Refining Ruins Cauldron

The two chatted about everything under the sun, recounting interesting stories that had happened to them during their time apart.

Of course, it was Luo Mei who was talking, and Gu Qingyun was listening.

After all, he had been in seclusion in the forbidden area for a whole month, and every day was just monotonous cultivation. What kind of experiences could he have had?

Time flew by, and as dusk fell, Luo Mei finally came to her senses.

Having bothered Gu Qingyun for so long, her pretty face couldn't help but blush.

"Here, this is my master's advice on Foundation Establishment that I asked you to pass on. I hope it will be helpful to you. I wish you a speedy Foundation Establishment."

As she spoke, she placed a jade slip into Gu Qingyun's hand.

The moment their hands touched, Luo Mei recoiled as if electrocuted.

"cough……"

In this situation, Gu Qingyun didn't know how to handle it. He put the jade slip away and coughed twice to ease the awkwardness.

"Please thank Peak Master Nalan for me..."

"I...I know..."

Another silence followed.

Even so, the two of them were not impatient at all, but rather enjoyed the feeling of being alone.

After a long while, Luo Mei calmed down and continued, "Master said, don't forget your promise, and also, after you successfully establish your foundation, go and find her in person."

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingyun nodded seriously.

Without Nalan Feixue, he would not be who he is today, so how could he forget this kindness?

"Alright, I've told you everything I wanted to say. Now you're on your own."

"Remember, the biggest taboo in Foundation Building is being impatient for quick results. Never do something that is impossible, otherwise you will suffer from qi deviation at best, or even complete annihilation of your soul at worst. Remember that."

Luo Mei gave Gu Qingyun a thousand and one instructions, her eyes filled with worry.

"Understood, Senior Sister."

Gu Qingyun nodded earnestly, her tone sincere.

He's not a block of wood, so how could he not feel Luo Mei's concern?

All I can do is take it one step at a time, strive to build a foundation as soon as possible, and not let down Luo Mei and Nalan Feixue's expectations.

"I'm leaving now. I need to focus on my training too, so you don't fall behind!"

Luo Mei playfully stuck out her tongue and made a face at Gu Qingyun.

This made the latter burst out laughing.

Before leaving, Luo Mei looked back one last time.

"Junior Brother Qingyun, you can do it! I believe in you!"

"I will certainly live up to my senior sister's expectations."

……

In the stillness of the night, the chirping of insects could be heard intermittently in the courtyard.

Gu Qingyun did not fall asleep; he sat cross-legged on the bed.

Several items are arranged in a neat and orderly fashion in front of you.

Foundation Building Essentials, Spirit Essence Pill, Refining Ruins Cauldron.

The Spirit Essence Pill can increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment.

Different qualities correspond to different probability levels, ranging from 10% to 90%.

The highest grade Spirit Essence Pill has an astonishing 90% success rate!

Gu Qingyun could tell which quality level of medication he needed even with his toes.

In the outside world, top-grade Spirit Essence Pills are extremely rare and highly sought after, with prices often exceeding supply.

However, for Gu Qingyun, it was not entirely out of reach.

The one given by Master Qinggu was of the highest quality.

However, Gu Qingyun did not rush to take the pill, but skillfully put it into the Refining Ruins Cauldron.

In the past, ordinary low-grade pills could be transformed into top-grade ones through the evolution of purple qi!

What if we put in top-grade elixirs directly?

Gu Qingyun was eagerly anticipating the outcome.

Even if it can no longer evolve, I won't suffer any loss; I still have a top-grade Spirit Essence Pill in my hand.

After doing all that, he turned his attention back to the jade slip.

This contains the foundation-building techniques and experiences of Master Nalan.

Although everyone's foundation is different, the methods of building that foundation will naturally also be different.

But the greatest truths are the simplest, and returning to one's true nature involves many common principles.

If you study it thoroughly and understand it yourself, you may be able to discover your own path.

The jade slip contained very detailed and comprehensive records of Nalan Feixue.

It was almost as if it had been chewed up and fed directly into Qingyun's mouth.

"Build a solid foundation for the Dao, stabilize your Dao heart, and with an unchanging Dao heart, you will remain forever, impervious to all laws, with an indestructible spirit and soul, and eternal existence in heaven and earth."

This last sentence deeply attracted Gu Qingyun's attention.

The foundation of the Dao lies in the Dao mind; with a firm Dao mind, one is impervious to all laws!

At that moment, Gu Qingyun felt a sudden sense of clarity.

Cultivating the Tao is actually about cultivating the mind!

With a steadfast heart, I can traverse the vastness of heaven and earth!

Some people's Dao heart is a sword, some people's Dao heart is a weapon, some people's Dao heart is an array, and some people's Dao heart is a elixir.

Then what exactly is one's own Dao heart?

Looking back, everything seems like a fleeting moment.

My father's words echoed in my ears once again.

"Those who cultivate the Tao, though they may change their ways, never stray from their fundamental principle: the pursuit of longevity."

As a cultivator's cultivation level increases, their lifespan also becomes longer.

The other paths may vary greatly, but in the end, they all lead to immortality.

Instead of beating around the bush, it's better to be honest and face your true feelings.

From a menial servant to an outer disciple, and now to a personal disciple of the sect leader, Gu Qingyun reflects on his journey.

Aren't we also striving to live, to survive, and to achieve immortality?

Zhao Long wanted to kill him to silence him, so in order to save his own life, Gu Qingyun chose to take matters into his own hands.

Bai Feng wanted to kill him to seize the opportunity, and Gu Qingyun had no choice but to fight to the death to survive!

Ziyan was ruthless in her desire for revenge, and Ziyan, in turn, sought to survive by retaliating in kind!

Although they seem unrelated, they all share the same goal: survival!

To live is to live forever!

"The path I choose is the road to immortality! I want this world, and no one can stop me!"

……

Silent all night.

Early in the morning, Gu Qingyun slowly exited his cultivation state and eagerly took out the Refining Ruins Cauldron.

After a night of development, there should be a result.

With a thought, two round, crystal-clear pills slid out.

"It really works!"

One top-grade Spirit Essence Pill has now become two!

Moreover, Gu Qingyun was pleasantly surprised to find that these two Spirit Essence Pills, after being analyzed, had a stronger medicinal fragrance and a more powerful aura than the one given by the sect leader!

"So, even among top-grade elixirs, there are differences."

This was the first time Gu Qingyun had learned of this.

Looking at the top-grade Spirit Essence Pill in his hand, he had a hunch that the probability of improvement from these two pills would definitely be over 90%.

Whether it can get infinitely close to 100% remains to be seen.

After all, Foundation Establishment is not just about elixirs; it also depends on one's Dao heart, foundation, and on-the-spot condition.

The so-called "perfection" is merely a theoretical limit.

Even when truly establishing the foundation, one must not be careless in the slightest.

He carefully put away the two Spirit Essence Pills and did not rush to break through.

Since one has chosen immortality as one's path, then the reserve of elixirs is naturally indispensable.

Buying is not as good as refining; refining your own elixir is also a form of cultivation.

Moreover, Gu Qingyun has an agreement with Peak Master Nalan that he must become a third-grade alchemist within three years and also refine a third-grade top-quality pill!

He cannot break his promise.

More importantly, alchemy requires a calm mind, stable breathing, and focused spirit.

Now that he has just realized his own path to immortality, he needs some time to refine his mindset.

Rushing to rush into foundation building can easily lead to problems.

As his strength increased, the internal fire within Gu Qingyun's body has grown from the size of a fingernail to the size of a thumb.

The more intense the fire becomes, the more precise one's control over the heat will become.

Moreover, Gu Qingyun's spiritual consciousness is now vastly different from what it used to be.

He wanted to know if this would also improve his alchemy skills!

Without wasting any more time, Gu Qingyun took a pill to restore his energy and brought himself to his best condition before plunging into the alchemy room.

Familiar elixirs reappeared before my eyes, memories became clear, and various prescriptions kept changing, going through my mind again and again.

Slowly opening his eyes, Gu Qingyun retrieved the spiritual plant.

He was going to start practicing with the simplest first-grade elixir.

There are no shortcuts, so we must persevere!

Only when you can refine a top-quality first-grade pill will you move on to the next pill recipe.

Experience ultimately comes from accumulation, and what Gu Qingyun is doing now is laying the most solid foundation for his alchemy career.

Just like when I first cultivated spiritual power.

As Gu Qingyun became more and more skilled, the success rate of pill formation also began to steadily increase.

Only after achieving 90% did he shift his focus to quality.

In the blink of an eye, a week had passed, and Gu Qingyun had successfully refined a mid-grade first-rank pill.

Two weeks later, nearly 70% of the first-grade pills that Gu Qingyun refined were of medium quality!

Three weeks later, Gu Qingyun successfully refined his first top-grade first-rank elixir!

Holding the top-grade first-class elixir in his hand, Gu Qingyun was filled with emotion.

Alchemists range from one to nine ranks, and I have only just begun to learn.

A first-grade alchemist, although also called an alchemist, is different from other grades.

They are of the lowest status, everywhere, and don't even require much talent; with just a little effort, they can reach the required level.

This is why many people look down on first-grade alchemists, especially those from families and sects.

In their eyes, only those of the second rank or above can enjoy the position of guest elder!

But Gu Qingyun was already content at this moment.

This is merely the first step I've taken on the path of alchemy...