Shi Yubai nodded, looked at Chen Shuangbai, and said, "To be honest, the Zhang came here to request reinforcements so that their master can establish a sect to hold off the enemy."
Master?
Establishment?
Chen Shuangbai suddenly became interested and asked, "If I remember correctly, Ning Country already has three sects, including immortal, demonic, and unorthodox sects. That place is not very big to begin with, and now they want to establish a sect... Could it be that the Golden Core come from elsewhere?"
Ning Country's territory is not large, and accommodating three factions is already at its limit. Over the years, the three factions have had many disagreements and have been frequently causing trouble. If another faction were to join now... wouldn't it be like taking food from the mouths of the three factions?
Shi Yubai was quite satisfied with Chen Shuangbai's keen insight, saying, "It is indeed very dangerous, which is why even though his master is a Golden Core cultivator, he wouldn't dare to directly attack the heartland of the three sects. Perhaps... he has his eye on a large island at the mouth of the sea..."
That makes sense.
Ning Country is adjacent to the Spirit Gauze Sea, which has many immortal mountains and spiritual islands. Most of them are occupied by Devil Cultivator cultivators, but there are also many unorthodox Rogue Cultivator live there. Among them are some large islands where one can establish a sect or clan.
However, the relationship between the Three Sects of Ning Country is tense, so if no one comes to their aid, they might really be unable to hold out.
Chen Shuangbai rolled her eyes slightly and asked, "By then, there will most likely be a fierce battle. Qi Refining are not up to par. Did that Zhang Shangxiu come here to ask his senior uncle for help?"
Shi Yubai nodded slightly and said, "The Golden Core cultivator behind him also has some background. He is a Rogue Cultivator from the Wu Country who, through some fortuitous opportunity, obtained the mantle and legacy of an ancient cave abode. After wandering the world for over a hundred years, he finally broke through the bottleneck and achieved the Golden Core stage."
"Having achieved the Golden Core stage, and feeling the hardships faced by Rogue Cultivator, he wished to establish a sect. After much deliberation, he finally set his sights on a large island not far from the mouth of the Ning Country. However, the Three Sects of Ning Country are determined to oppose this and will certainly cause trouble. Therefore, he has now dispatched his disciples to seek help from all directions, hoping that we can lend a hand and turn the tide."
This is the difference between Rogue Cultivator and those from major sects.
Even if one has the fortuitous opportunity to achieve the Golden Core, there is no place on this vast continent that is not a place of leisure.
Chen Shuangbai thought to herself, if that's really the case, there's bound to be some trouble.
"This matter has nothing to do with you... He wants to establish his own sect, and it will probably take him some time to work things out. If you've reached the Foundation Establishment by then, I'll take you on a trip to broaden your horizons."
"If it doesn't work out, then so be it..."
It's really not a big deal.
If the other party comes to the Jade Spring Sect for help, it's highly likely that the sect's three Golden Core cultivators will allow it, and they must have paid a considerable price.
Chen Shuangbai then inquired about the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had been suppressed by the [Lishan Huaijiang Map], but Shi Yubai did not answer directly, only saying, "The sect has its own regulations for this matter; you will know when the time comes."
Chen Shuangbai nodded and did not ask any further questions.
After Shi Yubai left, Yi Chongyue began to test Chen Shuangbai's recent progress in alchemy and cultivation. He also inquired about his progress in studying Dao of Incense. He picked up a Five-Incense Pill, placed it in the incense burner beside him, and lit it.
The aroma is so enticing that it quickly brings a sense of tranquility and joy...
However, Yi Chongyue sensed a moonlight power within it, gave his disciple a deep look, and said, "Indeed very good, you can continue to study it."
Chen Shuangbai responded with an "okay".
He added, "We've already found the spiritual materials you need to exchange for your [ Profound Yin Crystal Marrow ]. Based on your primary water and secondary wood Spirit Root attributes and aptitude, I've gathered three types of the remaining materials for you."
Having said that, the Foundation Establishment Pill alchemist waved his sleeve, and three spiritual materials appeared in mid-air, emitting various colored rays of light, but without exception, they were all of the water and wood elements.
Chen Shuangbai looked closely and saw a stream of emerald water, a piece of green vine, and a piece of green Cold Jade, each emitting unique Spiritual Qi fluctuations.
"[ Hundred-Year Cold Jade Heart ], [ Tide-Born Vine ], and [ Silt-Clearing Spirit Water ]."
Yi Chongyue said, "[ Hundred-Year Cold Jade Heart ] and [ Silt-Clearing Spirit Water ] are second-tier spiritual materials, which are among my treasures from over the years. The [ Tide-Born Vine ] was obtained from your martial uncle."
"I'll find two more items to assemble a Higher Vehicle ritual set for you, to help you Foundation Establishment."
A warm feeling welled up in Chen Shuangbai's heart, and she couldn't help but bow deeply, praising him:
"I trouble you, Master, to go to such lengths for me."
"This disciple... is deeply grateful!"
Yi Chongyue simply said calmly, "Now that you have joined my sect, it is only natural that I protect you Foundation Establishment."
Foundation Establishment is a difficult hurdle.
Throughout the ages, countless heroes and great men have fallen at this pass.
Later generations, moved by the hardships of their predecessors' cultivation, continued to study and eventually developed various Secret Method to assist cultivators in Foundation Establishment.
Foundation Establishment Pill is one of the most famous types.
In addition, there are Secret Method such as rituals and sacrifices, but their success rate is not as high as that of the Foundation Establishment Pill. It all depends on whether an individual can resonate with it at the crucial moment and use the power of external objects to reach a higher level.
The Jade Spring Sect has a stable lineage and many members have reached the Foundation Establishment. Apart from the Foundation Establishment Pill, the greatest contributor to this success is... this ritual.
"But rituals are just rituals. If you want to forge a foundation for immortality and become a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the eyes of others, apart from these rituals, the most important difficulty in Foundation Establishment lies within yourself."
"Accumulating Law Power, tempering one's character, and strengthening one's resolve on the path—all three are indispensable."
Chen Shuangbai nodded, indicating that she understood.
Seeing that he was listening attentively to his instructions, Yi Chongyue's face regained its satisfaction. He then brought up another matter, saying, "Speaking of which, there are good and bad Foundation Establishment."
" Foundation Establishment is divided into three levels: superior, middle, and inferior."
"Only those who Higher Vehicle Foundation Establishment are qualified to seek the Golden Core. The three True Person of our sect who achieved Foundation Establishment in the past were all at the Higher Vehicle Foundation Establishment, and they were accompanied by extraordinary phenomena."
"I don't dare to hope for anything extraordinary. I'm barely at the Middle Vehicle Foundation Establishment... With your current aptitude, you're at least at the Middle Vehicle, and you might even be qualified to attempt the Golden Core stage."
This was the first time Chen Shuangbai had heard of the secrets of Foundation Establishment, so he asked, "Master, what are the lower, middle, and upper levels?"
Seeing his disciple's eagerness to learn, Yi Chongyue explained in detail, "Actually, it's quite easy to understand."
"Those Lower Vehicle Foundation Establishment are mostly those who haven't accumulated enough Law Power power, have flawed character, or rely too much on external forces, resulting in a weak foundation."
"Although I was fortunate enough to break through the barrier, it was like a platform made of sand and dust. My future cultivation progress will be slow, and I will encounter many bottlenecks. The path to the Golden Core is almost hopeless."
"There are actually quite a few Foundation Establishment like this in sects. Most of them come from wealthy Lineage, and they are already fortunate to have achieved even a Foundation Establishment."
The Jade Spring Sect guards three prefectures and has numerous cultivation Lineage under its command, all of whom send their geniuses to Jade Spring to study under its masters.
Even if I were to serve Jade Spring as my master in the future, it would be like wasting my talent at home.