My low-key cultivation of immortality was discovered by the emperor in my diary.

Chapter 398 Researching Elixir Formulas, Transforming into a Foundation Establishment Stage

Listening to the Wind Cliff.

Since obtaining the recipe for the third-order Five Elements Pill, Nangong Xue has locked herself in the alchemy room and devoted herself to its study, neglecting to eat or sleep.

She collected materials from all over the place and tried to open the furnace several times. She was extremely careful at every step. However, even though the steps were clear, she still made mistakes in the process.

The extraction and technique were fine, but how to perfectly integrate the power of the five elements into the pills time and time again was something she couldn't figure out, which made her feel frustrated.

As a result, during these past few months, while Chu Lengyu was on missions and going through all sorts of hardships, her master, Nangong Xue, never inquired about her affairs in the slightest.

Her mind was completely absorbed in alchemy, forgetting the passage of time and the disturbances of the outside world.

Until this day.

A knock on the door broke the silence in the alchemy room.

Nangong Xue was suddenly jolted awake from her reverie. She looked up, her face full of exhaustion, and a hint of annoyance flashed in her eyes.

"Come in." Her voice was a little hoarse; she couldn't remember the last time she had a proper rest.

Chu Lengyu pushed open the door and entered, seeing that she looked a little haggard. Although she knew Nangong Xue's passion for alchemy, she was still worried about her health.

Chu Lengyu's gaze swept across the alchemy room. She noticed the scattered alchemy materials, all of which were of the five elements, clearly prepared for the refining of some special kind of pill.

She had a slight thought and made a mental note of it, but did not ask directly.

Nangong Xue noticed her gaze, smiled helplessly, and then explained, "Sigh, I recently obtained a fragment of a prescription by chance and am trying to deduce its complete formula. So, the materials are a bit disorganized."

Chu Lengyu nodded, indicating her understanding.

The art of alchemy is complex and profound, and cannot be mastered overnight. It often requires countless trials and improvements before one can finally succeed in refining elixirs.

"Master, is this pill formula very important?" Chu Lengyu asked softly, her tone tinged with concern.

However, she already knew in her heart that with her master so dedicated, this pill formula must be extraordinary.

Nangong Xue sighed, her eyes filled with complex emotions, and replied vaguely, "This formula is extremely difficult; I am still figuring it out."

Chu Lengyu was silent for a while, then said, "Master, if there is anything I can help you with, please let me know. Although I am not an expert in alchemy, I may be able to assist you and provide some new ideas."

Upon hearing this, Nangong Xue felt a warmth in her heart. Moreover, she knew that this disciple was extremely talented and had unique insights that set him apart from others, which might truly inspire her.

“Okay, if I really need help, I won’t hesitate to ask.” Nangong Xue replied with a smile.

Her gaze immediately fell on the jade box in Chu Lengyu's hand, and she exclaimed in surprise, "Are you preparing to establish your foundation?!"

Chu Lengyu nodded.

She knew her master's mind was focused on alchemy, but this matter was quite important, so it was better to inform him in advance: "Yes, I'm ready. I'll begin my foundation-building seclusion today."

Nangong Xue stood there stunned for a moment.

Recalling her Qi Refining stage experiences, she murmured to herself: So fast... How much time did it take me to go from the beginning of Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment...?

After regaining her senses, Nangong Xue showed a relieved smile. She walked up to Chu Lengyu and gently patted her shoulder: "Your growth rate has exceeded my expectations. Your master is very pleased. Go ahead and rest assured, your master will be here waiting for good news."

After speaking, Nangong Xue's gaze fell on the alchemy furnace again.

Chu Lengyu didn't say anything more; she knew that Nangong Xue's mind had returned to alchemy.

She quietly left the alchemy room, closed the door, and wished her that her wish would come true.

However, Nangong Xue, who was in the alchemy room, did not immediately devote herself to the study of the pill formula.

She couldn't help but reflect on whether she had been too lax in her cultivation since advancing to the Golden Core stage.

Senior Brother Yu's aptitude was not as outstanding as mine, and his elixirs were not as plentiful. However, he broke through to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm earlier than me.

What's more, even her own disciple, Chu Lengyu, is about to enter the Foundation Establishment stage, a speed that shocked her.

At this rate, I'm afraid that in the near future, Chu Lengyu will catch up with, or even surpass, me!

This thought, like a bolt of lightning, jolted her awake.

Nangong Xue was startled and put down the pill formula, but after a moment, she picked it up again.

Sigh, since she promised Senior Brother Yu, she shouldn't have given up halfway.

……

the other side.

Back in her quiet room, Chu Lengyu began preparing for the various matters related to Foundation Establishment.

Foundation building lays the foundation for a cultivator's path to immortality, and its significance is extraordinary.

Having already experienced this once, she quickly set up all the formations and auxiliary materials.

The room was simple, with only a futon in the center. The surrounding walls were engraved with calming and concentration runes, and the air was filled with a faint fragrance of spiritual herbs, which helped to stabilize the mind.

Then, Chu Lengyu sat down cross-legged, placed the jade box on her lap, took a deep breath, and calmed herself down.

She gently opened the jade box, and a rich medicinal fragrance wafted out.

The Foundation Building Pill was round and smooth like a pearl, emitting a faint glow.

Without the slightest hesitation, Chu Lengyu put the Foundation Establishment Pill into her mouth. The pill melted instantly upon entering her mouth, and a warm current flowed down her throat into her abdomen, quickly spreading to her limbs and bones.

She immediately closed her eyes, formed a hand seal, and began to guide this power.

The Foundation Establishment Pill transformed into abundant spiritual energy, impacting her dantian and meridians, attempting to broaden and strengthen them so that they could accommodate even more powerful spiritual energy.

Nangong Xue paid close attention to the changes in spiritual energy and activated the protective array on Listening Wind Cliff early on, firmly protecting the area.

She will protect her and will not allow any petty people with ill intentions to deliberately disturb her.

A faint, ethereal light swirled around the cliff edge, enveloping the entire area like a veil.

The activation of the formation was like a signal, and everyone in the Hundred Swords Pavilion knew that Chu Lengyu was attempting to establish her foundation, so they all turned their attention to her.

Some disciples held their breath, silently cheering for Chu Lengyu; others whispered among themselves, speculating whether she could succeed.

In the distance, the sect leader had already learned that Chu Lengyu had used sect contributions to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill. Now that he saw the Listening Wind Cliff formation open, he naturally understood everything.

He looked up at the sky, not worried about her failing to establish her foundation, but thinking that since Chu Lengyu was going to establish her foundation, he could no longer let her be willful and waste her innate talent for swordsmanship.

Coincidentally, the day to open Sword Island is fast approaching.