Chapter 2279: Emperor's Absolute Pill

The environments where the Midnight Flower, Silent Iron, and Outer-Space Meteorite are found are not accessible to ordinary Conferred God Kings. Otherwise, Ao Feng would have already taken them, and it wouldn't be his turn to explore.

Yet, someone still managed to get there first. Could it be that another powerful individual has emerged in the God Realm besides himself, someone capable of acting before him?

Ao Feng paused, then replied, "Because of Emperor Tianzun's rise, all Emperors have placed great importance on this spiritual energy tide. They've spared no expense to cultivate talented individuals with potential. As far as I know, our Cloud Chi Heaven has nurtured three powerful experts. Using the Space-Time Mirror, they manipulated time to rapidly advance, successfully achieving the Conferred God King rank before the Tidal Sea opened. Each of them is no weaker than me, and some are even stronger…"

"Oh?" Zhang Xuan frowned. Did the Nine Emperors also know this was the final spiritual energy tide, hence their willingness to expend such vast resources? He looked at Ao Feng, full of questions: "What are the names of these three individuals you mentioned?"

"Kong Shiyao, Liu Yang… and another named… Zhang Jiuxiao!" Ao Feng replied after a moment of thought.

"Them?" Zhang Xuan was dumbfounded. He had always been worried about his students being taken away by the Grand Emperors, though he was somewhat relieved to know they were doing well. He never in his wildest dreams imagined that they would all reach the Conferred rank! Their cultivation speed was simply astonishing! He was fortunate to have also reached this realm; otherwise, if they met and he was weaker than his own students, how incredibly awkward that would be!

"Yes, and it's not just us. Gengjin Heaven has also cultivated an incredibly powerful Conferred God King named Zhao Ya, whose cultivation is unfathomable. Lieyang Heaven nurtured one named Zheng Yang, whose long spear strikes are unmatched and truly domineering. Over with the Qiankun Demon Emperor, there also appears to be a formidable Conferred God King named Lu Chong, no weaker than me! Linglong Heaven has Wang Ying and Wei Ruyan, and Xuanming Heaven has Yuan Tao, Shan Xiaotian, and Bai Ruanqing… These God Kings were all recently nurtured by various Grand Emperors. Though they are rising stars, their strength is not to be underestimated; in fact, they are stronger, not weaker, than us veteran Conferred God Kings!"

Unaware of the subtle change in Zhang Xuan's expression, Ao Feng explained with a serious look, "Do you think… could it be that they seized these treasures ahead of time?"

"This…" Zhang Xuan forced a wry smile. If what Ao Feng said was true, it was indeed highly probable. He wasn't sure about the strength of other Conferred God Kings, but if his own disciples had truly reached that rank, their combat power would undoubtedly be the highest among their peers, thanks to the simplified Heaven's Path cultivation technique and their thoroughly tempered foundations. Even Confucius's students, at that age, might not have been able to contend with them!

It wasn't that his teaching methods were superior to those of Confucius. Rather, the Heaven's Path they each controlled was fundamentally different. The Heaven's Path of Order primarily maintained balance, providing cultivators with more time for practice. However, the Flawed Heaven's Path directly identified and corrected deficiencies, offering a more precise approach to addressing and resolving issues.

"Each of them is incredibly powerful. Facing one or two individually might be manageable, but if they've already teamed up, trying to snatch anything back might not be so easy. Although you, Senior, are a Nine Heavens Conferred King, I would advise against confronting them directly…"

Fearing that Zhang Xuan might impulsively try to reclaim the items, Ao Feng offered a cautious reminder. A Nine Heavens Conferred King is indeed formidable, but those individuals are exceptionally strong. If several of them united, especially with treasures provided by Grand Emperors, even the most powerful would find it difficult to contend. This was precisely why Emperor Tianzun's disciples were so dominant in the Tidal Sea: not only were they individually powerful, but their coordinated teamwork, when united, made them almost unstoppable, rendering even Grand Emperors helpless unless they personally intervened. How much more so for others.

"Confront them directly?" Seeing Ao Feng's concern, Zhang Xuan smiled and shook his head, choosing not to reveal the truth. "That likely won't be necessary!"

Although these were indeed his students, their current achievements were largely due to the efforts of the other Grand Emperors. Moreover, given his low-key nature, it was best to remain silent. If the other Grand Emperors discovered they had effectively worked for him, it could have negative repercussions for his many students. A teacher must always prioritize their students' well-being.

"Aside from these locations, do you know of any other powerful treasures?" Since the items from several places had already been taken, and knowing that dwelling on whether his disciples were responsible was pointless, Zhang Xuan looked back at Ao Feng.

The Tidal Sea was vast; searching it now would be an endless endeavor. He could only inquire with someone who had previous experience.

In Zhang Xuan's view, Ao Feng's cultivation wasn't particularly remarkable, yet his ability to survive four Tidal Sea cycles without perishing undoubtedly indicated exceptional capabilities.

"There's one last place…" Ao Feng mused for a moment before slowly continuing, "It's likely the most extraordinary treasure I've ever seen! Even a Grand Emperor could potentially achieve further breakthroughs if they obtained it. However… with my current strength, there's simply no way for me to acquire it; I can only observe…"

"Something that can help a Grand Emperor advance further? What is it?" Zhang Xuan was taken aback, his eyes widening with interest. A treasure capable of helping a Grand Emperor achieve further breakthroughs would undoubtedly drive countless cultivators in the God Realm into a frenzy.

Ao Feng's eyes gleamed. "The Emperor Zenith Pill!"

"The Emperor Zenith Pill?" Zhang Xuan was puzzled. This item wasn't mentioned in any of the texts he had read before; clearly, it wasn't a type of medicinal herb.

"It's an Emperor-grade pill!" Ao Feng confirmed with a nod.

"A pill? How could there be a pill here?" Zhang Xuan was utterly bewildered. The Tidal Sea was a chaotic, uninhabited place. How could a pill exist here, let alone one of Emperor-grade?

"According to legend, when Emperor Tianzun had not yet become a Grand Emperor, he entered the Tidal Sea and, relying on his supreme alchemy skills, refined this pill. Two pills were created then: the first was consumed, allowing him to successfully break through his realm. During that breakthrough, he encountered a heavenly tribulation, and the resulting backlash from the Tidal Sea caused such immense turmoil that the second pill managed to escape. Later, Emperor Tianzun dispatched disciples to search for it, but they were never successful, so it has remained here ever since. While it doesn't possess the full power of a true Grand Emperor, it definitely surpasses a Half-Step Emperor and is beyond the capabilities of an ordinary Conferred God King to defeat!" Ao Feng explained.

"Refined by Emperor Tianzun?" Zhang Xuan suddenly realized. If anyone in this world could refine an Emperor-grade pill before becoming an Emperor, it would undoubtedly be him! Entering the Tidal Sea, utilizing the abundant medicinal ingredients and various treasures to successfully refine such a high-grade medicine while simultaneously attempting a breakthrough — only he possessed such an extraordinary demeanor and compelling strength.

"Since this Emperor Zenith Pill can help someone break through to the Grand Emperor realm, if I find and seize it, could I also achieve a successful breakthrough?" A thought stirred within him, and an idea blossomed. Zhang Xuan clenched his fists, his eyes burning with fervent anticipation.