After accepting the spirit beast ring, Chen Jinshu bid farewell to the sect leader and left. As she stepped out of the Scripture Pavilion, she saw Du Yi and Jiang Daoyu waiting at the bottom of the steps.
"Have you two senior brothers been waiting long? Are we gathering today to celebrate?"
"It's still early in the day. We just came out of seclusion and thought we'd take a stroll through the Pingwu Market. Junior Sister, would you care to join us?" Du Yi asked with a warm smile.
"I was just about to go exchange some spirit herbs for spirit stones at the market, so let's go together," Chen Jinshu nodded. It would be less boring with more company.
The three of them each summoned their techniques and flew toward Pingwu Market, which was not far from the sect.
"When are you planning to form your foundation, Junior Sister? With your talent, a single Foundation Establishment Pill would be enough for success," Du Yi asked, seemingly reminded of something.
"I progressed too quickly. After returning from the secret realm, I broke through to the eighth level of Qi Refining. Now, just three months later, I've reached the ninth level. With my three spiritual roots, the realm feels a little unstable."
"Although you have three spiritual roots, you washed away their impurities in the Moon Cleansing Pool. Your root sensitivity should now rival that of single-root cultivators. Advancing one level every three months is still within a normal range for the cultivation world. Aren't you worrying too much?" Jiang Daoyu asked after thinking for a moment.
"Those people are heaven's chosen. Even though my roots were cleansed, I find more peace in being steady."
"That's true! Foundation Establishment can't be rushed. But it's best not to wait longer than five years. I overheard Master saying the Chiyan Secret Realm of the Chiyan Sect is supposed to open in five years. Though it's not confirmed, this realm is several times larger than our Xuanming Secret Realm. Only the top fifty inner sect disciples can enter. If you don't seize the opportunity, Junior Sister, you might miss out!" Du Yi said in a lowered voice, checking around to make sure no one was listening.
"The Chiyan Secret Realm? Doesn't it open only once every fifty years? Has it already been that long?" Chen Jinshu frowned slightly.
She had previously researched information on various minor realms. According to her findings, the Chiyan Secret Realm had last opened thirty years ago and typically opened once every fifty years.
"You might not know this, but the terrain and climate within the Chiyan Secret Realm are harsh, and the restrictions are becoming unstable. As a result, the interval between openings is shortening—it can now open every thirty years."
"I see… Senior Brother, you really are well informed," Chen Jinshu said, furrowing her brows.
It was certain she would reach Foundation Establishment within five years. But making it into the top fifty of the inner sect was a steep climb—far more difficult than the outer sect tournament.
Senior Brother Bu from the last trade fair was at peak Foundation Establishment, but was unlikely to reach Golden Core in five years. And there were already over ten peak Foundation cultivators at the fair, nearly fifty in the late stage, and more than two hundred in mid-stage...
"Sigh. There's not much time left for me to improve. I'll need to reach at least mid-Foundation to have a shot at the top fifty," she thought to herself.
"But Junior Sister, don't be discouraged. Missing the Chiyan Secret Realm isn't the end. Most of the spirit herbs inside are fire- or yang-aligned due to the terrain, followed by earth and metal. Wood and water types are less common."
"Since our Medicine King Peak cultivators mostly have water and wood roots, the demand for that realm isn't that high."
"But I heard it has extremely rare spiritual fires and variant flames!" Jiang Daoyu interjected, clearly unconvinced. While the realm favored fire elements, there were still many resources to compete for due to its vast space.
"Spiritual fires aren't so easy to obtain. In all the recent openings, only two cultivators successfully acquired one. And no one's ever seen a variant flame."
Du Yi chuckled, then added, "If not the Chiyan Secret Realm, then maybe somewhere else?"
"Somewhere else? Are there any other minor realms opening within the next five years?" Chen Jinshu searched her memory. Most realms were opening less frequently. The Chiyan Secret Realm was the most immediate one.
"Not a realm, but the Sword Tomb Trial of the Golden Sword Sect."
"The Sword Tomb Trial? When does it begin?"
"Three years from now. By then, all the peaks will likely send representatives. Junior Sister could try for a spot. Rumor has it that the tomb contains top-tier immortal swords, each with a soul. One might even obtain a precious sword technique!" Du Yi said excitedly.
But Chen Jinshu wasn't very moved. First, she wasn't a sword cultivator. Second, if she wanted sword techniques, she could easily obtain them from the Sword Spirit in the rear courtyard.
Still, such an experience was worth attending—without seeing more of the world, one's cultivation and mental state couldn't improve. This was something her master had told her: true growth only came from experience.
Her master would always mention how during her own Foundation Establishment stage, she would take missions whenever she reached a bottleneck—traveling through famous mountains and rivers while gaining cultivation insights.
"Alas, Junior Sister is a sound cultivator. I suppose you're not that into swords. But Senior Brother Jiang and I would love to find a sword of our own," Du Yi said, eyes filled with longing.
Jiang Daoyu also looked somewhat moved.
…
Moments later, at the Yingyue Restaurant.
Before them was a table laden with five or six dishes of rare and fragrant spiritual cuisine.
"Yingyue Restaurant is famous for its spiritual food. Have you been here before, Junior Sister?" Du Yi asked with enthusiasm.
This meal had cost him nearly a hundred spirit stones. Normally, it'd be only a few dozen. But this was his first treat since reaching Foundation Establishment—he couldn't skimp on appearance.
"I rarely visit restaurants like this."
"I've heard their Drunken Immortal Brew is rich and sweet, brewed from over a dozen spiritual fruits. It's filled with spiritual energy—one jar can equal several days of cultivation," Jiang Daoyu said as he picked up a jug of the brew, savoring its aroma.
"Will I get drunk from drinking it?" Chen Jinshu asked, hesitating. She had drunk wine before, and could handle a bit, but had little experience with spiritual liquor.
She had only heard her second uncle and other elders talk about it—everyone said it was delicious and unforgettable, but quite expensive.
"You won't! Drunken Immortal Brew comes in grades. First-grade is the cheapest. Even those with poor alcohol tolerance can drink a whole pot without getting drunk. Second-grade has more spiritual energy and can cause slight intoxication, but it's best for cultivation. It costs around a hundred spirit stones."
"I just received some rewards recently but didn't dare spend too freely. So I got a pot worth fifty stones—hope you won't mind!" Du Yi said a bit sheepishly.
"Don't be silly. This meal is our joint treat for Junior Sister. We'll split the cost later," Jiang Daoyu said seriously.
"First-grade is fine by me. I wouldn't dare try second-grade," Chen Jinshu added.
Jiang Daoyu then poured three cups of the amber-colored liquor. The moment it was poured, a refreshing fragrance filled the air, stirring Chen Jinshu's appetite.
Without thinking, she raised the cup and took a sip. The liquor wasn't spicy at all—it carried the sweet and fresh aroma of spiritual fruit, cool and smooth like a fine juice.
Yet the spiritual energy it contained was anything but mild. Once absorbed by her lotus-petal birthmark, the pure energy it released was no weaker than that of a spirit pill.