Bai Xiaochun's desire for Foundation Establishment, ignited by Xu Baocai's words, only grew stronger over the following days. He visited the Scripture Pavilion multiple times, and even went to the Divine Martial Hall.
Inside the Divine Martial Hall, much of the common knowledge about the cultivation world was explained, including fairly detailed descriptions of Foundation Establishment. When Bai Xiaochun saw that the contents matched what Xu Baocai had said, he was fired up with enthusiasm.
He believed that if he could reach Foundation Establishment, it would mark a massive step forward on his path to immortality.
Especially when he learned that there were three types of Foundation Establishment, each offering different lifespan increases, his excitement became uncontainable. After several days of intense research, he finally gained a clear understanding.
"Heaven, Earth, and Mortal—the three types of Foundation Establishment…"
"Mortal Foundation Establishment requires taking a Foundation Establishment Pill. The success rate is low, but if successful, you gain a hundred years of lifespan."
"Earth Foundation Establishment involves absorbing the essence of a geovein, granting immense power. The success rate is even lower, but if you succeed, you gain two hundred years of lifespan!"
"And finally… the legendary Heaven Foundation Establishment. Incredibly rare, impossible to seek out, but if one is fortunate enough to achieve it… it grants five hundred years of lifespan!" Bai Xiaochun studied this carefully and concluded that Heaven Foundation was too distant and mysterious, and Earth Foundation could only happen in special locations with geovein energy.
The most practical path before him was Mortal Foundation Establishment—which required a Foundation Establishment Pill.
"I need to start planning for the future. I have to prepare thoroughly and carefully. I must have Foundation Establishment Pills…" Bai Xiaochun took a deep breath and put down the jade slip, his eyes gleaming.
"Those pills are expensive. And to be safe, I'll need more than one. So… the best way is to learn to refine them myself!" His eyes lit up with determination. He had always dreamed of becoming a great alchemist capable of creating the Elixir of Immortality. Now, that ambition burned even stronger.
"Apprentice, assistant, alchemist… I'm currently just an apprentice. To become an assistant and refine pills, I need to pass an assessment… The test requires mastery of at least five volumes of Plants and Herbs. But that feels risky. If I also master the five volumes of Spirit Beasts, it'll be much more secure." Bai Xiaochun's eyes filled with resolve. He took out the jade slip containing the third volume of Plants and Herbs, reviewed it carefully, and confirmed he had memorized it all before leaping to his feet.
But moments later, he ran back and stood in his courtyard, thinking deeply. Then he pulled out a number of garments and disguised himself before leaving quickly.
"Those admirers of Zhou Xinqi are terrifying. They're still spreading threats to tear me limb from limb… I have no choice but to keep a low profile." Bai Xiaochun was filled with indignation.
"Hmph! Just wait until I reach Foundation Establishment. Then I'll stand proudly in front of everyone and declare that I, Bai Xiaochun, am Lord Turtle! Let's see who dares to mess with me then!" He gritted his teeth, thinking about the huge gap between himself and Zhou Xinqi's fanboys, and swore an oath.
The Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion was always crowded. Not only did outer sect disciples from Fragrant Cloud Mountain come here, but disciples from Green Crest and Violet Cauldron Mountains who sought knowledge about medicinal plants did too.
Bai Xiaochun slipped into the crowd and, while no one was paying attention, slipped into the small wooden hut beneath the third Plants and Herbs stele. Moments later, he emerged and blended back into the crowd.
He intended to leave immediately, but couldn't help glancing back. Soon after, exclamations erupted as everyone saw that the third stele now had the image of a small turtle riding atop a treasure bottle.
Bai Xiaochun was secretly delighted and couldn't help joining the shocked crowd, faking surprise and yelling along with them. But it wasn't long before Zhou Xinqi's admirers appeared, looking fierce and menacing, causing Bai Xiaochun to clench his fists in anger.
"These guys are the reason I have to stay low-key." He shot them a glare and quickly fled.
In the days that followed, the news of the little turtle's return spread throughout Fragrant Cloud Mountain. Everyone was talking about it—after all, for the past year, the turtle's image had been prominently displayed on the steles.
Then, just as the rumors began to fade, a month later, disciples of the Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion noticed that the turtle had appeared again—this time on the fourth stele, once again riding the treasure bottle and ranking first!
The crowd erupted!
"He's about to surpass Senior Sister Zhou Xinqi! This turtle is first on four steles!"
"Senior Sister Zhou is first on five. Just who is this little turtle…" Bai Xiaochun, hidden in the crowd, screamed along with them, feeling incredibly satisfied. When Zhou Xinqi's admirers started searching madly, he faked indignation, bowed his head, and disappeared.
A few days later, Zhou Xinqi herself came to the Pavilion. She stared solemnly at the steles, then entered the hut beneath the tenth stele. When she emerged, she had taken first place on that stele.
At this point, all outer sect disciples on Fragrant Cloud Mountain were paying attention. Zhou Xinqi had six stele firsts, the little turtle had four…
Everyone began to speculate: Would the turtle take the fifth stele next month and tie with Zhou Xinqi?
The outer sect disciples even started placing bets on whether the turtle could claim first on five steles. Even the elders of Fragrant Cloud Mountain began watching the matter closely.
Bai Xiaochun threw himself into his studies with renewed fury. Every time he took first on a stele and received a jade slip, he would study it day and night. Fueled by his hatred of Zhou Xinqi's fanboys, every time he claimed a first, he would shout loudly in the crowd, expressing his admiration for the little turtle.
Over time, he got to know many fellow fans of the turtle—of course, thanks in no small part to his own tireless promotion. Even Hou Xiaomei now worshipped the little turtle to an extreme degree.
Finally, on a sunny day a month later, the treasure bottle on the fifth stele suddenly flashed, and the turtle reappeared atop it!
The entire outer sect of Fragrant Cloud Mountain was shaken. People rushed to see it. For days after, all anyone talked about was the little turtle.
"That turtle's understanding of plants must be beyond imagination!"
"Amazing—he's on par with Senior Sister Zhou!"
Some people even began suspecting Bai Xiaochun. Zhou Xinqi's fanboys, driven mad, targeted every suspicious person, and Bai Xiaochun was one of their main suspects.
Bai Xiaochun grew more and more aggrieved. To shake off suspicion, he sighed loudly and, in front of everyone, went to the fourth stele and stood there dazed for a while, swearing that one day he'd make them pay. Then he left.
After doing this several times, their suspicions gradually shifted to others. After all, without proof, it was hard to pinpoint anyone.
Still, a harsh warning circulated: if the turtle was ever caught, they wouldn't just tear him into four pieces, but eighty!
When Bai Xiaochun heard that, he imagined himself being torn into eighty pieces and shivered. But then he gritted his teeth—his stubbornness flared again.
"Oh, so you're not happy? The more you hate it, the more determined I am to be number one!" Bai Xiaochun clenched his teeth and, from that moment, began a showdown of wills.
One month later—sixth stele: turtle, first!
Another month—seventh stele: turtle, first again!
When the turtle became first on all seven steles, cheers erupted around the Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion.
"Seven steles first place! Go turtle! Go for all ten like Senior Sister Zhou never did!"
"Haha! I believe in this turtle! He'll succeed!"
As people celebrated, more than a dozen young men nearby looked extremely grim. Among them were several inner sect disciples with dark, cold expressions. One of them, covered in pockmarks and wearing an inner sect robe, had the sharpest eyes of all.
"Fellow disciples," he said coldly, "if anyone knows the identity of this little turtle, tell me. I, Qian Dajin, will owe you a favor!" His voice carried a strange force that immediately silenced the crowd.
Many turned to look and recognized him. Most quickly averted their eyes. Some were angry but didn't dare say anything.
"That's Qian Dajin, the inner sect disciple from the Enforcement Hall!"
"I heard he's pursuing both Senior Sister Zhou and Du Lingfei…"
Bai Xiaochun was also in the crowd. Upon witnessing this scene, he put on a furious expression like everyone else. Once back in his courtyard, he grew more indignant just thinking about Qian Dajin.
"You'll never find me! And I'll definitely fight you!" Bai Xiaochun raised his chin proudly. He studied the five Spirit Beasts volumes even harder now, and as he learned how to extract medicinal ingredients from beast bodies, his knowledge of plants grew rapidly.
Combining the two, he made even faster progress. His understanding of herbs and beasts increased by the day.
A month later—eighth stele: turtle, first!
Then another month—ninth stele: turtle again, first!
Now—*nine steles first place!*
The outer sect disciples of the Pavilion were boiling with excitement, chanting for the turtle to take the tenth stele.
Even Zhou Xinqi's fanboys could do nothing now, only watch as the turtle's fame surpassed hers.
Finally, on the last month, on a sunny afternoon when the Pavilion was busiest, Bai Xiaochun disguised himself again. Determined, he waited in line, then slipped into the hut beneath the tenth stele unnoticed.
As he entered, he sat cross-legged beneath the monument, pressed his right hand against it, and felt his mind roar. He was pulled into the familiar void.
Countless fragments of herbs and spirit beast materials flickered before him. His eyes gleamed with resolve. His hands flew into motion as he began the test. Piece by piece, he assembled complete herbs and ingredients.
A thousand… five thousand… ten thousand…
Thirty thousand… fifty thousand… eighty thousand…
This was the hardest challenge he had ever faced. Sweat beaded on his brow. Blood veined his eyes. He became like a madman, losing all sense of time. His fingers ached. His head throbbed. Yet he gritted his teeth and persevered.
No one knew how long it took, but when the final herb was completed and the tenth stele's test ended, Bai Xiaochun's hand trembled.
He collapsed, eyes blurry. When they cleared, he was back in the wooden hut.
His breathing was rapid, but his eyes gleamed with satisfaction. Wiping away sweat, he clenched his fist and smiled with excitement.