Foundation Establishment Middle Stage

Shen Long only knew a small number of Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Qin Yuwei arranged for him to sit down in a seat towards the back.

"You must be Fellow Daoist Shen!"

A portly old man in a green robe spoke up.

"Indeed, and who are you, sir?"

Shen Long asked politely.

"This is Green Bamboo Loose Cultivator, and Fellow Daoist Liu is also an Alchemist."

Qin Yuwei explained.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Liu."

Shen Long clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Shen Long and Green Bamboo Loose Cultivator discussed alchemy and exchanged ideas.

Guests arrived at the Bluestone Square one after another, Qin Family members arranged seats and chatted with the guests.

After a short while, a loud bell rang out.

"The auspicious time has arrived! Please invite the head of the household."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a loud roar of a beast rang out.

A red light appeared in the sky and slowly descended. The red light was a Red Giant Lion with wings on its back and a fierce look in its eyes.

"A late-stage, second-tier Fire-Winged Flame Lion!"

Shen Long recognized the Spirit Beast. He hadn't expected the Qin Family patriarch to be raising Spirit Beast; he had thought it was Ghost Creature!

An Grey-Robed Elder with a ruddy complexion sat on the back of the Fire-Winged Flame Lion. The Grey-Robed Elder face and large, bright eyes.

Qin Guangwei, head of the Qin Family, Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

Shen Long and the others stood up and greeted Qin Guangwei.

Qin Guangwei responded to each person, greeted everyone, and sat down in the seat at the front.

The guests presented their congratulatory gifts, Shen Long gave two bottles of Yellow Apricot Pill, which were not particularly valuable.

The most precious thing he possesses is the Spirit Control Tower, and besides that, it's the Small Five Elements Array.

Based on market value, this Small Five Elements Array Formation is worth at least 50,000 Spirit Stone. Yang Qingshu and the others didn't have much wealth on them, and besides their own expenses and the cost of cultivating Ghost Creature, it was also related to this Small Five Elements Array Formation.

After the guests presented their gifts, Qin Guangwei raised his glass and said, "Thank you all for coming to celebrate my birthday. I'd like to propose a toast to everyone!"

Shen Long and the others raised their glasses in return and drank the wine in their glasses.

After a glass of wine, the group started chatting, naturally focusing on cultivation and mentioning interesting anecdotes about the cultivation Immortal Realm in the Zhao Kingdom.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, I heard that you slew a late-stage second-tier Ghost Python in the Hundred Ghosts Mound!"

"I asked curiously, "Green Bamboo Loose Cultivator asked.

The Hundred Ghosts Mound is a dangerous place in the cultivation Immortal Realm of the Zhao Kingdom, inhabited by a large number of Ghost Creature. Even Foundation Establishment Cultivator may perish if they venture in. It is much less dangerous than the Mysterious Yin Valley, and many cultivators choose to go to the Hundred Ghosts Mound to hunt Demon Beast or Ghost Creature.

"Fellow Daoist Liu is very well-informed! I haven't even told my clansmen."

Qin Guangwei asked in surprise.

"Several fellow Daoists witnessed Fellow Daoist Qin's heroic act of slaying the Ghost Python, one of whom is a good friend of mine, which is how I learned of this."

Green Bamboo Loose Cultivator explained.

"I heard that the Hundred Ghosts Mound appeared on Second-Rank Flood Dragon."

Shen Long said.

"That was many years ago. Flood Dragon are already rare, and Second-Rank Flood Dragon are even rarer."

Qin Guangwei said.

"By the way, some time ago, the Hundred Ghosts Sect dispatched a large number of people for a massive search, seemingly looking for someone. Fellow Daoist Qin is well-informed; do you know the purpose of the Hundred Ghosts Sect's actions?"

"I ask casually," said Green Bamboo Loose Cultivator.

"I've heard they're searching for the Yu Clan, and there are also rumors that they're apprehending Evil Cultivator."

Qin Guangwei said.

"Remnants of the Yu Clan? Which Yu Clan?"

Green Bamboo Loose Cultivator was slightly taken aback.

"The Yu Clan was originally the number one cultivation Lineage in the Zhao Kingdom! Now the Liu Clan Lineage is the number one cultivation family."

Qin Guangwei said.

"The Yu Clan has been wiped out for over two hundred years, Hundred Ghosts Sect is still hunting down the remnants of the Yu Clan? That's too strange!"

Shen Long said that he had not heard of this matter, otherwise he would not have pretended to be a descendant of the Yu Clan.

"I've heard that the Yu Clan possesses some treasure, but I don't know the specifics. There are also rumors that the arrest of the Yu Clan's remnants is just a smokescreen to cover up their true purpose, but I don't know what that is."

Qin Guangwei said.

"Treasure!"

Shen Long's face showed a thoughtful expression.

"The Yu Clan truly possessed treasures, they would have been looted long ago. It's impossible for them to have survived until now. It's likely that the Hundred Ghosts Sect released false information to cover up their true purpose. They've done this kind of thing many times. They claimed to be capturing Evil Cultivator and launched a large-scale search, but ended up uncovering the Spirit Control Sect's intelligence network."

Qin Yuwei said with some dissatisfaction.

The Hundred Ghosts Sect is the largest sect in the Zhao Kingdom. They are known for their domineering ways, which has drawn criticism from many cultivators, including Qin Yuwei.

"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore, let's talk about something else!"

Qin Guangwei quickly changed the subject and started talking about the art of controlling ghosts.

Shen Long couldn't join in the conversation and quietly listened to others chatting.

Half an hour later, the chat ended, Green Bamboo Loose Cultivator proposed exchanging cultivation resources, which Shen Long and the others wholeheartedly agreed to.

Qin Guangwei took out dozens of items, including the undiluted Essence Blood of Second-Rank Flood Dragon.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, I'll exchange the Yin Bead of Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Ghost Creature and a piece of five-hundred-year-old Mystic Yin Wood for the Second-Rank Flood Dragon Blood Essence."

Shen Long said.

After Ghost Creature is killed, it leaves behind Yin Bead, Yin Bead is somewhat similar to the Demon Core of Demon Beast. The Ghost Creature can help itself advance by consuming the Yin Bead. As for the Mystic Yin Wood, it was a material that Shen Long obtained by killing Yang Qingshu and other Evil Cultivator.

Qin Guangwei agreed to the exchange, Shen Long successfully obtained the Flood Dragon Essence Blood.

More than an hour later, the exchange was completed, and the guests left one after another. Shen Long also took his leave.

Back in the Marketplace, Shen Long visited several spirit medicine, purchased the spirit medicine for refining the Blood Flood Dragon Pill, and then returned to his residence.

He entered a secret room, sat cross-legged, took out the Crimson Crow Cauldron and alchemy materials, and began to refine the Blood Flood Dragon Pill.

······

The Hundred Ghosts Mountain Range stretches for tens of thousands of miles, filled with Yin Qi aura, accompanied by gusts of eerie wind and the constant wailing of ghosts and howls of wolves.

This is the General Headquarters of the Hundred Ghosts Sect, and it is heavily guarded with disciples of the Hundred Ghosts Sect patrolling year-round.

In a Yin Qi, Black Palace, a voluptuous Black-Skirted Woman sat in the main seat, her features strikingly beautiful.

A tall, thin middle-aged man was reporting to the Black-Skirted Woman with a respectful expression.

"Master Xu, that person is not a member of the Yu Clan; he's an imposter."

The middle-aged man reported.

Shen Guang, Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, is a disciple of the Hundred Ghosts Sect's Intelligence Hall.

"Where are Nephew Li others? Haven't they found the murderer yet?"

The Black-Skirted Woman frowned and asked.

Xu Li, head of the Intelligence Hall of the Hundred Ghosts Sect.

"The three of them suddenly disappeared. I've sent people to investigate, and Chen Liang has also disappeared. It's highly likely he was silenced by the Spirit Control Sect. The people the Spirit Control Sect sent this time are incredibly capable. Should we send more people to apprehend the murderer?"

Shen Guang asked.

"Forget it. The Yin Corpse Sect doesn't get along with us, and they're unwilling to cooperate. It'll be difficult for us to capture the Spirit Control Sect members. Send more people to search for the Yu Clan's descendants. Don't let the Barbarian Race find them first. That item absolutely cannot fall into the hands of the Barbarian Race."

Xu Li gave the instructions.

They received reliable intelligence that the Barbarian Race had sent people to infiltrate the Zhao Kingdom to search for the treasures left behind by the Yu Clan Barbarian Race. They also dispatched a large number of people to capture the barbarian spies. Before long, news of the Hundred Ghosts Sect's capture of the remnants of the Yu Clan spread. This was clearly the work of the Barbarian Race.

"Yes, Aunt Xu."

Shen Guang agreed and left to carry out the order.

······

Spring has passed and autumn has come; five years have gone by.

Mysterious Yin Marketplace was bustling with people and vehicles.

In Green Begonia Courtyard, the door to a secret room opened, and Shen Long walked out with a smile on his face. His aura was much stronger than before, indicating that he had reached the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

In less than twenty years, Shen Long advanced from the Foundation Establishment Early Stage to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, which is a very fast cultivation speed.

He had been in the Zhao Kingdom for over ten years and had spent a considerable amount of time cultivating, consuming Second-tier Medicinal Pill such as Yellow Apricot Pill Dan and He Yuan Pill. However, his ability to advance to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage so quickly was related to his Life-Bound Spirit Bird, the Golden-Winged Wind Peng.

Under Shen Long's tutelage, the Golden-Winged Wind Peng finally advanced to the second tier, saving Shen Long a considerable amount of time in arduous cultivation, and allowing him to smoothly advance to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

Without the feedback from his Life-Bound Spirit Bird, it would probably take him more than ten years to advance to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

Yu Susu and other outsiders were unaware of the exact time when Shen Long advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm, but Shen Long was not worried about others discovering anything unusual.

In addition to advancing to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, Shen Long also cultivated two wind-type Law Technique to Great Perfection: the Flying Technique and the Whirlwind Technique. The former is a first-tier Law Technique, and the latter is Second-Rank Spell.

Whirlwind Technique is a speed-based escape technique. It allows one to transform into a tornado and flee. The more Law Power has, the farther they can escape.

Shen Long took out a Dharma Disk that shimmered with blue light, cast a spell, and Liu Shi's voice rang out. "Senior Yu, I have received news that Second-Rank Flood Dragon has appeared in Black Python Lake, and many seniors have already rushed there."

"Black Python Lake! Any other news?"

Shen Long asked.

That's all.

Liu Shi honestly replied.

"That's settled then. Contact me immediately if you receive any important intelligence."

Shen Long instructed them to cut off all contact and instead contact Chen Li.

"Junior Nephew Chen, has anything major happened in the cultivation Immortal Realm recently?"

Shen Long asked.

"I heard that a Second-Rank Flood Dragon has appeared in Black Python Lake, and quite a few Foundation Establishment Cultivator have rushed there."

Chen Li said.

"Heared? Couldn't be confirmed? How did a Second-Rank Flood Dragon suddenly appear?"

Shen Long asked.

"I don't know. This matter is indeed quite sudden. I'm trying to verify it, but I heard that disciples from the Yin Corpse Sect and the Hundred Ghosts Sect have already gone there."

Chen Li said.

"Understood. Let me know immediately if there are any updates."

Shen Long instructed, "Sever the connection and contact Yu Susu."

After a while, Yu Susu's voice came through the Communication Disk: "Fellow Daoist Shen, it's been a long time."

"Long time no see, Fairy Yu. I've heard that Second-Rank Flood Dragon has appeared in Black Python Lake. Is that true?"

Shen Long asked.

"Yes, speaking of which, it was my old acquaintance, Daoist Chen Hao, who discovered this Second-Rank Flood Dragon. Fellow Daoist Shen, I've met you before."

Yu Susu said.

"He discovered it himself?"

Shen Long pressed for an answer.

"No, that's not it. Several Foundation Establishment Cultivator saw it and rushed back to get reinforcements. Quite a few Foundation Establishment Cultivator have already gone there."

Yu Susu said.

"I see, I've learned something new."

Shen Long said.

"Fellow Daoist Yu, you wouldn't be eyeing this Second-Rank Flood Dragon too, would you? Flood Dragon are not to be trifled with. I know you're quite strong, but you're only at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage. It's best not to provoke Second-Rank Flood Dragon."

Yu Susu suggested.

"Thank you for the reminder, Fairy Yu. I understand."

Shen Long thanked him.

"Fine! You'd better watch yourself."

Yu Susu didn't say much.

Shen Long put away the Communication Disk and walked out.

After leaving the Marketplace, Shen Long summoned his flying Law Artifact and soared into the sky.

About half a month later, Shen Long arrived at Black Python Lake, where a large number of cultivators had gathered, including many Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Black Python Lake refers to a large area, with a huge Black Lake at its center. A late-stage second-tier Nether Water Python once appeared there, hence the name.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, what a coincidence!"

Shen Long saw Green Bamboo Loose Cultivator and greeted Green Bamboo Loose Cultivator.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, you've arrived too."

Green Bamboo Loose Cultivator nodded.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, has that Second-Rank Flood Dragon not been killed yet?"

Shen Long asked curiously.

"Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Hundred Ghosts Sect and the Yin Corpse Sect are currently slaying this dragon. Before this, two Monster Hunting Team were killed by it."

"That's what Green Bamboo Loose Cultivator said."

"It wiped out two Monster Hunting Team? That's incredible."

Shen Long asked in surprise.

Green Bamboo Loose Cultivator nodded and said, "Fellow Daoist Shen, you've come here for the Second-Rank Flood Dragon Blood Essence, haven't you? I wonder if the Hundred Ghosts Sect cultivators would be willing to sell us some, as they don't allow other Foundation Establishment Cultivator to enter Black Python Lake."

Shen Long wasn't surprised; the Hundred Ghosts Sect, as the number one sect in the Zhao Kingdom, had always been this domineering.

In the cultivation Immortal Realm, strength reigns supreme. Lower-level cultivators dare not speak out against their anger, and even if they were given the opportunity to do so, they would not dare to say anything.

Shen Long looked around, and his pupils contracted slightly when he saw a young woman in a red dress.

"Li Yue! It's actually her!"

Shen Long thought to himself.

While he was in Thousand Bamboo Valley, he fought with other Monster Hunting Team and killed Li Yue's younger brother. If Li Yue hadn't joined the Mystic Yang Sect, Shen Long would have already planned to take the Mystic Yang Sect Sect's disciple assessment.

He didn't expect to run into Li Yue here. Could it be that Li Yue was also sent to the Zhao Kingdom to gather information?

Both the Spirit Control Sect and the Mystic Yang Sect sent Foundation Establishment Cultivator to the Zhao Kingdom to gather information. Was it for the Yu Clan's treasure, or did they have other motives?

Li Yue is a potential threat. If she grows up, she will definitely not let Shen Long go. The hatred for killing her brother is irreconcilable.

"Does Fellow Daoist Shen know Lady Liu?"

"I ask casually," said Green Bamboo Loose Cultivator.

"No, I know the person next to her."

Shen Long denied it.

Green Bamboo Loose Cultivator didn't think much of it and started chatting with Shen Long.

A deafening roar resounded, and a massive Crimson Fire Cloud shot into the sky, soaring straight into the heavens.

Shen Long and the others were startled and looked up at the sky.

A quarter of an hour later, a giant skull shrouded in black mist flew in from afar, and a group of cultivators stood on it. The leader was a tall young man in black robes with a slightly pale face.

"Daoist Xu, where is that Second-Rank Flood Dragon?"

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator asked.

"Now that I've killed you, you can all disperse! Go back to what you were doing!"

The young man in black spoke coldly, and with a flick of his wrist, the black skull flew into the sky.

"Who is this person? He actually killed Second-Rank Flood Dragon."

Shen Long asked curiously.

"Xu Chi is a descendant of Core Formation Cultivator. He is very powerful and raises many Ghost Creature. That Flood Dragon was only at the early stage of the second tier; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to succeed so easily."

"That's what Green Bamboo Loose Cultivator said."

Shen Long suddenly realized what was going on and secretly memorized the name.

After the Second-Rank Flood Dragon was killed, the cultivators left one after another.

"Madam! Let's go back too!"

A tall, golden-robed youth spoke, summoning a shimmering golden flying boat, and boarded it, with Li Yue following closely behind.

The young man in the golden robe made a hand seal, and the Golden Flying Boat immediately shone brightly, soaring into the sky at a great speed.

Shen Long released the Snow Wind Sparrow, which had already advanced to the second tier.

He walked onto the Snow Wind Sparrow's back, gently patted its back, and the Snow Wind Sparrow Snow Wind Sparrow let out a clear chirp, flapped its wings lightly, and chased after it.

A day later, the Golden Flying Boat came to a stop in an open area. The young man in the golden robe and Li Yue got off, their brows furrowed.

"You've followed us for so long, what advice do you have for us?"

The young man in the golden shirt spoke, his voice heavy.

He was in the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, while Li Yue was in the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

"I dare not presume to offer guidance, but I would like to borrow something from you two fellow Daoists."

Shen Long smiled slightly.

His current cultivation level is higher than Li Yue's, making this the best time to deal with Li Yue. Naturally, he wouldn't let this excellent opportunity slip by.

"What is that?!"

The young man in the golden shirt frowned and asked.

"The heads of the two!"

Shen Long said, raising his right hand, and a Cyan Tornado swept out, heading straight for the young man in the golden robe.

With a flick of his left hand, a Giant Fireball, five zhang in diameter, flew out and crashed towards Li Yue.

After advancing to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, Shen Long's Law Technique became significantly more Law Technique.

"Instant Law Technique, be careful."

The young man in the golden robe exclaimed in surprise, and quickly summoned Golden Shield to block in front of him.