"Thank you, Uncle," Du Man'er exclaimed in elation. Her eyes shone with gratitude, and she wasted no time in blurting out another question in a soft, trembling tone: "Uncle, how did you see that? And… will I be able to regain my former appearance?"
At the moment of asking, her heart beat with anxious uncertainty. Du Man'er, despite her inherent talents, had access to but a handful of alchemy books—a luxury that Fang Jin Yu enjoyed in abundance thanks to his elevated Foundation status and vast permissions.
Fang Jin Yu offered a gentle smile as he replied, "I happened to see it in one of the texts. In that moment, I was filled with wonder at the magic of this miraculous pill. As to whether you can regain your former beauty … that, I am not entirely sure. But remember, as a Foundation cultivator you are fated to have a lifespan of around two hundred years. Even if the pill does not fully reverse your appearance, you will be blessed with a long period during which you remain as youthful as you are now."
Du Man'er's face lit up with mixture of relief and renewed hope. "Thank you for your guidance, Uncle," she murmured, her tone sincere. After a pause—and as if summoning courage—she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a soft whisper.
It wasn't a secret meant in hushed conspiracies; rather, Du Man'er confided that she had recently witnessed something odd. She recalled a Qi Condensation disciple of the Tian Ling Sect—just at the ninth level—who had been seen wielding a pair of inferior, thunder-elemental spirit weapons at the training ground. The way he demonstrated their power had caught her attention.
At the mention of these thunder-attribute spirit tools, Fang Jin Yu's expression shifted subtly. He remembered well that not long ago the Tian Ling Sect's leader had declared he would reward him with a pair of such thunder-elemental (albeit lower-grade) spirit weapons, in recognition of uncovering a deceit at the dark market. Though considered "inferior" by conventional grading, thunder-elemental spirit tools were rare even in the entire cultivation world. Their reputation was built on their enormous power and scarcity. Indeed, even a lower-grade thunder spirit weapon might normally be more valuable than a decent mid-grade spirit weapon—and with no open market for these, their worth was measured solely by reputation and by the few fortunate enough to possess one.
Du Man'er's recollection stirred memories in Fang Jin Yu. He recalled that on that fateful day, the sect leader had spoken of handing a pair of these thunder-attribute spirit tools over to him as a token of reward. Du Man'er had been present at that moment, and so she was well aware of the arrangement.
"Let me go and check with the leader," Fang Jin Yu said, his tone now brisk as he recollected that, when he was out of seclusion, he had expected the spirit weapon to be delivered to him. Yet, upon leaving the sect, neither a magical token nor a messenger had come. Now, as he journeyed up Tian Ling Peak in search of answers, he waited for a long while before finally encountering the sect leader.
After a brief discussion, Fang Jin Yu's face grew troubled. In a hushed exchange later, he revealed his frustration: "I've taken note of this loss. The leader said that a Golden Core alchemist's grandson had already taken away that pair of thunder-attribute spirit tools three days ago. He gave me two choices—to wait until another such pair was collected within the sect, or to be compensated with 2,000 spirit stones."
Fang Jin Yu's mind reeled at the thought. Two thousand spirit stones for a pair of these coveted thunder-attribute spirit tools? In his experience, even 5,000 stones might not fetch such an item on the open market. Yet in his current predicament no choice was given. Forced by circumstance and by the knowledge that his role in uncovering the dark market scam had ruffled powerful interests, he realized that many influential parties now had reason to resent him. A mere fraudulent scheme could not have provided enough profit for three Qi Condensation cultivators—especially when these disciples boasted possession of a mid-grade spirit weapon of array formation. In the entire cultivation world, attributes mattered greatly, and if you could obtain a thunder-elemental spirit tool or even a rare medicinal treasure that allowed you to forge one, it would be reserved exclusively for personal use, never to be circulated!
As if to add insult to injury, thunder-elemental spirit tools in the Tian Ling Sect were nearly unique. The only pair in the entire sect was forged of a set of hammer and nail designs—a combination so rare that not only was it treasured immensely, but it also served as a status symbol among practitioners of array formations, the pinnacle of defensive technique.
Fang Jin Yu's mind churned with further indignation and calculation. He recalled murmurs of rebellion among Golden Core alchemists. "At that moment," he mentally noted, "one Golden Core cultivator from that mountain arrived along with two more Golden Core alchemists. One of them, to avoid drawing suspicion, quietly stepped aside. There's likely more to this quarrel among Golden Core cultivators than meets the eye!"
These thoughts spurred his next decision. Until the Lingdu Secret Realm opened, he resolved never to leave the sacred grounds of the "L-Zhao Spirit Medicine Peak." Compared with Xiahe Peak, L-Zhao had an atmosphere saturated with richer spiritual energy—a factor that had long influenced the distribution of Foundation cultivators. For instance, many who originally hailed from Xiahe Peak had since migrated to other peaks. Fang Jin Yu, being a newly-promoted Foundation cultivator, would not willingly return to Xiahe Peak unless absolutely necessary; he had already switched cultivation techniques once before, and his pride would not allow him to fall back so easily.
A Day of Laboratory Trials and Breakthroughs
The day's toll in the alchemy chamber was heavy—an exhausting day of refining pills with little apparent progress in his alchemical technique. In the official records of his cultivation diary, it read: "Today, though I labored diligently at refining pills, my alchemy skills gained almost no new breakthroughs." "Refinement acquired: Alchemy Technique Level 1."
In that moment, the entire corpus of alchemical knowledge that once had only been pages in ancient texts seemed to surge alive in his mind. It was as if all the theories, formulas, and experimental insights converged and suddenly sparked within him—a moment of clarity that propelled his understanding of pill-making.
The next day, with a renewed spark of confidence, he fired up his furnace once more. This time, his success rate for crafting "Yi Qi Bu Yuan Dan" (an elixir meant to replenish energy and fortify one's spirit) soared to a steady twenty percent. The result was both astonishing and exhilarating; it was as if he had suddenly discovered a secret formula that unlocked the hidden potential of his alchemical craft.
"Truly, I am an alchemy prodigy!" he declared with a bold grin. Though many Foundation cultivators were modest about their gains, Fang Jin Yu now allowed himself to boast—if only to affirm his own rising self-worth. For a new Foundation cultivator, such an achievement was no small matter.
Days passed in rapid succession, and luck seemed to remain by his side. Within only a few days, his refining success for the Yi Qi Bu Yuan Dan skyrocketed further, eventually reaching an almost unbelievable ninety percent. Such an astronomical rate of success was unheard of—a level of efficiency that could easily set him apart within the alchemical subculture of the sect. With every batch of pills forged, his personal wealth in spirit stones accumulated, and his renown spread widely. Yet Fang Jin Yu was prudent; he did not sell every single one he produced. When selling the Yi Qi Bu Yuan Dan to Tian Ling Sect, the reputation of each sale was meticulously recorded with the purchaser's name. For this reason, he only sold about thirty percent of his production, keeping the remainder for his own further cultivation.
Remarkably, even that modest sale was enough: it sent ripples of acclaim from within the famed L-Zhao Spirit Medicine Peak to the outer reaches of the sect. Word spread that Fang Jin Yu possessed extraordinary alchemy talent—a reputation that would be hard pressed to ignore in the competitive realm of pill-making.
Yet on this very day, fate took another unexpected turn. As if guided by a magical arrow, Fang Jin Yu's inner senses—its quiet but piercing intuition honed through the Fate Calculation Technique—detected another potential opportunity. Once again, a small arrow-like sign manifested; but this time, its direction pointed away from the inner sanctum of the Tian Ling Sect, toward the exteriors of the sect's territory.
After much deliberation, Fang Jin Yu resolved to "ride the chance" – to discreetly sneak in a bit of opportunity. In his calculation, if he could accompany Du Man'er outside the confines of the sect to wander among the mortal realm of Yuan City, he might be able to gather data on external events that could prove even more advantageous. With Du Man'er's fortuitous luck—her unique disposition and resilient qi even in peril—he was confident that any dangers encountered in the city could be transformed into good fortune. After all, Yuan City was a mixed settlement of ordinary folk and cultivators alike. It was a realm where the boundaries of danger and opportunity blurred.
Thus, with a plan in mind to meet Du Man'er, Fang Jin Yu decided to offer her a gift: five Yi Qi Bu Yuan Dan. In return, he requested that she, with her innate connection and familiarity with the outer world, escort him on a little tour outside Tian Ling Sect—specifically, to wander around Yuan City. With this arrangement, he hoped to observe firsthand the interplay of mortal and cultivator energies in that bustling metropolis. Moreover, through this excursion he might glean further insight into the unspoken undercurrents of qi and spirit that often portended future opportunities.
For Du Man'er, who had already endured great hardship and who owed her life to the benevolence of Fang Jin Yu, such an invitation was met with warmth. She recalled the debt of gratitude that she felt—and even if she did not care for any spirit pills for her own use, she gladly agreed to accompany him. In her mind, a brief journey outside the confines of the sect's sanctuary might be just the respite she needed—a chance to reconnect with her old home in Yuan City.
Their journey soon led them to a stall set up by a small Qi Condensation cultivator on the fringe of the market. Fang Jin Yu glanced at the stall, an inward exclamation escaping him as he muttered, "This routine is so old…" He could predict along every step what the ensuing events would be—a tired and timeworn script that had played out too many times before. Yet even so, he could not help but be amused by the well-worn familiarity of the situation.
A Cascade of Revelations on the Road Ahead
As the day progressed, conversation mixed with commerce and subtle revelations. Du Man'er's earlier inquiries about restoring one's appearance had given way to more pressing issues. In the midst of discussing her fate and how her visage might be preserved for the two hundred years her Foundation state could grant her, Du Man'er mentioned that she had witnessed a Qi Condensation disciple demonstrating a pair of thunder-elemental, lower-grade spirit weapons. For Fang Jin Yu, this detail struck a nerve. He remembered once again the promise made by the Tian Ling Sect leader—how a pair of such coveted thunder-attribute spirit tools was to be granted to him as a reward for uncovering a fraudulent scheme at the dark market. The thunder element, even for a lower-grade item, carried a weight of rarity and power unmatched by many mid-grade spirit tools. In fact, within the entire Tian Ling Sect, only one such pair was said to exist—a pair forged from a hammer and a nail that epitomized the harsh beauty of the thunder element and set the standard for array spirit weapons.
Fang Jin Yu's thoughts raced. When he later sought an audience with the sect leader on Tian Ling Peak, he learned that the leader had given him an ultimatum: either wait for the sect to collecte another thunder-attribute spirit tool (a process that might take an indeterminate amount of time), or accept a compensation of 2,000 spirit stones instead. His mind churned in disbelief—2,000 spirit stones for an item for which even a mid-grade spirit tool might cost several thousand. Yet in his current position there was no alternative; he was forced to take the spirit stones, a bitter pill indeed in light of the many influential parties now likely angered by his actions at the dark market. For if his previous exploits had indeed upset a delicate network of interests, then even a modest reward such as this might be the least he could receive.
Nonetheless, this incident confirmed another grim truth: the dark market scam he had uncovered was likely just the tip of a vast iceberg, one in which many more powerful forces profited from subterfuge. The mere fact that a group of nine-level Qi Condensation disciples could possess not one but even a mid-grade spirit tool—and an entire array spirit weapon at that—was evidence enough of deep, intricate networks at play. In the world of spirit-imbued tools, thunder attributes were prized above all, their scarcity ensuring that even if they were available, they would never be sold openly. They were so potent that when combined with the rare medicinal treasures needed for refining them, they were reserved solely for personal use by those in the highest circle of cultivation.
Fang Jin Yu's mind was a whirlwind of strategic calculations. He recalled how, on that day, one Golden Core cultivator from the same mountain had arrived, soon followed by two more Golden Core practitioners. One of them had, without a word, stepped aside to avoid any appearance of partiality—a move that hinted at internal conflicts even among those supposedly united at higher levels. It became increasingly clear that the incident was embroiled in internal strife among Golden Core cultivators. The thought stirred something in Fang Jin Yu, and in that moment he resolved that until the Lingdu Secret Realm opened, he would not leave the confines of the L‑Zhao Spirit Medicine Peak. Even though no Golden Core masters resided there, its spiritual energy was richer and far superior to that of Xiahe Peak. In days past, many Foundation cultivators who once belonged to Xiahe had long since migrated to other peaks; his own decision to remain at L‑Zhao was both by necessity and by calculated ambition.
Earlier that day, Du Man'er had wholeheartedly accepted Fang Jin Yu's invitation—not only because she remembered the life-saving grace he had once extended toward her, but also because she herself had grown to appreciate the rare chances to walk beyond the confines of Tian Ling Sect. This time, Fang Jin Yu did not press her to accept a specific elixir. Instead, he simply followed the directional pulse—that familiar arrow from his Fate Calculation Technique—while Du Man'er trailed behind in quiet, content companionship. She trusted him implicitly; wherever he led, she was willing to follow. It was as if his inner guidance was the tether linking their destinies together.
Their journey soon brought them to the stall of a minor Qi Condensation cultivator. Fang Jin Yu shot a wry, inward chuckle. "This is the old tired routine…" he thought. Despite his long experience with such set scripts in various markets, he could already anticipate what was about to unfold—a precisely predictable series of events that, while repetitive, still held a certain charm in its familiarity.
Winding Paths of Fate and Opportunity
In the following hours, the narrative of that day continued to unfold in both predictable and unpredictable ways. Du Man'er, still buoyed by the hope of salvaging her lost beauty, pressed on with questions and curiosities that not only concerned her personal fate but also touched on the broader networks and power dynamics of the sect. Fang Jin Yu, ever the patient mentor, answered each query with measured words that refrained from promising miracles. He explained that although the alchemical miracles of the Foundation state might not always reverse every scar of past hardships, the longevity granted by a two-hundred-year life at that stage was a blessing that ensured a prolonged period of youthful radiance.
Their conversation drifted—from discussions of appearance and the blessings of longevity to matters of spirit weapons and the intricate politics behind them. Du Man'er recalled that she had seen a Qi disciple demonstrating the might of thunder-attribute spirit tools at a distant training arena. This detail set Fang Jin Yu's thoughts ablaze because he remembered so clearly the reward promised by the Tian Ling Sect leader after Fang Jin Yu's bold exposure of the dark market fraud. The thunder-attribute tools, though labeled "inferior," were coveted beyond measure in the cultivation world. To possess even one such tool was to command an aura of esteem and to potentially tap into a network of hidden influence.
Yet fate, always capricious, had not insured him against all misfortune. When Fang Jin Yu finally met the sect leader on Tian Ling Peak, the news he received was disheartening. Not only had the promised throne of spirit tools been snatched away by a Golden Core cultivator's grandson, but the sect leader now forced him into a choice he did not relish—a paltry compensation of 2,000 spirit stones. The bitter taste of this loss mingled with deep-seated anger, for Fang Jin Yu knew that even 5,000 spirit stones might never be enough to buy such a treasured tool in open commerce. Yet as the machinations of the dark market scam and the ensuing conflicts among cultivators began to swirl in his mind, he realized that his actions that day had already offended powerful interests. No longer could he simply trade without consequence—the stakes had risen far higher.
In response, Fang Jin Yu resolved to ride out the storm. Until the Lingdu Secret Realm opened, he would remain steadfast at L‑Zhao Spirit Medicine Peak. There, hidden among peaks and fortified by meticulously built arrays, he would wait, plan, and gather his wits. In that solitude, he would even devote a portion of his time to "pilling" his inner cultivation. With every spirit elixir he consumed, he experienced a surge of ecstatic clarity—a real taste of what it meant to transcend the mortal coil in a single bound. It was during one such session of closed-door cultivation that all the alchemical knowledge he possessed coalesced. His mind raced with formulas and techniques until, by the time he reopened the furnace the next day, he was able not only to maintain but to boost his success rate for crafting Yi Qi Bu Yuan Dan to an impressive twenty percent.
That achievement lit a fire in him. "I really am an alchemy prodigy!" he declared, unable to contain the thrill of his breakthrough. For an emerging Foundation cultivator, such self-assured boasts might seem shameless, but for Fang Jin Yu they were the affirmation of years of grueling practice. His newfound efficiency not only promised him immeasurable personal wealth in spirit stones but also a growing reputation that would ensure his name spread far beyond L‑Zhao Peak.
Not long after, luck seemed to crown his efforts. Over the course of a few days, his success rate in refining Yi Qi Bu Yuan Dan surged to an astronomical ninety percent. Such numbers were unheard of—a nearly miraculous efficiency that bolstered his alchemical portfolio and, in turn, his personal stores of spirit stones. However, mindful of the scrutiny that came with high-value transactions (for sales to Tian Ling Sect required meticulous record-keeping, complete with names attached), he intentionally chose to release only thirty percent of his pills. Even that modest volume was enough to establish his reputation as a rising alchemical genius, and soon the whispers of his remarkable talent spread like wildfire among the sect's practitioners.
But fate had one more twist in store that day. Another arrow-like sign—a subtle, yet distinct pulse from his Fate Calculation Technique—appeared. Unlike previous indicators that pointed him inward toward his own alchemical or cultivation ventures, this time the direction beckoned him away from the secure haven of the Tian Ling Sect. After much hesitation, driven by both curiosity and the relentless drive to seize every sliver of opportunity, Fang Jin Yu decided to "absorb a bit of fortune." In a bold move, he approached Du Man'er and offered her five Yi Qi Bu Yuan Dan with a simple request: "Please, accompany me for a tour of Yuan City outside of Tian Ling Sect's territory."
He reasoned that, with her unique elemental aptitude—even if her fate was fraught with danger—she might be able to navigate the precarious balance between misfortune and blessing. Yuan City was a bustling, mixed metropolis of mere mortals and cultivators, free from the overbearing jurisdiction of any imperial court. Its origins lay in the union of Tian Ling Sect disciples who had, over generations, built families and communities beyond the rigid boundaries of the official courts. Du Man'er, having moved to Yuan City before joining the sect, was no stranger to its ways. In fact, with her distinguished five-element spirit root, she had been given special consideration and even exceptional entry into the revered Spirit Medicine Peak. Had she not possessed such extraordinary talent, her career would have remained stagnated among Qi Condensation practitioners.
Thus, when Du Man'er received Fang Jin Yu's invitation, she greeted it with genuine delight. Though the offer involved leaving behind the relative safety of the sect, she was eager for even a small excursion—perhaps a chance to return home and reconnect with old acquaintances in Yuan City. Fang Jin Yu himself made no demand for her to accept or for her to cling to a particular destination. With only the pulsing arrow as his guide, he led her along a meandering path until they reached a modest stall. This stall, operated by a humble Qi Condensation cultivator, was all too familiar—a tired, predictable routine. Fang Jin Yu couldn't help but silently chuckle as he predicted the ensuing drama that he had seen play out countless times before in the marketplace.
The Intricate Web of Opportunity
At that stall, as events began to unfold in painstaking detail, Fang Jin Yu's inner thoughts turned to the many threads of fate interwoven through these seemingly mundane events. He recalled, with a wry smile, the words of praise and criticism he had received earlier from Du Man'er, and all the while his mind wandered back to the memories of Su Yi'er's pond. In that legendary pond, the "old fish" was not truly an old fish at all—it was a venerable Yuan Ying ancestor renowned for his amorous exploits. Before Su Yi'er had dared to undertake the dangerous Pill-Smashing to Form an Infant process, that ancient master had repeatedly cautioned her about the perils involved. He had warned that any misstep might lead not just to being unable to solidify one's Yuan Ying status, but in dire cases, the soul might irreversibly separate from the body—or worse, be forced into reincarnation. In truth, even a mishap during the process signified that the cultivator had brushed very closely against the threshold of that ultimate realm. In recognition of this near miss, Heaven granted such a cultivator up to three opportunities for rebirth. By all accounts, the little girl now accompanying him bore many of the hallmarks of one who had once floundered at that very threshold, only to reappear with a destiny forever altered.
Fang Jin Yu had little need to delve into lengthy explanations with her; he had already taken her in, brought her to the protective environs of Xiahe Peak, and, after instructing her in controlling the array that guarded the outer rim of the Inner-Domain, had promptly entered his own period of closed-door cultivation. Though he had physically withdrawn from Xiahe Peak, he maintained his residence in his carefully prepared cave—a safe haven he had paid for at great expense in spirit stones. To secure his retreat further, he had invested several thousand stones in creating a defensive formation known as the "Mountain Formation." This formation, which cleverly used the natural strength of the local terrain, was nearly impenetrable to all but the most determined of Foundation cultivators. Its advantages were that it required no continuous expenditure of magical power, only a sufficiency of spirit stone energy—an engineering feat that even some mortal nobles employed for their stately mansions.
That day in the realm of alchemy, despite the grind and setbacks—described in his alchemy diary as "a hard day with little progress in refining alchemical techniques" and "Technique Extraction: Alchemy Technique 1"—the experience fundamentally changed him. As if in a flash, every piece of alchemical lore and every memory tied to the craft surged through his mind. The accumulated knowledge, once dormant in the dusty pages of ancient treatises, now burst to life in a cascade of ideas. And indeed, when he next lit his furnace the following day, his success rate for crafting Yi Qi Bu Yuan Dan was sustained at a promising twenty percent.
This achievement ignited within him a fervor of passion. "I truly am an alchemy genius!" he declared in a blend of self-praise and disbelief—a young Foundation cultivator daring to extol his own talents. His confidence was infectious: in a few days, as luck continued to smile upon him and every fasting trial yielded further insight, his crafting success for the restorative elixir soared dramatically—eventually reaching an astounding ninety percent. Such numbers were nearly unheard of among his peers and they not only boosted his personal fortune but also his reputation among cultivation circles.
Yet, ever cautious of exposing every detail of his breakthroughs to those who might use them against him, Fang Jin Yu chose to sell only thirty percent of his Yi Qi Bu Yuan Dan. For every pill the sect purchased, the transaction was officially noted with his name—a process that would both elevate his status and potentially draw unwanted attention. And indeed, within a short span, news of his phenomenal talent spread quickly throughout L‑Zhao Spirit Medicine Peak. His reputation as a formidable alchemist was sealed.
But fate was wont to twist the paths of ambition further. In the midst of these bustling developments, another arrow-like sign from his Fate Calculation Technique materialized—this time pointing decidedly away from Tian Ling Sect's premises. After a long moment of hesitation, he decided to seize this opportunity. Resolute, he approached Du Man'er once again and, with a conspiratorial grin, offered her five Yi Qi Bu Yuan Dan. "Please, take these and accompany me for a walk around Yuan City outside of Tian Ling Sect," he requested earnestly.
His reasoning was clear: with her robust elemental affinity and seemingly resilient luck, even if dangers lay in wait, she might be able to see through them—translating misfortune into success. Yuan City was a sprawling, eclectic metropolis where mortals and cultivators coexisted—a place unbound by any court's jurisdiction, a sanctuary for those who sought life's freedoms beyond the rigid rules of heaven and earth. Originally established by Tian Ling Sect disciples who eventually married, settled, and forged distinct communities, Yuan City had grown into a sprawling haven outside the reach of traditional authorities. Du Man'er, having lived there for many years even before joining the sect, was essentially a native. Without her unique five-element spirit root, she might never have been granted exceptional access to Spirit Medicine Peak.
Grateful for his previous help and the bonds that had grown between them, Du Man'er readily accepted Fang Jin Yu's invitation. "I'll take you there," she said with a mixture of admiration and relief. And so, they set off together. Du Man'er, as was her habit, faithfully followed wherever Fang Jin Yu led—he had yet to specify a destination clearly, and she trusted his internal guidance unreservedly.
Eventually, their wandering brought them to a stall run by a minor Qi Condensation cultivator. Fang Jin Yu glanced at the run-of-the-mill setup and inwardly muttered, "This routine is so old…" For he already anticipated every next twist in the encounter—it was the same tired script played out countless times before, and he had seen its conclusion in his mind many times over.
In the Marketplace of Mortal and Mystic Worlds
At the stall, the scene unfolded as expected. The Qi cultivator was busy presenting his wares—a collection of mundane charms and energy pills—casting a knowing glance that suggested he had rehearsed this routine a hundred times. Fang Jin Yu could already predict the dialogue, the haggling, and the familiar banter that would soon follow.
Yet even as he mentally prepared for the scene, Du Man'er's earlier question about restoring her former beauty lingered in his mind. Having once borrowed those scarce alchemical texts with which he was so fortunate to have broken through, he knew that promises of beauty restoration depended less on miraculous pills and more on one's innate cultivation. "If you ever reach the Foundation state," he had explained gently, "your lifespan will stretch to two hundred years. Even if there is no complete restoration, you will enjoy an appearance preserved at youthful levels for a long time."
Du Man'er smiled in quiet gratitude. But soon her attention diverted to more worldly matters. With heartfelt sincerity, she confided in Fang Jin Yu that she had seen a Tian Ling Sect disciple—one at the ninth level of Qi Condensation—demonstrating a pair of thunder-attribute lower-grade spirit tools at the training ground.
This revelation made Fang Jin Yu's expression darken slightly. He recalled the promise that the Tian Ling Sect leader had once made regarding the coveted thunder-elemental spirit weapons—a promise intended to reward him for exposing the dark market scam. Those spirit weapons, while only nominally "inferior," were nearly legendary in their rarity and might. In the entire sect, only one such pair existed—an unparalleled combination forged of hammer and nail that stood as a testament to the power and prestige of the thunder element.
Confronted with this news, Fang Jin Yu's mind rapidly reassessed his next steps. "I must go and see the leader," he thought grimly. He had awaited word since his return from seclusion that the promised thunder tools would be delivered. Yet now, on ascending Tian Ling Peak, he had to wait for hours before one finally appeared. And when he did meet with the leader, the news was disheartening: the leader informed him, with a trace of reluctance, that the thunder-attribute spirit tool had already been claimed by a Golden Core cultivator's grandson three days prior.
He was then given two unsavory options—either wait until the sect could again procure another thunder tool, or settle for a compensation of 2,000 spirit stones. "Two thousand spirit stones for a thunder tool?" he thought bitterly. "No matter how you slice it, even five thousand might not buy one in the open market!" Yet, with no alternatives and aware that his actions had already ruffled far too many influential feathers—especially after that dark market debacle—Fang Jin Yu was forced to select the spirit stone option. "I'll settle with 2,000," he resolved, though with a simmering anger that would not soon subside.
These developments only confirmed his suspicions: the dark market scam was likely just the visible tip of an ever deeper iceberg. The very fact that three Qi Condensation cultivators could possess a mid-grade spirit tool, let alone an array spirit weapon, was clear evidence that far more lucrative—and corrupt—deals lay hidden beneath. Thunder-elemental spirit tools were revered above all, prized for their rarity and intrinsic power, and were typically never traded or circulated. If one ever managed to obtain such an item—or even the rare ingredients needed to craft one—it was invariably for personal use.
Moreover, array spirit weapons were considered even rarer still. Their crafting required not only immense alchemical skill but also the mastery of array formations—a discipline reserved for only the most accomplished cultivators.
Fang Jin Yu mulled over these intricate dynamics as he continued his small expedition through the marketplace. Thoughts of rivalries among Golden Core practitioners, the restless ambition of those who sought to control every potent artifact, and the inherent value of rare spirit items swirled through his mind. "There was one instance," he recalled, "when one Golden Core cultivator arrived with two others from the same mountain range. Without a word, one of them immediately stepped aside to avoid suspicion. I suspect this may even be part of a larger quarrel among the Golden Core masters!"
It was this mixture of strategic calculation and spontaneous provocation that drove him onwards. Determined not to miss a beat, he resolved that until the Lingdu Secret Realm opened, he would not leave L‑Zhao Spirit Medicine Peak—not an inch. There, every rock and every breath of qi was saturated with fertile potential, far superior to the weaker spiritual aura of Xiahe Peak. In fact, many of his peers had already migrated away from Xiahe Peak, seeking more nourishing grounds to cultivate. Fang Jin Yu, now a newly inaugurated Foundation cultivator, would not wish to return there unless absolutely forced by circumstance.
The Lingdu Secret Realm's Promising Day and New Opportunities
After countless days of careful cultivation and the gradual honing of his alchemical craft, the day of the Lingdu Secret Realm's opening finally arrived. Fang Jin Yu was filled with a complex mix of nostalgia, relief, and anticipation. Once, that very realm had nearly cost him his life. Now, though he had inadvertently angered a particularly amorous Golden Core cultivator in the past, he could sleep easy—within the protective embrace of Tian Ling Sect, none would dare violate the ancient edicts established by the Yuan Ying ancestor.
When the sect leader had earlier summoned him to discuss these matters, Fang Jin Yu had seized the moment to silently inquire about the old ancestor's rules. The leader's response, vague and measured as ever, reminded him that although the old ancestor typically kept to himself, on occasion his benevolence would allow the sect to bestow small, serendipitous opportunities upon promising Qi Condensation disciples—but only if the ancient rules were not trampled. The issue was not elaborated upon, perhaps because the leader was either unaware of all particulars or too cautious to speak openly of affairs long past.
Since the realm's duration was a fleeting single day, meticulous preparations were unnecessary. Fang Jin Yu arrived well before the decreed time and, with no desire to conceal his true cultivation level, simply activated his Discipline Pearl—a silent proclaiming of his readiness and compliance. The Lingdu Secret Realm was hidden between two majestic mountain peaks. At first glance, it seemed utterly unremarkable. Yet according to legend, this sanctuary had been opened by the Yuan Ying ancestor after a chance acquisition of a miraculous object—a feat of both divine providence and human ingenuity.
Inside, the realm was sparsely populated—only three figures were present. By a curious twist of fate, two of these individuals were people from his former life. They were familiar souls, with whom he had once shared the bittersweet burden of having lost beloved family members in the service of Tian Ling Sect. But unlike in the past, these two now boasted a certain level of influence: one had married into a distinguished cultivation family, while the other had become part of another prominent clan. Both families had Golden Core practitioners at their helm, which lent further weight and caution to their demeanour in his presence.
"Brother Zhang, Sister Xu," Fang Jin Yu greeted them warmly as he advanced, cupping his fists in a respectful salute. They instinctively replied, "Greetings, Uncle Fang," their surprise evident as they quickly lowered their heads in deference. Despite their noble lineage, they remained only at the ninth level of Qi Condensation—and in the presence of a Foundation cultivator, there was little excuse to be overly forward unless one was of direct bloodline.
"Let us then call you Brother Fang," Xu Tingyu said softly, "and you may address us as your junior siblings."
"That works for me," Fang Jin Yu replied nonchalantly, his tone carrying both a casual camaraderie and subtle self-assurance.
Encouraged by this exchange from years past, Xu Tingyu's eyes sparkled as she leaned in and queried, "Brother Fang, is it true that you've truly grasped the essence of the Wind and Thunder Technique, and that you've gathered enough spiritual power to break through accordingly?"
Her question, far from idle chatter, struck at the core of his recent breakthroughs. Within the sect, the accomplishment of mastering a superior technique was a matter of great pride; even a slight difference in the level of spiritual power achieved could be measured in thunderous contrasts. As she spoke, Brother Zhang Wenye watched him with silent, probing eyes, waiting for his reply.
"Indeed," Fang Jin Yu said with a hint of playful arrogance. "Regarding the Wind and Thunder Technique at the Qi Condensation stage, I can say with confidence that no one in our sect delves deeper in its mysteries than I do."
His words were calculated: publicly affirming his mastery was both a declaration of his progress and an implicit challenge to any who might question his abilities. It was not a direct provocation against Su Yi'er nor was it an open call for needless strife; rather it was a subtler, shrewd signal—a way of ensuring that when the next opportunity arose, he would be positioned to intercept it from those who might otherwise exploit such power. This move was inextricably linked not only to his own ambitions but also to the ambitions of Su Yi'er's rather fervent master—a man whose romance and obsession sometimes threatened to disrupt the delicate balance among sect members.
Aware that he could not afford a full, overt confrontation at the Second Layer of Foundation, Fang Jin Yu instead contemplated a series of smaller, furtive maneuvers. These were steps designed not to ignite an all-out conflict with Golden Core cultivators—whose power and temper were formidable—but rather to lay the groundwork for an eventual advantage when circumstances permitted a more decisive intervention.
Charting the Future Among Hidden Tides
As the Lingdu Secret Realm's hour of closure approached and twilight gave way to a starry night, Fang Jin Yu withdrew into his personal sanctuary. Every experience of the day—the guidance he had given Du Man'er about preserving her beauty, the news about the thunder-elemental spirit weapons, the bitter negotiations with the sect leader, and even the familiar banter shared with old acquaintances—melded together into a tapestry of fate. He was reminded once more that even the smallest setback or seemingly trivial conversation could harbor the potential to shape his destiny in ways that defied immediate comprehension.
In his private contemplation, Fang Jin Yu recalled the old warning of Su Yi'er's fabled pond. There, one did not merely see an ordinary fish—one saw an ancient Yuan Ying ancestor, a being of formidable stature who had once indulged in youthful mischief. Before Su Yi'er had dared to undertake the dangerous Pill-Smashing to Form an Infant process, that venerable being had warned her repeatedly: if one failed, the consequences could be dire. A minor error might simply cause the newborn Yuan Ying's spirit to separate from the body, but a grave miscalculation might force an immediate reincarnation. The truth was that, even in failure, a cultivator who flirted with such a threshold was granted up to three additional lifetimes to amend the error. Fang Jin Yu was convinced that the little girl with him now was one who had — due to a misstep during the pill-smashing process — been granted another chance at life through reincarnation.
There was no need to delve into lengthy explanations with her. He had already taken her under his wing, escorting her to Xiahe Peak. There, after ensuring she understood how to control the array protecting the outer boundary of her Inner-Domain, he had retreated into his own closed-door seclusion. Although his physical presence had left Xiahe Peak, he had not abandoned his personal cave—a meticulously fortified retreat for which he had invested countless spirit stones in erecting the "Mountain Formation." This defensive array, designed to mimic the natural bulwark of the mountains, was nearly impregnable to any would-be intruder from the lower Foundation stages. Its construction did not demand constant expenditure of valuable spiritual power; instead, it depended solely on an ample reserve of spirit stones—a strategy so reliable that even mortal lords often employed similar defenses for their estates.
Within the hallowed isolation of his cave, Fang Jin Yu further honed his alchemical talents. For the first time in his long practice, he indulged in the rapid consumption of spirit elixirs—a regimen known in cultivation circles as "pilling," wherein each pill ingested accelerated his internal cultivation. With every dose of elixir coursing through him, he experienced an almost euphoric surge of inner qi—a reminder that true cultivation was not measured by external trappings but by the flourishing strength of one's inner self. This was the undeniable truth: while a magnificent spirit weapon might impress the eye, it was a cultivator's internal progress that determined his ultimate fate on the long, treacherous road to immortality.
After a half-month of rigorous seclusion, Fang Jin Yu emerged with news that filled him with unbridled pride. His cultivation had shattered its previous confines, breaking through to the Second Layer of the Foundation stage—much earlier than he had dared hope. Although this level might be considered relatively modest among the grand hierarchies of Foundation cultivators, for a young man with no influential backing, it was a milestone that few could ever dream of achieving. Many background-less Foundation cultivators, he recalled, struggled for decades—often reaching the Second Layer only when they were well into their seventies. Fang Jin Yu, by contrast, had ascended in a matter of months—a fact that stirred both admiration and envy among his peers.
Capitalizing on this newfound strength, he immediately turned his attention to consolidating his resources. The remaining stock of his small-entry Tao Mystical Pills was divided with purpose: one portion was sold to replenish his rapidly dwindling spirit stone reserves (a necessary move after the financial hemorrhage caused by earlier calamities), while the other portion was offered to Tian Ling Sect in exchange for merit points. Within the strict system of Foundation alchemy within the sect, the privileges to borrow advanced pill formulas and the rights to exchange for the corresponding rare medicinal herbs were distributed only in measured batches. Fang Jin Yu had previously been granted only the most rudimentary permissions—and it was precisely for this reason that he had refrained from attempting to produce the far superior Summoning Spirit Pills. By instead focusing on refining the simpler Tao Pills and painstakingly lifting their success rate to that critical threshold of thirty percent, he ensured his recognition as a bona fide Foundation alchemist.
Tian Ling Sect's policies, designed to foster the development of alchemy among its disciples, were generous indeed. High-grade pills, such as the Summoning Spirit Pills, could only be exchanged using merit points—a system that not only encouraged disciplined practice but also tied a cultivator's personal advancement directly to his internal cultivation. Furthermore, according to the revered "Ten Directions Xun Zhen Sutra," there existed a formidable divine technique which could only be practiced by those who had achieved the Second Layer of the Foundation stage. Most of the rare spiritual objects required for this technique were available in exchange for merit, and for the few remaining items that did not meet the standard, Fang Jin Yu planned to venture deep into the mysterious corridors of the Lingdu Secret Realm.
With his plan set, and his internal stores of spirit stones partially replenished through careful trade, Fang Jin Yu set out for the Lingdu Secret Realm on its opening day. He could not help but feel an emotional mix of trepidation and optimism. There had been days when that very realm had nearly cost him his life; now, although he'd incurred the displeasure of a particularly infatuated Golden Core cultivator as a consequence of his earlier bold actions, he found his position secure. After all, none could violate the ancient edicts handed down by the venerable Yuan Ying ancestor—a caution that no one dared to ignore.
Before entering the realm, Fang Jin Yu recalled that when the sect leader had once summoned him, he had discreetly inquired about the old ancestor's traditions. The leader's answer, though brief and carefully guarded, had stated that while the old ancestor was rarely involved in day-to-day matters—and when he was, he carried himself with an unassuming air—he had nonetheless left behind strict rules that Must not be transgressed. It was a reminder of the price one paid for even brushing against the ethereal threshold of the Yuan Ying realm.
With no need for lengthy formalities—after all, the Lingdu Secret Realm would remain open for only a single day—Fang Jin Yu arrived early. Unashamed of his cultivation level, he simply activated his Discipline Pearl as a sign of his readiness. The realm itself was nestled between two imposing mountain peaks that, at first glance, seemed entirely ordinary. Yet ancient legends told that these very peaks had been chosen and shaped by the old ancestor after he had serendipitously obtained a miraculous object.
Inside, only three individuals roamed the quiet corridors. By fortuitous coincidence, two of these were old acquaintances from his previous life—people whose bonds had been forged through shared hardships, including the ultimate sacrifice of kin for the sake of Tian Ling Sect. Now, unlike his own humble beginnings, these two possessed some influence. One had married into a distinguished cultivation family; the other had aligned herself with another prestigious clan. Both families were under the watchful guidance of Golden Core masters, a fact that made their conduct measured and respectful in his presence.
"Brother Zhang, Sister Xu," Fang Jin Yu greeted them as he approached, bowing with cupped fists in the traditional style. "Greetings, Uncle Fang," they replied in startled unison, quickly lowering their heads in solemn respect. Though their backgrounds were notable, they were still only at the ninth level of Qi Condensation, and in the presence of a Foundation cultivator their deference came naturally.
"Then let us refer to you as Brother Fang, and you may call us your junior siblings," Xu Tingyu said softly, her voice warm and gentle.
"That is acceptable," Fang Jin Yu replied casually, his tone betraying neither boast nor contrition—only a quiet confidence that belied his inner ambitions.
Almost immediately, Xu Tingyu's eyes glimmered with inquisitive delight. "Brother Fang, I've heard that you've truly grasped the essence of the Wind and Thunder Technique, gathering sufficient spiritual power to break through in spectacular fashion?"
Her question was not idle: around the sect, everyone was well aware of his previous breakthroughs. It was said that mastering a superior technique at the Qi Condensation stage set one apart unmistakably from those who merely skimmed the surface. The difference in cultivated power, as had been demonstrated by the profoundly transformative Wind and Thunder Technique, could be stark enough to silence even the most boastful of challenger. Beside her, Brother Zhang Wenye observed with quiet curiosity, waiting expectantly for Fang Jin Yu's response.
"Indeed," Fang Jin Yu replied with a tone that balanced playful bravado and measured truth. "Regarding the Qi Condensation Wind and Thunder Technique, I can state without exaggeration that no one in our sect has delved into its mysteries as deeply as I have."
His declaration was both a hint of his soaring ambitions and a calculated test. He was not merely wishing to impress Du Man'er or his fellow acquaintances; he was keenly measuring the opportunity that might now present itself—a subtle chance to intercede in events that might eventually benefit him. Although the matter at hand was not directly tied to Su Yi'er, it was inextricably linked to the ambitions and the sometimes neurotic tendencies of her strict master, a figure whose actions had already caused ripples in the delicate balance of power in their world.
At that moment, while overt acts of retribution and open challenge against the formidable Golden Core cultivators were utterly unthinkable, Fang Jin Yu knew that he could, with daring subtlety, set in motion minor actions that might later disrupt the established order. Such a risk—though one that might seem negligible at present—was enough to signal his readiness to seize opportunities when they arose.
A Turning Point: From Alchemical Trials to Tangible Triumphs
Later that day, after a long series of trials and cautious negotiations in both the market and the Lingdu Secret Realm, Du Man'er's heartfelt gratitude was once again met by Fang Jin Yu's calculated candor. "Thank you, Uncle," she repeated, her voice tinged with genuine relief. Yet soon after, prompted by her continued curiosity and the subtle weight of her own insecurities, she asked another question: "Uncle, you truly see things clearly—how exactly did you know? And can I really regain my former looks?"
Fang Jin Yu, ever the reluctant mentor who possessed vast access to alchemical treatises and experimental texts, explained with kind frankness that while he had seen the answer in one of the rare texts he could consult (thanks to his Foundation status), the question of whether Du Man'er might ever fully restore her beauty lay in uncertainty. Still, he gently assured her that even if restoration were not entirely possible, the longevity of a Foundation cultivator (a blessed two hundred years) meant that her youthful visage would be maintained—if not completely restored, at least prolonged for many years to come.
Just then, Du Man'er's tone shifted from hopeful inquiry to one imbued with urgent interest. In a hushed voice, she informed him that she had recently observed a Qi Condensation disciple of the Tian Ling Sect practicing at the training ground. That disciple was wielding, with surprising ease, a pair of thunder-attribute lower-grade spirit tools.
At the mention of these tools, Fang Jin Yu's face tightened. He remembered clearly that the Tian Ling Sect leader had, not long ago, indicated that he would bestow upon Fang Jin Yu such a tool as a reward for uncovering the dark market scam. The leader had assured him that this pair of thunder-attribute spirit tools was reserved for him as recognition of his contributions. Yet now, with Du Man'er's account in mind, Fang Jin Yu realized that the promised tools were already claimed by someone—a Golden Core cultivator's grandson, no less.
His thoughts raced. "Thunder-attribute spirit tools, even of inferior grade, are exceedingly rare in the entire cultivation world," he mused. Their power, so great that one such item could easily be pricier than a competent mid-grade spirit tool, had never before appeared on any open market. In the Tian Ling Sect, there was exactly one pair of these tools—crafted from a hammer and a nail and revered for their array-forming capability. Du Man'er, having been present at the time of the promise, fully understood the gravity of the matter.
Determined to set things right, Fang Jin Yu resolved, "I must go and see the leader immediately." He recalled that upon leaving seclusion, the leader had promised to send him the spirit tool—but by then, no sign of it had come. Now, on Tian Ling Peak, after a long, fruitless wait, Fang Jin Yu eventually caught sight of the leader. In a short exchange, however, the leader delivered news that left Fang Jin Yu's face darkening with frustration: the thunder-attribute tool had been taken by a Golden Core cultivator's grandson three days prior, and Fang Jin Yu was given two options. Either wait until the sect again collected another such tool or accept a modest compensation of 2,000 spirit stones.
"Two thousand spirit stones for a thunder-attribute tool?" Fang Jin Yu muttered bitterly. "I know that not even five thousand would reliably procure such an item on the open market." Yet faced with no alternative—and with the weight of the dark market scam having already cost him favor among influential circles—he was forced to accept the compensation. "Very well," he thought, "I shall simply take the 2,000 spirit stones and move on."
Deep inside, however, he understood that this was only a small part of a far larger conspiracy. If the dark market scam was just the tip of the iceberg, then his actions had likely injured the profits of many. After all, if it were merely a simple scheme involving no capital investment, how could three Qi Condensation cultivators possibly possess not one but an entire mid-grade spirit tool—and an entire array spirit weapon at that! The rarity of thunder-attribute spirit tools, coupled with the fact that those with such items rarely let them leave their personal custody, was a dead certainty. And when thought was given to array spirit weapons—the most precious of all—the true value and hidden power of such objects became even clearer.
Driven by a mixture of grudging acceptance and mounting resolve, Fang Jin Yu set down that tally in his mind. He resolved that until the Lingdu Secret Realm opened, he would remain holed up at L‑Zhao Spirit Medicine Peak. Compared with Xiahe Peak, L‑Zhao possessed a far denser concentration of spiritual energy. It was here that, even if the guardians of higher realms were not present, the myriad Foundation cultivators had already started to depart. In contrast, as a newly minted Foundation cultivator, Fang Jin Yu had no intention of returning to Xiahe Peak unless absolutely necessary—especially not now when he had so much to gain from staying in this fertile environment.
"Today was a day of grueling alchemy," he noted quietly in his cultivation journal: "Today, I labored at refining pills, but there was almost no progress in my alchemical technique." "Acquired: Alchemy Technique Extraction Level 1."
In that moment, every scrap of alchemical lore—the theories and experiments he'd studied for countless years—seemed to burst into life in his mind. It was as if every dormant memory and each faded diagram from ancient texts ignited a sudden spark of understanding. And true to form, when he next fired up his furnace the following day, his success rate for crafting the Yi Qi Bu Yuan Dan stabilized at around twenty percent.
This breakthrough stirred his soul. "I truly am an alchemy genius!" he proclaimed to himself, a self-assured pronouncement that a new Foundation cultivator could scarcely dare to make. Such self-praise, though borderline brazen, was tempered by the knowledge that he had indeed earned every bit of it.
Days passed in rapid succession, and fortune seemed to shine upon him as he racked up continual refinements and gains in his craft. Before long, his success rate for crafting the restorative pills soared to an astronomical ninety percent—a figure that was not only astonishing but transformative. His personal fortunes in spirit stones grew accordingly, and his name began to resonate throughout the sect. Yet ever-cautious, Fang Jin Yu sold only about thirty percent of his pills to avoid overexposure. Each sale was recorded with his name, and the meticulous tracking meant that too much transparency might only invite further trouble. Nonetheless, even this modest release was enough to broadcast his talents far and wide—soon his reputation as a gifted alchemist was whispered on the lips of many within L‑Zhao Spirit Medicine Peak.
Then, as if by fate's own design, another sign from the Fate Calculation Technique manifested—this one pointing away from the Tian Ling Sect's secure perimeter. After long deliberation, Fang Jin Yu decided to "ride the opportunity." With a brisk decision, he approached Du Man'er once more, this time offering her five Yi Qi Bu Yuan Dan as a token of goodwill. "Please, accompany me for a stroll outside Tian Ling Sect in Yuan City," he urged.
He reasoned that given her particular elemental aptitude and the latent fortune that seemed to hover around her, even if unforeseen danger arose it might be transmuted into blessing—an auspicious reversal of ill fortune. Yuan City, as he recalled, was not part of any imperial court and stood as a confluence where mortals and cultivators mixed freely. Many of its inhabitants had once been disciples of Tian Ling Sect who had settled down, intermarrying and creating a city that operated independently of conventional rule. Du Man'er, though she had relocated to Yuan City later, was by every measure truly a native; her five-attribute spirit root had even earned her an exceptional admission into Spirit Medicine Peak—a rarity among the cultivators of her level, who might otherwise never have advanced beyond the early Qi Condensation stage.
Delighted by his invitation—and no doubt recalling the life-saving kindness he had once shown her—Du Man'er agreed with cheerful enthusiasm. Without demanding that she choose a direction or even specify a destination, Fang Jin Yu simply followed the persistent directional pulse of his Fate Calculation Technique. Du Man'er, as loyal as ever, trailed behind him. Before long, they arrived at the stall of a minor Qi Condensation cultivator. With one casual glance, Fang Jin Yu couldn't help but mutter inwardly, "This routine is so old…" He already predicted the subsequent happenings—all too predictable in their archetypal unfolding.
Epilogue: The Boundless Journey Ahead
Thus the day ended as a cascade of revelations and quiet strategies. Du Man'er's grateful words melded with his own bitter recollection of lost treasures and unmet promises. The interplay of fate—its warnings from Su Yi'er's legendary pond about the perils of a failed Pill-Smashing to Form an Infant process (where even a minor error might split the nascent Yuan Ying from its body and a grave mishap could force reincarnation, with Heaven granting three additional life chances)—echoed through his mind. He was now convinced that the little girl might be one such soul who had suffered from that treacherous process and had since been reborn with altered destiny. Yet rather than dwell on explanations, he had taken her with him to Xiahe Peak, taught her the intricacies of controlling the outer array of her cave, and then retreated into seclusion to hone his own inner strength. His personal sanctuary, safeguarded with the meticulously constructed Mountain Formation, remained his steadfast stronghold.
Not long after, his period of closed-door cultivation concluded. Emerging with a surprising breakthrough, he found that his cultivation had advanced to the Second Layer of Foundation—a level which, for someone of his humble background, was an achievement held by few and far between. Many who lacked influential backing languished at early Foundation levels well into their seventies; Fang Jin Yu's rapid ascent was a signal that destiny might have chosen him for a loftier path.
Carefully, he liquidated part of his remaining small-entry Tao Pills—selling one portion to reclaim lost spirit stones and dedicating the other to Tian Ling Sect to accrue merit points. In the intricate system of Foundation alchemy, privileges such as borrowing advanced pill formulas and accessing precious medicinal herbs were distributed in measured batches. Fang Jin Yu's focus on refining the simpler Tao Pills, rather than attempting the more difficult Summoning Spirit Pills, allowed him eventually to raise his success rate to the threshold needed to be recognized as a proper Foundation alchemist. Tian Ling Sect's encouragement of alchemy among its disciples was one of the key factors driving its prominence, so every bit of merit and every exchange was a step on the unyielding path to greatness.
And yet the day would not close without one more twist of fate. While lingering on the fringes of the bustling market outside the sect, Fang Jin Yu's Fate Calculation Technique signaled once more—a small arrow pointing away from the safety of Tian Ling Sect and toward external horizons. After a long moment of inner hesitation, he determined that he must ride this minor opportunity. With a determined glint in his eye, he requested that Du Man'er accompany him beyond the sect's borders to explore Yuan City. In exchange for this excursion, he offered her five Yi Qi Bu Yuan Dan, not as a mere gift but as a token of friendship and as a potential catalyst for future opportunities.
For Du Man'er, whose struggles had bound her fate to Fang Jin Yu's compassion, the prospect of revisiting Yuan City—her old home, the city formed by Tian Ling Sect disciples who had long since moved on—sparked joy. Yuan City, a place where neither any single imperial court held sway nor did any one mystical power dominate completely, had long been a melting pot where the mundane and the transcendent coexisted. For someone of her rare five-attribute spirit root, her exceptional admission into Spirit Medicine Peak had been a singular stroke of luck that defied ordinary circumstance. Thus, without hesitation, she agreed, and together they ventured beyond the sect's protective perimeter.
Their journey led them naturally to a stall operated by a Qi Condensation cultivator. As Fang Jin Yu surveyed the familiar scene, a wry thought crept into his mind: "This routine is as old as time…" Even so, the events that were about to unfold were entirely predictable—yet they carried with them the weight of fate, each moment a necessary step toward the future.
The Unending Tapestry of Cultivation
Throughout that turbulent day—from Du Man'er's heartfelt questions about the possibility of regaining her lost beauty, to the bitter negotiations concerning the thunder-attribute spirit tools, to the triumphant breakthroughs in alchemical prowess—Fang Jin Yu's mind was a restless cauldron of ambition, memory, and strategic calculation. He recalled the warnings resonating from Su Yi'er's legendary pond, where an "old fish" was a mere allegory for the venerable Yuan Ying ancestor who, before Su Yi'er had undertaken the perilous Pill-Smashing ritual, had sternly advised her on a series of precautions. His memory of those words, that even if one failed to secure the Yuan Ying realm the consequences would allow for three more lifetimes of reprieve, served as both a caution and a motivation.
Now, with Du Man'er by his side—a girl whose destiny appeared touched by the same unpredictable hand of fate—Fang Jin Yu resolved not to waste any moment. Even as he accepted a bitter compensation of 2,000 spirit stones in place of the coveted thunder-attribute spirit tools, he simultaneously labored to refine his alchemy. Every setback had shown him that true progress in cultivation came not from flashy spirit weapons or ornate magical arrays, but from the steady, relentless augmentation of one's inner power.
In his private sanctuary at L‑Zhao Spirit Medicine Peak—a place where the air was thick with potent qi and every rock vibrated with ancient power—Fang Jin Yu spent long hours in closed-door seclusion. His mind swam with alchemical diagrams and esoteric formulas as he "pilled" his way through elixirs with fervor. At first, progress was slow and laborious: his diary noted the day as one of "tireless pill refining with little progress in alchemical technique." Yet in the blink of an eye, his understanding of alchemy transformed. The next day, with renewed vigor and an enlightened spirit, he succeeded in attaining a stable twenty percent success rate in crafting his restorative pills.
That breakthrough filled him with a heady mixture of pride and ambition. "I truly am an alchemy prodigy!" he exclaimed to himself, a declaration as bold as it was genuine. And then, as the days passed and his refined techniques touched ever greater heights, his success rate soared to a staggering ninety percent. Such efficiency was rare and made his reputation burgeon throughout the sect. His personal store of spirit stones began to climb steadily, even as he judiciously conserved his production—selling only a modest share so as not to draw undue attention.
Word of his prowess spread like wildfire. The renown of his alchemical talent, conveyed through the subtle networks of Tian Ling Sect and whispered among cultivators in hushed tones, ensured that his name—Fang Jin Yu—would soon be etched into the annals of alchemy. Every sale, every successful batch, further cemented his status as one of the promising young Foundation alchemists of his generation.
Yet amid such triumphant progress, fate had one more chapter in store. On that fateful day, as the mysterious arrow of fate once again pointed away—this time beckoning him to venture from within Tian Ling Sect—Fang Jin Yu felt that unmistakable stirring of opportunity. A chance to glimpse the world beyond the sheltered confines of the sect, to see how fate played out among mortals in Yuan City, and perhaps to gather new resources or information to further his own schemes.
After deliberating for what felt like an eternity, he resolved to act. "It seems that destiny beckons," he murmured, his voice quiet but resolute. With no delay, he approached Du Man'er. Now fully aware of the potential benefits of such an excursion—not least due to her own fortuitous qi that might help deflect any incoming misfortune—he offered her a small gift of five Yi Qi Bu Yuan Dan. "Please, accompany me outside of the sect to explore Yuan City," he requested gently. "In the city, even if danger lurks, I believe your spirit may transmute it into fortune."
Du Man'er, ever grateful for his past kindness and ever curious about the world beyond, agreed without hesitation. "Of course, Uncle," she replied warmly. For her, leaving the comfortable confines of the sect—even momentarily—was a welcome chance to see her old home again and to feel, even briefly, the pulse of life in the outside world.
Together, they ventured out, following the subtle arrow that guided Fang Jin Yu's inner senses. The winding paths of Yuan City, known as a bustling melting-pot where mortals and cultivators intertwined in perpetual dance, soon enveloped them. Yuan City was neither under direct imperial authority nor strictly part of any celestial dominion—it was a free city, born of the unions of former sect disciples who had decided to settle down and create a home in the mortal realm. Its streets teemed with life, commerce, and the hidden undercurrents of opportunity and risk.
As they navigated the crowded lanes and lively marketplaces, Fang Jin Yu's thoughts kept returning to the repetitive routines he had witnessed so many times before. When he finally arrived at a stall set up by a minor Qi Condensation cultivator, he allowed himself a wry smile at the familiarity of it all. "This routine is so ancient…" he mused silently, all too aware that the impending events were as predictable as they were inevitable—a small, timeless play within the vast drama of cultivation.