Chapter 34: The Temptation of the Foundation-Establishing Pill
In broad daylight, a Foundation-Establishing clash erupted in Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace, drawing the attention of countless cultivators.
Formation arrays gleamed with spiritual light as mighty spells soared into the sky.
Far away, Lin Chang’an watched the scene, stunned and filled with yearning.
“This… is a battle between Foundation-Establishing cultivators!”
Everyone in the marketplace was shaken by the confrontation. Many young cultivators felt their hearts burn.
Countless late-stage Qi Refined cultivators narrowed their eyes in resolve.
“Haha, that old mutt of the Zhou Family—didn’t expect another addition today. That grandson with the Wind Spiritual Root is impressive.”
From the distance, amid the roar of the formation, came a bold, hearty laugh.
At this moment, everyone suddenly realized: the Zhou Family had been planning to obtain Foundation-Establishing Pills; this was public knowledge. But nobody expected they had actually obtained them already.
Yet, something seemed to have gone wrong!
“Feng’er!”
Amid the deafening explosions, a giant tortoise beast roared—and the Zhou Family’s patriarch bellowed in rage, his voice ripping with anger.
“You’re a remnant of the demonic sect!”
Suddenly, a female Foundation-Establishing cultivator from Xuanyin Pavilion shouted in alarm and fury. But the one fleeing turned and gave a feral laugh:
“Haha, the head of that young girl from Xuanyin Pavilion is worth enough to trade at Shensword Sect for a Foundation-Establishing Pill.”
Amid his savage laughter, the formation around the marketplace rumbled again—the attackers had reinforcements and shattered the protective array.
Hiding on a rooftop, Lin Chang’an pulled his neck in.
“Judging from what he said—Zhou Family’s and Xuanyin Pavilion’s Foundation-Establishing Pills were stolen, and the genius’ head from Xuanyin Pavilion is enough to exchange for another pill!”
A daring idea flashed in his mind, making cold sweat break out on his brow.
“Even I’m tempted—so what about everyone else.”
The emergence of Foundation-Establishing Pills stirred hearts.
The clash between Foundation-Establishing cultivators dazzled countless wandering cultivators in the marketplace.
But the appearance of those pills made people’s hearts restless.
After the commotion, the market settled—but everyone knew simmering under the calm was a turbulent undercurrent.
…
Juxian Tower.
The next day, with the marketplace seemingly calm, Lin Chang’an couldn’t resist his curiosity and went to Juxian Tower to gather intel.
“Brother Lin, I also just heard—something big happened.”
As soon as they met, the young marquis Shen Lie looked grim and lowered his voice:
“The Zhou Family hid a descendant with Wind Spiritual Root, and at some point, they arranged a marriage with a female cultivator from Xuanyin Pavilion. Both said to be geniuses.
Originally, the Foundation-Establishing cultivators from both families came to collect the pills and meet the juniors. But unexpectedly, they encountered pill thieves. The Xuanyin Pavilion Foundation-Establisher was attacked, the pills were stolen, and even two juniors got dragged into it.”
Shen Lie was shocked, but couldn’t help feeling a bit gleeful at the misfortune.
Lin Chang’an couldn’t help exclaiming.
“Incredible. It seems a lot of outside pill thieves have flooded into the marketplace.”
“More than you think!” Shen Lie shook his head, staring through the window at the marketplace, his eyes restless yet anxious.
“I’m worried the market may fall into chaos—but I’m also looking forward to it. After all, only in chaos can the guild’s business thrive.”
Shen Lie’s blunt admission left Lin Chang’an speechless. But after thinking it through, it actually made sense.
For him too, the more chaotic the market, the easier it was to sell talismans.
At this moment, the two silently shared mutual thoughts.
“But it’s not that simple.”
Just then, Lu Qingqing—now a married woman with her hair arranged—pushed open the door and entered, her expression grave.
“Junior sister.”
“Madam.” Shen Lie scratched his head awkwardly, while Lin Chang’an addressed her as junior sister.
However, Lu Qingqing, who had just walked in, shook her head and let out a long sigh.
“I just returned from Sister Yun—do you know what’s the deal with that demonic sect remnant?”
The two were bewildered, and even Lin Chang’an had never heard of it.
But Lu Qingqing shook her head and began to explain.
“The demonic sect was originally the Xuanyin Divine Sect. Over four hundred years ago, their Nascent Soul True Lord disappeared without a trace, throwing the sect into chaos. The entire Yue Kingdom was also in disorder for nearly a century before the Three Major Sects emerged and stabilized the situation…”
Listening to Lu Qingqing’s words, Lin Chang’an and Shen Lie were utterly shocked. They hadn’t expected such history in Yue Kingdom.
But no matter how nice it sounded, none of the three were fools.
Frankly speaking, the current Three Major Sects might have splintered off from that Xuanyin Sect.
“So that’s how it is.”
Even though Lin Chang’an and Shen Lie suddenly understood, neither of them said it out loud.
And Lu Qingqing added seriously, “Sister Yun said that Xuanyin Sect had fled to the Sea of Ten Thousand Demons over three hundred years ago. Who would’ve thought there are still remnants.”
“The deaths and injuries this time are secondary. What’s more important is the hearts of the people!”
Following her words, Shen Lie and Lin Chang’an both became grave.
Perhaps due to personal interests, a little turmoil on the outside brought them joy. But if it got too chaotic, it would threaten their own safety.
“Don’t laugh at me, Brother Lin—even I was a little tempted when I first heard of it.”
Lu Qingqing patted her chest in lingering fear, while Lin Chang’an sighed long and hard.
“Let alone you, junior sister—the temptation of a Foundation-Establishing Pill would stir anyone in this marketplace.”
There were currently three paths to obtaining a Foundation-Establishing Pill.
The first was to gather it yourself, which took time. Hunting a Second-rank demon beast was extremely difficult, and one had to collect various other materials—more often than not, only to end up benefiting someone else.
The second was to rob someone else’s Foundation-Establishing Pill. Even if that person had a Foundation Establishment backer, the risk of hunting a Second-rank demon beast wasn’t any less than facing a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
The more important point was—it only required risking your life once.
Now, the bounty from Shensword Sect gave many wandering cultivators a third option.
That was to hunt down geniuses from the Two Major Sects—you could still get a Foundation-Establishing Pill.
No matter how talented, they were still only late-stage Qi Refining cultivators.
Although the Two Major Sects could retaliate, would you rather assassinate someone in unfamiliar territory, or in your own? Which had the higher success rate?
If you’re going to take a gamble, why not choose the easiest path?
“Storms are rising. This cultivation world will no longer be peaceful.”
Lin Chang’an sighed and shook his head, throwing the matter from his mind. He was still only at the sixth level of Qi Refining—Foundation Establishment was still a long way off.
And how many Spirit Stones did one Foundation-Establishing Pill cost? Was it worth risking your life?
As long as he had time, with his ability as a top-grade First-rank Talisman Master, buying a Foundation-Establishing Pill wouldn’t be difficult.
“Besides, the one who got caught up in this incident was none other than the clan sister of the strongest genius Xuanyin Pavilion has had in a hundred years—Fairy Nishang. Everyone should be careful in the marketplace these days.”
“You mean Fairy Nishang, whose cultivation has already reached late Foundation Establishment and is just one step away from Golden Core?”
Shen Lie exclaimed in shock, and even Lin Chang’an seemed to realize something, his eyes reflecting a trace of memory.
The last time they had heard that name was when they first entered the world of cultivation, during their journey to the assessment, when Elder Lu told them tales of the Three Major Sects’ legendary geniuses.
Among them, Fairy Nishang was hailed as the number one genius of the Three Major Sects in the past century.
In other words, while they had only just begun cultivation, she had already reached Foundation Establishment.
Comparison really was the thief of joy!