Chapter 26: Foundation Establishment Pill

"So... what exactly is this Foundation Establishment Pill? If I just mix these things together, can I really refine a pill?"

[I suppose this is also part of destiny. A Foundation Establishment Pill can be many things, just as there are many paths from Yujing to Rome. But destiny believes that this specific formula is what you need most; it is the key that can lead you onto the path of immortality. Therefore, you must be able to use it—there are no external ingredients listed in the formula, so no external ingredients are needed. Thus, the 'Flowery Pool' must be within your own body! Because you possess spiritual energy, your Flowery Pool also possesses spiritual energy. In other words—]

She raised her voice: [You, as you are now, are already a practitioner at the Qi Refining stage! Or at the very least, your spiritual energy is sufficient to support the refining of the Foundation Establishment Pill.]

"Don't get ahead of yourself. I was already wondering why I was the only one who could hear your voice, and why I’ve always been so sensitive to 'Qi.' Perhaps I possess an innate Daoist body, and I’m just one step away from Foundation Establishment. If I had transmigrated into a cultivation world, I might have been a cultivation genius. Miss Apollonia, what is your take on the 'Flowery Pool' now?"

[Hmm... the part of the human body with the most spiritual energy should be the blood. It is pure energy, free of impurities. While saliva is a possibility, I believe blood is a more reliable choice here. I suggest you draw a vial of your own blood with a needle and use it to refine the pill. Your constitution is special; the spiritual energy contained in your blood should far exceed that of an ordinary person.]

Shang Luo fell silent for a moment.

"Although it sounds a bit absurd, I suppose it’s worth a try. But Miss Apollonia, I have a question. Can this Foundation Establishment Pill really succeed? What is the success rate? And is what I refine truly a Foundation Establishment Pill?"

[Eh? Let me think.]

Apollonia realized: [When you made the request, you didn't explicitly ask for a guarantee of success. But please trust me, this is the 'most likely' result. In other words, if you wanted a pill with a 'one hundred percent success rate,' the rare treasures required would likely involve more than just yourself. This formula is the one best suited to you; it’s just that the chance of success isn't absolute. But don't worry, I will certainly provide full after-sales service, right up until your Foundation Establishment is complete.]

"So, should I cast a divination before I take it?"

[Exactly! You can cast a divination before taking it. Never mind the sulfur and mercury, just eat it. As long as the divination shows no issues, then there are no problems. It’s free of charge; that’s part of the after-sales service.]

"So that's how it's used... but I can't help but feel this is no different from a 'Red Pill'?"

[Red pills are far more stimulating than this thing; I advise you not to take those. That stuff isn't proper medicine, whereas what you are refining is a legitimate Golden Core. It only harms yourself, not others.]

"Alright... I'll give it a try." For the sake of the Foundation Establishment Pill, for the sake of reaching Foundation Establishment, these difficulties could be overcome.

The next morning, at breakfast.

"Great National Preceptor, how did you sleep last night?"

"Not bad."

The room was indeed quite decent, living up to its status as a 'feudal lord's suite.' In reality, the suite followed the layout of a five-bay central hall, though it wasn't built independently on the ground but rather arranged within a high-rise building according to ritual standards.

Aside from the central hall used for receiving guests, four bays were partitioned off around it. Although it wasn't convenient—one had to run across the entire room to the entrance just to use the restroom—such 'feudal suites' were never intended for convenience; they were designed to host important guests.

Shang Luo felt that this standard was too high for hosting him, and he wasn't used to living in such a large room alone.

"I'm glad you think it's good. Do you have anything you need to attend to?"

"Speaking of which, I have a formula here."

Realgar, cinnabar, orpiment, alum, and zengqing. Shang Luo handed the pill formula he had scribbled and modified the previous day to Palka.

"National Preceptor, this cannot be! This is a secret technique of the immortals! How can you give it to me?"

"It's fine. Just help me gather the items listed once you've finished looking at it." Shang Luo also felt that this was likely something copied from an ancient book, so there was no need for secrecy. The preceding items were unimportant; the real crux was the 'Flowery Pool' at the end.

But was the Flowery Pool truly his own blood? Or could it be something like saliva? Or did some kind of spiritual pool actually exist somewhere between heaven and earth?

Regardless, he had to gather the preceding ingredients first.

"Easy enough, easy enough." After looking at the formula, Palka nodded repeatedly. "These are very easy-to-collect medicinal materials. Are you feeling unwell lately, and that is why you need to take medicine?"

"Yes, my stomach hasn't been feeling well lately. I've been eating too many radishes; you know, the menu in San Francisco is all radishes."

"Then I will have these medicines delivered to you before tonight." Only then did Palka begin to ask about his own concerns: "As for the national destiny of the Maya, and the future of Chichen Itza, how did your divination turn out?"

"No rush. You've already been a fallen nation for decades, so a day or two doesn't matter, does it? I do, however, have a question for you. If you were to receive my divination result, and it was unfavorable—meaning you could not save your nation at all—how would you choose to act?"

"Must I answer?"

"Yes, this is also part of the divination."

Palka was silent for a long time. He looked around; everything that remained of his old country was now in this hotel. And soon, even this would become the asset of a new shareholder.

"I choose to believe in the Dao of Heaven. Heaven does not cut off all paths; the Heavens will always leave us a glimmer of hope. So even if you, National Preceptor, were to divine an unfavorable result, I would still proceed to restore the nation without hesitation. After all, I've even given up playing marbles for the sake of this."

"I see. I have noted that." Shang Luo nodded.

He could understand this sentiment. In the past, Chichen Itza was the Maya city-state that resisted until the very end. The most difficult days had already passed, and the 'New Dawn' project had merely replaced the leaders of Chichen Itza; the common Maya people had not been harmed in the process.

However, Shang Luo also knew that perhaps now was the most difficult time: when they resisted Spanish colonization, the princes who defied the rule had the advantages of timing, geography, and popular support. But now, was there truly a need for them to restore their own rule?

Shang Luo was not interested in that. However, he did intend to enlighten this fellow—the key was not him, but what the United Fruit Company was truly trying to do. If everything the company did was born of a conspiracy or some evil purpose, then driving them out would certainly be an act of justice.

*Observe the glory of the nation, and be a guest of the King.*

Shang Luo thought of yesterday's "Divination of Standstill." Perhaps their way out also lay within "Observing the Standstill."

"By the way, National Preceptor." While he was deep in thought, Palka suddenly interrupted him, "Your colleague is downstairs. Do you have time to see him?"

"Colleague? Which one?"

"It’s a Jinyiwei guard about your age. As soon as he came in, he showed his medallion and asked if you were here. Isn't that a coincidence? With so many hotels in Las Vegas, he just happened to pick the one you are staying in. It seems those with cultivation can attract one another. National Preceptor, will you see him now, or wait until you've finished breakfast?"