Chapter 44: Cao Xuan, Step Forward and Meet Your Death!

At this moment, Cao Xuan felt a mysterious insight deep within—if he wished to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, all he needed was a slight "push," and success would surely follow.

"So the legendary tenth level of Qi Refining truly exists, and its effect is to greatly increase the chances of successfully establishing a foundation."

"I suppose now, with just a single Foundation Establishment Pill, I could break through to the next stage!"

He had reached the seventh level of Qi Refining through diligent cultivation. Although he’d had a modest boost from some pills, he was keenly aware of his own progress. The sensation of whether one could break through each stage—the so-called bottleneck, as cultivators called it—could be distinctly felt.

Yet bottlenecks varied in size. Before his system was activated, advancing from the second to the third level of Qi Refining felt like standing at the base of a massive dam, without any supernatural abilities, climbing slowly with only a rope.

With the help of Gathering Qi Pills and Condensing Qi Powder, breaking through to the fourth level was like suddenly strapping on a glider and soaring over the dam.

Now, at the tenth level of Qi Refining, the Foundation Establishment stage lay in another realm entirely.

Just recently, after taking his second Qi Refining Pill and reaching the ninth level, he could sense the bottleneck to Foundation Establishment. It was a heavenly gate, impossible to cross without the aid of a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Of course, Cao Xuan had long been prepared. He had spent many years in the sect; he was no novice. Foundation Establishment was not merely another stage in a game to be passed with a single word. In truth, Foundation Establishment was the true beginning of cultivation. To establish the foundation was to lay the groundwork for the Dao, transcending the ordinary and entering the extraordinary.

So, at the ninth level, facing this insurmountable chasm, he wasn’t disheartened, but ready for a protracted struggle.

Yet, approaching the tenth level with a spirit of exploration, he suddenly discovered that the Foundation Establishment stage had become a locked door. All he needed was the key—a single Foundation Establishment Pill—and he could walk through and break into the new realm.

In that instant, he felt a powerful yearning: to obtain the pill and immediately break through.

"In the Azure Cloud Sect, there are three ways to acquire a Foundation Establishment Pill. One is to spend five hundred spirit stones at the Pill Recipe Pavilion on the Alchemy Peak to purchase the recipe and refine it yourself. The second is to seek an alchemist capable of crafting Foundation Establishment Pills at Alchemy Peak, though their demands are unpredictable. The third is through the sect itself—by completing designated sect tasks or participating in various competitions, such as the Sky Ladder Tournament."

Talented disciples naturally received the sect’s support, but rewards always came with effort. Those who received without working for it rarely became true prodigies; more often, they became useless.

Cao Xuan considered buying the recipe for five hundred spirit stones and refining the pill himself, but this method had its flaws.

First, producing such a large sum of spirit stones would raise suspicions. And after obtaining the recipe, he’d need to buy ingredients for the pill, which could cost even more. Even if the initial five hundred stones didn’t attract attention, a subsequent surge in purchases would make it obvious he possessed considerable wealth.

Given the recent appearance of top-quality pills in the Azure Cloud Mountains, it wouldn’t be hard for others to deduce the mysterious alchemist was likely him.

Although Cao Xuan knew the Azure Cloud Sect was righteous, he had no desire to gamble on human nature.

Geniuses with nine-tempered spiritual roots were not uncommon in the sect, but those capable of crafting top-tier elixirs were rare. If the sect decided to employ some covert means—damaging his meridians or hindering his cultivation—then lavishly supporting him so he’d devote himself to pill-making, he’d be bound to the sect for life.

It may sound far-fetched, but if the sect acted discreetly, and he couldn’t detect it, while they spent heavily on his upkeep, and then sent a female disciple to ensure his lineage, he’d have no option but to serve them for the rest of his days.

Of course, this was only one possibility Cao Xuan considered; things might be more subtle.

Thus, before he had the power to protect himself, Cao Xuan did not wish to expose his talent for alchemy.

To him, alchemy was simply a means to gather resources, mainly for gifts and reciprocation.

Cultivation talent, by contrast, was different. If he cultivated quickly without conflicting with the sect’s interests or offending its elders, the Azure Cloud Sect would surely hope for his strength to grow.

In truth, the same logic applied to alchemy; the sect wished to use it to strengthen itself, sacrificing the few for the many.

The Immortal Lord of Great Love saw this clearly—organizations exist for such purposes.

Righteousness and evil are but a thought apart.

Of course, Cao Xuan would never voice such rebellious thoughts. He was within the Azure Cloud Sect, and must act according to its rules.

"Just as Fang Baiyu asked for a challenge, now that I’ve reached the tenth level of Qi Refining, winning the championship shouldn’t be a problem."

...

A clear chime rang out.

Fang Baiyu swung his sword. The "Azure Origin Sword," at the stage of minor mastery, was virtually unrivaled among those at the fourth level of Qi Refining.

"Fang Baiyu, ten victories without defeat! Reward: five Gathering Qi Pills, one bottle of Bone Strengthening Powder, and a free copy of a technique from the Scripture Pavilion!"

In the Sky Ladder Tournament, battles were fought between peers. Ten consecutive victories allowed one to challenge the champions of the same realm, and the one with the most wins became the tournament’s champion.

The sect also encouraged cross-realm challenges, with generous rewards for those who succeeded.

Fang Baiyu’s ten victories were partly due to most outer disciples at the fourth level not being skilled in techniques, but also demonstrated the power of his minor mastery of the "Azure Origin Sword."

If Fang Baiyu had been apprehensive earlier—after all, Cao Xuan’s imposing presence suggested he was not to be trifled with—now, with ten victories behind him, he brimmed with confidence. To him, Cao Xuan, also at the fourth level, was no opponent.

"Unless you’ve brought an attack technique to minor mastery, you’re no match for me."

"Besides, I have five-tempered spiritual roots, while he has only four. He can’t possibly match my comprehension."

"In half a year, I barely managed to bring the ‘Azure Origin Sword’ to minor mastery. How could Cao Xuan, with his qualifications, even dare to show his face now?"

So thought Fang Baiyu, smiling as he surveyed the surrounding arenas, considering whether to challenge another fourth-level arena master.

Indeed, ten victories, long sword in hand, gave Fang Baiyu a certain charm.

Many female disciples nearby gazed at him, their eyes bright, thinking how best to exchange spirit messages with this senior brother and deepen their "friendship" later.

Just then, Cao Xuan arrived, clad in a single-patterned azure robe, making his way slowly to the scene.

A metallic note rang out.

Upon seeing Cao Xuan, Fang Baiyu swung his sword, which sang as it cut through the air.

"Cao Xuan, come up and accept your fate!"