The Foundation Establishment Pill is one of the hard currencies in the Cultivation Realm, alongside Spirit Stones.
The path of cultivation is essentially about harnessing the forces of nature and making them one's own, a process that is naturally fraught with danger. Ever since the Path of Cultivation was perfected by generations of powerful and talented figures, the nine major realms from Qi Refining to Tribulation Transcendence have been established over tens of thousands of years.
However, countless cultivators, brimming with youthful vigor and dreams of becoming immortals, ultimately falter before the stage of Foundation Establishment.
To the vast majority of cultivators, telling them how difficult it is to form a Golden Core or to nurture a Nascent Soul might be beyond their understanding. But if you tell them how hard it is to succeed in building their foundation, they can certainly relate.
It is said that before the Foundation Establishment Pill was created, the gate to Foundation Establishment was the greatest chasm on the path of cultivation.
With the Foundation Establishment Pill, the success rate for Foundation Establishment skyrocketed.
A Low-grade Foundation Establishment Pill can increase the success rate by 10%, a Middle-grade can increase it by 30%, a Top-grade by 50%, and a Top-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill can increase it by 90%!
Basically, unless one's foundation is severely shaken, aptitude is too poor, or luck is extremely bad, possessing a Top-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill essentially guarantees success in Foundation Establishment.
To call the Foundation Establishment Pill a hard currency is not an exaggeration, given the overwhelming number of Qi Refining Stage cultivators, the demand is incredibly high.
A Low-grade Foundation Establishment Pill typically costs 100 Low-grade Spirit Stones, a Middle-grade costs 500 Low-grade Spirit Stones, a Top-grade costs 1 Middle-grade Spirit Stone, and a Top-Grade costs 2 Middle-grade Spirit Stones!
Sect disciples have it easier, but for some loose cultivators, they might never save up 100 Low-grade Spirit Stones in their entire life.
[Foundation Establishment Pill]
[Quality: Mortal-grade Top-Grade Pill]
[Increases Foundation Establishment success rate by 90%]
Fan Wubing looked at this pill, and couldn't help but smile.
He didn't see a high 90% success rate for Foundation Establishment; instead, he saw... a method for refining a Profound Level Top-Grade Pill!
Think bigger, with "Devour Stars and Munch Moons," why be foolishly concerned about the success rate of Foundation Establishment?
However, it's still uncertain whether "Devour Stars and Munch Moons" can definitely discern the method of refining pills. The best plan is to wait until "Devour Stars and Munch Moons" is cultivated to perfection, and "taste desire" becomes an innate passive before attempting.
After all, cooking and alchemy are quite different pursuits.
Seeing more and more eyes turning towards him, Fan Wubing quickly stowed away this Top-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill, intending to make such commissions during less busy times in the future.
As he was about to leave, a new commission appeared—
"Exterminate the Lake Demon of Luoxing Lake."
Luoxing Lake? Wasn't that the place where the lantern festival was held last night?
Fan Wubing carefully examined it.
Specifically, it narrated that at last night's lantern festival, a Lake Demon disguised as the owner of a pleasure boat invited people to board, seeking no reward, enticing them to join in revelry. With this guise, the demon cheated seven people onto the boat. Once invited, the Lake Demon steered the boat to the center of the lake, then revealed its true form, sinking the ship into the lake, where it devoured the attendees.
The commission content was extremely detailed, even accompanied by on-site video records.
Seeing the maid on the pleasure boat in the video, Fan Wubing broke out in a cold sweat.
Wasn't that the pleasure boat that invited me last night?
He had a narrow escape, thinking how wise he was to refuse.
He once again reminded himself in his heart that this world was truly the world of the game, not a mere game world. Every Cultivation Realm was full of opportunities, yet rife with peril.
"Right now, this blood bar is only as long as a fingernail, providing no sense of security. Increase blood, increase blood, it still needs continuous increase!"
...
After leaving Fulu Peak, Fan Wubing did not directly return to Enlightenment Peak. He turned and stepped onto the Cloud Profound Corridor leading to Treasure Peak.
Every time he passed through the Cloud Profound Corridor, he felt a great deal of emotion. The Eternal Immortal Sect had a total of twelve Immortal Peaks, the closest of which were eight leagues apart, and the farthest, twenty-nine leagues apart.
But without exception, they were all connected by the Cloud Profound Corridor, saving everyone from having to descend and ascend each time they traveled between peaks.
It is said that the Cloud Profound Corridor is the masterpiece of today's major Immortal Dao school, the Mo Family.
Beyond just the Cloud Profound Corridor. The Mo Family's various inventions and creations are spread throughout the Cultivation Realm, undeniably standing as a pillar faction.
"Tsk... the infrastructure fanatics of the Cultivation Realm, I really want to see them in action..."
Treasure Peak, as the name suggests, is a place for storing and managing various treasures. It's the best place to spend contribution points.
Upon entering the mountain gate of Treasure Peak, a towering building reaching into the clouds comes into view.
With imposing eaves, the pavilion enshrouded in mist, immortal aura flowing all around, proudly hangs a three-character plaque "Treasure Tower," with a dragon-like calligraphy that, at first glance, reveals its extraordinary nature.
Many disciples are coming in and out, some returning with smiles and full hands, others clenching their teeth and fists, resolute in their goals.
Upon entering the Treasure Tower, Fan Wubing was immediately overwhelmed by the myriad of circulating auras inside.
"An entire building full of treasures! If only they were all mine..."
He didn't delay and first wandered around the cultivation technique area.
The good news was that there were many types of cultivation techniques: Immortal Dao, Martial Dao, Divine Soul Technique—whether you practiced swords, knives, or whips... or anything else, you could find a technique suitable for you.
The bad news was that even after searching around, Fan Wubing couldn't find anything suitable for himself.
Upon reflection, it made sense. How could reputable sects possibly have cultivation techniques directly linked to life? Wouldn't that be considered heretical?
Now that his contribution points were limited, he needed to prioritize by necessity.
He examined himself and found that in terms of life and life recovery, he was stronger than the average Qi Refining Stage cultivator. What he lacked were combat techniques, body technique for movement, and travel capability.
Thus, he focused on these needs, observing what might suit him and be within his points to exchange for.
First of all, a handy weapon was essential.
Swords, knives, halberds, whips, chains, hammers... he decided against weapons that required learning specific techniques. Without technique, wildly swinging these weapons would not only be ineffective but also waste physical energy.
After some contemplation, he spent 10 contribution points to exchange for a bow and arrow and a dagger. They covered both close and long-range needs. Both weapons had a low entry barrier and were relatively easy to pick up.
The main expenses were on talismans and functional magical items.
A Wind Travel Talisman for swift movement, a Water Purification Talisman to remove odors, an Earth-Spreading Talisman to conceal traces... In short, for the current stage, talismans were the best and quickest way to enhance combat strength. He prepared a range of functional talismans for a comprehensive approach to things like fighting, arson, and corpse disposal.
The most expensive item was undoubtedly the Qiankun Bag for storing items. A Qiankun Bag that could only fit half a cow cost 50 low-grade spirit stones.
But it was a necessity that he had to have.
While the Treasure Tower was filled with treasures, with only 120 contribution points, there wasn't much he could afford.
Fan Wubing didn't waste time here for fleeting pleasures. After exchanging for what he needed, he left.
...
After returning to Enlightenment Peak, Fan Wubing went through the Unwarranted Qi Creation Skill once more before preparing his second meal.
Though his Unwarranted Qi Creation Skill had reached perfection, using it to boost combat strength was still effective.
Now it was all about eating more, practicing more, and continuously making progress.
After the second meal, the progress of "Swallow Star Chew Moon" increased by 0.9%, bringing it to 2.4%. His maximum life points reached a new high, increasing by a full 5.1 points, reaching 356.6 points!
He didn't rashly attempt to consume the Foundation Establishment Pill he had.
First, he wasn't sure if his current physical condition could withstand the potency of a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill. Moreover, it was the only one he had, and he wanted to make the most of it rather than swallowing it hastily.
In the afternoon, he circled around Enlightenment Peak, gathering ingredients in the forest.
Because of Senior Sister Fu Ming, there were no small animals on the main peak of Enlightenment Peak, let alone demonic or spiritual beasts, so it was basically safe.
However, the surrounding forests around the main peak of Enlightenment Peak were no different from other places.
The Eternal Immortal Sect was located on one of the spirit veins of the Profound One Spirit Marsh in the Little South Continent, where spiritual qi was abundant. It's normal for demonic beasts to be nurtured in the forests.
The surrounding forests were also places for disciples of the Eternal Immortal Sect and some loose cultivators, and family cultivators, to train and adventure.
Fan Wubing didn't rush straight into the depths of the forest but instead cautiously explored from the outskirts.
Even though he was sure that he was more resilient and able to recover compared to an average Qi Refining Stage cultivator, his combat techniques were still too weak, and he lacked body techniques to withdraw from battle. Therefore, directly challenging demonic beasts was unwise.
It was better to first bully some ordinary animals in the outskirts and then proceed slowly once he got the hang of it.
With a dagger at his waist and a bow slung over his shoulder, he'd play the hunter for a few days, get familiar with the lay of the land, and then venture deeper when ready.
...
At night.
On Fulu Peak, Zhang Jingwei, as usual, organized the day's contribution records from Enlightenment Peak before entering meditation.
When he flipped to the Enlightenment Peak records, he was about to habitually skip over them when his eyes caught a record, and he immediately frowned and examined it carefully—
[Enlightenment Peak, Fan Wubing, perfectly completed the commission "Seeking Heirs Heavily," earning 120 contribution points, and one top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill]
He rubbed his eyes to ensure he wasn't mistaken, then paused in surprise, thinking to himself:
"Did that boy really contribute? But he clearly has no cultivation... Could it be he got lucky? But, this is a perfect evaluation... Did someone help him? Although the kid has no cultivation, he doesn't seem to be the type to fake things."
Zhang Jingwei furrowed his brow, looking towards the direction of Enlightenment Peak.
In his eyes, at this moment, Enlightenment Peak's vitality was withering, and its fortunes were fading, looking as though it would soon completely regress into an ordinary mountain peak.