Different Fates

Ten days later, Lan Chang'an stabilized his cultivation level and officially emerged from seclusion.

"Congratulations, Brother Lu, your Law Power has greatly increased."

Congratulations, Uncle Lu, on your breakthrough.

As he stepped out of the cave, two maids stood on either side, offering their congratulations.

"Bingyun, Uncle Lu has seen that you defeated two high-grade first-tier Puppet."

Lan Chang'an smiled and looked at the slender Green-Skirted Woman.

"I'm still no match for the Earth Rock Rat that suppresses its cultivation and power."

Mu Bingyun said softly.

Feeling a little guilty, she took out a bag of Spirit Stone and gently bit her lip.

"Uncle Lu, I damaged two Puppet. Are these Spirit Stone enough to compensate me?"

Lan Chang'an chuckled and waved his hand, saying, "Keep your Spirit Stone for Foundation Establishment."

Repairing two Tier 1 Puppet won't cost much.

Mu Bingyun passed the test he proposed, and it was time to say goodbye.

"Bingyun, pack your bags and come with me to Jade Moon Lake for Li Erqing's Centennial Birthday Banquet."

Lan Chang'an gave the instructions.

"Hmm." Mu Bingyun hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.

She didn't have a very good impression of Li Erqing's lineage.

If Lan Chang'an hadn't said anything, she planned to go out and gain experience instead of returning to the Mu Family.

That day, Lan Chang'an and his companion traveled by Flying Boat to Jade Moon Lake.

Although Lan Chang'an had long since left the Mu Family, his participation in the Centennial Birthday Banquet was due to his more than 80 years of personal friendship with Li Erqing.

"Bingyun, once you return to your Lineage, give this letter to your master."

During the journey, Lan Chang'an took out a letter and handed it to Mu Bingyun.

Six or seven days later.

The vast and misty Jade Moon Lake comes into view.

"Big brother."

Li Erqing, dressed in a long red birthday robe, was the first to come out to greet them.

The Cultivation World world is vast and time is long. Birthday celebrations like Li Erqing's usually last for several days to entertain relatives and friends from all over the country.

Lan Chang'an patted Li Erqing on the shoulder, and the two flew together to the main hall of Moon Heart Island.

"Congratulations, brother, on advancing to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage."

Li Erqing noticed the change in Lan Chang'an's cultivation level and could not hide the surprise on his face.

In the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, magical Law Power increases dramatically, overwhelming the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

The intimidation Huang Tankong exerted on the Mu Family and the surrounding area back then is evident.

In contrast, Li Erqing, due to his lower aptitude and involvement in Lineage affairs, is still some distance from reaching the third level of Foundation Establishment.

Li Erqing had mixed feelings and inevitably felt a sense of disappointment.

Eighty years ago, they both started from the same point.

For decades, Li Erqing had been ahead of Lan Chang'an, only being temporarily overtaken at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer.

After breaking through the bottleneck of the later stage, his cultivation level once again took the lead. Due to the fortuitous opportunity his children, he was the first to obtain the Foundation Establishment and became the Foundation Establishment Ancestor of the Mu Family.

However, although Lan Chang'an's cultivation speed was slow, it was very solid and steady.

Even after reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, he continued to improve steadily. Li Erqing, on the other hand, lost his stamina and ambition.

The two landed in front of the main hall of Moon Heart Island.

"Erqing, this is my congratulatory gift."

Lan Chang'an handed a gift box to Li Erqing.

"Daoist Lu."

"Uncle Lu."

Zhao Siyao and Lin Lu, two Foundation Establishment who were familiar with each other, came to greet them.

The two were also surprised to discover that Lan Chang'an's cultivation had broken through.

"Daoist Lu has accumulated knowledge and experience over time; his late-blooming talent is truly admirable."

Zhao Siyao smiled happily and praised her.

Her emotions were far from calm at that moment.

Zhao Siyao has higher qualifications and is backed by a sect, so she has always been far ahead of Lan Chang'an and others.

However, after reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, her smooth cultivation progress encountered obstacles. Each minor bottleneck required many years and much effort to overcome.

"Daoist Zhao flatters me; I was merely fortunate."

Lan Chang'an said modestly.

"Perhaps because of my solid foundation and good mindset, after reaching the peak of the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, I was able to break through to a minor realm relatively smoothly."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Siyao and Lin Lu fell into deep thought.

Indeed, Lan Chang'an's more than eighty years of cultivation, step by step, have laid an incredibly solid foundation.

He cultivated his mind and character, raised turtles and grew grass, and his state of mind far surpassed that of ordinary people.

"In terms of foundation and state of mind, we are inferior to Daoist Lu."

Zhao Siyao said frankly.

She was acutely aware of this gap.

Breakthroughs in minor realms vary from person to person.

A few cultivators may not have outstanding talent, but they possess profound foundations and excellent mental states, making it easier for them to break through to higher levels than ordinary cultivators.

This situation is even more common among cultivators who practice Longevity Cultivation Art techniques.

"With a few more years of practice, Daoist Zhao should have no difficulty advancing to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage."

Lan Chang'an noticed that Zhao Siyao's cultivation level had reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

I hope so.

Zhao Siyao sighed softly.

Judging from the current trend, it will be difficult for her to advance to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage before she turns 100.

Fortunately, the trip to the Azure Underworld Secret Realm was somewhat fruitful and a valuable learning experience.

As long as one can advance to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, one will surpass most of the Foundation Establishment Realm and their status within the sect will be significantly enhanced.

During their subsequent casual conversation, Lan Chang'an learned that Zhang Tieshan had advanced to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage six months prior.

It is said that Zhang Tieshan's fortuitous opportunity gains in the Azure Underworld Secret Realm were among the best of all the cultivators who participated in the Golden Cloud Valley.

This time, he stood out and his strength and status within the sect improved, earning him the attention of the core elders.

Zhang Tieshan did not attend Li Erqing's birthday banquet, but sent a disciple to offer his congratulations on his behalf.

"Bingyun, go back and check on your master first."

Lan Chang'an said to Mu Bingyun looked a little awkward beside him.

She hadn't yet shaken off her role as Lan Chang'an's maid.

"Yes, Uncle Lu."

Mu Bingyun bowed and left, carrying the letter given to her by Lan Chang'an, to see her master.

Lan Chang'an used his Divine Sense to observe Mu Bingyun and confirmed that she had not been intercepted along the way.

He looked at Zhao Siyao and transmitted his voice:

"Daoist Zhao, I need you to act as an intermediary for something. It won't take you any time or effort, and you'll receive five hundred Spirit Stone as a reward."

"Oh, is there really such an easy thing?"

Zhao Siyao pursed her lips, seemingly lost in thought.

The two then communicated telepathically for a moment.

The letter that Lan Chang'an had Mu Bingyun take back hinted that there was a Foundation Establishment fortuitous opportunity in Zhao Siyao's hands, and suggested that they try to seize it.

Zhao Siyao has refined Foundation Establishment in the sect, so her work can withstand scrutiny.

Lan Chang'an had previously brought back a Foundation Establishment and made a deal with the Mu Family.

If the same deal were to happen again, the Foundation Establishment would be far too easy to obtain.

After the birthday banquet.

Lan Chang'an and Zhao Siyao both spent the night in guest rooms on Moon Heart Island.

As Foundation Establishment cultivators, the two enjoyed a private courtyard.

Late that night.

The head of the family Mu Chengji, and an old woman wearing a veil went to visit Zhao Siyao at the courtyard where she was staying.

About half an hour.

Zhao Siyao saw the two visitors out of the room, her expression slightly complicated.

Only the Great Way is eternal, just like the sun and moon.

As she gazed at the night sky, she suddenly realized that Lan Chang'an's decision to change his form of address at the Gathering Immortal Pavilion back then was not merely for Mingzhe's self-preservation.

The next morning, Zhao Siyao arrived at Lan Chang'an's villa guest room.

"Daoist Lu, these are the Spirit Stone for selling Foundation Establishment."

She handed a bag of Spirit Stone to Lan Chang'an.

Previously at the Yellow Dragon Auction, a genuine Foundation Establishment sold for six thousand Spirit Stone.

There are 5,500 Spirit Stone in this bag.

Lan Chang'an gave Zhao Siyao 500 of the money as a middleman's fee.

In this transaction, Lan Chang'an was primarily acting as a businessman, selling to other forces to realize profits, and the price was roughly the same.

The Mu Family is at least well-known, so by having Zhao Siyao, a Foundation Establishment cultivator from a sect, take action, the risk is minimized.

From the Mu Family's perspective, Zhao Siyao and Lan Chang'an were close friends, and she must have agreed to the deal out of respect for the latter.

Mu Bingyun has spent so many years at Small Turtle Peak; even if she hasn't made any great contributions, she has certainly worked hard. Having received this fortuitous opportunity to Foundation Establishment, she must understand the gratitude she has received.

Half an hour later.

A graceful Green-Skirted Woman hurriedly flew to the courtyard where Lan Chang'an was staying.

"Uncle Lu."

However, the courtyard was empty.

Lan Chang'an left without saying goodbye, without taking her with him.

Mu Bingyun's clear eyes reddened, and she stood there for a moment, feeling an inexplicable emptiness in her heart.

She understood that from this moment on, she was no longer Small Turtle Peak's maid.

Those days of gentle care, assisting Uncle Lu in drawing talismans, tending to the mountain peaks, and being accompanied by Earth Rock Rat and Mystic Water Turtle, are about to leave her.

Outside the Jade Moon Lake, Lan Chang'an bid farewell to Zhao Siyao and Lin Lu.

One of the two Foundation Establishment has already been converted into cash.

Previously, Lan Chang'an's Spirit Stone had been almost completely depleted due to the acquisition of materials such as third-tier spirit wood, but now his pockets are bulging again.

Including the spoils from Alchemist Hua, the total number of Spirit Stone exceeded ten thousand.

With one Foundation Establishment remaining, and given his ample funds, he wasn't in a hurry to sell it.

"Good luck."

Lan Chang'an took one last look at Jade Moon Lake.

Whether Mu Bingyun can achieve Foundation Establishment is beyond his control.

Coincidentally...

Mu Bingyun Foundation Establishment at the age of forty-seven, the same age as Mu Xiuyun back then.

The two are about the same in terms of aptitude, with Mu Bingyun perhaps being slightly better.

The difference is that Mu Bingyun did not stubbornly cling to her Lineage and made a different decision than her master did back then.

Moon Empress.

Above Jade Moon Lake and Moon Heart Island.

The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi converged, forming a small vortex of Spiritual Qi.

Ten days later, the vortex of Spiritual Qi, tinged with a faint glow, slowly and steadily dissipated.

Then, a spiritual pressure from a Foundation Establishment Realm surged forth from a cave dwelling on Moon Heart Island.

Foundation Establishment successful!

Some members of the Mu Family's old lineage were moved to tears.

Today, with no powerful external enemies, the Foundation Establishment process at Jade Moon Lake is proceeding smoothly.

The Maple Leaf Huang Family has only one female Foundation Establishment cultivator left, who relies on her Foundation Establishment Late Stage dao companion to protect her small plot of land.

That Foundation Establishment Late Stage was not so easy to deal with; he was insatiable and caused the Huang Family endless suffering.

Several days later, in Secret Chamber.

A female cultivator in a green dress opened her bright, star-like eyes, her skirt fluttering in the wind.

After advancing to the Foundation Establishment, his appearance and demeanor improved imperceptibly.

"Master... your disciple made the right decision back then."

"Your support over the years, treating me as a substitute for your younger self, has led to vastly different fates. Are you gratified by this?"

Mu Bingyun was radiant, her fair face like a blooming lotus.

"Uncle Lu, thank you."

With a respectful expression, she gracefully rose to her feet.

A pair of clear, beautiful eyes gazed Northern Region across Jade Moon Lake, and she bowed deeply.

Three Moon Empress.

Wuqi Mountain, Small Turtle Peak.

Lan Chang'an unfolded the letter in his hand and looked at the elegant handwriting on it.

This was the first letter he received from Mu Bingyun.

Mu Bingyun's successful Foundation Establishment was within his expectations.

Lan Chang'an did not reply.

They entered the Secret Chamber and began to study and create Puppet.

More than half a year later.

Lan Chang'an created a second Second-Order Middle-Grade Puppet.

Both are Turtle Puppet; max out their defense.

What has changed is that this Turtle Puppet can form a three-zhang-tall Turtle Shield, which can be used as a top-grade defensive magic Law Artifact in critical moments.

Upon completing this Turtle Puppet, Lan Chang'an Foundation Establishment Middle Stage and was 103 years old.

Several days later.

"Manrong! Daoist Lu! You must stand up for me..."

A mournful wail echoed from the outskirts of Wuqi Mountain, so far away that it could be heard from all three main peaks.

"Brother Lu, Chen Sheng's leg has been crippled."

Shortly after, Guan Qiaozhi came in to report the news.

(End of this chapter)