When it comes to cultivating immortality, it naturally starts with upgrading the herb garden.

Shi Jian smiled at Song Chen: "Fellow Daoist Song, I know of a Foundation Establishment opportunity where one can obtain the medicinal materials for refining Foundation Establishment Pills. But let me be clear, there are dangers involved."

"If you're worried about the risks, we can wait until we join the sect, find someone to travel with us, and split the medicinal herbs 50/50. How about you consider it?"

The other cultivators who participated in the battle stared wide-eyed at these words, their gazes fixed on Song Chen with envy.

Wan Nan also became interested, glancing at the area out of the corner of her eye repeatedly.

Song Chen was puzzled, and a thought popped into his mind.

Why the rush? You're thinking about Foundation Establishment before even reaching the peak of Qi Refining?

"Let's break through to the peak of Qi Refining first!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Jian was now confused: "Fellow Daoist, are you serious?"

Song Chen winked at him, confused: "What?"

"The peak of Qi Refining is essentially a form of Foundation Establishment, which can be considered as half a step into Foundation Establishment," Shi Jian explained.

Song Chen naturally knew this, but what did it have to do with obtaining the Foundation Establishment Pill before reaching the peak of Qi Refining?

Shi Jian seemed to sense Song Chen's confusion and continued:

"Before establishing the foundation, a foundation platform needs to be built. Breaking through to the peak of Qi Refining is the process of building the foundation platform, including divine sense and the rare and precious materials contained in the foundation platform."

"Formal Foundation Establishment is a process of overcoming tribulation, which requires cultivators to complete the Foundation Establishment on the foundation platform."

"Therefore, the purpose of the Foundation Establishment Pill is to break through to the peak of Qi Refining, not to break through to Foundation Establishment."

Song Chen suddenly realized.

No wonder a Qi Refining Peak cultivator is so powerful; it turns out he's already halfway into the Foundation Establishment realm!

Immediately, a question arose in my mind.

"Thank you for clearing up my doubts, Fellow Daoist Shi." Song Chen first cupped his hands, but his eyes were full of suspicion.

These are things that can only be obtained after joining a sect, so how did Shi Jian know about them?

"It's alright. Most independent cultivators have the same doubts as you. Once you join a sect, there will be someone to explain these things to you. You'll know sooner or later. I'm just letting you know a few days earlier."

Shi Jian waved his hand, smiled, paused for a moment, and said:

"I only learned about these things by chance a few years ago when I personally witnessed a cultivator establishing their foundation in the Huanbei area."

Song Chen nodded, most of his doubts dissipating, and his goodwill towards Shi Jian increased.

This is not as simple as knowing a few days in advance. There is a huge difference between knowing in advance and knowing in hindsight; often, the difference lies in just a little bit of information.

Shi Jian asked, "So, what are your thoughts on the Foundation Establishment medicinal materials, fellow Daoist?"

"Tell me the details of this opportunity." Song Chen was also intrigued.

Shi Jian whispered in Song Chen's ear, making those eavesdropping nearby feel itchy, but there was nothing they could do.

He cleverly said:

"Fellow Daoist should know that there's a man named Yun Qingzi in the annual merchant caravan who sells Foundation Establishment Pill formulas, right?"

Upon hearing this, Song Chen was slightly taken aback. If the other party hadn't mentioned it, he would have almost forgotten about it.

At the same time, these words also awakened a memory of a chance encounter in him.

Since I'll be leaving the market after joining the sect, I might as well take a good look around before I go!

"You know, the pill formula he has is really correct?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Jian looked at Song Chen with a hint of appreciation:

"It's pretty close to the truth, and we can confirm it a second time once we've joined the sect, so there's no problem."

Then, Song Chen listened quietly as Shi Jian explained the matter of foundation-building medicinal materials in great detail.

Shi Jian received a message while attending an auction in Wan Ye Lin.

Fly southwest towards Wan Dao Bo, past Xia Jian Island, and there is another island further away.

That place is the heart of Wandaobo, where there is a bottomless canyon on the island, where the spiritual energy is more abundant than imagined, and spiritual herbs that have been nurtured for thousands of years are born here.

One of the three main ingredients of the Foundation Building Pill, a herb called Earth Vein Crystal Sand, grows here.

Shi Jian had done his research in advance. Apart from the earth vein crystal sand, the other two main medicines and other auxiliary medicines could be purchased within the sect, so there was no need to worry.

However, the canyon is extremely dangerous as it is constantly inhabited by Foundation Establishment Dragons, but a plan to avoid the dragons has already been devised.

By applying the Three Pure Jade Dew to the entire body and carrying a sachet containing the Yin Flower, one can avoid the dragons' sight and smell and easily enter the realm.

Song Chen found it sounded very promising, but being cautious by nature, he didn't immediately agree, repeating his previous statement:

"Once we're inside the sect, we should consult with someone to discuss this further!"

Shi Jian agreed with this point, so he didn't bring it up again and changed the subject to other things.

"Does Fellow Daoist Song have a Daoist partner?" Shi Jian asked with a lewd grin.

Song Chen's lips twitched, and he said, "No."

"I'm being blunt, fellow Daoist, don't overthink it. Judging from your appearance, you're probably a novice, aren't you? How about going out for some fun tonight? You've just joined a sect, why not treat yourself properly?"

After these words were spoken, the way the people around looked at Shi Jian and Song Chen changed.

Song Chen's cheeks flushed slightly as he turned his head away, saying, "Get lost!"

Shi Jian burst into laughter at Song Chen's expression:

"You guessed right! It's a real shame you haven't tried it! If you change your mind, come find me; there are still quite a few good items in this market!"

Just then, Wan Nan called out to Shi Jian, "It's your turn!"

Two of the first three cultivators were at the eighth level of Qi Refining. The third one lacked practical combat experience and couldn't even defeat a puppet.

Shi Jian turned his head and laughed, "I'm going!"

Song Chen encouraged him, "Go!"

As soon as Shi Jian stepped onto the stage, he began chatting with Wan Nan.

After all, he is a master cultivator at the tenth level of Qi Refining; we should make good friends with him.

The other two cultivators who had also entered the sect crowded around Song Chen, flattering and fawning over him.

"Fellow Daoist Song, could you please include me in that Foundation Establishment opportunity?"

"Fellow Daoist Song, this is a small token of my appreciation. I hope you will grant me assistance in this matter of opportunity!"

One of them even presented Song Chen with a cloth bag filled with mid-grade spirit stones, hoping to get a chance.

Song Chen shook his head: "You'll have to ask Fellow Daoist Shi; he's the one who decides."

The two pursed their lips and had no choice but to leave.

Shi Jian quickly defeated the puppet and returned.

"sure!"

The two men went up to Shi Jian as soon as they saw him and immediately received his reply.

Shi Jian raised his left hand and pushed the cloth bag in one of the cultivators' hands away, shouting sternly:

"We're all fellow disciples, why are we doing this?"

Upon hearing this, the man sheepishly put away his things, scratching his head as he said:

"I'm used to it, I'm used to it. Please forgive me, Fellow Daoist Shi!"

Upon seeing this scene, Song Chen's thoughts began to race.

Wan Nan, who was upstairs, called out, "Is anyone else here?"

His gaze fell on Yu Xin in the crowd; he was the only one who could still go on stage.

Yu Xin comes every year, but he never goes up on stage. Instead, he guides mortals onto the stage, causing them to be killed by the puppets.

Moreover, Yu Xin is a member of a family, and generally speaking, he would be nurtured within the family and would not enter a sect.

Wan Nan was aware of this, and therefore did not expect such a person to come up on stage and compete.

Therefore, he casually said a few words, and seeing that no one came, he packed up on his own, declaring the end of this selection process.

Wan Nan's gaze fell on the selected individuals.

Four: two at the eighth level of Qi Refining, one at the ninth level, and one at the tenth level.

There are quite a few people this year, and there's even a tenth level, so the task contribution points will probably increase significantly as a result.

Wan Nan glanced at the two areas not far away.

The spiritual root area is almost over, and it seems the harvest is not very good as always. The top-grade golden spiritual root that appeared a few years ago is the highest quality in ten years and is extremely rare.

No one from the Hundred Arts Zone went on stage except for the weapon refiner who went up at the beginning.

That's it for this year's selection process!

Just as Wan Nan was thinking this, a muffled voice came from behind her.

Song Chen glanced at the dueling platform, his gaze calm, and thought to himself, "At least he has some backbone."

It was Yu Xin, whose tongue had been cut off.

Yu Xin stood on the platform, squinting, signaling Wan Nan to activate the puppet...