Seeing how cheerful and easygoing this Senior Brother Han was, Chen Shuangbai became less reserved and said with a smile, "Senior Brother is too kind. It's me who's late. I've been busy with miscellaneous tasks and cultivation, and haven't had a chance to pay my respects. I hope you won't mind."
Han Su chuckled and pulled Chen Shuangbai to sit down, and they began to chat about cultivation and things on Azure Light Mountain.
At dusk.
Chen Shuangbai was then released and allowed to descend the mountain. Before leaving, Senior Brother Han said reluctantly, "Junior Brother, you must come often. I'm so bored here; only you can keep me company."
Chen Shuangbai pretended not to hear, rode on a cloud, and plunged into the wind.
By the time they returned to Verdant Hills Stream, it was already completely dark.
Chen Shuangbai rushed back into her cave abode and began her cultivation.
Time passes unnoticed in the mountains; the passing of winter's chill leaves no trace of the year.
When a light drizzle mixed with snow began to fall in the mountains, Chen Shuangbai emerged from seclusion.
He stood before the waterfall, looking up at the misty rain curtain formed by the fine snowflakes drifting down from the mountains and the cold raindrops, lost in thought.
"More than half a year has passed again."
During this period of seclusion.
Chen Shuangbai did not immediately attempt to break through to the Qi Refining Perfection. Instead, he focused on strengthening his foundation until he could do nothing more before stopping.
I also studied Dao of Alchemy and Dao of Incense, and have gained some insights from it.
Now that I've crossed the border and am seeing this scene, I can't help but feel a little emotional.
"Although Sunken Jade Valley is located in the south of the Jing Kingdom, it is snowy both above and below, so some snow scenes have been specially created, which can be considered as having some of the scenery of the northern kingdom."
Not long after.
He summoned the four attendants, and after checking the household accounts one by one and confirming that everything was in order, Chen Shuangbai then bestowed upon them several bottles of elixirs that ordinary people could consume. He also took out many fragrant pills and elixirs that had been refined during the trip, and instructed them:
"If my friends come, they can help themselves to whatever they need, but please make sure to record everything. Do you understand?"
The four men bowed down, and the forms of address they used became clear.
Chen Shuangbai first went to Deer Deep Waters Peak.
Yi Chongyue had previously told him to visit him every time he came out of seclusion, both to check if he was being too hasty and to test his Dao of Alchemy.
Inside the main hall on Deer Deep Waters Peak.
Yi Chongyue picked up a luminous pill, examined it briefly, and then took another one. After a long while, he opened his eyes and smiled, "Not bad, it's almost as effective as the Pill Formula describes."
Chen Shuangbai replied, "Almost there... it seems we still need to find a more suitable spirit medicine herb."
[ Mystic Light Illuminating Life Pill ]!
The Pill Formula that Chen Shuangbai obtained in his early years from a partial inheritance of a Foundation Establishment Rogue Cultivator was First-Tier Superior-Grade pill that primarily purifies the soul and is of great benefit to spiritual cultivation.
For the past six months, he has been studying this elixir.
After trying many spiritual materials, it was finally possible to refine it. However, two ingredients on the Pill Formula were no longer clear, so it was necessary to try them one by one. In fact, the Pill Formula already knew about this recipe.
However, Yi Chongyue deliberately did not complete the task, but instead let Chen Shuangbai try and make mistakes on her own.
The purpose was to allow this disciple to grasp more of the true essence of Dao of Alchemy through trial and error. Now it seems... this decision was truly wise.
Yi Chongyue smiled and said, "Take your time, there's no rush."
"It's already extremely difficult for you to have tried this far."
"I see."
As the master and apprentice were talking, they saw a man walk in from outside. It was none other than Deer Deep Waters Peak's head steward, Uncle Zhong.
Uncle Zhong slowly walked up, carrying a jade plate in his hand. On it was a crystal-like spiritual material that emitted a faint light, but Chen Shuangbai didn't recognize it.
You've come at the perfect time.
Yi Chongyue picked up the crystal and said, "I've found the last spiritual ingredient needed for the ritual. Once you've completed your cultivation and emerged from seclusion, I'll refine the ritual for you. Then you can take it into your cave abode and officially begin your attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment."
Upon hearing Chen Shuangbai's spirits lifted, and his gaze immediately fell upon the crystal.
The jade stone was about the size of a pigeon egg, with a warm, jade-white color throughout. Inside, there seemed to be a pale blue luster flowing like water ripples, as if it were filled with water color, exuding a pure and warm vitality.
"This is [ Azure Radiance Jade Marrow ], an extremely rare spiritual type of wood heartwood, buried within a jade mine and nourished by the patina over many years. Only one piece is obtained every hundred years. I specially went to find an old friend to exchange it for."
"This item possesses both water and wood properties, brimming with vitality and imbued with spiritual essence. It is most effective in harmonizing the five elements, nourishing the source, and stabilizing the foundation."
As he spoke, he raised his hand and waved it.
Five radiant spiritual materials flew out from his sleeve, from left to right: [ Hundred-Year Cold Jade Heart ], [ Tide-Born Vine ], [ Silt-Clearing Spirit Water ], [ Gathered Verdure Cloud Brocade ], and [ Azure Radiance Jade Marrow ].
Of these five spiritual materials, [ Hundred-Year Cold Jade Heart ] and [ Silt-Clearing Spirit Water ] are second-tier spiritual materials, while [ Azure Radiance Jade Marrow ] is Second-Tier Superior-Grade spiritual material, demonstrating their rarity.
Yi Chongyue counted on his fingers, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "With all five spiritual materials gathered, the [Azure Emerald Foundation Establishment Ritual] is now complete."
"Its grade is high enough to rank among the top-grade Second-Tier Superior-Grade auxiliary ritual implements!"
"Even True Disciple with top-tier aptitude can only enjoy such Foundation Establishment ritual."
An indescribable sense of gratitude welled up in Chen Shuangbai's heart.
These five spiritual materials are all extremely precious.
He had seen Deer Deep Waters Peak's treasure trove, which contained quite a few items, but gathering all five spiritual materials would be extremely costly, especially the last one, [ Azure Radiance Jade Marrow ], which his master had clearly gone to great lengths to find.
"Thank you for going to such lengths, Master!"
Chen Shuangbai bowed deeply, her voice slightly hoarse.
Yi Chongyue's tone was very solemn, "This ritual is the last piece of the path that your master can pave for you."
Chen Shuangbai stayed on the peak for five or six days.
During these five or six days, Yi Chongyue invited his martial uncle Peng Yu to come.
One Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and the other was in the Foundation Establishment Early Stage stage. The two Foundation Establishment worked together, using their own Law Power to transform into true fire, refining the five spiritual materials, and finally turning them into something resembling an array plate, which they handed to Chen Shuangbai.
"Is this the [Azure Emerald Foundation Establishment Ritual]?"
Chen Shuangbai took the ritual implement and felt its warmth to the touch, but it was heavy, just like her master's loving heart.
"Disciple will certainly live up to Master's expectations!"
He bowed deeply once more.
Yi Chongyue waved his hand, his eyes encouraging, "Remember, the Foundation Establishment stage depends entirely on yourself."
"Rituals are an external force, ultimately just an aid."
"Keep your mind calm, your intentions sincere, and your principles steadfast... Go forth."
"Yes, disciple takes his leave."
Chen Shuangbai respectfully responded and withdrew from the main hall.
Without looking back, he rode the clouds away from Deer Deep Waters Peak. His heart was warmed on the way. He saw the mountain gate and peaks covered in snow, the spiritual spring still unfrozen, and the palaces and pavilions appearing and disappearing amidst the swirling mist, creating a unique solemn and tranquil beauty.
My slightly anxious heart gradually calmed down.
On the 26th of the month, at Verdant Hills Stream.
Chen Shuangbai went into seclusion to formally attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment.
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