I rely on learning to achieve immortality.

Several months later.

Zhang Wufeng attempted to establish his foundation.

This foundation-building process was quite fraught with difficulties, not much better than Li Zelei's. His aura dropped several times, and everyone waiting outside thought he would fail.

However, they persevered to the end and barely succeeded.

Although he was already in his sixties and his vital energy had declined considerably, cultivators of this age still had a certain chance of successfully establishing their foundation.

With the support of Foundation Establishment Pills and numerous spiritual items, he finally crossed the threshold that had blocked countless people.

When Zhang Wufeng reappeared before everyone, his original aged and tired appearance had largely disappeared.

He exuded a calm and composed aura, radiating energy and vitality.

His once graying temples had regained some color. However, a hint of weakness could still be seen in his eyes.

His foundation-building process was quite turbulent, and his current condition is not very good.

Even so, Zhang Wufeng was already quite satisfied.

He thanked his relatives and friends outside the foundation room one by one.

When it was Xu Zhou's turn, he remained silent for a moment before solemnly bowing.

"Thank you for your help, Senior Brother Xu."

Although he had successfully established his foundation, this step had been far too perilous. The sharpness in his eyes had diminished considerably compared to when they first met.

Xu Zhou simply returned the greeting cautiously: "This matter is entirely due to personal effort; I only did some minor things."

Soon after, the sect elders, sensing the fluctuations in the aura, arrived and led Zhang Wufeng away.

From now on, the sect will have a new Foundation Establishment elder.

Xu Zhou knew that although the other party had successfully established his foundation, his vital energy was still somewhat unstable.

In the next few years, he will probably not only need to stabilize his cultivation, but also slowly replenish his deficiencies so that he doesn't stop at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

As a result, they may not see each other for the next ten years.

"However, this foundation-building process has given me quite a few insights."

"After this, my confidence in achieving foundation building will increase even further."

Xu Zhou secretly calculated: "In another six months, my cultivation will be able to reach the peak of Qi Refining."

"Before that, I could focus on preparing for foundation building."

...

Before Zhang Wufeng established his foundation, he was not well-known, and was only known to the people of Baicaotang.

But now that he has successfully established his foundation, his experiences over the past few decades have been dug up by the disciples of the sect.

Soon, the origins of Zhang Wufeng's Foundation Establishment Pill were pretty much revealed by everyone's inquiries.

As a result, Xu Zhou also began to attract attention.

"Xu Zhou? Isn't that an old alchemist who's been practicing for over fifty years? He's also aiming for Foundation Establishment?"

"How old is he?"

"I heard that they've been preparing for this for many years, even longer than Elder Zhang."

"If Uncle-Master Ouyang can succeed, perhaps Master Xu really has a chance."

Xu Zhou suddenly started receiving more visiting cards.

Many senior cultivators, even older than him, couldn't resist visiting him to see what this aging cultivator seeking to establish his foundation was like.

Some people think he is still strong and vigorous despite his age.

Some people secretly shook their heads, thinking that he was just another old man unwilling to die, blinded by the words "foundation building".

These invitations were ultimately rejected under the pretext of seclusion.

However, Xu Zhou still met with a few people during these days.

One of them was someone he hadn't expected to meet: Xiao Bing, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

This was the first time he had seen anyone from the Xiao family since Xiao Jingwen left more than a decade ago.

After many years, Xiao Bing, who is almost the same age as Xu Zhou, has also developed a few more wrinkles on his face, barely maintaining a middle-aged appearance thanks to his cultivation.

The other party was very friendly, even somewhat ingratiating.

"When I first met my junior brother, who could have imagined he would achieve what he has today?"

Xiao Bing spoke of these things with a complex tone.

Xu Zhou simply smiled faintly and did not reply.

After the two sat down, Xiao Bing did not rush to speak. Instead, he first talked about the changes in the sect over the years and then mentioned Xiao Jingwen's recent situation.

Only after a moment did he suddenly let out a soft sigh.

"Over the years, Jingwen has always remembered the care his junior brother had given him. If his junior brother hadn't been willing to take him in, he might not be where he is today."

Xu Zhou remained calm.

"Senior Brother Xiao, you've come today for more than just to catch up, haven't you?"

The air was slightly quiet.

Xiao Bing remained silent for a moment before slowly raising her head.

To be honest...

Jingwen is now only one step away from achieving Foundation Establishment.

He paused here, his gaze falling on Xu Zhou: "The Xiao family has spent too much on him over the years. But Foundation Establishment Pills are extremely hard to come by. If we don't make a final push in the next few years, it will probably be even harder in the future."

"So what?" Xu Zhou asked, his expression unchanged.

Xiao Bing looked at him and slowly said, "If you have other plans in the future, Junior Brother, the Xiao family is willing to spare no expense to exchange for the Foundation Establishment Pill in your possession."

The words fell.

The room fell silent.

Xu Zhou slowly raised his head, looked at Xiao Bing, and suddenly smiled.

"Senior Brother Xiao."

Do you think that Mr. Xu has become so old that he can no longer distinguish between right and wrong?

Xiao Bing's expression changed slightly.

This was the first time he had been refuted by Xu Zhou, who was usually mild-mannered.

A vein flashed on Xiao Bing's forehead, but he quickly realized that Xu Zhou was no longer the same person he used to be, and was no longer someone he could easily manipulate.

He quickly explained, "Junior brother, you've misunderstood. I had absolutely no such intention."

After a pause, he continued, "However, even with ample preparation, success in Foundation Establishment is not guaranteed."

Jingwen's vital energy is currently at its peak, and his life force has reached its full potential. If he could obtain this elixir, he would be able to support the Xiao family's century-long legacy.

As he said this, he slowly stood up and solemnly cupped his hands in greeting.

"As long as my junior brother is willing to part with it, the Xiao family hereby promises to offer a hefty price in exchange."

Furthermore, in the future, I will surely repay my junior brother with an opportunity to establish his foundation.

Xu Zhou looked at the other person and suddenly felt a pang of emotion.

He had always thought that Senior Brother Xiao was exceptionally capable and shrewd. Helping his uncle transform the Xiao family into a renowned Foundation Establishment family within the sect, he was indeed a talented individual.

However, Xiao Bing is somewhat out of his mind right now.

How can something like the Foundation Establishment Pill be exchanged for a few promises?

Xu Zhou's expression grew cold.

"Senior Brother Xiao, there's no need to say anything more."

"I will not give up the Foundation Establishment Pill."

Xiao Bing's face darkened.

In the end, he slowly sat back down, his gaze complex.

After a long pause, Xiao Bing sighed, "I was being presumptuous."

After saying that, he got up and took his leave.

Before leaving, they paused for a moment.

"Now that you have obtained the Foundation Establishment Pill, Junior Brother, you should still be more careful in your future actions."

"I'm definitely not the only one in the sect eyeing this thing."

Xu Zhou's eyes flickered slightly.

"Thanks for reminding me."

Xiao Bing didn't say anything more and turned to leave.

Watching the other person disappear, Xu Zhou didn't feel much relieved.

"The Foundation Establishment Pill is still too coveted."

"For the time being, please try to avoid going out."

From then on, Xu Zhou resolutely refused to see anyone who came to his door, no matter how important or influential they were.

When asked, he only said that he needed to focus on his seclusion.

Although many people had reservations about this, Xu Zhou didn't care at all.

As long as he can protect the Foundation Establishment Pill, he doesn't care about offending others.

One day, Li Pochen visited his master.

He came to visit because he had recently made progress in his cultivation and had finally reached the sixth level of Qi Refining.

Xu Zhou trusted this disciple quite a bit and did not stop him.

Li Pochen was born in the sect and was watched over by him since childhood. He always respected and loved him and would never become a mouthpiece for others.

Although he was frail and sickly from childhood, his constitution improved and his aptitude also improved somewhat.

In addition, with his naturally meticulous personality and the personal instruction of Xu Zhou, he mastered the Qi Cultivation Technique at a very young age and began to cultivate smoothly.

This starting point isn't high for someone in the industry, but it's much higher than when Xu Zhou and Li Zelei first started.

Now in his thirties, Li Pochen is no longer the boy he once was; he exudes a more mature and composed air.

His cultivation level even surpasses that of his twin brother Li Pozhu, having reached the sixth level of Qi Refining, and he is expected to reach the Foundation Establishment stage in the future.

Xu Zhou once told him that after reaching the sixth level of Qi Refining, he could come to him to have the old injuries in his meridians removed, which would make it easier to break through to the later stage of Qi Refining in the future.

Li Pochen's visit now is a bit early, but it's still reasonable.

However, when Li Pochen actually entered the cave, he didn't mention this matter at all.

He carefully examined the cave dwelling for a few moments.

The alchemy room in the mansion seemed to be covered in a layer of dust, as if it hadn't been used for a long time.

Looking at Xu Zhou again, Li Pochen could vaguely sense that his master's aura was now quite powerful, almost on par with the top disciples of the sect.

Li Pochen remained silent for a long time before finally asking in a low voice:

"Master...you're also about to reach the Foundation Establishment stage?"

Xu Zhou nodded and replied, "Having cultivated to this point, it's only natural that I should give it a try."

Li Pochen's face turned pale.

He opened his mouth slightly, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped. In the end, he didn't say anything.

Looking at Xu Zhou, his gaze seemed to return to the moment when Li Zelei walked out of the Foundation Establishment Room.

That look lingered in his eyes until he left.

Xu Zhou shook his head.

The disciple did not act as a persuader, but he did so in another way to prevent him from reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.

I know what he's worried about, but I can't offer much advice.

When Li Zelei failed to achieve Foundation Establishment, he accepted the outcome calmly and turned to spending time with his family. However, the rest of the Li family, including Li Pochen, could not accept it so easily.

The changes after a failed foundation building attempt and the decline of one's vital energy and blood are extremely shocking. It would be hard for anyone to accept that a family member who was once as strong as a mountain would suddenly become old and frail.

Li Pochen spent many years away from home afterward, unwilling to face Li Zelei's face.

He didn't even get to see Li Zelei one last time.

Because of this incident, Li Pochen had a very unpleasant argument with his family after returning home.

Xu Zhou knew that his disciple had some psychological trauma regarding Foundation Establishment, but no matter how he tried to persuade him, it was difficult to convince him.

Ultimately, you have to get through this on your own.

...

Several months later.

Xu Zhou has ended his final period of seclusion.

His cultivation level finally reached the peak of Qi Refining.

The energy was profound and self-circulating, reaching a point where further progress was difficult.

The next day, Song Rou, who had made an appointment with him, arrived at his door.

"Senior brother, are you finally ready?"

Xu Zhou smiled slightly and nodded.

Song Rou smiled faintly, but there was little joy in her eyes.

She looked at Xu Zhou, as if she wanted to say something, but only sighed softly.

"Let's go," Song Rou replied softly.