Uncle Nine's Breakthrough

Mo Yuan stood under the eaves, his fingertips brushing over the cold surface of the Thunder Dragon Evil-Slaying Spear, Uncle Nine's words echoing in his mind.

The shadow of the Black Fiend Sect had not dissipated; instead, it spread like dark clouds towards the provincial capital and even further. And he, himself, had become one of their targets.

He knew well that individual strength was ultimately limited. His master, Uncle Nine, had been stuck at the Qi Refining Grand Perfection realm for many years, only half a step away from the "Earth Master" realm of Foundation Establishment. However, due to the scarcity of resources in this era of declining magic and the difficulty of finding opportunities, he had been unable to break through.

If his master could achieve the Earth Master realm, it would not only be a leap in personal cultivation but also a crucial pillar for dealing with the Black Fiend Sect and even more future storms.

Thinking of this, Mo Yuan made up his mind. He turned back to his room, closed his eyes, and focused his consciousness, sinking into the system space.

In recent days, he had accumulated quite a few resources through check-ins. Some of them were no longer of maximum benefit to his current realm, but for his master, who was stuck in the Qi Refining stage, they might be the key to breaking the deadlock.

He carefully inventoried them:

Three High-Grade Spirit Stones, their spiritual energy pure and immense, far beyond anything found in the mortal world.

Five Spirit Nurturing Pills (Medium-Grade), which nourished the soul and were remarkably effective in breaking through bottlenecks.

One Foundation Establishment Pill (Low-Grade)! Although this pill was only low-grade, and he had his own path of primordial inheritance, which might not require it, in the current cultivation world, it was already a treasure that countless Qi Refining cultivators dreamed of to break through.

There were also several Medium-Grade Spirit Stones and pills for healing and restoring Qi.

Mo Yuan carefully took out these resources, packed them into an ordinary cloth bag, and then headed towards Uncle Nine's meditation room.

Inside the meditation room, Uncle Nine was sitting in meditation before a portrait of the Mount Mao Patriarch, his brow furrowed, clearly still contemplating the matters of the Black Fiend Sect and the provincial capital. Hearing the knock on the door, he slowly opened his eyes.

"Master, your disciple has something to report." Mo Yuan entered the meditation room and placed the cloth bag on the table.

Uncle Nine's gaze fell upon the cloth bag. Although he hadn't opened it, with his cultivation, he could already sense the pure spiritual energy and medicinal fluctuations emanating from it. He couldn't help but show surprise, "Mo Yuan, what is this?"

"Master," Mo Yuan said with a solemn expression, "During my recent outing, I stumbled upon the cave dwelling of an ancient cultivator who had passed away. I was fortunate enough to obtain some of his remaining possessions. I believe some of these resources might be of great use to you in breaking through your current realm.

My cultivation is still shallow, and these treasures would be wasted in my hands. Only when you, Master, enter the Earth Master realm can you better protect this region and deal with evil. I beg you not to refuse."

As he spoke, he opened the cloth bag and took out the spirit stones and pills one by one. When the Foundation Establishment Pill, shimmering with a strange halo, appeared before Uncle Nine, even with his composure, his pupils contracted sharply, and his breathing quickened.

"This... this is a Foundation Establishment Pill?!" Uncle Nine's voice trembled with disbelief. He had been stuck at the Qi Refining Grand Perfection for many years and knew the difficulty of this step. His senior brother, the sect leader Shi Jian, was exceptionally talented and had received preferential treatment in terms of sect resources, allowing him to successfully establish his foundation early, always one step ahead of him.

Now, this opportunity to break through was presented so tangibly before him.

He looked up, his gaze complex as he looked at Mo Yuan, filled with relief, excitement, and deep emotion. "Mo Yuan, this item is too precious... I..."

"Master," Mo Yuan interrupted, his tone sincere, "I am indebted to you for taking me in, teaching me the Dao, and imparting knowledge. Your kindness is as great as remaking my life.

These worldly possessions, if they can help you achieve the Earth Master realm, it will be my fortune, the fortune of Mount Mao, and the fortune of all living beings. Moreover, the Black Fiend Sect is watching covetously. Every bit of strength we gain gives us more assurance. Please fulfill my heartfelt wish."

Uncle Nine looked at his disciple's clear and determined eyes, a warm current surging in his heart. Finally, he let out a long sigh of turbid air and nodded heavily, "Good! Good child! I... will accept this favor!"

He no longer hesitated, carefully putting away the resources, especially the Foundation Establishment Pill, which he kept close to his person.

"With the help of this pill, coupled with the High-Grade Spirit Stones to stabilize spiritual energy and the Spirit Nurturing Pills to protect the soul, I have at least a seventy percent chance of succeeding in one go!"

In the following days, the Mortuary temporarily closed its doors to visitors. Uncle Nine announced that he would be entering seclusion to attempt to break through his bottleneck, with Mo Yuan, Wen Cai, and Qiu Sheng acting as his protectors.

Upon learning that their master was attempting Foundation Establishment, Wen Cai and Qiu Sheng were both nervous and excited, acting with extra caution and care.

Inside the meditation room, Uncle Nine held his breath and focused his mind, first adjusting his state to its peak. He first took the Spirit Nurturing Pill, nourishing and soothing his soul, which was slightly fatigued from years of stagnation, restoring its agility and fullness.

Then, he held a High-Grade Spirit Stone, and the pure, vast spiritual energy poured into his body like rivers entering the sea, cleansing his meridians, which had long been tempered to their limit, and filling his Dantian and Qi Sea to fullness.

When his essence, Qi, and spirit all reached their apex, a sharp glint flashed in Uncle Nine's eyes, and he swallowed the Foundation Establishment Pill without hesitation!

As the pill entered his abdomen, it instantly transformed into a hot yet gentle torrent, integrating into his limbs and bones. Furthermore, a mysterious power surged directly towards his Sea of Consciousness and the Heavenly Gate.

Qi Refining to Spirit Transmutation, the key to Foundation Establishment lay in condensing more powerful divine consciousness and, with it as the core, compressing and purifying one's spiritual power to transform it into a higher-level "True Essence," thereby opening up the "Purple Mansion" Sea of Consciousness.

Instantly, above the meditation room, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy subtly converged, causing slight fluctuations. Mo Yuan, guarding outside, could clearly feel his master's aura undergoing a qualitative transformation, shifting from its original robust and solid state towards a more ethereal and majestic direction.

This process lasted for three full days and nights. During this time, the meditation room was sometimes filled with surging spiritual energy, and at other times, a divine consciousness pressure permeated the air. Wen Cai and Qiu Sheng were almost breathless under the occasional leaked aura, and their reverence for their master grew even greater.

Mo Yuan, however, remained steady, protecting the Dharma while also perceiving the Dao rhythm emanating from the Foundation Establishment process, which greatly benefited his own cultivation.

On the night of the third day, as the moon hung high in the sky, a clear, resonant howl suddenly erupted from the meditation room! The sound was like a crane's cry piercing the heavens, penetrating the roof and soaring into the clouds.

The spiritual energy of the entire Mortuary churned, and an invisible pressure spread outwards from the meditation room. Although it flashed and disappeared, it caused some sensitive beings in the town to tremble.

The door of the meditation room creaked open, and Uncle Nine walked out slowly. He was still in his simple blue Daoist robe, and his appearance had not changed, but his entire demeanor was completely different.

His eyes were deeper, as if containing stars, and his aura was harmonious and natural, reaching a new level of integration with the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy. Standing there, he exuded the bearing of a towering master.

Foundation Establishment stage, the Earth Master realm, achieved!

"Congratulations, Master (Uncle), on successfully achieving Foundation Establishment! May your blessings be eternal!" Mo Yuan, Wen Cai, and Qiu Sheng bowed in unison, their faces beaming with genuine joy.

A smile, the most relaxed he had worn in years, appeared on Uncle Nine's face. He helped the three up and finally looked at Mo Yuan, his eyes filled with inexpressible gratitude and relief. "Mo Yuan, my ability to take this crucial step is entirely due to your efforts."

"Master, you are too kind. It is because of your deep foundation that it happened naturally," Mo Yuan replied humbly.

News of Uncle Nine's breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, though not deliberately spread, quickly circulated within the nearby cultivation circles.

Lin Fengjiao (Uncle Nine) of the Mount Mao Sect had advanced to the Earth Master realm, which meant that the power structure of the Mount Mao Sect might undergo subtle changes. At the very least, the sect leader Shi Jian was no longer the only Earth Master expert.

Many Daoist friends who were on good terms with Uncle Nine sent congratulatory messages, and the Mortuary was bustling with visitors for a time.