CHAPTER 301: CHAPTER 172: DONG QIAN’S FOUNDATION ESTABLISHMENT

The first pill cost 450 Spirit Stones, and each subsequent pill cost 400 Spirit Stones.

They were all middle grade.

In other words, over the years, Dong Qian has given Ji Yuan a total of 3250 Mid-grade Spirit Stones... such an amount is quite extravagant even for a Qi Cultivation Cultivator.

Even for a late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator... it’s quite extravagant.

Thinking back, if Wu Nanchun had possessed these Spirit Stones, she wouldn’t have been forced to battle Isle Master Qing Han. Recently she communicated with Senior Sister Wu once.

Her injuries have already healed.

The sect has also issued her the rewards for slaying Isle Master Qing Han, so next, she’s going to close-door cultivate to reach the Peak of Foundation Establishment.

Ji Yuan didn’t ask if she found Isle Master Qing Han’s hidden treasures; such matters shouldn’t be questioned even amongst close friends, let alone their relationship which was just ordinary.

Between Dong Qian and Ji Yuan, both agreed repeatedly to keep secrets.

Dong Qian wants Ji Yuan to keep the secret of her having so many Spirit Stones.

As for Ji Yuan... as long as Dong Qian doesn’t reveal the matter of collecting Foundation Establishment Pills.

Because Ji Yuan has promised to help Dong Qian collect Foundation Establishment Pills and also to help Du Wanyi collect them, and coincidentally the two have a good relationship.

If they talk it over, Ji Yuan won’t be able to handle it.

Currently, giving each of them a few pills is manageable.

They both know Ji Yuan has reached Foundation Establishment and has apprenticed under a Golden Core Zhenren, so they don’t suspect him for having found several Foundation Establishment Pills.

But if they discuss it and realize Ji Yuan gave away more than a dozen Foundation Establishment Pills, it would be suspicious.

"Alright, I’m coming over now."

Ji Yuan spends his days in cultivation, and with nothing much to do, he said he was on Wuyou Island.

After responding to the message, Ji Yuan took half a day to get from Mist Island to Wuyou Island. After waiting a day, Dong Qian arrived.

"It’s rare to see Senior Sister Dong out and about."

Ji Yuan said with a smile.

Which was true, usually for their transactions, Ji Yuan would go to Chulong Island.

In Dong Qian’s case, if she occasionally went out, it was mostly to Sifang Island for Alchemy, and other times, even if she took on tasks, they were generally within the sect.

Such as planting herbs on Medicine Island, or taking shifts on Sifang Island.

But if she’s so reclusive, where did she get so many Spirit Stones?

Ji Yuan grew increasingly curious about this, but he didn’t feel it right to ask.

"Junior Martial Uncle Ji is just babbling."

Dong Qian could tell Ji Yuan was joking, so she returned the joke, giving Ji Yuan a vexed look in the process.

The mature woman’s enchanting demeanor made Ji Yuan calm down a lot.

"Senior Sister Dong, please sit."

Ji Yuan brewed her some Spirit Tea.

After some polite exchanges, Dong Qian said she wanted to tour Ji Yuan’s Wuyou Island.

Ji Yuan saw no reason to refuse such a small request. His island was open and honest, with no secrets, and after a casual tour, Dong Qian ended up before the peach grove.

It was deep autumn, and peach leaves were scattered all over the ground.

"Junior Brother likes peaches?"

"They’re okay, the peach blossoms look nice when they bloom."

Ji Yuan didn’t mention that these peach trees were planted from Phoenix Peach seeds, to avoid needing to explain further.

Dong Qian, in a black long dress that accentuated her full figure, remained silent for a while before suddenly speaking, "Actually, the reason I came today was to ask Junior Brother to help me buy a Foundation Establishment Pill."

"Oh?"

Ji Yuan said somewhat surprised, "For such matters, a message would’ve sufficed. Why visit personally?"

"No, this time I need a Two-striped Foundation Establishment Pill."

Dong Qian’s voice held some hesitance, but ultimately she spoke up.

The hesitance was due to feeling it was asking too much, as Ji Yuan had already helped her collect so many One-Stripe Foundation Establishment Pills, and now she needed a Two-striped one...

For her, it felt like Ji Yuan had already helped immensely.

But she still brought it up, because besides Ji Yuan, she didn’t know who else to turn to.

Han Feiyu could’ve helped too, but after succeeding in Foundation Establishment and apprenticing under Master Xuan Shui, he became distant from people like Dong Qian, interacting mostly with other Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Dong Qian tried to inquire subtly a few times, casual talks went fine, but whenever the talk turned to Foundation Establishment Pills, Han Feiyu would deflect.

Not responding in itself is a response.

"Is Senior Sister going to reach Foundation Establishment?!"

Upon hearing Dong Qian’s request for a Two-striped Foundation Establishment Pill, Ji Yuan guessed her intention.

"Yes."

Dong Qian nodded slightly, "Yes," she murmured, "Junior Brother helped me acquire so many Foundation Establishment Pills; I’ve prepared for a long time, and it’s time to attempt Foundation Establishment."

"Indeed."

"I’m already 41 this year, and in a few months, I’ll be 42... Though the last age for Foundation Establishment is sixty, I can’t truly wait until that age to attempt it, and I’ve read enough material; those who succeed in Foundation Establishment after 45 are few."

Ji Yuan recalled Dong Qian joining the Water Dragon Sect at about thirty-five or thirty-six, when she was in her full youthful prime.

"Rest assured, Senior Sister. I’ll do my utmost to find you a Two-striped Foundation Establishment Pill before the year’s end!"

"No need to rush."

Dong Qian hurriedly said, feeling deeply grateful that Ji Yuan was willing to help, let alone urging him to do so quickly.

"Don’t worry, Senior Sister. I won’t do anything unsafe."

Ji Yuan chuckled.

Indeed, Ji Yuan currently only had two One-Stripe Foundation Establishment Pills left, and the rest... some he sold at auction when guarding Lishui City, exchanging them for Spirit Stones to purchase Spiritual Artifacts and other trump cards.

Additionally, he traded 8 One-Stripe Foundation Establishment Pills just with Dong Qian.

And traded a few to Du Wanyi as well.

There really weren’t many left in his possession.

Thus, he planned to gather some Qinghui Grass and refine two batches of Foundation Establishment Pills at Sifang Island; it was a simple task for him now.

"Alright, then my thanks to Junior Brother."

Dong Qian responded, slightly bowing to Ji Yuan.

This was indeed quite a favor for her.

"No need for formality, Senior Sister."

After the discussion, Dong Qian gave Ji Yuan 400 Mid-grade Spirit Stones in advance, worrying it might not be enough for purchasing a Two-striped Foundation Establishment Pill.

Ji Yuan accepted them without refusal.

Normally, Two-striped Foundation Establishment Pills are found in auctions, so having extra Spirit Stones is reasonable.

Before the year’s end, two months later.

Ji Yuan found Dong Qian and traded her a Two-striped Foundation Establishment Pill.

Dong Qian then went into seclusion on Sifang Island.

In the following April, Dong Qian emerged from seclusion.

Finally achieving Foundation Establishment.