Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, Gathering Storms

One month later, at the Jade Toad cave abode

"I'm late, young man. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Uncle-Master." Kang Dabao entered alone and bowed. He hadn't been here for a long time, and the furnishings had changed. He wondered where the Daoist Black Shoes had gotten a chessboard from, but it was quite nice.

"Phew, not bad progress." The Daoist Black Shoes looked at Kang Dabao, who was beaming with health, and had no intention of blaming him. He was just slightly impressed, not expecting that the latter would achieve a breakthrough right after him.

After all, if we go back a decade or so, Kang Dabao would only be a small sect leader struggling to survive in a corner of Pingrong County, while the Daoist Black Shoes would have already Foundation Establishment and been biding his time.

Unexpectedly, in such a short time, this junior with mediocre Spirit Root talent has become on par with him. While the fact that the Daoist Black Shoes cultivates Higher Vehicle method certainly played a part, Kang Dabao's progress has been truly too fast.

What's even rarer is that his foundation is incredibly solid, unlike someone who hastily grew up by taking potent drugs.

Before the Daoist Black Shoes could finish speaking, and before Kang Dabao could utter any useless words of self-deprecation, he praised again:

"How long has it been since you Foundation Establishment? To break through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage before the age of fifty, and to have your Dao Foundation become Ice Leaf, even in a major sect like Hongyi Sect, you would be considered Golden Core seed."

"Junior nephew, I thought I could become a Golden Core seed within the Two Instruments Sect." Seeing that the Daoist Black Shoes's cultivation had also made further progress, Kang Dabao's mood lightened considerably.

Yuan Feng's mastery of dual cultivation is indeed remarkable. The combination of Toad Dew and Osmanthus Fragrance, and the Mystic Union Method of Primordial Oneness with the chosen Fragrant Mist Physique and the Wisdom Consort Form is a perfect match.

With Fei Shuhe, Kang Dabao's cultivation level was able to advance from the initial Foundation Establishment to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage within a month.

This was only because Kang Dabao wasn't ruthless enough; he used proper dual cultivation methods and was very restrained, thus avoiding the result of excessively plundering the three women's yin essence.

Dual cultivation to attain enlightenment is a righteous path of spiritual practice. With such mutual support and harmony, how many others, far more than just Kang Dabao, would benefit?

After dressing, Fei Shuhe was the weakest, felt confident enough to attempt Foundation Establishment. Once she had recuperated, she could borrow a high-level spiritual site from the Fei Household in Xuanwei City to begin her Foundation Establishment.

Yuan Xiyue's Wisdom Consort Form appears even more profound. The Buddhist family of the Snow Region has always placed little importance on chastity, so even though the eldest daughter of the Yuan Household has lost her virginity this time, it can be said that she has turned misfortune into blessing.

Who knows, when the abbot of Original Response Temple comes to Shannan Circuit again to select a consort, he might look at Yuan Xiyue with even more favor because of this.

Like Kang Dabao, Zhang Qingran successfully broke through her bottleneck and became a mid-stage cultivator through this spiritual-physical fusion. It also saved her more than ten years of hard work, and she certainly didn't suffer any losses.

Objectively speaking, all three women and one man should be considered to have had a happy ending.

"This Yuan Feng is truly a kind-hearted man. I wonder how much thought he put into devising this prescription." Sect Leader Kang Da was a kind person after all, and thinking of this, a slight feeling of gratitude welled up in his heart.

"You're still lacking in the Golden Core seed of the Two Instruments Sect," the Daoist Black Shoes said with a faint smile, unaware of the many thoughts that had crossed Kang Dabao's mind.

"This trip to Mountain-Viewing Cave was quite successful. I helped Chu Yanran kill Yue Lan, Qi Buxiu established his Dao Foundation, Yuan Feng died in the mouth of Demon Beast, which was relatively clean, and your cultivation has also improved a lot. You're not bad at all."

Although the Daoist Black Shoes didn't mention his own gains, Kang Dabao could tell from the barely suppressed smile on his face that he must have also received quite a bit of benefit.

It's just unknown how much of it came from the Mountain-Viewing Cave and how much from Chu Yanran.

"Uncle-Master, will the Two Instruments Sect take any action regarding Yue Lan's death?!" After a moment of joy, a hint of worry gradually appeared on the face of Sect Leader Kang Da.

"I don't know. Logically speaking, they should be happy to have one less disgusting and annoying person. But Yue Lan is, after all, a genuine elder of the Battle Hall of the Two Instruments Sect. Given the reason for his death, it wouldn't be difficult for the Two Instruments Sect to make a fuss about it."

Even if it's not convenient to attack the Cloud Horn Prefecture Court for the time being, with the Two Instruments Sect's resources, it wouldn't be difficult for them to send one or two False Core to hunt down Chu Yanran and me. Isn't the Yunwei Zheng Household currently taking the fall for us?

The Daoist Black Shoes spoke casually, as if he were talking about something that had nothing to do with him.

Upon hearing this, Kang Dabao's expression turned serious. "Does Uncle mean that the actions of the Jingnan Yuan Household were not caused by Yuan Buwen, but rather by the Two Instruments Sect's instructions?"

The Daoist Black Shoes tapped his knuckles on the low table in front of him and replied calmly, "I can't say I'm dead, but it's not impossible."

The Sect Leader Kang Da frowned even more deeply and asked softly, "Then, Uncle-Master, should we postpone this?"

"It's alright, Cloud Horn Prefecture is still safe for now. Although I'm not yet a match for ordinary False Core, I'm not afraid. As for powerful figures, I imagine the Sima Office and the Yue Household are keeping a close eye on them, and the Two Instruments Sect probably wouldn't be willing to let them go."

At this point, the Daoist Black Shoes sighed softly, "My cultivation experience is still too shallow, and my sources of information from the outside world are too limited. Even if I remove all the outrageous information I gather and only listen to one side of the story, this is all I can deduce."

"I'll inquire about that kid privately too," Kang Dabao replied, recalling the stunningly beautiful woman on the last page of the sketchbook.

"Well, since you said you're going to Xuanwei City to find Chu Yanran, then you can ask her. It's widely rumored that she has some connection with Fearless Tower, which is a powerful force in Shannan Circuit and is very well-informed," the Daoist Black Shoes added.

Kang Dabao's expression changed slightly. It wasn't that he intentionally concealed from Daoist Black Shoes the fact that he was registered at Fearless Tower and had thoroughly examined the album that was most likely the owner of Fearless Tower.

If the Daoist Black Shoes on either side want to find out information, they can go and ask them themselves. It's just that they still owe Yan Qingwei and Jiang Hongdao a lot of Merit Points, and they don't know when they will be able to pay them back.

"Shuhe will be returning to her parents' home to Foundation Establishment in a while. I will accompany her to visit Madam Qi then," Kang Dabao replied respectfully.

"Yes, this is indeed a great thing. After Shuhe emerges from seclusion, I will need to prepare a gift for this girl," the Black-Shoeed Daoist said with delight in his eyes, but then added, "You need to act quickly. Qi Buxiu has already established his Dao foundation, and Chu Yanran's injuries are quite severe. If you are late, you may not be able to see her."

"Seriously injured?" Kang Dabao was slightly taken aback. Yue Lan really had some skills; even in death, she was still formidable.

"It was Chu Yanran lost her guard, thinking she had eliminated all of Yue Lan's schemes, not realizing it was just a feint by Yue Lan." The Daoist Black Shoes explained briefly to Kang Dabao, but seeing the latter's suspicion deepen, he simply said:

"Yue Lan used Viper Spirit Powder. Chu Yanran had been poisoned for a long time, and it was only lacking a trigger that prevented it from taking effect."

"Accumulated over time?" Kang Dabao murmured for a moment, his doubts still unresolved.

"That unfilial Qi Buxiu did things he himself didn't have the ability to do for Chu Yanran; he only fed it to his old father." The Daoist Black Shoes's tone was low. Even though cultivators were used to seeing human tragedies, it was not an easy thing to talk about.

"That's understandable. Between husband and wife, the mingling of Essence Blood is inevitable." Kang Dabao finally understood after hearing about Qi Duoluo's beastly behavior.

Since the Daoist Black Shoes had spoken so clearly to Sect Leader Kang Da, the two honest gentlemen naturally wouldn't gossip about others behind their backs.

Kang Dabao bowed deeply and was about to return to his sect when the Daoist Black Shoes said to him again, "When you go to Xuanwei City, take this item with you to give to the Lord Shan."

A vibrant emerald-green bottle fell into the hands of Sect Leader Kang Da, who immediately recognized it. "Life-Giving Longevity Pill?!"

After Kang Dabao finished speaking, the Daoist Black Shoes sitting opposite him smiled even more broadly, and a rare hint of smugness appeared on his face:

"Back then, my elder brother and I studied under Lord Shan for three months. Although Lord Shan thought our aptitude was not good enough and we already had a lineage, he did not formally accept us as disciples. However, during those three months, he did not hold any prejudice against any particular sect."

On the contrary, Lord Shan, mindful of our sincere desire to learn the Way, imparted all his knowledge to us. Now that Black Shoes has mastered the skills, he wishes to add ten years to his master's life. This could be considered a fine story if word got out."

Sect Leader Kang Da naturally responded. Although cultivators believe in teaching without a fixed teacher, they should still show utmost respect to even a teacher who has only taught them one word.

Moreover, it is an indisputable fact that Lord Yin Shan did indeed have great kindness towards Daoist Black Shoes and Old Sect Leader He, which is worlds apart from the relationship between Lang Yi and Kang Dabao, where they were simply doing things for money.

Therefore, not only the Daoist Black Shoes must remember this deeply, but even Kang Dabao, who inherited the mantle of Old Sect Leader He, must keep it in mind.

It had been a long time since the Daoist Black Shoes had shown such a smug look, which made Sect Leader Kang Da somewhat dazed.

"That's true. Even Uncle Black Shoes isn't perfect. But his good reputation is beyond reproach." After thinking it over, Kang Dabao carefully put away the Life-Giving Longevity Pill, paid his respects to the Daoist Black Shoes, and returned to his sect.

---- Xuanwei City, Fei Household

Fei Nanying continued to use his abacus in his spacious study. The abacus beads clinked together, making a clear and pleasant sound. Even the pretty maids standing by him, who had been making noise all day, did not find it annoying.

With a soft rustling sound, the door to the room was pushed open, accompanied by a fragrant breeze. Fei's wife walked in gracefully, her face as cold as frost Fei Nanying raised his head and reluctantly removed his hands from the abacus before dismissing everyone around him and pulling Fei's wife to sit down with him.

"What is it that makes you angry, Madam?" Fei Nanying asked cautiously and gently after brewing some spiritual tea for his wife.

Fei's wife's expression didn't improve; she merely snorted coldly. Seeing that his little trick hadn't worked, Sima Fei stopped pretending to be confused and simply apologized:

"There are indeed very few high-grade Foundation Establishment left in the treasury, only three. One of them was reserved for Shuhe, and Madam is aware of these matters."

"Then how come I heard that you even granted a token to the Stone Mountain Sect in Pu Prefecture? I'm just going to get some things, and those penniless men under your command dare to stop me." Fei's wife glared at him, choking Fei Nanying's prepared words.

"These local tribes of the Yue Household are all making their efforts now. The Grand Elder of the Stone Mountain Sect in Pu Prefecture only became False Core a month ago, and his only son's Spirit Root is extremely weak. We need to offer some substantial benefits to win him over." Fei Nanying's tone was frighteningly gentle. If the arrogant and fierce soldiers under the jurisdiction of the State Court Sima Office heard him, they would probably be so frightened that they would jump up.

Seeing that Fei's wife's expression remained icy, Fei Nanying immediately knew where the key lay and hurriedly said, "But the clerk of the Sima family is far too arrogant. How dare a lowly official offend you, Madam? I will have him executed and his entire clan exiled to Liangxi and Haibei."

"Then let's do it that way." Mrs. Fei closed her eyes, leaned back in her chair, and responded lazily.

"Huh? This..." Fei Nanying seemed caught off guard; things hadn't gone as he'd anticipated.

"Ha, you just know how to lie to me." After giving a cold snort, Fei's wife's tone softened considerably.

He continued, "Forget it, just send the pawnshop to Liangxi to defend against the beast tide, and let's call it quits. I went to the pawnshop to get the Foundation Establishment Pill, wasn't that to Yunwei Zheng Household for you?"

Did you know that to this day, three members of the Yunwei Zheng Household have died in battle at the Foundation Establishment stage? Although their family came from humble origins, they were originally from a branch of the Yukun Han Household, and they were unparalleled in their loyalty to the Kuang Household.

Having traveled thousands of miles and barely settled in, they were suddenly dispatched by the state court to annihilate the Jingnan Yuan Household. That would be one thing, but now that they've fought for the country, surely they shouldn't be left without any compensation?

Fei Nanying thought to himself, "This old ancestor of the Yunwei Zheng Household is very slick. Knowing that he can't defeat Yuan Buwen who can fight Golden Core, he put up a truce sign in White Sand County and spread the news that he was injured by Yuan Buwen with False Core cultivator from the Zheng Household and his life or death is unknown."

The two families claimed to have been fighting for almost half a year, but in reality, of the three Foundation Establishment cultivators who died in battle, two were merely independent Rogue Cultivator who had been brought in from Cloud Horn Prefecture. They had already given the Zheng Household three Foundation Establishment Pills and a number of spiritual items, which was already considered a great favor. Why weren't they satisfied?

Fei Nanying knew that he couldn't reason with his wife, who felt she had been humiliated, so he said, "When the state treasury allocates Upper-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill next time, I will send someone to personally deliver them to the Yunwei Zheng Household."

Fei's wife wasn't one to argue unreasonably. After hearing her husband's promise, her expression improved considerably. After all, the Yunwei Zheng Household was insignificant in her eyes. So, after letting this minor matter pass, Fei's wife brought up Fei Shuhe's letter:

"Shuhe said she should return to Foundation Establishment within ten days. I've prepared all the spiritual items, everything except for the Upper-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill is exactly the same as Wanqing's. Would you like to take a look?"

This matter was far more important to the couple than the survival of the Yunwei Zheng Household. Sima Fei changed his expression, took the document, but did not read it. He only said softly, "With my virtuous wife doing things, what do I have to worry about?"

Concealing the joy in her eyes, Fei's wife spoke, "And regarding your Core Formation resources, the master has also replied."

"Oh? What did the letter from Mount Tai say?"

Perhaps seeing the barely concealed excitement in Sima Fei's eyes, or perhaps because the news he was about to say was too delightful, Fei's wife could no longer maintain her frosty expression and smiled:

"Father replied that the Kuang Household's stinginess is truly hard to change. What is the East Mountain Jade that Kuang Liuting gave you anyway? Just throw it away. He has already written to Ancestor Ye Shui, asking him to send an elder of the Fei Household to the Han Household to retrieve a piece of Imperial Peak Stone and send it to you in Cloud Horn Prefecture."

"This is truly a lady from Mount Tai!" Fei Nanying couldn't hide his excitement. In the matter of cultivation, one cannot lack any of the following: wealth, land, Dharma, or companions.

The Imperial Peak Stone mentioned by Fei's wife was an exceptionally superior Core Formation object for Higher Vehicle East Mountain Jade given by Kuang Liuting. With the help of such a spiritual object, Fei Nanying believed that his probability of forming Middle-Grade Golden Core would greatly increase.

Fei's wife was delighted, but said softly, "Put away that shabby look. What's the point? If it weren't for the fact that there are quite a few unruly forces in the Capital Circuit these past few years, the clan would have sent you the spiritual items long ago."

"The Capital Circuit is getting restless? And it's not just that, is it?" Upon hearing this, Sima Fei's joy faded slightly, and he asked in surprise.

"Father only mentioned this news briefly in his letter, so you don't need to take it too seriously. However, the rumors circulating outside that the Southern Prince of the Kuang family was seriously injured in a battle with three True Persons from the Blood Sword Sect, the leader of the Two Rivers Road, before the Lunar New Year are certainly true."

His injuries are difficult to heal, but more importantly, they may shorten his lifespan. As such, with the current emperor already living for over a thousand years and the Prince of the South seriously injured, among the three True Person of the imperial clan, only the Prince of the North is unharmed in the short term.

However, he has only Nascent Soul Formation for a hundred years, and his cultivation level is still at the Nascent Soul Early Stage. A storm is brewing; who can predict what the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty will look like a hundred years from now?

Fei's wife spoke with a sorrowful tone, and seeing the worry on Fei Nanying, she continued, "It is true that most of the prominent families in the Immortal Dynasty are somewhat close to the Kuang Household. But as long as the True Person of each family have a change of heart, they can immediately sever ties."

This is true even for high-ranking officials in the imperial court. However, the Fei Household lacks True Person leader to oversee things. Perhaps it's time to reconsider whether they should place all their hopes on Kuang Liuting, as Old Ancestor Ye Shui firmly believed.

Therefore, after my lord completes the elixir and enters the Clan Elder Hall of Ying Prefecture, perhaps he can offer some advice to Ancestor Ye Shui."

Fei Nanying frowned, pondered for a moment, and then slowly nodded.

"What you say is very true. It is not only the unorthodox sects like the Blood Sword Sect that are difficult to restrain, but also the righteous sects like the Supreme Unity Temple and the Dragon and Tiger Sect, which have always been close to the Immortal Dynasty, have had a much worse relationship with the Immortal Dynasty in recent years."

Therefore, the current emperor has even disregarded his reputation and taken the Holy Maiden of the Hehuan Sect as his concubine, which shows how dire the situation is.

Fei Nanying paused here, then continued, "However, if Lord Bo can truly form Upper-Grade Golden Core this time, he might be able to extend the life of the Kuang Household's empire for several hundred years."

Fei's wife raised an eyebrow upon hearing this and said softly, "Is that person from the outer sea really that powerful? If Kuang Liuting becomes his personal disciple, will the sects and Lineage within the Immortal Dynasty truly cease their activities?"

"How could we possibly fathom such beings?" Fei Nanying shook his head, then said, "But that's what Ancestor Ye Shui said back then, so it must be true."

Few True Person within the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty were willing for the Earl to achieve Upper-Grade Golden Core, yet no one dared to touch him. Everyone in the imperial clan desperately wanted the Earl to achieve the Golden Core, but no one dared to help him.

No one knows whether the one in the outer sea has already become True Lord, but one thing is certain: if he weren't indifferent to worldly affairs and didn't lack sustenance, this Immortal Dynasty would have changed its name long ago.

After saying this, Sima Fei took Fei's wife's soft, boneless hand and whispered, "This is a time destined to be filled with bloodshed. Our cultivation cannot be slowed down; more people will die."

(The recommendation will be on the 31st. Those of you watching pirated versions, could you please support the platform a little?)