45: Foundation Cave

One year later.

Zhou Licheng turned eighteen and officially Broke Through to the Second Layer of Qi Refining.

Zhou Licheng was slightly satisfied, finally catching up to Zhou Liyue and leaving Zhou Lihai behind.

However, this pride was shattered in less than a month.

Zhou Liyue Broke Through to the Qi Refining Third Layer at the age of sixteen.

She was the fastest Cultivator in the Zhou Family.

Zhou Licheng felt bitter yet proud; as expected of his younger sister, not only was her talent good, but she also Cultivated with such diligence.

He shook his head, sighing with emotion.

Feiyue Peak Summit.

Mo Xuan had undergone another year of breathing and absorbing Qi, and the energy contained within his body was even stronger than before.

As Zhou Liyue Broke Through, Mo Xuan called up the System panel, and the Clan Fortune Points had increased to eleven.

As the Clan Fortune Points surpassed ten, Mo Xuan had a premonition that he was not far from breaking the Bloodline's limitations.

Zhou Licheng and Zhou Liyue's Breakthroughs made Zhou Kaiding and his wife quite happy, feeling that if things continued this way, it would be quite good.

However, it wasn't long before this tranquility was broken.

In the Qilian Mountain of Qingyuan (Town), an Immortal Cave suddenly appeared.

It was said that a woodcutter, while entering the mountain to chop wood, accidentally fell off a cliff, triggering a mechanism that caused the entire Qilian Mountain to shake violently, emitting myriad rays of light.

Such a commotion naturally attracted the attention of nearby Cultivators. Some Cultivators entered the mountain to investigate and discovered an Immortal Cave faintly visible within the cliff.

The Immortal Cave emanated waves of Dao aura, suspected to be the Cultivation place of a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator.

Those Cultivators initially thought it was a heaven-sent Opportunity and fought fiercely among themselves. In the end, a Sixth Layer of Qi Refining Cultivator, who had the highest Cultivation and the deepest schemes, emerged victorious.

After killing the surrounding Cultivators, he, filled with immense joy, intended to enter this Immortal Cave.

However, this Immortal Cave was protected by a Great Formation. Even though this Cultivator used all his abilities, he could not shake the Formation.

Feeling frustrated, having killed several people, including a good friend, only to gain nothing, he unwillingly charged into the Formation, perishing and having his Dao extinguished.

Such an encounter was regrettable.

However, Zhou Kaiding had no time to lament for this person at this moment.

Upon learning this news, Zhou Kaiding immediately found Mo Xuan, waking him from his slumber.

Seeing Zhou Kaiding's solemn expression, Mo Xuan asked through a message:

"What has happened?"

"An Immortal Cave, suspected to belong to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, has appeared in Qilian Mountain."

Zhou Kaiding didn't waste words and stated it directly.

Foundation Establishment Immortal Cave?

Mo Xuan was slightly surprised. If it truly was a Foundation Establishment Immortal Cave, then it most likely contained a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivation Technique Legacy.

If they could obtain it, although Mo Xuan himself didn't need it, it would undoubtedly be of great significance to the Zhou Family.

However, wasn't this a bit too coincidental?

Mo Xuan pondered, then asked again:

"What do you plan to do?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Kaiding's expression struggled, finally turning into a sigh as he shook his head and said:

"Let's go see the situation first, then make a plan."

After speaking, he gave a bitter smile.

"This Immortal Cave is right before us. If we don't go take a look, I truly won't be reconciled."

"I'll have to trouble Brother Mo to come along."

Mo Xuan knew that Zhou Kaiding must have had an idea when he came to find him, so accompanying him once was fine.

It could also prevent Zhou Kaiding from being blinded by desire.

Mo Xuan glanced at the indecisive Zhou Kaiding and nodded.

Having made a decision, Mo Xuan's heart stirred, and he transformed into a small black snake. With a flash of mysterious light/aura (boundary), he burrowed into Zhou Kaiding's sleeve.

Zhou Kaiding found Lin Muwan, gave her a few instructions, and left Jade Moon Peak.

However, he did not go directly to Qilian Mountain but first went to the Yang Family to find Yang Huaiyuan.

Qizhi Peak, Yang Family.

Yang Huaiyuan welcomed Zhou Kaiding in, speaking as they walked:

"Brother Zhou, I know why you've come, but I'm not going to get involved in this messy situation."

Yang Huaiyuan's tone was normal, and he continued:

"Even if this Foundation Establishment Immortal Cave is real, its benefits won't fall into our hands. Why bother seeking trouble? It's better to pretend not to know."

Zhou Kaiding paused. These words were clear enough; not only was Yang Huaiyuan himself not planning to go, but he was also advising Zhou Kaiding not to go.

Zhou Kaiding knew he meant well, but he prided himself on his own strength, and with Mo Xuan assisting him, he believed there was a glimmer of hope.

Since Yang Huaiyuan's mind was made up, Zhou Kaiding said no more. Time was pressing, so he bid farewell to Yang Huaiyuan and left Qizhi Peak.

Qilian Mountain.

When Zhou Kaiding rushed there at lightning speed, there were already many figures present.

They were all Cultivators from the Qingyuan (Town) area, including Loose Cultivators and members of various Families.

However, all these people were observing from a distance, and no one stepped forward to try. Zhou Kaiding was somewhat puzzled.

Just as he was about to step forward to inquire, his gaze pierced through the crowd, looking towards the place of the radiant light, and only then did he understand why everyone chose to observe from afar.

In front, there were clearly more than ten figures, blocking everyone.

Judging by their attire, they were members of the Wang, Li, and other Five Families.

Their Cultivation was all at the Mid-stage Qi Refining and above.

Zhou Kaiding's heart sank, and he had a bad premonition.

However, it was not yet confirmed. After thinking for a moment, Zhou Kaiding found a familiar Cultivator, stepped forward to greet him, and asked:

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, what's the situation here?"

The Cultivator named Zhang quickly returned the greeting and said:

"When we arrived, this place had already been occupied by people from the Five Families, who declared that no one from outside the Five Families was allowed to approach."

This person gave a bitter smile, tinged with helplessness and a hint of resentment.

These Five Families were so overbearing, but their strength was inferior, so they could only swallow their anger.

Zhou Kaiding's face was ashen. He had already anticipated this situation when he saw it, and his mood was unpredictable.

Just as he was considering whether to force his way in, a commotion startled him awake.

In front, five figures came together, each followed by several Cultivators, not concealing their aura in the slightest.

"Wang Family Great Elder, Li Family Great Elder, Feng Family Great Elder, Wu Family Great Elder, Sun Family Great Elder..."

"They all came!"

The Cultivators discussed animatedly, and the crowd was restless.

The five leading figures were precisely the Grand Elders of the Five Families.

They were experienced Ninth Level of Qi Refining Cultivators, who had reached the pinnacle of the Qi Refinement Stage.

If not for the lack of Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivation Technique Legacy, perhaps some of these people would have already Broke Through to the Foundation Establishment Stage.

It made sense; compared to Families like the Zhou Family, these Five Families were the most eager to obtain a Foundation Establishment Legacy.

Therefore, upon hearing the news of a suspected Foundation Establishment Stage Immortal Cave appearing, they naturally could not suppress the desire in their hearts.

However, fearing that the news of this Foundation Establishment Immortal Cave was false, and that luring them out of their territory was the real objective, and afraid of being taken advantage of by the Liu Family, they delayed their arrival, agreeing to come together.

With these five working together, and accompanied by several Mid-stage and Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivators, even if they encountered Liu Wenyan, a great Early Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, they would have a certain degree of self-preservation.