Chapter 25: Chapter Twenty-Four: The Deal

It is said that after crossing the first level of Qi Refining, one enters the threshold of cultivation. In truth, the great orthodox sects scoff at this notion; the orthodox cultivation world holds that the entire long Qi Refining stage is merely a preparatory phase, and those who cultivate should properly be called Qi Refiners.

Only when a spiritual sea forms in the dantian and Foundation Establishment is achieved does one truly cross the threshold of cultivation.

Foundation Establishment, Foundation Establishment—building the foundation of cultivation. If the foundation is not laid, how can one speak of true cultivation?

This view is the basic consensus in mainstream orthodox cultivation. It can also be explained another way: the first and second levels of early Qi Refining display abilities no different from martial masters in the Jianghu; in actual combat, it is hard to say who would win or lose. Only after the third level does the gap begin to widen gradually.

Ninety-nine percent of Qi Refiners will remain trapped in the Qi Refining stage, never crossing this preparatory phase, and their lifespan will end around a hundred years. If so, what is truly cultivation?

Only when the spiritual sea is fully formed does one enter the ranks of cultivators, extending one’s lifespan to about one hundred and sixty years, truly bearing the demeanor of a cultivator.

After Foundation Establishment, one must solidify the spiritual sea to form a Golden Core.

Then, polish the Golden Core endlessly, refining it until it better suits one’s body, unlocking greater potential and gaining a few more years of life, living between two hundred and forty and three hundred years.

Only those with truly exceptional talent or those blessed by fate can gradually develop spiritual sense during the polishing of the Golden Core, eventually giving birth to a Nascent Soul.

All subsequent cultivation—such as refining the spirit, returning to emptiness, and even the legendary union with the Dao—is centered around the Nascent Soul. Between these stages, there is only a difference in cultivation depth, not clear realm distinctions. One then enters the ranks of great cultivators, collectively termed Land Immortals by the great sects. Thus, the birth of the Nascent Soul is a watershed moment in becoming a great cultivator; once crossed, one may live to six hundred years.

The Foundation Establishment Elixir is a spiritual pill that aids Qi Refiners in forming a spiritual sea. For the vast majority of Qi Refiners, it is the secret key to opening the door of cultivation, the dream of a lifetime.

Yet the ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Elixir are exceedingly rare, and its formula is a sect’s most guarded secret. Even among cultivation clans, those who can refine it are few and far between—its value is plain to see.

“Stolen?” Zuo Gaofeng was startled. The Foundation Establishment Elixir painstakingly refined by the Lu family of Tianmu Mountain had been stolen? This was unimaginable.

“Yes, stolen. This is absolutely true,” Wei Hongqing nodded firmly.

“How did you come to know such a secret?” Zuo Gaofeng pressed.

Tan Ba sighed: “Wei brother seems to have some connection with a certain inner sect disciple of Tianmu Mountain’s Lu family—ah, a female disciple.”

Zuo Gaofeng opened his mouth but could not speak for a long while.

Wei Hongqing said gravely: “The one who stole the spiritual pill is the steward assigned to the elixir chamber, named Lu Zian. He was originally an outer sect disciple of Tianmu Mountain, already at Qi Refining Level Ten. After failing to enter the inner sect, he harbored resentment and stole this elixir during his watch. After stealing the elixir, Lu Zian fled Tianmu Mountain, and now the entire mountain is searching for his whereabouts.”

He paused, then suddenly smiled: “Unluckily for him, I happen to know where Lu Zian is.”

At these words, everyone’s breathing quickened by a third.

Becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator was the highest wish of all the scattered cultivators of Wulong Mountain—including Liu Xiaolou. As for Golden Core or Nascent Soul, no one dared to dream. Now, Wei Hongqing suddenly told them that a Foundation Establishment Elixir had fallen into the Jianghu, and their minds could not help but drift with speculation.

But if they truly had the fortune to obtain this spiritual pill, how should they divide it? And to whom should it go?

They looked at each other, eyes meeting, silent for a moment.

After a long silence, Tan Ba suddenly said: “Sell it for spirit stones! If we seize this elixir, we might get over a hundred spirit stones!”

The Western Mountain Recluse, Zuo Gaofeng, and Liu Xiaolou all slowly shook their heads.

Zuo Gaofeng said: “This matter requires careful deliberation—it’s a Qi Refining Level Ten cultivator...”

The Western Mountain Recluse said: “A hundred? Tan brother, do you know where any marketplace has ever sold a Foundation Establishment Elixir? At what price? Recluse, Liu younger brother, does either of you know?”

All of them quickly turned their minds, thinking hard.

Wei Hongqing also asked: “Who can answer the Recluse’s question? Has anyone here ever heard of a marketplace selling Foundation Establishment Elixirs?”

After much thought, no one could answer—they had never heard of such a thing.

Wei Hongqing said coldly: “Because no one dares to sell! Each sect’s Foundation Establishment Elixirs differ subtly; experts can tell at a glance which sect produced them. The entire Tianmu Mountain is searching for Lu Zian and hunting this elixir. If you go to a marketplace to sell it, which shop would dare to buy it? Even if someone did buy it, would you live long enough to spend it?”

Everyone fell silent. Wei Hongqing was right—not only would they not live to spend it, they wouldn’t even live to sell it!

Who could they sell it to? Once sold, the secret could never be kept. When Tianmu Mountain came knocking, who could handle it? Perhaps the buyer would report them the moment they stepped out.

Tan Ba hesitated: “Surely someone would buy it. Sell it farther away—to Qingcheng Marketplace or Luo Fu Mountain Marketplace? After all this time, haven’t we all lived with our heads on our belts? If you hesitate and second-guess yourself, that’s not the way of a Wulong Mountain cultivator!”

Zuo Gaofeng said: “This matter requires careful deliberation... Everyone, calm down. Since Wei brother gathered us here, he must have a plan. Has Wei brother ever been one to hesitate?”

Wei Hongqing was certainly not one to hesitate—otherwise he wouldn’t have gathered them. But his plan was more secure: “Actually, the Foundation Establishment Elixir is secondary. What angers the elders of Tianmu Mountain is that a traitor has emerged within their sect. Thus, they’ve issued an edict: any disciple who finds Lu Zian and recovers the elixir will be promoted directly to the inner sect if an outer disciple, or granted the sect’s secret techniques if already inner.”

The Western Mountain Recluse asked: “What about outsiders?”

Wei Hongqing nodded: “This is Tianmu Mountain’s shame—they refuse to rely on outsiders. But if an outsider provides information, they will reward twenty spirit stones.”

Hearing this, everyone’s spirits sank. Tan Ba said: “Let them die! Who would have thought a great sect would be this stingy!”

The Western Mountain Recluse said: “If information is worth twenty spirit stones, won’t you take it? Tan brother, you can opt out—I’m willing. We’d each get four stones. That’s not bad. Liu younger brother, what do you say?”

Liu Xiaolou replied simply: “Sell!”

Wei Hongqing smiled mysteriously: “If that were all, I wouldn’t have gathered you. I have a way—if we capture Lu Zian and return the Foundation Establishment Elixir to Tianmu Mountain, we’ll receive fifty spirit stones!”

Liu Xiaolou suddenly understood: “Brother Wei means we hand over the man and the elixir to your... friend at Tianmu Mountain?”

Tan Ba also caught on: “Your lover!”

The Western Mountain Recluse asked: “She’ll give fifty? Good heavens, these great sects are truly wealthy! Hmm, then this deal is truly worth doing!”

Zuo Gaofeng stroked his beard and smiled: “After all, it’s Level Ten... This matter requires careful deliberation.”