Chapter 478 - 162: Three Saints Heart Refining Pill, Six Desires Pearl, The Gift Prepared for Her

The Helian Family and the Tantai Family had been on good terms for generations. The most outstanding young member of this generation was none other than Helian Wen.

He was three years older than Tantai Qing. His birth had also caused quite a sensation. While the phenomenon surrounding it wasn’t as astonishing as Tantai Qing’s, the enshrined portrait of their Saint Ancestor manifested its spirit and bestowed upon him a wisp of Enlightenment Holy Qi.

Thanks to that wisp of Enlightenment Holy Qi, which contained a Saint’s wisdom, his intellect awakened far earlier than his peers, making him more composed and wise.

At a young age, his temperament was as composed as an adult’s. He could quickly enter a meditative state to quiet his mind and was well-versed in numerous scriptures and Daoist Techniques.

These advantages allowed his cultivation to far surpass his peers. By the age of three, he had already tempered his physical body to the level of Perfection.

Countless people on Immortal Ascension Island believed he would one day lead the Helian Family to new heights, restoring the glory they had known when their ancient ancestor was alive.

The birth of Tantai Qing made the relationship between the two families even closer and more secure.

Due to the families’ history of frequent intermarriage, a marriage contract had already been arranged for the two of them before Tantai Qing was even born.

Helian Wen was naturally overjoyed with this girl who was three years his junior and also his fiancée.

Although Tantai Qing was a few years younger, she was just as sensible and intelligent. She had a gentle and gracious personality, was well-read, reasonable, and empathetic.

Her cultivation speed was by no means slower than Helian Wen’s; in fact, as time went on, she even showed signs of surpassing him.

The two had known each other since they were young and grew up together—they were true childhood sweethearts.

Tantai Qing lived up to her name, possessing a beauty that could topple nations, rivaling that of the legendary Biyue and Xiu Hua. He, Helian Wen, was cultured and refined, dashing and elegant, profoundly learned, and a powerful cultivator.

The two were widely acknowledged as the perfect couple among the younger generation of the three great Guardian Families. It was certain they would become a loving and harmonious Immortal couple in the future.

Helian Wen had always believed so as well. He and his Qing’er deeply loved and admired one another.

That was until seven years ago, the year Tantai Qing turned fifteen. He learned from her that the Elder Pavilion housed a Holy Object called the Three Saints Heart Refining Pill. It was a batch of Treasure Pills refined in ancient times by the three Saint Ancestors of the great Guardian Families. They had used countless Celestial and Earthly Treasures and expended years of painstaking effort to create them.

Only seven pills were ever made. By now, only a single one remained, enshrined deep within the Elder Pavilion.

The wondrous effects of this pill surpassed all mortal imagination; its quality could not be judged by the standards used for later generations of Elixir Pills.

It contained the immeasurable experience and wisdom gained by the Three Saints as they comprehended the world and its creatures, tempering their hearts within the rolling Red Dust. Not only could it alter a cultivator’s aptitude, but it could also grant them true wisdom and mental clarity.

If a person’s aptitude improved but their wisdom and temperament did not, they were no better than a failure.

But the Three Saints Heart Refining Pill could remedy this very flaw. It could transform someone timid and insecure, or foolish and arrogant, into a person who was composed and intelligent, resourceful, patient, and resolute... It could fundamentally change their character, granting them Saint-like qualities.

From ancient times to the present, why have Saints become so rare? Many a Celestial Pride clearly possesses the aptitude of a Saint, yet they remain trapped for life in the Eighth Realm Tribulation Bridge Realm, unable to advance a single inch or touch the Saint Realm.

The greatest reason for this is that their temperament fails to elevate, and they consistently lack the unique state of mind required of a Saint.

Helian Wen was well aware of Tantai Qing’s pursuit of the Saint Realm and understood how important this pill was to her. Yet only one Three Saints Heart Refining Pill remained, and it was hidden away, enshrined deep within the Elder Pavilion.

The Pavilion was a forbidden area on Immortal Ascension Island. Without a summons, no one was permitted to set foot inside.

For the woman he loved, Helian Wen decided to take a risk. He would steal the Three Saints Heart Refining Pill and give it to her as a gift for her fifteenth birthday.

So, without Tantai Qing’s knowledge, he began to plot in secret. He stole an Exotic Treasure from his clan—the Tribulation Transformation Golden Robe—to conceal his presence. Then, he went to the Elder Pavilion and used an Exotic Fire to set the surrounding buildings ablaze, creating a chaotic diversion.

He used the opportunity to sneak deep into the Elder Pavilion and steal the Three Saints Heart Refining Pill...

He had planned this meticulously for a long time. To ensure it was foolproof, he used several items from the Demon Race—which he’d acquired from the Demon Abyss—to create the illusion that a Demon had appeared. This was to make the Elder Pavilion mistakenly believe a Demon had infiltrated their grounds and stolen the Holy Object.

Everything went according to his plan, without a single hitch.

But just as he arrived at their meeting spot, overjoyed, and handed the Three Saints Heart Refining Pill to Tantai Qing, the unexpected happened...

An Elder from the Elder Pavilion appeared behind her—it was her grandfather.

In that instant, an icy chill shot through Helian Wen. He stared at Tantai Qing in utter disbelief.

But her usual charming smile and gentle, captivating expression were gone. In their place was only icy indifference and profound disgust.

"The Three Saints Heart Refining Pill is in hand. Grandfather, you can kill this waste of space now..."

He heard Tantai Qing say this with chilling indifference before she turned and walked away.

Helian Wen felt as if he’d been plunged into an icy abyss. The pain was so great he wanted to die. His chest felt like it was being ripped in two, and the world before him went dark. ’So, all this time... her gentleness toward me was just an act...’

He turned and fled for his life. The Elder from the Elder Pavilion pursued him like a cat toying with a mouse, his voice dripping with cold mockery. "If I hadn’t helped you, how could you possibly have stolen the Three Saints Heart Refining Pill so easily?"

"Qing’er is destined to become a Saint. With the Three Saints Heart Refining Pill, her chances will increase by at least thirty percent. When she achieves sainthood, she’ll remember you for this wonderful deed..."

Pain, grief, indignation, regret—a torrent of emotions flooded Helian Wen’s heart, but all he could do was run for his life.