Even more dreadful was the damage to his foundation, which would affect future breakthroughs as well. Qin Sang's chances of forming a core were already exceedingly slim. If he hoped to make an attempt at Core Formation, he had to seize every opportunity that might improve his odds, eliminate every disadvantageous factor, and inevitably find a way to restore his foundation first.
Yet judging by the words of Sect Master Yu and the cultivator surnamed Gong, restoring his foundation would be an immensely difficult task.
Qin Sang remained in secluded cultivation within his cave abode, taking ten full days just to stabilize his cultivation and nurse his body back to health.
Even so, he could not cultivate for the time being.
The Mysterious Female Jade Cauldron Sutra could not serve as a fundamental cultivation method, and he had yet to obtain a Foundation Establishment stage technique. Only after visiting Sect Master Peak to update the jade register would he be qualified to enter Pagoda Peak and choose one.
Yet he knew nothing about Foundation Establishment. He had no idea which techniques were good or bad, let alone which one was suitable for someone with worthless talent like himself.
The choice of a cultivation technique was of paramount importance to an immortal cultivator. Finding one suited to oneself would yield twice the results with half the effort, ensuring smooth progress and opening up far more possibilities for the future.
Previously, however, he had been merely a minor Qi Refinement cultivator. Among those at Foundation Establishment, he only knew Martial Uncle Wen. Having broken through so suddenly, he had never had the chance to learn about such things.
Two paths now lay before him: one was to consult a fellow Foundation Establishment cultivator, and the other was to hope a Golden Core Master of the sect might take him in as a personal disciple.
Receiving guidance from a Golden Core Master would naturally be best and could save him many detours. But his natural talent was already abysmally poor, and his sea of qi had shrunk by a tenth. Even without this recent ordeal, what Golden Core Master would be so blind as to take a liking to him?
Qin Sang smiled wryly to himself, realizing that even after successfully establishing his foundation, the road ahead remained rugged and strewn with brambles.
Having thoroughly refined the medicinal efficacy of the Nine Yang Pill, Qin Sang emerged from his cave abode.
For ten days, Shaohua Mountain seemed to have forgotten him entirely; not a single person had come to pay him any heed.
After a moment's contemplation, Qin Sang flew up on his Sky-Soaring Shuttle.
His first destination was naturally Sect Master Peak to update the jade register. But upon arriving at the Sect Master's hall, he learned from an attendant boy that Sect Master Yu was not currently in the sect.
Qin Sang waited for a while, but seeing no sign of Sect Master Yu's return, he thought it over and set off for Daomen Peak.
Lowering his light of flight with practiced ease, he arrived before the wooden hall just as several youths walked out, chatting and laughing. All of them were Qi Refinement cultivators, and Qin Sang recognized them all.
Whenever the martial uncle gave a sermon, Qin Sang would return from Dichen Cave to listen. Though he had made few close friends among his fellow disciples, he had at least become familiar with their faces.
Among them was a youth named Qian Yuanzhu, who had once discussed the Cloud Escape Technique with Qin Sang.
Spotting Qin Sang, Qian Yuanzhu's eyes lit up, and he raised a hand in greeting. "Hey! Junior Brother Qin..."
Hardly had the words left his mouth when the youth beside him yanked hard on his sleeve.
That youth bowed meticulously to Qin Sang and said with deep respect, "Disciple Zhou Yan pays respects to Martial Uncle Qin."
The others quickly followed suit.
Qian Yuanzhu froze in shock. Only then did he realize Qin Sang was already a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Someone he could previously treat as an equal had now risen far beyond his level.
His lips twitched, and with a touch of panic in his tone, he bowed and said, "Disciple was insolent just now and offended Martial Uncle Qin. Please do not take offense, Martial Uncle Qin."
Qin Sang naturally would not care about such a trivial matter, so he casually replied, "Brother Qian, what need is there for formalities between us?"
Yet Qian Yuanzhu grew even more fearful, repeatedly saying, "Disciple would not dare!"
Only then did Qin Sang suddenly realize that his status had changed. An insurmountable chasm had opened between them. Unless Qian Yuanzhu could break through to Foundation Establishment, these two formerly familiar people would drift further and further apart, never able to return to the way things were.
In the world of immortal cultivation, power reigned supreme, and hierarchy was absolute.
Qin Sang sighed inwardly and refrained from pressing the matter. His tone turned cool and distant, which paradoxically allowed Qian Yuanzhu and the others to relax considerably. After bidding farewell, they hurried away.
Waiting until their figures disappeared, Qin Sang turned and walked into the wooden hall. Fortunately, he did not run into Zhuang Yan inside.
In Shaohua Mountain, Zhuang Yan was Qin Sang's closest friend. Qin Sang's chance to sacrifice himself for Foundation Establishment had been entirely thanks to Zhuang Yan informing him in time. If Zhuang Yan were also to adopt the same posture as Qian Yuanzhu and the others, Qin Sang truly would not be able to muster any joy.
"Congratulations on your Foundation Establishment, Junior Brother Qin!"
Previously Martial Uncle Wen, he was now Senior Brother Wen. Showing no surprise at Qin Sang's breakthrough, he immediately stood up with a beaming smile to offer his congratulations the moment Qin Sang walked in.
"I never expected Junior Brother Qin's state of mind to be so unyielding. Not only did you pass through the Treasure Gourd Illusory Realm, but you even gained Martial Uncle Mawu's recognition. I am truly ashamed; after merely a few hours inside the illusory realm, I nearly suffered qi deviation. I fall far short of you, Junior Brother!"
Sensing an undertone of flattery in Senior Brother Wen's voice, Qin Sang was slightly taken aback before quickly understanding.
Aside from Sect Master Yu and the other six individuals who had cleared the Treasure Gourd Illusory Realm, no one else knew the truth. They genuinely believed he had become Master Mawu's dual cultivation Dao companion.
News of this had probably spread throughout all of Shaohua Mountain by now. No wonder those companions of Qian Yuanzhu had looked at him with such strange eyes earlier.
Only he knew his own situation.
Qin Sang knew full well that he had no backer at all; it was merely a transaction, and not even Fairy Chenyan would care about the life or death of spent dross.
Yet he would not be so foolish as to expose the truth. For one, he dared not leak the secret; for another, borrowing Master Mawu's prestige allowed him to intimidate others. As long as he did not act arrogantly and knew when to quit while he was ahead, he could reap countless hidden benefits without ever saying a word.
His original plan to ask Senior Brother Wen about cultivation techniques was no longer feasible.
After exchanging pleasantries over tea with Senior Brother Wen for a while, Qin Sang said, "Senior Brother Wen, I just went to Sect Master Peak, but Sect Master Senior Brother was away. My entry in the jade register hasn't been updated yet, so I still only carry my waist token from the Qi Refinement stage. I wonder if the senior brothers at Pagoda Peak would make an exception for me?"
Senior Brother Wen said magnanimously, "What difficulty is there in that? If Junior Brother Qin is worried, take my waist token for now. They certainly wouldn't dare make things hard for you."
Taking the waist token, Qin Sang arrived at Pagoda Peak and first headed for the hall that housed external treatises on pills, artifacts, formations, and talismans.
The cultivator guarding the hall was surnamed Zhang. He was slumping in a chair, fast asleep, with a pot of fine tea on the table. Judging by his advanced age, he had likely given up on the Dao, which explained his indolence.
"Qin Sang greets Senior Brother Zhang," Qin Sang said, offering a Daoist bow.
Senior Brother Zhang stretched, opening his cloudy eyes with an annoyed scowl as if disgruntled at being awakened from a pleasant dream. But upon hearing Qin Sang announce his name, he gave a sudden start, leaning forward to appraise him. "Which Qin Sang are you?"
Qin Sang smiled. "As far as I know, there should only be one Qin Sang in Shaohua Mountain. Has Senior Brother Zhang met another?"
"No, no..."
Senior Brother Zhang waved his hands repeatedly and stood up with great warmth. "My mind was still hazy from sleep. Please don't take offense, Junior Brother Qin. Might I ask what brings your esteemed self here today?"
Chapter 132