Foundation Consolidation

After seeing off the reinforcements from the Gu Family, the two returned to the cave mansion.

Zhou Er felt that Fanhua Island was not very safe recently, so he came to find Gu Fan and said:

"Sister Fan, Fanhua Island is not very safe recently. Why don't we move into Bashui Immortal City for a while and hire someone to manage Fanhua Island?"

Hearing Zhou Er say this, Gu Fan showed hesitation.

However, it was indeed as Zhou Er said. After suffering such a disaster, Fanhua Island was no longer suitable to stay.

Moreover, Fanhua Island needed to be rebuilt, which would also require time and Spirit Stones.

"Alright! Brother Er, we will temporarily move back to Bashui Immortal City for this period. But what if Sister Bai returns and finds us gone?"

Gu Fan finally agreed with Zhou Er's idea but was still a little worried about Bai Zhuozhuo.

"We can leave someone to notify her."

Zhou Er said.

Gu Fan nodded. She had a house in Bashui Immortal City, so moving there was not difficult.

When they moved this time, Fanhua Island had no one stationed there, so valuable items could not be left behind.

Thus, Zhou Er took the opportunity to say:

"Sister Fan, your father's Golden Cicada Slough is here, and there's a risk of it being stolen. I'll help you put it away."

After speaking, he looked nervously at Gu Fan, afraid she would see through his intentions.

"Then you help me keep it for now."

Gu Fan did not suspect anything. They indeed needed to pack their belongings when leaving Fanhua Island this time and could not leave these valuable items here.

Zhou Er was overjoyed. He found an exquisite box and pretended to put the Golden Cicada Slough away, but in reality, he quietly equipped it to his Equipment Slot.

[Name: Zhou Er]

[Cultivation: Qi Refining Tenth Layer (57.81%)]

[Equipment Slot (3/3): Calm-spirit Cushion, Golden Cicada Slough, Storage Bag.]

[Unsolidified Attributes: Mind Stabilization, Cicada Concealment (Green), Void Breaking (White).]

[Solidified Attributes: Size Manipulation, Defensive Guard...]

With the Cicada Concealment attribute obtained, Zhou Er felt much more at ease. Now, he was not afraid even when facing a Golden Core Old Ancestor from the Gu Family.

After packing their belongings, Zhou Er and Gu Fan left Fanhua Island hand in hand.

As for the various matters within the island, you can hire clansmen or others from the clan later to manage them.

Although, with the island's affairs not passing through my own hands, I can't be completely relieved.

However, my own safety is more important right now.

Compared to the small island, Bashui Immortal City is naturally safer.

Bashui Immortal City, Gu Family Old Residence, in the Patriarch's courtyard.

The current Gu Family Patriarch, Gu Xingjian, learned of the Cultivator Robbers' failure and angrily said to the shadow:

"These are the people you found. You gave them a night, and they couldn't even take down a small island?"

The person in the shadow behind Gu Xingjian dared not speak upon hearing his words.

Only after Gu Xingjian finished scolding did he say:

"Master, those five people were all at the Late-stage Qi Refining cultivation. They also gathered more than ten Cultivator Robbers with considerable strength. By all rights, dealing with a Late-stage Qi Refining Talisman Master shouldn't be difficult. No one expected them to be so useless."

The person in the shadow said without emotional fluctuation.

"Trash!"

Gu Xingjian cursed, unsure if he was cursing the person in the shadow or the group of Cultivator Robbers.

The person in the shadow lowered his head, not daring to speak.

Gu Xingjian had a feud with Gu Fan's father decades ago due to the Family Grand Competition, and he had been suppressing it.

A few years ago, Gu Fan's father died at the hands of a group of Devilish Cultivators, which made him happy for a while.

But at that time, due to Gu Fan's father's great prestige within the clan, he dared not move against Gu Fan.

Now, several years have passed, and everyone no longer pays attention to Gu Fan. He planned to eliminate Gu Fan and her husband, take back a small island of the clan, and give it to a newly promoted Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Even though this island was taken by Gu Fan's father himself at the time, and it had little to do with the Gu Family.

Gu Xingjian had made arrangements, but the results were not ideal.

Not only were the people not eliminated, but they instead hid in Bashui Immortal City, making it even more difficult to act later.

However, with things as they are, he could do nothing.

After calming down, Gu Xingjian said:

"Make sure to clean up the loose ends."

"Yes!"

The person in the shadows lowered their head.

This time, if they had hired a Foundation Establishment cultivator, it would have been a sure thing.

However, a Foundation Establishment cultivator taking action would inevitably cause a huge commotion. This matter could not be publicized, and Foundation Establishment cultivators were not easy to control. If news leaked, Patriarch Gu Xingjian's position would be in jeopardy.

Moreover, if it reached the Old Ancestor's ears, he might even be severely punished. So, he played it safe and only hired late-stage Qi Refining Cultivator Robbers.

The result was a complete mess, and he still had to clean up the aftermath.

The day Zhou Er and Gu Fan returned to Bashui Immortal City, many Gu Family members came to express their concern.

Gu Xingjian also came specifically to check on them, saying:

"Fan'er, Xiao Cang, it's best that you are alright. I have already dispatched elites from our family and allied with other families to sweep the downstream of Wangyue Lake for Cultivator Robbers. These Cultivator Robbers are too rampant, daring to bully our Gu Family."

Seeing Gu Xingjian's sincere demeanor, Zhou Er felt a little strange, but his identity made it inconvenient to say more. He simply stood beside Gu Fan, occasionally responding.

It was mainly Gu Fan who was conversing with Gu Xingjian.

"Patriarch, you don't need to worry so much about us. We are all fine," Gu Fan said.

"Fan'er, the family will definitely back you up. Rest assured, this matter will not be let off so easily. We will capture all those escaped Cultivator Robbers," Gu Xingjian said righteously.

Gu Fan couldn't say much more. Although the family hadn't provided timely support at the most critical moment, Gu Xingjian's words still comforted her greatly.

Zhou Er didn't say much either, just accompanied her to cope with the conversation.

Although Zhou Er's presence was not very prominent, Gu Xingjian still steered the conversation to him, saying:

"Xiao Cang, your strength is not bad, to be able to fight five late-stage Qi Refining Cultivator Robbers. The Family Grand Competition is in a month. You can participate. If you catch the Old Ancestor's eye, perhaps he will take you as a disciple. Achieving a good ranking can also earn various rewards. The first place can even get a Foundation Establishment Pill."

"Patriarch, my strength is meager. I'm afraid I can't compare to my brothers in the family," Zhou Er quickly and humbly refused. He had no plans to participate in the Family Grand Competition this year.

Especially after the incident of the Cultivator Robbers attacking the island, it made him sense a crisis.

He still had room for improvement, so it was best to honestly improve his strength and bide his time, without being too ostentatious.

He understood the principle that a tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind.

Gu Xingjian feigned a few words of persuasion, then said no more and left Gu Fan's home.

After Gu Xingjian left, Zhou Er looked at Gu Fan and said:

"Sister Fan, I still think this matter is suspicious. I'm afraid that group of Cultivator Robbers has someone directing them."

"You suspect the Patriarch wants to harm us?"

Gu Fan naturally understood Zhou Er's meaning.

"Yes! Otherwise, why would our plea for help take until dawn for the family's support to arrive..."

Zhou Er said.

"It was already late at night. Everyone was probably resting or cultivating and wouldn't be paying attention to outside information. Even if they received the news, it would take time to organize manpower."

Gu Fan explained.

She understood the family's efficiency quite well.

It was common for aid to take so long to arrive. On the Small Islands outside Bashui Immortal City, except for the particularly important ones, one had to endure on their own when encountering trouble.

Only a few could receive family support in a short time.

If you relied on the family's reinforcements, the grass on your grave would already be two or three meters high.

Of course, Zhou Er's words were not without reason.

Gu Fan was not a naive young girl of a dozen years. She knew that internal family power struggles were severe, with the Patriarch and several powerful Elders constantly fighting.

If they truly wanted to eliminate them, wiping out their entire lineage was not impossible.

However, these were all speculations.

Without concrete evidence, one couldn't speak carelessly. Everyone still had to maintain a facade of harmony.

Seeing that Gu Fan understood, Zhou Er said no more.

Anyway, now that they were back in Bashui Immortal City, they could focus on cultivating peacefully.

All the current conflicts stemmed from the fact that their family, without a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, possessed the right to use a Small Island of considerable size. Their strength could not match the resources in their hands, thus attracting covetous eyes.

The only way to break through this situation was to reach Foundation Establishment.

Without strength, no amount of wealth could be protected.

For the next month, Zhou Er diligently cultivated, honing his Spells.

Gu Fan, on the other hand, arranged for people to handle Fanhua Island and manage it. She herself had free time to cultivate properly.

In addition to cultivation, Gu Fan also began studying talisman making with Zhou Er.

Her Comprehension was ordinary, and she learned very slowly.

But they weren't exactly short on Spirit Stones, so they didn't need to worry about making a living and could learn at their own pace.

One day, Zhou Er was teaching Gu Fan how to draw talismans, guiding her hand by hand.

A Reminder from the courtyard's Restriction alerted them that someone was visiting.

Gu Fan immediately tidied her appearance and went out with Zhou Er to greet their guest.

They saw a person dressed in a bamboo hat and straw cloak. Beneath the hat was a face they both knew well, though it was etched with exhaustion and weariness.

"Sister Bai!"

Gu Fan cried out excitedly.

She and Bai Zhuozhuo had grown up together and were like sisters. Seeing her return safely made her as happy as a little girl.

However, her smile didn't last long before she noticed Bai Zhuozhuo's left arm was empty.

"Sister Bai, your hand..."

Gu Fan said with concern.

"Miss Fan, there was an accident in Yunmeng Marsh this time. Some devil spawn from the Wugu Dao infiltrated, and my left arm was poisoned by them. I had to sever it myself to save my life and return."

Bai Zhuozhuo managed a faint smile upon seeing Gu Fan.

"Sister Bai, you're in such a state, and you can still smile!"

Gu Fan chided her gently, seeing Bai Zhuozhuo's condition.

"I thought I was going to die. Being able to keep my life is all thanks to my master's blessings."

Bai Zhuozhuo walked into the Courtyard.

Then, she took out a jade box from her Storage Bag and said, "Although the secret realm was disrupted by the devil spawn from the Wugu Dao, I didn't come back empty-handed. Look what I have."

The jade box opened, revealing a crystal-clear white pill nestled within. Faint golden pill patterns shimmered on its surface.

"A genuine Foundation Establishment Pill from Yunmeng Sect."

Gu Fan recognized the Foundation Establishment Pill but didn't spare it a second glance. Her eyes were fixed on Bai Zhuozhuo's severed arm, filled with sorrow.

"Sister Bai, you must have taken this risk for this Foundation Establishment Pill."

Gu Fan knew that the hardship Bai Zhuozhuo had endured was far from what she was casually describing.

"I obtained three genuine Foundation Establishment Pills. It's perfect, one for me, one for Miss, and one for Son-in-law."

Bai Zhuozhuo took out two more jade boxes and handed them to the two.

Although Zhou Er wanted them, he knew that Bai Zhuozhuo had risked her life to obtain them, so he said:

"Sister Bai, one Foundation Establishment Pill may not be enough to guarantee your Foundation Establishment. You should keep this one for yourself!"

"Son-in-law, I lost an arm, and my cultivation has dropped significantly. I probably won't be able to use this Foundation Establishment Pill for the next few years. Your talent is even better than mine. You can attempt Foundation Establishment within these two years. After you establish your foundation, protect the Miss well, and that will be the greatest reward to me."

Bai Zhuozhuo looked at Zhou Er and said.

"Sister Fan and I are Dao Companions. Even without this Foundation Establishment Pill, I will do my best to protect her."

Zhou Er looked at Gu Fan and said.

Gu Fan's face turned a little red, but she couldn't care about that now. She was more worried about Bai Zhuozhuo's injuries.

"Sister Bai, can your arm be reattached?"

Gu Fan asked.

"It's probably very difficult. My severed arm was already corroded by the poisonous cubs of the Wugu Dao. To regain my lost arm, I'll probably have to find a Medical Dao Master to help."

Bai Zhuozhuo said helplessly.

Losing an arm greatly reduced her chances of establishing her foundation.

Even with the Foundation Establishment Pill now, the probability of success was not high.

Of course, it wasn't entirely hopeless.

She planned to stabilize her cultivation before thinking of other methods.

If that didn't work, she could stay on Fanhua Island and live out the rest of her life, which might not be bad.

Perhaps, she could teach Gu Fan's descendants sword techniques in the future.

"Miss, there's no need to dwell on my arm anymore. I managed to retrieve three Foundation Establishment Pills this trip and return alive, which is already quite good. On the contrary, you two, I heard you encountered Cultivator Robbers."

Bai Zhuozhuo asked worriedly.

She felt a bit guilty that Fanhua Island had suffered this disaster during the half-year she was away.

"It's okay, Brother Er protected me. Sister Bai, we'll stay in Bashui Immortal City for these few days. You should rest and recuperate. I'll go ask the physicians in the immortal city for you."

Gu Fan said.

Naturally, she couldn't just leave Bai Zhuozhuo unattended.

"No need, Miss. The Elders from Yunmeng Sect have already examined my injuries and treated them. They are almost healed."

Bai Zhuozhuo knew that healing her arm would require immense resources.

Moreover, the only Golden Core physician in Bashui Immortal City was the Liu Family's Old Ancestor, and he would certainly not pay them any mind.

"Sister Bai, I will definitely cure you," Gu Fan said, her tone leaving no room for refusal.

Afterward, the three of them discussed the allocation of the Foundation Establishment Pills.

Zhou Er demurred for a while but ultimately accepted.

As Bai Zhuozhuo had said, she couldn't use it right now. Zhou Er would use the Foundation Establishment Pill first, and then return it to her after successfully establishing his foundation.

Before placing the Foundation Establishment Pill into his storage bag, he checked its attributes.

[Foundation Establishment Pill: A genuine quality Foundation Establishment Pill that can increase the chance of establishing a foundation by 30%, and can protect important parts like meridians and the dantian during foundation establishment.]

[Equipped Attributes: Foundation Consolidation (White).]

[Foundation Consolidation (White): Stabilizes meridians and the dantian, increasing the chance of establishing a foundation by 20%.]

[Solidification Condition: Cultivation reaches the Great Perfection of the Twelfth Level of Qi Refining. (10/12)]

[Equip?]

With the Foundation Establishment Pill combined with the Foundation Consolidation attribute, Zhou Er had at least a 50% chance of successfully establishing his foundation, making him far luckier than many others.

However, Zhou Er never believed in luck.

A 50% chance of establishing a foundation was still too low; he needed to think of other ways to increase his chances.

Of course, breaking through to the Twelfth Level of Qi Refining already gave him a 10-20% chance of establishing a foundation.

Combined, that brought his chances to nearly 70%.

If you find this book good, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.