Chapter 139 - 138: Foundation Establishment Insights, a New Treasure Seed
Chapter 139: Chapter 138: Foundation Establishment Insights, a New Treasure Seed
Lin Changheng’s mind raced as he made a quick decision.
"If Brother Lin is uncomfortable..."
Mo Zhaoli, perceptive as ever, immediately sought to ease the tension and began to smile, but before her words could leave her lips, Lin Changheng’s voice cut in, "I just reached the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation."
"What? Ninth Layer Qi Cultivation?"
Upon hearing this, Mo Zhaoli’s almond-shaped eyes widened slightly and her red lips parted, revealing a look of profound surprise.
She clearly hadn’t expected that answer.
The Cinnabar Seal between her brows trembled slightly before returning to normal, though a thoughtful look flashed in her eyes. Her slender hand unconsciously drifted to the Storage Bag at her waist, her fingertips rubbing it twice as if weighing some decision.
"That’s right. Relentless cultivation, plus some gains from performing Alchemy for others. I was lucky to break through." Lin Changheng couldn’t reveal his own secrets, so he had to attribute it to other factors.
"Brother Lin, you really are..." She suddenly smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling softly. "Full of surprises."
But she was genuinely happy for Lin Changheng.
Given their relationship and history, the higher Lin Changheng’s Cultivation and the stronger his Skills, the more it benefited her.
It was also beneficial for the continuation of their relationship.
If Lin Changheng couldn’t keep up with her, they would inevitably drift apart, even if she didn’t want them to.
If she tried to force it, it would merely be a one-sided patronage, not a partnership of equals journeying and growing together.
Such was the cruelty of the Cultivation Realm.
...
Suddenly, with a flip of her hand, Mo Zhaoli produced a pale blue Jade Scroll and offered it to Lin Changheng.
"Li’Er, what’s this?"
Lin Changheng reached out and took it, not understanding her intention.
"Brother Lin will know once he takes a look."
Mo Zhaoli covered her mouth in a light laugh. The charm in her eyes momentarily stunned Lin Changheng, but he quickly recovered and, as she suggested, pressed the Jade Scroll to his forehead.
Three breaths later.
Lin Changheng lowered the Jade Scroll, his face a mask of incredible shock.
"Li’Er, is this for me?"
"Who else would it be for? Is this scroll in someone else’s hands?"
A look of joy spread across Lin Changheng’s face. He didn’t try to suppress it or maintain a deadpan expression, because this was truly something worth celebrating.
The pale blue Jade Scroll contained none other than Foundation Establishment Insights.
It recorded experiences, insights, potential problems, and various details and solutions related to the Foundation Establishment process.
Lin Changheng’s eyes immediately fell upon a section about using the Foundation Establishment Pill, which stressed the importance of the timing for its consumption.
It even included personal examples...
It was, in fact, the record of Mo Zhaoli’s own Foundation Establishment!
Seeing the joy and shock on Lin Changheng’s face, Mo Zhaoli said softly, "Those are my personal Foundation Establishment Insights. I recorded them specifically so that Brother Lin can use them for his own Foundation Establishment in the future."
Lin Changheng truly needed this. In fact, not just him—every Qi Cultivation Cultivator in the world needed it. It was equivalent to a detailed guide to Foundation Establishment, preventing one from going in blind. It could alleviate the fear and confusion surrounding the unknown, and in a way, it could even increase the chances of success!
After all, this was a process one would likely only experience once in a lifetime, making it impossible to rely on self-accumulated experience.
Although a Foundation Establishment Pill could prevent serious injury upon failure, one still had to consider the practicalities: where would one get a second pill and the necessary resources to try again?
Even Noble Families and Sects were unlikely to grant a second chance to someone who had already failed Foundation Establishment once.
The only exception was if someone was determined to support the person’s second attempt at all costs, but such cases were exceedingly rare.
Even Mo Zhaoli hadn’t expected that, in his overwhelming joy, the Brother Lin before her would suddenly grab her hand and hold it tightly as he offered his sincere thanks.
But with her reflexes as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, she could have easily dodged his grasp or repelled his large hand with a simple surge of Magical Power.
Yet she hesitated for a split second, and in that moment, Lin Changheng’s excited hands caught hers.
The feeling was even somewhat familiar, as if this had happened many times before. But as for when...
It had been about thirty years.
Back then, they were still in the Purple River District...
"My apologies. This is related to Foundation Establishment, so I got a little carried away."
Lin Changheng quickly withdrew his hand, waving it awkwardly in front of him as he gave an embarrassed laugh.
Mo Zhaoli simply gazed at Lin Changheng with gentle eyes, seemingly lost in memory, and shook her head lightly.
"Brother Lin may not know this, but this kind of Foundation Establishment Insights isn’t rare within the Purple Extreme Sect. Every master’s lineage has its own inheritance to help their successors with Foundation Establishment. It’s just that they are strictly forbidden from being shared externally, requiring a severe Daoist Oath."
"I also benefited from the experience of my predecessors."
This was one of the reasons why Major Sects and Noble Families could persist for thousands of years. The accumulation of scarce knowledge was critically important, as it reduced trial and error and prevented their disciples and clansmen from having to start from scratch.
"Then, Li’Er, you...?"
Lin Changheng was slightly alarmed, clutching the Jade Scroll as he looked at Mo Zhaoli.
"Brother Lin, don’t worry."
Mo Zhaoli smiled reassuringly. "This is all my own personal insight and summary from my Foundation Establishment. It doesn’t violate the Daoist Oath."
Lin Changheng nodded in relief. He then heard Mo Zhaoli continue, "This is why Li’Er had to ask about Brother Lin’s true Cultivation. You must know the saying: ’an innocent man gets into trouble for the treasure he carries.’ If Brother Lin were only at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, holding this scroll would not only be useless, but it could easily bring disaster upon you. Besides, the Cultivation Realm is full of Strange Skills; even if you remained tight-lipped, the secret might not be safe..."
"If Brother Lin were to find himself in danger because of this, it would be the last thing Li’Er would want to see."
Lin Changheng nodded. "I understand. Thank you for the scroll, Li’Er."
He then rose to his feet and gave her a serious, formal salute.
’The enmity from someone obstructing your path to cultivation is irreconcilable; the kindness of someone aiding your path must be repaid as if by a gushing spring.’
Mo Zhaoli’s figure blurred as she gracefully evaded his gesture.
At the same time, the main door swung open on its own. Her graceful figure was already distant, and only her soft voice, sent via transmission, drifted quietly into his ear:
"There’s no need for more words of thanks, Brother Lin. In the future, should Li’Er have a request, I only hope Brother Lin won’t refuse."
"Of course!"
Lin Changheng’s eyes were resolute, and his voice rang with conviction.
...
Once Mo Zhaoli had departed, Lin Changheng carefully studied the Jade Scroll several times until he had committed its entire contents to memory. He then summoned a wisp of flame in his palm and burned the scroll to ashes.
The Jade Scroll contained a great deal of Mo Zhaoli’s personal information, which could not be allowed to spread. Once memorized, destroying it was the best course of action.
But now, his understanding of Foundation Establishment was no longer a complete blank; he felt he had gained significant insight.
’Another’s insights are insights all the same. As long as I can make them my own, that’s what matters!’
"This trip to the Purple Extreme Sect has been incredibly rewarding!"
Lin Changheng couldn’t help but feel emotional. This was a major, tangible reward for maintaining this relationship—a result of exchanging true sincerity for sincerity.
’Who says the Cultivation Realm is all fighting and killing? Clearly, there’s still a place for human connection!’
’These are the benefits of having connections!’
’This is something you could never get by just killing and robbing for treasures.’
...
Having dealt with that, Lin Changheng set his joy aside for the moment and once again took out the Wooden Box that Mo Zhaoli had returned to him.
He still had unfinished business to attend to.
There were eight vials of Red-eyed Fire Demon Essence Blood left in the box, which wasn’t enough to complete the Spirit Stealing for the Flame-tailed Spirit Fox True Core. He didn’t absorb it, choosing instead to store it away.
He sealed the vials with a Talisman to ensure the Spiritual nature of the Essence Blood wouldn’t dissipate.
However, the remaining Mountain-moving Ape Essence Blood was more than enough.
’Time to continue the Spirit Stealing!’
All the Essence Blood pooled together, and a thick, metallic scent of blood filled the air. With a neutral expression, Lin Changheng plunged his hand into it.
WHOOSH!
In an instant, every last drop of Essence Blood was drained away.
A Treasure Seed unfurled and took shape within the cauldron of his body. As he focused on it, information appeared in his mind:
[Mountain-moving Ape Treasure Seed - First Layer]
[Spirit Stealing: 13/100]
[Utility: Possesses the Muddy Evil Bloodline and is naturally of the Earth Attribute. Holds the Lifebound Talents "Giant Strength," "Rock Armor," and "Melt Mountain." Upon Spirit Stealing Success, one can be chosen to be Refined into the body.]
After a moment of contemplation, Lin Changheng chose the "Giant Strength" Talent.
The main reason was that he was currently cultivating the Body Refining Technique known as the Evergreen Body of the Ancient Wood. If he were to also choose "Melt Mountain," which seemed to be an Abnormal Technique for Earth Element Body Refining, he feared a conflict would arise.
Becoming too diversified would likely do more harm than good to his body.
And since the physical body was linked to his very foundation, there was no harm in being cautious.
Even if the two techniques didn’t conflict, he couldn’t possibly cultivate two Body Refining Techniques simultaneously. Leaving one to lie idle would be an unacceptable waste.
It was far better to choose the "Giant Strength" Talent. Adding that to his Tier One Late Stage Body Refining Cultivation, he could probably pulp a Demon Beast with his bare hands.
’Uh... with a physique like this, has my Cultivation veered off course?’
For a brief moment, Lin Changheng couldn’t help but ask himself this soul-searching question.