Just as Xiao Mengyao was preparing to break through, Ye Ping’an took Ningyue out to look for something to eat.
Ye Ping’an’s father, Ye Lingtian, had already set out, heading toward the location they’d agreed upon in advance.
Unlike Xiao Mengyao, who was still at the Qi Refining stage, Ye Lingtian was a master at the Core Formation stage, so his speed was naturally on a completely different level.
He only needed a few hours to reach the location of the Bailian Sect. If Xiao Mengyao were to fly there now, it would take her more than a day.
Not only Ye Lingtian, but during these days, every sect in Moyou that needed Foundation Establishment Pills had all gathered at the location of the Bailian Sect.
Nearly twenty Zongzhu at the Core Formation stage had gathered here, and the rest were either at the peak of Foundation Establishment or late Foundation Establishment stage.
There wasn’t a single one below the late Foundation Establishment stage.
After all, this time they were purchasing from other lower sects, so the price would inevitably be higher than elsewhere.
Long before this, Moyou had already sent out invitation letters to several nearby lower sects. The only one able to sell Foundation Establishment Pills in large quantities was the Feng Clan.
Perhaps because the Feng Clan was born with fire attribute spiritual power due to their bloodline, their family naturally lacked no alchemists, so they agreed right away.
Of course, the condition was that they needed to exchange ten times the materials required to refine Foundation Establishment Pills.
While the herbs for Foundation Establishment Pills weren’t exactly rare treasures, they were still considered precious for Moyou.
Those sects that hadn’t even reached late Foundation Establishment naturally didn’t have the means for this.
After all, Foundation Establishment Pills were medicines that could seize the fortune of heaven and earth. Even for a third-grade alchemist, the success rate was only about one in five!
Sometimes even lower, so exchanging ten times the herbs wasn’t too excessive a demand from the Feng Clan.
As for why they needed the herbs for Foundation Establishment Pills and not others, it was because of the ongoing conflict between the Lianhua Sect and Feiyu Sect.
Usually, in battles among lower sects, Foundation Establishment cultivators were the main force, Core Formation cultivators were the elite, and Nascent Soul cultivators were the trump card and the final backup.
Using Nascent Soul power meant the sect was already at a disadvantage and had no other choice.
So, the more Foundation Establishment cultivators as the main force, the better. The Feng Clan, skilled at alchemy, was naturally the first choice.
That’s why they bought large quantities of second and third-grade pills, including Foundation Establishment Pills, at higher prices than usual.
As the war dragged on, this demand only increased.
Of course, since they’d already sold a huge amount of pills, the Feng Clan currently had no Foundation Establishment Pills in stock—only on-the-spot refining.
Even if the Zongzhu from these sects arrived at the Feng Clan, they wouldn’t get any in the short term.
Naturally, they were prepared to stay at the Feng Clan for an extended period.
***
Two days later, when the agreed date arrived, each Zongzhu brought the herbs they’d prepared and flew to the Feng Clan.
Unlike Ye Ping’an, whose two locations were both at the Feng Clan’s Moyou-facing side, this time Ye Lingtian and the others were heading to the Feng Clan’s main house.
For such clans, their main houses and the bases of other lower sects were usually built closer to the middle region.
Even within the lower regions, there was a big difference in spiritual power between places closer to the middle and those nearer to Moyou.
Their group set out with great momentum; compared to Moyou, this was a force that could sweep through a whole region of Moyou.
When they arrived at the Feng Clan’s main house, the guards were already aware of their purpose and didn’t stand on ceremony, directly leading nearly a hundred Zongzhu to a desolate residence.
The guard left a brief message: “Everyone, please rest here for now. I will report to the elders of the clan.”
Although the guard was only at the Qi Refining stage, he showed no respect at all to this group of Foundation Establishment and Core Formation cultivators.
Logically, it should have been a spectacular sight for all of Moyou’s powerhouses to gather like this.
Unfortunately, among Ye Lingtian’s group, the highest cultivation was only three at mid Core Formation.
Not a single one had reached late Core Formation. All of them together might not even be able to defeat a peak Core Formation cultivator.
Not to mention, the Feng Clan had no less than one Nascent Soul ancestor. The cultivation world was just like this—each realm was a chasm that couldn’t be crossed.
In Moyou and the lower regions, there were no prodigies capable of challenging those above their level; such tales were only heard of in the Heavenly Profound Holy Land and the Four Great Upper Sects.
So the difference between realms was like the gap between heaven and earth.
“Ye-brother, Feng-brother, the Feng Clan is really looking down on us!”
Seeing the Feng Clan’s attitude, a man surnamed Huang, one of the three mid Core Formation cultivators, immediately complained to Ye Lingtian and another Zongzhu at the same level.
“Sigh! Huang-brother, that’s not quite right. After all, we are from the lower sects. Even though we’ve reached the Core Formation stage, in their eyes, it’s still not enough.”
The man surnamed Feng replied helplessly.
“That’s right! Besides, we’re here to ask for their help. Their attitude is understandable. As long as we get the Foundation Establishment Pills, it doesn’t matter how they treat us.”
Ye Lingtian also spoke with resignation. After all, in the eyes of the lower regions, Moyou is always at the bottom.
“Of course I know. I’m just complaining a little.” The man surnamed Huang scratched his head, equally helpless.
At that moment, an old man suddenly appeared in the deserted courtyard.
He didn’t comment on the surroundings, but raised his eyes to the group and said, “Everyone, I am the alchemist who will be refining the Foundation Establishment Pills for you this time.”
“Originally, my senior brother, junior sister, and I were supposed to do it together, but recently, the Lianhua Sect and Feiyu Sect have both suddenly increased their demand for pills, so only I remain.”
“Refining for all of you may take some time, so please decide the order amongst yourselves. Once you’ve decided, hand the herbs to me.”
Upon hearing this, everyone started discussing in low voices. Clearly, they realized the scale of the conflict between the two sects might be far greater than they’d imagined.
Of course, they had to decide the order, since the alchemist was waiting and they couldn’t afford to be careless.
Naturally, cultivation level took precedence. Ye Lingtian and the other two at mid Core Formation were first, followed by those at early Core Formation.
The remaining Foundation Establishment cultivators were placed at the end.
But the order among those at the same level needed to be discussed.
Ye Lingtian exchanged a glance with the other three, thought for a moment, and then said, “I’ll go last. As for who goes first, I suggest Huang-brother should.”
Ye Lingtian’s thinking was simple—Huang seemed to have some complaints about the Feng Clan, so the sooner he finished, the sooner he could leave.
If he stayed and offended the Feng Clan, the rest might suffer for it.
“Alright, then let Huang-brother go first!” The man surnamed Feng seemed to understand Ye Lingtian’s intention and immediately nodded in agreement.
Huang didn’t stand on ceremony, cupped his hands to the two, and followed the old man away.
And so, everyone began to wait.