Foundation Establishment Middle Stage

"Thank you for your help, Fellow Daoist Zhao."

Lan Chang'an put away the two Foundation Establishment, feeling very gratified.

Three pills were successfully refined in this collaborative alchemy project, but Lan Chang'an was not present at the scene.

If Zhao Siyao were to put a little thought into it, saying that the Alchemist's performance was mediocre and only two pills were produced would be within the realm of possibility.

The two have known each other since they were young, and their friendship spans eighty years. This trust even surpasses that of some siblings.

"Daoist Lu, I'll head back now."

After delivering the pills, Zhao Siyao left immediately without lingering.

Lan Chang'an knew that she was going to help Zhao Tan'er Foundation Establishment and protect her.

Moon Empress.

Lan Chang'an received a letter from Zhao Siyao, informing him that Zhao Tan'er had successfully Foundation Establishment.

In the letter, Zhao Siyao expressed her gratitude on behalf of her apprentice.

Lan Chang'an didn't tell Mu Bingyun this news to avoid disappointing her.

In the past few months, Mu Bingyun has often sparred with the two Puppet or the Earth Rock Rat.

Through repeated failures, her mindset gradually calmed down.

Time flies, and nearly two years have passed.

The usually lush and verdant Small Turtle Peak has been decorated with festive elements, including red lanterns, flowers, and couplets.

Secret Chamber of the cave.

"He's one hundred years old..."

Lan Chang'an slowly finished his practice, feeling that the Law Power within his body was approaching the upper limit of the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

It is estimated that in another two years, he will reach the peak of the Foundation Establishment Early Stage and then attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

After nurturing the Treasure Talisman, Lan Chang'an left the Secret Chamber.

"Brother Lu, may you enjoy longevity and prosperity, like the sun and moon shining brightly, and may you live as long as the pine and crane in spring."

"Uncle Lu, may your journey to the afterlife be long and prosperous."

Guan Qiaozhi and Mu Bingyun had been waiting for a long time. They brought out trays and presented birthday cakes, longevity peaches, and longevity flowers.

Thank you for your kind words.

Lan Chang'an smiled warmly and took a few symbolic bites.

The cave was decorated with some festive elements, making it more lively than usual.

On that day, guests came down from Small Turtle Peak one after another to offer their birthday wishes.

The other two Peak Master of Wuqi Mountain, Fairy Shi and Alchemist Lin, along with the housekeeper Lan Lin, came to offer their congratulations immediately.

Each person who came to offer their congratulations brought some kind of gift.

Including Mu Bingyun and Guan Qiaozhi.

Guan Qiaozhi sewed a dark blue Buddhist robe for Lan Chang'an.

Mu Bingyun presented her with a Natural Spirit Pearl that had been nurtured and polished for many years.

The gifts they gave weren't very expensive, but they were the thought that counted.

"Bingyun, you should go back to Jade Moon Lake."

Lan Chang'an thought of something and gave the order.

"Yes, Uncle Lu."

Mu Bingyun's clear eyes welled up with tears. She bowed slightly, packed some things, and flew out of Small Turtle Peak.

Looking at the woman's back.

Lan Chang'an knew that he wasn't the only one celebrating his Centennial Birthday Banquet.

Two years ago, Mu Bingyun obtained a Longevity Pill from Alchemist Lin, and he knew about it.

It was noon.

Li Erqing came to offer his congratulations with his son Mu Ershun and grandson Mu Congren.

Li Erqing was overweight, with a ruddy complexion, but his head was balding, and his sunken eyes held a deep and restrained gaze.

Compared to the past, he now exuded the imposing presence of a Lineage patriarch.

"Brother, may your immortal path Changqing."

Li Erqing's eyebrows relaxed, and his lips instinctively parted in a smile, regaining some of his former naivety.

Uncle Lu...

Mu Ershun and Mu Congren bowed and offered their congratulations.

Mu Ershun's body was slightly hunched, and he looked like an old man in his seventies. In fact, he was less than twenty years younger than Lan Chang'an.

An octogenarian bowed deeply to a young man who looked to be around twenty years old.

Mu Ershun already has four generations living under one roof.

If Li Erqing hadn't brought him along this time, Lan Chang'an would likely have had little chance to see him again.

Mu Congren looked to be in his early twenties, a handsome young man, with a slight resemblance to Li Erqing in his features.

He is Li Erqing's most talented grandson, much younger than Mu Bingyun, and his cultivation is approaching the Qi Refining Ninth Layer.

Li Erqing's three generations each sent congratulatory gifts, which were quite valuable and showed their sincere sincerity.

Half an hour later.

Four streams of the Foundation Establishment Realm aura flew in from outside Wuqi Mountain and landed on Small Turtle Peak.

Two of the visitors were at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, and two were at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

These were the four Foundation Establishment cultivators from Golden Cloud Valley:

Zhang Tieshan, Zhao Siyao, Zhao Tan'er, Lin Lu.

Lan Chang'an came out to greet them, first greeting Zhang Tieshan and Zhao Siyao, who were of the same generation.

At this moment, Lan Chang'an discovered that Zhang Tieshan's cultivation level had faintly reached the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, slightly ahead of Zhao Siyao.

"Uncle Lu live as long as the pine and Changqing, and enjoy boundless longevity." Zhao Tan'er's eyes sparkled, and her tone was light and cheerful.

May Lu Bolong enjoy good health and long life.

Lin Lu presented a congratulatory gift with a respectful tone.

"You've put your heart into this."

Lan Chang'an offered a few words of simple encouragement, without being arrogant or condescending.

In terms of seniority, the two were lower than him.

In terms of cultivation level, they are at the same level, with no difference in status.

Especially Zhao Tan'er, if her cultivation goes smoothly, she might surpass Lan Chang'an in the future.

Inside the main hall of the cave, the female steward Lan Lin sent two maids to help Guan Qiaozhi entertain the guests.

Lan Chang'an's birthday banquet was just a simple family dinner. No invitations were sent out, and the guests were all friends, juniors, and neighbors who came spontaneously.

Some people did not stay long; for example, Zhang Tieshan left after sitting for half an hour.

By evening, most of the birthday guests had left.

Li Erqing and his family, spanning three generations, remained until the very end.

Inside the study of the cave dwelling, Lan Chang'an and Li Erqing talked alone for a long time.

"Brother, what are your thoughts on the current situation at Jade Moon Lake? If I haven't done a good job, you are welcome to scold me."

Li Erqing's eyes flickered slightly, his confidence seemingly lacking.

"Brother has no objection, you did the right thing."

Lan Chang'an smiled slightly.

Upon hearing this, Li Erqing was quite surprised.

After all, as a son-in-law who has married into the Mu family, it's morally questionable for him to be the one in charge in the Mu Family.

Lan Chang'an had long since left Jade Moon Lake and owed no debts to it, including personal favors.

In contrast, he had a good personal relationship with Li Erqing.

Even if Li Erqing really swallowed up the Mu Family, it wouldn't be a big deal, since they were all of the Mu Family's bloodline anyway.

"By the way, has the Mu Family not cultivated any new Foundation Establishment in recent years?"

Lan Chang'an asked.

He had discussed with Li Ergou that the most effective way to stabilize Jade Moon Lake was to have the Mu Family's old lineage cultivate a Foundation Establishment Realm as soon as possible.

"It's my fault for being incompetent," Li Erqing said with shame.

Years ago, his original intention was indeed to cultivate a Foundation Establishment for the Mu Family's old lineage.

Unfortunately, with such a large number of offspring, the clan's limited resources were inevitably divided up, making it impossible to concentrate efforts on any one task.

"If a new Foundation Establishment Realm is born in the Mu Family's old lineage, what will you do?"

Lan Chang'an said calmly.

He has two Foundation Establishment, which are not suitable for sale at auction. Selling them to unfamiliar forces would be too risky and unpredictable.

It's best to trade with forces or cultivators you know well.

"I am willing to assist you," Li Erqing said firmly.

Lan Chang'an nodded, believing what he was saying.

After nightfall.

Inside the cave, only Lan Chang'an and Guan Qiaozhi remained.

Guan Qiaozhi used Law Technique to cleanse the cave and then helped Lan Chang'an take a bath.

Lan Chang'an glanced at her; her Law Power was loose, thick but not refined.

"Your spiritual practice has become somewhat lax in recent years."

Under normal circumstances, Guan Qiaozhi failed to break through to the Foundation Establishment nine years ago. If she had diligently cultivated since then, her cultivation level should have remained at the peak of the Qi Refining Ninth Layer.

Guan Qiaozhi's hands, which were rubbing her back, stiffened slightly, and she said softly:

"Brother Lu, I am sixty-eight years old, and my aptitude is dull; further training will be useless. It would be better to serve you well, and there's also the Mystic Water Turtle..."

Lan Chang'an remained silent for a moment.

As early as the last attempt to reach the Foundation Establishment, he discovered that Guan Qiaozhi lacked willpower and conviction.

If placed in the third level of Golden Cloud Valley, the Illusory Heart Platform, which tests one's mental state and willpower, its ranking would probably be quite low.

Even so, he still gave Guan Qiaozhi Foundation Establishment Pill to increase her chances of achieving Foundation Establishment.

"Sixty-eight years old, his cultivation has deteriorated, and he has lost his willpower..."

Lan Chang'an sighed inwardly.

He spoke, "Qiaozhi, you have served me for decades, what is your last wish in this life?"

He added, "Except for that requirement."

Years ago, when I first arrived at Small Turtle Peak...

Guan Qiaozhi's wish was to conceive Lan Chang'an's child, but after being disappointed time and time again, she gave up on the idea.

"Hmm, let me think..." Guan Qiaozhi said, resting her hand on her cheek in thought.

"In a few years, I'd like to return to my birth parents' hometown and my master's birthplace. If there are any orphans or children there, I'd like to help adopt them, as a way of accumulating good deeds."

"Um."

Lan Chang'an nodded, saying nothing.

Whether Guan Qiaozhi stayed in Small Turtle Peak or went to the secular world to enjoy wealth and luxury, he let her be free.

Moon Empress.

Upon returning to Small Turtle Peak, Mu Bingyun first paid her respects to Lan Chang'an.

How is your master?

"I'm fine. I took the Longevity Pill," Mu Bingyun replied.

Lan Chang'an didn't ask any further questions.

Upon returning this time, Mu Bingyun's conviction was even stronger, as if she had been inspired by something.

After finishing her work, she immediately went to spar with the Earth Rock Rat, whose cultivation and power were being suppressed.

You can't challenge the Puppet too often, because it consumes Spirit Stone.

The Earth Rock Rat worked hard without complaint and would never hurt her.

Small Turtle Peak, the seasons have changed.

Mu Bingyun, sweating profusely, manipulated her Law Technique Law Artifact and cast spells, her figure gradually becoming more fluid and exuding a touch of dashing elegance.

Until one day...

Thud! Crack!

Mu Bingyun's magical Law Artifact moved with lightning speed, severing the necks and abdomens of the two Puppet in quick succession.

"It's done!" A joyful voice echoed across Small Turtle Peak.

At this moment, her cultivation had reached the peak of the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, and her essence, energy, and spirit were abundant.

"Bingyun, congratulations!"

Guan Qiaozhi came over with a smile.

Looking at the broken remains of the Puppet lying on the ground, she frowned slightly and said worriedly:

"Bingyun, you damaged Brother Lu's Puppet. According to the rules of the mountain, you must compensate with Spirit Stone."

Mu Bingyun was taken aback and was about to speak.

At this moment, she faintly sensed a powerful aura of Law Power rising sharply within the cave.

The cave dwelling, Secret Chamber.

Lan Chang'an closed his eyes and circulated his internal energy, causing the emerald green lake of Law Power within his body to expand significantly.

The Law Power swirling around it contained vibrant life force, the mystery of time, and a refreshing fragrance like that of plants.

"One hundred and two years old, Foundation Establishment Middle Stage."

After a long while, Lan Chang'an opened his dark eyes, feeling relaxed and happy, and chuckled lightly.

It took a total of thirty-two years, from the Foundation Establishment Early Stage to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

This progress is much faster than that of Li Erqing, who has Low-Grade Spiritual Root.

However, among Foundation Establishment cultivators, their progress is relatively slow, even without considering minor realm bottlenecks.

This is because most Foundation Establishment Realm start with Mid-Grade Spiritual Root, High-Grade Spiritual Root make up a significant portion.

The Mystic Water Turtle greedily absorbed the energy surrounding Lan Chang'an.

It can be predicted that as the gap between his cultivation level and that of the Mystic Water Turtle widens, the latter's cultivation growth will further increase.

Lan Chang'an scanned the outside of the cave with his Divine Sense and saw the remains of the two Puppet that Mu Bingyun had defeated.

He nodded slightly, deciding to first consolidate his cultivation level.

During this time, Guan Qiaozhi sent a Sound Transmission Talisman.

Lan Chang'an waved his hand to pull it over and heard the contents of the Sound Transmission Talisman.

"Oh, I almost forgot, Li Erqing's Centennial Birthday Banquet is coming up soon."

(End of this chapter)