Chapter 133: Foundation Establishment

On Lotus Terrace Mountain, a crowd had gathered at the edge, gazing into the distance. From their vantage point, they could clearly see the summit of Vulture Peak, where a number of cultivators were busy at work. They were not busy constructing buildings, however, but were instead occupied with transplanting various rare flowers and exotic herbs. Being cultivators, erecting structures was easy, but making them aesthetically pleasing was a different matter. Over the past two days, the Lotus Ridge had been picked clean of much of its flora as the cultivators of Vulture Peak picked and chose what they wanted. Trees, exotic grasses, and even several pairs of cloud cranes were requisitioned from Cloud Crane Peak.

"What has gotten into the people of Vulture Peak these past few days?"

"Haven't you heard? Daoist Mi is dead, and the master of the summit has changed. They say it’s a newcomer, a fierce and overbearing disciple who beat everyone on Vulture Peak into submission. The people there are now building a mansion for him!"

"The folks on Vulture Peak are usually so vicious themselves; I never expected them to show their true colors the moment they met someone even fiercer!" remarked someone with a sneer. He had previously clashed with cultivators from Vulture Peak and had held a grudge ever since.

"Building a residence with such fanfare—if one didn't know better, they'd think a Foundation Establishment cultivator was moving in!" another added from the side.

As they were talking, they suddenly felt a gust of wind sweep past. The surrounding spiritual energy began to be pulled toward a single point, as if a vortex had appeared there.

"This is..." The crowd fell silent, their expressions shifting to one of shock. "Foundation Establishment?"

"Someone is undergoing Foundation Establishment?"

"Is someone on Vulture Peak reaching Foundation Establishment?"

The sensation was unmistakable; the flow of spiritual energy was directed squarely at Vulture Peak. At that moment, a courtyard covering a thousand square meters stood on Vulture Peak, occupying nearly the entire summit. It featured stone-paved paths, flowing water, pavilions, and terraces. Amidst the lush greenery and exotic plants stood a pine tree of unknown age, its canopy shading half the courtyard. After consulting Li Youling, the others had learned that Gu Changqing was fond of a particular courtyard on the mountain, though its original occupant had refused to vacate it. Having observed it from afar, they had built a replica, only far more exquisite than the original.

Many cultivators were currently busy transplanting rare herbs, which required delicate care rather than just being planted like common vegetation. Another cultivator was feeding the cloud cranes. Suddenly, everyone noticed the spiritual energy being drawn in like a rushing stream. After a moment of surprise, they realized what was happening. Even if they had never witnessed it before, they had heard the legends. Clearly, a cultivator was successfully achieving Foundation Establishment, drawing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into their body, beginning a transformation of both flesh and spirit.

The spiritual energy flowed toward the peak, confirming the location of the breakthrough. "Someone is reaching Foundation Establishment? Who could it be?" The crowd was stirred, tracking the source until their eyes landed on the cave dwelling belonging to Gu Changqing.

"Is it... Brother Gu? Brother Gu is undergoing Foundation Establishment?"

They were filled with disbelief. They could not have imagined that just days after ordering them to build his mansion, Gu Changqing would return to his dwelling and immediately proceed to Foundation Establishment—and succeed.

...

Meanwhile, in a cave dwelling within Lotus Ridge, a cultivator reading a book looked up, a trace of surprise crossing his face. In another pavilion, a man and a woman were drinking wine when they, too, looked toward the distance.

"That direction is... Vulture Peak? I never expected a fellow Daoist there to successfully reach Foundation Establishment," the woman said.

"That Daoist Mi had a fractured soul and no hope of Foundation Establishment. That fellow Shentu practices a demonic body-tempering technique, making it even harder for him. I didn't think anyone else was hiding among them," the man replied.

"Regardless of who it is, since they have succeeded, they have leaped over the dragon gate and now stand as our equal. I shall send a message later to invite them for a gathering!" the woman said with a smile.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators throughout Lotus Ridge were all startled by Gu Changqing’s breakthrough.

...

Gu Changqing was currently bathing in the constant influx of spiritual energy. His body shone with a jade-like translucence, and his blood surged with greater power than ever before. Yet, his frame had grown noticeably leaner. The turbulent river of spiritual energy that once flowed through him had vanished, replaced by twenty crystalline drops of spiritual liquid. Even for a successful Foundation Establishment, ten to fifteen drops was typical, but Gu Changqing, with his orthodox Xuanmen techniques and deep foundation, had been so saturated with spiritual energy that he had condensed twenty drops at once.

Gu Changqing shifted his divine sense, and everything within the cave became crystal clear. Though his eyes remained closed, his perception was sharper than sight. He could see Li Youling frantically flipping through books, her face etched with frustration as she sensed the changes in the air but could not comprehend them. He could see every speck of dust in the cave and even those watching from afar. It was a marvelous feeling.

After some time, Gu Changqing opened his eyes and stretched. The breakthrough had gone smoothly. While many cultivators suffered from the toxic remnants of pills during the process, Gu Changqing had relied entirely on his own efforts, rarely taking pills, so his body was free of such impurities. As for the backlash from the souls in the Blood Prison, it had been slightly stronger than expected, mostly due to the vengeful spirits he had recently consumed from the Thousand-Soul Bone Banner. Nevertheless, with the help of the Blood Soul Fruit and the petals of the Jade Leaf Golden Lotus, he had resisted it easily.

Gu Changqing felt he ought to compose a poem, perhaps something about finally realizing his true self. After wracking his brains for a long time, he cursed bitterly, "Damn it!"

However, he soon discovered another change. The channel in his mind, which had felt as blocked as if he were constipated, had cleared significantly since his breakthrough. He suspected that with his increased power, his control over the bead had improved, allowing him more freedom in manipulating time. If that were true, it would be wonderful. Whether it was, he would only know when he returned to the other side.

Additionally, his hair had grown longer; too lazy to tie it up, he simply swept it behind his head. Gu Changqing pushed open the door and stepped out. Li Youling stood up immediately. "Young Master."

Gu Changqing nodded and stepped out of the cave. The onlookers nearby, seeing Gu Changqing radiating an ethereal aura—his former ferocity significantly diminished, his skin glowing with a faint, jade-like light—immediately realized he had succeeded.

They bowed in unison: "Senior Gu!"

"Call me Peak Master," Gu Changqing said casually.

Lotus Ridge actually consisted of more than eighteen peaks; the name was merely a collective term. Some peaks occupied two or three mountains. But since the prime spots were already taken, and he had no particular need for external luxuries, he simply continued to rule as king of Vulture Peak.

"Greetings, Peak Master!" The crowd felt a mix of joy and apprehension, but no one dared to utter a word of dissent.

After giving his instructions, Gu Changqing saw a flying letter approach. He reached out and caught it. The delicate handwriting inside contained a simple message: "Fellow Daoist, please come for a small gathering in a few days!" The sender was Lan Jiangyue of Yanlai Peak. Yanlai Peak was one of the Middle Six Peaks, and Lan Jiangyue was its master.

Soon after, another flying letter arrived from Lotus Terrace Mountain: "Once you have stabilized your foundation, come for a talk!" There was no signature, but with a twinkle in his eye, Gu Changqing knew exactly who it was: Gongye Chen, a late-stage Foundation Establishment master and disciple of a Golden Core cultivator, who was currently responsible for managing Lotus Ridge.