Half a month later.

Xu Ping wearily arrived at his own doorstep.

He took out his token to open the array of his cave dwelling, walked through the small courtyard, stepped into the house, and plopped down onto a chair.

"Finally home," Xu Ping said, a smile involuntarily appearing on his lips as his body and mind relaxed completely.

The trip to the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range was uneventful despite some scares.

Not only did he obtain a Demon Core, but also improved his strength to another level.

It was indeed a complete success.

"Now it's time to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill." With this thought, a trace of anticipation rose in Xu Ping's heart.

Foundation Establishment Pill!

This was something the original owner didn't even dare to imagine!

However, his cultivation level had not yet reached the perfection of the ninth layer, so there was no need to rush. It wouldn't be too late to refine it after reaching perfection.

Moreover, although Du Xinghuai promised to help him connect with his mentor, it hasn't been confirmed yet.

After everything is settled, it wouldn't be too late to refine the pill.

"Let's have a good sleep today." Xu Ping stretched lazily, a hint of fatigue appearing on his face.

During the months at the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range, he hadn't had a good night's sleep, and coupled with the long travels, he felt extremely exhausted with his current physique.

After cleaning his body with a Cleaning Talisman, he fell into a deep sleep.

...

...

Time passed.

In the days that followed,

Xu Ping returned to his regular cultivation, slowing down the Body Refining Skill and other techniques a bit.

He sought the best state of body and mind, neither too tired nor too idle.

Sometimes, he would go to the neighboring Du Mansion to drink and chat idly with Du Xinghuai, inquiring about the alchemy situation.

Incidentally, he collected other materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

The other materials were quite common, and Xu Ping gathered them without much effort.

...

In the blink of an eye, half a year passed.

This day, Xu Ping was invited to the Du Mansion.

As he arrived, Du Xinghuai smiled and delivered good news to Xu Ping, "Fellow Daoist Xu, I have finally connected with my mentor for you."

"Connected?" Xu Ping's eyes lit up, his face showing joy.

Sending so many Spirit Stones to Du Xinghuai was precisely to meet the Hidden Alchemist.

"Yes," Du Xinghuai nodded, grinning, "I've contacted my mentor, but you must tell me what Pill you want my mentor to help you refine."

After hesitating for a moment, Xu Ping decided to be honest, "I hope your esteemed mentor can help me refine a Foundation Establishment Pill."

"Foundation Establishment Pill!!" Du Xinghuai exclaimed, jumping up from the chair, staring at Xu Ping in shock, "You're not joking, Fellow Daoist Xu?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Xu Ping maintained a calm expression, his tone firm.

To prove this was no trivial matter, he also took out the Demon Core.

"It truly is a Demon Core!"

Upon verification, Du Xinghuai looked deeply at Xu Ping, deeply shaken.

He never expected that a mere Loose Cultivator could actually gather all the materials for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

It's known that many Foundation Establishment Cultivators find it hard to gather the materials for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

"In three days, I'll take you to meet my mentor." After suppressing his inner shock, Du Xinghuai said slowly.

"Thank you, Alchemist Du." Xu Ping cupped his hands in gratitude, feeling excited inside.

"No need to be polite." Du Xinghuai's expression was complex.

To a Qi Cultivator, except for those with Celestial Spirit Roots, who wouldn't desire a Foundation Establishment Pill?

Greed sprouted in his heart but was quickly quelled by reason.

A Loose Cultivator capable of gathering the materials for a Foundation Establishment Pill must be a formidable figure with both luck and strength.

With his skills, he obviously didn't have the ability to seize the Foundation Establishment Pill's materials.

...

...

Three days later, Du Xinghuai introduced Xu Ping to the Hidden Alchemist.

Xu Ping also brought along a witness from the Immortal City.

The so-called witness is a notary to ensure the fair refining of the Foundation Establishment Pill.

The Foundation Establishment Pill is of exceptionally high value. Loose Cultivators who coincidentally gather the materials for it, but fear being killed for wealth by the alchemists in the Immortal City, can invite someone from Qiu Xuan Immortal City to be a witness, ensuring the fair distribution of the Foundation Establishment Pill.

The reason Qiu Xuan Immortal City is famed as a sanctuary for Loose Cultivators is largely due to such a system.

Although inviting a witness requires a considerable fee, compared to the value of the Foundation Establishment Pill, it's a mere drop in the ocean.

Toward this system of Qiu Xuan Immortal City, Xu Ping actually held a bit of fondness in his heart.

It equates to giving countless Loose Cultivators a chance to rise.

Under the witness's gaze,

The Hidden Alchemist confirmed the materials' share and negotiated the alchemy fee.

The parties agreed to begin pill refinement in a month.

This was considered jumping the queue.

In the Loose Alchemist realm of Yellow Dragon Immortal City, the Hidden Alchemist's skills were deemed top-notch.

Many seeking his pill refinement were in the Foundation Establishment Stage.

For regular Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the Hidden Alchemist wasn't concerned and often required half a year's wait.

But Foundation Establishment Pills were different. Their extraordinary value warranted jumping the queue.

After their agreement, Xu Ping chose not to return home, opting to stay at the 'city center' cave dwelling for half a year.

The 'city center' was at the base of Qiu Xuan Mountain.

And Qiu Xuan Mountain, being the cultivation realm of Qiu Xuan Zhenren's lineage, naturally deterred any disturbances.

Xu Ping worried that news of the Foundation Establishment Pill's main materials might leak, finding staying in the inner city insecure.

Once the Foundation Establishment Pill was refined, he would immediately attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment in the cave dwelling.

...

A month passed without incident.

As agreed, Xu Ping and the witness met at the Hidden Alchemist's residence.

In the Alchemy Hall he visited years ago,

Xu Ping once again met the Hidden Alchemist, the slender elder with white hair and a youthful face.

"Master Hua." He clasped his hands in salutation.

"Young friend Xu, before refining, there's a need to verify your materials again," the Hidden Alchemist said.

"Understood." Xu Ping nodded, presenting all the materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

After carefully examining them, the Hidden Alchemist nodded, "All materials are correct. Let's start the alchemy process now."

He instructed them to observe from a distance without disturbing the process.

Securing the materials, he stepped into the hall to begin the alchemy.

...

Xu Ping, the witness, and Du Xinghuai sat on cushions outside the main hall.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, rest assured, my mentor's alchemy skills are nearing Second-stage Upper Grade, making the refinement of the Foundation Establishment Pill almost a sure success."

Du Xinghuai reassured kindly.

"Indeed, the Hidden Alchemist's skills are considered top-notch in the Immortal City," the thin elder acting as a witness also nodded.

"Thank you both for your insights, I trust the Hidden Alchemist's skills."

Despite saying so, Xu Ping couldn't help but feel nervous inside.

Even though he had a seventy to eighty percent success rate without the Foundation Establishment Pill, the pill was still essential to push the odds further to over ninety-eight percent.

...

Five days later.

A faint medicinal fragrance wafted from the hall, refreshing one's spirit.

At that moment, the alchemy process was nearing completion.

The Pill Furnace glowed, emanating a dense aroma.

"Open!"

With a shout, the Hidden Alchemist gestured with his hands, executing the Furnace Skill.

Buzz!

A cascade of colorful mist burst open the cauldron lid, with heat waves sweeping around.

Above the Pill Furnace, faint auspicious clouds formed, enveloped in colorful halos.

"What a phenomenon…"

"The Foundation Establishment Pill is complete!!"

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The auspicious cloud and mist encased two pills, delivering them into the Hidden Alchemist's hands.

Xu Ping gazed over with excitement.

Two pills, each with a glossy appearance, lay quietly in the alchemist's hands.

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