Chapter 209 - 203: Foundation Establishment
Li Yuan pulled his hand back.
"The one on the left."
Pill Refiner He pushed the white Jade Disc on the left to Li Yuan and the one on the right to Ji Huaiyuan.
Ji Huaiyuan took the white Jade Disc and looked down at the medicinal pill on it, his expression solemn.
Li Yuan stored the Breaking Element Pill, along with the white Jade Disc, deep within his storage bag.
Pill Refiner He replaced the lid on the Pill Furnace and began cleaning the residue inside.
"The pills are refined. What happens next has nothing to do with me."
He said without even looking up.
Just as Li Yuan had put away the Breaking Element Pill, Ji Huaiyuan’s voice came from behind him.
"Li Dao You, please wait."
Li Yuan turned around.
Ji Huaiyuan stood at the entrance of the main house, his previously hurried steps now still. His hand was pressed against his sleeve, over the spot where the white Jade Disc was, as if afraid it might fall out.
The old man hesitated for a couple of breaths, then spoke.
"Li Dao You, there is a matter... I’m not sure if I should mention it."
Ji Huaiyuan wrung his hands, his gaze flicking between Li Yuan and Pill Refiner He.
"The Spirit Contract states that Li Dao You gets to choose first. There is no problem with that; the Ji family has absolutely no objection."
He paused.
"But if it’s possible... the Ji family would like to ask Li Dao You to let us choose first."
Li Yuan looked at Ji Huaiyuan, but his mind was already weighing the possibility of attempting his breakthrough without the Breaking Element Pill.
’Breaking through without a pill will let me go further in the future, and I’ll also be able to make the pill’s blue trait permanent.’
’Besides, with all the traits I have, how can I not even try?’
’And the Breaking Element Pill reduces backlash without damaging my foundation. Even if I fail, I can keep trying.’
’Worst-case scenario, I can unequip my gear, take the pill, and try again.’
’The only difference between these two pills is size, which shouldn’t have much of an impact. Their traits are identical.’
Ji Huaiyuan’s speech quickened slightly.
"The Ji family can offer additional compensation."
"If Li Dao You is willing to let the Ji family choose first, we are prepared to offer two forms of compensation."
Li Yuan considered this for a few breaths before asking.
"What compensation?"
Ji Huaiyuan’s eyes lit up.
"First," he said, holding up one finger.
"The Ji family can provide a place for your Foundation Establishment. We have the rights to use a seclusion chamber in Yunyang Market Square where the Spiritual Qi is extremely dense, specifically prepared for those attempting to break through to Foundation Establishment. The Spiritual Qi concentration is over thirty percent higher than the best spot in Yunyang Market Square. It’s also equipped with a Spirit Gathering Array and a protective Array, which can provide supplementary Spiritual Power and ensure your safety during the process."
A second finger went up.
"Second. The Ji family excels at Artifact Refining, and we have several skilled Artifact Refiners. We can custom-make two sets of Magical Artifacts for Li Dao You to use during the Foundation Establishment Stage—one offensive set and one defensive set. However, you would need to provide the materials yourself. The Ji family will only provide the labor, not the ingredients."
He lowered his hand.
"What does Li Dao You think of these two offers?"
A place for Foundation Establishment and custom Magical Artifacts.
The venue for Foundation Establishment was quite valuable. Attempting the breakthrough in an environment rich with Spiritual Qi would increase the success rate to some extent. The denser the Spiritual Qi, the more abundant the supply for compressing Spiritual Power during the process, and the greater the margin for error.
Custom Magical Artifacts were even more tangible. After reaching Foundation Establishment, one needed to replace their Tier One Magical Artifacts with those suitable for the Foundation Establishment Stage, and buying them on the market was expensive. The Ji family excelled at Artifact Refining, so the quality of their custom work would likely be better than anything bought in a shop. Although he had to provide the materials, the saved labor costs were no small sum.
Li Yuan thought for two breaths, then took out the Breaking Element Pill.
"Alright. The Ji family can choose first."
"Thank you, Li Dao You."
Ji Huaiyuan looked at the two pills, then chose the slightly larger one. He placed the remaining one back on the white Jade Disc and pushed it toward Li Yuan.
"The Ji family will choose this one."
Ji Huaiyuan placed the chosen pill into a brocade pouch and secured it close to his body.
"As for the Foundation Establishment venue and the Magical Artifacts, the Ji family will make arrangements as soon as possible. Please contact us whenever you need them, Li Dao You."
With that, he turned and left the courtyard. His steps were quick and steady.
Li Yuan nodded to Pill Refiner He and also left the courtyard.
On his way back to his residence, Li Yuan ran into Zhou Tie on the main street.
Zhou Tie was walking over from the east street, carrying an iron box and covered in sweat.
"Li Yuan."
Zhou Tie set the iron box down on a stone platform by the roadside and dusted off his hands.
"You know that Artifact Refiner in the artisan circle, right? The one from the Qi Refining Ninth Level who sold a ton of stuff at the last gathering."
Li Yuan nodded. It was the guy who planned to force his way to Foundation Establishment without a Foundation Establishment Pill.
"He failed his Foundation Establishment."
Zhou Tie’s tone was flat, but his brows were furrowed.
"It happened yesterday. He rented a cave abode in the market. It all fell apart during the final step of compressing his Spiritual Power. Several of his meridians were severed, and his Dantian cracked."
He sighed.
"He didn’t die, but he’s half-dead. He’s lying in a medical hall in the southern part of the market now. I heard his injuries are extremely severe. It’s hard to say if he’ll ever recover to his previous Cultivation level."
Li Yuan was silent for a few breaths.
’That Artifact Refiner had said that if he didn’t take the gamble, the outcome would be much the same.’
’He gambled.’
’And he lost.’
"What a shame." Zhou Tie hoisted the iron box back onto his shoulder.
He nodded to Li Yuan and continued east along the main street, carrying the box.
Li Yuan stood in place, glanced toward the southern end of the main street, then turned and went back to his courtyard.
He closed the door and sat down on the wooden bed.
He took the Breaking Element Pill from the depths of his storage bag and placed it in his palm.
A faint cyan luster flowed in his palm, and fine golden lines faintly shimmered on the pill’s surface.
---
Back at his residence, Li Yuan didn’t start cultivating. Instead, he repeatedly studied the two sets of notes on Foundation Establishment, trying not to miss a single detail.
The Ji family was very efficient.
The day after Li Yuan agreed to the deal, Ji Huaiyuan sent someone with the location of the seclusion chamber and a Pass Token.