Cultivation starts from devouring the Dao fruits

"The situation is getting worse, and the deterrence of the four great sects against those who practice robbery is diminishing. In these troubled times, improving one's own strength is the only way to supremacy."

Zhao Yu summoned the White Ghost Emperor directly, took out the Second-Order High-Grade Fierce Ghost Relic Ghost Jar he had acquired, opened his mouth to inhale the negative energy directly from the jar, refined it by operating the Dao Fruit of Swallowing, and then chose to enhance the strength of the White Ghost Emperor.

The White Ghost Emperor's body suddenly emitted countless black auras, its eyes flashed with ferocity, its facial features became fierce, and its aura grew more and more terrifying.

"White Ghost Emperor: Low-grade quality (180/1000)."

"Cultivation Level: Second-Order Medium-Grade (15/400)."

"Finally, it has evolved into a Second-Order Medium-Grade evil ghost! With the power of the White Ghost Emperor spirit ghost, it could probably match some cultivators at the Sixth Level of Foundation Establishment."

"But although the White Ghost Emperor is powerful, it is restrained by Lightning Techniques as well as some Evil-Repelling Spells and treasures. If it gets trapped and someone comes for me, it could be dangerous. Caution is still essential!"

Zhao Yu looked at the White Ghost Emperor radiating a fierce aura with satisfaction in his eyes.

Originally, Zhao Yu had planned to first enhance the quality of the White Ghost Emperor and then its cultivation level. In doing so, the resources required would have been reduced by more than tenfold. However, given the deteriorating public order in the four wild countries of the north, Zhao Yu changed his mind and chose to consume a large amount of resources to enhance his immediate combat power.

"Hmm, it's also time to start a furnace and refine a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills!"

Zhao Yu went to the Alchemy Room to take out the materials for the Foundation Establishment Pills he had prepared and started the alchemy process.

Three days later, Zhao Yu uncovered the Pill Furnace, and a fragrance of pills wafted from it. Inside the furnace were ten Foundation Establishment Pills emitting a fragrant aroma.

After Zhao Yu's Alchemy had advanced to Second-Order High-Grade, his skill in refining Foundation Establishment Pills also reached a master level. Such was the terrifying power of the Dao Fruit of Swallowing. With the enhancement of a master-level Foundation Establishment Pill Alchemy skill, Zhao Yu easily refined ten top-quality Foundation Establishment Pills.

Zhao Yu picked up a top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill, a hint of regret in his eyes: "The effect of a top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill is ten percent higher than that of an ordinary one! Moreover, even if the Foundation Establishment fails, it can preserve the cultivator's vital energy, causing minimal harm."

"If this top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill were to be auctioned, it could probably fetch a price over forty thousand Spirit Stones. It's a pity I can't afford to auction it off."

If a Qi Refinement cultivator took a top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill to an auction, everyone would know something was amiss.

The Shiyang Commerce Association is known the world over for its fairness and safety, but if the stakes are high enough, nothing stays unchanged forever.

Several days later, on the Wolf Ridge Mountain boat.

Zhao Yu picked up a cup of Spiritual Tea, took a quiet sip, and slowly said, "This time in Shiyang City, I didn't get the Foundation Establishment Pill."

Ling Qianxue smiled and said, "Then we'll talk about it next time. Shiyang City auctions off a Foundation Establishment Pill every three years. I can wait!"

"I won't pay you back the Spirit Stones you gave me. However, I've managed to get a top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill for you! Take a look, do you like it?"

Zhao Yu smiled slightly and handed over a jade bottle.

Ling Qianxue received the top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill, her eyes sparkling brightly, and she smiled warmly, "A top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill! This is a treasure that only core disciples of the Dan Ling Sect could possibly obtain. Of course, I love it!"

The top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill is a precious spirit pill that only second-order high-grade alchemists have a small chance of successfully refining. Even within the Dan Ling Sect, known for its medicinal pills in the Northern Desolation, there are less than three pill masters who can refine such a spirit pill, and even they face the possibility of failure.

Zhao Yu said, "Qian Xue, the current situation is becoming more and more dangerous and chaotic! I plan to hold fast at Wolf Ridge, entering seclusion and not emerging. I hope you can bring the Ling family cultivators to live temporarily at Wolf Ridge for a while, and after the war between the Five Sects is over, we can return to Spirit Lotus Lake."

Ling Qianxue said with a smiling voice, "Sister Su would not allow my Ling family to settle in Wolf Ridge!"

Zhao Yu said slowly, "She can agree to a short-term refuge! As far as I know, Miaoyuan State's Miao family has been wiped out by a band of marauding cultivators! All cultivators were slaughtered. When the land remains but the people are lost, both are lost, but when the people remain without the land, both exist. I hope you understand this principle."

Ling Qianxue's willow brows slightly furrowed, "The Miaoyuan State's Miao family is gone!"

Miao State is a country controlled by the Thousand Mysteries Sect, and the Miao family of Miaoyuan State is one of the seven great Foundation Establishment families of the Thousand Mysteries Sect. Miaoyuan State borders Cang Country, and once those marauding cultivators spill into Cang Country, all the major Foundation Establishment families will feel the threat to their own safety.

After weighing her options for a moment, Ling Qianxue decisively said, "Alright! I'll immediately relocate the Ling family to Wolf Ridge temporarily, and after the war ends, I will lead them out!"

Zhao Yu smiled slightly and took Ling Qianxue's smooth, white hand that was as tender as jasper.

A blush tinged Ling Qianxue's pretty face.

After a spring breeze had passed, Ling Qianxue hurried back to the Ling family and moved the Ling family cultivators and the direct line to Wolf Ridge.

Spirit Lotus Lake was sealed by Ling Qianxue activating the formation, and the top cultivators within the Nine Deep Mountain Market also organized their own patrol team.

Within the alchemy room at Wolf Ridge.

"Not bad, ten top-quality Golden Sha Body Refining Pills! These will be enough for me to cultivate my Golden Sha Beast God Body to the Fourth Level! The Golden Sha Beast God Body is much stronger than the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art I created myself!"

Zhao Yu looked at the ten Golden Sha Body Refining Pills refined from the main material of triple-gold-patterned fiery gold ape inner cores in the pill furnace, a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes as he pinched one and popped it into his mouth.

A powerful and sharp hot flow surged through Zhao Yu's body, almost piercing through his flesh.

Zhao Yu stimulated the heart technique of the Golden Sha Beast God Body, gathered and guided the hot flow, and, following the pathway of the Golden Sha Beast God Body, strengthened his physique.

Zhao Yu originally possessed the Body Refinement at the fourth level of strength, his physical quality was frighteningly strong, and he completed the entry level of the Golden Sha Beast God Body with ease, smoothly cultivating to the First Level of the Golden Sha Beast God Body.

In the following days, Zhao Yu stayed within Wolf Ridge refining pills, cultivating the Golden Sha Beast God Body, Wood Yuan Gong, and knowledge of formations. Whenever he felt weary of the monotony, he would roam and explore the lake with Ling Qianxue, enjoying the springtime, living a carefree and joyful life.

However, the situation in Cang Country was becoming increasingly chaotic, with news frequently arriving of some market being breached by marauding cultivators or vassals of the Evil Ghost Sect, resulting in heavy casualties and death.

Many cultivators rushed to Wolf Ridge, hoping to seek refuge within, but were directly refused by Zhao Yu.

Fortresses are most easily broken from within; the Wang family's downfall came when a traitor emerged, breaking the Thousand Trees Formation Array, leading to the extermination of the entire clan, with countless other branches of the Wang family and commoners being killed jointly by the Cang Spirit Sect and the four major Foundation Establishment families.

Ordinary emperors would exterminate entire families at the slightest provocation, while the Cang Spirit Sect, as the overlord of Cang Country, naturally maintained order on regular days and would not easily kill commoners. However, when dealing with traitors, they can be utterly ruthless and merciless.