Qin Ming put away the jade scroll and then silently pondered the plan that lay ahead.

'Now that the pill formula is in hand, the mask of Yu Changqing can basically be discarded.'

'However, it needs to appear natural. I can't let Profound Creek Valley notice anything unusual...'

'The cultivation resources of Liang Country are abundant. It might be best to gather all the spiritual materials needed to concoct the Golden Core Formation Pill before returning to Wei Country.'

'I already have the spirit seeds of the two most difficult main ingredients, the Fire-Bathing Golden Lotus and the Returning Nether True Yin Flower. According to the pill formula, there are still thirty-four auxiliary ingredients missing, including more than a dozen Tier Three spiritual materials.'

'Besides, the Copper Mirror records the place where the Hook Jade Golden Light Mirror's artifact spirit is hidden, and now I can go check it out.'

'However, the beast tide has started again recently. Let's hold our troops and observe for now.'

After some consideration, Qin Ming had already made plans for what to do next.

During this period, his cultivation hadn't fallen behind, and with the support of the Ancient Evergreen Spirit Body, even though he was just in the Tier Two High-Grade Spiritual Vein, he was already on the verge of breaking through the Foundation Establishment Perfection.

As time passed by, spring came and went, and winter arrived.

It had been exactly a year since Qin Ming joined Profound Creek Valley.

In the Jade Bamboo Forest, the Purple Crystal Rice and Tier Two Spirit Grass were all mature.

On this day, it was time to deliver the Honored Guest task at Little Spirit Mountain's Spirit Medicine Garden.

Qin Ming called for Yanm RuYanm and asked her to harvest all the Spirit Rice.

With his guidance, the harvest of Purple Crystal Spirit Rice for the year was remarkable, totaling thirty-five stone.

Qin Ming himself collected the Tier Two Spirit Medicine in front of the wooden house.

He incidentally gained several [Ripening] entries.

"If Elder Yu doesn't have anything else, this junior will go back to Steward Hall to hand in the task."

Having finished harvesting the Spirit Rice, Yanm RuYanm felt a sense of relief, having worked hard for a whole year and finally able to receive the task rewards.

"Hmm, wait." Qin Ming called her back lightly.

Yanm RuYanm paused, not knowing if Elder Yu had anything else in mind. Was he dissatisfied with her performance over the past year?

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel nervous again.

But the next moment.

Qin Ming took a stone of Purple Crystal Spirit Rice from the harvest and handed it to her, saying, "This is the fruits of your labor."

Yanm RuYanm was taken aback, almost unable to believe it.

She felt slightly moved. Although Elder Yu usually seemed a bit indifferent, he had guided her in many things.

Otherwise, with her Spirit Plant skills, she would hardly have succeeded in cultivating such a high yield of Purple Crystal Spirit Rice.

From this aspect, she truly admired Elder Yu.

Yanm RuYanm respectfully received the Purple Crystal Spirit Rice, bit her lip, and bowed deeply in thanks, saying, "Many thanks to Elder Yu for the reward!"

"This is what you deserve. Alright, you may leave." Qin Ming said lightly.

...

On the summit of Little Spirit Mountain.

Qin Ming was carrying Spirit Rice and Spirit Grass, preparing to go to the Spirit Medicine Garden Steward Hall to submit the task.

Halfway there, he saw the corpulent Di Mountain waddling over with a large belly.

Di Mountain looked radiant, seemingly having had a good harvest year, and greeted Qin Ming saying, "Fellow Daoist Yu... the harvest should be decent, no? Is it enough to complete the sect task?"

"Average." Qin Ming replied coldly.

Di Mountain said with slight pride, "Heck! This year I only harvested thirty stone of Spirit Rice, twelve Tier Two Low-Grade Spirit Grass, and... one well-quality Tier Two Middle-Grade Spirit Medicine."

"Completing the Honored Guest task should be more than sufficient, haha!"

Qin Ming paid no attention to him, and the two entered the Spirit Medicine Garden Hall one after the other.

Inside, quite a few people were already waiting, with Elder Xu sitting at the head of the hall.

Once everyone had arrived, they began submitting Spirit Rice and Spirit Plant, with a dedicated steward responsible for registration in the Spirit Medicine Garden.

After completing the task, Di Mountain gained over two thousand contribution points, raising his chin high towards Qin Ming, showing off proudly.

After the preceding Honored Guests finished handing in their tasks, it was finally Qin Ming's turn.

"Honored Guest Elder Yu Changqing, Purple Crystal Spirit Rice thirty stone, Tier Two Low-Grade Spirit Plant sixteen, and... one Top-Grade Tier Two Middle-Grade Spirit Plant..."

The steward responsible for registration slowly announced Qin Ming's annual harvest before everyone.

The mere presence of this Spirit Plant exceeded all the Spirit Medicines submitted by everyone at once.

Even Elder Xu at the head of the room showed a rare expression of satisfaction upon hearing about the Top-Grade Tier Two Middle-Grade Spirit Plant.

"Impossible?!"

Not far away, Di Mountain widened his eyes in disbelief.

Clearly, he only saw this old fellow 'Yu Changqing' loafing around, yet how could he cultivate a Top-Grade Tier Two Middle-Grade Spirit Medicine?

This old guy must have bought one for show, right?

But even considering that, it wouldn't make sense, because the price of a Top-Grade Tier Two Middle-Grade Spirit Plant was steep, and it would be impossible to pull a sham under Profound Creek Valley's nose.

Di Mountain was momentarily frustrated, watching 'Yu Changqing' receive over five thousand contribution points as a reward from Elder Xu, more than double his own.

At this moment.

Yu Changqing showed him a meaningful smile, and Di Mountain's face turned as vibrant as a jar of sauce being overturned.

After the Honored Guests submitted their tasks, Elder Xu gave everyone some encouragement and then dismissed the meeting.

On the way back, Qin Ming didn't expect Elder Xu to be so generous, actually rewarding him over five thousand contribution points in one go.

"Five thousand contribution points, soon I will leave Profound Creek Valley, it would be a pity not to spend them."

Then he flew towards Qianyuan Peak.

Upon arriving at the Steward Hall, it was still that same middle-aged cultivator who greeted him.

"Elder Yu, are you here to issue a task or..."

"I came to exchange for cultivation resources. What can I exchange for?" Qin Ming asked.

The middle-aged cultivator immediately took out a jade scroll and handed it to him, explaining, "Different amounts of contribution points can be exchanged for different resources. Take a look."

Qin Ming immediately took the jade scroll and started examining it.

Profound Creek Valley is indeed the number one sect in Liang Country, with an exceptionally deep foundation. As long as you have enough contribution points, you can even exchange for Core Formation Spiritual Objects and Golden Core Formation Pill resources.

However, such restricted resources not only require the identity of a Core Disciple or higher, but also need sect contribution points that start from a million points.

Unless you've made a great contribution to Profound Creek Valley and left a lasting legacy, you needn't even think about it.

After browsing through the jade scroll once, Qin Ming's gaze fell on the resources that could be exchanged for with five thousand contribution points.

After a moment, Qin Ming's eyes lit up, and he set his sights on one item.

"I'll take this, one drop of Blazing Sun Spiritual Milk."

The middle-aged cultivator responsible for reception at the Steward Hall was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, then kindly reminded, "Elder Yu, this Blazing Sun Spiritual Milk is used to enhance the mana of a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator. If your cultivation is not sufficient, it can scorch the meridians, resulting in adverse effects."

"No matter, I have other uses for it." Qin Ming replied calmly.

"Uh... I see."

"Elder Yu, please wait a moment. I will have someone fetch it from the storeroom for you."

Subsequently, the middle-aged cultivator took Qin Ming's Elder Token and deducted five thousand contribution points.

A moment later, someone from the Steward Hall handed a green jade bottle to Qin Ming.

Qin Ming put the item away and left the Steward Hall.

"Elder Yu is truly generous! To spend so many contribution points in one go." The middle-aged cultivator murmured, watching the back of 'Elder Yu' as he left.

...

Qin Ming was also quite surprised, not expecting to gain such a harvest.

"With this drop of Spiritual Milk, perhaps I can attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment Perfection."

Half a month later.

Qin Ming casually picked up a patrol task at the main peak and took the opportunity to leave Profound Creek Valley.

He rode the Silver-winged Frost Bee and headed straight for Moyuan Immortal City, casting the True Demon Illusion to disguise himself as a late-stage Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator, and rented a Tier Three Low-Grade Spiritual Vein Cave Mansion to secretly attempt a breakthrough.

Qin Ming released all three of his Spirit Pets to act as his guardians.

Then, he took out the drop of Blazing Sun Spiritual Milk and swallowed it down in one gulp.

Bang!

A torrent of heat exploded within him.

Due to Qin Ming's unusually strong physical body, he naturally had no fear of the Spiritual Milk scorching his meridians.

Then he activated the "Ancient Wood Longevity Technique," guiding the energy within the Spiritual Milk, running it through a circulation.

In no time, the azure liquid mana in Qin Ming's Qi Sea Dantian began circulating according to the predetermined route.

The silver runes formed by the Ancient Evergreen Spirit Body appeared on his brow.

A massive Spiritual Qi vortex formed above the sky, rushing into Qin Ming's body in a frenzy.

The Spiritual Qi of heaven and earth underwent transformation through the Spirit Body, turning entirely into pure azure liquid mana, merging into the Mana Sea.

This unusual phenomenon of heaven and earth naturally attracted the attention of nearby cultivators in the city.

"Look! Someone is making a breakthrough!"

"Judging from the scale of the Spiritual Qi, it seems like a breakthrough to Foundation Establishment Perfection."

"Gasp! Is Moyuan Immortal City going to gain another Foundation Establishment Perfection Great Cultivator?"

"It looks that way. I wonder which senior it is."

"Let's visit later and pay our respects."

The spiritual vein environment within Moyuan Immortal City is favorable, and each year cultivators rent cave mansions to make breakthroughs. The local cultivators are not too surprised by this.

However, those who successfully reach Foundation Establishment Perfection remain a rare few.

While they were filled with envy, they couldn't help but speculate and discuss which family's ancestor had obtained the opportunity for a breakthrough.

Inside the cave mansion.

Bang!

The Mana Sea within Qin Ming reached a critical point before suddenly expanding more than double.

A mighty wave of mana emerged, resonating with the Spiritual Qi of heaven and earth within the cave mansion.

"Finally reached Foundation Establishment Perfection!"

"This Blazing Sun Spiritual Milk is truly a unique Heaven and Earth Spiritual Object of Profound Creek Valley!"

Qin Ming opened his deep, inky black eyes, with two azure glimmers gradually retracting within them.

This time, breaking through to Foundation Establishment Perfection was as seamless as water flowing naturally, with almost no bottleneck to speak of.

Qin Ming felt the mana within him, as robust as that of an early-stage Golden Core ancestor, and was instantly filled with joy.

His lifespan also increased by fifty years.

The range of his Divine Thought expanded to a hundred miles, comparable to that of a mid-stage Golden Core ancestor.

At this point, Qin Ming was just a step away from the Golden Core Dao.

"I've already obtained the Golden Core Formation Pill Formula. Next, I can prepare for Core Formation."

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