I Became A Cannon Fodder In A Female Protagonist Cultivation Novel Chapter 3 A Bad-Tempered Cultivator And A Brainless Young Man

A day of cultivation yielded no perceivable progress.

Insight from Refinement +1.

As the day concluded and night descended, Fang Jinyu surveyed his day's efforts, a sense of accomplishment his only reward. But he was close to tears.

"I believed my cultivation wasn't improving because I'm at the ninth rank of the Qi Condensation stage and on the cusp of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage. Alas, it turns out I've hit a bottleneck, and my cultivation base has stagnated entirely."

Fang Jinyu finally grasped the desperation of ninth-rank Qi Condensation cultivators for the Foundation Establishment Elixir.

Individuals possessing spiritual roots with fewer than four elements could achieve the Foundation Establishment stage by consuming a single Foundation Establishment Elixir.

This potion was hailed as a sacred medicine capable of altering one's destiny.

Consequently, the Foundation Establishment Elixir commanded an exorbitant price: 30,000 spirit stones per pill!

Even cultivators in the Foundation Establishment stage found such a sum daunting, let alone those in Qi Condensation. Accumulating 30,000 spirit stones could take a Qi Condensation cultivator over a century!

While certain Immortal Cities offered loans to ninth-rank Qi Condensation cultivators, even if they successfully reached the Foundation Establishment stage, they were bound to serve the Immortal City for a minimum of 20 years! Falling short meant their very lives were forfeit to the city, relegating them to a fate of toil as enslaved persons or servants…

Fang Jinyu gleaned this information not from any external source, but from the inherited memories of the original Fang Jinyu.

The term "Immortal City" was merely a moniker to bolster its prestige, as only immortal cultivators resided within.

Typically, an Immortal City would have at least one Core Formation stage cultivator overseeing its affairs.

The Lingdu Secret Realm offered a pathway for the Tianling Sect's disciples to achieve the Foundation Establishment stage, as those emerging from it could trade their acquired treasures for at least one Foundation Establishment Elixir. With a stroke of luck, they might even obtain three!

It was a veritable shortcut to affluence!

Even Foundation Establishment cultivators harbored envy for such opportunities.

Suddenly, Fang Jinyu experienced a profound revelation. As his mind cleared, the intricate details of the Storm Raging Technique, the cultivation method he was practicing, and other cultivation intricacies materialized in his consciousness.

Upon reviewing these mental insights, Fang Jinyu instantly identified his errors and the root cause of his cultivation bottleneck.

Fang Jinyu buzzed with excitement at his discovery.

He harbored a strong premonition that by rectifying his mistakes, he might achieve the Foundation Establishment stage without the need for a Foundation Establishment Elixir!

With renewed fervor, Fang Jinyu commenced the process of correcting his cultivation errors.

However, at that precise moment, Fang Jinyu sensed that someone had triggered the restrictive enchantment surrounding his immortal abode.

He retrieved the nearby mirror and channeled a spell into it.

Following the spell's activation, the mirror gradually unveiled the appearance of the individual outside his dwelling. This was a low-tier spirit tool known as the Scouting Mirror, employed for surveillance and viewing distant scenes. It was a posthumous reward granted by the sect following the demise of the former Fang Jinyu's parents.

A cultivator in the Foundation Establishment stage could observe the base of the mountain from its mid-section. Fang Jinyu, however, was limited to viewing only the vicinity of his immortal estate.

It wasn't an inadequate tool; after all, it was a low-tier spirit tool valued at several hundred spirit stones.

Yet, its limited utility rendered it far from ideal.

Two figures materialized within the mirror's reflection: one appearing slightly older, perhaps in his early thirties, and the other a young man with a distinctly arrogant demeanor.

Soon, Fang Jinyu discerned that both were cultivators in the late stages of Qi Condensation.

One stood at the ninth rank of Qi Condensation, while the other was at the seventh rank.

"Hmm, these two don't resemble Chen Baxing..." Fang Jinyu mused, surprised, yet he proceeded to deactivate the restrictive enchantment. The enchantment served merely as an alert; even a third-rank Qi Condensation cultivator could breach it.

Furthermore, situated on the peak of the Tianling Sect's mountain, he felt confident the intruders would refrain from any aggressive actions.

As the door swung open, Fang Jinyu emerged. He clasped his fists and inquired, "Do the two of you seek me out for an important matter?"

The moment Fang Jinyu finished speaking, the young man's face immediately contorted in anger. "Hmph, you're quite the interesting one. Who do you think you are? Do you believe you can evade us just because nothing is happening? Furthermore, why do you reek so terribly? Did you eat feces?"

"Can you fucking mind your words…"

Fang Jinyu was on the verge of cursing back, but he managed to suppress his rage. He turned his gaze towards the man in his early thirties, disregarding the impudent youngster.

While he might fear a certain neurotically lovesick Core Formation stage cultivator, it didn't mean he was terrified of everyone.

The man in his early thirties appeared quite awkward. However, his social standing prevented him from saying anything. Upon noticing Fang Jinyu's attention, he swiftly cupped his fists. "Brother Fang, I am Lu Yifang, and this is Lu Shaojun. Senior Brother Chen specifically sent us to find you."

Fang Jinyu's expression shifted upon hearing this "acquaintance's introduction."

Was a disciple from the Tianling Sect actively causing trouble?

Society truly had become quite depraved.

Lu Shaojun couldn't help but let out a laugh when he witnessed Fang Jinyu's changing demeanor. "Haha! You're scared, aren't you? Look at you, a total coward! As you know, we were dispatched by Senior Brother Chen Baxing. So hurry up, get out of our way, and let us pass!"

Fang Jinyu was rendered speechless, pondering, "What in the world is going on?"

"Chen Baxing?"

A hint of a pleasant expression graced Fang Jinyu's face. He harbored no fear towards Chen Baxing whatsoever. After all, Chen Baxing was merely ranked ninth in the Qi Condensation stage. The novel did mention that this individual would eventually break through to the Foundation Establishment stage. However, it was the female protagonist, Su Yier, who would ultimately assist him in achieving that milestone.

Fang Jinyu let out a snort. "Hmph, you two should just head back from whence you came!" With that said, he turned and retreated back into his immortal estate, simultaneously reactivating the restrictive enchantment.

Yet, he had barely taken two steps before the restrictive enchantment was obliterated.

Fang Jinyu pivoted his head, confronting Lu Shaojun. Meanwhile, Lu Shaojun erupted in fury, bawling, "Who do you think you are?! How dare you address me with such insolence?"

Fang Jinyu inquired coldly, "Are you aware of the repercussions for shattering a restrictive enchantment?"

Lu Shaojun's face contorted with disdain. "So what? You were the one who dug your own grave!" Without further ado, he launched an assault on Fang Jinyu! A wind blade shot forth from his palm, hurtling towards Fang Jinyu!

Fang Jinyu internally mused, "Where did this utter fool crawl out from?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Fang Jinyu's mind. "Someone actually dares to initiate an attack?"

Then, with a casual backhand grab, the incoming wind blade was nullified mid-flight. Subsequently, Fang Jinyu conjured another wind blade using the dispersed wind energy, unleashing it with the speed of lightning.

Fang Jinyu's wind blade possessed ten times the power of Lu Shaojun's! Moreover, its velocity far surpassed it!

Lu Shaojun stood utterly dumbfounded.

He had engaged in sparring sessions with his family numerous times back home, yet no one had ever retaliated against him with the ferocity Fang Jinyu displayed!

"Damn it all!"

Witnessing the turn of events, Lu Yifang immediately moved to assist Lu Shaojun. He dared not allow his junior brother to sustain any injury, lest he face his father's wrath – a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage!

Swiftly, he activated a talisman. The talisman materialized into a circular light shield, intercepting the wind blade.

"Bang!"

Although the wind blade was dispersed, the radiance of the talisman tool noticeably dimmed.

Nevertheless, the ground was already in disarray. A tempestuous wind raged in all directions, leaving visible gouges upon the rocky walls of the immortal estate.

Lu Yifang had no intention of prolonging the confrontation. He declared, "Brother Fang, I implore you to forgive him! Junior Brother Lu is a recent recruit to the Tianling Sect and is unfamiliar with our established rules. Please overlook his ignorance of our sect's protocols!"

As he spoke, Lu Yifang silently seethed, "If this brat were just a common disciple, I'd gladly make him pay!"

"I, Lu Yifang, shall become a dog if I ever associate with this whelp again!"

Meanwhile, Fang Jinyu's eyebrow twitched. He found it peculiar that Lu Shaojun had joined the sect while already at the seventh rank of the Qi Condensation stage. This indicated he was no ordinary disciple, considering the Tianling Sect's preference for admitting new disciples with weaker cultivation bases each year. The Tianling Sect particularly favored accepting talented mortals.

Consequently, Fang Jinyu suppressed his rising anger and inquired, "What business did Chen Baxing send you here for?"

Lu Shaojun retorted belligerently, "Senior Brother Chen Baxing demands that you relinquish your opportunity to enter the Lingdu Secret Realm! Hand it over if you know what's best for you! Don't waste our valuable time!"

Even though Fang Jinyu had effortlessly bested Lu Shaojun, he maintained his composure as Lu Yifang remained by his side.

Viewing them as utter simpletons, Fang Jinyu questioned, "Brother Lu, is he out of his mind? Are you both out of your minds? Do you realize that a simple report to the higher-ups could result in your cultivation bases being crippled and your expulsion from the Sect?" Internally, he mused, "If there was any profit to be made from this situation, I would have already done it!"

"Otherwise, why would I have to spend a month cleaning up feces to avoid that deranged, infatuated cultivator from the Core Formation stage?"

Lu Yifang responded, "Of course, we are aware of the consequences, as is Senior Brother Chen. However, Senior Brother Chen dispatched us to inform you that others are also vying for this opportunity. We are merely following his instructions."

Following this, Lu Yifang glanced at the dim-witted individual beside him and continued with a smile, "Brother Fang, Junior Brother Lu's father is a renowned alchemist. If you agree to relinquish your claim, Senior Brother Chen will handle the matter, alleviating any concerns you might have. Furthermore, Junior Brother Lu's father has pledged to refine a Foundation Establishment Elixir for you once you procure all the necessary ingredients!"

Only a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage warranted such deference from a Rank 9 Qi Condensation stage cultivator, who would address him as Martial Uncle.

Barring close personal relationships, the seniority hierarchy among cultivators was determined solely by their Cultivation base, irrespective of age.

Upon hearing Lu Yifang's proposal, Fang Jinyu inwardly seethed, "What kind of absurd scheme is this? The brat's father wants me to gather all the materials, only to hand over a single elixir after its refinement?"

"Does he take me for an imbecile?"

"And this whelp considers it a favor!"

"Even a fool knows that a single refinement yields no less than seven or eight elixirs!"

At this moment, Fang Jinyu felt an overwhelming urge to curse at everyone. With a cold demeanor, he signaled for them to depart.

However, Lu Yifang spoke once more, "Brother Fang, I understand we have placed you in a difficult position. Therefore, Senior Brother Chen has granted you five days to deliberate on this matter. Please forgive our haste; the senior requires this to be concluded within a month. With half the time already elapsed, our window is rapidly closing."

Fang Jinyu was taken aback by Lu Yifang's statement. He then turned to face him, inquiring, "Is he a great cultivator?"

Only those who had reached the Core Formation stage could be referred to as great cultivators.

The instant Fang Jinyu uttered these words, Lu Yifang's eyes widened in astonishment.