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

Although Zhou Yuan has the incredible advantage of having an equipment slot, which might allow him to increase his chances of forming a Golden Core by equipping some Golden Core spiritual items in the future, the solid and reliable method of "Three Revolutions of Replenishing Yuan Technique" is undoubtedly the best supplement.

"Better safe than sorry. Perhaps, when the time comes, I will only need to disperse my cultivation once, and then equip the Core Formation Spiritual Object in my equipment slot to successfully form my Core."

Two and a half years of arduous training.

Zhou Yuan had already thoroughly understood the formula for the "Jade Condensation Pill" that Lin Xu had provided.

With the terrifying boost from his equipment inventory—the pill recipes enhancing his alchemy talent, the pill recipe jade slips providing the experience of predecessors, and his own already superb alchemy skills—

The success rate of refining the Jade Condensation Pill has long since reached an astonishing 100%!

The Jade Condensation Pill is a pill taken by Foundation Establishment cultivators to assist in cultivation and improve their magical power.

Zhou Yuan continued refining pills without ceasing, and the pills were produced in an endless stream, making his cultivation resources extremely abundant.

Under such favorable conditions, his cultivation progressed extremely quickly.

The first three levels of the Qingyuan Sword Technique correspond to the Qi Refining stage, while the fourth, fifth, and sixth levels correspond to the Foundation Establishment stage.

In two and a half years, Zhou Yuan had completed the fourth level of cultivation.

The liquid true essence within his dantian was thick and surging, reaching the peak of the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

Just one step away from breaking through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

But Zhou Yuan stopped on his own initiative.

"I can't cultivate anymore... If I break through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage now and go to see Li Huayuan, it might arouse his suspicion."

Two and a half years, from the initial Foundation Establishment stage to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage—this speed is ridiculously fast for a pseudo-spiritual root cultivator.

While it could be explained by "taking large amounts of pills," it is ultimately easy to arouse suspicion.

Zhou Yuan was unwilling to reveal too many abnormalities when his strength was insufficient.

"It's time to go and meet this cheap master."

Zhou Yuan got up and stretched his muscles, which had been sitting for a long time.

His intention to visit Li Huayuan was certainly not out of any filial piety or respect for his teacher.

He clearly remembered the original plot:

Li Huayuan's wife encountered a problem while practicing the Ice Heart Technique and is now in critical condition.

It was thanks to the half of the spiritual medicine that he had kept from Han Li when he took him as his disciple that he was cured.

Afterwards, Li Huayuan, who was usually stingy, was unusually generous and let Han Li choose any item from his collection as a reward.

Zhou Yuan's trip was driven by the same intention—to see if Li Huayuan's collection contained any suitable cultivation techniques or treasures.

If there were no better alternatives, he officially decided to focus on the Azure Origin Sword Technique.

"If I can get some help from my master, my future cultivation path will be much smoother."

With this plan in mind, Zhou Yuan no longer hesitated. After quickly packing up, he left the cave.

The triple formation continued to operate, and the cave remained as hidden as ever.

---

Zhou Yuan summoned the Divine Wind Boat, which transformed into a white streak of light and soared into the sky.

For Zhou Yuan, speed of travel is a major advantage.

With three mid-tier spirit stones and the Spirit Eye Spring in his equipment slots working simultaneously, his mana recovery speed reached an unbelievable level.

It can fly at maximum speed almost continuously without worrying about running out of mana.

Furthermore, the Divine Wind Boat was a high-quality flying magic weapon crafted from the materials of a black dragon, making it far faster than other vessels of the same level. Combined, Zhou Yuan's overall travel speed was even faster than that of an ordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator flying at full speed.

Half a day later, Zhou Yuan arrived in the eastern region of the Taiyue Mountains.

Following the location Li Huayuan had given him, he found a towering mountain peak shrouded in mist.

At the foot of the mountain, a huge waterfall cascades down from a height of thousands of feet, roaring with the sound of water and filling the air with mist, creating a magnificent rainbow in the sunlight.

Behind the waterfall, a smooth, mirror-like rock face can be vaguely seen.

"This is it."

Zhou Yuan descended the Divine Wind Boat and landed on the edge of the pool in front of the waterfall.

He took out a communication talisman, infused it with magic power, and whispered:

"Master, your disciple Zhou Yuan has now reached the Foundation Establishment stage and has come to pay my respects."

After saying that, he sent the sound transmission talisman towards the waterfall's water curtain.

The communication talisman transformed into a streak of light, pierced through the water curtain, and disappeared.

Zhou Yuan waited quietly.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the waterfall suddenly rippled, creating a large hole three zhang wide out of thin air. The water flowed to both sides, revealing a deep passage behind it.

Immediately afterwards, a figure flew out of the passage and landed in front of Zhou Yuan.

The newcomer was a thin, scholarly man in his thirties with a handsome face, wearing a light blue robe, and at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

Upon seeing Zhou Yuan, he immediately broke into a warm smile and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Are you Junior Brother Zhou Yuan? I am Yu Kun, the eldest disciple under Master. You can just call me Senior Brother Yu!"

Zhou Yuan quickly returned the greeting: "Greetings, Senior Brother!"

"Hi, just call me Senior Brother Yu!"

Yu Kun waved his hands repeatedly, smiling broadly, "I've heard your story before, Junior Brother—you single-handedly obtained thirty-two spiritual herbs in the Crimson Forbidden Land, helping Master win the bet. That's truly remarkable!"

As he spoke, he looked Zhou Yuan up and down, his eyes full of curiosity and admiration.

"When I first heard that my junior brother's aptitude wasn't good, I was worried that he wouldn't be able to reach the Foundation Establishment stage. I never expected that he would successfully achieve it in just over three years! Congratulations!"

This senior disciple was clearly a chatterbox; once he started talking, he couldn't stop.

Zhou Yuan simply listened with a smile, occasionally nodding in agreement, without interrupting.

Yu Kun talked for a while before remembering the important matter. He slapped his forehead and said, "Look at me, I was so busy talking. Junior brother, come inside with me quickly, Master and Mistress are both here."

He turned and led the way, with Zhou Yuan following closely behind. The two of them passed through the passage separated by the waterfall's curtain of water.

The passage wasn't long; after walking about a hundred steps, the view suddenly opened up before us.

This is a mountainside space completely hidden by the waterfall, covering an area of ​​several tens of feet in diameter.

The rock walls overhead are inlaid with countless moonstones, and the soft light illuminates the entire space as bright as day.

The space is elegantly and exquisitely decorated, with pavilions, bridges and streams, and even a garden of spiritual herbs, where all kinds of exotic flowers and rare herbs grow luxuriantly, and the spiritual energy is so rich that it is almost impossible to dissolve.

Clearly, Li Huayuan had put a lot of effort into this cave.

Yu Kun led Zhou Yuan to a large hall with blue tiles and white walls, and announced loudly, "Master, Mistress, Junior Brother Zhou Yuan has arrived."

"Come in."

Li Huayuan's deep voice came from inside the hall.

Zhou Yuan straightened his robes and stepped inside.

The hall was spacious and bright, with simple and antique furnishings. Li Huayuan sat upright in the main seat, dressed in a gray robe, with white hair and beard, but he was in good spirits and his eyes were bright and piercing.

Beside him sat a beautiful woman who looked to be only in her early twenties. .

She was dressed in a light purple palace gown, with a beautiful face and gentle temperament, but her face was slightly pale and there was a hint of illness between her brows.

This is Li Huayuan's Daoist partner.

Zhou Yuan quickly walked a few steps into the hall and respectfully bowed:

"Disciple Zhou Yuan greets Master!"

Li Huayuan looked at Zhou Yuan with a relieved smile and nodded: "Get up. It's been more than three years, and you've actually succeeded in establishing your foundation. Very good."

He paused, then pointed to his side. "You haven't met your master's wife yet."

Zhou Yuan turned He bowed again: "Disciple greets Master's Wife!"

She smiled slightly and said softly, "No need for formalities. I've often heard Hua Yuan mention you, saying that you made great contributions in the Crimson Forbidden Land. Meeting you today, I can see that you indeed have an extraordinary bearing."

Her tone was gentle, but Zhou Yuan keenly noticed that her breathing was slightly unsteady, indicating that she was not in good health.

"Thank you for your kind words, Master's wife," Zhou Yuan said respectfully.

Li Huayuan gestured for Zhou Yuan to sit down, and Yu Kun also sat down beside him.

"Zhou Yuan, where have you been cultivating these past two years? Has your Foundation Establishment process gone smoothly?"

Zhou Yuan was prepared and replied, "Master, after I established my foundation, I found a secluded place on the outskirts of the Taiyue Mountains to open a cave dwelling. I have been in seclusion for the past two years to consolidate my cultivation. The foundation establishment process... went relatively smoothly. After consuming the Foundation Establishment Pill rewarded by the sect, I succeeded by sheer luck."

He attributed his progress in cultivation to the Foundation Establishment Pill and his secluded cultivation, which is perfectly reasonable.

Upon hearing this, Li Huayuan nodded and did not delve into the matter further.

The foundation building of a pseudo-spiritual root is already difficult. Successfully taking the Foundation Building Pill is fortunate, but it is not without precedent.

"Your success in establishing your foundation is a blessing. Now that you have joined my sect, you must diligently cultivate and not slack off," Li Huayuan instructed.

"Disciple will remember Master's teachings," Zhou Yuan replied.

Yu Kun chimed in, "Master, Junior Brother Zhou has just arrived. Why don't I show him around the cave and help him get familiar with the surroundings?"

Li Huayuan waved his hand: "No rush. Since Zhou Yuan is here, I have something to tell him."

His expression turned serious as he looked at Zhou Yuan: "Your master's wife encountered some problems during her early cultivation years..."

I have found an ancient recipe that requires several rare and precious medicinal herbs to refine into an elixir.

Zhou Yuan's heart skipped a beat; he knew the real show was about to begin.

Sure enough, Li Huayuan continued, "Among these spiritual herbs, there are several that you collected back in the Crimson Forbidden Land. When I took you as my disciple, I kept half of the spiritual herbs according to the sect rules, and these were some of them."

He paused, then said solemnly, "It is thanks to these medicinal herbs that your master's wife is unharmed. You have rendered meritorious service by offering the medicine, and I will not treat you unfairly."