A Long March Through Iron, Now We Stride Anew

He was a rogue Rogue Cultivator with High-grade Counteracting Spiritual Root. Moreover, he had not joined any Cultivation Family and had cultivated to the Qi Cultivation Tenth Level solely through his own efforts, and had already begun to attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment.

When Li Rong told his cousin Li Yue this news, Li Yue found it hard to believe.

High-grade Counteracting Spiritual Root is not necessarily a truly High-grade Spiritual Root.

The very words "mutual restraint" signify a world of difference; the cultivation speed of someone with only Medium-grade Spiritual Root is ten times slower than that of High-grade Spiritual Root.

With the cultivation speed of Medium-grade Spiritual Root, it's not impossible for someone with a mid-grade spiritual root to reach the Qi Cultivation Tenth Level of Qi Refining and be close to breaking through to Foundation Establishment by the age of forty.

But that requires everything to go smoothly, and the time spent stuck at the bottleneck of each minor realm must be very short.

What kind of environment is it for Rogue Cultivator? Anyone who has experienced it knows. They are often on the move and can fight tooth and nail for a Low-grade Spirit Stone.

He broke through to the Qi Cultivation Tenth Level on his own and is almost at the Foundation Establishment.

It's not impossible.

Rather, the possibility is too small and too difficult.

Ordinary people simply cannot do this, so such a person is obviously strange, of unknown origin, and may have problems.

However, Li Yue was somewhat swayed by Li Rong's pleas.

Li Yue was quite clear about his younger brother's character: cautious, timid, and somewhat concerned with saving face. Most importantly, his brother was clear-headed and would never think of troubling him unless absolutely necessary.

Many people tried to use their relationship with Li Rong to gain entry into the Evergreen Sect, but Li Rong unilaterally rejected them all.

He mentioned on two separate occasions that he could offer some assistance.

This shouldn't be a difficult task. If it can help his younger brother Li Rong find some ways to make money in this area, then everyone will be happy.

Those who usually come to him are people with some ability, whose qualifications are just barely enough to get in, but there is a risk that they might be rejected. With just a little effort, he can easily get them through.

As a result, Li Rong, unwilling to cause him trouble, declined several opportunities.

Now, Li Rong has actually asked him for help for the first time ever. Although this makes Li Yue worried that Li Rong might be deceived, he is also quite happy, feeling that his younger brother has finally come to his senses. At the same time, he has also developed a strong interest in that Gao Hu.

"Cousin, do you think you'd like to meet this Fellow Daoist Gao?"

I think this Fellow Daoist Gao's character is quite good. If he achieves Foundation Establishment in the future, your help today will be a great favor."

In the bamboo grove pavilion at the foot of the Evergreen Sect Mountain, Li Rong poured a cup of tea for another gray-robed cultivator who bore a striking resemblance to him, and said...

"However, cousin, if you feel it's difficult, then don't force yourself. If this person weren't truly special, I wouldn't have come to you this time."

Li Yue gave Li Rong a deep look, then suddenly shook his head and smiled, "What's so difficult about that?"

My Evergreen Sect isn't even a major sect; it's just a small, affiliated sect under the Longevity Sect. What could we possibly have that would make anyone want to plunder us?

Moreover, let alone a cultivator who is about to Foundation Establishment, even a Golden Core Cultivator wouldn't dare to do anything to my Evergreen Sect."

Li Rong was taken aback, and upon hearing this, he realized that it made perfect sense.

Firstly, the Evergreen Sect is too small. Even if Fellow Daoist Gao is a spy planted by some power, who would directly send such an outstanding yet troublesome person? Isn't that contradictory? What's the point?

The Evergreen Sect does not possess the fundamental teachings of the Longevity Sect; it only has unorthodox methods.

Secondly, although the Evergreen Sect is small, the powerful Longevity Sect behind it is quite large. Even if Fellow Daoist Gao came here seeking refuge, and has any grudges or enemies, at most a Golden Core cultivator, what threat could he pose to the Evergreen Sect?

"As long as he doesn't cause trouble after he comes in, hiring someone like him would actually be a merit for me."

Li Yue blew on the tea leaves in his teacup and said leisurely, "The problem now is that we need to help him resolve his background and origins, otherwise it will be very troublesome for him to get in, after all, this person is too outstanding."

Li Rong's expression changed slightly. "Then how do we resolve this? His travel permit has already been filled with information by the disciples of the Longevity Sect, and his origins are clearly stated."

Li Yue smiled mysteriously, "I have my own way of doing things."

Li Rong suddenly realized that his cousin, having served in the Evergreen Sect for so many years and holding that position, must have frequently...

"This really won't affect you, right? If there's any risk, let's forget about it."

"Don't worry, it's alright! If you hadn't asked, I wouldn't have helped this person, no matter how outstanding they are. It was indeed a bit troublesome; sometimes, being too outstanding can be a problem. But it's alright."

"Then when should I arrange for him to come and see you?"

"No need for that. Let's talk about it after he's actually inside. I'll handle it myself."

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

When the snow melts in the still chilly spring, the mountains are as dark as ink, the ice and snow melt away, and a scene of thriving vitality unfolds.

As usual, the Evergreen Sect finally issued a notice to recruit new disciples.

One of the notices was posted on the notice board in Changle Workshop, attracting many cultivators to come and see it.

Many people had been eagerly anticipating this for a long time, and at the same time, some were happy while others were sad.

"This year's recruitment requirements are even stricter. They require applicants to be under 23 years old and have cultivated to the Qi Cultivation Fifth Level, or under 40 years old and have Medium-grade Spiritual Root."

"I'm 24 this year, and I thought that according to last year's standard of 25, I could join. Why?"

"Sigh! I'm already twenty-five, it's even harder for me than for you, fellow Daoist."

"Twenty-four and twenty-five are the same, there's no difference in difficulty, they're all eliminated."

Sigh, I've heard some rumors already. Apparently, it's because there have been a lot of cultivators fleeing from the northeast corner lately, plus the two sects, Mingyue and Wangyue, are locked in a fierce battle there.

It is said that several other Immortal Sect have also become involved, and the war is spreading rapidly, causing resource shortages again, thus raising the requirements.

"Damn it! The Dark Moon and Moon Gazing Sects have ruined my Dao Path immortality!"

Chen Dengming mingled in the crowd and glanced in surprise at a cultivator beside him who was pounding his chest and baring his gums.

What are you looking at?

The cultivator instinctively bared his teeth and let out a low growl, then his expression froze. He immediately smiled and said, "Ah, I'm sorry, it's Brother Gao. I was a little too loud just now, did I scare you?"

Chen Dengming smiled politely, "It's alright, I understand how you feel."

"How could you possibly understand? You're a master on the verge of Foundation Establishment, how could you possibly empathize with someone like me, a nobody from a small mortal dynasty?"

Xiao Ma scoffed inwardly, but maintained his composure with a smile, saying, "Brother Gao is truly approachable and kind. I enjoy interacting with down-to-earth Daoist brothers like you the most."

"Oh, by the way, fellow Daoist, are you also interested in the Evergreen Sect? Are you planning to apply for a position as a steward?"

"No, I just want to take a look and join in the fun."

Chen Dengming responded with a smile, his gaze finally settling on the number of spots and the recruitment period on the notice before turning and leaving.

There are still Heavenly Timing until the actual recruitment of disciples begins.

Over the next seven days, many Rogue Cultivators and Lineage members will likely come to the Evergreen Sect to try their luck.

Even for some Cultivation Family with Foundation Establishment cultivators, having a member enter the Evergreen Sect is a joyous and highly valued event.

This is similar to how many parents in a previous life were elites in the business and political world, yet they still hoped that their children could get into prestigious universities, which would be extraordinary in terms of both expanding their network and future achievements.

However, due to the recent turbulent changes in the surrounding environment, the Evergreen Sect has adjusted its standards for recruiting disciples, which is like a university raising its admission scores.

Many cultivators, like Xiao Ma, who were initially confident in their abilities, lost their eligibility to join this time.

For some, this missed opportunity could change the course of their entire lives.

Chen Dengming did not reveal to Xiao Ma his intention to join the Evergreen Sect.

I'm a complete stranger here, and I honestly don't have any close friends.

There's no need to reveal things that concern your privacy.

In the past ten days, he has attempted to break through to the Foundation Establishment twice more.

Each attempt was more perilous than the last, and we haven't decided yet to continue trying in the short term.

Breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage isn't something you can simply do by hovering at the entrance without actually going in, or by constantly lingering there for free.

Like the first time he brushed against it, the three treasures of Essence, Qi, and Spirit, and spirit penetrated one-fifth of the mountain of Spirit Root.

On his second attempt, perhaps because the road had widened from the previous one, he ventured even deeper, reaching about a quarter of the way through.

That time, due to the suddenness of the situation, the Essence, Qi, and Spirit I had gathered were almost squeezed and burst.

Once the three treasures of Essence, Qi, and Spirit, and spirit explode within the Spirit Root, it signifies the opening of the earth gate, with primordial energy, essence Primordial Spirit all leaking out, indicating a failure in Foundation Establishment and severe damage to primordial energy.

It will be much more difficult to regroup and make a breakthrough next time.

Fortunately, Chen Dengming was alert enough to notice that his Essence, Qi, and Spirit were dissipating. He immediately pulled back from the brink, mentally suppressing the feeling of floating and being drawn to higher realms, and quickly retreated, managing to escape unharmed.

The second time, he was terrified and almost gave up the idea of breaking through on his own, and decided to follow the crowd and compete for the Foundation Establishment.

It wasn't until the day before yesterday that I gradually regained my composure and made my third attempt.

This third time, the path to the summit of Five Elements Mountain seemed wider, and he easily ventured a quarter of the way in.

The road turned out to be the complete opposite of the legendary Peach Blossom Spring, which was described as "extremely narrow at first, barely wide enough for one person to pass through."

It was wide at first, but as you went further in, it became narrower and more cramped.

The third time, Chen Dengming only ventured one-third of the way before decisively retreating and returning, without taking any further risks.

He had the Unseen feeling that if he could not further solidify and strengthen his own Essence, Qi, and Spirit, and spirit...

A fourth attempt to venture deeper would likely be dangerous.

With each subsequent step, the closer we get to successful Foundation Establishment, the greater the risk.

Perhaps on the fourth attempt, his Essence, Qi, and Spirit will directly leapfrog one-third of the progress, delving into the halfway point, and then bursting open from the pressure.

"Until I figure out exactly what kind of life potential is lost in a failed Foundation Establishment, I'd better play it safe and not blindly rush in."

After all, this thing doesn't seem to refer to lifespan, otherwise my life potential should be profound, and I shouldn't be unable to overturn the Five Elements Mountain."

"I still have nearly two hundred years to live, so there's no rush. If I can't get into the Evergreen Sect, so be it. As long as the environment here remains unchanged, I can continue to cultivate slowly."

Chen Dengming had a good mindset. He felt that after having a change of heart when he tried to Foundation Establishment last time, he could take a step back and see the bigger picture, and he was no longer in such a hurry.

Of course, this is not urgent on the premise that the fighting in the northeast corner will not spread to this area, so there is still some pressure, just not immediately apparent.

Therefore, even though Li Rong hadn't come to see him recently, he remained calm and composed, living his own life, continuing his cultivation as usual, and maintaining a friendly attitude towards his neighbors.

Li Rong also observed this scene and became increasingly convinced that Fellow Daoist Gao was a decent person, and that his amiable demeanor was not feigned.

Like many people who, after achieving success, are showered with praise from their friends, they naturally become arrogant and complacent, revealing their true colors and no longer speaking or acting as pleasingly as before.

But Fellow Daoist Gao has remained consistent, which is quite remarkable.

What this reflects is true character and the essence of being a person.

"Brother Gao, come and take a look. Do you have any obsolete magical Law Artifact you'd like to sell?"

Things haven't been peaceful next door lately. The prices of Law Artifact and talismans are all going up. Now's a good time to buy!"

As Chen Dengming passed by the Law Artifact shop in front of the Marketplace, the shopkeeper called out to him.

"Oh? It's gone up a lot?"

Chen Dengming stopped and asked with interest.

He still had high-level magic Law Artifact, some mid-level Law Artifact, and Storage Bag in his possession, which he hadn't dealt with.

I wanted to deal with it a while ago, but I was worried that showing off so many Law Artifacts at once might attract criticism.

After all, there are so many Law Artifacts and Storage Bag, including some high-level Law Artifact.

Anyone with half a brain knows there's something fishy about the fact that he could produce it; maybe he killed someone to steal it.

As an outsider who wanted to join the Evergreen Sect through Li Rong, he couldn't be too high-profile, so he didn't make a move at the time.

The more this happened, the more he missed Qiangzi and Zhu Xun.

When he was cultivating, having these two people help him with chores and do his work was much more convenient than being alone now.

"Of course it's gone up a lot, up by at least 20%. Come in, let's talk."

The shopkeeper, seeing that Chen Dengming seemed to have something to offer, immediately greeted him warmly, knowing full well the man's capabilities.

Chen Dengming laughed and said, "Forget it, the Law Artifact I have are all for my own use, I don't have any treasures to sell."

A 20% increase? You're kidding me.

Even if it were true, he wouldn't sell it to a Law Artifact shop.

Law Artifact who frequently produce magical artifacts know that the buyback price at Law Artifact shops is much lower than that from unofficial channels outside; even a 20% increase is practically meaningless.

Seeing that Chen Dengming was about to leave, the shopkeeper immediately called out again, "Fellow Daoist Gao, would you like some blank talismans? Talisman prices have gone up recently, why don't you take this opportunity to draw some high-level talismans to sell?"

"No, no!"

Chen Dengming waved his hand, smiled, and left.

He had once considered learning talismans.

After thinking about it, I decided against it.

The time spent cultivating on weekdays is calculated down to the second.

Having some free time to practice Demon Beast training or to stroll around town and listen to news from all over the world is enough to make life fulfilling.

As for talismans, I'll learn about them another time when I have the chance.

He wasn't the protagonist of a novel from his previous life, someone who was all-knowing and all-powerful... He wanted to be proficient in everything from talismans and weapon crafting to feng shui and Formation, and was known as an all-rounder.

That's all nonsense. He spends all his time Cultivation Practice Method and Daoist techniques, to the point where he'd practically split himself into two. Where would he find the energy to learn so many other things?

After Chen Dengming left.

The shopkeeper's smile faded, and he turned and went inside, whispering to one of the people in front of him.

"You saw it, and you heard it."

"Yes, I saw it and heard it. This Xiao Gao hasn't used any Law Artifact or anything like that since he came to Changle Workshop?"

"No, he's just Demon Beast hunter. He makes a living by hunting Demon Beast and selling Demon Beast meat. He's just a butcher, but he's really generous and often gives Demon Beast meat to his neighbors."

I heard that he also keeps a Black Cloud Leopard at the Qi Cultivation Eighth Level of Qi Refining in the mountains. Every few days, he brings some Demon Beast meat and nourishing medicine to visit the beast. He treats the Black Cloud Leopard like his own son, and they have a very deep bond. He treats even a beast like this; Old Gao is truly a good person."

"Yes, you're right. A person might lie to another, but they wouldn't lie to an animal. He hasn't even learned any talismans; he seems quite innocent."

The speaker was quite satisfied. He paused for a moment, then said, "Old Wu, your Wu Family now has one more person to rely on. You'd better remember that."

The shopkeeper's eyes flashed, and he immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute.

At night.

Dusk, like a large, gray-black net, quietly descended.

Chen Dengming stirred the food in the jar to nourish the Black Cloud Leopard, and was about to go to the wild to see his Black Panther as usual.

The Formation in the courtyard was activated, and someone knocked on the door.

When I went outside and Open Door, I was surprised to find that the person who came in was Li Rong.

"Fellow Daoist Gao, I hope my visit so late hasn't disturbed you?"

Li Rong smiled and clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Chen Dengming immediately stepped aside to invite him in, and said with a smile, "How could there be any disturbance? Fellow Daoist Li, you can come anytime, any hour of the day. As long as I'm home, please feel free to sit here."

Li Rong chuckled dryly, and as he entered the house, he said, "Look, you're still so polite, I feel embarrassed."

"Hey, don't be so formal. Come, sit down, have a drink?"

"No, no! I haven't visited you in a long time. So many neighbors gave you gifts last time, but I didn't. I hope you don't mind?"

"What are you saying, Fellow Daoist Li? Do you think I, Lao Gao, am that kind of person?"

Seeing Chen Dengming bustling around pouring tea, his politeness as always, Li Rong felt completely relieved, and the tension that had been building up in his body relaxed.

Immediately, he smiled and took out a jade talisman as a travel permit from his bosom, saying...

"Fellow Daoist Gao, this belated congratulatory gift is late, but it has arrived nonetheless. I hope you will still find it useful and pleasing to the eye."

"Fellow Daoist Li, really, why be so polite? We're friends, and I'm not the kind of person who cares about gifts."

Chen Dengming smiled politely as he approached. When he saw the jade talisman in Li Rong's hand, a thought struck him, and he looked puzzled. He then poured Li Rong a cup of tea.

"Fellow Daoist Li? This is...?"

Li Rong gazed intently into Chen Dengming's eyes, smiling, "Fellow Daoist Gao, this is your new identity. If needed, you can join the Evergreen Sect in seven days with this travel permit."

But remember, once you use this identity, you must completely abandon your identity as Gao Hu and never mention to others that you are Gao Hu again.

You need to change your identity and sever ties with all your neighbors here, including me."

Chen Dengming's heart skipped a beat, and he frowned. Under Li Rong's gaze, he pondered for a long time with a deep frown before finally taking the travel permit from Li Rong's hand.

He was indeed deep in thought, pondering the meaning behind Li Rong's sudden action and the associated risks.

But in Li Rong's eyes, Chen Dengming was still attached to the name and identity of Gao Hu and was undergoing a fierce internal struggle, which completely dispelled the last trace of doubt in his heart.

Chen Dengming took the jade talisman and compared it with the one he had obtained from the Longevity Sect. They were exactly the same, even the Longevity Sect's symbol of Dragon Turtle on both sides were identical.

He channeled a wisp of Spiritual Qi into it.

Name: Chen Ming

Origin: Formerly Lineage offering of the Wu Family, located 300 li away from Changchunfang.

Strength Realm: Qi Cultivation Tenth Level

Confirmed?: Confirmed.

Chen Dengming, ".?"

The former retainer of the Wu Family, three hundred li away from Changchunfang, was named Chen Ming.

And he's even from the same family, named Chen Ming. What a coincidence!

I was startled just now; I thought his identity had been exposed.

This is much more relatable than the fabricated identity of Gao Hu.

Moreover, this also means that from now on, unregistered individuals have been legally registered.

This Li Rong...

No, Li Rong's cousin really does have some influence.

"Fellow Daoist Li" Chen Dengming looked at Li Rong with a delighted expression.

"Why!?"

Li Rong raised his hand to stop Chen Dengming from expressing his gratitude, and smiled as he picked up his teacup. "I have done nothing. After this cup of tea, I will no longer know Fellow Daoist Gao. I only hope that if Fellow Daoist Gao achieves something in the future, he will not forget a man named Li Yue from the Evergreen Sect."

Chen Dengming was surprised, then stopped speaking, picked up his teacup, and gently clinked it with Li Rong's.

"Just--"

The tea rippled.

Everything is understood without words.

Seven days later.

Evergreen Sect.

Just as dusk was falling, the Evergreen Sect's meticulously prepared recruitment of new disciples was finally completed.

In the end, a total of fifty cultivators successfully joined the Evergreen Sect.

The young men number forty-two, all of whom are teenagers or children under the age of thirteen with Spirit Root. Many of them are children of Rogue Cultivator or relatives of royalty from mortal kingdoms.

There were only eight elders, almost all of whom were Lineage members under the age of twenty-three, and all of them had reached the Qi Cultivation Fifth Level Refining, with only one exception.

This person, over forty years old, is said to have Medium-grade Spiritual Root, yet he has already cultivated to the Qi Cultivation Tenth Level, making him arguably the oldest and strongest among the disciples recruited by the Evergreen Sect this time.

In the past, when the Evergreen Sect recruited disciples, there were some Medium-grade Spiritual Root, but almost all of them only had the strength of the sixth or seventh level of Qi Refining.

This time, he's already at the Qi Cultivation Tenth Level, and perhaps he has a chance to Foundation Establishment in the future. The Wu Family is actually willing to let him join the Evergreen Sect, which is quite unexpected.

This person immediately became the most talked-about among the new recruits brought in by the Evergreen Sect.

For a time, even the Wu Family Cultivation Family, attracted the attention of many cultivators.

However, the head of the Wu Family soon responded, saying that the Dao Heart Contract signed between Fellow Daoist Chen and the Wu Family had expired and that the two parties had peacefully terminated the contract. Fellow Daoist Chen was willing to join the Evergreen Sect, which was also a good thing, and the Wu Family naturally offered their blessings.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, this is your residence within the sect. This residence is located on First-Rank Spirit Vein of our sect, with abundant Spiritual Qi. We hope Fellow Daoist Chen will be satisfied with this new home."

On a secondary peak within the Evergreen Sect, a beautiful female cultivator in flowing robes and a flowing skirt turned around, smiled, and pointed to a three-courtyard residence in front of her, introducing it to Chen Dengming.

"Thank you for showing me the way, Fellow Daoist Le."

Chen Dengming nodded and smiled politely, then suddenly patted his Storage Bag, took out an exquisitely crafted bracelet-like magical Law Artifact, and handed it to the female cultivator with both hands.

"After decades of wasted time, Mr. Chen has finally joined a sect for the first time, which is something to celebrate. This is just a small gift; I hope Fellow Daoist Le likes it."

The female cultivator was surprised. Her gaze swept over the bracelet, and seeing that it was not a valuable magical Law Artifact, she breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, you're quite skilled! You've only just arrived on the mountain and you already know how to interact like this?"

I'm just a junior sister at the Qi Cultivation Sixth Level, not worth your investment or bribery!

Chen Dengming smiled frankly and naturally, "It is precisely because Fellow Daoist Le is your junior sister that I feel at ease sending you off. If it were anyone else, I would feel rather embarrassed. I also want to thank you for guiding and explaining things to me. I hope you will take good care of me in the future within the Mountain Gate!"

The girl's eyes darted around a few times, her hesitation vanished, and she reached out and snatched the bracelet from Chen Dengming's hand like a chick pecking at rice. She smiled, looked at it, and said...

"That's great, I like it, then I'll accept it. Thanks, Fellow Daoist Chen."

Chen Dengming watched with a smile as the female cultivator left, then walked to the hillside to get a general view of the Evergreen Sect's Mountain Gate.

The setting sun, like blood, and the evening glow, like fire, bathed the two main peaks and four secondary peaks of the Evergreen Sect in a soft golden light.

In the distance, Changle Workshop, along with its ordinary villages, forests, and rivers, were all bathed in this intoxicating sunset light.

He couldn't help but think of Li Rong's elder brother Li Yue, who was also inside the Mountain Gate and had given him the travel permit.

Seven days ago, after receiving the travel permit from Li Rong.

After much deliberation, he quietly left Changle Workshop.

Today, having changed his identity and appearance, he is now using the name Chen Ming to try to participate in the Evergreen Sect's disciple recruitment ceremony.

He had thought that if he couldn't pass the test, so be it; he would still be Gao Hu, and thus gave up the idea of joining the Evergreen Sect.

After several tests, his bone age and cultivation level met the requirements, but his strength was a bit of a mystery.

However, after verifying that he was indeed a former retainer of the Wu Family, the Evergreen Sect directly accepted him into their sect.

The thing that had troubled him for so long, and that he had been hoping for, actually came true so easily.

Even now, though Chen Dengming is clearly inside the Evergreen Sect, wearing the robes of the Evergreen Sect disciple, and holding a residence access token, he still feels a strange, dreamlike sensation.

It turns out that what he considered difficult was actually nothing more than a trivial matter that could be easily resolved by some people.

The key is whether the other party is willing to lend a hand.

"Whoosh--"

Just then, a jade talisman flew through the air.

Chen Dengming's heart skipped a beat, and he raised his hand to accept it.

As Spiritual Qi is channeled in, a message appears in one's mind.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Chen, on joining my Evergreen Sect. I have some old ties with Wu Yongwang, the head of the Wu Family. I've heard that Fellow Daoist Chen seems to be on the verge of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment?"

Given Fellow Daoist Chen's High-grade Counteracting Spiritual Root, breaking through this barrier carries some risk. If he is not confident, he may have to wait several months.

Currently, the battles in the northeastern corner of the Eastern Region are fierce, and even the Longevity Sect is paying close attention, with some Foundation Establishment cultivators already intervening in the conflict.

Given the current turbulent situation and the potential for war to spread, the sect intends to offer Foundation Establishment to encourage disciples to participate in the Battlefield. Those who make meritorious contributions will be rewarded with the pills to Foundation Establishment.

--Li Yue

After browsing through the document, Chen Dengming was slightly shaken. His gaze finally settled on the name at the end of the signature, and he took a deep breath.

"In a few months, perhaps the flames of war will spread to the Longevity Sect? What happened to those sects in the northeast corner? Why are cultivators from the Longevity Sect also making a move? Is it about the Sha Star?"

He gazed at the setting sun in the distance, and fell silent for a moment.

Foundation Establishment.

Li Yue hoped that he would not take the risk of rushing to break through to the Foundation Establishment, but instead go to the Battlefield to make merit and compete for the Foundation Establishment when the war spread several months later.

This is perfectly understandable.

Almost all Qi Cultivation Cultivator without a background need to perform meritorious service in their sect in order to obtain Foundation Establishment.

Even a pampered young lady like Luo Lüo Bing is like this; participating in the so-called trials is really nothing more than fighting for the sect.

But compared to risking his life on the Battlefield, fighting to the death with others, and potentially being killed by a passing Foundation Establishment cultivator if he wasn't careful, he would rather fight against himself and risk breaking through to Foundation Establishment on his own.

"In times of great importance, one must remain calm. Today, I will remain calm, and tomorrow I will go to the sect's library to read the detailed explanations of life potential before preparing for my fourth breakthrough. Now that I have entered the sect, I have a comfortable environment. No matter how fierce the war is, it will be difficult to break into the Evergreen Sect. If I can just lie low for a while, I will eventually break through. There is no need to compete for the Foundation Establishment."

Chen Dengming turned around, activated his token, and entered the courtyard. He breathed in the rich Spiritual Qi around him and a smile appeared on his face.

The Little Array Spirit flashed out from my arms and danced in the courtyard, laughing and chatting.

"Fellow Daoist, is this... is this our temporary residence from now on?"

Chen Dengming gazed at the graceful figure of the Little Array Spirit and smiled, "No, this can be our permanent residence from now on. We won't have to wander around anymore. From today onwards, I'm no longer Rogue Cultivator..."

No more rent to pay, I can now enjoy First-Rank Spirit Vein for free.

No longer Rogue Cultivator, no longer needing to travel around and live a nomadic life.

Looking back, it seems he had put in a lot of hard work to break free from his identity Rogue Cultivator.

But upon closer inspection, it doesn't seem to have taken too long.

Fortunately, he still has plenty of time to savor this hard-won achievement.

This is a new beginning. We will soon start from the Foundation Establishment. The road ahead is long and arduous, but we will start afresh...

(I updated with over 13,000 words today, plus an extra 7,800 words! Please continue to vote with your monthly tickets!)

The update is late because of network problems. I kept losing drafts, often a hundred or two hundred words at a time. This happened seven times in a row. I was about to lose it all. Everyone in the group knows I was on the verge of a breakdown. Sorry for the late update.