66: Chapter 66 Sun Yao Establishes Her Foundation!

This year had been the most expensive one since the rise of the Sun Clan.

The Mingqiu Merchant Alliance had been operating for eight years; the circuit through the Nine Counties was well-established, and profits were growing steadily...

But as for the Spirit Stones in the warehouse, while many came in, even more went out!

Sun Mao took a list and visited every shop in the Baiyun Market.

Spirit Condensing Powder, Meridian Clearing Pills, Marrow Cleansing Liquid, Essence Gathering Grass...

These were all spiritual items to assist in Foundation Establishment, ranging from First-Order High Grade to Second-Order Medium Grade. Individually, they weren't too expensive, but the cost of a complete set was truly high!

"Young Lord, the price of this batch of Spirit Condensing Powder has risen by fifteen percent since last month."

"Buy it."

"There are only three stalks of Essence Gathering Grass left in stock, and their quality isn't top-tier either..."

"I'll take them all."

Sun Mao didn't even haggle. He knew who these items were for and that time waited for no one; it was just a matter of money.

There would be plenty of opportunities to earn more in the future!

But if they missed this opportunity, they would regret it forever.

Less than two years remained of the ten-year agreement.

Over three shopping trips, they had already poured in over ten thousand Spirit Stones!

Shi Mo, carrying bulging Storage Pouches on his back, followed Sun Mao out of the market and headed straight for the mountain gate of White Cloud Temple...

At the foot of the mountain, Sun Yao was already waiting.

Having not seen her for several years, her temperament had changed; there was less youthfulness in her eyes and more composure. Her white Daoist robe looked elegant and steady.

At twenty-three or twenty-four, she was already slim and graceful.

Her admirers and pursuers could stretch from the peak of White Cloud Temple all the way to its base!

At the Perfection of the ninth level of Qi Refining, she was only a thin veil away from advancing to Foundation Establishment. Once she successfully advanced, Sun Yao would become a Personal Disciple of Daoist Master Yunxiao.

In the future, there was even a slim possibility of Core Formation.

At the foot of the mountain, Sun Mao handed several Storage Pouches to Sun Yao. There were no unnecessary pleasantries, only a Face full of worry:

"Everything is ready. I've prepared six portions of Spirit Condensing Powder, one Meridian Clearing Pill, two bottles of Marrow Cleansing Liquid, and three stalks of Essence Gathering Grass."

"I've also prepared over a thousand Spirit Stones for you, along with some Foundation Strengthening medicinal pills and spiritual fruits."

"I've written the usage and dosage intervals for the Medicinal Pills in the Jade Slip. Remember to pay attention to it, and don't be stingy with these spiritual items."

Sun Yao looked at the Storage Pouches, her fingers rubbing the seals, and looked up at him:

"Are there enough Spirit Stones in the clan?"

"Whether there are enough is the clan's business; you just worry about yourself."

Sun Yao was silent for a moment before finally tucking the Storage Pouches into her robes.

"There's one more thing."

Sun Mao specifically lowered his voice and asked, "Is there any news from Immortal Master Yun Du?"

Hearing this, Sun Yao nodded slightly. "Revered Master said that if I can thoroughly solidify my Foundation within this year, he will bestow a foundation establishment pill upon me."

A foundation establishment pill.

They were rare and expensive. Immortal Master Yun Du's willingness to give one away already showed how much he valued Sun Yao...

"Cultivate well, and don't waste this opportunity."

"I know."

Sun Yao said nothing more and turned to leave. After a few steps, she turned back and said, "Tell Grandpa for me that Yao'er won't let him down."

"And tell the Old Ancestor for me that Yao'er misses him."

As her voice faded, she was already gone.

Sun Mao stood at the foot of the mountain, watching his younger cousin depart. Shi Mo lay nearby and, seeing his melancholy mood, nudged his hand with his head.

"Mao, let's go."

"You will reach Foundation Establishment too. On this path of cultivation, we still have each other's company."

Hearing this, Sun Mao laughed and patted Shi Mo's head. "You silly beast, usually when I talk to you, you ignore me."

"Today you're actually comforting me. Don't worry, you silly beast; this path of cultivation is long, and you and I will walk it together..."

"Come on, let's go home!"

...

When the news reached Hongtian City, Sun Boan was in his study, reviewing the cultivation records of the Family's Disciples and calculating this year's balance sheet.

After hearing what Sun Mao had to say, he put down his brush and remained silent for a long time.

Daoist Yun Du bestowing the pill.

This gesture wasn't something the Sun Clan's Face could earn; Sun Yao had earned it herself, proving that there was a bond of Revered Master and Disciple between Daoist Yun Du and little Yao'er.

It also indirectly proved that Sun Yao truly had a talent for cultivation, which was a good thing.

"Clan Chief, should we report this to the Old Ancestor?"

Sun Boan shook his head in refusal. "The Old Ancestor is in seclusion to recover from his injuries. There's no need to disturb him with this. It won't be too late to report it when the girl Yao actually breaks through."

Saying this, he stood up, walked to the window, and muttered:

"Foundation Establishment at twenty-four... if it really happens, she will be the youngest Foundation Establishment Cultivator in our Family's history. The younger generation is truly formidable!"

...

Half a year later.

In a certain secret chamber in the back mountains of White Cloud Temple.

Sun Yao sat cross-legged. On the stone table before her, a thumb-sized Medicinal Pill lay quietly in a jade box...

The pill was translucent white all over with golden patterns floating on its surface. The quality of this foundation establishment pill far exceeded those sold at auctions.

If one were to grade it, this one would certainly be a top-tier treasure!

Sun Yao calmed her mind and focused her spirit, adjusting her state.

Her cultivation experiences over the years flashed through her mind; she had walked every step as if on thin ice, not daring to make the slightest mistake.

The days and nights in the back mountains of the Sun Family, the morning bells and evening drums of White Cloud Temple, the spiritual items sent by her cousin, the letters from her grandfather...

And the Old Ancestor in the back mountain who had taught her since she was a child.

All these years, she had never dared to forget, always remembering this Old Ancestor who silently protected the entire Family and was the one who initiated her onto the path of cultivation.

Her mind surged but finally returned to tranquility.

The foundation establishment pill flew into her mouth. Once in her stomach, it turned into a warm torrent that spread along her Meridians, washing and cleansing them over and over!

The spiritual power accumulated in her body over several years began to surge violently.

For a Cultivator with a Three-Element Spiritual Root, attempting Foundation Establishment was several times harder than for those with Double-Element or Single-Element Spiritual Roots; the spiritual power was chaotic, and the Five Elements conflicted.

Every Meridian felt like a battlefield, the impact causing her blood and spiritual sea to fluctuate.

But Sun Yao was too well-prepared.

The Foundation laid by the Spirit Condensing Powder, the Meridians cleared by the Meridian Clearing Pill, the Impurities washed away by the Marrow Cleansing Liquid, and the spiritual power condensed by the Essence Gathering Grass...

The medicinal effects of all the auxiliary spiritual items were ignited all at once by the foundation establishment pill at this moment.

Spiritual power was frantically compressed, tempered, and condensed within the Dantian. Everything happened naturally, without the slightest hesitation...

The next morning.

In the back mountains of White Cloud Temple, a surge of Spiritual Pressure suddenly soared into the sky!

Ripples of spiritual power spread out, causing the Spiritual Qi within a radius of several miles to stagnate before frantically surging toward the quiet room.

The Spiritual Qi vortex continued to expand rapidly, then converged and solidified like a waterfall!

Foundation Establishment was achieved!

Standing on a high platform in the temple, Immortal Master Yun Du felt that Spiritual Pressure, and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth...

Sun Yao's character of doing what she said and never being indecisive was quite similar to his own, which was why he had intentionally nurtured her.

In her, Daoist Yun Du seemed to see a bit of his own shadow.

"Someone, deliver my decree."

Daoist Yun Du stood with his hands behind his back, his voice clear. "Inner Sect Disciple Sun Yao of White Cloud Temple has been diligent in her cultivation and has a resilient Heart-Nature. Today, she has attained the realm of Foundation Establishment."

"From this day forth, she is officially inducted as my Personal Disciple, granted the title 'Qingyao', appointed to the position of deacon elder, and rewarded with one top-grade Magical Artifact."

"Furthermore, the collection of the spirit tax for the Nine Counties under the jurisdiction of Baiyun Prefecture shall be fully overseen by Qingyao starting this year."

When the decree was issued, there was a great stir throughout White Cloud Temple.

Personal Disciple.

deacon elder.

Spirit Tax Overseer.

What did these three titles stacked together mean?

It meant that a female Foundation Establishment Cultivator, only twenty-four years old, had stepped into the core power circle of White Cloud Temple in one leap!

Even more so, it meant that the Sun Clan now had a place within White Cloud Temple.