Chapter 344 25: Shui Qianning Attains the Dao Foundation

Zhu Ju performed the Cloud Soaring Technique, leaving his Cave Mansion on an auspicious cloud and flying toward the mountain peak, following the aura he had sensed.

Before long, he slowly descended before a Cave Mansion.

The Bright Void Sect's Leader, Pei Jingque, was already waiting there. Beside her stood the Sect's head disciple, Ma Shushuang.

"Martial Uncle."

Seeing Zhu Ju descend, Ma Shushuang, a stooped man with a full head of white hair, hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting.

"Nephew Ma." Zhu Ju's gaze lingered on him for a moment before he spoke slowly.

"You're not in good shape. You should be resting and not moving about."

Ma Shushuang was already over eighty years old.

An injury in his youth had damaged his foundation. Now, his flame of life was like a guttering candle in the wind, liable to be extinguished at any moment.

Especially in the last two years, his body had been deteriorating daily. The younger generations of the Ma family had even prepared his coffin and grave.

"Thank you for your concern, Martial Uncle."

Ma Shushuang grinned, the deep wrinkles on his face trembling as he spoke in a hoarse voice, "I don't have much time left. If I can see the Sect gain another Dao Foundation Cultivator before I go, I will die without regrets!"

"So, someone really is attempting a breakthrough," Zhu Ju said with a nod, then asked, "Is it Nephew Shui?"

"It is." Pei Jingque nodded, a hint of apprehension in her lovely eyes. "Qianning has outstanding Talent, but she doesn't have a Dao Body, after all. I don't know if she'll succeed this time."

Zhu Ju didn't speak.

There was no point in saying anything at a time like this.

Shui Qianning was the third disciple Pei Jingque had taken; the first two had died during their escape, so she doted on Qianning.

She was also the person in the Bright Void Sect with the greatest hope of achieving a Dao Foundation.

If she succeeded, the Bright Void Sect would have five Dao Foundation Cultivators.

"She should be able to make it," Ma Shushuang muttered. "Junior Sister could have attempted her breakthrough five years ago. She only delayed for five years and took the Foundation Establishment Pill to be safe. And this time, she acted on a sudden insight. Theoretically, nothing should go wrong."

"She'll succeed... She'll succeed..."

"Once Junior Sister Shui achieves her Dao Foundation, and in another two years Junior Brother Jir Mingxi reaches Qi Refining Perfection... he has an Innate Dao Body, so there's no chance of failure. Then our Bright Void Sect will have six Dao Foundation Cultivators."

"Our revival is within sight!"

A flicker of light passed through Pei Jingque's eyes.

Her injuries had recovered well over the years. Thanks to the Spiritual Medicine she had gathered in the Void Secret Realm, her Cultivation had also improved significantly, bringing her ever closer to the Late-Stage Dao Foundation.

Furthermore.

What others didn't know.

She knew very well: Zhu Ju was already at the Mid-Stage Dao Foundation, and his strength was not much less than her own.

With such underlying strength, while they couldn't compare to sects with a Golden Core Grandmaster, they were by no means weak.

Coupled with the Spirit Wine business getting on track and gradually expanding, life in the Sect was improving day by day.

One could say...

The future is bright!

"HUMMM..."

The Spiritual Qi ahead suddenly erupted into turmoil. The expressions of the three onlookers changed in unison; this was not a good sign.

In a successful breakthrough, the Spiritual Qi should converge into a vortex and surge in an orderly fashion, not erupt into chaotic turbulence like this.

"Don't panic."

Zhu Ju narrowed his eyes.

"It's likely just a small problem with Nephew Shui's Cultivation Technique. It's nothing serious and won't affect the breakthrough."

Sure enough.

The words had barely left his lips when the Spiritual Qi before them returned to a stable flow.

"That's good, that's good." Ma Shushuang breathed a sigh of relief, patting his chest. He took a cane from his storage bag to support himself.

"Almost there, almost there..."

Pei Jingque glanced at Zhu Ju, a flash of surprise in her eyes.

Such keen perception indicated that Zhu Ju's Divine Soul Power was stronger than hers, as was his Physical Body.

'To break through the Dao Foundation Realm and form a Golden Core, one's Essence, Qi, and Spirit are all indispensable. Junior Brother's Physical Body and Divine Soul are both stronger than mine. If he reaches Dao Foundation Perfection one day, his chances of forming a Golden Core will surely be greater than my own.'

'If the Bright Void Sect can produce a Golden Core Grandmaster, then even if I die in the Ten Thousand Mountains someday, I can face our ancestors in the Underworld without any shame.'

As these thoughts turned in her mind, her gaze returned to the Quiet Chamber before her, and she resumed her silent vigil for the outcome.

Time flowed by slowly.

The sun drifted west.

Zhu Ju and Pei Jingque both sensed something at the same moment, their gazes sharpening as they stared at the Quiet Chamber.

At that same instant.

The Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi before them suddenly began to swirl violently, forming a massive funnel that gathered toward the center.

"WHOOSH..."

A fierce wind kicked up.

"Excellent!"

Pei Jingque's wrists trembled with excitement, and her eyes reddened.

"She succeeded!"

"Haha..." Zhu Ju laughed heartily, flicking a hand to toss an object into the vortex of Spiritual Qi.

"Let the stars be lamps for the road ahead, and a sixty-year cycle the drumbeat of your progress."

"Congratulations!"

"Congratulations, Nephew Shui, on achieving your Dao Foundation!"

"And congratulations, Senior Sister, for nurturing a new Dao Foundation Cultivator and further securing the legacy of our Bright Void Sect."

"WHOOSH..."

The fierce wind first raged in all directions before suddenly receding. The stone doors slid open slowly, revealing a young woman with a heroic and spirited look on her face.

Although Shui Qianning had the appearance of a young woman, she had already lived for sixty years and was long past her youth.

"Thank you for the medicine, Martial Uncle Zhu."

The Spiritual Medicine Zhu Ju had just tossed her had saved her months of painstaking effort, so of course, she had to express her thanks.

She then walked over to Pei Jingque, her knees giving way as she knelt on the ground.

"Master!"

"I... I haven't disappointed you!"

"Good... good..." Pei Jingque's voice quivered, and her body trembled slightly as she helped the young woman up from the ground.

"Good child, good child!"

She had lived for over a hundred years, yet at this moment, she couldn't stop the tears from falling.

"Since Junior Sister Liuu achieved her Dao Foundation, the Sect... it's been a full forty-seven years since anyone has taken this step."

"Oh!"

"Junior Brother doesn't count."

She glanced to the side, giving Zhu Ju an apologetic smile.

Zhu Ju had achieved his Dao Foundation while wandering abroad and hadn't used any of the Sect's resources, so naturally, he wasn't included in the count.

Forty-seven years!

One could only imagine what a sect went through without producing a single new Dao Foundation Cultivator in that time.

The Bright Void Sect had faced difficult times over those years, but now, with Shui Qianning's successful breakthrough, it seemed to signal that their long winter of hardship was finally over.

"Congratulations, Junior Sister," Ma Shushuang said, also stepping forward to offer his felicitations.

"Your ascension to the Dao Foundation is a joyous occasion worth celebrating."

"Eldest Senior Brother." Shui Qianning looked at him, her expression a mixture of gratitude and sympathy.

"I'm so grateful for your care all these years, Eldest Senior Brother. If not for what happened back then, you probably would have reached the Dao Foundation Realm long before me."

"Sigh." Ma Shushuang waved a dismissive hand.

"What's past is past. Don't bring it up again."

It wasn't that he was without regrets, but now, his only wish was for the Sect to grow ever stronger.

"Qianning."

Pei Jingque turned her hand over, and a piece of antique-looking Talisman Paper appeared in her palm. A Spiritual Light swirled across its surface, giving it a profoundly mysterious air.

"This is called a Soul-Stabilizing Talisman. It's an Exotic Treasure that can protect your Divine Soul from harm. I came across it by chance some years ago."

"The reason I didn't give it to you before is that its Refinement requires the True Essence of a Dao Foundation Cultivator. Now, consider it a gift to celebrate your successful breakthrough to the Dao Foundation Realm."

"Yes." Shui Qianning accepted it respectfully.

"Thank you, Master."

"A Soul-Stabilizing Ancient Talisman," Zhu Ju remarked, a look of surprise on his face.

He knew of this item, of course. It could suppress one's Heart Demon and might even be beneficial for Core Formation.

He hadn't expected Pei Jingque to actually give it to her disciple.

"What a grand gesture, Senior Sister!"

He sighed and took out a Jade Scroll.

"I don't have many valuables on me, but I have spent some years organizing my insights into the Sword Dao."

"Our nephew is a sword lover and mastered Sword Light Division back in the Innate Realm. Perhaps this will be of use to you."

Shui Qianning's eyes lit up. She accepted it and bowed her head solemnly.

"Thank you, Martial Uncle Zhu."

It was common knowledge among the disciples of the Bright Void Sect that Zhu Ju's Sword Control Method was second to none. His self-created Ten Directions Killing Dao was even more inconceivable, making him the undisputed top master of the Sword Technique. She had always wanted to ask for his guidance, but Zhu Ju spent most of his time in seclusion. Receiving his insights into the Sword Dao now was a truly wonderful surprise.

*

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*

Having just broken through, Shui Qianning needed time to stabilize her new Realm, so she took her leave before long.

Ma Shushuang's body couldn't handle a long stay, and besides, he had to put in the effort to organize Shui Qianning's Foundation Establishment Ceremony, so he also departed.

As for Zhai Qingfeng and Liuu Huang'er, they had taken over garrison duty on the front lines several years ago in place of the injured Zhu Ju and Pei Jingque, representing the Bright Void Sect.

Their time for rotation had not yet come, so they were not in the Sect.

「In a side hall.」

Pei Jingque smiled as she looked at Zhu Ju.

"Your Sword Technique is in a class of its own, Junior Brother, but your disciple is somewhat of a disappointment. Why not pass it on to Qianning?"

"She's obsessed with the Sword Dao, and I don't have much more to teach her in that respect."

After Xi Chen 'lost his life' in the Void Secret Realm, Zhu Ju had taken in Xi Youyue as his disciple to compensate.

At the same time, he took 'Guk Rusong' as a nominal disciple.

However, both of these disciples of his had mediocre Cultivation Talent and no special Comprehension for the way of the sword. It was impossible for them to inherit his Ten Directions Killing Dao.

"That Jade Scroll contains the foundation of my Sword Dao. If she can master it, she can naturally learn the Ten Directions Killing Dao."

Zhu Ju smiled and then asked, "On that note, Senior Sister, when will my Flying Sword be ready?"

It's been nine years!

It was only a matter of integrating a few damaged components into the Ten Directions Sword. Logically, that shouldn't be difficult for a Tier Two Refiner.

"Well..." Pei Jingque hesitated.

"The sword has been forged, but the problem hasn't been solved. Why don't you wait a little longer, Junior Brother?"

"Still not solved?" Zhu Ju frowned.

"What exactly is the problem?"

"Sigh." Pei Jingque sighed softly, then flipped her hand over, retrieving a Jade Box from her storage bag. She opened it to reveal a longsword resting inside.

The blade was over three feet long, like a sharp sword wielded by a Mortal Martial Artist.

A Cultivator's Flying Sword was rarely so large; a few inches, or a foot at most, was the norm.

A hazy white halo roamed ceaselessly across the surface of the blade, and a sealing Spirit Talisman was affixed to it.

"Junior Brother, I don't know what materials your Cross and Vertical Saber was made of, but when it merged with Elder Songx's Broken Sword, it actually gave the Sword Intent a trace of Spirituality."

Pei Jingque frowned and sighed.

"It's a good thing for a Treasure Sword to have a spirit, but unfortunately, this sword's Spirituality is vicious and domineering, and I can't find a way to dispel it."

"I've tried several methods, but if I want to erase this bizarre Spirituality, I would have to destroy the Flying Sword. That's why I've been so vexed."

"Oh?" Zhu Ju raised an eyebrow.

The Cross and Vertical Saber came from the Otherworld and contained a special substance called Source Stone. He never imagined that reforging it with the Artifact Refining methods of the Main World would cause such a change.

He studied the 'Flying Sword' before him, then spoke after a moment of contemplation.

"Senior Sister, let me take it back and have a look."

"Very well." Pei Jingque nodded.

"I haven't thought of a solution yet, anyway. Be careful, Junior Brother. Don't touch it rashly, or you might be pulled into an Illusion Realm. I was pulled in once, and it was not a pleasant experience."

She shook her head with a wry smile, clearly quite wary of it.

"Oh, right."

After composing herself, Pei Jingque continued.

"The Wuh Family sent a message. They intend to sell their entry rights to the Void Secret Realm and asked if we want to buy them."

"What do you think, Junior Brother? Should we buy them?"

"The Wuh Family..." Zhu Ju raised an eyebrow, looking thoughtful.

"It seems they can't hold out any longer, to be willing to sell even their entry rights to the Void Secret Realm."

"Yes," Pei Jingque said.

"The Wuh Family is down to a single elderly Dao Foundation Cultivator. All the promising members of their younger generation have perished, and now they have to report for their rotation on the front lines. It's uncertain if they can even last until the next time the Secret Realm opens, so they want to sell their slots now in exchange for resources."

"According to the original agreement between the five major powers, if one party wishes to withdraw, it requires the consent of the other four. We have the right of first refusal."

"Senior Sister," Zhu Ju asked.

"What's the benefit of buying the Wuh Family's slots? Does a Dao Foundation Cultivator get four slots?"

"No." Pei Jingque shook her head.

"According to the agreement, we would be able to send an additional six people into the Secret Realm, because the Wuh Family had six slots last time."

Six people?

Zhu Ju shrugged.

"It's better than nothing. If the price is low, we can consider it. If it's expensive, I don't think it's necessary."

"Mm." Pei Jingque nodded slowly.

"That's what I was thinking as well."

"Although our lives have gotten a little easier these past few years, we don't have much extra money to waste."

"Let's forget about it."