Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

This indicated that this batch was successful.

Taking a deep breath, Li Ji’an opened the Pill Furnace, lifted a pill with a milky white color and a round shape, almost free of impurities, right up to his eyes using Magical Power.

”This is the Foundation Establishment Pill, coveted by ninety percent of cultivators in the Cultivation Realm, yet out of reach.”

Having roughly inspected it, he took no further look and supplemented with a God Nourishing Pill and a Qi Replenishing Pill, then began adjusting his breath to recover.

Meanwhile, he fed the Fire Spirit inside his Dantian using Magical Power.

Thankfully, the Fire Spirit was as lively as ever at this moment. After all, the impressive power of Spirit Flame just now was normal for it; the real challenge lay in the fine control of Li Ji’an.

”Still a bit conservative; the essence of discarded liquid medicine was enough to condense another pill.” Li Ji’an felt a slight pity after his Divine Soul and Magical Power had recovered.

Nonetheless, he didn’t regret it; after all, achieving a genuine product on the first try was already a success.

Before long, Li Ji’an communicated with the Fire Spirit again and immediately began the second batch of alchemy.

”This time, exert full effort and release more Original Spirit Mechanism.”

Ordinary Pill Masters, if using their own Pill Fire as the source, would almost deplete their Dantian Magical Power when refining a single Foundation Establishment Pill, and many Pill Masters even need to take Qi Replenishing Pills halfway.

Moreover, the greater the difficulty of refining the pill, the greater the consumption of Divine Soul.

However, Li Ji’an, using Spirit Flame for refinement, minimizes his consumption of personal Magical Power; he can continue refining as long as the Fire Spirit is not overly exhausted.

In the aspect of Divine Soul, thanks to the high precision of the Pill Furnace, the consumption is actually slightly less than in the past when using a Tier One Middle Grade Pill Furnace to refine Late Period exquisite pills. Having taken a God Nourishing Pill, the condition remains exuberant.

Of course, the most crucial aspect is because the Nine-Star Fushen was divided in half; if not timely incorporated into the pill, it’s prone to result in loss of medicinal effectiveness.

As Li Ji’an proceeded with alchemy again, though the external environment was almost identical to the previous time — yet slightly less favorable due to the main medicinal herb having been cut apart half a day earlier — his mindset was entirely different.

With an authentic Foundation Establishment Pill as the baseline, there was no pressure whatsoever.

Another day and a half later,

Outside Alchemist Zou’s Cave Mansion, the three individuals were visibly tense.

”Alchemist Xie, this has been three days, how come Alchemist Zou...” one probed.

Xie Gui’s eyelid twitched; under normal circumstances, the pill should have been refined an hour ago, yet there was still no sign by now.

”Could it be...”

”Stop talking nonsense! We should have confidence in Alchemist Zou.” One quickly halted the speculation.

Xie Gui hesitated for a moment, observed carefully, and suddenly his eyes gleamed.

”Could it be... That Master aims for a high-grade?”

Alchemist Zou, having refined Foundation Establishment Pills for over fifty years, always maintained a steadfast approach, striving to ensure the number of refined pills; in recent years, he stabilized at two Lower Grade pills per batch, occasionally yielding three with a stroke of luck.

Yet, he never produced a Mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pill.

This time, as the Pill Fire advanced, he likely aims to seek Mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pills.

This thought filled Xie Gui with ecstatic joy.

Should Alchemist Zou successfully refine Mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, his fame is certain to burgeon, and naturally, Xie Gui’s stature as a disciple would elevate correspondingly.

In his excitement, he inadvertently glanced toward the adjacent Cave Mansion.

”What is that kid refining that hasn’t completed after three days?”

”Zing~” Suddenly, a metallic clang resonated.

Xie Gui immediately sensed a surge of Spiritual Qi around him.

”This is... It’s done!”

Xie Gui wasn’t the only one; the two Pill Seekers beside him were equally invigorated.

Even though the sound of that Pill Roar was brief, it was undoubtedly the renowned Pill Cauldron Echo of the Cultivation Realm.

A Pill capable of yielding such a Pill Roar would either be an exquisite Tier One pill or one that is Upper Grade or higher from the Second Tier.

However, exquisite pills are exceedingly rare; most of such roars stem from Second Tier pills.

”How is that possible? Could Master have refined an Upper Grade Foundation Establishment Pill?” Xie Gui appeared astounded.

As for the other two Pill Seekers, their expressions shifted dramatically. Initially, they merely sought two Lower Grade pills, understanding Alchemist Zou’s Alchemy Skill.

If indeed an Upper Grade Pill emerged, then it could only be one; because quality enhancement inevitably sacrifices quantity, a Mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pill might produce two, but one beyond Middle Grade would only yield one, a consensus in the Cultivation Realm.

Their initial ecstasy was swiftly replaced with vigilance toward one another.

Breaking through the Foundation Establishment First Barrier pertains to one’s grand path; an additional ten percent chance of success translates into increased hope for traversing the Immortal Path. Who wouldn’t strive for a higher-quality Foundation Establishment Pill?

As for family bonds, they are mere illusions before the Immortal Path.

”Wait, no, Master hasn’t opened the furnace yet!” Just then, Xie Gui noticed from the mirror image that Master was still at the pivotal Solidifying Pill stage.

”Then what is…” The atmosphere between the two immediately relaxed.

Their gaze simultaneously shifted to Li Ji’an’s Cave Mansion.

”Could he have truly refined an exquisite pill?” Xie Gui’s face looked as if he had seen a ghost.

Once news spreads that Li Ji’an has refined an exquisite pill, he is guaranteed to top future Alchemist evaluations, regardless of having a Tier Two Alchemist master’s endorsement.

”Boom~” At that moment, an image reflected another gentle sound.

Alchemist Zou’s batch was completed too.

Before long, Alchemist Zou, having adjusted his breath, slowly stepped out of the Cave Mansion.

”Hahaha! Congratulations, Alchemist Zou, your Alchemy Skill has reached new heights, crafting high-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, such joyful news.”

As soon as Alchemist Zou exited the Cave Mansion, a voice offered congratulations not far away.

”Congratulations, Alchemist Zou.”

”Come, come, let us all behold this feat.”

...

Immediately thereafter, numerous Inner City Cultivators of notable status flocked over due to the recent surge in Spiritual Qi and Pill Roar sounds. They sensed it earlier and came, awaiting at a distance to avoid disturbing Alchemist Zou. Upon his retreat from isolation, they approached to offer their felicitations.

”Huh?” Alchemist Zou looked puzzled at the crowd congratulating him.

”Thank you, Steward Qi, and thank you to fellow Daoists, but... Why exactly are you saying this?”

Upon seeing his expression, someone playfully remarked, ”Alchemist Zou, are you trying to hide your skills from us? Just now, the Pill Roar echoed across the heavens, coupled with Spiritual Qi surging; you can’t deny it!”

”Pill Roar echoing through the heavens? Spiritual Qi surging? Was there?” Alchemist Zou was even more bewildered, then glanced at his disciple Xie Gui and the two other Pill Seekers.

The three hesitated before the gathered Inner City elders, reluctant to speak.

Xie Gui, his face flushed, kept glancing toward Li Ji’an’s Cave Mansion, unsure how to articulate.

”Are you all mute? Xie Gui, speak, did the Pill Roar truly occur just now?” Alchemist Zou grew increasingly anxious.

TODAY, He indeed intended to chase a higher pill quality, thus he spent additional time during the final Solidifying Pill stage.

But merely attempting it felt like forcing it might not guarantee a Mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pill and could lead to another pill’s failure, ultimately choosing steadiness, refining two Lower Grade pills.

However, hearing about the recent Pill Roar echoing through the heavens, accompanied by Spiritual Qi surging, he instantly regretted not having tried harder.

Maybe a little push might have realized a Mid-grade possibility.

”Wait, no, Pill Roar echoing through the heavens…” Abruptly, he remembered; his attempt was only for Mid-grade, and Mid-grade doesn’t produce a Pill Roar heard across the heavens.

”Reporting to Master, and to the esteemed elders, there certainly was a Pill Roar echoing through the heavens just now, but... it wasn’t from Master’s Cave Mansion, it was from Alchemist Li’s Cave Mansion.” Xie Gui gathered courage and spilled the truth in one breath.

”What? That boy…” Alchemist Zou finally comprehended the reason for the crowd’s attention, he sharply looked toward Li Ji’an’s Cave Mansion.

”Alchemist Li? In this Immortal City, capable of refining Upper Grade Foundation Establishment Pills as a Quasi-Pill King, how come I’m unaware?” Some hadn’t followed the rankings of Tier One Alchemists.

”I recall Xiaoli is a Tier One Alchemist, correct? How could he refine a pill that could produce a Pill Roar... Wait, could it be he refined an exquisite Tier One pill?” The City Lord’s Mansion Steward knew of Li Ji’an.

”Has someone within the Immortal City refined an exquisite pill? Goodness, though inferior to Upper Grade Foundation Establishment Pill in value, this left a group of Inner City Cultivators equally expectant.”

”An exquisite pill requires heaven-sent Spiritual Mechanism; refining one entails immense fortune.”

...

Originally thought to be an Upper Grade Foundation Establishment Pill, the narrative suddenly shifted after nearly confirming it was an exquisite Tier One pill, although lesser in value compared to Upper Grade Foundation Establishment Pill, it equally intrigued the Inner City Cultivators.

Inside the Cave Mansion,

Li Ji’an dispersed the isolation Array, sensing the situation outside his Cave Mansion, eyebrows furrowed!

Earlier, the Alchemist selection allowed him to gain minor fame, posing little concern, acutely as a Tier One Alchemist; mostly those Qi Cultivation Loose Cultivators paid attention, by the time of his next Rejuvenation cycle, they’d all be gone.

But if prominence extends widely enough to intrigue Foundation Establishment level cultivators, it brings endless detriment to his Rejuvenation.

At the very least, any hope for Rejuvenation within Immortal City has been entirely extinguished.

The most crucial point is, once this Foundation Establishment Pill is revealed, he’s uncertain if he can retain it!

”I’ve underestimated the power of Heaven and Earth Holy Spirit, considering it transcends the Heaven and Earth Spirit Flame described in records.”