The second Pill formula is relatively simpler, with the Demon Core being the most important component.
However, a Demon Core is only found in Second-stage Middle Grade Demon Beasts with some probability, and for a guaranteed Core, it needs to be a Second-stage Upper Grade Demon Beast.
As for Second-stage Lower Grade Demon Beasts, unless they are extraordinarily gifted, they hardly ever have a Demon Core.
"For Loose Cultivators like us, gathering all the materials for a Foundation Establishment Pill is nearly impossible; some can only resort to Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects, which are less effective than the Foundation Establishment Pill, but better than nothing."
"Spirit Protection Pill is the most popular; while it has minimal effect on the three trials of Foundation Establishment, it can preserve one’s cultivation and life if Foundation Establishment fails," Zhang Yan added.
"How many Spirit Stones for one?" Xu Ping’s heart was moved, and he asked.
This might be a backup plan. He’s still relatively young, and when he reaches the ninth level of Qi Cultivation, he should have two or three opportunities to attempt Foundation Establishment.
If he truly can’t obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill by then, perhaps he could try the Spirit Protection Pill.
Of course, that’s only if he has no other options.
"About two thousand Spirit Stones each, they’re available for sale in the Immortal City," Zhang Yan replied.
"Two thousand Spirit Stones..." Xu Ping murmured.
The price wasn’t insurmountable; with a little time, he could afford it.
...
After chatting a few more words, Xu Ping handed over this batch’s Hundred Flowers Brew to Zhang Yan and then took his leave to return home.
He was currently at level seven in Qi Cultivation, and there was some time before he reached level nine, so he planned to focus on earning Spirit Stones and cultivating well.
Time continued to pass quietly, and he grew increasingly fond of his days in Qiu Xuan Immortal City.
Every day he concentrated on cultivating, without bothersome social interaction.
The feeling of seeing himself progress step by step was truly captivating.
During this time, the Heavenly Eye Skill and Protective Spiritual Light were successfully studied one after the other.
It must be said, as a First Rank Upper Grade Magic, the Heavenly Eye Skill was quite powerful.
In the casting state, his vision could easily penetrate walls; even the stone ground could be seen through to a depth of half a meter. More amazingly, the spell could automatically adjust the scale of penetration according to his will, allowing him to see what he wanted to see.
Like automatically adjusting focus.
Moreover, even his home’s Array could be partially seen through with the Heavenly Eye Skill.
Although it was far from fully seeing through it, Xu Ping believed that with increasing proficiency, one day he would completely see through the Array.
...
...
Summer gave way to Autumn.
Another two months passed.
This day.
While cultivating the Taihang Nourishing God Skill, Xu Ping seemed different from usual!
Buzz buzz buzz...
Accompanied by the continuous roar within his Sea of Consciousness, his Spiritual Sense seemed to enhance to a certain limit, constantly transforming.
Boom!
Amidst a tremendous roar in his head, Xu Ping felt dizzy, and when he gathered his senses again, he felt like a third ’eye’ had appeared at his brow.
Under this ’eye’, even with his eyes closed, everything within a fifty-foot radius was still clearly visible.
Not only that, but he could also observe himself from different angles. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by Nov3lFɪre.ɴet
In his vision, he saw a young man in blue robes sitting cross-legged, eyes slightly closed!
"This is... Divine Sense!!!"
Xu Ping’s face lit up with wild joy, exceedingly excited.
It was said that even an Early-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator could have their Divine Sense extend twenty feet away from their body, with everything within the range perceptible down to the finest detail!
Though he could currently observe five feet, there was no doubt that this was Divine Sense!!
"Hahaha, the Taihang Nourishing God Skill didn’t disappoint me; reaching Perfection indeed helped me awaken my Divine Sense!!" Xu Ping laughed heartily.
With the Array concealing him, he wasn’t afraid of being heard.
"Now that the Divine Sense trial of the three Foundation Establishment trials is passed, once the Five Elements Skill reaches Perfection and Mana liquefies, the Mana trial will be broken too."
"Only the Physical Body trial remains. Doesn’t that mean that after reaching Perfection at the ninth level of Qi Cultivation, even without taking any other Pills, I will have a thirty or forty percent chance to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage?"
Of course, attempting Foundation Establishment on his own would mean grave injuries even if he survived, which Xu Ping definitely wouldn’t do.
If he was to attempt Foundation Establishment, he would certainly take a Foundation Establishment Pill to ensure stability.
The wild laughter subsided.
Xu Ping could hardly contain his excitement and left his cultivation room to the small courtyard, eager to observe the world anew with his Divine Sense.
Under the shroud of Divine Sense, everything was crystal clear, even clearer than with the naked eye.
Looking from different perspectives, the once-familiar surroundings seemed incredibly novel.
For instance, watching ’himself’ take step after step forward had an indescribably strange sensation.
He shifted his gaze to the spiritual field.
The Bloodstopping Grass was standing tall and vibrant; the Spiritual Spring trickled, clear as crystal.
"The Bloodstopping Grass has matured!"
Xu Ping opened his eyes and grinned; after several months of careful tending, it was finally ready to be sold for Spirit Stones.
...
...
The next day.
Xu Ping emerged from his home, and a voice came from the opposite courtyard.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, today you finally emerged from your courtyard, what a rare sight."
Xu Ping looked over to see a middle-aged cultivator looking at him with a broad smile.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Wang."
Xu Ping greeted back.
The middle-aged cultivator was named Wang Shan and lived next door. He had visited once after Xu Ping moved in to pay respects.
Wang Shan was at the eighth level of Qi Cultivation, made a living by hunting Demon Beasts, and his only hobby was drinking.
After tasting Xu Ping’s Hundred Flowers Brew, he became a devoted fan of the drink.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, I’m out of wine again, could you sell me a few more jars?" Wang Shan came over, eagerly asking.
"I’ve been ready for you, Fellow Daoist!"
Xu Ping smiled, taking a jar of Hundred Flowers Brew from his storage bag and handing it over.
Wang Shan didn’t stand on ceremony, accepting the jar and started drinking heavily.
"Fellow Daoist Xu’s brew is truly refreshing!"
He laughed heartily after downing half a jar in one breath.
"Hahaha, as long as Fellow Daoist likes it!" Xu Ping laughed.
After chatting a few more words and selling three jars to Wang Shan, Xu Ping was about to leave when Wang Shan stopped him.
"Please wait."
Wang Shan leaned in and lowered his voice, "Fellow Daoist Xu, have you any interest in exploring a cultivator’s relic with me?"
"A cultivator’s relic?"
Xu Ping was half skeptical.
But given Qiu Xuan Immortal City’s long history and proximity to the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range, it wasn’t surprising there were cultivator relics nearby.
Xu Ping’s eyes flickered: "Fellow Daoist Wang, with your strong Mana, why not go alone?"
"You may not know, Fellow Daoist, the relic is protected by a hidden Array, weakened over time but still hard to breach quickly, and it risks leaking information. If I seek aid from other strong cultivators, I might not secure my own interests."
"And Fellow Daoist Xu, your cultivation of the seventh level of Qi Cultivation is similar to mine, your character reliable, making you the ideal partner," Wang Shan explained earnestly.
Though Wang Shan seemed genuine, Xu Ping certainly didn’t plan to go.
He was at a pivotal time for advancing his cultivation, and with the income from Hundred Flowers Brew, resources weren’t currently a concern, so there was no need to take risks.
"Does the cultivator relic have Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects? If it has them, I’ll go." Xu Ping joked.