Raise a sword!

The refining of the Foundation Building Pill went smoothly.

Three days later, the first batch of Foundation Establishment Pills was produced.

Three pills were formed. One of them had two pill patterns on it, while the other two only had one pill pattern.

"There are four qualities of Foundation Establishment Pills, with three pill patterns being the best and no pill patterns being the worst."

Qin Yuan carefully put away the Foundation Establishment Pills, and he put the two-patterned Foundation Establishment Pill away separately.

During the process, he didn't forget to explain the intricacies to Jiang Peng, who was standing next to him.

"I've never seen the Three-Pattern Foundation Establishment Pill before. I've only heard that it can help cultivators with mid-grade spiritual roots achieve more than 50% of their foundation establishment, and those with high-grade spiritual roots or above will definitely achieve foundation establishment."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Peng's heart stirred.

"A guaranteed Foundation Establishment stage? Master, that's a bit of an exaggeration."

"It's not an exaggeration," Qin Yuan said with a smile. "A cultivator with a superior spiritual root already has excellent talent. If they are resolute, have no hidden injuries, and have spent several years consolidating after reaching the peak of Qi Refining, they can reach the point where they can take Foundation Establishment Pills, and they are still under forty years old."

"If even with the best quality Foundation Establishment Pills, one still cannot break through, then that would be an injustice from heaven."

"Even with a mid-grade spiritual root, while it's not a sure thing, as long as one's blood and qi are sufficient and one's bone age is no more than sixty, the chances of successfully establishing one's foundation are very high."

After speaking, Qin Yuan looked at Jiang Peng.

"I know you have a mid-grade spiritual root, but unfortunately the Three-Pattern Foundation Establishment Pill is like a legend. At least in the vast Southern Mountain Region, I have never heard of such a pill."

Jiang Peng smiled, but in her heart she was thinking about her cheat code.

The Purple Gold Cauldron can be used to refine elixirs.

While three-pattern Foundation Establishment Pills are hard to come by, two-pattern ones are not uncommon; my master has just refined one.

The only thing to worry about is the huge energy consumption caused by refining beyond one's level.

But I imagine that when Jiang Peng reaches the peak of Qi Refining, he will only be refining a low-grade second-tier Foundation Establishment Pill, which he should be able to withstand.

"Generally speaking, the Two-Pattern Foundation Establishment Pill is the best. It can increase the chance of successfully establishing a foundation by more than 30%, and at the same time, it can protect the cultivator's meridians. Even if you fail, you will have a second chance to establish a foundation."

"As for those below the second level, once they fail, they fail; there is no possibility of them achieving Foundation Establishment a second time."

Jiang Peng then understood why Qin Yuan had kept the two-pattern Foundation Establishment Pill separately earlier.

These three Foundation Establishment Pills, though seemingly differing only by a single pill pattern, are actually worlds apart.

"You two rest in the Pill Hall for three days, and then refine the second batch."

After giving his instructions, Qin Yuan left on his own.

Jiang Peng and Zhao Shan'ao exchanged a glance, neither of them uttered a sound, and they each left.

After three days of working together as an assistant, even Jiang Peng had to admit that Zhao Shan'ao's alchemy skills were indeed superior to his own.

This person may have a harsh tongue, but he is indeed quite skilled at alchemy.

...

Inside the sect's main hall.

When Qin Yuan arrived, Sect Master Chu Chun'an immediately stood up to greet him.

Without the sect leader asking, Qin Yuan handed over all three Foundation Establishment Pills.

"Fortunately, I have fulfilled my mission and produced three pills, one of which has two patterns."

Upon hearing that there was also a two-pattern Foundation Establishment Pill among them, Chu Chun'an's face lit up with joy.

"Excellent! A two-pattern Foundation Establishment Pill... If we take this pill to the southern foothills, we can exchange it for three one-pattern Foundation Establishment Pills."

Elder Qin made only a few words of modesty before his gaze fell on another old man in the main hall.

This old man was none other than Elder Liu Zhi, the person in charge of the Pill Hall, who publicly claimed to be in seclusion.

At this moment, Elder Liu Zhi smiled upon hearing about the Two-Pattern Foundation Establishment Pill, but his pale complexion was impossible to conceal.

Even a Qi Refining cultivator could see Liu Zhi's weakness at a glance.

"Senior Brother Liu, how are your injuries?" Qin Yuan asked.

Liu Zhi shook her head slightly.

"Judging by the days, it should take about three to five years."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yuan sighed.

Elder Liu's so-called seclusion was just a false rumor spread by the sect. In reality, he went to the southern foothills of the Earthly Roaring Mountains to purchase the Profound Heart Leaf, the main ingredient for Foundation Establishment Pills, for the sect.

However, on the way back, Elder Liu was ambushed by evil cultivators and only managed to escape by using methods that damaged his very foundation.

In the end, Xuanxinye was returned, but Elder Liu's injuries worsened and his life was nearing its end.

Because of Elder Liu's injuries, the atmosphere in the main hall became somewhat somber.

In the end, Elder Liu took the initiative to break the silence and asked about his disciple Zhao Shan'ao.

"How is Shan Ao doing?"

Qin Yuan nodded, then shook his head.

"I've never liked that child's personality. If it weren't for you, Senior Brother, now... sigh."

Elder Liu gave Qin Yuan a slight bow.

"Thank you for your trouble, Junior Brother Qin."

Qin Yuan accepted the bow and then said, "That kid's alchemy skills are quite good; at least I can't find any fault with them... What he lacks now is cultivation. Once his cultivation reaches the Foundation Establishment stage, he will naturally become a second-tier alchemist."

Upon hearing this, Elder Liu smiled with satisfaction.

"In this way, at least the Pill Hall will not be without a successor."

Elder Qin shook his head and said, "With Zhao Shan'ao's temperament, who knows what will happen if the Pill Hall falls into his hands in the future... Heh, just because I didn't give him the Purple Jade Nourishing Pill, he actually hates my newly accepted disciple."

Elder Liu laughed upon hearing this.

"Junior Brother Qin, why worry about a simpleton who wears his hatred on his sleeve?"

Qin Yuan gave a soft snort.

If he hadn't known that Zhao Shan'ao was stupid but not bad, he wouldn't have agreed to teach Elder Liu alchemy.

Elder Liu continued, "The Pill Hall doesn't necessarily have to be handed over to Zhao Shan'ao... Didn't Junior Brother Qin just take on a new disciple? It's only a few years anyway. Before we reach the end of our lives, whoever is better between them can take over the Pill Hall."

After speaking, Elder Liu looked at Chu Chun'an beside him.

"Sect Master, please don't blame us two old folks for arranging the Pill Hall this way."

Chu Chun'an shook his head slightly.

"Our sect is not good at alchemy, and the Pill Hall relies entirely on the two of you. So this matter is naturally up to you two to decide."

"Furthermore, Elder Liu, you come from the Southern Mountain, and Elder Qin is a disciple of a Golden Core True Person from the Central Plains. Our Cangshan Sect's Pill Hall is like a small temple trying to fit in a big Buddha statue. As the sect leader, I would not disregard the wishes of either of you."

Elder Liu thanked him and then looked at Qin Yuan.

"Then let's agree on this. When my life ends, whichever of our disciples performs better in the affairs of the Pill Hall will be the one to take charge of it in the future."

"What about the stakes?" Qin Yuan asked. "Taking charge of the Pill Hall sounds prestigious, but there aren't any real benefits. If we're going to have a contest, there should be some stakes involved."

Qin Yuan raised an eyebrow and said, "I can produce the formula for the Purple Jade Nourishing Essence Pill. Senior Brother Liu, what about you?"

Qin Yuan and Liu Zhi fought each other openly and secretly their entire lives. It was true that they had a very close personal relationship, but it was also true that they were both unwilling to admit defeat to each other.

Similar bets have happened countless times in the past; this is just another one.

"I know you won't act until you see the benefit."

Elder Liu shook his head and chuckled.

"I still have a token from the Southern Ming Sect, so I'll use that as my bet."