49: Sect Grand Competition

I don't know if it was because of the spiritual power from Senior Sister Xiao last time, but this Breakthrough was unexpectedly smooth.

Lin Feng shook his head, looking at the communication talisman from Luo Linger of Hundred Flowers Peak in his hand.

He went as agreed. When he saw Luo Linger again, she was carefully guarding a peculiar spirit plant.

The spirit plant's leaves were warm and translucent like jade, and several pure white, flawless flowers bloomed on its branches, with a hint of icy blue at the center.

The temperature around the flowers naturally dropped, emitting a refreshing, cool fragrance; it was the ice heart orchid.

"Junior Brother Lin, you came just in time." Luo Linger's eyes filled with joy when she saw him.

"This ice heart orchid just bloomed today, and its flowering period is very short. This flower has an excellent effect on calming the mind and spirit, especially in soothing agitated spiritual power. It is greatly beneficial for stabilizing one's Realm and even assisting in Foundation Establishment."

She carefully harvested a portion of the ice heart orchid, placed it into a jade box, then turned around and handed the box to Lin Feng, her eyes curving into crescents:

"Your Cultivation speed is truly frighteningly fast; in the blink of an eye, you're already at the eighth level of Qi Refining. It seems it's time to prepare for Foundation Establishment."

"This ice heart orchid just opened, and it is most useful for stabilizing one's Realm and calming the mind. I specifically saved a portion for you."

As she spoke, she pointed to the rest, "It's a pity, most of it must be turned in to the Sect according to regulations and put into storage; I can't give it all to you. Take these and use them first."

"Many thanks, Senior Sister." Lin Feng was moved and took the jade box; the cool fragrance refreshed his mind.

'I remember Senior Sister Su Sizhu said last time that if one has ice heart orchid and qing shen bamboo, one can refine the ice heart pill.'

Carrying the ice heart orchid, Lin Feng arrived at Cloud Bamboo Peak again and found Su Sizhu.

"Senior Sister Su." Lin Feng cupped his hands in greeting.

Su Sizhu lazily lifted her eyelids, her gaze sweeping over Lin Feng.

She sat up slightly and looked at Lin Feng carefully again.

"Eighth level of Qi Refining?"

Lin Feng felt the surrounding air seem to freeze for an instant, and he replied humbly, "I was lucky to have a Breakthrough."

Su Sizhu did not respond to this; her gaze had already landed on the Materials he took out.

When the dark green bracelet on Lin Feng's wrist flashed with a faint Spiritual Qi, and several vibrant qing shen bamboo stalks appeared on the counter, her eyes narrowed.

Then, the ice heart orchid was taken out from the jade box.

Su Sizhu pursed her red lips slightly, and her fingertips tapped unconsciously on the table once.

She raised her eyes, her gaze locking onto Lin Feng again: "Your cultivation has advanced, and your spirit plants are extraordinary."

Her gaze swept over the bracelet, "This storage Magical Artifact... is not something commonly seen."

Lin Feng felt a jolt in his heart, but maintained a calm expression on his face.

She paused slightly, her voice softening: "To be gifted such an item... it seems you and that Junior Sister Xiao from Beast Taming Peak are quite close?"

Lin Feng met her gaze: "Senior Sister is joking; I am just borrowing it temporarily to store spirit plants."

Su Sizhu's deep gaze lingered on his face for a moment, and finally, her lips curled into a smile, and she did not ask further.

"Are you wanting to refine the ice heart pill?" She took the Materials.

"Sorry to trouble you, Senior Sister." Lin Feng felt slightly more at ease.

Su Sizhu's Alchemy technique was smooth and fluid, carrying a unique aesthetic.

Lin Feng observed quietly from the side, while quietly activating the heaven-stealing vine, sensing every subtle Fusion and change of the medicinal power within the Pill Furnace, his own understanding of Alchemy improving silently.

The pill was formed, and five pearl-sized Medicinal Pills, snow-white all over with an icy blue pattern circling them, fell into the jade bottle.

"It is done." She handed the jade bottle over.

Afterwards, she asked as if casually: "Next, you should be preparing the main ingredients for the foundation establishment pill, right? The earth origin spirit mushroom and dragon scale fruit are very scarce."

Lin Feng took the Medicinal Pill and replied calmly: "I already have the dragon scale fruit. I only lack the earth origin spirit mushroom."

Su Sizhu's hand, which was about to pick up her tea, paused in mid-air, and she looked up in astonishment: "You even managed to get the dragon scale fruit?"

Lin Feng nodded slightly.

Su Sizhu took a deep breath: "So well prepared... it seems you really intend to attempt Foundation Establishment."

She paused, then added: "As for that purple mansion spirit pill of mine, it is best to wait until you have successfully achieved Foundation Establishment and your Realm is stable before consuming it, so that you can absorb the medicinal effects to the maximum extent and nourish your Purple Mansion."

"Many thanks for the reminder, Senior Sister." Lin Feng noted this down solemnly.

"Speaking of which," she changed the subject, "In half a year, the Sect's once-in-a-decade 'Sect Grand Competition' will begin.

Alchemy, talisman drawing, array formation, Artifact Refining, sword Dao... there will be competitions in various skills, and the rewards for the top ten in each path are by no means ordinary.

I hear that this time, the top ten in the Alchemy path will all receive a portion of 'Five Elements Condensing Pill Liquid', which is greatly beneficial for stabilizing the dao foundation;

The top ten in the sword Dao can enter the third floor of the Myriad Laws Pavilion to choose any sword technique secret art...

These are all generous gifts set by the Sect to encourage Disciples and broaden their Dao paths."

Lin Feng's breathing quickened slightly, and he immediately asked: "Senior Sister Su, this competition... can Disciples of the Qi Refinement Stage participate?"

Su Sizhu glanced at him indifferently, as if she had long expected him to ask this: "The Sect rules do not forbid Disciples of the Qi Refinement Stage from signing up. However..."

She shifted her tone slightly, "The competitions in each path gather the elites of the entire Sect. For a Disciple of the Qi Refinement Stage, it is already not easy to break into the top one hundred.

In these thirty years, no Qi Refinement Disciple has been able to rank in the top ten of any path.

After all, the difference in spiritual power and the strength of Divine Sense brought about by the cultivation Realm is an insurmountable chasm."

She paused, her gaze circling Lin Feng's face, and a knowing smile curled at the corners of her lips: "But I know you will definitely go and try."

She gently blew on her teacup: "By then, I, your Senior Sister, want to see what kind of commotion you can stir up. Don't get eliminated in the first round."

'She really understands me...' Lin Feng thought to himself, but maintained a calm expression, only nodding slightly: "Senior Sister is joking; this Disciple will act according to his capabilities."

'Sect Grand Competition... Since there is no limit on participation items, then... I will sign up for all of them and try.

The main ingredient for the foundation establishment pill is only missing the hardest-to-find earth origin spirit mushroom. This item is rare and hard to find in the markets.

More importantly, in half a year... I must Cultivate to at least the Great Perfection of Qi Refining before then, or even attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment.

Otherwise, even with the Medicinal Pills, I will have no strength to participate in competing in this competition.'

Lin Feng sat cross-legged on a bluestone on Yunni Peak, the Spiritual Qi around his body slowly calming down. After these days of Cultivation, his Realm at the eighth level of Qi Refining was already stable.

'It's time to go out and take a look. The earth origin spirit mushroom... must be obtained within half a year.'

He stood up, just preparing to leave, when he suddenly stopped his steps.

'I haven't seen Senior Sister Fang for a long time. I should say hello before setting off.'

Lin Feng found Fang Lingyao's Immortal Cave with ease.

Fang Lingyao was concentrating on adjusting her breath, with faint clouds and mist flowing around her body. Seeing Lin Feng arrive, she slowly finished her cultivation, a trace of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"Junior Brother Lin? It hasn't been long since we last met, and you are already at the eighth level of Qi Refining?" She stood up to welcome him, her gaze carefully examining him.