Inside the Water Manor of Qinhua River, Luo Chen gazed at Li Jinhuang. The man sat cross-legged, his features gaunt and his face deathly pale. The once perfectly fitted wide robe now draped loosely over his frail frame, making him look almost hollow.0

So this is the state of a Foundation Establishment Initiate about to reach the end of his lifespan and enter final seclusion...0

An ordinary cultivator might not have noticed, but with Luo Chen’s sharp eyesight and keen spirit consciousness, he could clearly sense the constant loss of vitality. His body was like a sieve, unable to hold anything in.2

The Dao Foundation that had once sealed his life force was now failing completely. At this point, his body was like a cracked vessel, leaking away all his strength, energy, and spirit without restraint.0

Facing Luo Chen’s scrutiny, Li Jinhuang remained calm. He made no effort to hide his true state, and instead openly let Luo Chen see every detail. It was a gesture of goodwill; it allowed Luo Chen to understand as much as possible what a Foundation Establishment cultivator faced in their final days. Perhaps, if Luo Chen himself were to reach such a state one day, this understanding might allow him to prepare in advance.0

Or perhaps this kind of goodwill had been ongoing ever since the Li family of Qinhua River established ties with the Luo Tian Society on Danxia Peak. After all, Li Jinhuang's own granddaughter had married into the Luo Tian Society. He had offered a Foundation Establishment pill quota during the auction. He had helped...1