Immortality and Cultivation: Starting with Improving Spiritual Root Aptitude

About fifteen minutes later.

In the backyard of a shop in the market, in a secluded room, the light was dim.

Li Buhui stood tall and straight, with her hands hanging at her sides, looking respectful behind a middle-aged man.

This middle-aged man, with a robust build and a resolute face, was Li Buhui's relative, his second uncle, Li Ya, who was also the leader of the Tiger Wolf Gang.

Li Ya slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Li Buhui. He scrutinized him for a moment, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. His tone was tinged with approval as he slowly spoke:

"You've broken through, no regrets. In just over ten years, you've progressed from the mid-stage of Qi Refining to the late-stage. That's quite impressive."

Li Buhui quickly bowed and greeted him respectfully:

"Yes, Second Uncle, thanks to you and the pills that person gave me, I was able to break through smoothly and enter the late stage of Qi Refining."

But as soon as he finished speaking, Li Ya's face darkened, and his tone became serious, carrying a hint of worry and a touch of warning:

"Don't be too greedy for the pills that person gave you. I know better than you that although those pills can help you advance rapidly in a short time, making your efforts twice as effective, and seem like a stroke of luck, they actually harbor hidden dangers. Long-term use will damage your foundation and may even affect your future chances of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage. Now that you have broken through to the late stage of Qi Refining, you should stop taking them immediately and never be greedy again. Your second uncle only has you as family now, and I don't want to see you lose your future and ruin your path of cultivation because of momentary greed."

Li Buhui was startled and quickly bowed again:

"Yes, Second Uncle, I will remember your teachings and never take those pills again. I will focus on cultivation, solidify my foundation, and never let you down."

Li Ya nodded, his expression softening slightly, then, as if remembering something, he asked in a serious tone:

"By the way, has there been any news from Zhao Xuan? Is his situation as we anticipated, making it worthwhile to take action?"

Mentioning Zhao Xuan, Li Buhui composed herself and slowly began to report the information Zhao Xuan had just given her:

"Second Uncle, Zhao Xuan just sent word. He said these rogue cultivators are all quite wealthy, so they're worth taking action against. However, their cultivation levels are not low; most are in the mid-to-late stage of Qi Refining, and one is even at the ninth level of Qi Refining. Taking them down might be a bit tricky."

Upon hearing this, Li Ya remained expressionless, slowly shook his head, and said with a firm tone:

"It's alright. Even if it's troublesome, it's alright. This time, all members of our gang are mobilized and going all out. Moreover, this time, I'm personally taking action. With me in charge, even if those rogue cultivators are highly skilled, they won't be able to cause any major trouble. I believe that as long as we can successfully capture these rogue cultivators and gather enough spirit stones to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills, it shouldn't be a problem."

Although he spoke of good news, Li Ya's tone carried an undisguised sense of helplessness and bitterness.

He had cultivated for many years, but remained stuck at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining, unable to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage. The crux of the problem lay in a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Now that person has actually provided a way to purchase Foundation Establishment Pills, which is his only hope for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Li Buhui sensed the helplessness in his tone, and her heart ached. She couldn't help but offer some words of comfort:

"Second Uncle, but that man is clearly robbing us. The Foundation Establishment Pills he has are priced at more than double the market price. This is simply price gouging, deliberately ripping us off. Even if we gather enough spirit stones to exchange for the Foundation Establishment Pills, we'll still be at a huge loss. Why don't we think of another way, like trying our luck at an auction and getting the Foundation Establishment Pills at a reasonable price?"

Upon hearing this, Li Ya sighed helplessly:

"What can we do? Bu Hui, you're too young and don't understand the cruelty of the cultivation world. Foundation Establishment Pills are such rare pills. Even if we manage to get one at the auction, with our sect's strength and our cultivation levels, can we really protect it? Once the news leaks out, it will attract the covetous eyes of Foundation Establishment cultivators from other families. They'll come and snatch it away. In that case, not only will we not get the Foundation Establishment Pill, but we'll also lose our lives. It's not worth it."

After a pause, Li Ya continued, his tone carrying a hint of relief, but also a touch of restraint:

"Now, being able to exchange a Foundation Establishment Pill from that person, although much more expensive, is the safest way. Back then, I was incredibly lucky to have survived from that person's clutches. Although I had to submit to him and become his puppet to save my life, he also gave us a way out and an opportunity to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill. Even if this opportunity requires us to pay a huge price."

At this point, Li Ya slowly turned around, his gaze fixed on Li Buhui, his eyes filled with anticipation, yet tinged with worry, and his tone softened considerably:

"However, Bu Hui, your second uncle doesn't want you to end up like me, trapped in that person's hands for the rest of your life, manipulated by others, losing your freedom, and ruining your life. After this, you should focus on cultivating, concentrating on solidifying your foundation and improving your cultivation. Don't get involved in the fighting, killing, and scheming in the gang anymore. Just focus on cultivating and strive to reach the ninth level of Qi Refining as soon as possible. At that time, your second uncle will find a way to help you break free from that person's control and forge your own path of cultivation."

Looking at the expectation in Li Ya's eyes, Li Buhui felt a lump in his throat, his eyes instantly reddening. He knelt down heavily, his voice choked with emotion:

"Second Uncle, don't worry, I will definitely not let you down! I will cultivate diligently and do my best to improve my cultivation level, break through to the Foundation Establishment stage as soon as possible. In the future, I will definitely rescue you, break free from that person's control, and never let you suffer such injustice again. Neither of us, uncle and nephew, will have to be controlled by others anymore!"

Li Ya looked at Li Buhui kneeling on the ground, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes. He quickly stepped forward, helped him up, gently patted his shoulder, and spoke in an extremely gentle tone:

"Good child, your second uncle believes in you, and your second uncle is waiting for that day. Get up, cultivate diligently, and don't let yourself down, nor let your second uncle down."

Li Buhui nodded vigorously, wiped the moisture from the corners of her eyes, and stood up straight again.

"Go, Bu Hui. Go now and gather everyone in the gang. Be sure to act discreetly and don't alert anyone in the market."

A fierce glint flashed in Li Buhui's eyes, and she quickly responded:

"Yes, Second Uncle! I'll make the arrangements right away and make sure they can't escape."

After agreeing, he said no more, bowed deeply to Li Ya, and quickly left the secret room.

Li Ya stood there, watching Li Buhui's figure disappear behind the stone door of the secret chamber. The relief in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a deep sense of helplessness.