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Chapter 659: Hong Qinghai's Foundation Establishment
Chapter 659: Hong Qinghai's Foundation Establishment
"According to the content of the formula, a single Heart Ape Fruit can indeed brew quite a bit of Demon Ape Wine, enough for my consumption for a period of time."
Lu Chen made up his mind to study the formula and gather the remaining necessary materials to brew the Demon Ape Wine from the Heart Ape Fruit.
He carefully examined each spirit herb and made his way to the spiritual field where the Nine Confucian Treasure Trees were located.
Ever since the Confucian cultivator, Hong Qinghai, arrived at the cave abode, Lu Chen had isolated the Nine Confucian Treasure Tree from the other spirit herbs. This was to prevent Hong Qinghai from discovering the high-grade spirit herbs within the abode, and also to provide a separate and conducive environment for the tree's growth.
Fortunately, Hong Qinghai had been performing well. Every day, when he was not cultivating in his room, he would be found in front of the Nine Confucian Treasure Tree, reading classical poetry, literature, and Confucian canons, infusing the tree with ample scholarly energy.
Passing through a thick cloud of white mist, Lu Chen's eyes fell upon the Nine Confucian Treasure Tree standing tall in the center of the spiritual field.
Thanks to the diligent care over this period, the Nine Confucian Treasure Tree had grown slightly taller and now stood about half the height of a person. Its branches were lush and leafy, and its trunk was a deep black, as if countless stretched-out black characters had entwined together to form it. The veins on the leaves were twisted and warped, as if they were nurturing the embryonic forms of words.
Amid the sound of Hong Qinghai's clear and resonant recitation, the branches and leaves of the Nine Confucian Treasure Tree swayed gently, as if it were listening intently. Accompanying the crisp and stirring canons, an invisible and colorless scholarly energy gradually formed around the tree, making its branches and leaves even more vibrant.
When Hong Qinghai's recitation came to a stop, Lu Chen stepped out from the white mist.
"Senior Lu!"
Upon seeing Lu Chen, Hong Qinghai quickly bowed respectfully.
"Not bad."
Lu Chen nodded slightly in approval.
He then walked up to the Nine Confucian Treasure Tree and concentrated his mental energy on it. Sensing that the spirit herb was growing very well, he felt relieved and proceeded to nurture it further by employing basic techniques such as the Spirit Rain Art.
During this process, Hong Qinghai served as a tool, providing ample scholarly energy to the tree, while the actual planting still needed to be done by Lu Chen.
Although this might have a slight impact on the subsequent light group rewards, Lu Chen didn't mind these minor details as he wanted to ensure the smooth maturation of the spirit herb.
"You've been doing well during this period, and I've noticed your efforts. Here's a bottle of second-grade Spirit Nurturing Pill, which can slightly enhance the spiritual energy within your body."
After tending to the Nine Confucian Treasure Tree, Lu Chen approached Hong Qinghai, who had been standing respectfully behind him, and presented a small white jade bottle to him.
"Thank you, Senior, for bestowing the pill!"
Hong Qinghai expressed his gratitude.
"From the energy within your body, it seems that you're close to reaching the critical point for advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage. Are you prepared?" Lu Chen asked.
"I've made ample preparations and have always kept your previous teachings in mind. I've been constantly regulating my spiritual energy, physical body, and spiritual sense, striving to bring them to a state of perfection," Hong Qinghai replied.
"That's good. In the coming days, focus your efforts on breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage. As for nourishing the treasure tree with scholarly energy, we can set that aside for now," Lu Chen said with a gentle smile.
"Rest assured, Senior. I will not neglect the treasure tree's growth. As for advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage, I will let nature take its course," Hong Qinghai assured.
Hearing this, Hong Qinghai couldn't help but feel conflicted. He had been at the Qi Refining stage for many years, and now that he was on the cusp of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm, he was naturally full of anticipation. However, he also understood the importance of priorities and knew that everything he had been given so far was to enable Lu Chen to nurture the treasure tree. He didn't want to do anything that might negatively impact the spirit herb.
"Haha, there's no need to worry. The treasure tree is of a high grade, and its maturation will not happen overnight. Advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage will actually be more beneficial for the spirit herb's growth.
"When you're ready to attempt the breakthrough, let me know, and I'll stand guard for you." Lu Chen promised Hong Qinghai.
"Thank you, Senior!" Hong Qinghai bowed, his knee hitting the ground with a soft thud.
"I am forever grateful for your kindness, Senior. Even after I reach Foundation Establishment, I will continue to make the nourishment of the treasure tree my top priority!" He expressed his deep gratitude, his emotions evident in his tone.
Having come from humble beginnings, Hong Qinghai relied on his talent and hard work to enter the Jixia Palace of Daxia. However, he accidentally offended the son of a prominent scholar and had to flee to the Lyyang territory. He thought he would live out the rest of his days in obscurity, but Lu Chen's arrival changed his life completely.
Lu Chen provided him with a pure and abundant cultivation environment, freed him from the fear of his enemies finding him, and spared him the dangers of exploring secret realms for scarce cultivation resources. From time to time, he even received precious treasures, a stark contrast to his previous cultivation life.
Half a month later, in the stone house arranged with spirit gathering arrays, Hong Qinghai sat cross-legged, his inner spirit force surging like an underground tide, gathering strength for the impending breakthrough.
Lu Chen stood with his hands clasped behind his back, extending a strand of spiritual sense to rest upon Hong Qinghai.
Advancing to Foundation Establishment was usually safe, but it was better to be cautious. Therefore, when major sect disciples broke through, they often did so in fixed locations with the protection of elder guardians. By staying by Hong Qinghai's side, Lu Chen provided him with an additional layer of assurance.
Within the stone house, Hong Qinghai adjusted his state to its optimal condition, his expression calm as he took out a Foundation Establishment Pill and swallowed it.
As soon as the pill entered his belly, a surging wave of potent medicine power rushed through his body, coursing through his limbs and bones, cleansing every muscle and sinew.
Soon, a vortex of spirit force quietly formed, drawing a large amount of pure spiritual energy that swiftly merged into the vortex.
In a daze, a strand of spiritual sense soared into the sky, and intense spirit force fluctuations emanated from Hong Qinghai's body.
"Congratulations, Fellow Hong, on your advancement to Foundation Establishment!" Lu Chen's figure flashed, appearing in front of the youth exuding a rich scholarly aura, and he smiled as he offered his congratulations.
"It's all thanks to your excellent quality Foundation Establishment Pill that I was able to succeed on my first try." Hong Qinghai's face couldn't hide his smile as he expressed his sincere gratitude to Lu Chen.
After absorbing a large amount of pill formula experience packs, Lu Chen's skill in pill refining had reached the master level. The Foundation Establishment Pill he provided was naturally of much higher quality than those available on the market, slightly increasing the chances of success.
"This Foundation Establishment cultivation technique was something I obtained by chance. It's of decent quality, so please accept it as a gift for your advancement. May your cultivation path from now on be smooth and unobstructed, Fellow Hong." Lu Chen took out a jade slip from his storage bag and handed it to Hong Qinghai.
The Great Five Elements Technique he learned from the Sky Sword Sect was not something he could easily spread. As for the techniques within the light group, they were either too high in grade or focused on physical refinement, making them unsuitable for Hong Qinghai.
The jade slip in his hand was obtained from the storage bag of a cultivator he had killed earlier. The technique it contained was mediocre in terms of spirit force, but it excelled in its balance and wide applicability, making it extremely suitable for Hong Qinghai, a Confucian cultivator.
(End of Chapter)
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