Chapter 119 – Only Ninety-Five Percent Certain of This Breakthrough—Too Risky

The dangers of realm breakthroughs were almost universally acknowledged among all cultivators.

Even during the Foundation Establishment stage, widely regarded as the ‘safest’ phase by cultivators.

There existed unique risks inherent to this stage.

If a cultivator failed to achieve breakthrough in one attempt during their first try,

Not only would their foundation be damaged, significantly reducing the success rate of future breakthroughs,

But they would also be forever barred from achieving a Heavenly Dao Immortal Foundation above the third grade.

For Lu Chen, who aspired to achieve Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, this price of failure was utterly unacceptable.

Therefore, even though Lu Chen had met the conditions to begin his breakthrough,

His first action wasn’t to choose a location for the breakthrough.

Instead, he sought out everyone in the Azure Cloud Sect who had successfully achieved Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, one by one.

Hoping to learn from their experiences and further increase his success rate for achieving a First-Grade Great Dao Immortal Foundation.

The first person he approached was Yi Hanqing, the Hidden Sword Peak Leader who had achieved a third-grade Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment.

Azure Cloud Sect, Hidden Sword Peak.

“What brings you here, Junior Brother Lu? Is there something important you need?”

Having gained significant insights from his discussion about the Dao with Shangguan Yunmeng, Yi Hanqing was preparing to find a place for secluded cultivation.

After all, the True Immortal Trial was only five years away.

Although Yi Hanqing wasn’t interested in the so-called True Immortal Inheritance from the trial,

Believing that with his status as the ‘Number One Genius Throughout History’, he could ascend to immortality through his own genuine abilities,

He was still quite interested in some special immortal techniques and rare treasures from the True Immortal Trial.

Moreover, he felt that once he successfully reached the Unity Realm, with the strength and potential he would demonstrate by then,

His master would likely no longer prevent him from freely pursuing relationships with ‘enchantresses’ from the mortal world.

Hence, he placed great importance on this period of secluded cultivation.

If it were anyone else visiting, Yi Hanqing would have politely declined and focused on beginning his cultivation.

But Lu Chen was different.

Because during Lu Chen’s discussion about the Dao with Shangguan Yunmeng, Yi Hanqing had sensed the presence of multiple Sword Intents.

Although that feeling had been fleeting,

Yi Hanqing trusted his judgment completely.

This Junior Brother Lu from Dan Yang Peak…

Was definitely not as others believed – someone who had comprehended Sword Intent during his discussion with Shangguan Yunmeng.

He must have comprehended Sword Intent even before the Five Peaks Tournament!

He was a peerless genius, just like Shangguan Yunmeng from Jade Void Mountain, who had comprehended Sword Intent during the Qi Condensation Stage!

For someone as highly self-regarding as Yi Hanqing, only a genius like Lu Chen deserved his serious attention.

Seeing Yi Hanqing take time from his busy schedule to open his cave residence and welcome him, Lu Chen said politely: “Greetings, Senior Brother Yi. I do indeed have some matters I’d like to consult you about. I wonder if this is convenient for you?”

Yi Hanqing was momentarily surprised, then noticed Lu Chen’s cultivation at the peak of Qi Condensation Stage and quickly understood his purpose for visiting.

“Junior Brother Lu, you must be here regarding Foundation Establishment matters, right?”

Lu Chen nodded, then without wasting time, directly asked: “I wonder what preparations Senior Brother made when establishing your foundation back then, and how you achieved Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment?”

Hearing Lu Chen mention the words ‘Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment’…A hint of pride flickered in Yi Hanqing’s eyes.

He then invited Lu Chen into his cave residence and began recounting his own Foundation Establishment experience.

From his description, Lu Chen quickly understood the circumstances of Yi Hanqing’s breakthrough back then.

Overall, Yi Hanqing’s Foundation Establishment process hadn’t been particularly complicated.

The preparations he made were all relatively conventional items:

A spirit-gathering formation, elixirs for restoring spiritual power, Foundation Establishment Stage pills to aid breakthrough, along with some special magic treasures.

These were practically standard preparations every cultivator would make for Foundation Establishment, with nothing particularly extraordinary.

As for why he managed to achieve Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment back then, Yi Hanqing believed that while his natural talent and solid foundation were primary factors, there was also a considerable element of luck during the breakthrough.

If he were to attempt it again, he wouldn’t have complete confidence in achieving Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment once more.

Hearing this, Lu Chen nodded calmly.

He then prepared to inquire with the next person.

But just as Lu Chen was about to leave, Yi Hanqing, as if remembering something, advised: “Junior Brother Lu, although my method might not necessarily be useful, I think you could consider trying it.”

Lu Chen turned back and asked curiously: “Please enlighten me, Senior Brother.”

“It’s actually quite simple – when you attempt Foundation Establishment, it’s best to choose an auspicious date.”

“In my case, I chose to breakthrough on my birthday. You might consider whether you want to do the same.”

“After all, this method is rather metaphysical, and I can’t guarantee it will work, Senior Brother.”

Breaking through on one’s birthday…

Lu Chen pondered for a moment before expressing gratitude: “Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother. I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Don’t mention it. This is just an unverifiable special method with uncertain effects.”

“But I imagine if you breakthrough on your birthday, your mental state would definitely be better than usual.”

“After all, having been through it myself, I know exactly how nervous cultivators get during their first breakthrough.”

Though Yi Hanqing said this, Lu Chen still thanked him: “Senior Brother’s words are most reasonable. I’ve learned much from your advice. I won’t disturb your seclusion any further.”

“No trouble at all, it was just a small favor.”

After leaving Yi Hanqing’s cave residence, Lu Chen headed toward Azure Cloud Peak.

Before long, he found Meow King sunbathing outside his cave residence.

“Senior Brother Wu Miao, your junior brother Lu Chen pays his respects.”

Hearing Lu Chen’s voice, Meow King’s plump orange cat body rolled over on the lawn and stood up.

“What’s up, Junior Brother Lu? Why have you come looking for this meow all of a sudden? Did Old Jing send you to call me for a game of chess?”

Seeing Meow King’s puzzled expression, Lu Chen explained: “This has nothing to do with Master. I came to see you on my own business, Senior Brother Wu Miao.”

Meow King looked at Lu Chen in surprise and asked: “What is it?”

“I wanted to ask what preparations you made during your Foundation Establishment, and how you achieved Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment?”

“Oh, that!”

Meow King patted his round belly and said: “Actually, there wasn’t anything special about my Foundation Establishment back then. I just chose a spot in the mountains to attempt breakthrough when my cultivation reached the appropriate level.”

“If I had to name something special, perhaps it was that Mister Fox helped me write an ‘Ode to Heaven’ before my breakthrough.””After all, Mister Fox said that while the great Dao appears formless, it actually has form. Every action of us living beings is under the watchful gaze of the great Dao.”

“So if I could maintain a better attitude during my breakthrough and say some nice words to the heavens, it might make the breakthrough easier.”

“That’s why Mister Fox helped me write an ‘Ode to Heaven’ and told me to chant it to the heavens during my breakthrough.”

“I’m not sure if that ‘Ode to Heaven’ actually worked, but my breakthrough at that time was indeed quite smooth, and I completed Foundation Establishment very quickly.”

Hearing this, Lu Chen asked curiously: “May I ask who this Mister Fox is?”

“You mean him? Mister Fox is the only educated one in our mountains and the first Spirit Beast to leave our Great Cool Mountain. Many Spirit Beasts in our Great Cool Mountain received their initial education from him when we were young.”

Upon hearing this, an image immediately formed in Lu Chen’s mind – a fox holding a feather fan and wearing a scholar’s headscarf.

But how did Meow King, originally a Spirit Beast living in Great Cool Mountain, end up deceiving people in the mountains near Jade Void Mountain, eventually getting caught by Yi Hanqing and sent to Azure Cloud Sect?

Perhaps guessing Lu Chen’s thoughts, Meow King sighed: “You must be wondering why I appeared around Jade Void Mountain, right?”

Lu Chen nodded.

“It’s all because Mister Fox went down the mountain to take the imperial examinations later on. I thought there wasn’t much to do staying in the mountains, so I came down to play.”

“Who would have thought that before I could play for long, I was found by this guy Yi Hanqing.”

“Actually, thinking back carefully, I was quite lucky back then. If it had been cultivators from other schools instead of Yi Hanqing, they might have just chopped me down as a troublemaking demon.”

“Don’t be surprised. Not all schools in this world are like Azure Cloud Sect, preferring to let go rather than kill wrongly.”

“Many schools don’t care whether you’re a Spirit Beast or a Yao Beast – they’ll try to subdue you first when they meet you, and if they can’t subdue you, they’ll just kill you. Completely unreasonable.”

Lu Chen didn’t comment much on the practices of other schools.

Because this was indeed a very common phenomenon.

But the matter of Mister Fox going down the mountain to take imperial examinations really made Lu Chen quite curious.

Could foxes take imperial examinations these days?

“Did the Mister Fox you mentioned pass the exams?”

“I don’t know, but I imagine there shouldn’t be any problem.”

“Because before I left Great Cool Mountain, he had already become a Recommended Man of the Great Wei Dynasty.”

“He said that once he passes the top imperial examination, he would apply to the emperor to become an official around Great Cool Mountain. That way, many Spirit Beasts from our Great Cool Mountain could visit the mortal world more often instead of being confined to the mountains.”

Hearing this, Lu Chen suddenly felt some admiration for the Mister Fox mentioned by Meow King.

For a fox demon to have such foresight.

In the Spirit Beast world accustomed to the law of the jungle, this was undoubtedly an anomaly.

Not to mention that he had already become a Recommended Man before Meow King left.

It seemed this Mister Fox had truly put considerable effort into mortal literature.

Thinking this, Lu Chen sighed: “If I have time in the future, I’d really like to pay respects to the Mister Fox you mentioned, Senior Brother. He must be an elderly gentleman of outstanding knowledge and rich experience.”

Meow King nodded: “Sure, I’ll call you when I go down the mountain later. I happen to be planning to go down the mountain to take a look in a while.””After all, it’s been six or seven years since I left Great Cool Mountain. It’s about time I went back for a visit.”

“However, Junior Brother, your current cultivation level is still somewhat lacking. Let’s discuss this matter after you achieve your breakthrough.”

Lu Chen nodded, then bid farewell to Meow King.

Just like with Yi Hanqing before, he still hadn’t managed to obtain any reliable breakthrough methods from Meow King.

He only received an esoteric method of ‘writing a “Hymn to Heaven Scripture” in advance.’

Whether it would be useful or not, there would be no cost to trying it when the time came, so he made a note of it!

After leaving Azure Cloud Peak, Lu Chen went to visit the last person on his list.

That was his master, Spirit Fire Daoist, Jing Gong.

“What’s the matter, Xiao Lu? You’re here for your Foundation Establishment breakthrough, aren’t you?”

Lu Chen nodded and said politely, “Reporting to Master, this disciple has indeed come for the breakthrough.”

“Before that, I’d like to ask Master about matters that require attention during Foundation Establishment, and whether there are any special items that need preparation.”

Upon hearing this, Jing Gong immediately had Lu Chen sit down and thoroughly explained matters related to Foundation Establishment.

According to Jing Gong’s description, a cultivator’s Foundation Establishment is essentially a process of ‘condensing Qi into liquid.’

During this process, a cultivator’s approximate Foundation Establishment grade is actually determined before the actual breakthrough.

There are actually very few things a cultivator can decide at the final moment.

After all, Foundation Establishment is different from subsequent Core Formation and Nascent Soul stages.

Except for the First-Grade Great Dao Immortal Foundation, most cultivators won’t experience Heavenly Tribulation during Foundation Establishment.

And even the Heavenly Tribulation that appears with the First-Grade Great Dao Immortal Foundation is much weaker in both intensity and quantity compared to the tribulations of Core Formation and Nascent Soul stages.

Therefore, most cultivators don’t need to consider this issue during Foundation Establishment.

Based on the above, Jing Gong believed that the most important aspects during Foundation Establishment were actually just two things.

One was choosing a safe environment, and the other was maintaining the right mindset.

Because the reasons many cultivators fail to establish their foundation successfully are either due to an unstable foundation and insufficient preparation, or problems with their mindset.

Lu Chen’s foundation and preparation were clearly more than adequate – all he needed to focus on now was his mental state.

On this point, what Jing Gong said was actually quite similar to what Meow King and Yi Hanqing had mentioned.

Whether it was Yi Hanqing choosing to break through on his birthday, or Meow King’s approach of first writing a “Hymn to Heaven Scripture” to please the heavens before attempting breakthrough – these were essentially seeking psychological comfort to help them maintain calm during the breakthrough.

Thinking of this, Lu Chen asked, “Then what did Master do when you were breaking through back then?”

Jing Gong thought for a moment and said, “Actually, I didn’t do much. I just bathed, changed clothes, adjusted my mindset, and then broke through naturally.”

Hearing this, Lu Chen thought for a moment before saying, “I understand. This disciple now has a clear idea.”

At this point, Jing Gong also understood that Lu Chen was probably preparing to begin his Foundation Establishment.

He immediately took out a storage bag and handed it to him.

“Keep this storage bag safe. It contains many elixirs I specially refined for your Foundation Establishment, as well as some other items that can assist with the breakthrough.”

“In addition, there’s also a key to a special grotto-heaven inside. You can go there for your breakthrough – it’s located behind my cave residence.””This way, I guarantee no one will disturb you during your breakthrough, and if anything unexpected happens, I can arrive immediately.”

Lu Chen accepted the storage bag and expressed his gratitude: “Thank you, Master.”

“No need for thanks. After all, I went through the same process back in my day.”

“By the way, while you were in seclusion, that girl Shangguan from Jade Void Mountain came looking for you once.”

“But since I noticed you seemed to be at a critical juncture, I declined on your behalf for the time being.”

“When you have free time later, you can visit Jade Void Mountain to see her. I think she had something she wanted to tell you.”

Lu Chen was momentarily stunned, then quickly realized why Shangguan Yunmeng had sought him out.

If he wasn’t mistaken, it was probably because he had perceived the Immortal’s shadow within the Bright Moon Sword Intent.

Thinking this, Lu Chen nodded and said: “Understood, Master. I’ll keep this matter in mind.”

Jing Gong said with a laugh: “That girl possesses True Immortal aptitude. If you can actually win her over, it would be a great achievement for our Azure Cloud Sect. I have high hopes for you!”

Seeing the mischievous expression on Jing Gong’s face, Lu Chen’s mouth twitched slightly.

Win her over? He’d only met her once or twice.

At most, they were merely nodding acquaintances. Master, your matchmaking attempts are rather forced!

Not dwelling further on the topic, Lu Chen promptly bid farewell to Jing Gong and headed toward the special cave residence prepared for him.

Before long, Lu Chen found a self-contained blessed land behind Jing Gong’s cave.

After taking out the cave key, Lu Chen strode inside.

Upon entering the cave residence, Lu Chen immediately sensed a rich concentration of spiritual power.

Looking carefully, he noticed an enormous Azure Cloud Apricot Tree growing within the cave.

[Name: Azure Cloud Apricot Tree (Five Thousand Years Old)]

[Quality: Perfect]

[Effect: Increases spiritual power concentration fivefold within a ten-kilometer radius]

[Special Effect: Mental Clarity and Qi Purification – Can calm a cultivator’s mental state, reducing susceptibility to Qi Deviation]

“No wonder Master wanted me to breakthrough here. With this five-thousand-year-old Azure Cloud Apricot Tree present, it will indeed make my breakthrough twice as effective with half the effort.”

Besides this special Azure Cloud Apricot Tree, Lu Chen also noticed numerous formation markings throughout the cave residence.

These formations varied in type – some were defensive formations, others were spirit-gathering formations.

There were also some formations whose purposes Lu Chen couldn’t discern.

This place was likely prepared by Jing Gong for his own future breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Stage.

But since Lu Chen needed to breakthrough now, Jing Gong had lent him the cave residence first.

Thinking this, Lu Chen once again felt deeply touched by his standing in Jing Gong’s heart.

Although he was currently only an Inner Disciple, not yet a True Disciple,

In Jing Gong’s eyes, he was already no different from a True Disciple.

As long as he completed his Foundation Establishment, he could immediately become a Direct Lineage Disciple of Danyang Peak.

Lu Chen proceeded to the depths of the cave residence and opened the storage bag given to him by Jing Gong.

Soon, he had removed all the contents and placed them before him.

There were quite a few items, but the main ones were actually just these:

[Name: Foundation Pill]

[Quality: Perfect]

[Effect: After consumption, greatly increases Foundation Establishment success rate. Maximum ten pills per day]

[Name: Qi Blood Pill]

[Quality: Perfect][Effect: After consumption, restores one’s own Qi and Blood in a short period of time. Can be consumed multiple times.]

[Spirit Return Pill]

[Quality: Perfect]

[Effect: After consumption, restores one’s own Spiritual Power in a short period of time. Can be consumed multiple times.]

Unlike ordinary elixirs that reduce efficacy after multiple uses,

Perfect quality proves these pills contain minimal impurities, causing little impact on cultivators even with repeated consumption.

Besides the elixirs, Lu Chen also found two Magic Treasures in his Storage Bag.

Indeed, not Magical Artifacts, but genuine Magic Treasures.

[Name: Shangqing Cloud Sword]

[Grade: Second Realm (Growable)]

[Quality: Perfect]

[Trait 1·Gentle Breeze: The Spirit Sword rides the wind, greatly increasing sword flight speed]

[Trait 2·Light Division: Can split into twelve subsidiary swords for combat]

[Name: Nine Luminaries Spirit Orb]

[Grade: Second Realm (Non-growable)]

[Quality: Perfect]

[Trait 1·Orb Protection: Forms protective spiritual light that withstands attacks below Golden Core Stage]

[Trait 2·Spirit Nourishment: Increases Spiritual Power limit and absorption rate by 1000 points for each Spirit Root attribute. Only effective below Golden Core Stage]

Two Magic Treasures: one Shangqing Cloud Sword, one Nine Luminaries Spirit Orb.

Both were tremendously significant for Lu Chen.

Particularly the Nine Luminaries Spirit Orb – its enhancement for Lu Chen was extraordinary.

Because it increased the Spiritual Power limit by 1000 points for each Spirit Root.

And Lu Chen possessed supreme-grade Five Elements Spiritual Roots.

This equivalently granted him an additional ‘5000 points’ of Spiritual Power capacity.

Not to mention it also accelerated his Spiritual Power absorption rate.

Without doubt, these two treasures seemed tailor-made for him.

Clearly, Jing Gong had carefully selected these specific Magic Treasures for Lu Chen after thorough consideration.

Reflecting on this, Lu Chen once again sensed that beneath Jing Gong’s seemingly unreliable exterior lay a truly steady and dependable heart.

Following such a Master truly promised great prospects!

“Breakthrough location secured, elixirs obtained, Magic Treasures acquired. Of the three factors – Heavenly timing, Earthly advantage, and Human harmony – I’ve already secured the latter two. Now only the final Heavenly timing remains.”

With this thought, Lu Chen immediately checked his status panel.

Actually, several days earlier, when his cultivation reached Qi Condensation Stage Perfection, he had already unlocked the ‘Realm Breakthrough’ attribute panel.

But at that time, Lu Chen felt the success rate for achieving First-Grade Great Dao Immortal Foundation was insufficient, so he hadn’t rushed to break through.

[Foundation Establishment Stage Breakthrough Panel]

[Mortal Dao Foundation Establishment Success Rate: 1%]

[Earthly Dao Foundation Establishment Success Rate: 4%]

[Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment Success Rate: 95%]

“The current success rate for Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment is only ninety-five percent. How much of this belongs to First-Grade Great Dao Immortal Foundation remains unknown to me – this is far too unstable.”

“Since I can no longer improve Earthly advantage and Human harmony, it seems I can only seek Heavenly timing.”

“Whether it’s Yi Hanqing’s selected birth date, or Meow King’s ‘Ode to Heaven Scripture’, or even Master Jing Gong’s ritual bathing and changing clothes…”

“Though these are merely metaphysical methods, if I implement them all, they should somewhat increase my Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment success rate.”

Coincidentally, due to the game’s ten-to-one time ratio with reality,

Three days later in the game would be his actual birth date.

Lu Chen decided to attempt his breakthrough on that very day.In addition, he also needed to compose a “Hymn to Heaven” to see if he could please the heavens and make his Breakthrough smoother.

He already had a complete breakthrough process in mind.

‘First, burn incense and bathe to adjust my mindset.’

‘Then chant praises to please the heavens.’

‘Finally, perform three kneelings and nine prostrations to thank the heavens.’

After going through this entire process, the heavens should… be more amenable to reason, right?

Thinking this, Lu Chen immediately began composing his “Ode to the Heavens Scripture”…

In addition, the real-world Lu Chen also asked Chen Fugui for many Elixirs required for his Breakthrough.

Attending to both reality and the game simultaneously—a two-pronged approach!

(End of Chapter)