Chapter 83: Gu Qingzhao

Five days later.

Qin Ming took the invitation sent by Master Liao and prepared to attend the banquet.

He had just opened the courtyard gate and stepped out when he happened to meet Huang Xishan, the chief alchemist from the opposite courtyard, also leaving.

“Oh! Brother Qin, you’re heading out?” Huang Xishan walked over and greeted him.

Qin Ming bowed slightly to Huang Xishan, “Yes, Brother Gu is hosting a small celebration for his Foundation Establishment today—I’m on my way over.”

“Oh? What a coincidence? I received an invitation too—why not go together?” Huang Xishan smiled.

Qin Ming showed a look of surprise, then laughed lightly, “That’s perfect!”

“By the way, what about Master Yan and the others?” Qin Ming hesitated before asking.

Huang Xishan clearly understood his meaning and replied bluntly, “Ah, they weren’t invited. Apparently, only those who’ve reached the top tier in one of the Hundred Arts, or high-level cultivators, received invitations.”

Qin Ming understood and nodded.

Afterwards,

Gu Qingzhao chose not to hold this small Foundation Establishment celebration inside Ju Xuan Pavilion.

Instead, he arranged it at the Mirror Snow Pavilion’s outpost in the Yunze Wildlands: Yunmeng Mountain.

The two left Qingyang Market, mounted their flying magic treasures, and flew toward Yunmeng Mountain.

If this were a cultivation family, any member achieving Foundation Establishment would throw a grand “Foundation Establishment Ceremony” to display the family’s strength.

Qin Ming’s memories of it were vivid.

The very day his family abandoned him and sent him off with Lingyu Gate to open new lands happened to be the day one of his cousins held his Foundation Establishment Ceremony.

Qin Ming didn’t even make it to the feast—he was already aboard the magic vessel bound for the Yunze Wildlands.

The resources used for that cousin’s Foundation Establishment were acquired by trading low-tier family members like Qin Ming, deemed hopeless on the Dao, to Lingyu Gate.

But within a power like the Mirror Snow Pavilion, Foundation Establishment is merely a mid-tier rank.

Add to that Gu Qingzhao’s aloof and cold personality—he dislikes grand scenes—and it’s likely he’s only invited a few close fellow sect members, trusted friends, and key partners for a small gathering.

Half an hour later,

The two rode their flying magic treasures through the clouds, heading northwest, until a mist-shrouded peak gradually came into view.

Yunmeng Mountain was dotted with numerous independent cultivation caves, elegant and rich in spiritual energy, covering a vast area.

Qin Ming and Huang Xishan landed their flying treasures halfway up the mountain.

“This second-rank top-tier spiritual vein is truly extraordinary!” Huang Xishan inhaled deeply, filled with awe.

Qin Ming nodded along, feeling the thick spiritual energy of heaven and earth—such a superior cultivation environment naturally produced so many Foundation Establishment cultivators.

The two approached the mountain gate guards and presented their invitations.

Someone immediately stepped forward to guide them.

A short while later,

They arrived before a lush, emerald bamboo grove.

After the welcoming cultivator announced them, the outer restrictions opened.

A graceful figure stepped out from within, radiating the spiritual pressure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, approaching the two.

Post-Foundation Establishment, Gu Qingzhao’s aura had grown even more noble—a simple white robe and long skirt, like a celestial immortal descending to the mortal world.

“Gu Pavilion Master.”

“Brother Gu.”

Qin Ming and Huang Xishan bowed.

“Brother Huang, Brother Qin.”

“No need for formality—please come in and take your seats.”

Gu Qingzhao glanced at Qin Ming, then her beautiful eyes brightened, “Brother Qin, have you broken through to Qi Refining sixth level?”

“Lucky break!” Qin Ming replied humbly—compared to her advancement to Foundation Establishment, his minor breakthrough meant nothing.

It was like a dwarf standing beside a giant.

“Brother Gu, congratulations on your Foundation Establishment. Here is our gift.”

The two presented their gifts; Gu Qingzhao accepted them gladly. Passing through the bamboo grove, his cave dwelling lay in a quiet, secluded valley.

Inside: mountain streams, waterfalls, spiritual springs, medicinal fields, and meditation chambers—all present.

The moment Qin Ming and Huang Xishan entered,

A wave of Foundation Establishment spiritual pressure slammed into them.

Huang Xishan turned pale, barely keeping his footing; Qin Ming’s robust physical constitution was largely unaffected, but he feigned great strain.

Outside the cave, in the courtyard, over a dozen cultivators had gathered—all Foundation Establishment, including two elders from Lingyu Gate and Jin Yun Valley.

Even without deliberately releasing spiritual pressure, the sheer weight of dozens of eyes fixed on them was overwhelming.

Qin Ming and Huang Xishan were stunned—Foundation Establishment masters, rarely seen outside, were now clustered here.

In fact, apart from themselves and a handful of others, everyone present was at least Foundation Establishment or higher.

“Master Fang!” Huang Xishan spotted someone in the crowd and froze in shock.

He hesitated briefly, then approached with extreme humility to greet the man.

Qin Ming followed his gaze—the man was Fang Yezi, the famed second-rank alchemist of the Yunze Wildlands.

Fang Yezi was also the head of the Alchemist Guild among the free cultivators.

The supreme flying treasure in Qin Ming's storage pouch, the "Spirit Light Flying Shuttle," was crafted by him.

“Brother Qin, Brother Huang, please sit over here—these are our fellow Mirror Snow Pavilion members,” Gu Qingzhao said, deliberately seating them beside his own people to ease their tension.

“Gu Qingzhao, who are these two?”

A young man in a Mirror Snow Pavilion silver robe asked; his spiritual pressure also marked him as Foundation Establishment.

“Oh, let me introduce you—this is Brother Qin Ming, a top-tier Spirit Plant Master and also a mid-tier Alchemist; and this is Brother Huang Xishan, a top-tier Alchemist. Both are close collaborators of mine,” Gu Qingzhao introduced them.

The Foundation Establishment youth smiled and exchanged polite words with Qin Ming and Huang Xishan.

Then he glanced at their spiritual pressure—and realized they were still Qi Refining.

After Gu Qingzhao left, the cultivators at their table lost all interest in them.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators began chatting among themselves.

Qin Ming and Huang Xishan could only sit quietly and eat, unable to join the conversation.

Had Gu Qingzhao not been so lenient with etiquette, they’d have to address her as “Senior.”

Even those seated at the table now were to be addressed as “Seniors.”

After all, in the cultivation world, strength is supreme—cultivation base is the foundation.

All the Hundred Arts are cultivated solely to enhance one’s cultivation and advance further on the Dao.

Though they weren’t outright ignored by these Foundation Establishment elders, they still felt like sitting on needles.

Though they prided themselves on mastering top-tier cultivation arts and were respected outside, here, their mere Qi Refining level made them feel utterly out of place.

Qin Ming had originally sought higher-level information and hoped to join Gu Qingzhao’s circle—but now he saw that circles differ; it’s better not to force entry.

At that moment,

Gu Qingzhao led in another middle-aged cultivator, refined and scholarly, wearing a Mirror Snow Pavilion silver robe, his cultivation clearly at Foundation Establishment mid-level.

Instantly,

All eyes in the hall turned to him.

“Master Huangfu!”

The Mirror Snow Pavilion Foundation Establishment cultivators at Qin Ming’s table immediately rose and bowed to him.

The two dared not delay—they bowed as well.

Gu Qingzhao introduced the man to them: “This is Master Huangfu Qi, our Mirror Snow Pavilion’s Guardian. He will be stationed at our branch in Yunze Immortal City.”

“If you two ever wish to collaborate, you may begin building familiarity now.”

Qin Ming and Huang Xishan were taken aback, quickly responding with enthusiasm.

“Young Brother Qin, on my way here, I heard Qingzhao speak highly of you. I have a favor to ask—would you be willing to help? Hehe.” Huangfu Qi spoke with gentle grace, smiling at Qin Ming.

……

(End of Chapter)