A Foundation Establishment Opportunity

A few drops of drizzle fell on the broad leaves of the banyan tree in the courtyard, adding a touch of life to the pale yellow leaves.

Rainwater gathered into droplets on the broad leaves, rolling down the winding veins to the ground, wetting a thin layer of dust and splashing onto a pair of dark cloth shoes.

The owner of the cloth shoes lowered his head slightly, looking at the shoes that were wet from the rain. When he raised his head, a look of unease appeared on his deeply lined face.

After a moment, his old face flushed slightly, and he spoke slowly, "Logically speaking, since the sect leader specially invited Hongluan for me, how could I refuse? However, I am already nearing eighty, an age when I should be enjoying my grandchildren. Isn't it a bit inappropriate for me to be engaged to a lady from Foundation Establishment clan?"

"Phew, it's good that Junior Brother Zhou doesn't object." Kang Dabao breathed a sigh of relief, having discerned the feigned reluctance in Zhou Yixiu's tone.

At first, he was really worried that Zhou Yixiu would be too proud to accept the marriage, but now that's good. In this way, he can finally explain it to Shan Sheng.

Despite the prestigious lineage of the Jade Moon Shan Household, the head of the family, Shan Sheng, appears refined and cultured, but in reality, he is a gambler.

A person who is good at managing a household and has such a strong gambling habit is bound to get into trouble. It would be best not to be implicated by his family in the future. If Shan Sheng hadn't taken the initiative to bring it up, Sect Leader Kang Da wouldn't have been very interested in becoming in-laws with him.

But who knew that even if Kang Dabao pushed Zhou Yixiu forward, the head of the Shan Household would still accept all comers, making it impossible to avoid the situation.

Overall, however, the advantages of this marriage outweigh the disadvantages. Chongming Sect has gained another Foundation Establishment relative by marriage, which is a good thing.

There were more than just the two of them present in the courtyard at this moment; all of their fellow disciples were there, and seeing that Zhou Yixiu had agreed, everyone's faces showed a hint of joy.

Even the stern-faced Ye Zhengwen laughed upon seeing Zhou Yixiu's expression, "Haha, on Junior Brother Zhou's joyous occasion, we must make it a grand celebration!"

"Senior Brother Ye, keep things simple. No, no, no extravagance." Zhou Yixiu quickly waved his hand to stop him.

Zhou Yixiu was gentle and accommodating, so he got along with everyone. Even Chu Huer, who was only close to Pei Yi in the sect, had a good relationship with him.

Upon hearing Zhou Yixiu's words, Chu Huer immediately teased, "That won't do! Our future sister-in-law is also from a respectable family; how can we treat her so poorly? If we do, wouldn't we offend the Shan Household? We absolutely have to have a grand celebration!"

"Haha," all the brothers laughed upon hearing this. After laughing for a while, Sect Leader Kang Da raised his hand to stop everyone.

"Second, make a backup of the gift list later. Don't be stingy. I'll have the Ice Man review it before we finalize the arrangements. Alright, let's put this joyous occasion of Junior Brother Zhou on hold for now and get down to business."

Seeing Kang Dabao suddenly become serious, all the junior disciples put away their smiles and put on focused expressions.

"The first thing is that now that the Third has Foundation Establishment, from this day forward, Third will be the law enforcement elder of our Chongming Sect."

Upon hearing this news, everyone had no objections.

Not to mention that Jiang Qing, as the only Foundation Establishment True Cultivator in the Chongming Sect, was appointed as an enforcement elder by the sect leader, in some sects with less strict rules, Jiang Qing might even be promoted to a higher seniority, and could even become a Grand Elder.

After Jiang Qing stepped forward to receive the order, and everyone offered their congratulations, Sect Leader Kang Da spoke again, "The second matter, Junior Brother Pei, is to summon the disciples for a scripture lesson. No one may be absent without a valid reason. Emphasize the importance of them fulfilling their duties and True Cultivator."

Don't think that just because a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator has entered your family, you've become a disciple of a major sect and can rise to prominence along with them. Make sure to give them a good talking-to; they can't let their tails sway for even a moment. If you raise a good-for-nothing, who knows when they might cause trouble and bring disaster to the sect!

The matter that Sect Leader Kang Da said could not be delayed, Pei Yi solemnly accepted the order.

Although Kang Dabao's words were meant to be a warning to the Pei Yi generation, one or two people among the crowd were also jolted awake.

The pride and arrogance they felt from Jiang Qing's Foundation Establishment also dissipated in an instant.

"The third thing is that the Foundation Establishment Pill used by the Third in this Foundation Establishment is not something that belongs to any one person. Rather, it is a reward that was obtained from the state court thanks to the concerted efforts of the entire sect. It should belong to the sect."

Therefore, not only will the Merit Points the Third previously accumulated in the sect be wiped clean, but he will also need to repay the sect 50,000 Merit Points within two cycles of sixty years. If he fails to repay them all, interest will accrue annually until the debt is fully repaid.

Sect Leader Kang Da's words were reasonable and well-founded, and everyone present had no objections.

Foundation Establishment Pill are considered extremely rare spiritual items in this remote area of Cloud Horn Prefecture; any one of them could cause Gust of Wind in this small, shallow beach.

Although Jiang Qing is recognized as Foundation Establishment seed within the sect, it is really unreasonable for him to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill for free without paying any price.

Jiang Qing, the person involved, must have known about this news beforehand, and there was no change in her expression. She simply stepped forward and responded.

Despite his flawed physical constitution, he achieved the Ice Leaf Foundation Establishment without consuming any spiritual pills. This news would be quite astonishing if it were known to outsiders.

If word gets out, it will likely become a topic of conversation throughout Shannan Circuit, potentially causing unnecessary trouble.

Therefore, from beginning to end, only the Daoist Black Shoes, Kang Dabao, and Yuan Jin knew about this matter. These people were naturally trustworthy to Jiang Qing, and they kept his mouth shut until now.

Chu Huer, was oblivious to these things. As a disciple of Chongming who Double Brightness monk later in life, he could only secretly praise Kang Dabao in his heart.

This sect leader is truly remarkable; Jiang Qing is his own junior brother, yet he is so impartial and incorruptible.

"From now on, I will work even harder. My senior brother, the sect leader, treats everyone fairly and will certainly not mistreat me. I wonder how much Merit Points I would need to accumulate to obtain a Foundation Establishment spiritual item of the Yi Wood Green Willow Heart level."

Just as Chu Huer was thinking this, Kang Dabao gestured for his fellow disciples to go back. He couldn't rest yet, as Sima Fei would be seeing him in a quarter of an hour.

Sect Leader Kang Da has really made something of himself. Among all the Qi Refinement Refining cultivators in the entire Cloud Horn Prefecture, there are very few who can have such an all-night conversation with Foundation Establishment True Cultivator.

"Sit down," Sima Fei said simply as Kang Dabao entered the room, but then ignored him, as he was still working on his abacus.

The Acting Sima Gun beside him had brewed a pot of spirit wine and was drinking alone when he saw Kang Dabao push open the door and enter. He warmly pulled the latter over and filled a jade cup with it.

"Come, come, try the spirit wine I brought from the capital. This place in Shannan Circuit is very poor; you, Lord Kang, would never taste this flavor if you didn't come here."

"I am deeply grateful for your kindness, senior." Kang Dabao carefully took the cup of spirit wine, which was level with the rim of the cup, and sipped it, making a stream of water that fell into his mouth without spilling a drop.

With a flick of his tongue, a rich, fragrant aroma of wine filled his mouth, almost causing Sect Leader Kang Da to groan with pleasure.

"Haha, is it delicious? Come, come, have another cup." Seeing his appearance, Acting Sima Gun laughed and picked up the wine pot again, wanting to fill Kang Dabao's cup.

"Alright, this isn't anything good anyway, why give him more to drink!" Sect Leader Kang Da's outstretched hand was scared back by Sima Fei's words.

Acting Sima Gun looked embarrassed, put the wine jug back, and offered a brief explanation. "Sima, what you're saying is true. Although my 'Dream of Bian Prefecture' is of no benefit to cultivation, it is still a fine wine costing nine hundred Spirit Stone per dou. How can it not be considered a good thing?"

"It's of no benefit to cultivation, only leading people to a life of debauchery and decadence. How can it be considered a good thing?" Sima Fei snorted coldly, put away the abacus, and stopped Acting Sima Gun, who was about to argue further.

He stood up and said to Kang Dabao in a deep voice, "Some pastimes are fine for Daoist immortals to play with, they won't hinder the Great Dao. But for a lowly cultivator like you with such terrible aptitude, they are a poison that will destroy your bones and devour your soul."

"I will heed your instructions and will not touch it again," Sect Leader Kang Da replied solemnly. Acting Sima Gun was not annoyed by this and carefully put away the wine pot, as if he and Kang Dabao were waiting to hear Sima Fei's teachings.

Sima Fei only offered a brief reminder, and seeing that Kang Dabao had heeded the advice, he said no more. "Alright, let's get down to business."

"Lord Bo intends to marry the eldest daughter of the Yue Household," Sima Fei said, pausing to gauge the reaction of Sect Leader Kang Da. The latter lowered his eyes, his head slightly bowed, his eyes darting around in their sockets, but he remained silent for a long time.

"Stop pretending. I told you long ago you're not stupid, you should know what I mean." Sima Fei's tone became stern, forcing Sect Leader Kang Da to raise his head. "Nephew-in-law, I come from humble origins, and I dare not comment on such important matters of state as you, sir."

Sima Fei narrowed his eyes, looked Kang Dabao up and down for a moment, and then said, "If you dare to speak like that again, I will have to give you a beating with a rod."

"What does this lord want his nephew-in-law to do? He will obey my every command without any disloyalty!" Sima Fei even spoke these plain words, Sect Leader Kang Da knew he could no longer pretend to be stupid. He bowed and kowtowed.

"Heh, if I don't scare you a little, you, Sect Leader Kang Da, will keep playing tricks on me!" Sima Fei said calmly, staring at Kang Dabao for a long time without speaking, until the latter's hair stood on end, before finally speaking:

"The Earl wants to marry a woman from the Yue Household, but the matter has not yet been approved in the capital. The petition is still being held up in the Imperial Clan Court. The nobles and members of the imperial clan have been arguing about this petition for many days, and they still haven't made up their minds."

According to those gentlemen, the Han City Yue Household was of too low a social standing, and the Yue Household's daughter was hardly qualified to be the Earl's principal wife. The obstacles were too great, and it was unlikely to succeed.

The Yue Household is a prominent family in Cloud Horn Prefecture, but their involvement with the Two Instruments Sect is too deep, and they are indecisive, so their future may not be good. Nearly twenty families from the capital region have already moved to Cloud Horn Prefecture.

Although compared to the Yue Household, this Foundation Establishment False Core is nothing, it's just a few pebbles on the path. You are the legitimate son-in-law of the Fei Household's She Mountain Hall. Think it through. Do you think Tie Liuyun will trust you? Can you possibly change your mind?"

"Nephew-in-law, I know perfectly well!" Sect Leader Kang Da, sweating profusely, hurriedly agreed.

"Good that you understand. Jiang Qing and the Daoist Black Shoes are both excellent talents. You have a close relationship with them, so you should know where to lead them, right?" Sima Fei finally revealed his thoughts after so much maneuvering.

Sect Leader Kang Da inwardly groaned. He had just offended and killed the current head of the Two Instruments Sect, and now he was being dragged into the infighting between these two factions in the state court for no reason.

It truly is a case of one problem after another.

"My nephew-in-law will relay Sima's words to Uncle Black Shoes and my junior brother without missing a single detail." Sect Leader Kang Da had a bitter feeling in his heart, but dared not show it, and could only nod vigorously.

Sect Leader Kang Da's performance pleased Sima Fei somewhat, and perhaps for this reason, Sima Fei also sighed, which was unusual for him:

"Alas, I know your household is in trouble and your affairs are difficult. Let's wait a while longer, things will get better. Putting aside everything else, Gun Shilu risked his life on the battlefield in his early years and was promised a future as a False Core by the Earl."

Now that he has Foundation Establishment Great Completion, the Earl has promised him that he will definitely achieve the False Core within five years. If he achieves the False Core, that old cultivator from the Yue Household may not be able to suppress him. He is not afraid that Tie Liuyun and his ilk, who are causing trouble now, will have to pay the price in the future.

Although the False Core is a minor path, it is still a future that many low-level cultivators can only dream of. Sima Fei only mentioned that Acting Sima Gun had formed a False Core, but did not say when he himself Core Formation, which suggests that there is still no progress on this matter.

Otherwise, as the right-hand man of the Marquis of Earl of Nan'an, Fei Nanying wouldn't need to try to win over the Daoist Black Shoes and Jiang Qing at this time.

But upon hearing this, Kang Dabao became much more serious. He glanced sideways at the still smiling Acting Sima Gun before hearing Sima Fei continue:

"I may not be as good as you, Lord Bo, but you are not as good as Gun Shilu either. If you can promise a False Core Foundation Establishment Pill. If you work hard, the Ying Prefecture Fei Household, a prestigious family, will surely need your Foundation Establishment Pill."

Sect Leader Kang Da bowed his head in thanks, but in his heart he thought that the art of controlling people in the world was nothing more than "slapping someone and giving them a sweet date" and "quenching thirst with the promise of plums," with nothing new.

It was only fitting that the Kuang Household's empire fell into ruin, with their factions forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices within the court and prefectures and counties.

The crisis of the Two Instruments Sect has been resolved, but key ministers like Fei Kuang Liuting Fei Nanying begun to form factions and suppress dissent. This Cloud Horn Prefecture Court does not seem to be capable of accomplishing great things.

Sima Fei couldn't see through Kang Dabao's inner turmoil and didn't bother to look any further. He continued to comfort him, saying, "Don't worry. Although your junior brother has offended Li Yun of the Two Instruments Sect, once this matter reaches the Earl's ears, he will have a bright future."

"Lord Bo's future is far beyond the reach of you lowly cultivators. Although Golden Core cultivators are powerful, if he truly wants to protect someone, the Two Instruments Sect wouldn't dare to touch them."

Kang Dabao listened to Sima Fei's comforting words with a mixture of belief and skepticism.

After comforting him Sima Fei did not stop, but continued, "I see that you have already made some progress in the wood magic. Neither Gun Shilu nor I are good at this. Although there are still many Foundation Establishment in the Sima Office, there is little worth listening to in the magic of those mediocre people below."

"In that case, find a day soon and take my letter to Hong County. If your affinity is sufficient and you obtain three parts of the true method, then your chances of success in Foundation Establishment will increase by ten percent."

Sima Fei paused here, and slowly said, "After you return, cultivate diligently. At the very least, you must achieve the Dao Foundation to be worthy of being called a true son-in-law of the Fei Household's She Mountain Hall."

Thank you to the great wizard for the Extended Net Moon!

Thanks to Zitinghai, Drinking Alone in the Flower Room under the Moon, Dadianzi, Not Full of Hamburgers, Metatrin 2012, Reading Super Seriously, Book Friends 161203221207812, Big Head, Lu Lu, Silent and Ethereal, Daily Daily Limit and several brothers for their monthly votes.

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