It was the final night before the secret realm’s exit would open. The six people in the cave were too restless to continue their meditation, so they gathered to talk, their voices tinged with excitement.
"Once we return, I’m going into secluded cultivation to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage!" Yun Mingxuan said, his eyes bright. He had gained a great deal from this journey into the secret realm.
"Me too," Li Lin added. "Uncle Ji, you’ll be entering seclusion as well, won't you?"
Ji Rufeng nodded. "Indeed. Sister Li, once I’ve established my foundation, I’ll come to the Cloud Might Sect to find you and help you hatch that Purple Oriole."
"That would be wonderful!" Li Xue said happily.
Yu Ming opened his mouth as if to speak, but then hesitated, offering only a quiet, steady smile.
"Xiao Ming, if there’s something on your mind, just say it. By the way, you’ll be entering seclusion when we get back too, right?" Ji Rufeng asked, noticing his hesitation.
"I intend to, but..." Yu Ming said, a trace of gloom crossing his face. "I’m still a little short of what I need to charge for the Foundation Establishment stage."
"What are you missing?" Yun Mingxuan asked, puzzled. "Your cultivation level is no lower than mine. Could it be... Foundation Establishment Pills?"
The others immediately understood. Yu Ming was an outer disciple and possessed four-element spiritual roots; one or two Foundation Establishment Pills likely wouldn't be enough for someone with his aptitude.
"We gathered so much Jade-Sustaining Grass this time. The sect should reward you with at least two Foundation Establishment Pills," Yun Mingxuan noted.
"That's right. You can have my share of the Jade-Sustaining Grass as well," Ji Rufeng offered. "I already have enough pills for my own breakthrough."
"My natural talent is what it is," Yu Ming sighed. "I’m afraid that even with two more pills, I might not succeed on the first try."
Li Xue frowned and asked, "Besides the Foundation Establishment Pill, are there any other medicines that can help?"
The group looked at one another and sighed.
"Sister Li, don't worry. I have a way," Yu Ming said, nodding his thanks. He only needed one specific spiritual herb to refine a Lesser Divine Pill. If he had that, combined with the three Foundation Establishment Pills he had already saved and the two he expected as a reward, his chances would be much higher.
He harbored a massive secret in his heart, one he could never share with anyone. To harbor such a treasure was to invite disaster. In truth, he was capable of refining even more heaven-defying pills, but those were all for use after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage. He was severely lacking in resources for his current level. His miraculous secret space was filled with ancient spiritual herbs, but he didn't dare take them out to trade.
"What exactly are you missing? Tell us, maybe we can help find a way!" Yun Mingxuan urged, and the others quickly chimed in with their support.
"Actually, I’m missing a spiritual herb called Ink Cloud Grass. If I can obtain it and refine the medicine, it would increase my success rate by at least a quarter," Yu Ming explained.
"A quarter? That’s incredible!" Li Lin and the others were shocked. Li Xue and Yiyi, however, didn't quite grasp the significance.
Li Lin lowered his head in thought. He was an alchemy genius and had memorized countless records of spiritual herbs. If he remembered correctly, this was likely the formula for the legendary Lesser Divine Pill, used by those below or at the cusp of Foundation Establishment to break through. Increasing one's chances by a quarter was certainly possible with such a pill.
"Ink Cloud Grass... I know it isn't in any of the major herb gardens of our Dongyang Peak. I’m not sure about the gardens on the other peaks since I don't have the clearance to visit them. However, I can ask my Grandmaster. With his status, he should be able to find out," Li Lin suggested.
"Then I’ll thank you in advance, Xiao Lin!" Yu Ming felt a surge of joy. It wasn't a certainty, but it was a glimmer of hope.
Yiyi found the name 'Ink Cloud Grass' very familiar. She knit her brows, searching her memory. Then it hit her—the first time she had gone to the Fengming Residence's herb garden to study, she had run into Yun Wenhao. Hadn't he said the herb he brought back was Ink Cloud Grass?
Her eyes lit up. "I’ve seen Ink Cloud Grass!"
The four men stared at her in astonishment, and then the realization dawned on them.
"Is it in the Fengming Residence? Or perhaps in Grand Ancestor Yuqing’s herb garden?" Yun Mingxuan asked excitedly.
"It’s in the herb garden at the Fengming Residence. I believe Wenhao was the one who brought it back," Yiyi replied.
"I’m willing to trade for it!" Yu Ming exclaimed, his voice full of hope.
"Xiao Ming, that’s the Sect Leader’s Fengming Residence. What could you possibly have to trade for it? And... well, I don't mean to look down on you, brother," Yun Mingxuan said, patting Yu Ming on the shoulder.
*I have plenty of good things,* Yu Ming thought to himself. *Even the most common weeds in my heaven-defying space are thousands of years old and nearly impossible to find in this day and age.* But he knew Yun Mingxuan was right; trading with the Sect Leader was an impossible dream unless he was tired of living.
