Journey to South Dipper Mountain

Time flew like a white colt slipping through a crack, and three years passed in the blink of an eye. Quite a few new disciples had arrived in the sect, their eyes brimming with passion and dreams of the future.

Countless rising stars had also emerged in the Sect Tournament. One dark horse after another shot to fame, looking down upon the masses.

Yet one disciple had become the nightmare of countless others. He wore a straw hat and led a Black Ox spirit beast by the hand—he was the cancer of the grand sect tournament!

If one encountered him and failed to kill him in a single blow, they had best prepare to duel for an entire hour. Many disciples who watched the matches even had nightmares after nightfall, their quilts filled with straw hats!

His opponents suffered even more bitterly. Some Qi Refining Ninth Level senior brothers had even surrendered outright, showing just how brutal he was.

However, because his duels lasted too long and drained both body and mind, he fell short of the top five hundred rankings every year, making people cry out in regret.

Still, these were merely amusing tales among low-level disciples. Every year, the sect's top hundred rankings were the hottest topic, stirring countless disciples to strive forward.

This was also the true purpose of the Five Aggregates Sect: using inner sect disciples to spur on these dark horses. As for the reward for truly taking first place, no one knew. In any case, outer sect disciples could not obtain it.

Only through the constant influx of fresh blood could a sect endure for generations. Every year's Sect Tournament allowed quite a few disciples to break through amid duels.

Jade Bamboo Mountains, in the low skies.

One man and one ox flew furtively and timidly toward the Sect Main Hall, neither too fast nor too slow.

"Old Bull, a full three thousand contribution points!" Chen Xun licked his lips and said in a low voice.

"Moo!"

Black Bull's entire body stiffened, trembling faintly with excitement. Who knew how many good things that could be exchanged for?

Yet its expression was somewhat gloomy as well. Most of those contribution points had been earned with Chen Xun's body covered in wounds.

"What are you thinking about, Old Bull? We're going to exchange them for the Foundation Establishment Pill Formula!"

"Moo~"

Immortal swords whistled past through the low skies. They did not dare fly too high—if they collided with some elder or great cultivator, they would be unable to bear the consequences. Chen Xun had even calculated a safe flying altitude.

Inside the Contribution Hall stood a high platform that was nearly deserted. This place had been prepared for Foundation Establishment Realm elders, and the Foundation Establishment Pill Formula was kept there as well.

"Reporting to Martial Uncle, this disciple has come to exchange for the Foundation Establishment Pill Formula."

Chen Xun lowered his head and cupped his hands, handing the Eight Trigrams Token to the gaunt man atop the platform. His face resembled that of a zombie, bones protruding from his features.

The man's expression was icy as he stared darkly at Chen Xun. A Qi Refining Eighth Level disciple—he truly had three thousand contribution points.

"The pill formula is intended for Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. What use do you have for it? There are not even any Foundation Establishment spirit medicines available for exchange within the sect."

The gaunt man questioned him, his gaze seeming to pierce straight into Chen Xun's heart. "Those in the Qi Refining Realm cannot refine it either. You had best give me a reason."

This Foundation Establishment Pill Formula had simply been hung up in the sect for anyone to see, giving Qi Refining Realm disciples something to yearn for. Even the cleverest housewife could not cook without rice.

"To give myself comfort. This disciple intends to go on the journey to South Dipper Mountain."

"Then you should all the more not spend contribution points on such a useless thing."

"Martial Uncle does not know this, but I was once merely a Rogue Cultivator. This thing is this disciple's obsession. Seeing it is like seeing Foundation Establishment right before my eyes..."

Chen Xun's voice trembled as he spoke, and his cupped head lowered further and further. That battered straw hat seemed to speak of fate's injustice.

"Very well."

The gaunt man nodded, then added, "Consider this carefully. The journey to South Dipper Mountain half a year from now will not be easy."

Surprise filled Chen Xun's eyes. He had not expected this zombie-like Martial Uncle to be cold-faced but warm-hearted. In a deep voice, he said, "This disciple will never regret it."

The gaunt man gave Chen Xun a deep look, took out a pill formula, and emptied the contribution points within the Eight Trigrams Token in one sweep.

"Thank you, Martial Uncle." Chen Xun received the token with both hands, then turned and led Black Bull away.

They traveled by sword and soon returned to Medicine Valley. Black Bull had even set up traps in many places; if thieves broke in, every detail would change.

"Moo~" Black Bull called to Chen Xun. No one had come.

"Go!" Joy gleamed in Chen Xun's eyes as he rushed into the cave dwelling and hurriedly took out the Foundation Establishment Pill Formula.

"Heavenly Rainbow Fruit, Moon Order Fruit, Tin Staff Flower, Ice Mandarin Grass, Cold Spirit Grass..."

Chen Xun muttered silently, his eyes widening more and more. He had never heard of them, never seen them; he had only heard of a few of the spirit medicines.

The Foundation Establishment Pill required twenty-seven supplementary ingredients and three main ingredients: Earth-Soul Vine, Sun Ginseng Lotus, and Nanmu Leaf.

"Moo?" Black Bull stretched out its head to inspect it carefully as well, but Medicine Valley did not have a single one of the spirit medicines listed within.

"Foundation Establishment Realm, Dantian Liquidification, the birth of Divine Sense, and countless wondrous mysteries."

Chen Xun sighed, unable to stop envy from rising in his heart. He also wanted to experience what Divine Sense was like. He had heard it was even more powerful than the perceptions of the five senses.

"Moo?"

"If Foundation Establishment really takes a hundred years, the Five Aggregates Sect will have no place for us either."

Chen Xun spoke word by word. Looking at Black Bull, his eyes narrowed. "Half a year from now, the Nandou Mountain Secret Realm. We're going!"

"Moo!" Black Bull sprang to its feet, fighting spirit blazing in its eyes. Cultivation sects from the entire Gan Kingdom would be sending disciples there—that would be the true battlefield.

"Go out every day and gather information. We need to begin preparing too."

Chen Xun said this because they knew nothing of South Dipper Mountain. They did not even know where it was.

One man and one ox slowly looked toward the entrance of the cave dwelling, a trace of killing intent rippling through their eyes. It seemed they truly had to get serious this time.

Half a year later, bells rang ceaselessly throughout the Five Aggregates Sect. Several figures from every peak traveled by sword, their expressions cold and stern as they headed toward Sect Master Peak with an unstoppable momentum.

The Nandou Mountain Secret Realm, which opened once every twenty years in the Gan Kingdom, was finally about to begin. The elders and disciples of every peak wore expectant expressions.

If they returned with abundant gains, the sect would absolutely be able to rise to a higher level. Quite a few small sects had risen to prominence because of the journey to South Dipper Mountain.

An enormous number of people had applied to participate this year—several thousand in total. However, priority could only be assigned according to the Sect Tournament rankings. Generally, those within the top two thousand had a chance.

Quite a few older disciples looked despondent. There was no hope for them.

They packed their belongings and slowly headed down the mountain. Outside the sect gates were many markets built by the Five Aggregates Sect, places where numerous cultivators exchanged goods and information.

The Outer Sect Deacon Hall would arrange positions for them. They would wait as time flowed on, until they finally became a mound of yellow earth, perhaps without even having their names known by anyone.

Yet among the inner sect disciples, an unwritten rule circulated: none were permitted to participate in the journey to South Dipper Mountain. They would have Foundation Establishment Pills of their own.

At a Medicine Valley somewhere within the Five Aggregates Sect, inside a cave dwelling.

Cracked stone walls surrounded the area. On the ground was a piled-up earthen pit, with a pitch-black cauldron propped above it, constantly emitting white vapor and a heavy medicinal scent.

Some charcoal still remained within the pit, continuously crackling and popping, but the cave dwelling was already completely empty.

The sky was clear and blue today, thin clouds did not stain it, distant mountains wore dark-green hues, and the gentle breeze carried warmth.

Chen Xun and Black Bull walked out of Medicine Valley expressionlessly and began traveling by sword, their destination also Sect Master Peak.