I'm in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have one equipment slot!

"Logically speaking, after taking a Core Formation-forming spiritual item to attempt to form the Core, it should take at least two or three years, or at most four or five years, for the person to emerge from seclusion. Even if they fail or encounter a bottleneck and pause, there should be some signs. But to remain silent for seven years..." Another shopkeeper shook his head and sighed.

"Could it be that... something happened to Master Zhou during his seclusion?"

Someone couldn't help but voice the speculation that everyone was most reluctant to discuss.

These words made the atmosphere even more tense.

Ouyang Gong, in particular, looked the worst.

Zhou Yuan was discovered and recruited by him. Over the years, he has brought immeasurable profits and prestige to Yu Huan Ju, which is the biggest guarantee of his performance and the biggest bargaining chip for promotion.

If something were to happen to Zhou Yuanzhen, it would be an unbearable blow to both him personally and Yu Huanju.

"A year ago, I tried to send a communication talisman into the cave, but it was like throwing a stone into the sea, with no response whatsoever." Ouyang Gong's voice was low. "The cave's restrictions are still stable, not like it was damaged by external forces or its owner perished, but... this silence has lasted too long."

"How about... we join forces and try to break through the outer barriers of the cave and go inside to investigate?"

Cao Lu made the suggestion again, his tone tentative. He was really getting impatient; the pills Zhou Yuan had refined over the years were a vital source of profit for their shops, and if that were cut off, the impact would be enormous.

"No!"

The woman in the yellow dress who remained silent Suddenly, she spoke, her voice clear yet unwavering: "Absolutely not! Breaking through to the Core Formation stage is a matter of life and death for a cultivator; one must be completely focused and not allow the slightest distraction."

"If Master Zhou is at a crucial moment in condensing his core, and we rashly attack the restriction, the resulting shockwaves and sounds could, at best, cause him to lose his composure, ruin all his efforts, and regress in his cultivation; at worst, it could directly lead to a backlash of his magical power, causing him to suffer a qi deviation, or even... perish on the spot!"

This woman, named Feng Sanniang, was a highly influential steward in the Six Linked Halls. In her early years, she had also attempted to break through to the Core Formation stage.

Although they ultimately failed, they gained a profound understanding of the dangers involved.

Her words immediately calmed Cao Lu and the others, who were eager to try, causing them to break out in a cold sweat. Indeed, they couldn't afford to take this risk. If their recklessness really led to Zhou Yuan's death, the Six-Hall Headquarters wouldn't let them off easily.

However, not going in to check was causing me great anxiety. The fate of Zhou Yuan, this "cash cow," concerned the interests of too many people.

Just as everyone was caught in a dilemma, hesitating and unsure of what to do—

In the distance, a streak of azure light streaked across the sky like a meteor, moving at incredible speed and carrying an aura of profound and boundless power.

As the light faded, a Taoist priest wearing a blue cloud-patterned robe, a tall crown, and a gaunt face appeared. He was none other than the master of Kui Xing Island—Master Mu Long!

"Greetings, Master Mulong!"

Upon seeing the newcomer, the five immediately abandoned all their thoughts and bowed respectfully in mid-air.

Master Mulong's gaze swept over the five people, finally landing on the silent cave below, his brows twitching almost imperceptibly.

"I wonder what brings the Venerable Master Mulong here?" Cao Lu, one of the more senior members present, mustered his courage and asked.

"I have come to see Master Zhou of your Six-Linked Hall. I have some pills that I would like to ask him to help me refine." Master Mulong's tone was calm, yet it carried an inherent authority.

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Gong quickly stepped forward, his face contorted with worry, and said, "Reporting to the True Immortal, to be honest, we have also come for Alchemist Zhou. Alchemist Zhou went into seclusion seven years ago, saying he wanted to break through to the Core Formation stage, but he has not emerged from seclusion since, nor has any news been sent out. We... are truly worried."

"Oh? Still haven't emerged from seclusion after seven years?" A hint of surprise flashed in Master Mulong's eyes, then he understood and said calmly, "In that case, it seems you've failed to break through to the Core Formation stage."

As a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator, he was experienced and knew that although the Core Formation process varied from person to person, if it took so long without any signs of success, it was most likely a failure, and the person might even be seriously injured and recuperating.

Just when everyone was feeling heavy-hearted, thinking that the worst might have already happened—

Below, in the Jade Peak Cave, the heavy stone door, which had been closed for seven years, suddenly emitted a low creaking sound.

Slowly open inwards!

A familiar figure slowly walked out from there.

It was Zhou Yuan!

A look of surprise instantly flashed in everyone's eyes, and they quickly flew down to the cave entrance on their magical artifacts.

However, when they saw Zhou Yuan's current state, their surprise was quickly replaced by astonishment and regret.

At this moment, Zhou Yuan's breathing was steady, his complexion was rosy, and his eyes were clear. He showed no signs of injury or weakness.

However, the spiritual pressure he emitted was clearly only at the late Foundation Establishment stage!

Compared to his peak Foundation Establishment state seven years ago, when he was just beginning to reach the False Core stage and his talent was fully revealed, he has clearly fallen to a lower level!

This is clearly... a sign of failed Core Formation and a regression in cultivation!

"Greetings, Island Master Mu. Fellow Daoist Ouyang, Fellow Daoist Cao, and all the managers. Thank you for your concern."

Zhou Yuan remained calm.

As if he had just gone through a normal period of seclusion, rather than failing to break through to the Core Formation stage, he greeted everyone as usual.

Master Mulong's gaze lingered on Zhou Yuan for a moment, a barely perceptible hint of inquiry flashing in his eyes, but he said nothing more.

Master Mulong's gaze lingered on Zhou Yuan for a moment, a barely perceptible hint of inquiry flashing in his eyes, but he said nothing more.

Ouyang Gong and the others quickly surrounded him, offering their words of comfort:

"It's good that Master Zhou has emerged from seclusion safely! The process of forming the Golden Core is inherently difficult, and failure is common. Please don't be discouraged!"

"Yes, yes, Master Zhou is still young, yet he possesses such superb alchemy skills and has accumulated resources far exceeding those of ordinary people. If he dedicates himself to cultivation for another one or two decades to solidify his foundation, he will surely succeed next time!"

"Master Zhou, please don't let this matter affect your resolve. There's plenty of time!"

Even Feng Sanniang gently parted her lips and softly comforted him, saying, "Master Zhou, I also failed to form my core in my early years, and I know the bitterness and disappointment involved. But the path to enlightenment is long, and a temporary setback is nothing."

"I also intend to accumulate more experience over the next few years and then make a comeback. Master Zhou's alchemy skills are unparalleled on Kui Xing Island, making acquiring resources a piece of cake. Next time, my preparations will be even more thorough, and I am certain to succeed in one fell swoop!"

Her beautiful eyes fell on Zhou Yuan, filled with admiration and a hint of barely perceptible closeness.

Male cultivators like Zhou Yuan, who are wealthy, have great potential (even though he failed to form his core once), and possess a special skill, are extremely sought-after potential partners in the Chaotic Star Sea.

Faced with everyone's comforting words, Zhou Yuan chuckled inwardly, but on his face, he perfectly displayed a look of "sorrow" and "trying to keep up a good spirit."

He sighed softly, "Alas... I'm sorry to have made you all laugh. This attempt was indeed a near miss. I was lucky that it didn't damage my foundation, but my cultivation has slightly regressed. I still need to... start all over again."

He certainly didn't attempt to reach the Core Formation stage; he spent those seven years rebuilding his cultivation, progressing from the early Foundation Establishment stage all the way to the late Foundation Establishment stage.

Originally, if he had been given another year or two, he could have returned to the False Core realm.

But more and more people gathered outside the cave, and even Master Mulong came in person. It would be better for him to continue his "seclusion".

He might as well "come out of seclusion" and pretend to have failed in his Core Formation, which would make perfect sense.

Seeing that Zhou Yuan's cultivation had "regressed," but his spirit and energy were still intact, and he showed no signs of dejection due to a damaged Dao heart, Master Mulong's eyes flashed with approval. He said, "It is very good that Alchemist Zhou is so open-minded. On the path of cultivation, a steadfast mind is sometimes more important than talent."

He paused for a moment, then got to the point: "I have come here today with an important matter to ask of you. I would like to request that Master Zhou refine several batches of pills for me."

Zhou Yuan immediately composed himself and respectfully said, "Please give your instructions, Master, and I will do my best."

Master Mulong didn't stand on ceremony and tossed out a jade slip.

Zhou Yuan took it and immersed his divine sense into it. Inside, two pill formulas were clearly recorded:

Yellow Jade Pill: Suitable for cultivators in the early stage of Core Formation to improve their cultivation, and also has a slight effect on those in the middle stage of Core Formation. The main ingredient requires several level-six demon beast inner cores with compatible attributes, supplemented by various rare spiritual herbs.

Jade Spirit Pill: Suitable for mid-stage Core Formation cultivators to improve their cultivation, with significant effects, even for breaking through bottlenecks. The main ingredient is the inner core of a level seven demon beast, the "Jade Spirit Python," and the auxiliary ingredients are even rarer and harder to find.

Both of these are high-grade pills intended for use by Core Formation stage cultivators!

The difficulty of its refining and the rarity of its materials far surpass those of the Essence Pill.

"Master Zhou, I've gone to great lengths to gather two sets of medicinal ingredients for this Yellow Jade Pill. I hope you can do your best to successfully refine one batch for me."

Master Mulong pointed to the jade slip and said, "As for this Jade Spirit Pill... this is an ancient pill formula that I obtained by chance many years ago. The main ingredient is the inner core of a level seven Jade Spirit Python. I only managed to acquire one by chance, so it is extremely precious."

He looked at Zhou Yuan, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable expectation: "The refining of this pill involves both risks and opportunities. If successful, I will reward you handsomely... I hope that Master Zhou will only attempt it when he is absolutely certain."

Upon hearing Master Mulong's request, Ouyang Gong and the others nearby couldn't help but gasp in surprise, feeling a pang of worry for Zhou Yuan.

Huang Yudan is one thing, at least she has two sets of materials, so the margin for error is slightly higher.

But the Jade Spirit Pill only provides one set of materials!

It's still an ancient pill formula with a level seven demon core as the main ingredient! A level seven demon beast is a powerful being equivalent to the late stage of Core Formation or even the early stage of Nascent Soul, and its inner core is priceless.

The losses from a single failure are immeasurable!

To refine a new, high-level elixir never before encountered, only one set of materials is provided...

This demand is somewhat unreasonable, and even carries a hint of testing and coercion.

If they fail, even if Master Mulong doesn't say it, he will inevitably harbor resentment, which will likely be detrimental to Zhou Yuan's future situation.

However, to everyone's surprise, it happened.

Zhou Yuan pondered for a moment, glanced at the detailed pill formula in the jade slip, then raised his head and calmly looked at True Person Mulong:

"Thank you for your trust, Master. Within three years, Zhou Yuan will do his utmost to refine these two elixirs for you."

His tone was calm, yet it conveyed an undeniable confidence.

A glint flashed in Master Mulong's eyes as he gave Zhou Yuan a deep look, a smile appearing on his face: "Very well! Then I will await Master Zhou's good news."