71: Bad news

Looking in the direction that Zhou Liye departed, Zhou Kaiding was speechless for a long time, feeling somewhat troubled, unsure how to explain things to Lin Muwan.

Mo Xuan glanced at him and secretly chuckled, glad that his System was not a 'many children and grandchildren' System.

The next day.

As expected, the mistress of the Zhou Family threw a tantrum. Zhou Kaiding, helpless, could only spend the night on Feiyue Peak Summit, accompanying Mo Xuan.

In the secret chamber on the peak, Zhou Kaiding took out the third fragment, then retrieved the one from his Family's treasure vault, his heart filled with anticipation.

He circulated his magical power, slowly bringing the two fragments together.

The fragments vibrated, emitting light, merging into one, and transforming into a uniquely shaped square token, with rounded edges, yet retaining an ancient simplicity.

A stream of light shot out from this token and entered Zhou Kaiding's Sea of Consciousness.

Having had the previous experience, Zhou Kaiding was already prepared, but he still did not relax his vigilance, forming hand seals, ready to act at any moment.

He also asked Mo Xuan to pay close attention, so that if anything went wrong, he could react immediately.

Fortunately, there was no harm within this stream of light.

A scene slowly unfolded, with the appearance of mountains and rivers materializing.

This should be a map, Zhou Kaiding mused.

However, the place names marked on this map were not any that Zhou Kaiding was familiar with.

But with this topographic map, he should be able to gain something through slow investigation in the future.

He then firmly memorized this map.

The scene dissipated, and a piece of information appeared.

"Puhua Yuanlun Scripture · Foundation Establishment Chapter."

Zhou Kaiding's expression was joyful; this was what Zhou Kaiding and the Zhou Family currently most desired.

As for the Golden Core Stage Cultivation Technique Legacy, it was still somewhat distant for him and could be set aside for now.

Zhou Kaiding concentrated and looked closely.

"There are three stages to Foundation Establishment: namely, Dharma, Body, and Spirit."

Dharma refers to the Perfection of magical power.

Only by accumulating one's magical power to the point where no further progress can be made is the first step of Foundation Establishment considered to have met the conditions.

Body refers to the strength of the Physical Body. If the Physical Body is not strong enough and the Meridians are not firm, then during the process of condensing Foundation Establishment Stage magical power, the Meridians will be unable to withstand the violent magical power fluctuations, and the Breakthrough will inevitably fail. At best, it will result in severe injury; at worst, the Meridians will rupture, leading to death.

"Strength of the Physical Body..."

"qingling rice..."

No wonder the Liu Family purchased a large amount of qingling rice; it turns out this was the reason. Long-term consumption of qingling rice can slightly enhance the strength of the Physical Body.

Zhou Kaiding understood.

He then shook his head, thinking that the Liu Family probably had other precious materials and methods to increase the strength of the Physical Body, and the qingling rice was probably just an addition.

However, it was truly unpredictable that he had stumbled upon this benefit by accident.

He also wondered if he could withstand it now.

Upon Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, consciousness transforms into Divine Sense, allowing for Divine Sense transmission, and the range of investigation is several times greater than that of Qi Refining.

Therefore, this 'Spirit' stage is about the strength of consciousness and the Divine Soul. If consciousness is insufficient, it cannot transform into Divine Sense, and Foundation Establishment will naturally fail.

Zhou Kaiding's expression changed; this was something he had never delved into.

After a long while, Zhou Kaiding finally finished reading the Foundation Establishment Chapter in detail.

This Puhua Yuanlun Scripture Foundation Establishment Chapter not only contained the secrets of Breakthrough and the Cultivation Technique for the Foundation Establishment Stage, but also included a Foundation Establishment Stage spell called Vow Wheel, divided into three parts, each with three layers of changes.

As expected of a Golden Core Stage Legacy, it was indeed profound, Zhou Kaiding mused. With this, the Cultivation Technique and means of protection were complete.

After organizing this vast amount of information, Zhou Kaiding leisurely walked out of the secret chamber and thanked Mo Xuan.

His magical power was not yet perfect, so he would have to wait a few more days before he could prepare for the Breakthrough.

As for the foundation establishment pill, with the current strength of the Zhou Family, purchasing one was naturally not an issue.

Time flowed by, and Lin Muwan had long since let go of her emotional knot; Zhou Liye's departure was something no one could prevent.

However, Zhou Kaiding still cultivated in seclusion in the secret chamber on the peak, accumulating magical power, striving to reach the point where no further progress could be made as soon as possible.

At the same time, he was also searching for treasures that could enhance the Physical Body and Divine Soul, and had indeed made some gains, though the specific effects were still unknown.

One year later.

The Blood Sea Sect evil Cultivators mentioned by the Grand Elder of the Liu Family had not appeared, and it was unknown if the disappearance of the Liu Family members had other hidden reasons.

Subsequently, Zhou Kaiding announced to the outside world that he was entering seclusion, and all matters of the Family would be handled by Zhou Licheng.

In reality, after announcing his seclusion, he secretly left Jade Moon Peak with Mo Xuan; only Lin Muwan knew about this.

With Mo Xuan's Breath Concealment Divine Ability, there was no fear of being discovered by outsiders.

Even so, Zhou Kaiding was still not at ease, so he requested Mo Xuan to accompany him.

At Mo Xuan's current Foundation Establishment Stage speed, it took just over a month to return from Qianye City, having purchased two foundation establishment pills.

As for those who had secretly followed him out, coveting the foundation establishment pills, they had by now turned to dust, their bodies merging with heaven and earth.

Mo Xuan quietly led Zhou Kaiding into Jade Moon Peak and returned to the peak summit.

Zhou Kaiding carefully sensed around and found that no accidents had occurred in the Family, which finally eased his worries.

Now, everything was ready, only lacking the final push.

Zhou Kaiding descended Jade Moon Peak and found Lin Muwan, preparing to tell her before truly entering seclusion to Break through to Foundation Establishment.

However, when he found Lin Muwan, he noticed her abnormal expression, her eyes vacant, and her sorrow evident.

Zhou Kaiding's heart sank. He quickly went to Lin Muwan's side, pulled her into his embrace, and asked in a deep voice:

"What happened?"

It was only then that Lin Muwan recovered, noticing Zhou Kaiding's arrival.

After a moment of daze, she slowly said:

"The Lin Family was annihilated."

"My parents also..."

Before she could finish, Zhou Kaiding's expression changed.

"What?"

"This... how could this be?"

Zhou Kaiding's expression was incredulous. The Lin Family was, after all, a Family with a Late Qi Refining Cultivator; how could it be annihilated so easily?

Unless... Zhou Kaiding thought of something: Did the Lin Family provoke a Foundation Establishment Stage Great Cultivator?

After a long while, Zhou Kaiding finally understood the whole story.

A Lin Family disciple had merely competed with Immortal Changchun's concubine for a first-grade Magical Artifact at an auction, and this concubine held a grudge against them.

Afterward, she incited Immortal Changchun to deal with the Lin Family.

Immortal Changchun initially did not want to bother; it was just a minor matter, and besides, the concubine had ultimately obtained the Magical Artifact, so there was no loss.

However, this concubine was his new wife from this past year, and their affection was strong.

During their nights of intimacy, she fanned the flames.

Unable to resist her persistent nagging, Immortal Changchun finally took action, killing the branch of the Lin Family that had been involved with his concubine.

That would have been the end of it, but the other families in Donglin Town, seeing that the Lin Family had provoked a Foundation Establishment Stage Great Cultivator, all took advantage of their misfortune. Thus, the entire Lin Family was annihilated, and even Lin Muwan's parents were caught in it, losing their lives and their Dao.

This news was conveyed by a letter from Lin Muwan's aunt, who had been married out of the Family for many years, advising her not to return to Donglin Town.

Zhou Kaiding's expression changed. The other members of the Lin Family were one thing, but Lin's father and mother had treated him well.

Not only did they not look down on him because he was a Loose Cultivator, but they also provided him with many Spirit Stone resources, which allowed the Zhou Family to establish itself in Qingyuan (Town) at that time.

"Immortal Changchun..."

"Donglin Town..."

Zhou Kaiding looked at Lin Muwan and said solemnly:

"Wait for me!"

"I will make them pay the price they deserve."

After speaking, he summoned Zhou Licheng, instructing him to take good care of the Family, and then, without further hesitation, went to Feiyue Peak Summit and entered the secret chamber.

Suppressing the distracting thoughts in his heart, Zhou Kaiding took a deep breath, allowing himself to calm down; he could not rush, for haste makes waste.

A year and a half later.

Zhou Family, Feiyue Peak Summit.

Two Auras soared into the sky with a roar, stirring up the winds and clouds, startling all the families.