Immortality: Starting with the Fruit of Taiyin

"After all, this has to be repaid, and the interest is very high!"

Snapped--

She gently patted the table and cabinet, as if afraid that Wang Xuan might not understand the seriousness of the matter.

The girl stood on tiptoe, trying to overcome the disadvantage of her height.

"Senior brother, you may not know this, but although this service exists, it is actually a preparation provided by the sect for disciples who have reached the Qi Refining Perfection stage to attempt the Foundation Establishment stage before their Qi and blood decline."

"Only they would be willing to take on huge debts just to 'borrow' money to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills."

"For them, once they successfully break through to the next realm, they can naturally pay back the overdraft and become a mid-level member of the sect, with a bright future ahead."

"But if we fail... it's practically like selling our future decades to the sect, with no chance of ever turning things around."

"I know."

Standing at the unmanned counter, looking at the somewhat agitated young woman, Wang Xuan tried to explain, "I've looked into the relevant policies, and I'm confident I can repay..."

"No, you don't understand!"

Heartbroken, the young woman felt it was necessary to bring her senior brother, who possessed exceptional talent in alchemy, back on the right track.

"Senior brother, you don't understand."

"Take the Lower Courtyard as an example, where do you think those 'Outer Sect Deacons' who have reached the pinnacle of Qi cultivation came from?"

"And where did the guards and protectors of the spirit mines and medicinal fields in various places come from?"

"For those Qi Refining Perfection cultivators who have passed the optimal Foundation Establishment age, since there is no hope of advancing further, why not live a good life anywhere else, instead of toiling away day and night for the sect?"

"Nanhua Sect isn't a demonic sect, so it's impossible for them to force disciples to go... The only reason is that they've already sold themselves out."

"But senior brother, you're still so young, there's absolutely no need for you to gamble."

"As long as you can become a mid-grade first-tier alchemist before the age of thirty, the sect will definitely give you a spot for Foundation Establishment Pills—"

"Junior Sister Dan."

Wang Xuan put his hand to his forehead, looking somewhat helpless.

Therefore, getting too close to someone isn't always a good thing, as is the case now.

Dan Chen's advice was actually quite reasonable. If it weren't for the major changes that would happen a few years later, Wang Xuan wouldn't have acted this way.

However, without the other party's help, even if he passes the assessment and verifies his status as a formal alchemist after a period of time, it will be difficult for him to overdraft a satisfactory amount of sect contribution.

So after thinking it over, Wang Xuan lowered his voice and whispered:

"Ahem... Junior Sister Dan, since you asked... I'll only tell you this, but remember not to spread it around."

"I have a natal spirit beast with whom I have a soul contract, and it possesses a superior bloodline."

"And what I want to exchange is the essence blood of a second-tier demon beast."

"What?"

"A demonic beast with superior bloodline?"

The girl gasped softly, her eyes wide, while Wang Xuan nodded decisively in agreement.

"That's right, junior sister understands now, doesn't she?"

A superior bloodline is not a low-grade one. As a 'talented' alchemist, he is qualified to have such a natal spirit pet.

Across from him, seeing Wang Xuan nod in agreement, a look of realization flashed in the girl's eyes.

So that's how it is. A demon beast with superior bloodline... Even if someone takes out a loan to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills, they might not be able to successfully establish their foundation.

However, if a high-grade bloodline demon beast has second-tier essence blood as an aid, the probability of breaking through to the second tier is almost guaranteed.

As long as one can successfully break through to the next realm, the enormous contribution that Qi Refining cultivators see is nothing more than that to a second-tier demon beast comparable to Foundation Establishment.

Patting her unremarkable chest, Dan Chen's tone couldn't help but carry a hint of complaint:

"So that's how it is. Why didn't you say so sooner, senior brother?"

"So, the soul contract you exchanged two years ago was for this very reason... Although a spirit pet with a superior bloodline is valuable, as a sect alchemist with the potential to establish your foundation, you don't need to worry about its safety."

"Junior sister is right."

Wang Xuan smiled and nodded, knowing full well that he didn't need to worry; otherwise, he wouldn't have said it.

"But now that you know my plans, could you please do me another favor?"

"……Oh well."

"With a demon beast of superior bloodline by your side, Senior Brother really doesn't need to worry about repaying the debt."

Nodding slightly, Dan Chen asked:

"When will you be requesting this contribution, Senior Brother?"

"If it's urgent..."

"No need, let's do it in two years," Wang Xuan said with a smile. "Xiao Qing's cultivation level isn't quite there yet... it will be enough in two years."

"Once Xiaoqing successfully breaks through, I will invite my junior sister to attend its Foundation Establishment celebration so that it can properly thank you for your great contribution."

Although in principle only sect cultivators who advance to the Foundation Establishment stage would invite friends to celebrate, there are precedents for celebrating with demonic beasts.

Moreover, in beast-taming sects like the Wanling Sect, a major sect in the Western Regions, the status of demonic beasts is in no way lower than that of humans.

So, after casually promising a celebration that was destined to never happen, Wang Xuan chatted with Dan Chen for a few more minutes, telling her about the rumors he had heard.

Only after leaving the Hundred Arts Pavilion did he feel a great weight lifted from his heart.

Since Dan Chen's channels can obtain second-tier essence blood, when the Azure Bird truly advances to the second tier, he will have enough origin to help it undergo another 'bloodline mutation' and become a pure earth-grade bloodline demon beast.

It is important to know that in the world of cultivation, it is very difficult for low-level cultivators to obtain the resources needed to advance to higher levels.

However, once another high-level cultivator lends a hand, many channels will naturally become unobstructed for them.

Although this happened a long time later, it did not affect Wang Xuan's foresight.

After all, one who does not plan for the long term is not qualified to plan for the short term.

"The only slight pity is that the second-tier essence blood is different from the first-tier."

"The existence of 'inferior' bloodlines among first-tier monsters directly lowers the average price."

"Although these kinds of monsters can only barely reach the early stage of the first tier, they are really cheap."

"But once you reach the second tier, that kind of good thing won't happen."

His expression remained unchanged, and he was not worried about it.

Wang Xuan knew that the power of a Dao Fruit was, to some extent, linked to one's cultivation level.

Take the insights gained from concept extraction as an example. With his refined spiritual energy, each insight he gains might be one.

But once he reaches the Foundation Establishment stage, there will likely be more than just these things.

Wang Xuan suspected that this was related to the strength of the soul's essence... In any case, this matter would not affect his plans.

……

Time flies, and several months have passed.

On this day, in the quiet room, Wang Xuan sat cross-legged in meditation.

A faint light shone from all around, and the power of the Yin energy circulated in the meridians.

At a certain moment, with a very obvious vibration of energy, he slowly opened his eyes.

"Level 5 Qi Refining..."

"Time flies, and I'm already nineteen."

Just like before, there was no bottleneck whatsoever.

At least before reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, Wang Xuan should not encounter any difficulties.