Journey to Southern Dipper Mountain

Time flew like a white colt flashing past a crack; three years had slipped by in the blink of an eye. Quite a few new disciples had arrived in the sect, their eyes brimming with passion and dreams of the future.

Countless rising stars had also emerged in the Sect Competition. One dark horse after another had risen to fame, looking down upon the rest.

Yet one disciple had become the nightmare of countless others. He wore a straw hat and led a Black Ox spirit beast by the hand—he could be called the scourge of major sect competitions!

If one encountered this man and could not finish him with a single blow, then they had best prepare to fight for an entire shichen. Many disciples who watched the matches had nightmares after nightfall, their blankets filled with straw hats!

Those who fought him suffered even more bitterly. There had even been Qi Condensation Ninth Layer Senior Brothers who surrendered outright, which showed just how brutal he was.

But because his duels dragged on for too long, draining both body and mind, he fell short of the top five hundred in the rankings every year, leaving people crying out in regret.

Still, these were merely amusing tales among low-level disciples. The top hundred of the sect's annual rankings were the true hottest topic, stirring the hearts of countless disciples to strive forward.

This was also the Five Elements Sect's true purpose: using Inner Sect Disciples to spur on these dark horses. As for the reward for truly claiming first place, no one knew—but Outer Sect Disciples could not obtain it regardless.

Only the constant infusion of fresh blood could ensure the sect endured for ages. Every year's Sect Competition allowed many disciples to break through amid their duels.

Jade Bamboo Mountain Range, in the low skies.

One man and one ox flew furtively and timidly toward the Sect Main Hall, neither too fast nor too slow.

"Old Ox, a full three thousand contribution points!" Chen Xun licked his lips and said in a low voice.

"Moo!"

Big Black Ox's entire body stiffened, trembling slightly with excitement. Who knew how many good things that could be exchanged for?

Yet its expression was also somewhat dim. Most of those contribution points had been earned with Chen Xun's body full of wounds.

"What are you thinking about? Old Ox, let's exchange them for a Foundation Establishment Pill formula!"

"Moo~"

Their immortal swords whistled through the low air. They did not dare fly too high—if they collided with some elder great cultivator, they would be unable to bear the consequences. Chen Xun had even calculated the safe flying altitude.

Inside the Contribution Hall, there was a raised platform that was almost deserted. This position had been prepared for Foundation Establishment Realm elders, and the Foundation Establishment Pill formula was there as well.

"Reporting to Martial Uncle, this disciple has come to exchange for the Foundation Establishment Pill formula."

Chen Xun lowered his head in a cupped fist salute and handed his Trigram Token to the lean man atop the platform. His face looked like that of a zombie, with bones protruding beneath the skin.

His expression was icy as he stared darkly at Chen Xun. A Qi Condensation Eighth Layer disciple—he truly did have three thousand contribution points.

"The formula is prepared for Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. What use do you have for it? The sect does not even offer Foundation Establishment Spiritual Herbs for exchange."

The lean man questioned him, his eyes seeming to pierce the heart. "Those in the Qi Condensation Stage cannot refine it either. You had best give me a reason."

This Foundation Establishment Pill formula was simply displayed by the sect at will, to give those Qi Condensation Stage disciples something to yearn for. Even the cleverest housewife could not cook without rice.

"To give myself comfort. This disciple intends to go on the Southern Dipper Mountain journey."

"Then you have even less reason to use contribution points on such a useless thing."

"Martial Uncle may not know this, but I was once a wandering cultivator. This item is this disciple's obsession. Seeing it is like seeing Foundation Establishment right before my eyes..."

Chen Xun's voice trembled as his head lowered further and further in his cupped fist salute. That damaged straw hat seemed to speak of the injustice of fate.

"Very well."

The lean man nodded, then added, "Think carefully. The Southern Dipper Mountain journey half a year from now will not be easy."

Surprise flashed in Chen Xun's eyes. He had not expected this zombie-like Martial Uncle to be cold-faced but warm-hearted. He said solemnly, "This disciple will never regret it."

The lean man gave Chen Xun a deep look, took out a pill formula, and emptied all the contribution points within the Trigram Token.

"Thank you, Martial Uncle." Chen Xun accepted the token with both hands, then turned and left while leading Big Black Ox away.

They traveled by sword and swiftly returned to Medicine Valley. Big Black Ox had even set mechanisms in many places; if thieves intruded, every detail would change.

"Moo~" Big Black Ox called to Chen Xun. No one had come.

"Let's go!" Joy filled Chen Xun's eyes as he rushed into the cave abode and hurriedly took out the Foundation Establishment Pill formula.

"Sky Rainbow Fruit, Moon Decree Fruit, Scepter Flower, Ice Mandarin Duck Grass, Cold Spirit Grass..."

Chen Xun muttered the names silently, his eyes widening further and further. He had never heard of them, never seen them; he had only heard of a few of the spiritual herbs.

The Foundation Establishment Pill required twenty-seven auxiliary herbs and three main herbs: Earth Soul Vine, Yang Ginseng Lotus, and Phoebe Leaf.

"Moo?" Big Black Ox stretched out its head to inspect it closely as well, but Medicine Valley did not have a single one of the spiritual herbs listed within.

"Foundation Establishment Realm, Dantian Liquefaction, the birth of divine sense, and endless wonders."

Chen Xun sighed, unable to stop envy from rising in his heart. He too wanted to experience what divine sense was like. He had heard it was even more powerful than the sensations of the five senses.

"Moo?"

"If it truly takes a hundred years to establish our foundation, the Five Elements Sect will have no place for us either."

Chen Xun spoke word by word. He turned towards Big Black Ox, his eyes narrowing. "Half a year from now, we're going to the Southern Dipper Mountain Secret Realm!"

"Moo!" Big Black Ox surged to its feet, fighting spirit blazing in its eyes. Cultivation sects from across the entire Qian Kingdom would be sending disciples there. That was the true battlefield.

"Go out and gather information every day. We need to start preparing too."

Chen Xun said this because they knew nothing about Southern Dipper Mountain. They did not even know where it was.

One man and one ox slowly turned towards the outside of the cave abode, a trace of killing intent rippling through their eyes. It seemed that this time, they truly had to get serious.

Half a year later, bell sounds echoed ceaselessly throughout the Five Elements Sect. Several figures from every peak traveled by sword, their expressions cold and stern as they headed toward Sect Master Peak with an unstoppable momentum.

The Southern Dipper Mountain Secret Realm, which opened in the Qian Kingdom once every twenty years, was finally about to begin. The elders and disciples of every peak were filled with anticipation.

If they reaped a rich harvest, it would absolutely allow the sect to rise to another level. Many small sects had risen to prominence because of the Southern Dipper Mountain journey.

An enormous number of people had applied to participate this year—several thousand in all—but priority could only be determined by the Sect Competition rankings. Generally, those ranked within the top two thousand had hope.

Many older disciples looked dejected. They had no hope left.

They packed their belongings and slowly walked down the mountain. Outside the mountain gate were many market districts built by the Five Elements Sect, places where many cultivators gathered to exchange goods.

The Outer Sect Elder Hall would assign them positions. They would wait as time flowed away, eventually becoming a handful of yellow earth, perhaps without even their names ever being known.

Yet among the Inner Sect Disciples, an unwritten rule circulated: none were permitted to join the Southern Dipper Mountain journey. They would have Foundation Establishment Pills of their own.

Within a Medicine Valley somewhere in the Five Elements Sect, inside a cave abode.

The surroundings were lined with cracked stone walls. A pit of earth had been piled up on the ground, with a pitch-black cauldron set over it. White mist constantly rose from it, carrying a dense medicinal scent.

Some charcoal still remained in the earthen pit, crackling and popping without end, but the cave abode was already empty.

The sky was clear and blue today, untouched by wisps of cloud. Distant mountains held the hue of dark jade, while a gentle breeze carried warmth.

Chen Xun and Big Black Ox left Medicine Valley expressionlessly and began traveling by sword, their destination also Sect Master Peak.