I Can Add Points Infinitely - Chapter 24

Shen Lian had initially believed that a trip to a large city would quickly yield the two items he needed. However, he was disappointed to learn that Foundation Establishment Pills were not available for retail.

“Senior, Foundation Establishment Pills are considered precious elixirs,” Ling’er explained softly, noticing Shen Lian’s frustration. “Not only in Liao Xin City, but even in other large cities or the Yan Kingdom’s capital, no store sells them directly.”

She continued, “However, Spirit Treasure Pavilion will hold an auction in about ten days, where five Foundation Establishment Pills will be available. If you have the time, you may wait for the auction to purchase one.”

Shen Lian could only nod reluctantly at this information.

“In the meantime, I’d like to purchase a Foundation Establishment technique,” Shen Lian said, “and I have some items I wish to sell. Could you help me with their valuation?”

He handed over a stack of martial arts manuals, mostly low-grade techniques he had acquired outside, along with the flying sword he had taken from Wang Hongde.

“Certainly, Senior. Please rest here for a moment; I will handle it immediately,” Ling’er said respectfully. She accepted the items, led Shen Lian to a quiet chamber, served tea, and then hurried off.

Shen Lian took a sip of tea, feeling a bit bored as he sat in the chair. Moments later, the door opened again, and a burly man with a full beard, looking travel-worn, was ushered in by another attendant to sit opposite Shen Lian.

The two were strangers and didn’t intend to strike up a conversation. However, as soon as the attendant left, the bearded man twisted his body, removed his leather boots, and let out a sigh of relief.

Instantly, a white mist rose from his feet, filling the chamber with a putrid stench that was beyond description.

“Pffft!” Shen Lian spewed the tea he had just sipped, glaring at the man in disbelief.

“Hey, brother, could you put your shoes back on?” Shen Lian yelled, pinching his nose in disgust. He never expected to encounter such an unusual person in a world of cultivators—the smell was practically a biological weapon.

“Ah, we’re all out here struggling; sorry about that, brother. My feet were killing me, so I just needed to air them out for a bit,” the bearded man replied amicably but showed no intention of putting his shoes back on.

Feeling helpless, Shen Lian glanced at the man, realizing it wasn’t worth making a fuss over something so minor. He shifted his breathing technique to internal respiration, allowing him to avoid the foul odor.

The bearded man leaned back, found a comfortable position, and sprawled lazily in the chair with his legs propped up. He eyed Shen Lian’s robe, particularly noting the embroidered “seven” on the sleeve, and smirked subtly.

Shen Lian, unaware of the scrutiny, sat quietly, resting with his eyes closed.

Not long after, Ling’er returned. She opened the door, took one step inside, and immediately let out a surprised cry, stumbling back several steps before regaining her balance. She glanced toward the chamber, noticing the bearded man, and couldn’t help but show a resigned expression.

With a pained grimace, she braced herself, as if steeling for battle, and charged in.

“Senior, your items are ready,” Ling’er announced, her smile visibly strained.

Unable to control her external breathing as Shen Lian could, Ling’er was clearly suffering, but she endured as best she could. Shen Lian quickly skimmed through the items. In addition to the Foundation Establishment manual, the Beast Taming Manual had been returned—it hadn’t been sold.

Before Shen Lian could ask, Ling’er explained, “The flying sword is valued at two hundred low-grade spirit stones, while the other martial arts manuals are worth thirty-five. After deducting the cost of the Foundation Establishment manual, you have one hundred sixty low-grade spirit stones remaining.”

“As for the Beast Taming Manual, it’s a special category. I recommend holding onto it for the auction; it could fetch a higher price.”

“Alright, I’ll keep it,” Shen Lian nodded. “Thank you, Ling’er.”

“You’re welcome, Senior. Please feel free to ask for me next time you visit Spirit Treasure Pavilion,” Ling’er replied with a smile.

Shen Lian nodded again, not wanting to keep Ling’er suffering in the stench any longer. He quickly packed his belongings and left the chamber. Ling’er finally breathed a sigh of relief, following Shen Lian out, only daring to take a full breath once they were far from the room.

Amused, Shen Lian bid her farewell and found a nearby inn to stay at while waiting for the auction to purchase the Foundation Establishment Pill.

In his room, Shen Lian reviewed his current finances: excluding mundane gold and silver, he possessed six hundred thirty-seven low-grade spirit stones and eighteen mid-grade ones. He had a Foundation Establishment manual, which he could resell after studying, and the special Beast Taming Manual, whose auction value was uncertain.

With this much wealth, purchasing a Foundation Establishment Pill was well within reach.

“Should I spend the remaining stones on more low-level martial arts manuals?” Shen Lian pondered, forming a tentative plan.

Putting the matter aside for the moment, he picked up the Foundation Establishment manual and began studying it intently. Although he had little confidence in his aptitude, having the manual in hand compelled him to give it a try.

After nearly two hours of careful study, Shen Lian committed the manual to memory and began attempting to establish his foundation. However, as the night passed, he sighed in frustration—his poor aptitude was indeed a curse. Despite his best efforts, he couldn’t even complete the first step of the process.

Disheartened, Shen Lian got up, grabbed a simple breakfast downstairs, and resolved to wait out the days until the auction. Unfortunately, three days later, he received an urgent summons from his master, Duan Mingzhi, to return to the sect.

With the auction just a week away, Shen Lian was reluctant to leave. However, he couldn’t ignore his master’s call, especially when Duan Mingzhi was his primary support within the sect. Moreover, Duan Mingzhi had hinted at some good news awaiting him.

Sighing, Shen Lian had no choice but to comply. He left Liao Xin City that day, traveling quickly. By late afternoon, he arrived at the quiet chamber of his master, the Seventh Elder.

“Greetings, Master,” Shen Lian said respectfully, bowing deeply. “What urgent matter required my return?”

Duan Mingzhi smiled, stroking his beard. “Not bad, kid. You’ve grown stronger in just a few days.”

Shen Lian had raised his apparent cultivation level to the third layer of Qi Refinement, further solidifying his image as an extraordinary talent—exactly as he intended.

“Thanks to Master’s guidance, I’ve made rapid progress,” Shen Lian replied, ever mindful of the importance of flattery.

Duan Mingzhi, clearly pleased by the praise, waved his hand dismissively. “Enough with the sweet talk, boy. I called you back because I have some good news.”