The Master of All-Heavens Systems

Chapter 89: Xiao Feng Advances a Small Step

"Senior, have I gathered enough materials? Can I refine the Foundation Elixir now?" Xiao Feng asked excitedly. After spending a day in the outskirts of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, he returned with a bountiful harvest, only to be told by Taishang Danling that he could now refine the Foundation Elixir.This news thrilled Xiao Feng. Although he had undergone a transformation, his cultivation aptitude had drastically improved. However, the time had been too short. Despite feeling his Dou Qi constantly growing with each training session, he had yet to break through to the next level."You certainly haven't gathered enough on your own. Seeing your pathetic state, I had to step in and fetch a core myself," Taishang Danling said, shaking his head. "An old man like me, still running around to help you. Truly a life of toil!""Thank you, Senior! Thank you so much!" Xiao Feng was deeply moved by the unexpected kindness. He felt even more grateful to the ring's old man, who had changed his fate and given him a chance to rise.In truth, Xiao Feng had made significant progress during his trip to the Magical Beast Mountain Range. He had killed many magical beasts and become proficient in gathering, identifying, preparing, and storing common medicinal herbs through practice in the Taixu Illusory Realm. However, the consumption rate of his achievements made him gasp. Nearly ninety percent of the magical beasts he hunted were used up. He thought he wouldn't be able to refine the Foundation Elixir without a wood-attribute magical core and would have to return the next day. Unexpectedly, Taishang Danling gave him a pleasant surprise."You need to grow quickly. Maintaining my presence every month requires a certain amount of energy. Otherwise, I will have to return to slumber," Taishang Danling said with a serious tone."Energy? I understand, Senior. Please rest assured; I will not disappoint you," Xiao Feng promised earnestly. He had no doubt about the energy required to maintain Taishang Danling's presence. After all, people need food to survive, and someone like Taishang Danling would naturally require some energy to exist in the world."Although I am eternal, if I fall asleep again, who knows when I will awaken. Remember your words, boy. Do not fail in providing the monthly energy," Taishang Danling reminded before producing a wood-attribute magical core.Of course, this core wasn't something Taishang Danling obtained by hunting magical beasts himself; it was exchanged using the energy earned from opening the illusory realm. It was a moment of leniency from Li Yu, feeling slightly guilty about pushing the still-struggling Xiao Feng too hard."Take out the herbs," Taishang Danling instructed, and an ethereal blue flame ignited in his hand.Xiao Feng hurriedly presented the Purple Leaf Orchid and Bone-Washing Flower. The ethereal blue flames enveloped the materials, quickly refining them into a globule of vivid green liquid."So this is the Foundation Elixir? How marvelous!" Even though this was the second time witnessing Taishang Danling's alchemical methods, Xiao Feng was still awed by the magical process."It's just a basic elixir; there's nothing marvelous about it. You'll see plenty more amazing elixirs in the future," Taishang Danling said with a smile, separating a portion of the elixir and flicking it into a large wooden basin. The vivid green liquid quickly blended with the clear water, turning it a vibrant jade green."Get in, kid, and start absorbing the medicinal power. Your cultivation will soar," Taishang Danling urged.Xiao Feng immediately jumped into the wooden basin, sitting cross-legged and forming a unique hand seal, closing his eyes and breathing steadily. The basin, filled with the jade-green liquid, glowed with occasional bursts of light, creating a mesmerizing sight. As Xiao Feng breathed, faint streams of green energy rose from the liquid, gradually being absorbed into his body.As the energy entered his body, Xiao Feng felt enveloped in a dense field of spiritual energy. His skin began to emit a crystal-clear glow.His Dou Qi circulated through his body with unprecedented smoothness, unlike the sluggish progress of the past, like an old ox pulling a broken cart."Crack! Crack! Crack!" His bones emitted popping sounds, and his Dou Qi suddenly broke through."Two segments of Dou Qi? I've broken through? I've finally broken through?" Feeling the newfound strength within, Xiao Feng was overwhelmed with emotion, almost to the point of tears. Ten years of persistence, ten years of hardship, ten years of frustration, all stuck at the first segment of Dou Qi. Now, in an instant, he had broken through. How could his heart not be stirred?"Calm your mind!" Taishang Danling's stern voice snapped Xiao Feng out of his reverie."Yes!" Xiao Feng quickly calmed down, realizing that this was not the time for sentimentality. He focused his mind and continued to cultivate.Holding his hand seal, Xiao Feng immersed himself in the best state for cultivation, continually absorbing the energy from the jade-green liquid. The luminous green liquid seeped into his body, enhancing his physique further. Over time, the green mist around him grew denser, enveloping him in a cocoon of spiritual energy.When the sunset's glow filtered through the window, filling the room with golden light, Xiao Feng slowly opened his eyes."Phew..." Exhaling a long breath, Xiao Feng stood up, feeling the vigorous energy coursing through his body and the gleam in his eyes."Not bad! Just one session and you've advanced to the third segment of Dou Qi. Your ten years of hardship weren't in vain. With such a foundation, your cultivation speed will surely surpass others," Taishang Danling remarked with satisfaction."Three segments of Dou Qi!" Xiao Feng leapt out of the basin, practicing his punches and kicks. Feeling the abundant Dou Qi within, he couldn't help but smile."I broke through to the third segment in one day? Does that mean I can become a Dou Zhe in three days?" The astonishing cultivation speed made even the usually steady Xiao Feng a bit impatient."In your dreams!" Taishang Danling harshly interrupted."You advanced quickly because the first three segments aren't hard to break through. You've undergone a transformation, vastly improving your aptitude. With the help of the Foundation Elixir and your ten years of accumulated potential, you naturally progressed rapidly," Taishang Danling explained. "Such good fortune won't come easily again.""Then... I'll be sixteen next year. Will I be able to reach the seventh segment of Dou Qi by then?" Xiao Feng asked, aware that according to the Xiao family's rules, if he didn't reach the seventh segment by sixteen, he would be assigned to manage family affairs and lose his chance to continue cultivating."If you can't reach the seventh segment in a year, how could I face anyone?" Taishang Danling declared arrogantly."Great! That's great!" Xiao Feng clenched his fists tightly, filled with determination.