69: Prepare for foundation building

With a thought, Zhang Qingxiao opened his attribute panel.

Name: Zhang Qingxiao

Identity: Xiaoyao Sect Outer Sect Disciple

Aptitude: Mediocre

Lifespan: 34/112 years old

Realm: Cultivation Level 8, Progress: 1/100

Cultivation Technique:

ChangSheng Skill for Qi Refining Stage, Grandmaster Level: 1538/1600, Barbaric Body Refining Art, Proficient: 225/400

Skills:

Alchemy: Pi Gu Pill, Great Master: 218/800, Yellow Dragon Pill, Great Master: 325/800, Golden Marrow Pill, Great Master: 556/800, Detoxification Pill, Great Master: 235/800, Qi Condensation Pill, Proficient: 368/400

Talisman Crafting: Dust Removal Talisman, Proficient: 12/400, Spirit Arrow Talisman, Proficient: 18/400, Fireball Talisman, Proficient: 235/400, Light Body Talisman, Beginner: 73/100

Spell: Fireball Technique, Grandmaster Level: 1501/1600, Dust Removal Spell, Great Master: 221/800, Spirit Detection Technique, Grandmaster Level: 952/1600, Spirit Arrow Technique, Grandmaster Level: 2803/3200, Ice Technique, Great Master: 736/800

Swordplay: Chong Ling Swordplay, Grandmaster Level: 1026/1600, Elementary Sword Control Technique, Great Master: 689/800, Elementary Sword Flight Technique, Proficient: 325/400

“As expected, it still increased my lifespan by ten years.”

“I wonder if cultivating the Barbaric Body Refining Art can extend my lifespan beyond 120 years…”

Zhang Qingxiao was very satisfied when he saw the lifespan on the attribute panel.

The two extra years of lifespan were added when he cultivated the Barbaric Body Refining Art and its proficiency reached the proficient level.

He shook his head, no longer thinking about the lifespan issue, and continued to look at the attribute panel.

As his Realm improved, the proficiency of various Spells, Alchemy, and Talisman crafting skills had increased faster than before during this period.

With ample Spiritual Qi in his body, he no longer needed to restore his Spiritual Qi after refining one or two batches of Medicinal Pills, unlike when he first started Alchemy.

The increase in proficiency also shortened the time it took to refine Medicinal Pills.

Zhang Qingxiao could now refine Qi Condensation Pills in about half an hour.

He also learned Talisman crafting very quickly. With his 'money ability', he didn't have to worry about the consumption of Talisman paper and ink, and he bought the best Talisman brushes, so his efficiency was naturally high.

“The proficiency of Longevity Skill, Fireball Technique, and Spirit Arrow Technique is about to reach Grandmaster Level…”

“These two days, I’ll practice Fireball Technique and Spirit Arrow Technique more. Draining the Spiritual Qi in my body can also accelerate the increase in Longevity Skill’s proficiency.”

After carefully reviewing the status of all skills and Spells on the attribute panel, Zhang Qingxiao closed the attribute panel.

In the past two months, due to the Xiaoyao Sect Enforcement Hall and the Kang Family Cultivators constantly investigating the living areas of Outer Sect Disciples and Utility Disciples, their business was also affected.

The Spirit Stones obtained each month not only didn't increase but also dropped significantly.

This was also why Zhang Qingxiao was worried that this business was too profitable, so he instructed Luo Fei to intentionally do so.

Now that the Enforcement Hall Disciples of the Xiaoyao Sect had reduced their investigation efforts, it was time to resume business and earn as many Spirit Stones as possible to prepare for Foundation Establishment in advance.

To achieve Foundation Establishment, one must use Foundation Establishment Pills.

Zhang Qingxiao had long inquired about the price of Foundation Establishment Pills, which was approximately one thousand five hundred to two thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.

Such a high price meant that ordinary Outer Sect Disciples and Utility Disciples simply couldn't afford them.

Even if they had that many Spirit Stones to buy them, success in Foundation Establishment was not guaranteed.

Each failure would also increase the difficulty of Foundation Establishment.

This was also why there were so few Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Zhang Qingxiao was self-aware of his Cultivation talent; one Foundation Establishment Pill would probably not be enough.

He needed to prepare at least three or more Foundation Establishment Pills to be confident of a single Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage.

In the market within the Xiaoyao Sect's Outer Sect Disciple and Utility Disciple area, two auctions for Foundation Establishment Pills were held annually.

One auction in the middle of the year and one at the end of the year. The time for the first Foundation Establishment Pill auction this year was also approaching.

He needed to prepare at least two thousand or more Mid-Grade Spirit Stones to be confident in successfully purchasing a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Although he had earned a lot of Spirit Stones in the past few months, his monthly expenses were also very high.

The biggest expense was medicinal cuisine, which cost three to four hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones each month.

So far, the Mid-Grade Spirit Stones he had saved only amounted to over one thousand five hundred.

After stabilizing his Realm, Zhang Qingxiao informed Zhou Yun and went to the Utility Disciple living area to find Luo Fei.

Ever since the Xiaoyao Sect Enforcement Hall and the Kang Family Cultivators began investigating Utility Disciples and Outer Sect Disciples, Luo Fei had been worried about mistakes and had basically stayed in the Utility Disciple living area.

Seeing Zhang Qingxiao approach, he quickly put down what he was doing and trotted over to greet him, “Brother Zhang, why are you here?”

“Can we continue…”

Luo Fei stopped mid-sentence, led Zhang Qingxiao into the study, and closed the door before continuing, “Brother Zhang, the Enforcement Hall Disciples who come to investigate have been fewer and fewer recently. Can we resume cooperation with those Cultivators?”

He finished speaking and looked at Zhang Qingxiao with expectant eyes.

In the past two months, the number of Cultivators they cooperated with had directly decreased by two-thirds.

Their monthly income naturally dropped significantly.

Many Cultivators under him had already approached him, wanting to resume cooperation with the previous Cultivators.

However, without Zhang Qingxiao’s permission, he dared not make decisions on his own.

“We can slowly resume, but don't rush it.”

“I came today to tell you about this.”

“Although there are fewer Disciples investigating from the Xiaoyao Sect Enforcement Hall, they haven't completely given up on the investigation.”

“I heard that the Kang Family Cultivators haven't given up either, but have shifted from overt to covert investigations.”

“Although this matter has nothing to do with us, we cannot be careless. If the Kang Family finds out that our business can earn so many Spirit Stones, it will cause trouble.”

“…”

Zhang Qingxiao thoroughly explained to Luo Fei how to resume the business.

Luo Fei was also very cautious about this and also put forward his own ideas.

The two discussed in the study for over an hour before finally finalizing the plan.

“Brother Zhang, Xiaoyao City has basically been completed.”

“I heard that once the city protection array and the Spiritual Qi gathering array are set up, we Outer Sect Disciples and Utility Disciples will be moved into Xiaoyao City.”

“After we move in, the Xiaoyao Sect will also relocate ordinary people outside Xiaoyao City.”

Luo Fei remembered this matter as Zhang Qingxiao was about to leave and quickly spoke up.

“This doesn't have much of an impact on us.”

“There's no need to worry too much.”

Zhang Qingxiao was not concerned about whether or not to move to Xiaoyao City.

The Spiritual Qi in their current living area was not very dense to begin with.

Even if they moved to Xiaoyao City, with the Spiritual Qi gathering array, there wouldn't be much difference.