The Liquid Path to Power

To contend with Qiu Yue, the only recourse left was to break through—to reach the Foundation Establishment stage.

Lin Mo’s mind incessantly replayed Ji Xue’s recent explanation of the distinctions between Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment.

Ji Xue’s summary had been remarkably precise.

First and foremost was the form and quality of spiritual energy.

As in most novels, advancing from Qi Condensation to Foundation Establishment involved transforming spiritual energy from a gaseous to a liquid state.

Gaseous spiritual energy, being sparse, diffuse, impure, and slow in circulation, was inherently less potent.

In contrast, liquid spiritual energy was far more concentrated and refined, circulating with greater fluidity and speed.

The primary reason for his formidable display during the Qi Condensation stage was the sluggish circulation of spiritual energy in others, preventing them from achieving the rapid mobilization he possessed.

His own body, constantly cycling cultivation techniques, always brimmed with spiritual energy.

This allowed for swift mobilization, further aided by his enhanced reactive senses that anticipated spiritual energy deployment.

However, should he reach Foundation Establishment, his current approach would become entirely obsolete.

Spiritual energy, once liquefied, would far surpass the quantity of the Qi Condensation stage, flowing more smoothly, moving faster, and boasting vastly improved recovery capabilities.

Not to mention the profound physical transformation; he would have definitively shed his mortal coil, becoming even more resilient than a superman’s steel body.

Lin Mo had certainly experienced this physical disparity firsthand today.

It was a pure, unadulterated numerical crushing, devoid of any intricate techniques.

He now truly understood the adage: ‘one force breaks all methods.’

If Qiu Yue had truly wished, she could have effortlessly claimed his first time—that of a ‘Chu Nan’—right then and there.

‘Hiss… the mere thought was terrifying.’

****

These two points—the physical body and the quality and quantity of spiritual energy—represented the most significant disparities, a chasm of difference.

Furthermore, after Foundation Establishment, the spiritual energy’s inherent properties and the power of techniques would ascend to new heights.

Thus, the immediate task was to break through.

Only then could he possess the strength to contend with Qiu Yue.

Lin Mo had, in fact, long met the requirements for breaking through.

Constantly circulating the spiritual energy absorbed by the ‘Mingjue Xuanyin’ technique, his meridians, having been tempered and expanded, had already reached the threshold for advancement, and his physical body, refined by spiritual energy, had grown increasingly robust.

He had been hesitant to break through so quickly, fearing it would draw undue attention.

Now, however, having already made a grand display, there was no longer any need to conceal himself.

Rapidly breaking through and enhancing his strength was the only path forward.

Otherwise, he feared he wouldn’t even last the first month against that woman, Qiu Yue.

Although Qiu Yue seemed to have been driven to a breakdown by him when he left this morning, Lin Mo knew full well that she was not one to give up easily.

She would undoubtedly attribute his lack of affection to others, redirect her hatred, and rally herself anew.

‘Sigh, what a mess.’

‘Lin Mo, oh Lin Mo, don’t meddle in others’ affairs in the future—no, it’s just bad luck.’

Who could have imagined that merely trying to comfort a little girl on the verge of tears would lead to being dragged into the Qiu family and imprisoned for ten years?

He mustn’t allow his inherent kindness to be tainted by a scoundrel like Qiu Yue; that would be the greatest wrong.

‘Stop overthinking it; first, break through.’

‘Oh, right, Pavilion Master Xian seemed to have given me a storage ring.

Besides the Foundation Establishment Pill, were there other things inside?’

Lin Mo hadn’t looked closely.

Each time he projected his consciousness into the storage ring, he only noticed the spiritual stones he had accumulated, steadily increasing in number.

A stack of white porcelain bottles was neatly arranged within the storage ring, and beneath those bottles, a letter lay hidden.

This was something Lin Mo had overlooked.

With a thought, the letter instantly materialized in his hand.

He slowly opened it.

There were only a few lines of text, introducing the elixirs.

It contained not only healing pills and those for nurturing the spirit but also Spirit Gathering Pills and Foundation Establishment Pills.

This was likely Pavilion Master Xian’s compensation to him.

Finally, there were a few more lines of text.