Nameless Sea Region.
Undersea Cave Abode.
A year had passed since Zhao Yi added Fortune to Wang Qing. During that year, Wang Qing had opened another four apertures, but the fifth had now remained unmoved for several months.
"Alas, it seems my potential truly has been exhausted. A superior-grade Dao foundation is as difficult as ascending to heaven. Months of bitter effort haven't opened this aperture. It's time to condense my Dao foundation, but I truly can't resign myself to it!"
Inside the cave abode, Wang Qing slowly opened his eyes, a few sparks of lightning flashing through them. The cultivation technique he practiced was Yi Wood Azure Thunder Guidance, which he had obtained from those ruins. It wielded the Dao of lightning through the Dao of wood and was profoundly obscure, yet through sheer tenacity, Wang Qing had forced open a path.
Yi Wood Azure Thunder Guidance recorded seven methods of condensing a Dao foundation: three inferior-grade, three middle-grade, and one superior-grade. Wang Qing had originally set his sights on a superior-grade Dao foundation, but now it seemed beyond his reach!
Rumble!
The stone door opened, and Wang Qing walked out of the cave abode. Guiwu, who had been sitting in meditation in the chamber, rose at the sight and asked with concern, "Master, how many apertures did you open during this seclusion? Can you condense a superior-grade Dao foundation?"
Wang Qing shook his head and said with a bitter smile, "Guiwu, how many times have I told you? Don't call me Master anymore. We're brothers!"
Guiwu grinned, his appearance somewhat frightening, and stubbornly shook his head.
"I only opened four apertures this time. I've been stuck on the fifth for months without making an inch of progress. Come, have a drink with me!"
With that, Wang Qing walked