Chapter 15: Breakthrough: Foundation Establishment, Mid-Stage!

Facing Zhou Qing’s question, Mo Xingjian turned around, his expression grave: “This secret concerns the supreme mystery of our Taiqingmen. Let me put it this way—it was the discovery of that place that gave rise to Taiqingmen as it stands today.”

Upon hearing this, the two were even more startled.

That is to say, Taiqingmen was founded upon that place, and has grown and thrived because of it.

So those things weren’t Taiqingmen’s to begin with—no wonder such a figure could be held captive for so long.

Zhou Qing understood.

Mo Xingjian continued: “The Supreme Elder’s recent breakthrough in his cultivation technique was meant to test whether he could extract something from inside. Good thing you didn’t go in—of course, you couldn’t have gone in anyway. Otherwise, even if we didn’t kill you, we’d have erased your memories.”

Zhou Qing’s heart jolted.

Fortunately, after careful consideration, he had concealed certain details.

He had only reported to the Supreme Elders that the broken bowl had cried out “Erlayé” and then slipped out through the tunnel—he had not mentioned that the entity intended to remain within Taiqingmen for a while longer.

What if everyone launched a full-scale search and later discovered it was him who had brought it out?

And the entity had said it would “stay a while longer,” meaning it would leave soon.

He had already experienced all the sect’s secrets, and once nearly became the current Sect Master—he likely had no further interest in anything.

“By the way, about the cave heaven—do not spread word of it carelessly. Not just within the sect, but countless outsiders covet it. If they hear even a whisper, it will be a great disaster for you!” Mo Xingjian warned again, solemnly.

Zhou Qing nodded repeatedly.

Yan Xiaohu muttered under his breath: “After all that talk, you still didn’t say what secrets lie inside the cave heaven—I’ve just gained an unnecessary danger.”

Mo Xingjian was too tired to say more to him, got up, and left, telling Zhou Qing to rest well.

After both had departed, Zhou Qing first took out the supreme-grade water spirit stone, examining it with great fondness.

“I’ll wait until tomorrow to absorb it during my soak in the Number Three Flame Spirit Blood Pool—then the effect will be better!”

After putting away the spirit stone, he took out the secret technique granted by the Supreme Elder, “Silver Dragon Hand,” and began reading it carefully.

Early the next morning, Zhou Qing headed alone toward Shenyue Peak—he had wanted Third Senior Brother to accompany him, but the fellow stubbornly refused.

“Zhou Shixiong!”

As he climbed the mountain, a graceful figure ran over—it could only be Lu Yaoyao.

When he saw Li Daoxuan approaching from nearby, his face as sour as if someone owed him money, Zhou Qing felt a fresh wave of headache.

“Are you two waiting here specially for me?” Zhou Qing asked after bowing to Li Daoxuan.

Lu Yaoyao nodded, then smiled: “I wanted to congratulate you on winning first place yesterday, but the Supreme Elders kept you occupied—I never found a chance.”

Zhou Qing said: “Thank you.”

【Heart Insight +4】

Soon, above Lu Yaoyao’s head, her original note 【Kindly Loving】 changed instantly to 【Incredibly Powerful】.

Zhou Qing sighed softly—can you really only use these few adjectives?

At that moment, Li Daoxuan stepped forward, his face stiff: “I heard that in the gravity zone, you gave your Yang Fire Talisman to Young Miss, putting yourself in danger. Thank you.”

Upon finishing, Li Daoxuan bowed deeply.

Zhou Qing was taken aback.

“Third Senior Brother, you’re humbling me! Young Miss is new here—it’s our duty as seniors to help whenever we can!” Zhou Qing hurriedly replied.

Li Daoxuan rose, his heart filled with gratitude.

【Heart Insight +5】

Soon, under Zhou Qing’s gaze, the note above Li Daoxuan’s head—originally 【Sleazy But Pragmatic】—swiftly changed to 【Starting to Look Less Disgusting】.

Zhou Qing opened his mouth, then forcibly swallowed the curse words he had nearly spoken.

He stepped back and said: “Well then, the Supreme Elders are waiting for me—I’ll take my leave.”

Saying this, he hurried away.

Soon after, he arrived at a familiar spot in the back mountains—the secluded retreat of several reclusive Supreme Elders, where the Flame Spirit Blood Pool lay within one of the peaks.

“You’re here?”

As Zhou Qing looked around, a voice suddenly came from behind him without warning.

Startled, Zhou Qing spun around and bowed: “Greetings, Supreme Elder.”

The old woman nodded slightly, said nothing more, and led Zhou Qing straight toward Pool Number Three.

Soon, he saw what the true Flame Spirit Blood Pool looked like.

The entire pool emitted a strange, scorching glow; its liquid was an eerie dark red, as if forged by endless flames.

The air was thick with a refreshing, medicinal fragrance.

Remember, this was merely a diluted side pool—imagine the potency of the main pool.

“There you go—this is Pool Number Three. You’ve done well. Originally, the reward was one day; I’m extending it by half a day. Also, here is my personal notes on cultivating ‘Silver Dragon Hand’—you may study them.”

The old woman handed him a booklet.

Zhou Qing was thrilled.

“Thank you, Supreme Elder!”

The old woman nodded and departed.

Zhou Qing quickly tucked away the booklet, confirmed no one else was nearby, then stripped off his clothes and stepped slowly into the Flame Spirit Blood Pool.

The moment his skin touched the scalding liquid, a violent wave of heat surged through his pores into his body.

Zhou Qing hissed—“ Si ~”—but the pain remained within tolerable limits; gritting his teeth, he endured the searing agony and slowly submerged his entire body.

As he sank in, the pool’s spiritual energy surged toward him like a raging flood.

The liquid teemed with intense fire essence—fiery and domineering.

Zhou Qing immediately activated the “Taiqing Xuan Qi Jue,” guiding the medicinal power through his meridians. To ease the pain, he took out the supreme-grade water spirit stone and began absorbing its energy.

Time passed slowly. The Zhou Qing who had once clenched his eyes shut, veins bulging on his forehead, gradually grew accustomed to the pain—his expression now showed faint traces of enjoyment.

“Truly an incredible substance!”

Zhou Qing could clearly feel each strand of medicinal power flowing through his meridians—like countless tiny, searing knives scraping the inner walls. The pain was unbearable, yet the meridians grew tougher and wider under the stimulation.

Even his Foundation Establishment spirit core within the dantian grew stronger. Moreover, a faint red glow began to cover his flesh, as if his body had been forged into a divine weapon by flame, radiating immense power.

The night passed swiftly. Suddenly, a brilliant light erupted from within Zhou Qing’s dantian.

The spirit core, once the size of a pigeon’s egg, began slowly expanding—like a greedy child, it hungrily sucked in the surrounding spiritual energy.

Its surface shimmered with dazzling firelight, each flicker resembling a living fire serpent writhing across its surface.

Zhou Qing’s heart leapt with joy; he increased the absorption rate of the supreme spirit stone, and the pool’s liquid began swirling violently around him.

The spiritual energy nearby seemed drawn by a colossal force, forming a massive vortex that continuously poured into Zhou Qing’s dantian.

Soon, the spirit core ceased growing, settling firmly within the dantian—now more than twice its original size.

As Zhou Qing slowly opened his eyes, twin flames burned within his gaze.

“Foundation Establishment, Mid-Stage!”

(End of Chapter)