Over the course of ten years, Tianji Pavilion had developed smoothly and gained a reputation throughout the Qingdong Mountain Range.
However, Xu Ning was not in a hurry to expand; there were currently only two branches, mainly because he didn't have the money.
Apart from the branch managed by Gu Mu, which frequently encountered problems, the branch managed by Zhou Lin had always gone smoothly.
In the past few days, Luo Xiu and Zhou Lin had both reached the fifteenth level of Qi Refining and had been asking Xu Ning about Foundation Establishment.
On the contrary, Gu Mu didn't ask, because he hadn't reached the eighth level of Qi Refining yet.
This kid's foundation was similar to Xu Ning's, so it was a bit difficult for him to cultivate.
Setting the reply aside, Xu Ning asked, "Thatched Hut, how do you assess the quality of a Foundation Establishment cultivator?"
Thatched Hut: "For ordinary cultivators, the quality of their Foundation Establishment depends on the Foundation Establishment Pills."
"And those with a Qi Refining level higher than twelve, the higher the Qi Refining level, the more likely they are to break through the quality of the Foundation Establishment Pill."
"For example, someone at the thirteenth level of Qi Refining who takes a low-grade Foundation Establishment Pill has a certain chance of achieving a mid-grade Foundation Establishment. Of course, even if they don't break through, their combat power and foundation will be slightly stronger than a low-grade Foundation Establishment cultivator."
"For example, Luo Xiu and his group are at the fifteenth level of Qi Refining. Their chances of breaking through to the lower-grade Foundation Establishment Pill are very high. Even if they only reach the lower-grade Foundation Establishment in the end, they will still be stronger."
Xu Ning: "You mean if I give them top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, there's a chance they'll reach the legendary Foundation Establishment stage, right?"
Thatched Hut: "The chances are very slim!"
Xu Ning: "What if I use a divine-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, plus the twenty levels of Qi Refining?"
Thatched Hut: "Achieving the supreme foundation, recognized by heaven and earth, a magnificent canopy descends."
Xu Ning: "What is Huagai?"
Thatched Hut: "You ask me? How would I know? It's never happened in the history of cultivation! I only managed to glean a sliver of information using my legendary Spirit-level access!"
"All you need to know is that Huagai is incredibly powerful, a gift from heaven and earth. Tell me, isn't that amazing!"
Xu Ning: "Can Huagai improve its quality?"
Thatched Hut: "Do you know what you're asking? Is this something I should know?"
Xu Ning muttered, "Aren't you omniscient and omnipotent?"
The hut: "I need to upgrade so I can see more."
Xu Ning: "Okay!"
However, what the thatched hut said filled Xu Ning with longing and anticipation. Supreme Foundation Establishment? He thought he had a chance.
Alright, let's refine a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills for Luo Xiu and the others first!
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He would just try to see if he could reach the first-tier master level.
He skillfully set up the iron pot, turned on the lantern, and then took out a set of high-quality materials for Foundation Establishment Pills.
Alchemy, start.
The elixir was thrown in and began to melt.
Then remove the impurities.
This step was particularly difficult, especially with top-quality materials.
If something went wrong, this set of materials, which might cost tens of thousands of spirit stones, would be wasted. Therefore, this aspect often put enormous pressure on alchemists.
Although Xu Ning didn't have this kind of pressure, he needed to break through to become a first-level master alchemist, so he needed to remove impurities to perfection, which put him under considerable pressure.
With utmost concentration, Xu Ning began the process of eliminating the inferior products.
After a long while, Xu Ning suddenly opened his eyes. "It should be about time. Condense it!"
Under Xu Ning's control, the medicinal liquid in the iron pot was divided into eight portions, and then began to condense into pills.
After a long while, a beam of light shot into the sky from the iron pot, hitting the roof of the thatched hut and illuminating the entire interior space of the hut in white.
Along with it, an extremely pure spiritual energy surged forth, along with a rich and refreshing medicinal fragrance.
At the same time, Xu Ning also gained a great deal of insight into alchemy.
A breakthrough! Xu Ning was overjoyed!
After ten years of continuous practice, he finally broke through to the first-level master.
At this time, he held a rather important position even in an ordinary sect.
A first-tier master alchemist could bring immeasurable benefits to a sect by improving the quality of its pills.
Then, Xu Ning looked into the iron pot, where five top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills and three high-grade Foundation Establishment Pills lay quietly inside.
Xu Ning was overjoyed; he had actually gotten five at once, which was truly perfect.
He collected the pills, took two, packed them up, and had Yingying Monster deliver them to Zhou Lin and Luo Xiu. Then he continued cultivating.
After ten years of continuous cultivation, his blood energy had reached the fourth level of Blood Refinement, and it would continue to steadily improve.
Nothing happened that night. The next morning, Shen En came and knocked on the door: "Senior Brother Chu Wen, the sect competition has started. Let's go quickly!"
Xu Ning: "Wait a minute, I'll be right there!"
The sect competition was held every three years. Everyone except the inner disciples could participate, and the top three could enter the inner sect.
This was actually a way to select combat-type geniuses.
Xu Ning certainly wouldn't participate; it was Shen En who invited him this time.
Opening the door, Xu Ning looked at Shen En and noticed that the guy's smile seemed a bit forced. He subconsciously asked, "What's wrong with you today? You seem unhappy?"
Shen En forced a smile: "Senior brother, my father has passed away!"
Xu Ning was taken aback. Shen Yun? The little guy who used to add firewood for him at the Prime Minister's residence.
He must be over eighty years old by now!
This guy's martial arts probably hadn't broken through to the legendary realm, otherwise he wouldn't have died at such a young age.
After a long silence, Xu Ning spoke: "Please accept my condolences."
This wasn't just said to Shen En, but also to Xu Ning himself.
Shen En: "It's a pity that I have already entered the immortal realm and cannot go to see him off. I am unfilial."
Xu Ning: "Your sorrow will gradually fade with time!"
Yes! The sorrow of those departed friends had now completely faded away.
Shen En nodded, forcing an awkward smile: "Senior brother, let's go!"
Together, the two quickly arrived at the sect's plaza.
The place was already crowded with people, and streaks of light frequently streaked across the sky; they were all important figures from the sect.
"Senior brother, why aren't you participating?" Shen En asked Xu Ning curiously.
Shen En didn't really understand this senior brother. Apart from missions, he had never seen this senior brother leave the sect. For more than ten years, the other party had never stepped out of the sect.
He had never attended the previous sect competitions before, and he only came this time because of Shen En's strong invitation.
Xu Ning shook his head: "How could I possibly beat them!"
Shen En: "How will you know if you don't try?"
Xu Ning shook his head: "Forget it, I'm not interested in the inner sect!"
After all, he was prepared to run away at any time. If he became an inner disciple, it wouldn't be so convenient to run away then.
As the two were talking, a woman in white walked over, revealing her cultivation level of the twelfth level of Qi Refining.
The woman's clothes looked very gorgeous, but her appearance was quite ordinary, even somewhat ugly.
"Shen En, you've arrived?" The woman walked over and smiled.
Shen En reluctantly cupped his hands in greeting: "Senior Sister Xia Ming~~"
That's right, the person who came was Xia Ming.
Seeing Shen En's expression, Xia Ming couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh, then looked at Xu Ning beside him: "And who is this?"