Chapter 222

After leaving the guest hall, Yan Buji went to his residence and explained the rules of the Mysterious Abyss Dao to the disciples of the Clear Wind Temple, and then gave them a warning:

"Junior brothers and sisters, our primary goal now is to defend Huang Du. Moreover, hearing the Mysterious Abyss Dao's intention to introduce a military merit exchange system, we might even obtain many treasures not seen within the temple. During this period, if you go out, do not cause trouble; if trouble really arises, come find me and the two Elders to resolve it, and do not act on impulse."

"When outside, we represent the face of the Clear Wind Temple; do not provoke others, and they will not provoke us. If there truly is a conflict, first endure it."

"Yes, senior brother."

Although the disciples had some resentment about the servant quarters, upon hearing that the Mysterious Abyss Dao offered benefits from the military merit exchange, their eyes lit up one by one.

Especially when the mention of the human dao Foundation Establishment Pill came up, the disciples became excited.

Yan Buji smiled slightly, then waited here for his master and his martial uncle.

At nightfall.

After Ming Zhong and Ming Xian returned, they first sought out Yan Buji.

"Yuejin, you should also have heard about some of the Mysterious Abyss Dao's rules today," Ming Zhong said.

"Yes, master."

The three of them sat in the empty room and began to talk.

Ming Xian's expression changed, and he said: "This time the demon tribe's attack, we inside have only this few disciples. The upcoming war will inevitably require us to act together with several other forces. However, if we are merely defending the city, there is nothing else; just steadfastly guard the city walls."

Yan Buji nodded, hesitating: "Master, martial uncle... what exactly is the demon tribe's plan this time? Are they merely trying to show off their strength?"

Ming Zhong shook his head: "Just to settle a debt."

"Ah?"

Ming Xian smiled: "We'll talk about these matters later, but we still need to remind you that since it's a war between races, it's impossible to sit down for peaceful negotiations; we will inevitably have to fight."

Yan Buji nodded: "Yes, disciple understands."

"Go rest now; for the next few days, I and my senior brother will go to the Mysterious Abyss Dao to discuss matters, and once we have a result we will come inform you." Ming Xian said.

"Yes."

Yan Buji withdrew from the room.

Ming Xian looked at Ming Zhong, then smiled: "Senior brother, this disciple of yours has a deep mind."

"If he weren't thoughtful, he wouldn't have gotten this far; he is fated with me."

"Really? Is it fate with you, or with the Shaking Dragon Scripture?"

Ming Zhong said indifferently: "Junior brother, first think about how to face the Rainbow Fairy."

Ming Xian's expression shifted: "Rainbow?! That old woman is here too?!"

"She's outside the door."

"Yo~ worthy of being Senior Brother Ming Zhong. I myself ask, the armor I personally constructed, the Layered Armor 'Immortal Silk Garment Array,' even a Golden Core cultivator would struggle to see through its traces, yet Brother Ming Zhong noticed it at a glance; my cultivation is insufficient." A woman's voice came from outside, and the black shadow that suddenly appeared startled Ming Xian.

Ming Xian hastily jumped up, hid behind Ming Zhong, poked his head out and glared, saying: "Rainbow! You old woman, what do you want? My master and senior brother are here today; you dare act recklessly?!"

Only the Rainbow Fairy's wistful voice was heard: "Ming Xian~ good husband, have you forgotten that we were once husband and wife?"

"Pah! Back then it was I who was blind, deluded by your Harmony Sect's evil arts into that state, and you still have the nerve to come knocking? Believe it or not, I'll go report you to the Mysterious Abyss Dao right now!"

"Hehe, that husband probably doesn't realize, my three evil sects were also invited by the Mysterious Abyss Dao, right?"

"Ah?" Ming Xian widened his eyes in disbelief, turning his head to look at the expressionless Ming Zhong.

"Besides that, the ascetic monks of the Diamond Temple of Xun Dao and the scholars of the Hundred Saints Pavilion of Qian Dao are also within this Mysterious Abyss Dao Huang Du. Husband, I miss you~"

Ming Xian got goosebumps all over, but upon further thought he felt this was very wrong: "Senior brother, with both Buddhist and Confucian forces here, isn't it...?"

Ming Zhong rose: "Handle your own affairs, I'm going back to rest."

"Senior brother, don't go!"

"Hehe, thank you, senior brother."

After Ming Zhong left the room, only a commotion was heard from inside, which then settled into calm.

"Hmph." Ming Zhong suddenly chuckled.

The next day.

Yan Buji directly went to the Hundred Arms Pavilion to check things out.

As soon as he arrived, he saw many cultivators entering; Yan Buji followed them inside, and upon stepping through the door he immediately felt it was another world, and in the blink of an eye he found himself on a street.

"The greatest hidden is in the market." Yan Buji smiled.

"First, second, third turn Spiritual Material—come take a look."

"Top-grade healing pills, especially for demonic qi damage!"

"Formations for sale!"

It truly resembled a cultivator's market, which Yan Buji was very familiar with.

He went to a stall selling spirit pills and asked: "Fellow Daoist, do you have any Foundation Establishment Pills here?"

"Foundation Establishment Pill? You're crazy; even if I had it, would I dare sell it?" The vendor looked strange, thinking: judging by your attire you don't look like a loose cultivator, how could you not know anything?

"Oh, I thought you sold Foundation Establishment Pills here."

"What joke is this? Which sect's disciple are you?"

"I am a disciple of the Clear Wind Temple."

"Clear Wind Temple? I've never heard of it... surely you don't even have miscellaneous refined Foundation Establishment Pills, do you?"

Yan Buji froze: "Miscellaneous refined Foundation Establishment Pill?"

The vendor's eyes shifted, he hehe laughed: "You Daoist, wanting to hear me talk for free—you ought to show some appreciation."

Yan Buji smiled: "Give me a bottle of your healing pill."

"Thank you for your patronage."

These vendors, shrewd in market dealings, were not stupid; hearing that Yan Buji wanted to inquire about Foundation Establishment Pill news, they let him buy something before they would voluntarily explain.

"As for Foundation Establishment, although strong cultivators can achieve it solely by completing their own cultivation method in one go, most cultivators fall at the three crucial hurdles."

Yan Buji immediately said, "Essence not leaking, qi united with spiritual method, spirit roaming beyond the heavens."

Exactly, for a cultivator's own practice, after unifying one's cultivation method with qi united with spiritual method, this is the first condition; as for spirit roaming beyond the heavens and essence not leaking, it depends on whether the cultivator's own practice is sufficient.

Foundation Establishment Pill is what allows a cultivator, at the time of breakthrough, to make up for any deficiency in these two, thereby enabling the breakthrough.

The so-called Miscellaneous Refined Foundation Establishment Pill is a Foundation Establishment Pill formula independently developed and refined by some cultivators, with a success rate of less than one or two out of ten; naturally, there will be better Foundation Establishment Pills.

Yan Buji clasped his hands and asked, "What is this better Foundation Establishment Pill?"

That is called the Nan Ting Mountain Region's unique 'Human Path Foundation Establishment Pill', a superior Foundation Establishment Pill developed within the Eight Dao Mysterious Gate, with a success rate of four or five out of ten.

Yan Buji nodded and said, "Oh, you mean the success rate of foundation establishment determines the quality of the Foundation Establishment Pill, right?"

That's only natural.

I understand, thank you, fellow cultivator.

Hehe, fellow cultivator, if you want a Foundation Establishment Pill and don't have overly high demands, I actually have a connection.

A connection?" Yan Buji raised his eyebrows.

The vendor rubbed his fingers together, Yan Buji frowned, and then said, "I'll trade this with you."

Yo, Second Transformation Water Chestnut? Sure, I've heard that someone is holding a secret trading meeting down below, where news of the Miscellaneous Refined Foundation Establishment Pill is being spread.

Down below?

Tsk, you're foolish, without anyone or a connection, how could you get in? You need someone to introduce you." The vendor laughed.

Yan Buji looked at him strangely.

Somewhat interesting.