13: Chapter 13: Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment!

After leaving the stall area, Baili Yunche did not linger too much in the marketplace.

He walked through the bustling crowd and headed straight toward the service area on the north side.

The three gilded characters "Spirit Residence Courtyard" shone brightly under the sunlight.

As an Immortal Cave rental agency officially operated by the Xuanyang Sect, its reputation was guaranteed here, and the Immortal Caves were all built on the Spiritual Vein nodes of Yunwu Peak, making it an ideal place for secluded cultivation and Breakthrough.

Stepping into the courtyard hall, a cool wave of Spiritual Qi rushed toward his face.

The hall was spacious and bright, paved with green jade bricks, and the four walls were hung with landscape scrolls, with faint Formation patterns flowing across them.

There were already more than ten Cultivators waiting in line before the counter, most of them with solemn expressions, obviously all coming for secluded cultivation.

Baili Yunche quietly queued at the end of the line, waiting patiently.

His gaze swept across a Jade Slip hanging in the hall, which detailed the various regulations and price lists for renting Immortal Caves.

About the time it takes to brew a cup of tea later, it was his turn.

The executive Disciple behind the counter was a stern-looking middle-aged man who was lowering his head to organize Jade Slips, and without raising his head, he said, "Next."

Baili Yunche stepped forward and cupped his fists, saying, "Senior Brother, I want to rent an Immortal Cave for secluded cultivation to achieve Foundation Establishment."

"Foundation Establishment?" The executive Disciple finally raised his head, glanced over Baili Yunche up and down, and a clear look of surprise flashed in his eyes.

This was hardly surprising.

The Cultivators who came to the Spirit Residence Courtyard to rent Immortal Caves were mostly Outer Sect Disciples, occasionally Inner Sect Disciples, but Utility Disciples... were truly too rare.

Especially since Baili Yunche, although wearing utility attire, possessed a steady and refined aura, already at the Qi Refinement Stage Perfection, which was practically a rare sight on the Miscellaneous Chores Peak.

However, the executive Disciple was well-traveled and knowledgeable after all, quickly withdrawing his expression, and took out a Jade Slip from under the counter: "Immortal Caves are divided into three grades."

He spoke at an even pace and introduced: "Low Grade Immortal Caves cost 10 Spirit Stones per day, and the Spiritual Qi concentration is equivalent to a High Grade Spiritual Vein of the first Rank, suitable for Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivators to stabilize their cultivation."

"Medium Grade Immortal Caves cost 20 Spirit Stones per day, and the Spiritual Qi concentration reaches a Low Grade Spiritual Vein of the second Rank, suitable for Early Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators to Cultivate, and also a common choice for breaking through to Foundation Establishment."

"High Grade Immortal Caves cost 30 Spirit Stones per day, with the Spiritual Qi concentration being a Medium Grade Spiritual Vein of the second Rank, and they come with auxiliary facilities such as Gathering Qi Formations and Calming Formations, suitable for Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators and above, or those with extremely high requirements for Foundation Establishment."

The executive Disciple paused and added, "Currently, there are only two High Grade Immortal Caves left; rent quickly if you want them."

Baili Yunche quickly calculated in his heart.

The cheapest Low Grade Immortal Cave would cost 300 Spirit Stones for a month, which was an astronomical figure for ordinary Utility Disciples.

But for him now, 300 Spirit Stones was merely a matter of selling a few bottles of Medicinal Pills.

Foundation Establishment was the first major hurdle on the path of Cultivation, concerning his future Dao path, and could not tolerate the slightest stinginess.

A High Grade Spiritual Vein of the first Rank was enough for Qi Refining Cultivators, but slightly forced for breaking through to Foundation Establishment.

A Medium Grade Spiritual Vein of the second Rank was certainly better, but the price of 30 Spirit Stones per day was truly exorbitant, and since he harbored secrets, it was inappropriate to be too conspicuous.

"A Low Grade Spiritual Vein of the second Rank should be enough." Baili Yunche made his decision.

But he did not immediately express his stance, instead saying cautiously, "Senior Brother, I am newly arrived; can I look at the Immortal Cave environment first before making a decision?"

"Yes." The executive Disciple pushed the Jade Slip over, "There are recorded images of Immortal Caves of various grades inside; you can view them by injecting your Divine Sense."

Baili Yunche took the Jade Slip, and his Divine Sense probed into it.

In an instant, three-dimensional images of dozens of Immortal Caves emerged in his Sea of Consciousness.

Next to each image were detailed notes: location, Spiritual Qi concentration, supporting facilities, defense Formation Rank, daily rent...

He carefully screened them and finally selected a Medium Grade Immortal Cave numbered "Yi-9".

This Immortal Cave was located in a secluded valley on the mountainside of Yunwu Peak, far away from the main path, surrounded by shaded trees.

The interior of the Immortal Cave was about three zhang square, simply furnished with a cold jade bed, a calming meditation cushion, and a stone table, with a water diversion Formation and a sewage disposal Formation set in the corner.

Outside the Immortal Cave was a layer of simple defense Formation, which could isolate sounds and block Divine Sense detection.

Although it could not prevent Cultivators above Foundation Establishment from forcibly breaking in, its warning function was sufficient.

Most importantly, the Spiritual Qi concentration here was marked as Low Grade of the second Rank, and the fluctuations were stable, making it an ideal environment for breaking through to Foundation Establishment.

"Let us go with this one." Baili Yunche withdrew his Divine Sense, handed back the Jade Slip, and said, "Rent it for a month first."

He took out 600 Low-Grade Spirit Stones from his Storage Pouch and piled them on the counter.

The executive Disciple checked and confirmed there were no errors, took out a thick booklet to register, and asked, "Name? Which Peak do you belong to?"

"Baili Yunche, Miscellaneous Chores Peak."

The tip of the pen paused on the paper, the executive Disciple took a deep look at him, but did not ask further, and took a bronze token from the drawer and handed it over:

"Yi-number 9 Immortal Cave, this is the control token, with which you can open the Immortal Cave Formation."

"One month later, the token will automatically expire. If you need to renew the lease, you must come here three days in advance to handle it."

He paused and added, "If the facilities inside the Immortal Cave are damaged, compensate according to the price. Outsiders are strictly forbidden to disturb during secluded cultivation, and violators will be heavily punished. In addition... Foundation Establishment is perilous, and I hope Junior Brother acts cautiously."

Baili Yunche cupped his fists to thank him: "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother."

Taking the token, he delayed no longer and walked towards the mountainside according to the route map in the Jade Slip.

The terrain of Yunwu Peak was steep, but the stone steps leading to each Immortal Cave were built flat and wide.

Along the way, many Cultivators could be seen coming and going in a hurry, some with joyful expressions, some with solemn expressions, looking complicated.

About half an incense stick of time later, Baili Yunche came to a quiet valley.

The valley was wreathed in light mist, and the Spiritual Qi was obviously several times richer than at the foot of the mountain.

Following the guidance of the token, he stopped in front of a cliff wall.

The bronze token in Baili Yunche's hand lit up with a faint glow, generating a resonance with the Restriction on the Immortal Cave.

He cast a magic formula toward the token, and the token shot out a wisp of blue light that plunged into the Immortal Cave.

"Rumble—"

Ripples surged on the surface of the Immortal Cave, revealing a heavy stone door that slowly opened to reveal a passageway.

Baili Yunche stepped in, and the stone door behind him closed automatically, completely isolating the outside world.

The interior of the Immortal Cave appeared more spacious than expected.

Several luminous pearls were embedded in the ceiling, emitting a soft white light.

The cold jade bed was located in the center of the Immortal Cave, pure white all over, icy to the touch, and had the effect of calming the mind and focusing the spirit.

The calming meditation cushion was woven from a certain Spiritual Plant, exuding a faint fragrance.

He carefully inspected the Immortal Cave facilities and, after confirming there were no errors, sat cross-legged on the cushion.

Without rushing to take the foundation establishment pill, Baili Yunche first closed his eyes to regulate his breath, adjusting his state to its Peak.

The [Pure Yang Indestructible Scripture] slowly revolved, and the pure Yang spiritual power flowed through the Meridians like a rushing river.

The Spiritual Qi inside the Immortal Cave was guided by the Cultivation Technique, gathering together in wisps and seeping into his body through his mouth, nose, and pores.

One day, two days, three days...

Baili Yunche was like an old monk entering meditation, his mind completely immersed in inner vision.

He sorted through his insights from past cultivation one by one, repeatedly tempering the spiritual power in his Meridians until it was flawless and rounded.

Until the morning of the seventh day, he suddenly opened his eyes.

Golden light flashed across his eyes and vanished, and his entire aura reached an unprecedented Peak state.

"It is time."

He took out that bottle of top-grade foundation establishment pill and pulled out the cork.

In an instant, a rich medicinal fragrance permeated the entire Immortal Cave; just inhaling a trace made him feel his pores relax and his spiritual power stir eagerly.

He poured out a top-grade foundation establishment pill and placed it in his palm.

Baili Yunche did not hesitate, tilting his head back to swallow it.

The Medicinal Pill melted the moment it entered his mouth, turning into a scorching torrent that rushed into the Dantian!

"Boom—!"

The calm Dantian boiled instantly!

The medicinal efficacy of the foundation establishment pill collided fiercely with the pure Yang spiritual power, producing unimaginable massive energy that impacted his limbs and bones!

Baili Yunche let out a muffled grunt, the veins on his forehead bulged, his skin flushed red, and steam rose from his pores.

The three barriers of Foundation Establishment, the first barrier—the Magical Power Barrier!

This barrier required compressing and purifying the magical power of the Qi Refinement Stage within the body, transforming it into a higher level of spiritual power.

This process was like condensing mist into water droplets, which not only required huge energy to drive it, but also extremely strong control over spiritual power.

Ordinary Cultivators impacting this barrier often required several days or even dozens of days, during which the slightest carelessness would lead to loss of control over spiritual power and damaged Meridians.

But Baili Yunche was different.

The pure Yang magical power cultivated by the [Pure Yang Indestructible Scripture] was inherently pure and condensed, far surpassing those of the same Rank.

Coupled with the gentle and majestic medicinal efficacy of the top-grade foundation establishment pill, almost without intentional guidance, it spontaneously promoted the transformation of magical power.

One day, two days, three days...

The gaseous magical power within the Dantian compressed and solidified at a speed visible to the naked eye, gradually turning into liquid pure Yang spiritual power.

On the dusk of the fifth day, the conversion of the last trace of magical power was complete.

Baili Yunche opened his eyes, golden light flowing in his pupils, and his aura was countless times stronger than before!

"The Magical Power Barrier... has passed."