Chapter 107
Chapter 107: Wen Guan
Master Luan gazed at the obstacle-breaking pill with a look of pure delight. The smile on his face seemed like it might overflow with joy. “This is wonderful! I was right, the refining of Star Force is indeed possible! Since Star Force is a natural energy of the universe, if it exists, it can be refined. Hahaha, this is fantastic!”
Xiao Nian, standing beside him, looked at Wang Jie with admiration.
Wang Jie, ever humble, asked, “Senior, does this mean it’s a success?”
Master Luan’s eyes shone with excitement as he turned to Wang Jie. “Of course, little friend! You’ve accomplished something momentous!”
Wang Jie chuckled inwardly. It wasn’t that he was ungrateful, but he wasn’t about to let compliments cloud his judgment. After all, he wasn’t a true Celestial Refining Master, and if Master Luan—who wasn’t even the top alchemist in the sect—had figured out Star Refining, surely others had as well.
“Xiao Nian, eat,” Master Luan instructed.
Xiao Nian didn’t hesitate for a second and immediately swallowed the pill.
Wang Jie was genuinely impressed. Xiao Nian didn’t even ask questions, just ate the pill with complete trust. It was truly refreshing.
Once the pill had been consumed, Xiao Nian crossed his legs and began to meditate. A faint chill surrounded his body. Wang Jie wasn’t sure if it was the pill’s effect or some technique Xiao Nian was using.
Xiao Nian was a true disciple, a full Star Realm cultivator, perhaps even stronger than Bei Yi from the Zhuan clan. His power far exceeded any of the enemies Wang Jie had previously faced, and Wang Jie couldn’t gauge his strength.
After a while, Xiao Nian opened his eyes and looked at Master Luan. “The effects are even better.”
Master Luan beamed at Wang Jie. “Little friend, we’ve succeeded!”
Wang Jie, unsure of what to say, could only offer a modest reply.
Master Luan immediately took out a pile of pills and asked Wang Jie to help refine them with Star Force. These pills were powerful—some even stronger than those used for Star Breaking Realm cultivators—yet they were not tools to be refined but materials that could be handled with Star Force alone.
Wang Jie hesitated. “Senior, I also have my own tasks to attend to. I don’t mind helping occasionally, but this… is quite a lot.”
Master Luan, noticing his discomfort, asked, “Is there some difficulty, little friend? Don’t worry, here in the Frost Radiance Sect, there’s nothing the old man can’t solve.”
Wang Jie smiled, waiting for the moment he had been waiting for. “Junior has always had a wish—to break the limitation of Lock Force cultivation, to give those who practice it a chance to surpass their limits. So, I’ve been refining it with Star Force, hoping to open a new path.”
“Perhaps I am too ambitious, thinking I can break history with just ten seals. But since the heavens have given me the ability to refine, perhaps I’m meant to help the five million Lock Force cultivators in our sect.”
“What exactly are you trying to do?” Xiao Nian interrupted.
Wang Jie froze for a moment, his momentum faltering.
Master Luan shot Xiao Nian a glare. “Be quiet! Little Master Wang is aiming high, let him speak.”
Wang Jie, gathering his thoughts, continued, “I’ve been collecting cataclysm materials, as many as I can.”
Master Luan blinked. “That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
Master Luan sighed, then turned to Xiao Nian. “Xiao Nian.”
“Disciple is here.”
“Send a message. Gather all the cataclysm materials from the alchemy dao and bring them to Little Master Wang’s quarters. He may use them freely. Also, report to the sect master and immediately collect the Slaughter Stone planet’s cataclysm materials. If that isn’t enough, purchase more. Ensure Little Master Wang’s needs are met.”
Xiao Nian bowed respectfully. “As you command, Master.” He left to carry out the orders.
Master Luan looked back at Wang Jie, smiling. “Little friend, is this to your satisfaction?”
Wang Jie smiled in return. “I will follow Senior’s instructions.”
Master Luan’s orders soon reverberated throughout the entire Frost Radiance Sect. As an Alchemy Grand Master, his influence was unrivaled within the sect, and now his orders involved Wang Jie, a newly appointed Celestial Refining Master. The entire sect buzzed with discussions and speculations.
This whirlwind of activity eventually led to Wang Jie’s long-awaited meeting with the sect master, Wen Guan.
“I, old man Wen Guan, it’s been a while, Master Wang,” Wen Guan said. He appeared to be in his mid-years but his eyes carried the weight of many long years. According to Wang Jie, he had lived far longer than most.
Wang Jie bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Sect Master.”
As the Sect Master of Frost Radiance Sect, Wen Guan was a Star Refining Realm powerhouse. He did not need to pay excessive attention to Celestial Refining Masters, and with many honored guests within the sect, he didn’t meet with every one of them. If it weren’t for Master Luan, Wang Jie might never have had this chance to meet him.
Wen Guan smiled. “No need for such formalities. I’ve known Master Luan for a long time, and he’s been eager to refine Star Force pills. Today, that dream has come true.”
Master Luan interjected. “You, old man, always so busy. What brings you here?”
Wen Guan chuckled. “Occasionally, even I have free time. Celestial Refining Masters are so rare, second only to Star Path Masters. I’ve wanted to see one for quite some time.”
“Since you’re here, why not lend a hand? I’ve gathered several new materials.”
“Oh? That sounds interesting. Can I refuse?”
“Of course not.”
Wen Guan sighed theatrically. “I am the Sect Master, after all.”
“I am Master Luan,” Master Luan shot back.
“Alright, alright, Master Wang, would you like to join us?”
“Little friend, come and see. It will help you in the future,” Master Luan urged.
Wang Jie wasn’t sure what they intended to do, but he eagerly followed. It seemed he was about to witness something most people would never get to see.
As they walked, news of Wen Guan’s meeting with Wang Jie spread throughout the sect. Whispers flooded the halls, with many speculating that Wang Jie had been brought in by the Domain Lord of Cold Radiance to vie for the position of Fog Peak Lord.
Inside the Cold Radiance Domain, Domain Lord Zhu Cheng’s eyes were filled with depth, and his voice was low. “The Sect Master has gone there. Everyone’s talking about that old man. If your people don’t get here soon, I’ll lose this position.”
“Don’t worry, they’re already on their way. We’ll get you the Fog Peak position,” came the reassuring response.
“I hope so. Don’t forget, I haven’t done anything yet. Being honest now won’t hurt anything. We’ll see how sincere you are.”
“Understood.”
Meanwhile, Wang Jie stood in awe as he watched a miraculous scene unfold before him. He saw someone transform into a star, with everything around him turning into the vast emptiness of the cosmos. Materials spun around the stars, being refined, and within moments, all of them had changed.
Master Luan grinned, looking at Wang Jie. “This is the power of the Star Refining Realm. Even for me, it would take a long time to refine those materials, but when the Sect Master steps in, it only takes a moment.”
Wang Jie stood in stunned silence, watching as Wen Guan returned to his human form. The stars and void before him vanished, and Wang Jie felt as though he was returning from the universe to the earth, gasping for air. It had been overwhelming, almost suffocating to witness.
This was the Star Refining Realm.
Wen Guan smiled at Wang Jie before leaving.
Wang Jie looked at Master Luan. While he could face a Full Star Realm opponent, facing someone like Wen Guan in the Star Refining Realm left him at a loss. It wasn’t about winning or losing; it felt as though ordinary people couldn’t even comprehend how to strike at the universe itself.
Master Luan snapped his fingers, a loud sound breaking Wang Jie’s reverie.
“Sorry, Senior. I was rude,” Wang Jie apologized quickly.
Master Luan chuckled. “It’s normal. Seeing the Star Refining Realm for the first time is always overwhelming. Refining stars, turning oneself into a star, and absorbing the universe’s Star Force, that’s beyond the limits of the body. Even a Hundred Star Realm cultivator would feel completely outclassed.”
Wang Jie nodded. “I thought that no matter how strong the opponent was, at least I could have the courage to fight. But now…”
Master Luan sighed. “The Star Refining Realm truly separates the levels. Before Star Refining, you are human. After Star Refining, you are a monster.”
“Don’t worry too much, little friend. Take your cultivation step by step.”
“Now, I’m going to start refining ordinary materials. This process should be useful to you. Watching it often will help with your Star Refining.”
Wang Jie didn’t necessarily need help, but he couldn’t refuse Master Luan. So, he agreed.
Master Luan set up a large cauldron, and one by one, materials were added and refined with Star Force. Wang Jie observed at first but soon began to practice his Lock Force technique, making use of the time. The process was slow, but for Wang Jie, it felt like a retreat, even if it was tedious.
Soon, the heat from the furnace began to rise, reaching a point where the temperature was almost unbearable. The air turned red, warped, and began to boil. The walls around them also turned red from the heat.
It seemed that Master Luan had forgotten to account for his disciple’s endurance, and Wang Jie had to endure the heat as best as he could.
But, as he endured, his Lock Force cultivation improved. The high temperature created a weight that made his cultivation thicker, allowing him to refine even further.
Master Luan continued his work, refining the materials with a controlled but still high temperature. Wang Jie continued his practice, the combination of both methods proving to be incredibly beneficial.
Eventually, Master Luan took a breath, the furnace went out, and he looked over at Wang Jie, concern flashing across his face.
“You… you’re alright, right?” he asked.
Wang Jie, flushed red and covered in sweat, gave him a wry smile. “Almost. I was close.”
“Ah, I forgot. Refining pills produces extreme heat. Many alchemists can’t improve because they can’t endure it. Only those who reach a certain level can bear it. I should’ve been more careful,” Master Luan said, his face wrinkling in concern.
Wang Jie chuckled. “Senior, please do the pill refining alone next time. I may not survive another round.”
Master Luan laughed awkwardly. “No need to worry, I can control the heat. I’m not some ordinary alchemist. You can rest easy, there won’t be a next time.”
And so, Master Luan continued, the heat rising once more, but this time with better control. Wang Jie continued his cultivation, both his Lock Force and Star Refining skills growing stronger with each moment.