Cultivation begins with alchemy and collecting runes.

Fire Sect.

The crimson-gold third-tier grand formation, [Burning Heaven and Boiling Sea], resembles a blazing alchemy furnace, firmly protecting the sect within.

As the flying boats landed, many heavily injured cultivators emerged.

Most of them were pale-faced, and many were missing limbs, clearly indicating that their path had been cut off.

With their arrival, good news spread: "Our sect has decisively defeated the Qin allied forces on the front lines of the wilderness, seizing control of one-third of the spirit mines. Relying on the power of the spirit veins, our sect will have another Core Formation True Person in less than a hundred years..."

Upon hearing this, a thunderous roar erupted from the crowd, as if all their sacrifices had been worthwhile.

"Um?"

Li Xiuyuan arrived riding on a golden sword and witnessed this crazy and absurd scene.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

At the mountain gate, a group of law enforcement disciples were wary when they saw Li Xiuyuan arrive alone without any sect insignia.

"Outer disciple—Li Xiuyuan, previously took on the mission of guarding the Black Wind Mine."

After saying that, Li Xiuyuan made a hand seal with one hand, and a ray of spiritual light enveloped his disciple token, which flew into the hand of the law enforcement captain.

The captain took it, cast a spell to verify its authenticity: "It is indeed a disciple of our sect... but I remember, the Black Wind Mine has already fallen..."

"Indeed, I was being chased by a Qi Refining Perfection cultivator and was seriously injured. I was fortunate enough to kill him by taking advantage of the terrain and using a protective talisman. However, due to the severity of my injuries, I was unable to return to the sect... and I have only returned today."

Li Xiuyuan remained expressionless and took out Zhong Wuhu's Demon Flame Sect identity token.

Whether he was "recovering from injuries" or seeking refuge elsewhere, killing an elite disciple of the Demon Flame Sect at the late stage of Qi Refining shouldn't be considered desertion, let alone being punished by the Enforcement Hall.

The enforcement captain hesitated for a moment, then said, "Wait a moment, I'll report to the Enforcement Hall immediately..."

Li Xiuyuan naturally wouldn't object. He watched the other disciples' strange looks and followed him to the Hall of Enforcement.

He waited outside the main hall for a full half hour when he suddenly felt a divine sense sweep over his entire body. His heart stirred slightly, but he pretended to be nonchalant.

"Li Xiuyuan, an inner disciple of Douzhan Peak, is summoned by the elder."

"An inner disciple of Fighting Peak? This identity must have been arranged by Senior Brother Du."

Li Xiuyuan was overjoyed upon hearing this, never expecting to actually enter the inner sect.

From now on, they won't be like the outer disciples who were casually dragged to the front lines to become "cannon fodder."

Not long after, a disciple from the Enforcement Hall came out and glanced at Li Xiuyuan.

Li Xiuyuan smiled and nodded, then followed him into the main hall.

The main hall is several tens of feet long and wide, with various fierce and menacing beasts carved from dignified white marble and jade perched on the tall pillars that are visible to the naked eye.

Ten steps away, a person sat on a large blue stone throne several meters high.

He exuded a deep aura, wore a red Taoist robe, and had a fierce appearance.

This person is undoubtedly an elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, with the Daoist name "Exterminate Evil." He is upright and incorruptible, and is one of the most powerful Foundation Establishment elders.

Elder Zhuxie held a dossier in his hand: "Li Xiuyuan, outer... cough cough inner disciple, received the mission to guard the Black Wind Mine... Please tell me the details."

"yes!"

Before Li Xiuyuan arrived, he had prepared a detailed account of how he had been stationed there, how he had encountered Zhong Shenxiu of the Demon Flame Sect who encouraged him to fight the enemy, and how he had fought to the death to kill Zhong Wuhu.

Except for the first few paragraphs, which he recounted truthfully due to the presence of many people, he slightly modified the process of killing Zhong Wuhu, specifically highlighting the process of "fighting to the death to uphold the sect's dignity and defend its resources."

"Hmm, no wonder you were able to kill Zhong Wuhu. It turns out you've already advanced to the late stage of Qi Refining and also have body tempering cultivation."

Elder Zhuxie nodded slightly, believing that his previous divine sense probing had seen through everything, including Li Xiuyuan's 'hidden' cultivation level.

He refined a [Concealing Breath] rune in advance to conceal his physical cultivation level.

Breakthrough to the late stage of Qi Refining.

It was naturally Li Xiuyuan who deliberately displayed it.

It's not surprising that someone who usually keeps a low profile and hides their cultivation level would, after a fierce battle and suffer serious injuries, kill a late-stage cultivator with only late-stage cultivation.

"If I hadn't used the ancient concealment technique to hide my cultivation level, wouldn't you have been astonished to see that I had reached the perfect first-stage body refinement realm!"

"However, a mid-stage first-order body refinement cultivation level is quite impressive even for an inner disciple."

Li Xiuyuan's display of his late-stage cultivation level had other purposes as well.

The sect ventured into the wilderness and seized mineral veins, achieving a temporary victory, but also losing many elite disciples.

Even a disciple at the late stage of Qi Refining shouldn't be dragged to the front lines to "fill the gaps" and become cannon fodder.

As long as the sect still wants to use him and Du Wuxin hasn't given up on him, he won't be severely punished.

Li Xiuyuan inwardly grumbled, but then he heard Elder Zhuxie say, "You have done nothing wrong in slaying this powerful enemy. You are hereby rewarded with 500 contribution points and three bottles of Qi Gathering Pills to enhance your cultivation. Go to the Mission Hall and exchange them with this token."

"You won't be assigned any tasks for a while, go back and rest."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan was overjoyed and quickly accepted the token, bowing and saying, "Thank you, Elder Zhuxie."

"This disciple takes his leave."

Inside the main hall, Elder Zhuxie picked up Li Xiuyuan's file and murmured, "Born into the Dan Ding Sect, with a mid-grade fire spirit root, he has made great strides in alchemy, reaching the late stage of Qi Refining within a few years, and also possesses mid-stage Body Refinement cultivation. He's quite a lucky person."

"Their cultivation has indeed improved rather quickly, but which of our sect's true disciples doesn't have some kind of fortuitous encounter? As long as the sect is strong, they can serve the sect, and their fortuitous encounters, cultivation techniques, and luck can all benefit the sect. These details are no longer important."

……

"I didn't expect to pass so easily."

The inner gate battle peak.

After receiving the pills and contribution points from the mission hall, Li Xiuyuan glanced at his new cave dwelling.

It is a first-grade top-quality spiritual vein with abundant spiritual energy.

Smiling, he refined the cave's restrictions, and with a flash, arrived at the training room.

He set up the Green Wood Vine Armor Formation, and a burst of pure vine energy flew in all directions, enveloping the entire cave, instantly turning it into a misty haze.

He sat cross-legged, exhaled a breath of stale air, and said, "It seems that Senior Brother Du has put in a lot of effort. I should find an opportunity to meet him first."

After a moment of reflection, Li Xiuyuan took out a book on alchemy, "Master Huanglong's Detailed Explanation of Alchemy," and began to read it carefully.

This is a first-tier pill inheritance that he just exchanged for in the sect's library with fifty contribution points.

It contains numerous recipes for dozens of medium-grade and even three or four high-grade elixirs.

After reaching the seventh level of Qi Refining, ordinary pills had little effect on improving his cultivation.

Unless it's a pill like the Qi Gathering Pill, which is made primarily from mature herbs that are over a hundred years old.

This significantly improved his cultivation level.

If he wants to continue improving his cultivation, he still needs to take high-level pills.

Fortunately, his spiritual sense was already quite developed, allowing him to quickly master the formulas for mid-grade pills.

At this point, he planned to start with the Spirit Refining Powder, which was said to have a significant effect on improving the cultivation of cultivators in the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

"First, refine the 'Spirit Refining Powder' to improve your alchemy skills, and at the same time, use this pill to accumulate spirit stones."

"The key points of this alchemy manual aren't that difficult. I've already mastered most of it."

With the help of his perfectly refined spiritual power, Li Xiuyuan, who was once completely bewildered by alchemy, has seen those days gone by.

"I've collected most of the main ingredients for the Spirit Refining Powder in the mountains, and I'm about 80% confident I can start the furnace on my first try!"

Despite his pleasantries, Li Xiuyuan did not take immediate action.

Instead, he went straight to sleep, ready to get a good night's rest. These days of hiding and running away had exhausted him.

……

the next day.

Li Xiuyuan sat upright on the futon, took out a jade bottle from his storage bag, uncorked it, and took out a Spirit Gathering Pill.

After taking the elixir, he closed his eyes tightly.

The magical power circulated throughout the body along the specific route of the Golden Flame Burning Heaven Technique, refining the medicinal power and beginning daily cultivation.

One hour later.

Li Xiuyuan opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath.

A smile appeared on his face.

Open the panel:

[Realm Level: Qi Refining Level 7, 49/100]

Although they have been hiding in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains for years, the spiritual energy of the demon race's spiritual lands has been depleted.

Fortunately, he had a lot of spirit stones on him, and with the help of the purification of spiritual energy by the Gold-Swallowing Spirit Bowl, his cultivation was barely able to maintain a slow improvement.

The first-grade top-quality spiritual vein of Battle Peak, combined with a high-quality Spirit Gathering Pill.

The effect of the improvement in cultivation was truly remarkable, saving him months of arduous training.

According to his estimate, if he takes three Qi Gathering Pills a day and cultivates with all his might, he will be able to break through to the eighth level of Qi Refining in less than two years.

While consuming elixirs, Li Xiuyuan paid great attention to solidifying his foundation and ensuring the purity of his magical power.

There was no blind pursuit of rapid progress.

The more magical power derived from elixirs is accumulated without refinement or polishing, the faster one's cultivation level will improve.

However, this can also lead to a weak foundation, which is not conducive to future cultivation.

Li Xiuyuan's goal was certainly not just to reach the Foundation Establishment stage; he wanted to form the Core!

Of course, he wouldn't choose to exhaust the resources, otherwise he would have already reached the pinnacle of Qi Refining.

The purer the magic power, the easier it is to transform gaseous magic power into liquid magic power, and the greater the probability of foundation building.

This slowed down his cultivation speed by a full 30%.

Li Xiuyuan then began cultivating the Refining Spirit Technique to temper his soul.

He first chose to refine a [Nourishing Soul] rune.

"what!"

This is a kind of tempering from the depths of one's soul.

It felt as if a thousand swords were slashing at his mind, tearing his primordial spirit into countless pieces.

This pain is a thousand times worse than the suffering endured during body tempering.

Even though Li Xiuyuan had experienced this countless times, he was still screaming in pain at this moment.

Fortunately, a cool sensation flowed into his sea of ​​consciousness, slowly nourishing his primordial spirit and slightly dissipating the tearing sensation.

"No wonder this technique requires the use of spiritual objects during practice; the pain involved is not something ordinary people can endure."

Li Xiuyuan was fortunate that he had the power of runes to protect his primordial spirit. If others had not had the assistance of spiritual objects to force him to cultivate, he would probably have died before his cultivation was even fully developed, his soul torn apart and his primordial spirit destroyed.

……

Two hours later.

Li Xiuyuan rolled up his sleeves and wiped the sweat from his head.

He finished practicing the Refining Spirit Technique.

Open the panel:

[Refining Spirit Technique (Minor Success), 60/300]

[Refining Spirit Technique [Rune Reward]: Nourishing Soul x3 [Refinable]]

He currently possesses three [Refining Spirit Runes], including the one he just acquired.

But the only thing that can truly assist in cultivating one's divine sense to obtain spiritual objects is something he has traveled to various independent cultivator exchange meetings over the past few years.

Including the two demon mountains, he had never seen any of them.

The more powerful a technique is, the more demanding it becomes on the cultivator; this is a limitation imposed by the Heavenly Dao.

"It seems that my idea of ​​using spiritual objects to advance my entry into the spiritual realm is not going to work."

Li Xiuyuan got up and went to the bathroom to wash up.

He changed into a clean set of clothes and picked up a book on alchemy to read.

……

Inner Gate, Mission Hall.

The once deserted and empty main hall is now unusually lively.

Many disciples looked at the merit list hanging high in the air, shouting and whispering among themselves.

Some people even became complete fanatics when they looked at the list of spiritual creatures, drooling all over the place.

"Foundation Establishment Pills! We can actually exchange them directly for Foundation Establishment Pills!"

Li Xiuyuan glanced at it and nodded secretly: "So many rogue cultivators and disciples have died, and the third-tier spiritual veins we seized all belong to the higher-ups. We still need to stabilize morale, so releasing a few Foundation Establishment Pills is only right."

He glanced at the merit list, which did not include any cultivators above the Foundation Establishment stage. Therefore, the first place was occupied by Cui Kuang, the "Killing Sword".

His battle achievements are enough to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

If one can seize the status of a true disciple within the sect after several years, one will have another chance to establish one's foundation.

This human is now equivalent to a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Senior brother, are you here to check your contribution points?"

Li Xiuyuan arrived at the mission hall, found the disciple on duty, and received a warm welcome.

With his late-stage Qi Refining cultivation, he was considered a true expert among all the Qi Refining cultivators in the sect.

Not to mention his achievement of killing the direct descendant of the Zhong family of the Demon Flame Sect, which has spread throughout the sect. After the great battle, the disciples suffered heavy casualties, and those who survived were all formidable characters.

"good."

Li Xiuyuan handed over his identity token.

"Senior brother's slaying of a late-stage Qi Refining expert is truly awe-inspiring."

"With the great battle over, the sect is giving each disciple an additional 100 contribution points. If you wish to exchange for items, now is the perfect time."

Li Xiuyuan nodded slightly and looked at the Spirit Item Ranking.

"The Blazing Fire Sect won a great victory, the great battle is over... the prices of magical artifacts, talismans, and other items have plummeted."

"But according to the orders received by the Beast Taming Sect disciples, it seems that another great battle will break out soon. Perhaps I should stockpile some spiritual items first, and then sell them when the price skyrockets during the great battle to make a fortune?"

"Wait a minute... if I make spirit stones by reselling magical artifacts and pills a few years from now, wouldn't I have made no progress at all?"

He pondered repeatedly in his mind how the benefits of enhanced spiritual awareness made his mind more agile.

He quickly made a decision, selecting the main ingredients for dozens of 'Spirit Refining Powder': "I'll exchange for these."

"Yes, senior brother."

The disciples on duty in the mission hall were even happier and more respectful when they saw Li Xiuyuan exchanging medicinal herbs.

After all, the person in front of them was an alchemist, who was suspected of being able to refine mid-grade first-level pills.

If he were placed in Danfeng, he could gather a group of mid- to low-level disciples and form a small force.

Unfortunately, Li Xiuyuan's ambitions lay elsewhere.

He just wanted to develop his career discreetly.

Just as Li Xiuyuan was pondering, the disciple on duty handed him a storage bag full of medicinal herbs.

"Senior Brother Li, all the medicinal herbs you exchanged are here. Due to the huge expense, you signed and sealed them according to regulations."

"Um."

Li Xiuyuan nodded in agreement, followed the procedure, and turned to leave.

Li Xiuyuan walked out of the mission hall and looked at the gloomy sky.

The disciples around them cheered with joy at the end of the great battle, or ran around spreading the news of the rare treasures on the Spirit Item Ranking.

As for the dead and the injured, no one cares anymore.

This is the cruel and ruthless nature of cultivators.

The path of immortality is ruthless!

……