Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

The wine of the Mortal Realm, without the infusion of spiritual energy, although not highly valuable, is judged primarily by its taste.

Old Huang has reached the peak of his cultivation and no longer seeks spirit wine; he prefers mundane wine.

Six months later, Li Ji’an has fully recuperated, with his magical power, physique, and Divine Soul far surpassing those of his previous life as he prepares for Foundation Establishment.

An Elder from the Dharma Transmission Hall personally delivered an Upper Grade Foundation Establishment Pill, imparting experiences and insights about Foundation Establishment as well as important considerations.

Before leaving, he hesitated for a moment, then spoke earnestly and sincerely:

”Ping’an, for us cultivators, the Qi Cultivation Stage is merely about absorbing Spiritual Qi and nurturing the physique; it is not truly the beginning of the path. Only at Foundation Establishment does the foundation of seeking the Dao begin.

Your talent is extraordinary, and your heart nature exceptional; your future is promising and may truly lead to seeking the Dao.

Therefore, I cannot help but speak more with you.

In the Celestial Cyan Domain, spiritual resources are scarce, and ninety percent of cultivators have no chance of achieving Foundation Establishment in their lifetime, making it their ultimate desire.

As for the quality of Foundation Establishment, they have no thoughts to spare.

Even the disciples of the Sect’s Holy Palace only evaluate Foundation Establishment by the quantity of Qi Condensation and Transformation Liquid.

The more the Qi Condensation and Transformation Liquid, the more substantial the magical power will be at the start of Foundation Establishment; otherwise, it will be weaker.

And during the Core Formation stage, only whether you can solidify the core relates to this; as for the quality of the Refined Pill, it depends more on purity.

But throughout the entire Celestial Cyan Domain, all Cultivation Techniques, no matter how abundant the magical power initially at Foundation Establishment, during Core Formation must be assisted by Core Formation Spirit Treasure to condense the Pill Core, so it seems Foundation Establishment has no particular relation to Core Formation.

Thus, the world is indifferent about Foundation Establishment; simply succeeding in it is enough.

However, I have dedicated over three hundred years to studying Cultivation Techniques, and from sporadic ancient texts, I glimpsed something different.

In Ancient Times, the great ones seemed to place special importance on Foundation Establishment.

Foundation Establishment was originally called ”Constructing the Dao Foundation” in Ancient Times.

The ”Dao” in this context is key.

I speculate it may pertain to a higher level.

However, in my lifetime, I have only personally experienced the Core Formation stage, and as for the mysteries of the Nascent Soul, I have had no opportunity to explore; this is merely my hypothesis without any substantial verification.

If you aspire to climb higher peaks, you should not take the Foundation Establishment stage lightly. The Jade Scroll contains all my summaries about Foundation Establishment from Ancient Times; you can interpret and decide for yourself.”

The Elder from the Dharma Transmission Hall is known in the Biyun Sect as a fanatic for the Dharma, specializing in the cultivation of techniques throughout his life, possessing extraordinary insights into the thresholds of various realms in cultivation.

”Thank you, Elder Guan!” Li Ji’an solemnly bowed.

After sending off Elder Guan, Li Ji’an calmed down to study the condensed Jade Scroll.

”Hmm?” After going through it in detail, the last sentence of the Jade Scroll made him pause momentarily.

Looking at the Upper Grade Foundation Establishment Pill personally delivered by Elder Guan, Li Ji’an appeared somewhat doubtful.

”Not using the Foundation Establishment Pill might construct a Dao Foundation more consistent with the Great Dao!” This was Elder Guan’s conjecture from summarized ancient texts.

No evidence, nor any practice.

Yet through the many ancient texts recorded in the Jade Scroll, it does seem there is a slight possibility.

Li Ji’an realized Elder Guan’s moment of hesitation before leaving.

Clearly, in Elder Guan’s understanding, he likely considered that not taking the Foundation Establishment Pill was more beneficial for the cultivation path towards the Great Dao.

But without evidence, he dared not gamble.

Especially since Li Ji’an, being the sect’s Chief True Inheritor and a future True Pill Seedling, if he forwent the Foundation Establishment Pill, any issues occurring later could not be borne by Elder Guan.

Thus, he neither spoke explicitly nor discouraged but left the Jade Scroll for Li Ji’an to make his own judgment.

”Not using the Foundation Establishment Pill?” Besides the Upper Grade Foundation Establishment Pill provided by the sect, Li Ji’an also had an exceptional-grade Foundation Establishment Pill he prepared for himself in the previous life in his storage pouch.

In his past life’s Foundation Establishment and Core Formation experience, he’s certain that with the same Cultivation Technique, the higher the quality of the Foundation Establishment Pill taken, the more substantial the magical power at the start of Foundation Establishment, which is a comparison with Yan Qingwan.

And compared to Xiao Changfeng, the conclusion is that even if the cultivation technique is superior, if no Foundation Establishment Pill is taken, the initial depth of magical power will be caught up by his technique.

However, the initial phase of Foundation Establishment does not represent the middle or late phase of Foundation Establishment.

In the previous life, Xiao Changfeng’s initial magical power thickness was caught up after taking a premium Foundation Establishment Pill, but in the later Foundation Establishment stage, Xiao Changfeng, due to his superior Cultivation Technique and years of magical power honing, had magical power that was much more abundant and pure than Li Ji’an, ultimately using two portions of Core Formation Spirit Treasure to successfully condense a Middle Level True Pill.

”Indeed, as Elder Guan pointed out, the quality of Foundation Establishment may not relate to Core Formation quality, but could it be related to the Nascent Soul?” Li Ji’an looked slightly conflicted.

”Hah~” After a long while, holding the Foundation Establishment Pill, Li Ji’an slowly opened his eyes, having made up his mind.

Although Elder Guan’s words have a degree of credibility,

ultimately there is no substantial proof.

And he has personally verified in his past life that the higher the quality of the Foundation Establishment Pill, the more substantial the initial magic power at Foundation Establishment.

This, in any case, is an advantage.

True, with this life’s cultivation techniques, physique, and Divine Soul condition, even without taking a Foundation Establishment Pill, he would have a higher success rate than Xiao Changfeng in his previous life, but there are risks.

He is not entirely unwilling to take a risk but cannot risk it for an uncertain possibility.

If it’s as Elder Guan speculated, that the Foundation Establishment Pill influences the higher path, he could always try again later.

Three days later, Li Ji’an calmed his mind and focused entirely on breaking through to Foundation Establishment.

Meanwhile, Elder Guan constantly monitored the changes in spiritual pressure above Li Ji’an’s cave mansion during his breakthrough.

Half a month later, sensing the surge above the cave mansion, Elder Guan sighed and shook his head.

He understood Li Ji’an’s choice.

After all, it was the mainstream choice.

If True Man Changfeng had not missed his turn waiting for a Foundation Establishment Pill back then, he would not have attempted Foundation Establishment without taking it.

”I hope True Man Changfeng can validate this conjecture for me!”

He glanced in the direction of Xiao Changfeng’s cave mansion with anticipation.

A month later, Li Ji’an successfully achieved Foundation Establishment, his magical power doubled in depth.

He achieved Foundation Establishment at twenty-four years of age in this lifetime, compared to thirty-seven in his previous life, thirteen years earlier.

A month later, after stabilizing, he finally had his own cave mansion after leaving seclusion.

The Chief True Inheritor’s cave mansion is located in the primary peak area of the Tier Three Upper Grade Spirit Vein, two to three times larger than the cave mansions on Pill Cauldron Peak, filled with dense Spiritual Qi like mist, and protected by Tier Three Arrays, making it the safest place in the sect.

Subsequently, according to sect tradition, Li Ji’an held a small Foundation Establishment celebration in his cave mansion, attracting many junior brothers and sisters.

The celebration wasn’t the main goal, but sharing insights and experiences was the main purpose.

This time, the sect used Li Ji’an’s small Foundation Establishment celebration to invite several young talents from major forces within Cangyun State.

With a major sect war on the horizon, the Biyun Sect, as an Upper Sect of Cangyun State, would certainly rally the forces within the state again.

Using Li Ji’an’s Foundation Establishment celebration as an opportunity, they also aimed to mobilize various forces in advance.

”Congratulations to Senior Brother Li on achieving Foundation Establishment!” Currently, Yao Rui no longer harbors any animosity towards Li Ji’an, especially sensing his formidable magical power post-Foundation Establishment, which has filled her heart with admiration.

She is now at the peak of the Qi Cultivation 9th Layer, but her physical barrier is still somewhat lacking. To ensure more substantial magic power after Foundation Establishment, she is finding ways to enhance her physique.

”Junior Sister Yao, you’re too polite. Your Foundation Establishment is just around the corner, and when the time comes, your senior brother will also congratulate you.” Li Ji’an smiled warmly.

Among the three True Disciples, Yao Rui is still far ahead, while Hu Zaiyi and Shen Xingchen lag behind, just managing the Qi Cultivation 9th Layer now.

Completing the refinement of their magical power is estimated to take one to two more years.

As for the Inner Sect Disciples of the same cohort, most haven’t reached the late stage of Qi Cultivation yet, let alone the day they truly achieve Foundation Establishment, which is a distant future.

Just like in Li Ji’an’s previous life, Xiao Changfeng, as an Inner Sect Disciple, only succeeded in Foundation Establishment at thirty-six years old.

And that was because he didn’t want to wait any longer for the Foundation Establishment Pill, he forcibly attempted it without taking it.

Typical disciples do not have that audacity; they may wait for the Foundation Establishment Pill until they are forty years old.