After refining the millennia-old bone jade, Li Xingtian's physique improved significantly. Combined with a cultivation technique that suited him perfectly, his cultivation speed during the Qi Refining stage was now comparable to that of Li Yingling, who was considered a genius in the world of cultivation.

After several days of intense training, Li Xingtian was finally ready to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage. He sat cross-legged, with a refined blood offering—a sticky, dark red, thick blood clot—placed in front of him.

Once the subsequent cultivation technique was established, there would be no need for the troublesome task of capturing blood offerings. After reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage, the focus would be on refining one's own flesh and blood. Thus, the technique was only cumbersome during the Qi Refining stage.

Chu Xingchen reluctantly took out all the remaining spirit stones from his spatial ring to construct a simple spirit gathering formation for Li Xingtian, providing enough spiritual energy for a smooth breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage. This was all the spirit stones he had left, and he felt as though his disciple had drained him dry. He doubted there was any sect poorer than his.

Inside the ruined temple, Li Yingling was boiling water by a small pot, her expression somewhat peculiar, as if she was anticipating something. Ning Qianqian had changed into Li Yingling's clothes—a light blue embroidered skirt. Although it was slightly oversized, it was much better than the dirty, tattered hemp clothing she had worn before.

Li Yingling, who had a bit of a cleanliness obsession, had scrubbed Ning Qianqian thoroughly. The sound of water splashing in the small room lasted from morning until noon, occasionally accompanied by Ning Qianqian's cries of pain, indicating that Li Yingling had been quite forceful. The results were evident, as Ning Qianqian no longer looked like a refugee. In her new outfit, she resembled a child from the slums wearing a princess dress.

However, Ning Qianqian was not used to the clothes and was carefully adjusting the oversized sleeves to prevent them from getting dirty on the ground, despite Li Yingling repeatedly assuring her it was fine.

Meanwhile, Li Xingtian, on the verge of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, looked less optimistic. He glanced at Li Yingling and the pot of boiling water with a heavy expression. Taking a deep breath, he turned to Chu Xingchen and said seriously, "Master, honestly, I can manage without those pills."

"Bitter medicine is good for you," Chu Xingchen replied, placing the last spirit stone in position. As the setup was completed, dozens of spirit stones began to glow. "Don't worry, I know the taste of my medicine wasn't quite right before. This time, rest assured, I've researched what seasonings can make the pills taste delicious!"

"Master... are you sure you're talking about pills and not the chicken drumsticks Senior Sister left behind?"

Chu Xingchen took out the remaining spirit herbs from his spatial ring, just enough to make one batch. "Even if you doubt my pill-making skills, you can't doubt my cooking, my beloved disciple."

Recalling his master's cooking, Li Xingtian found the statement somewhat convincing and looked at his master, hoping he would deliver on his promise.

As he watched, his master used his usual pill-making techniques. When the green water began to bubble, Li Xingtian felt his face turning as green as the water.

What had changed?

But when the pill was about to be extracted and concentrated, Chu Xingchen quickly took out honey and cooked flour from his spatial ring, mixing in some strange seasonings. After blending the flour with the honey, he carefully immersed the flour into the medicinal liquid to absorb it.

Soon, the small amount of medicinal liquid was absorbed by the flour, and a greenish pill appeared in Chu Xingchen's hand. He shook it and found it quite solid, with no sign of crumbling.

Excellent! This was a new step in pill-making! Even using a pot, he could create a flawless pill.

Chu Xingchen, satisfied, handed the greenish pill to Li Xingtian. "Here! Try the taste!"

Looking at the pill in front of him, to be honest, although it was solid, making it slightly more acceptable, the bright green color made it look more like a deadly poison than a proper pill.

Sighing silently, Li Xingtian cared less about whether it was poison and more about whether it would be unbearably unpleasant. Encouraged by his master's gaze, he steeled himself and swallowed it.

He caught a glimpse of his senior sister's scrutinizing gaze from the corner of his eye.

As for the taste...

Li Xingtian thought to himself—damn it! There's absolutely no similarity between pill-making and cooking!

Especially with the addition of flour, which was a disaster!

Perhaps it was the honey, but the flour stuck in his throat!

Combined with the dreadful taste of the medicinal liquid—or rather, the intense bodily rejection—it was a more painful torment than swallowing the liquid raw, a complete torture!

Li Xingtian struggled to clear his throat, his hoarse voice barely audible, "Water! Master! I need water!"

Ning Qianqian quickly handed a cup of water to the struggling Li Xingtian. After gulping down a few mouthfuls, he swallowed the sticky dough in his throat and took a few deep breaths without saying much.

Despite the terrifying taste, the pill's effects were swift, and Li Xingtian quickly entered a meditative state, absorbing the spiritual energy from the spirit stones.

It seemed the experimental pill's effect wasn't great—was it because the taste wasn't masked enough?

Chu Xingchen pondered slightly, then glanced at Li Yingling, who looked relieved. Li Yingling quickly shook her head, saying, "Master, let Junior Brother try such good things first in the future."

"You are his Senior Sister," Chu Xingchen said, stroking his chin.

Li Yingling replied with a grievance, "Master... if you don't want me to live, just say so."

Li Xingtian's breakthrough went smoothly. As the spirit stones ceased to shine brightly and the sun set, the spiritual energy that had been emanating from Li Xingtian condensed within him. He opened his eyes slightly, his aura restrained, with a gleam in his eyes.

The breakthrough was very smooth, with almost no obstacles. The master's pill was effective, and combined with a cultivation technique that suited him perfectly, it was even smoother than his previous life's breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage. It could only be described as "when the water reaches, the channel forms."

While roasting meat for his eldest disciple, Chu Xingchen noticed Li Xingtian waking up and looked over. "How do you feel?"

Li Xingtian nodded, "Very good."

"I meant the pill I made."

"...Also good, but Master, if possible, please don't make any more," Li Xingtian said sincerely. "If you must, I think it might be very effective for interrogation, not necessarily for me and Senior Sister to eat."

Upon hearing this, Li Yingling's eyes lit up, and she raised her hand, holding a skewer, in agreement, "Yes! I think Second Junior Brother is right!"

Chu Xingchen's large hand unhesitatingly tapped Li Yingling's little head.

After reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage, one could practice breatharianism, but Li Xingtian still walked over and picked up a skewer to eat.

He glanced at Ning Qianqian and then said, "Master, we can start the plan."