Chapter 172: Advancing Cultivation, Upholding the Meaning of Protection

Lifting his hand, Yu Xian sent the fourth Little Golden Spirit Pill into his mouth.

Cold to activate, hot to expand, one to restore, one to shape the spirit!

These four precious pills were planned meticulously by Yu Xian.

With the synergistic combination of lord and minister herbs, their medicinal effects could be absorbed to the fullest!

As the final pill’s medicinal power surged into his dantian and qi sea, the jade-green foundation platform inside him emitted a radiant glow and rapidly expanded!

The engravings and innate talisman symbols upon it grew clearer—more mysterious, profound, and difficult to comprehend.

The little elm tree inside swayed gently, its entire form jade-green, visibly growing before his eyes. Several new branches sprouted and stretched out, covered in lush leaves.

It now stood tall and sturdy, lush and magnificent, like an emerald canopy shielding the heavens.

Mid Foundation Establishment!

The brilliance in Yu Xian’s eyes slowly faded as he continued calmly meditating with his eyes closed.

But across from him, Yue Pingfeng suddenly raised an eyebrow, opened his eyes, and looked at Yu Xian in shock.

“You… broke through to Mid Foundation?”

The change in Yu Xian’s cultivation couldn’t escape Yue Pingfeng’s notice. The gap between Early Foundation Perfection and Mid Foundation wasn’t a small one.

Hearing the voice, Yu Xian opened his eyes and nodded. “Mm. I swallowed four fourth-grade high-tier pills and forcefully pushed through.”

“You—”

Yue Pingfeng frowned deeply, worry clouding his expression.

“I know you can refine pills yourself, and taking them saves you a fortune in spirit stones and rapidly boosts your cultivation. But, Brother Yu, forcing advancement like pulling sprouts to grow is a curse, not a blessing. Once you reach late Foundation and must comprehend the laws of heaven and earth to form your Golden Core, then what? Even with a fifth-grade Golden Essence Pill, it may not help. Comprehension—comprehension is the true key!”

Seeing Yue Pingfeng’s deeply concerned gaze, Yu Xian could only nod.

“I understand…”

“Sigh…”

Yue Pingfeng sighed and spoke softly.

“I know your heart is anxious. You wish to grow stronger quickly to seek out Senior Brother Xiao. But Yu, you must understand—you are the foundation of everything. If Senior Brother Xiao knew you were forcefully advancing and planting hidden dangers in your future path, he would worry, even get angry.”

“I… I truly understand now. I won’t do it again.”

Yu Xian scratched his nose awkwardly. He felt like a child who’d just been caught making a mistake…

Yue Pingfeng nodded.

“Good. You’ve only just entered Mid Foundation; it’s not too late. Purge the pill toxins and rely on comprehension to improve steadily from now on. With your talent, forming a Golden Core is within reach. Even the Nascent Soul realm is not impossible.”

“Mm.”

Yu Xian nodded sincerely.

Yue Pingfeng didn’t know that Yu Xian cultivated the Grand Pill Body Refinement Technique, which could purge toxins completely. Other than developing resistance, consuming pills would leave him with no side effects.

And there was no need to explain it—doing so might only bring more trouble.

Satisfied, Yue Pingfeng showed a smile and returned to meditation.

Yu Xian also let out a quiet breath, began forming hand seals, and circulated his technique.

Time passed.

In just one day, the toxins from the four pills were completely refined and eliminated through the Grand Pill Body Refinement Technique!

All pills carry toxins, even the highest-tiered ones—only differing in degree.

Unless they were legendary Immortal, Golden, or Divine Pills—which could even revive the dead and reconstruct souls—they would always contain some form of impurity.

Why? Because such miraculous pills weren’t refined with mere herbs—they were refined using Heavenly Laws, Primordial Essence, and Divine Will. Such pills transcended the concept of toxins altogether.

But anything made from spiritual herbs would inevitably contain some toxicity.

Even so-called eleventh-grade pills, the pinnacle of mortal alchemy, were not exempt.

Yu Xian opened his eyes as Yue Pingfeng also awoke.

Yue exhaled, then spoke:

“One day of rest is enough. Time is tight. From today onward, I will teach you the method to refine third-tier artifacts.”

“Understood!”

Yu Xian nodded seriously. He was eager and hardworking when it came to artifact forging.

Very soon, under Yue Pingfeng’s guidance, Yu Xian threw himself into focused, rigorous study.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Yu Xian raised his hand, focused his gaze, and officially began hands-on learning to refine a third-tier artifact.

The materials were expensive—one failure could mean thousands of spirit stones lost.

He didn’t want to fail.

So he was extremely meticulous!

Boom! Boom boom boom!!

Suddenly, loud knocks erupted like war drums.

Even Yu Xian, with his stable mindset, was startled. His hand trembled.

Boom!

The artifact in the furnace exploded instantly!

“Damn it! Who is it!?”

From afar, Yue Pingfeng cursed in fury and stood up.

Yu Xian waved his hand, summoning his Spirit Shield to block the explosion’s remnants and shards, slowly standing up with cold eyes.

To knock? Fine.

But not like this.

This was provocation. Malicious intent!

BOOM BOOM BOOM!

The knocking continued.

Outside, a loud voice followed Yue Pingfeng’s roar:

“Yue! Where are you hiding Xiao Duo?! Open the door! Or I’ll break your barrier!!”

“Motherf—!”

Yue Pingfeng was enraged. Seeing Yu Xian’s failure from the disturbance made him angrier than failing himself.

He marched to the door and opened it with a wave.

Standing outside was the same man Yu Xian had seen at the staircase—Yu Hua Feng, the guard of the second floor, whom Xiao Duo once called “Brother Yu”.

Yu Hua Feng pointed at Yu Xian and shouted:

“It’s you! You brought Xiao Duo into that room! Where is she?! Let her out! Or I’ll assume you killed her!”

Yue Pingfeng stepped forward.

“You’ve ruined my refining process. Pay for the loss or don’t even dream of leaving!”

Yu Xian’s voice turned cold:

“She is inside, but it’s none of your concern. You disrupted our refinement. Apologize and compensate, or you won’t leave.”

Yu Hua Feng’s energy surged—Foundation Late Stage!

He was going to barge in.

“You’re seeking death!”

But Goldscale Pavilion’s third floor was no ordinary place.

Just as the three were about to clash—

“Such insolence!”

A voice like thunder shook the air.

Everyone paused.

Even the surrounding refiners came out—it was the Third Elder, Fang Jue, a Gold Core cultivator and one of the Pavilion’s three rotating heads.

Seeing things escalate, Fang Jue intervened.

Yue Pingfeng explained everything.

Yu Hua Feng accused the two of abducting Xiao Duo and possibly killing her.

Yu Xian calmly replied:

“She’s inside, cultivating. I promised her no one would disturb her. I honor my promises.”

Fang Jue raised an eyebrow.

Yu Xian blocked even a Gold Core elder from entering.

He warned again: “Let me in.”

Yu Xian did not budge.

“I promised. I stand by it.”

Even as Yue Pingfeng tried pulling Yu Xian away, the latter didn’t move.

Fang Jue grew cold. “You truly don’t know your place…”

Just then—

“Wait! Don’t hurt him!”

A weak voice cried out.

The curtain inside lifted—Xiao Duo appeared! With tearful eyes, she rushed out.

“Sir! He didn’t hurt me! I asked him to guard me during cultivation. He honored that promise with his life!”

Yu Xian turned and smiled:

“Congratulations on forming your Foundation.”

Only then did he step aside and bow.

“If I must be punished, I will accept it.”

Fang Jue’s expression softened.

Turning to Yu Hua Feng, he snapped:

“This is the ‘victim’ you spoke of? You’re fined three months’ tribute to compensate the loss. Do this again, and I’ll deal with you personally.”

He left, muttering to himself how absurd love triangles were.

“Xiao Duo! You’re okay! I was so worried! Now that you’ve formed your Foundation, we no longer have any barrier between us!”

Xiao Duo looked at him and said flatly:

“Yu Hua Feng, we’re not suited. I never wanted to become your Dao companion. You’ve gone too far today.”

“I was just trying to protect you!”

“My affairs… have nothing to do with you.”

That sentence silenced him. Then he burst into manic laughter.

“You’ll regret this! You two will regret everything!”

With a hateful glare, he left.

Xiao Duo turned to Yu Xian and Yue Pingfeng.

“I’m sorry… for dragging you both into this…”

Yue Pingfeng rolled his eyes and walked away to leave them space.

Yu Xian said calmly:

“You didn’t drag us into anything. I made a promise and simply kept it.”

Tears welled in Xiao Duo’s eyes.

She tried to speak, but Yu Xian cut her off:

“Now that you’ve broken through, my promise is fulfilled. You may go find a place to stabilize your realm.”

Xiao Duo looked stunned.

“I… can I cultivate here?”

“No.”

His voice was steady and unyielding.

“You’ve already formed your Foundation. We are equals now. I can no longer help you. Farewell.”

In that moment, Xiao Duo realized—

It was never about her.

Even if there had been a dog in the room, Yu Xian would have protected it just the same.

Not for the person.

But for the promise.

“I… I understand. Thank you, Daoist Yu. I will never forget your help.”

She turned away, head lowered, and quietly left.