Secluded Cultivation!
"Purple Firmament, could you preach to me one more time?"
Looking at the vast expanse, Shi Jian sighed that he had finally carved out his own niche, which was also the reason he made that choice back then.
But looking back now, he was ultimately too weak.
Unable to truly reverse the tide of fate, or even control his own destiny, he wanted to become stronger until no one could stop him!
"Hey, it's rare to see you, you silly bear, take the initiative to speak."
Purple Firmament's voice carried a hint of languor, and looking at Shi Jian's resolute expression, she couldn't help but feel a touch of wistfulness:
"Alright, I'm in a good mood today, so I'll tell you about the True Intention of the Great Dao's origin in the Purple Firmament Golden Lightning..."
It is said in ancient times that thunder has nine transformations.
"Listen carefully..."
Purple Firmament's tone became solemn, and she spoke fluently, revealing profound truths. Shi Jian's thoughts stirred slightly, and he felt a connection with her...
He then returned to his cave abode and listened attentively to the profound truths.
The Nine-Pattern Lightning Core within his body began to rotate, absorbing and releasing the energy of heaven and earth. A profound insight flowed into his Dantian like a gentle stream.
Thunderclouds suddenly gathered atop Purple Firmament Peak.
The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi within a radius of a hundred miles surged wildly towards Purple Firmament Peak, forming a visible vortex of Spiritual Qi.
Purple-gold lightning churned and roared in the clouds, its power immense.
The entire Northern Mountain Range trembled slightly at that moment.
Shi Jian went into seclusion again, focusing intently on the Dao.
Southern Mountain Range, Sun Clan Formation Hall.
Lu Xun squatted in front of a miniature array plate, his spirit brush hovering in mid-air, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead as he concentrated intently...
"That stroke was off."
Sun Lin stood behind him, his tone calm. "At the junction of the array patterns, the flow of spiritual energy must follow the natural order; you went against it by half."
Lu Xun his teeth, put away the spirit brush, took a deep breath, and started writing again.
He is now at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, just one step away from Foundation Establishment. However, Sun Lin once said that if one's foundation in array formation is not solid, Foundation Establishment in the future will be nothing but a castle in the air.
"Master, there is something I don't understand."
Lu Xun down his pen and looked up out the window.
In the distance, from the direction of Purple Firmament Peak, purple-gold lightning shot into the sky, dyeing half of the sky purple-gold. Although the pressure was dozens of miles away, it still made his mind tremble.
"Ancestor... is he in seclusion?"
Sun Lin put down his teacup, gazed into the distance, and remained silent for a long time.
"Yes."
Is the Ancestor about to break through?
Lu Xun felt a sense of longing. He was born with a unique Lightning Spirit Root, and when faced with such overwhelming heavenly power, he felt a sense of awe.
Sun Lin shook his head, his eyes filled with a complex light.
You don't understand.
His voice was very soft. "Our ancestor's talent is extraordinary, far surpassing that of ordinary beasts; it has already exceeded my comprehension."
"When I first met the Ancestor, he was just a Foundation Establishment Bear Demon."
"Back then, I knew this black bear was no ordinary creature."
"Now it seems, it was far more than simple."
Sun Lin turned around, looked at his disciple, and said solemnly, "Lu Xun, you must remember, being able to follow the Ancestor in this life is the greatest fortune for us, master and disciple."
"I'm afraid I have no hope of Core Formation in this lifetime."
"But you are different. You possess an innate Lightning Spirit Root, and our ancestor manages the Blessed Land land of the Thunder Pool. If you were to obtain a wisp of Heaven and Earth Qi in the future, and also receive the ancestor's cultivation technique..."
"Your chances of achieving the Golden Core are at least 50%!"
"If one day I am gone, you must serve the Ancestor well in my stead, and see the world for me..."
Lu Xun nodded emphatically.
Although he was young, he understood many principles and knew that following the ancestor was the fortuitous opportunity to his future!
Perhaps, this is the greatest fortuitous opportunity of my life!
White Cloud Temple, the main peak council hall.
After finishing the allocation of spirit taxes in the three counties, Sun Mao rubbed his aching temples and walked out of the palace.
Looking up, I saw a streak of purple-gold lightning shooting into the sky in the distance.
He paused in his steps.
Standing under the corridor, hands behind his back, gazing into the distance in the direction of Purple Firmament Peak, his expression was complex and somewhat helpless, while his mind was filled with memories of the past.
Sun Mao straightened his robes and bowed deeply towards the direction of Purple Firmament Peak.
"May the Ancestor's breakthrough be smooth and his martial arts prosper!"
When he straightened up, the complexity in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a sense of calm. Fate is something you just have to accept.
Perhaps, this isn't so bad.
Everything he did was for the continuation of the Lineage. He could proudly say that he had lived up to the trust placed in him by Chief Bo'an...
The southeastern peak of the Cloud Sword Mountain Range.
Sun Yao sat cross-legged in the quiet room, her body surrounded by a constant flow of Spiritual Qi.
The aura of Foundation Establishment Late Stage is stable and abundant.
She opened her eyes and felt the Dao of Lightning force of the thunder emanating from the Northern Mountain Range. A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Our ancestor is about to break through."
She stood up and walked to the window.
The distant purple-gold lightning reflected in her pupils; it was the most magnificent sight she had ever seen, both then and now.
Sun Yao clenched her fists.
She was the person in the Sun Clan clan who was closest to achieving the Golden Core.
Although there was no longer Cloud Dao Heaven and Earth Qi in the sect to help her break through to the Golden Core, she remained calm and fearless.
Even without the help of the Heaven and Earth Qi in the future, she will still choose to break through.
Even if the chances of success were extremely slim, she wanted to try and see the scenery that her ancestors had once seen.
"If our ancestor could progress from the Foundation Establishment to where he is today, I, Sun Yao, will not stop here."
She turned and returned to the meditation cushion, closing her eyes to meditate.
Southern Mountain Range, outside the Return to Origin Sword Tomb.
Beside a clear, blue lake.
Sun Chengzu stands holding a sword.
He is only twenty-five years old this year, but he is already a sword cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.
The lake's surface was like a mirror, reflecting his slender figure.
The long sword in his hand was not drawn, but the sword intent had already merged with heaven and earth. Within a radius of three zhang, Fallen Leaf did not touch him, and water ripples did not approach the shore.
Sword Heart Tongming.
A flash of lightning appeared in the distance, and ripples spread across the lake.
Sun Chengzu opened his eyes and looked towards Purple Firmament Peak.
He didn't speak, but simply held his long sword upright in front of him and bowed deeply with the most solemn etiquette of a sword cultivator.
One bow, to send the ancestor off into seclusion.
Second bow, to thank the Ancestor for bestowing blessings.
Three bows--
May our ancestor achieve his breakthrough and become awe-inspiring throughout the land.
The lake surface returned to calm.
Sun Chengzu sheathed his sword and turned to walk towards the entrance of the Return to Origin Sword Tomb.
The ancestor paved the way, and they, the younger generation, have no right to stop. On the path of cultivation, one either advances or regresses...
Even if it means death, I want to die on the path of following the Great Way!