Core Formation and Foundation Establishment

Xuanwei City -- Zhu Mansion

Zhu Tong only learned about the big commotion that had taken place at the Fei Household that day on her way back from the official temple.

He narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself, "Ying Prefecture actually sent Golden Core. This is too sudden. Why weren't they informed beforehand? I could have made some preparations to welcome them."

Zhu Tong whispered to the attendant who had come to report, "Have you found out which high-level cultivator from the Fei Lineage has arrived in Xuanwei City?"

This attendant was a long-time confidant of Zhu Tong, someone he had kept by his side since his humble beginnings. Their relationship was extraordinary, and Zhu Tong knew that the governor valued this matter highly. Therefore, he whispered words of comfort:

"The people below are ignorant, and when I went there, the Fei Household had already closed their doors, so I was unable to see the true face of the cultivator. I can only guess that it shouldn't be the Grand Pillar of the Fei Household, since according to previous news, he should have been in seclusion for the past sixty years."

However, my lord, there is no need to be in a hurry. You and Sima have always been close, so it shouldn't be long before you are summoned by the emperor."

"Well, the Fei Household's patriarch Ye Shui has just received a great fortune, so it's unlikely he'll come in person anytime soon," Zhu Tong replied casually, then asked with a hint of doubt, "Did those black dogs from the Demon Correction Office go to the Fei Household?"

The attendant scoffed, "My lord, what are you saying? With a high-ranking official arriving now, how dare they go in to spy? They'd all be hiding in dog holes with their necks tucked in! Only that one head dog has the guts to show himself in public."

"Tie Liuyun has made a move?" Zhu Tong asked with some surprise. His attendant whispered, "Several officials close to that man, such as the Chief Clerk of the Sima Office Mansion, Buse, and the Treasury Clerk, Tie Xishui, have all made moves. They're directing the Assistant Commissioners to plot something."

"Let them be clowns."

"Didn't Commander Qin go?" Zhu Tong thought of Qin Sufu, who also came from a poor background and bore a resemblance to himself back then.

"From what I've heard, he went to Han City some time ago, but we still don't know exactly what he did there."

"Well, that's settled then." Zhu Tong nodded and gestured for his attendant to leave the room. Unexpectedly, the attendant hesitated for a moment, then turned back after taking a few steps, saying, "My lord, I overheard some gossip outside, and I'm not sure if I should tell you."

"Stop pretending, just tell me quickly." Zhu Tong glanced at her childhood friend before urging him to speak.

"It seems that the Golden Core from the Fei Household came specifically to test the Fei Household's disciples. He started a small competition as soon as he entered, without even having a drink. I've also heard that this time, the Fei Household's son-in-law seems to have won the championship."

"Little Bi, the son-in-law of the top leader." Zhu Tong highlighted the key phrase and read it aloud, "Is it that Kang Dabao?"

"It's him! When I first heard the news, I didn't believe it. He's only been at the Foundation Establishment for a few years! How could he possibly..."

Zhu Tong ignored the incessant chatter of his attendant, closed his eyes and pondered for a moment before stopping him, saying, "The news of the Golden Core's arrival should be reported to the Lord as soon as possible. The Lord has shown some favor towards Kang Dabao in the past year or two, so he should also be somewhat interested in this news."

"My lord, this news is probably not very valuable." The attendant looked somewhat puzzled.

"That's strange. Didn't you say that the Fei Household had closed their doors and it was difficult to even find out which Golden Core had come? How would an ordinary person know about their young master's competition?" Zhu Tong asked, somewhat puzzled.

"My lord, you are wise. Although news of the Fei Household competition is not as easily obtained as it might seem, it is not difficult to find out without much effort and without losing anyone."

"Is that so? That's interesting."

----Commander of the Palace

"This is interesting. Gentlemen, let's discuss this. Could this news be deliberately leaked by the Fei Household to mislead others?" Tie Liuyun asked softly in the hall, but no one responded for a moment.

"Xishui, why aren't you saying anything?" Tie Liuyun was displeased with this situation and called on his nephew to speak.

"Uncle, your guess is not impossible, but since this matter involves Golden Core cultivator, we should keep quiet and not act rashly," Tie Xishui showing difficulty.

"Commander, Fellow Daoist Tie is right. Even if we were to take action, we should have informed Senior Yue Lan first," Buse chimed in from the side.

"We should first find out some clues and come up with a plan before reporting to Senior Yue Lan," Tie Liuyun insisted, even though no one supported him.

"Uncle, that's Golden Core! Golden Core!!" Tie Xishui whispered, his bald head covered in sweat, and gritted his teeth as he repeated it.

Tie Liuyun seemed to regain his senses from the sudden shock of the roar, and sighed inwardly, "Yes, that's Golden Core! In the current Cloud Horn Prefecture Court, Foundation Establishment aren't considered valuable, and there are even a few False Core cultivators, but there isn't a single Golden Core!"

He calmed himself down and thought for a moment, then said, "Even a powerful family like the Ying Prefecture Fei Household Golden Core not act rashly without a reason. There must be some hidden reason behind this!"

Tie Liuyun's eyes were bloodshot as he said urgently, "Buse Daoist Bu Se, Xishui, you two have a good relationship with Kang Dabao. Why don't you try to get some clues out of him? I still want to know, what is the origin of the Fei Household's Golden Core?"

The hall fell silent for a moment. Now, Tie Liuyun was becoming increasingly attached to the Han City Yue Household, and his actions were becoming somewhat mad. Even the Yue Household themselves were not necessarily more dedicated and hardworking than him.

Buse had heard these words, but remained calm and composed, closing his eyes and saying nothing.

It's true that Tie Liuyun's Xiezhi Guard is powerful, but it's really not enough to make Buse risk offending Golden Core cultivator to gather information!

Don't assume that just because Kuang Liuting can capture Golden Core cultivator alive, the cultivation of Golden Core cultivator becomes worthless.

Cloud Horn Prefecture has been controlled by two people with False Core surnames for hundreds of years; the dispute between the legitimate and illegitimate sons of the Ye Prefecture Yang Household has caused widespread suffering, yet no one has taken any action; and Ding Prefecture, which is next door, is regarded as the exclusive domain of the Golden Core Hongyi Sect.

Xie Yi, who was captured alive by Kuang Liuting, was True-Grade Golden Core True Cultivator and the Supreme Elder of the Hongyi Sect, the overlord of Ding Prefecture, who could make decisions unilaterally.

In other words, in these border regions of the surrounding states, a True-Grade Golden Core cultivator can decide the fate of countless lives with a single word.

Tie Liuyun has gone mad, but Buse is not, Kuang Liuting certainly isn't either.

It should be known that the Kuang Household is the most heartless and ungrateful. In their eyes, none of the Foundation Establishment True Cultivator cultivators in the hall are as valuable as the Golden Core cultivator from the Fei Household.

"Xishui, you can handle this matter." Tie Liuyun was indeed helpless against Buse, but ordering around his nephew was no problem.

Ignoring the latter's pained expression, Tie Liuyun turned away, tapping his fingers on his thigh repeatedly. The burning desire in his eyes had not subsided. He silently wondered, "What brings the Fei Household's Golden Core here?"

---- Fei Household, Quiet Room

"No wonder Elder Zong is so eager to hold a grand sect competition as soon as he arrives." The white-haired old woman's voice was filled with excitement, and her gaze was burning as she looked at the earth-colored square stone in the purple-robed old man's hand.

Compared to the Imperial Peak Stone, which is coveted by countless Foundation Establishment True Cultivator eager to Core Formation, the "Neck Metal Mace" talisman treasure that Sect Leader Kang Da had previously taken away after winning the championship paled in comparison.

The latter smiled faintly and handed the Imperial Peak Stone to Fei Nanying and his wife. At this moment, only the four of them were in the quiet room. The Fei Household elder made no attempt to conceal anything, stating frankly, "My purpose in coming here today is solely to safely deliver this Imperial Peak Stone."

"Thank you, Elder Zong!" Fei Nanying and his wife were overjoyed. After carefully putting away the Imperial Peak Stone, they bowed deeply and said.

"Heh, I wish I could be worthy of your thanks, but alas," the purple-robed elder said, turning his gaze to Han Ningyue with a gentle expression.

The old cultivator pondered for a long time before speaking gently, "There are many complicated matters in the clan, which even Ancestor Ye Shui finds difficult to resolve in a single sentence. This matter has made my Fei Household somewhat ashamed. Fei Dongwen, on behalf of the Ying Prefecture Fei Household, would like to express our gratitude to the Han Household for their kindness."

After Fei Dongwen, Fei Nanying and the white-haired old woman seemed to have thought of something, and their expressions changed immediately.

"Elder Zong, you flatter me." The usually arrogant Han Ningyue showed a rare look of fear on her face and hurriedly bowed in return.

"Ha, how is it serious? A rare and precious Imperial Peak Stone, and all you got in return was a thank you from this old man. Ningyue, you've really lost out on this deal!" After laughing a few more times, Fei Dongwen stood up and said, "Nanying, come with me for a walk."

"Hey," Fei Nanying noticed a visible hint of disappointment in the old woman's eyes, but he only gave his wife a look before following Fei Dongwen out of the quiet room.

The two hadn't walked side by side for long when Fei Nanying heard Fei Dongwen, who was walking ahead of him, casually remark, "The Capital Circuit has been quite turbulent these past few years."

"Is this how it seems to Elder Zong?"

"Yes, the spirit lamp of the founding emperor has not been extinguished, but the thoughts of these prestigious families, Daoist sects, and demonic cults below are already common knowledge. More than a thousand years have passed, and that little bit of residual warmth is hardly enough to suppress them."

"May I ask, Elder Zong, is His Highness the Prince of Prince of the South's injury beyond repair?"

"How can we possibly explain the matter of Nascent Soul True Person?" Fei Dongwen sighed softly again, then continued, "However, it is certain that a True Person has died in the Blood Sword Sect of the Two Rivers Circuit these past few days."

"Ah? Is it one of the three who fought against the Prince of the South last time?" Faced with such a big matter, even the Fei Nanying couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Fei Dongwen nodded first, then shook his head. "That's natural. With the Blood Sword Sect's resources, it's already quite remarkable that they have three True Person still alive. I'm afraid it's difficult to find any other True Person in the world."

However, it's unclear which True Person perished, or whether their death was due to injuries sustained in the battle with His Highness the Prince of the South.

Seeing the worry creeping onto Fei Nanying's face, the old cultivator gently comforted him, "This matter involves True Person; listen and then move on. Let alone you alone, what can the entire Ying Prefecture Fei Household do in the face of such a powerful situation?"

"Yes, Nanying is indeed worrying unnecessarily." Fei Nanying did not refute, but nodded in agreement.

"Now, your most important task is to Core Formation. These past few years, the outside world has been turbulent, and even our Fei Household has become unstable as a result."

Otherwise, even if you couldn't obtain the Imperial Peak Stone for me, the East Mountain Jade should have been sent over much sooner. You wouldn't have needed to ask the Kuang Household first, and then the Han Household. Nanying, don't blame Ancestor Ye Shui; he has the fate of thousands of cultivators in the Fei Household at stake, and he also has many unavoidable circumstances."

Fei Dongwen's tone betrayed a hint of weariness, which seemed genuine. Fei Nanying repeatedly exclaimed, "Elder, Nanying have absolutely no such intention!"

"Ha, it doesn't matter. The heads of the families are all unfair and unclear in their rewards and punishments. They deserve to be scolded!" Fei Dongwen chuckled self-deprecatingly. Before Fei Nanying speak, he continued, "There's one more thing. After you Core Formation, move the entire She Mountain Hall here."

"Elder Zong?!"

"Things are not going well. Anyone with sharp eyes and ears can see that the building is about to collapse, but Ancestor Ye Shui is going to make a big bet, and you are just one part of it. Or rather, the entire Ying Prefecture Fei Household is just a small part of it."

When Fei Dongwen strung these seemingly insignificant words into sentences, they became so heavy that Fei Nanying could hardly breathe.

"Is that what all the elders in the clan think?!" Fei Nanying instinctively felt disgusted by this high-stakes gamble, and in a shock, he spoke out rather presumptuously and without regard for propriety.

Fei Dongwen shook his head again. "I have told you everything that can and cannot be said today. If you still want to know the rest, then you Golden Core Formation Pill as soon as possible, return to the clan land in Ying Prefecture to worship your ancestors, and enter the Clan Elder Hall before we talk about it."

The other disciples I brought this time, besides Nanyi, including Bofeng and Zhongyun, are all for your use.

Although they are not of the Fei Household bloodline, I raised them myself, and they are no different from my own children. They can share some of your burdens, and I don't expect them to harbor any wicked intentions or try to seize power within the She Mountain Hall."

"Elder Zong's considerations are very thorough, Nanying understands." Fei Dongwen's words seemed to have a magical power, allowing Fei Nanying to quickly regain his composure.

"Hmm, I heard your niece is also about to Foundation Establishment?" After discussing serious matters, Fei Dongwen's mood seemed to lighten considerably.

Upon hearing Elder Zong mention his niece, Fei Nanying's face lit up with joy, and he respectfully replied, "She's rather useless; I wonder what level of Dao Foundation she can achieve."

"It's alright, children and grandchildren have their own Sun Fu. Among my many bloodline descendants, not a single one has reached the Ice Leaf Foundation Establishment. I don't know if I'll be fortunate enough to have that before I die."

At this point, Fei Dongwen's gaze towards Fei Nanying held a different kind of brilliance, and the former spoke again, "If only another Wanqing could emerge. Ancestor Ye Shui once told me personally that within half a century, Wanqing should be able to attempt to Core Formation."

"Many thanks to the Ancestor and Elder for nurturing my daughter!"

"If my Fei Household can produce another Golden Core cultivator under a hundred years old, it should be me and Ancestor Ye Shui who thank you!" Fei Dongwen said sincerely, then continued:

"Let's go. Since we've come all this way, let's tell Shuhe about Foundation Establishment. Her father once studied under me and was much more intelligent than you."

Fei Nanying smiled outwardly but was inwardly uneasy. He followed Fei Dongwen back to the front hall and sent someone to call Kang Dabao and his wife back.

-- Half a month later.

Fei Shuhe had incurred a Merit Points from the She Mountain Hall for renting a Foundation Establishment Chamber, and left her Sect Leader Kang Da, at the Fei Household as collateral. Fei Dongwen, being a senior elder and Golden Core Elixir cultivator, could not possibly have spoken to Fei Shuhe for long.

Fei Nanying temporarily put aside his Core Formation process within the past half month, and Han Ningyue prepared all sorts of luxurious and rare provisions for Fei Shuhe.

During this period, Sect Leader Kang Da did not leave for a moment. Only when Fei Shuhe's secluded stone chamber was closed did a hint of worry appear in his eyes.

"Relax. I've been teaching this girl for so many years, and I've never felt as relaxed and comfortable as I have for the past two weeks," Fei Nanying comforted him, completely ignoring the fact that his palms were also sweating with tension.

However, these words were not entirely without effect. Kang Dabao felt a little relieved, took out a prayer mat, and planned to wait for Fei Shuhe to come out of the pass.

And just like that, a month passed in the blink of an eye.

Thank you for your support!