31: Deep affection and loyalty

Sect regulations dictate that Cultivation Techniques, Secret Arts, and Pill Formulas of Profound Rank or higher require a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation to borrow and read.

This isn't out of stinginess, but a fundamental truth of the Great Dao—without a solid foundation, a tall building cannot be built!

Qi Refinement Stage Disciples haven't even completed the liquefaction of their own spiritual power,

so they simply cannot comprehend the mysteries of higher-tier Cultivation Techniques; forcing themselves to Cultivate would only lead them astray and waste precious time.

Foundation Establishment is the true threshold for entering the halls of cultivation!

He carefully took out five jade bottles and placed five perfect origin breaking pills inside.

Then he took out a separate, small jade bottle and solemnly placed a perfect-quality golden profound pill inside!

He walked out of the thatched hut and headed towards the courtyard where Lin Qingxue resided.

Lin Qingxue sat cross-legged, her body enveloped in a dense, icy blue spiritual mist.

The Ice Soul Cold Jade Bracelet on her wrist emitted a soft yet profound icy soul light,

strands of cold air perfectly blending and resonating with the Ice Soul spiritual power within her body,

as if forming a ceaseless Ice Soul cycle.

Buzz!

A surge of extremely cold Qi, far more majestic and pure than before, suddenly erupted from her body!

The temperature inside the Immortal Cave plummeted, and the water in the cold pool instantly froze into ice!

Her tightly closed eyes snapped open, an icy blue divine light flashing through them, sharp as a sword breaking through ice!

Middle Golden Core Stage!

Years of accumulation had finally paid off! Under the catalysis of the Ice Soul Cold Jade Bracelet, a top-tier Earth-Grade Weapon that suited her perfectly, the Bottleneck that had troubled her for so long

finally shattered as naturally as water forming a channel! Her aura became more condensed and profound, and her Ice Soul Sword Intent became even more refined!

Just then, a faint ripple came from the Restriction in the courtyard.

With a thought, Lin Qingxue restrained her aura and withdrew the Restriction.

When she saw the thin, gaunt figure standing outside the door, her exceptionally beautiful face—now even more ethereal due to her Breakthrough—

instantly bloomed into a bright smile, like melting ice and snow.

"Senior Brother!" She stood up gracefully and hurried to meet him, her tone filled with irrepressible joy.

"I've achieved a Breakthrough! The Middle Golden Core Stage! It's all thanks to the jade bracelet you gave me, Senior Brother!"

She subconsciously stroked the cool jade bracelet on her wrist, her gaze toward Yao Delong filled with gratitude and heartfelt closeness.

Looking at the Junior Sister before him, whose aura was even stronger,

and who appeared even more pure and otherworldly under the reflection of strands of Ice Soul dao navel, Yao Delong's eyes were also filled with a gratified smile:

"Congratulations, Junior Sister! Your cultivation has progressed; the Great Dao is within reach!"

He was truly happy for Lin Qingxue.

"Senior Brother, you've come for..." Lin Qingxue noticed that Yao Delong's face was more tired than usual and saw the jade bottles in his hand.

Yao Delong handed over the jade bottles and said solemnly:

"Junior Sister, these are the Medicinal Pills I've newly refined. In this bottle are origin breaking pills. If taken in a moment of crisis,

they can instantly boost your combat power by one minor Realm. The weakness period is only two hours, and after the effects wear off, your strength will only drop to seventy percent."

Lin Qingxue's cool eyes widened slightly.

She had heard of origin breaking pills, but for the side effects to be so minimal was simply unheard of!

Yao Delong then picked up the separate small jade bottle, his expression even more solemn:

"This pill is something I deduced and optimized based on the golden profound pill. I've named it the Profound Dao Pill!"

He gently opened the bottle stopper.

Buzz!

An indescribable, mysterious aura instantly filled the air!

It contained a hint of Opportunity to break through the Golden Core shackles and touch upon the Nascent Soul Great Dao!

Golden light was contained within, purple patterns flowed, and the pill's core was faintly visible!

"This pill can help a Golden Core Cultivator break through a minor Realm, shortening the cultivation stagnation period to just two months."

Yao Delong's voice was clear and steady, carrying a convincing power.

"Most importantly, this pill... provides an additional ten percent chance of successfully forming a Nascent Soul!"

"An extra ten percent chance to form a Nascent Soul?!" Lin Qingxue cried out in shock! Even with her icy Heart-Nature, she could no longer remain calm at this moment!

Her cool pupils contracted sharply, reflecting the golden-glowing pill, and even her breathing stopped for a moment!

Nascent Soul! That was the Realm countless Golden Core Cultivators dreamed of! It was the threshold for truly entering the ranks of high-level Cultivators!

Every bit of increase in the success rate of forming a Nascent Soul was enough to make a Golden Core Cultivator willing to pay any price!

And this ten percent chance... its value simply could not be measured in Spirit Stones! This was a true Opportunity for the path to the heavens!

She suddenly looked up at Yao Delong. On that gaunt, weathered face was unfeigned concern and sincerity.

He had delivered such a Heaven-Defying Divine Pill into her hands so easily!

Since childhood, her Family had viewed her as a branch member; though she had some resources, there was little warmth of kinship.

Although her Revered Master treated her well, it was mostly out of the sentiment of the Revered Master-Disciple Legacy, and would not bestow such a Heaven-Defying Opportunity.

Only this Senior Brother before her, this aging Senior Brother whose Lifespan was nearing its end,

was giving his all, presenting her with the most precious treasures and the most coveted Medicinal Pills without reservation.

An unprecedented wave of sourness and burning warmth instantly crashed through all her defenses!

"Senior Brother..."

Lin Qingxue's voice carried a hint of a sob, her cool eyes clouded with a layer of mist. She subconsciously reached out,

but paused before touching the jade bottle, her fingertips trembling slightly. This affection was too heavy!

"Senior Brother... this pill is too precious... Qingxue..."

"Take it!" Yao Delong said brookingly no argument, stuffing the jade bottle containing the golden profound pill into her slightly cool palm,

his gaunt fingers carrying an unquestionable strength.

"If you are strong, then I am strong! This trip to White Cloud City is fraught with danger; my old life will depend on your protection, Junior Sister!

The sooner you Breakthrough to the Late Golden Core Stage, the greater our hope of obtaining the heavenly vein ganoderma!"

His eyes were bright, filled with complete trust and entrustment:

"Don't refuse! Think of this Medicinal Pill as... my investment in future security!"

She suddenly gripped the jade bottle tightly, as if holding onto some kind of oath.

On her cold and stunning face, the frost had completely vanished, leaving only an unprecedented firmness and determination!

Those beautiful Ice Soul-like eyes looked directly at Yao Delong, and she said every word with absolute clarity:

"Rest assured, Senior Brother! Qingxue has accepted this pill!"

"Rest assured, Senior Brother! Qingxue will certainly not fail your trust! I will surely retrieve that heavenly vein ganoderma for you!"

She looking at Yao Delong's gaunt yet gentle face, the conviction to protect him in her heart had never been so strong.

This old man before her was worth protecting with all her might!

[Ding! Target Lin Qingxue's Favorability +10! Current Favorability: 85! (Desire to protect, sworn protection unto death, deeply rooted affection)]

"Senior Brother, I will immediately enter seclusion to refine the pill and stabilize my Realm! Before the hour of Chen on the fourth day, I will surely break through to the Late Golden Core Stage!"

Before her words had even finished, Lin Qingxue turned decisively, her icy blue figure turning into a streak of light that shot into the depths of the Immortal Cave.

The stone door crashed down, leaving only that resolute oath echoing outside the Immortal Cave.

Yao Delong stood where he was, gazing at the closed stone door,

a smile of relief and anticipation appearing on his gaunt face.

"Good Junior Sister... my Foundation Establishment Opportunity is now in your hands..."

He murmured to himself, his eyes burning with infinite longing for the heavenly vein ganoderma, for Foundation Establishment, and for the path to longevity!"