Chapter 53: First Apprenticeship

First Apprenticeship

"Only ten years after entering the sect, and already Foundation Establishment?"

Deacon Feng was in seclusion, but there were naturally others stationed at Linggu Peak. The news of Ruan Ci's Foundation Establishment and exit from seclusion soon reached the ears of those interested on Purple Essence Mountain. "If I remember correctly, Ruan Ci hadn't even opened her meridians when she entered the sect. Ten years to Foundation Establishment, how high is her platform? It wouldn't be insufficient, would it?"

If the platform is less than three layers, there is no hope for a Golden Core. If it's less than six layers, even if one barely condenses a core, it's very difficult to condense a Nascent Soul. As for the number of Cave Heavens, it's unpredictable. Even in the Shangqing Sect, most cultivators can't count on it. Therefore, these low-ranking deacons don't know and don't care. However, they are all Foundation Establishment cultivators, so they are very concerned about the time point of Ruan Ci's Foundation Establishment. "With her aptitude, if she didn't reach six layers of Foundation Establishment, it would be too hasty and a waste of good material."

"Is it to protect the sword envoy of the Seven Star Cottage? The earlier the Foundation Establishment, the more she can help the sword envoy, and avoid..."

"Shh—"

Linggu Peak manages all outer sect disciples. Although most outer sect disciples have low cultivation, they are the hope of the next generation. All forces of the Shangqing Sect gather here. Every time there is a personnel change or a peak rises or falls, the first thing to move is Linggu Peak. Elder Chen of Linggu Peak was stripped of his position ten years ago, and no new person has been added for a long time. Now the several deacons are all cautious. Hearing that Ruan Ci did not come to register, but went to the Purple Void Heaven to see Wang True Person, they didn't dare to get angry and sent He Tong away with a smile, and then discussed it with each other. "After all, she is a Southern barbarian woman, acting casually. In fact, if she came here once first, what would be the difference? We can't eat her in the sect. Now it's just adding a lot of discussion and handing handles to others."

Ruan Ci had caused trouble repeatedly as soon as she entered the sect, and this was only ten years ago; the stewards still remembered it clearly. Hearing this, they all laughed, "It can't be entirely blamed on her. After all, the pressure was very tight. If she hadn't been so sharp-tongued and overbearing, there wouldn't have been these ten years of peace afterward."

"It's still too hasty after all." A deacon said with some regret, "Alas, this little lady, everything she does is so urgent. People of our generation, but this is the most taboo."

They naturally wouldn't despise Ruan Ci because of this, but they also had a few less points of awe for her. Every disciple of the Shangqing Sect is a good material with hope of achieving Cave Heaven. Ruan Ci established her foundation in ten years, so it can be seen that the jade pool will not be too deep, and the Foundation Establishment layer will not be too high. Even if the platform is six layers, the Dao path will stop at Golden Core at most, and Nascent Soul is hopeless. Disciples like her, due to many factors, are eliminated at the Foundation Establishment barrier. Even if she worships under the Purple Void Heaven and is protected by a Cave Heaven True Person, her achievements are limited. In the future, she will be nothing more than an outer sect elder, and her status will be similar to these Linggu Peak deacons. Naturally, when discussing in words, they won't be overly careful.

In the Pot-Hidden Dragon Heaven, Chi Pengpeng happened to come out of seclusion and soon heard the news. She also felt a pity, "It's not that she is urgent, it's that the Seven Star Cottage is urgent. In the past ten years, the Purple Void Heaven has frequently bestowed rewards, just to help her refine spiritual energy and establish her foundation early, so that she can go out and handle errands early."

She sighed again, "In the sect, there is no errand that can be finished in two or three years. Adding the journey, one errand takes at least seven or eight years. After another ten years, the sword envoy will probably also establish her foundation. Xiao Ci will just happen to return from her errand and can follow the sword envoy out to protect her."

Her master, Ouyang True Person, said, "That's right. She has a sharp weapon given by the sword envoy in her hand, and its power is even greater after Foundation Establishment. It is a great assistant in fighting—but you child, all your carefulness is used in the wrong place. You don't think about why I specifically called you over just to talk about such a small matter?"

In Chi Pengpeng's view, this matter was actually not small. There are many Cave Heaven True Persons in the Shangqing Sect, but if they want Cave Heaven and Nascent Soul to fight in person, it is too costly and can only let other sects be the fisherman. The struggles of various forces in the sect are mostly carried out through disciples. Xiao Ci of Zhuoyue Cliff established her foundation earlier than everyone expected, which will undoubtedly disrupt many arrangements of high-ranking cultivators.

"Ah, Master, what you mean is—"

This naturally includes the errand she chose for herself. Ouyang True Person said, "That's right. You originally planned to guard Wan Diegu for ten years. This beautiful errand is probably going to have some twists and turns now. You think about it first. If you can't go to Wan Diegu, where do you want to go, so I can respond."

Chi Pengpeng couldn't help but have red eyes and said gratefully, "Master's love, the disciple is really ashamed."

Her plan to go out and handle errands was originally to avoid the limelight. Ouyang True Person knew her intentions but still indulged her so much. Even if there was pressure from the Pot-Hidden Dragon Heaven in the sect, Chi Pengpeng was still moved and ashamed. Ouyang True Person waved his hand slightly and scolded, "Don't be so hypocritical."

Chi Pengpeng still pulled Ouyang True Person's hem and shook it a few times before letting go. She was taken into the sect at the age of eleven. Although she had established her foundation for many years, she had never been out to train. While being mature and calculating, she sometimes didn't lose her childishness.

Ouyang True Person smiled at the corners of his lips, but didn't stop Chi Pengpeng. However, Chi Pengpeng didn't dare to be presumptuous for too long. She soon tidied up her expression and asked, "Master, Xiao Ci established her foundation, the Seven Star Cottage lineage will definitely take action. Should we retreat for the time being, or—"

Ouyang True Person pondered for a moment and said, "You have already been humiliated by her ten years ago. Today, let her have the upper hand for the time being, and see what the Pure Yang Performing Correct Heaven has to say."

Chi Pengpeng nodded and accepted the teaching, and couldn't help but mutter, "It seems that the injury of Senior Brother Xu of the Pure Yang Heaven has to be healed."

Thinking that she might have to call her Uncle-Master when she sees Xiao Ci in the future, she felt some depression in her heart. Ouyang True Person's light reprimand was also heard as if not heard. She just thought in her heart, "It seems that she is really a sword envoy protector. That girl, although wild, is indeed talented. Thinking about it carefully, she is also very smart. I have some sympathy for her. Alas, it's a pity that she probably doesn't have such thoughts. She has that sword Qi jade wall. When we meet in the sect in the future, I must be careful..."

#

In the Pure Yang Performing Correct Heaven, Xu Shaowei reached out and grabbed a jade slip, immersed her consciousness slightly, and raised her eyebrows, "Only said Foundation Establishment, not how many layers?"

"That's not enough." She waved the jade bell at will and summoned a servant to instruct, "Send someone to Linggu Peak to see. If Ruan Ci still doesn't come to Linggu Peak in three days, send me a letter."

"Why?" Above Xu Shaowei, a white-haired cultivator asked with a smile, "You still can't let go of your doubts and are still thinking about that Southern barbarian wild woman?"

"Oh, Senior Brother Ji, don't say that. The Southern Zhuzhou is a bit remote, but it's far from being wild and untamed." Xu Shaowei seemed arrogant and tricky on weekdays, but she was very fair in her private discussions. "Besides, although her response means were fierce, she also grasped the principle. If I were her, I might be ten times more ruthless than her. This little girl still has bloodiness, and I like her very much."

Her brows frowned slightly, and she said thoughtfully, "It's just that I always feel a trace of something wrong in my heart. The Donghua Sword was brought back by the Second Senior Brother. This cannot be fake, but both I and Tai Shi Yi have seen that Ruan woman in the Seven Star Cottage, and there is no induction. It's one thing to hide it from me, I haven't become a Nascent Soul yet, but Tai Shi Yi is only one step away from Cave Heaven. What kind of magic treasure can hide it so tightly that even Tai Shi Yi can't find a trace of clues?"

"You have always suspected that Xiao Ci is the Sword Envoy—ah, that's right, Taishi Yi saw the one at Seven Stars Cottage, but has never seen Xiao Ci." True Person Ji was also thoughtful, but soon returned to his senses and said, "However, she reached Foundation Establishment in ten years, so her Dao foundation must be shallow. Now the suspicion can be dispelled. It seems that besides the One-Qi Cloud Sail and the Wind-Wave Leveling Chime, there might be other Cave Heaven magic treasures brought to the South Zhuzhou Continent, just not necessarily arriving with the Sky Boat."

"There are not many Cave Heaven spiritual treasures in our sect that can cover up the Donghua aura. You and I both know clearly which one is best at covering up and phantom transformation." Xu Shaowei said, "I just don't understand. When a Cave Heaven True Person travels, the Star Spiritual Energy Chart must be reflected. When we went to the Southern Zhuzhou for those years, not a single Cave Heaven in the sect left the Central Continent. If an incarnation was sent to carry the treasure, it would take at least decades. No matter what, it would be too late, unless..."

Unless the incarnation had already received the news, so that the magic treasure could be carried there in advance. But the matter reached this point, and the involvement was already very deep. Xu Shaowei didn't dare to say any more. True Person Ji's face also showed worry, and he said in a low voice, "Shaowei, don't say any more. You are loved by Xie Nie, this matter should not be involved too deeply, everything has Master and me."

Xu Shaowei frowned and said, "I..."

True Person Ji waved his hand and said again, "Now that it can be confirmed that the sword envoy is in the Seven Star Cottage, the rest will be arranged by me. You can do whatever you want, I can't control you. But no matter what, the sword envoy represents the face of the Shangqing Sect. Shaowei, you must be careful."

His warning was very obvious. Xu Shaowei rolled her eyes at her senior brother and hummed, "When have I ever had any bad intentions? Even if I find the sword envoy, I will only treat her twice as well. Senior Brother doesn't want to manage the Cave Heaven chores himself, and throws everything to me, but now he blames me for not knowing the importance. Then what am I busy with?"

She took off the seal on her waist, threw it to the white-haired cultivator, stood up, and said, "The injury I suffered in the Southern Zhuzhou has not healed completely. I will go out to find a way to heal my injury in a few days. And that substitute golden bell, I haven't refined it for ten years, I'm afraid the spirituality is gradually lost, I have to find a way to ask for it back from Tai Shi Yi."

Speaking of Tai Shi Yi, she sighed, and touched the thick flesh on her waist and buttocks, showing pain, and her mood turned worse. She said unhappily, "Pure Yang Heaven has no time to manage things, so Senior Brother should consider it himself."

After saying that, she flicked her sleeves and left. True Person Ji was holding the token and was caught off guard. It was not until Xu Shaowei walked to the hall door that he hurriedly shouted at her, "Shaowei, you must pay more attention to the face of the sect when you go out, don't find trouble for Master again—and, remember, Pure Yang True Qi is not so easy to take—that is True Qi, not Essence Qi—"

Xu Shaowei seemed to have heard nothing, just walked a few steps faster, her sleeves rolling like waves, very elegant and good-looking. Between the flickers, a black light shot out and flew toward True Person Ji's face. True Person Ji reached out and pinched the black light in his hand. Before he could speak, the black light exploded, dyeing his face and body black. True Person Ji was both angry and amused, shook his head helplessly, and thought about it again. Only then did he put away the seal and summoned the deacon to give careful instructions.

#

"Oh? Already established foundation?"

In the Long-Shining Treasure Light Heaven, Chen Jun was holding a green grass in his hand, teasing the spiritual fish to chatter on the water, and asked in surprise, "How so fast? —Who came to report the news, how many layers is the platform?"

"It was Panpan who came to say it just now." Lin Ji's face still had shock, which made the group of beautiful concubines behind Chen Jun whisper and laugh, "Sister Lin Ji is still so afraid of cats."

"If this continues, when will you be able to become a human as you wish?"

Chen Jun also thought that Lin Ji was hard to change, and it was inevitable to laugh, but he still took care of Lin Ji's face, cooled his expression, glanced at the beauties, and drove them away. Only then did he say, "Where is Panpan? Why didn't you come with her?"

"Panpan ran away after saying this, and didn't want to come over. She should be hiding and thinking about things now."

Chen Jun's expression gradually became solemn, but he still leaned on the water, asking, "Why, is there any mistake in the Foundation Establishment? Also, ten years to establish foundation, it is really too urgent—"

"Young Master," Lin Ji interrupted Chen Jun, "Ci Young Lady established a twelve-layer high platform, the Dao foundation is perfect, and there was not a single mistake."

"Twelve-layer high platform?"

Chen Jun couldn't help but pinch the green grass in his hand and sat up straight, "Twelve-layer high platform?"

Lin Ji's hands were also trembling slightly, not knowing whether it was fear or excitement, but her beautiful face had no hesitation, "Panpan saw it with her own eyes, twelve-layer high platform, perfect Dao foundation, this is..."

"This is the aptitude of a Dao Ancestor!"

Chen Jun stood up, and was a bit unsteady. Lin Ji hurriedly held his arm to support him. However, the Nascent Soul True Person was very capable of self-control, and this loss of Dao heart was only for a moment. Chen Jun recovered his calmness, "This matter must never be known to outsiders. Where is this woman now? Has she been to Linggu Peak? —Where is the Master? This matter must be reported to the Master immediately."

Lin Ji answered one by one, "The Old Master is in seclusion in the Huifeng Pavilion, Ci Young Lady has not been to Linggu Peak yet, she went to the Purple Void Heaven to see Wang True Person first—"

#

"Ci pays respects to the True Person."

In the Purple Void Heaven, Ruan Ci was kneeling in front of Wang True Person, her face sincere, and bowed, "I did not live up to the True Person's high expectations, and luckily established the foundation. However, the disciple is ignorant, the Dao path is dark and long, and I ask the True Person to show mercy, not to abandon the stubborn and stupid, and accept me into the sect. The disciple will definitely return the favor, go through fire and water, and will not refuse any errand!"

Wang True Person sat cross-legged on the couch, smiled slightly, and first said, "You are respectful today."

And said, "You don't have to be like this. I know there must be something tricky about your Foundation Establishment, otherwise you wouldn't have knelt down to worship me as soon as you entered the door. Just let go of the Heart-Cleansing Mantra, and I'll take a look first."

Ruan Ci did have this consideration, and now that she was called out by the True Person, she was not ashamed. Wang True Person didn't know how many benefits he had gained by using her, and it was only right for her to plan for herself. Since she was seen through by the True Person, she would come again next time. Anyway, even if there was something tricky about the twelve-layer Foundation Establishment, the karma between the two was already deep, and Wang True Person couldn't shake her off. Hearing this, she let go of the Great Heart-Cleansing Mantra and presented the Inner Scene Jade Pool above her head.

There was no sound in the room, and I don't know how long it took. Ruan Ci only felt the transformation of Qi above her head. The place where Wang True Person was sitting was suddenly replaced by a huge momentum. The momentum was as deep as the sea, majestic and deep, and it seemed to contain a suction force that could suck people into it and tear them to pieces. If Ruan Ci hadn't met Qingjun several times in her dreams and witnessed the scene of the Donghua Sword opening the universe several times, she would have been subdued by this momentum and revealed a look of submission and begging for mercy. Wang True Person didn't seem to be intentionally intimidating, it was just for a moment, and the momentum turned into nothingness. It was just that Ruan Ci didn't dare to observe the upper seat in the momentum field anymore. She didn't know the height of the sky and the depth of the earth in the past, and looked directly at Xie Yanhuan. If she hadn't had no cultivation, the backlash of magic power would have taken her life at that time. Wang True Person should have transformed from a true body to an incarnation just now, manifesting here. The true body of a Cave Heaven True Person is absolutely not something she can peek at randomly at this time.

"Heh..."

I don't know how long it took, Wang True Person finally spoke, but it was a laugh, "Interesting... twelve-layer high platform, do you know what this is?"

"It should be better than acceptable, right?"

Ruan Ci was holding a grudge against Wang True Person for saying she was 'still considered diligent' every time. Wang True Person was also amused by her and smiled lightly, "It is much better than acceptable—do you know why the nine-layer Foundation Establishment and the nine-turn Golden Core are all limited by the number nine?"

"It is because nine is the limit of the number of techniques. Three layers of Foundation Establishment can form a Golden Core, six layers of Foundation Establishment can hope for a Nascent Soul, and nine layers of Foundation Establishment can be considered Cave Heaven material. Cave Heaven True Persons are also the limit that our mortal bodies can reach. If according to common sense, there should be no one in the universe who can harmonize with the Dao. All those who harmonize with the Dao are in various opportunities, grasping the lack of the Great Dao, stealing the merit of heaven, stealing the mystery of the Dao, and seeking that trace of slim vitality, so they can achieve the Great Dao that others have no hope of forever. Following the steps, one can never cultivate into a Dao Ancestor. The mystery that can achieve a Dao Ancestor is outside all the classics."

"Do you know what this twelve-layer Foundation Establishment means, Ruan Ci."

Wang True Person said faintly, "You have the hope of harmonizing with the Dao—but do you really understand what this all means?"

Is... is it that terrible?

Ruan Ci looked up, regardless of the danger of peeking at a great power, and looked at Wang True Person in surprise. Various thoughts flashed through her mind. I don't know why, but the first thing she thought of had little to do with herself.

"Ah!" She blurted out, "I know why Panpan cried!"

※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※

Xiao Ci is still too young to play mind games with Wang True Person.

Updated, sorry for the long wait, everyone. By the way, have the comments exceeded 20,000? I don't know because the data here hasn't been refreshed...

I ate crab at noon, my hands are still fishy, I won't say any more, I'm going to eat!

ps, actually I have read many books recommended by everyone, such as *Zai Zhi Tian Xia*, and so on, I have recommended many to everyone~ I have been watching *Zan Ying Wen Ding* these past few days.

. Thanks to the little angels who cast overlord votes or irrigated nutrient solution for me between 2020-08-12 11:56:10 and 2020-08-13 11:55:05~

Thanks to the little angels who cast hand grenades: Li Ge (1);

Thanks to the little angels who cast landmines: jackielou1224, truedfy, Li Ge, Time's Delusion, Yu Wanyao, Dao Dao, Tomato Sauce Who Loves Potatoes, co-annie, Shen Nie, Half-Acre Square Pond (1);

Thanks to the little angels who irrigated nutrient solution: Fish Pack Fish Pack (30 bottles); Zhuo Zhuo Yao Hua, Where Do I Know (20 bottles); Nine Demons (14 bottles); Shoe Heel, Ginaaaaaa, WWW (10 bottles); sidewalker, Semi-transparent sushi, Smile at the eyes, Little Salad, xiaoxiao (5 bottles); Afternoon Sunshine (3 bottles); Little Fatty Doesn't Want to Go to Work, Ghost Face Dudu, Shake Shake~, Chao Sheng Wu Gu You (2 bottles); Darwin's Monkey, 18205385, Qing Yao's Big Rice Ball, Among Readers, Spring Water Dingdong, Seven Seven, baby Le Yao, Buccellati Knife Cut Chicken Leg (1 bottle);

Thank you all very much for your support, I will continue to work hard! ===== CHAPTER 58 =====

Thank you all very much for your support; I will continue to work hard!