Foundation Establishment Late Stage, Pei Yi's Troubles

Daoist Peng chatted briefly with Yang Baoshan and Chu Yanran in his cell, but seeing that neither of them responded, he simply retreated to a corner of the prison to heal his wounds.

However, he was bound by various spiritual restrictions, and the elixirs he had just been given were all ordinary. After several days, although his injuries had not worsened, they showed no signs of improvement either.

He thought that with his Golden Core Peak cultivation, even as a prisoner, he would at least receive some courtesy. However, he never expected that Fei Tianqin, that old bird, would consider him worthless. After the latter discovered that he was following the edict of the Star-Picking Pavilion to collude with the Demon Race, he did not come again for several days.

Under such circumstances, Daoist Peng couldn't help but feel uneasy, and in his worry, he seemed somewhat saddened.

He was heartbroken in prison, while Sect Leader Kang Da sat in his Jade Toad cave abode, his cultivation improving.

Although the "Pine Creek Pill" he had obtained from the state treasury had not been stored for many years, its medicinal effects seemed to have weakened compared to before. As soon as it was swallowed, Kang Dabao did not have much time to refine it before it turned into a stream of pure energy that flowed through his meridians.

Fortunately, the pill I just obtained from She Fu Yi is indeed quite remarkable. The Fearless Tower really went all out in their act, even using such a precious elixir as a prop.

Logically speaking, Kang Dabao had not yet reached the point where he could break through by taking the elixir, but the increasingly critical situation aroused his desire for quick success and instant benefits.

After all, it was rare to even meet a Pill Master in the past, but now even someone like Xiang Tianxing is trying to take his life. Sect Leader Kang Da has no choice but to be afraid. Even if he knows it's a case of forcing growth, he still has to give it a try.

After taking the second Pine Creek Pill, Sect Leader Kang Da did not emerge from seclusion for two months.

When Kang Dabao emerged from seclusion, two months had already passed, and he had achieved the Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivation.

Although Sect Leader Kang only broke through a minor realm this time, in a remote place like Yunjiao Prefecture, if word gets out, it will be a topic of conversation. A cultivator with four spiritual roots who is not even eighty years old can achieve the Ice Leaf Dao Foundation, become a late-stage True Cultivator, defeat the Tantric Khenpo, fight against a False Core Pill Master, marry the eldest daughter of a prominent family, and become the leader of an alliance.

None of these entries are particularly groundbreaking on their own, but when they are all attributed to the first person, they become quite intriguing.

Let alone this humble place in Shannan Circuit, where it's hard to find someone comparable, even within the entire Great Wei Immortal Dynasty, among those members of the royal family and descendants of True Person Immortals, how many cultivators of the same age with Four Spirit Roots could achieve such accomplishments?

However, Sect Leader Kang Da has one good quality: no matter what, he can quickly suppress any sense of pride in his heart.

The first thing to do after crossing the border was to summon someone to inquire about the situation.

It should be noted that the Two Instruments Sect lost a high-level cultivator last time. In Kang Dabao's view, this was one of the signs of a complete break between the two sides. Not to mention that Daoist Peng, who knows what key items he is hiding, if he were to release them, it would probably cause a major incident.

Therefore, when the two sides suddenly clashed, Sect Leader Kang Da did not find it strange at all.

However, when Duan Anle, who was temporarily in charge of the sect affairs, came to report, he said that things were calm now, and even more normal than before. At least according to the battle reports sent from the front, there hadn't been any Foundation Establishment True Cultivator killed or injured by either side in the past month or two.

This unusual situation made Kang Dabao somewhat uneasy, after all, the most agonizing time is before the outcome is decided.

Even though things may seem calm on the outside, who knows if a storm is brewing?

Kang Dabao made up his mind and sent a message to Yuan Jin and Zhou Yixiu, who were stationed at Wild Fox Mountain, instructing them to train the Azure Jue and Crimson Zhang Guards well and be ready for battle at any time.

Whether it's the unknown conflict over opening up a spiritual land for the Fei Household patriarch, or the bloody battle between the two sides that could start at any moment, it's all just a matter of someone giving orders.

These few words could concern the vast fortune that Sect Leader Kang Da had painstakingly accumulated over the years, so he naturally had to be cautious.

As long as fewer disciples die in the future, Kang Dabao, who is always diligent and frugal, will not mind spending more resources to train troops at this time.

Zhang Yuandao, the founder of the Chongming Sect, Chongming Sect through military achievements. As the sixth-generation disciple of Zhang Yuandao, Sect Leader Kang Da also needed to master this skill to secure his livelihood.

Stopping the flattery from the crowd, Duan Anle immediately brought good news. "Master Qin Shibo asked Uncle He to bring back a hundred top-grade flying swords when he went on a business trip a month ago. They all came from the Yue family's Mingxin Spring."

Ming Zhe inspected them one by one; the quality was quite good, and more importantly, the price was fair. It was the same price that the cultivator from the Two Instruments Sect paid before his death. We can probably save nearly ten thousand Spirit Stone. Even if we resell them now, we'll still make a considerable profit."

Sect Leader Kang Da nodded in agreement. Perhaps because of the Han City Yue Household, their workshop called Clear Mind Spring had become quite famous.

Swords are forged in cold springs, and wine is brewed in hot springs; in times of peace, they are in high demand and short supply. Qin Sufu's actions now demonstrate his loyalty and righteousness. He is still the same shrewd and unrestrained person who protected Chongming Sect back then, and his behavior is still incredibly bold.

Furthermore, the feud Han City Yue Household and his own family had been somewhat resolved, so Yue Lin might have hinted that Qin Sufu wanted to use this matter as a way to smooth things over.

"It will be much more comfortable to get along with you in the future, fellow Daoist."

Before Kang Dabao could finish speaking, he suddenly remembered this matter. "Anle, Junior Brother Zhou mentioned to me last time that the Glazed Treasure Tree will bear Glazed Sarira this year. Has there been any news?"

A quick calculation reveals that twelve years have passed since Zhou Yixiu received Chu Yanran's Spirit Plant notes and successfully planted the Glazed Treasure Tree given to Buse.

The Glazed Treasure Tree bears twelve Glazed Sarira in one ring, which are used to lay the foundation for future generations. Even in a prosperous place like Capital Circuit, even the most powerful families have to ask someone to go to a Buddhist temple to request one or two relics to bring back to their clan and cultivate their children.

According to the Zen masters of the Original Buddha Sect, this relic must be taken before the age of twenty to be effective. After a cultivator takes this spiritual object, it can help him return to the moment of his gestation, draw back a purple qi, and enhance his Spirit Root aptitude.

As for the effects of consuming it, they are naturally related to the grade of the Glazed Treasure Tree and the cultivator's insights after consuming the spiritual item.

Legend has it that the Original Buddha Sect in the temple only produces twelve Glazed Sarira after four cycles of sixty years. After these Glazed Sarira are consecrated by the eminent monks in the temple, they are said to be able to increase the cultivation speed of ordinary disciples with Five Spirit Roots to be almost the same as that of ordinary cultivators with Four Spirit Roots.

Of course, such spiritual objects are rarely circulated outside the sect. Even a major Zen sect like the Original Buddha Sect does not dare to use them all by itself. Each time, several True Person would come to request them with perfect understanding.

Within the Chongming Sect, let alone the Fourth Tier Glazed Ancestral Vein, even this sapling, which was given away Buse, would be a top-tier Spirit Plant. Although its Second-Tier Middle-Grade quality wasn't particularly high, it could still slightly improve the Spirit Root aptitude of its disciples, enough to make Sect Leader Kang Da eagerly anticipate its arrival.

Duan Anle understood his master's thoughts and immediately replied respectfully, "I was just about to inform Master of this matter when Fourth Uncle and Junior Brother Kang returned to the sect from Wild Fox Mountain ten days ago. They brought back these eleven Glazed Sarira. Seeing that Master had not yet emerged from seclusion, they handed them over to Uncle Ye, who put them into the sect's treasury."

Kang Dabao nodded slightly upon hearing this, and without asking who had used the remaining Glazed Sarira, he said, "From now on, after each round of Glazed Sarira are produced, half will be collected into the sect's treasury, and half will be allocated to the top six in the minor competition for cultivation. In addition, any disciple with Dual Spirit Root who enters the sect, or any newly promoted elder, will also be allocated one."

"After you leave, I will make the arrangements." Duan Anle replied, then added after a moment's thought, "Master, Junior Sister Ye failed to complete her Foundation Establishment cultivation some time ago, and her injuries have not yet healed. Someone still needs to look after the Nurturing Qilin Hall."

Sect Leader Kang Da's eyes darted around, and he immediately had an idea. "Transfer Xundao there. He managed that business in his younger days and is very familiar with it. As for the Merit Points Hall, let Liu Ya take over. She's Old Ye's disciple, so she can ask him for advice anytime she doesn't understand something."

"Disciple understands," Duan Anle said, then paused. Sect Leader Kang Da could tell he was preoccupied, so he asked, "Speak your mind. Why keep me in suspense?"

"Master, please don't be offended. I'm just worried because I've noticed that Martial Uncle Pei has aged considerably since Junior Sister Ye failed to Foundation Establishment."

"His problem isn't here," Kang Dabao paused, stood up, and then instructed, "Go and arrange what I asked you to do. I'm going to see Junior Brother Pei."

"Yes, Master, don't worry."

---- Chongming Sect Alchemy Chamber

A faint blue light seeped from the cracks of the brass Pill Furnace. Pei Yi huddled three feet in front of the furnace, his thin back pressed against the stone wall, each cough echoing in the empty stone chamber.

He trembled as he threw the last ingredient of the spirit medicine into the furnace. His pale knuckles spasmed into the shape of eagle claws from the pain, and when his sleeve slipped down, the winding purple lines on his wrist were revealed.

The fire in the stove suddenly turned a deep blue, making his face appear even paler.

The twelve talismans on the furnace body lit up in sequence, but suddenly dimmed during the third rotation.

He groped for the jade bottle, but a metallic taste rose in his throat first, and dark red blood beads fell onto his black Daoist robe, staining it with a few fleeting ink plum blossoms.

The aroma of medicine and the stench of blood intertwined in the damp air, condensing into wisps of blue smoke that climbed up the dome of the Alchemy Chamber and clung together, resembling a spider web.

As the fire Spirit Stone at the bottom of the furnace emitted a series of cracking sounds, Pei Yi mustered his strength, bit his tongue, and shot a mouthful of Essence Blood into the Pill Furnace.

Suddenly, the flames at the bottom of the furnace surged up, burning the communication talisman he had been holding tightly to his sleeve to ashes. The blue light seeping from the furnace lid surged, lifting the lid half an inch more, and the glimmer of light swept across his sunken eye sockets, illuminating the obsession deep within this handsome man's pupils.

The flames at the bottom of the furnace grew even more rampant, scorching several mid-grade Spirit Stone embedded in the Bright Light Array into dust. After the light faded, a few wisps of cold wind shot out from a pool of drawn-in cold spring, carrying the underground chill into Pei Yi's clothes. Despite the raging flames right in front of him, he was still frozen, his chest turning bluish-purple.

Unaware of the danger, Pei Yi continued to form the condensing pill incantation seal, ignoring the charred and curled skin on his fingertips from the flames. His eyes remained fixed on the Pill Furnace until he heard a sudden, shrill buzzing sound emanating from within. Only then did a look of joy appear on Pei Yi's face, and a fine wisp of hair appeared on the furnace's surface.

At this point, it was too late for Pei Yi to panic. The fine lines on the furnace body spread rapidly like a spider web, and after a burst of blue flames at the bottom of the furnace, they suddenly turned into grayish-white embers.

"Boom!"

Pei Yi disregarded the heartache over his long-time companion, the Spirit Artifact Pill Furnace, now shattered into pieces. Instead, he vomited blood, his face ashen. He murmured to himself in a barely audible voice, "Failure to Foundation Establishment is bad enough, but can't even break through to the Second Tier Alchemist?"

After speaking, Pei Yi showed a self-deprecating expression. Remembering the communication talisman from earlier, he quickly tidied up and went out.

"How did it get like this?" When the Sect Leader Kang Da saw Pei Yi outside the door, his reproach was tinged with heartache. He stepped into the Alchemy Chamber and saw the mess of the magic array, which was completely blackened. He sighed inwardly.

"I just went to see Yaoling. She's doing very well. She should be able to try to Foundation Establishment again in about ten years. You don't need to worry too much."

"Thank you, Senior Brother. I've troubled you again." Pei Yi's expression didn't improve as he spoke. Kang Dabao, seeing this, could do nothing but look around and change the subject. "It's a good thing that things are bad. Let's tidy up a bit first, and later I'll have Junior Nephew Wei come over and properly set up the Alchemy Chamber. It'll be convenient for you, and also a good opportunity for you to practice the skills of the array masters in our sect."

"I'll follow my senior brother's arrangements."

"What's wrong with you lately?!" Kang Dabao's gaze sharpened, and his tone became slightly harsher.

Pei Yi was taken aback, then gave a wry smile, "Senior brother, you're overthinking it. It's just that these past few days I've felt that I'm only one step away from breaking through to the Second Tier in alchemy, but I can't seem to get past that step, which has made me a little anxious."

But he was an honest gentleman, unlike some unscrupulous sect leader who was adept at deceiving people. Sect Leader Kang Da, in his presence, possessed keen insight. He frowned and said in a deep voice, "I thought that after so many years, Junior Brother, you had forgotten about the past."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yi lowered his head and remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, "Junior Brother also thought it should be so, but he had almost forgotten everything, Que'er... he can't forget it anymore. He thinks about it all the time."

"Fate is fickle. You couldn't do anything to him back in Fish Mountain Market, and now that he's even more powerful, what can you do?"

"I've never really thought through what you're asking, Senior Brother." Pei Yi grinned, a hint of mockery flashing across his face. "Back then, I just thought that if I cultivated diligently with Master, I could kill my enemies after a few years. I thought that once I reached Foundation Establishment, I could look down on them and interrogate them, demanding that they repent and kneel before my brother's grave to beg for forgiveness."

But now I realize it was all a pipe dream. Not only did I fail to reach the Dao of Alchemy Establishment Foundation Establishment, but my alchemy skills also stagnated. In the end, it was truly as my senior brother said, "One step behind, and you're behind at every step." How could I possibly contend with someone whose reputation had already risen and who could be considered a prodigy of the Five Continents? Perhaps in a few more years, I'll be like Chen Di.

"What happened back then is ultimately difficult to determine as right or wrong, junior brother."

"Even my senior brother believes that he was truly without fault in what happened back then?!"

"Junior brother wants me to go and help?"

"No, it's not right. Logically and emotionally, my senior brother shouldn't help me. As brothers, I shouldn't put my elder brother in a difficult position." Pei Yi sighed softly. Kang Dabao, seeing this, felt a pang of heartache and said, "Perhaps you could help me write a letter?"

Pei Yi raised an eyebrow, clearly tempted but then forcibly suppressed his thoughts. "No, this is a personal grudge, and Senior Brother shouldn't get involved. In some time, Junior Brother wants to attempt another Foundation Establishment stage. If I'm fortunate enough to succeed, then Junior Brother will continue cultivating peacefully until I can ask him face to face whether he's right or wrong. If not, then please find a convenient time in the future to ask him for me."

Pei Yi's tone was casual, yet undeniably firm. So stiff was it that even Sect Leader Kang Da was momentarily speechless. After scrutinizing Pei Yi for a while, he finally managed a strained, hoarse voice. "Alright."

(I'm running out of writing space. I originally wanted to reveal the answer, so please bear with me.)