Cultivation: I can solidify equipment attributes

At dawn, Li Yuan finished his last major cycle of energy circulation in the stone house and was about to get up to handle market affairs when a very restrained knocking sound came from the outer perimeter of the concealed array.

The knocking was not loud, but the intervals between each knock were perfectly even, and the spiritual energy fluctuations were extremely restrained, like a bottomless pool of still water.

Late stage of Golden Core.

Li Yuan probed with his divine sense, and his brows twitched slightly.

Two people were standing outside the stone house.

The man in front was of medium to thin build, with a sharp, clean-cut face and a short, gray beard. He wore a dark gray robe that, while not particularly ornate, was of excellent quality. His aura was deep and solid, and the way he circulated his spiritual energy was similar to the fluctuations of Chen Yi's cultivation technique, but the depth and power of his energy were incomparable.

Late stage of Golden Core.

Sect Master of Yuanyang Sect.

Li Yuan suppressed his cultivation, steadily holding his aura at the late Foundation Establishment stage, and got up to open the door.

"Master Li." The sect leader spoke first, his gaze lingering on Li Yuan for a moment before he smiled slightly, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "I apologize for my unauthorized visit. I am Zhou Mingyuan, the sect leader of Yuanyang Sect."

"Senior Zhou." Li Yuan stepped aside to make way. "Please come in."

"I am Zhou Mingyuan, just call me Sect Master Zhou."

The three of them sat down in the stone house. Chen Yi consciously stood at the doorway.

Zhou Mingyuan skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point.

"Chen Yi told me about Master Li's deeds. It's truly remarkable that someone with the cultivation level of late Foundation Establishment could build such a market in the Ghost Mist Forest and do so much for the sect."

He picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and his gaze was calm but scrutinizing.

"I've come today to ask, what stage has Master Li's preparation for forming his core reached?"

Core formation.

In the Yuan Yang Sect's understanding, Li Yuan was still a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. All the information provided by Chen Yi indicated that Li Yuan's cultivation level remained at this level. The permanent attribute of "Hidden and Untraceable" combined with deliberate suppression of his aura meant that any external perception could only detect a late-stage Foundation Establishment signal.

"The foundation is almost laid," Li Yuan said calmly. "We're still lacking some materials for Core Formation."

"The auxiliary materials are easy to handle." Zhou Mingyuan put down his teacup and leaned forward slightly.

"The sect can provide you with a set of Core Formation materials, of no lower quality than the one Chen Yi gave you last time. In addition, the sect has a dedicated Core Formation meditation room on Qingyuan Peak outside Yunyang City, fully equipped with array shielding, spiritual energy supply, and contingency plans. As for Core Formation experience, I can personally provide guidance."

The conditions are extremely favorable.

The materials for Core Formation, the training ground for Core Formation, and the personal guidance of a late-stage Golden Core cultivator are treatments that a rogue cultivator would almost never dare to dream of.

But what is the price?

"What does the sect leader need me to do?"

"After successfully forming your core, assist the sect in the standoff at Bone Ridge." Zhou Mingyuan's tone shifted, becoming serious. "You should be aware of the situation at Bone Ridge. Everyone is watching what's under the restrictions. If you successfully form your core, combined with your existing foundation, your combat strength won't be weak."

Having said that, Zhou Mingyuan took something out of his sleeve and gently placed it on the table.

A jade pendant the size of a palm. The pendant is milky white, with densely packed spiritual patterns engraved on its surface, and extremely faint fluctuations of divine soul flow deep within these patterns.

Spiritual Pact.

"This is a standard sect spirit contract." Zhou Mingyuan pointed to the jade tablet. "After you form your core, you will join the Yuanyang Sect and participate in the Dry Bone Ridge operation as a protector. The contract is binding for ten years and will automatically expire after ten years. At that time, you are free to choose whether to stay or leave."

Li Yuan looked at the spirit contract on the table, his expression unchanged.

He understood the binding mechanism of the Spirit Contract very well. The Spirit Contract was essentially a one-way constraint anchored to the soul; the party who breached it would suffer a backlash from their soul. The cost of breaching the contract was extremely heavy.

But for Golden Core cultivators, the situation is completely different.

The essence, energy, and spirit of a Golden Core cultivator are all contained within their natal Golden Core. Coupled with a strong divine soul, the backlash from the spiritual contract poses no fatal threat to the divine soul of a Golden Core cultivator. At most, it will cause temporary discomfort to the divine soul and stagnation in cultivation, but it will not cause serious injury.

In other words, the Golden Core Spirit Contract has virtually no real binding force on Golden Core cultivators.

Zhou Mingyuan couldn't possibly be unaware of this.

What was his true intention in taking out the Spirit Contract?

Li Yuan didn't dwell on that question, but instead asked about another direction.

"Since the sect needs Golden Core cultivators, why not cultivate its own disciples?"

Zhou Mingyuan's expression changed slightly.

It wasn't anger, but a complex expression mixed with helplessness and bitterness.

"It's not that we don't have promising talents." He sighed. "Among the young disciples of this generation in the sect, there are three promising talents with solid foundations and outstanding abilities."

He held up one finger.

"The first one is Zhou Yan, the grandson of Elder Dantang. He has the best foundation and the most solid cultivation technique. However, he has already successfully formed his core."

The second finger.

"The second one is the chief disciple, named Lin Zheng. His foundation was also good, but an accident happened when he was forming his core. His spiritual energy went out of control on the core-forming platform, his golden core shattered, and his meridians were severely injured. Although he survived, he is now half-crippled."

The third finger.

"The third one is Zhao Qing, an inner disciple. He has extremely high talent, but he is not a good match for the Core Formation materials prepared by the sect."

Of the three promising talents, one has matured, one has failed, and one is not a good fit.

That sounds reasonable.

But Li Yuan felt that something was not quite right.

Yuan Yang Sect is a major sect in Liangzhou with a profound foundation; it's impossible that they only have three Core Formation cultivators. Even if there are only three top disciples in this generation, there will be no shortage of those of slightly lower rank.

The sect leader personally came to the door, presented a spiritual contract, and offered such high terms, just to recruit a rogue cultivator shop owner?

Not like.

There must be something else behind this, but Li Yuan didn't ask.

"I need time to consider the matter of the spirit contract."

Zhou Mingyuan nodded, showing no displeasure.

"No rush. The situation at Dry Bone Ridge won't change much in the short term; all parties are still negotiating. Take your time to think it over."

Zhou Mingyuan got up to say goodbye, and Chen Yi followed behind him.

After the stone gate closed, the two auras disappeared into the distance.

Li Yuan sat at the stone table for a while.

He put all the spirit contract jade tablets on the table into his personal space and then began to think.

Why resort to this method to win over a market manager whom he believes only has late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation?

In the standoff between Golden Core cultivators at Dry Bone Ridge, the role of having an additional early-stage Golden Core cultivator is extremely limited.

Zhou Mingyuan's approach may seem like he's trying to add another piece, but the cost and the benefits are completely disproportionate.

Moreover, in Zhou Mingyuan's eyes, he was not sure he could succeed. Normally, the success rate for late-stage Foundation Establishment was only 10% to 20% based on the conditions Zhou Mingyuan mentioned.

Is it because of my identity, that I am not a member of the Yuanyang Sect, or some other reason?

Li Yuan couldn't figure it out, so he put those thoughts aside for the time being.

In the afternoon, a guest came to Yuanmingzhai.

The late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Bitan Sect had a dignified appearance, wore a standard blue and white robe, and had a jade pendant with a blue pool pattern hanging at his waist. His attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, and upon entering, he first showed the Bitan Sect's business seal to the counter.

"I am Fang Qi, an external affairs disciple of the Bitan Sect." He cupped his hands to Xu Zhang, "I have come on the orders of the sect to discuss long-term procurement matters."

Xu Zhang glanced at Li Yuan and saw him nod almost imperceptibly before leading Fang Qi to the reception room on the second floor.

Fang Qi handed over a purchase list.

The list covers a wide range of items, from low- to mid-grade spiritual herbs to refining ores, various pills, and talismans, encompassing most of the categories Yuanmingzhai deals in. The quantity is also substantial; if settled monthly, the monthly purchase amount is around three hundred mid-grade spirit stones.

"Bitan Sect hopes to establish a long-term supply relationship with Yuanmingzhai," Fang Qi said calmly. "Supplies will be made monthly, with prices settled at 90% of the market price. Bitan Sect guarantees with its commercial reputation that it will never default on payments."

Purchase 300 mid-grade spirit stones per month, with a 10% discount at checkout.

This represents a substantial and stable source of income for Yuanmingzhai. The reputation of the Bitan Sect ranks in the middle among the three sects of Jingzhou; it's not the best, but it's certainly not the kind of sect that would default on its debts.

Li Yuan did not hesitate.

"Sure. You can discuss the specific product categories and delivery details with Manager Xu."

Fang Qi thanked him, and then talked with Xu Zhang on the second floor for nearly an hour, finalizing the supply list and delivery method for the first month.

After seeing Fang Qi off, Li Yuan sat down in the stone house.

The Bitan Sect has been frequently appearing in various markets and neighborhoods of Liangzhou, purchasing large quantities of all kinds of supplies. This has been going on for several months, and now they have finally extended their reach to the Misty Forest Market.

They are stockpiling goods.

As for the purpose of hoarding, it is most likely related to Kugu Ridge, but the specific intention is not yet clear.

Li Yuan recorded the movements of the Bitan Sect in the intelligence file and then turned to deal with another matter.

"Xu Zhang, does the Chamber of Commerce have any second-tier water-based cultivation techniques in their channels?"

Xu Zhang flipped through the inventory list.

"There is one. Cold Stream Spirit Fusion Technique, a mid-grade second-tier water-based cultivation method. It's an upgraded version based on the Cold Stream Technique, specifically designed for water-based spiritual power cultivation during the Golden Core stage. The quality isn't top-tier, but its advantage lies in its complete compatibility with the Cold Stream Technique's cultivation system."

"How many?"

"The reserve price for this stock is sixty mid-grade spirit stones. If the shop owner wants to buy it, then it will be at the reserve price."

Li Yuan paid the spirit stones and received the jade slip containing the Cold Stream Spirit Fusion Technique.

He probed with his divine sense and read through the contents of the cultivation technique.

The Cold Stream Fusion Technique is indeed an upgraded version of the Cold Stream Technique. After the Cold Stream Technique of Grade 1 is perfected, the circulation path of spiritual energy and the meridian pathways are completely consistent with the entry requirements of the Cold Stream Fusion Technique. It's like building a house directly on the foundation laid by a Grade 1 technique.

Li Yuan began cultivating that very day.

The foundational techniques provided by the Perfected Cold Stream Technique make the learning process extremely smooth. The circulation path of water-based spiritual energy in the meridians has been expanded from a single-cycle first-order structure to a double-cycle second-order structure, requiring the addition of six new nodes and three auxiliary channels to the existing spiritual energy circulation paths.

With his advanced Golden Core stage level of divine sense precision and spiritual power control, it only took him half a day to add nodes and channels.

[Cold Stream Spirit Fusion Technique: Beginner → Beginner]

Once you've mastered the basics, continue moving forward immediately.

Two of the three personal spiritual veins are micro-spiritual veins of the water element, continuously providing abundant water-based spiritual energy for cultivation. The permanent attribute of Water Spirit Essence increases the quality of water-based spiritual power by 30%, Tidal Pressure increases the condensation speed by another 10%, and Tidal Breath Returns to Origin increases the nourishing effect of water-based spells on the meridians by 50%.

The superposition of multiple terms made the cultivation speed of the Cold Stream Fusion Spirit Technique reach an absurd level.

The Nascent Soul perspective is the icing on the cake. The spatial perception provided by the Mysterious Nether Pearl allows him to observe the flow of spiritual energy within his meridians with far greater precision than others of the same level, enabling him to accurately identify details that can be optimized with each circulation of energy.

Day four, proficient.

Day 8, mastery.

[Cold Stream Spirit Fusion Technique: Beginner → Beginner → Proficient → Master]

He advanced three levels in eight days.