Cultivation: I can solidify equipment attributes

The Ji family has several days left on the prepaid fees for the seclusion room.

The foundation building has been successfully completed, but the spiritual energy concentration in the secluded cultivation room is extremely high, and it would be a pity to waste it.

Li Yuan continued his cultivation in the secluded room.

After finishing his cultivation, Li Yuan began making talismans.

The precision of controlling liquid spiritual energy is on a completely different level from that of the Qi Refining stage. The stability, density, and penetration depth of the spiritual energy after it seeps into the talisman paper from the fingertips all undergo a qualitative change.

Li Yuan spread out a sheet of herbal talisman paper, dipped it in spiritual ink, and began to write.

The feel is completely different from before.

It's not just about things becoming smoother. It's about looking at your past self from a different perspective.

When drawing talismans during the Qi Refining stage, the spiritual energy seeps into the talisman paper from the tip of the brush and needs to be controlled in terms of its direction, density, and diffusion range. Although these controls have become instinctive after mastery, instinct still has its limits—there are always some blind spots in the very end and the finest corners of the talisman paper that the spiritual energy cannot completely cover.

There are no blind spots now.

The precision of liquid spiritual energy far surpasses that of gaseous spiritual energy. In addition, the refinement and increased flow rate of spiritual energy brought about by the permanent attributes of Breaking Yuan and Foundation Establishment have brought the penetration depth and coverage of spiritual energy inside the talisman to an unprecedented level.

Every corner of every spirit rune was precisely filled.

The crimson glow rising from the surface of the talisman was deeper, more intense, and more even than that of any previous fireball talisman.

The panel popped up.

[First-Tier Talisman Crafting Technique - Perfected (3200/3200)]

It jumped directly from Dacheng to Manyuan.

It wasn't the kind of perfection that comes from accumulating for a long time and finally breaking through, but rather the leap in spiritual power level after Foundation Establishment that directly surpassed the upper limit of the first-order talisman-making technique.

All the techniques of first-order talisman-making become basic operations in the face of liquid spiritual power.

It's like an adult going back to do a child's math problem; it's not that the problem has become easier, but that the adult's ability far exceeds the problem's limits.

Li Yuan then spread out several more talisman papers and drew Vajra Talisman, Rejuvenation Talisman, Qi Gathering Talisman, and Restriction Breaking Talisman respectively.

Each and every piece is in the highest quality. The precision of the spirit patterns, the distribution of spirit power, and the control of leakage during the convergence are all maxed out.

A series of proficiency levels jumped on the panel.

Those talismans that were previously in the beginner or proficient stages have seen their proficiency levels increase significantly. The Ice Cone Talisman and Wind Walk Talisman jumped directly from beginner to master, the Restriction Breaking Talisman rose from proficient to master, approaching minor completion, and the Detection Talisman also reached minor completion.

They were already proficient in several types of talismans.

Golden Armor Talisman, Returning Origin Talisman, Gathering Qi Talisman, Heart-Locking Talisman, Breath-Concealing Talisman.

Everything was pushed to the point of nearing completion.

The spiritual power level after Foundation Establishment is a devastating blow to first-tier talismans. The proficiency that used to require repeated practice to slowly accumulate can now be greatly improved by drawing just a few talismans.

Li Yuan folded the finished talismans neatly and put them into his storage bag before continuing his cultivation.

The Azure Wood Longevity Technique was activated, and liquid spiritual energy flowed through the meridians. The concentration of spiritual energy in the secluded cultivation room was extremely high, and the accumulation of spiritual energy in each cycle was very substantial.

The forging of the Soul Condensation Technique is interspersed between the Green Wood Longevity Technique, allowing the soul to continue to solidify on the foundation established after the initial foundation building.

After practicing the Iron Wall Body Refining Technique several times, the tempering at the Great Completion stage became even more effective with the spiritual power boost after Foundation Establishment.

Time passed slowly during the cultivation.

On the morning of the third day, Li Yuan was meditating cross-legged when his divine sense suddenly detected movement outside the stone gate.

Two people.

One of them was a Yuan Yang Sect disciple guarding the alley entrance; his aura was familiar.

The other was a new face, with a cultivation level of the eighth level of Qi Refining. He was also a member of the Yuan Yang Sect and wore a Yuan Yang Sect token.

The two walked along the alley to the stone gate and stopped, carefully sending out a sound transmission talisman.

Li Yuan finished his practice and got up to walk to the stone gate.

Place the token on the groove, and the stone door slowly slides open.

There were two people standing outside the door.

The disciple on duty stood at the back, while in front of him was a young cultivator of about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, wearing a gray-white Daoist robe of the Yuan Yang Sect, with an exquisitely crafted token hanging at his waist. Unlike the standard tokens of ordinary patrolmen, it had an extra ring of gold trim.

Eight layers of Qi Refining.

Upon seeing Li Yuan, the young cultivator cupped his hands and bowed respectfully.

"senior."

Li Yuan glanced at him.

In the cultivation world, titles are based on cultivation level, not age.

Foundation Establishment cultivators are considered seniors to Qi Refining cultivators, even if the latter appear to be thirty years older.

"What is it?"

The young monk straightened his back and adopted a respectful attitude.

"This junior has come on orders. The spiritual energy fluctuations when you broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage were detected by the market's protective formation, and the sect has recorded it."

He paused for a moment, then explained.

"When a cultivator breaks through to the Foundation Establishment stage, the process of spiritual energy transforming from a gaseous state to a liquid state will generate a violent fluctuation in spiritual energy."

"The range of this fluctuation is not large; ordinary cultivators can only sense it in the vicinity. However, the protective formation set up by the Yuan Yang Sect within the market covers the entire market area and can detect this fluctuation."

Li Yuan nodded.

The spiritual energy fluctuations during the Foundation Establishment stage were detected by the formation. Since the secluded cultivation room was located within the market area, it wasn't surprising that it was discovered.

"An elder of the sect is currently in the market. After learning that a cultivator has broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage, he wishes to meet you, senior." The young cultivator's tone was very polite.

"The elder is waiting in the council hall north of the market. Is it convenient for you, senior?"

There aren't many Foundation Establishment cultivators in this area, so the Yuan Yang Sect naturally wanted to make contact with one of them.

"Let's go."

Li Yuan closed the stone door of the secluded cultivation room and followed the young cultivator out along the alley.

The disciples on duty watched the two leave, their eyes filled with more respect.

After walking north along the main street for a while, we turned into a wide side street. At the end of the side street was a three-story stone building, larger than the surrounding buildings. A plaque hung above the door, with the three characters "Meeting Hall" engraved on it in strong, vigorous strokes.

Four disciples of the Yuanyang Sect were on duty at the entrance of the stone building.

The young cultivator led the way, and the four guards, seeing the gold-rimmed token at his waist, bowed and made way for him.

After entering the stone building, walk along the corridor. On both sides of the corridor are rooms with closed doors, the doors inlaid with spiritual patterns for soundproofing.

Walk to the end of the corridor,

The young monk stopped in front of a large door and knocked three times gently.

"Come in."

A calm voice came from inside.

The young monk pushed open the door and stepped aside to make way.

"Please, senior."

Li Yuan went inside.

The room was small and simply furnished. There was a stone table and two stone chairs, on which sat a pot of tea and two white porcelain cups. In the corner stood a wooden bookshelf, on which were several scrolls of bamboo slips and a few booklets.

A person was sitting behind the stone table.

He had the appearance of someone in his fifties, but the wrinkles around his eyes and mouth were very shallow, making him look much younger than his actual age. He was of medium to thin build and wore a dark blue robe with the golden insignia of the Yuan Yang Sect embroidered on the chest.

Foundation Establishment cultivator.

His spiritual pressure was restrained yet profound, far surpassing that of Ji Huaiyuan.

When the elder saw Li Yuan enter, he stood up and cupped his hands in greeting to Li Yuan.

"Fellow Daoist, please have a seat."

Li Yuan sat down on the stone chair.

The elder pushed a cup of tea in front of Li Yuan, picked up another cup for himself, took a sip, and then put the cup down.

"Let me introduce myself first. I am Chen Yi, an inner elder of the Yuanyang Sect, currently in charge of the management of Yunyang Market and the surrounding area."

"Fellow Daoist has broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage in the secluded cultivation room. The formation has been recorded. Congratulations, Fellow Daoist."

"The fact that you have broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage is currently only known within the Yuan Yang Sect. We will not deliberately disclose it to the public, but you can announce your breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment stage yourself."

Li Yuan nodded.

Chen Yi didn't exchange many pleasantries and went straight to the point.

"As you probably know, there aren't many Foundation Establishment cultivators in this area."

He tapped the tabletop twice with his finger.

"The Yuan Yang Sect's foundation is located in Yuan Yang Mountain, thousands of miles from here. The sect has several Golden Core stage cultivators in charge, so its strength is not weak. However, the area where my Yuan Yang Sect is located is relatively weak in terms of power."

He turned the teacup halfway around.

"The reason is simple. This area used to be the territory of the Demonic Sect."

Li Yuan's gaze shifted slightly.

Chen Yi continued.

"About a hundred years ago, the Yuanyang Sect, together with several other sects, drove out the demonic sect forces that had been entrenched in this area. After the demonic sects were driven out, this territory came under the jurisdiction of the Yuanyang Sect."

He lifted his fingers off the table.

"But during the Demonic Sect's rule, most of the cultivators here died. Righteous cultivators were purged, rogue cultivators were exploited, and those with ability were either killed or fled. By the time the Yuan Yang Sect took over, this area was almost a complete ruin."

"Reconstruction has been ongoing for years. Markets, mines, spirit fields, and settlements for independent cultivators are being restored little by little. But the pace of recovery is slow, especially the number of high-level cultivators, which has remained stagnant."

He looked at Li Yuan.

Foundation Establishment cultivators are a scarce resource in this area.

"Therefore, whenever a new Foundation Establishment cultivator appears, the Yuan Yang Sect will take the initiative to make contact."

Li Yuan hummed in agreement and waited for him to continue.

Chen Yi's tone softened somewhat.

"Fellow Daoist, I'll be frank. The Yuan Yang Sect wishes to invite you to serve as a sect protector."

Protector of the Dharma.

Chen Yi explained the conditions one by one.

"First, we won't force you to do anything. Being a Dharma Protector is an identity, not a contract. You can do whatever you want, go wherever you want, and the Yuan Yang Sect won't interfere."

"Secondly, you must not take the initiative to antagonize the Yuanyang Sect. This is the bottom line."

"Third, you must not actively kill Foundation Establishment cultivators within the jurisdiction of the Yuan Yang Sect. This does not apply to Qi Refining cultivators, but please do not kill innocent people indiscriminately."

"Fourth, the Yuanyang Sect will issue missions from time to time, and the protectors can choose to accept or not accept them. There are rewards for completing missions, and no penalties for not accepting them."

"Fifth, spirit stones and contribution points will be distributed annually. Spirit stones will be settled monthly, while contribution points will be distributed in a lump sum at the end of the year. Contribution points can be exchanged for items, cultivation techniques, pills, and other resources at the Yuan Yang Sect's exchange office."

He pulled all five fingers back.

"These are the conditions. They're quite lenient."

Li Yuan mentally reviewed the five points.

There are no forced actions, no interference with freedom, only two restrictions: no hostility and no killing of those of the same rank.

These two rules weren't really constraints for him. He hadn't planned to oppose the Yuan Yang Sect, and he certainly wouldn't kill Foundation Establishment cultivators for no reason.

There is an annual income of spirit stones and contribution points; tasks are optional.

It's like getting a residency status and a fixed income for free.

The only price was that he was given the title of protector of the Yuanyang Sect.

"Okay," Li Yuan said.

Chen Yi's lips curled up slightly as he took out a token from the drawer under the table, placed it on the table, and pushed it towards him.

The token was larger than the one used by the inspector, and was dark gold in color. The front was engraved with the three characters "Yuan Yang Sect," and the back was engraved with the two characters "Guardian" and a string of spiritual symbols.

It feels solid and stable in the hand, with spiritual energy slowly flowing inside the token.

"This is a guardian token. The token comes with 500 contribution points, which is considered the initial quota."

Chen Yi briefly explained how to use the token.

The Spirit Power Infusion Token allows you to view your current contribution point balance and a list of items that can be redeemed.

The token will automatically notify you when a task is issued. The token itself also serves as an identity credential, allowing passage through all markets and strongholds within the jurisdiction of the Yuanyang Sect.

Li Yuan put the token into his storage bag.

After speaking, Chen Yi stood up and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Li Yuan.

"Welcome, fellow Daoist. If you need anything, feel free to come to the council hall to find me."

Li Yuan nodded, got up, and left the council hall.

Walk back along the same route to the alley where the seclusion room is located.

His divine sense swept over the rogue cultivators coming and going on the main street, most of whom were at the Qi Refining stage. Looking down from the Foundation Establishment level, these fluctuations in their auras were exceptionally clear.

One can roughly determine a person's cultivation level, spiritual power attribute, and physical condition by scanning them with one's divine sense.

Return to the secluded chamber and close the stone door.

First, use up the remaining time in the seclusion room.

Li Yuan closed his eyes and circulated his internal energy, the liquid spiritual power flowing through his meridians. Under the continuous guidance of the spirit-gathering array, the concentration of spiritual energy in the secluded cultivation room had returned to normal levels, making his cultivation extremely efficient.