Chapter 71: The East Wind Arrives, Preparation for Foundation Establishment

Half a day later.

Shen Lian shook his head, racking his brains but coming up with nothing. This was far too difficult a problem for a mere ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator like him. Even if his guess was correct, it was only something he would have the right to consider after establishing a sect and becoming a patriarch in the future. For now, this speculation could only be set aside.

“Heavenly Evolution Fire Domain.”

He summoned his spiritual power. The fire-element spiritual energy within his five-element essence, originally crimson red, now held a trace of gold, its aura entirely transformed—blazing with a more intense, destructive power. It seemed this was the qualitative change brought about by his fire spiritual root reaching perfection.

After a few days of recuperation, Shen Lian left the safe cavern and appeared on a deserted island. He casually formed a seal and cast a first-rank spell, Fire Spirit Art. This common fire-element spell in the cultivation world, when cast at the ninth level of Qi Refining, could produce fireballs or various other shapes of flame.

Now, when Shen Lian performed it, a firebird streaked forth, its flames laced with gold, its presence transcending the usual bounds of Qi Refining spells.

Boom!

The firebird plummeted, and within a radius of fifty yards, all earth, stone, grass, and wood were scorched into a black- and red-streaked crystalline wasteland, while the surging energy burst out more than a hundred yards beyond.

Shen Lian looked at his own hand, then at the ground. He casually threw out a second-rank, low-grade Heavenly Gang Thunderfire Talisman. The talisman erupted instantly—thunder roared, flames soared skyward, covering an area of more than ten yards around.

Once again, Shen Lian cast his Fire Spirit Art. The firebird spread its wings, golden flames enveloping the thunderfire conjured by the talisman, tearing its oppressive aura apart and easily suppressing it.

With the augmentation of the fire-element divine power, a first-rank spell now wielded the might of the Foundation Establishment level.

Next, Shen Lian took out several more Heavenly Gang Thunderfire Talismans, activated them all at once, and threw them out.

Boom!

The firebird, trailing golden-red flames, descended and shattered the thunderfire from five talismans into scattered energy, which eventually dissipated.

Sensing his spiritual power, Shen Lian found he had less than a tenth left. He stared blankly at the flickering flames, the corners of his mouth twitching.

“I cultivate all five elements, after all.”

The power of the Heavenly Gang Thunderfire Talisman ranged between the first and third levels of the Foundation Establishment stage. The difference in destructive force was due to the varying spiritual ink used to craft the talismans. Second-rank spiritual ink required the blood of second-rank demon beasts as the main ingredient; the strength of the beast and the crafting process determined the talisman's strength.

Regardless, Shen Lian had reached a conclusion: a first-rank spell empowered by the Heavenly Evolution Fire Domain was at least as powerful as a third-level Foundation Establishment attack.

Clearly, this divine power warranted further research.

Not lingering in his satisfaction, Shen Lian took out a magical tool, partitioned the debris in the area, packed it into his storage bag, and quickly left.

On his way, as he crossed the vast ocean, he scattered the crystallized debris in batches into the sea.

After finishing, he returned toward Black Whale City.

Back at the Tranquil Heart Pill Shop, he rested for a day, and his turbulent emotions gradually settled.

Upon reflection, he found the appearance of the Heavenly Evolution Fire Domain divine power nothing so astonishing. Perfection of a spiritual root could, in other words, be seen as tracing back to the source. Though he still didn’t know why he’d seen that endless sea of fire, if the divine power hadn’t possessed such might, that would have been more surprising.

He even thought the power was still too small.

If only he hadn’t fainted at the time—he could have observed more of the fire domain.

“Perhaps only by delving deeper into that fire domain can the divine power be further enhanced.”

After much thought, Shen Lian formed a new hypothesis. But as for how to enter that realm again, he had no solution.

Three years had now passed in Black Whale City, and his initial goal was nearing completion.

His fire spiritual root had reached perfection; the other four roots had achieved middle-grade status. His ninth-level Qi Refining was complete. The Five Qi Toward the Origin technique had laid the foundation for his Five-Element Dao Base.

The east wind had arrived; the moment of Foundation Establishment was at hand.

In the days that followed, Shen Lian cultivated each morning, refined pills in the afternoon, and rested at night. Occasionally, he went out to purchase spiritual materials. Outwardly, nothing seemed different from before.

He kept busy for two more months.

Then, entrusting the shop to the Luo siblings, Shen Lian headed for the north of Black Whale City.

The north city was a residential district, with many inns and high-grade cave dwellings built into the hills.

After much consideration, Shen Lian decided to break through to Foundation Establishment within the city. The reason was simple: the city’s grand formation ensured safety.

For the Sea Spirit Sect, a cultivator’s advancement to Foundation Establishment was of no consequence—they simply didn’t care.

The north city’s streets were clearly more refined than elsewhere, with elegant pavilions and flowing springs among the rolling hills, and a noticeably higher concentration of spiritual energy.

Shen Lian had already done his research. The finest spiritual cave in the north city was called Black Whale Blessed Land, built atop a second-rank spiritual vein.

Those who lived here were either Foundation Establishment cultivators or wealthy clan scions. In the past, plenty of ninth-level Qi Refining cultivators had paid dearly to break through here, wanting to borrow the power of the spiritual vein.

Black Whale Blessed Land lay among several small hills at the city’s heart. Waterfalls cascaded from the peaks, mist shrouded the scenery, creating an immortal’s abode.

Below, a jade-green lake was ringed by pavilion-like buildings shaped like boats.

Inside one such pavilion, a young man in Sea Spirit Sect robes sat cross-legged. Sensing movement, he lazily opened his eyes.

“Which grade of residence does Fellow Daoist wish to rent?”

He did not ask Shen Lian’s name; Chi Wencan simply got straight to business.

Residences in Black Whale Blessed Land came in only two grades: twenty-four high-grade caves, all atop the second-rank spiritual vein, and a hundred and eight secondary caves built along its fringes.

Chi Wencan offered no further introduction. In his eyes, anyone coming here would already know the situation. For a dignified Sea Spirit clan disciple to explain things to itinerants would be an affront to their dignity. The Sea Spirit Sect could earn spirit stones standing upright.

If you had the guts to come, you meant to rent. If you came and changed your mind… well, that would be interesting; toying with the sect’s inner disciples would not end well.

“High-grade cave,” Shen Lian replied, unfazed by Chi Wencan’s sour expression. They would have no further dealings; he wished the man a lifetime of facial paralysis.

“Minimum lease is one month; unused time is nonrefundable,” Chi Wencan said flatly. “The monthly rent is six hundred spirit stones. The gathering array and other facilities inside require additional payment.”

A ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator renting a high-grade cave was almost certainly here to force a Foundation Establishment breakthrough—such cultivators were all too common in Black Whale City.

Black Whale Blessed Land made its profit from these very cultivators.

“By the way, we also offer a family notification service—one hundred spirit stones within the city, more outside depending on distance.”

Shen Lian’s lips twitched. How considerate—they even handled the delivery of last letters.

For those attempting Foundation Establishment, failure meant almost certain death.

“No need,” he replied.

Chi Wencan nodded, apparently used to such solitary customers, and continued mechanically, “We also offer a posthumous arrangement service, personally performed by late-stage female Qi Refining cultivators… Black Whale City’s southern Wanghai Mountain is renowned for its scenery and geomancy; Fellow Daoist may…”

“Of course, if you can afford it, a Foundation Establishment female cultivator can personally see you off…”

Shen Lian’s mouth twitched again. Damn you—may you and all your descendants suffer facial paralysis.

“With just five hundred extra spirit stones, you can enjoy these additional services…” Chi Wencan droned on, indifferent to Shen Lian’s changing expression, reciting the required lines word for word as per sect procedure.

Shen Lian realized it wasn’t a personal curse—this was standard treatment for anyone coming here to attempt Foundation Establishment. It had become a part of the sect’s culture.

The Sea Spirit Sect, truly remarkable.

When the formalities were all recited, Chi Wencan tapped his hand and a scroll unfurled before Shen Lian—a virtual map marked with all the cave residences.

“Those shining with black light are occupied; green ones are vacant. Fellow Daoist may choose freely.”

Shen Lian glanced over it—half the twenty-four caves were occupied.

“I’ll take this one,” he said, choosing a slightly secluded dwelling near a mountain hollow, with no neighbors in the immediate vicinity.

…

While Shen Lian was selecting his residence, over in the west district of Black Whale City—

Pei Huoyu, his face altered to appear round and clad in a voluminous robe, strolled the streets at a leisurely pace, hands tucked into his sleeves.

Nestled in his palms was his Five-Element Dao Foundation, nourished by the essence of the five elements.

He resembled an aged, tottering man, shuffling along the street and attracting many a curious glance.

He paid them no mind; he was certain that the Five Element Mountain was within Black Whale City.

But its aura flickered in and out, making it impossible to pinpoint.

Still, he was convinced—the only one capable of commanding the Five Element Mountain would be a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Over the past days, he had quietly investigated many such individuals in the city.

As long as this person remained in Black Whale City, he was determined to find them.