114: Chapter 114 Foundation Establishment Ceremony

In his view, Outer Sect Disciples coming to register their cultivation progress were mostly small advancements within the Qi Refinement Stage, which was a common occurrence and not worth his attention at all.

The General Affairs Hall had to process various procedures for countless Disciples every day, so he was long accustomed to it, and he had always maintained this indifferent and perfunctory attitude toward these low-level Outer Sect Disciples.

"I am Hu Nan, and I have come today to register as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator," Hu Nan said.

"Early Stage Foundation Establishment?!" Upon hearing this, the previously lazy and indifferent Deacon Li instantly widened his eyes, the impatience on his face vanishing without a trace, replaced by incredulous shock.

He stood up abruptly, his gaze locked tightly onto Hu Nan.

Upon seeing that Hu Nan truly possessed the Pressure of an Early Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, the shock on his face instantly transformed into overwhelming enthusiasm, the previous lazy expression swept away, and his tone became respectful and eager, even carrying a hint of ingratiation.

"Oh my! So it is Martial Uncle Hu! I did not expect you to achieve Foundation Establishment so quickly!"

As he spoke, he hurriedly put down the files in his hand and walked out from behind the counter, reaching out to help Hu Nan, the change in his attitude like heaven and earth.

Foundation Establishment Cultivators were the backbone of the Sect, their status far more esteemed than an ordinary deacon like him. Furthermore, Hu Nan was so young to have achieved a Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment; his future achievements would surely be limitless, so he naturally had to treat him with enthusiasm and dared not show the slightest negligence.

The change in Deacon Li's attitude instantly attracted the attention of all the Disciples and deacons in the General Affairs Hall.

The people who were originally busy all stopped what they were doing and turned to look at Hu Nan.

"What?! He is Hu Nan? The first place winner of the Outer Sect Grand Competition? He actually achieved Foundation Establishment?"

"My heavens! How is that possible?!"

"Martial Uncle Hu was already at the Qi Refining Great Perfection two years ago!"

"It is perfectly normal for him to achieve Foundation Establishment!"

"Martial Uncle Hu, achieving this at such a young age is truly enviable!"

Inside the General Affairs Hall, bursts of whispered discussions erupted instantly. The Disciples whispered to each other, their tones filled with astonishment, envy, and admiration, their gazes following Hu Nan closely, their eyes filled with reverence.

The previously quiet General Affairs Hall became lively because of Hu Nan's arrival, and all gazes were focused on him.

Some were filled with astonishment and disbelief; some were filled with envy and yearning; others sighed in admiration, but no one questioned the authenticity of Hu Nan's Foundation Establishment.

After all, they could already sense the Foundation Establishment fluctuations emanating from Hu Nan.

At the same time, they also thought this was to be expected.

After all, Hu Nan was the first place winner of the Outer Sect Grand Competition, and his strength far exceeded that of other Cultivators at the same level.

Deacon Li hurriedly guided Hu Nan to a chair on the side to sit down and personally poured him a cup of Spiritual Tea, his tone eager: "Martial Uncle Hu, please sit, wait a moment, I will immediately process your Foundation Establishment Cultivator identity token and register the relevant information, I will certainly not waste your time."

Hu Nan nodded slightly and said softly: "I have troubled you, Deacon Li."

Deacon Li hurriedly waved his hand, his face full of respect: "No trouble at all! Serving Martial Uncle Hu is my duty!"

After saying this, he quickly returned behind the counter, took out the registration files and the identity token, and busied himself cautiously, his expression respectful, not daring to be the slightest bit perfunctory.

In less than a few minutes, Deacon Li completed the registration.

At the same time, he also took out two brand-new purple robes from a box on the side.

The robes were made of exquisite materials, the texture soft and smooth. The surface was embroidered with the faint patterns of the Heavenly Sword Sect, and the collar and cuffs were embroidered with silver cloud patterns, faintly emitting weak spiritual power fluctuations. The craftsmanship was exquisite, luxurious yet not ostentatious.

This was the exclusive attire of the Heavenly Sword Sect's Foundation Establishment Cultivators; only those at the Foundation Establishment Stage or above were qualified to wear them, and it was a symbol of their identity as Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Deacon Li held the purple robes with both hands and walked quickly to Hu Nan, respectfully handing them over: "Martial Uncle Hu, this is the exclusive attire for our Heavenly Sword Sect's Foundation Establishment Cultivators."

"Many thanks, Deacon Li." Hu Nan took the clothes.

"In addition to this, Foundation Establishment Cultivators can collect a monthly stipend at the General Affairs Hall, one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones per month, which can be used for Cultivation, purchasing Medicinal Pills or Magical Artifacts, and subsidizing Cultivation needs. The stipend is distributed on the first day of every month!"

"If Uncle-Master is unable to come, you can also collect one year's stipend at once!" Deacon Li began to explain.

Hearing Deacon Li's introduction, many Outer Sect Disciples were filled with envy.

Their monthly stipend was only one Spirit Stone.

One hundred Spirit Stones were equivalent to nearly nine years of their stipend.

Deacon Li ignored the discussions of the surrounding Disciples, still looking respectfully at Hu Nan, and turned to take out a white jade token from the counter.

The jade token was small and exquisite, with the three ancient characters "Heavenly Sword Sect" carved on the surface, along with the Heavenly Sword Sect's seal. Faint spiritual power fluctuations lingered around it, and the texture was warm and moist; one look and it was clear that it was no ordinary object.

"Martial Uncle Hu, this is your token!"

"With this token, you can enter the third floor of the Scripture Pavilion once a year to select a Cultivation Technique!" Deacon Li handed the token to Hu Nan.

After Hu Nan took the token, Deacon Li spoke again: "Martial Uncle Hu, one month from now is the Sect's Foundation Establishment Ceremony; you can go directly to the Sect Main Hall to participate in the ceremony!"

"Many thanks, Deacon Li!" Hu Nan cupped his hands toward Deacon Li.

...

In the blink of an eye, a month passed.

During this month, although Hu Nan was very low-key.

There were still many people who came to visit Hu Nan.

Especially those fellow countrymen from Beihai Prefecture, who had all visited Hu Nan's residence.

Each and every one of them was congratulating Hu Nan on successfully achieving Foundation Establishment.

At the same time, they also hoped that Hu Nan could look after them within the Sect.

Qin Changsheng merely exchanged pleasantries and did not say much.

After all, he was not very familiar with these fellow countrymen.

Except for the annual gathering days at Qingyun Tower, they rarely had any interaction.

On this day, the Heavenly Sword Sect's Foundation Establishment Ceremony was held as scheduled.

On the square in front of the Sect Main Hall, colorful flags fluttered, incense smoke curled, and Disciples, deacons, and Elders who came to watch the ceremony arrived in an endless stream.

Qin Changsheng controlled Hu Nan and walked slowly toward the direction of the Sect Main Hall.

Along the way, the passing Sect Disciples' gazes all converged on him, with various expressions—astonishment, envy, and awe—intertwined.

"Isn't that Martial Uncle Hu? Why is he wearing the purple robe of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator?"

"Martial Uncle Hu has achieved Foundation Establishment!"

"Martial Uncle Hu is truly amazing; he achieved Foundation Establishment only two years after winning the Grand Competition!"

"Among this batch of Uncle-Masters who achieved Foundation Establishment, only Martial Uncle Hu has no background!"

"Jiang Lijuan is the Disciple of Fairy Qingling, Senior Brother Wu Yong is the Disciple of Elder Qingxuan, and Lin Hao is the son of Lin Zhentian!"

The Disciples stopped in their tracks, gathering on both sides of the road, whispering to each other, their eyes filled with incredulous astonishment.

In their impression, although Hu Nan had won first place in the Outer Sect Grand Competition, his Spiritual Root was mediocre, his background was ordinary, he had no background support, and his Cultivation resources were extremely scarce; it was impossible for him to achieve Foundation Establishment in such a short time.

But unexpectedly, in less than three short years, Hu Nan had become a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Beyond the astonishment, there was more of deep envy and awe.

Foundation Establishment Cultivators were the backbone of the Sect, their status far beyond that of Qi Refinement Stage Disciples. Regardless of their previous background or Spiritual Root, once they achieved Foundation Establishment, they would be looked up to by all low-level Disciples.

The discussions gradually subsided, and the Disciples restrained their expressions, bowing to Hu Nan, their tones respectful: "Greetings, Martial Uncle Hu!"

Whether they were Outer Sect Disciples or Inner Sect Disciples, they all bowed and greeted him.

Hu Nan merely nodded slightly and walked toward the Sect Main Hall.

Along the way, through Hu Nan's perspective, Qin Changsheng also saw Zhang Han, Lin Yao, and others.

At this moment, Zhang Han's expression was very bad, and the look he cast toward Hu Nan was filled with jealousy.

In Zhang Han's view, he was the person with the highest talent in Beihai Prefecture.

But now, Hu Nan, whom he had always looked down upon, had already achieved Foundation Establishment.

And was being congratulated by many Sect Disciples.

While he was still a Fourth Level of Qi Refining Cultivator with no resources and no background.