What does my ancestor's pregnancy have to do with me, a mere servant?

With such an opportunity, it's understandable that one's cultivation could advance by leaps and bounds.

Li Yang didn't expose her, but lazily sat up, her amazing curves swaying slightly with the movement, her snow-white skin peeking out from under her red dress.

She reached out her well-maintained, slender hand, picked up the white jade bottle on the table, and gently stroked the bottle with her long, delicate fingertips.

The cork was pulled out, and a top-grade Qi Gathering Pill was poured into her fair palm.

It is emerald green and round, with flowing double veins, and has a refreshing medicinal fragrance.

Li Yang held the pill up to her eyes, her captivating eyes narrowing slightly as she examined it for a moment, her admiration undisguised.

"The quality, the control of the heat... the control of the fire is just right, and the timing of the fusion of the medicinal liquid is perfect."

Li Yang raised her head and smiled sweetly at Lin Yuan. Her mature womanly charm was like a gentle spring breeze, yet it also concealed a sharp edge.

"Fellow Daoist, may I introduce you to the alchemist behind you? The Pill Treasure Pavilion has a huge demand for this kind of high-quality pill. As long as he is willing to cooperate long-term, the price is definitely negotiable."

Lin Yuan remained calm, his voice hoarse and lifeless: "Manager Li is joking. My elders are eccentric and don't see outsiders. However, as long as the price is right, I will send any surplus top-grade pills to the Pill Treasure Pavilion first."

Li Yang chuckled, her voice so soft and sweet it seemed to melt in your mouth: "Fellow Daoist, you're so generous. This top-grade Qi Gathering Pill is worth thirty low-grade spirit stones on the market, but I'll offer thirty-two, I'll take them all. Consider it making friends, how about it?"

"Deal." Lin Yuan nodded.

Thirty-two yuan each, two yuan higher than the market price, is considered a good deal.

However, Lin Yuan knew perfectly well that the two extra spirit stones the woman gave him were not out of generosity, but rather bait for a long-term strategy.

Li Yang gestured to the maid beside her to fetch the spirit stones, while she picked up her teacup, gently blew on the steam, and let her gaze drift over Lin Yuan seemingly casually.

Taking advantage of this brief moment, Lin Yuan spoke up: "Manager Li, the Pill Treasure Pavilion sells various cultivation resources. Do you know if they have any formulas for Foundation Establishment Pills?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Li Yang paused slightly in her action of serving tea.

The languidness in her beautiful eyes vanished instantly, replaced by the playful look of a hunter discovering the weakness of his prey.

"Foundation Establishment Pill formula?" She toyed with the white jade bottle in her hand, her voice unhurried. "The formula is naturally available, but the sect has rules against sharing it; it can only be obtained by exchanging contribution points. Furthermore..."

She leaned forward slightly, her heavy weight almost spilling out of her neckline.

She lowered her voice, her tone carrying a heartfelt intimacy: "Even if I gave you the formula, do you have the materials to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill?"

Lin Yuan remained silent.

He knew, of course, that the main ingredient of the Foundation Establishment Pill was not comparable to ordinary spiritual herbs.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Li Yang smiled slightly and continued, "Now that the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is gradually depleting, most rare spiritual materials have long since disappeared from the outside world. The main material that can be used to refine Foundation Establishment Pills can only be found in one place in our Xuan Yin Sect, apart from a very few top-level spiritual plant masters who can cultivate it."

"Where?" Lin Yuan asked.

"The Crimson Forbidden Zone"

Li Yang leaned back on the soft couch, shifting the position of her long, crossed legs, and her tone became nonchalant.

"The Crimson Forbidden Land opens once every thirty years. Within the sect, only those core disciples with exceptional talent and whose cultivation has reached the pinnacle of Qi Refining are qualified to enter and gather spiritual herbs."

Lin Yuan frowned slightly, though his expression remained imperceptible.

Previously, Wen Yuci and Lin Feilu competed for the position of Saintess in order to enter the Crimson Forbidden Land. It seems that the opportunities within this forbidden land are far greater than he had previously estimated.

He was worried about how to obtain the seeds of high-grade spiritual herbs. If they were only found in the Crimson Forbidden Land, then letting Lin Feilu wade into these troubled waters and collect some for him would be a good choice.

"If the senior behind you has materials for Foundation Establishment Pills, my Danbao Pavilion is willing to pay three times the market price to acquire them," Li Yang offered an enticing offer.

Lin Yuan remained expressionless, directly avoiding the topic and instead trying to elicit information: "I've heard that the core disciples entered the forbidden area not just for medicinal herbs?"

Li Yang was holding a teacup to her lips when she heard this and stopped.

She chuckled softly, placed the teacup back on the table with a crisp sound.

"The information you're asking about, fellow Daoist, is not something that can be obtained in exchange for a few dozen top-grade pills."

She lightly tapped the rim of the teacup with her slender fingers, making a rhythmic "tinkling" sound.

"How about this," Li Yang suddenly changed the subject, her fox-like eyes gleaming, "If the senior behind you is willing to commission a batch of Soul-Condensing Pills for the Pill Treasure Pavilion, I can offer you this information as a bonus. What do you say?"

Soul-Condensing Pill.

Information about this elixir immediately came to Lin Yuan's mind.

Good grief, they seem to be doing business with me, but they're actually testing the depths of the "senior" behind me.

The Soul Condensation Pill requires at least a sixth-grade alchemist to refine. She's using information as bait to lure me into revealing my true abilities.

Lin Yuan remained silent for a few moments, then said hoarsely, "The Soul-Condensing Pill is no ordinary pill; our elders may not be willing to agree. However—"

He paused deliberately, creating suspense.

"I can go back and consult with my seniors. Whether or not it can be accomplished is not something I can decide."

A glint of light flashed in Li Yang's eyes.

"Deal." She picked up her teacup, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. "Then let me say a few more words, consider it making friends."

Li Yang put down her teacup and sat up straight. Her eyes, which usually carried a hint of laziness, became serious, even solemn.

"In the Crimson Forbidden Land, there is an ancient, wordless stone tablet."

"A stone tablet?" Lin Yuan's brows twitched slightly.

"There are no words on the stele. After entering the forbidden area, disciples of all generations could touch the stele with their divine sense and thus comprehend many cultivation methods."

Li Yang paused slightly, seemingly considering her words.

"The most precious of them is the Heavenly Dao Foundation Building Method."

"In the cultivation world, foundation building is divided into three levels: the Human Path, the Earth Path, and the Heaven Path."

Lin Yuan pricked up his ears and leaned forward slightly.

"The Human Foundation Building method involves forcibly breaking through using inferior Breakthrough Pills." Li Yang withdrew a finger. "This method is the simplest and most brutal; one breaks through immediately upon consuming the pill. However, the foundation is as fragile as a tower built on sand, making it absolutely impossible to condense a Golden Core in this lifetime. Most outer sect disciples follow this path."

"Earthly foundation building, supplemented by orthodox foundation building pills, is a gradual process. With a solid foundation, the Golden Core stage is within reach. Most elders and deacons in the sect are of this caliber. Reaching the Core Formation stage is already considered exceptional, but to advance further and step into the Nascent Soul stage... is as difficult as ascending to heaven."

Li Yang's voice suddenly lowered a few decibels, and there was an inexplicable sense of emotion in his tone.

"The Heavenly Dao Foundation Building... absorbs the gifts of the Heavenly Dao, cleanses the marrow and transforms the body. Once successful, the Golden Core is just the starting point, leading directly to the Nascent Soul Dao."

As she spoke, her fingers unconsciously traced the rim of the teacup, her gaze slightly unfocused, as if lost in some kind of memory.

Lin Yuan's heart stirred.

When the woman spoke of the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, her tone and expression changed.

With her Core Formation stage cultivation, her position as the manager of the Pill Treasure Pavilion, and her profound knowledge of the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment... she herself was a Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Lin Yuan silently noted down this information and tentatively asked, "Senior, does this Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment Method have any specific cultivation steps?"

Li Yang snapped out of her reverie, shook her head, the melancholy in her eyes vanished, and she returned to her shrewd and languid demeanor.

"This method can only be understood by oneself; it cannot be taught by others." She sighed. "The laws contained in that stone tablet vary from person to person. Different people will perceive completely different things when they touch the same stone tablet. Some people can comprehend the method of building a foundation in the Heavenly Dao from it, while others exhaust all their efforts and cannot comprehend anything."

"It all depends on individual fate."

Lin Yuan felt a chill run down his spine.

This Foundation Establishment method requires personal comprehension and cannot be delegated to others. Doesn't that mean that even if Lin Feilu helps him obtain numerous spiritual herbs, he still has to seize the opportunity presented by this stone tablet himself?

It seems I will eventually have to personally venture into this forbidden bloodland.

However... both Wen Yuci and Lin Feilu are Foundation Establishment cultivators, and besides spiritual medicine and inheritance, there must be other reasons for their competition for the position of Holy Maiden.

"Then what is the reason for the struggle between the Holy Maiden and the Holy Son?" Lin Yuan continued to probe deeper without showing any emotion.

Li Yang gave Lin Yuan a deep look.

A scrutinizing glint flashed in her beautiful eyes.

Such core secrets within the sect should not, in principle, be mentioned to an outer sect servant. However, after glancing at the white jade bottle on the table and considering the long-term supply of pills in the future, she decided not to mind saying a few more words.

Anyway, the other party will know this information sooner or later once they advance to the inner sect.

"In the very core of the Crimson Forbidden Land, there is an ancient palace that has been sealed away for centuries." Li Yang leaned back on the soft couch, crossing one long leg over the other, her graceful curves undulating beneath her red dress.

"There lies the most core and complete legacy of the Xuan Yin Sect."

Lin Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly.

"There are extremely strong restrictions outside the ancient hall. Only the holy sons or holy daughters recognized by the sect can pass through the restrictions and enter the ancient hall with their special identity jade tokens."

She tilted her head slightly, a wisp of hair slipping from her ear, making her delicate face even more charming and alluring.

"This lineage has long been interrupted by time, and the complete cultivation method has been fragmented into countless pieces by restrictions. Every time the forbidden area opens, the holy sons and daughters enter to comprehend it, but even if they are highly talented, they can only bring out a small part of the fragments."

"And the sect's higher-ups rely on the fragments brought out by these holy sons and daughters of past generations to piece together and deduce the Xuan Yin Sect's top-tier cultivation techniques."

Li Yang's gaze fell on Lin Yuan, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.

"Therefore, becoming a saintess not only means preferential treatment in resources and a supreme status within the sect, but also means that one can directly access the core cultivation techniques that lead to a higher realm."

"This is what all candidates for Saintess are fighting tooth and nail for. Elixir is just icing on the cake; inheritance is the lifeblood."

Hearing this, Lin Yuan understood.

Foundation Establishment is merely a stepping stone. To truly establish oneself in a dog-eat-dog world like the Demonic Sect, one needs not only cultivation but also a lineage.

Wen Yuci wanted Lin Feilu to compete for the title of Holy Maiden not only for the Cold Marrow Lotus, but also for the core inheritance, paving the way for her to break through to the Nascent Soul stage in the future.

The female tyrant's appetite was much larger than imagined.

Seeing that Lin Yuan remained silent for a long time, Li Yang covered her mouth and chuckled. She stood up and personally handed the storage bag containing 1,440 low-grade spirit stones to Lin Yuan.

"Fellow Daoist," Li Yang said with a smile, her voice as gentle as cotton, "One must eat one bite at a time, and walk one step at a time. Foundation Establishment and Core Inheritance are simply too far beyond the reach of ordinary people. Selling more pills would be more practical, wouldn't you say?"

Lin Yuan took the storage bag, scanned it with his spiritual sense, and confirmed that the quantity was correct.

One thousand four hundred and forty low-grade spirit stones.

This was probably the first time in over ten years since he transmigrated that he had possessed so many spirit stones. Although he was still far from being a true tycoon, at least he no longer had to live that stingy life where he would try to break a single spirit stone into eight pieces.

"Manager Li is right," Lin Yuan replied hoarsely. "Thank you for clearing up my doubts today. Now that the spirit stones have been settled, I'll take this opportunity to purchase some supplies."

After saying that, he pushed the storage bag, which he had just warmed in his hand, back to its original position.

Li Yang raised an eyebrow slightly, picked up the white jade teacup, took a sip, and looked indescribably relaxed and content.

"What do you need, fellow Daoist? Just say the word."

"The spiritual materials for ten batches of Qi Gathering Pills must be of full age and must not have any traces of being soaked in spirit-enhancing liquid. In addition, I need a beginner's manual for talismans, as well as talisman paper, talisman brushes, and a complete set of materials needed to draw talismans," Lin Yuan stated his requirements.

Li Yang paused slightly as she served the tea. Behind this man in black robes stood not only a master alchemist, but also someone preparing to dabble in the art of talismans. Of the myriad arts of cultivation, specializing in just one already consumes a lifetime's energy; trying to master two often results in biting off more than you can chew.

However, she didn't say much. Harmony brings wealth, that's the rule of Danbao Pavilion.

Li Yang turned her head and instructed the maid to prepare. In less than half an incense stick's time, all the supplies were ready.

With a light tap of her slender fingers, Li Yang pushed the supplies one by one in front of Lin Yuan.

"This talisman brush is a good thing." Li Yang brought the tip of the brush to her lips and gently blew on it. The silver brush tip trembled slightly under the breath and faintly revealed a trace of spiritual light.

"It is made from the three finest hairs at the tip of the Snow Feather Fox's tail. Only one of these foxes appears every hundred years, and the hairs at the tip of its tail have excellent spiritual conductivity. The spiritual power of the runes drawn on them flows smoothly, and the success rate of drawing runes is more than 30% higher than that of ordinary rune pens."

She gently put down the talisman brush and raised one finger.

"Seven hundred spirit stones."

Lin Yuan's brows didn't twitch, but his heart was already bleeding.

"The talisman paper is a top-grade yellow paper made from the pulp of a hundred-year-old Yangling tree bark. It has good toughness and a high spiritual capacity, and will not spontaneously combust due to excessive spiritual energy infusion."

"Four hundred spirit stones."

Lin Yuan's heart sank.

"The spiritual materials for ten batches of Qi Gathering Pills are all of full age, and not a single one has been soaked in Spirit Enhancement Liquid." Li Yang patted the brocade box, smiling brightly. "Three hundred spirit stones. A fair price."

Finally, she flicked her finger, and an ancient jade slip traced a graceful arc before landing steadily on top of the pile of supplies.

"This book, 'Introduction to One Hundred Talismans,' originally cost fifty spirit stones." Li Yang placed her hands on the edge of the coffee table, leaning slightly forward, her deep cleavage almost swallowing Lin Yuan's entire gaze.

She smiled sweetly, with an irresistible generosity: "Consider this a gift from your older sister, it's free."

After saying that, she stretched out her hand, which was painted with nail polish, and counted on her fingers for Lin Yuan.

"Seven hundred talisman brushes, four hundred talisman paper, and three hundred spiritual materials. A total of one thousand four hundred."

Li Yang raised her head, her fox-like eyes curving into two crescent moons as she smiled innocently.

"Not too much, not too little. Fellow Daoist, the money you earned selling pills today is just enough to spend it all. I didn't take a single penny more from you, did I?"

Lin Yuan's lips twitched.

He looked down at the empty storage bag in his hand, then at Li Yang's smiling face.

Good heavens. He made 1,440 from selling pills with his left hand, and spent 1,400 with his right.

In the end, they even gave me a beginner's book for fifty spirit stones, making it seem like I got a huge bargain.

Actually?

She took the spirit stone out of her left pocket, spun it in the air, and then it fell into her right pocket.

She even gave you a book as a favor, so you wouldn't feel comfortable not coming next time.

He understands the principle that the wool comes from the sheep's back.

"Then I must thank Manager Li!"

After the money and goods were settled, Lin Yuan took his leave.

Li Yang leaned against the mahogany railing, a smile playing on her lips, her gaze sweeping over the hunched figure in black robes until the other person completely disappeared outside the gates of Danbao Pavilion.

She looked away, picked up the now-cold teacup, and gently swirled it.

"Xiaoyu".

The maid behind him immediately stepped forward: "What are your orders, Steward?"

"Go check if there's a disciple named Lin Yuan among the outer sect disciples."

"Don't alert anyone. Investigate quietly."

Lin Yuan walked through the alleys outside the Xuan Yin Sect.

He deliberately circled around three times to make sure no one was following him.

Reaching a dead end, he removed his black robe and put it into his storage bag, straightening his hunched back. He removed his wooden mask, revealing a fair and handsome face.

Back in the cave, ten portions of spiritual materials were put into the furnace, and two hours later, another ninety top-grade Qi Gathering Pills were put into the bag.

For him now, this level of refining is no different from cooking.

Lin Yuan carefully put away the pills, picked up the jade slip titled "Introduction to Hundred Talismans," and pressed it against his forehead.

The complex basic rune structure, spiritual energy transmission path, and brushstroke techniques instantly flowed into the sea of ​​consciousness through the space between the eyebrows.

Twelve breaths later.

Lin Yuan moved the jade slip aside. He closed his eyes and digested the information for a moment.

This jade slip only records the drawing methods of the most basic hundred kinds of low-level talismans in the cultivation world.

For example, a lightness amulet, when attached to the body, can make the body feel lighter and greatly increase movement speed.

A purification amulet, when affixed to the body, can remove dirt and grime, leaving the body spotless.

There are also other talismans, such as giant talismans that enhance body parts; when attached to the hand, they can make the palm enormous and as hard as iron.

There are all sorts of talismans and charms, too numerous to mention.