitated. "Then… how do we awaken our Nascent Soul?"
Qin Chen smirked.
"First, you need to be able to sense your own soul."
A few disciples looked at each other in confusion.
Qin Chen continued.
"Most cultivators don't have a deep connection to their soul. That's why breaking into Nascent Soul is difficult. You must first gain awareness of its existence. You must sense the formless, the intangible. Only then can you begin refining it."
Liu Qingcheng narrowed her eyes. "And if we can't?"
Qin Chen's smirk deepened. "Then you will never enter the Nascent Soul Realm."
A heavy silence.
Then—
Zhao Yan suddenly smirked as well.
"Hah… you're saying that even with this pill, I need to do more than just consume it."
Qin Chen nodded.
"You're already on the verge of breakthrough. That's why I'm giving this to you now." He turned toward the rest of the disciples.
"The rest of you will get yours before the tournament."
The disciples nodded, determination flickering in their eyes.
They knew now—Nascent Soul wasn't just a simple realm jump.
It was a transformation.
BOOOOOM!
Qin Chen's robes fluttered as he stood in front of a low-ranking sect messenger.
In his hand—
A Perfect-Grade Tier 4 Pill.
The messenger swallowed nervously. "S-Senior Brother Qin… this is…"
Qin Chen flicked the pill toward him.
"Take this to the Celestial Flame Pavilion. Tell them I want to trade this for Sunfire Dragon Marrow."
The messenger's hands trembled as he caught the pill. His eyes darted up in shock.
Celestial Flame Pavilion…
A Grade 2 Sect, known for its control over high-level alchemy and fire-based cultivation.
Even they would want this pill.
But still—
The messenger hesitated.
"Senior Brother Qin… what if they refuse?"
Qin Chen chuckled.
"They won't."
The messenger blinked.
Qin Chen's golden eyes glowed with absolute certainty.
"They are alchemists. Once they see this pill, they will beg to know who refined it. And if they're smart… they will accept."
The messenger took a deep breath.
Then—he bowed deeply.
"I will deliver the message."
As the messenger left—
Qin Chen smirked.
The Celestial Flame Pavilion would take the bait.
There was no doubt about it.
BOOOOOOM!
Inside his alchemy chamber, golden-purple flames roared to life.
Qin Chen sat before his cauldron, his hands glowing with alchemical Qi.
If he wanted to reach the Nascent Soul Realm, then he needed the best possible breakthrough pills.
He waved his hand—and ingredients filled the air.
-Void Soul Essence – Strengthens the mind and increases soul perception.
-Abyssal Spirit Flower – Increases soul resilience during the breakthrough process.
-Heaven's Profound Jade – Stabilizes the nascent soul, ensuring no flaws during ascension.
Each of these ingredients was rare beyond compare.
But to Qin Chen—
They were just materials.
BOOOOOOOM!
His Sovereign Flames surged, devouring everything in the cauldron.
The entire chamber shook from the sheer alchemical power radiating from him.
And then—
Ding!
[You have created a Perfect-Grade Nascent Soul Ascension Pill!]
Qin Chen's golden eyes gleamed as he caught the glowing pill.
His own breakthrough to Nascent Soul…
Was inevitable.
But first—
He would awaken Liu Qingcheng's bloodline.
And then…
He would ascend.