A month later, Wei Zhong held up a glass of crimson spirit wine, shaking his head.
"The color is wrong, and the medicinal potency is far too weak."
He glanced at the batch of Red Spirit Wine brewed by Golden Eyebrow beside him, and his frustration grew.
The logic behind brewing this spirit wine completely defies my decades of experience. Just as Xu Xuan said, it's a playful creation of demon beasts and spirit monsters, unlike the methods used by cultivators. Moreover, the combination of spirit fruits and medicines is far too chaotic.
Wei Zhong still couldn't comprehend how such seemingly unrelated ingredients could combine to produce such a potent effect on the Divine Soul.
Despite his confusion, he refused to give up.
This wine's ability to enhance divine sense is invaluable to me. A stronger divine sense means faster and more precise execution of techniques. My Spirit Shocking Thorn, that secret divine sense technique, will become even more formidable, further increasing my overall strength.
Furthermore, a powerful divine sense offers significant advantages in breaking through cultivation bottlenecks, especially the upcoming Core Formation stage. A strong divine sense can effectively aid in Pill Condensation, greatly reducing the risk of failure.
"I must succeed in brewing this spirit wine!"
For the next year, Wei Zhong devoted himself entirely to the task, setting aside everything but his daily cultivation.
Finally, after a year of tireless effort, Wei Zhong successfully replicated the spirit wine.
Beaming with delight, he gazed at the two bowls of identical crimson liquid, their medicinal properties nearly identical.
"Success at last! The wine's vibrant red hue and refreshing coolness when drunk... I shall call it Fallen Moon Red!"
As soon as the spirit wine was successfully brewed, Golden Eyebrow scurried over, his eyes gleaming with curiosity as he stared at the bowls in Wei Zhong's hands.
"Here, have a bowl."
Since taming Golden Eyebrow, Wei Zhong had granted him access to the brewing workshop within his Grotto-Heaven. Such a paradise of stored spirit wine naturally thrilled the monkey beyond measure.
Wei Zhong had initially worried that Golden Eyebrow might wreak havoc in the workshop. Fortunately, the monkey possessed sufficient intelligence to understand the rules: he would never touch the spirit wine unless Wei Zhong offered it as a reward.
In fact, Golden Eyebrow would occasionally assist Wei Zhong during brewing sessions. Afterward, Wei Zhong would reward him with a portion of the finished spirit wine, which motivated the monkey to work even harder.
Golden Eyebrow also assisted with brewing Fallen Moon Red, easing Wei Zhong's burden and allowing him to dedicate more time to cultivation.
"This Grotto-Heaven is a bit small; I'm afraid it's not the most comfortable for you," Wei Zhong said, patting the monkey's head.
Wei Zhong had planted most of the Grotto-Heaven with various spiritual herbs, leaving only a few trees scattered about. He worried that Golden Eyebrow, accustomed to the wild mountains and forests, might find this cultivated space too restrictive. He resolved to transplant some rare spirit wood trees in the future.
To his surprise, Golden Eyebrow shook his head, cradling his jade bowl, indicating that as long as there was spirit wine, he didn't mind the cramped quarters.
"What a drunkard."
Since Wei Zhong had subdued Golden Eyebrow, the monkey had shown no signs of rebellion. Wei Zhong wondered if this was due to the effectiveness of the True Seal Treasure Manual or the irresistible allure of spirit wine.
Regardless, Golden Eyebrow had lost all the dignity expected of a Third-Tier Demonic Beast, truly becoming Wei Zhong's diligent spirit beast.
Leaving the Grotto-Heaven, Wei Zhong bid farewell to Xie Linghua and departed the island.
After changing his attire and altering his appearance, Wei Zhong now wore a wine gourd at his waist and carried a fiery red Flying Sword, fully transformed into "Song Zhong."
Wei Zhong arrived at the Spirit Island in the lake, the same place they had met before, having accepted Lan Fangyi's invitation. He found Lan Fangyi, Tan Bo, and Shang Mengchun already waiting.
"Where is Fellow Daoist Mu?" Wei Zhong asked.
Lan Fangyi sighed. "Since our last parting, I haven't been able to contact him." He turned to Wei Zhong. "Fellow Daoist Song, do you know where he might be?"
Wei Zhong naturally wouldn't reveal that Mu had tried to ambush him and been killed in self-defense. He simply shook his head. "I have no idea. I've always traveled alone and only kept in touch with Fellow Daoist Lan. How would I know his whereabouts?"
Shang Mengchun, standing beside Lan Fangyi, nodded in agreement, thinking, Song Zhong's origins are shrouded in mystery. We only collaborate with him occasionally, and there's never been an opportunity for further contact.
"In that case, let's proceed without Fellow Daoist Mu," Lan Fangyi said. "I summoned you all here because something has changed at the secret realm we discovered last time."
Tan Bo looked both surprised and suspicious. "Changed? Could someone else have discovered the ruins?"
Shang Mengchun shook his head. "Not exactly. The Third-Tier Spirit Monkey has vanished."
Wei Zhong probed Golden Eyebrow's location within his Grotto-Heaven with his divine sense, inwardly musing, Lan Fangyi and Shang Mengchun are remarkably well-informed. I only subdued Golden Eyebrow a year ago, yet they already know of its disappearance. For a Foundation Establishment cultivator like myself, a year isn't even enough time for a single secluded cultivation session. Could they have planted spies specifically in the Autumn Maple Forest?
"Is Fellow Daoist Shang's claim true?" Wei Zhong asked. "A Third-Tier Demonic Beast wouldn't abandon its spirit ground lightly."
Lan Fangyi assured him, "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Song, the Golden-Eyebrowed Red Monkey has indeed vanished. We don't know the exact reason, but that's irrelevant. With that Spirit Monkey gone, we can resume mining the Spirit Medicine Garden."
"Without the threat of a Third-Tier Spirit Monkey, the remaining Spirit Monkeys pose little challenge to cultivators as resourceful as ourselves."
"Direct confrontation might be impossible," one of the cultivators said, "but we could still bypass the monkey horde, break through the formation, and retrieve the Spirit Medicine."
"Fellow Daoist Lan," another asked, "did you gather us here because you already have a plan to deal with the formation? Keep in mind, the remaining section is far from the dilapidated state of the one we encountered while harvesting the Profound Bright Spirit Grass last time."
Shang Mengchun produced a set of Formation Chess Pieces. "This Daoist spent his entire fortune having these Third-Tier Formation Flags refined. While they might barely be sufficient for the task, combining them with Fellow Daoist Wei's Third-Tier Formation-Breaking Cone..."
Before he could finish, Wei Zhong held up his hands. "Fellow Daoist Shang, if you're pinning your hopes on me, you're mistaken. The Third-Tier Formation-Breaking Cone I used last time was my trump card. I don't have any more to spare for this endeavor."
He glanced at Shang Mengchun's Third-Tier Formation Flags. "Besides, with your current skill in the Path of Formations, you'll barely be able to unleash a fraction of their true power."
Shang Mengchun's face flushed crimson.
A Second-Tier Formation Master was ultimately limited by their Second-Tier status. To think he could break a Fourth-Tier Array with Third-Tier Formation Flags—such wishful thinking was laughable.
Even a partially intact formation was beyond their capabilities.
"Fellow Daoist Shang, I urge you to reconsider," Wei Zhong said. "This formation won't be as easily breached as the one we dismantled last time. If we accidentally trigger its countermeasures, even our frail Foundation Establishment bodies might be reduced to ash. Don't throw your life away for some spiritual treasure."
Wei Zhong's words instantly sobered Shang Mengchun, his flushed face turning deathly pale.
"If none of you have any other plans, I'll be taking my leave now," Wei Zhong said.
Seeing their silence, he clasped his hands in farewell and soared away on his fiery magic sword.
Tan Bo then rose to his feet. "Fellow Daoists, I can't break this Fourth-Tier Array either. I'm leaving."
Shang Mengchun tried to stop him, but Lan Fangyi held him back. Tan Bo transformed into a streak of escape light and followed Wei Zhong.
"Fellow Daoist Song, wait!" Tan Bo's voice carried from behind.
Wei Zhong turned and stopped. "I have no desire to wade into this mess. If you've come to persuade me, you're wasting your breath."
"Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand," Tan Bo said. "I'm well aware of the terrifying power of Fourth-Tier Arrays, and even more familiar with my own meager skills. Like you, Fellow Daoist Song, I have no intention of returning to that Secret Realm to attempt to dismantle the formation."
"Oh? Then why did you pursue me, Fellow Daoist?" Wei Zhong asked.
"After you parted ways with us over a decade ago, have you seen Fellow Daoist Mu?" Tan Bo inquired.
Wei Zhong frowned. "No, I haven't. What are you implying?"
Noticing Wei Zhong's irritation, Tan Bo quickly added, "Fellow Daoist Song, please don't take offense. When you left that day, I noticed a black-robed figure following you. I suspect it was none other than Fellow Daoist Mu."
Wei Zhong feigned surprise. "What? When I departed, I did sense someone tailing me. Fortunately, my escape technique was sufficient to shake them off. So that was Fellow Daoist Mu all along?"
"There's no need for alarm, Fellow Daoist," Tan Bo reassured him. "These are merely my conjectures. Besides, Fellow Daoist Mu has been out of contact for some time. He might well be trapped in that Secret Realm—a common occurrence for Loose Cultivators like us. If you encounter him in the future, simply exercise caution."
"Fellow Daoist Tan speaks wisely," Wei Zhong replied.
After a brief exchange, Tan Bo and Wei Zhong parted ways, each heading in a different direction.
Tan Bo remained suspicious. Despite his probing, he couldn't confirm whether Song Zhong had been responsible for Mou Yuanfeng's disappearance. Forget it, he thought. Why bother with this? Both Mou Yuanfeng and Song Zhong are formidable figures. It's best to avoid them in the future.
Wei Zhong, on the other hand, dismissed Tan Bo's words without a second thought. I've crushed Mou Yuanfeng to dust, he mused. How could he possibly seek revenge now? Besides, no one knows I was the one who did it. Tan Bo's just suspicious because Mou Yuanfeng disappeared.
Wei Zhong shook his head and vanished into the distance.
On a small island in the lake,
only after Wei Zhong and Tan Bo had departed did Lan Fangyi finally turn to Shang Mengchun. "Fellow Daoist Shang, you must realize by now that those two cannot be trusted."
Shang Mengchun's face betrayed lingering reluctance, clearly unwilling to abandon his hopes for the secret realm.
"Have you considered my proposal, Fellow Daoist?" Lan Fangyi pressed. "If we reveal the realm's location to True Person Ling, the newly ascended Core Formation cultivator, our combined skills might even earn us a share of the spoils. Remember, neither of us has the slightest chance of breaking that Third-Tier Formation on our own."
Shang Mengchun hesitated, struggling with his decision, but ultimately sighed, "As you wish, Brother Lan."
Wei Zhong would never have imagined that the secret realm they had been unable to breach would be revealed by these two, falling into the hands of the Ling Clan.
At that moment, Wei Zhong had just arrived in Moonrise City. His primary purpose was to retrieve the ten Thousand Spirit Water Stones he had acquired from various cultivators using his Contribution Points. He also intended to purchase several Third-Tier Inheritances: the Third-Tier Formation Arts and the Third-Tier Artifact Refinement Dao.
Through his years of cultivation, Wei Zhong had grown acutely aware of the inconveniences caused by his lack of knowledge in formations.
Not only was he entirely reliant on purchasing defensive formations with spirit stones, but during a recent opportunity involving a Grand Formation, he had been helpless, forced to watch as the chance slipped through his fingers. This realization spurred his resolve to master the Path of Formations.
As for artifact refinement, it was in preparation for crafting the Seven-Colored Golden Bamboo Umbrella.
Although the jade slip detailing the refinement process was remarkably clear, Wei Zhong wasn't naive enough to believe that a novice like himself could easily forge such a treasure. Thus, establishing a solid foundation in artifact refinement was essential.
"Here are the ten Thousand Spirit Water Stones I've collected recently, Fellow Daoist. Please take good care of them."
Wei Zhong took the Thousand Spirit Water Stone from Xu Xuan, glanced at his token with its nearly depleted Contribution Points, and sighed.
"Haha, Fellow Daoist, you've been quite the big spender lately! Do you regret parting with all those Contribution Points?" Xu Xuan teased.
Wei Zhong nodded, lamenting, "The cost of these Thousand Spirit Water Stones is truly exorbitant. But since they're crucial for my cultivation, I had no choice."
Wei Zhong now possessed 326 Thousand Spirit Water Stones. Over 200 of them had been exchanged for Contribution Points, while the rest he had acquired through purchases with spirit stones.
"You've collected nearly three hundred now, haven't you? According to ancient records, forging a Thousand-Catty Heavy Water Spirit Body typically requires between 240 and 360 stones. Are you planning to begin forging your Thousand-Catty Spirit Body soon?"
Wei Zhong shook his head. "This is a matter of utmost importance. I intend to wait a bit longer."
"Haha, Fellow Daoist, you're certainly cautious! But caution isn't a bad thing—it's better to be safe than sorry," Xu Xuan said, pouring a cup of Spirit Tea. "Here, try this Spirit Tea I've painstakingly cultivated."
Wei Zhong lifted his cup and took a delicate sip. The rich aroma of the spirit tea, carried by the spiritual energy, surged through his nostrils. He exclaimed in surprise, "Such concentrated spiritual energy! It even seems to have a mild effect on nourishing the physical body."
Xu Xuan nodded, a hint of regret in his voice. "Second-Tier Spirit Tea. A pity it still falls short of the Second-Tier Azure Spirit Brew."
Unaware that Wei Zhong was the creator of the Azure Spirit Brew he had mentioned, thanks to Shan Qin's discretion, Xu Xuan continued, "Fellow Daoist, comparing spirit tea to spirit wine does this tea a disservice. Spirit wine is a blend of various spiritual treasures, while spirit tea stands alone in its unique essence."
"You speak truly," Wei Zhong replied. "Come, let's have another cup."
After enjoying the tea and their conversation, Wei Zhong departed Moonrise City on his sword.
Upon returning to Spirit Island, Wei Zhong retrieved the two Inheritances he had purchased and carefully studied them. Through diligent practice, he quickly gained a basic understanding of both.
As for the Path of Formations, Wei Zhong had no ambition to master the deployment of Grand Formations. Instead, he aimed to comprehend the functions of various formations and identify their weaknesses, enabling him to dismantle them effectively.
Wei Zhong studied the Path of Formations primarily to dismantle them, striving to avoid being killed by bizarre and dangerous formations.
After practicing the Artifact Refinement Technique for some time, Wei Zhong could now forge ordinary Low-Grade First-Tier magic swords. While still far from crafting extraordinary treasures like the Seven-Colored Golden Bamboo Umbrella, it was a promising start.
As he honed his new skills, Wei Zhong never neglected his cultivation.
A year later, Wei Zhong emerged from his meditative trance with pleasant surprise.
Spring and Autumn Water Refinement Manual: Grandmaster (1%)
After nearly seventy years of practice, Wei Zhong had finally advanced this technique from the entry level to the grandmaster realm.
Closing his eyes and circulating the technique, he felt the spiritual energy around him surge toward him with renewed intensity.
"This breakthrough in my Cultivation Technique has increased my cultivation speed by a full forty percent!" he marveled. "With a steady supply of cultivation resources, I could now advance from the seventh to the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment in just eight years."
"Roughly estimating, I should reach the peak of Foundation Establishment and begin preparing for Core Formation in less than thirty years. If I'm bold enough, I might even attempt Core Formation without resorting to Life-Exchange techniques."
Wei Zhong shook his head.
No, that won't do. Core Formation requires one to be in peak condition. With only a few years of life left and my body aging and weakening, my chances of success would be slim.
After briefly savoring the joy of reaching Grandmaster-level proficiency in his cultivation technique, Wei Zhong immersed himself in cultivation once more.
Five years later, as planned, Wei Zhong broke through to the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment. He then spent a Kryptonite-level exchange to purchase twenty-five additional years of lifespan.
That autumn, Ling Ziwei visited Wei Zhong, inviting him to explore a Secret Realm together. Wei Zhong declined.
"Fellow Daoist Wei, focusing solely on solitary cultivation isn't ideal. Why not explore a few Secret Realms with me? You might stumble upon some opportunities..."
Throughout her invitation, she repeatedly hinted that her elder brother would accompany them, ensuring their safety.
Wei Zhong still refused with a smile.
Seeing her persuasion futile, Ling Ziwei sighed and produced a Storage Pouch.
Wei Zhong probed its contents with his divine sense and discovered it contained all the spiritual treasures required to refine the Haoyuan Pill.
He looked at Ling Ziwei in surprise. "I never imagined your elder brother could gather so many rare spiritual treasures so quickly."
Ling Ziwei explained, "I recently discovered a secluded secret realm. Does this change your mind, Fellow Daoist Wei?"
Wei Zhong shook his head. "I am diligently cultivating a secret technique and fear I cannot fulfill the Immortal Maiden's request."
The Ling Clan must have stumbled upon an ancient Spirit Medicine Garden, he thought.
Ling Ziwei sighed. "If that's the case, I won't press the matter further. If you change your mind in the future, please let me know."
Wei Zhong nodded noncommittally. "Immortal Maiden Ling, you may retrieve the Medicinal Pill in one month."
As Wei Zhong's pill-refining skills steadily improved, his proficiency with the Haoyuan Pill grew. His success rate had climbed to sixty percent, making him one of the foremost Third-Tier Pill Refiners.
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist," Ling Ziwei said, then turned to Xie Linghua, who stood beside Wei Zhong. With a gentle smile, she asked, "Little Sister Ling'er, you must be nearing Foundation Establishment as well, aren't you?"
Xie Linghua nodded. "My cultivation base has reached the peak of the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining. However, Master advises me to further temper my physical body and spiritual sense before attempting Foundation Establishment."
"Fellow Daoist Wei is correct," Ling Ziwei agreed. "The sturdier your foundation, the higher your chances of success. I'm sure Fellow Daoist Wei has already prepared all the necessary spiritual treasures for you, so I won't presume to offer anything redundant. Please accept this Dream Glazed Silk as an early gift to celebrate your upcoming Foundation Establishment."
Wei Zhong immediately recognized the gauze as a Second-Tier Magic Artifact, a lightweight garment perfectly suited for female cultivators.
"This..." Xie Linghua hesitated, overwhelmed by such a valuable gift. She turned to Wei Zhong for guidance.
"Since Sister Ling gave it to you, you should accept it," he advised. "Don't let her painstaking efforts go to waste."
Hearing this, Xie Linghua finally accepted the artifact from Ling Ziwei.
"Why don't you try it on, Little Sister Ling'er?" Ling Ziwei suggested, draping the gauze over Xie Linghua's shoulders before she could answer. "I retired this artifact from my personal use some time ago. When infused with spiritual energy, its material becomes incredibly resilient. Ordinary magic swords can't penetrate it, making it a viable Defensive Magic Artifact."
Following Ling Ziwei's instructions, Xie Linghua channeled spiritual energy into the gauze. Instantly, the translucent fabric turned completely transparent, becoming almost invisible to the naked eye. Only through divine sense could one detect the faintest trace of its presence.
"Immortal Maiden Ling, is this made from spirit silkworm silk?" Wei Zhong asked curiously.
Ling Ziwei nodded. "Indeed, but it's woven from century-old spirit silkworm silk. It's still a far cry from the Heavenly Silkworm Silk you require, Fellow Daoist Wei."
Ling Ziwei understood Wei Zhong's intentions from his initial inquiry.
Wei Zhong sighed inwardly. I've scoured the Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild's exchange list, but Heavenly Silkworm Silk remains elusive.
He considered posting a bounty using his Contribution Points, but he had recently spent all his accumulated points on Thousand Spirit Water Stones, leaving him with no surplus. Moreover, according to the jade slip on refining, Heavenly Silkworm Silk was undeniably a high-grade spiritual material, on par with Ten-Thousand-Year Golden Thunder Bamboo. The required Contribution Points would undoubtedly be substantial. Wei Zhong resolved to stockpile enough Thousand Spirit Water Stones before embarking on his quest to gather the precious materials needed to refine the Seven-Colored Golden Bamboo Umbrella.
After a brief exchange, Ling Ziwei departed. Wei Zhong turned to Xie Linghua and asked, "How have Fallen Moon Red and Azure Vine Intoxication been treating you?"
Several years prior, Wei Zhong had gifted Xie Linghua Second-Tier Azure Vine Intoxication to strengthen her physique. Recently, he had developed Fallen Moon Red, another spirit wine, which he also bestowed upon her to enhance her spiritual sense and bolster her foundations. The combined effects of these two spirit wines had nearly halved the dual trials of physical and Divine Soul tempering she would face during Foundation Establishment. The remaining hurdle—spiritual energy cultivation—should pose little challenge in a high-grade second-tier spirit land.
Wei Zhong's only lingering concern was Xie Linghua's mental fortitude. Her family had been destroyed when she was young, a trauma that might hinder her progress.
Though she had endured hardship in the past, Xie Linghua had been under the protection of Wei Zhong, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, for decades. Shielded from the storms of the world, her resolve to pursue the Dao remained uncertain.
The mental fortitude required for Foundation Establishment would undoubtedly be a formidable obstacle.
"The spirit wines Master bestowed upon me have been remarkably effective," Ling'er reported. "My cultivation has advanced more rapidly in the past few years than ever before."
Wei Zhong nodded. "Then continue to refine your technique diligently. When you're ready to attempt Foundation Establishment, inform me, and I'll safeguard your breakthrough."
"Thank you, Master!"
After giving these instructions, Wei Zhong retreated into his Grotto-Heaven to begin refining the Haoyuan Pills Ling Hua needed.
A month later, Ling Ziwei arrived to collect the pills. At the same time, Xie Linghua informed Wei Zhong that she had completed her preparations and intended to begin her Foundation Establishment attempt.
Wei Zhong relinquished the best cultivation chamber on Cloudglow Island. Xie Linghua entered, carrying two Foundation Establishment Pills—one a high-grade pill gifted by Wei Zhong, the other a mid-grade pill she had purchased with spirit stones accumulated over the years.
Wei Zhong neither discouraged nor approved of her choice. Instead, he was pleased to see her acting in her own best interest. He didn't want her to become merely his dependent, but rather a true cultivator with independent thought and self-reliance.
After this incident, Wei Zhong's confidence in Xie Linghua's successful Foundation Establishment grew stronger.
One day, a vortex of spiritual energy swirled above Cloudglow Island. Servants scattered across the island gazed up at the spectacle, their faces filled with envy.