Watching the Mountain

Chapter 64: Chapter 58: Foundation Establishment

Breaking through from the Qi Cultivation Stage to Foundation Establishment requires a massive amount of gentle Spiritual Power in a short time. This power is used to temper gaseous Spiritual Qi into liquid True Essence, forging the Dao Foundation. Simultaneously, it must protect the body’s Spirit Veins and internal organs, cleanse the physical form, and expel all Acquired Muddy Qi.

Next, ordinary mental energy must be thoroughly condensed and transformed into Divine Sense.

Combined with the state of a Bright Heart Illuminating Self, the Foundation Establishment Stage is truly a sublimation and transformation for a Cultivator in three aspects: the physical body, the mind, and the Mental Realm.

Xu Ran’s situation, however, was different from that of an ordinary cultivator in the Qi Cultivation Stage.

For an ordinary cultivator, the most difficult of the Foundation Establishment Three Gates is achieving a Bright Heart. Condensing Divine Sense comes next, and the physical transformation is the last.

But Xu Ran had already seen his future path clearly and had reached the Bright Heart Realm. As for the trial of Divine Sense, he had comprehended an Intent long ago—a Dual Intent, in fact.

Thanks to the empowerment from his Intents, his mental energy was already far more condensed than that of an ordinary cultivator in the Qi Cultivation Stage. It was essentially no different from the Divine Sense of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. The only thing holding him back was his cultivation Realm.

Once his body completed its transformation, condensing his Divine Sense would be a natural next step.

In other words, he had already passed the two most difficult of the Foundation Establishment Three Gates without even realizing it. The challenge before him now was actually the simplest part: the physical transformation.

Xu Ran himself only came to this startling realization while preparing for his breakthrough and taking stock of his situation.

He was so shocked by his own condition that his expression grew dazed. ’It feels like a dream.’

There was a time when advancing his cultivation had been an arduous struggle. The hurdle of the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer had seemed like an insurmountable chasm before him. He had often wondered if Yue Qingyu was right—that he would never reach the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer in his entire life.

He still vividly remembered the despair of seeing no path forward. As he prepared to break through to Foundation Establishment, his heart had been heavy, expecting another perilous ordeal.

But looking back now, he realized that, at some point, breaking through to Foundation Establishment had ceased to be a challenge for him.

At this thought, the weight on his shoulders vanished, and his eyes filled with confidence.

This was perhaps the most confident he had ever been about a breakthrough in his entire cultivation journey.

With that, he rose and headed for the Internal Affairs Hall on Spirit Stream Peak.

Now that everything was ready, all he needed were some Foundation Establishment Pills to begin. To support his breakthrough, the Sect had granted him unlimited access to them.

He figured that in his current state, one or two Foundation Establishment Pills would probably suffice. Still, he decided to request ten just in case.

Confidence was one thing, but one still had to be fully prepared.

When Xu Ran arrived at the Internal Affairs Hall, he saw a familiar face.

The man was none other than Chen Minghe, the Purple Mansion Cultivator who had led their group during the great inter-sect competition. This surprised Xu Ran. ’I thought he was from Celestial Profound Peak, just like Yue Qingyu,’ he wondered. ’What’s he doing on Spirit Stream Peak?’

Then it hit him. It was a Sect rule: the various peak Internal Affairs Halls and the main Internal Affairs Hall were staffed on a rotating basis to prevent corruption.

When Chen Minghe learned why Xu Ran was there, he first offered his congratulations, wishing him an early success in achieving Foundation Establishment.

He then took the Identity Jade Talisman from Xu Ran. Upon seeing the insignia on the talisman, his eyes widened in shock. ”E-Elder Xu?”

It took him a moment to process the fact that Xu Ran now outranked him, a mere Steward. For someone who had advanced by patiently accumulating seniority, this came as quite a blow.

He also felt a pang of regret. When he’d asked for Xu Ran’s help contacting Yue Qingyu, he had casually addressed him as ”Junior Brother Xu” but had later switched back. ’If only I’d stuck with it,’ he thought.

And when he saw the quota of Foundation Establishment Pills Xu Ran was allowed to withdraw, his jaw nearly dropped to the floor.

It took him a long moment to recover. After composing himself, he looked at Xu Ran and asked, ”Elder Xu, how many Foundation Establishment Pills will you be taking?”

”Ten.”

Xu Ran’s reply stunned him for a second. He glanced around, then leaned in close and whispered, ”Elder Xu, you’re too upright.”

Xu Ran was slightly taken aback by his words.

Chen Minghe continued, ”Please don’t take this the wrong way, but your talent is plain for the whole Sect to see. Everyone expects that for you to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, it would be normal to use twenty or even thirty Foundation Establishment Pills.”

He lowered his voice even more as he spoke. If not for the silencing Restrictions in the Internal Affairs Hall, he wouldn’t have to whisper like this.

”So, requesting thirty, or even fifty... it might seem like a lot, but it wouldn’t be outside the Sect’s expectations. Even if you took a hundred—it sounds a bit much, I know—but with your status, the Sect won’t actually investigate. Everyone knows they’re for your breakthrough.”

”Honestly, you’re being too scrupulous. A disposition like that will only make you lose out in the Cultivation Realm.”

While Chen Minghe wasn’t one to misstep on major issues, he had a penchant for seizing small advantages. Right now, for instance, just hearing the number Xu Ran stated made his own heart ache with regret, even though he was just an onlooker.

’If it were me, I’d have taken fifty, maybe even a hundred. A mere ten? That’s barely anything.’

’Letting a freebie like this slip by... wasn’t that just a massive loss?’

He was telling Xu Ran all this because he’d missed his chance to get closer to him before and now wanted to make amends.

He had a feeling that building a good relationship with someone who became an Honorary Elder while still in the Qi Cultivation Stage might save him decades of climbing the ladder and allow him to improve his own standing much faster.

After hearing Chen Minghe’s words, Xu Ran shook his head slightly and smiled. ”Thank you for your kind intentions, Steward Chen, but ten is enough.”

He was telling the truth. With his current status, getting more Foundation Establishment Pills was just a matter of asking. There was no need to do something like this.

Chen Minghe’s expression stiffened. He had meant to use this as a chance to get closer to Xu Ran, but his attempt at flattery had clearly backfired.

He quickly started spouting compliments about Elder Xu’s righteousness and noble character.

Xu Ran shook his head, holding no strong opinion of Chen Minghe. The man’s willingness to take responsibility during the inter-sect competition proved he had a sense of duty. But nobody was perfect. For someone who had scraped his way up by accumulating seniority, it was only natural to want to skim a little profit and gain small advantages where he could.

As long as it wasn’t too excessive, the Sect tended to turn a blind eye. After all, water that is too pure has no fish.

Chen Minghe watched Xu Ran’s departing figure, his expression shifting slightly. ’He became an Honorary Elder while still in the Qi Cultivation Stage. Could it be related to this kind of character?’

Then, his gaze flickered slightly. ’Should I also improve my own character? Maybe then I’ll have a hope of touching the threshold of Core Formation?’

*

*

*

Just as Xu Ran had expected, breaking through to Foundation Establishment posed little difficulty for him. After consuming two Foundation Establishment Pills, his cultivation advanced smoothly.

In truth, one Foundation Establishment Pill had been nearly enough. However, during the transformation, he felt his Spiritual Power reserves lagging and, worried something might go wrong, took a second one just to be safe.

It wasn’t as if he was short on Foundation Establishment Pills, so there was no reason to be frugal.

After his breakthrough, he didn’t emerge from seclusion right away. Instead, he remained in seclusion for another year to consolidate his new power and fully adapt to the changes in his strength.

When he stepped out of his Seclusion Chamber, he discovered the Sect was bustling with activity, filled with a festive air.

After asking around, he learned that the first group of people from the Evil Demon Battlefield was set to return today.

And the one leading them was none other than the Evergreen Sword Saint, Zhang Zhentian, whose name now shook the Immortal Ancient Cultivation Realm.

That name was already legendary among the disciples of the Profound Pure Sect. Tales of the Evergreen Sword Saint, Zhang Zhentian, were told everywhere within the Sect.

Upon hearing of his return, many were craning their necks in anticipation, eager to witness his legendary demeanor for themselves.

Xu Ran’s memory of Zhang Zhentian was frozen at the time of his departure.

Back then, Zhang Zhentian had already transformed from a little terror into a composed young man. Although much of it was a deliberate act—and he would still show flashes of his old recklessness in front of Xu Ran—he had changed immensely from his childhood.

He was particularly impressed by the boy’s training sessions with his death-attribute Sword Intent. Zhang Zhentian had shown a stubborn refusal to give up until he achieved his goal, a tenacity that forced Xu Ran to see him in a new light.

Then again, he’d always been that way. To get a second match with Xu Ran, he had kept his promise to stay out of trouble for half a year. That was supposed to be his prize for winning, yet he’d fulfilled the condition just for the chance to compete.

It was clear that Zhang Zhentian had a stubborn streak even as a child.

He had gone to the Evil Demon Battlefield to take Ye Shan’s place, to become the new icon of the Profound Pure Sect. Xu Ran wondered what that stubbornness had forged him into today.

Judging by his spreading fame, Zhang Zhentian had certainly succeeded.

Still, Xu Ran was deeply curious to see for himself how exactly he had changed.

And so, he joined the disciples waiting outside the main gate.

Before long, several small black specks appeared on the horizon. They drew nearer and nearer, gradually resolving into the forms of several Flying Ships.

The moment the Flying Ships came into view, the waiting disciples erupted in cheers.

Perhaps hearing the cheers from the crowd, figures began to emerge from the ships as they drew close.

On the foremost Flying Ship, a young man in a dark robe stood tall at the prow, facing the wind.

He had a lean, powerful build and a steady aura. He stood like a precious sword with its edge concealed—and though its sharpness was hidden, one could still sense the world-rending Sword Intent coiled within its sheath, ready to tear through the sky the moment it was drawn.

”We have returned.”

His words were spoken softly, yet they were enough to electrify the crowd, drawing thunderous cheers.

Zhang Zhentian approached the crowd step by step. From several yards away, he raised his hands to form a respectful salute to the welcoming Elders, his etiquette flawless.

The warriors behind him followed his lead, saluting in unison.

Standing there with his troops, he looked like a general leading a charge, an awe-inspiring figure that commanded respect.

For he was that ever-victorious general. The sheer battle intent rolling off him made people instinctively avert their gaze, yet they couldn’t resist looking back to admire his magnificent presence.

Afterward, he led his troops into the crowd, basking in their cheers and applause.

This was the treatment and honor they deserved.

Everyone cheered for them with all their might.

He also weaved through the crowd, greeting one person after another.

When he reached Xu Ran, he paused for a fraction of a second. Then, with a placid expression, he gave a slight nod. ”Steward Xu.”

After decades apart, he didn’t call him ”Senior Brother Xu.” Just a simple ”Steward Xu,” the same greeting one might give a common acquaintance.

Then he moved on, his figure disappearing back into the crowd.