A Trade Between Futures

"I didn't expect you to have such an opportunity," Chen Jinshu said with a hint of emotion. No wonder when she first joined the sect, Chen Qiaozhen had seemed like a completely different person. So it was a dream of the future that changed her temperament — and changed her fate as well.

"Rather than calling it an opportunity, 'awakening' might be a better word. At first, I couldn't understand why you would reject the favorable marriage alliance and all the generous benefits it offered. But after that dream, I understood — a woman doesn't have to rely on a man or a family. She must rely on herself."

"Because sometimes, the one you depend on might be nothing short of a demon."

Chen Qiaozhen could hardly imagine how miserable her fate would've been had she never experienced that prophetic dream.

"I can trade you the Foundation Establishment Pill, but I won't give it to you. Think carefully about what you're willing to exchange for it." Hearing that, Chen Jinshu recalled her own journey — farming and cultivating on Vulture Mountain. If it hadn't been for the guidance of several kind-hearted elders, she might never have made it to the Xuanming Sect so smoothly.

Helping Chen Qiaozhen now felt like helping a version of herself who had just awakened. Chen Qiaozhen smiled brightly. She had expected Chen Jinshu to reject her outright due to past grudges, but clearly, Jinshu was more open-minded than she'd thought.

She took out a wooden box from her storage pouch and placed it in front of Chen Jinshu. As she opened the box, it revealed a fruit as black as ink, covered in star-like specks. When she tapped it, it rang like a wooden fish.

"This is a Grade-2 Superior Spiritual Fruit — a Spirit Sand Fruit!"

"I found it by chance during an outer sect competition, while training outside the sect. This fruit was borne from a mutated peach tree, transformed by absorbing blood and resentment. Eating it increases physical strength tenfold."

"Tenfold?" Chen Jinshu was surprised. That was no minor enhancement. Even after reaching Foundation Establishment, her own physical body hadn't reached that level of strength.

"Why do you think I need this?"

"Your Medicine King Peak is mostly made up of alchemists and spiritual plant cultivators. In the cultivation world, your kind tends to have weaker physical defense and strength. That's why you must continually reinforce your body to guard against external threats."

"I heard a little about your performance at the outer sect competition. Your physical strength could use improvement — that's why I made this assumption," said Chen Qiaozhen with a soft smile.

"If this fruit could establish a foundation, I wouldn't have come looking for you today."

"The Foundation Pill is a Grade-2 spiritual pill. Trading it for a Grade-2 Superior Spirit Fruit seems like a loss for you."

"The Foundation Pill is also made from many Grade-2 herbs, and it's even more crucial to a cultivator. All things considered, I think the trade is fair."

"…Alright. I'll accept the exchange."

After some thought, Chen Jinshu nodded. What Chen Qiaozhen said wasn't wrong — her physical cultivation had indeed been lacking. She had consumed many body-enhancing pills just to reach the peak of the Qi Refining stage — proof of how much she'd previously neglected physical training. And besides, she was genuinely curious about this Spirit Sand Fruit. It was said to provide enlightenment similar to that of Dao Comprehension Tea.

It would be just right for her as she studied the Genesis Alchemy Sripture.

"But I have one more condition."

"Go ahead." Chen Qiaozhen's expression softened after receiving the Foundation Pill. Her gaze held a new determination.

"If the Chen family is in danger and I don't make it back in time, I want you to take my mother and second uncle and help them escape."

Chen Jinshu had already planned to return to the family after her Foundation Establishment, both to settle old grudges and to bring her mother and second uncle to settle near the sect's market town.

The spiritual resources here were abundant, giving her mother a chance to break through to Foundation Establishment before turning fifty. As for helping the Chen family — if they could afford her price, she wouldn't mind taking down the Lin family and the others.

After all, she still remembered the kindness of the elders from Vulture Mountain. As for the clan leader and the others — if they died, so be it.

"Alright, I promise you. If the Chen family really can't withstand the alliance of the other families, I will take your mother and second uncle and leave."

This Foundation Pill was more than just a Grade-2 pill — it represented the future of her cultivation path. If she couldn't save her father and the elders, she feared a deviation in her cultivation heart. She could even face a Qi deviation.

This pill from Chen Jinshu wasn't just saving her — it was saving her entire family. After getting the Foundation Pill, Chen Qiaozhen didn't linger and quickly left. She said she planned to break through to Foundation Establishment within six months — only then could she make it in time for the Lin family's assault on the Chen family.

"If disaster befalls the Chen family — it was destined."

All she could do was protect her mother and second uncle. A clan that relied on marrying off its most talented women instead of cultivating strength was essentially handing itself over to others. She wondered if the clan leader and the elders now regretted their decisions.

Spiritual Herb Space

Chen Jinshu was watering the Biyu Lantern Fruit trees and other spiritual herbs she had planted a few months ago. Thanks to her meticulous care and the unique nurturing ability of the space, all the plants had taken root.

Especially the nearly withered Blood Vermilion Fruit — it had shed its dead branches and leaves, and new shoots had begun to sprout. The deep green branches now shimmered with faint glowing light.

"The white spiritual field nurtures the power of moonlight… I wonder what kind of beneficial mutation it will cause?"

She stroked the Blood Vermilion Fruit leaves. They weren't much different from before, just brimming with more spiritual energy.

The Purple Thunder Bamboo had sprouted — a tiny purple shoot barely an inch tall poked through the soil after days of careful cultivation.

The Biyu Lantern Fruit also survived, likely saved by the unique nutrients from the spiritual field. She planted a few more sprouted seeds in the remaining corners of the white spiritual field.

"The Suxin Lotus seeds sprouted even faster than I expected."

The Suxin Lotus was extremely rare — barely seen on the market. If successfully cultivated, it might be worth over ten thousand.

Of course, its growing conditions were also stringent, requiring the constant watering of Earth Spiritual Liquid. Luckily, she had collected quite a bit of it when harvesting the lotus earlier. She poured the Earth Spiritual Liquid from her storage flask into a small jar reserved for cultivating the Suxin Lotus, then gently dropped the sprouted seed into it.

"In as little as three to five years, or as long as seven to eight, I'll be able to harvest the mature lotus flower."

Chen Qiaozhen flew toward Bihsui Peak after leaving Chen Jinshu's courtyard.

"Half a month to reach Qi Refining Level Nine… three to four months to reach Foundation Establishment… I hope I'm not too late."

She sighed softly. Although Chen Jinshu had mentioned she would return to the family after breaking through…

Qiaozhen wasn't naïve enough to believe she would help. After what the family had done to her, not seeking revenge was mercy enough.

She could only rely on herself.

Back at the outer court of Bihsui Peak, she immediately activated the formation and entered closed-door cultivation.