"Mm, exactly!" Xiangyang thought for a moment, then nodded. "These things were originally meant to be explained before you attempted Foundation Establishment. But letting your imagination run wild like this could easily damage your cultivation, so I'll briefly explain some of it now, lest you stray onto the wrong path! The specific precautions can wait until later!"
"Besides, I used up two chances at Foundation Establishment. This lesson ought to be told first!"
"Hehe, this little brother is all ears!" Xiao Hua cupped his hands, thoroughly enjoying the feeling of having someone guide him.
"Ordinarily, once each level of Qi Cultivation has been cultivated to its peak, one enters the process of completing that realm. Once what the realm lacks has been filled, a barrier will appear between the meridians. At that point, it depends on one's true qi. If there is enough, one can break through the barrier and enter the next level; otherwise, one's cultivation may remain forever stuck at that level!" Xiangyang explained simply. "But the peak of the twelfth layer of Qi Cultivation is different. When the cultivation technique naturally reaches completion, true qi undergoes an abnormal change, showing signs of liquefaction. At that point, one must take a Foundation Establishment Pill. The pill has two effects: first, it provides the medicinal power needed to charge into the Foundation Establishment stage; second, it helps true qi condense into liquid form!"
"Then... what if one did not take a Foundation Establishment Pill at that time, but used another pill... or no pill at all?" Xiao Hua suddenly asked.
"That... this senior brother does not know!" Xiangyang said awkwardly. "When I attempted Foundation Establishment back then, I encountered signs of true qi liquefying. In my wild joy, I hurriedly swallowed a Foundation Establishment Pill! Only..."
Xiangyang sighed softly,