Xu Changxing pushed open the door and, sure enough, saw the familiar young Dao Attendant.
Before the Dao Attendant could speak, he smiled and asked, "Master wants to see me?"
The Dao Attendant paused in surprise, then nodded. "Yes, the master sent me to invite you over, senior brother."
"Then let's go."
With that, Xu Changxing took the lead and headed outside.
The young Dao Attendant froze again at the sight.
He tilted his head, feeling that something was off, though he could not put his finger on it.
An hour later, Xu Changxing followed the Dao Attendant into Liu Chenyu's courtyard.
Liu Chenyu was meditating.
He merely glanced at Xu Changxing before preparing to return to regulating his breathing.
But halfway through turning his head away, he suddenly froze.
The next instant, Liu Chenyu whipped his head back around and asked in astonishment, "You've reached foundation establishment?"
Xu Changxing looked a little reserved. "Yes. I hadn't intended to reach foundation establishment so soon.
"But while cultivating two days ago, everything inexplicably fell into place.
"When I came to, I'd already reached foundation establishment."
In his previous simulations, Xu Changxing had displayed considerable talent every time, but the outcomes had never been particularly good.
So this time, he intended to keep as low a profile as possible.
He dared to do so because, after reaching foundation establishment, his aura had become seamless and unified.
Even a cultivator at the core formation stage could not detect the cloud patterns in his Dantian without examining him carefully.
And just as Xu Changxing had expected, the astonishment on Liu Chenyu's face gradually faded, giving way to a trace of disappointment.
In Liu Chenyu's eyes, a mere few days was nowhere near enough time to condense even a single cloud pattern.
In other words, this disciple of his had ruined himself through cultivation.
After a moment, Liu Chenyu sighed softly.
"Since you reached foundation establishment without a Foundation Establishment Pill, perhaps you simply weren't destined for this cultivation method.
"But there's no need to worry too much.
"Although you failed to condense any cloud patterns, reaching foundation establishment naturally, like water flowing into a channel once it is full, is still an excellent stroke of fortune.
"Your prospects may not be any worse than your eldest senior brother's.
"You mustn't neglect your cultivation because of this."
Xu Changxing hurriedly bowed. "I understand, Master!"
After a moment's thought, Liu Chenyu took a Flying Shuttle from his Storage Bag and held it out to him.
"Now that you've completed foundation establishment, it won't be long before you start taking outer sect missions.
"Although you're quite talented, you must still be careful when fighting other cultivators.
"This Flying Shuttle is yours.
"If you encounter an opponent you can't defeat, remember to flee immediately."
Looking at the Flying Shuttle, Xu Changxing instantly understood his master's intentions.
Liu Chenyu most likely believed that, without any cloud patterns, his combat strength would fall short of disciples from other major sects. That was why he had given him a Flying Shuttle for protection.
At that thought, Xu Changxing could not help feeling touched.
His master truly treated him well.
For a moment, he even wanted to reveal that he had condensed nine cloud patterns.
In the end, however, Xu Changxing held back.
He did not know how to explain exactly how he had condensed nine cloud patterns.
Just a few days ago, he had been a cultivator at the ninth layer of qi refinement with a third-grade wood spiritual root.
Yet now, only days later, his spiritual root had risen to the first grade, and he had also condensed nine cloud patterns.
That was no longer something he could explain away as a fortunate encounter.
Although Liu Chenyu had not harmed him in the previous simulations, instead paying him twice as much attention, those had still only been simulations.
They were simulations, after all.
Along the way, he had already encountered developments that differed from the simulations several times.
A change at even the smallest juncture could very well alter the course of events.
Since he could play it safe, Xu Changxing ultimately chose to do just that.
He accepted the Flying Shuttle and thanked Liu Chenyu again.
Liu Chenyu seemed somewhat weary at heart and waved him away.
Having successfully cleared that hurdle, Xu Changxing did not wander around. He followed the young Dao Attendant straight to a side room and began consolidating his cultivation.
Early the next morning, someone knocked on his door again.
When he returned to Liu Chenyu's study, he discovered that another person was already there.
So this is my eldest senior brother, Li Changge?
Li Changge looked young, but his aura was remarkably sharp.
Although he was deliberately suppressing it, Xu Changxing could still faintly sense that his cultivation seemed no weaker than Liu Chenyu's.
Li Changge was also studying Xu Changxing.
His gaze swept over Xu Changxing several times before he said with mild surprise:
"Master just told me that you reached foundation establishment before you had time to condense any cloud patterns, junior brother.
"I thought you'd ruined your cultivation.
"But your aura is actually seamless and flawless. Your foundation is even more stable than mine was when I first broke through."
After speaking, Li Changge turned to Liu Chenyu. "Master, you've taken in a fine seedling this time."
His words startled both Xu Changxing and Liu Chenyu.
Liu Chenyu had not expected Li Changge to think so highly of his third disciple.
Xu Changxing, meanwhile, had not expected his eldest senior brother to have such a discerning eye. He seemed considerably more perceptive than their master, Liu Chenyu.
Could eldest senior brother's cultivation really be higher than Master's?
While he was briefly lost in thought, Liu Chenyu could not help asking:
"Do you truly think so, or are you just trying to cheer me up?"
Li Changge scratched his head. "Master, you know what I'm like. I've always said exactly what I think.
"I truly believe junior brother has a stable foundation and limitless prospects."
Hearing this, Liu Chenyu examined Xu Changxing again.
Yesterday, he had been somewhat disheartened upon discovering that Xu Changxing had reached foundation establishment, and had not examined his youngest disciple closely.
Now, after hearing Li Changge's assessment, he looked at Xu Changxing again. Sure enough, his youngest disciple's aura was seamless, without the slightest leakage, and his foundation was astonishingly stable.
Could this boy be a piece of uncut jade, naturally flawless?
Does that mean I've really stumbled upon a treasure?
After some thought, Liu Chenyu said, "Since your foundation is so stable, there's no need to rush into sect missions.
"Spend some time properly consolidating your cultivation.
"The Sect Grand Competition is in a few months. You should enter it as well.
"You don't need to achieve any particular result.
"Just show your face and let your fellow disciples from the other peaks get to know you."
Although Xu Changxing did not want to enter any Sect Grand Competition, he had no grounds to refuse.
He was just about to agree when Li Changge spoke again:
"What's the point of entering the Sect Grand Competition?
"If you ask me, he'd be better off coming to the Secret Realm with me to fight.
"Master, I'm just one wood attribute sword cultivator short of forming a five-element sword formation.
"Let junior brother come explore the Secret Realm with me.
"When he comes out in a few years, I guarantee I'll return a formidable sword cultivator to you!"
Liu Chenyu glared at him. "Stop trying to rope your junior brother in.
"He's only just reached foundation establishment. If you want his help, wait until he reaches core formation."
Li Changge rubbed his chin awkwardly.
"Heh, I'm just getting a little impatient.
"If we wait until junior brother reaches core formation before he starts learning sword arts, how long will that take?
"Besides, I think our youngest junior brother might prefer swordsmanship.
"Master, I think we could let junior brother choose for himself."
Before you continue