After the intense transformation brought by the Meridian Opening Pill, Gù Tiānháo spent several hours in careful meditation, allowing his body to fully adjust to its enhanced state. He methodically tested his Qi circulation, running the Nine Cycles technique through the newly opened meridians, marveling at the smooth, unobstructed flow. Where before his Qi had moved sluggishly through constricted channels, now it flowed like a clear mountain stream, carrying more power with each circulation. The difference was not just quantitative but qualitative—his entire cultivation foundation felt more solid, more refined.
He stood and performed a series of basic movements, testing his physical coordination and strength. Every motion felt more precise, more controlled. His body responded to his intent with a fluidity that had been absent before, as if the connection between mind and flesh had been strengthened along with his meridians. When he channeled Qi into his limbs, the energy flowed effortlessly, enhancing his physical capabilities beyond what his cultivation level would normally allow. This was the true value of meridian opening—not just increased power, but increased efficiency in using that power.
As evening approached, Tiānháo reflected on the implications of his success. What would normally require months or even years of diligent cultivation had been achieved in a single afternoon through alchemy. The remaining four Meridian Opening Pills represented the potential to open perhaps eighty percent of his blocked meridians, catapulting his cultivation speed to levels that would be considered miraculous by normal standards. Even more exciting was the knowledge that this was just the beginning—the Blood Ginseng had been a fortunate find, but with proper planning and resources, he could potentially refine pills regularly.
He carefully examined the four remaining pills, each one glowing with the same ruby radiance as the first. They were perfect specimens, their medicinal energy stable and potent. He could consume another immediately, but wisdom suggested patience. His body needed time to fully integrate the changes from the first pill before undergoing another transformation. Rushing the process might lead to instability or even damage to his newly opened meridians. Better to wait a day or two between doses, allowing each transformation to settle completely.
The small room still carried the lingering scent of successful alchemy—a rich, medicinal fragrance that spoke of power and potential. Tiānháo carefully stored the remaining pills in a secure pouch, treating them with the reverence they deserved. Each one represented not just personal advancement, but proof of his growing mastery over the alchemical arts. The God and Demon Slaying Bead had provided the knowledge, but the skill to apply that knowledge successfully was his own achievement.
As he prepared for sleep, his mind was already turning to tomorrow's possibilities. He still had four portions of the precious Blood Ginseng remaining, along with sufficient supplementary herbs for additional refinements. With his newfound confidence and experience, he was certain he could successfully refine all four remaining portions. Four more perfect Meridian Opening Pills would represent a treasure trove that could accelerate his cultivation by years.
The thought filled him with anticipation rather than anxiety. Where once the prospect of alchemy had seemed daunting and uncertain, now it felt like a natural extension of his abilities. He understood the process intimately—the precise temperature control, the critical timing, the delicate balance required during condensation. What had once been theoretical knowledge was now practical experience, earned through failure and perseverance.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but tonight he would rest with the satisfaction of a goal achieved. The path of cultivation was long and treacherous, but alchemy had given him a powerful tool to accelerate his journey. As sleep claimed him, Gù Tiānháo's last conscious thought was of the four remaining pills and the transformation they would bring. His future had never looked brighter.