Chapter 148: Choosing an Auspicious Day for Foundation Establishment

"Second Sister？"

Ji Yuan looked at Du Wanyi, who had opened the door, and smiled slightly. "I took on a task some time ago and went up north,

just got back and saw the letter you left for me."

"Come in, come in quickly."

Du Wanyi hurriedly welcomed him in.

Seeing her like this, Ji Yuan knew it probably wasn’t anything serious, and he relaxed a little.

When he was on the way over, he even considered the possibility that something about the Yang family had been exposed and someone was coming after her, but it didn’t seem to be the case now.

"Why isn’t Second Sister on duty?"

Once inside, Ji Yuan casually asked.

"No, I took leave from First Water Hall. I’ve been at home preparing for the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven. Many cultivators like me are doing the same, so the sect didn’t mind."

Du Wanyi poured a cup of tea for Ji Yuan and then sat down.

"There’s been a lot of news about this Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven lately, right?"

Although Ji Yuan wasn’t going to the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven himself,

he was still somewhat curious about such a major event in the cultivation world—after all, it had stirred up all of Shangdong.

"Quite a lot."

Du Wanyi nodded and said, "Just a few days ago, I learned that even among the rogue cultivators, two Golden Core Real Persons have stepped forward and formed an alliance. They want to fight for entry slots for the Qi Refining cultivators, giving them a chance to enter the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven and establish their Foundation."

"Oh？There’s such a thing？"

Ji Yuan was surprised. "Which two Golden Core seniors? Have you heard of them？"

"Real Person Shuiyue from Mirror Lake and Real Person Qingzhu from Bamboo Peak Forest. It’s said they went together to the Sword Ruins and successfully negotiated with the Six Immortal Sects. The six sects agreed to allocate some entry slots to rogue cultivators. But the inside details remain unknown."

Du Wanyi slowly explained.

"No one knows if the number of people allowed in is really limited. But for rogue cultivators to get in, it surely won’t be easy. Just buying a slot might cost a lot of Spirit Stones."

"Also, although Dong Qian said she wouldn’t go, she introduced us to a Martial Uncle from Four Directions Island. That Martial Uncle had entered the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven in his early years and returned alive. He provided us with quite a bit of valuable information."

As Du Wanyi spoke, she took out a mountain and river topography map. "This is the general distribution within the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven. Fourth Brother, look here. This place is called Hidden Dragon Abyss. It’s the area that produces the most Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass, but it’s also very dangerous, full of poisonous insects and monsters—.."

"But the most dangerous place is this one, called Ghost Flood Dragon Lake. It’s the most perilous area, and according to that Martial Uncle, there are treasures here even more valuable than Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass."

"More valuable than Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass？"

"That must be quite the extraordinary natural treasure."

Ji Yuan was a little surprised after hearing this.

"That we don’t know. In any case, that Martial Uncle’s words implied that what should be known would be known naturally, and what shouldn’t be known is useless even if you find out.

,

Du Wanyi didn’t know much either and sounded rather vague.

This made Ji Yuan suspect that the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven might not be so simple.

"Right, Second Sister, you mentioned you needed my help. What is it？"

Ji Yuan brought up the main topic.

At these words, Du Wanyi became somewhat embarrassed and visibly uneasy.

"It’s just—just"

Seeing her like that, Ji Yuan guessed what it was about. "Go ahead. Second Sister, how much do you still need? Or is there something else you require? Just say it."

If something could make Du Wanyi this uncomfortable, it was most likely borrowing money or Spirit Stones.

Since Ji Yuan laid it out plainly, Du Wanyi felt slightly better and not as awkward.

Looking seriously at Ji Yuan, she said, "Fourth Brother, I do still need some Spirit Stones, but you—have you thought it through? Lending me Spirit Stones now most likely means you won’t get them back."

Du Wanyi sounded a little bleak.

But that was really the truth.

Most people who entered the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven never returned.

"That never crossed my mind. I’m still counting on you to help me once you establish your Foundation." Ji Yuan couldn’t help but chuckle, as if he had never considered that Du Wanyi might die in the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven.

"If I’m fated to establish Foundation, that’s for sure."

Du Wanyi quickly replied.

After saying that, she hesitated slightly before continuing, "Aside from the Spirit Stones, I want to buy a top-grade protective Magical Artifact and stock up on more Detox Pills. That Martial Uncle told us that in Hidden Dragon Abyss, the most dangerous threat isn’t the monsters, but the seemingly harmless poisonous insects. Some might just give a tiny bite—with no apparent reaction at first—but before you know it, the person dies."

"I’ve roughly calculated it—I might still need 20 Middle-Grade Spirit Stones."

Twenty Middle-Grade Spirit Stones wasn’t exactly a small amount.

Even a top-grade Magical Artifact would cost no more than ten Middle-Grade Spirit Stones. So these twenty were probably everything that many Peak Qi Refining cultivators owned.

But to Ji Yuan, it wasn’t much.

Every time he returned to the Water Dragon Sect, his Spirit Stone transactions on Everything Island involved several dozen Middle-Grade Spirit Stones—sometimes over a hundred.

"Here are thirty Middle-Grade Spirit Stones in total. Use them as needed, Second Sister. Stock up well, and if it’s still not enough, let me know." With a casual sweep of his hand, a pile of Spirit Stones radiating pure spiritual energy appeared on the table.

It wasn’t that Ji Yuan was unwilling to give more.

It was just that he was about to establish Foundation himself and needed to stockpile enough Spirit Stones, just in case.

"This—this is too much."

Du Wanyi hadn’t expected Ji Yuan to be this generous and stood up in shock.

"Take it."

"Besides, it’s just a loan, not a gift. I’m still counting on you to repay me after you establish Foundation." Ji Yuan said with a relaxed smile.

"This————very well, thank you, Fourth Brother."

Du Wanyi truly intended to borrow Spirit Stones, so she didn’t hold back anymore and immediately took them.

Ji Yuan then glanced at Du Wanyi’s chest—her collar. She was wearing the Water Dragon Sect’s standard robe on the outside, a High-Grade protective Magical Artifact. Beneath that, she wore another top-grade protective robe.

This was something Ji Yuan had already known.

Now hearing her meaning, it seemed she still wanted to buy another top-grade protective robe.

Ji Yuan then suggested, "Second Sister, have you considered switching to a protective Spiritual Artifact？"

"I’ve thought about it, but based on the information I’ve gathered, it’s still not very viable."

"Hm？"

"That Spiritual Artifact may be good, but for us at the Qi Refining stage, the consumption is still too high. In the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven, once a danger arises, other dangers usually follow in quick succession. For example, if one gets into a fight with someone,

and others hear it, they’ll surely come to investigate at once, and then things will become even more troublesome.

"That’s true."

"Plus, the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven only opens for a short period—just three months. So once we’re inside, time becomes the most precious thing, and we simply can’t afford to waste it, especially not on recovering spiritual energy."

Listening to Du Wanyi’s analysis, Ji Yuan felt it was quite reasonable and did not try to persuade her further. Instead, he pondered a moment

and said, "Second Sister, wait for me another month. I’ll come find you again next month, and then I’ll give you something."

Ji Yuan was preparing to draw three sets of Fivefold Protection Talismans for Du Wanyi. With those talisman formations on her, she’d have a much better chance at survival.

As long as she acted more cautiously, she would most likely be able to fight her way out of the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven.

Seeing that Du Wanyi still wanted to refuse, Ji Yuan seriously said, "Second Sister, this is a matter concerning whether or not you can establish your Foundation—don’t be so polite anymore."

"Alright.—"

Du Wanyi had no choice but to respond in a low voice.

At the same time, she silently resolved that once inside the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven, she would definitely gather more Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass, to help Ji Yuan with his Foundation Establishment.

After that, the two chatted casually for a while longer.

Ji Yuan also heard a lot of news from Du Wanyi.

For example, though it was said that the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven would open two months later, that was actually just the departure time from the Water Dragon Sect. To reach the actual entrance to the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven would take another half year.

The Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven would remain open for three months.

So, going and returning would take at least one year and three months.

For instance, this year’s Water Dragon Sect selection at Yunyu Marshlands—Zengtou Market didn’t even have a single person pass. Most likely, Ji Yuan from the previous year and Han Feiyu from this year had already drained Zengtou Market of all its talents.

The next wave of emergence probably wouldn’t come for several more years.

There was also Lu Wan. Ji Yuan hadn’t expected Du Wanyi to have heard news of her.

"Lu Wan truly has excellent talent in talismans. I heard she actually improved a talisman drawing method,

making it half as complex and earning her a reward issued by Four Directions Island."

"Oh？That’s some serious talent."

Ji Yuan had studied too broadly—mastering alchemy, arrays, talismans, and artifacts—so he hadn’t considered such issues.

As for talismans, no matter how proficient Lu Wan was, she was only a First-Tier High-Grade Talisman Master, while Ji Yuan was already a Second-Tier Talisman Master. Not only that, in alchemy as well, Ji Yuan was already a Second-Tier Alchemy Master—capable even of refining Foundation Establishment Pills.

Ji Yuan couldn’t help but think that if he had only focused on talismans, he should also be a Second-Tier Talisman Master by now.

But he surely wouldn’t have the cultivation and power he did now.

Relying on just drawing talismans wouldn’t earn him nearly as many Spirit Stones.

"Indeed."

Du Wanyi responded.

After chatting a bit more, Ji Yuan bid farewell and returned to his Cave Dwelling. But he didn’t stay long before summoning his flying boat and departing for Misty Island.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to stay longer at the Water Dragon Sect, but his laborer had taken time off.

The landlord had no choice but to go back to work himself.

Moreover, the Spiritual Field was about to refresh with new Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass. Ji Yuan had to personally oversee that—he was only one spiritual herb away from establishing Foundation.

He couldn’t afford any delays.

Water Dragon Sect.

Main Island, Water Dragon Island.

Sect Master Xuan Shui Zhen Ren looked at the list in his hand. It was, of course, the list of those heading to the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven. The first name was Feng Yichen, and many others were names he recognized.

After reading from beginning to end, he realized something was missing.

After thinking for a moment, he recalled.

The sect still had a hidden prodigy—the disciple suspected of killing Jian Zong last year. What was his name again?

Xuan Shui Zhen Ren sent for Feng Yichen.

Soon, Feng Yichen provided the answer.

"Reporting to the Sect Master, that disciple’s name is—Ji Yuan."

"Oh right, Ji Yuan. Is he still alive？"

Xuan Shui Zhen Ren didn’t bother to check the soul lamp in the Ancestral Hall and directly asked.

"Still alive. And—And this disciple has spent the past year investigating him. I now suspect he was the one who killed Jian Zong."

"Oh？"

Xuan Shui Zhen Ren clasped his hands behind his back and smiled. "Why do you say that？Someone who could kill Jian Zong must at least have Foundation Establishment strength, no？"

"Exactly. It’s because I couldn’t find any other clues. And Medicine King Valley seems to have found something—after several interactions, they’re adamant that Jian Zong was killed by someone from our Water Dragon Sect."

Of course, that wasn’t the main reason.

The biggest reason was Feng Yichen’s intuition—combined with the fact that he couldn’t find any information about Ji Yuan. The only time Ji Yuan had revealed any strength was two years ago when he joined the Water Dragon Sect.

Since then, it was as if he had vanished.

Even his close friends—Du Wanyi, Dong Qian, and the others—knew very little about him.

The only lead he found was that Ji Yuan seemed to have gotten involved in a major case and had been investigated by the Disciplinary Hall. But when Feng Yichen went there to inquire, the people there were tight-lipped.

Feng Yichen came back empty-handed—but that just proved it.

This deeply hidden Junior Brother Ji was no ordinary man.

"He’s at Peak Qi Refining now too, isn’t he."

Xuan Shui Zhen Ren sighed. "It seems Heaven truly favors our Water Dragon Sect."

"It must be so."

Feng Yichen cupped his hands and replied, "But this Ji Yuan has not signed up to go to the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven." Xuan Shui Zhen Ren suddenly said.

"What?!"

This made Feng Yichen, who had just lowered his head, abruptly raise it. "At his age, he actually has this kind of patience? He can resist the temptation of Foundation Establishment? Or has he found another way to establish Foundation?"

"Don’t know, go ask him. See if he intends to go to the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven. If you can persuade him, include him. If he’s really unwilling, just tell him I ordered him to go."

Xuan Shui Zhen Ren clasped his hands behind his back and spoke casually.

To him, such a trivial matter was merely a word away.

He didn’t even need to meet this Ji Yuan in person.

"Yes."

Feng Yichen cupped his hands and agreed. Just as he was about to leave, he seemed to remember something and asked again, "Sect Master, since Ji Yuan has such strength, if he’s willing to go to Ghost Flood Dragon Lake, our chances of winning will be much higher. Plus, he already killed Jian Zong before, so Medicine King Valley wouldn’t gain the upper hand."

"Hm, letting him go to the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven is precisely for that purpose."

Xuan Shui Zhen Ren paced within the grand hall, then sighed and said, "Our Water Dragon Sect, along with the other five great Immortal Sects, all face the same dilemma. When it comes to the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven, we’re not lacking Foundation Establishment cultivators,

but we do lack powerful Qi Refining cultivators—just like you, Feng Yichen."

Xuan Shui Zhen Ren said this and glanced at him.

"If you were a Foundation Establishment cultivator now, even if you were Late Foundation Establishment, you’d be of little use to the sect. But fortunately, you’re still a Qi Refining cultivator."

Feng Yichen stood with cupped hands, silent and unmoving.

As if silently hoping for something.

Xuan Shui Zhen Ren saw this and finally nodded. "Very well, after you return, I will take you as my disciple."

"Yes, this disciple takes his leave."

With the Sect Master’s personal promise, Feng Yichen finally let out a long breath and bowed to depart.

After he left, Xuan Shui Zhen Ren, still with hands behind his back, suddenly transformed into light and flew above the Water Dragon Sect.

He gazed down at the endless great marshland that resembled a vast ocean, his expression obscure and unreadable.

He murmured to himself in a voice only he could hear, "What’s the use of ruling at the Golden Core stage? Once I obtain that treasure from Ghost Flood Dragon Lake, I’ll have hope of reaching the Nascent Soul stage———"

"They all say the Sect Master is useless. We’ll see who can truly remain eternal in this world."

Back in the day, Xuan Shui Zhen Ren, born with a True Spiritual Root, had also ventured into the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven and, by coincidence, visited the perilous Ghost Flood Dragon Lake.

There, he encountered a supreme treasure that he failed to obtain.

Later, upon reaching Foundation Establishment and then Golden Core, he personally requested the position of Sect Master of Water Dragon Sect, all to scheme for that supreme treasure.

Now, after several rounds of preparation, if all went smoothly, he would finally claim that treasure this time.

This was why he paid such close attention to the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven expedition.

Ji Yuan naturally had no idea that he had received special attention from the Sect Master of Water Dragon Sect. After returning to Misty Island, he spent his days inside the Talisman Room.

Because he realized that the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven expedition was the perfect opportunity to sell Fivefold Protection Talismans!

As long as he drew a few more sets during this time and brought them to Everything Island later, they would surely fetch a high price.

Make money!

Why go to the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven? Making money is clearly more rewarding.

For this reason, Ji Yuan even called back Tu Yue, who had only just taken leave for a few days, and had her focus on raising pigs... But even after just a few days, Ji Yuan noticed her hair had become much smoother.

Her hands, which had become a bit rough from work, had returned to their former softness.

Perhaps it was just his imagination, but Ji Yuan even felt her eyes had become much more lively.

It seemed that this Corpse Servant needed more exposure to Yin Energy. Staying around Ji Yuan, who was like a furnace, wasn’t ideal.

Time passed unnoticed in the cave. With Ji Yuan busy drawing Fivefold Protection Talismans every day, he lost all sense of time—he didn’t even remember how long had passed.

Until Tu Yue came calling outside the Cave Dwelling. Ji Yuan thought perhaps the Spirit Pigs used for the Great Toad’s feed had run out and was about to reach for his storage pouch to restock, but Tu Yue pointed toward the wooden hut, signaling him to go there.

Just raising pigs—what could require his personal attention?

And she had even come all the way to the Cave Dwelling to call him. Suddenly, Ji Yuan realized something.

"Could it be that something new has grown in the field？"

Ever since he began cultivating on Misty Island, Ji Yuan had instructed Tu Yue to call for him only for one thing.

The Spiritual Field had sprouted new Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass!

Tu Yue couldn’t speak—she simply nodded.

The moment she nodded, Ji Yuan stepped out and arrived before the Spiritual Field. There, he saw the very plant he had long awaited—Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass growing from the soil.

Its entire body was deep blue, exuding a dreamlike aura.

"Whew!"

Seeing the Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass, Ji Yuan felt as though he was seeing his Foundation Establishment self already.

The Great Toad sensed Ji Yuan had emerged and hopped over from a distance.

But this time, Ji Yuan didn’t let it get close. Instead, he forcefully drove it away to the other side of the island.

As for Ji Yuan himself, he bathed, changed clothes, lit incense, and prayed—hoping that during the harvest he might trigger a critical bonus and obtain three stalks of Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass at once.

After preparing himself, Ji Yuan took his jade trowel and carefully began to dig up the Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass.

This time, he was extra meticulous—it took him nearly half a stick of incense’s time to completely unearth it.

And just as he secured the Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass, the panel he had been closely watching finally popped up with a line of unusual and long-missed text.

【When harvesting "Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass", you triggered a spiritual effect and received double yield —— Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass ×2.】

As the text appeared, the Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass in Ji Yuan’s hand suddenly became two stalks.

Success!

Success again!

I knew it, I have the European Emperor Physique. The last failure was only because that Great Toad was nearby.

Now that the Great Toad wasn’t around, my luck returned! Ji Yuan happily looked at the two stalks of Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass in his hand. With these, plus the three in his storage pouch, he now had five in total.

Coincidentally, he also had two stalks of Millennium Qinghui Grass.

Five sets of Foundation Establishment Pill materials—he should be able to refine fifteen Foundation Establishment Pills. Adding the three given by Li Changhe,

that totaled eighteen Foundation Establishment Pills—Foundation Establishment time!

Return to the sect and refine Foundation Establishment Pills!

With this thought, Ji Yuan didn’t want to wait even a moment longer.

He immediately stepped in front of the stone wall—this was where Tu Yue had marked the days. Since Ji Yuan never knew how long he remained in seclusion each time, he had Tu Yue carve a mark on the stone wall daily.

Now there were exactly —— 34 marks.

By this count, he had been in seclusion drawing talismans for 34 days this time.

But fortunately, the results were quite fruitful. Ji Yuan swept his Divine Sense over the storage pouch—there were 12 sets of Fivefold Protection Talismans.

If he had drawn them by hand, the success rate certainly wouldn’t have been this high. But with the 20% success rate boost from Level 2 Talisman Room, the result was quite different.

Since all was prepared, it was time to return to the sect and enter seclusion to refine Foundation Establishment Pills.

Not knowing how long this seclusion would take, Ji Yuan stored Tu Yue away. As for the remaining Spirit Pigs and Green-Yellow Chickens, with the Great Toad around, there was nothing to worry about.

"Gua——" The Great Toad, seeing Ji Yuan store Tu Yue away, immediately knew he wouldn’t return for a long time and started croaking loudly.

Ji Yuan made a series of gestures, telling it to guard the place and not let others take over. He also instructed that if anyone came, it should fight if possible—if not, then flee.

After a round of instructions, Ji Yuan retrieved the three jars of Spiritual Wine from the Wine Cellar.

If this seclusion succeeded,

he would have to immediately take a master. He needed to secure his backer first.

Delaying it... was the act of a fool.

After retrieving the Spiritual Wine, Ji Yuan summoned the Red Dawn Boat and returned to the Water Dragon Sect.

Only after arriving at the sect did he remember that he had forgotten to bring the two Yin Ghosts. It was no matter—by the time he returned next, those two should have mostly absorbed the Black Coffin and would likely have reached Peak Qi Refining.

Upon arriving, Ji Yuan once again visited Everything Island.

Using a Shapeshifting Talisman to disguise his aura and appearance, he set up a stall for a day and sold 9 sets of Fivefold Protection Talismans.

Out of 12 sets, he kept 3 for Du Wanyi and sold the other 9. Ji Yuan already had 10 sets stored for his own use.

He didn’t sell them too expensively either. He had specifically checked the prices at Hundred Treasure Pavilion.

One set of Fivefold Protection Talismans sold for 20 Middle-Grade Spirit Stones at Hundred Treasure Pavilion. Ji Yuan sold his for 19—and they sold out easily.

After making a small profit, Ji Yuan returned to Dragon Island and went to Du Wanyi’s residence.

Du Wanyi initially refused again, but after Ji Yuan told her he made them himself and hadn’t spent money on them, she finally accepted.

During this time, the news about the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven had already spread far and wide. Du Wanyi increasingly understood how dangerous that place was.

Now that Ji Yuan had brought her this life-saving talisman formation, she was incredibly grateful.

After bidding farewell to Du Wanyi, Ji Yuan had just reached his own doorstep—he hadn’t even stepped inside yet—when he saw a flying boat descend from the sky and land beside him.

"Senior Brother Feng."

Ji Yuan was somewhat surprised to see who it was.

He hadn’t expected Feng Yichen to still come looking for him at this point.

So—Ji Yuan became slightly more alert.

"Seeing Junior Brother Ji is no easy task."

Feng Yichen gave a bitter smile.

Ever since receiving the Sect Master’s task, Feng Yichen had essentially been camping near Ji Yuan’s residence every day. For a whole month, he hadn’t seen Ji Yuan once.

He had even started to suspect that Ji Yuan had taken on a mission and died out there.

"I took a mission and went south. Just got back."

Ji Yuan smiled and pushed open the door, gesturing, "Please, come inside, Senior Brother Feng."

"Alright."

Feng Yichen strode in first.

Ji Yuan had just returned and thought about making tea, but Feng Yichen wasn’t in the mood. He got straight to the point: "

Junior Brother Ji, are you not planning to go to the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven?"

"Oh？"

So that’s what this was about. Ji Yuan smiled awkwardly, "I’ve just joined the sect—not even three years yet. My strength is low, and I’m not skilled in combat. I’d rather not join the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven chaos."

You're not skilled in combat? You killed Jian Zong... Feng Yichen pondered and said, "Junior Brother Ji, we are both cultivators with False Spiritual Roots. You know as well as I do how hard it is to establish Foundation with such roots. If we don’t seize this opportunity, it will be nearly impossible in the future."

No, once you set out for the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven, I’ll go into seclusion and establish Foundation. By the time you return, I may have succeeded already—and then you’ll have to call me Martial Uncle Ji. Ji Yuan still shook his head.

"I’m still young—I won’t take the risk. I’ll figure out my own method."

"Junior Brother Ji, once we’re in the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven, if the two of us work together———"

Before Feng Yichen could finish, Ji Yuan interrupted:

"Senior Brother Feng, you don’t need to persuade me. I truly have no interest in the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven."

Feng Yichen fell silent.

He just stared at Ji Yuan for a while before slowly saying, "It’s not me telling you to go—it’s the Sect Master."

"What?!"

"The Sect Master?!"

Ji Yuan immediately stood up, visibly stunned. "Senior Brother Feng, is that really true?"

"Would I dare joke about this?"

Feng Yichen spread his hands and smiled helplessly.

"But why would the Sect Master know about a nobody like me and want me to go to the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven?" Ji Yuan was puzzled.

Feng Yichen knew the reason—but he wasn’t foolish enough to say it.

If he told Ji Yuan he had spoken well of him to the Sect Master...

Most people would be moved to tears. But knowing Ji Yuan’s temperament, he’d likely think Feng Yichen was trying to harm him.

"That I don’t know. But if the Sect Master asked you to go, he must have his reasons."

Ji Yuan fell silent.

If the Sect Master of Water Dragon Sect issued the order, then it wouldn’t be easy to refuse. He couldn’t use the excuse of registration being closed...

Whether the registration was closed or not was just a matter of the Sect Master saying the word.

But does he really have to go to the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven?

I’ve already prepared all the materials needed to refine Foundation Establishment Pills, so why would I go? To die?

As for establishing Foundation within the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven—

It’s not like no one’s done it before.

But any cultivator who had a breakthrough inside was immediately suppressed and killed by the rules of the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven.

Suddenly, a thought emerged in Ji Yuan’s mind. If this plan could work, he wouldn’t need to go to the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven and could still successfully establish Foundation.

As for establishing Foundation outside, and not going into the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven—would that offend the Sect Master of the Water Dragon Sect?

Ji Yuan wasn’t too worried about this problem.

Once he succeeded in establishing Foundation, he could formally become the disciple of Hua Yaoyue. With her strength and status, Xuan Shui Zhen Ren likely wouldn’t dare make things difficult for him, right?

Even in the worst-case scenario—if he established Foundation and Hua Yaoyue refused to accept him as a disciple—

Xuan Shui Zhen Ren still wouldn’t kill him on the spot, would he?

If the Water Dragon Sect really killed a newly established Foundation disciple over such a trivial matter, then they might as well head west to Shangxi and join a demonic sect.

If it came to a compromise, with Hua Yaoyue refusing him and Xuan Shui Zhen Ren not bothering him—

That would still be acceptable.

If neither side was favorable, Ji Yuan would find an opportunity to leave the sect and go out into the world as a rogue cultivator with the Great Toad.

With the Building Upgrade Panel, he could settle in any remote valley and it would be just fine.

Backups... he had plenty!

Feng Yichen also noticed Ji Yuan was deep in thought and didn’t rush him. Matters like these always required time for consideration.

"How about this, Senior Brother Feng—could you give me three more days to think this over? I’m really not prepared to go to the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven."

Ji Yuan spoke with a bitter look.

"Three days is too long. Two days. After two days, whether you're going or not, you must give me an answer."

"Then—alright, two days it is."

"Mm."

Feng Yichen stood up and placed a Messaging Talisman on the table. "Junior Brother Ji, once you've made up your mind, just use the Messaging Talisman to contact me."

After saying that, Feng Yichen departed.

He never even considered the possibility that Ji Yuan might not go to the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven. In his view, once the Sect Master gave the order, which disciple would dare to refuse?

Everyone just obediently followed instructions.

Just like himself...

After he left, Ji Yuan sat where he was and clenched his fist.

He hadn’t expected that just as he was about to establish Foundation, such trouble would arise.

But now that the situation had come to this—what had happened, had already happened. Ji Yuan had no time to ponder how he caught the eye of Xuan Shui Zhen Ren. Instead, he should spend that time arranging for Foundation Establishment.

With this thought, he pulled out a golden Messaging Talisman.

Li Changhe’s Messaging Talisman.

In the Water Dragon Sect, if Ji Yuan faced something he couldn’t resolve, he could only turn to Big Brother Li.

As for going outside the sect to locate an Earth Vein and refine pills for Foundation Establishment—if this had been earlier, it wouldn’t have been an issue. But now, if he left the sect, what if he was mistaken for a deserter?

If he were to go to Four Directions Island and open a Pill Refining Room using an Earth Vein, Ji Yuan feared exposing himself.

If Xuan Shui Zhen Ren found him before he could even begin establishing Foundation and insisted in person that he go to the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven, he would have no way to refuse.

Therefore, contacting Li Changhe and using the Li family’s identity to open an anonymous Pill Refining Room was the best solution.

Ji Yuan infused spiritual energy. When the Messaging Talisman lit up, he spoke into it:

"Big Brother Li, are you there? It's me, your little brother Ji. I need a favor."

ps: Next chapter, which is tomorrow, Chapter 149 — Foundation Establishment!

Heavenly Venerable Ji says: Those without a farming cheat have to go grind dungeons.

I have a farming cheat—and I still have to grind dungeons.

So what’s the point of my farming cheat?

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