BTTH: Auto Cultivation System

Xiao Hua stood up, his eyes blazing with determination as he began to refine the Heavenly Astral Lightning. The Chaos Mantra guided the violent energies through his Qi Paths, their power coursing through him like a river of raw might. As the Heavenly Astral Lightning surged within him, Xiao Hua felt a dense and formidable spiritual energy filling every corner of his being, nourishing his very soul.

The essence of the Heavenly Astral Lightning was extraordinarily pure, its ethereal presence enveloping Xiao Hua before seeping into his body through his mouth, nostrils, and pores. The spiritual energy continuously flowed into him, merging with his soul and body.

The bottleneck that had confined his Spiritual Strength at the seventh tier began to crack, the invisible barrier that prevented his ascension to an eighth-tier alchemist slowly loosening. As more of the soul essence merged with Xiao Hua, waves of invisible ripples emanated from his body, spreading outward with him at the center. Every living creature within the dense forest felt the immense pressure that radiated from Xiao Hua, a force that directly targeted their souls. Even Su Qian, though far away, felt the oppressive weight, his expression turning solemn in response.

Once Xiao Hua had completely refined the Heavenly Astral Lightning, his spiritual state successfully ascended to the Soul State realm. His soul felt intoxicated by the profound new sensation, a boundless power flowing through him.

"Never would I have imagined that an eighth-tier alchemist would emerge within Jia Nan Academy..." Su Qian muttered softly. He turned to the white-haired old man standing behind him, cupping his hands in a respectful gesture. "Congratulations, Elder Huo! Your disciple, Xiao Hua, has reached the Soul State and is destined to become an eighth-tier alchemist in the near future."

Elder Huo sighed in response. Though he appreciated the praise, he wasn’t shameless enough to claim credit for Xiao Hua’s breakthrough. It was clear that Xiao Hua’s ascension had little to do with him and was more closely tied to that mysterious blue-colored lightning.

He gazed at the small figure in the distance, who had just finished absorbing and refining the enigmatic lightning. 'That little rascal... He's certainly put me in an awkward position. But more than anything, I’m overjoyed that you've grown stronger. Seeing my dear disciple surpass me brings a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.'

----

As Xiao Hua finished refining the Heavenly Astral Lightning, he stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the dark clouds that still loomed above. Moments later, a beautiful purple-colored lightning crackled mysteriously within the clouds.

Upon seeing the purple lightning, Xiao Hua sent his consciousness into his mental world. There, he observed one of the seven transparent beasts stirring from its slumber. The massive creature rose, its colossal body coiling as it prepared for battle. In an instant, it surged upward, leaving Xiao Hua's physical body and charging toward the dark clouds, where the purple lightning roared.

Xiao Hua returned to his physical senses, watching intently as the transparent Lightning Beast clashed with the Heavenly Mortal Lightning. As the battle unfolded, a rare notification from the A-C System appeared before him.

[Congratulations on reaching Soul State. There are a new event and new function added in the System. The function and event will be applied later.]

[You have received a congratulatory reward on reaching Soul State and clear your Inner Demon from the System.]

[Do you want to open it?]

With a calm voice, devoid of any emotion, Xiao Hua addressed the System. "Open it."

[Opening the Gift Pack…]

[You have received 50,000 ACP and Celestial Ancient Frost.]

Seeing that the System had granted him the Celestial Ancient Frost, a wave of worried washed over Xiao Hua. This wasn't like the Heavenly Genesis Flame, which had been fragmented into twenty-two Primordial Heavenly Flames, or the Primordial Heaven Lightning, whose will had been separated from its original body, with its main form divided into nine Heavenly Lightnings.

He recalled a conversation he had once had with Lady Azure, where they discussed his ability to refine the Primordial Heavenly Flame and the Heavenly Lightning. Their strength was beyond comprehension, an unfathomable force that no one should underestimate. Xiao Hua, having personally experienced their destructive power, understood this better than anyone.

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It puzzled him. How could a mere Dou Grandmaster like himself refine something so elusive and powerful, something that even in the vast Great Thousand World stood above all else? Lady Azure had once mentioned that not even a Heavenly Sovereign could match the might of even a single one of these flames.

"That's simple," Lady Azure had said with a casual shrug, an amused smile playing on her lips. "As you know, every plane has its own barrier and boundary. To cross and enter a plane, one must break through the barrier, which would severely weaken even a Heavenly Sovereign. If you don’t enter during that moment, the barrier quickly repairs itself, leaving no time to rest or recover. If you try again, you might need years to destroy it once more, making it quite a waste of time."

She continued, "Once you enter the plane, especially in a weakened state, the boundary of the world—or rather, the will of the world—will weaken you even further. This is what happened to those who wanted to enter the lower plane and their strength would be immediately weakened by the lower plane's will."

"Does that mean, you were all in a weakened state when you arrived in this plane, and I was fortunate to refine you during that time?" Xiao Hua asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

Lady Azure shake her head. "No lower plane could weaken us directly. Instead, we send a sliver of our strength—a fragmented version—into this world. We then transfer our consciousness or soul into that fragment, allowing us to appear here. That fragment is what weaken, but never our real body."

After a moment, her lips curled into a sly smile. "However, that also means that once you leave the Dou Qi continent, this lower plane, and enter an upper plane, you'll need to refine the rest of our original strength."

"I hope I survive when that time comes..." Xiao Hua replied with a wry smile, crossing his arms as he pondered the implications. After a brief silence, he asked, "But if that’s the case, why were you here in the first place, Sister? There’s no reason for you to come here, right? You could have just sent the flame..."

"That's correct," Lady Azure replied, her gaze growing slightly puzzled as she looked at him. "However, a portal connecting the realm where my sisters and I were sealed to this Dou Qi Continent suddenly appeared. It attempted to forcefully pull me out, and I couldn't resist. Fortunately, I quickly realized it wasn't hostile—it was after my 'Fire Source' and my soul. With quick reflexes, I sent a fragment of my 'Fire Source' along with my soul into this world. Had I been a second too late, my forceful descent into this plane would have burned the entire Dou Qi Continent to ashes."

Xiao Hua let out an awkward laugh, realizing how close he had come to disaster. "Ha ha... That's truly fortunate..." he said, feeling both relieved and slightly tense. He had nearly ended the Dou Qi continent without even knowing it when he summoned Lady Azure to this world.

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The memory of prior year, his more naive self brought a small smile to Xiao Hua's lips. Reflecting on his past actions, he couldn't help but find them foolish now. He shook his head and looked up at the sky, a soft whisper escaping him, "Sister Azure, are you there?"

In response, a green glow flickered beside him, and the figure of a beautiful lady materialized, silently standing by his side.

"You know there's something strange and mysterious about me, right?" Xiao Hua asked with a gentle smile.

"Indeed, I know," Lady Azure nodded. She had known about it from the moment she overheard Xiao Xun Er and Ling Ying discussing the ruin that contained the Heavenly Lightning Bloodline.

While it might be possible for the upper planes to house ancient ruins with a small drop of Heavenly Lightning Bloodline, it was inconceivable for a fragile and weak lower plane to contain even a tiny drop of it. Such power would have shattered any lower plane.

Moreover, if it had truly been just a sliver, it wouldn’t have been enough to awaken her sister's will, the Nine Lightning Beasts. Yet, Xiao Hua had managed to do so, meaning what he possessed wasn’t just a fragment—it was the entire Heavenly Lightning Bloodline.

"Unfortunately, I can't tell you everything," Xiao Hua said with an awkward smile. "Something binds me, preventing me from speaking. I've even tried to tell Xun Er, but when I attempt to, the words simply won't come out..."

From the bottom of his heart, Xiao Hua truly wanted to share his secret with Lady Azure. But each time he tried, the System intervened, rendering him unable to speak until his intention to reveal the System faded. Now, he could only remain silent, keeping the System's existence a secret until the day he was finally able to speak of it.

"If that's all, then I don't mind," Lady Azure said softly, her smile warm. The fact that Xiao Hua wanted to tell her, even if he couldn't, filled her heart with warmth. It was enough for her. Wanting to lighten the mood and avoid making him feel worse, she changed the topic. "Since you mentioned this mysterious thing you have, did something happen that prompted you to call me?"

"That's correct, Sister Azure," Xiao Hua nodded. Though he couldn't reveal the existence of the System, he could still talk about the rewards and items it gave him. "It gave me your sister, the Celestial Ancient Frost!"

"What?!" Lady Azure's expression immediately darkened, her brow furrowing in concern. She hadn't anticipated that the mysterious thing within Xiao Hua would be capable of granting him her sister, the Celestial Ancient Frost. This development complicated matters greatly.

Unlike the Heavenly Genesis Flame and Primordial Heaven Lightning, which had been fragmented into Primordial Heaven Flames and Heavenly Lightnings respectively, the Celestial Ancient Frost had managed to avoid such a fate by entering a deep slumber. This allowed it to retain its full power, far surpassing the weakened states of the Heavenly Genesis Flame and Primordial Heaven Lightning.

Without its strength diminished, the moment a portal opened to allow the Celestial Ancient Frost to enter this world, the entire Dou Qi Continent would be at risk of freezing over from her overwhelming energy that she emitted. In that scenario, nothing could stop her tyrannical freezing power unless one possessed the complete version of either the Heavenly Genesis Flame or the Primordial Heaven Lightning.

"Should we stop?" Xiao Hua asked calmly. "After all, it's not like I need to do it right now."

"No, you should proceed, but only after you fully refine the Heavenly Mortal Lightning," Lady Azure replied, shaking her head. She looked up thoughtfully and continued, "Once you've refined it, release all the Lightning Beasts. When the portal opens, there will be a brief window of time for us to wake her up and negotiate with her, ensuring she restrains herself. I will mention to her about the deal we made the last time you made a breakthrough."

"Is there really a need for all this?" Xiao Hua raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled. He couldn't understand why they needed to go to such lengths, especially now. "We still have time, don't we?"

Lady Azure sighed and explained, "Since your soul has entered the Soul State realm, you must have noticed it. To reach the Heavenly State and Di State, you need an enormous amount of spiritual energy to fill your soul. The amount you must absorb to fill your soul is a hundredfold greater than that of ordinary cultivators. But it's nearly impossible to find something in this world that could provide even one-third of what’s needed to make that leap."

She then turned to face him directly, her gaze serious. "Do you remember the benefits of the Celestial Ancient Frost?"

Xiao Hua solemnly nodded, recalling every lesson Lady Azure had imparted to him. "It has something to do with increasing the volume of my soul and filling it with energy constantly. In addition, it also preventing it from becoming oversaturated with spiritual energy. But I don't fully understand how it can help me achieve the Heavenly State."

Lady Azure’s gaze softened as she observed Xiao Hua’s perplexity. With a faint nod, she began to unravel the mysteries before him, her voice carrying the weight of ancient knowledge.

"First, let us discuss the expansion of your soul’s capacity," she began, her tone calm but profound. "Picture your soul as a vast well. In the Soul State, a typical soul might reach a depth of fifty meters, but yours—though in the same state—plunges five thousand meters deep. This depth signifies the boundless potential you now possess."

She paused, letting the gravity of her words sink in before continuing, "However, this immense potential comes with a cost. To fill such an expansive soul, you would need to consume countless treasures and absorb vast quantities of energy. Even with a breakthrough, the time required would be immense. But with the Celestial Ancient Frost continuously nourishing your soul, this burden is lightened."

Her voice lowered, carrying a note of caution. "Secondly, as you draw in more spiritual energy, there exists a danger—your soul may grow oversaturated, risking instability, or worse, collapse during ascension. Your soul is far larger than most, and such imbalance could be fatal. The Celestial Ancient Frost, however, prevents this by harmonizing the flow of energy within you, ensuring your soul remains stable and intact."

She paused, her eyes sharpening. "Though its benefits may not be fully realized in your current state, they will become indispensable as you rise to higher realms—especially when you transcend this lower plane."

She paused, then asked, "If I explain it like that, does it make more sense?"

Xiao Hua nodded, finally grasping the full significance of what she was saying. He now understood the importance of obtaining the Celestial Ancient Frost, even though it wouldn’t immediately allow him to enter the Heavenly State. However, a new concern arose in his mind.

"There's one problem," Xiao Hua said, his brow furrowing. "I'm far too weak to refine the Celestial Ancient Frost. How can someone at the Dou Spirit level hope to refine something that could easily freeze a Heavenly Sovereign? That's a realm far beyond my current capabilities, two major realms higher than Dou Di..."

Lady Azure briefly closed her eyes, as though she could already sense the concern in Xiao Hua's heart. "I understand what you’re thinking," she began softly, her voice carrying the weight of ancient wisdom. "And yes, in your current state, refining my sister is beyond your reach."

Her eyes opened, their depths gleaming with a quiet determination. "That is why we must wake her. My sister possesses unparalleled mastery in spiritual arrays and soul techniques. She can create a unique, isolated space within your body—one that will contain her power without causing you harm. However, there is a cost. She must remain dormant, and her consciousness will have to reside solely within your mental world."

"Haa... So, basically, there'll be another resident in my mental space," Xiao Hua sighed in annoyance. He hadn't anticipated that his mental space would be housing yet another powerful entity so soon.

Lady Azure giggled softly at his reaction, finding his mix of frustration and maturity rather amusing. "Indeed," she replied with a teasing smile. "But the main reason is the last one. Even if she's dormant, she'll continuously emit pure energy that will nourish and fill your soul. This will solve the problem of searching for treasures and ingredients that would only partially fill the vast expanse of your soul."

This revelation left Xiao Hua momentarily stunned. It was true—after absorbing and refining the Heavenly Astral Lightning, he could feel that his soul had transformed into a bottomless pit for Spiritual Strength. He had already begun to worry about how long it would take to fill such an immense void and whether he could find enough treasures capable of helping him.

With a faint smile, Xiao Hua lifted his gaze, watching as the transparent Lightning Beast slowly turned purple after absorbing the Heavenly Mortal Lightning. A question nagged at him: Why was this one different from the previous two?

Sensing his bewilderment, Lady Azure spoke up to clarify. "Didn't I mention it before? You've passed the trial set by the Heavenly Astral Lightning. The next three Heavenly Lightning, including this one, will be much easier for you to absorb and refine."

"The next three, huh..." Xiao Hua's expression turned thoughtful as he realized something. "It seems Sister Azure already knows which Heavenly Lightning I'll be struck by next..."

Lady Azure chuckled at his expression, her amusement evident. "Of course I do. The only unpredictable one is the Heavenly Astral Lightning—it appears randomly, and even I don't know the exact criteria for its manifestation. But the others, I can foresee. The next ones will be easier for you, thanks to the progress you've made."

"Is that so?" Xiao Hua shrugged, taking a step forward. He raised his arm, sensing the faint connection between himself and the Lightning Beast. This connection was fleeting and delicate, only present when the Lightning Beast had turned from its transparent, formless state to a deep purple. At any other time, the Lightning Beasts would practically ignore him, and if he pestered them too much, they would throw tantrums like unruly children.

Sensing Xiao Hua’s call, the Lightning Beast responded and returned to his mental world. As it re-entered his body, Xiao Hua immediately began refining all the energy it carried. The power surged through him, pushing his strength to finally reach the Dou Spirit realm.

With a solemn nod, Xiao Hua turned to Lady Azure, signaling his readiness. "Sister Azure, let's begin."

Lady Azure nodded slightly in response. "Okay. You can release her now."

Inwardly, Xiao Hua communicated with the System, 'System, I will receive the Celestial Ancient Frost.'

Crack!

The sharp sound of glass shattering echoed through the air. Xiao Hua looked up and saw intense spatial ripples distorting the sky. With each ripple, the space around them twisted, and tiny cracks began to form in the fabric of the sky. These small cracks spread rapidly, merging and converging until they formed one massive, singular fissure that loomed ominously above.

As the spatial ripples intensified, Xiao Hua took decisive action, releasing the nine Lightning Beasts. Six of them were still transparent and formless, but three stood out distinctly—one was a regal, golden-colored beast, another a serene, blue-colored creature, and the last an enigmatic, purple-colored entity.

Without hesitation, Lady Azure transformed into a green-colored glow and charged toward the growing spatial crack. She disappeared into the still-incomplete rift without a moment’s pause.

With a swift motion, Xiao Hua sent the nine Lightning Beasts to follow Lady Azure, watching as they vanished into the spatial crack one by one.

"I wish you luck, Sister Azure. You too, Lightning Beasts," Xiao Hua murmured softly, exhaling a deep breath. He could feel his body tensing as the gravity of the situation settled in. The success of this critical moment now rested in the hands of Lady Azure and the nine Lightning Beasts.

After what felt like an eternity, a green-colored glow emerged from the spatial crack, followed closely by the nine Lightning Beasts. They moved swiftly towards Xiao Hua, merging between his brows and entering his mental world. Almost immediately, Lady Azure’s voice resonated within his mind.

"Child, she agreed to it. Keep the pathway to your mental world open. She has provided me with a special formation that will allow her to move inside your mental world directly. However, creating a special, isolated space within another person’s mental world is challenging, especially when she is unfamiliar with that person. It might take some time, so you may need to enter closed-door cultivation until she completes the space."

"Understood, Sister Azure," Xiao Hua replied with a slight nod. He seated himself on the ground, crossing his legs, and began to focus inward, readying himself for the imminent arrival of the Celestial Ancient Frost into his mental world.

"Let's begin, Sister Azure," he said calmly, his voice steady as he braced himself.

Within his mental world, Lady Azure's hand seals wove through the air with practiced grace as the nine Lightning Beasts took their positions in a formation, ready to become part of the grand array. Their bodies pulsed with blue light, lines of glowing energy extending from each beast toward Lady Azure, who stood at the array's center. The nine blue glows merged into one vast formation, its intricate patterns swirling with ancient, mystical power. As the final seal was made, the formation burst to life, releasing waves of pure, icy energy that surged outward.

Instantly, the effects could be felt outside his mental world. Everything within a six-kilometer radius froze solid with Xiao Hua at the epicenter as if the world itself bowed to the power of the Celestial Ancient Frost. Trees, boulders, and even the very air sparkled with frost, transforming the once vibrant forest into a crystalline, frozen landscape. It was as if nature itself paid homage to this overpowering force, turning the area into an ethereal frozen realm.

Xiao Xun Er and the others, sensing the overbearing and overwhelming cold energy, instinctively retreated further away.

"Ugh..." Xiao Hua let out a muffled grunt as the chilling energy seeped into his body. His face paled, and a wave of discomfort washed over him. Without hesitation, he summoned the green-colored flame within him, enveloping himself in its protective heat. He had anticipated the frost’s power, but the sheer intensity of it still made him wonder if he could endure until the Celestial Ancient Frost completed its isolated space within his mental world.

Lady Azure, hearing Xiao Hua’s pained grunt, quickly turned to the nine Lightning Beasts. She sent a mental command, urging them to assist. Without hesitation, the nine beasts roared in unison, leaving his mental world once again. They transformed into pure lightning, their crackling forms swirling around Xiao Hua, forming a barrier against the relentless cold.

Stabilizing the array, Lady Azure also left the mental world, transforming into a radiant green flame. In a sudden burst, the flame blossomed into a magnificent azure-colored lotus that enveloped Xiao Hua, placing him at the lotus's heart, shielding him from the frigid energy that threatened to consume him.

Moments passed, and the cold energy began to stir ominously. Without warning, it surged forward, enveloping both Xiao Hua and the azure lotus in a blanket of frost. The glazed lotus now radiated a striking mixture of tyrannical lightning, searing azure flames, and creamy white mist. It shimmered with a domineering, overpowering aura—a beautiful, yet terrifying spectacle.

The pure and boundless energy emitted from the lotus began to purify the area, its influence spreading across five kilometers of the dense forest. The mist it created was thick with spiritual energy, transforming the frozen garden into a place of overwhelming power and vitality.

Xiao Hua’s consciousness gradually faded as he slipped into a deep, meditative slumber. He focused all his will on absorbing the endless stream of energy that now surrounded him, his body greedily soaking in the celestial frost and spiritual essence. As he cultivated in silence, the forest became serene, its previously fierce atmosphere calming into one of tranquil peace.

The First Elder had decreed that no one was permitted to enter the forest, reserving access solely for the elders, who were allowed to visit only on rare occasions to inspect the the forest’s conditions. His edict was issued with the utmost seriousness, for he wished to guarantee that Xiao Hua could cultivate in complete safety, without any external disturbances.