Peeping into the Immortal Road

Chapter 145: The opening of the celebration, Xuexuan builds the foundation
Ji Chang lightly opened the alchemy furnace, and immediately, a refreshing medicinal fragrance spread out like clouds and mist, which made people feel refreshed.

He carefully took out three Purple Night Pills. Each one was natural, with deep purple light flowing on its surface, like bright stars in the night sky.

These three Purple Night Pills were the result of his careful refining over a period of half a month.

Their grade has already reached the level of second-grade mid-quality.

Ji Chang stared at the Zixiao Pill in his hand, feeling an indescribable joy in his heart.

He knew very well that being able to refine a second-grade mid-quality pill meant that he had taken another big step forward in the art of alchemy and officially entered the ranks of a second-grade mid-quality alchemist.

"The speed of my progress in alchemy is faster than I thought."

"I didn't expect that before the celebration started, it had already been upgraded to the second-level mid-grade level."

Ji Chang sighed slightly and put the three second-grade mid-level Zixiao Pills into the pill bottle.

"According to the time, the celebration will officially begin in four or five days."

During these days, Ji Chang's cave has been carefully decorated.

I saw a red lantern hanging high at the entrance of the cave, shining brightly.

Inside the cave, exotic flowers and plants are in full bloom, and the fragrance is overwhelming.

What a festive and lively scene.

As the celebration approached, Ji Chang's old friends who had a close relationship with him came to visit him one after another.

Among them, in addition to the Yuzhou Yuan family, with whom they have the deepest friendship, there are also foundation-building cultivators from the Northwest Si family and the Jizhou Sun family.

Even the Zhou family, who had reached the Jindan stage, sent cultivators from the clan to participate in Ji Chang's celebration, instead of just sending a guest official to serve as a perfunctory performer as they had done in the past.

In addition to the cultivators in the family, some of Ji Chang's familiar friends who were independent cultivators also came to celebrate, most of whom were alchemists from the Danshan Society.

At this moment, Ji Chang raised his eyebrows slightly, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

Ji Chang's heart moved, and then his figure flashed and he arrived outside the cave.

I saw a young monk in white robes walking towards me. He was handsome and had an extraordinary temperament.

If not Master Lu Dan, who else could it be?
"Brother Lu?" Ji Chang stepped forward and asked in surprise.

Master Lu Dan smiled slightly and said, "Brother Han, I heard that you are going to hold a celebration soon. Can I come and join in the fun?"

"Brother Lu's visit is a real honor to my humble home." Ji Chang said with a big laugh, and then invited Master Lu Dan into the cave.

After the two of them sat down, Master Lu looked at the layout of the cave and could not help but nod and exclaimed: "Brother Han, your cave is really nice and quite festive."

"Brother Lu, you are too kind. This is specially arranged for the celebration." Ji Chang said modestly.

Master Lu smiled and said, "When I first refined the elixir for you, I knew you were going to break through, but I didn't expect it to be so fast. Now you are already a cultivator in the middle stage of foundation building. It's really cause for celebration!"

"Thanks to Brother Lu's help with the realm-breaking elixir, otherwise I would not have achieved what I have today." Ji Chang said gratefully. He knew that this favor was of great significance.

Master Lu waved his hand and said with a generous smile: "Brother Han, you are wrong! You have a solid foundation and extraordinary talent. Even without the help of the elixir I refined, you are only a stone's throw away from the middle stage of foundation building."

"The breakthrough you have made today is the result of your own hard work."

The two smiled at each other and drank together.

After three rounds of drinks, the two of them began to discuss the art of alchemy with great interest.

Suddenly, Master Lu Dan let out a light exclamation, and he stared at Ji Chang with his sharp eyes, an expression of disbelief on his face.

"Brother Han, the scent of elixir on you... could it be that you are already able to refine second-grade mid-quality elixirs?" Master Lu asked with a hint of surprise and inquiry in his tone.

Ji Chang smiled slightly, nodded, and said modestly: "Brother Lu has a good eye! Yes, I was lucky enough to refine a second-level middle-grade pill recently."

"I originally planned to announce this good news to all the fellow Taoists at the celebration, but unexpectedly Brother Lu saw it in advance."

Upon hearing this, Master Lu Dan could not help but stand in awe. He sincerely praised, "Brother Han has made rapid progress."

Ji Chang waved his hand and said, "Brother Lu, you are too kind. I can achieve what I have today thanks to the careful guidance and selfless help of Brother Lu and fellow Taoists of Danshan Society."

Master Lu nodded and said with deep feeling: "Yes, it is a great blessing for us casual cultivators to have an organization like Danshan Club to support each other and make progress together."

Like Ji Chang, Master Lu Dan was also a casual cultivator. Without the help of the Danshan Society, it would have been difficult for him to reach this point.

The two smiled at each other and raised their glasses to drink again.

……

On this day, the celebration begins.

The entrance to Ji Chang's cave was extremely bustling.

Many Taoist friends who were familiar with Ji Chang came over, their faces filled with festive smiles, and congratulated Ji Chang on his breakthrough to the middle stage of foundation building.

Ji Chang was wearing a blue robe, his temperament was elegant yet dignified. He stood at the entrance of the cave to welcome guests personally, and was followed by his concubine Liu Xuexuan.

Liu Xuexuan also dressed up carefully today, looking particularly pretty and charming.

At this moment, a black figure floated over. It was the female cultivator Huo Youyi dressed in black.

Her face was as red as a peach, her skin was as white as cream, and she smiled sweetly, and congratulated Ji Chang: "Friend Han, congratulations!"

Ji Chang was delighted when he heard this, and hurriedly bowed and said, "Friend Huo, your presence has brought honor to my humble abode. Please come in and join us in the celebration."

Huo Youyi nodded and smiled, then waved her hand lightly, and three jars of spirit wine appeared out of thin air.

Each jar of spirit wine exudes an alluring aroma, and has obviously reached the second-grade mid-quality level.

"Friend Han, these are the spirit wines I specially prepared for you. I would like to drink this cup with you to show my appreciation."

As Huo Youyi spoke, she handed the wine to Ji Chang.

Ji Chang took the wine and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

He knew very well how precious spiritual wine was, let alone a mid-grade second-grade spiritual wine.

In the past, transactions were always haggled over by the bottle, but today Huo Youyi was so generous, it was really touching.

"Friend Huo, this gift is too great. I am truly unworthy of it." Ji Chang declined.

"Fellow Daoist Han is wrong." Huo Youyi said with a smile.

"We have known each other for many years. What does this small gift mean to you? If you don't accept it, you are looking down on me."

After hearing this, Ji Chang no longer refused and accepted the generous gift with a smile.

Seeing this, other monks also marveled at Huo Youyi's magnanimity and generosity.

Some cultivators couldn't help but joked, "Brother Huo is so generous today. He really favors Brother Han."

After Huo Youyi, several familiar Taoist friends arrived one after another. They came either alone or in groups, and all gave Ji Chang sincere congratulations and carefully prepared gifts.

Ji Chang thanked them one by one.

At this moment, a young man in brocade clothes strode over. He had a calm temperament and a dignified face. He was Si Baichuan, the foundation-building cultivator of the Si family.

"Fellow Daoist Han, congratulations! I'm here on behalf of the Si family to congratulate you." Si Baichuan walked up to Ji Chang and said with a bow.

Ji Chang quickly returned the greeting, smiling happily, "Brother Si, your presence here really brings honor to my humble abode. I will always remember the kindness of the Si family."

"Brother Han, what are you talking about? You have a deep friendship with our Si family. How can we not come to your celebration?"

Si Baichuan said with a smile, and then he handed over a jade box, "This is a gift specially prepared for you by my elders. I hope you will like it."

Ji Chang took the jade box, secretly curious.

He gently opened the lid of the box, and an inky-black elixir came into view, glowing with light and wafting with the aroma of medicine.

"It's the Xuanyin flower?" Ji Chang asked in surprise.

"Yes, my Si family is located in a remote place in the northwest, and there are not many good things. Only this Xuanyin flower can be used. I hope this gift can bring some help to Han Daoyou." Si Baichuan explained. Ji Chang's heart was slightly moved. This Xuanyin flower is a second-level high-grade spiritual medicine, which is very useful. Si Baichuan gave it as a gift, probably considering Ji Chang's identity as an alchemist.

However, for Ji Chang, who has mastered the Si family's corpse-art inheritance, this Xuanyin flower has even greater uses.

That is, this is one of the main spiritual objects used to refine evil corpses.

He expressed his gratitude to Si Baichuan again and carefully put away the Xuanyin Flower.

Just as Ji Chang was talking to Si Baichuan, bursts of breaking air sounds suddenly came from the distance.

Immediately afterwards, two figures quickly came over and landed steadily in front of the cave entrance.

The people who came were Hu Qingyun and Fairy Hong Ling, who had a close friendship with Ji Chang.

Hu Qingyun was dressed in a green shirt, looking elegant and graceful, while Fairy Hong Ling was dressed in red, looking gorgeous and charming.

The arrival of the two immediately attracted the attention of everyone present.

Hu Qingyun walked up to Ji Chang, cupped his hands and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Han, I heard that you have broken through to the middle stage of foundation building, so I came to congratulate you!"

Ji Chang quickly returned the greeting and said gratefully, "Thank you, Brother Hu and Fairy Hong Ling. I am truly honored that you have come in person."

Fairy Hong Ling also smiled and said, "Friend Han, your breakthrough this time is a great joyous event. How can our Hu family be absent?"

As he spoke, Hu Qingyun handed over an ancient alchemy furnace.

This alchemy furnace exudes a faint spiritual fluctuation, and you can tell at first glance that it is not an ordinary item.

"Brother Ji Chang, this second-level intermediate-grade alchemy furnace is a gift specially prepared for you by my Hu family."

"Now that you have broken through to the middle stage of foundation building, the original second-grade inferior alchemy furnace may no longer be suitable for you."

"I hope this alchemy furnace can help you make further progress in alchemy." Hu Qingyun explained.

Ji Chang took the alchemy furnace and felt a warm feeling in his heart.

He was well aware of the preciousness of this alchemy furnace, and he also understood the kindness of the Hu family.

When he first started refining pills, the Hu family gave him a second-grade lower-grade alchemy furnace. Now, they have given him this second-grade middle-grade alchemy furnace. This friendship is extremely deep.

"Brother Hu, this... how can I do this? I was already very grateful to you for that alchemy furnace, and now you have given me this second-level middle-grade alchemy furnace. I really have no way to repay you."

Hu Qingyun waved his hand and said with a smile: "What are you talking about, Han Daoyou? What are these vulgar things?"

"What's more, you are now a cultivator in the middle stage of foundation building and are proficient in alchemy. This alchemy furnace can only play its greatest value in your hands."

After hearing this, Ji Chang no longer refused and carefully put away the alchemy furnace.

At this moment, Ji Chang suddenly thought of someone, so he asked, "By the way, why didn't Daoist Fellow Hu Qingsong come?"

Hu Qingyun heard this and showed a trace of regret on his face: "Qingsong is now in charge of the Hu family land, so he can't come to attend your celebration in person."

"However, he specifically asked me to congratulate you and hoped to have a chance to meet you."

When Ji Chang heard this, he felt a little regretful, but he also understood Hu Qingsong's responsibilities.

He nodded and said with emotion: "I just hope that I can have a chance to drink with him again in the future."

With the last fellow foundation-building practitioner taking his seat, the entire celebration officially began.

Ji Chang straightened his clothes and composed himself, walked to the front of the crowd, and looked at the guests with a sharp gaze.

He took a deep breath, and announced in a voice as loud as a bell: "Today is not only a celebration of my success in the middle stage of foundation building, but I also have a piece of good news that I want to celebrate with you all."

"My alchemy skills have also successfully reached the level of the second-level middle grade!"

When these words were spoken, all the monks in the hall were moved.

Alchemists are already of high status, and a mid-level second-grade alchemist is even rarer to come across.

Ji Chang smiled and raised his hand to signal everyone to stay calm.

He continued, "In order to thank all my colleagues for their continued support and kindness, I decided to hold a small trade fair during this grand event."

"I plan to sell some of the pills I have at a low price. I hope they can help you on your path of cultivation."

It was the same as the pill appreciation fair held when Ji Chang became a second-level alchemist. Although the prices of pills sold at such small trade fairs were much lower than usual.

But the profit is still not low, and it can even clear out the inventory in hand.

Besides that, it can also help you maintain friendships with fellow travelers who come to the celebration.

After the celebration was over, Ji Chang took out pills from his storage bag and placed them neatly on the jade table in front of him.

These pills are mellow in color and full of spiritual energy, and you can tell at a glance that they are of high quality.

Crowds of people gathered around, vying to watch and ask questions.

When the last pill was sold, Ji Chang clapped his hands gently, signaling that the transaction was temporarily over.

He looked around and saw that the monks were still very interested, so he smiled and said, "If you have any treasures or materials you want to sell, why not take this opportunity to exchange ideas and share what you have."

As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of all the monks suddenly lit up.

They took out the treasures or materials they didn't need from their storage bags and started trading with each other.

……

More than half a year later.

Ji Chang walked to Liu Xuexuan's side and asked, "Xuexuan, are you ready to break through the foundation?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xuexuan looked up at Ji Chang with a determined light in her eyes.

She nodded slightly and replied, "Master, I am ready."

After hearing this, Ji Chang showed a relieved smile on his face.

He pointed to a quiet room not far away and said, "That's good. You can break through the foundation in the quiet room where I usually practice. There is abundant spiritual energy there, which will help you practice."

Liu Xuexuan nodded in agreement, then stood up and walked towards the quiet room.

Liu Xuexuan sat cross-legged on the cushion in the center of the quiet room, adjusted her breathing, and prepared to start breaking through the foundation.

So Ji Chang sat on the stone bench outside the quiet room and began to study the Dao of Alchemy.

He held a jade slip in his hand and began to read it carefully.

At the same time, his spiritual sense was always paying attention to Liu Xuexuan's situation. If she failed to break through, he would be able to help her.

Although Liu Xuexuan also has life-saving pills such as the Meridian Protection Pill, they are not as good as those taken care of personally by a foundation-building cultivator.

Time passed bit by bit, and the spiritual energy in the quiet room gradually gathered, forming layers of light mist, enveloping Liu Xuexuan completely.

Suddenly, the spiritual energy in the quiet room became more intense, as if an invisible force was impacting something.

Ji Chang's expression changed, knowing that this was a sign that Liu Xuexuan was about to break through to the foundation-building stage.

I saw that around Liu Xuexuan's body, the spiritual energy gathered into streams, continuously flowing into her body.

Her face was sometimes pale and sometimes flushed, and she was obviously experiencing great pain.

However, her eyes remained firm.

Ji Chang saw this and couldn't help but admire it in his heart.

Finally, after a long wait and suffering, the fluctuations of spiritual energy in the quiet room gradually subsided.

A tired yet satisfied smile appeared on Liu Xuexuan's face, and it was obvious that she had successfully broken through the foundation-building stage.

(End of this chapter)