Buying and Selling

It is said that after passing the first layer of Qi Refining, one has stepped through the threshold of cultivation. In reality, true prestigious sects scoff at this notion. The orthodox cultivation world believes that the entire long period of Qi Refining is merely a preparatory phase. Cultivators should only be called Qi Cultivators.

Only after forming a Sea of Qi in the Dantian and entering Foundation Establishment does one truly step through the threshold of cultivation.

Foundation Establishment, Foundation Establishment – it means building the foundation of cultivation. If the foundation is not built, how can one speak of cultivation?

This viewpoint is a fundamental tenet within the mainstream of orthodox cultivation. It can also be explained from another perspective: the abilities displayed in the first and second layers of early Qi Refining are not much different from martial artists in the pugilistic world. In a real fight, it's hard to say who would win or lose. Only after reaching the third layer does the gap gradually widen.

Ninety-nine percent of Qi Cultivators will be stuck in the Qi Refining stage for their entire lives, unable to overcome this preparatory phase. Their lifespan will also end around the age of one hundred. If that's the case, what can be considered true cultivation?

Only when the Sea of Qi is fully formed can one be considered a cultivator, with the potential to extend their lifespan to around one hundred and sixty years, truly embodying the demeanor of a cultivator.

After Foundation Establishment, one needs to solidify the Sea of Qi to form a Golden Core.

Then, one must temper the Golden Core, continuously refining it to make it more attuned to oneself, to unlock greater marvels, and gain several more years of lifespan, living between two hundred and forty to three hundred years old.

Only those with truly exceptional talent, or those favored by destiny, can gradually develop Spiritual Sense during the process of tempering the Golden Core, eventually transforming into a Nascent Soul.

All subsequent cultivation, such as Spirit Refining, Void Returning, and the legendary Dao Integration, revolves around the Nascent Soul. During this phase, there are only differences in cultivation level, with no distinct realm differences. This is how one enters the ranks of powerful cultivators, collectively referred to by prestigious sects as Immortals on Land. Therefore, the formation of the Nascent Soul is a watershed moment for becoming a powerful cultivator. Crossing this watershed allows one to live up to six hundred years.

As for the Foundation Establishment Pill, it is a spirit elixir that aids Qi Cultivators in forming their Sea of Qi. For the vast majority of Qi Cultivators, it is the secret key to opening the door to cultivation, a lifelong dream.

However, not only are the materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill rare, but the pill formula is also a secret passed down within sects. Even among cultivation families, there are only a handful who can refine this pill, highlighting its immense value.

"It was stolen?" Zuo Gaofeng exclaimed in surprise. The Foundation Establishment Pill painstakingly refined by the Lu clan of Tianmu Mountain could be stolen; it was unimaginable.

"Indeed, it was stolen. This matter is absolutely true," Wei Hongqing nodded emphatically.

"How do you, Brother Wei, know such a secret?" Zuo Gaofeng pressed.

Tan Bazhang sighed, "It seems Brother Wei has some connection with an inner disciple of the Lu clan of Tianmu Mountain. Hmm, a female disciple."

Zuo Gaofeng was speechless for a long time, his mouth agape.

Wei Hongqing said gravely, "The one who stole the spirit elixir is an attendant on duty in the pill chamber, named Lu Zi'an. This person was originally an outer disciple of Tianmu Mountain and had reached the tenth layer of Qi Refining. Due to the failure in the inner disciple selection, he harbored resentment and took advantage of his duty at the pill chamber to steal the pill. After stealing the pill, Lu Zi'an escaped from Tianmu Mountain. Currently, everyone on Tianmu Mountain is investigating Lu Zi'an's whereabouts."

He paused, then suddenly smiled, "Coincidentally, I happen to know Lu Zi'an's whereabouts."

Upon hearing this, everyone present felt their breathing quicken slightly.

Becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator was the highest aspiration for all the rogue cultivators of Wulong Mountain, including Liu Xiaolou. As for Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and the like, no one dared to even dream of them. Wei Hongqing's sudden announcement that a Foundation Establishment Pill had fallen into the hands of the public inevitably sparked some fantasies in their minds.

However, if they were fortunate enough to obtain this spirit elixir, how would it be divided? And to whom would it be given?

The few of them exchanged glances, looking at each other, and a moment of silence fell.

After a long silence, Tan Bazhang suddenly said, "Let's sell it and split the spirit stones! If we can get our hands on this pill, we could probably get over a hundred spirit stones for it!"

The Western Mountain Hermit, Zuo Gaofeng, and Liu Xiaolou all slowly shook their heads.

Zuo Gaofeng said, "We need to discuss this carefully. After all, he's at the tenth layer of Qi Refining…"

The Western Mountain Hermit said, "Over a hundred? Brother Tan, do you know where any Foundation Establishment Pills have been sold? What was the price? Chieftain Zuo, Younger Brother Liu, do either of you know?"

Everyone's minds raced as they pondered.

Wei Hongqing also asked, "Regarding the Hermit's question, can anyone answer? Have any of you heard of any markets selling Foundation Establishment Pills?"

After much thought, no one could answer. They had never heard of such a thing.

Wei Hongqing said coldly, "Because no one dares to sell them! The Foundation Establishment Pills refined by each sect are different. Experts can tell which sect refined it at a glance. Everyone on Tianmu Mountain is looking for Lu Zi'an and tracking this Foundation Establishment Pill. If you try to sell it in a market, which shop would dare to accept it? Even if someone does, will you live to spend the money?"

Everyone was instantly silenced. Wei Hongqing was right. Not only would they not live to spend the money, but they wouldn't even live to sell it!

Who could they sell it to? As soon as it was sold, the news would definitely get out. When Tianmu Mountain arrived, who could handle it? Perhaps they would be reported to Tianmu Mountain by the buyer as soon as they left.

Tan Bazhang hesitated, "Someone must be buying it, right? Let's sell it far away, to Qingcheng Market, or Luofu Mountain Market? We've lived our lives with our heads on our belts up until today. Being indecisive isn't the way of us cultivators from Wulong Mountain!"

Zuo Gaofeng said, "We need to discuss this carefully… Everyone, please remain calm. Since Brother Wei has summoned us, he must have a plan. Brother Wei is not one to be indecisive."

Wei Hongqing was indeed not indecisive, otherwise, he wouldn't have gathered everyone. However, his proposed solution was more prudent: "Actually, the Foundation Establishment Pill is secondary. What has angered the elders of Tianmu Mountain is that a traitor has emerged from within the sect. Therefore, they have issued an order: if any sect disciple can find Lu Zi'an and retrieve the Foundation Establishment Pill, outer disciples will be directly promoted to inner disciples, and inner disciples will be directly taught the sect's secret techniques!"

The Western Mountain Hermit asked, "What about outsiders?"

Wei Hongqing nodded, "This is a disgrace to Tianmu Mountain, and they do not wish to involve outsiders. If any outsider provides information about Lu Zi'an, they will be rewarded with twenty spirit stones."

Upon hearing this, everyone's spirits sank. Tan Bazhang exclaimed, "To hell with them! I can't believe such a prestigious sect is so stingy!"

The Western Mountain Hermit said, "If there's news, they'll pay twenty spirit stones. You won't take it? Brother Tan, you can withdraw. I'm willing. If we each get four, that's not bad. What do you say, Younger Brother Liu?"

Liu Xiaolou said decisively, "Sell!"

Wei Hongqing smiled mysteriously, "If it were only for this, I wouldn't have summoned you all. I have a way. As long as we capture Lu Zi'an and retrieve the Foundation Establishment Pill for Tianmu Mountain, we can get fifty spirit stones!"

Liu Xiaolou suddenly understood, "Brother Wei means, we give both the person and the pill to your… that person in Tianmu Mountain…"

Tan Bazhang also figured it out, "Lover!"

The Western Mountain Hermit asked, "She's willing to give fifty? Good heavens, these people from prestigious sects are truly generous! Well, in that case, this deal is certainly worth making!"

Zuo Gaofeng stroked his beard and smiled, "After all, he's at the tenth layer… We need to discuss this carefully."