The effects of a Peerless Furnace Cauldron were not comparable to those of ordinary Human Cauldrons. The sword cultivator at Foundation Establishment Peak in the Hehuan Sect Furnace Cauldron Great Accomplishment Technique had used thirty-two Human Cauldrons and cultivated for a full ten days before breaking through to Golden Core and shattering his own Human Cauldron body.
But Lian Yunzhi had only dual cultivated with Mu Cheng for three days, yet he had already touched the Golden Core barrier and felt that he could advance at any moment.
“Don’t advance yet,” Mu Cheng said as he selected a set of clothes from the wardrobe and handed them to Lian Yunzhi. “Cultivators at Foundation Establishment must lay a solid foundation for their future immortal path. Advancing too quickly is detrimental to future cultivation, and forming a core is best done in one go. If you fail this time, forming your core next time will be even harder.”
If Mu Cheng had still been that genius youth with the Myriad Absorption Spiritual Root, no matter what Lian Yunzhi thought in his heart, he would have scoffed at Mu Cheng’s admonition at this moment, or even flown into a rage: Are you cursing me?!
But Mu Cheng was now crippled, and Lian Yunzhi no longer felt any jealousy toward him. Thus, he was able to dress while seriously discussing it with him. “When I first reached Foundation Establishment Peak, I did feel my spiritual power was unstable and my foundation unsteady. But now my spiritual power is extremely solid and pure—overflowing, even. Is it still not suitable for core formation?”
Mu Cheng replied, “Your cultivation and spiritual power might be sufficient, but your physical body is far from meeting the conditions for advancing to Golden Core. The Golden Core thunder tribulation is a hundred times more terrifying than the Foundation Establishment one. Do you think you can withstand it?”
Lian Yunzhi recalled the twelve bolts of lightning that had struck him during his Foundation Establishment breakthrough, leaving him a bloody mess, and his face immediately paled.
“A hundred times more terrifying?”
Mu Cheng nodded.
This was not an exaggeration to scare Lian Yunzhi. The Golden Core thunder tribulation was already fearsome, especially since Lian Yunzhi had reached this point through external means. Although the Hehuan Sect texts did not mention it, based on Mu Cheng’s prior knowledge, the thunder tribulations of evil cultivators were always more terrifying than those of righteous cultivators—and here, “evil cultivators” included the Hehuan Sect, which cultivated using Human Cauldrons.
Seeing Lian Yunzhi’s pale face, Mu Cheng could not help softening his voice. “Don’t worry. Your spiritual power is now solid, your cultivation profound, and your body much stronger than when you broke through to Foundation Establishment. Besides, you don’t have to rely solely on your body to endure the thunder tribulation. I can prepare a large number of magic artifacts, formations, and talismans for you before you form your core. They can block most of the lightning.”
Only then did Lian Yunzhi’s expression ease somewhat. “You know talismans and artifact forging too?”
Mu Cheng nodded. “I’ve learned some.”
Lian Yunzhi knew it was settled.
Suddenly, Lian Yunzhi thought of something and looked up to ask, “How many bolts of thunder tribulation did you endure when you formed your core?”
Mu Cheng fell strangely silent for a moment before answering honestly, “I’m a bit different. My breakthroughs were always smooth and natural, without any thunder tribulation.”
Lian Yunzhi: “…”
Oh, how impressive, a genius with the Myriad Absorption Spiritual Root.
Lian Yunzhi jealously kicked him on the calf and deliberately ordered, “I don’t like this outer robe. Get me another one.”
Mu Cheng silently turned and selected another outer robe for him.
While Lian Yunzhi adjusted his attire, Mu Cheng had already taken a set of Lian Yunzhi’s old clothes and put them on. Though they were the loose version, Mu Cheng was still quite a bit taller than Lian Yunzhi, so they fit tightly.
Looking at Mu Cheng’s lowered head and the ill-fitting clothes, a surge of pity suddenly welled up in Lian Yunzhi’s heart.
No matter how genius or extraordinary Mu Cheng had been in the past, what did it matter now? He was a cripple.
Lian Yunzhi sighed and took out several sets of clothes from his Storage Bracelet, handing them over. “Wear these. I bought them specially for you.”
But upon receiving the new clothes, Mu Cheng showed no joy as expected. Instead, his body stiffened, his fingertips pausing just above his waistband. “Then… the clothes I’m wearing now… I’ll wash them and return them to you.”
Lian Yunzhi said, “Do whatever. Handle it yourself.”
Lian Yunzhi’s clothes were made of delicate materials, usually maintained only with the Dust Removal Technique. The last time Mu Cheng had washed clothes for him, they had become unwearable.
Mu Cheng gave a soft “Mm” and quickly undid his waistband, selecting a gray-black set from the new clothes Lian Yunzhi had bought for him.
Lian Yunzhi’s gaze swept over the luxurious treasure-blue robe idly set aside, and he frowned slightly but said nothing.
Just then, a Message Paper Crane tremblingly flew up to Lian Yunzhi, who opened it.
“My grandfather learned of my Foundation Establishment Peak breakthrough. I need to go back home.” Lian Yunzhi crumpled the Message Paper Crane and said to Mu Cheng, “Do you want to wait here for me, or come back with me?”
Mu Cheng was still very useful, and Lian Yunzhi had no intention of hiding him away forever.
Mu Cheng thought for a moment and said, “I want to go to the Relay Station Market to buy some things.”
Lian Yunzhi replied, “Then I’ll send you there with Imperial Sword Flight.”
Mu Cheng: “Okay.”
.
Before leaving, Mu Cheng applied some makeup to his face. Soon after, a man with a face full of rotting sores appeared in Lian Yunzhi’s Cave Mansion.
…So ugly.
Lian Yunzhi disgustedly averted his eyes.
Mu Cheng immediately pulled out a face cloth to cover his face and explained, “This mimics the scars from high-grade snake venom corrosion. Such scars can’t be easily healed, so they won’t arouse suspicion.”
Lian Yunzhi: “Let’s go.”
Lian Yunzhi escorted Mu Cheng near the market. Before leaving, he deliberately did not give Mu Cheng any Spirit Stones. Sure enough, as he turned, Mu Cheng tugged at his robe’s hem and extended his hand toward him.
Lian Yunzhi blinked, suppressing a laugh. “What do you want?”
Mu Cheng looked up at him.
Lian Yunzhi had thought Mu Cheng would use his rock-like silent stance to rebuke his scant conscience. Instead, the man simply looked at him candidly and said:
“Give me Spirit Stones. I need Spirit Stones.”
Lian Yunzhi: “…”
Of course, Lian Yunzhi pulled out a large handful of Spirit Stones and gave them to him.
After all, raising demon beasts and Human Cauldrons both cost a lot of Spirit Stones, let alone his two-in-one.
After receiving the Spirit Stones, Mu Cheng suddenly stepped forward and hugged Lian Yunzhi.
“Thank you, Master.”
His low voice sounded right by Lian Yunzhi’s ear.
Lian Yunzhi: “…”
Lian Yunzhi touched his ear, watching his departing back, and thought: What a clingy demon beast.
.
News of Lian Yunzhi’s Foundation Establishment Peak had already spread through the Lian Family like snowflakes. As soon as he stepped through the gates of the Lian Mansion, the gatekeeper excitedly turned and shouted:
“Young Master Yunzhi is back! The Foundation Establishment Peak Young Master Yunzhi is back—”
