Chapter 312: Foundation Building Mid-Stage

Three days later.

His cultivation skyrocketed.

As expected, once the medicinal effects were fully digested and his cultivation stabilized, he would be able to engrave the Killing Talismans and break through to the Mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

For a moment, Qin Sang didn't know whether to be happy or worried.

This situation could only mean one thing: the Black-Veined Harmony Pill's medicinal power was completely sufficient, but it might not be suitable for him, or rather, its efficacy wasn't strong enough. The damage caused by the Profound Female Jade Cauldron True Scripture might be more severe than imagined.

Qin Sang opened his eyes, his expression serious.

Though he had a premonition, Qin Sang realized he had still underestimated the Profound Female Jade Cauldron True Scripture. This cultivation art was not comparable to ordinary energy-gathering evil arts. After all, it could help Core Formation cultivators break through to the Nascent Soul stage!

The Harmony Pill, Five-Mushroom Divine Ointment, and Snow Ginseng Jade Life Pill had medicinal effects comparable to the Black-Veined Harmony Pill. If this were truly the case, he might not be able to fully recover even by consuming more spiritual pills of this kind; at most, his recovery would only be more extensive. He should seek out spiritual pills with stronger effects, or divine medicines like the Dao Scripture Grass and Crimson Cloud Purple Fruit, as recorded in ancient texts.

The good news was that he was about to break through to the Mid-Foundation Establishment stage and felt no hindrance due to his foundation. On the surface, the only apparent impact seemed to be on his Qi Sea.

For a moment, countless thoughts rose from the depths of Qin Sang's heart.

Finally, Qin Sang gently closed his eyes and entered a state of meditative cultivation.

Time seemed to pass unnoticed during cultivation. Days flowed by, and in the blink of an eye, three years had passed.

Outside the cave dwelling, heavy snow had completely covered everything, making it impossible to tell with the naked eye that a cultivator's abode was hidden there. For three years, he remained undisturbed. Qin Sang spent this time refining the medicinal power, stabilizing his cultivation, and meticulously engraving the Killing Talismans, never leaving his spot.

A year ago, the Ebony Sword already bore two complete Killing Talismans, the Primordial Spirit Sword Nurturing Chapter broke through to the third level, and Qin Sang successfully entered the Mid-Foundation Establishment stage. This past year was spent thoroughly consolidating his breakthrough.

"Whoosh!"

A gust of wind blew out from within, scattering the accumulated snow.

Qin Sang opened the restrictions and stepped out of his cave dwelling. He saw bright daylight outside, it being midday. He slightly raised his head, gazing at the blue sky and blazing sun he hadn't seen in three years, and only after a long moment did he withdraw his gaze with a touch of emotion.

Then, Qin Sang's figure flickered, transforming into a streak of light, and he flew towards Yun Youzi's cave dwelling.

A moment later.

The streak of light landed in front of a snow-filled valley. Yun Youzi's cave dwelling was built within the valley, featuring a never-freezing ice spring, making the environment much better than Qin Sang's abode.

Qin Sang dispelled his light-form. Just as he was about to activate his spiritual power to trigger the protective barrier, a ripple suddenly appeared nearby, followed by the emergence of several Qi Condensation stage cultivators in armor, who were guards of the Hanging Skull Guard.

"Gan Ying greets Senior," the leading Hanging Skull Guard saluted Qin Sang and said. "Uncle-Master Yun Youzi is in secluded cultivation. He has sent word that no one is to disturb him. If Senior has urgent business, you may leave a sound transmission talisman, and we will deliver it to him after he emerges from seclusion."

This area belonged to the Grand Unity Elixir Pavilion. It seemed this person was a guard arranged by the Grand Unity Elixir Pavilion to be stationed here.

Qin Sang frowned and withdrew his spiritual power. He had originally intended to cautiously inform Yun Youzi of his situation and ask for a solution. After all, Yun Youzi was skilled in the art of alchemy and possessed far greater knowledge than himself, so he might have a method. Since he hadn't emerged from seclusion yet, it wasn't convenient to disturb him.

"Never mind," Qin Sang said. "I had merely intended to catch up with an old friend. Since Senior Yun Youzi is in secluded cultivation, I won't disturb him. There's no need to leave a sound transmission talisman either. Just tell him that Qin Sang visited once he emerges."

Qin Sang shook his head and asked, "Fellow Daoist, when did Senior begin his seclusion? Did he leave any word about when he plans to emerge?"

The Hanging Skull Guard answered without hesitation, "Uncle-Master began his seclusion three years ago and left no word."

Three years ago, almost at the same time he entered seclusion. This meant the spiritual pill Yun Youzi needed had also been refined. He just didn't know if it had healed his spiritual essence.

Qin Sang nodded subtly, pondered for a moment, then once again conjured a streak of light and headed directly north, entering Hanging Skull Pass.

With his cultivation advanced, he needed to report it to the sect. Breaking through to the Mid-Foundation Establishment stage meant that the assigned tasks would be more dangerous. However, the merit points and rewards would also be more generous. Qin Sang weighed the pros and cons: he possessed significant treasures and had a powerful Fiend Corpse as a helper, making his overall strength superior to most Mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators. Furthermore, with Senior Brother Qi Yuanshou overseeing the situation, all in all, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.

Entering the city, Qin Sang headed straight for the hall and encountered Yu Yangzi.

Yu Yangzi was a Mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator. After many years apart, his aura was much denser than before. Although he hadn't yet broken through to the Late-Foundation Establishment stage, it was likely not far off.

Upon meeting an old friend, Yu Yangzi was also happy to hear Qin Sang's good news. The two went together to meet Qi Yuanshou, exchanging insights on cultivation as they walked. Previously, although Yu Yangzi was amiable, he had never actively discussed cultivation matters with Qin Sang. This was the change brought by the advancement in cultivation.

Qin Sang sighed inwardly, maintaining an unchanged expression. He earnestly sought advice from Yu Yangzi, which indeed resolved many of his doubts.

As they spoke, the two entered a corridor and encountered several fellow disciples from Mount Shaohua, one of whom was Yu Daiyue.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Yu."

Qin Sang clasped his hands in greeting. He noticed that Yu Daiyue was still stuck in the Early-Foundation Establishment stage, unable to break through the bottleneck, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. His first meeting with Yu Daiyue had been before the Mortal Dust Gourd. At that time, Yu Daiyue was already a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and had similarly agreed to become a cultivation vessel in exchange for a breakthrough. Later, they had entered the Heavenly Corpse Sect's crypt together, and then came to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield to seek opportunities. In the blink of an eye, over thirty years had passed. By now, he had already broken through to the Mid-Foundation Establishment stage, while Yu Daiyue had fallen far behind, perhaps even unable to make further progress in this lifetime.

The vicissitudes of life truly are unpredictable.

"Junior Brother Qin, you're also going to see Senior Brother Qi..."

Mid-sentence, Yu Daiyue suddenly sensed Qin Sang's aura. His eyes widened abruptly, his face filled with shock, and his voice laced with disbelief. "You... you've already broken through to the Mid-Foundation Establishment stage?"

"It was merely this junior brother's good fortune to stumble upon an opportunity for breakthrough," Qin Sang calmly replied. Since he was going to meet Qi Yuanshou, Qin Sang hadn't used the Spirit Concealment Art to hide his cultivation, allowing Yu Daiyue to perceive it.

Yu Yangzi laughed heartily. "Junior Brother Qin, there's no need to be modest. Breaking through to the Mid-Foundation Establishment stage at your age is not slow within the sect. Your hope of forming a Core is significant in the future. Perhaps within a hundred years, Mount Shaohua will gain another Golden Core Grandmaster!"

Qin Sang knew Yu Yangzi was speaking out of courtesy and repeatedly demurred. The others all offered their congratulations to Qin Sang. Yu Daiyue, however, seemed somewhat dispirited. He uttered a couple of distracted sentences and then left with the others.

Qin Sang watched Yu Daiyue's somewhat desolate figure as he left, sighing inwardly.