Fragrant sandalwood smoke curled through the chamber, drifting like a veil of mist in the still air. Within, a Daoist sat cross-legged, motionless, palms upturned as he shaped what seemed to be simple spirit seals. The room was cold, austere in its silence, yet beneath the hazy wreath of smoke, his expression was far from serene. A faint grimace pulled at the corners of his lips. In the soft shadows, his features twisted ever so slightly, betraying the strain behind his stillness. Each breath parted his lips, drawing the incense into his body. The smoke coalesced into twin azure dragons that streamed straight into his nostrils. In that moment, the chamber seemed to tremble with immense pressure leaking outward. Such loss of control over spirit consciousness was a telltale sign, usually seen only in cultivators who had just entered Foundation Establishment. For it to happen to Luo Chen was extraordinarily rare. A muffled grunt escaped him as his eyes snapped open, lightning flashing within their depths and surging through the chamber. The void room births lightning [1] ! With a flick of his finger, a strand of spirit power shot toward the half-burned incense stick. The flame went out, and only a faint trail of lingering fragrance remained. Luo Chen pressed his fingers to his brow and began to rub slowly. "No wonder they say Divine Fiery Incense is only suitable for late stage Foundation Establishment. The stimulation to the divine soul is terrifying. If I hadn't come in time, prolonged exposure might've left my divine soul so overstimulated it would have crashed into total exhaustion afterward." He drew in a long breath, his gaze settling on the half-burnt incense. Despite the risk, he couldn’t help but feel a flicker of admiration. This Divine Fiery Incense was no ordinary product. It had been developed by the renowned Mistress of Fragrance from the Hundred Flowers Palace. The conditions to use it were strict, and its cost sky-high. Yet the results were worth every spirit stone. Just half a stick, and already his divine soul had surged into a state of heightened awareness. Previously, he had only been able to circulate his core cultivation techniques five times per day. Now, that number had increased to seven. Two full cycles more. On the surface, the gain seemed small, but Luo Chen understood better than anyone that even the slightest daily increase would bring monumental returns over time. If I could absorb an entire stick without interruption, I might be able to push it to ten rounds a day. That would be the absolute limit. In that case, even without pills, my cultivation speed would nearly double. Truth be told, my divine soul foundation, which I'd thought strong, still isn't enough, thought Luo Chen. Through using the Divine Fiery Incense, Luo Chen had begun to grasp the true gap between his divine soul and those of other Foundation Establishment cultivators. His divine soul was stronger than those in the early stage of Foundation Establishment, yet it still fell short of the late stage grand cultivators. At best, he now stood at the peak of the mid stage, pressing close to the late stage. It was a little disappointing. During Foundation Establishment, spirit energy floods through every meridian, the dantian transforms into a sea of qi, and the divine soul takes form as spirit consciousness. That fleeting moment is the best chance to reshape one’s Great Dao foundation. The stronger the divine soul at that instant, the greater the expansion of spirit consciousness after the breakthrough. He had thought himself strong enough. But in truth, it still wasn’t enough. Luo Chen shook his head, dismissed the thought. It was a pity, but not a regret. At that time, breaking into Foundation Establishment had been his most pressing goal. There was no sense in delaying advancement simply to endlessly temper his divine soul. Even if given another chance, he would still choose to pour everything into reaching Foundation Establishment. Besides, there were still ways to make up for it. For others, there would be no choice but to grind away year after year, spending decades or even centuries to accumulate enough divine soul strength to reach the late stage of Foundation Establishment. But he had a shortcut. The Spirit Passage pill! The low-grade version was useless to him now, that much was clear. But what about the mid-grade, the top-grade, or even the supreme-grade versions? Luo Chen had already made up his mind. While mass-producing Jade Essence pills at Danxia Peak, he would simultaneously begin refining Spirit Passage pills and use the process to build proficiency. And even if these pills carried the known risk of triggering dreamlike soul detachment, they would never lack a market. If, in the end, the mid-grade or top-grade pills proved ineffective for him, he could still reclaim the cost. The Luo Tian Society could use them internally, or he could simply sell them off externally and recoup his investment. His thoughts flowed steadily, one after another, scattering in different directions. The previously heightened spiritual state gradually calmed down. Luo Chen turned his gaze inward, examining his sea of qi. The first layer had long since perfected, while the second now held spirit liquid, already filled to a quarter. The progress he had made just last night was indeed slightly greater than usual. The exact numbers were unclear, but there was no doubt that both the Ascending Dragon pill and the Divine Fiery Incense were effective. Luo Chen’s resolve hardened. Keep going! One day, all nine layers of my sea of qi will be filled. And within that vast sea of power, my own Golden Core shall be born! Three days later, a streak of flight-light slowly drifted through the skies outside Tianlan Peak. To the Foundation Establishment Initiates who often came and went, it looked almost leisurely. In truth, compared to the cultivators residing in first-tier top-grade cave residences, it was still noticeably faster. The figure in flight was Min Longyu, whose cultivation had already reached Perfected Mastery of the Qi-Refining Realm. As he traveled, his eyes roamed over the towering peaks, where cloud-wreathed cliffs stretched into the sky. Among those rugged formations were cave residences, camouflaged and tucked discreetly within the rocks. Spirit beasts clambered along the ledges, and immortal cranes glided through the air. A massive waterfall cascaded from the heavens above, and spirit fish leapt defiantly against the rushing current, striving to ascend, only to be flung back down by the sheer might of nature. Amidst such dazzling scenery, Min Longyu followed the guidance of a jade token until he descended onto a flat platform. The outer courtyard appeared unoccupied. Yet “unoccupied” was not quite accurate. Beds of ornamental flowers and grasses decorated the grounds, chosen not for cultivation value but for beauty alone. Clearly, the owner of this residence had no intention of remaining here long-term. As if anticipating Min Longyu's arrival, the surrounding fog began to disperse, and the formation faded. He straightened his robes and stepped forward calmly. Just as Min Longyu entered, he spotted Luo Chen clad in a plain gray Daoist robe, busily working in one of the rooms. After watching for a moment, he called out in surprise, "President, are you setting up an alchemy room?" Without turning, Luo Chen continued his work as he answered, "Tianlan Peak provides each second-tier residence with an earth fire outlet. I’ll finish the preparations first, and later I’ll have someone from the Binglan Palace channel the fire upward. No reason to waste what’s already here." The Four Symbols Cauldron landed firmly on the cleared floor, its three sturdy legs braced above the earth fire vent. Though the arrangement lacked the refined precision of the furnaces Luo Chen had once seen on Ai Lao Mountain, it was more than adequate, and far superior to the crude alchemy chamber he had built for himself in the past. Luo Chen turned around with satisfaction and clapped his hands. "Did you bring everything?" Min Longyu nodded quickly, producing a storage pouch from his robe and handing it over with great care. "It’s all inside. And just as you instructed, Qu Lingjun personally oversaw the preparation of several batches of key ingredients." Luo Chen made no effort to conceal anything. Right in front of Min Longyu, he opened the pouch and emptied its contents onto the floor. A dense assortment of herbs and materials tumbled out, piling up until they filled a corner of the room. He crouched down and began inspecting the condition of each medicinal material. After a while, he let out a soft breath of relief. "Not bad. Lingjun’s handling of the materials has improved again. No need to return anything or make repurchases." He turned and saw that Min Longyu seemed distracted. It didn’t take much thought for Luo Chen to guess what was on his mind. Still, he asked plainly, "What are you thinking about? Min Longyu replied absentmindedly, "It's just that your cave residence has such abundant spirit energy. If a Qi-Refining Realm cultivator were to cultivate here, it would certainly accelerate their progress. They might even reach Perfected Mastery of the Qi-Refining Realm far earlier." What a lie! You're already at Perfected Mastery Qi-Refining yourself, why would you care about such benefits? Luo Chen gave a chuckle and strolled toward the exit of the cave residence. Min Longyu followed at once, more out of instinct than conscious thought. As they stepped onto the outer platform, Luo Chen's gaze drifted across to a solitary cliff face on the opposite side. He raised a hand, pointing directly toward it. "Duan Feng is inside that one," he said calmly. An audible gulp echoed in the quiet air. Min Longyu stared blankly at the spot Luo Chen had pointed to, his lips parting in a faint murmur, "I wonder... if he has succeeded." Luo Chen turned slightly, a subtle glint in his eyes. "Do you want him to succeed?" "Of course I do!" Min Longyu’s answer came instantly, without a shred of hesitation. It carried a firmness, decisiveness, and sincerity that left no room for doubt. Luo Chen smiled faintly. If it had been someone like Feng Xia saying that, he would not have been surprised. But this was Min Longyu, who had no familial ties nor deep friendship with Duan Feng. For such unwavering support to come from him? Now that was interesting. He studied Min Longyu with a scrutinizing gaze. Suddenly, Luo Chen's tone is casual yet pointed. "You don't have confidence, do you?" Min Longyu looked up, startled, and met Luo Chen's eyes. It felt as though those eyes pierced through flesh and bone, down to the soul itself. He hesitated for only a heartbeat before shaking his head quickly. "No! How could I not? I’m completely confident!" "Really?" Luo Chen shook his head. "I don't believe you." Min Longyu opened his mouth to protest, but the words never made it out. His shoulders sagged slightly, and a bitter smile crept onto his lips. "President, your insight cuts like a blade... You saw right through me." Luo Chen clicked his tongue. He hadn't come from mere observation. It was written all over Min Longyu's reaction. More than anyone, he genuinely hoped Duan Feng would succeed. Not because of profit or affection. It was purely because if Duan Feng could do it, it would lend him courage and hope for his future breakthrough. Just that simple, and nothing more! After all, in terms of foundation, means, and cultivation, Min Longyu was superior to Duan Feng in every way. There was no reason Duan Feng could succeed, and he could not. That was why he needed Duan Feng to succeed. Min Longyu continued, "Haih... The more I prepare, the more uncertain I feel inside. I've been at Perfected Mastery of Qi-Refining for over three years. My spirit power is as refined as can be. My divine soul isn't weak either. Even my weakest trait, my physique, has been steadily strengthened through a year of essence-nurturing liquid medicinal baths. But still..." At this point, Min Longyu paused, his eyes filled with envy as they fixed on Duan Feng's cave dwelling. "I envy Duan Feng. He achieved Perfected Mastery in Qi-Refining and immediately launched into attempting Foundation Establishment. Unlike me, the longer I wait, the more afraid I become." Luo Chen listened in silence, nodding inwardly. Cultivation was like stone carving. It was meticulous, slow, and deliberate. The more solid your groundwork, the stronger your base. But a breakthrough? A breakthrough in a major realm was a lightning strike. You seized the moment, or the moment passed. That was why there was a saying that said, the first charge is your strongest; hesitate, and the spirit fades. [2]. When he had reached Perfected Mastery of Qi-Refining, he had immediately dropped everything and thrown himself entirely into Foundation Establishment. What looked like five attempts was one burst of conviction held firm until he succeeded. Preparations should be made before reaching Perfected Mastery, not afterward, when the momentum has already slipped away. Of course, Luo Chen wouldn't lay that all out so plainly. Instead, he simply said, "Don't overthink it. A thousand people, a thousand fates. Everyone walks a different cultivation path." Gazing at the anxious Min Longyu, Luo Chen's voice flowed calmly, like water rippling through stone. "You cultivate the Dao of Formations, don't you? A discipline rooted in exhaustive planning where everything is accounted for, every contingency controlled, and the grand formation rises to command all beneath heaven. Isn't it the same when it comes to breaking through your cultivation?" Min Longyu froze. He repeated Luo Chen's words silently to himself, letting them sink in again and again. It was a long while before he finally snapped out of it. This time, there was finally a glimmer of confidence in his eyes. He bowed deeply toward him. "Thank you, President, for your guidance!" Luo Chen paused, a little caught off guard, then waved his hand dismissively. "It was nothing more than a few casual words, hardly worthy of being called guidance. All right, I’ve got things to attend to. Go on." Min Longyu nodded lightly and, without another word, mounted his flying sword and left Tianlan Peak. As Luo Chen watched the figure vanish into the horizon, he rubbed his jaw, fingers brushing against the rough stubble that had begun to grow again. Could those words really have helped him? I was just offering him a casual comfort, he thought. Well, if it really works out, it'd be a pleasant accident. If Min Longyu succeeds in Foundation Establishment, it can only benefit me. Luo Chen cast a glance across the valley toward the neighboring cave residence. He forced down the faint flicker of anticipation stirring in his heart before turning back inside. The moment he stepped into the cave, he caught sight of a petite figure flitting about the hall, carefully sorting the mound of herbs they had gathered. One by one, she carefully arranged them on the shelves Luo Chen had installed earlier. Everything was sorted by type, neat and orderly. Grades were separated, medicinal strengths sorted, and forbidden substances spaced apart. The well-organized and visually clear layout almost made Luo Chen think he had walked into the Hall of Hundred Herbs. This arrangement was clearly far better than his previous cluttered approach. At the very least, he would no longer be fumbling for ingredients in the middle of refinement. "I nearly forgot, Little Ling, you used to be an attendant at the Hall of Hundred Herbs!" Beneath the tall shelf, Bai Meiling's ghostly figure flitted about. At his words, she twisted her neck one hundred and eighty degrees in an eerie motion to look at him. "Is that so? I just thought... This way feels the most natural and comfortable." Her voice was lively and playful, but the way she spoke still sent chills down Luo Chen's spine. "Next time, don't turn your head like that. Act like a normal person, will you?" Bai Meiling turned her head back and faced forward, speaking matter-of-factly, "But I'm a ghost!" Luo Chen's expression hardened. "No, you are human. You may cultivate a ghost body, but your heart is still human. On the path of the Great Dao, don't view yourself as some aberration." Bai Meiling pouted. She didn't quite understand what he meant. Luo Chen didn't push the conversation further. Her cultivation technique, Soul-Refining True Art, was incomplete to begin with, missing its central core. As a result, even though she had recovered fragments of her memory, her emotions remained hollow and fragmented and her understanding of herself was often... skewed. Perhaps once she cultivates the Soul-Stabilizing Oath, things will improve. Muttering to himself, Luo Chen entered the alchemy room. His gaze drifted between the Four Symbols Cauldron and the many dazzling medicinal materials on the shelf. He flipped his palm, revealing the Hundred Flowers Dew. Using spirit power, he floated it over to a conspicuous space that Bai Meiling had left for it. Now that he had gathered all the ingredients for the Jade Dew pill, it was time to begin his first attempt. As a second-tier alchemist, he could not remain stuck refining first-tier pills forever. Even if he wasn’t yet capable of skipping ranks, he had to at least strive for more. Refining the second-tier Jade Dew pill would mark the true step into becoming a genuine second-tier alchemist. A faint smile crossed Luo Chen’s lips as a yellowed bamboo scroll appeared in his hand. At the same time, his status panel opened before him. Jade Dew Pill, Complete Second-Tier Formula. Would you like to learn it? In the skill section, the entry slowly appeared. With a thought, ten achievement points turned into flowing light and merged into the skill. The entry pulsed with radiant light. When it dimmed, the words stood clear: Jade Dew Pill: Beginner (1/100). 1. 虚室生电 (xu shi shen dian) means "electricity rise in an empty room." This idiom originates from Daoist and classical Chinese philosophy, conveying the idea that stillness, emptiness, or tranquility can give rise to powerful, unexpected energy or inspiration. It's often used metaphorically to describe moments when silence or inner peace leads to sudden insight, inspiration, or even a surge of spiritual or creative force. In cultivation fiction, it may also allude to latent power awakening in stillness or isolation. ☜ 2. 一鼓作气，再而衰，三而竭 (yi gu zuo qi, zai er shuai, san er jie) is a classical Chinese idiom from The Zuo Zhuan (左传), meaning "the first drumbeat raises morale, the second weakens it, and by the third it is exhausted." It describes the natural decline in momentum and morale during repeated efforts, especially in battle or competition. The phrase is often used to emphasize the importance of seizing the moment and striking while motivation and energy are at their peak. It's akin to the English idea of "strike while the iron is hot." ☜