[First Attainment]

Green Mountain Daoist Temple.

Carrying a sandalwood box that exuded a faint medicinal fragrance, True Person Qianxin stepped into the temple gate.

But in the next instant, he keenly sensed something unusual.

The entire green mountain was shrouded in a gloomy and somber atmosphere.

As a result, the flow of Spiritual Qi within the temple became somewhat sluggish.

True Person Qianxin paused, looking towards the old True Person sitting silently under the ancient tree in the courtyard.

He stepped forward, carrying the wooden box, his brow furrowed slightly. He carefully examined the old True Person's seemingly unchanged, gaunt figure and asked in a deep voice, "Are you injured?"

The old True Person didn't even lift his eyelids, his expression calm and undisturbed, seemingly out of place with the somber atmosphere around him. He simply uttered two words: "No."

"Not yet?" True Person Qianxin casually placed the wooden box in his hand on the stone table beside him, walked to the opposite side of the old True Person, and looked him up and down without any politeness, his tone filled with unquestionable certainty.

"Even the Dao intent within his body could not be contained, and its aura leaked out, permeating the mountains."

This is the first time in all these years that I've seen you in such a bad state.

The old True Person kept his eyes lowered, his voice calm and still. "You've mistaken me."

"Hehe," True Person Qianxin chuckled coldly, his words carrying a hint of mockery.

"It's true what they say, like father, like son."

You two, master and apprentice, are truly of the same ilk when it comes to being stubborn; the student has even surpassed the master.

His words were pointed, clearly referring to Qi Yun's equally stubborn and unyielding nature.

The old True Person finally raised his eyelids, his cloudy gaze sweeping over True Person Qianxin, his tone carrying a hint of correction. "Do not speak recklessly. There has never been a master-disciple relationship between us, so how can there be any talk of a lineage?"

"Alright, alright, why are you still spouting such official jargon in front of me?" True Person Qianxin waved his hand, sat down on the stone bench beside him, and stared intently at the old True Person.

"I know what you're thinking. You just don't want to involve that kid in the karma you're entangled in, especially the impending calamity of your own death, and mislead his Dao Path."

This thought might fool others, but it can't fool me.

His tone softened, tinged with a rare seriousness. "But you can at least tell me what exactly happened?"

Why did his condition suddenly drop so drastically?

But something went wrong during the practice?

A brief silence fell around the stone table, broken only by the soft rustling of the mountain wind through the leaves.

After a long silence, the True Person finally moved his eyes slightly and slowly said, "A few days ago, I had a falling out with that bastard from Black Mountain."

True Person Qianxin's pupils contracted slightly. "You lost?"

"No," the old True Person shook his head, "The True Lord intervened."

Upon hearing this, True Person Qianxin breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear the old True Person continue, his tone calm but dropping a bombshell. "However, that fellow—has already entered the Foundation Establishment Late Stage."

"Foundation Establishment Late Stage?!" For the first time, a clear look of surprise appeared on True Person Qianxin's face, and he unconsciously sat up straighter.

"He broke through so quickly? He was really good at hiding it!"

He pondered for a moment, a complex look flashing in his eyes, a mixture of admiration for his fellow disciples' progress and considerations at the sect level. "It seems that another name will be added to the list of those in our Holy Sect who are likely to seek gold."

He looked at the old True Person, his gaze becoming deep and thoughtful.

The breakthrough of the Black Mountain True Person to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage is of extraordinary significance.

"That Black Mountain is always petty and vindictive."

Qi Yun stole his legitimate son's fortuitous opportunity and ruined his long-planned transfer of fortune; naturally, he wouldn't let it go easily.

The old True Person nodded slightly, a strange light flashing in his cloudy eyes, and slowly revealed even more serious news. "Moreover, my senior brother personally informed me a few days ago."

Just two months ago, the [Primordial Heaven Ultimate Law Dao Foundation] had already been proven by the people of the Southern Dynasty.

"Huh?!" True Person Qianxin's fingers, which were tapping the table, suddenly stopped, his expression turned serious, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes. "Black Mountain's doing?"

How dare he reveal the sect's secret Dao Foundation to outsiders?!

"Although there's no conclusive evidence directly pointing to him," the old True Person said calmly, yet with a chilling insight into the ways of the world, "The coincidences of his character, motives, and timing suggest it's highly likely."

"What should we do, Senior Brother?" True Person Qianxin pressed.

"The eldest disciple was furious, but lacking sufficient evidence, he could only punish Black Mountain by confiscating all of his Sacred Yuan assets and seizing the three [Remnant Realm] under his control, citing inadequate supervision and suspicion of his disciples leaking secrets."

Upon hearing this, True Person Qianxin snorted coldly, "This punishment is nothing more than a superficial injury to him; it doesn't even damage his bones!"

With his Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivation and years of accumulated experience, he will soon be able to gather resources again.

The key issue is that the [First Attainment] of the [Primordial Heaven Ultimate Law Dao Foundation] was stolen, and that kid Qi Yun— "

He turned his gaze to the old True Person, his expression a mixture of inquiry and worry.

The old True Person's eyes were deep as he slowly spoke of the choice Qi Yun faced, "There are only two paths before Qi Yun."

Alternatively, continue proving this [Primordial Heaven Ultimate Law Dao Foundation].

However, the First Attainment has been lost, greatly diminishing the value of this Dao Foundation.

He paused, his tone unreadable. "Either—we'll have to abandon the [Primordial Heaven Ultimate Law] and find another Dao Foundation to Foundation Establishment."

"Change to another one?" True Person Qianxin frowned even more deeply.

"Are there still suitable Dao Foundation within the sect who haven't been [First Attainment]?"

"Of course, there are other options," the old True Person said calmly, as if stating a common fact.

"Isn't the higher-level Dao Foundation of [Primordial Heaven] also always vacant, with no one able to prove it?"

"What?!"

The old True Person's words were like a thunderclap from a clear sky!

True Person Qianxin abruptly stood up, his aura trembling slightly from the intense surge of his emotions. He stared intently at the old True Person sitting opposite him, his face filled with solemnity. "Do you want him to die?"

The atmosphere in the mountain valley was heavy and somber.

Locked firmly in the sight of this fierce, imposing, and unfathomably powerful Dharma Protector Vajra bronze figure, Qi Yun narrowed his eyes slightly.

His right hand, hidden within his sleeve, had already secretly begun forming the [Gather Form and Disperse Qi] Method Formula.

Lift your left heel slightly and shift your weight backward.

We are prepared to unleash full speed at any moment and then retreat far away.

He had personally witnessed how this bronze figure, with the force of thunder, had nearly killed Zhu Qing and Shi Xin, both at the Qi Refining Peak, with just two punches.

This level of strength far surpasses that of an ordinary Qi Refining Great Perfection.

Just as Qi Yun was holding back his thoughts, searching for that fleeting opportunity to escape.

But then, the fierce and stern expression on the Dharma Protector Vajra bronze figure, which had been glaring Sha Qi, gradually softened as if ice and snow were melting.

Ultimately, it transformed into a peaceful, even somewhat respectful, appearance.

Its metal-forged palms slowly came together, placed in front of its chest, and bowed deeply to Qi Yun.

A deep, resonant voice, with a metallic sheen, rang out again, but this time its tone was completely different, filled with reverence. "Greetings, Arhat."

What?

I?

Arhat?

This sudden reversal left Qi Yun slightly taken aback.

My mind was a little slow to process what was happening.

But he was quick-witted and instantly understood the key point.

The Mingxin!

Yes!

It must be the residual aura of merit and Buddhist light within me, originating from the Mingxin of the Arhat's will of the young monk Mingxin, and the physical foundation that was cleansed by it.

This Dharma Protector Vajra, operating on Buddhist principles and lingering resentment, mistakenly identified me as an Arhat!

"Mingxin, Mingxin, you've done me a huge favor!" Qi Yun laughed inwardly.

An uncontrollable smile curved his lips.

He calmly straightened his sleeves and looked at the Dharma Protector Vajra in front of him, who had a respectful, even somewhat devout, expression.

Since there's such a "misunderstanding," wouldn't it be a waste not to make good use of this windfall?

He held up a finger and casually pointed at Zhu Qing and Shi Xin, who were lying on the ground in the distance, barely breathing. "Bring them here."

Upon hearing this, the Dharma Protector Vajra did not hesitate at all. He separated his clasped hands and nodded slightly. "I will obey your command."

In the next instant, its figure blurred like a ghost, leaving only a faint golden afterimage in place.

Almost simultaneously, it appeared beside Zhu Qing and Shi Xin, easily grabbing the two heavily injured Qi Refining Peak as if they were chicks.

With another flash, he was back in front of Qi Yun.

He gently laid the two people down, who were like slumped mud, with swift and fluid movements, as if he had done something insignificant.

Zhu Qing and Shi Xin, looking bewildered, in excruciating pain, and somewhat delirious, barely managed to lift their heads and look at Qi Yun, who was smiling and Spirit Stabilization, in front of them.

He glanced again at the imposing, terrifying Dharma Protector Vajra behind him, his eyes filled with utter shock and disbelief.

"You—you can actually command this Dharma Protector Vajra?!"

Zhu Qing endured the excruciating pain on his face, his voice hoarse, filled with astonishment and disbelief.

How could a disciple of the Demonic Sect possibly command the guardians within the Buddhist ruins?

Shi Xin's eyes flickered. Enduring the sharp pain in his chest and the burning fist marks on his back, he revealed a hint of suspicion and managed to ask with difficulty, "You—you're a spy for Shi Xiu?!"

Upon hearing Shi Xin's guess, Qi Yun rolled his eyes at him, laughing and scolding, "You're the one who's a Shi Xiu spy, your whole family are Shi Xiu spies!"

"Let's chat later." Qi Yun squatted down, looking at the two people slumped on the ground at eye level, his tone relaxed.

"Qi is new to this place and is not very familiar with it."

Seeing that you two senior brothers are quite familiar with this place, I wonder if you would deign to have a proper chat with me about [Karma-Burning Valley]?

"What are the specific details?"

The Dharma Protector Vajra standing beside Qi Yun seemed to understand him perfectly, his eyes, now cold and majestic, watching the two of them indifferently.

The terrifying sense of oppression was like a real mountain, making it almost impossible for them to breathe.

"Hehe----hehe, we're all fellow disciples, it's only right----" Zhu Qing and Shi Xin glanced at the Dharma Protector Vajra's fist, which was the size of a sandbag, swallowed hard, and immediately chuckled awkwardly.