Time flew by.

Three years later, on a certain noisy midday, Li An gently dug the last shovelful along the entrance of a tunnel several dozen meters deep.

A chill breeze flowed in.

The end of the tunnel was an ancient well, filled with a cool atmosphere.

Li An quietly retreated along the narrow tunnel.

For the sake of secrecy, he had dug the tunnel very small, only allowing him to crawl through while in a bone-shrinking state, because if an underground void appeared too large, it would be a problem if noticed by others.

Of course, this possibility was minimal, Li An was merely being cautious. After all, within the territory of White Tiger Mountain, there were formations covering everywhere; who would be idle enough to scan dozens of meters underground with their Divine Sense?

Currently, Li An was the only one aware of the formation's existing "blind spots" and could utilize them.

With this tunnel, he felt much more at ease.

No matter where you are, it's never wrong to leave yourself an escape route.

Soon after, Li An returned to his residence, changed his clothes, and began cultivating.

With a step forward, his figure left only a shadow in place, elusive like a ghost, appearing in the garden.

"The Earth Demon Seventy-Two Steps has already reached minor accomplishment!"

Simultaneously, he willed, and Wood Element Spiritual Power was released; instantly, a blue petal formed over ten meters away. The petal floated down, and with a crack, a large ornamental rock shattered into dust.

The Five-Colored Flower Burst Skill has now also mastered the "Blue Flower Burst"!

Moreover, his Spiritual Power was very robust; although he was only in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, he could almost compare to the late-stage. If he added the Cold Yin Finger, talismans, and arrays, even someone at the late-stage Foundation Establishment coming would not shake his confidence in winning.

"Additionally, the Qi Observation Skill should also be cultivated..."

The Qi Observation Skill was a unique Secret Technique Li An acquired in his previous life. As the name suggests, an Array Master can use this skill to detect movements in the Earth Qi veins.

This skill is of Profound Rank Middle Grade, greatly beneficial to Array Masters, and can significantly enhance the power of a formation by manipulating the Earth Vein.

Since he arrived in Celestial Yang City, he had been unable to cultivate it. Now situated within White Tiger Mountain, he could observe the movements within White Tiger Mountain through the Earth Vein to preemptively judge and reduce risks.

Also, his current Divine Sense was stronger than in his past life, allowing him to cultivate the Qi Observation Skill faster.

Everything appears to be going smoothly; the only setback is that the Tri-Element Slash and Golden Treasure Skill cultivation have seen no progress yet.

The Tri-Element Slash consists of three moves in total, the simplest being "Human Element Slash," but to achieve minor accomplishment, it probably requires another twenty to thirty years.

"The Golden Treasure Skill, on the other hand, has had some materials gathered..."

He opened his storage bag and took out a small black bottle.

Inside was a pool of white liquid known as "Yang Iron Liquid," originating from rare iron mines, formed by Earth Milk soaking through, blending Earth Milk and Iron Essence, and graded between Second Grade and Third Grade.

This small bottle alone cost Li An three thousand Spirit Stones!

If not for the support of the Treasure Pavilion, he could never have afforded the Golden Treasure Skill.

He swallowed the Yang Iron Liquid entirely and began the refining process—

Refining it all into his kidneys.

Primarily because, in the previous life, he'd cultivated one kidney, making him more experienced in this area.

With the Yang Iron Liquid soaking into his kidneys, they were gradually being strengthened...

......

In the blink of an eye, another thirteen years passed.

Li An had been in White Tiger City for twenty-one years, now aged one hundred eighty-seven.

Xu Qiuhui and Zhang Deyi were also at the critical moment, approaching the final window for Core Formation.

The Third Grade Spirit Medicine needed for refining the Primordial Spirit Pill was finally fully gathered.

The three gathered at Li An's residence.

"The Green Light Herbs, Dao Concealment Stone, Dragon Blood Bone... are all gathered."

Li An took out the three pieces of Spirit Medicine.

Among these Spirit Medicines, the Dao Concealment Stone and Dragon Blood Bone were acquired through the Treasure Pavilion, costing a fortune. Xu Qiuhui and Zhang Deyi had considerable wealth, but even they were nearly unable to afford it. Li An also had to contribute around sixty thousand Spirit Stones, almost depleting his savings.

Core Formation is a true watershed moment, difficult as ascending to heaven!

Upon forming the Core, one could establish a sect, stand dominant, and truly be a powerful figure.

They were able to gather everything partly because all three had remarkable backgrounds: Xu Qiuhui had the support of White Tiger Mountain, Zhang Deyi was a Second Grade Alchemist himself and had the advantage of a past-life Alchemist taking over his body, and Li An was the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion, with past-life experience to complement.

They had resources and strength.

Even so, counting from the time Xu and Zhang started planning for Foundation Establishment, it spanned several decades.

If Li An had to gather the materials himself, even as a Branch Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion, he could not sustain such expenditure. After all, gathering all the Spirit Medicines alone could cost about four hundred thousand Spirit Stones!

Not to mention, some Spirit Medicines others simply don't want to sell, requiring some overt and covert means to acquire.

Of course, the Spirit Stones Li An contributed were not without effect, as the order of selecting pills among the trio had changed. Xu and Zhang both stepped back, and now Li An had the priority in selection.

"I wonder when Master Zhang can begin the alchemy?"

Li An asked.

Xu Qiuhui was also quite eager, her eyes filled with longing.

Zhang Deyi, however, was unhurried, saying, "We cannot rush the refining of the Primordial Spirit Pill."

"First, we need to determine the refining location, which must be supported by a Third Grade Spirit Vein. Secondly, I need time to adjust my state to give it my all."

Li An nodded, all of this seemed reasonable.

"Regarding the Third Grade Spirit Vein, I suggest refining it at Master Zuo's residence. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Xu agrees?"

Zhang Deyi proactively asked Xu Qiuhui.

Xu Qiuhui's mind was clear. In terms of Spiritual Qi, the best option was certainly to go to White Tiger Mountain!

She could also apply for it.

But Zhang Deyi was not at ease; after all, once they went to White Tiger Mountain, they would be subject to its grasp.

"Alright, we'll refine it at Master Zuo's residence,"

she agreed.

Li An nodded silently; originally, if Zhang Deyi hadn't suggested it, he would also have fought to refine it here. Zhang Deyi's directness saved him trouble.

"Additionally, I need three years. After three years, my condition should reach its peak, and then we can begin refining—"

Zhang Deyi continued to speak.

Li An's heart stirred gently, but he said nothing and agreed directly.

The three of them also kept their respective shares of Spirit Medicine to prevent anyone from pocketing it.

After they left.

"Zhang Deyi must be guarded against…"

When Zhang Deyi proposed refining the pill in three years, Li An sensed something was amiss.

Even if adjusting one's state was necessary, a year should suffice.

Why three years?

Was he trying to avoid something?

Li An couldn't help but think: given the current situation at White Tiger Mountain, in about three years, the White Tiger Master might enter a critical period.

He sensed this from the fluctuations of Earth Qi at White Tiger Mountain. White Tiger Master needs to consolidate his Golden Core cultivation. Besides pills, Earth Qi will need to be mobilized again.

Intentionally refining a Third Grade Pill during White Tiger Mountain's most tense period has two possibilities:

First, Zhang Deyi is very wary of White Tiger Mountain, fearing interference and seizure, which is reasonable.

Second, Zhang Deyi intends to manipulate the pill himself, thus reducing the pressure when he makes his move.

In any case, Li An felt it necessary to take precautions!

After all, the other party was someone who seized another's body. To accomplish such a feat, he must have been at least a Core Formation Stage cultivator.

After seizing the body, the opponent's Late-Stage Foundation Establishment was not the primary concern.

"Divine Sense! Soul!"

This was where Zhang Deyi's strength truly lay.

"We must set up targeted arrays and additionally, gather Spiritual Sense Type Magical Artifacts."

In the following days, he meticulously crafted a Tier Two array specifically targeting Divine Sense, and then vigorously collected artifacts protecting Divine Sense within the pavilion.

Although White Tiger Mountain is under jurisdiction, with Golden Core elders overseeing, Zhang Deyi likely wouldn't dare make a move, but Li An always prepared for the worst.

By doing so, he wouldn't suffer losses.

"Xu Qiuhui, too, when facing the Primordial Spirit Pill, who knows if she would collude with White Tiger Mountain people to blacken..."

This was less likely since Li An was from the Treasure Pavilion, and Zhang Deyi had broad connections. White Tiger Mountain likely wouldn't do such a thing.

Moreover, Li An could tell Xu Qiuhui's status within White Tiger Mountain wasn't high due to her late entry. Core Formation resources couldn't be allotted to her. If she collaborated with others from White Tiger Mountain to blacken Li An and the others, her pill would also be at risk.

But people are unpredictable, and caution is necessary; thorough preparations must be made!

Arrangements must be set up in advance so that after the pill is formed, if White Tiger Mountain shows any signs of disturbance, they could immediately escape with the pill through a tunnel.

The tunnel he dug was relatively far, approximately eight miles from here, providing him with some operational space.

In the subsequent period, he began focusing on preparations for the refining two years later.

Simultaneously, he had the Treasure Pavilion staff closely monitor Zhang Deyi and Xu Qiuhui's recent activities.

Everything seemed normal with Xu Qiuhui, while Zhang Deyi appeared to have his disciples collecting soul-type spirit medicines, though he was consolidating his state, which made sense.

...

In the blink of an eye, three years had passed.

The appointed time for pill refining by the three had arrived.

...

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