Chapter 32: Foundation Establishment Guaranteed

As the inner-city cultivators waited in anticipation, the doors to Li Ji’an’s cultivation cave slowly creaked open.

"Little Li, congratulations, truly."

"Hurry, hurry! Let me see your peerless pill."

"I have lived for more than half a lifetime, yet I have never seen what the pill patterns of a peerless pill blessed by heaven and earth’s spiritual essence look like."

Compared to the polite distance they maintained with Master Zou, this group, who held themselves in high regard, acted much more casually toward Master Li; a few impulsive ones were nearly squeezing into the cave.

"What did you refine? A primary or intermediate grade?" Master Zou was the first to rush before Li Ji’an, his eyes, bloodshot from three days and nights of meticulous refinement, fixed intently on him.

Li Ji’an feigned surprise and hurriedly cupped his hands. "Greetings, seniors."

"No need for formalities. Quickly, bring out the peerless pill so we can take a look."

"Yes, bring it out! If it’s an intermediate peerless pill, I’ll buy it at a high price to take home and enshrine."

"Little Li, did you have a sudden moment of divine inspiration before attempting this?"

Seeing the fervor of the crowd, Li Ji’an stopped stalling and produced a porcelain bottle. As it appeared, several strands of divine sense surged toward him. Li Ji’an opened the bottle and poured the pill out.

"Hiss..." A collective gasp echoed through the room.

"I have been blind! I thought Master Li was capable of refining, at best, primary or intermediate peerless pills, but I never expected..."

"It’s actually a late-stage First-Tier Ningbi Pill!"

"This pill even aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, and you’ve refined it to peerless quality!"

"Master... Li, my eyes have failed me."

As they gazed at the crystal-clear, shimmering pill, which bore the mark of a tiny flame pattern on its surface, their attitude toward Li Ji’an shifted dramatically. Most had assumed that attempting an intermediate peerless pill was his absolute limit. After all, late-stage pills already placed higher demands on alchemical fire and spiritual soul; ensuring quality was incredibly difficult. To refine a peerless pill, even with divine favor, required the skill of a master. Without exquisite technique, even with a stroke of luck, it would be impossible to produce a peerless pill. The appearance of this Ningbi Pill proved both Li Ji’an’s mastery and his future potential.

"He actually refined a peerless Ningbi Pill!" Xie Gui was the most shocked. Standing at the periphery, he stared at the pill, holding his breath. He finally understood why so many old customers had switched to Li Ji’an. It wasn't just commercial hype; it was because Li Ji’an had earned his ranking through merit, backed by Master Zou’s own endorsement.

"Hmm, not bad. Little Li is truly blessed; even I am envious." As the crowd marveled at the pill and pondered his potential, Master Zou forcibly suppressed his emotions, stroking his beard with the air of an expert critiquing a beginner. Only the sourness in the words "truly blessed" betrayed him.

He was a Second-Tier alchemist, well-established in the Immortal City for decades and capable of refining Foundation Establishment pills. He had a natural bias against rogue cultivators who lacked formal training. From his perspective, he was entitled to look down on a lowly First-Tier rogue alchemist, convinced that this was nothing more than a stroke of good fortune.

"Master Zou, you are too kind. It was luck, purely luck," Li Ji’an responded humbly.

"Hmm, there is no need to be overly modest. To have such achievements at your age, your future is promising. If you have questions in the future, you may still come to ask me." Seeing Li Ji’an show him due respect, Master Zou’s mood improved, his words carrying a hidden meaning. Li Ji’an understood perfectly, and rather than being annoyed, he was happy to accept. Now, his path to advancement in alchemy had a clear trajectory.

***

After all, if he could credit his First-Tier skills to Yan Qingwan, he could certainly attribute his future Second-Tier progress to Master Zou.

The Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators, who had moments ago clamored to buy the pill to enshrine at home, fell silent. The Ningbi Pill was not cheap, and a peerless version was priceless. More importantly, it held little value for them. If Li Ji’an had revealed the Foundation Establishment pill he had actually refined that day, there might have been a risk of them attempting to force a sale.

After bidding farewell to the inner-city seniors, Li Ji’an finally returned to his small courtyard. "Thank goodness I used the Ningbi Pill as a shield!"

He activated the protective formation, layered on three shielding talismans, and instructed Gua Gua to keep watch before entering the alchemy room. He checked on the Fire Spirit, and seeing its exhaustion, he shook his head with concern. "Why are you all so earnest and reckless?"

When he refined the second furnace of Foundation Establishment pills, he had merely told the Fire Spirit to do its best. The little creature had truly given everything, nearly exhausting its origin essence. It reminded him of how Gua Gua, that simpleton, had nearly worked itself to death just because of a casual remark.

After enveloping the Fire Spirit in spiritual energy to help it recover, he took out the fruits of his labor. The first Foundation Establishment pill was milky white and lusterless—a standard-grade pill, capable of increasing the success rate by twenty percent. The second pill was crystal clear with three ribbons of flowing light; it was a premium-grade Foundation Establishment pill that increased the success rate by fifty percent.

"A premium Foundation Establishment pill! Twelve years ago, I left the wasteland for the Immortal City because my family could never obtain even a low-grade pill. Before the city changed hands, I was worried about how to get an intermediate one. And now, I hold a premium one in my hand."

"Life is truly unpredictable. As long as one is alive, there are infinite possibilities!"

Half a month later, his spiritual energy and soul had returned to their peak. He reached out to Zhao Shuyao, intending to visit Tong Yaoyao. While he had studied the theory of Foundation Establishment extensively, he wanted to consult Tong Yaoyao to ensure everything was perfect.

Upon arriving, he presented his offerings. "You have a good heart, kid. The craftsmanship is decent," Tong Yaoyao said with her usual carefree, untethered nature—a personality Li Ji’an envied but knew was a luxury for those struggling for resources.

"Xiaofan, how is the preparation for the Foundation Establishment pill?" Zhao Shuyao asked kindly.

"Auntie, rest assured, I am fully prepared. Today, I mainly wanted to ask for Auntie Yaoyao’s insights."

Zhao Shuyao smiled helplessly. "You’ve asked the wrong person. This girl didn't need a pill to reach Foundation Establishment, and her path... is different from most."

Li Ji’an was stunned but didn't pry. He realized that while he had surpassed 99.9% of cultivators, he still had a long way to go compared to the likes of Xiao Changfeng and Tong Yaoyao.

"Auntie Yaoyao, I would like to ask you to act as my guardian during my breakthrough," Li Ji’an requested solemnly.

"What kind of guardian does one need for a simple breakthrough?" Tong Yaoyao scoffed, but she agreed, provided Li Ji’an supplied her with ten more servings of his gourmet food.

Having secured their help, Li Ji’an rented a high-grade Second-Tier cave specifically designed for breakthroughs. He settled in, ensuring his physical, mental, and spiritual states were at their absolute zenith.

Three days later, as he sat in the center of the chamber, his mind was clear, his blood surged with vitality, and his Dantian was filled with refined energy. His confidence was unprecedentedly strong.

"Foundation Establishment is certain!"