"Master Su, this is the artifact I require—Earth Grade, mid-tier. At present, there are likely only two or three people in the entire continent, including yourself, capable of forging it."
As he spoke, Yue Ningzi handed Su Min a ring containing a vast quantity of materials and blueprints.
"You're planning to take the risk and attempt the Dao Comprehension stage."
After a quick glance, Su Min understood why he had been so eager to sell the Ice Essence. However, there was no need for such urgency—his lifespan should still be quite extensive.
If anything, he could have waited for her Dao Comprehension Pill—it would have been far safer.
"It seems Master Su is unaware."
"Hm?"
"An entire sect with a Divine Transformation late-stage cultivator was annihilated. Tens of millions of lives across an entire great province vanished overnight."
Hiss—
Even with Su Min's composure, she couldn't help but draw a sharp breath. She knew exactly what this meant—a peak Unity stage cultivator had emerged.
Even if such beings suppressed their cultivation to the Half-Step Dao Comprehension stage, their Soul Formation physique represented a fundamental evolution. As long as their physical essence remained intact, they would be terrifying opponents.
Even late-stage Divine Transformation cultivators wielding Imperial Artifacts would struggle to resist them—and not every faction possessed such treasures.
"It seems you've realized it as well."
"Yes."
Su Min nodded silently. The true Dark Blood Era had begun.
This was only the start. The final boss of the first phase of the Path of Immortality was Yùxūzǐ, a Mahayana cultivator who had severed his own Dao. Worse, he seemed connected to the Fallen Immortals
According to the game developers' update roadmap, Version 2.0 would introduce the Descent of the Fallen Immortals, while Version 3.0 would herald the Era of the Myriad Worlds.
The promises were grand, but for Su Min, this was anything but good news.
"Now, even the Half-Step Dao Comprehension stage is unstable. I must advance to Dao Comprehension immediately. Han Shuangzi will need at least three hundred years to take that step. Right now, Master Su's pills are our last resort."
"Very well."
Su Min could only nod in resignation. Her own sect was secure—it was a true superpower, and unless betrayed from within, it would remain stable even until the final catastrophe. It was one of the Three Great Sacred Lands that players were guaranteed to obtain. But now, it seemed she too had to accelerate her plans.
"Alright, step outside and guard me while I forge this artifact. Ensure no one disturbs me."
"Understood."
Yue Ningzi bowed and left. Su Min waved her hand, summoning the materials she had once obtained from the Great Thunder Temple.
Meanwhile, in the city...
"It wasn't us, and it wasn't the others either."
"Then who took it? Did the Frost Pavilion deceive us?"
"Impossible. They wouldn't risk their sect's reputation like this. They're not one of the two supreme sects—they don't have that kind of leverage. More importantly… wait—"
In a dimly lit room, two men were deep in discussion. None of their competitors had obtained the treasure, and according to their intelligence, even the Half-Step Dao Comprehension elders seemed troubled—so much so that they showed no interest in the high-grade spirit veins offered.
This could only mean one thing: they desperately needed something else.
Something not necessarily the most valuable, but certainly the most urgent.
"Wait—do you remember that woman who entered after us?"
One of them suddenly stiffened, slamming his palm on the table.
"What?"
"That Golden Core cultivator trailing behind us."
"Are you joking? A Golden Core cultivator? Impossible!"
"After eliminating all other possibilities, the most improbable answer must be the truth. Think about it—Yue Ningzi lacked one crucial, rare item. What if that woman just happened to possess it? And since that day, no one has seen her leave."
Hiss—
The men exchanged glances, realization dawning.
"Then the only question left is: who is she? Have her watched. The moment she leaves the city, we strike. A Golden Core cultivator can't possibly digest that treasure—we still have a chance."
"Yes!"
Unbeknownst to Su Min, dark undercurrents were stirring in Frostpeak City.
Elsewhere...
"Done. Three Earth Grade mid-tier artifacts—one to protect the heart, one the body, and one the soul. Preparing for a forced breakthrough into Dao Comprehension, just like when I transcended my tribulation."
Su Min examined the three artifacts in her hands. It was clear the man was in a hurry, but that was no longer her concern.
"Next, I must enter the Tianhan Snow Field. This Ice Essence can only be properly refined there."
She pocketed the crystal. Their transaction was complete. As for the Grade-7 pill, that was still a distant promise—high risk, high reward, but beyond her current capabilities.
"How long was I in seclusion?"
Upon exiting, she found Yue Ningzi still standing guard.
"Over half a month. The Nanming Lihuo truly are formidable."
Yue Ningzi inspected the artifacts with satisfaction. Given Su Min's mastery as an alchemist, crafting artifacts—a less demanding art—posed little challenge. He could only envy her control over the Nanming Lihuo; even killing her wouldn't extract them.
"Our debt is settled for now. If I succeed in refining the Dao Comprehension Pill, I'll leave it with my sect. Present this token to claim it."
She handed him a jade token. Thanks to her influence, her sect had become a hub for alchemy across the continent. Even a Grade-5 Alchemist had joined just to glimpse higher realms.
In a few centuries, her sect would undoubtedly become a sacred land for alchemists—especially since Su Min was generous with her teachings.
The core of alchemy lay in soul strength—no amount of technique could compensate for insufficient innate talent.
"By the way, you seem in a hurry, Master Su. Is this about the Lunar Sovereign Physique? But there's no need for concern—those people are trapped outside the tomb, unable to enter."
Yue Ningzi's question made her pause.
"No. I need to refine this Ice Essence."
"Eh?"
He blinked in surprise. The Ice Essence contained the Dao of Frost, which, while not guaranteeing a breakthrough into Dao Comprehension, could offer profound insights—but only for late-stage Divine Transformation cultivators. Wasn't this too soon?
"I already have my own Dao. This serves another purpose."
She offered no further explanation, and Yue Ningzi wisely refrained from probing.
As one of the Five Supreme Physiques, the Five Elements Holy Body was beyond ordinary comprehension.
For example, the Lunar Sovereign and Solar Sovereign Physiques innately embodied their respective Daos, making Dao Comprehension a trivial hurdle. Only the Ascension stage—transcending the world's limits—would level the playing field… or perhaps become their shackles.
"One more thing, Master Su. Be cautious when you leave. The Xiumu Sect has ill intentions. Their patriarch is an ice cultivator, and this time..."
"Oh?"
Su Min's eyes narrowed. It seemed she had inadvertently drawn unwanted attention.
"What's his cultivation level?"
"Late-stage Divine Transformation, desperate to break through to Dao Comprehension. Even if he fails, he might reach Half-Step Dao Comprehension."
Heh.
A flicker of killing intent passed through her gaze.
If they dared ambush her, she wouldn't hold back.
"Thanks for the warning. I'll keep it in mind."
With that, she turned and left. She had no intention of lingering in Frostpeak City. Her next destination was the Tianhan Snow Field, where she would advance to mid-stage Divine Transformation.
As for the Xiumu Sect—if they stayed out of her way, all would be well. But if they acted foolishly, she would erase them from existence.
Tsk.
Watching her vanish, Yue Ningzi smirked. If those fools really attacked her, they were in for a world of pain.
No one had ever seen Su Min's full strength during the Sect Conference—because no one had ever pushed her that far.
"The Xiumu Sect might just be wiped off the map. Of all people to provoke, they chose the continent's top alchemist."
He turned to his subordinate. "Recall all our personnel. We need to consolidate resources for the final phase of our plan—and avoid getting caught in the crossfire."
"Yes, Elder."
The auction master bowed. As the city's de facto administrator and second-in-command, he understood the gravity of the situation.
The Xiumu Sect had chosen the wrong enemy.