Ji Fuyao continued, “But I know how to prevent its inherent power from dissipating.”
As she spoke, Ji Fuyao extended a slender hand, conjuring a gentle spirit flame. From her storage ring, she tossed out several high-grade spiritual herbs. Instantly, the medicinal properties contained within the herbs transformed into streaks of radiant light, surging into the Flood Dragon meat. The spirit fire energy within the meat ceased to escape, and a faint, exquisite aroma began to permeate the air.
Lu Xuan asked, “What are these spiritual herbs for?”
Ji Fuyao explained, “One is Fireflame Grass, which enhances the efficacy of the Flood Dragon meat. Another is Starlight Grass, a chilling spiritual herb that neutralizes the spirit fire energy, preventing the Flood Dragon meat’s power from becoming too overwhelming. The third is…”
Lu Xuan’s head began to ache. As long as it tasted good, that was all that mattered. Why did it have to be so complicated?
Seeing Ji Fuyao so engrossed, Lu Xuan ambled out of the straw hut. He sprawled on a lounge chair outside, basking in the sun. He mumbled, “Wonder if it’ll actually taste any good.”
Ji Fuyao’s chest rose and fell with a sigh, her beautiful eyes slightly furrowed as she looked up. “Is this how you usually prepare spiritual beast meat?”
“Yep,” Lu Xuan replied casually.
Ji Fuyao let out a soft sigh. So, over the years, Lu Xuan had wasted countless cultivation resources!
Stretched out on the lounge chair outside the straw hut, Lu Xuan soaked up the sun, a pleasant mood washing over him. Having a disciple was truly wonderful; he didn’t even need to cook for himself anymore!
Just then, the System’s voice chimed in.
“Ding! Disciple Cultivation Quest triggered: Within three days, help Ji Fuyao reach the Profound Emperor realm! Path of Spirit Fire, Grand Completion! Rewards will be issued based on completion.”
Lu Xuan blinked. Ji Fuyao was currently at the mid-stage Grand Profound King realm. Reaching Profound Emperor in three days was a bit of a tight schedule. But then again, he had plenty of Flood Dragon meat to boost cultivation! And if that wasn’t enough, there were always the pills his master left behind. Even if he had to literally pile them on, he would force her cultivation realm up! As for achieving Grand Completion in the Path of Spirit Fire? That was easy. He himself was already at Grand Completion in the Path of Spirit Fire. With Ji Fuyao’s talent, a little guidance from him would be a walk in the park. Lu Xuan instantly felt confident. He resumed his blissful sunbathing.
Before long, Ji Fuyao wiped a fine sheen of sweat from her face. She emerged from the hut, carrying the prepared Flood Dragon meat, and placed it on the stone table before Lu Xuan.
Dinner was served. Lu Xuan took a bite, then offered his verdict, “Passable, I guess.”
Ji Fuyao huffed lightly, clearly displeased. She too sampled a piece of the Flood Dragon meat. Immediately, a dense spirit fire energy surged through her body, causing droplets of sweat to appear on her face and her breathing to quicken. Although she had treated the meat, the power within was still overwhelmingly potent! A sudden thought struck her: if even she could barely endure it, Lu Xuan might be in serious trouble.
She quickly looked at Lu Xuan, then froze. He seemed utterly unaffected, not a single drop of sweat on him! Wait. Why couldn’t she sense Lu Xuan’s cultivation realm anymore?
Lu Xuan smiled faintly. “Disciple, something wrong?”
Ji Fuyao’s beautiful eyes furrowed slightly. She found she couldn’t see through Lu Xuan at all. But she didn’t dwell on it. She continued eating the Flood Dragon meat, refining the spirit fire energy as she went. She estimated that the power contained in this single plate of Flood Dragon meat was several times greater than the drop of Flood Dragon blood he’d initially withheld. It seemed Lu Xuan had compensated her for that little incident after all!
Before long, Ji Fuyao finally finished. She looked up to find Lu Xuan had already eaten and was now leisurely sunbathing in his lounge chair. Just then, Lu Xuan turned his head and pointed at the bowls and chopsticks on the stone table. “Disciple, wash the dishes.”
Upon hearing this, Ji Fuyao’s expression darkened considerably. She was an Empress! When had anyone ever dared to order her around like this? Did her master truly see her as nothing more than a common disciple? Just then, Lu Xuan suddenly remembered something. He opened his right hand, and a Heaven-Tier Dao Foundation Pill appeared in his palm.
“Oh, right, Disciple. Take this pill and eat it.”
Ji Fuyao froze on the spot, her eyes gleaming with incredulity. “This… this is… a Heaven-Tier pill, a Dao Foundation Pill!” She recognized it instantly! In her previous life, she had once paid a sky-high price at auction for a Dao Foundation Pill. This aura couldn’t be mistaken! Wait. Ji Fuyao’s gaze fell upon the nine pill veins swirling around the Dao Foundation Pill, and she was utterly shocked. The one she had bought for an exorbitant price in her previous life only had three pill veins! But this one before her had nine pill veins! A supreme-grade Heaven-Tier pill!
She realized this Dao Foundation Pill was unimaginably valuable, enough to cause a bloody storm in the Southern Barrens! How could Lu Xuan possess such a heaven-defying pill? Her own Dao Foundation was shattered; if she could take this, it would surely repair it! This pill was critically important to her!
With this thought, Ji Fuyao’s gaze grew deep, and her delicate body trembled. “Master, this is… a supreme-grade Dao Foundation Pill!”
Lu Xuan merely smiled faintly and placed the Dao Foundation Pill in her slender hand.
Ji Fuyao was stunned. “This is too valuable!”
Lu Xuan said indifferently, “What’s so valuable about it? I have plenty of good stuff here. Now, go wash the dishes.”
A moment of silence. Ji Fuyao bit her tender lip. “I’ll wash! But only for three days, no more!” She put away the Heaven-Tier Dao Foundation Pill and began collecting the bowls and chopsticks. This Dao Foundation Pill was far too precious; it could fully repair the damage to her Dao Foundation! She had to accept it. Originally, she had joined the Grand Dao Sect intending to use the Grand Dao Scripture to repair her Dao Foundation, but now with this supreme-grade Heaven-Tier Dao Foundation Pill, she wouldn’t simply be content with repairing it. She would utilize the Grand Dao Scripture to forge the legendary “Perfect Dao Foundation”!
A Perfect Dao Foundation… she never imagined she would have a chance at it so soon! However, Ji Fuyao harbored a suspicion. Could it be that Lu Xuan still didn’t know how precious this Dao Foundation Pill truly was? A pill of this caliber was enough to be considered a sect-founding treasure!
Just then, Lu Xuan’s voice drifted over. “Disciple, remember to cook every day, okay?”
Ji Fuyao was about to refuse. But Lu Xuan took out a large chunk of Flood Dragon meat and placed it on the stone table. Ji Fuyao swallowed the words she was about to say. “Three days! I’ll only cook for three days! And wash dishes for three days!”
Lu Xuan said nonchalantly, “Suit yourself.” He knew that in three days, there would be more System rewards. At that time… Lu Xuan smiled faintly. “Oh, right, Fuyao. You’re at the Grand Profound King realm now, but the core disciples are already Profound Sovereign. You can’t slack off! Starting tomorrow, you absolutely must seize the time to cultivate.” With that, Lu Xuan departed.
Watching Lu Xuan’s retreating back, a complex expression appeared in Ji Fuyao’s eyes. This Master of hers was not, as the rumors claimed, a useless wastrel! The rumors outside were completely false!
Soon, Ji Fuyao tidied the straw hut and returned to her own cave dwelling. She extended her slender hands, forming countless brilliant seals and restrictions. She sat cross-legged, calming her mind and spirit. A cool, alluring expression appeared on her exquisite, tender face. Beneath her fiery-red long dress, her curvaceous figure was undeniable, forming a perfect silhouette.
She began to recall the day’s events. She had initially thought that by joining Azure Mystery Peak, she would be in charge of everything. But she never expected Lu Xuan to be so unfathomable. She vaguely remembered being able to perceive Lu Xuan’s cultivation realm when they were ascending the peak, but upon returning, she could no longer sense it. And Lu Xuan had so casually given her a supreme-grade Dao Foundation Pill! Could there be something wrong with this pill?
With this thought, Ji Fuyao’s hand seals shifted, and she used an ancient secret art to examine the Dao Foundation Pill. The nine pill veins swirled like shining stars, and profound, obscure energies surged within. The essence of Dao and subtle Rhythms contained within the supreme-grade pill vaguely surfaced, revealing terrifyingly powerful energies. Moments later, Ji Fuyao’s brows relaxed; there was nothing wrong with this Dao Foundation Pill.
Forget it, no need to overthink. She would just take this Heaven-Tier Dao Foundation Pill now! With this in mind, Ji Fuyao activated an ancient secret art. Boundless, mysterious energies circulated through her body as she adjusted her state to its peak. She then swallowed the Dao Foundation Pill.
Whoosh!
As the Heaven-Tier Dao Foundation Pill entered her mouth, an incomparably pure medicinal power surged within. Her delicate body trembled, and an intense, numbing sensation instantly spread throughout her entire being. The profound Dao and subtle Rhythms swirling on the Heaven-Tier Dao Foundation Pill had already merged into Ji Fuyao’s blood. Obscure, mysterious energies washed over her body, and transcendent power continuously circulated. Ji Fuyao entered an extraordinarily peculiar state. She quickly focused her mind, continuously comprehending the profound mysteries of the Heaven-Tier Dao Foundation Pill! This was a supreme-grade Heaven-Tier pill; it couldn’t be judged by ordinary standards. Even Ji Fuyao didn’t know what kind of transformation her body would undergo.
Ji Fuyao used her divine sense to peer into her internal world, and she was utterly shocked. Streaks of imprints, like resplendent divine rainbows, continuously intertwined within her blood and meridians, shimmered within her lungs, and reflected within her bone marrow. Her internal world was like a vast domain, and the power of the Heaven-Tier Dao Foundation Pill was like myriad stars illuminating the heavens! Amidst this dazzling brilliance, her Dao Foundation emitted an incomparably scorching light, like a colossal sun incinerating the sky and refining the cosmos. Magnificent! Ji Fuyao couldn’t help but exclaim.
“This phenomenon only occurred when I reached the Profound Saint realm in my previous life!”
“This Dao Foundation Pill isn’t just repairing my Dao Foundation; it’s improving my entire body, from blood to bones, from meridians to lungs… everything is being transformed!”
“This Dao Foundation Pill is even more precious than I imagined!”
Ji Fuyao recalled that the myriad Daos, though leading to the ultimate path, ultimately converged. As the saying went, all roads lead to the ultimate! Any Dao, when cultivated to its extreme, would naturally align with the Heavenly Dao and resonate with heaven and earth. And this Heaven-Tier Dao Foundation Pill had reached the pinnacle of alchemy, thus triggering these phenomena within her body! At this moment, her shattered Dao Foundation was continuously being repaired, emitting an incomparably crystalline light, transitioning from broken to complete, from dim to exquisitely radiant. Within Ji Fuyao’s body, her bones were being tempered, emitting a series of ‘clang’ sounds. She was awestruck; this was the very Dao and Rhythms tempering her! Her blood surged like vast rivers, shimmering with peculiar Dao纹 (Dao patterns). These were also the imprints left by the Dao Foundation Pill! Her lungs pulsed with the most astonishing rhythm she had ever experienced, each beat seeming to resonate with the Great Dao itself. She directly comprehended a truly perfect breathing technique!
At this moment, Ji Fuyao was completely stunned. Was this the effect of a supreme-grade Heaven-Tier Dao Foundation Pill? Her comprehension was increasing! Her meridians were being reformed! Her Dao Foundation was becoming flawless and pure! Her hair shone with crystalline brilliance, and her body radiated a sacred light, like a goddess descending to the mortal realm. Her skin became even more supple and fair, like that of a newborn infant. A colossal wave surged in Ji Fuyao’s heart. She was undergoing a profound metamorphosis!