"Disciple Mo Tiange of Qingquan Peak, named disciple of Dao Lord Jinghe, advanced to Foundation Establishment at age twenty-three." After recording this line in the disciple registry, the Foundation Establishment cultivator in charge of sect records handed over a jade token with a smile. "Congratulations, Junior Sister Mo, on your advancement to Foundation Establishment. This is your new token."
Mo Tiange accepted it politely. "Thank you, Senior Brother."
The Foundation Establishment cultivator explained in detail, "Upon advancing to Foundation Establishment, Junior Sister, you are entitled to new furnishings for your cave abode. However, as you are a named disciple of Ancestor Jinghe, your cave abode does not fall under the jurisdiction of our Administration Hall. You'll need to consult your master about that matter. As for the furnishings, you can collect them all at once. Just take your token to the back hall and find Steward Lu."
"Thank you."
After another trip to the back hall to find a steward and collect some clothing and supplies, Mo Tiange left the Administration Hall.
Holding the Foundation Establishment disciple token, she looked up at the sky, feeling as if she were in a dream.
Even with three Foundation Establishment Pills, she hadn't been certain she could establish her foundation. She had simply held onto her conviction and done her best. Fortunately, she had truly succeeded.
Spiritual Qi circulated, making her body feel weightless as she steadily levitated into flight. Qi Refining disciples could only use Lightness Techniques and some speed-enhancing spiritual tools. They couldn't use flight-type magical tools or fly for extended periods. It could be said they were only slightly stronger than mortals. But Foundation Establishment cultivators had enough spiritual power to operate flight tools and could also levitate and fly—no wonder some said Foundation Establishment was the true threshold of cultivation. After all, the ability to ride a sword and travel a thousand miles in an instant was the hallmark of an immortal.
A cool breeze brushed her face, with mountains and rivers spread out beneath her gaze. Standing mid-air, she silently thought, *If Second Uncle knew, he would surely be comforted.* She had finally established her foundation, stepping across the threshold of cultivation. From now on, she would continue step by step—Core Formation, Nascent Soul formation, until ascension… Although she didn't know how far she could go, she would persevere until the very end.
With a faint smile, she slowly flew back to her cave abode.
When she emerged from seclusion in her cave abode, she had seen Qin Xi and learned that this seclusion had actually taken over two years. Later, discovering she had triggered a Heavenly Phenomenon similar to Core Formation had left her utterly shocked.
She truly didn't feel her Foundation Establishment could compare to Core Formation. Aside from the unusually long duration, there had been nothing different about the process. After establishing her foundation, the state of spiritual Qi within her body showed no abnormalities either. How could she have possibly triggered a Heavenly Phenomenon? It was important to know that only advancements to Core Formation or higher could trigger Heavenly Phenomena; Foundation Establishment could at most cause some spiritual Qi fluctuations.
Qin Xi had simply told her not to dwell on it. Since Martial Uncle Xuanyin happened to be in seclusion these past few days, she should first take care of miscellaneous matters and wait for Martial Uncle Xuanyin to emerge before paying a visit.
After exchanging her token, collecting new sect attire and some Foundation Establishment-level sect rewards, and thanking Ye Jingwen and Luo Fengxue for their care over the past two years, she returned to her cave abode.
Regardless, the fact remained that she had established her foundation. She needed to properly consider some matters for the future.
First was the issue of cultivation techniques. She had originally practiced the Plain Maiden Formula and the Azure Wood Formula. Although the Azure Wood Formula could be cultivated up to Core Formation, its power against Foundation Establishment cultivators was difficult to fully unleash. Her purpose in cultivating the Azure Wood Formula had been to compensate for the Plain Maiden Formula's lack of combat potency. In that case, it might be better to abandon it. But abandoning the Azure Wood Formula meant she must learn a new divine ability for Dharma Combat.
Next were magical tools. Qi Refining cultivators used spiritual tools; Foundation Establishment cultivators used magical tools. Compared to spiritual tools, magical tools were often more than ten times more powerful. Now that she had established her foundation, she naturally needed to replace all her spiritual tools with magical ones.
In truth, she already possessed quite a few magical tools. Most were left by her Second Uncle; a few were rewards from Ancestor Jinghe and Uncle-Master Shoujing before her Foundation Establishment; and two others—the Heaven and Earth Cloud Silk Armor and the Earth Evasion Ruler—were items Qin Xi had 'acquired' when leaving Yunwu Mountain and subsequently gifted to her.
However, although she had many magical tools, most were auxiliary or defensive types. Her Second Uncle's magical tools weren't suitable for her either, so she would have to find others. Additionally, her Qiankun Bag still contained the corpse of the Second-Rank Iron-Toothed Crocodile she had killed at Yunwu. One of these days, she could take it to have someone craft it into a magical tool.
Finally was the issue of medicinal pills. Foundation Establishment pills were not as easily obtained as Qi Refining pills. Even as an elite disciple now, she couldn't possibly consume them like daily meals as before.
Before she could figure out how to resolve these issues, Luo Fengxue informed her that Martial Uncle Xuanyin had emerged from seclusion. She temporarily set these matters aside and went to pay her respects.
Entering Martial Uncle Xuanyin's cave abode, Mo Tiange found quite a gathering this time. Not only were both senior sisters present, but several senior brothers were also in the cave abode. It was worth noting that these senior brothers were extremely diligent in their cultivation; she had been at the Xuanqing Sect for so long, yet hadn't even met some of them.
"Disciple Mo Tiange pays respects to Martial Uncle Xuanyin."
Perfected Person Xuanyin remained smiling, raising a hand. "Rise."
Mo Tiange stood up and said respectfully, "Disciple has emerged from seclusion after Foundation Establishment and specially comes to report to Uncle-Master."
Perfected Person Xuanyin nodded with a smile. "I already know. You've done well. Come forward and let me examine you."
"Yes."
Mo Tiange stepped forward. Perfected Person Xuanyin reached out and grasped her pulse point. A thread of spiritual energy instantly probed inward, following her meridians one by one.
After a long while, Perfected Person Xuanyin released her hand, slightly frowning.
Mo Tiange grew somewhat worried and cautiously asked, "Uncle-Master, is there a problem?"
Perfected Person Xuanyin shook his head. "No problem. Precisely because there is no problem at all. You already know about the anomaly during your Foundation Establishment, correct?"
"Yes."
"Did you feel anything yourself?"
Mo Tiange shook her head. "This disciple lost consciousness afterward and fundamentally had no idea it actually took two years."
"So that's how it was…" Perfected Person Xuanyin pondered for a moment but said nothing more. He addressed her, "We'll discuss this matter later."
"Yes." Sensing that Martial Uncle Xuanyin had matters to handle, Mo Tiange obediently stood to the side and remained silent.
"Qingyu."
Hearing her name called, Han Qingyu stepped forward. "Master."
"This matter is significant. Take a few junior brothers and sisters with you. If nothing happens, all is well. If something occurs, return quickly to report."
"Understood, Master."
Perfected Person Xuanyin then turned to the other standing disciples, stroking his beard in contemplation before saying, "Shinán, Qifeng, Xiyue—you three accompany Eldest Senior Sister."
"Yes, Master."
"Very well, you may all leave now. Tiange, you stay."
"Yes, Uncle-Master."
Watching her fellow disciples depart one by one, Mo Tiange wondered inwardly, *Could something major have happened?* Martial Uncle Xuanyin had dispatched four disciples from his sect at once.
Before she could ponder further, Perfected Person Xuanyin addressed her, "Tiange, although you are not a disciple under my direct tutelage, you honor me as your master. Since you have established your foundation, this Uncle-Master naturally should give you some rewards."
Mo Tiange said, "This disciple's ability to establish her foundation is largely thanks to Uncle-Master's guidance. I dare not ask for rewards."
Perfected Person Xuanyin stroked his beard and smiled. "No need to decline. Every disciple receives rewards upon Foundation Establishment; it's not unique to you." After a moment's thought, he continued, "Let me ask you, does the cultivation technique you practice result in slightly inferior Dharma Combat after Foundation Establishment?"
Mo Tiange felt a slight shock inwardly. *As expected of a Core Formation cultivator. He sensed it before I even mentioned it.* She replied, "Yes, Uncle-Master's discernment is keen. Of the two techniques I cultivate, one is beneficial for cultivation but lacks major divine abilities itself, while the other's power greatly diminishes after Foundation Establishment."
Perfected Person Xuanyin nodded slightly and stood up. "Since that's the case, I'll select a technique for you. Come with me."
"Yes, Uncle-Master."
Following Perfected Person Xuanyin, they left the main hall, wound through many turns, passed some restrictions, and entered a small collection room.
Upon entering, Mo Tiange saw several wooden shelves holding many books, jade slips, and similar items.
Perfected Person Xuanyin said, "This Uncle-Master has never encountered a female cultivator with a Pure Yin constitution, so I'm unclear about the specific characteristics of the techniques you cultivate and cannot select the most suitable one for you. I can only make a broad selection."
Mo Tiange bowed her head. "For Uncle-Master to be so attentive makes this disciple feel overwhelmed by such favor."
Perfected Person Xuanyin was quite fond of this junior's courtesy and said no more. After some thought, he selected several books and jade slips and handed them to her. "Take a look at these. How are they?"
Mo Tiange took them and examined them carefully. These were all Dharma Combat-oriented techniques that didn't require specialized cultivation and had low spiritual root requirements. However, the drawback was that their power wasn't exceptionally great, and they became largely useless by the Core Formation stage.
Nevertheless, techniques stored in this Uncle-Master's collection room certainly weren't ordinary. Most importantly, they suited her.
Mo Tiange hesitated for a moment, then looked up and asked, "Martial Uncle Xuanyin, are there any techniques that coordinate with magical tool usage? This disciple feels that, in terms of pure power, such techniques might be stronger."
Perfected Person Xuanyin nodded. "You make a very reasonable point. Regarding magical tools, Uncle-Master Shoujing has already entrusted me to deliver them to you. Since you ask, I'll give them to you first."
Saying this, Perfected Person Xuanyin took an object from his Qiankun Bag and held it in his hand. "This is called the Soaring Shuttle. It can transform from one into many and contains an illusion array. However, utilizing this item isn't a technique but rather a set of array formations. You are skilled in arrays, so it should suit you."
Mo Tiange looked closely. The Soaring Shuttle glittered with golden light, pointed at both ends, made of an unknown material. Though only palm-sized, it brimmed with spiritual energy, certainly no ordinary object.
Perfected Person Xuanyin handed the Soaring Shuttle and a jade slip to her, saying, "Although you have this item, you must still choose a Dharma Combat technique. Otherwise, you'll become overly reliant on magical tools, and if you lose them, you'll be at others' mercy. Let's do this: This Uncle-Master will decide for you. This Refining Divine Formula cultivates the primordial spirit and possesses immense power. I originally felt this art was difficult to practice and unsuitable for you, but since you've decided to first cultivate the magical tool, I'll give it to you for gradual cultivation. This technique is not easy to cultivate and prone to Qi Deviation. I wouldn't dare give it to other disciples. However, you have a Pure Yin constitution, and your chances of Qi Deviation are lower than others', so it shouldn't be a major issue."
"Yes, Uncle-Master." Receiving another technique handed over by Perfected Person Xuanyin, Mo Tiange glanced at it briefly and was overjoyed. This technique specified it could only be cultivated after Foundation Establishment and could be practiced all the way to Nascent Soul. It was a high-level technique. If she could cultivate it well, it would surely become her trump card.
Leading Mo Tiange out of the collection room, Perfected Person Xuanyin also handed her a flying sword and a bottle of pills. "Since Uncle-Master Shoujing has already gifted you a magical tool, I'll give you this flying sword. As for these pills—Foundation Establishment-level Foundation Consolidating Pills—they are your disciple allocation. You'll receive one bottle annually from now on. Foundation Establishment pills are far fewer than Qi Refining pills. I hope you cherish them well."