Foundation Establishment Late Stage

The Golden Flame Mountain Range stretch for tens of thousands of miles, and this is the General Headquarters of the Golden Flame Sect.

Deep within the mountains, one can see numerous buildings and cultivators, including a sprawling manor with pavilions, terraces, and waterside corridors.

A thin man in a golden robe sat in a Blue Stone Pavilion, while an elderly man of medium build in a blue robe reported to him.

"Senior Brother Li and Junior Brother Sun have both disappeared. We haven't been able to contact them since they left the Marketplace."

"That's what the old man in the blue robe said."

Two Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Golden Flame Sect have gone missing. They have been missing for more than half a year. One of them, Li Lei, is Dharma Protector Elder. The disappearance of the Dharma Protector Elder has attracted the attention of the sect's higher-ups.

Who was the last person to see them?

The man in the golden robe asked.

Master Golden Flame, early stage of Core Formation.

"Junior Nephew Chen, she manages her business in Green Python Valley. Senior Brother Li went to the Marketplace on business and met her once. According to our investigation, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator stayed in Teahouse near the Marketplace for a few days, saying he was waiting for someone. Just as Senior Brother Li left the Marketplace, this person also paid his bill and left. He is highly suspicious. I have sent people to look for this person, but there is still no news."

The old man in the blue robe spoke.

Chen He, the Enforcement Elder of the Golden Flame Sect, Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

"Could it be that the Tang Clan has tracked us down?"

Master Golden Flame frowned and said.

They ambushed and killed members of the Tang Clan, seizing the Golden Core Jade Liquid and a large sum of money, which enabled Master Golden Flame to advance to the Golden Core Realm.

With a Nascent Soul Cultivator in charge, the Tang Clan dared not stay in the Shu Kingdom. They traveled to other places, visiting more than a dozen countries, and finally settled in the Wei Kingdom. After changing his appearance and advancing to the Core Golden Core Realm, Master Golden Centipede Gong Shangren called himself Master Golden Flame and founded his own sect.

"It shouldn't be. If it were the Tang Clan, they would have already sent people to kill us. Besides, Wei Kingdom and Shu Kingdom are separated by more than a dozen countries. Would the Tang Clan's law enforcement disciples travel that far to track us down? How would they know we were in the Wei Kingdom? We've always disguised ourselves and never used our true forms."

Chen He spoke slowly, his face full of confusion.

If the Tang Clan traces the matter back to the Golden Flame Sect, they wouldn't just target Foundation Establishment Cultivator cultivators; they would directly attack the Master Golden Flame.

"Just to be on the safe side, we still need to take precautions. I'm going away to lay low for a while, and so should you."

"This is Master Golden Flame instructed."

Chen He nodded, then, as if remembering something, said, "By the way, a Second-Rank Flood Dragon has appeared within the territory of the Tang Kingdom. Should we go and take a look?"

"Second-Rank Flood Dragon? Forget it, I won't get involved in this. I'll just hide for now!"

"Master Golden Flame said," and he left the Golden Flame Sect.

······

The Qin Kingdom, the Thousand Spirit Mountain Range.

A white light appeared on the distant horizon, rapidly flying towards the Thousand Spirit Mountain Range.

Not long after, the white light slowed down, revealing a giant, pure white bird. Shen Long stood on the bird's back.

Shen Long captured Li Lei and his companion, and found a secluded place to interrogate them. He showed Li Lei portraits of Shen Long's parents, Li Lei indeed showed unusual behavior.

No matter how much Shen Long pressed him, Li Lei refused to admit it. Shen Long then killed Li Lei, left Wei Kingdom, and returned to his sect.

He wasn't sure who the murderer was, nor did he want to investigate too thoroughly, since all the high-ranking members of the Loose Cultivator Assembly were on his kill list anyway.

On the way back, the Golden-Winged Wind Peng advanced to the late stage of the second tier, unexpectedly resolving Shen Long Shen Long's bottleneck and allowing him to advance to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, which greatly surprised and delighted him.

Advancing Life-Bound Spirit Bird is one way to overcome a cultivator's bottleneck. However, this method is not foolproof. Sometimes, even if a cultivator is stuck at a bottleneck, and their Life-Bound Spirit Bird advances to a higher realm, it may not necessarily resolve the bottleneck. Any method of overcoming a bottleneck is a matter of probability.

Some Foundation Establishment Cultivator of the Spirit Control Sect were stuck at a bottleneck. They broke through the bottleneck while hunting Demon Beast, but got stuck at the Core Formation Mid Stage stage. They went to hunt Demon Beast again, but never managed to break through the bottleneck.

Shen Long traveled extensively, exchanging Daoist teachings with fellow practitioners, attending grand celebrations, sparring with Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and hunting Demon Beast. He tried many methods, but none of them could resolve his bottleneck. Unexpectedly, the Golden-Winged Wind Peng's advancement to the late stage of the second tier unexpectedly resolved his bottleneck.

Counting the time, Shen Long has been away from the Spirit Control Sect for fifteen years. He wonders how Qian Dafu and the others are doing.

He had just returned to the General Headquarters and sent the Snow Wind Sparrow flying towards the Green Lotus Garden when a familiar female voice rang out. "Senior Brother Shen, long time no see."

Shen Long stopped the Snow Wind Sparrow and looked in the direction of the sound. A White Giant Crane Giant Crane over, and Chu Yuling stood on its back.

After many years, Chu Yuling has reached the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

"Junior Sister Chu, it's been a long time. Isn't Senior Sister Lin with you?"

Shen Long greeted him.

"No, you seem quite concerned about her? Should I help you contact her?"

Chu Yuling smiled gently, revealing two small dimples on her face.

"No, just asking."

Shen Long shook his head and said.

"Senior Brother Shen, you just got back, right? You go ahead and get busy! Let's get together another time."

Chu Yuling said, slapping the White Giant Crane beneath her, and the White Giant Crane flew away into the distance.

Shen Long arrived at Ice Silkworm Valley and sent a Sound Transmission Talisman.

Not long after, Chen Bing came out. Sensing the powerful aura emanating from Shen Long, she exclaimed in surprise, "Junior Brother Shen, you've advanced to the late stage! Congratulations!"

"Senior sister, is Master there?"

Shen Long asked.

"Yes, Master mentioned you to me a while ago. Come in with me!"

Chen Bing said enthusiastically.

Shen Long followed Chen Bing inside and arrived at the Ice Silkworm Pavilion, where he met the Master Ice Silkworm.

"The bottleneck has been overcome, that's great!"

Master Ice Silkworm showed an approving expression.

"Thanks to Master's guidance, otherwise I don't know how many detours I would have taken."

Shen Long expressed his gratitude.

He has been a disciple of the Spirit Control Sect for over forty years, and his cultivation speed from the Qi Refining Eighth Layer to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage is considered fast. The Golden-Winged Wind Peng deserves much credit for this.

"So, have you found the murderer who killed your parents?"

Master Ice Silkworm asked with a gentle expression.

Shen Long didn't hide anything and told the whole story; it wasn't some secret he wanted to keep hidden.

"Golden Flame Sect! I will kill them for you and fulfill your wish."

Master Ice Silkworm spoke in a calm tone, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

With his current strength, killing two early-stage Core Formation cultivators wouldn't be difficult at all.

"I appreciate Master's kindness, but I wish to avenge my enemy with my own hands."

Shen Long said sincerely.

He never expected that Master Ice Silkworm would be willing to help him eliminate his enemies.

"Since that's the case, then so be it. However, you were a bit reckless this time. Taking action near the Green Python Valley is very risky. If you fail, you'll be in trouble."

Master Ice Silkworm reprimanded, his tone stern.

Shen Long did this to find his enemies, which was a legitimate reason, but he did take a great risk.

"I've investigated. The Vice Sect Master of the Golden Flame Sect has gone to attend the celebration. Master Golden Flame will definitely stay behind at the Golden Flame Sect. There aren't any particularly important cultivation resources in the Green Python Valley, so the chances of Master Golden Flame Green Python Valley going there are very low."

Shen Long said.

He must have investigated thoroughly before daring to make a move near the Green Python Valley.

"I didn't expect Junior Brother Shen to be so thoughtful. I thought you would just take action directly."

Chen Bing praised it.

"I gathered a lot of intelligence about the Golden Flame Sect and learned that the Golden Flame Sect's vice sect leader had gone to attend the celebration, which is why I dared to make a move."

Shen Long explained.

With only two Core Formation Cultivator in the Golden Flame Sect, the deputy sect leader attending the celebration, and the Golden Flame Sect Master Golden Flame Venerable likely staying behind, and the Green Python Valley lacking particularly important cultivation resources, Shen Long dared to make a move near the Green Python Valley.

"That's true, but it's still too risky. Actually, you can come back and tell your master that regardless of whether they did it or not, as long as they are remnants of the Loose Cultivator Assembly who slaughtered the Tang Clan members, your master will take action to eliminate them."

"That's what Master Ice Silkworm said."

"I didn't think that much about it; thankfully, everything is alright."

Shen Long said.

Little did he expect that Master Ice Silkworm would be willing to deal with other Core Formation Cultivator.

"You've gained quite a bit from this trip. Don't spread the news about the Golden Flame Sect, Bing'er, don't divulge it either. Let Shen Long handle it himself. If he needs my help, just say, 'Once a teacher, always a teacher. Your blood feud is also my blood feud.'"

The Master Ice Silkworm's expression was solemn.

"Yes, Master."

Shen Long and Chen Bing agreed in unison.

"Alright, you've just gotten back, get some rest! Strive to reach the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment as soon as possible."

"That's what Master Ice Silkworm said."

"Yes, Master."

Shen Long agreed, then, as if remembering something, asked curiously, "Master, where is Senior Brother?"

"He's stuck at a bottleneck; he hasn't returned from his travels yet."

"That's what Master Ice Silkworm said."

Shen Long suddenly realized and said with a smile, "If Senior Brother comes back, he'll probably have already advanced to the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment."

"I hope so! You should go back and rest!"

"Master Ice Silkworm gave instructions," he said.

Shen Long responded and got up to leave.

Back at Green Lotus Garden, Shen Long met Lin Shan.

"Oh, Senior Brother Shen, you're back."

Lin Shan's face lit up with joy when he saw Shen Long.

Shen Long went on a journey, leaving the Green Lotus Garden to Lin Shan to manage. Lin Shan had his own cave dwelling, and he would occasionally come to visit and send Spirit Planter to nourish the spirit medicine.

"I just got back. Is Junior Brother Qian at the General Headquarters?"

Shen Long asked casually.

"Yes, I'll send someone to contact him right away."

Lin Shan took out Communication Disk that was flashing with yellow light, entered a spell, and then made a series of gestures.

"I've already sent someone to inform Senior Brother Qian; he'll be here as soon as he receives the message."

Lin Shan said.

"By the way, what major events have occurred in our sect and the Qin Kingdom Cultivation World during the years I've been away?"

Shen Long asked.

He had been gone for many years and was unaware of the situation of the Spirit Control Sect and the Qin Kingdom Cultivation World.

Lin Shan told the truth that the biggest thing was that the Mystic Yang Sect had gained another Core Formation Cultivator, who possessed Heavenly Spirit Root and extraordinary strength.

"Advanced to the Golden Core Realm so quickly?"

Shen Long asked in surprise.

Lin Shan nodded and said, "Yes! After all, it's Heavenly Spirit Root, and the disciple of a Nascent Soul Cultivator. There's no need to worry about cultivation resources, so it's hard for their cultivation speed to be slow."

After chatting for about fifteen minutes, Qian Dafu arrived.

Qian Dafu is currently in the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. When he saw Shen Long, his face lit up with joy.

"Senior Brother Shen, you're finally back."

Qian Dafu said with a smile.

"How's it going? The shop didn't go out of business, did it?"

Shen Long joked.

"No, not at all. Revenue was affected to some extent, but we're still profitable. Here's the ledger."

Qian Dafu took out a thick book and handed it to Shen Long.

Shen Long flipped through a few pages and nodded.

"This is the dividends from over the years, a total of 50,000 Spirit Stone, plus some materials for refining weapons and pills."

Qian Dafu took out a Cyan Storage Bag and handed it to Shen Long.

"Fifty thousand Spirit Stone! That's a lot!"

Shen Long asked in surprise.

"It's not much, it was originally yours, so please accept it!"

Qian Dafu said.

Their chamber of commerce does business under Shen Long's name, and business is doing alright. Without Shen Long's name, business wouldn't be so good.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony. Thank you for your hard work, Junior Brother Qian and Junior Brother Lin. Here are a few bottles of Beast Spirit Pill for you. Feed them to your Life-Bound Spirit Beast!"

Shen Long took out four porcelain bottles, two for Lin Shan and two for Qian Dafu Beast Spirit Pill.

The two declined, but Shen Long's attitude was firm, so they accepted it anyway.

Qian Dafu hesitated, as if he had something difficult to say.

"Junior Brother Qian, there are no outsiders here, so please speak frankly."

Shen Long said.

"Senior Brother Shen, several senior brothers wanted your help with alchemy, but since you weren't here, I declined."

Qian Dafu said.

Shen Long smiled calmly and said, "You can contact them. I have some free time now and can help them refine pills."

"Senior Brother Shen just got back, no need to rush, get some rest first."

Lin Shan said.

"That's what I was thinking too. How about this, Senior Brother Shen, you get some rest first, I'll contact them, and we'll visit them again in a while."

Qian Dafu said.

"Okay, then that's settled."

Shen Long agreed.

After chatting for a while, Lin Shan returned the key to Green Lotus Garden to Shen Long and left with Qian Dafu.

Shen Long entered the Green Lotus Pavilion and came to a secret room.

He entered the Spirit Control Tower and arrived at the second floor, where an astonishing wave of heat hit him.

Shen Long whistled, Golden-Winged Wind Peng descended from the sky, landing in front of Shen Long, with a strong wind blowing up a large amount of gravel.

It was more than twice the size of before, and Shen Long looked very small in front of it.

Shen Long took out two Beast Spirit Pill and three hundred-year-old Green Wind Grass and fed them to the Golden-Winged Wind Peng.

"We were able to overcome this bottleneck thanks to you."

Shen Long said, his face beaming with joy.

The Golden-Winged Wind Peng let out a clear bird song, flapped its wings, and crouched down.

Shen Long understood its meaning, jumped onto the back of the Golden-Winged Wind Peng, and gently patted the Golden-Winged Wind Peng with his palm.

With a gentle flap of its wings, the Golden-Winged Wind Peng stirred up a gust of wind and soared into the sky.

The Golden-Winged Wind Peng flew very fast, with a howling wind sweeping past and Shen Long's hair flying in the wind.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the Golden-Winged Wind Peng landed on an open area.

The Fire Rock Beast charged forward; it was still in the mid-stage of the second tier.

The Golden-Winged Wind Peng has Bloodline Purity of three, making it the fastest growing bird. Naturally, it also obtains the most cultivation resources, as it is Shen Long's Life-Bound Spirit Bird.

Shen Long jumped to the ground, fed the Fire Rock Beast a Beast Spirit Pill and a Red Ginseng, and then exited the Spirit Control Tower.

He went to another secret room, took out his parents' Spirit Tablet and an Incense Burner, lit a bundle of incense, and placed it in the Incense Burner.

"Father, Mother, I won't let them get away with this, don't worry!"

Shen Long muttered to himself, kowtowed three times heavily, and then left.

He sat cross-legged on a Blue Prayer Mat, meditating and regulating his breathing.

He's been on the road, now he can finally get some rest.

Shen Long reaches the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, the sect can grant him a Golden Core Spirit Item.