“You’ve actually succeeded in Foundation Establishment!”

Inside Shenmu City, Yuan Chiyi looked at Chen Mobai, who was drinking tea with E Yun, with a face full of shock.

“After leaving the sect, I observed the world’s mountains and rivers, the blossoming and withering of flowers, and gained insight into the principles of all things growing and decaying. I felt the opportunity for a breakthrough had come, so I found a market town to seclude myself and took a Foundation Establishment Pill.”

As Chen Mobai spoke, he pretended to be unwell and coughed lightly twice.

“Junior Brother Chen, you are a favored son of heaven destined to succeed in Foundation Establishment. Next time, do not be so hasty. Establishing your foundation with insufficient spiritual energy could very likely prevent you from completing the vital step of condensing Qi into liquid.”

Seeing Chen Mobai like this, E Yun frowned slightly and earnestly advised him.

“To hear the Dao and then establish the foundation is the most orthodox method of Foundation Establishment. I never imagined that in my lifetime, I would meet an unparalleled genius like Uncle-Master Chen. I have a premonition that bringing you into Shenmu Sect will be the greatest contribution I’ve made to the sect in my life.”

Yuan Chiyi spoke with a face full of emotion.

Back then, when he was in the Nanyi Market Town of Yun Country, although he already had high hopes for Chen Mobai, a genius with an “exceptional” spiritual root, and thought that bringing him into the sect and nurturing him for ten years would at least yield a true disciple.

He never expected that Chen Mobai’s talent would far exceed his initial estimates.

This could no longer be described as exceptional. To hear the Dao and then establish the foundation is a trait only those with heavenly spiritual roots possess.

Before the Foundation Establishment Pill formula was researched, ancient cultivators relied on themselves for Foundation Establishment.

Among them, the earliest breakthrough was an epiphany upon hearing the Dao, where one’s essence, Qi, and spirit resonated with the natural energies of heaven and earth, directly forging the most suitable perfect foundation for oneself, making future cultivation breakthroughs smooth sailing.

Heavenly spiritual roots are valued by all major sects because such geniuses, upon reaching the peak of Qi Refining, naturally resonate with the corresponding attributes of the natural energies of heaven and earth due to their outstanding spiritual root properties. During Foundation Establishment, they naturally hear the Dao.

After hearing the Dao and establishing the foundation, the next method is to establish the foundation with force.

One forcibly draws upon the spiritual energy that has been cultivated to the extreme within the Dantian’s sea of Qi, causing a transformation and evolution of essence, Qi, and spirit. Unfortunately, this process is extremely difficult due to the lack of resonance with the natural energies of heaven and earth.

Most attempts end in failure, and the consequences of failure are dire: the body disintegrates, and the consciousness shatters.

There is no superiority between these two methods of Foundation Establishment; the former is a natural breakthrough, while the latter is a struggle for survival.

However, correspondingly, cultivators who succeed in establishing their foundation with force, having survived the ordeal, are all top-notch ruthless characters.

“Take, for example, the ancestor of the Yuan family from Heiyun Mountain, he’s exactly that kind of tough character.”

As the conversation continued, the three of them started discussing Yuan Hongyuan.

“With the realm of early Foundation Establishment, to fight against three of the same realm and repel them, even I might not be able to do it. If Yuan Hongyuan didn’t have such strength, Heiyun Mountain and the third-order immortal peach spiritual tree at the mountain’s peak wouldn’t be occupied by their Yuan family.”

E Yun mentioned Yuan Hongyuan with a flash of admiration in his eyes.

“Uncle-Master, you’re being modest. Yuan Hongyuan relied on the geographical advantage and set up a Formation to achieve that. If you had enough time to deploy the Shenmu Divine Light Formation and your cultivation reached the peak of early Foundation Establishment, you could do the same.”

Yuan Chiyi shook his head, though he admired Yuan Hongyuan for being able to establish his foundation with force, it was a common belief within Shenmu Sect that the top three true disciples of the previous generation, Honghe, Zhou Wangshen, and E Yun, even without the Foundation Establishment Pill, might be able to establish their foundation with force.

No matter how formidable an independent cultivator was, they couldn’t compare to the disciples of these large sects.

“Let’s not talk about this anymore. Junior Brother Chen has just completed Foundation Establishment, but during the breakthrough, due to insufficient spiritual energy and the comprehension of an extremely domineering sword technique, he injured his spirit and needs some healing pills.”

E Yun brought the topic back, mentioning the reason he called Yuan Chiyi over.

“There are still a few bottles of second-order Nourishing Spirit Pills in the Lingbao Pavilion. Junior Brother Chen has used all his sect contributions to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills. Take my identity plaque and exchange it for them, and also get a Calming Talisman.”

“I remember there’s a set of second-order Nourishing My Formation in the warehouse of the Formation Department. Give a heads up to Chief Niu, say that the newly opened market town in Dream Swamp needs it, and put it on the year-end accounts. You take it for now.”

“Also, a Foundation Establishment elder can choose a courtyard in Shenmu City, a shop, and a third-order spiritual vein. Go inquire about those that are vacant and see which one is in the best location and can collect the highest rent.”

After listening to E Yun, Chen Mobai immediately waved his hands, indicating there was no need for such trouble. A mere injury to the spirit could be healed with a few years of rest.

“Consider these sect contributions as a loan from me. Moreover, since you are nominally my man, if I don’t arrange these things for you, wouldn’t it make others doubt our relationship?”

With the conversation reaching this point, Chen Mobai could only nod his head with a wry smile.

If he had known earlier, he would have used a different excuse. The second-order spiritual items E Yun was arranging for him to recover his spirit would waste at least a thousand sect contributions.

He hadn’t even paid off the debt for the Foundation Establishment Pills, and now he had incurred another.

“By the way, now that I’ve established my foundation, can I go to the Divine Tree to obtain the true inheritance of Shenmu Sect, as well as the Immortality Scripture and the Foundation Establishment chapter of the Crimson Flame Sword Technique? Do I go directly to the Scripture Pavilion to get them?”

Chen Mobai asked about the matter he was most concerned about upon returning to Shenmu Sect.

“This requires a visit to the Transmission Department. It just so happens that your advancement to Foundation Establishment needs to be reported to Sect Master Meng Hong as well. Come with me.”

Shenmu Sect’s three great halls govern twelve departments.

Among them, Shenmu Hall has only two directly governed departments: Divination and Transmission, which are in charge of the sect’s secret forces and heritage transmission.

Following E Yun, they went to pay respects to Sect Master Meng Hong.

“Very good, very good.”

The old man who was fishing heard the news of Chen Mobai’s successful Foundation Establishment and immediately rushed back, laughing heartily.”The sect has flourished under my leadership, and my heart is greatly comforted.”

Meng Hong stood in the grand hall, chatting with E Yun and Chen Mobai.

“Master, Junior Brother Chen has succeeded in his Foundation Establishment on his first attempt and can now enter the Divine Tree Secret Realm.”

Chen Mobai was still pondering how to broach the subject tactfully when E Yun spoke up directly.

“That is only right. However, Lu Yi has been out on business recently, and he is the one in charge of opening the Secret Realm. We might have to wait for his return.”

Meng Hong agreed without any hesitation.

Afterwards, the sect leader continued to chat with them for a while before suddenly turning to Chen Mobai with a question.

“You have been cultivating up to now without a master. Would you be interested in becoming my disciple?”

Hearing this, Chen Mobai hesitated.

He had heard that the sect leader had reached the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment and was about to enter seclusion to form his Golden Core. His focus was now on nurturing the next sect leader.

The offer to take a disciple was surely because he saw potential in Chen Mobai, casting a wide net in hopes of catching a big fish.

“I prefer to cultivate alone.”

In the end, Chen Mobai declined.

Although there were many benefits to becoming Meng Hong’s disciple, Chen Mobai had too many secrets. To avoid exposure, it was better to cultivate alone.

“What a pity.”

Meng Hong could only sigh and shake his head, then waved his hand, dismissing the two of them.

“How did it go?”

After Chen Mobai and E Yun left, Meng Hong suddenly turned to look at the shadows of the grand hall. Cang Qi stepped out and handed him a scroll.

“Our spy in the Five Elements Sect has heard that Chunyu Su has recently posted an assassination job in the black market.”

“Who is the target? What’s the result?”

Meng Hong’s eyes narrowed sharply, and the temperature in the Divine Wood Hall seemed to drop several degrees, causing Cang Qi to shiver.

“Someone took the job, but there has been no word of its completion.”

No word meant the task was not yet finished.

“What about Lu Yi?”

“Chen Guixian did not leave the nation. He checked all the Foundation Establishment cultivators within the nation during this period. A total of five people left their cultivation places, with Yuan Hongyuan from Heiyun Mountain being the most suspicious. The Yuan Shaoyuan brothers claimed to be negotiating business with the Luo family in Yun Country, but their disappearance coincides with the time Chen Guixian became a true disciple. We’re not sure if it’s true since we haven’t received information from Yun Country yet. But Yuan Hongyuan mysteriously left Heiyun Mountain yesterday and returned severely injured.”

“Severely injured? Are you certain?”

Although Meng Hong knew that Yuan Hongyuan might be an enemy sect’s spy, he also knew that Yuan was a fierce character known for his strength in Foundation Establishment, with formidable combat power, capable of fighting even mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

“Yes, Lu Yi said that today Yuan Hongyuan sent people to buy healing pills for sword wounds in all the major markets. It seems he suffered a great loss against a Foundation Establishment sword cultivator.”

“Foundation Establishment sword cultivator!”

Meng Hong and Cang Qi exchanged glances, thinking of E Yun’s earlier account of Chen Mobai’s breakthrough and injury, and suddenly they had their answer.

“If it really was Chen Guixian, why wouldn’t he say anything?”

“I haven’t had much contact with this young man, but he left a strong impression. He’s hot-tempered, probably waiting to heal before seeking revenge personally.”

Cang Qi thought he had seen through Chen Mobai, a straightforward sword cultivator. Meng Hong considered this explanation reasonable.

“Since he won’t say anything, let’s pretend we don’t know. Leave Yuan Hongyuan as his whetstone.”

“Still, the boy is ruthless. He just broke through and fought against a renowned Foundation Establishment expert like Yuan Hongyuan, and he even managed to win against the odds. He reminds me of Uncle Mo from years ago.”

Mo Douguang of Jinguang Cliff, before forming his Golden Core, had once slain a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator while at the early stage, earning the title of the number one sword cultivator in the Eastern Desolation.

“It’s been four years since the last batch of Foundation Establishment pills were distributed in Huitian Valley. Issue a notice in the name of the Divine Wood Hall, announcing that the Divine Tree Secret Realm will open in a month, to hurry those youngsters along.”

“Yes.”

Chen Mobai, of course, was unaware of the conversation that took place in the Divine Wood Hall after he left.

He followed E Yun to the Scripture Pavilion.

Opening the Divine Tree Secret Realm required arrangements by the Transmission Department, but the Foundation Establishment chapters of the Eternal Life Scripture and the Crimson Flame Sword Technique only required the appropriate identity plaque.

Chen Mobai took out his newly upgraded Foundation Establishment plaque at the Divine Wood Hall, and the guardian of the Scripture Pavilion, still the elderly Hu surname cultivator, clearly remembered him. Seeing that Chen Mobai had already achieved Foundation Establishment, he couldn’t help but show a look of shock.

“Such a young talent!”

With a sigh, he felt his own body growing even older and regretted not risking it all to achieve Foundation Establishment through strength.

For other disciples of the Divine Wood Sect, the Scripture Pavilion was a treasure trove.

But Chen Mobai took the Foundation Establishment chapters of the Eternal Life Scripture and the Crimson Flame Sword Technique and left without lingering.

“Junior Brother’s sword heart is as firm as iron!”

E Yun saw Chen Mobai go up, take two books, and come down in less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn. He thought that in Chen Mobai’s heart, aside from the sword, there was nothing else.

Chen Mobai couldn’t clarify, so he just went along with it.

What he was thinking, however, was to enter the Divine Tree Secret Realm before revealing his true level of power and see what mysteries lay within this highly praised heritage of the Divine Wood Sect.

After all, he had achieved both of his goals for infiltrating the Divine Wood Sect.

One was the Foundation Establishment pill, which had perfectly aided his successful Foundation Establishment.

The second was the Dual-Phase Technique to increase the chances of forming a Golden Core. Having obtained the Eternal Life Scripture, which could be cultivated to the peak of Foundation Establishment, he could say that goal was also achieved.

He was now ready to flee at any moment.

However, since he had made a name for himself in the Divine Wood Sect, if he could maintain the persona of an unparalleled sword genius without breaking the illusion, he was very willing to stay.

After all, he quite liked the atmosphere here.No one disturbed him as he tended to his farming and cultivation.

The two returned to E Yun’s courtyard in Shenmu City, where Chen Mobai would soon have his own residence, a shop, and a cave dwelling with a third-order spiritual vein.

The thought made the idea of leaving the Shenmu Sect even less appealing.

Yuan Chiyi was already waiting there.

“There’s only one bottle of Nourishing Spirit Pill left, no more Calming Talismans, but I did manage to get the Nourishing Formation. It’s only because I’m a true disciple of the Formation Department and I went early that I was able to snatch it.”

Hearing this, E Yun’s brow furrowed. Although he had an ordinary appearance, his demeanor was now imposing without anger.

“What happened?”

“Ding Ying and Feng Hongxue failed their Foundation Establishment, each exchanging for a bottle of Nourishing Spirit Pill and a Calming Talisman. Not long after you left, the Shenmu Hall announced the upcoming opening of the Divine Tree Secret Realm. The other dozen or so true disciples who received the Foundation Establishment Pills couldn’t wait any longer and exchanged for all the spiritual items that could potentially increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment.”

Calming Talismans and the Nourishing Formation could stabilize the mind, offering a bit of help to those with insufficient spiritual consciousness during the soul’s emergence.

“What about you? After the Divine Tree Secret Realm opens, it needs to be nurtured for a while before it can be opened again. If you miss this opportunity, even if you succeed in Foundation Establishment, you’ll have to wait another three years.”

After hearing this, E Yun knew that Meng Hong was urging Yuan Chiyi and the other senior true disciples who had received the Foundation Establishment Pills but were still hesitant to take the step.

The last time the Divine Tree Secret Realm was opened was when he, Hong He, and Zhou Wangshen all succeeded in Foundation Establishment.

“I was just about to discuss this with you. How about I use the Nourishing Formation first?”

Hearing this, E Yun turned to look at Chen Mobai, who immediately nodded without any hesitation.

“Senior Brother Yuan, please use it. I wish you success in your Foundation Establishment.”

“Thank you for your kind words. I’m going into seclusion now.”

After speaking, Yuan Chiyi’s face also showed a relieved expression. If it weren’t for the command from Shenmu Hall, he might not have had the courage to take this step.

“Junior Brother Yuan, this is the ‘Heavenly Cicada Spirit Leaf’ I obtained in the Divine Tree Secret Realm. I’m still exploring its exact functions, but wearing it can clear the mind and protect against external demons. It might also help with Foundation Establishment. You can use it first.”

E Yun took out a leaf as thin as a cicada’s wing and the size of a palm from his storage bag.

Chen Mobai and Yuan Chiyi were both surprised; this was the opportunity E Yun had obtained in the Divine Tree Secret Realm.

“Thank you, Uncle-Master.”

Yuan Chiyi didn’t put on airs and accepted it directly.

Chen Mobai also gave him a high-grade first-order Revival Talisman, which could help recover quickly if Foundation Establishment failed.

It was a gesture of goodwill.