Finding Peace, Successive Foundation Establishments, Stocking Up, and a Warning from the Red Lotus

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"Ling'er, when attempting foundation establishment, it is best to keep your mind clear and free of distracting thoughts. If even the slightest knot remains in your heart, it could give rise to a heart demon during your breakthrough."

Xu Chuan looked at Xu Deling as he spoke.

"Grandfather, are you referring to what happened between Wu Shunan and me?" Xu Deling said calmly. "I let that go long ago."

"Let it go? Truly? You can fool your grandfather, but you cannot fool your own heart."

"I am certain I have let him go," Xu Deling said firmly.

"Then have you ever considered why he did not choose you? Was it truly only because of the Wu Household?"

Xu Deling trembled faintly, then said, "That has nothing to do with me. I gave him a chance back then, and he made his choice."

"What if he made that choice for your sake?"

"For my sake?"

Xu Deling raised her eyes to Xu Chuan, disbelief written across her face.

"As I thought, my guess was right. You still have a knot in your heart. You have merely hidden it in its deepest recesses."

"If you do not untie that knot, your chances of establishing your foundation this time may fall somewhat."

"Grandfather, I..."

"There are three realms in cultivating the heart: seeing mountains as mountains, seeing mountains as not mountains, and seeing mountains as mountains once more. All you see is Wu Shunan rejecting you, refusing to choose you. That is not truly finding peace."

"Grandfather, how do you know? Did you ask Wu Shunan?"

"No. On the day you parted, I examined him with my spiritual consciousness. After you left, he was utterly distraught, as though a piece of his heart had been hollowed out."

"He..."

At those words, ripples