65: The Secret of Foundation Building

After the cultivation entered his body, he could feel that his combat strength had increased by nearly fifty percent. If he were to fight the Cloud Leopard again, he would definitely be able to kill it within three moves, without needing to fight for such a long time.

He looked at the Earthly Fiend Qi in his hand, wondering what to do with it. He had two ideas.

The first was to trade it for resources. The resources he could acquire would be enough for him to Cultivate until the Late Foundation Establishment Stage. However, exchanging something precious for common resources was not a good deal in his eyes. He was somewhat unwilling, simply because the rarity levels were unequal. For example, those resources might be worth 100,000 Spirit Stones, and the Earthly Fiend Qi was also worth 100,000 Spirit Stones, but while you could buy the resources with 100,000 Spirit Stones, you couldn't buy the Earthly Fiend Qi.

The second was to nurture Pei Yu. He had just seen in the simulator that Pei Yu had the potential to become a Battle General, which was exactly the kind of talent the Flood Dragon Palace lacked. If he nurtured Pei Yu, the Flood Dragon Palace would gain an exceptionally powerful Second Boss who could handle things independently, leaving him free to Cultivate properly. This was also an excellent outcome, except that Pei Yu had only sworn an oath to the Heavenly Dao and hadn't signed any contract, so her loyalty was still somewhat lacking.

Gu Yuchuan thought for a long time and ultimately decided to use it to build up his own forces. After all, he wasn't particularly short on Spirit Stones, and his cultivation could also be improved using the simulator. He didn't value resources that highly. However, if he didn't nurture a subordinate now, it might greatly impact future development. He just needed to further enhance Pei Yu's loyalty.

Having decided this, he stopped agonizing over it. He now needed to go out and find the Serpent. He wanted to ask about the matter of his Bloodline Legacy. Since he and the Serpent followed the same path of Cultivation as Yao Beasts, asking him was certainly the right choice. Fortunately, the Serpent was also on the front lines, and the monsters at the Serpent's residence recognized Gu Yuchuan and quickly led him inside.

The Serpent was waiting for him in the bedroom. The moment the Serpent saw Gu Yuchuan, its two triangular pupils widened dramatically, even dilating: "Truly, the younger generations are formidable! I struggled in the Qi Refining Great Perfection Realm for five full years just for this Earthly Fiend Qi before achieving my current Realm. How long has it been since you advanced to Qi Refining Great Perfection, and yet you've already refined the Earthly Fiend Qi? It makes it look like all my years of accumulation were wasted."

His words were sincere. Others might not be able to discern Gu Yuchuan's Earthly Fiend Qi, but as the possessor of an Earthly Fiend Dao Foundation, he could naturally sense it. This newcomer before him had already refined the Earthly Fiend Qi and was about to forge an Earthly Fiend Dao Foundation, just like him.

In fact, to some extent, the two were already competitors. Since their cultivation, Bloodline, and potential were similar, they would definitely affect the attention each received within the Yao Race. However, Gu Yuchuan hadn't realized this yet, as his Earthly Fiend Qi hadn't been exposed. But the Serpent was a magnanimous person, and their relationship was good, so he wasn't angry and wouldn't resort to underhanded tactics. It would simply be a gentlemanly competition.

Gu Yuchuan, however, felt a little flustered hearing the Serpent's words. He was here to seek guidance. If the other party was full of jealousy, could they still answer his questions? Certainly not! Therefore, he needed to offer some praise.

“Brother Serpent, you shouldn't say that. The achievement I have today is also thanks to you pulling me up; otherwise, I definitely wouldn't have my current cultivation. On the contrary, Brother, you hold a high position in the Yao Race and are valued by the higher-ups. I am merely a Small Yao, nowhere near as formidable as you claim.”

His modesty immediately made the Serpent laugh: "Alright, I'm not a petty person. I was just making a comment. We are allies, and your strength benefits me too. You never visit unless you have a purpose. Tell me what you need this time. If I can solve it for you, I will definitely help."

Gu Yuchuan didn't stand on ceremony: "Brother Serpent, I remember you told me that when a member of the Yao Race advances to become a Spirit Beast, they gain a Legacy. But I haven't. I don't even know how to advance to the Foundation Establishment Stage."

The Serpent looked at Gu Yuchuan with slightly murky eyes: "Little Brother, you are a smart person, and our relationship is good, so I won't beat around the bush. I can solve both of these issues, but the favor of imparting the dao is not something that can be repaid easily. Are you sure you want to owe me such major Karma?"

Gu Yuchuan understood that among Cultivators, the Favor of Imparting the Dao was equivalent to the favor of saving a life. By seeking guidance from the Serpent today, he would owe him an enormous debt. But he had no choice. His future was a vast, wide ocean, but he lacked a ship to cross it. Now, seeking out the Serpent was seeking that ship.

He nodded solemnly: "I've thought it through, Brother Serpent. I am willing to owe you this favor. No matter what you need, I am willing to accept it."

The Serpent nodded, feeling very pleased. Forming a deeper connection with someone of great potential was excellent for his own future. If the two of them could truly join forces, the path ahead would be much easier. Moreover, he truly did have one thing he needed done.

“Good. Let me state my request first. If you can accept it, we trade. If not, forget it. Thirty miles east from here lies the Heavenly Profound Secret Realm. It opens next week. Deep inside, there is a Tier 3 spirit fruit, the dragon snake fruit. There are five in total, and I need you to bring me four of them.”

Upon hearing it was the Heavenly Profound Secret Realm, he was immediately willing. After all, he had entered it twice in the simulator and knew exactly what was inside. His cultivation and combat strength were already the strongest in the Heavenly Profound Secret Realm. Even Ning Zhi might only be his equal. Being careful, there shouldn't be any problems.

“Alright, I agree. But what exactly is this dragon snake fruit? I've never heard of it.”

The Serpent burst out laughing: "My mistake, I forgot you don't have your Legacy yet. The dragon snake fruit is a spirit fruit formed from the Bloodline of a Horned Dragon after its death. It can purify our Bloodline. If I eat four, I can advance to become a High-Grade Spirit Beast Horned Dragon, and truly possess some of the divine attributes of the Dragon Clan. I'll leave one for you, so you can get closer to becoming a Serpent."

Gu Yuchuan was very happy. Although one fruit would certainly not be enough for his Bloodline Advancement, taking one step further was the best possible outcome.

“Understood. Please rest assured, I will certainly bring the dragon snake fruit back for you. However, please resolve my confusion first, as this is already affecting my Cultivation.”

The Serpent thought for a moment and nodded: "Alright, then I will tell you now."