43: Chapter 43 The ultimate foundation-building pill!

The qiankun creation furnace floated quietly in mid-air, its ancient bronze body reflecting a faint luster under the dim lamplight.

Su Cheng did not hesitate; he threw the foundation establishment pill Formula and the mountain-like pile of medicinal ingredients all into the furnace.

Having done this, he sat cross-legged and formed hand seals, as the majestic Qi of Creation within his Dantian surged toward the qiankun creation furnace.

This was completely different from the trickle-like spiritual power transmission when refining first-rank pills in the past.

This time, the qiankun creation furnace was like an ancient beast awakening, opening its greedy, massive maw.

As soon as the Qi of Creation touched the furnace body, it was swallowed by an irresistible suction, without even causing a single ripple.

Su Cheng's expression remained unchanged as he simply increased the output of spiritual power.

Fifteen minutes later, fine beads of sweat broke out on his forehead.

The demands of the qiankun creation furnace far exceeded his imagination.

If the consumption for refining a qi gathering pill was a small stream, then the consumption for refining a foundation establishment pill was a rushing river.

The creation vortex within his Dantian spun rapidly, as vast amounts of Qi of Creation were continuously drawn out and poured into the Cauldron that seemed as if it could never be filled.

At the same time, a sense of mental exhaustion far stronger than any previous Alchemy session began to invade his mind.

Refining second-rank pills not only demanded a strict "quantity" of spiritual power but also posed a massive test for the "quality" of one's Mental Energy.

Su Cheng held his mind steady, resisting the tide-like weariness with the resilient will he had forged over two lifetimes.

Time passed second by second.

One hour...

Two hours...

As the sky turned from deep black to grayish-white, Su Cheng’s face was as pale as paper, his lips were parched and cracked, and his clothes were repeatedly soaked in sweat and then dried by his body heat, over and over again.

Over ninety percent of the Qi of Creation in his Dantian had been consumed, nearly reaching exhaustion.

His Mental Energy was also like a rubber band being pulled repeatedly, stretched to its limit and at risk of snapping at any moment.

This was the threshold for refining a second-rank supreme-grade pill.

Had he not cultivated the Qiankun Creation Art, where the purity and reserves of spiritual power required for each Realm far exceeded those of his peers, any Eighth Layer of Qi Refining Cultivator would likely have been sucked dry within the first hour.

Just as Su Cheng felt he could no longer hold on, the qiankun creation furnace, which had been frantically devouring spiritual power, finally changed.

Upon the furnace body, those profound patterns lit up one by one, emitting a soft green light.

An indescribable and mysterious Dao charm diffused from the Cauldron, causing the temperature of the entire room to rise, while the air filled with a peculiar fragrance from dozens of blended medicinal ingredients.

It's done!

Su Cheng’s spirits lifted, and he poured the final trace of Qi of Creation from his Dantian into it without reservation.

"Buzz—"

The qiankun creation furnace emitted a low hum, and in an instant, all the light and fragrance were retracted, returning it to its ancient and unadorned appearance as it floated quietly in the air.

The refinement was over.

Su Cheng’s body went limp, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.

He forced himself to stand up, walked to the furnace, and with a slightly trembling hand, opened the lid.

At the bottom of the furnace lay a single, perfectly round Medicinal Pill the size of a longan.

This Medicinal Pill was different from any he had refined before.

It wasn't pure green, but instead displayed a warm, jade-white color.

On the surface of the Medicinal Pill, there was no flowing treasure light, yet three pale gold patterns had naturally formed.

These three patterns seemed divinely crafted, sketching a profound design that appeared to contain some fundamental truth of heaven and earth.

Above the Medicinal Pill, a faint wisp of clear Qi swirled and lingered without dissipating.

supreme grade foundation establishment pill!

Moreover, it was a legendary Medicinal Pill of such high quality that "pill pattern" had manifested!

Su Cheng picked up the Medicinal Pill, and a gentle yet majestic energy surged through his fingertips, bringing a hint of warmth to his nearly depleted Dantian.

*Creak—*

The door was pushed open gently, and Su Chengyuan walked in.

He hadn't slept all night, waiting outside the door. Only after sensing the commotion inside had subsided did he enter, unable to contain himself.

Seeing his son's face so pale it lacked a single trace of blood, his heart tightened, and he quickly stepped forward to support him. "Chenger, how are you?"

"I'm fine, Father. I just need to rest for a few days." Su Cheng handed over the Medicinal Pill in his hand.

Su Chengyuan looked down, and when he saw the strange Medicinal Pill with three gold patterns on its surface, he was stunned.

Although he didn't understand Alchemy, he had handled many supreme-grade pills over the years, yet he had never seen such a miraculous Medicinal Pill.

"Is this... a foundation establishment pill?" His voice trembled slightly.

"Yes, it's done." A smile finally appeared on Su Cheng's face. "Father, this pill was prepared for you."

"For me?" Su Chengyuan instinctively tried to decline. "No! This is too precious! It should be kept for your sister. She has a High-Grade Spiritual Root and is the hope of the Family!"

"Father, listen to me." Supported by his father, Su Cheng sat at the table, poured himself a cup of water to moisten his parched lips, and continued his analysis. "Sister has a High-Grade Spiritual Root. Even without a foundation establishment pill, with the Sect's resources and her talent, Foundation Establishment is only a matter of time. As a Golden Core Sect, the Tiangang Sect won't lack Foundation Establishment Cultivation Techniques.

Besides, she is only at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining now, far from attempting Foundation Establishment. Even if we gave her the pill, would she dare use it? For a Disciple who joined only a few years ago to have her cultivation soar like a Flying Sword and then suddenly produce a foundation establishment pill for a Breakthrough—in the Sect, she wouldn't be seen as a Genius, but as a target."

Su Chengyuan listening to his son's calm analysis, the excitement on his face slowly faded, replaced by solemnity.

"On the other hand, look at yourself." Su Cheng's gaze fell upon his father. "You are now at the Peak Tenth Layer Qi Refining. Everything is ready, lacking only the final step. As long as you can achieve Foundation Establishment, our Su Family will have a true pillar of support.

You are my father and the person I trust most. With you controlling the overall situation from the shadows, I can develop behind the scenes with more peace of mind. A hidden Foundation Establishment Cultivator is more useful to our Family than a Genius Disciple out in the open."

"As for Sister, don't worry. When she reaches the Peak of the Tenth Level of Qi Refining, if she needs a foundation establishment pill, I will prepare another one for her. With me here, our Family won't lack foundation establishment pills."

"Even if other Family members reach the Peak of the Tenth Level of Qi Refining in the future, I won't be stingy."

"Furthermore, the reason I haven't distributed those supreme-grade pills I refined to the Family members yet is that our Su Family lacks a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and strong combat power.

Once the Wang Family of the county city learns that the Su Family has many supreme-grade pills, they might risk offending the Tiangang Sect to wipe us out. After all, they also have the Blazing Fire Sect as a backer and possess Foundation Establishment Cultivators."

Su Cheng's words were clear and logical, analyzing the pros and cons thoroughly.

Su Chengyuan looked at his son, his heart filled with a mixture of emotions.

He gripped the jade bottle tightly, feeling the heavy weight of the Medicinal Pill, his eyes turning slightly red.

He didn't decline further, but simply nodded heavily. "Alright, I'll listen to you."

Hope was right before them, but a new problem also presented itself to the father and son.

"Chenger, although we have the pill, I... don't have a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivation Technique." Su Chengyuan sighed.

The Qi Introduction Art can only be cultivated to the Peak of Qi Refining, while higher-rank Cultivation Techniques are the foundation of major Sects and are never shared with outsiders.

As an insignificant minor Family, they had no means of obtaining one.

Su Cheng had already anticipated this. He pondered, "This matter will likely still fall upon the Treasure Gathering Tower. Just because the Prefecture City doesn't have it doesn't mean a higher-level location won't."