Foundation Establishment

On the 22nd day of the eighth month of the 429th year of the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty, the day of the Divine Jade Hall, all things were auspicious and all wishes were fulfilled.

Having been away from the sect for some time, Jin Shilun rode a Desolate Ox back from Double Brightness Trade Market after taking leave. He greeted Zhang Le, who was on duty at the archway, with a smile, and after entering the formation, he hurried towards Kang Dabao's courtyard, the sect leader's Swift Movement.

Jin Shilun was twenty-two years old that year. His aptitude for having Four Spirit Roots was not particularly good. Therefore, even though Chongming Sect treated his trusted disciples as well as generously, Jin Shilun's cultivation was still only at the Qi Refinement Fourth Layer.

Compared to his unremarkable talent in cultivation, Jin Shilun's talent in cooking is truly exceptional.

The fourth disciple of the current Sect Leader Kang Da, has become a qualified chef, which is unprecedented in the history of the Chongming Sect.

Jin Shilun hurried to the sect leader's courtyard, intending to pay his respects to his master, but heard Little Wu Meng, who was serving in the outer courtyard, say in a clear voice, "Brother Jin Household, the sect leader left three days ago and hasn't returned yet."

"Ah?" Jin Shilun was somewhat disappointed. He had encountered some difficulties in his cultivation and was just about to ask his elders for guidance.

"Brother Wu, do you know which other elders in the sect are still alive?" Jin Shilun asked.

"Yuan Er has been in seclusion practicing his weapon for over a month; Master Jiang Third hasn't shown his face for half a year."

On Zhou Si, Master Zhou connected the two spiritual sites, Zither Leaf Forest and Heng Mountain, and then took the geomancer to Chongming City, intending to guide a spiritual spring to the city's guardian immortal master, so that he could cultivate without relying on spirit- Spirit Gathering Formation and Spirit Stone;

Master Chu has been visiting friends in Ji County for a month or two and hasn't returned yet; of all the masters in the family, only Master Ye and Master Pei, who only came out of seclusion earlier this month, seem to have some free time."Little Wu Meng counted on his calloused fingers.

"That's true. Come to think of it, it's time for Martial Uncle Pei to give lectures in the scripture hall these past ten days. I'll go ask them now. Thank you, Brother Wu. This bunch of round-leaf grapes was purchased by Senior Sister Zhou from a Western monk in the market."

Besides my fellow disciples, my senior sister, knowing that Brother Wu was about to complete his Marrow Refining, asked me to bring him a portion as well. Although this round-leaf grape hasn't reached the next level, it's still somewhat beneficial for low-level Qi Refinement cultivators.

Therefore, my brother, you should not take too much. It is best to take one pill every three days, and swallow it raw with the skin on. I think you will soon be able to Marrow Refinement Great Accomplishment.

Jin Shilun handed a jade box containing round-leafed grapes to Wu Meng, and without waiting for his thanks, he slipped into the scripture room. At this time, the scripture lessons had not yet begun, and Song Cheng and Liu Ya were teaching Zhu Yunsheng, a novice cultivator, the Daoist scriptures.

Of the disciples who entered the sect around the same time as Jin Shilun, only Mo'er still needs to come to the scripture hall every day.

Although this girl has become increasingly beautiful, her cultivation level is still stuck at the hurdle of breaking through from the Qi Refining Second Layer of Third Layer of Qi Refinement Refining. It's unknown how old she will be before she can break through to the Qi Refinement Fourth Layer. She will temporarily leave the Scripture Hall.

Not long after Jin Shilun entered, he exchanged a few pleasantries with the four people when he heard a familiar voice from the doorway. "Junior Brother Jin."

Kang Rongquan stood at the doorway, laughing as he walked towards Jin Shilun: "Junior Brother, when did you return to the sect? Why didn't you say a word? We'll have a feast tonight."

"I just got back and rushed over to see my senior brother." Jin Shilun smiled. He and Kang Rongquan had always been close, so he was naturally happy to see each other.

"Ha," Kang Rongquan was almost fourteen years old, and his childishness had lessened considerably. "I'll talk to my junior brother after class."

After the upheaval within the sect, he had gained a more composed demeanor. Therefore, although he was happy at the moment, he still suppressed his smile in front of his fellow disciples in the scripture hall.

As the bell rang for the scripture reading, Kang Rongquan straightened his round face, held the Daoist scriptures in one hand and a ruler in the other, and began to walk around the hall.

Seeing this, Jin Shilun realized that he hadn't attended a scripture class in a long time. It felt like he was revisiting an old haunt, as if his feet were standing at the intersection of the past and the present. Overwhelmed with emotion, he sat down next to Mo'er and began to read the Daoist scriptures along with her.

Zhu Yunsheng, this newly promoted junior brother, was out of luck. Now, Chongming Sect is usually kind or not, he always has a certain air about him when he is on duty for the scripture lessons.

They were all meticulous and impartial, making the little ones dare not relax even for a moment.

After the class, Mo'er, Jin Shilun, and Kang Rongquan gathered under the big locust tree. She had known the two of them since childhood. Not only had she studied cooking with Jin Shilun, but she had also taken care of Kang Rongquan when he was a child, so their friendship was naturally deep.

Unfortunately, the season wasn't right, so it wasn't a good time to brew tea and admire the flowers under the trees. Kang Rongquan hadn't learned Zhou Yixiu's skill in ripening Spirit Plant, so the three of them simply shared the round-leafed rose apples that Jin Shilun had brought as snacks.

"Oh, Junior Brother, you've come to seek guidance from my master?" Kang Rongquan frowned. "But all the elders went out early this morning, even Uncle Yuan, who was in seclusion practicing weapon crafting, went out."

"Second Martial Uncle has come out of seclusion?" Jin Shilun was slightly surprised, but then he heard Mo'er say, "I met Senior Brother Ye this morning, and he said the same thing."

"The elders are all gone, what serious thing has happened?" Jin Shilun murmured, but Kang Rongquan waved his hand, telling him not to worry.

"Since the elders are not here, I, your senior brother, will go and gather the other fellow disciples. We will hold a Daoist gathering tonight, and everyone can contribute their ideas. I think that will be able to offer some insights to you, junior brother," Kang Rongquan added.

As Jin Shilun expressed his gratitude, he couldn't help but feel emotional.

Even he didn't know when Senior Brother Kang, who had hated Daoist gatherings since childhood, had become the person in the Chongming Sect who loved organizing Daoist gatherings the most.

"But what exactly did the elders go about?"

--Zither Leaf Forest, Jade Toad cave abode

Jiang Qing stood beside the Daoist Black Shoes, and his fellow disciples, including Kang Dabao, bowed to him one by one. The disciples returned the bows one by one, and finally they all bowed to the Daoist Black Shoes together.

This time, the Daoist Black Shoes not only had to help Jiang Qing Foundation Establishment and protect him, but he also preached and lectured to the people in front of him for another day.

For these cultivators who were also preparing to Foundation Establishment, it was truly like a sudden enlightenment, a moment of clarity after the clouds had parted. They accepted the bow to the Daoist Black Shoes with composure, without any hint of embarrassment or pretense.

The Daoist Black Shoes glanced at the faces of the crowd below before speaking, "In my opinion, Jiang Qing's Foundation Establishment is nothing more than a natural process, and there is no need for such a grand display."

But fearing that some people might be uneasy, he resorted to this superfluous and superfluous action." At this point, the Daoist Black Shoes glared at Sect Leader Kang Da before continuing:

"Let's talk for a bit longer. We'll see each other again in a month or two, but some people are so indecisive and wishy-washy."

Pei Yi, Ye Zhengwen, and Jiang Qing went up and exchanged a few words. Yuan Jin then put on a carefree act and laughed loudly, saying, "Haha, in a month, I will be a senior brother of Foundation Establishment True Cultivator! Wonderful, wonderful!"

When I return to Xuanwei City, I'll definitely give those bastards under Master Qi's tutelage a good dressing down, since they think they're so great just because they have Foundation Establishment elders. What are they, the disciples and grandchildren of True Cultivator Foundation Establishment cultivators? I, Yuan Jin, am the senior brother of the Double Brightness Sword Immortal!

Yuan Jin patted Jiang Qing's shoulder loudly, and a smile appeared on Jiang Qing's face, "Once Junior Brother comes out of seclusion, we'll go back to Xuanwei City together with Second Senior Brother."

After Yuan Jin, it was Sect Leader Kang Da. The two brothers looked at each other for a while, neither of them able to utter a single conciliatory word.

The atmosphere fell silent for a moment, and the two remained speechless.

"Senior Brother, trust me." Jiang Qing spoke, his eyes as resolute as an ancient pine tree rooted in a rock crevice, having withstood a thousand years of wind and rain.

Seeing this, Kang Dabao laughed, "How could I not believe it? My Little Sanzi is exceptionally talented and incredibly intelligent. What can't he accomplish? Hurry up and come out of seclusion. Your senior brother is counting on you to bring back a Foundation Establishment cultivator as soon as possible to enrich the sect's foundation."

Jiang Qing also looked pleased. The resentment she once felt towards her senior brother seemed to vanish as soon as she heard him say that, as if it had never existed.

"Had enough, Brother Qing? Let's go." The Daoist Black Shoes waved his hand, and Jiang Qing bowed to Sect Leader Kang Da again before leaving gracefully.

The Daoist Black Shoes led Jiang Qing into the secluded meditation room, then returned, staring at Kang Dabao and Yuan Jin, and said, "You two lads look strange. You can fool Brother Qing, but you can't fool me. Tell me, what happened?"

"Is it the message that Junior Brother Yuan received this morning?" Pei Yi asked.

The smile on Kang Dabao's face slowly faded, replaced by a sorrowful expression. He said in a hoarse voice, "My He Household brother, He, failed in his cultivation of the Foundation Establishment and has passed away. Brother Degong sent word that Yuanbing needs to Gui Household for the funeral."

With tears welling in his eyes, Yuan Jin continued, "I said this morning to let the Third wait a little longer. We wanted to at least find out why the eldest brother of the He Household failed, but the eldest brother just wouldn't let us!"

He Dezong was a man of wide-ranging influences, generous and magnanimous, possessing a unique charm that inspired admiration.

Upon hearing the news of his death during his Foundation Establishment stage, even Ye Zhengwen, who had only recently joined the sect and whose relationship with him was still superficial, was deeply saddened.

Pei Yi suddenly thought of his master, Martial Uncle Li. Back then, he had also entered the secluded meditation room full of confidence, but when he came out, he was already separated from his Celestial Person.

Hearing news of He Dezong again, Jiang Qing couldn't help but feel uneasy about his Foundation Establishment.

Only the Daoist Black Shoes, upon hearing Yuan Jin's words, cursed, "Nonsense! Your cowardly senior brother has finally done one right thing. If we were to say these things to Brother Qing now, and it were to disturb his Dao heart, he might not have another chance to Foundation Establishment even after one or two decades! How could you possibly say that!"

Yuan Jin lowered his head and remained silent, but Kang Dabao interjected, "Second is blinded by the news of his elder brother's death; please don't blame him, Uncle-Master."

"My brother has been cursed by the heavens for his talent, but as our master said, our Third brother is resolute in his Dao and blessed with long-lasting fortune; he will surely succeed. Brothers, there's no need to worry; just do your jobs."

It was unclear whether Sect Leader Kang Da's words were meant to comfort everyone present or to himself; they had little effect. Apart from the Daoist Black Shoes, everyone present looked worried.

The Daoist Black Shoes fell silent, turned around, and stood guard outside Jiang Qing's room, where he sat cross-legged to regulate his breathing.

To be honest, even the Daoist Black Shoes wasn't entirely without some trepidation. Although he had accepted the invitation from Tie Liuyun on behalf of Kang Dabao, he had been to Han City twice in recent years, and at the auctions, let alone the Azure Firmament Spirit Root, a treasure that even Golden Core cultivators would covet, even ordinary spiritual objects for repairing one's foundation were extremely rare.

This means that Jiang Qing's chances of successfully Foundation Establishment are even lower than those of He Dezong, who just passed away.

Under normal circumstances, the Daoist Black Shoes wouldn't have paid any attention, but this news just happened before Jiang Qing Foundation Establishment.

Could this be a warning from the heavens?

Those who cultivate the Tao always have some belief in mysterious things like fate, so even Black Shoes was somewhat shaken by this news.

The Sect Leader Kang Da, oblivious to his master's unusual expression, waited until the Daoist Black Shoes had left before speaking to Pei Yi and Yuan Jin:

"I want to stay with the Third brother a little longer Junior Brother Pei, you and Yuan Jin, take Yuanbing and go back to the Hong County He Household. Second, after you arrive, apologize to Aunt He Household and tell her that the Third and I are still injured and unable to get out of the medicinal pool. After we've recovered, we'll go together to apologize to our deceased brother's spirit!"

After Pei Yi and Yuan Jin solemnly accepted the order, Kang Dabao turned his gaze to Ye Zhengwen and said, "Old Ye, these days, I'll trouble you to guard the gate for me, and tell the boys and girls to be extra careful as well."

"I understand, don't worry too much. Brother Qing a fine and elegant person, far beyond the reach of ordinary mortals like us. The fact that He Household Da-lang's affinity with the Dao is shallow doesn't mean that Brother Qing will also be harmed." Ye Zhengwen pondered for a moment and also spoke to comfort him.

The three brothers left together, and Kang Dabao found a corner, let out a long breath, and began to True Cultivator. This Jade Toad cave abode was a rare Second Tier spiritual land within the Chongming Sect, where cultivation would be twice as effective with half the effort.

Thus, it came to the 22nd of the eleventh lunar month, a full three months after Jiang Qing went into seclusion.

According to the Daoist Black Shoes, generally speaking, it only takes half a month to a month to see the results of Foundation Establishment by consuming elixirs. Even without relying on external Foundation Establishment, it would only take another half a month at most.

At this point, Sect Leader Kang Da had completely lost interest in cultivation, and even Daoist Black Shoes was frowning all day long as he looked at the secluded meditation room filled with restrictions.

During this period, Yuan Jin and others came to visit several times, but Kang Dabao sent them away each time.

Sect Leader Kang Da and the Daoist Black Shoes remained in the cave abode, never leaving each other's side.

Even Deng Baichuan, who carried a letter from the Acting Sima Gun, and Tie Xishan, who came to visit on the orders of Commander Tie, were all brushed off by Kang Dabao's disciples on the grounds that they were in seclusion.

To be precise, since Jiang Qing completed a month of seclusion, Sect Leader Kang Da has not eaten or drunk anything, relying solely on pills to sustain his health.

"It's been three months already, are you better now?" The Daoist Black Shoes couldn't bear to see Kang Dabao's dazed look, but he couldn't bring himself to scold him at this time. In the end, he could only sigh, "Upper-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill, superior spirit medicine, high-level Qi Circulation Techniques, you've done enough as a senior brother. Sigh Brother Qing."

The Daoist Black Shoes was about to open the meditation room when he was stopped by Sect Leader Kang Da, whose voice now carried a hint of sorrow. "Uncle-Master, could you please wait a little longer?"

"Yes, you can wait three days, three months, or three years. But you need to be clear about this yourself."

As the Daoist Black Shoes was speaking, the stone door of the quiet room, which had not been opened for three months, made a soft sound. It was gently pushed open by a slender hand, revealing a handsome, pale-faced young man.

"Senior brother, senior uncle! Qing has not failed you!"

The Sect Leader Kang Da's eyes were a jumble of emotions: joy, surprise, shock, and lingering fear. His lips moved uncertainly, yet he remained silent.

His whole body seemed to be trembling slightly, and only when tears streamed down his face did he manage to utter a hoarse voice. "Good, good!"

After that, Kang Dabao could no longer hold back, collapsed to the ground, and burst into loud sobs. "Good! Good!"

Chongming Sect founding patriarch Zhang Yuandao established the Chongming Sect, it has been 206 years. Finally, on the 22nd day of the 11th month of the 429th year of the Qianfeng reign, another Foundation Establishment True Cultivator emerged.

Kang Dabao, the seventh-generation leader of the Chongming Sect, is truly deserving of the title "Ancestor of Restoration"!

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