Mythical Cultivation

Wu Ming and his companions inquired about the prices of the Foundation Establishment Pill and the Meridian Protection Pill from the surrounding senior disciples. The Meridian Protection Pill was reasonably priced, costing only around one thousand spirit stones, which was acceptable. However, the Foundation Establishment Pill was much more expensive, requiring at least three thousand spirit stones per pill, comparable to the price of a top-grade magical instrument. The combined cost of both pills started at four thousand spirit stones, a price not easily affordable for the average cultivator.

No wonder Qingyun Sect recruits approximately 400 to 500 disciples every ten years, and all of these disciples are gifted and possess exceptional aptitudes. Logically speaking, even if there's no guarantee that everyone will succeed in building their foundation, considering the success rate is at least 70%, then at least two-thirds of the disciples should be able to successfully reach the foundation-building stage.

However, according to what Wu Ming had learned, only 30% of the disciples in each batch were actually able to successfully establish their foundation. This showed that simply relying on rapidly improving one's own cultivation was far from enough to achieve a breakthrough to the foundation-building stage. One must possess sufficient resources to support this breakthrough.

Furthermore, Foundation Establishment Pills and Meridian Protection Pills are not only expensive but also precious, not necessarily available for purchase with just spirit stones. While a major sect like the Qingyun Sect produces several batches of Foundation Establishment Pills annually, these aren't enough to fully support the outer disciples. Furthermore, some of these pills are auctioned off to generate spirit stones, as the Qingyun Sect isn't a charity. It's important to note that Foundation Establishment Pills sold at auction outside can fetch 20% to 30% more than those sold within the sect, and the proceeds from these auctions can generate several times more profit than what the sect can absorb within.

Therefore, purchasing Foundation Establishment Pills within the sect is the most cost-effective. Purchasing one outside the sect costs at least four thousand spirit stones. Sometimes, when demand is high and the pills are scarce, a single Foundation Establishment Pill can even fetch over four thousand spirit stones. Only Qingyun Sect disciples can enjoy these low prices, which is considered a perk for Qingyun Sect members.

After figuring out the matters concerning breaking through the Foundation Establishment Realm, the few of them left the square and were about to return to the area where the outer disciples lived when they were stopped by a group of people.

"Stop right there! You've been hiding for so long, and now we finally have an opportunity. Let's see where you can run today."

The people who came were Liu Lei's group. It was one of the outer disciples, Zhang Yiming, who told them to stop. They had also been listening to the sermon when they saw Wu Ming and his group. They immediately rose up and stopped them. Upon seeing this, some of the surrounding outer disciples also stood away, fearing they would be implicated.

Although there were many disciples around, including quite a few at the ninth level of Qi Refining, most of them were preparing to reach the Foundation Establishment stage and no one would participate in these fights. This also led to Liu Lei and his group becoming the bullies among the outer disciples, of course, because of his backers, who were not easily offended.

"I thought it was someone else, but it turns out to be you, my defeated general. A good dog doesn't block the road, so get out of the way if you know what's good for you."

Huang Hao spoke up. In a previous conflict, Zhang Yiming, who was at the eighth level of Qi Refining, was defeated by Huang Hao, who was at the seventh level of Qi Refining, in just a few moves. This was a great humiliation. Now that Huang Hao brought it up in person, he was so angry that he wanted to rush up and start a fight with Huang Hao, but was stopped by Liu Lei with a look.

"Tsk tsk tsk... You are indeed worthy of being the person that Senior Brother Wang values! You are indeed extremely talented and extraordinary! However, you should also have some idea in your heart - in our Qingyun Sect, there are countless people with outstanding talents like you! But even so, not everyone can successfully build a foundation and become an inner disciple!

You know, in the world of cultivation, talent alone isn't enough! The number of so-called "geniuses" who died prematurely is simply too numerous to mention! So, besides talent, there's another, even more crucial factor: choosing your side! Only by choosing the right side and aligning yourself properly can you have a smooth, unimpeded journey on the path of cultivation.

I think you should understand what I mean by this, right? As long as you are willing to be loyal to me, the hardships and obstacles you will encounter in your future cultivation will be greatly reduced."

Liu Lei spoke arrogantly to Wu Ming and his group in a condescending and overbearing manner.

"We appreciate Brother Liu's kindness, but we just want to practice well and have no interest in taking sides. If Brother Liu doesn't have anything else to do, please step aside."

Hou Tiancheng was unaware of the entanglement and immediately spoke to Liu Lei in a calm tone.

"It seems you're going to refuse my toast and then drink the wine for punishment. Since you don't know what's good for you, don't blame me for being rude. Don't let any of them go. Make a quick decision. Confiscate their storage bags and break a leg for each of them. Let them know what the consequences are of opposing me, Liu Lei."

Liu Lei waved to his group of men and said, "Although there were only six of them today, all of them were at the late stage of Qi Refining." Liu Lei looked down upon those below that level, and only accepted elites into his team.

A group of people surrounded Wu Ming and the other six. Hou Tiancheng and Liang Yuanliang were caught in this misfortune completely unintentionally, unaware of the filth surrounding it. However, as friends of Wu Ming and his three companions, they naturally stepped up to help their friends in need. Wu Ming, Mei Lingshuang, and Huang Hao were all at the seventh level of Qi Refining, while Hou Tiancheng, Liang Yuanliang, and Zhao Xiaohai were all at the sixth level.

Six men surrounded them, a perfect six-on-six situation. However, the six on the opposite side were all at the eighth level of Qi Refining, while Huang Hao, the highest-level cultivator among Wu Ming's six, was only at the peak of the seventh level, not yet at the eighth level. The six on the opposite side were all at the eighth level, and Liu Lei, at the ninth level, was watching closely. Escape was going to be difficult. Although Wu Ming and his companions had prepared to fight Liu Lei and his group to the bitter end, they hadn't expected this day to arrive so soon, catching them off guard.

The six opponents each summoned their own magical weapons, all mid-grade flying swords, and each chose to fight one opponent. This was a real challenge for Zhao Xiaohai and the other two. After just one or two rounds, they defeated them without a fight. Of the three, only Zhao Xiaohai and Hou Tiancheng possessed mid-grade magical weapons. Liang Yuanliang, having studied formations, had devoted most of his energy to studying them, so he hadn't changed his magical weapons much and still used his original Qingyun Sword. Therefore, he was the weakest of the group.