Chapter 440 - 43: Foundation Establishment Once Again

Although the back mountain of the Biyun Sect is listed as a forbidden area, the defense is quite lax.

After all, in the thousands of years of the sect’s history, those confined to the back mountain were mostly there for minor warnings rather than execution. If someone truly offended the sect’s core interests, they would be executed on the spot to eliminate future troubles.

Therefore, historically, no disciple confined to the back mountain has ever escaped.

Xu Xiaochun is the first to break this precedent.

However, with his escape, Li Ji’an, as the current Chief True Inheritor of the sect, is likely to become the target of Qingmen Sect’s retribution.

Upon returning to the sect, he planned to undergo Foundation Establishment.

Originally, with his status as Chief and the sect’s guardian, he intended to hone and temper his magical power after Foundation Establishment.

The scene of Core Formation from his past life is still fresh in his mind. His insights on Solidifying Pill are very clear. Whether it’s the abundance or purity of magical power, both have a decisive impact on the quality of Core Formation and Refined Pill.

If he only aimed for a True Pill, with the profound and enduring power of the Upper Grade Earth Level "Evergreen Wood Technique" he cultivated in this life, along with several Core Formation Spirit Treasures, he wouldn’t need to worry. Even if he continued secluded cultivation within the sect after Foundation Establishment, a True Pill or even a Middle Level True Pill would be easily within reach.

However, considering the several Core Formation Spirit Treasures in his possession, and especially the top-ranking Seven-Colored Jade Tree, he was unwilling to waste them, aspiring instead to achieve a Golden Core.

Thus, mere secluded cultivation would be insufficient.

"Enough!"

"When the car reaches the mountain, there must be a way. When the boat reaches the pier, it will naturally straighten. In this ever-changing cultivation realm, the weather is beyond human control. With the sudden change in the Six Sects’ situation, given my current strength, I can only do my best and leave the rest to fate. The priority is to first successfully achieve Foundation Establishment!"

Li Ji’an chuckled freely, no longer worried about the inevitable.

"Don’t worry, I’ll come for you after I achieve Foundation Establishment. Go now." Saying goodbye to the two, Li Ji’an decisively headed towards the Odd Stone Forest.

On the way, both the Sect Leader and Xiao Changfeng sent messages, urging him to return to the sect immediately.

Two months later, Li Ji’an reached the Odd Stone Forest and informed Ning Sujin about the changes in the Immortal Dynasty over the years.

Ning Sujin had been in the cultivation realm for over 220 years. Upon hearing about the disasters that befell the Zhao Royal Family and the Ning Family Royal Mansion, a hint of grief appeared on her face, revealing her true nature.

She then hurried back to the sect without delay.

The return journey delayed him by three months. Now, the atmosphere within the sect was tense and anxious.

As soon as Li Ji’an returned to the sect, Xiao Changfeng came to him.

"Ping’an, the situation within the domain has changed. From today onwards, do not leave the sect."

Upon probing, he learned that when Qingmen Sect brought the Ten Thousand Laws Palace’s decree, the Biyun Sect Elder Council ultimately decided to abandon Xu Xiaochun.

It wasn’t a matter of right or wrong, merely a choice of interests.

However, Xu Xiaochun’s escape left Biyun Sect in a passive position.

Now, the Ten Thousand Laws Palace has officially issued an edict, no longer restricting Qingmen Sect from seeking justice against Biyun Sect.

This means the millennium-old Seven Sects agreement is automatically nullified.

Previously, the Ten Thousand Laws Palace’s decree restricted the Seven Sects from engaging in sect wars. Even with interest disputes, they were required to resolve them by other means, and if no consensus could be reached, the Ten Thousand Laws Palace would arbitrate.

So, in the past millennium, even if there were occasional disputes over opportunities among the Seven Sects, they would mostly be resolved after a few encounters, with each side taking a step back.

But now, without the sect agreement, there truly could be extermination wars to conquer another sect.

In fact, when the Fiery Sun Sect was exterminated by the Ten Thousand Laws Palace, the remaining six sects already had a premonition and had been preparing for this.

For the past decade, they had already begun infiltrating each other, knowing themselves and their enemies.

This time, the matter of Xu Xiaochun of Biyun Sect just happened to serve as the fuse.

"Uncle Master, about Senior Brother..." Li Ji’an cautiously probed.

Hearing this, Xiao Changfeng sighed deeply: "Alas, it’s my fault to your master. Among the sect’s interests, I could only choose to sacrifice him. Now, even if he escapes the sect, his life is essentially ruined."

Upon hearing this, Li Ji’an silently lowered his head, not comforting Xiao Changfeng.

It wasn’t out of blame but rather a reflection of his current status.

After sending off Xiao Changfeng, Li Ji’an shook his head slightly. It was evident that what Zou Yan had said back then was happening.

The sect was in chaos, and the entire domain was in turmoil.

Aside from the Ten Thousand Laws Palace, there was no more pure land within the Celestial Cyan Domain.

Li Ji’an could already foresee a storm of blood and turmoil.

Fortunately, as the sect’s Chief True Inheritor, and still not fully grown, he was temporarily safe.

Unless the day of the sect’s true destruction came, the sect would strive to ensure his safety.

Soon after Xiao Changfeng left, Lao Huang came in with a slight tantrum.

This was because Li Ji’an had shooed him away, then left the sect alone, resulting in him being reprimanded by the Sect Leader.

"Young Master, please do not act in such a manner again."

Li Ji’an smiled, taking out a pot of wine from his storage pouch and handing it to him.

Lao Huang pouted, turning his head, refusing to accept it.

"Boom." Li Ji’an directly opened the pot.

Instantly, a spicy and aromatic wine scent wafted out, akin to knives yet rich with aroma.

"Hmm?" Lao Huang’s nose twitched, and he involuntarily leaned over.

"Young Master’s wine?" Forcing himself to swallow, he couldn’t resist the temptation and grabbed it.

After taking a couple of gulps, Lao Huang’s eyes widened to the extreme.

This wine has strength!

But it contained no Spiritual Qi.

Still, it was smooth in the mouth, easy on the throat, and at least a century-old rare treasure!

"Good wine, good wine."

Li Ji’an nodded with a smile, considering the matter settled.

The wine was naturally taken from the Imperial Product Supervision of the Great Wu Dynasty.

It was the top tribute wine of the Great Wu Dynasty.

In the cultivation realm, most wines are infused with Spiritual Qi. Drinking spirit wine is mainly for cultivation, to promote Spiritual Qi absorption, with taste as a secondary concern.