Two days later.

Yuan Ming returned to the sect, not going back to the Refining Hall, but directly to the Execution Hall, planning to find some tasks suitable for himself to accumulate some contribution points.

However, when he arrived at the square outside the Execution Hall, he found it unexpectedly bustling with people.

Nearly a hundred disciples from various halls were gathered around a notice board in the square, discussing enthusiastically. Yuan Ming was curious about what news on the board could attract so much attention.

With some effort, Yuan Ming squeezed into the crowd and tiptoed to the notice board. He found a striking red paper posted on it, which was a notice issued by the sect.

“The Bai Lu Hill Alliance?” Yuan Ming quickly read through it, but a big question arose in his heart.

He turned to a round-faced disciple beside him, who was full of excitement, and asked, “Brother, could you tell me what this Bai Lu Hill Alliance is?”

“Don’t you even know about the Bai Lu Hill Alliance? Have you been too engrossed in your cultivation?” The man looked at him with some contempt.

“I just joined the sect not long ago and don’t know much about it. Could you please enlighten me?” Yuan Ming said with a smile.

Seeing that Yuan Ming was polite, the man cleared his throat, ready to explain. But before he could speak, another person next to him jumped in.

“The Bai Lu Hill Alliance is a grand event held by the five major sects in the southern and northern regions of our Nanjiang. It takes place every ten years. The young elites of the five sects gather there. You just joined the sect not long ago, so you probably won’t have the chance to participate.” A tall and thin disciple from the Refining Hall said.

The round-faced disciple, seeing his words stolen, glared at the man and sneered, “You’re not new here, but you talk as if you have a chance to participate. Participation in the alliance depends on strength.”

“Where is your strength? I think you don’t even have the courage to participate…” The tall and thin disciple retorted.

“And what can you do? Every time there’s a good opportunity, you rely on your master’s connections.”

Seeing the two about to fight, Yuan Ming quietly withdrew from the crowd.

The notice only mentioned that the Bai Lu Hill Alliance would be held in half a year, and those who wished to participate could register with the elders in charge of their respective halls. Nothing else was mentioned.

Although Yuan Ming was somewhat curious about the Bai Lu Hill Alliance and wanted to learn more, his main priority was to improve his cultivation as soon as possible. Otherwise, knowing about it would be useless.

He didn’t find any suitable tasks in the Execution Hall, so he returned to the Refining Hall. He went directly to the forge to practice refining embryos.

The path of refining was ultimately about hands-on practice. If he didn’t practice for a long time, he would definitely become rusty.

Since it was past midnight, the morning class in the forge had ended, and almost all the disciples had left. Yuan Ming started the furnace by himself and began to refine embryos.

His strength and skills were maturing day by day, and it was not difficult for him to complete a thousand times of refining. He quickly found his rhythm and completed the refining in no time.

When he put down the last hammer, a standard long knife had been forged.

“Clap, clap.”

At this moment, applause sounded from behind. Brother Fang Ge had come over at some point.

“You’ve improved. The pattern on the blade is beautiful, and the shape is very symmetrical.” Brother Fang Ge praised.

“Brother, you flatter me. I haven’t practiced for a long time and I’m a bit rusty. I hope you can give me some advice.” Yuan Ming said with a smile.

“Don’t be modest. I noticed a long time ago that when you do something, you may not learn faster or more quickly than others, but once you master it, you perform very steadily.” Fang Ge waved his hand and said.

Thinking about it, Yuan Ming suddenly felt that it was indeed the case!

Whether it was refining embryos or drawing talismans, as long as he truly mastered the method, the success rate was very high.

“Have you seen the master?” Fang Ge asked.

“I just returned to the sect today and haven’t had time to pay a visit. Is there any instruction from the Third Master?” Yuan Ming asked with some surprise.

“Sister Chen Wan came to find you yesterday, saying that the master asked you to go to the back mountain. But she couldn’t find you and had to go into seclusion, so she entrusted me to tell you when I see you.” Fang Ge said.

After a moment’s thought, Yuan Ming knew that he was probably asked to take care of Huo Chan’er.

“I’ll go to the back mountain later. Before that, I have something to ask Brother.” Yuan Ming said.

“Just say it.” Fang Ge nodded.

“Brother, do you know what the Bai Lu Hill Alliance is?” Yuan Ming asked.

“Did you go to the Execution Hall? It’s about half a year away.” Fang Ge asked.

“Exactly, I saw many disciples gathered around the notice. It seems to be a grand event held every ten years.” Yuan Ming said.

“Bailu Hill is a forbidden area among the Hundred Thousand Mountains, shrouded in deadly miasma all year round. Every ten years, the miasma in some areas dissipates for seven days. At this time, the five major sects of our Southern and Northern regions will jointly explore Bailu Hill. The alliance is an exchange event for Qi Refining disciples of the five major sects, and also a test of the strength of each sect’s new generation. After all, our five major sects are interconnected.” Fang Ge explained in detail.

“Exploration?” Yuan Ming was intrigued.

“It means searching for various spiritual materials in Bailu Hill.” Fang Ge said.

“Are there many spiritual materials in Bailu Hill?” Yuan Ming asked further.

“Of course. Bailu Hill is a special existence in the entire Hundred Thousand Mountains. Because it is covered by deadly miasma, ordinary cultivators cannot enter, and it is isolated from many fierce beasts. Therefore, it contains a large number of rare and exotic beasts and many unique spiritual materials not found elsewhere. The five major sects can all benefit greatly from it.” Fang Ge said.

“Rare and exotic beasts? It seems that it’s not very peaceful inside.” Yuan Ming said.

“There are indeed dangers. The deadly miasma in Bailu Hill breeds a variety of poisonous creatures and various strange beasts, and casualties are inevitable. Moreover, such an alliance also has certain risks. Each sect will secretly compete, comparing their respective gains and ranking them. So there will also be competition and conflicts between each other.” Fang Ge explained.

Yuan Ming nodded, not asking further.

“Why? Junior Brother Yuan, are you interested in participating?” Fang Ge asked.

“Forget it, I just joined the sect not long ago, and my strength is still shallow. I’d better focus on cultivation.” Yuan Ming said.

He was initially interested, but after talking with Fang Ge, he temporarily dismissed the idea of participating. After all, there was still half a year’s time, and he could decide based on the situation at that time.

“Yes, steady cultivation is the right path. Besides, you’ve just joined the sect, and since you’re not in a hurry to establish your foundation, there’s no need to participate.” Fang Ge nodded, very satisfied with Yuan Ming’s pragmatic thinking.

“Do you mean that it also has something to do with Foundation Establishment?” Yuan Ming asked in confusion.

“The sect attaches great importance to the output of Bailu Hill, and in order to encourage Qi Refining disciples and select potential disciples, there are various additional rewards for participating disciples. All the treasures obtained in Bailu Hill can be exchanged for sect contribution points, which can be used to exchange for various magical instruments, spiritual materials, elixirs, and even cultivation methods. For particularly outstanding disciples, the sect may reward a chance for Foundation Establishment. However, you shouldn’t think about it.” Fang Ge continued.

When he heard about Foundation Establishment, Yuan Ming’s eyes clearly brightened.

Although he was new to the path of cultivation, he knew that for cultivators, Foundation Establishment was the first hurdle on the long road of cultivation. Whether or not one could successfully establish their foundation meant two completely different lives in the future.

The reason is simple, whether or not one can establish their foundation is a matter of lifespan.

Ordinary mortals live only a few decades in their lifetime. It is rare for someone to live to seventy, but once they embark on the path of cultivation, as long as the cultivation method they practice is orthodox, they can prolong their life. Therefore, most Qi Refining cultivators, as long as they do not die prematurely, can live to over a hundred years old, which is not uncommon.

But, that’s the limit.

Although it’s much better than ordinary people, if one is lucky enough to complete Foundation Establishment, living for more than two hundred years is not a problem.

And a long lifespan means more time to cultivate to higher levels, thereby gaining more lifespan.

Yuan Ming is now at the ninth level of Qi Refining, only one step away from the tenth level. Once he steps into the tenth level, he will initially have the qualifications for Foundation Establishment. Therefore, this opportunity for Foundation Establishment is not something he can take or leave.

With this in mind, Yuan Ming immediately changed his mind. He wanted to participate in the Bailu Hill Alliance.

Not only did he want to participate, but he also wanted to make full preparations in advance to strive for that precious opportunity for Foundation Establishment as much as possible.

Because to succeed in Foundation Establishment, without the support of sect resources, no matter how he cultivates, he cannot succeed on his own.

After bidding farewell to the Fire Workshop, Yuan Ming headed straight for the back mountain.

When he arrived outside the small courtyard of the Third Cave Master, Yuan Ming straightened his clothes and said loudly, “Disciple Yuan Ming, pays respects to the Third Cave Master.”

As soon as his voice fell, a sharp little head suddenly appeared on the wall of the courtyard. Two black eyes, like beans, turned around and stared at Yuan Ming, letting out a sharp scream.

Immediately afterwards, a red shadow jumped out from the courtyard and climbed onto Yuan Ming’s shoulder in an instant, rubbing its head affectionately against Yuan Ming’s neck.

Yuan Ming plucked it off his neck and gently stroked its head.

At this time, the door of the small courtyard creaked open on its own.

“Come in.” The voice of the Third Cave Master came from inside the courtyard.

Holding the Fire Glutton, Yuan Ming quickly walked into the courtyard and immediately saw the Third Cave Master sitting next to the stone table.

“Yuan Ming pays respects to the Third Cave Master.” Yuan Ming put the Fire Glutton on his shoulder and bowed.

The Third Cave Master glanced at the intimate Fire Glutton, nodded, and said, “I heard from Fang Ge that you went out for closed-door cultivation before?”

“Yes, I just returned to the sect today.” Yuan Ming replied.

“I will be going into seclusion again soon, and I need you to continue looking after Huo Chan’er for a while,” said the Master of the Three Caves.

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