Li Wei retrieved the bone-strengthening elixir Zhao Feng had handed him some time ago. It wasn't procrastination that had delayed him—merely the relentless stream of tasks and challenges that demanded his attention. Now, in the relative stillness of his cave, he uncorked the vial. The liquid inside shimmered faintly with a crimson glow, its concentrated potency unmistakable even without direct verification.
Without hesitation, he tilted the vial and downed its contents in one smooth motion. The bitter, metallic tang coated his throat, leaving a faint burning sensation that lingered. He swallowed hard, his Qi instinctively moving to meet the incoming surge of power.
The effects came quickly. A dull ache spread through his body, starting deep in his bones. It wasn't outright pain but a grinding discomfort, as though his very skeleton was being reshaped from within. He grimaced slightly, leaning back as he focused on circulating his Qi, aiding the assimilation process.
For a moment, his bones felt fragile—like brittle glass on the verge of shattering. The sensation was unnerving, but just as swiftly, it passed. A wave of solidity returned, and he could feel the strengthening take hold. His skeletal structure felt denser, sturdier. It wasn't a dramatic transformation, but it was undeniably progress.
Li Wei exhaled slowly, assessing the changes. He considered meditating to deepen the effects but dismissed the thought. Meditating would only draw Qi from his own bone essence supply, which wasn't the optimal approach. The Desert Soul Technique demanded a rich Qi source, and Li Wei intended to use it as designed, not squander his own limited reserves.
Instead, Li Wei turned his focus inward, attempting to form his fourth mind rune. Closing his eyes, he drew his Qi inward, meticulously shaping it into the complex and delicate patterns the rune demanded. Each intricate line required precise control, with no margin for error. His breathing slowed, and his consciousness sharpened to a razor's edge. However, as he neared completion, the energy faltered, the rune wavering before shattering back into his core.
A flicker of frustration crossed his features, but he quickly pushed it aside. Progress required persistence, and failure was simply part of the process. He had learned long ago not to dwell on setbacks.
From his storage pouch, Li Wei retrieved the pouch containing bone essence—he had carefully rationed. Without hesitation, he emptied the remaining powder into a cup of water, stirring it until the liquid turned a cloudy white.
Raising the cup to his lips, he drank the mixture in one smooth motion. The chalky bitterness coated his tongue, but he paid it no mind. Almost immediately, the potent energy surged into his meridians, hot and searing, its intensity unmatched by other resources he had consumed.
Li Wei shifted into a meditative stance, his mind steady as he directed the raw energy toward consolidating his third level of Foundational Establishment. He had already been close to this breakthrough; now, the final push was within reach. The energy flowed through his Qi channels like molten fire, burning away impurities and strengthening the very fabric of his cultivation.
As the essence fused with his core, a familiar sensation returned—the fleeting feeling of his bones turning to glass, fragile yet resonating with power, before solidifying once more. It was a peculiar yet reassuring hallmark of advancement in Foundational Establishment, distinct from the sharp, tearing pain of earlier Qi cultivation stages. His bones seemed to hum faintly, as if in harmony with his refined Qi.
Minutes passed, and the burning intensity subsided, leaving behind a sense of solidity and strength. Li Wei exhaled slowly, his breath steady, a faint sheen of sweat on his brow.
The process was grueling, his body straining to absorb every last trace of the essence. When the energy finally settled, he exhaled slowly, his breath steady but his muscles taut from the effort. A tangible sense of growth radiated from his core. It wasn't dramatic, but it was undeniable—another step forward. The third level was fully consolidated.
Li Wei opened his eyes, his gaze steady. The Desert Soul Technique would wait until the time was right. For now, he was content to advance with the tools and resources he had, confident that every small gain was another piece of the foundation for his ultimate goals.
Li Wei exhaled slowly, his Qi stabilizing within him as the remnants of the bone essence integrated fully into his core. He had reached the third level of Foundational Establishment—a milestone achieved with notable speed. Progress at these early stages, however, was always more straightforward. Li Wei understood this; the true challenge would come as he approached the later levels, where each step required exponentially more effort, resources, and precision.
His thoughts turned to the Foundational Establishment Elixir, mentioned in the elixir manual. It was said to aid up to the mid-stage of Foundational Establishment, reducing the strain on one's Qi channels and refining the quality of their foundation. Acquiring the elixir had now become one of his priorities. Without it, future advancements would demand far greater time and resources, something Li Wei could ill afford given his current situation.
However, the elixir was not his most pressing need. The Cinderbone Elixir remained paramount. Without it, he could not manifest Bone Fire, necessary to refine Bone Essence—his primary and most reliable Qi source. The lack of Bone Essence limited his ability to cultivate effectively, and this bottleneck threatened to slow his momentum at a critical stage.
Li Wei's focus sharpened. His immediate path was set. He would attempt to craft the Foundational Establishment Elixir before the Reaping began, ensuring his cultivation could progress steadily during the event. As for the Cinderbone Elixir, its remaining ingredients would hopefully be sourced during the Reaping itself—a three-year period offered ample time to search and strategize. Li Wei resolved to keep a low profile, avoiding unnecessary attention while dedicating himself to rising in power as swiftly and efficiently as possible.
Li Wei strode through the twisting pathways of the sect, his mind already turning to the next step in his plan. His destination was one he had frequented before: Zhao Ming's apothecary.
The familiar scent of herbs, minerals, and alchemical residue greeted Li Wei as he stepped into the apothecary. Shelves lined with meticulously labeled jars, vials, and small boxes surrounded the dimly lit room, their contents a kaleidoscope of alchemical resources. Behind the counter stood Zhao Ming, his neutral expression betrayed only by the glint of curiosity in his eyes.
"Well, well, if it isn't Li Wei," Zhao Ming said, his tone laced with mock surprise. "Here in person this time. Thought you were too busy now to step into my humble shop."
Li Wei ignored the banter. His expression was impassive, his focus sharp. "I need ingredients for the Foundational Establishment Elixir," he said bluntly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
Zhao Ming leaned on the counter, his curiosity clearly piqued. "That's quite the request," he said slowly, eyeing Li Wei. "Do you even know what you're asking for? These materials aren't cheap, and they're not easy to come by."
"I'm aware," Li Wei replied, his voice calm and unwavering.
Zhao Ming chuckled, shaking his head as he reached for a parchment beneath the counter. "Straight to the point, as always. Let's see… Crimsonfire Lotus, Essence of Amber Vine, Blackjade Powder, Moonshadow Grass, and Refined Spirit Liquid as the base. That's the full recipe." He tapped the parchment meaningfully before adding, "I can only give you half a batch."
Li Wei's brow furrowed. "Half a batch?"
Zhao Ming shrugged. "Yeah. The standard quantity is for ten brews. I only have enough for five. Take it or leave it."
Li Wei's gaze sharpened. "Are you trying to rob me?"
Zhao Ming smirked, clearly unfazed by the accusation. "Rob you? Listen, brat, this stuff doesn't just fall out of the sky. Refined Spirit Liquid has to come from outside the sect. If you haven't noticed, not many people are allowed to leave. Foundational Establishment Elixir ingredients are a pain in the ass to get—everyone's favorite nephew or prized disciple is trying to get their hands on it. Supply's limited, and demand's always through the roof."
Li Wei's expression remained cold, but his silence prompted Zhao Ming to continue.
"Speaking of which, why do you need it? You've already broken into Foundational Establishment. It's not like you're still in Qi Condensation."
Li Wei crossed his arms. "I've heard it's useful for advancing up to the mid-stages of Foundational Establishment."
Zhao Ming nodded, his smirk fading into a more thoughtful expression. "Ah, you're right about that. If you haven't taken it before, it'll help quite a bit. Stabilizes your foundation, smooths out the energy channels, even makes advancement easier."
"Good," Li Wei said. "I haven't taken it before."
"Well, that explains your interest," Zhao Ming replied, leaning back against the counter. "Makes sense for you, then. Most people only get one shot at this stuff anyway."
Li Wei's gaze shifted to the materials on the parchment. "What's the price?"
Zhao Ming tapped the parchment again. "Fourteen Grade 1 pills. Don't bother haggling. You'll barely find this stuff elsewhere, and if you do, it'll cost you more than this."
Li Wei nodded curtly, pulling out a neat row of Grade 1 pills and placing them on the counter. Zhao Ming's eyes flickered with satisfaction, but he quickly masked it.
"Good choice," Zhao Ming said, sliding a carefully packed bundle of materials across the counter. "Be careful when brewing, though. It's not an easy elixir to refine."
"I don't need your advice," Li Wei replied flatly, collecting the materials and turning to leave.
Zhao Ming chuckled softly. "Always a pleasure doing business with you, Li Wei. Try not to blow yourself up."
Li Wei didn't bother to respond, his focus already shifting to the task ahead.