Being a Late Bloomer in the Cultivation World

Strictly speaking, the Foundation Establishment Pill isn’t an absolute necessity for a cultivator’s breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage.

It’s just that without the aid of a Foundation Establishment Pill, a cultivator’s chances of successfully breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage are minuscule.

This is especially true for cultivators with a Lower-Grade Spirit Root. Without a Foundation Establishment Pill, forget a one-in-ten chance of success; they might not even have a one-in-a-hundred chance.

The Cultivation Realm is constantly evolving.

For Lower-Grade Spiritual Root Cultivators, this is a good era.

It is precisely because of elixirs like the Foundation Establishment Pill that the Foundation Establishment Stage is no longer the exclusive domain of highly talented cultivators...

Therefore, what Helian Xiong was calling an "Abnormal Foundation Establishment Technique" was, to be precise, a different method that could greatly increase a cultivator’s chances of reaching Foundation Establishment without the pill.

A few moments later, Wei Tu came back to his senses. A contemplative look crossed his face, as if he were hesitating whether to ask Helian Xiong for more secret details about this mysterious Foundation Establishment Technique.

In reality, however, while Wei Tu was interested in the Foundation Establishment Technique Helian Xiong mentioned, he felt no great desire for it.

After all, he already had a Foundation Establishment Pill in his Storage Bag. He had no need to rely on some Foundation Establishment Technique of dubious origin to advance to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Achieving Foundation Establishment with a Foundation Establishment Pill was the time-tested, reliable path, proven by countless predecessors in the Cultivation Realm.

’If Helian Xiong had a Foundation Establishment Pill,’ Wei Tu mused, ’he would never be considering some so-called ancestral technique. He’d just wait peacefully until he reached Qi Cultivation Perfection, swallow the pill, and find a place to break through.’

—This alternative method of Foundation Establishment was a path chosen only by cultivators who had no hope of ever obtaining a Foundation Establishment Pill.

"I wonder, what is this Abnormal Foundation Establishment Technique you speak of, Fellow Daoist Helian?" Wei Tu asked, playing along with Helian Xiong’s intentions.

Seeing the trace of desire in Wei Tu’s eyes, Helian Xiong nodded to himself.

’Even though Wei Tu is wealthier than I am, there’s a limit to it. Judging by his strength, it’s logical to assume he’ll likely never obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill in his entire life.

’Generally speaking, there are only two conventional ways to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill.

’First, one could take two portions of Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects to the Three Sects and exchange them for a single pill.

’Second, one could provide their own Spiritual Materials, pool resources with others, and find a Tier Two Alchemist to refine one.

’The second method, while less demanding, still requires at least one Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object and an enormous amount of Spirit Stones to hire a Tier Two Alchemist for the Alchemy.

’Every Tier Two Alchemist is an existence with a status even more revered than that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Master.

’It’s incredibly difficult for Qi Cultivation Cultivators to have any dealings with them.

’As for killing someone for their treasures, that’s hardly a legitimate method.’

With this in mind, a smile appeared on Helian Xiong’s face. He hummed thoughtfully for a moment before saying, "This alternative method is called the ’Demon Soul Foundation Establishment Technique.’ It uses the Essence Soul of a Tier Two Demon Beast to help Qi Cultivation Cultivators like us break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage."

"In the past, three of my Helian Family ancestors used this Demon Soul Foundation Establishment Technique to reach the Foundation Establishment Stage."

Noticing a hint of disbelief on Wei Tu’s face, Helian Xiong quickly added this to gain his trust.

"Fellow Daoist Helian, you stopped me today... invited me as a guest, and told me of this Demon Soul Foundation Establishment Technique. You must have a favor to ask of me."

Wei Tu set down his teacup, his expression becoming neutral. In a calm voice, he said, "Please, Fellow Daoist Helian, tell me what this favor is, and why you have sought me out specifically."

’What do I have that Helian Xiong could possibly want?’ he wondered. The only special thing he could think of was his skill in the Talisman Dao, which was quite impressive for the Qi Cultivation Stage. But he couldn’t understand what connection the Demon Soul Foundation Establishment Technique could possibly have with it.

Seeing Wei Tu’s completely composed demeanor, Helian Xiong couldn’t help but marvel at his Qi Cultivation Skill. After all, this was a Foundation Establishment Technique they were talking about.

Helian Xiong began to explain.

He said, "While the Demon Soul Foundation Establishment Technique itself does not require the Talisman Dao, you must understand, Fellow Daoist Wei, how difficult it would be for people of our ability to obtain the Essence Soul of a Tier Two Demon Beast..."

Wei Tu nodded.

A Tier Two Demon Beast was no weaker than a Foundation Establishment Master. For Qi Cultivation Cultivators like them, snatching the Essence Soul of one for Foundation Establishment was nothing short of a fantasy.

"One of my ancestors was good friends with a Tier Two Talisman Master. With his help, they created a type of Top Tier One Talisman."

"This Talisman is called the Demon Refining Talisman."

"Using this Talisman, one can temporarily elevate the Essence Soul of a Tier One Demon Beast to the level of a Tier Two..."

At this point, Helian Xiong paused. "As for why I chose you, Fellow Daoist Wei, the reasons are also very simple..."

"First, your skill in the Talisman Dao."

"You are already a Tier One Middle-Grade Talisman Master, Fellow Daoist Wei. I expect that in a few more decades, you will be able to advance to Tier One Upper Grade."

"At that time, you’ll have the ability to draw this Top Tier One Demon Refining Talisman."

"The second reason... has to do with your personality and how you handle matters..."

"You have a reclusive personality, Fellow Daoist Wei. You’re someone who can keep a secret. Even if you aren’t willing to help me, you won’t casually spread this matter around and bring trouble upon yourself."

Helian Xiong said slowly.

’It’s easy to find a Tier One Upper-Grade Talisman Master, but it’s difficult to find one with whom I have a prior connection and who won’t easily leak the secret.

’This time, I specifically invited Ren Yifeng, a Foundation Establishment Master with whom I had a past connection, not just to call in a favor owed to my father.

’It was also a test for Wei Tu.

’If Wei Tu had tried to curry favor with Ren Yifeng during the meal, I would have never, under any circumstances, chosen him or revealed the Demon Soul Foundation Establishment Technique.’

After listening to Helian Xiong’s explanation, Wei Tu fell silent for a moment.

Then, based on what Helian Xiong had said, he raised two questions.

First, why didn’t Helian Xiong just ask a Foundation Establishment Master like Ren Yifeng to directly hunt a Tier Two Demon Beast and take its Essence Soul for Foundation Establishment?