Chapter 136: The Rules on the Mountain

As Xu Qing's Foundation Establishment aura erupted and the bell's toll echoed throughout the Seventh Peak, three figures soared into the air from the direction of the summit, whistling straight down toward the mountain base.

Generally speaking, if an outside Foundation Establishment cultivator stepped onto the mountain stairs here, they would only be blocked at the entrance and would not trigger the bell.

At such times, one must report their identity and state their purpose; a formation would then notify the person they wished to visit, and only after the other party consented could they ascend the mountain under the surveillance of the formations.

This was how it had been when the Jin Gang Sect Ancestor visited Daoist Xianyun of the Sixth Peak.

But there was only one possibility for triggering the bell the moment one stepped onto the mountain stairs.

That was… the appearance of a new Foundation Establishment cultivator among the sect's disciples who had not yet been registered in the formation.

Naturally, an enemy attack was a different matter.

In the Seven Blood Eyes, when disciples at the mountain base advanced to Foundation Establishment, not everyone chose to rent the sect's Foundation Establishment grounds. On one hand, the price was exorbitant; on the other, those who could stand out from countless Qi Condensation disciples in this chaotic world inevitably possessed their own fortuitous encounters.

Such occurrences were not rare. After all, aside from fortuitous encounters, a sect held together by interests possessed almost no trust.

Thus, about thirty percent of the Seven Blood Eyes' Foundation Establishment cultivators returned after advancing outside.

Most of these fortuitous encounters were related to ruins. Although some people paid attention, because this was not an isolated case and was a major taboo, once malicious plundering occurred, it would be fine if it didn't spread, but once it did, it would shake the foundations of the Seven Blood Eyes.

Therefore, it was strictly prohibited by the Seven Blood Eyes. Although mutual slaughter still occasionally occurred in secret, it was generally acceptable. After all, for the cultivators on the mountain of the Seven Blood Eyes, they would weigh whether it was worth it before taking action.

Few people would be so foolish as to take such a risk for an unknown guess.

Xu Qing had thought these matters through clearly when he chose to go outside to advance to Foundation Establishment. At this moment, watching the three figures approaching rapidly, he stood on the fifth step, waiting for their arrival.

Soon, the whistling sound became clearer. Among the three figures rushing toward him from afar, the one in the lead wore a purple robe, was of medium build, and had a round face.

It was precisely the person who had guided Xu Qing the first time he ascended the mountain. That day, the other party had even kindly reminded him of the habitual flaw in his right hand and the concept of "cotton-hidden needles."

Looking at the other party's figure, Xu Qing felt a sense of emotion in his heart. Back then, he had only heard the four words "cotton-hidden needles," but now, through his experiences in the Seven Blood Eyes and the people he had encountered, he had deeply felt what "cotton-hidden needles" truly meant.

And he himself had learned a great deal in the environment of the Seven Blood Eyes.

Xu Qing cupped his fists and bowed deeply the moment the other party approached.

Laughter came from the sky.

The round-faced cultivator's figure flickered, arriving before Xu Qing with a gentle expression and a face full of smiles.

"Xu Qing, the first time I saw you, I felt you were by no means an ordinary person, so I spoke up to remind you. Meeting again today, you have indeed become one of our kind."

"Thank you, Senior, for the reminder that day." Xu Qing felt grateful toward this round-faced cultivator and cupped his fists to speak.

"There is no need to address me as Senior. You have already reached Foundation Establishment; we can address each other as fellow disciples. Junior Brother Xu Qing, my name is Zhang Yunshi; you may call me Senior Brother Zhang."

The round-faced cultivator smiled as he spoke. Between his words, he looked up and saw Zhao Zhongheng, who was standing not far away with a face full of shock.

He was a clever person by nature. His gaze swept over Zhao Zhongheng's expression and then looked at Xu Qing. He roughly guessed some things in his heart, but he wouldn't meddle, so he narrowed his small eyes.

"Junior Brother Xu Qing, shall we go up the mountain?"

"Sorry to trouble you, Senior Brother Zhang." Xu Qing nodded politely and cupped his fists toward the other two Foundation Establishment cultivators beside him, his gaze sweeping over them seemingly casually.

He discovered that most of the Foundation Establishment cultivators on the mountain concealed their fluctuations. These two were the same, and Zhang Yunshi was like this as well, making it very difficult for Xu Qing to perceive their specific depth at first glance.

This caused his inner guard and vigilance to be extremely high.

These two were clearly inferior to Zhang Yunshi in status. Seeing that Zhang Yunshi had a past connection with Xu Qing, they smiled faintly, returned the salute with cupped fists, and left.

Just like that, accompanied by Zhang Yunshi, Xu Qing walked forward along the mountain stairs with him.

The trees on both sides of the mountain road provided shade. At this moment, the sea breeze blew, causing the leaves to sway, and spiritual birds chirped crisply in the trees.

This sound was very pleasant, as if it could sink into his memory, causing the scene of his first ascent of the mountain to surface and overlap with the present.

"Junior Brother Xu, I already introduced the world at the mountain base of the Seven Blood Eyes to you before. Today, let me tell you about the mountain." In the wind, Zhang Yunshi's peaceful voice echoed on the road.

"The Seventh Peak has thirteen Elders, all of whom are Core Formation cultivators. Below them are Foundation Establishment cultivators like us, numbering over one hundred and forty. After you register today, the Seventh Peak will have one hundred and forty-nine Foundation Establishment cultivators."

"It seems like a lot, but in reality, it is not many. The entire Seven Blood Eyes has nearly a thousand. You must know that our Seven Blood Eyes is one of the four great powers of the Eastern Wanggu."

"Therefore, the status and identity of a Foundation Establishment cultivator are extremely high."

"This is the case everywhere in the Eastern Wanggu, and even more so in our Seven Blood Eyes. After you register, you will receive about five thousand seven hundred spirit stones every month."

"The specific amount depends on the monthly earnings of the Seven Blood Eyes, so it is not fixed, but the fluctuation is not very large."

"In addition, after becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator, you will gain the right to reside on the mountain. However, you have to pay for a cave dwelling. Also, the sect's Foundation Establishment techniques are not given for free like they were during Qi Condensation; you have to pay for them as well. As for the Scripture Hall, you are qualified to purchase any Foundation Establishment technique within it."

"At the same time, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, you possess four rights."

"The first right: from now on, you possess the right to open a new port. You can open a port that belongs to you in the harbor area!"

"It can be for external or internal use. The sect takes half of all earnings from its operations, but this requires you to arrange for people to manage it, and the initial investment is huge, which you must also bear yourself."

"If you do not want this port opening right, you can obtain ownership of a street in the main city. All shops on that street must pay you rent. This method is simple and direct."

"Foundation Establishment cultivators choose either of these two options; you can weigh it yourself."

"The second right: if a disciple at the mountain base of this peak provokes you, you may kill them. However, for killing one person, you must pay a penalty of one hundred thousand spirit stones. For killing the second, the price doubles, and so on, never resetting."

The round-faced cultivator smiled as he spoke, but the words he uttered caused Xu Qing's pupils to shrink.

"This regulation is actually a line in the hearts of our Seven Blood Eyes Foundation Establishment cultivators. Whether inside or outside the sect, when encountering the weak, one will weigh whether it is worth it to kill."

"If it is a disciple from the mountain base of another peak, the price doubles on this basis."

"As for the third right: you can designate two disciples from the mountain base, or other people you approve of, to become your followers. They will gain the qualification to reside in the main city for free and can also ascend the mountain with you, practicing under your name."

"At the same time, your teleportation to all branch cities within the Seven Blood Eyes range will be free. In addition, you have one hundred residency quotas for branch cities every year. You must know that residency rights in branch cities are very precious in outside scavenger camps and small cities; one cannot possess them without a recommendation from a Seven Blood Eyes disciple."

"The last right is the protection of the Seven Blood Eyes, which prevents outside Core Formation cultivators from coming here to kill you. Of course, if you bring out enough spirit stones, even a Nascent Soul cultivator wouldn't dare to come and kill you. If you have even more spirit stones, you can go and place a bounty; there will inevitably be people in the sect willing to help you kill them."

"You must remember: the mountain base is a pack of wolf cubs, while the mountain… is a group of lone wolves, each with their own thoughts and independent!"

"At the same time, you don't need to worry about the sect's Core Formation cultivators taking action against you. Outside, that is your own bad luck, but inside the sect, regardless of the reason, killing the first Foundation Establishment cultivator incurs a penalty of one million spirit stones. The same applies to slaughter between Foundation Establishment cultivators; the price continues to double, and it never resets."

"So it returns to the old topic: is it worth it!"

The round-faced cultivator kept a smile on his face throughout his words, but his speech revealed nothing but the status of Foundation Establishment and the cruelty on the mountain.

"What about obligations?" Xu Qing asked.

"Obligations?" The round-faced cultivator smiled.

"Everyone has struggled and killed their way out from the mountain base relying on their own efforts, so there are no obligations to the sect. If you are willing to stay, you get money; if you are willing to leave, you are not held back. However, the sect does not skimp on the tasks it issues, so everyone competes to complete them."

"And in order to ensure one can receive spirit stones long-term and keep this rather decent income, when encountering an outside enemy invasion that threatens to destroy our long-term benefits, one will naturally take action accordingly. After all, if a Foundation Establishment cultivator is careful, they can still live for a long time. How nice it is to get paid every month."

"Of course, if the invading enemy offers a greater temptation, it is not unacceptable. But just think, are the invading enemies stupid? Bribing one or two disciples is useless. If they bribe many, they have to bring out huge benefits. Is it worth it to conquer the Seven Blood Eyes, which is far less than the cost they pay?"

"As for going to war with the outside world, it is actually just an enlarged version of the grand competition you experienced before. If there is profit to be made, naturally everyone will swarm forward."

"The Elders on the mountain all know that we are nothing but wolf cubs, so they barely manage us at all; they simply lure us with benefits."

"What truly puts the higher-ups at ease are the core disciples who enjoy the sect's preferential treatment the moment they enter. The cultivation of these individuals is focused primarily on cohesion and a sense of belonging."

At this moment, following Zhang Yunshi's introduction, Xu Qing gained a deeper understanding of the mountain of the Seven Blood Eyes. While lost in thought, they arrived at the middle of the mountain.

"You came at an unfortunate time. Originally, a newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivator has one qualification to pay respects to the Peak Master, but now the Peak Masters of all seven peaks have gone out to sea. It is estimated that a major event has occurred."

"The First Elder and Second Elder are also not here; only the Third Elder is guarding the mountain. After you pay your respects, I will take you to the cave dwelling area and the Scripture Hall."

As he was speaking, Xu Qing saw the great hall where the Third Elder, whom he had visited once before, was located. Outside the great hall, he saw another familiar figure; it was precisely Deacon Li, who was by the Third Elder's side.

He was sitting cross-legged in front of the great hall. At this moment, he opened his eyes to look at Xu Qing and Zhang Yunshi, who had arrived, and smiled slightly.

"When the bell rang just now, I guessed whether the newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivator would be you."

Xu Qing cupped his fists slightly and glanced at this Deacon Li. Although the other party also concealed his fluctuations, Xu Qing, combined with the senses from his memory, faintly felt that this Deacon Li should be considered quite strong among Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"He should be a Foundation Establishment cultivator who has formed a Life Fire." Xu Qing muttered in his heart, remaining calm.

"Go in; the Elder is waiting for you." Deacon Li shifted his gaze from Xu Qing and landed on Zhang Yunshi. Zhang Yunshi shrugged his shoulders and stepped back a few paces to wait outside.

Xu Qing took a deep breath and walked forward until he entered the great hall he had visited that day.

The moment he stepped inside, the feeling from that day descended once again. The pressure from the person sitting cross-legged at the head of the hall spread in all directions like a landslide and a tsunami.

But this time, Xu Qing saw the other party's appearance clearly.

It was an old man with age spots on his face. He wore a purple Daoist robe inlaid with gold thread and looked at Xu Qing with an expressionless face.

The moment their gazes met, Xu Qing's mind roared. The other party's gaze was like lightning, seemingly piercing through his body in an instant, seeing everything inside him clearly.

But the Life Lamp covered by Xu Qing's shadow was not something the other party could perceive.

"Paying respects to the Third Elder." Xu Qing lowered his head and bowed respectfully.

"At such a young age, you have opened two Dharma Apertures. Not bad." After the Third Elder at the head of the hall spoke calmly, he said another sentence that caused Xu Qing's mind to shake.

"Did you take the Mermaid Clan's Spirit Breath Lamp?"

How many ammonites are sleeping alone tonight?

It doesn't matter, Little Mengxin is with you all... ===== CHAPTER 137 =====