Chapter 284: Qi Condensation Great Perfection

"Sister Li, my success this time was mostly due to luck—how are you feeling? Have you recovered?"

"I just obtained a Grass Spirit Pill—perhaps it could help with your injuries?" Wang Yu replied casually, then reached into his waist pouch and pulled out a small vial, handing it over.

"Thank you, Brother Wang, for your kindness. The Grass Spirit Pill is exceedingly rare and highly effective for external wounds, but my injury is internal, and I'm no longer in serious condition."

"Still, I haven't yet congratulated you—after returning, you stand a good chance of becoming a True Disciple. If so, your prospects for Foundation Establishment are greatly improved." Li Tianqi shook her head, speaking with gratitude.

"I do hope to secure a True Disciple position, but Sister Li—do you know how one becomes a True Disciple? Must one apply actively, or does the sect send someone to test candidates?" Wang Yu, hearing her words, tucked the vial away and asked further.

Given Li Tianqi's status, she couldn't possibly be unaware of the exact process for becoming a True Disciple.

Hearing this, Li Tianqi forcibly suppressed a flicker of jealousy within her and replied solemnly:

"Both methods you mentioned are valid."

"If a Core Disciple believes himself capable of handling the True Disciple role, he may apply at the General Affairs Hall, which will then assign a senior Core Disciple Elder to test and evaluate him."

"Similarly, if a disciple suddenly gains great renown or exhibits astonishingly sudden talent, the General Affairs Hall will take notice and dispatch someone to assess him."

"In short, should you decide to become a True Disciple, you cannot bypass the General Affairs Hall—and you will instantly become a figure of prominence in the sect, known to everyone from the Golden Core Ancestors down to the lowest Outer Disciple."

"I see. Thank you for clarifying," Wang Yu said slowly, frowning slightly.

"If you truly intend to apply for True Disciple status, you must be cautious."

"As far as I know, every vacancy for a True Disciple draws the attention of many Core Disciples—and even some Foundation Establishment Elders."

"True Disciples are the sect's Golden Core seeds, granted resources far beyond imagination. Thus, securing the position isn't merely about strength or talent—you'd best prepare yourself mentally." Li Tianqi, as if making a decision, spoke two words laden with meaning.

"I know the True Disciple position is no trivial matter. I'll make preparations before applying," Wang Yu nodded, his expression unchanged.

Seeing this, Li Tianqi hesitated, then added:

"Brother Wang, you know I'm from the Li family—we hold considerable influence within the sect, and even have several allied Outer Clan Elders. If you need help, I can introduce you to them."

"I can't speak for other Elders, but Elder Gu has a real chance—he's from the Vermilion Bird Mountain lineage, and the current vacancy includes one slot from Vermilion Bird Mountain."

"Thank you for your generous offer, Sister Li. If I truly need Elder Gu's support, I may indeed have to trouble you to help me," Wang Yu replied, though he felt no such need, he did not refuse outright.

"Heh, good—you understand the weight of things. Though I faced danger in the secret realm, I still gained something. After returning, I should reach the peak of Qi Condensation. If I don't insist on Great Perfection, I can already attempt Foundation Establishment," Li Tianqi said, a faint smile appearing on her face.

"Congratulations, Sister Li. You've turned misfortune into fortune. I've only just reached Qi Condensation Late Stage, and my elemental affinity is poor—I don't know when I'll reach your level," Wang Yu bowed in congratulations, smiling wryly.

"Your elemental affinity is indeed weak, but reaching Qi Condensation Late Stage in just a few years isn't slow."

"I'm a dual-element affinity, yet it took me ten years to reach my current level, during which I consumed vast quantities of cultivation-enhancing pills and auxiliary resources. Without them, even with my affinity, I could never have reached Great Perfection at this age," Li Tianqi shook her head.

"You're right—that's precisely why I must secure a True Disciple position upon returning. Without abundant resources, my chances of Foundation Establishment are nearly nonexistent."

"Also, I heard that although Qi Condensation Tenth Layer allows one to attempt Foundation Establishment, the success rate increases if one reaches Qi Condensation Twelfth Layer—is this true?" Wang Yu asked curiously.

"That's correct. If you reach Qi Condensation Twelfth Layer before attempting Foundation Establishment, your success rate does improve."

"Because Qi Condensation Eleventh and Twelfth Layers don't increase your Qi quantity—they refine your internal Qi, making it purer."

"The purer your Qi, the easier it is to liquefy during Foundation Establishment, naturally lowering the difficulty." Li Tianqi nodded.

"Qi Condensation Eleventh and Twelfth Layers refine Qi?" Wang Yu's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Yes—but for us, with our elemental affinities, reaching Eleventh and Twelfth Layers takes too long. Unless you're a Heavenly Element or possess a special cultivation physique, it's pointless to even consider it—it only delays your best chance at Foundation Establishment."

"After all, the earlier you attempt Foundation Establishment, the higher your success rate. Even if you fail once or twice, as long as your foundation isn't damaged and you don't regress too far, you still have enough lifespan to try a second or even third time," Li Tianqi said with a light laugh.

"That's true—the older you are, the lower your chances of success. But I wonder—did all the True Disciples in our sect reach Qi Condensation Great Perfection?" Wang Yu mused.

"From what I know, only a minority of our True Disciples broke through to Foundation Establishment from Qi Condensation Great Perfection. Most did so from regular Great Perfection."

"But then again, Qi Condensation Great Perfection not only lowers the difficulty of Foundation Establishment—it's also said to offer some advantage for later Golden Core breakthroughs. Whether that's true, I'm not sure," Li Tianqi added, a faint, ambiguous smile on her lips.

"It helps with Golden Core breakthroughs?" This time, Wang Yu was genuinely startled.

"Yes. This rumor has long circulated among Core Disciples—you've been so focused on cultivation that you didn't hear it. But whether it's true or not, no Foundation Establishment Elder has officially denied it," Li Tianqi said.

"Thank you for your guidance, Sister Li. I now understand better how to proceed with my cultivation," Wang Yu paused, then bowed deeply to the woman before him, sincerely thanking her.

"It's nothing. If you become a True Disciple one day, I hope you'll remember to lend me a hand," Li Tianqi replied with a light smile, returning the bow.

Wang Yu naturally smiled and nodded.