Immortality and Cultivation: This old man seeks enlightenment through mere survival.

Time flies, and the flow never stops.

Three years have passed in the blink of an eye...

The wind still blows gently on Yunli Mountain, the sea of ​​clouds still rolls and swirls, the sun rises and the moon sets, as if everything were just as it was yesterday.

On this day, the sky was bright and clear, without a single cloud in the sky.

The atmosphere in front of the Nanming Hall was quietly tense.

Su Li, dressed in simple white robes, sat cross-legged on a futon in the center of the square in front of the palace, her eyes closed and her expression serene.

Her aura was perfectly balanced and full, indicating that she had reached the perfect stage of Qi Refining.

Today is the day she attempts to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Her grandfather, Su Xuanhuo, stood not far away, his face solemn, his magical power concealed, personally protecting his granddaughter.

Actually, he was a little too nervous. What could possibly escape Lu Zaian's discerning eye within Yunli Mountain?

The spiritual veins in the mountains have been upgraded to the middle grade of the second rank.

The abundant fire-attribute spiritual energy in the southern part of the mountain spontaneously gathers here, making this place undoubtedly the best place for Su Li, who possesses a fire spiritual root and a crystal body, to break through her limitations.

On top of the mountain.

Lu Zaian stood with his hands behind his back, his clothes fluttering in the wind, his divine sense already taking in the scene below the mountain.

His gaze was distant, and he murmured softly:

"Eight years... The original agreement was for twenty years, but this woman has only taken eight years to reach the Foundation Establishment stage."

There was a hint of barely perceptible emotion in his tone.

The Crystal Body is an exceptionally gifted individual.

Once the foundation is successfully established, the Dao essence within the body can condense into a portion of [Lihuo Spirit Elixir].

This item is a spiritual essence of heaven and earth, which can significantly increase the chances of forming a core. It was originally a ladder to heaven prepared by the owner of a Dao body.

However, according to the agreement made back then, this [Lihuo Spirit Elixir] must be offered to Lu Zaian in exchange for his long-term protection of the Crimson Forging Immortal Workshop.

"This is what I deserve..."

During this time, Lu Zaian not only bestowed upon Su Li the [Enhancement Fruit] from the Seven Treasures Tree to aid her cultivation;

He also bestowed countless pills upon the Crimson Forging Immortal Workshop. Although most of them were of the first rank, the favor was widespread and far exceeded the value of a single spirit elixir.

After all, their lives were saved by Lu Zaian.

"here we go."

With a thought, Su Li below had already activated the spiritual energy around her.

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged into her body like a tidal wave, beginning her assault on the first of the three stages of Foundation Establishment—

Precision!

The spiritual energy washed over her meridians and body, causing waves of throbbing pain. However, Su Li had been taking first-order Yang Yuan Pills for many years at Yunli Mountain, so her foundation was solid and her blood and qi were abundant. In addition, she was still young and her body was full of vitality.

Three days later, all impurities in the body were removed, and the blood and qi were as pure as mercury. The first hurdle, the "essence" hurdle, was successfully overcome!

Next comes the "Qi" stage—

The gaseous magical power in the dantian needs to be compressed and condensed into liquid magical power!

Su Li possesses the Glazed Body, and her magical power is already pure and intense. At this moment, under the guidance of the cultivation technique, her surging magical power continuously collapses and condenses.

Another three days passed.

Within his dantian, a hundred drops of pure, molten red liquid mana quietly settled, emitting a scorching and powerful aura.

The "Qi" hurdle was cleared without incident, and the victory was declared.

The final challenge, the "god-like" challenge!

The spiritual consciousness needs to be refined and transformed into a more powerful divine consciousness.

At this moment, subtle twitches began to appear on Su Li's calm face, and her delicate eyebrows furrowed, as if she were in some kind of great pain.

"As expected... there are weaknesses in my soul. Is it the work of my past inner demons?"

Lu Zai'an sensed this scene from afar and understood immediately.

Having experienced the tragedy of her family being wiped out and then being hunted down for thousands of miles, Su Li inevitably developed shadows and fears in her heart.

These negative emotions are amplified at this moment, forming a demonic obstacle that hinders the birth of divine consciousness.

Although it is far less terrifying than the true inner demon tribulations triggered when forming the Golden Core or Nascent Soul.

However, if handled improperly, it can also damage the foundation of one's consciousness, leading to the loss of all previous efforts!

"At this juncture, only her own will and Dao heart can prevail..."

Lu Zaian believed that Su Li, as a Dao Body possessor, was by no means an ordinary person.

Sure enough, after seven days of inner struggle and willpower tempering, the extraordinary power of Su Li's Glazed Dao Body began to truly manifest.

Her previously disordered breathing gradually calmed down, and her mind became clear and transparent, like flawless glass.

Within the sea of ​​consciousness, the light of spiritual awareness shone brightly, slowly condensing into a dazzling, seven-story glazed pagoda phantom!

This is a manifestation of the combination of her id consciousness and her Taoist practice, marking that the "divine" barrier has been broken and divine consciousness has been formed on its own!

Su Li slowly opened her eyes, her eyes revealing exhaustion, but even more so, the joy and brightness of a breakthrough.

It took thirteen days!

"I...I've also broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage!"

His voice trembled slightly, yet it was more resolute than ever before.

"Li'er! Grandpa knew you would succeed!"

Tears welled up in Su Xuanhuo's old eyes with emotion.

Su Li successfully established her foundation at the young age of twenty-eight, her future is limitless. Even if Su Xuanhuo were to pass away now, he would have done right by the ancestors of the Su family!

At this moment, a dashing figure descended slowly on a rainbow of light; it was Xu Yan'er.

With a sincere smile, she cupped her hands and said:

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Su, on your successful Foundation Establishment! The Great Dao is within your reach!"

Over the years on Yunli Mountain, Xu Yan'er and Su Li have become very close, and they usually address each other as sisters.

At this moment, the address "Fellow Daoist Su" is not a sign of estrangement, but rather a solemn congratulation among cultivators to their fellow cultivator for officially entering the Foundation Establishment Realm.

"Sister Xu, please don't tease Li'er." Su Li's face flushed slightly, and she smiled demurely.

"This is no joke,"

Xu Yan'er waved her hand, her tone tinged with a sigh.

“You successfully established your foundation at the age of twenty-eight, your talent far surpasses mine. If it weren’t for the mountain lord’s support, I’m afraid I would never have been able to establish my foundation in this lifetime.”

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, then Xu Yan'er seemed to remember something, slapped her forehead,

"I was so busy talking that I almost forgot about the important matter."

As she spoke, she took out a warm, smooth jade bottle from her bosom and handed it over:

"This is a second-tier Yang Yuan Pill bestowed upon you by the Mountain Lord to help you consolidate your cultivation, and it is also a gift to congratulate you on your successful Foundation Establishment."

Su Li's eyes lit up. Sure enough, everything in the mountains was under the watchful eye of the mountain lord.

She quickly accepted it with both hands and respectfully bowed towards the mountain peak:

"Thank you for your grace, Lord Mountain Master!"

She paused slightly, then continued speaking to Xu Yan'er:

"Please inform the Mountain Lord that Li'er will be able to condense the [Li Fire Spirit Elixir] in one month, and will personally present it to the Mountain Lord at that time. I will never break my promise!"

Su Li knew in her heart that this was what the mountain lord cared about most.

Xu Yan'er nodded with a smile:

"Don't worry, I'll definitely deliver the message. Focus on consolidating your cultivation, and we sisters can talk in detail later."

Having said that, he transformed into a beam of sword light and departed.

Seeing that Xu Yan'er had walked away, Su Xuanhuo stepped forward and asked with concern:

"Li'er, you've only just broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage, and your realm isn't stable yet. Will consuming your Dao Body's essence to condense spiritual elixir... harm your foundation?"

"Grandpa, don't worry. This is the innate divine power of the Glazed Dao Body. It only consumes some vital energy. With quiet rest, it can recover without damaging the foundation," Su Li comforted him softly.

Su Xuanhuo's face still showed some hesitation and regret as he sighed softly:

"Sigh, it's all because Grandpa is useless that you had to make such a sacrifice..."

If this spiritual elixir could be saved for Li'er's future use, perhaps she would truly one day achieve the Core Formation stage...

Su Li saw what her grandfather was thinking, reached out and held his rough hand, and said softly:

“Grandpa, we are already grateful for the peace we have today, and we should be even more fortunate to have been able to use this spiritual elixir to obtain the protection of the mountain lord.”

Only by focusing on today can we have a tomorrow, right?

Su Xuanhuo was taken aback upon hearing this. Looking at his granddaughter's firm and mature gaze, he couldn't help but pat her hand, a gratified and kind smile appearing on his face.

"Li'er has really grown up, she's even lecturing her grandfather now..."

"No way~"

A month has passed in the blink of an eye.

Su Li returned to the mountaintop, holding a white jade bottle in her hands, her expression respectful.

"Mountain Lord, this is the [Lihuo Spirit Elixir]. Please take a look."

Lu Zaian was reclining on a rattan chair, enjoying the leisurely pace of life.

He scanned the mutton-fat jade bottle with his divine sense, and it became transparent in his perception.

The bottle contained a spiritual liquid about three inches high, its color not a pure fiery red, but rather a shimmering, iridescent sheen like glass.

At its core, however, was a single, undying, blazing white flame!

As the spiritual liquid rippled slightly, countless tiny specks of light seemed to leap about, radiating a pure and gentle yet domineering spiritual aura.

Simply by sensing it, one feels a warm glow in their soul, and their magical power subtly leaps with joy!

Lu Zaian nodded in satisfaction, his gaze falling on Su Li's slightly pale face.

Although she had lost some of her energy, her eyes were clear, and her brows showed more composure and ease after fulfilling her promise.

"Excellent, I am very satisfied."

Lu Zaian's voice was calm. After a moment's thought, he said...

"Now that you have established your foundation, it is no longer appropriate for you to handle miscellaneous tasks with the Qi Refining disciples of the Crimson Forging Immortal Workshop."

From this day forward, just like your grandfather, he will be in charge of the mining and supervision of the underground fire poison crystal vein on the eastern slope, while you will be in charge of the western slope vein.

"Your share of the Yang Yuan Pills you forge will increase by another 20%!"

Upon hearing this, Su Li was overjoyed and immediately bowed deeply.

"Thank you for your grace, Lord Mountain!"

The Fire Poison Crystal Mine beneath the Changli Mountains is a rich mine, and at the current pace, it can be mined for at least another thirty years.

This means that for a long time to come, she will be able to receive a stable share of Yang Yuan Pills, and she will no longer have to worry about a lack of cultivation resources!

"Step back and cultivate diligently."

"Yes, Li'er takes her leave."

The sea of ​​clouds and the cliff top returned to silence.

Lu Zaian played with the jade bottle in his hand, feeling the magnificent spiritual energy contained within it. His gaze pierced through the churning clouds and mist as he began to ponder the path ahead.

With the [Lihuo Spirit Elixir] obtained, the time for Core Formation is one step closer.

.........