Chapter 174: Chapter 156: Pill Separation Shatters the Mountain, 60 Establish Their Foundation

Gu Chang’an was overjoyed.

He had held out some hope, but not much, and had already been thinking of other ways to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill. But now, it was a success. He thought to himself, ’This Alchemist Lin... he’s truly incredible!’

At that moment, Lin Changheng spoke, announcing the result. "Fortunately, I have not failed you. Three Foundation Establishment Pills: two Genuine and one Substandard."

The pill with the fainter spiritual glow and slightly dispersed medicinal aroma was the Substandard Pill.

The other two were Genuine Pills.

This pill wasn’t as effective as a Genuine Foundation Establishment Pill, but it could still increase the probability of a successful Foundation Establishment by fifteen percent.

Lin Changheng could accept this result.

Still, Lin Changheng felt a bit wistful. His refining process had been perfectly smooth, without a single mistake, yet one Substandard Pill had still emerged.

He couldn’t figure out why for the time being, so he had no choice but to set the matter aside.

Everyone knew that with a success rate like this from a single batch, Alchemist Lin’s name was about to become legendary in the Immortal City.

He would become an incredibly sought-after figure!

As they looked at the calm, impassive figure, their gazes filled with reverence, a desire to curry favor, and a faint, hidden yearning.

...

Next, of course, was the process of distributing the pills.

At a nod from Lin Changheng, the Qi Xing Foundation Establishment Cultivator stepped forward and took a Genuine Pill.

"Thank you, Alchemist Lin."

The Qi Xing Foundation Establishment Cultivator grinned, showing none of the airs one might expect from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. He took out a cloth bag with its mouth open, revealing ten Middle Grade Spirit Stones inside, and handed it over.

’The man is quite thoughtful,’ Lin Changheng noted, as the open bag allowed him to confirm the correct number of Spirit Stones with a single glance.

He immediately nodded with a smile.

He then turned to Mo Zhaoli. "Fairy Mo."

Mo Zhaoli took the other Genuine Foundation Establishment Pill and handed over a bag of Spirit Stones in return.

Gu Chang’an received the last pill, the Substandard Foundation Establishment Pill.

He, too, handed over payment: a box containing one thousand neatly stacked Lower Grade Spirit Stones.

Herein lay the difference between Foundation Establishment Cultivators and Qi Cultivation Cultivators.

Foundation Establishment Cultivators didn’t mind losing a little on the exchange rate when converting Middle Grade Spirit Stones to Lower Grade ones, but Qi Cultivation Cultivators were different—they had to be more frugal.

With that, the crowdfunded refining of the Foundation Establishment Pills came to a successful conclusion.

Lin Changheng didn’t try to keep them. Having achieved their goal, they had no intention of lingering. After a round of pleasantries, they all took their leave.

The lively cave abode grew quiet once more, leaving only Lin Changheng and Mo Zhaoli facing each other.

Mo Zhaoli, however, had not left.

Logically, the optimal solution would have been for her to leave with the others to maintain the facade, then secretly return partway through her journey.

That would have provided the perfect conclusion to their charade.

But this scenario involved a dual test of human nature and trust.

After all, a single Genuine Foundation Establishment Pill could fetch a price of over twenty-five thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones at an auction.

Even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator couldn’t remain completely unmoved by such a sum—it was enough to purchase three Low Grade Spiritual Artifacts.

It was a considerable fortune!

If Mo Zhaoli had walked out, all she would have needed to do was leave for good, and the pill would have been hers. Lin Changheng would have had no recourse.

It would be useless even if Lin Changheng told the truth; the others present would testify on her behalf, and no one would believe him.

He might even be accused of slandering a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

To take it a step further, if that were to happen, Lin Changheng wouldn’t even be able to get past the gates of the Purple Extreme Sect to look for her.

Therefore, it was a test of character in the face of immense profit.

But the truly clever don’t bother with multiple-choice questions; they simply prevent the choice from ever arising.

Mo Zhaoli simply remained in the cave abode, eliminating the choice altogether. As for the minor inconsistencies this created in their story, she simply ignored them.

Her reasoning was simple:

’When does a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from a great Sect need outsiders and Loose Cultivators to question their actions?’

...

Lin Changheng took the bag of Spirit Stones Mo Zhaoli had just given him and placed it back in her hands.

He saw a brilliant, unconcealed light flash in Mo Zhaoli’s beautiful eyes—a mix of joy, admiration, and even a trace of some other, unidentifiable emotion...

"Brother Lin, your Alchemy Skill is astounding. Li’Er is truly impressed."

Mo Zhaoli immediately snapped back to reality. Her heart was beating erratically, but she showed no sign of it on the surface as she took out the Foundation Establishment Pill she had just put away.

"Are you going to enter seclusion immediately to attempt your breakthrough to Foundation Establishment?"

"Yes."

Lin Changheng accepted the Genuine Foundation Establishment Pill and nodded slightly.

He would enter seclusion, hone his Essence, Qi, and Spirit, adjust his condition, and seek the opportunity for a breakthrough.

"I will stand guard outside for you, Brother Lin."

Mo Zhaoli said with a gentle smile, her eyes full of encouragement.

She carefully hid the deep-seated worry she felt, not wanting to affect Lin Changheng.

"Wait for my good news."

Lin Changheng gave a calm smile, then turned and strode into the Secluded Meditation Chamber.

His steps were firm.

As for Cui Jianshui’s plans, her relationship with Gu Chang’an, the person pulling the strings behind them, and whatever schemes they were plotting—none of it was worth a thought right now.

The fact that he had produced three usable pills from a single batch on his first attempt at refining Foundation Establishment Pills would cause immense shock and awe in the Outer World, making his name resound far and wide. But that was even less important; such external matters were not worth his concern.

He had only one thought now: Foundation Establishment!

Foundation Establishment!!!

BOOM!

The heavy Dragon-Breaking Stone descended. Amidst a shower of dust, the green-robed figure slowly vanished from the view of the beautiful eyes watching from outside.

"Good luck, Brother Lin."

Her crimson lips moved, but Mo Zhaoli did not leave. Instead, she immediately sat down to meditate on the spot. Her moon-white skirts fanned out across the stone floor, like a fresh blanket of snow upon the earth.

Her back was ramrod straight, her hands forming a seal as they rested on her knees. Her entire being radiated an extraordinary aura, like a solitary snow lotus on a mountain peak, determined to carve out a sacred, protected space amidst the clamor of the Cultivation Realm.

...

「In the chamber.」

After setting up a Spirit Gathering Array, Lin Changheng carefully reviewed the [Foundation Establishment Insights] Mo Zhaoli had given him. He went through them again, and only after confirming he had committed them all to memory did he...

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