boom

"Kuiniu? Isn't that the true spirit bloodline that flows in the veins of those two unbelievably unlucky kids?" Fang Jinyu's eyes widened in astonishment at the mention. Before he could fully process the words, he reacted instinctively—swiftly retrieving from his robe the small, gleaming Discipline Pearl.

Even as he focused his spiritual energy at his fingertips, he gently brushed against the artifact. In that delicate, almost imperceptible motion, every trace of the previously recorded scene vanished into nothingness. No lingering spark of his spiritual might, no echo of the past, remained to testify to that fateful record.

It was only on a recent day—by happenstance—that Fang Jinyu had come to possess control over this very Discipline Pearl. This mysterious treasure granted him an astonishing ability: the power to execute a flawless deletion of any recorded memory or scene, leaving not even a remnant of spiritual energy behind.

No sooner had he deactivated the Discipline Pearl than something truly unexpected occurred. Deep within him, as if triggered by an unseen switch, torrents of blue–white arcs began surging forth. Luminous strands of energy intermingled in a wild dance, as if the very vault of heaven were peeling back, revealing raw power previously restrained.

The air around him ignited with electric brilliance. Sparks of light flashed like the split-second blaze of lightning across a stormy sky. The force was so intense—so dazzling—that it compelled him, almost on instinct, to channel his spiritual energy. In that moment, the latent thunderous power that had been quietly weaving itself within his body was suddenly unleashed with explosive violence.

Boom! Boom! Boom! The resounding impacts reverberated as if the very walls were being scorched. In an instant, the alchemy chamber around him suffered the equivalent of a divine ploughing. Everywhere one looked, the surfaces bore the scars of fire and lightning—a testimony to the overwhelming intensity of what had been set free.

Then came a roar—a sound that defied simple description. It was as if the bellow of an enraged bull, the thunderous cry of a ferocious tiger, and the echo of deep-sea cataclysm had merged into one mighty sound. This was the roar of Kuiniu, heralding the moment when the true spirit bloodline inside Fang Jinyu stirred and awakened with an irrevocable force.

A crackle of brilliant, searing light surged across the chamber—a dazzling electric streak that seemed almost otherworldly, like a manifestation of a celestial tribulation. But as the intensity built, a dread warning echoed in his mind:

"Not good!"

Glancing with urgency toward the direction of the alchemy furnace, Fang Jinyu's instincts commanded him to act. Without pausing for even a breath, he transformed into a fleeting wraith—a mere shadow racing out of the chaos of the alchemy chamber. In his swift exit, the chamber that had been his workplace seconds before collapsed utterly behind him, as if swallowed by the very storm of his unleashed power.

The violent tremors from the collapsing room rippled outward, spreading their destructive force throughout the entire Spirit Medicine Peak—an edifice known by the character "Li" among its many mystic appellations. The very foundation of the peak seemed to shudder at the might of the explosion.

A Heavy Debt and a Departure from the Peak

After what felt like an eternity—in truth, only half an hour—Fang Jinyu found himself saddled with a debt so massive that it forced him to leave the confines of the Spirit Medicine Peak. The disastrous incident had not only reduced the alchemy furnace (an instrument of tremendous significance among practitioners) to ruins but had also wrought collateral damage upon several adjoining alchemy chambers. Fortuitously, no life was lost in the calamity; still, the price of repair and compensation was steep. The total sum demanded? A staggering 100,000 spirit stones.

Thankfully, Fang Jinyu's innate aptitude for alchemy afforded him a measure of leniency. The sect, recognizing his potential and past contributions, allowed him a generous window of ten years during which he need only provide the requisite spirit stones in installments. Though the debt loomed like a dark specter, for the time being, it was a burden he could bear while he continued his quest for power and enlightenment.

Yet as he quietly mulled over his misfortune, a wry thought took shape in his mind.

"Such spirit artifact–grade alchemy furnaces are ridiculously expensive. Who would have thought that a mere lower–tier spirit artifact furnace could be valued at nearly half the price of a Foundation Pill?"

Fang Jinyu's musings led him to consider diversifying his talents. Perhaps, he thought, he should don an additional mantle—one as an artefact craftsman. After all, in the intricate world of cultivation, mastery is not confined solely to one art. Whether one is refining pills, forging enchanted items, or designing arrays, any field where one can claim supremacy has the potential to elevate one to the coveted position of "Number One." Among these disciplines, however, alchemy always reigned supreme as the most lucrative venture.

A Fortuitous Meeting and the Cost of Ascension

Before he could delve further into his private deliberations, a familiar voice reached his ears. From merely several paces away, a young man spoke:

"Fang Shixiong, you know that the price of Foundation Pills has now soared to 40,000 spirit stones, and yet the cost of lower–grade spirit artifact furnaces hasn't risen. In fact, thanks to a newly discovered reserve of core spirit ore used in their manufacture, those furnace prices have even dropped by about 500 spirit stones."

The tone carried a mix of resignation and wistfulness—a sigh for times hard and resources scarce. Fang Jinyu had already sensed another presence nearby, an ordinary occurrence at the foot of the mountain where disciples of the sect often passed by. And yet, at that moment, as that voice rang out, flickers of memories surfaced in his mind. Spirits of a bygone era, of shared struggles and softly faded friendships. It turned out that the speaker was none other than a friend from a former life—a companion whose presence now warmed his solitary heart.

Turning his head, Fang Jinyu regarded the newcomer with a respectful smile and a gesture of friendly camaraderie. "Xu Shidi," he said, clasping his fists in a modest salute. "Our bond spans time itself. Why must you address me as 'Master Uncle'? If you prefer, you may call me by any title you wish."

The young man, whose given name was Xu Jing, stood there with a confident yet unassuming demeanor. Within the ranks of the Qi Refinement disciples, Xu Jing had already carved out a modest reputation. His innate talent was unmistakable—even if he had not been endowed with the coveted Tianling Spirit Root, his dual–element spirit roots lent him a versatility not many possessed. Alas, however, his single–minded obsession with array formations had delayed his personal cultivation progress, leaving him lagging at a crucial juncture.

But the sands of chance shift quickly. Despite his fixation, Xu Jing's mastery over array formations had grown to legendary proportions. His talent spread like wildfire throughout the Tianling Sect, and more often than not, disciples would seek him out for assistance in arranging spirit arrays. Moreover, his handsome countenance had not gone unnoticed; several female cultivators in the Foundation Establishment realm found themselves drawn to his charm and prowess.

"Fang Shixiong!" Xu Jing called out with genuine cheer. His voice was light, yet there was an unmistakable tinge of relief—a sign that perhaps he, too, carried burdens that threatened to overwhelm him.

It was a known truth among Qi Refinement disciples that once one friend achieved the elevation of Foundation Establishment, the channels of communication often narrowed. Longstanding friendships—tested through decades of shared hardship—might falter if one party soared into realms reserved for the few. Such is the cruel reality of cultivation: in times of great success, old bonds sometimes strain or even shatter. Yet, it is precisely in moments of adversity that a true friend reveals himself. Despite the divergence of their paths, Fang Jinyu and Xu Jing had maintained their connection—a connection based not solely on mutual advantage, but on a deep-seated respect borne of shared trials.

"Tell me, Xu Shidi—what troubles have befallen you?" Fang Jinyu inquired gently, his voice laced with sincere concern.

Xu Jing let out a bitter chuckle as he began to describe his plight. "It's all because of those blasted Foundation Pills…" he began, the frustration palpable in his tone. Xu Jing explained that his relentless pursuit of array mastery had cost him dearly. Every spirit stone he had at his disposal was often diverted to his studies, leaving little in reserve for his own advancement. His dual–element talent, though promising beyond measure, had been stifled by the weight of his obsession. Had he not poured so much effort and resource into array formation, he would have attained Foundation Establishment long ago.

The rigors of his chosen method became crystal clear: while his cultivation technique was not renowned for devastating combat power, it was marked by a lack of bottlenecks and a remarkable pace of energy growth. For someone like Xu Jing, lower–tier martial techniques were the natural path, but they still required a steady infusion of time and focus. His fixation on arrays had nearly cost him the precious opportunity to progress further—he had only just broken through to the ninth level of the Qi Refinement stage, a mere precursor to the transformative leap to Foundation Establishment.

His original plans had been neatly arranged. Xu Jing had set aside 30,000 spirit stones in anticipation of his next monumental step. Yet, upon his journey to Yuan City to exchange his funds for a Foundation Pill, he was confronted with a staggering crisis: the price had surged to 40,000 spirit stones. And this calculated figure was already forged from the benevolence extended to him as a Tianling Sect disciple. Had it not been for that small grace, an extra 5,000 spirit stones might have easily added to the burden—a number that in his current state, would have been nearly impossible to gather.

Attempting a lighthearted recovery, Fang Jinyu interjected, "Can't you exchange merit value for it?"

Only then did he realize how little he understood the starving plight of someone still in the Qi Refinement stage. For him, merit was as abundant as sunlight on a clear morning—a resource that flowed easily from his achievements. But for someone like Xu Jing, still struggling to lift himself from the initial steps of his journey, merit was a scarce treasure, accessible only to those who had already achieved the degree of alchemical mastery.

Xu Jing's next words, however, struck Fang Jinyu with utter surprise. "Fang Shixiong, you have yet to grasp the full picture. Despite our venerable Ancestor's compassion for our struggles, there exists a policy—a mandate set from above to counter our hardships. His edict dictated that every prominent family within the sect exchange their supplies of Foundation Pills. Even with preset restrictions in place to prevent a total exchange, the remaining 30 Foundation Pills have been pre–allocated to designated candidates. Should we, as common disciples, dare to attempt an exchange now, we'd be directly offending the powerful cultivation families."

Fang Jinyu could not help but frown. The monopolistic hold that these powerful families exerted on cultivation resources was a well–known irritant—but to witness such an overt display of greed was nothing short of infuriating.

Xu Jing shook his head slowly, his tone heavy with disillusion. "It's all because the price of Foundation Pills has shot up this year. On the plus side, our sect remains relatively stable. Our supply of Foundation Pills is ample and the local markets haven't succumbed to rampant inflation. I even heard from several senior sisters that in some immortal cities the price has soared as high as 70,000 spirit stones, and that trend appears to be unrelenting."

After a long, thoughtful pause, Fang Jinyu spoke once more, his voice measured and resolute. "Xu Shidi, in view of our dire circumstances, I propose something. I have a few Foundation Pills with me. If you could help me out with a simple favor, I will gladly hand one over as compensation."

In that moment, amid the tumult of escalating prices and burdensome debts, their humble exchange became a symbol of solidarity—a quiet promise of mutual aid in a world that often seemed determined to pit friend against friend.

Reflections on Friendship, Exploitation, and the Price of Ambition

For Fang Jinyu and Xu Jing, the conversation was about more than just the rising cost of Foundation Pills. It was an unspoken acknowledgment of the harsh realities that their world imposed. Every cultivated stone, every refined spirit energy, and every meticulously forged alliance carried the dual weight of ambition and sacrifice. In a realm where even the simplest resource could determine the pace of one's progress, friendship morphed into a strategic necessity—a lifeline against the relentless tide of fate.

Fang Jinyu's offer to share his Foundation Pills was not born solely of generosity. It was a tacit understanding that their journeys, though divergent in focus and temperament, were intertwined by a common struggle against an unforgiving cosmos. His gesture was both a concession to time's inexorable passage and a reaffirmation of an ancient truth: that true companionship is tested and proven in moments of hardship and deprivation.

The conversation lay bare the bitter paradox of the cultivation world—the predicament where those destined for greatness often have to barter their very essence, piece by piece, to climb ever higher. For Xu Jing, whose every aspiration was set against a backdrop of astronomical resource demands, even a small gift like a Foundation Pill could mean the difference between stagnation and a breakthrough. Meanwhile, Fang Jinyu's pragmatic outlook reminded him that friendship in such a cutthroat environment, however fleeting the benefits, sometimes manifested in utilitarian exchanges. Yet beneath the surface of this pragmatic interaction lay the glowing ember of genuine regard—a bond formed not through shared prosperity, but through mutual struggle.

It was in these unguarded moments—a brief interlude between calamity and commerciality—that the spirit of the sect shone through. Despite the greed and self-interest rampant among the powerful cultivation families, there still existed a circle of disciples who understood that cooperation and sacrifice were the true hallmarks of ascension. Their words carried the promise that though the path ahead may be riddled with debts measured in spirit stones and obstacles set by ancient edicts, solidarity would always remain a guiding light against the darkness of ambition.

As daylight began to wane and the long shadows of the Spirit Medicine Peak stretched across the rugged terrain, both Fang Jinyu and Xu Jing felt the weight of their unspoken pact. In the quiet that followed, the rising cost of Foundation Pills and the intricate machinations of sect politics seemed momentarily eclipsed by the warmth of a simple, sincere offer—a promise that, regardless of the financial toll or the scheming of those above, the bonds of true friendship might yet defy even the most ruthless designs of fate.

Epilogue: Embracing the Future Through Shared Struggles

In the reflective silence that settled after their conversation, Fang Jinyu's thoughts wandered far beyond the immediate tangles of debts and commerce. He considered the broader truths of their existence in the cultivation world—a realm where every step forward was met with trials, where every glimmer of progress was hard-won through sacrifice, and where the relentless pressures of power and expectation forced even the most principled souls to trade tokens of friendship as currency for survival.

He remembered that even as he had tamed the explosive surge of power emanating from within him—the awakening of his true spirit bloodline—it was moments like these that truly defined the path he tread. There was a stark irony to the way in which magical might and financial burdens intermingled. In one moment, the fury of thunder and lightning had threatened to consume the alchemy chamber whole, and weeks later, the microscopic details of sect resource management and the soaring price of Foundation Pills would dictate the fate of his future. Yet in both extremes—be it the cataclysmic display of spiritual energy, or the delicate negotiations among friends—the underlying truth remained the same: that every breath, every spark of energy, and every shared sacrifice was woven into the grand tapestry of their destiny.

As the stars began to emerge in the cool, indigo sky above the peak, Fang Jinyu resolved that he would meet the challenges ahead not solely on the basis of ambition, but with the resolve that true strength lay in unity. The trials he had faced—and those that awaited him—would not defeat him as long as there remained even a solitary spark of genuine connection. Xu Jing's predicament was a bitter reminder of the sacrifices demanded by their art, and yet it also provided a glimmer of hope that together, even the most insurmountable obstacles could be overcome.

It is in the crucible of shared hardships that the finest steel is tempered, and the lives of cultivators are forever altered by bonds forged in adversity. Fang Jinyu, with the weight of debt on his shoulders and the promise of future ascension in his heart, stepped forward into the uncertain night. His journey was only beginning—a journey defined by moments of incandescent brilliance, the quiet fellowship of like–minded souls, and an unyielding determination to rise above the greed and caprice of a world that seemed determined to break even the strongest among them.

A Continuous Saga of Struggle and Hope

In these turbulent times, where every decision carried the possibility of ruin or redemption, Fang Jinyu's offer to Xu Jing symbolized much more than a simple exchange of Foundation Pills. It was an emblem of defiance against the oppressive monopoly of the old cultivation families, a quiet revolution in a world where scarcity was as pervasive as the night. It spoke to the enduring spirit of those who, despite overwhelming obstacles, dared to support one another in pursuit of a brighter future.

And so, as the winds over the Spirit Medicine Peak whispered ancient secrets and the occasional flash of celestial light echoed the distant thunder of awakened power, the fate of two close acquaintances became intertwined. Although their conversation ended with a promise—a promise of material assistance in exchange for a small favor—the ramifications of that moment would ripple outward, influencing the destinies not only of Fang Jinyu and Xu Jing but also of countless other disciples striving to overcome a world obsessed with profit and power.

With every step they took along the winding paths of their sacred mountain, the rekindled bonds of friendship infused them with the strength required to face an uncertain future. Each spirit stone collected, every ounce of spiritual energy harnessed was a testament to their resilience. And in the silent pledge they shared that day—a pledge that transcended the trivialities of commerce and duty—lay the hope that even amid the relentless tide of fate, kindness and solidarity might still light the way.

In Closing

Thus, in the midst of a collapsing alchemy chamber, the destructive roar of unleashed power, and the crushing weight of astronomical debts, two kindred souls found a moment of grace. As Fang Jinyu confided his troubles and extended his hand in friendship, Xu Jing was reminded that no matter how steep the price of ascension might become, the communal spirit of the sect could serve as a beacon. In this vast, ever–evolving saga of cultivation—where every battle, every contract, and every fleeting alliance carried the potential to alter destinies—such moments of mutual understanding shone as the truest testaments to the resilience of the human (and transcendent) spirit.

May the journey of Fang Jinyu, Xu Jing, and all who walk the arduous path of cultivation continue to be illuminated by the twin flames of perseverance and camaraderie, even as the challenges of a rapidly changing world press in from every side.