They've All Come Back

Even the Daoist Black Shoes looked astonished. Upon seeing Jiang Qing emerge from seclusion, he muttered a few words: "Bold. No wonder. What a pity."

"Brother Qing, what courage! You actually managed to build Ice Leaf Dao Foundation without using Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects. Your Dao Heart is so firm, and your Dao Affinity is so profound. I have never heard of anything like it in my half-life of seeking the Dao." The Daoist Black Shoes praised, a hint of regret in his eyes.

If Jiang Qing's body had not been crippled, he might have been able to achieve the Golden Leaf or even the Purple Leaf in one fell swoop; it's not impossible to harbor such a thought.

But things have already come to this point, and thinking about it further is futile. Fortunately, Jiang Qing has finally succeeded in Foundation Establishment, which is better than anything else.

Upon hearing the praise from the Daoist Black Shoes, Jiang Qing immediately bowed and thanked him, saying, "It is all thanks to my master's kindness in imparting the Dao. During my half-month seclusion, I had actually fallen at the stage of the Divine Furnace giving birth to the lotus, but thanks to the protection of the patriarch, my Dantian was not damaged, and only some of my meridians were damaged by the broken Dao lotus's energy."

The young man then spent another month recovering from his injuries. He originally planned to leave seclusion first to inform his uncle and senior brother, and then take the pill to Foundation Establishment next time.

However, while healing, the "Ten Discourses on Qingfuzi's Sword Classic" that the eldest brother brought back from the Ming Household suddenly resonated in his mind, and an unstoppable courage was poured into his heart, along with a feeling of divine inspiration.

He reasoned that this was his chance to achieve enlightenment, so he acted decisively and dared not delay. However, he did not expect that the process of nurturing the lotus in the divine furnace would be fraught with danger, with three particularly perilous spots.

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Qing frowned, then relaxed, standing still without making a move.

A fist the size of a bowl slammed into Jiang Qing's shoulder, causing the newly promoted Foundation Establishment to almost cry out in pain.

"You little bastard! You refused to take the pill and went to the Foundation Establishment twice! Showing off! You troublemaker!" The soft shoes of the Sect Leader Kang Da had already been taken off and were hitting the body of the First Sword Immortal of the Chongming Sect with a loud slapping sound.

Even the Daoist Black Shoes didn't say anything to stop him. He watched with a smile as Jiang Qing was sat on Kang Dabao's lap, begging for mercy.

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Senior brother, stop hitting me! Stop hitting me!"

"What do you mean, 'stop fighting'?! This sect leader can't fight Foundation Establishment True Cultivator?! You little bastard, didn't you even consider that I'm out there?"

The Daoist Black Shoes found it amusing, and a hint of reminiscence rose in his eyes. Just as the two brothers were making a ruckus, Yuan Jin came tumbling and crawling in from outside the cave abode.

His condition was equally poor; his face was gaunt, his thick eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and his eyes lacked any spirit. As he collapsed to the ground, he shouted loudly, "Senior brother, senior brother, Little Sanzi's soul lamp has lit up a bit! Go and see, go and see! It's lit up a bit! Can we open this secluded cultivation chamber?"

Yuan Jin was only halfway through his shout when he saw Jiang Qing, looking ashamed, emerge from seclusion and beating the gritting-teeth Sect Leader Kang Da.

"Little Sanzi, you've achieved Foundation Establishment?!" Yuan Jin roared, his dejection vanishing and replaced by pure joy.

"It's done, it's done, Second Senior Brother, come save me!" Jiang Qing pleaded, his face full of bitterness.

"Hahaha, thanks to the Dao Ancestor! Master, did you see that? Little Sanzi has become Foundation Establishment True Cultivator!" Yuan Jin laughed and cried at the same time. He stood up shakily, moved to the side of Sect Leader Kang Da, and without even asking why, kicked Jiang Qing in the butt.

After the Sect Leader Kang Da had finished beating them, the three brothers collapsed to the ground in a sorry state. They looked at each other, and suddenly burst into laughter at the same time. Their loud laughter filled the entire huge Jade Toad cave abode.

"Thank you, Martial Uncle!" Sect Leader Kang Da stood up first, straightened his clothes, and led his two junior brothers in a deep bow.

"Thank you, Martial Uncle!"

"No need to thank me, go thank your master," the Daoist Black Shoes said with a look of satisfaction, then added to Sect Leader Kang Da, "From now on, you must do a good job of ancestral worship, don't be sloppy, and don't let my elder brother go into the kitchen again."

"Understood, junior disciple," Kang Dabao replied, bowing his head with a slightly embarrassed expression.

"Go back now, don't disturb my cultivation. The Foundation Establishment Ceremony later needs to be made more grand. This is something your master wanted to do but couldn't. Take good care of it. When inviting guests, you can also include my name."

After giving one more instruction, the Daoist Black Shoes waved his hand and drove the three brothers out of the Jade Toad cave abode. He then returned to his quiet room alone and sat down on the futon.

He remained motionless for a while, then suddenly remembered something, a slight smile appeared on his lips, and he chuckled.

"Big brother."

After Jiang Qing, his face bruised and swollen, was escorted back to the Chongming Sect by his two senior brothers, they learned that Jiang Qing had not only survived but had also achieved the Ice Leaf Foundation Establishment.

The previously oppressive atmosphere within the sect instantly reversed, and the entire sect, regardless of age or status, became excited.

Despite the numerous Foundation Establishment who perished in the recent clashes between the state government and Cloud Horn Prefecture, Jiang Qing is now the second Foundation Establishment in Pingrong County, after the Daoist Black Shoes.

This is extremely valuable, not to mention that Jiang Qing is not just an ordinary Green Leaf Foundation Establishment, which makes him even more precious.

To be honest, even if it's the Daoist Black Shoes, what's the difference between him and the Foundation Establishment of the Chongming Sect?

So, the only two Foundation Establishment in the small Pingrong County are both from the Chongming Sect. Once this news gets out, the Chongming Sect will truly be the number one sect in Pingrong.

If the Lineage of Pingrong County are sensible, they will know how to get along with the Chongming Sect in the future.

Thinking of this, Sect Leader Kang Da's face lit up with joy. He waved his hand and ordered, "Second, go write letters! Write to those senior uncles from back then! Let them all see how well I, Kang Dabao, have performed as sect leader!"

"Ha," Yuan Jin could tell that his senior brother, the sect leader, was genuinely pleased.

Otherwise, someone who is usually so composed wouldn't be acting so arrogantly now.

"Junior brother will go in a moment." Yuan Jin didn't refuse and agreed with a smile.

"My goodness! I've lived to be seventy years old, and I never imagined I'd have a day when I'd be a junior brother to Foundation Establishment True Cultivator." Zhou Yixiu carefully walked up to Jiang Qing and scrutinized him from head to toe.

This is truly a stroke of luck. Apart from Jiang Qing, who else would Old Zhou dare to act so disrespectfully towards a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator?

"Junior Brother Zhou, have you looked enough?" Jiang Qing's face was still bruised and battered, how could he withstand Zhou Yixiu's staring?

"Haha, let alone Junior Brother Zhou, even I, Old Ye, never thought that Junior Brother Jiang could achieve the Ice Leaf Foundation Establishment." Ye Zhengwen couldn't help but sigh. He and Kang Dabao had been friends for a long time, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Jiang Qing was someone he had watched grow up.

Although he always heard Sect Leader Kang Da boast about his junior brother like a treasure, Ye Zhengwen never expected that the little boy who used to spend his days on Kang Dabao trove would achieve such success today.

Even at this moment, Pei Yi did not forget his duty as the elder who passed on his skills. Despite Jiang Qing's disheveled appearance, he still used him as an example for the younger generation.

The most pleasant surprise among the younger generation was Ming Zhe, who had only been there for a short time. Although he was considered a disciple of Jiang Qing by the Sect Leader Kang Da, his arrival was unfortunate, as Jiang Qing was already preparing for the Foundation Establishment ceremony when he first joined the sect.

To this day, the master and disciple have probably exchanged no more than a hundred words, so there's no question of any real affection between them.

Since entering the sect, Ming Zhe had always been guided in his cultivation by Elder Pei Yi and his senior brother He Yuanbing. He never expected that when he met his master again, he would have become an enviable Foundation Establishment disciple.

The young members of the Lineage were precocious and naturally understood what this meant. In their joy, they also seemed to have found a way out for the Ming Household.

Because Sect Leader Kang Da had no intention of concealing the news, the news of Jiang Qing's Foundation Establishment quickly spread throughout the surrounding area.

The first to receive the news were mostly the senior disciples of Sect Leader Kang Da who had left the sect after Sect Leader He's death.

Most of these old fellows no longer live in Pingrong County, but those few who left their addresses and could still be found by Sect Leader Kang Da still cherish some of the old ties.

Upon receiving the news of Jiang Qing's Foundation Establishment, some sighed deeply, some laughed out loud, and some wept bitterly.

In their youth, how many of them didn't dream of bringing glory to their family? Now that a younger generation has finally realized that dream, they are filled with mixed emotions.

--Guoxian Guo County, Ink Cloud Manor

"Heh, this chubby boy seems to be full of resentment." Xiu Anshan laughed as he looked at the letter, a hint of reminiscence flashing in his eyes.

After a long pause, he spoke softly to the short, stocky young man next to him, "Go and write a letter back to the Chongming Sect. Have the sect leader send someone to move the elm tree back to our home. What my senior brother left behind, he is now worthy of."

Xiu Anshan, still concerned about saving face, only instructed Sect Leader Kang Da to transplant the elm tree back, and said nothing more.

However, some of my senior uncles became quite shameless.

When Kang Dabao was traveling as a merchant carrying his goods, they didn't return; when Chongming Sect was Xie Fu, they didn't return; when the entire clan was sent by the state court to work as flagpoles, they didn't return either.

But after Jiang Qing completed his Foundation Establishment, they all became red-eyed and clamored to come back.

These days, peace is hard to find in the entire Cloud Horn Prefecture. Those who live as small, insignificant families outside can hardly live comfortably. What a blessing it would be to return to the Chongming Sect and become an elder to a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator! How could they not want to go back?

However, among the previous generation of disciples of the Chongming Sect, apart from Sect Leader He, Martial Uncle Li, and Martial Uncle Lian, they were all just mediocre talents.

The Sect Leader Kang Da looked down on the abilities of these senior uncles and disliked their arrogant yet obsequious manner. So he simply took back all the things they had taken from the Chongming Sect when they separated from it, at a discounted price.

As for returning to the sect, Kang Dabao did not budge, only saying that they would see in the future, leaving these old fogies hanging in the air.

Most of the items that were taken away by the senior disciples back then have been recovered. The only thing that Sect Leader Kang Da still misses is the elm tree that was moved away by Senior Disciple Xiu back then.

Just then, Xiu Yuanshan also sent a message. Kang Dabao was busy preparing for Jiang Qing's Foundation Establishment ceremony and couldn't get away, so he had no choice but to assign the task to Zhou Yixiu.

After receiving the order to move the elm trees back to Xiu Anshan, Zhou Yixiu didn't rest for a moment. He called Kang Rongquan, and the two of them, each riding a Desolate Ox, hurriedly arrived at the Xiu Household's Ink Cloud Manor in Guo County.

The Xiu Household has been the Chongming Sect largest Lineage in the Chongming Sect, first second only to the Zhang Household, and then second only to the He Household.

Currently, the Xiu Household, including Xiu Yuanshan, still has three cultivators, which is not bad.

Xiu Yuanshan hadn't expected that none of the three Kang Dabao brothers would come, and he was both surprised and a little disappointed.

So he simply pointed to the location of the big elm tree in the distance towards Zhou Yixiu, who was about the same age as him, and said softly, "It's right there. This big locust tree was moved back from Cold Crow Mountain by my senior brother and me back then."

Later, the family divided the land and transplanted another tree, which depleted its vitality, and it has never grown well. I have also invited several advanced agricultural masters to take a look, and they all said they dare not make any changes, because if they do, the tree may not survive."

"It's alright, I'll go take a look first." Even though Xiu Yuanshan's cultivation level was lower than his, Zhou Yixiu still treated him with the courtesy due to a junior, speaking respectfully without any arrogance.

Xiu Yuanshan had enough discernment to know that the old man in front of him wasn't showing him any respect, so he led Zhou and Kang to the elm tree.

"Ha," Xiu Yuanshan gently patted the trunk of the elm tree, a hint of shame appearing on his face.

Since this elm tree was moved here from Xiu Yuanshan, it has suffered a significant loss of vitality. The leaves of this elm tree no longer contain spiritual power and are comparable to a low- First-Tier Lower-Grade Spirit Plant.

For this reason, Xiu Yuanshan himself had not visited this place for a long time.

"Back then, my sister-in-law was kind-hearted. She knew perfectly well that elm seeds could be exchanged for Spirit Stone to support the sect, but she insisted on keeping some for the younger generation to make dumplings. She even coaxed them by saying that they were made from elm seeds she had picked up, so that they wouldn't feel guilty."

After a moment of reflection, Xiu Yuanshan sighed again before turning to Zhou Yixiu and saying in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, let's begin. Sever even the last vestige of attachment this unfilial disciple has for the sect."

"Thank you, senior." Zhou Yixiu didn't mind Xiu Yuanshan's melancholy demeanor. He carefully examined the elm tree for a while, frowning before relaxing. He beckoned to Kang Rongquan, and the chubby boy trotted over. Zhou Yixiu then said, "Rongquan, come and take a look."

Kang Rongquan responded to the order, first making a hand seal, and a point of emerald green spiritual light appeared at his fingertips, which he then touched to the root.

After familiarizing himself with the leaf veins, he picked a leaf and examined it for a while, then cut off a small piece of bark and chewed it. Soon after, a look of understanding appeared on his chubby face.

"Master Zhou, the elm leaves have black spots, the bark is spicy, bitter, and dry, and it burns when it touches the throat; it must be anthrax. Just grind three ounces of lead into powder, dissolve it in a solution of lead, and apply it to the roots. Within half a day, the symptoms should be cured, and the tree should be restored to its original state."

Zhou Yixiu Kang Rongquan finished speaking, Xiu Yuanshan, with a doubtful look on his face, asked, "You little brat, don't talk big, lest you damage this elm tree and your sect leader comes looking for trouble with you."

"I previously consulted two or three advanced cultivators, but they couldn't cure me. Yet you, child, were able to diagnose my illness with just one glance?"

Kang Rongquan was Qi Ingestion upon hearing this. Within the Chongming Sect, apart from the elders, which senior brother hadn't been rebuked by him? How could he possibly swallow his anger when facing a complete stranger?

The chubby boy frowned and replied, "Senior is being unreasonable. The elm tree's ailment is obvious; even a novice cultivator could recognize it. It's clear that you were unwilling to spend more Spirit Stone, and the so-called advanced cultivators you invited are all charlatans who try to take advantage of the situation. How can you accuse me of spouting nonsense?"

Xiu Yuanshan was somewhat surprised to hear this, and a blush appeared on his face.

Zhou Yixiu hadn't expected Kang Rongquan to be so blunt, so he stopped Xiu Yuanshan and whispered, "Senior, please calm down. This young man is ignorant, but my nephew Jia Shi has talent in the Dao. Senior, please wait a moment and allow him to demonstrate."

"Very well, since the sect leader sent you to do this, and you want this little brat to do it, then so be it. But, which disciple does this brat belong to?" Xiu Yuanshan's expression softened slightly as he asked.

Before Zhou Yixiu could speak, Kang Rongquan proudly declared, "I am Kang Rongquan, and my master Pei Yi, is an elder of our sect who transmits our skills; the current Sect Leader Kang, Kang, is my great-uncle."

"The Kang Household... the Kang Household hasn't produced a cultivator in so many years. It's truly a stroke of good fortune that another one has emerged. Junior Nephew Pei is back? Then... what about Master Li?" Xiu Yuanshan suddenly tensed up and asked in a low voice.

"Martial Uncle Li passed away at the Foundation Establishment, and his coffin and memorial tablet have already been moved back to the sect." As soon as Zhou Yixiu finished speaking, a trace of sorrow could be seen in Xiu Yuanshan's eyes.

"My sect leader and Master Li are both dead. The pillars of the Chongming Sect, the Purple Gold Beam, have all fallen. Yet I, a mediocre person, have survived." Regret and a sense of loss appeared on Xiu Yuanshan's face. In his despair, he no longer cared about the life or death of this mere mortal tree.

Zhou Yixiu gave a signal to Kang Rongquan, who immediately understood and began to manipulate the device.

Just as Kang Rongquan said, the elm tree was only suffering from a minor ailment. After following Kang Rongquan's method, only half a day later, a faint Spiritual Qi appeared around the elm tree.

Xiu Yuanshan could now clearly see that the elm tree was in excellent condition, and what he had said earlier was absolutely true; even two or three agricultural masters couldn't have judged it properly.

Kang Rongquan is a child who is not even old enough to dance like an elephant. Many young people of the same age in Lineage and sects are still stuck at the second or third level of Qi Refinement Refining. Kang Rongquan has not only reached the Middle Qi Refinement Refining, but he also has such profound attainments in the art of farming.

In addition, there was Zhou Yixiu, whose skills were clearly far superior.

Previously, Xiu Yuanshan might have thought that Jiang Qing's success and Kang Dabao's rise to power were merely due to his junior brother's support.

Looking at the old man and the young man before him, Xiu Yuanshan knew that Sect Leader Kang Da must have managed the sect to be very prosperous.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, could you please deliver a letter to the sect leader for me after you return?" Xiu Yuanshan sighed and then asked Zhou Yixiu for a favor.

"How dare I disobey?" Zhou Yixiu didn't ask what Xiu Yuanshan wanted to write in his letter. After agreeing, he and Kang Rongquan packed up.

Having completed this task that his senior brother, the sect leader, was particularly concerned about, Zhou Yixiu felt much more at ease.

The only remaining task is to safely transport the elm tree back, and then Chongming Sect will truly be able to say, as Sect Leader Kang Da has always hoped, "They're all back."

(I'll owe you for now.)

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