Chapter 196: The Great Dao Before My Eyes, A New Foundation Establishment Method, Foundation Establishment Arrangements, The Wine Runs Dry and People Scatter

Bang bang bang!

Almost the instant the shield appeared.

Three crisp sounds rang out.

A violent force sent the Feng family ancestor flying back dozens of zhang along with his shield.

Only then did Feng Qingyang react, shouting, "Ancestor!"

It could be said that if the Feng family ancestor hadn't acted in time, Feng Qingyang might already be dead.

Xu Mingwei's magical power was nearly completely exhausted. His form trembled slightly as Zhou Qingfang and Xu Chuan also appeared beside him.

"Brother Feng, since you've taken action, that means my Zhou family has won this gambling battle."

The Feng family ancestor glanced at Zhou Qingfang, then at Xu Mingwei and Xu Chuan, and said indifferently, "Your Zhou family has won."

"If you can comprehend the final move of the 'Great River Sword Formula,' 'Rivers Entering the Sea,' breaking through his attacks won't be a problem."

"Yes, Ancestor. Qingyang will devote himself to comprehension upon returning."

The Feng family ancestor nodded, glanced at Xu Chuan, and with a flick of his sleeve robe, sent a flying sword before him. "Young Friend Xu, you won."

"I'll remember the Xu family."

He looked at Zhou Qingfang again. "Brother Zhou, fulfill your promise."

Zhou Qingfang smiled as he took out one superior-grade magical artifact and three superior-grade flying swords from his storage bag.

The Feng family ancestor stored them away, then immediately said, "We're leaving!"

The Feng family cultivators were unwilling, but could only obediently follow their ancestor back to the Feng family's clan territory.

Zhou Qingfang also needed to fulfill the agreement, but Xu Chuan politely declined. "Senior, the Zhou family has already paid out one superior-grade magical artifact and three superior-grade artifacts today. Mine isn't necessary."

"Then I thank Fellow Daoist Xu."

Then Zhou Qingfang swept his gaze over everyone and said indifferently, "Let's also return to Yuehu Commandery."

"Yes, Ancestor!"

All the Zhou family members cupped their fists and bowed, then released their flying swords and rose into the air on them.

Xu Chuan was quite different. What flew out from his storage bag was a boat artifact, truly standing out like a crane among chickens among the crowd.

Xu Mingwei consumed a superior-grade Essence Restoration Pill and sat cross-legged in meditation on the boat.

Zhou Qingfang glanced at the boat but said nothing more, looking at Xu Chuan. "Fellow Daoist Xu, you father and son should travel back to Yuehu Commandery with us first, then separate."

"Thank you, Senior." Xu Chuan nodded.

He glanced at that young girl being led along by Zhou Shaoyuan.

"So what the Feng and Zhou families were competing for was this person. Could it be..."

At this moment, Zhou Qingfang suddenly transmitted, "Fellow Daoist Xu, even if you've guessed something, don't say much. My Zhou family doesn't want this matter leaked."

"What is Senior Zhou talking about? This junior doesn't understand."

"That's good."

Upon reaching Yuehu Commandery, just before separating, Zhou Qingfang transmitted again, "I thank your Xu family for taking action to help this time. Otherwise, my Zhou family truly had no one who could stand against that Feng Qingyang."

"Our two families are allies. We should naturally help each other."

"Indeed. Then this old man will congratulate you in advance on successfully establishing your foundation and having longevity in sight!"

"When the Xu family holds the Foundation Establishment ceremony, my Zhou family will send generous gifts in celebration."

"Ancestor flatters me too much. Whether I'll succeed is still uncertain."

After that, Xu Chuan controlled the boat to leave the Zhou family group and head toward Dongxi.

Xu Mingwei stood beside him. His magical power had recovered about seventy to eighty percent.

After the time of a cup of tea, he finally spoke. "The Feng family's Grand Elder's strength truly wasn't weak. He actually forced your son to use his final killing move."

"Was it truly your final killing move?"

"I can't hide anything from Father. These past two years, the 'Nine Flames Formula' broke through to the fourth flame level. I did indeed create another move called 'Four Symbols Strangling Kill.' The inspiration came from the Four Symbols Heaven Force Array. But this move requires using divine consciousness to assist, and must invest at least forty percent of magical power at once. The consumption is too great."

"If 'Three Stars Reflecting Moon' uses divine consciousness, it only needs ten percent magical power to perfectly display its power."

"Your arrow Dao's pwer is strong, but it's also indeed dangerous, both to others and to yourself," Xu Chuan said.

"Father, rest assured on this point. For ordinary Qi Refining perfection cultivators, I can handle them with normal attacks without needing to use killing moves."

Xu Chuan nodded slightly then Xu Mingwei asked again, "By the way, what treasure were the Zhou and Feng families competing for? Such a big production?"

"Talent."

Xu Mingwei's brows furrowed slightly. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Could it be that girl following Zhou Shaoyuan? Does she have earth spiritual root aptitude?"

"Only the Zhou and Feng families know this. We don't need to inquire," Xu Chuan said. "This conversation with the Zhou family ancestor has increased my confidence in attempting Foundation Establishment by several more points."

"It turns out that true spiritual roots also have differences. Those converted in our Xu family should be the most ordinary true spiritual roots. But some with innate true spiritual root aptitude, if their spiritual root purity approaches earth spiritual root aptitude... That in itself can increase Foundation Establishment chances by over ten percent."

"Father means the Zhou family ancestor is this type of person?"

Xu Chuan nodded, then continued, "Mingwei, after returning, once everything is properly prepared, I will go into closed-door cultivation at the commandery capital medicinal garden. Only inform Dezhao and Mingyuan and a few others of this news. Additionally, all Xu family matters should continue as normal. No need to be overly tense."

"Understood, Father," Xu Mingwei said. "Our Xu family now has five thousand-year spiritual medicines. Father should take several with you."

"If spiritual grasses could stack to increase Foundation Establishment chances, Yuehu Commandery would have already produced several Foundation Establishment aristocratic families."

Xu Chuan smiled gently and explained, "The so-called thousand-year spiritual grass increasing Foundation Establishment chances only applies to cultivators who haven't consumed thousand-year spiritual grass before. The first time consuming thousand-year spiritual grass, its powerful and surging medicinal power has a strong stimulating effect on cultivators, thus increasing Foundation Establishment success rate somewhat."

"I see."

"However, I can use this thousand-year spiritual medicine as the main ingredient to refine pills. The effect should be stronger than simply consuming the spiritual medicine."

Over half an hour later.

The two returned to Dongxi.

Several days later, Xu Chuan announced he was entering closed-door cultivation.

Xu Chuan had frequently been in closed-door cultivation these past two years, sometimes for four or five days, sometimes for half a month or even longer.

Everyone was used to it.

Most people thought Xu Chuan was in closed-door cultivation at Dongxi, but he had quietly left Dongxi and gone to the commandery capital medicinal garden, to the spiritual qi node location.

Six quiet rooms had been built underground here.

Each quiet room was sealed with Spirit Gathering Arrays to lock in spiritual qi, only allowing entry, not exit.

For several years, not a single person had entered, specifically to serve as a location for attempting Foundation Establishment and future Foundation Establishment cultivators' meditation.

Xu Chuan chose one room for closed-door cultivation.

That same day, Xu Mingwei gathered Xu Mingyuan and the others together.

After sweeping his gaze over everyone, he said, "Father has gone into closed-door cultivation at the commandery capital medicinal garden."

"Closed-door cultivation there?" Xu Mingshu was stunned for a moment.

"Father is preparing to attempt Foundation Establishment?!" Xu Mingyuan said with pleasant surprise. "What are Father's chances?"

"Excellent!"

Xu Mingxuan and the others all looked at Xu Mingwei excitedly.

"Father didn't say much," Xu Mingwei shook his head. "But I feel it should be much higher than ordinary true spiritual root cultivators attempting Foundation Establishment."

"Additionally, he learned some spiritual root secrets from the Zhou family ancestor."

With that, Xu Mingwei briefly explained that naturally born true spiritual root holders attempting Foundation Establishment might have far higher chances than those with converted spiritual roots like them.

Everyone fell silent.

Among those with naturally born true spiritual roots in the Xu family, in the second generation there was Xu Mingqing, and in the third generation there were Xu Deling and Xu Deqian.

However, both Xu Mingqing and Xu Deqian were still young.

Only Xu Deling had already reached Qi Refining perfection, and her divine sense had also transformed into divine consciousness.

Xu Mingyuan and the others looked at Xu Deling.

"This matter isn't certain. We still need to test it. Let's discuss everything after Father finishes his closed-door cultivation," Xu Mingwei said. "However, if Ling’er truly has higher Foundation Establishment chances, then we should let her attempt Foundation Establishment first. What do you all think?"

"I agree. Thousand-year spiritual grass is precious. Naturally, we should let the person with the highest Foundation Establishment chance use it first," Xu Mingyuan said.

"I also agree."

Xu Mingxuan, Xu Mingshu, Xu Mingxian, and Xu Dezhao also all concurred.

Xu Mingxuan smiled. "Once Ling’er becomes a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she probably won't need many years before she can independently craft top-tier magical artifacts. When we later enter Foundation Establishment, we also won't lack top-tier magical artifacts."

"What Third Brother said is exactly what I was thinking. Magical artifacts have an extremely great influence on cultivators' strength. It's better to let Ling’er establish her foundation first," Xu Mingshu also said with a smile.

Xu Deling cupped her fists solemnly. "If Ling’er can successfully establish her foundation, I definitely won't disappoint Father and Second Uncles' expectations. I'll present everyone with top-tier magical artifacts."

The others all had smiles on their faces.

Then Xu Mingwei said, "We will also go to the medicinal garden to protect Father. Dezhao, Mingyuan, Mingxuan, the clan's affairs are entrusted to you. Just proceed as usual."

"Understood, Father." Xu Dezhao cupped his fists.

Xu Mingyuan and Xu Mingxuan nodded slightly.

…

The commandery capital medicinal garden also had people tending it daily.

They were all early Qi Refining cultivators. Seeing Xu Mingwei, they immediately felt surprised and came forward to greet him. "Elder Mingwei, have you come to collect some spiritual grass?"

Xu Mingwei said, "I've come for closed-door cultivation for some time. You don't need to disturb me. Just do your work."

"Yes, Elder."

A palace had been built above the spiritual qi node. Xu Mingwei meditated and cultivated in this palace.

He was also protecting Xu Chuan.

…

Zhou family.

Zhou Qingfang looked at the girl before him wearing Zhou family disciple robes.

She performed three prostrations before Zhou Qingfang, completing the disciple ceremony, then rose and said, "Master."

"The disciple ceremony is complete. Shaoyuan, Zhou Sen, you may all attend to your duties."

"Yes, Ancestor."

After everyone had left, Zhou Qingfang said, "Xuehua, although my Zhou family didn't personally act regarding your parents' matter, it's still related to my Zhou family. Do you blame us?"

Ye Xuehua's fingertips unconsciously rubbed the hem of her clothes. Her teeth left crescent-shaped shallow marks on her vermillion lips.

Her lowered eyelashes cast butterfly wing-like shadows on her jade face, perfectly concealing her eyes but the action of bowing her head in silent meditation already showed the struggle in her heart.

After a moment, she raised her eyes. "This disciple doesn't blame the Zhou family. Father and Mother were also very happy that I could cultivate at the Zhou family, but..."

"This is the cultivator's world. Strength reigns supreme."

"If you want to avenge your parents, you must make yourself powerful. The Feng family is the hegemon of Yunshan Commandery. Their strength is no weaker than my Zhou family's, perhaps even slightly stronger now."

"This disciple will cultivate seriously and follow Master's teachings."

Zhou Qingfang nodded slightly, then smiled. "Your aptitude is something I've rarely seen. The first moment I saw you, I knew you were extremely suitable for cultivating the 'Azure Wood Sword Formula.' This is an ancient cultivator's legacy and includes some Golden Core stage cultivation methods. My aptitude wasn't sufficient, and my comprehension of the sword path wasn't good either, so I couldn't bring out the full power of this sword formula. But you not only have earth spiritual root, you also possess the Azure Wood Sword Body recorded in the formula, the most suitable constitution for cultivating this sword formula. You only need to cultivate seriously for over a decade before you can attempt Foundation Establishment. At that time, your master will personally take you to the Feng family and let you personally slay your enemy."

Ye Xuehua cupped her fists and bowed. "Thank you, Master!"

Obtaining such a precious disciple, Zhou Qingfang immediately felt the Zhou family's future was bright. At least during his lifetime, the Zhou family had hope of becoming a third-rank aristocratic family.

In a flash, it had already been half a month since Xu Chuan entered closed-door cultivation.

His pills, magical power, and everything else were all fully prepared, yet he had hesitation in his heart.

That was whether or not to apply the [Golden Koi] destiny talent to himself.

"This is also a mental obstacle!" Xu Chuan suddenly had an insight.

"Looking back on my life, although there have been difficulties, relying on destiny talents, cultivating children, making them powerful, with their help, the Xu family's journey has been fairly smooth."

"But precisely because of the destiny's effect, I always want to place hope on it, waiting for descendants to be born to see what new destiny talents appear."

"This isn't wrong, but I can't be overly dependent."

"On the path of immortal cultivation, external things are indispensable, but the further you go, what matters is your own willpower, Dao heart, and so on. Otherwise, how could so-called heavenly spiritual roots stop at the Golden Core stage? The Nascent Soul stage cannot be broken through with mere spiritual root aptitude alone."

"'Swallow a golden pill and know my fate isn't determined by heaven'—so-called heavenly spiritual roots reaching heaven in one step, this must be what it means."

"Others dare to attempt Foundation Establishment recklessly with just over ten percent chance. I have nearly fifty percent. Why should I hesitate!"

Xu Chuan's eyes became increasingly bright, increasingly pure, like an infant child's eyes.

Affliction is tribulation, and also fate.

Question your original heart, use affliction as nourishment, polish your Dao heart, making it as clear as glass.

Sweep away the dust, let thoughts flow freely, making the spiritual platform as clear as a microcosm.

"The Great Dao is already before my eyes. If others can succeed, so can I!"

This sudden enlightenment was actually the inevitable result of thousands of self-interrogations.

Like peeling bamboo shoots, layer by layer asking: Why seek the Dao? Because I long for longevity. Why long for longevity? Because I fear wasting life... until touching the most genuine original heart.

At this moment, the magical power throughout Xu Chuan's body seemed to have been refined anew, involuntarily circulating.

It actually autonomously knocked on the Foundation Establishment gate.

The final opportunity for Foundation Establishment arrived. Xu Chuan had no more hesitation. He immediately took out the Five Elements Qi and absorbed it into his mouth.

Then, coordinating with his Five Elements spiritual root, he absorbed the Five Elements Qi to forge his immortal foundation.

According to Zhou Qingfang's Foundation Establishment experience, the immortal foundation had no fixed form, but it related to matters after Golden Core. However, this also didn't need to be deliberate. One only needed to follow one's own heart and path.

Just like Zhou Qingfang, he cultivated a sword formula and condensed an azure wood sword. This was the foundation of his Dao achievement.

As for Xu Chuan, he had already decided long ago.

"My Dao is refining heaven and earth in pills!"

The Five Elements Qi rapidly condensed into the shape of a pill furnace.

Three legs, round body, two ears.

"Success!"

Xu Chuan possessed divine consciousness power. His strength in condensing the immortal foundation far exceeded Qi Refining stage cultivators who only had divine sense but just as the immortal foundation took shape...

Dragon roars and tiger howls sounded.

They suddenly emerged from the void, galloped through his sea of consciousness, then entered the pill furnace's two ears. Dragon and tiger patterns then appeared on the left and right ears.

Next came the Eight Trigrams array disk, purple clouds and mist, an old farmer carrying a basket holding medicinal herbs, and finally a spiritual tree continuously evolving scenes of withering, flourishing, life, and death.

The Eight Trigrams array disk imprinted on the bottom of the pill furnace, the purple clouds entered the furnace lid, while Divine Farmer Tasting Hundred Herbs and the tree's withering and flourishing were engraved on the furnace body.

"This is... destiny talents?"

"Destiny talents can actually fuse with the immortal foundation?"

Xu Chuan’s heart shook with astonishment.

"Zhou Qingfang probably doesn't have destiny talents, which is why his Foundation Establishment experience didn't mention this."

"Since it's actively fusing, it should be beneficial."

Xu Chuan didn't overthink it. With the immortal foundation successfully condensed, he then swallowed the pill refined from thousand-year spiritual grass to assist in breaking through the Foundation Establishment barrier.

This was the passage between the illusory sea of consciousness and the physical body.

Once, twice, thrice...

In the blink of an eye, Xu Chuan had spent four days attempting to break through the Foundation Establishment barrier.

Three days was the best period for breaking through the Foundation Establishment barrier, but Xu Chuan obviously didn't have this talent.

Then came the fifth day, sixth day, seventh day.

On the seventh day, the barrier gate was suddenly blasted open by a crack.

"Break for me!"

Xu Chuan repeatedly surged all his magical power to attack. Whenever his magical power fell below seventy percent, he swallowed a superior-grade Essence Restoration Pill.

Boom boom boom!

The rumbling sounds passed through the barrier crack and echoed in Xu Chuan's sea of consciousness.

Another two days passed like this.

On the ninth day.

Xu Chuan finally blasted open the barrier.

Divine consciousness guided the immortal foundation through the barrier into his dantian.

During this process, his divine consciousness seemed nourished by something, rapidly expanding until it had strengthened by several times.

The pill furnace immortal foundation took root in his dantian, absorbing magical power throughout his body like a whale.

Xu Chuan swallowed pills and circulated the "Azure Wood Spirit Formula" Foundation Establishment chapter, absorbing surrounding heaven and earth spiritual qi and converting it to magical power.

What remained was waiting for the immortal foundation to completely solidify.

Days passed one by one.

"No wonder attempting Foundation Establishment requires finding a place rich in spiritual qi. The required spiritual qi truly isn't small." Xu Chuan murmured, his voice carrying indescribable relaxation.

Three days later.

The pill furnace immortal foundation completely solidified. This was energy materialization.

From now on, with just a thought, he could absorb surrounding heaven and earth spiritual qi and convert it to Foundation Establishment magical power.

Xu Chuan didn't rush to exit seclusion. The first task was to completely convert all his bodily magical power to Foundation Establishment magical power and stabilize his realm.

Just at this moment, the clan genealogy within his body suddenly stirred. White light flickered around its entire body, as if undergoing a transformation, and then a technique called the “Five Elements Spirit Formula” appeared in his sea of consciousness.

"A Qi Refining stage technique bestowed by the genealogy?"

Xu Chuan instantly understood all the content of the "Five Elements Spirit Formula," including spells and the secret techniques it recorded.

"It seems to be the follow-up technique to the 'Innate Five Elements Creation Art,' and it's also a rare Five Elements balanced technique."

But what most caught Xu Chuan’s attention was that after reaching Qi Refining perfection, it not only made his magical power more abundant and purer—exceeding cultivators of the same realm by thirty percent but also eliminated the need to condense Five Elements Qi, as the body could continuously produce it on its own.

Moreover, this technique also included the secret technique of the "Five Elements Foundation Establishment Method."

Coordinating with the technique, it could directly increase Foundation Establishment chances by fifteen percent.

In other words, Xu family members cultivating this technique, whenever attempting Foundation Establishment, with true spiritual root, divine consciousness, and technique bonuses, would have at least a thirty-five percent chance.

If they had innate true spiritual root with spiritual root purity exceeding thirty percent, they might have over forty percent chance.

Adding the first consumption of thousand-year spiritual grass, Foundation Establishment chances approached fifty percent.

It could be said this directly cleared the path from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment.

However, this technique had a drawback, it couldn't be switched to mid-cultivation.

Those who directly converted from martial path to immortal path could directly continue cultivating this technique.

But those who initially cultivated other techniques, or switched to other techniques mid-way, could only scatter their cultivation and restart from the first layer of Qi Refining to have the above effects.

This condition was too harsh. Not all Xu family disciples walking the immortal path needed to cultivate this technique.

Like Xu Deyue, if bestowed the Moon's Cold Bright Yin destiny talent, she would be most suited to cultivating the "Supreme Yin Moon Splendor Art."

The same for Xu Mingqing—possessing the Yin Wood bloodline and the innate Supreme Green Spirit destiny, he was suited to the "Azure Wood Spirit Formula."

Besides the magical power advantage and Foundation Establishment advantage, the "Five Elements Spirit Formula" also recorded Condensing Origin Technique, Condensing Spirit Technique, Condensing Origin Talisman, Five Elements Condensing Origin Array, Five Spirits Casket, Five Elements Condensing Origin Pill, etc.

Involving spells and corresponding pills, artifacts, arrays, and talismans.

Condensing Origin Technique—a first-rank superior-grade spell. According to the description, it was an extremely difficult spell to comprehend, but its power exceeded ordinary spells by fifty percent.

Condensing Spirit Technique—a divine sense application method, similar to entwining multiple strands of divine sense for qualitative change approaching divine consciousness level. It also included a divine sense attack method.

Foundation Establishment cultivators could also comprehend this.

Five Elements Condensing Origin Array—a first-rank superior-grade array formation, difficult to comprehend. It was a cultivation-assisting array that could increase cultivation speed for those practicing the "Five Elements Spirit Formula" by nearly seventy percent.

After all, Five Elements balanced techniques often cultivated more slowly.

Five Spirits Casket—a method for refining a superior-grade set magical artifact. It contained five elemental attribute spirit swords with an accompanying Five Elements Sword Array. If one could comprehend it, maximum power was comparable to top-tier magical artifacts.

The casket itself was also a superior-grade magical artifact.

Five Elements Condensing Origin Pill—similarly a pill assisting cultivation of this technique.

Inferior-grade Five Elements Condensing Origin Pills could increase cultivation speed by thirty percent, followed by fifty and ninety percent respectively.

With both array formation and superior-grade pills assisting simultaneously, progressing from the first layer of Qi Refining to Qi Refining perfection would probably be about the same as other techniques.

But those who cultivated this technique to Qi Refining perfection would have both magical power abundance and purity simultaneously exceed others by thirty percent.

This alone would make their strength far exceed cultivators of the same realm.

After all, other similar techniques usually only had one effect of either expanding magical power abundance or magical power purity.

Then comprehend Condensing Origin Technique and other recorded spells, carry the Five Spirits Casket, comprehend the sword array method—they would definitely be peerless prodigies.

Probably even the current Xu Mingwei couldn't defeat them.

It was just that achieving this level would probably be very difficult.

For Xu Chuan, the true benefit of this technique was raising the upper limit of magical power.

This could also continue at the Foundation Establishment stage.

As for purity, if at the Qi Refining stage one could be thirty percent purer than other cultivators, by Foundation Establishment stage, compared to cultivators of the same realm, it would probably only be about half a percent.

After all, Foundation Establishment stage magical power liquefied. Its purity already couldn't be compared to the Qi Refining stage.

"Worthy of being a Qi Refining technique bestowed by the genealogy—all-encompassing. But..."

Xu Chuan pondered.

Regarding matters like teaching this technique, he still needed to carefully consider before making a decision.

Putting aside the technique matter, Xu Chuan began focusing on converting Foundation Establishment magical power.

Until he had completely converted and filled it to fullness took seven days.

"As expected, at Foundation Establishment stage, magical power recovers much more slowly. The previous Essence Restoration Pills' effect is probably negligible."

Xu Chuan only remembered three types of pills for recovering magical power at Foundation Establishment stage: Azure Spirit Pill, Jade Liquid Pill, and Condensing True Pill.

The first two were suitable for early Foundation Establishment, the latter for middle and late Foundation Establishment.

Many pill formulas obtained from the Dan Hall, Xu Chuan couldn't teach others. He could only gradually modify them.

"I need to find a way to break this oath. Otherwise, just modifying these pill formulas alone will take who knows how much time."

Xu Chuan suddenly felt that even after breaking through to Foundation Establishment, there were still a whole pile of things to do.

He could only tackle them one by one, slowly.

"Perhaps after finishing the tasks at hand, I can go to the Dan Hall to restock."

The Xu family was truly scarce in materials for second-rank pills. Even with Xu Chuan's heaven-defying pill refining skills, he couldn't create pills from nothing.

"Time to exit seclusion."

Xu Chuan stretched lazily. A series of crisp bone-cracking sounds immediately came from within his body.

"There's some smell."

Xu Chuan suddenly noticed an unusual smell. He also felt sticky on his body, so he casually formed a hand seal—Cleansing Technique.

The unusual smell and sticky feeling on his skin surface immediately disappeared without a trace then he stood, flicked his sleeve robe, and a spiritual light entered the stone door.

The restriction vanished. The stone door automatically opened slowly.

Xu Chuan stepped out.

After thinking, he turned to face above the stone door. His index and middle fingers together formed a sword gesture, tracing three times about three inches away.

Countless stone chips flew.

Finally leaving behind the character "Chuan."

Representing that this stone room would henceforth be Xu Chuan's exclusive closed-door cultivation location.

With a flick of his sleeve robe.

The stone door closed again, the restriction activating.

Xu Chuan walked along the passage all the way to the surface and opened the mechanism.

Rumble!

The mechanism opened, immediately alerting Xu Mingwei in the great hall. His eyes full of pleasant surprise looked over, then he flashed to the passage entrance then he saw Xu Chuan walking up the stairs.

"Father." Xu Mingwei cupped his fists and bowed. His divine consciousness swept over, and he immediately said excitedly, "Congratulations on successfully establishing your foundation!"

Xu Chuan nodded slightly.

"Let's go, back to the family."

"Yes."

The two walked out of the great hall. Not long after, they encountered the young cultivator responsible for tending the medicinal garden.

"Grand Elder, Elder Mingyuan." He bowed respectfully.

Xu Chuan's divine consciousness swept over. The surrounding spiritual grass and spirit rice all entered his sight. He immediately formed a seal and cast an "Azure Wood Azure Light Technique."

Countless azure light points danced in the air like duckweed and willow catkins, falling into the medicinal fields and spirit fields.

All spiritual grass and spirit rice that contacted the azure light points rapidly grew, becoming significantly more robust in just a few breaths.

That young cultivator watched dumbfounded, murmuring, "This is worth my hard work tending them for over a month."

Then he reacted and cupped his fists toward Xu Chuan again. "Thank you, Grand Elder."

"Take good care of them. The Xu family won't mistreat those who work hard," Xu Chuan smiled faintly.

"Yes, Grand Elder."

The young man's face flushed red, as if he'd received supreme honor.

Among the Xu family's external cultivators, very few had spoken with Xu Chuan. This could practically become bragging capital for him in the future.

Xu Chuan and Xu Mingwei immediately rose on their swords. In the blink of an eye, they rushed out of the medicinal garden's grand array and disappeared into the horizon.

After flying for a while, Xu Chuan also tested his Foundation Establishment stage ability to tread on air.

During this time, he internally observed the genealogy in his sea of consciousness. It had not only bestowed the Qi Refining technique, each person's information was also more detailed.

In the spiritual root aptitude section, current spiritual root purity was added.

He browsed through once.

Xu family disciples' spiritual root purity was basically between twenty and thirty percent.

The relatively higher one was Xu Deqian at twenty-eight percent.

Of course, two people exceeded this, Xu Deling and Xu Mingqing respectively.

The former was thirty-five percent, the latter forty percent, truly top-tier true spiritual roots.

With just thousand-year spiritual grass alone, they both had considerable hope.

Arriving at Dongxi, Xu Chuan returned to the main residence.

Xu Mingwei transmitted to Xu Mingyuan and the others, informing them of Xu Chuan's emergence from seclusion.

Xu Mingyuan, Xu Mingxuan, Xu Mingshu, Xu Mingxian, Xu Dezhao, and Xu Deling—six people immediately rushed back to the main residence.

First to pay respects, second to know whether he had successfully broken through.

Xu Chuan's study.

Several people crowded in.

They saw Xu Chuan sitting and Xu Mingwei standing before the desk.

"Greetings, Father (Grandfather)."

The six first cupped their fists toward Xu Chuan, then also greeted Xu Mingwei. "Big Brother (Father)."

Xu Mingwei smiled faintly. "No need to probe. Father has already successfully broken through. However, he's currently concealing his realm. There's no need to make it public right now."

All six people's faces showed joy as they cupped their fists toward Xu Chuan again. "Congratulations to Father (Grandfather) on successfully establishing foundation."

"No need for excessive courtesy. I gained much from this Foundation Establishment. Afterward, I'll specifically record my Foundation Establishment attempt experience. You can all read it."

"Thank you, Father (Grandfather)."

Xu Dezhao immediately continued, "Grandfather, now that you've broken through, who do you think is most suitable to attempt Foundation Establishment next?"

"Can we borrow the tool for testing true spiritual roots from the Zhou family ancestor?"

Xu Chuan glanced at him and said indifferently, "No need to borrow. I already know all your spiritual root purities. Except for Deling and Mingqing, everyone else is within thirty percent."

Xu Deling asked curiously, "Grandfather, what's my spiritual root purity?"

"Thirty-five percent. Mingqing is forty percent, just a hair's breadth from becoming earth spiritual root aptitude."

"Forty percent?!"

Everyone exclaimed.

Xu Mingshu said dazedly, "Then emotionally, we were all born too early. We should have waited until after Father cultivated immortality to be born."

Everyone froze upon hearing this, then burst into laughter.

Xu Mingxuan clutched his belly. "Mingshu, you might as well have Father give birth to a few more."

"Haha, I'm joking," Xu Mingshu said.

"Stop fooling around," Xu Chuan shook his head with a smile. "Regarding Zhao'er's question, I've also considered it. The next one will be Ling’er, then Mingxian, Mingshu, and Mingxuan."

Everyone fell silent upon hearing this.

After pondering, Xu Mingyuan said, "Father is considering this, could it be related to the 'Wuhua Dharma Assembly'?"

"Exactly," Xu Chuan nodded. "Ling’er will attempt Foundation Establishment soon. She has a considerable chance of success on the first try. Although the others also have possibilities, having too many from the Xu family suddenly establishing foundations isn't appropriate. Two people are already sufficient for our Xu family's upcoming matters. We can also have explanations for outsiders. Mingxian and the others all meet the age requirements for the next 'Wuhua Dharma Assembly.' The three of you will participate together, officially putting our Xu clan on Great Wei's stage. Of course, the 'Wuhua Dharma Assembly' is extremely dangerous. The clan will prepare as many trump cards as possible for you. But only by seizing as many Foundation Establishment Pills as possible at the 'Wuhua Dharma Assembly' can others in the clan break through afterward without any hidden dangers. Are you willing to fight once for the family?"

Xu Mingshu, Xu Mingxuan, and Xu Mingxian looked at each other, all smiled, and cupped their fists. "We're willing to go through fire and water for the family."

With those words, Xu Mingshu continued, "Finally, there's a chance for me to contribute to the family. I thought I'd be raising spirit beasts and spirit insects at Dongxi for life."

"Father, since we're going to participate in the 'Wuhua Dharma Assembly,' can restrictions on spirit insect cultivation be lifted?"

Xu Chuan smiled and nodded.

Xu Mingyuan said, "Father, the combination of Mingshu, Mingxuan, and Mingxian is indeed good. Mingshu can use spirit insects to scout the surroundings, Mingxuan can predict risks, Mingxian can set up arrays in advance based on intelligence to lure enemies in. But your son feels they still lack someone with unmatched offensive power like Big Brother."

The others silently nodded, feeling this made considerable sense.

"I plan to entrust this task to Mingxuan."

"Me?" Xu Mingxuan pointed at himself, immediately waving his hands repeatedly. "Father, although I also have a superior-grade magical artifact, in direct combat, I'm not even as good as Mingxian."

"So I've decided to have you cultivate a new technique, the follow-up to our Xu family's legacy technique, corresponding to the Qi Refining chapter. This technique is mysteriously profound and all-encompassing. I won't introduce it much for now. Tomorrow I'll hand over the corresponding sections of spells, artifact path, array path, and talisman path to the appropriate people. And you, Mingxuan, will cultivate this technique. If you can reach Qi Refining perfection and fully master it, surpassing the current Mingwei in strength won't be a problem. Of course, this is very difficult. But as long as you cultivate to Qi Refining perfection, combined with matching magical artifacts, talismans, etc., your combat ability should be second only to your big brother."

"So amazing? Can we cultivate it?" Xu Dezhao's eyes lit up, seeming moved.

Any cultivator hopes their combat ability becomes as strong as possible.

"You're somewhat late. If you'd cultivated this technique from when you first converted to the immortal path, there would be no problem. But now you must scatter your cultivation and restart from the first layer of Qi Refining."

Everyone was immediately shocked upon hearing this.

Xu Mingwei said, "Father, you want Mingxuan to re-cultivate to Qi Refining perfection before the 'Wuhua Dharma Assembly'?"

"Correct. This technique has cultivation-assisting arrays and pills that can speed things up considerably. Moreover, because he's re-cultivating, there won't be bottlenecks. As long as pills, spiritual qi, and other resources are supplied, he should be able to make it in time."

Xu Mingyuan said, "Having one more person in the family with formidable combat power is good. We can't always have Big Brother go first."

"I'm the big brother. Naturally, I go first!" Xu Mingwei grinned.

Xu Mingyuan covered his face and complained, "Big Brother, ever since you stopped serving as family head, you've increasingly become a battle maniac."

"Perhaps this is Father's expectation of me."

"Don't drag me into this. I'm not, I didn't, don't talk nonsense!"

"Hahaha!"

"Alright then. Since Father has put it this way, your son will do his best," Xu Mingxuan cupped his fists.

"The rest of you don't need to worry. The subsequent Foundation Establishment arrangements also include you."

"Yes, Father (Grandfather)."

Then everyone left the study.

Before leaving, Xu Mingyuan transmitted, "By the way, Father, there's one matter I must tell you. During your closed-door cultivation, Second Uncle Ergou... passed away."

"I know," Xu Chuan sighed gently.

That night, with bright moon.

Xu Chuan took wine and went to the Chen family burial ground.

Sitting beside Chen Ergou's tombstone, drinking wine while talking to himself, "Ergou, in the blink of an eye you've also gone. Dalong, Fugui, and Youcai went a couple years ago too."

He laughed self-deprecatingly. "Seems like you all made an appointment, huh."

"Ergou, let me tell you some good news, your Brother Chuan has established foundation. You probably don't know what Foundation Establishment means. Successfully establishing foundation can extend life. Envious?"

"Perhaps you will be, perhaps you won't. You have your happiness and troubles. Cultivators also have cultivators' worries. Even though I've now stepped into Foundation Establishment, I'm the same as you, bound by various matters. Mortals and cultivators, ultimately there's no great difference."

"In a few more years, it'll probably be Baihua, my brother-in-law."

"All gone."

"Half a lifetime passes swiftly. Looking back, there are no more old acquaintances."

"But I have no regrets. We're all borrowing time from fate. Yours came due, but I still want to borrow another thousand years, ten thousand years from heaven!"

Xu Chuan raised the jar, tilted his head back to gulp another mouthful, then wiped his mouth corner and grinned. "Ergou, you have to bless your Brother Chuan."

"Brother Chuan, keep going!"

Xu Chuan's body shook. He seemed to hear Ergou's youthful shout.

He whipped around, but no one was there.

"Getting a bit drunk. How long since I've tasted the feeling of being drunk?"

To Xu Chuan, Chen Ergou was like his little brother, following behind him since childhood.

No matter what Xu Chuan did, he always had that worshipful expression, shouting: Brother Chuan, you're amazing!

Brother Chuan, I feel like even my dad isn't as good as you!

Brother Chuan, I believe you can definitely grow Azure Jade Pears!

Brother Chuan, let my Chen family become your Xu family's vassal!

Wine eventually runs out, people also scatter.

"Brother, rest in peace!"

Xu Chuan put down the wine jar, slowly stood. The wine aura around his entire body instantly dissipated, his eyes clear.

Bright moon, swaying tree shadows.

Hands behind his back, azure robe slightly fluttering, immortal bearing and Dao bones.

Suddenly, the traces of time on his body began to reverse, transforming from a sixty or seventy-year-old elder into a twenty-five or twenty-six-year-old youth then he rose into the air, flying toward the Pill Refining Palace.

…

The next day, Xu Chuan called Xu Mingxuan and transmitted the "Five Elements Spirit Formula," though the version related to Foundation Establishment content and the "Five Elements Foundation Establishment Method" secret technique were hidden.

When he truly reached that step, it would be taught then.

Two days later.

Xu Chuan took Xu Mingxuan to the commandery capital medicinal garden, to the underground cultivation rooms.

Xu Mingxuan scattered his cultivation. Xu Chuan protected him to prevent accidents.

Several hours later, a lifetime's cultivation foundation completely turned to nothing.

"Father," Xu Mingxuan looked at Xu Chuan with slight exhaustion.

Xu Chuan placed his hand on his shoulder. A power of vitality transmitted into his body, helping regulate his body.

A moment later, Xu Mingxuan felt much better.

"Thank you, Father."

"Mm," Xu Chuan nodded. "Cultivate this 'Five Elements Spirit Formula.' Remember, for now don't say much about this technique to others. Just say it's a technique I obtained by chance."

"Father is so solemn. Could this technique also have uniquely special aspects like the 'Innate Five Elements Creation Art'?"

"When you reach Qi Refining perfection, I'll explain clearly. For now, cultivate well. Let Heng'er handle Mission Hall matters."

"Yes, Father," Xu Mingxuan cupped his fists.

Xu Mingxuan began cultivating the "Five Elements Spirit Formula," then discovered this technique was truly different, it was actually a Five Elements balanced technique.

Cultivation was extremely slow.

"What wonderful uses does this technique have? It shouldn't just raise magical power upper limits and purify magical power, right?"

Xu Mingxuan pondered fruitlessly, then stopped thinking about it and focused on cultivation.

In less than half a day, he successfully entered the first layer of Qi Refining then he directly consumed superior-grade Qi Nurturing Pills to cultivate.

Although re-cultivating, his body's meridians and such had already been formed, so even at the first layer of Qi Refining, he could withstand Qi Nurturing Pills' vast medicinal properties.

But even so, the speed still wasn't particularly fast.

Xu Chuan transmitted Condensing Origin Technique, Condensing Spirit Technique, Five Spirit Shield, etc. to everyone, then also transmitted artifact path, array path, and talisman path to Xu Deling, Xu Mingxian, and Xu Mingyuan.

Xu Mingyuan still couldn't refine first-rank superior-grade talismans, but could study them first.

With Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian's pill and array accomplishments, the Five Elements Condensing Origin Pill and Five Elements Condensing Origin Array wouldn't take long to succeed.

As for Xu Deling, she was astonished by the Five Spirits Casket’s exquisite design.

It was even more outstanding than the Black Evil Banner.

Not only a superior-grade magical artifact set, it also had a matching Five Elements Sword Array. This opened her eyes. She thought she might be able to coordinate with Xu Mingxian on artifact refining in the future.

Ordinary array artifacts relied solely on the array’s power; the artifact itself possessed no power.

But the perfect combination of artifact refining and arrays should be like the Five Spirits Casket, the magical artifact itself had formidable power, assisted by arrays, able to rise another level.

Using superior-grade to contend with top-tier!

However, Xu Deling's current artifact refining accomplishments hadn't yet reached the level of crafting superior-grade magical artifacts.

Probably still needed one or two more years of accumulation.

In the blink of an eye, four or five months passed.

The following year, in March.

Xu Deling was fully prepared and also planned to attempt Foundation Establishment.