Caring

Three years later.

A golden light flashed, instantly killing a third-tier Dragonfish that was fleeing at top speed.

"The thirteenth one!"

Fang Yu put away the Dragonfish's Inner Core and corpse, then looked at the fourth-order restriction not far ahead.

Over the past three years, he has traveled all over Azure Lotus Lake and encountered thirteen third-tier Dragonfish, which can be said to be quite fruitful. He now has more than enough Cultivation Resources for the Early Golden Core.

Therefore, there is no need to go out of your way to find the remaining Dragonfish that have disappeared into the lake and dare not show themselves again. After all, we should leave some for the Ascension Immortal Sect so that they will not be discovered.

He would never do something like draining the pond to catch all the fish; a steady, long-term approach is the best way.

Moreover, he was more interested in the fourth-order restrictions here than in hunting third-order Dragonfish.

The fourth-order restriction in front of him isolated the void, making it impossible for him to bypass it from the Great Void. He could only search for the restriction's flaws in the mortal world and study its operating rules.

Over the past three years, during his investigation, he discovered that if he used his Divine Sense to investigate, it would definitely trigger a reaction from the great formation. However, if he only passively sensed the operation of the great formation with his Divine Thought, it would not trigger a reaction.

His most important purpose in joining the Ascension Immortal Sect was to obtain the inheritance of a fourth-order formation in order to improve his ' External Alchemy Technique ' and thus elevate the mysterious ' Molten Edge Flow ' to the Purple Mansion Divine Ability.

The restrictions of the entire Azure Lotus Secret Realm are derived from the core fifth-order Spirit Transformation Grand Formation, spreading outward layer by layer and gradually weakening, which facilitates the training of disciples of different realms in the secret realm, and also makes it easier for Fang Yu to comprehend the mystery of this array.

Now, he has almost fully comprehended the third-order formation. Next, he will further comprehend the fourth-order restriction. Once he has thoroughly understood this restriction, he should be able to go to the island, which should be an area that only Nascent Soul level cultivators can access.

That's all for today!

Fang Yu murmured, connected with the Yuanchen Pearl, activated the ' Void Penetration ' ability, his figure disappeared, and the next moment he reappeared in the courtyard.

His figure, appearance, and aura changed accordingly, and he transformed back into Jiang Yao's appearance.

His aura had risen to the ' Qi Refining Great Perfection ' level.

"It's time to Foundation Establishment!"

Fang Yu launched the flying boat and headed towards the outer gate's affairs hall, soon arriving at a large hall.

"Thank you for your help, senior brother. I need to retrieve the Foundation Establishment Pill!"

Fang Yu handed over his disciple token as he spoke.

The steward took the document, glanced at Fang Yu, and asked casually, "Junior Brother Jiang, are you preparing to Foundation Establishment?"

"Exactly!" Fang Yu nodded.

The steward didn't ask any more questions. After busying himself for a while, he handed over a Foundation Establishment Pill along with his disciple token.

"Thank you for your trouble, senior brother!"

After Fang Yu scanned the Foundation Establishment Pill with his Divine Sense and confirmed that it was genuine, he returned to his courtyard. He then sent a transmission talisman to several friends, including True Person Jade Liquid and Zhang Zhonghu, informing them of his plan to go into seclusion to break through to the Purple Mansion realm. He then activated the restrictions on his courtyard.

He then took out a Dragonfish Inner Core.

These third-tier Inner Core can be used to refine ' Golden Core Formation Pill ' pills for advancing to the Golden Core stage, or to refine pills that enhance cultivation. It's a good time to start refining them during the Foundation Establishment seclusion period.

"This Golden Core Formation Pill is a wonderful thing, especially for the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, particularly those at the Foundation Establishment Perfection. We can refine several batches for future use, which can be used to recruit and win over some promising inner disciple. The rest can be refined into different tier-three pills according to the proportions, which will also help us gain some pill-refining experience."

After pondering for a moment, he immediately started refining pills.

*****

One year later.

"Hahaha! I 'Foundation Establishment!"

A joyful sound came from Fang Yu's courtyard, and then Fang Yu's figure rushed out of the courtyard, hovering in mid-air, exuding the powerful pressure of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

The cultivators on Hundred Herbs Peak were all startled, and figures rose into the air to look in this direction. Immediately, Divine Sense transmissions reverberated nearby:

Congratulations, Brother Jiang Yao, on Foundation Establishment!

Congratulations to Brother Jiang Yao!

"Senior Brother Jiang..."

"..."

The door to the neighboring courtyard opened at that moment. Sun Qiao'er pushed it open and looked at the ' Jiang Yao ' radiating a powerful aura, her eyes filled with admiration.

"I never expected him to have reached the Foundation Establishment."

The next moment, she flew towards Fang Yu, and upon arriving, she bowed and said, "Congratulations on your Foundation Establishment, Junior Brother Jiang. I happen to have a jar of fine wine at my home. Would you do me the honor of coming in for a chat?"

"Hehe!" Fang Yu smiled at Sun Qiao'er, a thought flashing through his mind, and a faint golden light dissipated from his body. "I dare not drink Junior Sister Sun's wine!"

A look of bewilderment appeared in Sun Qiao'er's eyes as memories of the past flooded her mind. 'I... I... how could I have done such a shameless thing, engaging in illicit affairs with so many male cultivators...'

Suddenly, she looked up at Fang Yu, a sense of fear rising within her. 'Why think about that now? I used to be at odds with this man, and I even blocked his advancement to the Second-Tier Alchemist. He... he's now at the Foundation Establishment stage, he definitely... he definitely won't let me go!'

Thinking of this, Sun Qiao'er hurriedly bowed and said, "Senior Brother Jiang, please forgive me. I have done some wrong things in the past. Please forgive me. I am willing to do anything as long as you can forgive me!"

Seeing Sun Qiao'er's flustered appearance, Fang Yu generously said, "Junior Sister, what are you saying? You haven't offended me, why are you acting like this!"

"Ahhh!" Sun Qiao'er panicked even more upon hearing this, "I... I..."

Just then, a beam of light spread from the mountaintop, revealing Steward Jin. His gaze towards Fang Yu held a hint of envy.

"This old man congratulates Senior Brother Jiang on achieving Foundation Establishment; you now have a chance to attain immortality!"

"Hahaha!" Fang Yu looked at Steward Jin and laughed, "I owe my current status to Steward Jin over the years; otherwise, how could I have Foundation Establishment!"

Upon hearing this, Steward Jin's smile froze, and he said somewhat fearfully, "This old man is unworthy of such praise; I merely fulfilled my duty!"

Seeing this, Fang Yu smiled and said, "I still need to report to the inner sect, so I won't say any more to Junior Brother Jin!"

Steward Jin said urgently, "Reporting to the inner sect is a matter of great importance. Senior Brother Jiang, please go ahead with your business. We won't disturb you any longer!"

Fang Yu nodded, transformed into a streak of red light, and headed towards the inner sect area.

Steward Jin watched Fang Yu's departing figure, wiped the sweat from his brow, and felt a mix of Celestial Person.

'I never expected this kid to actually succeed in Foundation Establishment. I've taken quite a few of his bribes in the past, and now that he's achieved Foundation Establishment, am I supposed to give them back?'

No, no, there's no reason to give back a gift that's already been received. Besides, I didn't take his gifts for nothing; I did what I wasn't supposed to do for him, and I didn't answer what he wasn't supposed to answer. These are all things I deserve.

Besides, Jiang isn't the kind of person to repay kindness with enmity, so he probably wouldn't care about these things.

"Sigh, if I had known he could Foundation Establishment, I shouldn't have accepted so much of his tribute!"

After a moment of internal struggle, Steward Jin and to let things take their course.