Uncle Lin's expression softened slightly upon hearing those words. With a cold face, he said, "Let it not happen again."
"This matter is of great importance. Please allow us some time to deliberate before making a decision," the Third Elder added when he saw that Uncle Lin's anger had subsided.
Uncle Lin nodded but said, "I will only give you one day."
"Thank you, Senior."
The group left the Contribution Hall and returned to Chen Qingyuan's residence.
"This Qingyang Sect is full of snakes and rats; their bullying is simply intolerable!" Chen Qingyuan couldn't hold back his anger as soon as they returned.
"In my opinion, let's not endure this anymore. We don't need this Foundation Establishment Pill. Qingyuan, just come back home with us."
"Fourth Brother!"
Chen Qinghao interrupted the Fourth Elder, frowning as he said, "The Foundation Establishment Pill is invaluable. How can we give it up so easily?"
After some thought, he turned his gaze to Elian.
"Elian, you're an alchemist. Tell us honestly—what's the quality of that Foundation Establishment Pill?"
Elian pondered for a moment before speaking the truth.
"That Foundation Establishment Pill has been contaminated by the malicious energy of earth-fire. This type of malicious fire energy is a toxic scourge born from underground fire veins."
"This malicious energy is incredibly domineering, damaging both the meridians and the physical body. Even Purple Mansion cultivators are reluctant to be tainted by it."
"In my estimation, consuming a Foundation Establishment Pill with even a trace of this malicious energy is extremely dangerous."
"If it succeeds, that's fine. After breaking through to Foundation Establishment, the trace of malicious energy can be temporarily suppressed, and methods to gradually resolve it can be sought later."
"But if it fails, the meridians will likely be severed. The best-case scenario would be the invasion of malicious energy, resulting in the destruction of cultivation and a life tormented by fire scourge."
Hearing this, Chen Qingyuan's face turned pale. He couldn't help but tremble as he asked, "If I consume this Foundation Establishment Pill, what are my chances of success?"
"Probably no more than thirty percent," Elian estimated, adding earnestly, "It's incredibly risky. I suggest that Uncle Qingyuan wait another ten years."
"If Qingyang Sect refines more Foundation Establishment Pills in ten years, the task may not be so difficult."
"Ten years! How many decades do we have?"
Chen Qingyuan suddenly gave a bitter smile. For this opportunity, the family's five great elders had traveled tens of thousands of miles, spending nearly a year to support him.
Not to mention whether a flawless Foundation Establishment Pill could be obtained in ten years, the fact that the Second Elder was now gravely injured and nearing death, with his lifespan significantly reduced, already filled Chen Qingyuan with deep guilt.
Thinking of this, he gritted his teeth and said, "A thirty percent chance is enough. After all, no one knows what might happen in ten years."
"Qingyuan," the others tried to persuade him further.
But Chen Qingyuan interrupted, "Enough. My mind is made up."
That very night, Chen Qingyuan exchanged for the Foundation Establishment Pill and began preparing for secluded cultivation to break through to Foundation Establishment.
Breaking through typically took two to three months. As elders of the family, everyone carried significant responsibilities. With their task complete, they couldn't afford to linger.
After bidding farewell to Chen Qingyuan, the group began their journey back to Qingyuan Mountain, which took another six months.
Upon returning to Qingyuan Mountain, Elian did not immediately go back to Linghu Isle because the Third Elder asked him to stay.
"The family's Spirit-Nourishing Grass has matured."
"Now that Qingmeng is gone, the responsibility of refining Qi Restoration Pills falls to you."
The family's five acres of Spirit-Nourishing Grass matured every five years. Although the harvest had been ready half a year ago, the family's only alchemist, Elian, had been far away at Qingyang Sect, causing the delay.
Now that Elian had returned, he naturally had to take on the task of refining Qi Restoration Pills.
As he had done five years earlier, Elian harvested fifty furnaces worth of Spirit-Nourishing Grass. After spending six to seven days, he successfully refined all fifty furnaces into Qi Restoration Pills.
Elian's alchemy skills had already surpassed those of Chen Qingmeng. With stronger spiritual energy and divine sense, the process was much smoother.
Upon completing the batch, he was delighted to discover that he had refined 353 Qi Restoration Pills—an output surpassing Chen Qingmeng's by achieving a 70% pill success rate.
"The success rate this time exceeded 70%," remarked Chen Qinghao joyfully after tallying the pills.
"With your alchemy skills, Elian, once you break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, you can immediately attempt second-rank alchemy."
Elian nodded modestly.
"My rapid progress is also due to the alchemy manual."
After completing the Qi Restoration Pills, he rested for a day before returning to Linghu Isle.
Upon his return, he found Xian Yan and Xian Ling immersed in cultivation. Both had already condensed spiritual energy and reached the second layer of Qi Refinement realm.
"Not bad," Elian said with a pleased expression. These two siblings had spent five years on Linghu Isle, laying their foundations until the age of nine. When he left, they had just started cultivating.
Now, after a year and a half of absence, they had advanced two layers. Elian was pleasantly surprised.
"Reaching the second layer of Qi Refinement at eleven years old—though not as impressive as my youth—still qualifies as talent. They could potentially reach the ninth layer by their late twenties."
"You're back," his granduncle said, returning from tending the spirit fields. He smiled warmly upon seeing Elian.
Following Elian's gaze, he added with a chuckle, "These two youngsters have decent talent. They're still in the foundational stage."
"I used some of your spirit peaches to aid their cultivation. You don't mind, do you?"
Elian smiled and shook his head.
"I just hope they don't disappoint your expectations."
With a slight laugh, Elian realized he was already over twenty-two and had lived on Linghu Isle for more than seven years.
Later, as he sat with his granduncle, they shared tea and discussed the past few years.
When Elian recounted his experiences at Tianxu Mountain, his granduncle sighed deeply.
"Qingyang Sect has lost fairness in its dealings. Over the years, they've alienated many. Families like ours that bear grievances against them are not few."
"The hundred-year Beast Tide is only thirty years away. If the great families fail to unite, the Qingyang Alliance will be meaningless."
"The Chu Kingdom might face upheaval, and the common people will suffer."
His granduncle spoke casually, but Elian listened intently, feeling the weight of his words.
Even if the sky collapses, taller people are expected to bear the burden. But under a crumbling nest, how can any eggs remain intact?
If the territories fall, mountains and rivers are shattered, and the Chu Kingdom turns into a wilderness ruled by demons, what chance does the Chen family have of escaping?
"I'm not strong enough!"
"I must grow stronger. If the tall ones can't hold the sky, I will climb up and become the tallest."
Elian silently resolved to prepare for Foundation Establishment.
...
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