Chapter 73

Three days later.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Cao."

Yunhe bowed to Cao Guozheng, steward of the Miscellaneous Affairs Pavilion.

During these three days, Cao Guozheng taught him much common knowledge of Foundation Establishment cultivators; although it wasn't of great practical use, it also saved him a lot of time he would have spent figuring things out on his own.

"Some minor matters; Junior Brother Yunhe should hurry to establish his abode within the sect." Cao Guozheng waved his hand with a smile.

After breaking through to Foundation Establishment, the Qingzong Sect allowed them to carve out their own cave dwellings in a spiritually rich spot on the mountain, which counts as one of the privileges of Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"That's what Senior Brother Cao meant; once Junior Brother consolidates his cultivation base, he can apply to the Sect Leader Senior Brother."

"That's exactly right, that's exactly right."

Only then did Cao Guozheng realize that Yunhe had just finished his breakthrough when he and Sect Leader Kong Zhizhi dragged him away; he probably still wasn't fully accustomed to the changes after Foundation Establishment.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Yunhe bade farewell and walked toward his bamboo hut.

"Uncle Master."

"Disciple pays respects to Uncle Master."

"Uncle Master."

"."

Along the way, whenever disciples of the sect saw him, they all performed the junior disciple salute, letting Yunhe enjoy a taste of seniority.

Returning to the bamboo hut.

Only then did Yunhe finally have the time to slowly experience the changes after Foundation Establishment.

That day, just after completing his Foundation Establishment, he sensed someone outside his cave dwelling; he immediately consolidated his cultivation base to ensure no mishap and that his cultivation would not regress, then went out.

Although he said he wasn't worried about the sect having a special view of him, deep down he still harbored a slight concern.

Only when he saw that Kong Zhizhi and Cao Guozheng paid no attention to how or why he had achieved Foundation Establishment did he gradually put his mind at ease.

"That's right; we're all Foundation Establishment cultivators now—casually probing others' secrets is a major taboo."

"There are also Foundation Establishment outer-sect elders within the sect."

He waved his hand to dispel the dust inside the bamboo hut.

"Nine months of alchemy, one month of rest, and another three months for the breakthrough—before I knew it, I had passed the age of forty."

He sat cross-legged on the futon in the bamboo hut's cultivation chamber.

His divine sense slowly extended.

Ten zhang was his limit before the breakthrough, but for him now it feels as easy as drinking water.

Twenty zhang, thirty zhang, sixty zhang, seventy zhang, eighty zhang?!

"An ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator's divine sense reaches only twenty to thirty zhang, and a slightly outstanding one might have thirty to forty zhang. Mine actually reaches eighty zhang?!"

Twice that of an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator?

"Moreover, once I consolidate my cultivation base and my Demon Beast Body breaks through to the Second Stage, fully refining that wisp of essence-blood, my divine sense will surely increase further."

A faint smile appeared on Yunhe's face.

"In that case, I could also be considered a cultivator with innately exceptional divine sense, right?"

Immediately afterward, he turned his divine sense inward, scanning his qi sea and dantian.

A pool of liquid mana intertwined with gold and blue lay still within.

"According to Cao Guozheng, a nascent Foundation Establishment cultivator normally has twenty drops of liquid mana; although I didn't count precisely during the breakthrough, my liquid mana definitely exceeds thirty drops!"

As for the reason, Yunhe also roughly guessed it.

"It must be the 'Foundation Establishment Pill.' Since my mana resisted liquefaction, I swallowed several Foundation Establishment Pills and broke through in one go. The medicinal potency and effect of these Foundation Establishment Pills allowed me to draw in more heavenly and earthly spiritual energy during the breakthrough, and also compressed my mana into a more solid state."

He originally felt a faint pang of regret for having used five Foundation Establishment Pills.

But now, seeing his mana become richer and more mellow, that faint regret was cast to the back of his mind.

"There are still two Foundation Establishment Pills and one inferior pill left; they can be exchanged for Spirit Stones, spiritual items, or techniques, perfectly making up for the shortcomings after the breakthrough."

He was confident they could fetch a very good price.

But there's no rush.

After all, Foundation Establishment Pills are easy to sell.

He lightly patted his storage bag.

The fiery red feather fan, the Crimson Sheath Fan, fell into his hand.

The twelve feather plumes rose lightly, like flying shuttles, weaving freely and nimbly inside the bamboo hut, sometimes coalescing into an implement, sometimes scattering like feathers.

Previously, when he used the Crimson Sheath Fan, although its special design allowed even a Qi Refining cultivator like him to wield it, there was still a slight sense of sluggishness.

But now, with just a single drop of liquid mana infused into it, he immediately felt he could control it as naturally as an arm.

Moreover, because his divine sense was strong enough, controlling the twelve feather plumes became even more effortless.

Moments later, the Crimson Sheath Fan returned to calm.

He stored it away in his storage bag.

"No wonder they say only Foundation Establishment cultivators can wield spiritual artifacts with ease; liquid mana and gaseous mana are indeed not on the same level."

Precisely for this reason, Yunhe increasingly felt the need to replenish his spiritual artifacts.

At the very least, he needed to equip one spiritual artifact or more for each of defense, travel, and attack.

Otherwise, if he encountered a magical duel, he would be at a great disadvantage.

"What about lifespan?"

Actually, the change Yunhe most looked forward to was his lifespan.

After all, it represents how much longer he can live.

However, he was not very satisfied with the result obtained after employing the 'Year Ring Technique'.

It was actually within expectations.

「Lifespan increase is not much. It is mostly because my Demon Beast Body hasn't broken through yet; after all, my lifespan upper limit is entirely pulled up by my Demon Beast Body。」

「Fortunately, the Cultivator Body has already achieved Foundation Establishment, giving nourishment to the Demon Beast Body; I estimate it should also break through soon。」

As spiritual sense strengthens, Yunhe increasingly feels that the connection between the Cultivator Body and Demon Beast Body has become close.

This is not only about being able to transmit things; there is also a connection in Cultivation Base.

「Perhaps. In the future, the Cultivator Body might truly be able to go to Yao Shou Shijie for a stroll, and the Demon Beast Body could also come to the Cultivation World。」

Just think, if in the future we encounter a formidable enemy, we could summon the Demon Beast Body to engage in a combined double strike, directly gaining numerical superiority; what a scene—tsk.

The next day.

「Why are you standing outside? Come in and sit. 」

Yunhe, who was in meditation, opened his eyes, showing a hint of helplessness.

Outside the door.

Qian Dajiang looked hesitant. Hearing Yunhe's voice in his ears, he shuddered and slowly stepped inside.

Seeing Yunhe sitting cross-legged on the futon as usual, practicing, he opened his mouth, his expression complex.

「What, you don't recognize me anymore? 」 Yunhe teased.

Qian Dajiang stared blankly for a moment, then pinched his thigh hard; the intense pain brought him to his senses, and he hastily bowed, saying: 「Disciple Qian Dajiang of the Pill Pavilion, greetings, Martial Uncle Yun. 」"

The smile on Yunhe's face gradually faded.

「We've known each other for how many years? Let's skip these formalities. 」

「No, no, must not. 」

Qian Dajiang waved his hands repeatedly, saying: 「As a Qi Refining disciple, how could I directly address my martial uncle by name? If people found out, they'd say I have no respect for elders. 」"

But looking at Yunhe, his heart was still a mixture of feelings, hard to describe.

Originally, over these years he too had broken through to late-stage Qi Refining, roughly on par with Yunhe.

Moreover, he not only became an official disciple of the Pill Pavilion's Pill-Concocting Elder, but also, due to a modest talent for pill-concocting, he was highly regarded.

Who would have thought? After a few years passed in a blink, Yunhe had actually achieved Foundation Establishment! This matter, he only learned from others' mouths; the shock it caused him at the time was known only to himself.

Looking back, that year they were in Hongye City, both mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators.

But now, the other has already achieved Foundation Establishment, while he remains at late-stage Qi Refining.

It's like in the mundane world: they had agreed to take the child examination together, but one still strives for it while the other suddenly tops the palace exam and gains the top rank on the golden list—such a sense of disparity.

Yunhe furrowed his brows; he repeated it several times, but Qian Dajiang insisted, so in the end he had no choice but to comply.

In the cultivation world, the strong are revered; a single realm higher is like a heavenly moat, classes are distinct—it is simply that straightforward, blunt, and brutal, utterly naked.

「Then, as your martial uncle, I order you: sit! Do as you should. 」

「Eh! 」

Qian Dajiang instantly beamed with joy.

Leaving aside the sense of disparity brought by Yunhe's successful Foundation Establishment, within the sect there is now another Foundation Establishment backer; for him this is a great boon.

Looking at Qian Dajiang's smiling face, Yunhe felt little joy in his heart.

He could feel it.

Unless Qian Dajiang also succeeds in Foundation Establishment, perhaps they can never return to how they once were.

Moreover, the gap between them may only grow larger in the future.

This also let Yunhe understand the meaning of the phrase 'the Dao is lonely'.

He has five hundred years of lifespan; after his Demon Beast Body breaks through, it will certainly be more. In the future, even those whose cultivation base and realm equal his will inevitably depart before him, let alone those inferior to him.

This is a destined lonely path.

But when the image of a cultivator's lifespan nearing its end flashes in his mind, he once again firms his resolve.

What is most terrifying is not death, but knowing that, while one is still alive and well, one has only a few days left to live—a terror that can only be endured helplessly while awaiting death's arrival.

Since the Dao is destined to be lonely, let us walk alone!

Seven days later.

The boat arrived at the main hall of Qingzong Sect.

Although the two young disciples guarding the gate did not know Yunhe, Yunhe did not conceal his Foundation Establishment cultivation base, so they naturally dared not be negligent in the slightest.

「Greetings, Martial Uncle; I wonder if there is any disciple who can be of service? 」

The present Yunhe has already grown accustomed to the change in status, nodding with a calm expression.

「I wonder if the Sect Leader Senior Brother is present? 」

One of them hurriedly said: 「Isn't that Martial Uncle Yun? The Sect Leader instructed that if Martial Uncle Yun visits, no report is needed. 」"

Yunhe's eyebrows twitched slightly.

Another disciple, quite perceptive, hurriedly stepped forward, making a gesture to guide Yunhe.

「Martial Uncle, this way please! 」

Following this person, passing through the grand hall, they were led to the front of a somewhat larger side chamber.

「Reporting to the Sect Leader, Martial Uncle Yun has arrived! 」 he said, performing a respectful salute before the tightly closed doors of the side chamber."

「Is it Junior Brother Yun? Come in. 」

Yunhe immediately pushed the door open, while that disciple went to pour tea.

「Sect Leader Senior Brother. 」"

「Junior Brother Yun, please sit quickly, no need for courtesy. As your senior brother, I still have some matters; please wait a moment. 」"

Kong Zhibo, who seemed to be handling affairs, laughed and lifted his head to say something, then continued with his work.

The disciple who had earlier led Yunhe inside soon brought up a cup of spiritual tea brimming with fragrance.

Senior Uncle, please have tea.

Seeing that disciple withdraw in a restrained manner and close the door behind him, he couldn't help but recall his own struggling self back then at the River Stream Market.

A cultivator, having to guard the gate and guide the way, as well as serve tea and water, is just like how I once had to keep bees for a living in the market—clearly not a mortal, yet doing the same things as mortals.

All said and done, it's all for cultivation, for acquiring resources, for enjoying spirit veins, and for a chance to achieve Foundation Establishment.

Sipping the fragrant tea, he felt a touch of the sentiment of one who has been there before.

Junior Brother, don't blame me; as the Sect Head, I am indeed overly busy.

Kong Zhibai had not been busy for long; after finishing, he spoke apologetically.

With all the affairs of such a great sect needing to be handled by the Sect Head Senior Brother, how could he not be busy? We are able to have a peaceful cultivation environment entirely thanks to the Sect Head's capable management. Yunhe inevitably offered a compliment.

Upon hearing this, Kong Zhibai smiled, then turned serious and said: 'Junior Brother, you came here for the matter of the cave dwelling, right?'

Saying this, he handed over a few items.

This is.

Upon closer inspection, they were indeed several small flags and three pieces of medium-grade Spirit Stones.

These are the rewards for sect disciples after achieving Foundation Establishment. The several formation flags are respectively the Spirit Gathering Formation, the Qi Condensing Formation, and the Soundproof Formation. As for these three medium-grade Spirit Stones, they are resources to aid cultivation; thereafter, one medium-grade Spirit Stone will be issued each year, with no mandatory contribution required. If there are sect missions, rewards will be calculated separately.

This is the sect's treatment.

Besides spirit veins, there are also formation Spirit Stones.

Many thanks, Sect Head Senior Brother.

Yunhe received the items, repeatedly expressing his thanks.

These are exactly what he needed, saving him a lot of trouble.

After a pause, he then said: 'Sect Head Senior Brother, I have heard that after achieving Foundation Establishment, one can obtain a cultivation method from the sect's storehouse?'

Kong Zhibai slapped his forehead and took out a token.

Junior Brother, take this token and go to the Pavilion of Techniques to collect it.

(End of chapter)