Chapter 82: Chapter 83: Foundation Establishment Pill

The Water and Fire Treasure Gourd in Song Changsheng’s hand had become quite extraordinary after his repeated refinements, but it still had many shortcomings, some of which were downright useless.

For instance, the Treasure Gourd could absorb living creatures and dissolve them into a bloody pulp using its Bone-Eroding Array. While this sounded impressive, it was actually useless to him; it was ineffective against cultivators of his own level, and completely unnecessary against Low-Tier Cultivators.

He had only used this function once during a previous trial and had never found another suitable opportunity to do so. That was one issue.

Second, the Treasure Gourd could release Water and Fire Qi to attack enemies, or even create a domain of water or fire. For Song Changsheng, who was already proficient in the Water and Fire Control Technique, this did offer a helpful boost in actual combat.

But as his cultivation advanced, this feature also became increasingly impractical. To put it simply, its Attack Power was lacking.

Song Changsheng had forged this Magical Artifact in his younger days. Back then, he lacked both worldly wisdom and practical experience, leading him to be overly simplistic in his assumptions about its design.

Therefore, he now planned to give it a complete overhaul. The design he chose was the Spirit-Slaying Gourd.

The Spirit-Slaying Gourd had only one primary ability, which was embodied in a single word: "Slay." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The gourd would nurture a flying dagger inside. When facing an enemy, it could unleash Spirit-Slaying Blade Qi. This energy didn’t harm the Physical Body, but specialized in striking the soul, making it exceptionally difficult to defend against.

Once he refined this treasure, Song Changsheng would have another trump card when facing his enemies.

However, refining this treasure was extremely tedious. Even re-refining it from the original Treasure Gourd would take at least several months...

「Vast Mist Peak, Council Hall.」

Song Xianyun, the members of the Elder Council, and the highly respected Clan Elders were gathered for the annual clan conference. This year, however, the gathering felt a little empty.

Song Xianming was still in seclusion recovering from his injuries and thus couldn’t attend. Fifth Elder Xia Yunxue was overseeing matters in the Mortal World and could not easily leave her post. Fourth Elder Song Luhuai was acting as a guardian for Song Lutong, so he was also unable to get away.

Therefore, the only Elders in attendance were Song Xianyun, Song Luzhou, and Song Luyao—a first in several years.

Song Xianyun began by summarizing the clan’s progress in various areas over the past year, after which Song Luzhou rose to report on the clan’s finances.

"For the past few years, income from the clan’s various enterprises has been quite good. This year has been especially strong, with a significant increase over last year. When you factor in the resource points we seized from the Earth Fire Sect and the Spirit Medicines from the Wutong Secret Realm, the clan’s income for the year is very substantial.

After covering daily expenses and paying the clan members’ stipends, we’ll have a surplus of about twenty thousand Spirit Stones. That’s just enough to pay back the Spirit Stones we borrowed from our own members to purchase the Foundation Establishment Pills."

Song Luzhou was all smiles. The debt that had weighed them down for years could finally be cleared. Going forward, all income would be true surplus. As the elder in charge of finances, he could finally hold his head high.

"Excellent. Our clan members generously opened their purses for the sake of the clan’s development. We cannot fail them; we must settle this debt as soon as possible." Song Xianyun nodded in approval. It was rare for Song Luzhou, that old Iron Rooster, to be so generous for a change, and it was a great relief to see.

After the "Iron Rooster" finished his report, Song Luyao produced a Jade Scroll. "Everyone," she said, her voice cool and clear, "our Steward in Luoxia City has sent back a vital piece of intelligence. It requires a decision from this council."

"What intelligence?" Song Xianyun asked with a frown.

Song Luyao handed the Jade Scroll to the person next to her, gesturing for it to be passed around. "Elder Xiao of Luoxia City recently refined a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills," she explained. "He succeeded in creating six of them. He’s keeping one for his own use, but the other five will be auctioned off shortly."

Everyone was stunned. ’Luoxia City is auctioning Foundation Establishment Pills?’

One Clan Elder shot to his feet, saying excitedly, "This is a golden opportunity! We purchased three Foundation Establishment Pills from the main branch. If we can win another one at auction, the number of Foundation Establishment Cultivators in our clan will completely overwhelm the Earth Fire Sect! They won’t be able to cause any trouble for the next century."

"But an auction is nothing like buying from the main branch! The competition is too fierce. A single Foundation Establishment Pill will cost at least forty thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones. The clan would have to squeeze itself dry just to come up with that much. Is it really necessary for us to get involved?"

Song Luzhou immediately lost his composure and shot up to object. ’The clan’s finances have only just started to improve after so much difficulty, and now they want to pull a stunt like this? Do they really think the clan has an endless supply of Spirit Stones?’

His words resonated with the majority. After all, the clan had already purchased three Foundation Establishment Pills, and Song Lutong was in seclusion attempting a breakthrough. There was truly no need to spend a fortune to compete against the other bidders.

A Clan Elder stood up and said, "I agree with Luzhou. The clan must keep a reserve of Spirit Stones for emergencies. We can’t spend everything."

"That’s right. The clan still has its debt to our members, and that can’t be put off."

"Indeed. Since we already have three, we can do without this one."

The sentiment in the room was almost entirely one-sided. The vast majority were against purchasing this Foundation Establishment Pill.

Song Xianyun understood the group’s consensus and was about to make a final decision when Song Luyao suddenly spoke up. "I believe the clan should win this Foundation Establishment Pill at auction."

Everyone looked at her with some surprise.

Song Luyao cupped her hands in a salute toward Song Xianyun and said, "Twenty-first Uncle, Changsheng has reached the point where he must attempt his Foundation Establishment. He can use this Foundation Establishment Pill."

At her words, everyone in the hall fell into contemplation. After a moment, a Clan Elder stood up. "But didn’t we already decide to reserve a Foundation Establishment Pill for him? Once the pills from the main branch arrive, one will certainly be his."

Song Luzhou cleared his throat. "Ah, Ninth Sister, we’re all aware of Changsheng’s talent and his contributions to the clan. The clan would never treat him unfairly. As soon as the Foundation Establishment Pills arrive, he’ll surely be the first to receive one. There’s no need to spend so much extra money to bid on this one."

Song Luyao gave him a cool glance and said, "Then tell me, when will the Foundation Establishment Pills from the main branch arrive?"

"Er... well, they should be here soon." Song Luzhou was suddenly at a loss, looking awkward. He truly couldn’t say for sure.

A hint of sarcasm touched Song Luyao’s face. "’Soon?’ Does ’soon’ mean in a year? Or three years? Or maybe five years, or even ten?

On the long road of cultivation, every second counts. We don’t have that much time to squander. Every day sooner that Changsheng reaches Foundation Establishment is a day that brings him closer to reaching the Purple Mansion. When facing the Lieyang Sect, only a Purple Mansion Cultivator is strong enough to contend with them. No matter how many Foundation Establishment Cultivators we have, it will be in vain."

Her words were like a slap in the face that woke everyone up.

She was right. A Foundation Establishment Cultivator could throw their weight around in Ling Province, but what were they before a Purple Mansion Cultivator? Not everyone was a Song Xianming.

The clan needed its own Purple Mansion Cultivator, and at present, the one with the most hope of becoming one was, without a doubt, Song Changsheng.

Everyone fell silent.

After a long while, Song Xianyun made up his mind and declared, "Luyao is right. Of this batch of Foundation Establishment Pills, we must secure at least one!"

...