33: Foundation Building Secret Realm

Five years passed like a white steed glimpsed through a crack, and Xu Qi'an's cultivation steadily improved with the aid of the Perfected Ascension Pill, finally reaching the Peak of the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment, just a step away from the late Foundation Establishment stage.

However, this step was like a chasm, difficult to cross.

He sat in his cave dwelling, holding a pill recipe for the Ling Yuan Pill, his brows tightly furrowed.

"Although thousand-year Spirit Medicine can replace some Spirit Medicine, these main ingredients cannot be replaced..."

Xu Qi'an muttered to himself in a low voice, a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes.

He had tried countless times to improve the pill recipe, but he was always unable to break through the Bottleneck.

"Do I still have to search for the main ingredients of this Ling Yuan Pill?"

"It seems I can only go to Lingmiao Market once."

Xu Qi'an stood up, his gaze sweeping over the mountain of pills and spirit herbs piled up in the cave dwelling, calculating inwardly.

He then waved his hand, and all the pills and herbs fell into his storage bag.

Before going to Lingmiao Market, Xu Qi'an first went to the Jiang Family.

The ruins of the Jiang Family had long been cleared, and a new mansion had risen from the ground; although not as grand as before, it already possessed a hint of its former glory.

Jiang Li stood in front of the mansion, directing her clansmen in repairing the houses, her face showing a bit more maturity and determination.

Xu Qi'an glanced from afar but did not show himself.

He knew that the Jiang Family had embarked on their own path, and he no longer needed to interfere.

Xu Qi'an then turned and left.

Lingmiao Market was still as prosperous as before, with people coming and going on the streets, Cultivators either talking in low voices or shouting out their wares.

Xu Qi'an, dressed in a green robe with a stern face, walked through the crowd, appearing out of place.

However, his profound cultivation level caused the Cultivators on the road to make way for him one after another.

He went directly to a delicate pavilion, looked up at the words "Lingmiao Pavilion" on the plaque, and stepped inside.

"Fellow Daoist Chu, long time no see."

As soon as he stepped in, a clear, cold female voice came from within the pavilion; Water Lingmiao walked out gracefully, a faint smile on her face.

Xu Qi'an was slightly startled, then nodded: "Daoist Shui, are you well?"

Water Lingmiao smiled, her gaze sweeping over Xu Qi'an, her tone carrying a hint of admiration: "Three years have passed, and Fellow Daoist Chu's cultivation has improved a lot again; it's truly enviable."

Xu Qi'an smiled faintly and did not respond.

Water Lingmiao continued: "Three years ago, several major families in Yue Country were wiped out overnight; it is rumored to have been done by a Foundation Establishment cultivator. I guess that person was Fellow Daoist Chu, right?"

Xu Qi'an's expression remained unchanged, and he said calmly: "Market Owner Shui is joking."

Upon hearing this, a meaningful smile flashed in Water Lingmiao's eyes, but she did not say more.

She waved her hand, and then several young female Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage slowly walked out from the pavilion, respectfully saluting Xu Qi'an.

"These are all capable individuals from my Lingmiao Market; thanks to the Foundation Establishment Pills refined by Daoist Xu, they were able to successfully break through."

Water Lingmiao said with a smile.

Xu Qi'an nodded, his gaze sweeping over the few people.

However, Xu Qi'an did not take it to heart.

"Market Owner Shui, I have an important matter to ask about on this visit," Xu Qi'an said straightforwardly.

Water Lingmiao smiled, waved for the Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage to withdraw, and then said: "Fellow Daoist Chu, please speak."

Xu Qi'an nodded: "Daoist Shui, is there any talk of substitutes for the main ingredients of the Ling Yuan Pill?"

"Substitutes?"

Water Lingmiao blinked, then shook her head, her brows slightly furrowed: "Substitution is not possible, at least with our level of Alchemy; if I had such Alchemy skills, I could create my own pill recipe."

"However, Fellow Daoist Chu's Alchemy attainments can far surpass mine," Water Lingmiao then smiled, revealing a meaningful expression.

Xu Qi'an chuckled.

Water Lingmiao continued: "Fellow Daoist Chu must have encountered the Bottleneck of the late Foundation Establishment stage, just like me, which is why you are asking this."

"These few main ingredients of the Ling Yuan Pill... are indeed rare."

"To be honest with Fellow Daoist Chu, three years ago I asked for your help precisely for these main ingredients. They only grow in the Foundation Establishment Secret Realm of Xiao Langlang Mountain."

Upon hearing this, a flash of understanding appeared in Xu Qi'an's eyes, and a thoughtful look crossed his face.

Looking at Xu Qi'an's appearance, Water Lingmiao smiled and said: "Is Fellow Daoist Chu willing to go to the Foundation Establishment Secret Realm with me?"

"I happen to know the location of that Spirit Medicine within the Mystic Realm, but it's a bit tricky, which is why I haven't retrieved it yet."

"Just so, the next time the Foundation Establishment Secret Realm opens is not far away!"

He pondered for a moment, then continued to ask: "May I ask about the Foundation Establishment Secret Realm?"

Water Lingmiao knew that Xu Qi'an would ask this and explained gently: "There are mainly three types of dangers in this Foundation Establishment Secret Realm."

"One is the residual Restrictions within it, but most are at the Foundation Establishment level; Dan Formation level Restrictions are not non-existent, but they are extremely rare, and because the Restrictions were set up too long ago, their power has greatly decreased, so for experienced Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage, they don't pose a danger."

"The second is the demonic beasts within, but most demonic beasts guard treasures; if you don't provoke them actively, there's actually nothing to worry about."

"The most dangerous is the third," Water Lingmiao wore a serious expression, "There are some strange Black-faced Cultivators in this Mystic Realm, but their cultivation is mostly at the early Foundation Establishment stage."

"I suspect these Black-faced Cultivators are the original inhabitants of the Mystic Realm, which is why they are hostile towards us outsiders, so every time we enter the Mystic Realm, we are attacked by them."

"Original inhabitants? This Mystic Realm has original inhabitants? That is a strange thing."

Water Lingmiao extended her long, slender jade hand and teased: "Fellow Daoist Chu doesn't need to be afraid; I am very confident in Fellow Daoist Chu's strength."

"I believe that with Fellow Daoist Chu present, obtaining this Foundation Establishment Spirit Medicine is surely a certainty!"

"Moreover, Fellow Daoist Chu, rest assured, although Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage occasionally perish in this Foundation Establishment Secret Realm, after such a long period of exploration, we have figured out many rules."

Xu Qi'an pondered for a moment, then said: "In that case, I am willing to go to the Mystic Realm with Market Owner Shui."

A hint of joy flashed in Water Lingmiao's eyes, but it quickly returned to calm: "Fellow Daoist Chu is indeed straightforward."

Xu Qi'an nodded.

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then Water Lingmiao arranged for Xu Qi'an to stay at the Lingmiao Pavilion, agreeing to depart for Xiao Langlang Mountain in three days.

Xu Qi'an stood by the window of the pavilion, his gaze sweeping over the bustling market, calculating inwardly.

"If what Water Lingmiao said is true, then this Foundation Establishment Secret Realm poses no danger to me."

Currently, Xu Qi'an has a rich Family background; not to mention top-grade spirit artifacts, just the second-tier super-grade Talismans are enough to protect himself.

This was also Xu Qi'an's confidence; if he didn't have these trump cards, he really wouldn't be willing to enter this Foundation Establishment Secret Realm to take risks.