Spiritual Roots Are a Five Elements Mountain, Foundation Establishment in a Hundred Days Is the Pass

Before attempting to break through to the Foundation Establishment, Chen Dengming silently recited some essential Mnemonic from the "Detailed Explanation of Foundation Establishment," focused his mind on his spiritual platform, and began to mobilize the Spiritual Qi in his Dantian to the Xuan Guan (mysterious gate).

"The Dao resides in the Mysterious Pass, which encompasses primordial energy and essence. Primordial energy and essence nourish the Primordial Spirit, and when the spirit is full, movement and stillness naturally arise. Movement and stillness cycle three times and nine times, circulating and transforming the universe."

The spirit is silent, the breath the Unseen, the breath returns to the mysterious aperture, and each breath is left to its natural course.

The more the Mnemonic spun in his mind, the more Chen Dengming entered the zone.

With State of Mind that is extremely empty and steadfast in stillness, and with the foundation of his martial arts skills from the past, he easily entered the state of Qi returning to its origin and breathing naturally.

When the Spiritual Qi energy circulates throughout the body and reaches the Lesser Celestial Circuit, one should rest by performing the 'Mao-You Bathing' ritual, following the prescribed steps.

In the Lesser Celestial Circuit, Mao and You refer to location, not time. The area between the navel and kidneys on the human body is called Mao and You.

When one is bathing in the Lesser Celestial Circuit, it refers to rest.

Soon, this energy circulated throughout the Greater Celestial Circuit.

At this point, the Spiritual Qi continuously flows upwards within the body, marking the true entry into the Foundation Establishment stage.

As explained in the Detailed Explanation of Foundation Establishment, one should accumulate the power of the three treasures of essence, Essence, Qi, and Spirit, and spirit throughout the body and ensure that they are not leaked.

This requires blocking the body's natural drainage channels.

Only when the earth gate is permanently closed can the Foundation Establishment without leaks.

This permanent closure will take most people 100 days to a year.

Only a very few with extremely strong foundations can complete it in three to seven days, hence the saying "a hundred days to Foundation Establishment".

Chen Dengming once interpreted "the earth's gates are not leaking" as simply "the nose is blocked."

In Daoist teachings, the Earth Gate is referred to as the nose.

The Foundation Establishment requires keeping the nose from leaking air. According to the understanding of modern people from the past, isn't that just having a stuffy nose from a cold?

If your nose is blocked, it won't leak air. If you have a stuffy nose from a cold for a hundred days, you've successfully Foundation Establishment.

That's not actually the case.

This impenetrable energy is not ordinary breath, but rather the concentrated Essence, Qi, and Spirit, and spirit—the three treasures of the human body.

If this last breath is lost, not only will the Foundation Establishment fail, but the vital energy will also be severely damaged. This is why it is said that if the Foundation Establishment fails the first time, the success rate of the second attempt will be even lower, and the hope for the third attempt will be almost nonexistent.

The damage to vital energy was too great, and it involved life potential, making it almost impossible to repair.

However, when the book mentions life potential, Chen Dengming has a bold idea.

However, due to his cautious nature, this idea was extremely risky and he couldn't be 100% certain. He only dared to think about it and wouldn't try it unless absolutely necessary.

At this moment, as the Qi became increasingly concentrated, Chen Dengming felt a hissing sound coming from his Dantian.

His spiritual power grew stronger and stronger, and his perception range of the surrounding Spiritual Qi expanded. Gradually, his face became radiant with divine light, and his eyes shone brightly.

Outside the house, at the neighboring house of Li Rong, after some neighbors persuaded him to back down and stop making things difficult for his daughter, he suddenly felt a powerful and unsettling aura coming from above.

"My cousin is here?"

Li Rong was taken aback.

Li Xue, whose eyes were red from crying after being scolded and beaten, also felt the aura of spiritual power and cried out joyfully, "Uncle, my dad hit me again!"

"You little rascal!"

Li Rong cursed under his breath, then looked back at the door but there was no one there.

Neighbors from all around also came out to watch, discussing and looking at Chen Dengming's residence with surprise.

Li Rong also looked over in astonishment, confirming that the powerful spiritual energy was indeed coming from Old Gao's residence, and was shocked.

"What's going on? Old Gao invited a Foundation Establishment cultivator to his home as a guest?"

Although this spiritual power was faintly weaker than that of his elder brother, it was definitely stronger than that of Qi Cultivation Cultivator, and should undoubtedly belong to Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Li Rong immediately looked at the maid, Li Xue.

"I... I don't know," Li Xue shook her head immediately, indicating her confusion, before Li Rong could even voice his question.

Just then, the powerful spiritual energy emanating from Chen Dengming's residence receded rapidly, like the tide going out.

Sensing this strange scene, Li Rong's heart stirred, and a shocked thought popped into his head.

"Is this Fellow Daoist Gao attempting to break through to the Foundation Establishment?"

He himself was startled by this sudden thought.

How much profound foundation must a Qi Cultivation Tenth Level cultivator, who is about to attempt a breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment, have accumulated?

It is not possible to attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment after reaching the Qi Cultivation Tenth Level Strength Realm. A long period of accumulation is still required to bring the Spiritual Qi of this stage to its peak and achieve the most perfect state of essence, Essence, Qi, and Spirit, and spirit. Only when the spirit is complete and the energy is abundant can one attempt to break through.

Among ordinary Rogue Cultivator, it's quite remarkable for someone to emerge at the Qi Cultivation Tenth Level. They are almost always worshipped by the Cultivation Family, serving their Lineage enjoying the resources they provide, slowly accumulating their foundation before finally reaching the opportunity to break through.

It is truly too difficult for a Rogue Cultivator with no powerful backing to reach this point on his own.

Inside the room at this moment.

Chen Dengming slowly withdrew his Spiritual Qi, and after experiencing it for a while, he abandoned his reckless decision to break through directly.

He felt that he was still lacking in experience and could not maintain the state of not leaking water for long.

"Fire control" refers to the subtle application of the changes and circulation of True Qi during the practice process.

He is currently unable to maintain this delicate balance.

Because when his Essence, Qi, and Spirit, and spirit converge and reach the peak, although his Spirit Root is shaken and swaying, it generates extremely strong resistance.

When his Essence, Qi, and Spirit passed through the Spirit Root, they had only traveled one-fifth of the way before they were almost squeezed apart.

This is the Five Elements Mountain during the Foundation Establishment.

The feeling of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment is like the sky collapsing and the earth splitting apart; it's like Sun Wukong jumping out of the Five Elements Mountain.

Suddenly, I broke free from my constraints and gained great liberation and freedom!

Given the immense scale of this breakthrough, how incredibly difficult would it be to single-handedly concentrate one's "Essence, Qi, and Spirit, energy, and spirit" without letting it dissipate or leak a single breath, and directly break through the barrier?

Chen Dengming remained cautious, following the advice in the "Detailed Explanation of Foundation Establishment," only testing the waters at the entrance first to build up his senses, without rushing to recklessly break through.

Failure to break through the barrier will result in the leakage of vital energy (essence, qi, and Essence, Qi, and Spirit) and the depletion of life potential, which will be a huge loss.

The book states that those with Low-grade Spiritual Root have only a 10% chance of perfectly succeeding in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment; if it's not perfect, the success rate is even less than 10%.

The so-called perfection requires specific consideration of one's personal character, environment, and current state of Essence, Qi, and Spirit, etc.

Only if all these factors are perfect will there be a 10% chance of success.

Because the Low-grade Spiritual Root felt too heavy in the 'imagery' perception, it was like the Five Elements Mountain covered with the Tathagata's talisman, which even Sun Wukong couldn't lift.

For those with Medium-grade Spiritual Root, the perfect success rate of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment is 30%.

Those with High-grade Spiritual Root have a 50% chance of successfully breaking through to the Foundation Establishment, and an 80% chance after taking Foundation Establishment.

The function of the Foundation Establishment is to provide powerful Medicinal Power to enhance one's personal foundation, strengthen and condense the three treasures of essence, qi, Essence, Qi, and Spirit within a certain period of time, and help one break through obstacles in one go.

"Generally, taking Foundation Establishment can increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment by 30%, which is why Foundation Establishment are extremely precious. Even disciples of a major sect like the Longevity Sect find them very difficult to obtain, and they have to compete for them."

Chen Dengming got up from the futon on the ground and paced around the room. "It depends on what we fight for. As a Rogue Cultivator, I won't think about that for now, let alone whether I have the opportunity."

Even if it exists, the competition would likely be extremely dangerous. It's better to research it yourself and gradually break through."

After giving it a try, Chen Dengming realized that it wasn't entirely hopeless.

He at least has High-grade Spiritual Root.

Even with conflicting Dual Spirit Root, it seems there hasn't been a significant impact so far, and the success rate might be quite high.

However, I am not yet familiar with the process, so I am not able to get through it in one go.

According to the explanation in "Detailed Explanation of Foundation Establishment", many people with medium or low Spirit Root find it difficult to "penetrate" the Spirit Root mountain with their essence, Essence, Qi, and Spirit and spirit when they first try, let alone break through the Five Elements Mountain.

He thought he would just linger at the door and not go in.

As a result, by accident, one-fifth of it went in.

Although I was almost Essence, Qi, and Spirit, I managed to get out in time and escape unharmed.

According to the "Detailed Explanation of Foundation Establishment", the three treasures of Essence, Qi, and Spirit must never be suppressed or dispersed.

If the pressure is broken down, the air will leak out, resulting in a failed breakthrough.

Therefore, it's okay to give it a try, but you can't be too reckless and just keep pushing your way in.

If you can't get in, come out first, and explore slowly later, going deeper little by little.

Chen Dengming focused his mind slightly, checking his current state.

"Chen Dengming, a Qi Cultivation Tenth Level"

Lifespan: 84/238/437 (Actual age/Death exertion/Ultimate lifespan)

Spirit Root: Metal, Wood (Superior Grade 0/100)

Martial Arts: <Chen Family Martial Arts General Outline> (Great Perfection)

Daoist Techniques: <Gu Refining Chapter> (Master 77/100), <Three Yuan Spirit Gathering Technique> (Tenth Level 1000/1000), <Chen Family Daoist Magic Chapter> (Master 6/100), <Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique> (First Level 78/100), <Water Yin Wood Lush Poison Gu Art> (Beginner 37/100), <Dragon Coiling Bone Forging Art> (Beginner 26/100)

After his Strength Realm broke through to the Qi Cultivation Tenth Level, his Lifespan Limit was extended by fifteen years.

Furthermore, with his breakthrough to the beginner level of the <Dragon Coiling Bone Forging Art>, his lifespan has already increased to 437 years, leaving him with 199 more years to live.

If he didn't pursue the somewhat elusive Heavenly Spiritual Root, Chen Dengming felt that his lifespan of nearly two hundred years would be enough.

"Let me go out for a walk and get some fresh air. I just tried to break through, and the spiritual power I deliberately released should have already caught Li Rong's attention, right?"

Chen Dengming Open Door and stepped out.

There were quite a few neighbors lingering at the entrance.

Upon seeing Chen Dengming emerge, some immediately offered him friendly smiles, while others craned their necks to peer into the house, their expressions filled with surprise and uncertainty.

Just then, Xiao Li's head suddenly appeared on the wall of the neighboring courtyard, followed by Li Rong's head. The sallow-faced man chuckled.

"Brother Daoist, were you just... trying something?"

Li Xue asked bluntly, "Uncle Gao, are you trying to break through to the Foundation Establishment?"

"Why?"

Li Rong glanced sideways at her daughter, her eyes reproachful, then looked awkwardly at Chen Dengming.

Chen Dengming nodded with a smile, "That's right. I felt I had accumulated enough experience recently, so I gave it a try, but I found that I still felt I was lacking a bit of skill."

"Something's missing?"

Li Rong said, "Yes, how much is lacking? Are you confident? Oh, well, if it's inconvenient to say, Brother Gao, you don't need to."

Chen Dengming pondered for a moment and said, "I've only just started trying it, so I can't be sure yet. However, Fellow Daoist Li, you are also aware of my Spiritual Root Potential."

Li Rong inwardly hissed, his eyes glazed over for a long while before he reacted. He immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute to Chen Dengming on the wall and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Gao, you are diligent in your cultivation and have extraordinary talent. You will surely succeed. I would like to offer my congratulations in advance."

Chen Dengming was surprised, then smiled and clasped his hands in a fist salute, "I accept Fellow Daoist Li's auspicious words in advance. After success, I will definitely invite Fellow Daoist Li to drink and celebrate again."

After a brief exchange, seeing that Li Rong seemed hesitant to speak, Chen Dengming took the initiative to end the awkward conversation.

He then Open Door and walked out of the house, intending to take a walk in the market and visit the bookstore Marketplace to browse more books related to Foundation Establishment.

The cultivation Dharma Gate in the Cultivation World are very important. Any fundamental methods or principles related to cultivation are of utmost importance to the major sects and are not easily passed on to outsiders.

However, books that are merely popular science, travelogues, or treasure records are not so valuable.

In many bookstores, you can borrow quite a few books for a small fee.

"Brother Gao Dao, stay!"

After walking only a few steps, a neighbor called out to Chen Dengming, came running over with a smile, and handed Chen Dengming a gift bag.

"Fellow Daoist Ma, what's going on?" Chen Dengming asked, looking surprised.

The cultivator surnamed Ma chuckled, "Fellow Daoist Gao, you brought me a gift when you visited last time, and I was wondering how to reciprocate. Now that you're about to break through to the Foundation Establishment, I'll present this return gift first. I, Little Ma, wish you every success!"

After saying this, seeing that Chen Dengming was about to decline, the cultivator surnamed Ma quickly made an excuse that he had other things to do and immediately slipped away.

This scene was witnessed by many cultivators in the surrounding area.

Some people who felt they had a good relationship with Chen Dengming were wondering whether they should go up and congratulate him, but seeing how quick and clever this Matthew was, they cursed inwardly.

"That bootlicker! I've never seen him so obsequious before, but now he's quick to act, and he's really good at flattering people."

"This old horse knows how to talk! 'Instant success'—it's hard to refuse. My surname is Zhu. Hmm, how should I wish Brother Gao success? Zhu, may you succeed?"

"Wife, Brother Gao is a very righteous person. He often sends us the Demon Beast he hunts. Brother Gao is almost at the Foundation Establishment. Don't you think we should return the favor? How should we do it?"

Inside the courtyard, Li Rong eavesdropped on the gossip of the neighbors from the corner of the wall. His heart was filled with complicated feelings as he pondered whether he should return the favor.

Suddenly, a head popped out from the wall, looking at Li Rong with surprise.

"Old Li, what are you doing leaning against the wall? Hey, let me ask you something. You and Brother Gao usually get along quite well, do you know what Brother Gao likes?"

Li Rong hurriedly and awkwardly moved away from the corner, frowning and waving his sleeve as he shouted, "I don't know, I don't know! How would I know what he likes? You bootlicker!"

"Hiss, hey--you, Old Li, that's not fair."

The cultivator who had appeared on the wall changed his expression, gave a soft snort, and jumped down, cursing under his breath, "That guy surnamed Li, he's gotten along well with Brother Gao and then forgot about me, his brother. I tried to get closer to him, but he stopped me and drove me away. Even a dog wouldn't be this protective of its food."

"Father, I didn't expect Uncle to be so powerful! If he reaches the Foundation Establishment, wouldn't he be just as powerful as our Uncle? Wouldn't our lives be much easier then?"

Inside the courtyard, Li Xue looked up at Li Rong, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Li Rong felt annoyed and waved his sleeve, "Go away!"

He rejected Chen Dengming's request just over a month ago. The fact that Chen didn't hold a grudge is already incredibly magnanimous; why would he help them again?

Thinking about this made Li Rong feel even worse. He figured he had to give Lao Gao a gift to ease the awkwardness.

"I gave him a gift not to curry favor with him. I have my cousin protecting me, so I don't need to curry favor with him."

But Lao Gao is a very kind person; he even bought the girl a wireless kite, so I should reciprocate with a gift to express my gratitude."

"That's right, we should return the favor!"

Thinking it over, Li Rong felt better and saved face, but soon he was conflicted again.

With so many neighbors giving him gifts, what better gift could he possibly give?

If we don't give him anything, it would be better. Since I refused to help Lao Gao before, wouldn't the other party think that Li Rong has powerful connections and is deliberately making things difficult for him?

"I..."

Li Rong stood frozen in the courtyard, looking at the young girl who was still too young to understand and was overjoyed, not knowing what to do.

For no apparent reason, Chen Dengming's request popped into my mind.

"Should I go and talk to my cousin about it?"

"I don't think Lao Gao is a bad person. We've known each other for so long and he has a good reputation. There shouldn't be any problems."

"Moreover, if this friendship is truly established, it will also benefit my cousin, since Fellow Daoist Gao is about to break through to the Foundation Establishment."

Once the thought popped into his head, Li Rong couldn't stop himself. He wanted to get to it immediately, and he even felt a sense of urgency, wondering if this belated "help" could still be considered help at all.

Offering help in times of need is always more useful than adding to someone's existing success.

Inside the study, Chen Dengming chuckled as he weighed the gift bag in his hand. He opened it and found ten Low-grade Spirit Stone inside.

This was clearly a hastily prepared return gift from Master Ma, and could only be valued in Spirit Stone, but its worth was about five times higher than the gift he had given during his last visit. It was a thoughtful and generous gift.

He took out two Spirit Stones, placed them on the table, and said.

"Manager Bi, would you like to rent a few books?"

"Alright, Brother Gao, you don't need to pay for this. Just pick a few to look at first!"

Chen Dengming was taken aback, but then he immediately saw an old neighbor sitting in the room behind the bamboo curtain opposite, reading a book.

The old man turned around, saw Chen Dengming's gaze, smiled, stood up, clasped his hands in a deep voice, and said, "Brother Gao, this old man offers his congratulations in advance."

"Fellow Daoist Hu, you're here too."

This old man Hu was just around the neighborhood a moment ago, how come he's faster than me and already sitting in the study?

The old man tucked his hand into his sleeve and pulled out a gift bag.

Chen Dengming couldn't help but chuckle.

This is truly a case of "ten years of Qi cultivation go unnoticed, but one day of Foundation Establishment astonishes all."

He hasn't even Foundation Establishment yet, and many shrewd individuals have already begun actively cultivating relationships with him.

When Chen Dengming returned that day, he received many more congratulatory gifts from his neighbors.

He claimed it was to repay the favors he had done for visiting his neighbors last time, but each of them gave him a very generous return gift, and the doorstep was practically worn down by the crowds.

It's finally gotten some peace and quiet.

Chen Dengming was wondering why Old Li next door was so stubborn. Ever since their conversation during the day, he hadn't spoken to him at all. Had he miscalculated?

With these thoughts in mind, Chen Dengming looked at the flickering lamplight on the table inside the room and listened to the wind in the courtyard outside. The hustle and bustle of the day and the adoration of the crowd gradually faded from his heart.

His mood gradually calmed down; the glitz and glamour faded, and he returned to simplicity.

In Foundation Establishment, the concept of "fire" emphasizes timing and intensity, with the "fire" referring to the Primordial Spirit or intention.

If the mind is not calm, how can one gather the three treasures of Essence, Qi, and Spirit, and spirit, and control this power to achieve a flawless Foundation Establishment?

With this thought in mind, what choice did Li Rong have, whether he helped or not?

With his help, he joined the Evergreen Sect, which was also part of his planned future.

If he doesn't receive help, he can slowly achieve Foundation Establishment on his own. In the future, he might be able to join other sects or go directly to the Longevity Sect to become an external affairs steward, and then slowly make plans.

In the blink of an eye, such a thought brings peace of mind.

A gentle breeze fills the courtyard in silence, and a pure heart remains as clean as dust.

One can hope to Foundation Establishment practice; why bother seeking help from others everywhere?

(We've reached 80 monthly votes today, so I'll be adding an extra long chapter tonight! It'll be huge, thank you guys for your support!)