Cultivating Immortality: Starting from Ferrying Passengers

Chapter 193 Bao Chan's Enlightenment
Upon receiving the news, Fang Jingxuan arrived at Shuwu Peak with great interest.

The peak master himself received Fang Jingxuan and led him to a secluded hall.

As soon as he entered, Fang Jingxuan saw several Qi Refining cultivators sitting in front of him. They were all relatively young, and their cultivation levels were mainly in the early and middle stages of Qi Refining.

Upon sensing Fang Jingxuan's arrival and seeing the once aloof peak master personally accompanying him, these cultivators knew that the main figure had arrived.

They all stood up and bowed to show their respect for Jingxuan.

“Deacon Xuanming, these are disciples of our sect who have come to present their treasures. After our inspection, they have indeed met your requirements.”

Fang Jingxuan nodded, then sat in the main seat, indicating that the other party could begin.

The first item presented was a golden cicada shell. Just by looking at its spiritual light, one could tell that this was no ordinary first-tier symbiotic object.

"The second-tier mid-grade [Mysterious Cicada] has been identified as having three inherent supernatural functions: Mystery Insight, Meditation, and Divine Protection."

The one who presented this ginseng was a composed late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, who looked at Fang Jingxuan with neither servility nor arrogance.

Fang Jingxuan reached out and snatched it from the other person's hand, then placed it in front of him and examined it carefully.

The 【Tongxuan Baochan】is still in the shape of a golden cicada, but its appearance has changed a lot, and it is no longer a cicada shell, but a complete whole.

Holding it in his hand, Fang Jingxuan tried to channel his magic power into it, and immediately a state of profound enlightenment was bestowed upon him.

"Great quality, tell me, what would you like to exchange for?"

Having gained Fang Jingxuan's approval, this late-stage Qi Refining cultivator spoke directly:
"This disciple desires that top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, and hopes that my master will grant my request."

Upon hearing this, Fang Jingxuan pondered for a few moments, which made the Qi Refining disciple very nervous.

"Although the second-tier mid-grade [Mysterious Treasure Cicada] is rare, its market value is only about ten high-grade spirit stones, while a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill requires nearly thirty high-grade spirit stones. What you are doing is a bit greedy."

After Fang Jingxuan finished speaking calmly, the Qi Refining disciple's expression changed. Then, after thinking for a moment, he gritted his teeth and took out another spiritual material from his storage bag.

"A mid-grade third-tier spiritual material, a broken set of giant spirit tortoise shell, if we add this, I wonder if we can exchange it?"

"Oh, let me see it."

Fang Jingxuan became interested. Tuoyuan still needed high-grade water-based spiritual materials to enhance the concentration of its bloodline. However, compared to the Tongcan True Water that he needed, the priority of these water-based spiritual materials was to be ranked last.

But now that I've seen it, there's no reason to give up, so I might as well take it all.

Upon inspection, the broken shell of the giant black tortoise was found to be of good quality and appeared to match the teeth of Tuoyuan.

"Very well, the [Mysterious Cicada] and this tortoise shell, although not worth thirty high-grade spirit stones, are something you collected from all over the place. Considering your efforts, this top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill is yours."

As soon as Fang Jingxuan finished speaking, the late-stage Qi Refining cultivator's face lit up with joy, and he immediately bowed in gratitude:
"Thank you for your kindness, Uncle-Master. I, Huang Fengxian, will always remember this grace."

Fang Jingxuan smiled lightly, not taking these words to heart. Huang Fengxian was only at the late stage of Qi Refining at the moment; let's wait until he reaches the Foundation Establishment stage first.

"Okay, next one."

The head of the General Affairs Peak took the opportunity to call forward a Qi Refining cultivator and present him with new spiritual materials.

Half an hour later, Fang Jingxuan walked out of the main hall of the General Affairs Peak, accompanied by the attentive steward of the General Affairs Peak.

Back in his cave, Fang Jingxuan took out all the items he had collected.

Among them, the [Mysterious Cicada] is the most precious, while most of the others are water-based spiritual materials needed by Tuoyuan.

Now, once Tuoyuan has digested these spiritual materials, his bloodline potential will likely increase significantly.

In addition, there are two other kinds of rare water from heaven and earth, but unfortunately, they are not what is required in the "True Explanation of the Mysterious Abyss".

However, Fang Jingxuan accepted it, thinking he might need it someday.

This time, Fang Jingxuan took out the top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, the high-level sword talisman he didn't need, and more than twenty high-grade spirit stones.

After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, Fang Jingxuan's combat power increased, and he generally looked down on these external things. The sword talismans that were once his trump card during the Qi Refining stage became useless.

Therefore, Fang Jingxuan simply sold everything this time and exchanged it for the spiritual materials and rare water he needed.

Fang Jingxuan took out the previous [Cold Jade Cicada Shell] without much hesitation, put it aside, and replaced it with the new [Mysterious Treasure Cicada].

Then he practiced meditation and began his spiritual cultivation.

After a night, Fang Jingxuan awoke from his cultivation state. After checking his stats again, a smile appeared on his face.

Although it was just a change of a fellow cultivation item, my cultivation speed has increased from eight o'clock a day to twelve o'clock now.

So, you can accumulate 360 ​​points a month, 4,300 a year, and the 45,000 points needed to complete the first level of Foundation Establishment will take you nine years to reach that level.

Using only twenty high-grade spirit stones, one can save more than a year of arduous cultivation time, which is a very worthwhile thing.

Even so, Fang Jingxuan was not entirely satisfied. It took nine years to reach the second level of Foundation Establishment, which was still too slow compared to those cultivators with a single innate spiritual root.

They can advance one level in five years, or even three years, with smooth sailing all the way until they reach the perfect foundation, at which point they will pause slightly.

Therefore, Fang Jingxuan felt that his cultivation speed could be improved again. It would be best to compress this cultivation time to five years, which is the lower limit of the standard for geniuses, so as to save more time to deal with the large amount of preparation time required for the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

The theory of alchemy is an extremely profound concept, so much so that Fang Jingxuan is still completely baffled by it.

Thinking about this, Fang Jingxuan felt somewhat confused. How exactly did he comprehend the theory of alchemy?

If I had a Golden Core master, my cultivation path would surely be much smoother.

Fang Jingxuan sighed, took out a bottle of second-tier spirit-nourishing pills, took out one pill, swallowed it, and entered a state of tempering his divine sense.

Six months later, ignoring Tuoyuan who was drowsy from eating, Fang Jingxuan turned and walked out of the cave.

The cultivation pills I bought earlier have been almost used up over the past six months, so it's time to buy some more.

Although Xiao Yan was generous, these cultivation pills were not supplied in unlimited quantities; there were only two bottles a month, and no more.

Since obtaining the [Mysterious Cicada], Fang Jingxuan has been able to increase his cultivation progress by twelve points per day.

However, if combined with cultivation pills, the cultivation speed will be even faster.

If one takes a second-grade low-level Yellow Ginseng Pill, one can increase their cultivation level by five points in a single cultivation session.

If it were replaced with a second-tier mid-grade Azure Spirit Pill, that would be eight points.

If it were replaced with a second-tier superior-grade Miaoji Qingyun Pill, the effect would be doubled.

In other words, if Fang Jingxuan can guarantee a continuous supply of the Miaoji Qingyun Pill, the original nine years of cultivation time can be compressed into four and a half years.

Having experienced the joy of rapid progress in cultivation, Fang Jingxuan naturally consumed a lot of pills. However, relying solely on the pills distributed by Xiao Yan was far from enough, so Fang Jingxuan had to purchase them from the market himself.

In the market of the Holy Infant Sect, there aren't many shops selling pills needed by Foundation Establishment cultivators, after all, the entire Holy Infant Sect only has about twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators.

In addition, three people died and two were seriously injured the year before last, so the demand is even smaller.

The market here primarily caters to the needs of Qi Refining cultivators. Fang Jingxuan, concealing his cultivation level, strolled around but didn't find anything that appealed to him. He currently had no shortage of magical artifacts and only wanted to buy some cultivation pills; nothing else mattered to him.

After searching for a long time, Fang Jingxuan finally bought ten bottles of Miaoji Qingyun Pills from a large merchant house. Each bottle contained twelve pills, and the ten bottles together cost Fang Jingxuan five high-grade spirit stones.

If you eat sparingly, it will be enough for half a year's needs, but after calculating the price, Fang Jingxuan really felt the pinch.

Just considering the pills alone, it would cost ten high-grade spirit stones a year, and if Fang Jingxuan didn't have the passive income from that phosphorus iron spirit mine, he wouldn't be able to afford it.

An ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator can only earn twenty or thirty high-grade pills a year. If one-third of their annual income is spent on this, it would be heartbreaking for anyone.

In addition to cultivation pills, one also needs spirit-nourishing pills to enhance one's spiritual awareness and soul, and calming pills to prevent going astray in cultivation.

These pills are all expenses. If a Foundation Establishment cultivator relies solely on their salary, they simply cannot afford it. No wonder Ghost Face has always been thinking about earning extra money.

Thinking of Ghost Face, Fang Jingxuan smiled to himself. In the past two years, he had introduced another Foundation Establishment cultivator to Xiao Yan, but this time, the newly arrived Foundation Establishment cultivator did not have a good impression of Ghost Face. Instead, he hung out with Aogu, which made Ghost Face very angry.

Furthermore, Madam Ye sent word that she highly regards Fang Jingxuan and hopes he can leave Xiao Yan's side and come to her.

Therefore, Ren Fangjingxuan was willing to set any conditions; even if he wanted her to serve him personally, that would not be a problem.

Fang Jingxuan pretended not to see these attempts to win him over and focused on cultivating in his cave.

Fang Jingxuan guessed that Xiao Yan probably knew about this, but he just didn't remind him, probably to test his loyalty.

Fang Jingxuan didn't want to get involved in their conflict. He only hoped that by keeping a low profile for the past five years, he could dispel Madam Ye's interest in him.

"Custom-made pills! You provide the materials, and I'll refine the pills for you for free. I won't take a single penny from what I get."

As Fang Jingxuan walked along the streets of the market, he pondered his thoughts, but his divine sense automatically scanned the surrounding area for hundreds of feet, taking in all the information.

Then it automatically filters out the useless information, and only information that can arouse Fang Jingxuan's subconscious interest can be sent to his mind and attract his attention.

"Free alchemy? Is he a self-taught alchemist?"

Fang Jingxuan remembered the high price of the Miaoji Qingyun Pill and became interested. He turned around and walked over on his own.

What came into view was a young female cultivator in the mid-stage of Qi Refining, who was bargaining with someone. There were many cultivators surrounding her, but most of them just looked on with amusement.

"You little girl, you've got a good plan. Using other people's materials to refine pills to improve your own alchemy skills, it must be because your success rate in alchemy is too low and no one is supporting you, so you can only come to the street to pretend to be a con artist."

Upon seeing someone making sarcastic remarks, the female cultivator immediately glared and retorted:

"Bullshit! I'm a disciple of Master Biyunzi, and I'm a master of the Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Technique. I'm proficient in all kinds of alchemy, whether it's literary or martial, fire or water. I just like to refine difficult pills, but I lack the materials, so I do it this way. You alchemy idiot, stop making a fool of yourself here."

Enraged by the sharp retort from the feisty female cultivator, the other party looked like she wanted to devour him.

"Heh, you dare to lay a hand on me? Don't you even know where you are? If you dare to touch me, guards will immediately escort you to the Holy Gate's prison, where you'll become cultivation material for other demonic cultivators."

Upon hearing this, the other party immediately calmed down, looked around, and then slunk away.

After the man left, the female alchemist continued to promote her services, but while many people watched, few approached to inquire.

The few who were willing to accept the recipes were rejected by the female alchemist, who said they were too easy and she was too lazy to refine them.

At this point, Fang Jingxuan became interested. If she could refine the Wonderful Auspicious Cloud Pill for him, he could save at least five or six high-grade spirit stones a year.

What if it's ten years? Or even later, whatever other pills you need, you can just have them made by the other person. Keeping an alchemist at home would be a very worthwhile thing.

And the most crucial factor is that the refinement of one's own Taiyin Moon Essence True Water requires an alchemist, and this alchemist must be under one's own control.

So Fang Jingxuan stepped forward and asked:
"Can the Miaoji Qingyun Pill be refined?"

As soon as Fang Jingxuan spoke, the female cultivator's expression changed, her previous defiant tone vanished, and she stammered:
“Senior, this is a cultivation pill that only cultivators in the early stages of Foundation Establishment can take. I am afraid I cannot refine it due to my limited abilities.”

As soon as Fang Jingxuan appeared, the other Qi Refining cultivators who sensed something was amiss quietly left.

Those less bright cultivators also sensed something was wrong, and soon they all left.

Now, the once bustling stall is now empty except for Fang Jingxuan and the female cultivator.

"Didn't you claim to be a disciple of Master 'Bi Yunzi'?"

“Senior, I am only a disciple in name only. Master ‘Biyunzi’ likes to travel around, and I haven’t seen him for a long time.”

Hearing the other party's words, Fang Jingxuan smiled, understanding what was going on, and then said directly:
"Pack up your stall and come with me."

After saying that, Fang Jingxuan turned and left, while the female cultivator looked hesitant and conflicted, wanting to run away but not daring to. Her rebuttal to the Qi Refining cultivator had no deterrent effect on this person who was clearly a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Even the guards in the market have to curry favor with him. This is the tradition of the Holy Infant Sect: the strong are respected, and strength is the greatest rule.

So, watching Fang Jingxuan's retreating figure, the female cultivator had no choice but to pack up her stall and quickly follow him.

"We've arrived. You'll be staying here now. For the first month, refine ten bottles of Yellow Sprout Pills to practice your skills."

Fang Jingxuan led her to his cave dwelling and gave her the alchemy room that had been empty for a long time.

Upon seeing the alchemy furnace and spiritual fire that met the Foundation Establishment standards, as well as various alchemy facilities, the female cultivator's eyes immediately lit up.

"Ah, a second-grade high-level alchemy furnace, a third-grade low-level spiritual fire, and a medicine-making room and a refining room, senior, can I use all of these?"

Fang Jingxuan nodded slightly, indicating:
"Don't worry, just use it. I don't know how to refine pills anyway. If you need anything in the future, just go to the disciples outside, and they will take care of it for you. Oh, by the way, what's your name? How old are you?"

At this moment, Fang Jingxuan remembered to ask the other person's name and age.

"My name is Lin Xiaoqian, and I just turned eighteen this year."

Upon hearing the other person's age, Fang Jingxuan was somewhat surprised. So young, yet already at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, she was much stronger than he had been back then. No wonder that 'Biyunzi' would accept her as a disciple.

"Alright, Lin Xiaoqian, you can go anywhere except my training room. Here is the token."

Looking at the young and innocent face of the girl, Fang Jingxuan felt very calm. He discovered that as his cultivation deepened, his desires during Qi refining had actually diminished considerably.

Is this due to age, or is it because, since practicing the "Mysterious Abyss True Explanation," he has been attracted by various supernatural and mysterious powers, thus losing his basic desire for women?

Perhaps this is because the scenery on the path of cultivation is so beautiful that, compared to it, what do love and romance amount to?

Strength is always the most important thing, and diligent cultivation is fundamental. Otherwise, if it were me cultivating Qi, would Lin Xiaoqian have been so obedient to me?

For a moment, Fang Jingxuan's mind was racing, and he entered a state of 'enlightenment'.

At the same time, within the [Azure Wood Treasure Garden] at his waist, the branches and leaves of the Enlightenment Vine swayed in unison, emitting a mysterious aura that enveloped him.

Unbeknownst to her, Lin Xiaoqian also stood obediently in place, not daring to breathe too loudly, for fear of interrupting Fang Jingxuan's state and being angrily slapped to death.

At the same time, she looked at Fang Jingxuan with eyes full of admiration, and thought to herself:

"Is this the talent of a Foundation Establishment expert? Being able to enter a state of enlightenment from time to time is simply enviable."

Fang Jingxuan was in this state for only a short while before he broke free. He then discovered that after his brief enlightenment and the state of oneness with heaven and earth, his divine sense had increased by a full ten feet.

(End of this chapter)