Chapter 206: Jade Marrow Pill

“Are you sure you want to apply for your Foundation Establishment Trinity?”

At Chicheng Mountain Building No. 1, Teacher Luo frowned as he looked at the clear-faced young man before him. If he remembered correctly, this person was only a third-year student. Was he really going to attempt Foundation Establishment so soon? While most new students at the Weapons Dao Academy were already at Qi Refining Stage Nine upon admission, the majority typically waited until after their sixth year to try Foundation Establishment. While it wasn't unheard of for third-year students, Chen Mobai was the first in their current cohort.

“Yes, Teacher Luo, I feel I've hit a bottleneck, and it's time to try the next step.”

“You've mastered the Threshold Method?”

“Yes, I was fortunate enough to comprehend it.”

Hearing this, Luo Hezheng's face showed approval. This child was indeed a genius. Perhaps he truly could be the first in their cohort to successfully establish his foundation, apart from Zhongli Tianyu. Knowing that the student before him had already mastered the Threshold Method, Luo Hezheng didn't press further. He immediately retrieved a complete set of the Foundation Establishment Trinity, a standard benefit for all students of the academy.

“Teacher Luo, I also want to exchange academic credits for two portions of Profound Fire Elixir.”

“Two portions?” Luo Hezheng confirmed, showing no surprise that Chen Mobai wanted to exchange for two. After Chen Mobai nodded, he swiped his student ID and took out two fist-sized, dark red elixirs.

“Thank you, Teacher Luo.”

After receiving his Foundation Establishment Trinity and two portions of Profound Fire Elixir, Chen Mobai returned to his rented wooden house and called Qing Nü.

“How much longer until your brother arrives?”

“About two days, I just gave him that 'Jade Marrow Pill' yesterday.”

“Thank you so much, you wasted your valuable academic credits again.”

“It's fine, I'm willing. Besides, didn't you exchange it with Profound Fire Elixir? It's an equal exchange.”

Though she said so, Chen Mobai knew that Qing Nü, with her Heavenly Spiritual Root, didn't need these things for Foundation Establishment. After hanging up, Chen Mobai thought about how to repay Qing Nü's kindness in the future.

The "Jade Marrow Pill" was a spiritual item from Goumang Daoist Academy that aided Foundation Establishment. Like the Profound Fire Elixir, it could increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment by ten percent. Taking this pill helped cultivators complete the marrow cleansing process. While the "Jade Marrow Pill" wasn't particularly potent on its own, when combined with the "Profound Fire Elixir," the first step of Foundation Establishment – Muscle Transformation and Marrow Cleansing – could be achieved with 100% success. Chen Mobai had heard this from Wang Xingyu in the Alchemy Department. Older students often contacted Goumang Daoist Academy to exchange the Weapons Dao Academy's Profound Fire Elixir for "Jade Marrow Pills."

Since it concerned Foundation Establishment, Chen Mobai could only shamelessly bring up the matter to Qing Nü. The latter listened and agreed without any hesitation. Qing Nü originally intended to give it to Chen Mobai, but he felt unworthy and insisted on giving her an equal amount of Profound Fire Elixir in return. Qing Nü seemed to consider his feelings and nodded in agreement after some hesitation. Although she didn't need the Profound Fire Elixir, she could use it for her younger siblings. Kong Feichen also reached Qi Refining completion this year and was preparing for Foundation Establishment. Qing Nü had already obtained a Jade Marrow Pill for him. With the addition of the Weapons Dao Academy's Profound Fire Elixir, his Variant Spiritual Root talent, and the Foundation Establishment Trinity, his success was virtually guaranteed.

Two days passed quickly. When Kong Feichen knocked, Chen Mobai was in the middle of drawing a Crimson Flame Sword Talisman.

“Coming.”

“This is the Jade Marrow Pill; you can check it.” Kong Feichen entered and placed a milky white pill, frozen in a block of ice, on the table.

“You're Qing Nü's brother; I naturally trust you.” Chen Mobai didn't check. After taking the Jade Marrow Pill, he handed over a bottle of Profound Fire Elixir he had prepared earlier. Kong Feichen took it without looking, put it in his pocket, and turned to leave.

“Aren't you staying for dinner?”

“I'll treat you after I establish my foundation.” Kong Feichen's words made Chen Mobai speechless; this guy always seemed to want to surpass him.

Looking at the Jade Marrow Pill, the Profound Fire Elixir, and the Foundation Establishment Trinity, Chen Mobai couldn't help but recall last year's sect competition. In the crucial 48-to-24 match, he had faced Muyuan, the fourth-ranked true disciple, and was utterly defenseless. Reviewing it afterward, comparing it with Revered Qingping's theory, he felt the main reason was that his cultivation level wasn't high enough. But he was already at Qi Refining Stage Nine; going higher would mean Foundation Establishment.

Chen Mobai's mind was very flexible, not bound by the Tianhe Realm's belief that Foundation Establishment could only be achieved with a Foundation Establishment Pill. At the end of the third semester, he felt he shouldn't waste the Threshold Method he had attained with the Spirit Enlightenment Dao Comprehension Pill. He felt it necessary to hold his cultivation at the critical threshold. Even if this Foundation Establishment attempt wasn't successful, he could still push his Qi Refining Stage Nine to its absolute peak. With the Jade Marrow Pill and Profound Fire Elixir, he could 100% complete Muscle Transformation and Marrow Cleansing. Coupled with the Foundation Establishment Trinity and years of hard-cultivated spiritual power vortex, he should also be able to reach the step of Qi Condensation to Liquidification. Since his Qi Refining Stage Nine wasn't fully complete, his Foundation Establishment Treasure predicted only a 26% success rate for this attempt, but Chen Mobai didn't intend to succeed in one go. He planned to leverage the Threshold Method to achieve "Half-Step Foundation Establishment." With this level of cultivation, he could definitely dominate everyone in this year's sect competition.

“Muyuan, just you wait!” Though he knew his combat skills were average, his utterly defenseless performance against Muyuan last year still bothered Chen Mobai.

After confirming the Jade Marrow Pill was fine with the teachers at the Weapons Dao Academy, Chen Mobai applied for a mid-grade Tier 3 spiritual vein cultivation room and began his first Foundation Establishment attempt. He first consumed a "Meridian Protection Pill." Once its medicinal properties spread throughout his body, he picked up the Profound Fire Elixir and drank it in one gulp. Instantly, it felt as if a stream of heat plunged into his Dantian Qi Sea, then merged with his Longevity Spiritual Power, flowing through his Twelve Main Meridians as it circulated through his body. Chen Mobai began to sweat, but he knew this was normal for Profound Fire Elixir. He then took the Jade Marrow Pill. Soon after, he felt a tingling sensation beginning in all his bones, especially in his spine, where there was even a faint ache...

“Junior Brother Chen, here's your magical artifact for this year.”

In the Spiritual Plant Department, Lu Jun smilingly handed him a Tier 2 low-grade Divine Wood Sword.

“Oh, did Inspector Sun put in a good word this year?” Chen Mobai took his first Tier 2 magical artifact with a touch of surprise, even though it was merely on loan from the department.

“The Vice Minister originally disagreed, after all, Senior Brother Li Li was his protégé. However, the Minister held a grudge against the Vice Minister due to the incident involving Senior Brother Liu Guilong last time. When Inspector Sun brought it up, the Minister immediately agreed, two votes to one, so Junior Brother Chen, your Divine Wood Sword was approved for your use.” Chen Mobai felt his gifted wine wasn't wasted. After taking the sword, he flicked it with a finger, and it hummed like a dragon's roar.

“Senior Brother Lu, if I secure the top true disciple position this year, do you think I'll get a share of that batch of Foundation Establishment Pills Martial Uncle Zeng is refining?”