Eyes closed, then opened.

  As if only seconds had passed, Xia Li awoke from the modification pod feeling a slight ache in his abdomen and a touch of dissatisfaction.

  Though his spiritual energy intensity had noticeably improved after the Pseudo-Core installation, the pod's worn condition dampened his mood.

  "Sis Ke, can't you get a new modification pod? This model's way too old, and the medical functions are lacking."

  Xia Li thought of the high-end modification pod he'd used in the upper district before. The experience there was beyond words—after waking, he'd felt refreshed from head to toe.

  Nothing like Ke Xiao's old-model pod. Truly, there's no harm without comparison.

  "Then you pay for it. You think modification pods are cheap?"

  Ke Xiao huffed coldly after speaking. Her business wasn't exactly booming—her supply sources entirely depended on the organization's support to get this far. Strictly speaking, only half of this underground modification station was actually hers.

  Linguang City had plenty of modification stations, and illegal underground ones were everywhere. Hers was already better than most.

  "How much is the latest model?"

  "In regular currency? Ten million Democratic coins, eight million Corporate coins, five million Sect coins, twelve million Clan coins."

  "Let's just use spirit stones as currency..."

  Xia Li still didn't fully understand Earth's four major currency systems, nor how hard this money was to earn.

  After all, spirit stones were the only truly universal currency.

  "About a hundred thousand standard low-grade spirit stones."

  "Forget I asked."

  Though Xia Li could afford that much, it was only because he'd robbed a Myriad Treasures Pavilion branch manager of everything he had.

  Were things on Earth really this expensive?

  But thinking about it more carefully, it made sense.

  "Functional" and "best" were two entirely different concepts. The best products might only be ten or twenty percent more effective than functional ones, but prices were often double or more.

  "But at least get something slightly better."

  "One thousand low-grade spirit stones, and I'll place an order if you can pay up."

  "I'll get it to you later."

  Xia Li nodded in agreement. He'd probably be getting modifications at Ke Xiao's place more often in the future. As he grew stronger and accumulated more secrets, going to public modification stations would make it easy to be targeted.

  "Big spender. Having spirit stones really is different."

  Ke Xiao couldn't even be bothered to ask where Xia Li got so many spirit stones. As long as he could actually produce them, everything was negotiable.

  "By the way, how good is a hundred-thousand-stone modification pod?"

  Xia Li was curious.

  "Lots of functions. A hundred-thousand pod combines modification, medical treatment, gaming, training, and every function you can think of, each striving to be the best. They're usually private pods for big shots, and you can even customize features to your specifications."

  "Expensive for good reason, indeed."

  Xia Li nodded. Once he earned more spirit stones, he'd definitely get himself a private modification pod—and if possible, put it directly in his storage ring to carry around.

  "So when are you planning to establish your foundation?"

  "Now."

  Xia Li felt the timing was right. Though his Qi Refining realm wasn't yet perfect, his current state was at least a grand completion.

  He didn't pursue perfection—there was no need.

  The combat power gap between perfect and grand completion might only be ten or twenty percent, but going from grand completion to perfect required several times, even dozens of times more effort.

  "Want me to guide you there?"

  "No need. I'll go myself."

  "Alright. Good luck."

  Ke Xiao gave Xia Li a firm nod. Foundation Establishment was an extremely important step, and Heaven-path Foundation Establishment was like being reborn.

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  Even someone with mediocre talent, once they achieved Heaven-path Foundation Establishment, would see their talent greatly enhanced.

  This was the marvel of the Heavenly Dao Computer.

  The ancient cultivation tradition emphasized talent, comprehension, and spiritual roots, believing some things you were born with couldn't be acquired later.

  But what was impossible before the Heavenly Dao Computer?

  Innate Spirit Body?

  By using the Heavenly Dao Computer for Foundation Establishment, one could forcibly develop an acquired Spirit Body. Though not as good as an innate one, it was still a precious opportunity seized against the heavens.

  After leaving Ke Xiao's shop, Xia Li put on the human-skin mask the Liu family had given him to disguise his identity, then went to the bank to convert his spirit stones.

  His current stones were all rough spirit stones—unconverted, Earth wouldn't accept them.

  Of his 120,000-plus rough spirit stones, Xia Li only converted half, since the remaining half would be useful on the other side.

  The 60,000-plus rough spirit stones became less than 50,000 after conversion.

  After depositing them in his bank account, Xia Li directly transferred 2,000 spirit stones to Ke Xiao with a message:

  *Sis Ke, please buy a good modification pod. Preferably new—no more secondhand stuff. Your old pod has been marinated in its own funk.*

  Then...

  Xia Li headed directly toward the upper district.

  In Linguang City's upper district, Xia Li walked through the bustling streets, following the Heaven Chip's guidance straight to city hall.

  If an individual wanted to activate the Heavenly Dao Computer for Foundation Establishment, they had to apply at city hall. City hall didn't recognize identity—only spirit stones.

  City Hall, first floor.

  The spacious lobby was filled with people coming and going, countless individuals handling their business. Xia Li walked directly to the public equipment rental counter.

  According to information he'd gathered online, this was where to apply for Heaven-path Foundation Establishment.

  After waiting in line for about half an hour, it was Xia Li's turn. The person handling business at the counter wasn't a robot, but a mature, experienced woman.

  "I'm requesting Heaven Chip communication."

  Xia Li didn't want those around him to hear his purpose directly.

  "Certainly, please wait..."

  She quickly opened a Heaven Chip communication channel.

  〖What service would you like?〗

  〖I want to rent the Heavenly Dao Computer for Heaven-path Foundation Establishment.〗

  〖Please grant bank account inquiry permission. I need to verify your funds.〗

  〖Okay.〗

  After a short moment...

  〖Sufficient funds. Activation fee including other service charges totals twelve thousand spirit stones.〗

  〖Disclaimer: The Heavenly Dao Computer does not completely guarantee successful Heaven-path Foundation Establishment. Results depend on your personal ability. Do you confirm payment?〗

  〖Confirmed.〗

  Xia Li nodded and paid directly. After receiving payment, she quickly contacted the Heavenly Dao Computer's staff to prepare for Xia Li's Foundation Establishment.

  Twelve thousand spirit stones was no small sum—enough to buy a decently located one-bedroom, two-living-room apartment in the upper district.

  Anyone willing to spend this much on Foundation Establishment was either wealthy or noble.

  〖Your processing is complete. Take the Qian Passage. Additionally, you receive three question privileges, valid only for this visit.〗

  〖Thank you.〗

  After completing the process, Xia Li left the counter. The bonus question privileges were just a small extra, but having the Heavenly Dao Computer answer questions specifically normally required a significant cost.

  That was direct communion with the Heavenly Dao—a Heavenly Dao Computer that could ask about past and future, its database containing all of human history and wisdom.