9: Second Life: First Steps on the Immortal Path (Part 8)

"Xiaoqing, you leave first. I need to see my father."

After returning to the Xu Family, Xu Yuan spoke.

Hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Xiaoqing's beautiful eyes, but she said nothing and simply gave a soft acknowledgement.

Soon, Xu Yuan went to see Xu Longpeng and recounted the entire experience of his previous conversation with the Wu Family.

"Hmph, quite the Wu Family," Xu Longpeng snorted coldly. "Thinking they can exchange a single Spirit Gathering Pill for my Xu Family's Foundation Establishment Method—they certainly have it all figured out!"

"I suspect that when I asked Xiaoqing to leave just now, she thought I had already fallen for the trap and was coming to ask you for the Foundation Establishment Method, Father," Xu Yuan said with a smile.

"That Foundation Establishment Method is the very foundation upon which our Xu Family stands; it must never be leaked to outsiders," Xu Longpeng said coldly.

"If we don't give the Wu Family some incentive, I'm afraid they will soon realize we're playing them. If they attack early in a fit of rage, it would be disadvantageous for our Xu Family," Xu Yuan said.

"Hmm?" Xu Longpeng frowned. "Then Yuan'er, do you mean to give our Xu Family's Foundation Establishment Method to the Wu Family for nothing?"

"Naturally, we must give it," Xu Yuan grinned. "However, we should give it slowly, gradually, and according to a plan."

"What do you mean?" Xu Longpeng pressed, puzzled.

"First, provide a portion to lure the Wu Family in, enticing them to continue investing resources."

Xu Yuan explained.

"First, provide the first small part of the Foundation Establishment Method for the Wu Family to verify. Once they find it to be genuine, they will surely take the bait and won't realize their scheme has been discovered by us."

"After that, we just need to find excuses—like you thinking I'm being too ambitious and that it's too early for me to touch the Foundation Establishment Method since I've just reached the Mid-Stage of Qi Refining—and the Wu Family won't be suspicious."

"With the complete Foundation Establishment Method as bait, the Wu Family will be more confident in their scheme and will continue to pour resources into me to obtain the full method."

"All I'll do is provide a small part of the subsequent Foundation Establishment Method every time I make a Breakthrough, just to keep them hooked. As long as the final core content isn't leaked, the Wu Family knowing the earlier parts is useless."

"It sounds feasible, but are you so sure the Wu Family will take the bait? That they won't realize something is wrong halfway through?" Xu Longpeng frowned.

"The Wu Family will take the bait. After all, they already have a Spirit Gathering Pill as a sunk cost," Xu Yuan smiled confidently. "If they give up now, it would mean that Spirit Gathering Pill was completely wasted. The Wu Family might not accept that, and besides, we aren't completely depriving them of hope."

Xu Longpeng remained silent, and the room fell into a heavy stillness. Xu Yuan didn't rush him, simply standing quietly to the side, waiting for Xu Longpeng's decision.

"Fine, you shall have full responsibility for this matter, Yuan'er," Xu Longpeng finally said slowly. "I will pass the Xu Family's Foundation Establishment Method to you now. You will control how much to give the Wu Family each time. Except for the final Foundation Formation Method, which must never be leaked, the other parts are fine."

Then, Xu Longpeng slowly recited the Xu Family's secret Foundation Establishment Method, the Nine Fire Condensation Flame, teaching it to Xu Yuan.

Xu Yuan was, after all, a Cultivator at the Mid-Stage of Qi Refining; his senses were sharp and his memory exceptional. After hearing it only three times, he had firmly memorized the complex Nine Fire Condensation Flame.

The essence of the Nine Fire Condensation Flame was the refinement of fire-attribute Spiritual Qi. Through nine compressions and refinements, one could attempt to condense a Scorching Baleful Dao Foundation to achieve Foundation Establishment.

Although the Nine Fire Condensation Flame seemed simple, it was extremely difficult to Cultivate.

Fire-attribute Spiritual Qi is known for being violent. Every time the Spiritual Qi is refined, one must endure its backlash. Furthermore, with each successful refinement, the difficulty of the next one increases exponentially. The final refinement, in particular, is a life-or-death gamble.

However, there is no gain without loss. While the Nine Fire Condensation Flame is difficult to practice, the combat power after condensing a Scorching Baleful Dao Foundation is terrifying.

This was why, even though the Xu Family Ancestor was nearing his end, the Wu Family only dared to use schemes in the shadows rather than having the Wu Family Ancestor visit in person.

"Although the Nine Fire Condensation Flame only condenses the Scorching Baleful Dao Foundation during the Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, it seems the Spiritual Qi refinement method within it isn't only for those at the 9th Layer of Qi Refining?"

Xu Yuan recalled the Nine Fire Condensation Flame in his mind and spoke with some doubt.

"Correct. The Spiritual Qi refinement method can be practiced during the Qi Condensation stage, and each refinement will increase the power of fire-attribute techniques," Xu Longpeng nodded, but then changed his tone. "However, within the Xu Family, no one practices the Nine Fire Condensation Flame before attempting the Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment at the 9th Layer of Qi Refining."

"Why?" Xu Yuan asked. If it could increase the power of techniques, then practicing the Nine Fire Condensation Flame was undoubtedly a good thing.

"First, the Nine Fire Condensation Flame is the Family's fundamental Foundation Establishment Method, so it naturally won't be leaked easily."

"Second, the Spiritual Qi refinement method is extremely painful. It cannot be practiced by those without a resilient mind, making it unsuitable for younger Family members who have just begun their journey of cultivation."

"Third, each refinement consumes a significant amount of resources. Even if the refinement is successful, as the Realm breaks through and the Qi Sea grows, the body can hold more Spiritual Qi, causing the previously refined Spiritual Qi to become loose again, requiring re-refinement."

Xu Longpeng explained.

Xu Yuan pondered for a moment after hearing this, only to realize with amazement that this Spiritual Qi refinement method was perfectly suited for him!

"Father, I plan to refine my Spiritual Qi ahead of time."

After some consideration, Xu Yuan immediately decided to practice the Spiritual Qi refinement method within the Nine Fire Condensation Flame.

Upon hearing this, Xu Longpeng's first reaction was to refuse. It wasn't that he was stingy with resources, but Xu Yuan was only sixteen and had only recently stepped onto the path of immortal cultivation. He hadn't experienced much tempering and might not be able to withstand the pain of refining Spiritual Qi.

But what Xu Longpeng didn't know was that although Xu Yuan was only sixteen in this life, he still retained the memories of his previous life!

In his previous life, Xu Yuan had managed to climb his way up from nothing to become a Guardian General of the State. How could his mind not be considered resilient?

The only trouble might be that refining Spiritual Qi required a large amount of resources, but who told Xu Yuan that he now had an "angel investor"?

"Father, there's no need to persuade me. My mind is made up. Our Xu Family needs to use every means possible to increase our combat power in a short time. This Spiritual Qi refinement method is an excellent way!"

"Most importantly, the Spiritual Qi refinement method is very discreet. Unless I take action, others won't be able to notice it. It can provide a surprise effect at a critical moment, perhaps even turning the tide of battle!"

Before Xu Longpeng could speak, Xu Yuan spoke first, cutting off the words of discouragement his father was about to say.

"But you are only sixteen, after all," Xu Longpeng sighed. "The pain of refining Spiritual Qi is far beyond your imagination. You shouldn't have to bear all of this."

"I am the Young Family Head of the Xu Family. Since I began my cultivation, the Family has poured a vast amount of resources into me. That's why my cultivation speed has far surpassed my peers. Otherwise, with my Aptitude, it would have been impossible to reach the 4th Level of Qi Condensation at this age."

"Now that the Family is in danger, I will naturally shoulder all of this!"

"This is my responsibility, and my mission!"

"I will become strong enough to lead the Family in fifteen years..."

...and wipe out the Wu Family!"