Return Ten Thousand Times, I Became a Dog Licker in My Final Days

Chapter 7: A Hundred Times the Critical Strike, The Best Beauty Pill:

Lin Yan’er’s hands trembled slightly as she accepted the ten Foundation Establishment Pills from Xu Xiao. Her fair cheeks flushed red, the color spreading down to her neck.

She was overwhelmed with excitement, unable to believe her stroke of luck.

“Disciple… disciple… Thank you so much, Elder Xu!” she stammered, her voice filled with gratitude.

The pills in her hands shimmered with a crystalline clarity far superior to the ones she had bought earlier. Their quality was undoubtedly extraordinary.

As she gazed at Xu Xiao, standing before her with his white hair and kind expression, she recalled the rumors circulating in the Misty Sect. It was said Elder Xu only had a year left to live. The thought made her chest tighten.

She couldn’t bear the idea of such a noble elder passing away so soon.

[Congratulations to the host for successfully gifting ten Foundation Establishment Pills. The first gift to Lin Yan’er has triggered a hundredfold critical hit, returning the top-quality Beauty Preserving Pill.]

[Top-Quality Beauty Preserving Pill: Upon consumption, it halts aging, preserving youth and beauty indefinitely.]

“A Beauty Preserving Pill of the highest grade?”

Xu Xiao’s eyes gleamed at the system’s announcement. Beauty elixirs were highly sought after, especially by female cultivators. A top-quality Beauty Preserving Pill was practically unheard of in the market.

Even a High-Grade Beauty Pill could sell for hundreds of High-Grade spirit stones, yet finding one was almost impossible.

“This reward is incredible,” Xu Xiao thought, his excitement hidden behind his calm exterior.

Collecting himself, he looked at Lin Yan’er, whose face radiated respect and admiration.

“Lin Yan’er,” he said kindly, “these ten Foundation Establishment Pills should be enough to ensure your advancement to the Foundation Establishment Realm. If you encounter difficulties in your cultivation, come to me. I will help you.”

Lin Yan’er’s eyes sparkled with gratitude. “Thank you, Elder Xu. Disciple will never forget your kindness!”

As the onlookers gazed in awe, Xu Xiao, with Lu Danian’s assistance, boarded the carriage and left the scene.

Lin Yan’er watched the carriage fade into the distance, her heart racing with joy and disbelief.

“Junior Sister, you’re so lucky!” exclaimed one of her female companions. “Nine Middle-Grade spirit stones and ten Foundation Establishment Pills! What an opportunity!”

Another female disciple sighed wistfully. “If only I had bought some pills earlier and been scammed too. Elder Xu might have gifted me something!”

The two male disciples were equally envious, their faces red with excitement.

“Junior Sister Lin,” one said, his voice trembling, “Elder Xu said you could seek his help with cultivation. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

To them, Lin Yan’er’s new connection to Elder Xu far outweighed the value of the pills. His influence, even with only a year left to live, was a priceless advantage.

Lin Yan’er felt a mixture of elation and disbelief. She looked toward the direction Elder Xu had gone, her heart pounding.

“Elder Xu is so kind to me…” she murmured, her cheeks glowing.

Around her, the crowd hadn’t dispersed. Onlookers buzzed with admiration and envy.

“Tsk, tsk… disciples of the Misty Sect are truly blessed with such opportunities.”

“Elder Xu, even in his old age, is so impressive! I wish I could have someone like him!”

“Mark my words, this girl’s future is bound to soar with Elder Xu’s care. Chance like this can change your entire destiny.”

The chatter continued, each person dreaming of similar fortune befalling them.

…

Outside the city gate, Lu Danian stored the carriage and glanced at Xu Xiao, his expression a mix of curiosity and confusion.

Noticing this, Xu Xiao frowned and kicked him lightly.

“What’s that look for?” Xu Xiao asked, his tone sharp.

“Nothing, Uncle,” Lu Danian said, dodging another kick with a sheepish grin. “I understand everything now!”

Though his face displayed amusement, Lu Danian felt a pang of sadness. Uncle must be so lonely…

Master must be informed of this immediately! Lu Danian resolved to find Xu Xiao a Dao companion as soon as possible. Even if his uncle only had a year left, he deserved happiness.

Mounting a flying sword, Lu Danian respectfully helped Xu Xiao up. Together, they soared back to the Misty Sect.

…

At a secluded courtyard on the mountainside of the Misty Sect, Xu Xiao bid farewell to Lu Danian and entered his quarters.

Sitting cross-legged on a hemp futon, Xu Xiao reflected on his recent discoveries.

“It seems every first gift to a Daughter of Luck triggers a critical hit,” he mused.

He retrieved the Nine Heavens Divine Phoenix Hairpin from the system’s space library. The faint red glow it emitted radiated power, and Xu Xiao nodded in satisfaction.

Top-tier Law Weapons were some of the strongest tools a cultivator could wield, capable of elevating their strength to incredible levels.

“For now, I’ll keep this,” Xu Xiao thought. “It might come in handy later or serve as another gift.”

Next, he took out the crystalline Beauty Preserving Pill. This rare treasure was coveted by female cultivators, but Xu Xiao had no use for it.

“If I use this and keep this old face, it’ll be ridiculous,” he muttered.

Deciding to wait for the right opportunity, Xu Xiao returned the pill to the system’s storage.

“No female cultivator can resist this,” he thought. “I’ll give it to Junior Sister Dugu Ling when the time comes. She’s an SS-level Daughter of Luck. A critical hit is guaranteed.”

With his plans set, Xu Xiao shifted focus to cultivation.

Currently at the 1st stage Foundation Establishment Realm, he aimed to break through quickly. The cultivation hierarchy was clear: Qi Training, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Soul Formation, Void Refinement, and so on. Each major realm had nine layers.

While most cultivators struggled to afford Foundation Establishment Pills, Xu Xiao had 190 left—ample resources thanks to the system.

“Misty Immortality Secret,” he murmured, activating the inner sect’s powerful technique.

Taking a Foundation Establishment Pill, Xu Xiao guided its energy through his meridians.

Moments later, a resounding crack echoed within his body.

[Congratulations to the host for advancing to the Second Layer of Foundation Establishment.]

A satisfied smile spread across Xu Xiao’s face as he continued his practice.