97: Chapter 97 Foundation Building Insights

"Most of these Secret Realms are extremely dangerous, filled with many Restrictions. Not only are they occupied by powerful Yao Beasts, but they also contain killing arrays left behind from ancient times. Even Cultivators with profound cultivation may not be able to escape unscathed after stepping inside."

"Although I cannot help you much with Foundation Establishment itself, I have something to give you!"

With that, Sect Leader Xuanyangzi raised his hand and waved, and a yellowed booklet slowly floated in front of Hu Nan.

Hu Nan quickly reached out to catch it. It felt warm and moist to the touch, and he could clearly feel the faint Spiritual Qi contained within the booklet. He looked down at the booklet in his hand and asked respectfully, "Sect Head, what is this?"

"These are my own insights into Foundation Establishment from when I was young," Sect Leader Xuanyangzi continued. "When I underwent Foundation Establishment back then, although my Spiritual Root was superior to yours, I still encountered many dangers and experienced several failures before I finally achieved a successful Breakthrough."

"Recorded within these insights are the cultivation methods and spiritual power condensation techniques I used for Foundation Establishment back then, as well as tips for dealing with the dangers of Foundation Establishment and suppressing Heart Demons. These are all derived from my personal experiences, without a single word of falsehood."

He looked at Hu Nan, his eyes full of expectation. "Although your Spiritual Root is poor, your Comprehension Ability is not low. Study these insights well and combine them with your own cultivation; then you will be able to avoid many detours and further improve your chances of Foundation Establishment."

"Remember, these insights are only an aid. In the end, you must rely on your own perseverance and composure; you must not depend on them excessively."

Although Qin Changsheng felt no ripples in his heart, his face showed an expression of excitement and gratitude. He bowed deeply again and said earnestly, "This Disciple thanks the Sect Head for the reward!"

Qin Changsheng knew that although these Foundation Establishment Insights were not a Heaven And Earth Treasure, they were more precious than ordinary Magical Artifacts. Sect Leader Xuanyangzi's personal experience would allow him to avoid many dangers during Foundation Establishment.

Sect Leader Xuanyangzi looked at him and nodded with satisfaction. "Alright, I have told you everything that needs to be said, and I have given you everything that needs to be given. After you go back, remember to Cultivate diligently, stabilize your Foundation at the Peak of Qi Refining, and polish your Heart-Nature. Do not be impatient for success."

"This Disciple will keep the Sect Head's teachings in mind!" Hu Nan replied with a bow.

"Mhm, you may leave." Sect Leader Xuanyangzi waved his hand.

"This Disciple obeys!" Hu Nan bowed once more, carefully tucked the Foundation Establishment Insights close to his body, then slowly turned around and walked toward the hall's exit.

With Hu Nan's departure, only Sect Leader Xuanyangzi remained in the hall, sitting upright on the jade couch of the main seat, his expression complex and difficult to discern.

Hu Nan's figure as he bowed and turned to leave was still clearly imprinted in Sect Leader Xuanyangzi's eyes.

"His Heart-Nature is steady, he is neither arrogant nor impetuous, his perseverance is extraordinary, and his Comprehension Ability far exceeds that of his peers. Even after winning the Grand Competition, he shows no sign of ostentation. Such Heart-Nature is the most precious Foundation on the path of immortal cultivation, making him an excellent candidate to lead the Sect."

After saying this, Sect Leader Xuanyangzi still sighed slightly.

Because Hu Nan only had a Low Grade Four-Element Spiritual Root.

As the Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect, he had met countless people in his life and knew that the Spiritual Root represented a person's upper limit.

Even if a Cultivator's Heart-Nature was better and their perseverance stronger, it would be difficult to completely break free from the shackles of their Spiritual Root.

His future achievements would at most only reach Foundation Establishment; it was simply impossible for him to hope for Core Formation.

The shortcoming of a Low Grade Four-Element Spiritual Root was like an insurmountable chasm, lying across Hu Nan's path of immortal cultivation and blocking the Sect Master's thoughts of taking him as a Disciple and passing on his position.

It wasn't that he was unwilling to give Hu Nan a chance or that he looked down on his inferior Spiritual Root, but as the Sect Head, he had to consider the future of the Sect.

What the Heavenly Sword Sect needed was a Sect Head who could support the overall situation and lead the Sect through great calamities, not a Cultivator who had Heart-Nature but was limited by his Spiritual Root and could hardly achieve anything.

"Forget it, forget it." Sect Leader Xuanyangzi slowly closed his eyes, his tone full of acceptance, yet hiding a bit of unwillingness.

...

Outer Sect small courtyard.

Qin Changsheng sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, thinking about his future plans.

"The top priority is Foundation Establishment."

Qin Changsheng understood in his heart that if he wanted to take the initiative during the Great Calamity of Heaven and Earth of heaven and earth, he must first achieve Foundation Establishment.

Only after Foundation Establishment could he strive for higher Realms.

He knew well that Foundation Establishment was the first watershed on the path of immortal cultivation.

Only by successfully achieving Foundation Establishment and possessing the strength of the Foundation Establishment Stage could he seize that Secret Treasure within Qingyun Lake and realize his path to rise step by step.

And the matter of Foundation Establishment was definitely not something that could be achieved by being impatient for success.

Qin Changsheng had a Top-grade Five Spirit Roots, so the difficulty of his Foundation Establishment far exceeded that of ordinary people, and he could not afford any mistakes.

Qin Changsheng closed his eyes in deep thought as Sect Leader Xuanyangzi's teachings slowly surfaced in his mind. He gradually clarified his next cultivation plan, and two core goals clearly emerged in his heart.

The first task was to completely max out the proficiency of his Level 10 Qi Refining Stage.

There seemed to be only a step between Level 10 Qi Refining Stage and Level 10 Qi Refining Stage Perfection, but in reality, the gap was huge.

The former only meant the spiritual power had reached the limit, while the latter meant polishing the spiritual power circulation, Spiritual Qi absorption, and Foundation of the Qi Refinement Stage to the extreme. Only by maxing out the proficiency could the spiritual power circulation become smoother and the Foundation more solid, thereby minimizing danger and increasing the success rate when pushing for Foundation Establishment.

Besides maxing out proficiency, another top priority was finding the foundation condensing herb.

The foundation condensing herb could steadily increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment by thirty percent. Combined with a High Grade foundation establishment pill and his Top-grade Five Spirit Roots, he should have an eighty percent success rate.

However, Qin Changsheng currently had no news about the foundation condensing herb at all.

Qin Changsheng took a deep breath and began to take stock of his gains over the years.

Qin Changsheng's Divine Sense slowly moved through his Storage Space. The first thing that came to mind was the mountain-like pile of Spirit Rice.

The Spirit Rice grains were plump and pearly white, surrounded by a faint Spiritual Qi. It was a basic resource for Cultivators and key to maintaining his body's Spiritual Qi supply and stabilizing his Foundation.

"Back when I robbed Lin Hao, I did intercept many benefits. Just this Spirit Rice alone, there are at least over three hundred thousand catties left in the Storage Space."

Qin Changsheng felt somewhat grateful to Lin Hao.

If not for Lin Hao's generosity, it would have been impossible for him to obtain so much Spirit Rice.

These three hundred thousand catties of Spirit Rice were enough for Qin Changsheng to Cultivate for a long time.

His Divine Sense moved slightly, avoiding the piled Spirit Rice, and a lustrous glow entered his perception; that was the Spirit Stones and Spirit Sand he had accumulated.

Spirit Stones and Spirit Sand were the hard currency of the cultivation world and were also key to cultivating and activating Magical Artifacts.

"Over these years, by taking things step by step, I have indeed saved up quite a bit."

"A total of four thousand Spirit Stones and tens of thousands of Spirit Sand. Although I'm not wealthy enough to rival a nation, it's enough for my daily cultivation."

For him at the Level 10 Qi Refining Stage, four thousand Spirit Stones was already a significant fortune, enough to buy the auxiliary medicinal herbs needed for cultivation or to Repair simple Magical Artifacts;

Next, his Divine Sense landed on an ancient-looking brush handle.

That was the Talisman Brush, also contributed by Lin Hao.

Back then, to win Qin Changsheng over, Lin Hao had given him this Talisman Brush.

This Talisman Brush could smoothly draw Low Grade Talismans, which was quite useful for daily self-defense or as an aid in cultivation.

However, Qin Changsheng was currently preparing to push for Foundation Establishment and had no plans to draw Talismans for the time being.

Qin Changsheng's Divine Sense lightly swept over the Talisman Brush, and a jade pendant, lustrous all over and emitting a faint green light, slowly emerged in his perception.

That was the bixia pendant, a gift given to him by Chen Erniu before he left.

This jade pendant could withstand a single strike from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Then, Qin Changsheng's gaze landed on the spirit suppressing pearl.