Chapter 333: Foundation Establishment Complete

Black Cloud Mountain.

Yuan Hongyuan had been sitting cross-legged under that Tier 3 spiritual peach tree for four years.

Pure spiritual energy continuously surged into his body from all directions. His spiritual power fluctuations grew stronger day by day, visibly crossing a certain threshold and breaking through barriers.

He opened his eyes, and two profound, dark gazes, like black clouds, captivated and simultaneously inspired awe with their weight and mystery. It was as if layers of mist lingered deep within his eyes, containing terrifying power.

Ever since he fabricated the excuse of suffering a severe sword injury, Yuan Hongyuan had been disingenuously instructing his family members to gather spiritual elixirs for healing, while secretly cultivating here.

He had no idea how the organization verified it, but they actually believed Yuan Hongyuan's story.

It seemed he truly had fought a great battle with that sword genius from the Divine Wood Sect, sustaining severe injuries, and they even sent a few bottles of elixirs as a gesture of sympathy.

Yuan Hongyuan also played along, sighing and occasionally coughing twice, and after receiving the elixirs, he didn't leave Black Cloud Mountain.

And that wasn't the only good news; after taking the elixirs sent by the organization, his cultivation realm, which had been stagnant for a long time, surprisingly showed signs of loosening.

Delighted, Yuan Hongyuan once again had his family purchase some spiritual items for breakthrough.

And today, he finally shattered the bottleneck that had troubled him for over twenty years, breaking through to the Mid Foundation Establishment stage in one go.

Although outside, Yuan Hongyuan had a great reputation—"Foundation Established by Strength, Unrivaled in His Tier"...

But in reality, he knew himself that it was only because of his cautious nature, always thoroughly inquiring about his opponent's cultivation techniques and methods before each battle, that he achieved such a brilliant undefeated record.

His greatest achievement, defeating three opponents alone, was also due to utilizing the terrain advantage by setting up formations in advance, and with the concerted efforts of his family cultivators, he barely managed to repel three powerful enemies of the same realm.

For a hundred years in Foundation Establishment, he had been stuck at the peak of the Early Foundation Establishment stage. Originally, he had no further ambitions, only wishing to live out the rest of his life peacefully.

If there were any promising talents in his family, he would be willing to give his all to help them, hoping to continue the Yuan family lineage of Black Cloud Mountain that he had painstakingly established.

But today, after breaking through to the Mid Foundation Establishment stage, Yuan Hongyuan's heart stirred slightly with excitement.

Could he still hope for a higher realm?

But immediately, Yuan Hongyuan shook his head with a bitter smile.

He was already over a hundred years old. In his youth, he had been severely wounded multiple times while competing for resources, so he probably had at most a hundred years of lifespan left.

It had taken him a century just to go from Early Foundation Establishment to Mid Foundation Establishment.

The chance for the next breakthrough would likely not appear before his death.

Furthermore, and most importantly, the Black Cloud Misty Wave Art he cultivated could at most be trained to the Late Foundation Establishment stage. The subsequent cultivation methods for Perfect Foundation Establishment and Core Formation were still in the hands of the organization's higher-ups.

Nevertheless, breaking through to the Mid Foundation Establishment stage was a good thing no matter what.

Yuan Hongyuan used a special talisman to inform his contact in the organization about this matter.

Those with higher cultivation realms in the organization could obtain more benefits. He had nearly exhausted his family's savings for the breakthrough and planned to take on more missions to earn spirit stones and resources.

Three days later, just as Yuan Hongyuan was consolidating his realm, a sound transmission talisman flew over.

After receiving and reading it, his expression became solemn, and he immediately activated the protective array atop the mountain.

A familiar figure descended from the sky.

"Congratulations on your breakthrough."

The newcomer still had his back to Yuan Hongyuan, but his tone was much more polite than before.

"I still have to thank you for those few bottles of Energy Amplifying Pills you sent last time. Why did you come in person today? Do you have another mission for me?"

Yuan Hongyuan stood behind the newcomer, his expression calm, but his mind constantly wondering, "It couldn't be another assassination of the Divine Wood Sect's chief, could it?"

"Do you still remember the situation when you fought Chen Guixian last time?"

The newcomer's question caused Yuan Hongyuan's expression to stiffen. Someone less experienced might have thought his lie was exposed, but Yuan Hongyuan had long since vividly imagined his "earth-shattering battle" with Chen Mobai.

"The pain and damage his overbearing sword qi inflicted upon me, I will never forget in this life. If given the chance, I truly wish to experience his brilliant moves again."

"Good, I'll give you that chance!"

Yuan Hongyuan, who had just spoken with a profound expression, heard the newcomer's words and almost couldn't maintain his composure. *I was just saying that, don't take it seriously!* he thought.

News of the great battle between the Divine Wood Sect and Shaking Mountain Peak had long spread throughout the entire Eastern Desolation.

As the most dazzling figure in that war, he had slain three Foundation Establishment cultivators with his sword, one of whom was Mu Hanxiong, a renowned peak master of the nine peaks of Shaking Mountain Peak. He had even ventured deep into the Rock Kingdom, engaging in a battle with Ji Dingjin, the second most powerful figure of Shaking Mountain Peak, with neither emerging victorious.

Under these impressive achievements, Chen Mobai had been hailed by the Divine Wood Sect as the "Second Sword of the Eastern Desolation."

And with Chen Mobai's increasingly prominent reputation, Yuan Hongyuan, who had once fought him to a draw and suffered mutual injuries, saw his status rise within the organization. Although they knew he hadn't established his foundation through brute force, they still acknowledged his excellent combat skills.

Coincidentally, the organization had an insider within the Divine Wood Sect who learned that Chen Mobai might be appointed as a nation's guardian. When that happened, he would certainly leave Giant Wood Ridge to inspect the various major markets in the surrounding areas.

They wondered if they could seize this opportunity to eliminate this most brilliant and dazzling genius the Divine Wood Sect had produced since its split.

However, when others in the organization heard who the opponent was, they all found excuses.

Either they had no time, were in secluded cultivation, or were at a critical moment in refining artifacts or pills, unable to leave.

With no other options, the organization could only assign specific personnel.

Among them, Yuan Hongyuan was the most crucial key player.

"Don't worry, the organization has also arranged four other Foundation Establishment cultivators for you this time. Furthermore, they will set up ambush points and formations in advance. As long as you can kill Chen Guixian, all the subsequent cultivation methods for the Black Cloud Misty Wave Art, up to Mid Core Formation, will be given to you."

After the newcomer stated the conditions, Yuan Hongyuan remained silent.

He was thinking about how to subtly refuse.

Although he very much wanted the subsequent cultivation methods, Yuan Hongyuan valued his life more, as well as the preservation of his Yuan family of Black Cloud Mountain.

Yuan Hongyuan himself hadn't been fooled; he knew that if he truly faced Chen Mobai, it would likely be a one-sword affair for the latter.

He felt that the most correct thing he had ever done in his life was to abandon the ambush back then.

Otherwise, he would probably have been a corpse four years ago.

As it concerned his own life and the lives of his entire family, young and old, Yuan Hongyuan gritted his teeth and decided to tell the truth.

"Ahem, actually..."

"I know Chen Guixian is formidable. Even with your breakthrough, you don't have absolute confidence. However, the organization has considered your difficulties and specifically had me bring you a Yellow Spring Sacred Fruit."

"A Yellow Spring Sacred Fruit!? Is it a medium-grade fruit?"

Yuan Hongyuan, who was about to reveal everything, heard this and his eyes immediately widened. He swallowed back the words that had been on the tip of his tongue.

"That's right. The Yellow Spring Sacred Fruit the organization gives you is naturally given with the consideration that you've broken through to the Mid Foundation Establishment stage, so it can be fully utilized and serve its purpose."

Their organization was called "Yellow Spring." What attracted rogue cultivators the most, besides Foundation Establishment Pills, was this Yellow Spring Sacred Fruit.

This sacred fruit came in three grades: small, medium, and large. After consumption, one could directly break through a cultivation realm.

Yuan Hongyuan was currently at the Mid Foundation Establishment stage. As long as he consumed a medium-grade Yellow Spring Sacred Fruit, he could directly break through to the Late Foundation Establishment stage, saving a century of cultivation and meditation effort.

So, upon hearing that he could obtain such a spiritual item, Yuan Hongyuan immediately retracted his thoughts of retreating.

Furthermore, the long-dormant ambition deep within his heart slowly began to revive.

After consuming the sacred fruit, he would be at the Late Foundation Establishment stage. With his remaining century of lifespan, could there be a glimmer of hope for Core Formation?

Yuan Hongyuan, who had originally intended to simply lie low and protect his family's prosperity, instantly felt that he might not be unable to give it a try.

"The organization's kindness to me is as vast as a mountain. My ability to establish a family in Black Cloud Mountain is entirely due to the organization's backing. Now that there is such an arduous mission, I naturally won't spare my life."

As he spoke, Yuan Hongyuan began to feign again. He stroked his black beard, a look of confidence on his face.

"Once my cultivation reaches completion, that inconclusive battle from four years ago can finally be settled, a fight to the death."

The Yellow Spring contact person nodded with satisfaction upon hearing this, then took a sealed box from his storage pouch and handed it to Yuan Hongyuan.

"Cultivate with peace of mind. Wait for my command."

After speaking, the newcomer transformed into a streak of spiritual light and vanished from Black Cloud Mountain.

After Yuan Hongyuan heard about the taboos regarding the consumption of the Yellow Spring Sacred Fruit, his expression subtly changed, and a hint of hesitation appeared in his eyes.

Little Southern Mountain.

Chen Mobai slowly opened his eyes, and two bright, clear gazes flickered, like two sharp swords, cleaving through the surrounding mists and haze.

He raised his right hand, his five fingers gently closed, and brilliant green electric light flickered and intertwined at his fingertips, condensing into a bolt of lightning in his palm.

As Chen Mobai raised his hand, the Wood Spirit Divine Thunder, like a green pillar of light, pierced through all the mist atop Little Southern Mountain.

From afar, it looked as if a gigantic tree of light, connecting to the celestial ether, had sprouted from the mountaintop. It swept across the sky's iridescent clouds, shattered thick clouds into steam, yet suppressed all rain, snow, and ice flowers. Myriad weather phenomena around the green lightning tree dissipated into smoke.

The power of this Wood Spirit Divine Thunder had already surpassed Chen Mobai's normal Purple Fire Sword Light, and even faintly possessed the might of a Tier 3 spell.

Was this the power of casting spells after achieving Perfect Foundation Establishment?!

Indeed, cultivation realm was everything.

After sensing this, Chen Mobai revealed a satisfied smile.

He clenched the five fingers of his right hand, intending to retract the Wood Spirit Divine Thunder, but found it somewhat difficult to control.

Left with no choice, he could only slowly disperse the power of the spell. Approximately a quarter of an hour later, the brilliant green lightning in his palm obediently retracted again, like flowing water, transforming back into spiritual energy and flowing from his fingertips back into his dantian qi sea.

Closing his eyes once more, he carefully felt the abundant 180 drops of liquid longevity spiritual power in his dantian qi sea. Chen Mobai couldn't help but grin and burst into laughter.

After using a magical artifact in the Daoist Academy to downgrade a large-grade fruit, Chen Mobai wasted no time, immediately gathering all his things and returning to Little Southern Mountain.

With the experience of consuming the first Longevity Tree fruit, even though the energy of the second fruit was more surging and powerful, he still managed to control its balance well.

However, when consuming the last large-grade fruit, Chen Mobai felt his strength was insufficient.

After all, his spiritual consciousness realm was only at the Mid Foundation Establishment stage; controlling the power of the Late Foundation Establishment stage was truly strenuous.

Fortunately, he had simulated it in advance with his Formless Puppet, so Chen Mobai knew this situation would occur.

Therefore, he used his natal magical artifact, the Six Yang Divine Fire Mirror, as a conduit in his dantian qi sea. He spent nearly two months gradually refining the fruit's energy, finally cultivating the Longevity Immortality Scripture to the fourteenth layer today.

That is, Perfect Foundation Establishment, with 180 drops of liquid spiritual power.

This seemed to be the limit of this cultivation technique; even with Chen Mobai's abundant innate vitality, he could not surpass it.

But for him, this was enough.

After all, it saved him a century of arduous cultivation.

Next, he only needed to focus entirely on the Pure Yang Scroll.

Once the Pure Yang Scroll also reached Perfect Foundation Establishment, he could attempt Core Formation.

Speaking of which, it seemed he could also start preparing to acquire spiritual items for Core Formation.

The Immortal Sect had too many rules and regulations, but it was different here in the Heavenly River Realm; as long as one had enough spirit stones, one could usually collect one or two types.

The Divine Wood Sect had the "Rush Void Immortal Ganoderma"; Meng Hong had cut off a piece of it when forming his core, preparing to eat it raw.

If he wanted to form his core, he could submit an application, and he believed the two old ancestors would likely be willing to grant it.

However, Chen Mobai wanted more. He wanted to collect materials for a furnace of Golden Liquid Jade Reversion Pills here in the Heavenly River Realm. If that wasn't possible, then materials for Wood Elemental Core Formation Pills and Fire Elemental Core Formation Pills would also suffice.

Previously, he felt that Core Formation was still far off, and his cultivation realm was incomplete, so Chen Mobai only thought about it in his mind and didn't take action.

But now, he could try.

However, before that, there was one more thing to do.

Chen Mobai took out a communication talisman and instructed his two disciples below the mountain to come up.

Soon after, Zhuo Ming and Luo Yixuan, the two young women, passed through the cloud and mist array and walked in.

"Greetings, Master."

Chen Mobai saw surprise in their eyes and couldn't help but think of something. He ran a hand through the hair by his ear and found it had lost all its luster. Pulling out a strand, he saw that the root was completely white.

He took out the Six Yang Divine Fire Mirror and looked into it, finding that he had matured significantly, with faint fine lines even appearing on his forehead.

Moreover, all the new hair growth from the roots was completely white; only the parts dyed two months ago were still black. This indicated that the hair dye used by that salon was decent and didn't fade.

"Your master has been in secluded cultivation, practicing a forbidden grand technique. Everything you've seen during this period must be kept secret."

"Yes, Master."

"Ming'er, go to Little Yang Ridge and bring back all the mortals and qi-refining disciples of the sect. Some batches of spiritual rice at the foot of the mountain are also about to mature; you won't be able to manage it alone."

Zhuo Ming immediately acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Luo Yixuan stood obediently in place, not asking why she wasn't sent. She knew that she had been the one to move these people away from Little Southern Mountain in the first place.

"Xuan'er, your master recalls that you possess a secret art for concealing cultivation."

Just as Chen Mobai spoke, Luo Yixuan swiftly took out a small booklet from her storage pouch and respectfully handed it to him.

"Master, this is the 'Return to Origin Secret Art' I unexpectedly obtained from a market in the Cloud Nation back then."