8: Rooted in the mortal world

Bu Yifan listened to his steady and powerful heartbeat, feeling the sincerity in his words.

The worry in her heart completely transformed into a warm sweetness.

She turned around and gently caressed Chen Xu's cheek. In the candlelight, his profile became even more resolute, yet his eyes were softer than ever before.

"Those two Fairies just now were quite pretty."

Bu Yifan said as if casually, but a hint of mischief gleamed in the corner of her eye: "Especially that Fairy Chen, her temperament is truly excellent. She looks like a favored daughter of a Sect at first glance."

How could Chen Xu not detect the probing in her words? He smiled helplessly: "They are all old acquaintances I met when I was in the outer Sect. We teamed up for a few missions, so you could say... we're old acquaintances."

"Just old acquaintances?"

Bu Yifan blinked, deliberately drawing out her words: "I noticed that Fellow Daoist Sun's gaze towards you was not ordinary at all. And that Fairy Chen, although she kept a cold face, she was willing to lower herself and invite you repeatedly. I'm afraid it's not just because of your rich experience, is it?"

Chen Xu found it amusing and exasperating. He held her mischievous hand and said seriously: "What are you thinking about in that head of yours? I am a man with a Family now. How could I still have such romantic thoughts?"

Seeing that he was getting a little flustered, Bu Yifan finally chuckled and leaned her head against his chest: "I was just teasing you. I know your heart only belongs to us."

She was quiet for a moment, then whispered: "Actually... Chen Xu, I'm not that kind of jealous woman. I alone... might not be able to give you seven or eight children. If there truly is a good-natured woman who is willing... I... I wouldn't mind."

When she said this, her voice was very soft, yet very serious.

Chen Xu's heart trembled violently. He cupped his wife's face, looking into her clear and earnest eyes, feeling both touched and pained.

He knew that for Cultivators in this world, having multiple wives and concubines was common for the sake of the Dao and Family Legacy.

But he was different.

"Fool."

He lowered his head and kissed her forehead deeply.

He paused, his tone becoming incredibly solemn: "As for children, we'll take our time, no rush. Forget seven or eight, as long as you're willing, we can have ten or twenty!"

Bu Yifan's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. She lightly punched him, chiding: "You're so improper! Who wants to give you twenty?"

The two looked at each other and smiled, the atmosphere in the room warm and sweet... Meanwhile, in the night sky outside Ninghai Town, two streaks of sword light were speeding towards Qingyun Mountain.

Sun Xiaoyue, controlling her Flying Sword, couldn't help but look back at the town, which had already become a tiny black dot, and said to Chen Qingqing beside her: "Sister Qingqing, I still don't understand, why did Brother Chen refuse? Those were Materials for a foundation establishment pill! So many people fight over them, but he just said no."

Chen Qingqing looked straight ahead, the night wind blowing through her hair, her voice cool: "Everyone has their own aspirations; you cannot force it."

"But he's clearly so powerful!"

Sun Xiaoyue was a little indignant: "Last time against the Iron-Tongued Demon, if it weren't for him, we would have suffered greatly. If he were willing to go this time, our chances against that Devil Head would increase by at least 30%! He has a Family now, shouldn't he be working harder to earn resources and give his wife and children a better future?"

"A better future?"

Chen Qingqing suddenly retorted: "What kind of future is considered better?"

Sun Xiaoyue was stunned: "Of course it's... higher cultivation, longer Lifespan, and countless Spirit Stones and Magic Treasures."

Chen Qingqing shook her head, a complex emotion that Sun Xiaoyue couldn't understand in her eyes: "Perhaps in his view, being able to see his wife every day and hold his children is the best future."

She recalled the scene she had witnessed in that small courtyard earlier.

That woman named Bu Yifan, although her cultivation was not high.

But her gaze at Chen Xu was full of love and reliance.

And Chen Xu's gaze at his wife and children was filled with something called "satisfaction," something she had never seen in the eyes of any of her fellow Sect disciples.

It was a kind of power rooted in the Mortal World, yet incredibly firm.

"But... that's too unpromising."

Sun Xiaoyue muttered softly: "I heard that even Senior Brother Liang proactively volunteered to join the team chasing the Devil Head this time. Senior Brother Liang is a famous Genius in the inner Sect. He successfully underwent Foundation Establishment last year and has boundless prospects. If he isn't afraid of danger, why is Brother Chen, who is at Qi Refining tenth-level, so timid?"

At the mention of Senior Brother Liang, Chen Qingqing's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Senior Brother Liang is Senior Brother Liang, Chen Xu is Chen Xu. They are not the same kind of people."

"What's different? I think Senior Brother Liang is very good to you. Last time he even specifically invited us to his Immortal Cave to attend a Dharma assembly."

Sun Xiaoyue smiled mischievously: "He invited us to team up, but you didn't agree. Instead, you specifically came to find Brother Chen. Sister Qingqing, tell me honestly, are you... do you have some... feelings for Brother Chen?"

"Nonsense!"

Chen Qingqing's face turned cold, and her Flying Sword suddenly accelerated, instantly leaving Sun Xiaoyue behind.

"Hey, Sister Qingqing, wait for me!"

Sun Xiaoyue quickly urged her Flying Sword to catch up.

Looking at the cool and aloof figure ahead, Sun Xiaoyue stuck out her tongue.

She knew that Chen Qingqing didn't have that kind of feeling for Chen Xu... Time flew by, and another month passed in the blink of an eye.

Ninghai Town welcomed a winter snow, and the entire town was covered in silver.

However, Chen Xu's small courtyard was bustling with warmth.

"Wah--"

A loud and robust cry broke the morning's tranquility.

"It's born! It's born! Congratulations, Brother Chen, it's a big, chubby boy!"

The midwife came out again, her face beaming with joy, her hands still stained with blood.

Chen Xu took a deep breath, handed over the red envelope he had prepared long ago, his voice steady: "Thank you for your hard work, Granny Wang."

After sending off the midwife, he hurried into the house.

Bu Yifan lay on the bed, her face pale, but her spirits were good.

Seeing Chen Xu enter, she gave a relieved smile.

"It's a son, go and see him quickly."

Chen Xu walked to the cradle and carefully pulled back the swaddling clothes.

A baby boy, stronger than any of his previous three children at birth, was opening a pair of dark, curious eyes, observing the world.

It was at this moment that the System's voice, as expected, echoed in Chen Xu's mind.

【Host has given birth to a fourth descendant. Bloodline assessment: yellow grade High Grade.】

yellow grade High Grade!

Chen Xu's heart skipped a beat.

His eldest son, Chen Ping, had no Spiritual Root and was of mortal grade.

His second daughter, Chen Nianfan, had a Yellow Grade Low-Rank Spiritual Root, assessed by the System as mortal grade.

His third daughter, Chen Zhiwei, had a yellow grade mid-rank Spiritual Root, assessed by the System as yellow grade mid-rank.

And this fourth child was actually yellow grade High Grade!

This completely exceeded his expectations.

He had originally thought that in the Mortal World, without the aid of Heaven And Earth Treasure, giving birth to a yellow grade mid-rank child was already the limit.

It seemed that his two years of unsparingly using the Spiritual Rain Art and purple essence grass for conditioning had played a crucial role!

Immediately after, the System's prompt rang out again, and this time, the content...

Made Chen Xu's breathing stop.

【Immortal Family prosperity increased. High-quality Bloodline detected. Leap reward issued: Host Lifespan increased by fifty years, Host Cultivation Aptitude improved!】

Boom!

Chen Xu felt a warm current pour from the top of his head, instantly flowing through all his limbs and bones.

This was not the pure Spiritual Qi infusion of the past.

But a more profound transformation!

He could clearly feel every cell in his body cheering.

His Spiritual Root, which had previously been fixed with no hope of further progress, seemed to loosen a trace of its shackles.

The Cultivation Bottleneck that had plagued him for years, that invisible and intangible barrier, also seemed to have thinned.

His thoughts became clearer than ever before.

Many details of Cultivation Techniques that he couldn't understand before now suddenly became clear.

Aptitude improvement!

These four words excited him more than a reward of a hundred years of cultivation!

Cultivation could be accumulated over time, and it could be built up with Medicinal Pills.

But Aptitude was predetermined! It was the Foundation of how far a Cultivator could go!

He had always thought that the System was just an external aid, allowing him to gain Cultivation and Lifespan by having descendants.

Only now did he realize how wrong he had been!

This System could actually, in turn, improve his fundamental Aptitude!

Chen Xu instantly understood the key.

The higher the quality of the descendant's Bloodline, the better the reward he would receive!

When the descendant's quality reached a critical point, the reward would transform from a simple increase in quantity to a qualitative leap!

This was the true way to walk this path!

"Chen Xu? What's wrong?"

Bu Yifan's voice pulled him back from his immense shock.

"Nothing."

Chen Xu regained his composure, suppressing the wild joy in his heart. He walked to the bed, took Bu Yifan's hand: "Yifan, you've worked hard... You've given me an enormous surprise."

Bu Yifan thought he was referring to having another son. She smiled weakly: "You name him."

Chen Xu pondered for a moment, looking at the son in the cradle who brought him infinite hope. A name came to mind.

"How about Chen Kai?"

Kai, to open, to create.

To create an unprecedented Immortal Dao Family.

"Chen Kai..."

Bu Yifan repeated the name, smiled and nodded, "It sounds good, Chen Kai it is."

She leaned against Chen Xu, looking at the unconcealable joy on her husband's face, and her heart was also filled with happiness.

Late at night, when all was quiet.

After his wife and children had fallen asleep, Chen Xu returned to the courtyard.

He sat cross-legged on the stone stool, immersing his mind into his body, carefully sensing the changes within.

The improvement, though subtle, was real and undeniable.

He could feel that his speed of absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi was about half a percent faster than before. The circulation of Spiritual Qi within his Dantian was also smoother and more fluid.

Most importantly, he saw hope.

He saw the hope of breaking his own shackles and truly stepping into a higher Realm!

Earth Path Foundation Establishment?

No, he was no longer satisfied with even Earth Path Foundation Establishment.

Perhaps, the legendary Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment was no longer an unattainable dream for him!

As long as he could have children with higher Spiritual Root quality!

Profound-Grade? Or even Earth-Grade?

Then how terrifying would the Aptitude improvement he would receive be?

Chen Xu's eyes gleamed.

He stood up and returned to the house, looking at his sleeping wife.

He knew that all his future hopes rested on this woman.

He had to find a way to obtain better Heaven And Earth Treasure.

To condition her body to its optimal state.

Ninghai Town was too small, and resources were limited.

It seemed he had to find a way to acquire more Cultivation resources without exposing himself or taking too great a risk.

He cast his gaze out the window, looking towards Shangya Prefecture City.

Perhaps, there would be the opportunities he sought.

But for now, no rush.

One must eat bite by bite, and walk step by step.

What he needed to do now was to consolidate his Cultivation, take good care of his wife, and raise these four children well.

The winter snow melted, spring returned to the earth, and another half year passed.

Chen Kai could already toddle around. This child inherited Bu Yifan's large eyes, but had Chen Xu's steady temperament. He didn't cry or fuss, just liked to stare with his dark, curious eyes.

He would watch his father Cultivate in the courtyard, unmoving.

Chen Xu's life was as regular as the sunrise in the mountains, unshakeable.

Every morning, he would activate the Spiritual Rain Art. Now, he performed this art with ease. A fine mist of rain could accurately cover the entire vegetable patch, and he could even control the Spiritual Qi content in each raindrop.

Under his careful nurturing, the purple essence grass had grown to about a foot tall, branching into three stems, its leaves shining purple, and the fruit at its tip becoming increasingly crimson.

He had not picked the leaves again, but was waiting for the fruit to fully ripen.

Bu Yifan's body had fully recovered, even better than before her pregnancy.

The double nourishment of spirit food and spirit rain had fully replenished her depleted Origin Qi. Her skin was delicate, her complexion rosy, and she looked several years younger.

This evening, Chen Xu was practicing a basic set of boxing in the courtyard.

He didn't use spiritual power, just purely exercised his muscles and bones.

After advancing to Qi Refining tenth-level and gaining Aptitude improvement, he exuded a graceful and natural demeanor in his every move. As his fists moved, a few fallen leaves on the ground swirled and danced.

Bu Yifan held little Chen Kai, leaning by the door, quietly watching.

The afterglow of the sunset cast upon her husband's profile, outlining his resolute features. His hair was black, his eyes bright, showing no sign of the old age a man in his fifties should have.

"Chen Xu."

She called softly.

Chen Xu stopped his boxing, walked to her side, took the babbling son from her arms, and smiled: "What's wrong?"

"You seem... not to have aged at all."

Bu Yifan reached out, gently caressing Chen Xu's cheek, a hint of resentment in her tone, "I look in the mirror, and there are fine lines at the corners of my eyes. In a few more years, when we walk out together, people might think I'm your older sister."

Chen Xu heard the insecurity in her words, and his heart softened.

He pulled her and the child into his embrace: "What nonsense are you talking about? In my heart, you will always be the most beautiful."

Bu Yifan buried her head in his chest and said in a muffled voice, "When those two Fairies came last time, I was thinking... I'm just a small Cultivator with limited Lifespan. I've given birth to four children, and my body isn't as good as before. I'm afraid... I'm afraid I won't be able to bear you so many children in the future!"

She looked up, her earnest gaze making Chen Xu's heart ache: "Chen Xu, I'm not a jealous person. If there really is a woman with good character and good Aptitude... for the sake of our Family, I don't mind."

"More people can also give you a few more children."

She said these words with great difficulty, yet with utmost sincerity.

Chen Xu's heart felt as if it had been fiercely clutched by something.

He cupped his wife's face, looking at the clarity in her eyes and her earnest willingness to compromise for him, and for a moment, he couldn't speak.

He knew this wasn't a test, but her genuine consideration for his future path.

And for the future of this Family.

"Fool."

After a long while, Chen Xu finally spoke in a low voice: "What kind of person do you take me, Chen Xu, for? Do you take me for those Cultivators who would abandon their wives and children for the Dao path, or take many wives and concubines for the sake of Legacy?"

He looked into Bu Yifan's eyes and said word by word: "I've told you, my Dao is in this Family. You and the children, this path, can be without anyone else, but it cannot be without you."

"As for children, we won't force it!"

"Taking good care of your body is more important than anything."

"Isn't our son, Chen Kai, the best proof? As long as we put our hearts into it, our future children's Bloodline Aptitude will only get better and better."

"I don't need other women, I only need you. And only you can bear me children with the Chen Family Bloodline."

These words, like a warm current, instantly dispelled all the anxiety and grievances in Bu Yifan's heart.

Her eyes reddened, and she nodded heavily.

Burying her face deep in her husband's embrace.

Chen Xu gently patted her back, but his gaze looked out of the courtyard.

He knew that Bu Yifan's worries were not unfounded.

Although purple essence grass was a Spirit Medicine, its grade was ultimately limited.

To elevate Bu Yifan's physical condition to the next level, and to ensure the next child's Aptitude surpassed yellow grade high-rank, reaching Earth-Grade, better Heaven And Earth Treasure were essential.

Ninghai Town could no longer provide what he needed.

Of the hundred Spirit Stones, less than thirty remained after more than a year of consumption.

It was time to go to Shangya Prefecture City... In a blink of an eye, another two years passed.

The small courtyard south of Ninghai Town had changed its appearance.

Chen Xu used the remaining Spirit Stones to buy the two empty plots of land around it, expanding it into a large courtyard.

The courtyard walls were heightened and reinforced, and it was filled with various vegetables and fruits.

He even dug a small pond.

His eldest son, Chen Ping, was already seven years old and had been sent by Chen Xu to the town's private school to study.

Although he had no Spiritual Root, he had been nourished by spiritual food since childhood, making him intelligent and strong.

He was well-liked by the teacher in the academy.

His second daughter, Chen Nianfan, was six, and his third daughter, Chen Zhiwei, was five. The two little girls could already sit in meditation and breathe in a proper manner, following Chen Xu.

Their Spiritual Roots had grown considerably under Chen Xu's unsparing nourishment.

Especially Chen Nianfan, who already showed faint signs of Breakthrough to yellow grade mid-rank.

What surprised Chen Xu the most was his youngest son, Chen Kai.

Three-year-old Chen Kai had already displayed talent far exceeding his peers.

He walked steadily and spoke clearly.

He could even recite several sections of Cultivation Technique incantations Chen Xu taught him.

His yellow grade high-rank Spiritual Root made him exceptionally sensitive to Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

These two years, Chen Xu had not taken on any more missions.

He spent all his time on his Family and consolidating his own Cultivation.

The benefits of improved Aptitude were subtle.

His current Cultivation speed was a full ten percent faster than two years ago.

The Spiritual Qi in his Dantian became increasingly solid, and the legendary Qi Refinement Stage eleventh layer no longer seemed out of reach.

However, resources were finally running out.

The purple essence grass fruits had been consumed, and the Spirit Stones were completely spent.

One day, after settling the children, Chen Xu said to Bu Yifan, who was mending clothes: "Yifan, I'm going to Shangya Prefecture City."

Bu Yifan's mending paused, and she looked up: "What are you going to the Prefecture City for?"

"The Family's savings are almost used up. I want to go to the Prefecture City to see if I can find a livelihood."

Chen Xu said calmly: "The Prefecture City is more prosperous than the town, and there are more opportunities. Perhaps I can open a Medicinal Pill shop, or do some other business."

He didn't tell the truth.

He was going to the Prefecture City to find new Cultivation resources and higher-grade Spirit Medicine to condition Bu Yifan's body.

But he didn't want to say these things to make her worry.

Bu Yifan looked at him and nodded: "That's good. I'll take care of the Family, so you can go with peace of mind. Just... be careful in everything, and don't get into fights with people."

"I know."

Chen Xu smiled, "I'm a father of four now, I value my life very much."

...Early the next morning, Chen Xu bid farewell to his wife and children and embarked alone on the journey to Shangya Prefecture City.

Shangya Prefecture City was even more prosperous than two years ago, with bustling streets and a vibrant crowd.

One could even see many people dressed as Cultivators walking among them.

Chen Xu didn't rush to find any Heaven And Earth Treasure, but instead applied to work as an assistant in the largest Medicinal Pill shop in the city, named "Hundred Herbs Hall."

He needed a stable identity to cover his tracks and a channel to understand the Cultivation world of the Prefecture City.

The shopkeeper of Hundred Herbs Hall was a shrewd fat man!

Seeing Chen Xu's extraordinary demeanor and his proficiency in pharmacology, he readily hired him.

Days passed, and Chen Xu quickly adapted to life as a Medicinal Pill shop assistant.

He was diligent in his work, humble to others, and never spoke too much, quickly earning the trust of the shopkeeper and customers.

In secret, however, he was using this identity to discreetly gather all information related to Cultivation resources.

He learned that Shangya Prefecture City had a small Cultivator market that opened on the first and fifteenth of each month.

Several small Cultivation Families in the city would also regularly hold small auctions.

This day, Chen Xu was organizing Medicinal Materials behind the counter when the shop curtain was lifted, and two people walked in.

Chen Xu looked up and was slightly startled.

The newcomers were Chen Qingqing and Sun Xiaoyue.

After two years, Sun Xiaoyue had grown even more graceful, and her Cultivation had reached the ninth layer of Qi Refinement.

It seemed she was not far from Great Perfection.

However, Chen Qingqing's change made Chen Xu's pupils contract slightly.

She still had that aloof appearance, but the aura around her had undergone a drastic transformation. It was no longer the Spiritual Qi fluctuation of a Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator!

Instead, it was a more restrained, yet heavier and more condensed Magic Power pressure.

Foundation Establishment!

She had actually successfully achieved Foundation Establishment!

"Brother... Brother Chen?"

Sun Xiaoyue also saw Chen Xu and exclaimed in surprise. She quickly walked to the counter, sizing him up and down: "It really is you! Why are you working as an assistant here?"

Chen Qingqing also walked over. She looked at Chen Xu, who was wearing a coarse cloth assistant's uniform, a complex and unreadable emotion flashing in her eyes, but she still nodded slightly at him: "Fellow Daoist Chen, long time no see."

Her address had changed from "Brother Chen" to "Fellow Daoist Chen."

Although it was only a one-word difference.

It represented the insurmountable chasm in Cultivation Realms between the two.

Chen Xu's thoughts raced, but his face remained impassive: "Fairy Chen, Fellow Daoist Sun, what a coincidence. Why are you two here?"

"We're here to buy some Medicinal Pills."

Sun Xiaoyue said, then couldn't help but ask, "Brother Chen, why are you..."

"It's a long story." Chen Xu smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Our Family has many mouths to feed, and expenses are high, so I have to find a job to make a living."

This posture indeed lessened some of the doubt in Sun Xiaoyue's eyes and added a touch of sympathy.

Yes, in mortal life, daily necessities all cost money.

Brother Chen, with a Family to support, must have it tough.

Chen Qingqing looked at him but didn't speak. Her clear, cold eyes seemed to be able to see through people's hearts.

"This isn't the place to talk, shall we find somewhere to sit?" Chen Xu suggested.

Chen Qingqing nodded.

Chen Xu excused himself to the shopkeeper and led the two to a nearby teahouse.

After they were seated, Sun Xiaoyue eagerly shared some good news: "Brother Chen, do you still remember that Devil Head from two years ago? We killed him!"

"Oh? That's truly gratifying."

Chen Xu echoed.

"Yes!"

Sun Xiaoyue was excited, "Although... although we also lost two Senior Brothers, Senior Brother Liang displayed Divine Might and, together with Sister Qingqing, finally slew that Devil Head with his Flying Sword! The Sect rewarded us with many things!"

The Senior Brother Liang she mentioned should be the inner Sect Genius she spoke of last time.

Chen Xu understood in his heart; it seemed that mission was indeed extremely dangerous.

Chen Qingqing picked up her teacup, took a shallow sip, and interrupted Sun Xiaoyue's chatter. She looked at Chen Xu and said directly: "We came here specifically to find you."

"Find me?" Chen Xu was a little surprised.

Chen Qingqing took out a small jade bottle from her Storage Pouch.

She placed it on the table and pushed it towards Chen Xu.

"This is...?"

"foundation establishment pill."

Chen Qingqing calmly uttered three words.

The teahouse instantly fell silent, and even the noise from the neighboring tables seemed to fade away.

Chen Xu's gaze fixed on the small jade bottle.

His breathing slowed by half a beat.

foundation establishment pill!

The Spirit Pill that countless Qi Refinement Cultivators in the Cultivation world dreamed of, even willing to risk their lives for!

Sun Xiaoyue also looked at Chen Qingqing with a shocked expression.

She clearly didn't know about this either.

"Sister Qingqing, this... this is too valuable!"

Chen Qingqing ignored her, only looking at Chen Xu, her tone still flat: "During the Iron-Tongued Demon battle last time, you saved my life. This time, in slaying the Devil Head, we also used the initial strategy you devised. I must repay this favor."

She paused and continued: "When I achieved Foundation Establishment, I didn't use this pill. It's useless to me now, and keeping it would be a waste. Giving it to you might help you knock on the Immortal Realm's door."

Chen Xu fell silent.

He looked at the foundation establishment pill on the table, then at Chen Qingqing.

He knew the weight of this Medicinal Pill.

This was not just repayment, but also the last bit of goodwill and pity from a pioneer who had already reached a higher place, towards him, the one left behind.

"I cannot accept it."

After a long while, Chen Xu slowly shook his head and pushed the jade bottle back.

"Why?"

This time, it was Chen Qingqing who spoke, her brows slightly furrowed.

"Our Dao are different."

Chen Xu looked up, meeting her gaze: "Fairy Chen, your Dao is to sever mortal ties and advance bravely. My Dao is to temper my Dao Heart in the Mortal World and continue the Family Legacy."

"This foundation establishment pill, to me, is an external object, a wrong path."

"If I accept it, it will disrupt my Dao Heart."

These words stunned both Chen Qingqing and Sun Xiaoyue.

They had thought of countless reasons why Chen Xu might refuse, whether it was evasion or politeness, but they had never imagined.

He would say such words.

A Qi Refinement Stage tenth-layer Cultivator actually said that a foundation establishment pill would disrupt his Dao Heart?

To anyone, this sounded like a fantasy.

Chen Qingqing looked at him deeply, for a long time.

From Chen Xu's eyes, she saw no pretense or hypocrisy.

She only saw a kind of persistence she couldn't understand.

She suddenly understood.

Two years ago, she thought Chen Xu had just found another path.

Now she realized that Chen Xu had not found another path, but had himself created a path unprecedented by anyone before him.

"I understand."

Chen Qingqing took back the jade bottle, her expression returning to its cold aloofness, but the condescending scrutiny had completely vanished.

She stood up, "Since that's the case, I won't disturb Fellow Daoist Chen."

She seemed to have other matters, and after speaking, she turned and left.

"Hey, Sister Qingqing!"

Sun Xiaoyue quickly stood up. She looked at Chen Qingqing's retreating back, then at Chen Xu, her face full of regret and confusion, but eventually, she stamped her foot and chased after her.

Chen Xu sat in place, watching their retreating figures, picked up the now cold tea, and drained it in one gulp.

He did not regret refusing the foundation establishment pill.

Relying on external objects for Foundation Establishment was ultimately a lesser path.

Even if successful, it would only be Earth Path Foundation Establishment, with limited potential.

His goal was to rely on Bloodline feedback, continuously improve his own Aptitude, and eventually achieve it naturally.

To forge an unsurpassed Dao Foundation.

However, Chen Qingqing's appearance also served as a reminder to him.

The Cultivators in the outside world were all progressing rapidly.

And if he continued to be constrained by resources and stagnate, he would sooner or later be abandoned by the times.

He stood up, paid for the tea, and walked out of the teahouse.

He did not return to Hundred Herbs Hall, but instead walked directly to the Cultivator market in the west of the city.

He could no longer wait.

He needed Spirit Stones, and he needed higher-grade Spirit Medicine.