Chapter 279 - 274: To Refine the Golden Core, First Break the Dusty Fate

Above the white clouds, Song Ciwan and the fisherman walked onto a small path along the riverbank of Yanling Town.

The fisherman answered Song Ciwan, "We of the Human Race are born with intelligence, but we lack Spirit Roots. If we don’t consume a Foundation Establishment Pill, how can we possibly sense the world around us and absorb Spiritual Qi?"

This statement stunned Song Ciwan. She suspected she must have misheard and blurted out, "What?"

In the Great Zhou Cultivation Realm, Cultivation also had a certain threshold.

To pursue Cultivating Immortality, one first had to possess a certain amount of spirituality, an Immortal Bone, or a special constitution. Only then could one complete the first step: perceiving one’s internal cycles to begin Refining Essence and Transforming Qi.

As for scholarship—of course, anyone could study, but to take it a step further and generate Talent, one had to summon a Celestial Spiritual Light.

Only when this Spiritual Light fused with them could Talent take root in the body, no longer like a rootless tree or duckweed on dry land—drifting aimlessly, unable to grow.

The path of martial arts had the lowest barrier to entry. Anyone could practice, as long as they were willing to endure hardship.

Those with resources, strong physiques, and good comprehension could naturally go further on the path of martial arts.

Those without resources, relying solely on their own grueling training, found it difficult to achieve Great Success. Still, they could learn some skills and wouldn’t be completely helpless.

When faced with the weakest of Demon Fiends, they might even be able to slay one and save themselves.

There were also Buddhist Cultivators, but Song Ciwan had never actually met one, so she had no basis for comparison.

In short, while Cultivation in the Great Zhou emphasized innate talent, it was, at its core, a personal journey.

Whether it was possessing an Immortal Bone and being able to achieve Refinement of one’s own vital essence to generate True Qi;

or being diligent enough to temper one’s body and build up Qi Blood to become a Martial Artist;

or, through diligent scholarship, suddenly having a moment of profound enlightenment—a complete and utter understanding—thereby receiving the Celestial Spiritual Light and generating Talent...

No matter the path, the primary requirement for advancement came from within.

’It was nothing like this Golden Core Dao, where one’s entire future hinged on a single Foundation Establishment Pill!’

Song Ciwan was completely baffled. She had so many questions, yet faced with the fisherman’s matter-of-fact explanations, she felt as if she didn’t even know where to begin asking.

In the end, she could only counter with another question: "Senior, on what basis was it determined that the Human Race is born without Spirit Roots? Is the purpose of the Foundation Establishment Pill to make a person grow a Spirit Root, so they can then begin Cultivation?"

The fisherman said, "Of course. Consuming a Foundation Establishment Pill allows a Spirit Root to grow from one’s Dantian. The Level of the Spirit Root is determined entirely by the Pill. That is why, young friend, this old one is determined to procure a Red Gold Level Foundation Establishment Pill for you!"

As for Song Ciwan’s first question, the fisherman didn’t answer.

It was impossible to know if he had overlooked it by accident or simply felt the question was so fundamental it required no further response.

Song Ciwan silently sighed. For some reason, a layer of cold sweat had broken out on her back.

’There’s something wrong with all of this,’ she thought. ’Both the theory of Spirit Roots and the one about Foundation Establishment Pills are riddled with logical holes. But I can’t quite put my finger on the fundamental problem, no matter how much I think about it.’

’The Golden Core Dao and its promise of longevity are certainly tempting. But right now,’ Song Ciwan resolved, ’until I truly understand the secrets of Foundation Establishment and the Golden Core, I must protect myself, no matter what.’

’I absolutely cannot set foot on this Golden Core Dao so rashly!’

’Of course, there’s no harm in observing and cross-referencing.’

So, Song Ciwan tried to persuade the fisherman, "Senior, from what you’ve said, obtaining a Foundation Establishment Pill is extremely difficult and probably involves all sorts of trials. That being the case, I should earn my own Pill through my own efforts, rather than relying on you and taking shortcuts."

At this, she smiled faintly, a look of contrived shame on her face. "I am well aware of my limited aptitude. I’m not afraid of getting a poor Foundation Establishment Pill, but I am afraid of getting one that is too good. If I am unworthy of such a blessing, wouldn’t that be an even greater transgression?"

This remark made the fisherman pause. A moment later, a look of admiration appeared on his face. "Young friend, your state of mind is already so elevated; you have the bearing of a true Cultivator. There is no need to be so modest."

"This old one can see that you already possess some Cultivation. Though you may have gone down the wrong path, it proves your aptitude is by no means poor. Do not worry, young friend. Here in Yanling Town, anyone can accept a mission for Foundation Establishment."

"It’s just that ordinary Spiritual People can only accept missions up to the Fire Tree Level. With my recommendation, you can directly accept a Red Gold Level mission. If you can complete it, that would be for the best. If not, you can simply accept a lower-level one."

As they spoke, the two left the riverbank behind. A street stretched out before them. Amidst the drifting clouds, a classical, exquisite archway stood, inscribed with the two words "Yanling Town."

Behind the archway was the Town gatehouse.

There were blue-brick buildings with dark-tiled roofs, pink-washed walls shaded by verdant trees, and pedestrians strolling leisurely. Immortal Seekers arrived before the gatehouse—some riding clouds, others on the backs of flying cranes or winged Flying Horses. The variety of arrivals was too great to describe in detail.

The wide street was like a bridge through the clouds, wreathed in mist. Along both sides of the classical and exquisite Cloud Street, vendors hawked their wares from small stalls, adding a touch of real, everyday life to the otherwise otherworldly atmosphere of an Immortal Family.

A middle-aged man holding a bamboo broom paced back and forth on Cloud Street, sweeping away dust that wasn’t there.

The passersby seemed to know him well. One of them called out with a laugh, "Old Jin, how many years have you been sweeping this street? Why haven’t you finished your mission and claimed your Foundation Establishment Pill yet?"

Old Jin, the street sweeper, didn’t reply, but a bystander answered for him. "Old Jin’s primary mission is Breaking Dusty Fate. It’s been thirty years, but he just can’t do it—he can’t let go of his wife and kids. Heh, what can you do? The way I see it, as long as he can’t sever those worldly ties, he could sweep this street forever and never complete his mission!"

The moment Song Ciwan stepped onto Cloud Street, her attention was captured by the phrase "Breaking Dusty Fate."

She froze, her gaze fixed on Old Jin, when suddenly a burst of joyous laughter echoed from the far end of the street. "HAHAHA! The Foundation Establishment Pill! I got the Foundation Establishment Pill! It wasn’t even that hard! Excellent, HAHAHA!"

At the end of the long street stood a striking, tall tower!

The tower was built in the center of a circular plaza, where a number of people were scattered about.

One person was particularly conspicuous. His hair was a mess as he gesticulated wildly, dancing with joy and holding a Jade Box high above his head.

What was inside the Jade Box could only be a Foundation Establishment Pill.

But that wasn’t the important part. For Song Ciwan, the most striking detail was that the ecstatic man holding the Jade Box was clearly a Martial Artist!

A Martial Artist who, without a doubt, must have come from the Great Zhou Cultivation Realm.

The abundance of his Qi Blood was so powerful that, even from the other end of Cloud Street, he shone like a blazing, brilliant lamp.

Meanwhile, the fisherman beside Song Ciwan exclaimed in astonishment, "A White Jade Level Foundation Establishment Pill! That person actually obtained a White Jade Level Foundation Establishment Pill?"

The fisherman was both shocked and envious, staring dumbfounded for a moment.