Elian's status within the family had grown extraordinary, and this time, the old clan leader refrained from intervening, leaving the authority to distribute the Foundation Establishment Pills entirely to Elian.
As a result, more than a dozen Qi Condensation late-stage cultivators from the family sought Elian out, hoping to exchange for one of the Foundation Establishment Pills.
Elian, however, made no promises. Instead, he convened a meeting in the family's main hall, bringing together the senior elders and Qi Condensation late-stage members to discuss the matter.
In the clan's main hall, Elian sat calmly at the head seat, observing everyone present. He noted their nervous yet slightly eager expressions.
Third Elder, Chen Qinghao, was the first to speak, his face brimming with excitement.
"Who would have thought that in just a few short years, our Chen family would undergo such drastic changes?"
"First, Elian established his Foundation autonomously. Now, we've even secured two Foundation Establishment Pills. The heavens have truly smiled upon us."
Elian, with a faint smile and in good spirits, replied, "Regarding the distribution of these Foundation Establishment Pills, I've come up with a plan, and I'd like to discuss it with everyone here."
Hearing this, the group tensed up, their eyes fixed on him intently.
Elian's gaze shifted slightly toward Fifth Elder, Chen Qingwan, and he spoke.
"Within the family, the only Qi Condensation ninth-layer cultivators under the age of sixty are Aunt Qingwan and Uncle Qinghao."
"Over the years, Aunt Qingwan has worked tirelessly for the family, contributing both effort and merit. She is undoubtedly the most deserving candidate to receive one of these pills."
He then turned his attention to Chen Qinghao. As the Third Elder, Qinghao was younger than the Fourth Elder, Chen Qingyuan, and close in age to Qingwan.
A dual-attribute metal-water cultivator, Qinghao's aptitude was on par with the Sixth Elder, Chen Qingmeng, but his rapid early progress had led him to become the family's Third Elder.
Elian regarded Qinghao earnestly. "The second Foundation Establishment Pill, I believe, should go to Uncle Qinghao."
This decision surprised everyone present. One of Elian's cousins, Chen Nianxu, couldn't help but stand and voice his opinion.
"I understand that, in terms of merit and contributions, the Third Elder is undoubtedly qualified for the pill."
"But Third Elder sustained injuries to his foundation in a duel long ago, and his physical body has yet to recover. His chances of advancing to Foundation Establishment are slim to none."
Chen Nianxu, at forty-three years old, was considered a rising star among the Nian generation and had already reached the eighth layer of Qi Condensation. With family support, he could reach the ninth layer within a decade and refine his foundation sufficiently to attempt Foundation Establishment with the pill.
It was evident that Nianxu hoped to contend for the pill himself.
Chen Qinghao stood as well, immediately denying the decision.
"I know you mean well, but my injuries have left me with little chance of success. To give me the pill would be a waste."
"If not for my injuries, the pill that went to Qingmeng years ago would have been mine, and we wouldn't even be having this discussion today."
"You needn't worry," Elian interjected with a smile.
"It's also a matter of fortune—I managed to acquire a Blood Replenishing Ginseng during a transaction in Tianxu Mountain."
"Tomorrow, I'll refine a batch of Vitality Replenishing Pills, which should be sufficient to heal your injuries."
As one of the family's two Foundation Establishment cultivators and entrusted with significant authority by the clan elder, Elian's position was unassailable. With his reassurance, no one dared to object further, and the matter was resolved decisively.
After the meeting, Elian handed one Foundation Establishment Pill to Chen Qingwan and added a reminder.
"Don't rush to break through just yet."
"Once I've refined the Vitality Replenishing Pills, I'll make a trip to Linghu Isle to refine a batch of Gathering Essence Pills. They'll give you an additional 5% chance of success."
With his instructions given, Elian wasted no time and headed directly to the family's alchemy chamber.
Refining the Vitality Replenishing Pill required sixteen ingredients, most of which were relatively common except for the Blood Replenishing Ginseng, which was particularly rare. After acquiring it in Tianxu Mountain, Elian went to the Tianxu Pavilion to procure the other supplementary herbs and was now ready to begin.
In the alchemy chamber, Elian's expression grew serious as he prepared to refine the pill.
This was his first attempt at crafting a true second-tier pill. While he had previously refined Gathering Essence Pills, those were only pseudo-second-tier.
Still, he had confidence in his abilities. Pill refinement largely boiled down to three key factors:
First, understanding the balance of primary, secondary, and supplementary ingredients and correctly proportioning them according to their properties.
Second, experience in alchemy—handling unexpected situations during the refinement process was critical.
Finally, cultivation level and spiritual sense. Insufficient cultivation or spiritual awareness would make crafting higher-tier pills significantly more challenging.
Having studied spiritual herbs for many years and refined numerous pills, Elian had already reached the threshold of second-tier alchemy. His understanding of ingredient synergy and his practical experience were solid. Now, with his Foundation Establishment-level cultivation and heightened spiritual sense, he felt reasonably confident.
Nonetheless, he approached the task cautiously. After carefully preparing the ingredients, he began the refinement process.
Using a gentle flame, Elian first extracted the essence of the supplementary ingredients before turning his attention to the Blood Replenishing Ginseng.
Unlike the others, this rare herb was exceedingly precious, and Elian couldn't afford to mishandle it. He worked meticulously, removing impurities as if unraveling threads.
All herbs contained impurities, and refining pills required the painstaking removal of these imperfections. The fewer impurities remaining, the higher the chance of success.
For five full days, Elian refined the ginseng, using his spiritual flame to burn away impurities. By the end, he was left with a small pool of crimson liquid, free of imperfections.
"Not bad," he muttered, allowing himself a moment of relief.
Though some of the essence had been lost along with the impurities, the remaining liquid was sufficient to produce four pills.
"Now for the final step."
As the process neared its conclusion, Elian's focus intensified.
After combining the liquid extracts, he divided them into four portions and increased the flame's intensity to solidify them into pills.
A faint sizzle echoed through the chamber as one portion of liquid failed to withstand the heat and evaporated into a wisp of blue smoke.
...
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