59: Selecting Dan and Foundation Seeds

The next day, the square of the Floating Cloud Sect became lively again.

The news about the selection of Dan Formation and Foundation Establishment seeds spread widely within the Floating Cloud Sect, quickly garnering responses from many Yue Country Cultivators.

Xu Qi'an had learned from Li Yebai and others' statistics yesterday that there were currently only a little over forty Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage in the entire Yue Country.

Originally, there were nearly sixty Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage!

Unfortunately, due to the recent panic, many Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage had fled Yue Country.

And then died at the hands of Cultivators from the Three Great Countries.

So now, the deficit in just Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage has reached nearly one hundred and sixty people!

When others encountered this situation, if not collapsing, they at least chose to give up.

Fortunately, it was Xu Qi'an; otherwise, no matter who came, with such a situation, there would ultimately be only one answer.

Annihilation of the country!

However, Xu Qi'an didn't dare to guarantee that he could definitely achieve this target.

But the probability of success was undoubtedly very high.

Inside the main hall of the Floating Cloud Sect.

Xu Qi'an began the selection of Dan Formation seeds.

After discussing with everyone, the proposed Dan Formation seeds needed to meet at least the following conditions.

First, their cultivation must have reached the late Foundation Establishment stage or above, and they couldn't be someone who had just stepped into the late Foundation Establishment stage; they needed to be at least at the eighth or ninth layer of Foundation Establishment.

However, for this aspect, Cultivators at the Peak Foundation Establishment stage were the most suitable candidates, but unfortunately, there were very few Cultivators in the entire Yue Country who had reached the Peak Foundation Establishment stage.

Reluctantly, Xu Qi'an could only relax the requirements.

Furthermore, it was the quality of their Spiritual Roots. Although having low-grade Spiritual Roots didn't mean there was no hope for Dan Formation, those with High Grade Spiritual Roots undoubtedly had a greater chance of Dan Formation, which is a recognized truth in the cultivation world.

After finalizing it, Xu Qi'an decided that candidates must have at least High Grade Spiritual Roots or above, but this was not a necessary condition, merely a filter for equivalent conditions.

Secondly, it was their temperament. During the Dan Formation process, they would face various pressures. Maintaining a stable and resilient temperament during this process was extremely important.

The core of this was having a heart dedicated to the Dao, without regrets even unto death!

Only then could the chances of Dan Formation be maximized.

With a sweep of Xu Qi'an's Divine Sense, the cultivation levels of the Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage below were completely revealed in his mind.

Even if there were secret techniques to conceal cultivation, it would be difficult to hide under the Divine Sense probing that spanned major Realms.

"Twenty-eight in the early Foundation Establishment stage, eleven in the middle Foundation Establishment stage, six in the late Foundation Establishment stage, and one at the Peak Foundation Establishment stage."

Among these Cultivators, more than ten were originally from the Floating Cloud Sect, but unfortunately, the highest cultivation among them was only in the middle Foundation Establishment stage.

"Cultivators in the late Foundation Establishment stage and at the Peak Foundation Establishment stage, please step forward!"

As Xu Qi'an finished speaking, seven Cultivators stepped out.

Xu Qi'an looked closely; these were the Cultivators he had just probed.

"It seems no one has made a mistake yet, daring to challenge my Divine Sense for the Opportunity of Dan Formation."

However, in his mind, there was still one person who hadn't come forward, which was Li Yebai, who had been diligently managing the Sect's affairs.

"Li Yebai, why aren't you stepping forward?"

Five years ago, Li Yebai's cultivation had reached the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment. With the help of the bottle of Ling Yuan Pill given by Xu Qi'an, he had successfully reached the Peak Foundation Establishment stage!

Counting him, there were now two at the Peak Foundation Establishment stage and six in the late Foundation Establishment stage. Looking at it this way, the hope of having five Dan Formation Cultivators in ten years was still very high.

Li Yebai was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, as he had never thought of himself.

Although he was already at the Peak Foundation Establishment stage, he was already one hundred and eighty years old, with only twenty years left until his lifespan limit.

He had spent most of his life working for the Floating Cloud Sect.

From the day he was brought out by Nie Fuyun, he had already decided to dedicate himself to the Floating Cloud Sect. Therefore, he had never thought about Dan Formation, and even his Foundation Establishment was only achieved by chance under Nie Fuyun's compassion.

But what he didn't expect was that after decades of twists and turns, the Sect's members had changed batch after batch, he had outlasted one Genius after another, and he himself had instead reached the late Foundation Establishment stage, even reaching the Peak Foundation Establishment stage.

Such a height was something he had never thought of before.

Hearing this, Li Yebai could hardly imagine or believe it.

He tremblingly stepped out from the side, looking at the young, majestic, yet caring Xu Qi'an on the main seat.

It was at this moment that he realized this new Sect Leader actually bore some resemblance to the old Sect Leader.

"Like... so much alike...!"

He then knelt on the ground, but a spiritual force lifted him up.

Xu Qi'an shook his head and said, "Why kneel? Just speak directly!"

Li Yebai's expression immediately became solemn, and he sincerely said, "Sect Leader, this old man truly has no ambition for Dan Formation. I fear wasting the spot and disappointing your expectations!"

"And this old man is merely of middle-grade Spiritual Roots. To be able to reach such cultivation now is already a gift from heaven, so how could I ask for anything more?"

"Now, this old man only wishes to guard the Floating Cloud Sect, and only hopes to relieve your worries and handle all matters, big and small!"

These words caused everyone to fall silent.

Xu Qi'an, however, cursed, "You old fellow, others are scrambling for the chance to form their Dan Formation, but you're pushing it away!"

"Just wait until you regret it later!"

Li Yebai smiled awkwardly.

Xu Qi'an waved his hand helplessly, "Alright, we'll talk about your matter later. Since you are unwilling to form your Dan Formation, I won't force you!"

He then looked at the other Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Step forward, and I will test your Spiritual Roots!"

Those Cultivators immediately took a step forward, while Li Yebai bowed and retreated.

Xu Qi'an then performed the Spiritual Root testing method, sweeping over these Cultivators.

"They are all High Grade Spiritual Roots, and one person is even of supreme-grade Spiritual Roots!"

"Indeed, those who can achieve the late Foundation Establishment stage in Yue Country will not have poor Aptitude."

Water Lingmiao's Aptitude was also very good, possessing supreme-grade water Spiritual Roots.

Among these Cultivators, only two were female Cultivators, the rest were male Cultivators. Most appeared to be middle-aged, except for one slightly younger male Cultivator who caught Xu Qi'an's attention.

Because this person was the only one with supreme-grade Spiritual Roots, although this young male Cultivator had the lowest cultivation among them.

Xu Qi'an first looked at the Cultivator at the Peak Foundation Establishment stage.

That Cultivator at the Peak Foundation Establishment stage was a middle-aged male Cultivator, looking strong and imposing, with a solemn expression.

Xu Qi'an had observed this person before; he had remained silent in the crowd, not being too prominent but not overstepping either.

Xu Qi'an asked, "What is your name?"

The Cultivator immediately responded respectfully, "Reporting to Lord, this humble one is Ying Kaihe, a rogue Cultivator, without Sect or family!"

"This humble one once served as a general in the secular Dynasty and was accidentally discovered by a Cultivator to have Spiritual Roots. Only then did I enter the path of cultivation through martial arts."

"Oh?"

Ying Kaihe's words indeed attracted Xu Qi'an's attention.

"This person was able to fight his way out of the battlefield and then step onto the path of cultivation, reaching the Peak Foundation Establishment stage. He must have some fortunate encounters."

"Otherwise, with his High Grade Spiritual Root Aptitude, it would be impossible to reach the Peak Foundation Establishment stage at this age."

Xu Qi'an nodded and then said, "Ying Kaihe, a good name. I remember you. Now, begin your final test!"

"Are you ready?"

Ying Kaihe hummed in response, and immediately felt a mountain-like pressure weighing down on his entire body.

It felt as if it would crush his entire body into dust.

At this moment, he completely understood Xu Qi'an's test.

That was, he must not fall!

Absolutely must not fall!

If he fell, the Opportunity for Dan Formation might slip through his fingers, and he might even encounter unimaginable difficulties in future Dan Formation stages!