"The victory in this battle is largely due to the Zimo Powder you refined… Though the sect has already rewarded you with contribution points, I should personally offer you something as well," Elder Yu said with a bright smile as she looked down at Li Ye, her tone generous.
"Go ahead what reward would you like?"
The battle had ended. The Flying Feather Sect coalition, weakened significantly by the effects of the Zimo Powder, had suffered near-total annihilation nearly eighty percent were slain, dyeing the land outside the market city in patches of blood. Only a few survivors escaped, severely wounded. It was a devastating loss.
With Elder Yu at the helm, the Zimo Forest forces had successfully crushed the enemy, reversing what had seemed a dire situation. Even the other battlefronts saw great relief, with the potential now to launch a counterattack.
Such a major victory naturally earned her considerable merit within the sect, and her mood was understandably excellent.
"Hahaha! Elder Yu is not one to give rewards lightly. Li Ye, this is your chance don't waste it!" Ji Qing laughed beside her, pride written all over his face.
After all, it was he who had recommended Li Ye to Elder Yu. Without him, how would this major win have been possible?
In his view, he was the one who truly deserved the most credit.
Li Ye first bowed respectfully, then cautiously asked, "Elder, you once said that if I fulfilled my duties in alchemy, I'd be assigned a spirit field. Does that offer still stand?"
Elder Yu couldn't help but laugh in amusement. She turned to Ji Qing and said,
"This is the disciple you brought me? With his alchemy skills, there are already countless people in the market trying to win his favor, and yet he's still thinking about a few acres of spirit land!"
Ji Qing looked at Li Ye with a touch of exasperation.
"With me watching your back, and this being such a prime opportunity to reap rewards, couldn't you have asked for something more valuable?"
Li Ye replied with an innocent look, "I just wanted to confirm if the elder's original promise still stands..."
"Would I go back on my word?" Elder Yu raised her almond-shaped eyes. "I'll have a plot of spirit land arranged for you tomorrow. Let's see if you can manage it properly."
"May I request to tend the Zimo Forest?" Li Ye asked again.
"The Zimo Forest requires no caretaking. If you want to work with spiritual trees, you can look after the Lingmulberry grove instead."
Elder Yu replied casually.
"Many thanks for your generosity, Elder!" Li Ye bowed in gratitude.
Though he was slightly disappointed to be denied access to the Zimo Trees, given their strategic value, it was understandable.
Besides, the Lingmulberry trees weren't a bad alternative.
They were second-tier spiritual plants, whose wood could be used to craft magical tools. Their bark, leaves, and roots were frequently used as auxiliary ingredients in pill-making, and they also served as food for certain spirit beasts and insects. Their nature was gentle and stable.
If he could extract the Lingmulberry's spiritual essence, it would likely be even more effective in alchemy than the Emerald Bud essence he had used before.
Elder Yu nodded.
"But this had already been promised, and I'm not so petty as to use it as a reward. You may make one more request."
As she spoke, she glanced at Ji Qing.
Li Ye thought for a moment. "Would Elder Yu happen to have any spiritual techniques for training the mind that I could learn?"
Though his alchemy practice had given him some control over his mental and spiritual strength, the effect was still limited. To improve further, he needed a proper spiritual cultivation method.
As soon as he said this, both Elder Yu and Ji Qing's expressions subtly shifted. Elder Yu in particular gave Li Ye a long, thoughtful look before slowly speaking.
"With your level of alchemy, even if your innate talent isn't exceptional, if you can solidify your foundation well enough, reaching Foundation Establishment isn't out of reach…"
It was no wonder she mentioned the Foundation Establishment directly.
Li Ye already had a solid physique cultivation base. Now, seeking a spiritual technique clearly showed his intention to shore up all three pillars required for Foundation Establishment body, energy, and mind. His intentions were all too clear.
"Very well. I happen to possess a fragmented spiritual technique called The Thousand Thoughts Divine Refinement Technique. Though only the first three levels remain, they are enough to temper your mind to the peak of Qi Refining."
As she spoke, a faint red jade slip appeared in her hand and floated toward Li Ye.
"Thank you, Elder, for bestowing this art!" Li Ye received the jade slip and bowed again.
"This technique came from a rogue cultivator I once encountered. It's rather unusual and seems not to originate from any of the surrounding nations. If you ever wish to complete it someday, you might start your search from that clue…"
"With that, our deal is complete. You may go now."
Elder Yu waved her hand. Li Ye wisely saluted her and Ji Qing once more then turned and left the hall.
Once Li Ye was gone, Ji Qing chuckled and said,
"Junior Sister, you're being quite generous. Even gave him one of your prized secret arts!"
"Otherwise, would you be satisfied, Senior Brother?"
Elder Yu gave him a teasing glance, her tone amused.
"I honestly didn't expect you to care so much about someone who's not even your registered disciple."
Ji Qing simply waved it off with a relaxed smile.
"I didn't take him as a disciple because his innate talent isn't outstanding. But his character and resourcefulness… they suit my taste. Helping him out a bit doesn't cost me anything."
"You're as easygoing as ever…" Elder Yu shook her head, then shifted topics.
"Still, with our victory here, there's no need for you to return to the sect just yet. Don't wait for other regions to respond while we still have some Zimo Powder left, lead a wave of counterattacks yourself."
"Hahaha! Even if you didn't ask, I'd have volunteered!" Ji Qing responded eagerly, though he added with some regret,
"If only we had more materials left… with more Zimo Powder, the counterattack would be even easier."
Elder Yu rolled her eyes at him, the gesture full of charm.
"The sect's two second-tier alchemists are busy healing the Patriarch, and the first-tier alchemists are overwhelmed. Few can match Li Ye's skill. We're lucky to have what we do all thanks to that boy's talent. Don't be too greedy."
"True, true…"
.....
"The Thousand Thoughts Divine Refinement Technique… I didn't expect to obtain such a spiritual technique so easily!"
Back at his residence, Li Ye looked at the faint red jade slip, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
With this, the final piece of the Foundation Establishment triad that he lacked could now be filled!
Gradually calming his emotions, he pressed the jade slip to his forehead and began to comprehend the technique within.
Half an hour passed… then a full hour…
Li Ye sat motionless as if he had turned to stone. Yet his expression kept changing throughout the process
frowning in thought, marveling in awe, puzzled, then overjoyed.
Only after two full hours did he finally set the jade slip down, a sharp gleam in his eyes.
As he stood and stretched his slightly stiff body, the joy on his face still hadn't faded.
"This is without a doubt the most profound technique I've encountered in my cultivation journey so far…"
"Not only does it temper the soul and strengthen the mind it also allows one to divide their focus and multitask!"
"Even though only the first three levels are included, and the only accompanying technique is the Thoughtpiercing Spike, it's still incredibly useful for both alchemy and talisman crafting, not to mention combat!"
This jade slip was a copy, and it even contained Elder Yu's annotations and insights.
With her guidance included, Li Ye had already grasped the essence of the first level. Once his body was moving freely again, he retrieved a few spiritual herbs from his storage pouch and carefully refined them into a few sticks of incense.
"I already gathered all the materials for the Awakening Spirit Incense required for initiation perfect timing."
Lighting one, he inhaled the faint fragrance, immediately feeling his mind clear and his spirit sharpen.
Without delay, he sat cross-legged and began his first attempt at cultivating the art.
-support me on Patreon for more chapters, 95+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LordoftheReader