Chapter 664: Kill and Seize Treasure

Ye Qin sliced his throat with one sword, sheathed his long sword, and faintly revealed a hint of coldness: "Everything you thought of, I have thought of. During the period of taking the Foundation Establishment Pill, I don't want any accidents to happen."

As for whether the elixir is genuine or fake, whether Zhao Ke is using it to trap him, Ye Qin is not worried.

If this weren't Zhao Ke's first time coming to find him, there might still be that possibility. But the first visit should just be a coincidence; given Zhao Ke's arrogance, it's impossible for him to produce a Foundation Establishment Pill to trap him right away.

After all, this also requires a cost.

Foundation Establishment Pills are extremely rare, needing to be bought with spirit stones. Even inner disciples couldn't get a share of the profits, let alone outer disciples. Basically, aside from daily food and expenses, there is not a scrap of cultivation resources. This is also why Ye Qin, in the Southern Song time‑space, painstakingly gathered resources.

After disposing of Zhao Ke's corpse, Ye Qin returned indoors, sat cross‑legged on the futon, opened the porcelain bottle with one hand, and said, "Is this the Foundation Establishment Pill?"

A pale yellow pill appeared in the bottle, about the size of a fingernail on a little finger, and a fresh fragrance wafted out. Under the influence of this scent, Ye Qin felt refreshed and invigorated, as if about to ascend as an immortal.

"I don't know if taking it will let me achieve Foundation Establishment successfully." Although it's said there's a seventy percent success rate, there's also a thirty percent chance of failure.

The condition of Huang Rong inside the Vajra Bracelet is still unknown; he has tried to wake her, even released her, but all attempts have failed so far. "Only when I become stronger can I possibly let Rong'er cultivate alongside me."

His current situation is unclear; it may be due to lack of experience, but ultimately it's a matter of strength. "I have this miraculous Vajra Bracelet; growing stronger won't be difficult, and there is hope after all."

Being able to see the future is enough.

Otherwise he wouldn't have killed Zhao Ke and his companions. Knowing it might bring trouble, he still does it, merely because he has confidence.

"Take it!"

He picked up the Foundation Establishment Pill, placed it in his mouth, and a wave of pill fragrance filled his mouth. The elixir melted upon contact, turning into a miraculous medicinal fluid that flowed into the eight extraordinary meridians and then spread throughout his body.

"Begin cultivation!"

He immediately activated the Nine Grade Dao Technique, absorbing the sect's inferior Foundation Establishment method, and after modifying it, it is now sufficient for him to cultivate to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

As the technique began to run swiftly, Ye Qin's whole body instantly emitted a divine radiance. Wondrous qi formed in his flesh and bones, his blood and flesh gradually became pure, and rings of white light gradually merged from the medicinal fluid into his blood, flesh, tendons, and bones.

Bang!

A soundless boom, and the Master Realm was reached.

This aura did not end but continued to rise. The spiritual qi of heaven and earth gathered, enveloping Ye Qin. His divine light shone forth, and an aura unlike that of ordinary people spread outward from his body.

"Has the Master Realm been reached? Then can I, in one go, surge to the Foundation Establishment Realm?" As soon as this thought arose, the medicinal effect ended.

"Huh, what is this?"

Sensing his own aura, Ye Qin's face darkened involuntarily: "Stronger than the Master Realm but not yet the Foundation Establishment Realm—does this count as half‑step Foundation Establishment?"

"What should be done next?"

Ye Qin slowly withdrew his cultivation, stood up, and suddenly said in a deep voice: "Perhaps I can try another method!"

Before the Vajra Bracelet opens a new world journey, Ye Qin mentally considered other possibilities, such as taking some crooked paths, like killing and plundering.

"As the saying goes, 'Kill and set fire, wear a golden belt.' With my current half‑step Foundation Establishment strength, although I lack magical techniques and treasures, ambushing some Foundation Establishment cultivators should not be difficult."

Ye Qin fell into deep thought; the orthodox cultivation path is too arduous, so he has no choice but to take a risky shortcut.

A thought quietly sprouted in his mind, and he curled the corner of his mouth with a smile: "Zhao Ke could obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill through his cousin; his status must be extraordinary, and Foundation Establishment Pills aren't something you can just buy."

"If there are still members of the Zhao Clan within the Haoran Immortal Sect, then using Zhao Ke as bait to set a trap, they should take the hook."

"If one Foundation Establishment Pill could be exchanged for Zhao Ke's life, they might be willing to make that trade."

After all, the person who prepared a Foundation Establishment Pill for Zhao Ke probably wouldn't care too much about this pill. Precious or not, it's relative; moreover, Zhao Ke's cousin is highly capable and will sooner or later become an enemy—so it's better to strike first.

"That's settled then. For now, Rong'er's situation is still unclear; I must become stronger as soon as possible, and since traversing time‑space to seek opportunities is beyond my control, I can only focus on the present."

He knows well that to become stronger and be able to travel among many worlds is his opportunity, but he cannot rely on it too heavily; otherwise, once lost, he would struggle to regain his state.

After organizing his thoughts, Ye Qin began to scheme: "I can't simply kidnap Zhao Ke's cousin to demand a Foundation Establishment Pill, as that might invite greater trouble."

Such a move carries too much risk; the loss would outweigh the gain.

"Then, I can only resort to trickery." Threats won't work, so I'll deceive—using Zhao Ke's identity to deceive might succeed.

His gaze was cold, the corner of his mouth twitching into a strange smile as he produced Zhao Ke's belongings; fortunately he hadn't thrown them away, and they might come in handy.

Three days later, Ye Qin sent a message in Zhao Ke's name to his cousin, saying that the previous Foundation Establishment Pill hadn't helped him break through, that he had hit the thirty percent failure chance, and so he hoped his cousin could send another Foundation Establishment Pill to the rear mountain.

He falsely claimed he was cultivating in the mountains behind the sect, hunting wild beasts to boost his strength, and asked his cousin to place the Foundation Establishment Pill in a box, bury it in the woods, and set up a small stone tablet as a marker.

Only he knows this method; others cannot know it, which can maximally dispel his cousin's suspicions. Ye Qin didn't know his cousin's name, so he scattered Zhao Ke's clothing in the rear‑mountain woods, creating the illusion of a struggle with wild beasts.

He didn't want to waste any time, including meeting his cousin, so he fabricated this excuse, believing his cousin would accept it even if it seemed a bit odd.

After setting up the scene, Ye Qin waited for good news, and also sprinkled some animal blood on the ground to stage a battle scene.

"This way, Zhao Ke's cousin shouldn't suspect anything. With his ability, producing another Foundation Establishment Pill shouldn't be difficult, though it might be a bit troublesome." Ye Qin smiled faintly, the corner of his mouth lifting with confidence.

He believed the other party would fall for it, because within the Haoran Immortal Sect they would not perceive any danger, nor would they believe anyone would dare to scheme against them, after all the Zhao Clan also has members in the sect.

Haoran Immortal Sect, among the inner disciples.

Upon receiving the message, Zhao Kai was first startled, then grew doubtful: "This brat, that's a top‑grade Foundation Establishment Pill, and he still hasn't broken through?"

One Foundation Establishment Pill had drained all his spirit‑stone savings; he even borrowed a lot from friends before barely managing to gather enough. Although the Zhao Clan has channels to obtain Foundation Establishment Pills, they too require spirit stones, and the price cannot be below market value.

He originally thought one Foundation Establishment Pill would be enough, since a seventy percent success rate is already high and the remaining thirty percent failure chance is tiny; he didn't think Zhao Ke would be so unlucky. "But I never expected him to actually fail. For the Zhao Clan to develop, we need more cultivators—at the very least Zhao Ke must achieve Foundation Establishment."

Precisely based on this consideration, he needs to draw more Zhao Clan members in; later, after Zhao Ke achieves Foundation Establishment and becomes an inner disciple, he must do the same—pulling one in, or even several—so the Zhao Clan can grow and strengthen.

"Forget it."

Zhao Kai shook his head and sighed: "Although the thirty percent failure rate is small, after all it can still happen. Perhaps Zhao Ke is just extremely unlucky, which is why he suffered this failure."

What gave him slight relief was that there was still one month for Zhao Ke to break through, meaning there was still a chance.

He glanced at the envelope, then threw it on the table and began to think: "One Foundation Establishment Pill needs a hundred low‑grade spirit stones; I'm penniless, where would I get spirit stones to buy him one? Looks like I'll have to borrow."

As an inner disciple, he is good at socializing; among Foundation Establishment disciples he mixes well and has close ties with many people, which can be put to use.

Dressed in light‑blue sect disciple robes, he flicked his sleeve and the envelope vanished. With wind at his feet, as if he had cast a marvelous spell, his form flashed and he appeared more than ten meters away.

This is the art he learned after becoming an inner disciple—shrink land to an inch—perfect for hurrying on the road.

After a day's preparation, Zhao Kai finally gathered the spirit stones and, once again through the Zhao Clan's channel, bought Zhao Ke a top‑grade Foundation Establishment Pill. Having packed the elixir, he snapped: "These accounts will all be charged to Zhao Ke later. I may be his cousin, but I'm not his real brother!"

Spirit stones are good things, but as a Foundation Establishment inner disciple he receives only one low‑grade spirit stone per month as stipend, which is really too little. With no other means of livelihood, his life is becoming increasingly strained.

After silently recording this debt against Zhao Ke, Zhao Kai hurried to the rear mountain. He found a concealed spot, buried the elixir, erected a stele according to the note's instructions, and then turned and left.

"I really don't understand why Zhao Ke would choose such a place, it's really troublesome." But he still completed the task according to the agreement, then left.

In his view, this cousin Zhao Ke could help him save face in the future, so the current investment is worthwhile.

However, Zhao Kai didn't realize that his every move was being watched by Ye Qin, including that buried elixir...

"Has he already slipped away?" Ye Qin hid in the thorny thicket for a long time before slowly revealing his body and looking around. He remained vigilant, fearing Zhao Kai hadn't gone far.

"Staying vigilant is never wrong." He fully understood his current situation; if Zhao Kai discovered him, there would likely be a fierce battle, the consequences unpredictable.

It was precisely because of these concerns that Ye Qin repeatedly checked whether the surroundings were safe. "After all, Zhao Kai has already achieved Foundation Establishment; he surely knows some spells—what if he's hiding nearby?"

However, at this moment he had no other choice.

"Forget it, the Foundation Establishment Pill is crucial—let's get it in hand first." In Ye Qin's mind, nothing was more important than the Foundation Establishment Pill; it was the key to enhancing his strength.

Previously, one Foundation Establishment Pill had let him step into the half-step Foundation Establishment realm; if he took another, he might truly achieve Foundation Establishment.

Although there is a 30% failure rate, the medicinal potency of the Foundation Establishment Pill is real. Even if it fails, it can still bring many benefits, possibly even unexpected gains.

Ye Qin quickly dug up the Foundation Establishment Pill, put the porcelain bottle into his bosom, and then breathed a little easier. "Having it is good; at least I have a chance to continue Foundation Establishment."

With the Foundation Establishment Pill in hand, the Foundation Establishment realm seemed within reach.

"Only by becoming an inner sect disciple can one obtain more resources." Ye Qin thought to himself, although he had deceived Zhao Kai, in this world of the strong preying on the weak, who isn't surviving through deception and being deceived?

For cultivation, he had no other choice.

Just as he was preparing to leave, a voice suddenly came from behind—Zhao Kai's: "You're not my cousin Zhao Ke; who exactly are you?"

It turned out Zhao Kai hadn't left; instead, using his profound realm, he had restrained his aura, intending to secretly observe what Zhao Ke was up to. He hadn't expected that the person who appeared would be a stranger.

"Has he still been discovered?" Ye Qin's heart tightened, he let out a silent sigh. He had long anticipated that Zhao Kai wouldn't be so easily fooled; he had thought Zhao Kai had already left, but didn't expect him to still be there.

Hiding was no longer possible; Ye Qin could only choose to face him.

However, he wasn't completely unprepared.

Being discovered, Ye Qin had nothing to say; he slowly turned to face Zhao Kai: "Are you Zhao Ke's older cousin?"

The other party didn't answer, merely coldly pressing: "Who exactly are you?"

How dare you scheme against him—really asking for a beating. Zhao Kai's face darkened, he snarled: "I don't care who you are; hand over the Foundation Establishment Pill now, and tell me where Zhao Ke is!"

After being deceived, he was furious.

Clad in a light blue robe, Zhao Kai flicked his sleeve; his right hand slightly opened, a strand of reddish light flashed, and a scarlet long sword suddenly appeared in his hand.

"If you don't speak, I'll kill you; an inner sect disciple killing an outer sect disciple would at most receive a light punishment, not too severe." Zhao Kai's voice was cold and stern; his robe stirred without wind, a domineering aura spread, blowing the leaves on the ground in all directions.

The scarlet long sword's light was fierce; Zhao Kai swung his right hand, sword qi crisscrossing; his left hand reached out to grab Ye Qin, strands of dark red light interwoven with red and black burst from his left hand, tearing through the void, forming a strange ribbon that wound toward Ye Qin.

This is the terrifying power of the Foundation Establishment realm!

"Is this truly the Foundation Establishment realm? Indeed powerful." The methods of cultivators were fully displayed at this moment; every gesture contained terrifying power.

Ye Qin rolled on the ground, narrowly avoiding Zhao Kai's left-hand grab by a hair's breadth. He quickly drew the long sword at his waist, executed a sword technique, rolled a few times on the spot, then slashed toward Zhao Kai.

Whoosh!

He trusted only his own sword technique: "This move he shouldn't be able to dodge."

However, Ye Qin quickly realized something was off. Zhao Kai didn't dodge; instead, he raised his sword and came forward. The scarlet long sword in his hand was clearly extraordinary, at least far more powerful than Ye Qin's long sword.

Even if Ye Qin's sword technique could not be avoided by Zhao Kai, relying on his great strength he could still block it head-on. A flash of red light, the sword gleamed like a rainbow, raising a terrifying cloud of dust, as if it would grind everything to pieces.

Clang! (End of chapter)