Outside a spacious cave abode on Danxia Peak.
Sheer cliffs rose above a winding, picturesque landscape.
Luo Chen walked out, with Sima Hui Niang close beside him.
"Nothing too serious. When spiritual energy passed through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, he failed to keep it in check, and that caused his severe injuries."
"I've treated him already. If he takes Meridian Nourishing and Defect Mending Liquid regularly from now on, he should recover after a few years of care."
He made it sound simple.
In truth, Sima Xian's injuries were nowhere near that simple.
Not everyone could open the Twelve Principal Meridians and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians while still at the Mid Qi Refining Stage, as Luo Chen had.
As a result, most people had to divide their attention during Foundation Establishment.
That was one reason Foundation Establishment was so difficult.
Fortunately, Sima Xian had used Emperor Flow Paste to make his breakthrough, and its medicinal effects were relatively gentle.
If he had used a conventional Foundation Establishment Pill, he might not have survived.
Sima Hui Niang accompanied Luo Chen down the path from the cave abode.
She sighed. "We expected this. My elder brother is past sixty, long past the best time to attempt a breakthrough."
Luo Chen sighed too.
"Murong Qinglian failed once. Bian Zhen failed too. Now even your elder brother has failed."
"We'd made every possible preparation before their Foundation Establishment attempts."
"It seems fortune hasn't been on our side lately!"
Sima Hui Niang forced a smile. "Why take it so hard? Independent cultivators like us are people of poor aptitude whom the great sects wouldn't look twice at. Failure at Foundation Establishment was only to be expected."
"Even so, it's hard to accept." Luo Chen smacked his lips. All he could do now was hope Qin