Chapter 52: Peak Qi Refining Ninth Layer

Cultivating immortality in haste, the years went unrecorded.

Several years later.

Jade Island, within the Cave Dwelling.

Fang Qing slowly withdrew his cultivation technique, a streak of black light flashing within his eyes.

“Qi Refining Ninth Layer? Not bad…”

With the aid of pills such as Qi Refining Powder, he could actually have cultivated to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer long ago.

The reason he had delayed until now was naturally because he had not converted the Primordial Qi of his other cultivation methods.

Even though he had now broken through to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, within the Dao-Birth Pearl there was still Primordial Qi transformed from the Seventh Layer of Qi Ingestion of Observing Black Ridge.

If he converted it all, he could immediately reach Peak Completion of Qi Refining and attempt to charge into Foundation Establishment.

“With the Luo Family’s authentic copy of Observing Black Ridge, breaking through to the Seventh Layer of Qi Ingestion posed no difficulty for me. It was only because I wished to re-solidify my foundation and accumulate Primordial Energy that I chose to cultivate it again from the beginning. Now I am only at the Seventh Layer of Qi Ingestion…”

“As for the Great Sun Empowerment Secret Art, relying solely on my own bitter cultivation is hopeless. If I do not receive empowerment, then I am destined to remain at the early stage of Qi Ingestion!”

Fang Qing silently calculated that the day when both his Qi Ingestion Path and Qi Refining Path reached the Ninth Layer was not far off.

At that time, the ‘Qi Gate’ among the Three Gates of Foundation Establishment would be shattered with a flick of a finger.

“Foundation Establishment… is within reach.”

With this thought, he inwardly observed his Sea of Consciousness and saw that radiant Seed Syllable representing Great Vajra Divine Strength blazing brilliantly.

Beside that Seed Syllable were several others brought about by cultivating the Great Sun Empowerment Secret Art, representing meanings such as ‘Empowerment,’ ‘Bestowal,’ and ‘Precepts.’

According to Fang Qing’s previous experiments and deductions, if he were to ‘bestow’ his own cultivation, it would likewise be accomplished through these esoteric Seed Syllables, though there were limits on both frequency and intensity.

As he contemplated those characters that resembled dragons and insects, his heart suddenly stirred. Blood and Qi surged wildly throughout his body, spreading into every inch within him.

The Horse-Headed Vajra Guardian he visualized roared toward the heavens, its three heads and eight arms each condensing into solidity.

The Seed Syllable representing Great Vajra Divine Strength blazed with radiant light—enough, by estimation, to unleash Great Vajra Divine Strength three times!

“Today truly brings double happiness. The First Stage of my Horse-Headed Vajra Guardian Divine Art has completely reached Peak Completion.”

Feeling his further strengthened physique, Fang Qing nodded inwardly. “Quasi–Second-Tier body refinement? If augmented with Great Vajra Divine Strength, then it would be true Second-Tier body refinement!”

“On top of that, I have long since cultivated Divine Sense… Foundation Establishment is almost certain. As for the only hidden danger, there is likewise a solution.”

He took out a jade bottle. Inside lay a single Ice-Heart Vein-Protecting Pill.

According to the second-tier pill manuals Fang Qing had read and reappraised, he could basically confirm that this second-tier pill was genuine and possessed the effect of protecting a cultivator’s meridians during Foundation Establishment.

The greatest risk of failure in Foundation Establishment was death from shattered meridians.

Thus, although this pill did not greatly assist in breaking through, it could protect a Qi Refining cultivator from dying if Foundation Establishment failed!

“In that case, perhaps I don’t even need a Foundation Establishment Pill?”

“If I convert the Primordial Qi now, I could immediately reach Peak Qi Refining Ninth Layer and attempt Foundation Establishment?”

Fang Qing considered it, then shook his head. “Why refuse benefits the sect hands out for free? The True Disciple Grand Competition is right before us… Wouldn’t it be wonderful to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill before establishing my foundation? Even if I don’t use it, selling it would fetch a large amount of spirit stones!”

According to his estimation, bringing both cultivation paths to Ninth Layer Peak Completion would likewise take some time, probably after the True Disciple Grand Competition.

In that way, neither matter would delay the other.

“And besides… the Primordial Qi within the Dao-Birth Pearl that can be converted is limitless, but the amount I can withstand is limited… Without expanding capacity through Foundation Establishment, how could I bear multiple cultivation methods advancing side by side?”

After experiencing the various changes of the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, Fang Qing came to the bluestone table, took out a pot of fruit wine from his Storage Pouch, poured himself a cup, and slowly savored it. “Who would have thought… Li Rulong was such a person!”

Recalling the events of that year, his expression remained filled with emotion.

Back then, after carrying out that great deed of toying with the Purple Palace, Fang Qing had hidden for an entire year before daring to return to the World of Ancient Shu to test the waters.

Unexpectedly, he had heard astonishing news—Li Rulong had blood-sacrificed his own army, slaughtered all his relatives and loved ones, and then disappeared without a trace!

Although rumors in the marketplace always lacked details and truth, the general direction was likely correct.

“Li Rulong sought survival in the midst of death… was the price truly so immense?”

“In the end… he chose himself? The immortal path values the self above all—truly so!”

Even so, Fang Qing felt no indignation at having been deceived.

After all, helping Li Rulong had merely been incidental; his true aim had been to set up the Luo Family of Tianshui!

And hearing of the Luo Family of Tianshui’s destruction had indeed felt as refreshing as drinking a bowl of iced water in the height of summer.

For safety’s sake, however, Fang Qing did not dare approach Tianshui to investigate, much less return to Three Waters Hollow for a look.

What if a Purple Palace Cultivator was lying in wait there!

Given the temperaments of those high cultivators of Ancient Shu, it was not impossible.

Better to remain cautious and steady.

“However, after Luo Dacheng died, I no longer have any chess pieces in hand. I can look for another…”

“Although I have never seen the true situation between master and disciple in the Secret Treasury Domain, my control over disciples seems stronger than that of ordinary masters?”

Fang Qing took another sip of fruit wine, slowly reviewing events. “In the future, when encountering such complex situations, sending cannon fodder to test the waters is most appropriate.”

“The previous plan succeeded partly due to luck. The key was that Li Rulong was already trapped in a Purple Palace scheme and under their watch… Luo Dacheng, as the most recent outsider to have contact with him, would likely have been deduced or directly monitored by Purple Palace cultivators once Li Rulong displayed anything unusual!”

With a two-major-realm difference in status, as long as that Purple Palace cultivator knew some divination, they would certainly be able to calculate everything about Luo Dacheng!

Even better, with “As If Within the Calculation” concealing him, he would not appear in the Heavenly Secrets or karmic connections of Luo Dacheng in the slightest.

“But divination is not omnipotent. It can even get one killed!”

“If that Purple Palace searched for clues in the mortal world, at most they would trace things to Azure Fall Market, to the Nine Rivers Water Pavilion… But the sinister middle-aged appearance I used after disguise—what does that have to do with Fang Shui? If they cannot trace Fang Shui, how could they trace me, Fang Qing?”

Fang Qing drank another cup of fruit wine, his expression dazed. “According to that side’s reckoning, it is now Immortal Calendar year 8534. I am already over thirty, yet have accomplished nothing—not even Foundation Establishment…”

“Fortunately, even so, my heart remains that of a youth.”

He touched his face. Perhaps due to cultivating immortality or body refinement, his appearance had remained that of an eighteen-year-old—still a handsome young man.

As long as his cultivation realm advanced quickly enough, aging would never catch up to him!

…

Fang Qing left his Cave Dwelling and came to the Pill Hall.

On Pill Island, although there were many Qi Refining disciples, there was a sense of restlessness in the air.

Fang Qing naturally knew the reason.

The True Disciple Grand Competition was just around the corner!

And on Pill Island, there were only a handful of disciples truly qualified to advance to True Disciple.

“Pill refiners generally do not excel in combat techniques. Most pursue the path of the Hundred Arts True Disciple.”

“At present, the two most renowned pill refiners on Pill Island are Gong Susu and Five Dragons Child… both have successfully refined a second-tier pill and can be considered Quasi–Second-Tier Pill Masters.”

Fang Qing stroked his chin, a trace of a smile appearing. “Perfect… old grudges can be settled together.”

Both had some entanglement with him. Gong Susu had secretly schemed against him years ago, and as for Five Dragons Child, there was no need to mention—he had swallowed quite a number of Fang Qing’s spirit stones.

“And yet they still have not established their foundations. Truly useless!”

“In that case, I will not compete in combat. I will directly apply for the Second-Tier Pill Master assessment.”

Even on the arena stage, relying on his second-tier body refinement technique, Fang Qing was confident he could sweep through opponents and seize a position.

But he was a pill master, not adept at combat—he needed to maintain his persona!

Moreover, he could settle grievances as well. This was one of his few amusements.

With a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, Fang Qing stepped before the jade table.

Today’s attendant was coincidentally Hua Lingsu. Seeing Fang Qing, she smiled charmingly. “Junior Brother Fang, what brings you here today?”

“Applying for assessment… Second-Tier Pill Refining.”

Fang Qing smiled faintly and stated his purpose.

In an instant, the entire Pill Hall fell silent. All gazes converged upon him, making the composed blue-robed pill refiner the sole focus of the hall.

…

At the same time.

Somewhere on Pill Island, within a magnificent grand hall.

Elder Heavenly Cauldron sat high in the main seat, watching several Second-Tier Pill Refiners at his sides engage in heated debate.

The matter requiring him to leave seclusion was naturally the most important affair of Pill Island—the selection of the Hundred Arts True Disciple!

Although Pill Island only recommended candidates rather than making the final decision, once the candidate list was submitted, could Sect Master Linghu truly reject it?

As for pill refinement, unless there was a full tier of difference, the subtle distinctions between finished pills could only be judged by true pill-refining grandmasters.

And where were the pill-refining grandmasters who held such authority within the Azure Sea Sect? Were they not all within this very hall?

“According to custom, among the sect’s Hundred Arts True Disciples there is always one seat reserved for Pill Island. Everyone… discuss it.”

Elder Heavenly Cauldron spoke slowly, his gaze sweeping across those below him. “Of course, it must not appear too unsightly. Recommending merely a Top-Grade First-Tier Pill Refiner would hardly silence the sect’s murmurs.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a middle-aged man with a scholarly air smiled. “In that case, I shall cast the first stone and nominate Gong Susu… she is my disciple and possesses some talent in the pill path. She can now refine the second-tier Fragrant Jade Pill… thus she is a Quasi–Second-Tier Pill Master.”

“I recommend Five Dragons Child!”

At this moment, another Second-Tier Pill Refiner spoke.

“Five Dragons Child? His previous Foundation Establishment failed… he already wasted one Foundation Establishment Pill. According to sect custom, he has automatically lost the qualification to compete for True Disciple.”

Elder Han frowned upon hearing this.

He was not at odds with Five Dragons Child’s master but was truly of the neutral faction and paid greater heed to sect regulations.

“This rule… is it written in the sect code?”

Five Dragons Child’s master, Qing Wu, smiled. “Since it is not, it means it is not a rule that must be strictly followed. The previous Foundation Establishment Pill was awarded by the sect as a reward to a meritorious disciple and has never counted toward exchange quotas… For example, Cui Zhe—if he had not established his foundation back then and were to seize another Foundation Establishment Pill through combat today, no one would gossip.”

Although the reasoning was sound, Qing Wu saw the indifferent expressions of his colleagues and inwardly sighed. He added more weight to his argument:

“Five Dragons Child… has cultivated Divine Sense!”