Chapter 369 - 49: Heaven and Earth Phenomenon

At the mountain’s peak.

The core of the Sect Array, where the Spiritual Qi was most abundant.

Every Innate Qi Refiner who had reached Nine Acupoints Perfection would be granted permission to enter when attempting to break through to the Dao Foundation Realm.

On this day.

Zhu Ju stood before the quiet chamber with his hands behind his back, waiting patiently.

"Master."

Xi Youyue, her face etched with anxiety, asked:

"Do you think my brother will succeed in his breakthrough?"

"There is a ninety percent chance of success." Zhu Ju smiled faintly.

"Don’t worry. Xi Chen’s Essence, Qi, and Spirit all far surpass those of an ordinary Innate cultivator. His foundation is even deeper than mine was back then. With the help of Elixirs, he will surely succeed as long as there are no accidents."

"But..." Xi Youyue’s eyes were filled with worry.

"There’s still a ten percent chance of failure."

"Junior Sister," Guk Rusong counseled from the side.

"You don’t need to worry. Senior Brother Xi is blessed with great fortune. He managed to survive for over twenty years in the perilous Void Secret Realm. He is one favored by the heavens and will certainly succeed in advancing to the Dao Foundation."

"I hope so." Xi Youyue clasped her hands tightly.

"It’s already been five days..."

"How long did Senior Brother Guk take back then?"

"Three days." Guk Rusong’s expression darkened, and he sighed.

"My Cultivation was insufficient, and my foundation was unstable. Plus, I was already too old. I didn’t have that much time to nurture it."

"It’s here." Zhu Ju suddenly spoke.

"It’s starting!"

The two’s expressions turned serious as they looked in unison toward the quiet chamber ahead.

WHOOSH...

A gentle breeze blew.

In Zhu Ju’s perception, the surrounding Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi began to vibrate at a slow and rhythmic frequency.

It was like...

A heartbeat!

With each rise and fall, a massive amount of Primordial Energy surged toward the quiet chamber, devoured by an invisible mouth.

At first, it was only a light breeze, but moments later, a gale erupted, and a Primordial Energy Vortex appeared above the quiet chamber.

SWISH!

SWISH! SWISH!

One after another, figures appeared nearby. They were Dao Foundation Cultivators who had sensed the anomaly and rushed over.

"Is it Xi Chen?"

Zhai Qingfeng asked.

"I knew this kid would make it!"

"It is."

Zhu Ju nodded, a smile gracing his lips.

"The Primordial Energy is like a tide, its rhythm orderly. It seems he has succeeded."

"Wonderful."

Shui Qianning clapped her hands lightly.

"With him, our Bright Void Sect now has seven Dao Foundation Cultivators. We’ve finally recovered some of our strength."

"Mm," Liuu Huang’er nodded.

"Back when the Bright Void Sect was still divided into the Dragon Head, Celestial Sword, and Flying Phoenix lineages, the Sect had just over ten Dao Foundation Cultivators."

"Back then..."

"The Dragon Head Lineage had only my father as a Dao Foundation Cultivator!"

As they spoke, the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi ahead suddenly contracted inward, transforming into a torrent of Primordial Energy that descended from the sky.

The Primordial Energy glimmered like jade, connecting heaven and earth. It even stirred the Gang Qi high in the sky, causing the thick clouds to scatter in all directions.

"A Pillar of Qi Sea!"

Liuu Huang’er’s beautiful eyes went wide.

"A celestial phenomenon!"

The so-called "Pillar of Qi Sea" is a phenomenon that occurs when an Innate Qi Refiner with an exceptionally deep foundation breaks through to the Dao Foundation Realm. They draw in so much Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi that it condenses into a pillar, creating this unique spectacle.

"A celestial phenomenon..."

Zhai Qingfeng was dumbfounded.

"So it’s really possible to trigger a celestial phenomenon when achieving the Dao Foundation!"

He had only heard of such things or read descriptions in books but had never witnessed it in reality.

For over a hundred years, Dao Foundation Cultivators had been born almost every year, but never had there been a celestial phenomenon.

One could only imagine how low the chances were.

"It is said..."

Shui Qianning’s voice trembled.

"...that a Cultivator who triggers a celestial phenomenon when breaking through to the Dao Foundation is guaranteed to reach the Golden Core, as long as they don’t die prematurely."

’Junior Brother Xi... he’ll become a Golden Core Grandmaster in the future?’

Zhu Ju’s eyes flickered. With a gentle press of his hand, wind and clouds gathered, instantly concealing the celestial phenomenon.

"This matter must not be spread."

He pondered for a moment before saying:

"If any disciples happened to see it, explain that I was activating the Array to help Xi Chen gather Primordial Energy."

"Correct." Liuu Huang’er came back to her senses.

"A tall tree attracts the wind. Besides us, only Senior Sister needs to be told. We absolutely cannot let anyone else know."

"Guk Rusong, Xi Youyue, you two must remember this!"

Among everyone present, they were the only two Innate Qi Refiners and the most likely to let it slip accidentally.

"Yes."

Xi Youyue nodded emphatically, her expression thrilled.

"I won’t say a word!"

Guk Rusong’s expression was complicated.

He had endured all the hardships of Cultivation, yet in the end, he hadn’t even reached the Dao Foundation. Meanwhile, Xi Chen was very likely to reach the Golden Core.

The two of them...

The difference was like heaven and earth!

"In time, if the Sect has a Golden Core Grandmaster presiding over it, we will have some ability to protect ourselves even if the Demon Dao invades."

Liuu Huang’er’s voice was choked with emotion.

"It has been over two hundred years since the Sect’s last Golden Core. Who knows how long we must wait for the next?"

BUZZ...

As she spoke.

The stone door ahead slowly slid open, and a young man with slightly dark skin and unremarkable features walked out.

"Master!"

Xi Chen cupped his fists toward Zhu Ju, his face beaming with excitement.

"Your disciple has not failed your expectations. I have successfully broken through!"

"Good!" Zhu Ju nodded in satisfaction.

"Well done!"

He raised one hand, and an object materialized in his palm.

"This treasure is called the Xu Wind Thunder Banner. It is a Magical Treasure of the Wind and Thunder Attribute. It has been nurtured by several Dao Foundation Cultivators for hundreds of years and already shows signs of advancing to a Middle Grade Magical Treasure. Today, I give it to you as a gift for your advancement."

A Magical Treasure!

And one that was about to become a Middle Grade Magical Treasure!

Xi Chen’s eyes lit up.

One had to know that even in major powers like the Profound Clarity Sect or the Star-Picking Tower, a newly advanced Dao Foundation Cultivator would find it very difficult to obtain a Magical Treasure.

Some Loose Cultivators might not possess a Magical Treasure even a hundred years after reaching the Dao Foundation.

To receive such a powerful Magical Treasure from Zhu Ju right after his advancement was far beyond his expectations.

"Master."

Xi Chen’s voice trembled as he reached out and took the Xu Wind Thunder Banner that slowly floated before him.

"Thank you, Master!"

"Senior Brother, what a generous gift." Liuu Huang’er’s eyes showed her surprise, and she immediately took out an item.

"Since that’s the case, I, as a Martial Uncle, can’t lose face. This is called a Void Escape Talisman. It’s a Tier Three Spirit Talisman with the wondrous ability of Void Shifting. When activated in a crisis, it can instantly teleport you a hundred li away."

Hm?

Zhu Ju’s brows furrowed slightly.

They had spent a fortune to purchase this Void Escape Talisman from the Marketplace after Liuu Huang’er and Zhai Qingfeng had encountered danger last time.

It was meant to prevent them from facing danger again.

"Junior Sister." He shook his head gently.

"This item is too valuable. Xi Chen, do not accept it."

Xi Chen was also taken aback and awkwardly paused his outstretched hand.

"It’s fine." Zhai Qingfeng stepped forward and smiled.

"The new generation replaces the old. Hope should be left to the young ones. Take it, kid!"

Liuu Huang’er nodded.

In her eyes, Xi Chen had the potential to reach the Golden Core, which made him more important than her. Otherwise, why would she be willing to part with such a life-saving treasure?

Xi Chen looked at Zhu Ju. Only after seeing him give a slight nod did he accept the Spirit Talisman.

"Thank you, Martial Uncle!"

"You’ve just broken through and still need to consolidate your realm," Zhu Ju said.

"In two months, the Sect will hold a Foundation Establishment Ceremony for you. Tell Guk Rusong if there is anyone you need to specially invite."

Guk Rusong stepped forward to congratulate him.

His own path of cultivation was now hopeless, so he was in charge of the Sect’s various affairs, just like Ma Shushuang in the past.

Xi Chen nodded.

"I’ll have to trouble you, Junior Brother Guk."

...

In the back mountains.

Zhu Ju opened a stone door and strolled into a Quiet Chamber.

"Senior Sister."

He stopped in his tracks.

"You’ve come out of seclusion?"

"Mm."

Pei Jingque, who should have been in seclusion in the Quiet Chamber, appeared behind him. Her long hair danced without any wind, and her aura surged unstably.

Late-Stage Dao Foundation!

No!

There were even signs of Dao Foundation Perfection!

Zhu Ju’s eyes showed surprise, but he then shook his head with regret.

Pei Jingque’s aura was as vast as an abyss, majestic and powerful, but it was also suffused with a faint aura of death.

This was a quality only found in those who did not have much lifespan remaining. She had, after all, taken the Life-Taking Spirit Pill.

"Junior Brother, you needn’t be so worried." Pei Jingque smiled lightly, the Fire Phoenix Mark on her forehead more brilliant than ever. The temperature in the entire Cave Mansion rose as she spoke slowly,

"In another twenty to thirty years of consolidation, I can stabilize my cultivation at the Dao Foundation Perfection Realm. By then, my body’s age will only be around two hundred sixty or seventy. I’ll still have a chance to break through to the Golden Core Realm."

As long as she reached the Golden Core, a hundred years of lifespan would be nothing compared to the eight hundred years one gained.

However...

Attempting to break through to the Golden Core at the age of two hundred sixty or seventy was even less likely than achieving the Dao Foundation at ninety.

"What happened outside?"

Pei Jingque tossed a strand of hair behind her, changing the subject.

"A short while ago, the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi felt... different."

"Xi Chen successfully broke through, becoming the Sect’s seventh Dao Foundation Cultivator," Zhu Ju said, composing himself.

"When he broke through, a celestial phenomenon appeared—the ’Pillar of Qi Sea’ recorded in the ancient texts. It means his foundation is exceptionally strong."

"Even though he just advanced, the Magical Power True Essence within his body is no weaker than those who advanced thirty or forty years ago."

"A celestial phenomenon! A Pillar of Qi Sea?" Pei Jingque’s breath hitched, and then her face lit up with ecstatic joy.

"Excellent!"

"This is truly wonderful!"

"The Bright Void Sect finally has a Golden Core Seed!"

"Mm," Zhu Ju nodded.

"I want the Sect to allocate a portion of its resources to him, especially the Spiritual Medicines he brought back from the Void Secret Realm."

"Xi Chen’s Talent is extraordinary, and more importantly, his luck is astonishing. But he doesn’t feel much sense of belonging to the Bright Void Sect. After all, he hasn’t spent much time by my side, and he was trapped in the Secret Realm for the last twenty years."

"True." Pei Jingque narrowed her eyes.

"As a Golden Core Seed, the Sect should naturally give him a certain degree of preferential treatment. As for his sense of belonging..."

She glanced at Zhu Ju and pursed her lips slightly.

"What do you think of Qianning?"

"Xi Chen and Shui Qianning?" Zhu Ju was taken aback, then shook his head.

"Don’t play matchmaker. Matters of the heart are best left to nature. Besides, neither of them seems to have such thoughts right now."

"Alright." Pei Jingque turned away.

"The fastest way to make someone feel a sense of belonging is for the Sect to have something he can’t bear to abandon."

"Junior Brother..."

"And you?"

Zhu Ju didn’t speak.

*

*

*

「Two months later.」

The Bright Void Sect was decorated with lanterns and colored banners, celebrating Xi Chen’s achievement of the Dao Foundation with a grand ceremony.

Streaks of light descended from the sky as congratulatory voices rose and fell one after another. The entire Sect was filled with laughter and cheerful voices.

"Tang Ruhe of the Seeking Immortal Sect has arrived!"

"Vice Sect Master Dong of the Hundred Flowers Sect has arrived!"

"..."

As Xi Chen’s master, Zhu Ju stood with Guk Rusong before the main hall, smiling as they welcomed the guests.

"Brother Zhu."

Tang Ruhe of the Seeking Immortal Sect asked in a low voice:

"Is the Bright Void Sect still planning to migrate south?"

"Of course." Zhu Ju nodded.

"In a few months, three hundred people will go. The Immortal Alliance hasn’t forbidden a partial migration south."

"That’s good." Tang Ruhe sighed in relief.

"How about we go together then?"

"A group from the Seeking Immortal Sect will also be migrating south. I will be leading them this time. Which fellow Daoist will your esteemed sect be sending?"

"It should be Elder Zhai," Zhu Ju said.

"He is more familiar with the south."

"How are things with the Seeking Immortal Sect...?"

"Sigh!" Tang Ruhe sighed.

"Although we repelled the Demon Cultivators last time, our losses were heavy. Even my Senior Brother didn’t manage to escape."

"Our Sect Leader was also seriously injured."

CLANG—

As the two were talking, a piercing bell rang out abruptly.

"Enemy attack!"

"It’s Demonic Cultivators!"

The shouts followed immediately, and a commotion broke out in the crowd.

"Don’t panic!"

Zhu Ju raised his voice.

His voice wasn’t loud, but it spread throughout the entire area in an instant, subtly calming the panic and fear in everyone’s hearts.

"The Bright Void Sect is protected by its Array. Nothing will happen."

"Shui Qianning."

"Here!"

"Come with me to take a look."

"Yes."

Shui Qianning complied, transforming into a streak of light and soaring into the air after Zhu Ju. But then her brows furrowed.

"Martial Uncle."

"It looks like the delegation from the Zhao Family that came to offer congratulations?"

In the distant sky, a dozen or so people were locked in combat, among them a giant bird that was relentlessly attacking.

The Zhao Family’s Six-Winged Lark!

Spiritual Light flared in Zhu Ju’s eyes as the Wind and Thunder Blade Wings unfurled from his back. He transformed into a bolt of lightning and shot straight toward the Zhao Family’s position.

"Martial Uncle!"

Shui Qianning’s expression changed.

"Be careful! It could be a trap!"