Conditions for Earth Vein Foundation Establishment

Su Wan's face turned cold at those words. "If you don't leave now, don't blame us for showing no mercy!"

"Oh? I'd like to see just how you plan to show no mercy." The Tall Woman spoke disdainfully.

"Our Soul Refining Sect has claimed this Erosion Beast nest. If you do not leave within ten seconds, you will be killed without mercy!"

"You..." Su Wan frowned, wanting to say something more.

But when she saw the Soul Refining Sect disciples closing in, she ultimately fell silent.

She turned to look at the Azure Lotus Sword Sect disciples behind her, pursed her lips, and said in a deep voice, "We're leaving!!!"

"Senior Sister Su Wan!" Everyone's expressions changed as they looked at her in confusion.

Su Wan offered no explanation. "If you still listen to me, then leave with me!"

With that, she was the first to move away from the scene, while the others looked at one another.

In the end, they could only grit their teeth and follow Su Wan away.

Watching the Azure Lotus Sword Sect retreat, the Tall Woman sneered.

She then turned and ordered, "Kill every Erosion Beast inside!!!"

Unlike the confused Azure Lotus Sword Sect disciples, Lu Nan perched on a tree branch had other thoughts.

Looking down from above, he saw Soul Refining Sect disciples in every direction.

They numbered at least twice as many as the Azure Lotus Sword Sect disciples. Though most had not reached the ninth layer of Qi Condensation,

they had strength in numbers. If the two sides fought,

the Azure Lotus Sword Sect would gain no advantage whatsoever. They might even all perish here.

The Soul Refining Sect moved quickly. While Lu Nan was still pondering, they had already dealt with every Erosion Beast in the nest.

Watching the Soul Refining Sect swiftly withdraw, he did not linger either.

His figure flashed through the trees as he quickly followed after them.

Before long, he caught up. Looking at the crowd moving slowly below,

Lu Nan carefully concealed himself and quietly listened to their conversation.

However, he did not hear anything useful. He glanced at a Qi Condensation Perfection cultivator walking at the rear.

His figure vanished in an instant. When he reappeared, he was already behind the man.

With the speed of thunder before one could cover one's ears, Lu Nan knocked him unconscious and slung him over his shoulder.

After carefully checking ahead, he fled far away.

After running for half an hour, he arrived at a dense thicket of flourishing bushes.

Only then did he put the man down and quickly wake the kidnapped man.

Once the other party was fully awake, Lu Nan smiled and asked, "Could you tell me what to keep in mind for Earth Vein Foundation Establishment???"

"Who are you? What do you want? I'm from the Soul Refining Sect!!!"

The moment the man woke up, he fired off three questions at Lu Nan.

Lu Nan backhanded him with a heavy slap. "I'm the one asking questions now, not you. Understand??"

The man looked at him blankly, then opened his mouth and spat out several teeth.

That slap also made him understand the gulf between them. He hurriedly nodded.

"Mm! That's more like it! Don't worry! Once you answer my questions, I won't make things difficult for you!!"

Lu Nan said with a gentle smile.

"M-Milord, please ask!!!" The man trembled and hastily replied.

The speed of his surrender left Lu Nan stunned.

Still, he did not dwell on it and asked directly, "Does the Soul Refining Sect currently have anyone who has gathered enough Earth Vein Qi?? How many?"

"Yes!! Two!! Lord Chi Hun and Lady Chi Mei."

"Chi Hun??" For no apparent reason, the image of that red-haired man who enjoyed close-quarters combat surfaced in Lu Nan's mind.

"Is the Chi Hun you mentioned a red-haired man who likes fighting at close range???"

The man froze. "Milord knows Lord Chi Hun???"

"I know him! Of course I know him!!

I never expected that fellow to gather enough Earth Vein Qi so quickly." Lu Nan remarked with an amused expression.

"Milord! We're on the same side! The same side! I serve Lord Chi Hun! My name is Chi San!!!"

Chi San cried out in delight.

"Chi San??"

"Mm-hmm!!" Chi San nodded repeatedly, looking at Lu Nan hopefully.

Lu Nan patted his shoulder in reassurance. "Don't worry! I'm only asking a few questions. Once I'm done, I'll let you go!"

"Milord, ask away!"

"How many people can the Earth Vein Qi in the Secret Realm support for Earth Vein Foundation Establishment in total??"

"In reply to milord, ten!"

Lu Nan nodded. "How does one undergo Earth Vein Foundation Establishment???"

"This lowly one does not know the specifics!

Rumor has it that after gathering enough Earth Vein Qi, one must find a place where Earth Qi is dense.

By refining the Earth Vein Qi while within the Earth Qi, one can complete the Earth Vein Qi."

After a pause, Chi San added, "I heard from the Senior Brothers in the sect that once all ten portions of Earth Vein Qi have found their owners,

ten treasure lands suffused with Earth Qi will appear within the Secret Realm. One can refine the Earth Vein Qi by entering those treasure lands.

One cannot be disturbed during that process, so someone must stand guard.

This time, I entered with the Senior Brothers to protect Lord Chi Hun!"

"Oh? You are willing to protect him?

You are also at Qi Condensation Perfection. Why not fight for it yourselves??" Lu Nan raised a brow.

Chi San's expression darkened as he sighed. "Milord jests. This lowly one lacks talent.

It took me thirty years to cultivate to Qi Condensation Perfection.

How could I possibly qualify for Earth Vein Foundation Establishment?

Besides, even if I were fortunate enough to gather enough Earth Vein Qi, I still could not contend with those favored children of heaven for the treasure lands afterward.

Rather than throw away my life for nothing, I might as well obey the sect's arrangements.

By protecting the geniuses of the sect, I can receive a Supreme Foundation Establishment Pill upon returning,

complete Human grade Foundation Establishment, and still have hope of seeking the Golden Core Great Dao."

Lu Nan's expression also became exceedingly complicated at those words.

With a faint sigh, he asked again, "Do you know how many people have gathered enough Earth Vein Qi now??"

Chi San pondered for several seconds, then shook his head. "I don't know!!"

"The restriction on your body will dissipate in one minute."

As he spoke, Lu Nan's figure had already vanished.

Only then did Chi San's taut nerves relax. He panted heavily, gulping in breath after breath.

At the same time, he looked gratefully toward the place where Lu Nan had disappeared.

He knew that he had picked up his life again.

Lu Nan, moving through the forest, frowned tightly. *It seems I still need to make contact with those geniuses.

Some intelligence is known only by those geniuses. But who should I look for??*

Suddenly, a figure flashed through his mind. After pondering for a moment, Lu Nan decided on her.

After checking the direction, he changed course and sped into the distance.

At full speed, Lu Nan soon caught up to the Azure Lotus Sword Sect's group.

Looking at Su Wan at the very front, he hesitated briefly before concealing himself.

He quietly trailed them from the shadows, waiting for a suitable opportunity.

Under Su Wan's lead, the Azure Lotus Sword Sect group camped in a valley with fairly pleasant scenery.

This was also the opportunity Lu Nan had been waiting for. Night quietly fell.

Only after most of them had gone to sleep did Lu Nan conceal his aura and emerge from the shadows.

After silently taking down the guards, he swiftly moved toward Su Wan.

Halfway there, he happened to encounter Su Wan approaching. The moment they saw each other, both froze.

Lu Nan was startled because he had not expected to alert her after all.

Su Wan was astonished because she had not expected to encounter a Junior Brother from the Book Collection Pavilion in such a dangerous Secret Realm.

"You???" Su Wan had barely spoken when Lu Nan's expression changed.

His figure flashed, and he appeared before her, hoisted her over his shoulder, and ran.

"Ah!" The sudden attack made Su Wan cry out in alarm.