**Chapter 12: Triple Kryptonite-Level Foundation Establishment Banquet**
"Any news on the Jade Marrow Mushroom?" Wei Zhong asked a male cultivator.
The man shook his head. "A three-hundred-year-old Jade Marrow Mushroom? That's no easy find."
This was the same cultivator Wei Zhong had tracked down, the one who possessed the other essential ingredient for the Foundation Establishment Pill: the Thousand-Knot Flower. Like Wei Zhong, he was a Ninth Layer Qi Refining Loose Cultivator who called himself Daoist Yellow Millet.
"The Azurewood Sect controls the Jade Marrow Mushroom supply, leaving barely any to circulate freely. Plus, Han Bamboo City has been extremely unstable lately, and the flow of cultivation resources there has dwindled further. If we want a Jade Marrow Mushroom, I see no alternative to going to Han Bamboo City ourselves in the short term."
Wei Zhong shook his head. "Han Bamboo City is no place to be right now."
In recent years, the turmoil surrounding the inheritance of a Nascent Soul True Monarch had not subsided but rather intensified, drawing in numerous reclusive cultivators, some even at the Core Formation stage. The struggle for the inheritance's Secret Treasures had become a bloody free-for-all. Even Daoist Bitter Bamboo, the city's stalwart guardian, had been wounded by a mysterious cultivator.
Han Bamboo City had become a powder keg, ready to explode at any moment. Now was certainly not the time to draw attention to oneself.
"Fellow Daoist Huai, have you ever heard of an alternative method for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill?"
"Fellow Daoist, are you referring to the technique that uses a Second-Tier Demonic Core as the primary ingredient?"
Second-Tier Demonic Beasts, particularly those with exceptional innate talent, cultivate a Demonic Core within their bodies—their most prized possession.
"But demonic beasts are scarce in Wild Plains Prefecture. Every Second-Tier beast is known by name, either raised in captivity by sects like the Azurewood Sect or claimed as spirit pets by seasoned Foundation Establishment cultivators. Where can we possibly find one?"
"Have you forgotten about the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range?"
While demonic beasts might be rare in Wild Plains Prefecture, home to the Azurewood Sect, that wasn't the case elsewhere. In this Cultivation World lay a vast mountain range spanning several prefectures, teeming with demonic beasts and forming a veritable kingdom unto itself—a true paradise for them.
Not only were demonic beasts plentiful there, but spirit medicines and precious materials also abounded. Many cultivators returning from the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range spoke of its abundant resources.
However, such bounty came at a price. The mountains harbored numerous Second-Tier and even higher-tier demonic beasts, with legends whispering of Great Demons capable of transforming into human form.
"That place? This Daoist wouldn't dare venture there," Wei Zhong said, shaking his head.
Daoist Yellow Millet smiled faintly. "Fellow Daoist Huai, might you have a misunderstanding of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range? I've heard that the Rakshasa Sect in neighboring Netherworld Prefecture has been developing the area for some time. They've established a significant presence, making it much safer and attracting many loose cultivators seeking adventure. If we gathered a few fellow Daoists and traveled together, we might not find a Jade Marrow Mushroom, but hunting a Second-Tier Demonic Beast would be highly probable."
"Is that so?" Wei Zhong had long resided within the Azurewood Sect, so his information was somewhat limited.
"It's true. I heard it directly from a senior elder, who even invited me to relocate to Netherworld Prefecture to develop my cultivation. I originally planned to reach Foundation Establishment first before considering it, but now I may have to reconsider."
Naturally, Wei Zhong wouldn't rely solely on this account. "Fellow Daoist, give me some time to consider this."
"Then please give me your answer within a month. If I haven't heard any news about the Jade Marrow Mushroom by then, I'll leave for Netherworld Prefecture."
After they parted ways, Wei Zhong immediately inquired around. Sure enough, he soon found similar rumors circulating among the market stalls.
"The Rakshasa Sect dares to develop the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range? That's incredibly audacious."
Throughout history, other sects had attempted similar ventures, but none had ended well.
It was one thing for individual cultivators to occasionally venture into the mountains to hunt a few weak demon beasts, but for an entire sect to try and exploit the region like a vegetable patch? That was practically inviting their own destruction.
Wei Zhong shook his head, already mentally rejecting Huang Liang's proposal.
Even if they managed to find any treasures in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, the journey to Netherworld Prefecture alone was fraught with peril. The distance was vast, and they would likely encounter Robber Cultivators along the way—a danger Wei Zhong was unwilling to risk.
With time on his side, Wei Zhong decided to remain at the Azurewood Sect.
A month later, Wei Zhong declined Daoist Yellow Millet's offer and resumed his cultivation.
A year passed. Wei Zhong's lifespan was dwindling, and his Qi Refining cultivation had reached an insurmountable plateau. During this time, Wei Zhong slowed his practice of the Azure Wave Art, shifting his focus to the Body Nourishing Art.
Name: Wei Zhong
Cultivation Base: Ninth Layer of Qi Refining (99%)
Techniques: Azure Wave Art - Master (13%); Body Nourishing Art - Proficient (36%)
Lifespan: 141.9/142
After five years of diligent cultivation, Wei Zhong had barely progressed a third of the way through the Body Nourishing Art, finding it as arduous as ever.
Yet its difficulty was matched by its extraordinary benefits. Wei Zhong felt his vitality surging, belying his status as an elder nearing the end of his lifespan.
But now, having reached the limit of his lifespan, he needed another Kryptonite-level boost.
"Sacrifice one realm of cultivation to gain ten years of lifespan."
Once again, his spiritual energy diminished, but his physical vitality surged, granting him another decade of life.
*With such a method at my disposal, why risk venturing into the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range?*
Just as he was marveling at his unique means, a white dove landed outside his courtyard, carrying a golden invitation in its beak. Wei Zhong retrieved the missive.
"Luo Mingyan has achieved Foundation Establishment and is hosting a banquet for fellow cultivators?"
Wei Zhong calculated that it had been eight years since he joined the Azurewood Sect. Luo Mingyan, who had already reached the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining back then, had finally achieved Foundation Establishment.
*As expected of a sect disciple. He must have access to Foundation Establishment Pills.*
Regaining his composure, Wei Zhong resolved to attend the banquet. After all, he was nominally the "nephew" of Chu He, Luo Mingyan's friend and a Loose Cultivator, and Luo Mingyan had personally sent him an invitation. He couldn't possibly refuse.
Retrieving ten jars of First-Tier spirit wine from his cellar, Wei Zhong decided to present them as a celebratory gift.
This spirit wine, named Azure Vine Intoxication, was Wei Zhong's own creation. Crafted with numerous rare First-Tier spirit fruits, its production cost alone exceeded two hundred spirit stones. With its exquisite flavor and generous quantity, it was considered a premium First-Tier spirit wine, enough to supply a small banquet.
Three days later, Wei Zhong invited Elder Ning Cankun to attend the banquet with him.
"Fellow Daoist Chu has already reached the sixth layer of Qi Refining?" Ning Cankun asked, his face a mixture of astonishment and suspicion as he sensed Wei Zhong's cultivation base. After all, Wei Zhong had only joined the Azurewood Sect eight years ago, yet he had leaped from the fourth to the sixth layer of Qi Refining.
*Could this man possess a Spirit Body?* Ning Cankun wondered secretly. In the Cultivation World, some cultivators possessed special Spirit Bodies. Even with ordinary Spirit Roots, the assistance of a Spirit Body could grant them cultivation speeds rivaling those of mid-grade or even high-grade Spirit Roots.
"Haha, I'm not sure myself," Wei Zhong chuckled, scratching his head. "Perhaps it's simply because I'm willing to spend spirit stones. I've been indulging in a steady supply of Spirit Pills and spirit wine these past few years. My cultivation base has been constantly breaking through thanks to this constant influx."
Wei Zhong had deliberately accelerated his cultivation, both to lay the groundwork for his future Foundation Establishment and to quickly increase his apparent strength, hoping to curry favor with Luo Mingyan. Such relationships, forged solely from mutual benefit, were destined to be fleeting. True camaraderie could only be forged through shared cultivation progress.
As they spoke, they arrived at the banquet hall.
"Outer Sect Elder Ning Cankun presents: a pair of Dragon-Phoenix Jade Treasures."
"Loose Cultivator Chu Zhong presents: ten jars of First-Tier spirit wine, Azure Vine Intoxication."