Chapter 261 : Secretly Plotting Core Formation

"Pill ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Origin Fruit?"

Yun ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Qianzai and Feng Zhi Tao exchanged glances, both wearing puzzled expressions.

Clearly, ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍neither of them knew what it was.

Hua ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Yaoyue, who was reclining leisurely on her lounge chair, merely glanced at Ji Yuan a little longer without saying anything.

Only ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Ran Kui spoke.

"We ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍don't have that thing in Eastern Shang, so naturally Second Brother and Third Sister don't know about it."

"First Senior Brother, you know?"

Ji Yuan asked excitedly.

He had gone through countless historical records himself yet had never found any information about the Pill Origin Fruit. He had even begun to suspect it wasn't something that existed on the Cangluo Continent at all.

"I do. Back when I was on Shang Mountain, I once killed a Peak Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator. I found quite a few historical records inside his Storage Pouch, and one of them contained information about the Pill Origin Fruit."

"Oh?"

"The Pill Origin Fruit is undoubtedly a priceless treasure for Peak Foundation Establishment cultivators, or even Pseudo-Core cultivators, because it has only one effect..."

"It increases the success rate of Core Formation."

The moment Ran Kui finished speaking, both Feng Zhi Tao and Yun Qianzai's breathing quickened.

"Then isn't that basically a Foundation Establishment Pill?"

"That's right. Looking purely at its effect, it is."

Ran Kui nodded.

"If you consume a Pill Origin Fruit while attempting Core Formation, it continuously supplies pure spiritual energy to assist the process, thereby increasing the chance of successfully forming a Golden Core."

"Then... does Western Shang have Pill Origin Fruit? How about the four of us senior siblings join forces and take a trip there?"

Yun Qianzai could hardly wait.

Feng Zhi Tao wanted to speak but hesitated.

Hua Yaoyue, however, couldn't help laughing.

"So Master really does know."

Ran Kui said helplessly.

"What's... going on?"

Seeing Hua Yaoyue's reaction, Ji Yuan immediately realized things weren't that simple.

"There originally was a Pill Origin Fruit Tree in Western Shang. It blossomed once every five hundred years, bore fruit once every five hundred years, and the fruit required another five hundred years to mature. Furthermore, each harvest window lasted for only a single day. If the fruit wasn't picked during that day, it would rapidly rot away and disappear."

"The Pill Origin Fruit Tree in Western Shang originally belonged to the Blood Luo King of Blood Luo Mountain. However, for reasons unknown, it suddenly withered a hundred years ago. No matter how much effort the Blood Luo King spent trying to save it, he never managed to revive it."

Ran Kui sighed as he spoke.

"It was truly a shared loss for every cultivator on the Cangluo Continent."

Yun Qianzai angrily slapped Ran Kui's thigh.

"What the hell did you hit me for?!"

Ran Kui glared at him.

Yun Qianzai answered matter-of-factly,

"Because if I hit myself, it'd hurt."

Ran Kui: "…Don't be in such a hurry to leave later. Senior Brother's going to teach you a lesson."

"What, are you acting like you suffered a loss too?"

Feng Zhi Tao rolled her eyes.

"I heard the Blood Luo King is the number one expert of the demonic path, possessing Late Nascent Soul cultivation... How about I help Second Senior Brother send him a challenge letter?"

Yun Qianzai replied,

"Why don't you help Master send one instead? As long as Master defeats the Blood Luo King, we'll become the disciples... of the number one cultivator in the world."

"How about I send you a challenge letter instead?"

Hua Yaoyue looked at Yun Qianzai.

"Agreed! I support that!"

Feng Zhi Tao immediately shouted, delighted at the prospect of watching the excitement.

The senior siblings laughed and joked together while Ji Yuan quietly enjoyed the rare tranquility.

At the very least, he'd finally learned the Pill Origin Fruit's effect from Ran Kui, and now he was already thinking about finding a way to upgrade the 【Spiritual Field】.

One Pill Origin Fruit every ten years.

Ji Yuan wasn't confident that a single Pill Origin Fruit would guarantee successful Core Formation.

A treasure like this...

Naturally, the more he could prepare, the better.

As for the upgrade requirements for the Level 4 【Spiritual Field】...

【Upgrade Requirements: Middle-Grade Spirit Stones ×500, Third-Tier Demon Core ×1, Scarlet Sun Soil ×10 jin, Profound Yin Soil ×20 jin, Three Second-Tier Burrowing Rotworm Corpses. (Not Fulfilled)】

He already had the Spirit Stones.

As for the Third-Tier Demon Core, he had successfully purchased one at the Southern Sea City auction.

He had also already obtained three Burrowing Rotworm corpses.

That only left the Profound Yin Soil and Scarlet Sun Soil.

Regarding the Profound Yin Soil, Ji Yuan had previously asked Bai Piao to prepare some while also collecting some himself, so that shouldn't pose much of a problem.

The troublesome part was the ten jin of Scarlet Sun Soil...

Scarlet Sun Soil was pill furnace ash—the ashes left behind when pill refinement failed.

Moreover, only failed Second-Tier or higher pills produced Scarlet Sun Soil.

If a First-Tier pill failed...

That wasn't Scarlet Sun Soil.

It was simply residue.

"Third Senior Sister, I remember you're affiliated with the Pill Hall, aren't you?"

Ji Yuan turned toward Feng Zhi Tao and asked softly.

At this moment, the advantages of belonging to a sect became apparent.

"That's right! I'm a Grandmaster Instructor of the Pill Hall."

Feng Zhi Tao proudly patted her ample chest.

"What? Little Junior Brother, are you planning to join the Pill Hall too?"

"Don't worry. Given your pill refining skills, I can definitely help you apply to become a Pill Dao Grandmaster. Though only for the Second Tier."

The moment Feng Zhi Tao finished speaking, Yun Qianzai let out a thoughtful,

"Hmm?"

"A talent like Little Junior Brother should join the Formation Hall instead. With his attainments in formations, if he joined, I wouldn't have to struggle all by myself anymore."

"Nonsense."

Ran Kui rarely joined the argument.

"You've never seen Little Junior Brother's talent in weapon refining. I only gave him a few pointers, and he was already capable of forging Mid-Grade Spiritual Artifacts."

After all three finished speaking, they simultaneously froze.

Finally, Feng Zhi Tao seemed to remember something and murmured,

"I remember when Little Junior Brother first joined the sect, he said he was a talisman master."

"So..."

"Little Junior Brother, you know pill refining, formations, talismans, and weapon refining..."

"And you've reached the Second Tier in all of them?"

"Well..."

Ji Yuan first looked toward Hua Yaoyue for help.

Unfortunately, Hua Yaoyue was busy staring blankly into space and ignored him entirely.

Left with no choice, he smiled rather awkwardly.

"I know... a little of everything."

Of course, if anyone asked why...

It was all thanks to his own hard work.

Along with a tiny, insignificant amount of assistance from the 【Enlightenment Room】 and the 【Heavenly Craft Workshop】.

Ran Kui: "..."

Yun Qianzai: "..."

Feng Zhi Tao: "...So, Little Junior Brother, why did you ask whether I belonged to the Pill Hall?"

"I need some Scarlet Sun Soil. I was wondering whether the Pill Hall sells it."

Ten jin of Scarlet Sun Soil.

Aside from a large place like the Water Dragon Sect's Pill Hall, no smaller workshop could possibly accumulate that much.

After all, one failed batch of pills produced only a tiny amount of residue.

How many failed batches would it take to gather ten jin?

"Of course they have it. How much do you need? I'll help you apply for it."

"Not much."

"Ten jin."

"Uh..."

The smile on Feng Zhi Tao's face instantly froze.

Scarlet Sun Soil was already quite scarce.

She had assumed Ji Yuan only needed a few taels.

Even if he needed an entire jin, she could probably gather that much from a few fellow alchemists.

Never had she imagined he'd ask for ten jin.

The Water Dragon Sect didn't even produce that much Scarlet Sun Soil in an entire year.

After all, only Second-Tier alchemists could "produce" Scarlet Sun Soil.

"Little Junior Brother, what do you need so much Scarlet Sun Soil for?"

"Growing vegetables?"

Even Ran Kui looked surprised.

Scarlet Sun Soil contained extremely intense Yang Fire energy.

Very few things actually had any use for it.

"Well..."

"Yes."

Ji Yuan didn't explain any further.

Still reclining, Hua Yaoyue casually remarked,

"Feng Zhi Tao, go tell your Martial Uncle Xuan Xiao that Hua Yaoyue needs it. He'll give it to you. Once you've received it, deliver it directly to your Little Junior Brother."

"Yes."

Since Hua Yaoyue had personally spoken, there naturally wouldn't be any problem.

Ji Yuan immediately bowed deeply toward her.

"This disciple thanks Master."

With the hardest-to-obtain Scarlet Sun Soil secured, upgrading the 【Spiritual Field】 was now practically guaranteed.

Once the 【Spiritual Field】 reached Level 4...

His path toward Core Formation would become completely smooth.

At worst, he'd simply wait a few more decades.

He was still young.

Waiting a few decades wasn't much of an issue.

In a sense...

Hua Yaoyue had personally paved the road toward his Golden Core.

...Now this was what a true master looked like!

After that matter was settled, Feng Zhi Tao looked toward Ran Kui.

"First Senior Brother, why don't you stop rushing back to Shang Mountain? Stay with us for a while. Keep Master and Little Junior Brother company."

"Well..."

Ran Kui glanced at Hua Yaoyue before looking at Ji Yuan, momentarily unsure how to answer.

Yun Qianzai calmly remarked,

"First Senior Brother has already formed his Golden Core and now possesses a lifespan of five hundred years."

"But the combined weight of our entire lineage in his heart isn't even worth a single year."

"What an excellent First Senior Brother we have."

Feng Zhi Tao resentfully added,

"Everyone else has a First Senior Brother."

"We don't."

"No wonder our branch keeps getting bullied."

"Someone bullied you?!"

Ran Kui, who had remained silent until now, suddenly shot to his feet in fury.

Golden Core aura burst from his body, causing even Ji Yuan to feel a faint pressure.

"Third Junior Sister, tell me."

"Who's bullying you?"

"I, Ran Kui, will personally go knock on their door today and let them understand what it means to have two Golden Core cultivators in one lineage!"

Ran Kui declared angrily.

Strictly speaking, he wasn't wrong.

Among all the Golden Core disciples of the Water Dragon Sect...

He had likely been the first to successfully form his Golden Core.

Even Rou Yi, the eldest disciple of Real Person Yun Yuan, and Xiao Chengyi, the Island Lord of Zhaoyang Island and eldest disciple of Real Person Xuan Xiao, had yet to form theirs.

Of course, the reason Ran Kui had achieved Core Formation so early was inseparable from the countless life-and-death battles he'd experienced on Shang Mountain.

Seeing that Ran Kui had genuinely become angry, Feng Zhi Tao immediately fell silent.

She simply shifted the blame onto Ji Yuan.

"Then ask Little Junior Brother."

"He's always getting bullied."

With eyes as wide as ox eyes, Ran Kui turned toward Ji Yuan.

"Little Junior Brother."

"You tell me."

"...With Master here, who would dare bully us?"

Ji Yuan replied helplessly.

"We simply hope First Senior Brother will stay and spend more time with us."

"And with Master."

Only then did Ran Kui's imposing aura gradually fade.

He looked around before finally saying in a deep voice,

"Fine."

"I'll remain at the sect for another year."

"I'll head back out after that."

Just as Feng Zhi Tao was about to cheer happily, Ran Kui continued,

"In that case, starting tomorrow..."

"Second Brother, Third Sister, Fourth Brother."

"All of you will cultivate under me."

"Master doesn't have the time."

"I'll personally instruct you."

"Ah?"

Feng Zhi Tao's expression instantly collapsed.

She hurriedly replied,

"I still have to help Little Junior Brother obtain the Scarlet Sun Soil. I'll leave first."

Ji Yuan immediately followed,

"I still need to report my mission to the Thousand Mechanisms Hall. I'll visit Master another day."

"This disciple takes his leave."

After speaking, he followed Feng Zhi Tao as they departed together.

Yun Qianzai slowly stood up, flicked his sleeves, and leisurely declared,

"When I, the Island Lord of Heaven Pivot, wish to leave..."

"Who can stop me?"

"I can try."

Ran Kui sneered.

"If you're going to fight, do it outside."

Hua Yaoyue couldn't even be bothered looking at them.

The two senior brothers had been like this ever since they first entered the sect.

The outcome had always been the same.

Every single time...

Yun Qianzai ended up with a bruised and swollen face.

Now that Ran Kui had successfully formed his Golden Core while Yun Qianzai remained merely a Pseudo-Core cultivator...

No matter how profound Yun Qianzai's attainments in formations were...

He would still only end up getting beaten.

After Ji Yuan and Feng Zhi Tao left Forgotten Worry Island, they flew west side by side.

Along the way, Feng Zhi Tao secretly transmitted her voice,

"Little Junior Brother, whatever you do, don't fall into First Senior Brother's hands."

"Otherwise, you'll discover what true cultivation suffering is."

"...It wasn't that bad."

Back in Lanshan City, Ji Yuan had cultivated under Ran Kui's guidance for quite some time.

Ran Kui was indeed strict.

He also took cultivation extremely seriously.

But wasn't cultivation supposed to be like that?

To someone as carefree as Feng Zhi Tao, Ran Kui was unbearably strict.

To someone as hardworking as Ji Yuan...

It wasn't much at all.

"I forgot."

"You're a cultivation maniac too."

"Hmph."

Feng Zhi Tao turned her head away, feeling she had wasted her breath.

The two traveled together until they reached Thousand Mechanisms Island.

Feng Zhi Tao continued westward toward Four Directions Island.

Ji Yuan, meanwhile, turned alone toward the Thousand Mechanisms Hall.

After submitting his mission and receiving exactly ninety Middle-Grade Spirit Stones as his reward, he continued north toward Everything Island.

Even before arriving, he had already attempted to contact Fellow Daoist Bai Piao through a Messaging Talisman.

Fortunately, the transmission succeeded.

Bai Piao informed him that he had already closed his shop on Everything Island.

He was currently packing his belongings at his residence on Hatchling Dragon Island in preparation for departing for Shang Mountain.

Why was he going?

Naturally, for the same reason as Fang Jie.

To earn military merit, exchange it for a Foundation Establishment Pill, and attempt Foundation Establishment.

When Ji Yuan arrived at Bai Piao's residence on Hatchling Dragon Island, he made an unexpected discovery.

Bai Piao's Cave Dwelling wasn't far from the one Ji Yuan had previously lived in.

Both were located in District D.

Ji Yuan had lived in D-18.

Bai Piao lived in D-36.

"This junior greets Martial Uncle Ji."

The moment Bai Piao opened the door, he bowed respectfully.

"Enough."

"Let me in first."

"What kind of manners are these, blocking me at the entrance?"

After saying that, Ji Yuan unceremoniously pushed him aside and strode inside.

Far from becoming angry, Bai Piao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Good.

Ji Yuan was still the same Ji Yuan.

"So you're really heading to Shang Mountain?"

Looking at the completely emptied courtyard, Ji Yuan asked.

"That's right."

"My name's already been registered."

"We leave in three days."

"If Brother Ji had come any later, you'd have had to find me on Shang Mountain."

Bai Piao smiled before taking out a gray hemp sack from his Storage Pouch.

Inside was a large amount of Profound Yin Soil.

Ji Yuan swept it with his Divine Sense.

There were at least twenty to thirty jin.

"After you mentioned it last time, Brother Ji, I focused on cultivating more Profound Yin Soil."

"Everything I've harvested over the past few years..."

"It's all here."

Bai Piao lowered his head as he spoke.

"How many Spirit Stones?"

Since Bai Piao had been so generous, Ji Yuan naturally wouldn't shortchange him.

"What Spirit Stones?"

"If Brother Ji needs it, just take it."

Bai Piao waved his hand with an easygoing smile.

"I'm heading to Shang Mountain anyway."

"Keeping this serves no purpose."

"So I might as well give it to Brother Ji."

"This..."

Seeing Bai Piao's sincere expression, Ji Yuan couldn't help recalling the days when they had first met.

...What a wretched world.

It had actually forced a cultivator who loved farming so passionately onto Shang Mountain.

Leaving him no choice but to risk his life fighting demonic cultivators.

"Then, Brother Piao..."

"Please accept these."

Since Bai Piao refused to accept Spirit Stones, Ji Yuan instead gave him two sets of Fivefold Protection Talismans, quite a few Second-Tier medicinal pills, and a full jin of Vital Blood.

"These are far too valuable, Brother Ji."

Bai Piao didn't even dare accept them.

"It's nothing."

"They're insignificant to me."

Ji Yuan shook his head before forcefully placing the items into Bai Piao's hands.

He then casually put away the large sack of Profound Yin Soil.

"I don't have many friends."

"You're one of them."

"Stay alive."

"I'll wait for you to return after reaching Foundation Establishment."

"Then we'll have a proper drink together."

Ji Yuan stepped forward and patted Bai Piao on the shoulder.

Taking a deep breath, Bai Piao finally stored away the gifts before bowing deeply.

"Brother Ji."

"Words can't express my gratitude."

"If I, Bai Piao, return alive..."

"I'll drink with you for three days straight."

"We won't stop until we're thoroughly drunk."

"Haha, good."

"I'm off."

Ji Yuan waved his hand.

Right where he stood, he summoned the Wind Locust Flying Boat, shot straight through the clouds, and flew directly south.

Feng Zhi Tao likely wouldn't finish obtaining the Scarlet Sun Soil anytime soon.

Naturally, Ji Yuan planned to visit Du Wanyi first after such a long separation.

By the time he finished seeing her...

Feng Zhi Tao would probably have already obtained the Scarlet Sun Soil.

Then he could return and upgrade the 【Spiritual Field】.

Securing his second Level 4 building in one stroke.

While flying south toward Wuyou Island, Ji Yuan took out two Messaging Talismans and contacted Du Wanyi and Dong Qian, informing them that he had returned.

Dong Qian still didn't reply.

Du Wanyi, however, responded excitedly.

"Fourth Brother, you're finally back!"

"Are you on the island right now?"

"I'll come find you."

"I'm not."

"I just turned in my mission at the Thousand Mechanisms Hall."

"I'm already on my way back."

"I'll come see you instead."

Half a day later.

When Ji Yuan met Du Wanyi on Tai'an Island, his Second Sister nearly burst into tears with joy.

"Fourth Brother..."

"I almost thought I'd never see you again."

Her voice trembled with sobs.

"How could that happen?"

"Second Sister, you're blessed by fate."

"You'll definitely be alright."

After speaking, Ji Yuan first spread out his Divine Sense to ensure nobody else was nearby.

Only then did he gently wipe away the tears at the corners of her eyes.

"Come."

"Let's go inside and talk."

"O-Okay..."

Ji Yuan followed her into her residence on Tai'an Island.

The buildings were remarkably simple.

That alone was enough to show that after reaching Foundation Establishment, Du Wanyi actually had far less leisure than she had enjoyed back on Hatchling Dragon Island.

"Second Sister, weren't you assigned by the sect to guard a Spirit Vein?"

"Did something dangerous happen?"

After sitting down, Ji Yuan couldn't help asking.

Guarding a Spirit Vein had originally been an excellent assignment reserved for Golden Core disciples.

However, due to the invasion of the demonic path and the shortage of manpower...

The task had also been opened to ordinary Foundation Establishment disciples.

"Fourth Brother."

"Look at this."

As she spoke, Du Wanyi lifted her skirt, revealing her long, jade-like leg.

The skirt rose higher and higher...

Until more than half of her thigh was exposed before she finally stopped.