Inside the Wood Hall of Daomen Peak.
Having finished consulting Martial Uncle Wen on how to refine and absorb the Foundation Establishment Pill, Qin Sang did not rush to leave. Instead, he produced two middle-grade spirit stones and presented them with both hands.
Martial Uncle Wen glanced at Qin Sang, his expression unmoved, and asked impassively, "What is the meaning of this, Martial Nephew Qin?"
"As the saying goes, the Dharma is not imparted lightly. Having received Martial Uncle Wen's guidance, I have benefited immensely and am deeply grateful. I did not know how to repay Martial Uncle's benevolence, and reflecting upon myself, these worldly items were all I could offer. I only hope Martial Uncle will not look down on them," Qin Sang said with an earnest expression.
In truth, his heart ached terribly. He possessed only eight middle-grade spirit stones in total, and one of them had even had part of its spiritual power drained when he killed Sun De.
Just earlier, he had refused Martial Uncle Ye's offer to buy the Foundation Establishment Pill. Though Martial Uncle Ye had spoken pleasant words, Qin Sang had keenly sensed the sudden chill in his eyes.
Now that the Foundation Establishment Pill was in his hands, had nothing gone wrong with the Yanluo Banner, Qin Sang would only need to focus on his cultivation in peace, paying mind to no one. He could live as free as a wild crane until breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, when they would stand as equals—who would fear whom then?
Now, however, that was no longer an option. He had to secure more allies and support for himself.
Of course, his decision to present spirit stones to Martial Uncle Wen was not solely because of Martial Uncle Ye.
Befriending a Foundation Establishment cultivator was an idea Qin Sang had entertained long ago; it had merely become far more urgent now that he had lost the support of the Soul Pills.
The mysterious orchid still lay inside his mustard seed bag. To this day, he did not know what spiritual herb it was, what elixir it could brew, or what effects it possessed.
Qin Sang had originally planned to investigate it slowly after breaking through to Foundation Establishment, but now it seemed he might not have that kind of time. If he remained unable to reach Foundation Establishment, he planned to offer up the orchid in exchange for a future.
If he could not reach Foundation Establishment, what use was the mysterious orchid, no matter how miraculous it might be?
Unless it was an elixir that allowed for immediate ascension in broad daylight, even if this mysterious orchid could help a Core Formation cultivator break through to the Nascent Soul stage, it was still a castle in the air—utterly meaningless to him.
There was a truth he was reluctant to admit: without the Soul Pills' assistance, what were the chances he could ever reach Core Formation? How far could he truly go in the future? Qin Sang hardly dared to think about it, fearing despair.
Of course, if he were to sell it, he had to get a good price. If something could be traded for a single petal, handing over the entire spiritual herb would be a catastrophic loss.
It was said that the second floor of Pagoda Peak held many ancient texts of the cultivation world—ancient pill formulas, primeval secret tomes, and all manner of knowledge. Qin Sang intended to cultivate a good relationship with Martial Uncle Wen and, when the time was ripe, borrow his waist token to enter Pagoda Peak and inspect the records.
In currying favor with Martial Uncle Wen, on the one hand, Martial Uncle Wen was the only Foundation Establishment cultivator he was at all familiar with; on the other hand, from Martial Uncle Wen's words and conduct when Qin Sang first entered the sect, it was evident that the man was not heartless and likely would not turn hostile after accepting benefits.
The only worry was that two middle-grade spirit stones might not satisfy him, and Qin Sang was not sure his meager net worth could withstand the drain.
Holding up his hands, Qin Sang's thoughts raced. Then, feeling his palms lighten, he could not help but let out a silent sigh of relief.
Martial Uncle Wen nodded, clearly pleased with Qin Sang's respectful attitude. Pulling the two middle-grade spirit stones into his mustard seed bag, he said, "Does Martial Nephew Qin have further questions? Speak freely."
Money can make the devil turn the millstone—truly an eternal truth.
Seeing how quickly the two spirit stones took effect, Qin Sang marveled inwardly and seized the chance to ask, "This disciple would like to ask Martial Uncle: is there any cultivation method or secret technique that can rapidly boost one's cultivation? It does not matter if one's combat strength ends up weaker than others of the same realm; this disciple only wishes to reach the thirteenth layer of the Qi Refinement stage quickly and break through to Foundation Establishment."
"Martial Nephew Qin, your cultivation speed cannot be considered slow. Are you already this impatient?"
Martial Uncle Wen's brow furrowed slightly as he looked at Qin Sang with displeasure, a note of warning in his voice. "As far as I know, during the Qi Refinement stage, there are no cultivation methods or secret techniques like the ones you describe that can rapidly increase cultivation. Even if such methods existed, they would belong to demonic sects and evil cultivators—Shaohua Mountain would never preserve them. Martial Nephew Qin, be patient, cultivate with your feet firmly on the ground, and do not stray onto the wrong path."
Qin Sang assumed an attitude of deferential obedience, yet he was unwilling to give up so easily. "Martial Uncle Wen, I have heard several senior brothers speak of Senior Qingzhu's legend. It is said that Senior Qingzhu's talent was not among the top tier either, yet he managed to form a core in merely forty years, his cultivation speed surpassing everyone in the sect. May I ask what Senior Qingzhu's cultivation method was? Could this disciple cultivate it?"
This was something Qin Sang had inquired about repeatedly over this period, but those fellow disciples knew few details; Martial Uncle Wen was bound to know better.
"This is no secret. Senior Qingzhu's cultivation method was actually an incomplete manual. That method..."
Speaking to this point, Martial Uncle Wen paused, and Qin Sang noticed a hint of dread surface in his eyes.
Martial Uncle Wen shook his head sharply and said decisively, "The hidden perils are immense; it is not something just anyone can cultivate. The reason Senior Qingzhu ended up half-mad was precisely due to cultivating that method. What is more, it can only be cultivated by a Foundation Establishment cultivator, so you should not..."
Mid-sentence, a deafening sword cry suddenly resounded from outside. Martial Uncle Wen's expression changed drastically. His figure abruptly vanished from where he stood, appearing outside the wooden hall in the next instant.
What astonishing speed!
Qin Sang's heart chilled. Just now, he had not even seen how Martial Uncle Wen moved; with only a blur before his eyes, Martial Uncle Wen was already outside the door. Such was the gap of an entire major realm!
"Martial Uncle Wen, what happened?"
Qin Sang darted to Martial Uncle Wen's side and followed his gaze, looking deep into Shaohua Mountain. Amidst the mountain peaks and layered clouds, the majestic silhouette of Shaohua Mountain was faintly visible. Right at the summit, a colossal beam of white sword qi shot straight into the clouds with earth-shaking momentum. The lingering sword cry echoed continuously, shaking the entire sect.
What surprised Qin Sang even more was that upon hearing the sword cry, the ebony sword within his qi sea actually began to tremble as well, seemingly displaying fear and submission!
Right after, streaks of sword light flared across the various peaks like dashing meteors, flying toward Shaohua Mountain in a magnificent spectacle.
"The Sect Master's Dharma Sword is summoning us. Martial Nephew Qin, you may see yourself out."
Leaving those words behind, Martial Uncle Wen also turned into a streak of sword light and hurried off.
There were still so many questions he hadn't had the chance to ask.
Qin Sang helplessly steered the Sky-Soaring Shuttle and flew toward the mountain gate, pondering Martial Uncle Wen's words along the way. Senior Qingzhu's cultivation method could only be cultivated by a Foundation Establishment cultivator, so he shouldn't think about it for now.
Martial Uncle Wen said the technique held great hidden perils. Qin Sang wondered in what regard—if it concerned the origin soul, the jade Buddha might be able to ward it off. Once he broke through to Foundation Establishment, it wouldn't hurt to seek it out and take a look.
In the final analysis, only by breaking through to Foundation Establishment would there be any future.
Qin Sang sighed softly. Upon arriving at Dichen Cave, he lowered his escape light, sealed his cave abode, and cultivated quietly for a time. Sensing only an insignificant trace of growth in his cultivation, he could not help but feel a surge of irritable agitation, awakening from meditation.
Raising his head to stare at the pitch-black cavern ceiling, Qin Sang sat in silence for a long time before suddenly taking out the three Foundation Establishment Pills from his mustard seed bag.
Chapter 113