Chapter 43: I Seem to Hear the Echo of Invincibility!

Cao Xuan calculated that with Ye Caixuan’s multiplier of fifty, it would mean a rebate of five hundred Superior Qi Gathering Pills. He had no use for that many himself, so he planned to find a way to deal with some through the Spirit Herb Pavilion. As a recognized alchemist of the Azure Cloud Sect, he could also process some on the Alchemy Peak.

Usually, handing in ten pills for the monthly task earned eighty spirit stones as tribute. If he submitted more, it was like earning extra pay through sect tasks—he could make a little side profit. Thinking this over, Cao Xuan turned his attention back to the panel.

[Ding~ Successfully gifted Ye Caixuan ten Superior Qi Gathering Pills, cashback in progress]
[Ding~ Ye Caixuan’s multiplier is fifty. Due to emotional fluctuations at the time of gifting, a critical hit has been triggered!]
[Reward stack: cashback of three Qi Cultivation Advancement Pills!]
[Qi Cultivation Advancement Pill: increases one layer of Qi Cultivation realm with no side effects upon consumption!]

Wait, what? I was just thinking!

Cao Xuan’s mind froze. The moment he saw the Qi Cultivation Advancement Pills, an image inexplicably appeared in his mind—a towering, majestic, and ancient sect, its gate inscribed: “Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sect.”

Brother, can you hear the echo of “invincibility” in your mind?

If invincibility had a sound, it would surely be the “ding-ding” of Wind Spirit Moon Shadow.

Cao Xuan had lived in this world for three years, and cultivated for three years as well! The longing for immortality was etched into his mind.

But cultivation was indeed a bitter path—if your spiritual root was lacking, if your talent was poor, progress was painfully slow.

Fortunately, the system was reliable. He could farm resources, and finally, after enduring enough, cultivation became enjoyable.

Yet with the appearance of these three pills, Cao Xuan realized things were different.

“Qi Cultivation Advancement Pill… Damn, is there an Instant Immortal Pill too?!”

A flood of thoughts swept through him. He suspected it was related to multipliers.

“There must be! But the multiplier isn’t enough. Fifty times isn’t enough. One hundred, a thousand, ten thousand times!”

“As my cultivation rises, the immortals I meet will surely have even higher multipliers!”

His previously calm mindset now burned with excitement.

He couldn’t help it. Recently, he’d been busy refining pills, gathering resources, teaming up with Lin Miaoxuan and Chen Qianru for pill brushing, indulging in the pleasures of alchemy—life was indeed delightful.

But he also discovered that with poor spiritual roots, even abundant resources only took him so far.

Cao Xuan’s mindset had begun to align with Elder Han the Demon: if resources were unlimited, so be it—ten years to Foundation Establishment, a hundred to Golden Core, a thousand to Nascent Soul.

A mortal cultivating to immortality, enduring to the end, could still ascend.

Along the way, he’d cleanse his spiritual roots and improve his aptitude.

He was even prepared for a long-term “war of attrition,” so hiding his strength and biding his time was important.

But at this moment, he suddenly felt he could afford to expose his talent a little, gain the sect’s attention, and step into a wider world.

“Azure Cloud Sect of Yunzhou, Azure Cloud Sect of Central State!”

“These are my stepping stones to immortality!”

After becoming an outer disciple, Cao Xuan didn’t just focus on cultivation. He interacted with others—visited the Library Pavilion for techniques, discussed cultivation tales with fellow disciples.

In the Alchemy Hall, he exchanged insights with other alchemy disciples and senior alchemists.

Cultivation was not a solitary endeavor; more often than not, it was far more complex than imagined.

Sometimes, Cao Xuan encountered bottlenecks and sought advice from the elders at the Transmission Hall.

After all, it had been a long time since he’d gained a complete understanding of a technique through brushing; now he had to comprehend it himself.

Luckily, he had some foundational insights, and with a hint from the Transmission Hall elders, sometimes enlightenment struck.

Now, having unexpectedly received Qi Cultivation Advancement Pills, Cao Xuan’s mindset shifted once more.

“Pills can continue to be refined, serving as cultivation supplements and basic gifts. Who knows, perhaps in the future, I’ll acquire even better items.”

His alchemy skills needed improvement. Even if there really was an Instant Immortal Pill, besides the multiplier, the quality of the base gift couldn’t be too low.

High-quality pills were treasured by many—sometimes impossible to buy. With his mastery of “True Secrets of Alchemy,” as his cultivation progressed, so too would his alchemy.

“And Senior Sister Ye Caixuan is the key target for my next strategy!”

“If I can trigger more critical hits, maybe I’ll reach Foundation Establishment and even Golden Core soon!”

With this realization, Cao Xuan felt his path in external cultivation had become much clearer.

Originally, he was headed to the Azure Cloud Plaza for the Sky Ladder Tournament, but now he detoured toward some temporary abodes set up on the plaza.

These were provided for disciples who, during the tournament, achieved insights and needed to go into seclusion for breakthroughs.

Cultivation wasn’t only about closed-door training; there was also experiencing the mortal world, battlefield killing, cultivator duels—many ways to comprehend techniques and state of mind.

So when Cao Xuan rented a temporary abode, nearby disciples showed a hint of envy. Clearly, this senior brother had gained an insight and was about to break through.

Cao Xuan entered the abode, heart pounding, took out a Qi Cultivation Advancement Pill, and swallowed it whole.

Boom—

Similar to the Qi Gathering Pill, spiritual energy instantly converged around him, but this time, the influx was enormous.

His meridians filled in an instant; his Nine Tempered Spiritual Root flashed wildly in his spiritual platform, and his dantian felt as if it had been holding back for ages, painfully swollen.

Half an hour passed before Cao Xuan opened his eyes, feeling light as a feather.

“Yesterday I was only at the seventh layer of Qi Cultivation, now I’m already at the eighth.”

He took out another Qi Cultivation Advancement Pill, but now his expression was no longer anxious—only resolute!

With all my understanding!

With my boundless wisdom!

With my unrivaled talent!

Qi Cultivation Advancement Pill—add points!

Without hesitation, he circulated his true essence and sensed that the pill had no side effects.

Half an hour later, Cao Xuan emerged at the peak of the ninth layer of Qi Cultivation!

He stroked his chin. “Cultivation tales mention a tenth layer, but both the Transmission Hall and the manuals indicate that the peak of the ninth layer is enough to break through to Foundation Establishment.”

“So I’ve got one more Qi Cultivation Advancement Pill—should I take it or not?”

Now, all he needed was to go to the Library Pavilion, present his inner disciple status, find a suitable Foundation Establishment technique, and procure a Foundation Establishment Pill to break through.

“Forget it. I’ve heard that even with a Foundation Establishment Pill, the success rate is only twenty percent. Let’s try—maybe I can break through directly from the ninth layer, and if not, it wouldn’t be wasted!”

He regretted that the system’s cashback pills couldn’t be farmed repeatedly, otherwise he’d use these Advancement Pills for brushing.

Moreover, with the blessing of his [Affinity with Flora] talent, he couldn’t discern the pill’s ingredient formula—it felt as if it didn’t exist. “Could it be some kind of rule fragment?”

Helpless, Cao Xuan swallowed it in one gulp.

“What’s the point of overthinking? Just do it!”

Half an hour later—

“As expected, Foundation Establishment isn’t as easy as I imagined!”

Cao Xuan: Tenth layer of Qi Cultivation (legendary)!