The jade bottle stood quietly upon the desk, its three vertical streaks faintly glowing. Wisps of white qi were diffusing into pale halos. Li Zhouwei glanced at it, his heart stirring slightly as he slowly stepped forward.

Yet with just that single step, the jade bottle trembled lightly. The white qi seemed to be provoked as it surged toward the bottle's mouth. In an instant, it transformed into a twisting, continuous strand of white light that slowly rose, then darted forward like a streaking comet!

Li Zhouwei's pupils dilated slightly. He almost leaped back on instinct, but forcibly restrained himself and held his ground as it slammed into him.

Everything within his Shenyang Mansion churned violently. The divine ability mana on both sides receded like a falling tide. A speck of white light emerged from within, flickering faintly as if drawn by something. It swiftly passed down his Twelve Chonglou[1] and fell into his qihai.

The mana within his qihai likewise parted to either side. [Sovereign In Peril] released layers of dark-golden radiance, rising like the morning sun piercing through clouds, reaching upward to receive it.

The drifting white qi circled around [Sovereign In Peril], rapidly condensing into a dazzling strand of white light that was about a finger's length. Like a tiny talisman, it lightly affixed itself onto the dark-golden glow.

Before, Li Zhouwei might have hesitated and pondered. But having just received [Illuminating Sun and Moon], how could he fail to recognize it?

Talisman qi?!

Li Zhouwei's mind was still blank as shock surged through him, There's more talisman qi? The second Immortal Foundation has it too?!

In that brief instant, he first gave a deep bow, silently stepping aside from the main seat. Only after exiting the room did he slowly suppress the turmoil in his heart. He then turned his spiritual sense inward, carefully examining his qihai.

Within the qihai, the Immortal Foundation of [Sovereign In Peril] shimmered faintly. Yet as his spiritual sense sank deeper, the talisman qi did not respond, nor did it produce any mysterious changes or transformations.

After observing for some time, understanding gradually dawned, and a trace of joy rose within him. This talisman was different from those obtained through ritual offerings. It did not seem tied to his life itself. Instead, it simply entered the Immortal Foundation and exerted its inherent effect of driving divine ability mana. It continuously resonated with the foundation beneath it, nourishing and connecting with his mana.

The most notable trait... is that it can accelerate the completion of the Immortal Foundation. And it works day and night, constantly refining mana!

From what Li Zhouwei sensed in this short time, its operation was far slower than his own cultivation, yet even so, it was already extraordinary. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Ordinarily, completing an Immortal Foundation at the Purple Mansion Realm took five to ten years. Li Zhouwei cultivated somewhat faster than most, and with the added boost from [Sovereign In Peril], he had estimated it would take around three years. Including the time spent forming the Immortal Foundation, he could attempt to condense a divine ability once every five years at best, already cutting the usual decade-long process required by ordinary cultivators in half.

Although advancing an Immortal Foundation into a divine ability at the Purple Mansion Realm had never been something achieved in a single attempt, and three to five tries were not uncommon, it would still take over a decade to form a second divine ability. Even so, that was already considered extremely fast within the Purple Mansion Realm.

That was also why Li Ximing had not been in a hurry to cultivate over the past two to three years. Within the lifespan of a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, that span of time was far too short, and still far from reaching the stage of forming a divine ability.

Yet now, even if he stopped cultivating entirely and focused on studying arts and techniques, the Immortal Foundation would still be catalyzed by talisman qi until it reached completion on its own in five to six years. If he also cultivated in seclusion, it might take him less than two years!

In the time it took others to cultivate once, he could afford three failures. Though cultivation grew harder the further one progressed in the Purple Mansion Realm, the time saved through this self-driven refinement would directly enhance both his cultivation and his spell arts. After all, not everyone could advance swiftly through sheer self-cultivation like Chi Buzi or Daoist Master Zimu!

The Murong Family, the Tuoba Family, even the Supreme Yang Dao lineage all have their own methods to save some time and improve success rates in forming divine ability. But compared to the domineering effect of our talisman qi, only forces on the level of Mount Luoxia, the Underworld's judiciary, or the Dragon Clan could match it!

I wonder whether this catalytic speed depends on my own cultivation pace, or on the difficulty of cultivating the Immortal Foundation or divine ability...

He quickly worked out the calculations in his mind, pleasantly surprised. After sensing it more carefully, a surge of excitement rose within him. He slowly opened his eyes and hurried downstairs.

Li Ximing was in seclusion below, his aura steady and calm. Li Zhouwei did not hesitate to disturb him, lightly knocking on the door. In an instant, golden light flowed out like a stream.

Li Ximing was slightly startled at his urgency and asked, "Has the fighting from the north reached the lake?"

Li Zhouwei laughed aloud, inviting him upstairs as he explained everything in detail.

"Perhaps after entering this place and obtaining the method of immortal ascension, once one forms a second Immortal Foundation, they can draw talisman qi from the bottle... I do not yet know the exact conditions. It may require breaking through before that treasure in the upper pavilion...

"So I did not dare delay. Seeing that you are also cultivating your Dao foundation, even if it cannot be completed in five years, ten years would still be excellent. This opportunity cannot be missed, so I came down to invite you!"

Li Ximing was stunned speechless. He carefully considered the words for a long time before finally speaking with some regret, "Then I miscalculated! I should have formed this Immortal Foundation earlier, so I would not have envied Tinglan's [Migration Command Token]!"

Li Zhouwei smiled and said, "It would be even better if you had it. You could accelerate your cultivation while also refining spell arts. What is your current cultivation level, granduncle?"

Though regretful, Li Ximing's eyes were now filled with hope and anticipation. The once distant second divine ability suddenly seemed much closer. He shook his head and said, "It has only been a little over half a year, so I cannot compare to you. But a single Purple Mansion Realm spirit pill has had tremendous effect. It is still being refined within my qihai. I estimate it will take less than a year.

"I am more eager to cultivate the [Great Radiant White Light][2]. I never expected to form a divine ability in one attempt anyway. Now it is even better. I will simply condense the Immortal Foundation and wait."

Li Zhouwei nodded repeatedly, his mood much improved. He reached for his waist, he revealed a jade talisman glowing with a gentle warmth. It carried a report from the Li Family's direct lineage outside. Since it had not shattered, it was likely not urgent and did not require him to leave seclusion immediately.

He smiled, light flickering in his eyes as he cupped his hands slightly and said, "I should not remain here too long in any case, lest others grow restless. Now that I have completed my cultivation, I will go out and take a look. There may even be good news."

He transformed into light and departed. When he opened his eyes again, he was already inside the [Glazed Pagoda Of Unrestrained Boundary]. Beneath his feet stretched waves of silver lightning, rippling like water.

The moment he stepped out of the main hall, his golden eyes flickered. His spiritual sense swept across the surroundings, and a hint of a smile appeared. He strode forward and soon appeared at a side hall within the inner formation.

The doors of the hall were slightly ajar, faintly revealing the flickers of spell art light within. Inside, a delicate-looking boy sat leaning over a desk, studying it intently. A wooden slip lay open before him, its ink strokes elegant and refined.

The child's skin was slightly pale, his features delicate. At such a young age, his looks were almost androgynous. Though not yet grown, one could already glimpse the bearing he would have in the future.

1. In Daoism, this term refers to the trachea, which is considered a conduit for vital energy (Qi) within the body. The trachea, or windpipe, is a tube that connects the larynx to the bronchi of the lungs, allowing the passage of air. ☜

2. Previously known as Great Li White Radiance. ☜