43: Foundation Established

At the same time, in a dark corner of White Cloud City.

Three presences, almost blending into the shadows, met at the end of a sewage-filled alleyway.

“Saintess's Decree: Lurk within the city and identify the person who performed Alchemy in the merchant guild last night, as well as the Medicinal Pill they refined!”

A cold, hoarse voice rang out directly in the minds of the three; it was the blood-robed demonic Cultivator from last night—Blood Fiend Demon!

“Act with caution. This person's Alchemy aura contains the righteous Qi of the Heavenly Dao, which inherently counters our Demonic Techniques! Do not alert them!”

White Fiend warned cautiously.

The three dark figures scattered like ghosts, silently disappearing into the depths of White Cloud City's intricate streets and alleys.

Like drops of ink dropped into water, they went into hiding, waiting for their target to reappear.

Tianshu Quiet Room.

Seven days passed by silently.

Yao Delong sat cross-legged at the center of the Spiritual Qi vortex, like an eternal monolith.

The majestic torrent transformed from that Nine Revolutions Heavenly Soul Foundation Establishment Pill was no longer a rampaging wave.

Instead, it had been completely tamed and guided by his incredibly resilient will and the essentials of the 'Hunyuan Dragon-Locking Manual.'

Within the Dantian Qi Sea, an earth-shattering transformation had been completed!

The spiritual mist that once drifted in his Dantian had, under the extreme refinement and compression of the Nine Revolutions pill power,

long since turned into trickling streams, eventually converging into a vast golden spiritual sea!

The sea's surface was calm and without ripples, yet it contained pure spiritual power hundreds or even thousands of times greater than that of the Qi Refinement Stage!

Its vastness was shockingly ten times that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator's spiritual sea! The depth and purity of the spiritual power directly approached the Foundation Establishment Perfection Realm!

Foundation Establishment Stage, achieved!

In his Sea of Consciousness, the System panel clearly reflected:

【host】: Yao Delong

【Age】: 87/350

【Realm】: Foundation Establishment Early Stage

【Spiritual Power Affinity】: 10 (Increased by Nine Revolutions Heavenly Soul Foundation Establishment Pill, lasting until Early Nascent Soul Stage)

【Spiritual Power】: Profound Spiritual Sea

【Cultivation Technique】: Hunyuan Dragon-Locking Manual (Profound Rank Intermediate, Proficiency: Perfection)

【Martial Skill】: Five Elements Basic Sword Manual (Yellow Rank Medium Grade, Proficiency: Perfection)

【Sub-profession】: Alchemist (Consummate Skill)

【Current yin yang points】: 27

【Lottery Draws】: 0

Even more startling changes occurred in his body!

His withered and shriveled body was like a withered tree in spring; flesh, blood, and bone were frantically reshaped under the nourishment of the Nine Revolutions pill power!

Wrinkles receded like a tide, and loose skin became tight and full again, brimming with surging vitality!

Most of his gray and sparse hair had now turned into a thick jet-black,

with only a few strands of silver remaining at his temples, adding a touch of majesty from having experienced life's vicissitudes.

His entire state was as if time had flowed backward, returning him to his most vigorous middle age at around fifty years old!

The aura of decay and twilight that had permeated his whole body completely dissipated,

replaced by a demeanor as steady as a mountain and as deep as the sea.

His tightly closed eyes opened, a divine light contained within his pupils, like stars hidden deep in an ancient pool—profound and bright.

Yao Delong slowly stood up and stretched his limbs,

and a series of slight popping sounds, like roasting beans, immediately rang out from within his body. It was the sound of shedding his mortal coil and being reborn.

He took off the old black robe stained with Alchemy ash and filth, while simultaneously circulating water-attribute spiritual power to wash his entire body,

changing into a brand-new navy blue cloud-patterned Daoist robe.

The current Yao Delong stood tall and straight like a pine tree.

Although his face still bore the resolute contours left by the years, there was no longer the slightest trace of decay.

Between his brows was the etherealness and refinement of a Cultivator, and his deep eyes also held a hint of sharp insight into the ways of the world.

It was a unique charm that fused mature experience with boundless vitality.

The heavy stone door opened once more.

A profound aura, far exceeding that of the past, surged out along with pure spiritual power fluctuations, instantly startling those waiting outside the door.

“Senior Brother!”

Lin Qingxue rushed over almost immediately.

The moment she clearly saw the person before her, her ice-like eyes suddenly lit up, as if seeing the most brilliant star in the polar night!

All her worry and anxiety transformed in this moment into deep surprise and an indescribable throb of the heart.

The Senior Brother before her was no longer that listless, hunched, and withered old man!

He was tall, steady, with thick dark hair; though his face bore the marks of wind and frost, it held a restrained heroism. That deep gaze made her momentarily dazed,

as if she had traveled through the long river of time back to their first meeting at Luoxia Peak—

At that time she was only eight years old. Having just arrived at the Luoxia Sect, she had no one to rely on.

It was he, that tall and gentle Eldest Senior Brother like a pine or cypress, who reached out to her with a warm smile... That moment of peace and reliance was deeply etched into her Soul.

Lin Qingxue actually threw herself into Yao Delong's arms regardless of appearances, just as she had when she was a child, and hugged him tightly!

Her cold, pretty face was buried in his thick chest, feeling that strong, powerful heartbeat and the familiar yet strange warm scent.

“Senior Brother... This is wonderful...” Her voice carried a hint of a sob, like the joy of finding something lost and then regained,

and even more so, the quiet surge of that ignorant affection from the deepest part of her heart.

This sudden intimacy made Yao Delong startle slightly,

but then a gentle warmth appeared in his eyes, and he lightly patted her back.

“Congratulations on your successful Foundation Establishment, Senior! You have shed your mortal coil, appearing as if reborn!”

Yun Ruoning's clear voice rang out with undisguised amazement and joy.

Her beautiful eyes rippled as she looked at this middle-aged Cultivator of extraordinary bearing; waves of shock surged in her heart.

This was more than just restoring blood and Qi? She had never heard of someone returning to their youth after a successful Foundation Establishment!

Under normal circumstances, once one reached Foundation Establishment, they would maintain the appearance they had at the time of the Breakthrough until the Nascent Soul stage.

She feared that the foundation establishment pill Mr. Yao had consumed was different from ordinary Nine Revolutions Foundation Establishment Pills!

Her regard for Yao Delong's Alchemy attainments had already elevated from admiration to something bordering on worship.

“It is thanks to the abundant Spiritual Qi of your esteemed location.”

Yao Delong gave a slight nod of thanks to Yun Ruoning. Although his voice was still deep,

it was full of vigor, with no trace of hoarseness or weakness left.

Yun Ruoning suppressed the shock in her heart and was about to mention the matter of the Profound Dao Pill,

but Yao Delong seemed to have already seen through her thoughts. With a flip of his palm, a small, warm white jade bottle appeared in his hand.

“I am aware of what the Young Boss of the Yun family seeks.” His tone was flat.

“This is the Profound Dao Pill. Consider it a small token of my appreciation for disturbing you for several days.”

Yun Ruoning's beautiful eyes instantly widened, and her breath hitched!

She hadn't expected Yao Delong to so straightforwardly take out the Divine Pill she had been dreaming of!

She carefully took the jade bottle; it felt warm in her hand.

Although the aura of the Medicinal Pill inside was sealed, it still made her feel a faint throb of excitement.

“Senior's great kindness! Ruoning will keep it engraved in my heart!”

Her voice trembled with excitement. Then, without hesitation, she took out a token that was neither metal nor jade, with purple-gold radiance flowing all over it.

She presented it with both hands. “This is my White Cloud Merchant Guild's highest-level ‘purple gold cloud pattern token’!”

“The holder of this token is a Supreme guest of our guild! In the future, Senior will enjoy a ten percent discount on all transactions at any branch!”

“For consigned items, regardless of value, the guild will only charge a half-percent commission!”

【Ding! Target Yun Ruoning's favorability +20, current favorability 50 (Gratitude, Curiosity)】

Yao Delong was not pretentious and calmly accepted the token: “Thank you, Young Boss.”

“Senior has just achieved Foundation Establishment and has also bestowed a Divine Pill. Ruoning must host a banquet to congratulate Senior and express my gratitude no matter what!”

“I ask that Senior and Fairy Lin please grace us with your presence!” Yun Ruoning invited earnestly.

Yao Delong pondered for a moment. Thinking that Lin Qingxue had also worked quite hard during this time, he nodded in agreement:

“Then I shall disturb you.”

The banquet was set in the Wind-Facing Pavilion on the top floor of the merchant guild, where one could overlook more than half of White Cloud City from the window.

The delicacies and fine foods went without saying; they were all made from rare beasts, spiritual vegetables, and immortal fruits containing Spiritual Qi.

It was a dazzling array, and the aroma was nose-tingling.

The atmosphere at the table was harmonious.

During the conversation, Yun Ruoning casually mentioned the demonic Cultivator attack on the City Lord's Mansion a few days ago.

“That night was truly perilous. I heard that City Lord Mu lost an arm, and Elder Liu was also severely injured...”

Yun Ruoning sighed softly, her tone carrying lingering fear.

At the same time, the City Lord's Mansion.

“Report—!” A personal guard rushed into the meeting hall.

“Reporting to the City Lord! News has come from the White Cloud Merchant Guild that the mysterious Senior in the Tianshu Quiet Room has come out of seclusion today!”