Cultivating Immortality in Two Realms

Dongfuzhong.

Fang Qing strolled around casually, occasionally referring to the jade slip, and planted small sky-blue flags in various places in the cave.

Once everything was complete and the comparison was accurate, he took out a white jade array plate from his storage bag. Looking at the mid-grade spirit stone embedded in it, a hint of pain flashed across his face, but he still resolutely made a hand seal: "Go!"

Splash!

Amidst the shimmering water, the walls of the cave seemed to gather countless waves, which then quickly disappeared.

"Tier 1, High-Grade - Heavenly Azure Array!"

"This formation is strong enough to withstand attacks from several late-stage Qi Refining cultivators for a long time, and it also has a wonderful use: it can resist divine sense probing! Even if the opponent's divine sense is extremely high, it will still give an alert. It is considered a top-quality formation among first-tier high-grade formations. It is several miles stronger than that so-called Minor Concealment Formation."

This entire grand formation and its arrangement method all came from Qin Ruxue on the formation island, which Fang Qing obtained in exchange for several second-tier pills.

Of course, Qin Ruxue also offered a significant discount, which can be seen as a sign of sincerity in the previous reconciliation.

"I find it very difficult to go out these days."

On Jade Island, Fang Qing feared that as soon as he left the Azure Sea Gate, a Foundation Establishment cultivator would hide his identity and rob him!

After all, as a true disciple, he must have a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill on him!

One should not overestimate the integrity of cultivators.

Therefore, the best approach is to stay within the sect until the Foundation Establishment breakthrough is complete.

This makes Fang Qing's previous approach of casually accepting a mission and disappearing from the sect no longer viable.

Therefore, the best option becomes to use an array to protect the cave and then travel directly through it!

"This formation can even be blocked by the Foundation Establishment cultivator's divine sense... Foundation Establishment cultivators in our sect will be severely punished according to the sect rules if they attack the cave dwelling of a true disciple without cause, so they generally won't do it."

"And the Core Formation Ancestor? Not long ago, Sect Leader Linghu announced his resignation and went into seclusion to comprehend the mysteries of Core Formation... I think he went to refine the 'Tide-Rising Pearl'. That Fairy of the Azure Waves, Ruan Zhixuan, will definitely protect him. And after Sect Leader Linghu succeeds, he will go out and ambush the Zhong family patriarch and Yu Yao Sanren without anyone noticing. He won't have time to care about me."

"In addition, before each time travel, I would use the Plum Blossom Divination to predict good or bad fortune, so it was impossible for me to be caught out by chance."

Having made up his mind and consulted the oracle, Fang Qing no longer hesitated. With a thought, his figure vanished instantly.

The Seven Profound Azure Waves Grand Array of the Azure Sea Sect was operating as usual, without the slightest abnormality...

……

Ancient Shu.

Fang Qing transformed all the black water magic power of the "Commentary on the Water Classic" at the ninth level of Qi Refining into Yuan Qi, which was stored in the Dao Sheng Pearl. He himself was replaced with the cultivation level of the "Observing the Black Tomb Book" at the seventh level of Qi Absorption.

"As for the Qi Refining Path, once the mana of the ninth level of Qi Refining is fully accumulated, one can attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage... It's a sure thing, and there's even a safety net."

"But the real trouble lies in cultivating one's foundation through the practice of Qi."

He sighed.

The Qi Cultivation Method is inherently more refined than the Qi Refining Method, involving the [Ji Shui] Daoist practice. The descriptions of the Dao Foundation in the "Viewing the Black Tomb Book" are even more mysterious, relying entirely on the cultivator's own comprehension.

"At that time, even if I reach the Foundation Establishment stage of Qi Refining and convert the Foundation Establishment power... I certainly won't lack the power to build the foundation of the Dao in the Qi Absorption Dao, but I will lack other aspects."

With this thought in mind, Fang Qing took out a jade box, inside which was a Foundation Establishment Pill!

"As expected... according to the alchemy classification here, this should be a rare [Zhen Shui] Great Pill!"

【Zhenshui】 is also known as 【Great Sea Water】! It corresponds quite well with the second-tier dragon-serpent demon core, the main ingredient of this Foundation Establishment Pill.

"Since it is also of the water element, it should be usable, at least enough to replenish the depletion of energy and spirit..."

"I think it's best to use the Ice Heart Protecting Meridian Pill for my Qi Refining Foundation Establishment, and use this Foundation Establishment Pill when I advance to the Foundation Stage of the Qi Absorption Path..."

Fang Qing came up with a plan.

As for how cultivators of the Qi-cultivation path build their foundation, he was completely clueless, having only vaguely heard rumors that most of them used human pills.

If one does not use the elixir of immortality, one must seek enlightenment and even search for specific spiritual objects related to the Dao foundation, such as the "Ji Shui" (箕水).

"We still need the Taoist books here, especially those on alchemy..."

"If I could integrate the alchemy methods of the two realms, I might even be able to modify this 'Foundation Building Pill' and refine it into a powerful pill suitable for breakthroughs using the 'Black Tomb Scripture'?"

Since advancing to the second-tier alchemist, he has had access to almost all the alchemy books on the fourth floor of the Azure Sea Sect's Heavenly Book Pavilion.

Fang Qing's alchemy skills have improved by leaps and bounds.

The more he studied it, the more he realized that this water-based alchemy technique was quite profound and sophisticated.

Even finished pills can be put into the pool for further refining, with four major schools of thought: "Descending, Balancing, Combining, and Ascending".

The so-called "refining method" is to lower the grade of the pill. For example, a first-grade snake might have difficulty digesting a second-grade spirit-feeding pill. So, by refining, a second-grade spirit-feeding pill can be transformed into several first-grade high-quality pills, which can then be given to the snake to swallow.

The method of "combined refinement" is exactly the opposite. It involves combining several first-grade high-quality Spirit-Nourishing Pills to upgrade them to the second grade, or upgrading several second-grade low-quality pills to the second-grade middle or high grade...

The principle of "refining" is to add other precious materials to upgrade the grade of the pill. For example, a first-grade superior Spirit Feeding Pill can be remelted by adding another second-grade material to create a second-grade pill that is not a Spirit Feeding Pill and may be suitable for cultivators to consume.

"Plain Refining" slightly alters the medicinal properties without changing the rank of the pill. Of course, it is still impossible to transform a water-element pill into a fire-element pill.

Given Fang Qing's current abilities, asking him to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill in a straightforward manner would be putting him in a difficult position.

However, he could have waited until he had reached the Foundation Establishment stage before coming here to search for higher-level alchemy books and alchemy traditions to find a solution.

"Wait a minute? Perhaps I could just find a manual for the [Zhenshui] cultivation technique, then consume a Foundation Establishment Pill to advance my Dao Foundation. Wouldn't that be a perfect combination?"

"As expected... with the Dao-Born Pearl, cheating is possible."

Fang Qing's mind cleared up, and he was overjoyed.

"But... good cultivation techniques are rare, and those without pitfalls are even rarer."

"The cultivation method of Qi Absorption requires comprehension and cultivation... My cultivation is decent [Ji Shui], but [Zhen Shui] is just average. These things need to be considered carefully. Even with Foundation Establishment Pills, it is still unknown whether a forced initiation to the ninth level of Qi Absorption can forge a foundation for the Dao."

"Given the current situation, let's proceed simultaneously. We need to collect the Dan Shu (a type of alchemical text) and the Zhen Shui (a type of martial arts technique)."

……

Returning to ancient Shu gave Fang Qing a completely different feeling.

"With the cultivation world pacified, the mortal government has also begun to recruit refugees and cultivate fields... After so much chaos in Ba County, it has finally settled down."

He rode his magical artifact to the Floating Boat Pavilion, gazing at the white clouds floating like boats, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Back then, Li Rulong and I embarked on the path of cultivating Qi right here.

But now everything has changed.

"That blind fortune teller is still a bit suspicious... He not only possesses the Secret Domain Technique, but he also specifically told Li Rulong's fortune and imbued him with dragon energy."

"They even reminded me of the problem of cultivation techniques mutually devouring each other."

"Even though that's exactly what he does... isn't this a bit too much of a coincidence?"

Fang Qing became secretly wary and cast a divination for himself, which yielded a result of "mediocre".

"Hmm, it's not dangerous."

"Now that the market has reopened, I hope that old blind man is still inside."

This floating market has opened and closed countless times, and most of the independent cultivators within it have changed several times.

Fang Qing really didn't have much hope that the old blind man would still be alive.

But when he walked through the archway and into the market, he still saw that stall.

The old blind man's eyes remained unchanged, two dark holes staring blankly ahead, with a yellow bone bowl placed in front of him.

Fang Qing didn't stand on ceremony and sat down at the stall.

"It's you... Young friend, your cultivation is extraordinary. You have already reached the seventh level of Qi Conquest, and you have a promising future in establishing your Dao foundation."

When the old blind man "saw" Fang Qing, he smiled broadly, revealing a mouthful of yellowed and blackened teeth.

"I never expected that you, sir, would also escape such a calamity. Now you can finally cultivate in peace."

Fang Qing looked relieved: "It's just a pity about Li Rulong."

"Him? He got what he wanted, built his foundation, and escaped into the demon race. Perhaps he has a bright future ahead of him, and may soar like a dragon in the sky."

The old blind man sneered.

"Li Rulong...has reached the Foundation Establishment stage?" Fang Qing was taken aback. "So fast?"

At the same time, he became even more vigilant. The Plum Blossom Divination book circulated rapidly, but he did not receive any ominous signs.

"This old blind man doesn't seem to be the kind of high-level cultivator who fries fish like that slovenly Taoist priest... but he knows quite a few secrets; he's a man with a story."

"The Dao Foundation is the foundation of the Purple Palace, profound and mysterious... But Li Rulong's life force is sufficient, his destiny is vigorous, and he has killed a great enemy and consumed a human pill. With his destiny at this point, the mere Dao Foundation barrier can be broken with a snap of his fingers..."

The old blind man shook his head: "As for you, young friend... you must be extremely careful when breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage. For us ordinary rogue cultivators, even if we have reached the ninth level of Qi Refining and found a spiritual object that suits our destiny, breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage is still a matter of life and death. One wrong move and we will perish..."

"Taoist transformation?" Fang Qing frowned.

"Where does the dead go? They return to the mountains." The old blind man replied leisurely, "We cultivators who practice Qi cultivation absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to refine ourselves. While pursuing the Great Dao, we are also pursued by it. If we fail to break through to a higher realm, we will manifest spiritual beings to nourish heaven and earth. This is called 'Dao Transformation,' or 'Returning the Dao to Heaven and Earth'... Qi cultivation and Foundation Establishment cultivators are fine, but if a Purple Mansion cultivator perishes, they will either transform into a treasure land, or into a natural disaster... or... directly transform into terrifying evil beings, wreaking havoc on the region!"

"Thank you for your guidance, sir. But may I ask why you offered it?"

Fang Qing bowed sincerely, without mentioning any spiritual reward.

"Alas... In his youth, the old blind man wandered aimlessly and suffered a great calamity... In middle age, he became a fortune teller, but he could not accurately predict his own fate. Only recently, knowing that I am about to die, have I vaguely gained some insights... Back then, I was able to survive in the Secret Realm and even obtain this precious bowl and the incantation... This is because I have taken karma, and sooner or later I will have to repay that person with a Vajra or a Dharma protector..."

Fear appeared on the old blind man's face: "I don't want to implicate my own family, so I can only try to build good relationships. I hope that one of you can break through to the Dao Foundation stage and take on the karma for me..."