"Master..."
"Isn't this your Purple Eagle Flame?"
When Gu He summoned the purple flames, Liu Ling's eyes widened in shock.
Having followed Gu He for many years, he immediately recognized the flame as the one his master typically used for refining pills.
The Purple Eagle Flame was a rare beast fire, something Gu He had obtained with great difficulty in the past.
'Could it be that Master is rewarding me with the Purple Eagle Flame?' Recalling Gu He's earlier words, Liu Ling felt overwhelmed.
"Master, no! Absolutely not!"
"You've already taught me a seventh-tier techniques and elevated my cultivation. I can never repay you for such kindness."
"This Purple Eagle Flame is the flame you use to refine pills. As your disciple, I cannot accept it!"
For once, Liu Ling acted out of character, kneeling on the ground and refusing to accept the gift.
The Purple Eagle Flame was invaluable to alchemists. If he took it, how would his master refine medicine in the future?
Thinking this, Liu Ling resolved to refuse the flame, even if it meant facing severe punishment.
"Ling'er, get up first," Gu He said, feeling a headache coming on as he watched Liu Ling kneel again.
This disciple of his was loyal but far too quick to kneel. It was becoming a bit too much.
"Master, I will only rise if you withdraw your order," Liu Ling insisted, shaking his head.
"Ling'er, if you don't get up, I will be angry," Gu He said, adopting a stern tone to play the role of a strict Master.
"Master!" Liu Ling reluctantly obeyed, rising to his feet.
"Master, I truly cannot accept the Purple Eagle Flame," he repeated.
"Ling'er, the truth is, I have already received news of a Heavenly Flame," Gu He revealed, deciding to play his trump card.
"This Purple Eagle Flame will soon be useless to me. If you don't take it, I will have to give it to someone else."
With that, Gu He made a show of preparing to take back the flame.
Hearing this, Liu Ling was momentarily stunned. Realizing what was at stake, he quickly grabbed Gu He's sleeve.
"Don't, Master! I was wrong! Please, I'll take it!" The mournful expression on Liu Ling's face instantly transformed into one of eager flattery. "Master, since you no longer need it, please give it to me."
Gu He feigned sternness. "Weren't you refusing to take it just moments ago?"
Liu Ling hurriedly admitted his mistake. "Master, I was wrong. I want it, I truly do!"
"That's more like it," Gu He said, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes. He stopped teasing Liu Ling and handed over the Purple Eagle Flame.
At the same time, a system notification echoed in Gu He's mind.
[Ding! Detected that the host has granted the Purple Eagle Flame to disciple Liu Ling.]
[Congratulations, host, for triggering a ten-thousand-fold refund and obtaining the Nine Nether Flames, a type of Heavenly Flame.]
[The Nine Nether Flames have been stored into the system space. Please check, host.]
'A ten-thousand-fold return again! Is today my luck really this good?'
'The Nine Nether Flames, a type of Heavenly Flame! Gu He's hand, which held the Purple Eagle Flame, trembled slightly.
"Disciple thanks Master!" Liu Ling carefully accepted the flame and bowed deeply.
"Go, go and refine it quickly," Gu He urged, eager to inspect his new reward.
"Yes, Master. I will take my leave now." Mirroring Gu He's excitement, Liu Ling was equally eager to refine the Purple Eagle Flame. Without delay, he hurried out of Gu He's room.
Once Liu Ling was gone, Gu He immediately entered the system space.
Inside, alongside a black scroll and a purple light cluster, a new purple flame flickered.
This flame was highly spiritual, its shape resembling that of a phoenix.
"Is this the Nine Nether Flames?" Gu He's eyes gleamed with excitement as he gazed at the flame.
Different Fires were the dream of every alchemist, and Gu He was no exception.
[Ding! Does the host wish to begin refining the Nine Nether Flames?]
The system's voice interrupted his thoughts.
Gu He hesitated. He wasn't sure if merging with a Heavenly Flame would be dangerous at his level. Although the system offered assistance, he decided it would be wiser to improve his cultivation first.
Turning his attention to the purple light cluster nearby, he commanded, "System, extract 19 years of cultivation!"
As soon as he spoke, a surge of immense dou qi flooded his body.
"Not good!" Feeling the overwhelming force, Gu He's expression changed. He quickly teleported to the adjacent alchemy room.
There, the vast dou qi coursed through his limbs and bones. Forcing himself to remain calm, he activated the Ziyang Art and began absorbing the dou qi.
Gradually, his cultivation level began to rise...
Four-Star Dou King!
Five-Star Dou King!
Six-Star Dou King!…
In the alchemy room, Gu He's aura surged relentlessly, a terrifying sight to behold.
Fortunately, the room was constructed with precious materials to prevent explosions, so the commotion caused by his rapid breakthroughs remained hidden from outsiders.
Seven-Star Dou King!
Eight-Star Dou King!
Nine-Star Dou King!
The dou qi continued to flow, and Gu He's cultivation stabilized at the peak of the Nine-Star Dou King level.
He was now just one step away from breaking through to the Dou Emperor realm.
As the dou qi was fully absorbed, Gu He slowly opened his eyes, a look of exhilaration on his face.
Nine-Star Dou King!
In mere moments, he had leaped from a Three-Star Dou King to the pinnacle of the Nine-Star level.
The sensation was exhilarating.
Feeling the immense power within him, Gu He couldn't help but smile confidently.
With this progress, it wouldn't be long before he reached the Dou Emperor realm.
Having read the original story, he knew that only by stepping into the Dou Emperor realm could one truly stand a chance in a world teeming with powerful cultivators.
"With my current strength as a Nine-Star Dou King, and with the system's assistance, I should be able to merge with the Nine Nether Flames safely," Gu He mused.
"System, extract the Nine Nether Flames!"
As soon as he gave the command, the purple flame in the system space transformed into a beam of light and shot into his body.
The moment the Nine Nether Flames entered him, Gu He felt as though he had been struck by lightning. His face turned pale, and an intense, searing heat spread through his body.
Sweat poured down his forehead as his flesh and blood seemed to twist and convulse.
The pain was excruciating, but Gu He endured, gradually refining the Nine Nether Flames.
After what felt like an eternity, the pain subsided.
Gu He slowly opened his eyes, a faint purple light flickering within them.
He extended his right hand, and with a thought, a purple flame ignited in his palm.
Looking at the Nine Nether Flames dancing in his hand, Gu He allowed himself a satisfied smile.
"Next, it's time for this God-grade technique—the Soul Devouring Art." With his excitement tempered, Gu He turned his attention to the black scroll in the system space.
…
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