Foundation Establishment Celebration

The news of Ding Yijin's Foundation Establishment Celebration, under the Ding Family's promotion, spread throughout the surrounding area.

At this moment, no one cared about the rumors of Ding Yisi stealing the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Everyone only knew that the Ding Family had a successor, and a new Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator had appeared.

The Ding Family publicized extensively that Ding Yijin was exceptionally intelligent, possessed both virtue and talent, treated scholars kindly, and had successfully taken over the position of Family Head.

Of course, amidst the praise for Ding Yijin, there was some noise mixed in.

There were whispers that Ding Yijin's successful Foundation Establishment was not only due to personal effort but also because he received the help of the entire Ding Family behind the scenes.

There were also rumors that Ding Yijin's talent was mediocre, and the Dao foundation he established was of low grade, making his future worrying.

Shen Xuan was indifferent to this.

He only needed the Ding Family to remain stable for seven or eight years.

Before the Ding Family Old Ancestor's lifespan ended, he would break through to the Late Qi Refining Stage, gain a certain degree of self-protection, and then find a way to leave Qinglong Bay Market with his wife.

The immortal cities of the East Sea were the most suitable places for his cultivation.

On the day of the celebration, the Ding Family Old Ancestor personally presided.

The Ding Family Head stood at the entrance of Juxian Tower, welcoming the distinguished guests who came to offer congratulations.

Those holding VIP invitations were representatives from nearby Cultivation Families, renowned cultivators at the Late Qi Refining Stage or above, and Alchemists, Artificers, and Talisman Masters of medium grade or above.

Zifeng Mountain Zhao Family, Wohu Ridge He Family, and Wanzhu Forest Tao Family all sent Foundation Establishment Cultivators to attend.

Qinglong Bay Market was much livelier than usual today.

Shen Xuan, with Ding Yuyao, who was meticulously dressed, arrived at the entrance of Juxian Tower.

"Talisman Master Shen Xuan, gift: ten exquisite Spring Return Talismans!"

As soon as the Ding Family Member responsible for reception announced this, the Ding Family Head, with a beaming smile, stepped forward.

"Talisman Master Shen, please come in quickly!"

As the head of a Foundation Establishment Family, the Ding Family Head personally welcoming Shen Xuan showed him great respect.

"Ding Family Head, you are busy. My wife and I will enter on our own!" Shen Xuan said, flattered.

"Heh heh, this must be Yuyao! We are all family, don't be so formal!"

The Ding Family Head smiled and beckoned. A young, well-dressed Ding Family disciple of considerable status stepped forward.

"Seventh Brother, this is Talisman Master Shen, a friend of your elder brother. Escort him in personally, and do not neglect him!"

"Yes. Please come in, Talisman Master Shen, with Yixuan!"

Seeing the Ding Family Head's attitude towards Shen Xuan, the nearby cultivators couldn't help but be surprised.

He was merely a Mid Qi Refining Stage cultivator. Even if he was a Mid-grade Talisman Master, it wasn't enough to warrant such high regard from the Ding Family Head!

Shen Xuan also vaguely sensed that the Ding Family Head's smile was more than just simple courtesy.

To make the Ding Family Head so enthusiastic, could it be...

Shen Xuan followed Ding Yixuan into the VIP box.

As expected, as soon as he entered, he sensed a familiar powerful aura.

Shen Xuan didn't think much and blurted out, "County Princess, why are you here!"

Seated at the head of the box, dressed in snow-white, with a dignified face, was the Qingyun Sect's newly appointed Foundation Establishment Elder, Qin Yuehan.

Soon, Shen Xuan realized his gaffe.

In the box, besides Qin Yuehan, were also the Ding Family Old Ancestor, Ding Yijin, and three unfamiliar Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivators.

"Talisman Master Shen, please take a seat quickly. Fairy Qin has personally graced us with her presence, and you're so late. You deserve to be punished!"

Ding Yijin said with a smile, trying to smooth things over.

"Seventh Brother, take Sister Yuyao to the women's quarters."

"Yes."

Seeing her husband nod slightly, Ding Yuyao obediently followed Ding Yixuan out.

"Wait a moment!"

Qin Yuehan rose from her seat and walked up to Ding Yuyao.

She looked Ding Yuyao up and down a few times and nodded.

"Sister-in-law, I am Shen Xuan's classmate and friend. Didn't he mention me to you?"

"When Master passed away, Husband mentioned it once. He said that back then, when he was studying in the secular world, he had six classmate and friends. However, Husband didn't mention their specific names or deeds."

"My name is Qin Yuehan, an Elder of the Qingyun Sect. This is our first meeting. I'll give you this bracelet as a meeting gift, Sister-in-law."

Qin Yuehan took off the Purple Jade Bracelet from her wrist and placed it in Ding Yuyao's hand.

"Fairy Qin, this... it's too valuable!"

A bracelet worn by a Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator was not cheap.

Shen Xuan subconsciously refused.

"This bracelet is called the Purple Jade Sword Heart Bracelet. It nurtures my nine sword intents. As long as you cultivate true qi, you can activate it."

Under Ding Yuyao's pretty gaze, Shen Xuan nodded slightly, indicating he would accept it.

"Thank you, Fairy Qin, for the treasure. May Fairy Qin be blessed with ten thousand fortunes!"

Ding Yuyao happily accepted the Purple Jade Sword Heart Bracelet and bowed in a ten thousand fortunes礼.

She didn't know how precious this bracelet was.

It was a woman's nature to naturally like such crystal clear and beautiful jewelry.

After Ding Yuyao left.

Ding Yijin introduced the guests one by one to Shen Xuan.

Zifeng Mountain Zhao Tianxing, Wohu Ridge He Zhongchang, Wanzhu Forest Tao Xingde.

All were family heads of cultivation families and Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivators.

Shen Xuan respectfully cupped his fists and saluted.

Between Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining, their status was like a vast abyss.

Shen Xuan could sit at this table entirely due to Qin Yuehan's influence.

Everyone present knew this well.

Everyone returned to their seats.

Spirit wine and delicacies were served one by one.

Shen Xuan tasted the spirit wine and observed secretly.

He noticed that Qin Yuehan only tasted a little spirit fruit and did not touch the delicacies on the table at all.

Her demeanor was steady, and she exuded an imposing aura without anger.

She already possessed the aura of someone in a superior position.

The five Foundation Establishment Cultivators present all treated her with respect.

The status of sect disciples was naturally a notch higher than that of cultivation families.

Shen Xuan deeply felt this gap in status.

After all, he was a rogue cultivator, inferior even to cultivation families.

At the banquet, Qin Yuehan was cold and aloof, never initiating greetings with others.

Only the five Foundation Establishment Cultivators present were qualified to raise their wine cups and toast her.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Qin Yuehan bid farewell to the Ding Family Old Ancestor.

"Shen Xuan, escort me!"

Outside the Qinglong Bay Market.

Shen Xuan followed Qin Yuehan, walking silently.

Their figures occasionally intertwined.

Under a Millennium Ancient Tree, Qin Yuehan stopped.

"Shen Xuan, has your Spirit Root improved?"

Shen Xuan was startled.

Clearly, Qin Yuehan had seen through his Cultivation Realm.

The minor accomplishment stage of the Breath Concealment Technique could not fool the divine sense probing of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

After thinking for a moment, Shen Xuan told the truth.

"I obtained a secret art that can improve Spirit Root aptitude."

"Can it improve to Mid-grade?"

"It should be able to."

"That's good."

Qin Yuehan gazed at the distant white clouds, as if murmuring to herself.

"To achieve Foundation Establishment, one needs at least a Mid-grade Spirit Root."

She turned around and smiled at Shen Xuan.

"It's been two years, and your Cultivation Realm has improved quite a bit."

"Thanks to Fairy Qin's favor, the Ding family has taken good care of me."

Qin Yuehan slowly moved closer to Shen Xuan, a faint Fragrance wafting towards him.

Her beautiful eyes fell on Shen Xuan's face, a hint of Doubt flashing within them.

After a while, she spoke: "Sister-in-law is very good. The Purple Jade Sword Heart Bracelet I sent to her is well-kept. It can save your lives at a critical moment."

Shen Xuan pondered and said: "Fairy Qin. I am not the seventeen-year-old youth you imagine. I am sixty-seven years old this year."

"I know."

Qin Yuehan said leisurely: "Fifty Years in a Dream! Today I finally know who I am!"

"Shen Xuan, your aptitude is average, but your Dao heart is firm. If you can improve your spiritual roots to mid-grade, there might still be hope for Foundation Establishment."

Even though she said this, Qin Yuehan still felt regret in her heart.

After all, Shen Xuan was too old.

If he could have obtained the secret technique to improve aptitude earlier and joined a sect, perhaps he could have been on par with her.

Now, one wrong step led to every step being wrong.

"Thank you for your kind words, Fairy Qin."

Shen Xuan smiled.

He could only accept Qin Yuehan's good intentions.

"I'm leaving. Keep in touch often, and write to me if anything comes up."

Qin Yuehan summoned her cloud scarf, mounted it, and flew away swiftly.

Leaving Shen Xuan alone, pacing back to the market in the setting sun and twilight.