Chapter 101: Chapter 9: Sitting in Reflection and Self-Examination

Before heading out the door, Li Jizhou checked his status once again.

Upon practicing cultivation for twenty-one years, the twenty-first ring stacked upon the first, making the first four circles even more robust, resting at the base of his Dantian, seamlessly as one.

Years ago, when the eleventh ring stacked onto the first circle, forming the second layer, he had already sensed and understood the profound feeling, which was an aggregation of infinite vitality, able to repair physical damage on its own, and possibly regenerate severed limbs.

Now with the accumulation of the third layer of rings, a new trait has emerged. Based on experience, it is estimated that only when the third layer is fully completed at thirty years of cultivation will he fully comprehend it.

In the first decade of cultivation, the first layer of rings had the effect of gathering and refining Magical Power.

In the second decade, the second layer of rings brought the reserve of infinite vitality.

Regarding the traits that the third layer of rings might bring, Li Jizhou had some vague guesses and was quite expectant.

With a subtle shift of his mind, Li Jizhou’s Magical Power, more abundant than that of ordinary cultivators of the Qi Cultivation Ninth Level practicing Top-Grade Cultivation Techniques, had been absorbed by the rings at fifty percent, maintaining a perfect Qi Cultivation Ninth Level, while the aura he emitted matched the softness of Wood Element Health Cultivation Skill, albeit slightly thin, aligning with the result of forcibly boosting the realm using potent pills.

In this cultivation realm, below Nascent Soul, Divine Sense cannot penetrate the fundamental source of others’ cultivation—the Dantian.

As for the power of the Divine Soul of a Nascent Soul True Monarch transforming into Primordial Spirit, Li Jizhou was limited in understanding, only knowing it could reshape and slay entities, but whether it can penetrate the Dantian of others remains unknown.

Currently,

Li Jizhou’s Dantian harbored many secrets, with nearly completed three-layered rings being one, the main one being Bai Yi’s foundation now rooted deeply at the base of the Dantian.

Thus, he diligently avoided face-to-face encounters with Nascent Soul True Monarchs.

Although, in the short term, this needn’t be a concern. Ever since Thunder Flame Sect’s downfall eight hundred years ago in Qi Kingdom’s cultivation realm, and the uncontrolled extraction of the only Tier Four Spirit Vein by hundreds of thousands of Loose Cultivators leading to its degradation to a Tier Three Spirit Vein, it’s virtually impossible for Nascent Soul cultivators to re-emerge within Qi Kingdom.

The highest known realm in Qi Kingdom’s cultivation sphere is the Golden Core Supreme Elder of the Golden Sun Sect.

He summoned Bai Yi, tirelessly refining pills, back to the Dantian to merge with the foundation, then stored Black Xuan into the Spirit Pet Bag,

Currently, these two are his biggest cards.

Whereas the once greatest card, the Talisman, due to its Tier One Advanced Level limit, has little effect on Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators.

Even several newly developed poisons have shown minimal effect on Foundation Establishment Stage.

However, two newly developed chessboard Arrays could, if consuming a large amount of Spirit Stones at once, temporarily trap an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, albeit only as a supplementary method.

Besides, the biggest means for survival is his own Triple Body Refining Skill.

An all-out strike from an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator could hardly harm his physical body in the slightest, plus the infinite vitality reserved in the second layer of rings allows for rapid physical recovery, essentially making him fearless of early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

After checking everything over, Li Jizhou leisurely arrived at Miaodan Tower’s main hall.

“Steward Chen, thanks to the previous large pills from the hall, I’ve finally reached the perfect Qi Cultivation; I’m wondering if there’s any hope regarding the Foundation Establishment Pill?” Li Jizhou probed.

Steward Chen looked distressed, hesitating slightly, “Pill Master Li, you know, with the recent matters concerning Inverted Mountain, the disciples accumulating enough contribution points within the sect have doubled. The elders who are permanent Pill Masters capable of crafting Foundation Establishment Pills at Miaodan Peak have been working overtime, yet still can’t meet the demand within the sect…”

Upon hearing this, Li Jizhou nodded slightly; he had felt this during the demon hunt at Purple Vine Mountain two years ago.

Indeed, the competition is fierce.

However, just as Li Jizhou was about to show some disappointment and propose seeking a Pill Master to craft it privately, Steward Chen’s expression shifted once more.

Smiling broadly, he said, “But, Pill Master Li, you are the exception.”

Li Jizhou paused slightly.

“Exception?”

Any gift beyond displayed strength is sure to have already been marked with stakes.

Regarding such uncertain stakes, Li Jizhou has always been apprehensive.

“Dare I ask Steward Chen, why the exception?”

Seeing Li Jizhou’s reaction, Steward Chen hesitated a little.

Normally, in such circumstances, Li Jizhou should joyously pursue the result of the exception,

But he asked the reason first?

“Hahaha, Pill Master Li, indeed, as rumored, cautious and prudent, yet rest assured, only benefits, no drawbacks.” Steward Chen laughed heartily, ceasing his pretentious mystique.

“Pill Master Li, our Chief Shopkeeper Elder Xu has decided not only to grant you the qualification to purchase the Foundation Establishment Pill but also to upgrade its quality to Middle Grade!”

“Chief Shopkeeper, Elder Xu?” Li Jizhou aptly displayed a look of shocked surprise.

Miaodan Tower, being under Miaodan Peak of Golden Sun Sect, has its Chief Shopkeepers, who are concurrently elders of Miaodan Peak.

As a prominent Miaodan Peak within Golden Sun Sect, its elders hold a significant standing within the sect.

“Why would such a figure pay attention to me?” Li Jizhou’s true feeling wasn’t joy or pride, but suspicion and concern.

“I implore Steward Chen to resolve the mystery for me!” Li Jizhou hurriedly produced a Tier Two Low-Level Pill worth three hundred Spirit Stones and handed it to Steward Chen.

Seeing this, Steward Chen smiled slightly but still didn’t explain, saying, “Haha, Pill Master Li, rest assured, this matter will surely bring you a pleasant surprise!”

“…”

Surprise?

Li Jizhou dislikes surprises.

Prefers solidity with plans!

“Return now, and in three months, bring Spirit Stones to purchase a Middle Grade Foundation Establishment Pill!” Steward Chen cheerfully bid farewell to Li Jizhou.

Upon returning home,

Li Jizhou immediately took out a pen and ink, calming his mind.

First, he transcribed Ancestor Master of Longevity’s “Stability Scripture” another hundred times.

Then, he sat quietly, contemplating his past actions.

It’s been six years since coming to Golden Crow Immortal City.

The Immortal City belongs to Golden Sun Sect; there are no unrestrained cultivators or overt evil cultivators threatening lives. He lives peacefully here, never creating enmity, forging good relations, and abiding by norms.

Only exposing the identity of a Pill Master for accumulating Foundation Establishment resources and cultivation experiences, and exchanging interests with Upper City District neighbors.

At present, conversing with scholars, mingling without ignorant company, and relying on his alchemy skills to establish himself in the Upper City District, all hard-earned money, shouldn’t evoke irrational animosity or catch the eye of the Golden Sun Sect.

Compared to long-settled merchants and Loose Cultivators in the Upper City District with sect backgrounds, or more skillful elder masters, he isn’t particularly noticeable.

And over these years, his accumulated reputation reveals he’s known for significant skill potential but low strength, well-liked, never causing trouble to any person or faction, instead becoming a younger brother many high-powered neighbors in Upper City District tend to protect.

“Overall, still steady, fitting the display of a Loose Cultivator with insufficient talent yet skillful artistry and a positive attitude.”

“The surprise Miaodan Tower mentioned probably doesn’t entail any threats!”

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