The Xuanming Tortoise Shell Formation provided both concealment and defense, precisely matching Qin Sang's requirements. After thanking Sect Master Yu, Qin Sang stowed away the formation flags.
Sect Master Yu rose and returned to the inner hall. He brought out the disciple jade register and inscribed Qin Sang's name onto the register for Foundation Establishment disciples.
The moment the name was written, the jade register flickered with a faint light, condensing into a jade waist token.
Exchanging his token for that of a Foundation Establishment disciple meant he could now enjoy the privileges of a Foundation Establishment disciple. What Qin Sang looked forward to most was that newly advanced Foundation Establishment disciples could use the waist token to freely browse the cultivation methods stored on Pagoda Peak for one month, and select one method to cultivate free of charge.
"These five middle-grade spirit stones are the sect's reward for disciples reaching Foundation Establishment. This is a one-time reward, but every year hereafter, there will be an annual stipend. You may choose freely between spirit stones, spiritual herbs, and the like; the value is reasonably acceptable. Originally, the sect would also award a cave abode, but since you have chosen to establish one outside, Junior Brother Qin, you may go directly to the Spirit Beast Hall. According to the sect's rules, Foundation Establishment disciples are not required to perform any menial chores. However, the sect always has various affairs that Qi Refinement disciples cannot accomplish, and the rewards are quite generous—among which assignments in the Ancient Immortal Battlefield are the most lucrative. If you are interested, Junior Brother Qin, you may accept some of them. However, if the sect issues a formal decree assigning a task, it must be carried out with your utmost effort. Defying it on any pretext is forbidden; otherwise, it will be treated as betraying the sect. You must be careful about this in the future, Junior Brother Qin..."
Sect Master Yu spoke at length, but in summary, it came down to the rights and obligations of Foundation Establishment disciples.
Compared to the Qi Refinement stage, Shaohua Mountain was undeniably generous toward Foundation Establishment disciples. Aside from rare sect decrees, Foundation Establishment disciples enjoyed immense freedom.
If one was short on funds, one could go to Sect Master Peak to take on assignments.
If one wished to enter secluded cultivation, one could simply shut the doors of one's cave abode, and virtually no one would disturb them.
When attempting to break through to Core Formation, the sect would even provide spiritual items to assist in forming a core free of charge. Although they were not top-tier, they were still fine treasures that rogue cultivators desperately sought in vain.
A difference of a single major realm brought a world of difference in status, causing Qin Sang to marvel inwardly.
The two chatted a while longer. Once Qin Sang had learned most of what he needed to know, considering that Sect Master Yu knew his circumstances inside and out, he dropped any further pretense. Cupping his hands, he said, "I did not wish to disturb Senior Brother Sect Master further, but my experience is limited and I know very little about cultivation beyond Foundation Establishment. I have been unable to decide which cultivation method to choose. I hope Senior Brother Sect Master will not hesitate to enlighten me!"
Sect Master Yu asked in return, "Do you have any thoughts of your own, Junior Brother Qin?"
Of course Qin Sang had considered this long ago. With the jade Buddha shielding his origin soul, the only lasting consequence of being subjected to plucking and replenishing was the damage to his foundation. Repairing his foundation was an absolute necessity; otherwise, he could forget about ever reaching Core Formation.
"I wonder if there are any cultivation methods capable of replenishing primordial qi and restoring one's foundation?"
Sect Master Yu gave Qin Sang a deep, meaningful look, seemingly having anticipated his choice. "Pagoda Peak does indeed hold a few cultivation methods that can repair one's foundation..."
Before Qin Sang could show joy, Sect Master Yu abruptly pivoted. "However, your situation is different from others, Junior Brother Qin. What you lost is your most fundamental source qi. The only things that can repair your foundation are heavenly treasures born of heaven and earth. The effects of those cultivation methods do not even compare to a Nine Yang Pill. You had best not waste your time on them."
Hearing this, Qin Sang froze slightly, then shook his head with a bitter smile. He had already expected as much, but he still could not help feeling disappointed.
"Senior Brother Sect Master, you are well aware of my natural talent, but I am unwilling to resign myself to it. I wonder if there is any method that might allow me to touch the threshold of the Core Formation stage within my lifetime?"
Sect Master Yu comforted Qin Sang with a few words, then said, "Since you hold this wish, Junior Brother Qin, you must choose a cultivation method with relatively fast progress. However, most of these methods lack defensive or offensive divine abilities. Without other means to overcome enemies, you will inevitably suffer when fighting others, forced to avoid even opponents of the same realm. Such flaws are not obvious in ordinary times, but should you travel abroad to vie for opportunities, lacking sufficient strength will leave you without even the qualifications to intervene, leaving only bitter regret. If you can accept this, Junior Brother Qin, Pagoda Peak has several cultivation methods of this type."
Hearing this, Qin Sang frowned slightly. He considered that his foundation was already damaged, causing his sea of qi to shrink by ten percent compared to cultivators of the same realm. If he chose such a method on top of that, how could he fight anyone in the future?
In the cultivation world, cultivation could not be advanced merely through secluded bitter cultivation; more often than not, conflict with others was unavoidable.
Take Core Formation, for instance: aside from favored darlings of heaven with heavenly spiritual roots, who among them had not traveled abroad for years, fighting over the slimmest opportunities to boost their chances of forming a core as much as possible?
Could it be that whenever trouble arose in the future, he could only pull his head into his shell like a tortoise, giving up opportunities without a fight?
Yet Qin Sang was no naive fool; he understood that cultivation methods with formidable divine abilities that held every advantage in battle were bound to be exceptionally difficult to cultivate, and thus truly unsuited for him.
Just then, a thought struck Qin Sang, and he asked, "Senior Brother Sect Master, ever since my first day joining Shaohua Mountain, I have often heard legends of Senior Qingzhu. It is said that Senior Qingzhu's talent was not top-notch, yet not only did he cultivate at tremendous speed, but his strength was also second to none. I wonder what cultivation method Senior Qingzhu practiced?"
"You mean that cultivation method!"
To Qin Sang's surprise, just like Senior Brother Wen back then, Sect Master Yu wore an expression of slight dread when Senior Qingzhu's cultivation method was mentioned.
"That method is called the Origin Soul Sword-Nurturing Chapter. Apart from Senior Qingzhu, no one else in Shaohua Mountain has ever mastered it—not only because it is merely an incomplete fragment, but more so because of its terrifying demands on the practitioner, which are utterly impossible for any normal person to meet. Once you go to Pagoda Peak to see it for yourself, Junior Brother Qin, you will understand why."
At those words, Qin Sang grew even more curious.
In particular, the presence of the words 'origin soul' in the name of the cultivation method made his heart thump and set his imagination racing.
After chatting with Sect Master Yu on Sect Master Peak for a long time, the jade register on the table remained completely motionless.
Sect Master Yu gave Qin Sang a somewhat peculiar look and said in an awkward tone, "No Golden Core Master is willing to take you as a disciple, Junior Brother Qin, and Martial Uncle Mawu has not responded either... But do not lose heart. There are quite a few fellow disciples who cultivate alone. As long as you apply yourself and cultivate diligently, you can still distinguish yourself, and the Masters will surely notice."
A copy of this jade register existed in the cave abode of every Golden Core Master.
When a Foundation Establishment disciple's name was inscribed on the jade register, the other registers would also receive the update. If a Golden Core Master happened to see it and deemed the disciple's talent promising, they would accept him into their tutelage.
Although one might not necessarily receive meticulous guidance from a Golden Core Master, it was far better than groping in the dark alone.
Qin Sang had already anticipated this and felt little disappointment. Sensing that Sect Master Yu's demeanor had subtly cooled, he sighed inwardly, promptly took his leave of Sect Master Yu, and returned to Pagoda Peak.
Upon arriving at the great hall where cultivation methods and incantations were preserved, Qin Sang ran into an acquaintance—the cultivator surnamed Gong who had refused to become a human furnace.
Chapter 135