The Foundation Pill Formula already has a source, so there's no need to worry about that.
However, the spirit herbs required to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill are extremely rare and not sold by the sect. To obtain them, one must find another way.
As far as he knew, the top fifty disciples in the upcoming Outer Sect Grand Competition would not only receive a Foundation Establishment Pill as a reward but also gain entry into the Cold Pool Secret Realm.
Moreover, the top ten would receive an additional follower quota, equivalent to two entries.
The Hehuan Sect has three main ways to acquire the raw materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill, and the Cold Pool Secret Realm is one of them.
Wang Jianqiang disliked being watched like a monkey in the arena battles, which is why he encouraged Wang Yuyao to participate in the Outer Sect Grand Competition.
As long as Wang Yuyao makes it into the top ten, she can take him along into the Cold Pool Secret Realm.
"With two months left until the competition, it's time to start preparing."
An hour later.
At the Hall of External Affairs.
When he saw Dong Rou again, she seemed quite different from before for some reason.
Her expression was somewhat gloomy, and there was a hint of worry between her brows.
She seemed to have a lot on her mind.
"Elder Dong?"
Seeing her in a daze, Wang Jianqiang couldn't help but remind her.
Dong Rou immediately snapped back to reality, "What did you just say?"
Wang Jianqiang gave a wry smile; he had already said it twice, but it seemed she hadn't listened at all.
He had no choice but to repeat himself, "I want to purchase some artifact blueprints."
"You can forge artifacts?"
Hearing Wang Jianqiang's words, Dong Rou's delicate eyebrows furrowed.
Seeing Dong Rou's displeased expression, Wang Jianqiang was momentarily confused, unsure of how he had offended her, and cautiously said, "I know a little."
Dong Rou shook her head, "Cultivation is about specialization, not spreading oneself too thin. The more you learn, the more it will scatter your focus."
"If you concentrate on the Dao of Alchemy, you might have a slim chance of achieving Foundation Establishment before your lifespan limit, and then you can pursue the Dao of Forging."
Wang Jianqiang smiled at her words, "Thank you for your concern, Elder. I am confident I will become a Second-Rank Alchemist."
Dong Rou's expression darkened, showing some displeasure.
This Wang Jianqiang was a bit too arrogant.
If she didn't have some expectations for him, why would she bother to advise him so earnestly?
"I don't know if you've recently had some fortuitous encounter that allowed you to make breakthroughs in alchemy."
"If you remain blindly arrogant, you'll regret it when it's too late."
She gave Wang Jianqiang a deep look, suppressing her anger, and patiently advised him.
Hearing Dong Rou's noticeably sterner tone, Wang Jianqiang was taken aback.
He didn't know why this cold and elegant elder suddenly cared about him, but he understood her intentions were good.
Patiently, he said, "Elder, I understand your reasoning, but since I say so, I naturally have my reasons."
"Recently, I've made further progress in alchemy and have touched the threshold of a Second-Rank Alchemist. In two or three months, or at most six months, I will surely become a Second-Rank Alchemist."
In fact, if he wanted, he could break through at any time using cultivation points.
But saying that outright would be too shocking, so he chose to be conservative.
Even so, Dong Rou seemed surprised.
After he finished speaking, she was momentarily stunned.
After a while, when Wang Jianqiang saw she hadn't come to her senses, he wondered if he should remind her.
Suddenly, Dong Rou appeared in front of him like a ghost, grabbing his arm excitedly, "Is what you said true?"
Feeling the strength on his arm, Wang Jianqiang grimaced slightly and quickly nodded.
"Absolutely true."
"Good, that's great." Seeing Wang Jianqiang's confident expression, Dong Rou suddenly smiled.
In an instant, it was like a hundred flowers blooming, breathtakingly beautiful.
Wang Jianqiang was a bit dazed by the sight.
Elder Dong usually had a cold demeanor towards everyone; when had she ever shown such a charming expression?
A moment later, Dong Rou seemed to realize her lapse and quickly withdrew her hands from Wang Jianqiang, restraining her smile and returning to her usual cool demeanor.
She flashed back to her original position and looked at Wang Jianqiang, "Since you're about to break through, why not focus on it and do it as soon as possible? Why distract yourself with the Dao of Forging?"
"I want to forge some magical artifacts to prepare for the Outer Sect Grand Competition," Wang Jianqiang replied.
Dong Rou was taken aback, then quickly understood, "You want to enter the Cold Pool Secret Realm to obtain the spirit herbs for the Foundation Establishment Pill?"
Wang Jianqiang nodded with a smile, "Elder, you see clearly."
Hearing this, Dong Rou smiled, "It seems you are very confident in breaking through to Second-Rank Alchemist. In that case, I won't stop you. What kind of artifact blueprints do you want?"
After she finished speaking, she didn't get a response from Wang Jianqiang.
She was puzzled and looked over, only to find Wang Jianqiang staring at her blankly, his voice involuntarily rising a few pitches.
"Wang Jianqiang, what are you doing?"
Wang Jianqiang snapped back to reality, looking a bit embarrassed, "Elder, your smile is too beautiful, I didn't mean to."
"Don't let it happen again." Dong Rou glared at Wang Jianqiang and repeated, "What kind of artifact blueprints do you want?" Enjoying the story? Read on at novelping.com.
Before coming, Wang Jianqiang had already decided on the blueprints he needed. Hearing her question, he immediately replied, "Wind-Chasing Boots, Violet Cloud Flowing Skirt, Dark Soul Sword, Mystic Light Seal, and Minor Thousand-Mountain Seal."
"You're a First-Rank Advanced Artificer??"
Dong Rou was stunned.
She had thought Wang Jianqiang was at most a First-Rank Junior Artificer.
But she didn't expect the artifacts he mentioned were all high-grade.
"I just advanced recently."
Seeing Dong Rou's surprised expression, Wang Jianqiang chuckled awkwardly, humbly.
Dong Rou was speechless.
She now seriously suspected that Wang Jianqiang had been hiding his skills all along, and his talent in both alchemy and forging was not only not lacking but exceeded most outer disciples.
He had actually already reached First-Rank Advanced in both alchemy and forging, only recently revealing it bit by bit.
If that were the case, Wang Jianqiang's incomprehensible speed in alchemy could be explained.
Coming back to her senses, she pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "Outer disciples are only permitted to purchase high-grade magical artifacts, not high-grade artifact blueprints. You can only buy intermediate artifact blueprints at most."
Hearing this, Wang Jianqiang looked disappointed.
Dong Rou glanced at him and gritted her teeth, "I can authorize the sale of one high-grade blueprint to you, but only one. For the rest, you either buy the artifacts directly or switch to intermediate artifact blueprints."
Wang Jianqiang's eyes lit up.
Having someone in a high place really makes things easier.
After some thought, he finally chose the Minor Thousand-Mountain Seal blueprint.
As for buying high-grade artifacts directly or intermediate artifact blueprints?
After optimization and upgrade, a perfect intermediate magical artifact would surely be as powerful as a regular high-grade one.
Naturally, buying the blueprints was more cost-effective.
In the end, Wang Jianqiang purchased the Minor Thousand-Mountain Seal blueprint and several intermediate artifact blueprints.
He also bought a large amount of forging materials before bidding farewell to Dong Rou.
After Wang Jianqiang left.
Dong Rou could no longer contain her excitement.
He could really break through to a Second-Rank Alchemist.
In that case, wouldn't she have a chance?
"Should I discuss it with him?"
A hint of hesitation flashed across her face, but she quickly shook her head.
"No rush, it's not too late to find him after he successfully establishes his foundation. If he fails, it would all be in vain."