4: Chapter 4 Entering Crimson Cloud Valley

Mindful of the presence of Valley Master Gongsun Buxiu and other high-ranking figures of Chiyun Valley,

the Elder did not dare to say anything too harsh, only offering a warning in his words.

Moreover, there was one more thing he left unsaid.

Time is the best friend, but also the greatest enemy.

So what if these few people had foundation establishment pills?

Their strength was simply not a match for a treasure like the foundation establishment pill.

Once they entered the Sect, they would easily be targeted by other fellow Cultivators stuck at the Qi Refining Peak Realm.

They would face either threats or enticements.

Even if they deposited the foundation establishment pill without claiming it, it might still provoke murderous intent from some extreme Qi Refining Peak Cultivators.

Hearing this Elder's words, Lin Shen looked around.

Seeing that the other two showed no signs of relenting, only lowering their heads in silence,

he knew they had made up their minds and would not hand over a treasure like the foundation establishment pill, which could help them Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm in the future.

He couldn't help but shake his head.

How foolish...

Having a treasure like the foundation establishment pill was naturally a wonderful thing.

But the premise was that you had to be able to keep it safe, and you had to grow up first.

Otherwise, if any accident occurred before they could Cultivate to the Qi Refining Peak Realm, it would all be in vain, and they would have merely paved the way for others.

Seeing that no one else stepped forward, Lin Shen could only sigh and walk to the front.

"Elder, this Disciple is willing to offer up the foundation establishment pill, only seeking to become an Elder's Disciple."

Lin Shen bowed respectfully, looking at the Elder on the spiritual boat with a sincere expression.

Although the foundation establishment pill was good, he currently had no cultivation base at all. He didn't know how long it would take to grow to the Qi Refining Peak in the future.

Rather than trying to guard a goal that might not be achieved for a long time, it was better to exchange this foundation establishment pill for tangible, immediate benefits.

Moreover, there were many people present right now.

Hundreds of Disciples who had passed the Spiritual Root test were gathered in the Chiyun Valley Dao arena. With Valley Master Gongsun Buxiu and many Elders witnessing, he was not afraid of this Elder breaking his word in the future.

In addition, he could take advantage of the crowd to spread the news that he had already traded away his foundation establishment pill.

This way, after entering the Chiyun Valley inner Sect, those who coveted the foundation establishment pill would not focus their attention on him.

"Good, you are a sensible lad!"

Hearing that Lin Shen was willing to offer the foundation establishment pill, a look of joy appeared on the Elder's face.

However, when he heard Lin Shen's request to take him as a Disciple, he shook his head hesitantly, "Your talent is among the better ones in this group, and you are indeed more than qualified to be my Disciple. But unfortunately, I already have a successor. I cannot afford to divide my attention to give too much guidance, and my share of Cultivation resources is hard to supply to multiple people. In order not to hinder your future, I cannot take you as my Disciple."

These were indeed his sincere words.

Lin Shen was indeed a good prospect. Breaking through to Foundation Establishment in the future would definitely not be an issue, and he might even have a shot at the Golden Core Realm.

But unfortunately, he already had a designated successor, and along with his own granddaughter, both required his time and meticulous instruction. He simply could not spare much time to nurture Lin Shen.

Furthermore, the monthly Cultivation resources allocated by the Sect to the Disciples under his lineage did not have much left.

If he rashly took Lin Shen in, it would only end up ruining the boy's potential.

If he ruined a good prospect who could steadily Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm and even had hope of striving for the Golden Core Realm, the Sect would not let him off.

After some thought,

after declining to take Lin Shen as his Disciple, the Elder spoke, "However, I can give you the corresponding Cultivation resources and Spirit Stones. In addition, to ensure you can pass through the early stage safely, I will specifically allow you to practice under my lineage for three years. Your treatment during these three years will be the same as my Disciples. What do you say?"

In fact, this could already be considered a loss on his part.

But the foundation establishment pill was indeed rare. The Sect's allocation was small, and with his own strength and status, it was usually very difficult to obtain.

Right now, he could only try his luck at this Immortal Ascension Assembly.

Coupled with the fact that Lin Shen was indeed sensible and tactful, the price and chips he offered were slightly more than usual.

Hearing the conditions offered by the Elder, Lin Shen did not hesitate. He immediately made up his mind and nodded, "This Disciple is willing. For the next three years, I will have to trouble you, Elder!"

Not being able to become an Elder's Disciple in Chiyun Valley and lacking a backer was indeed a bit of a regret.

But the conditions offered by this Elder were extremely generous, and with this connection, he could at least pass through the early three years safely.

Even if others wanted to deal with him later, they would have to weigh whether this Elder still held a shred of affection for him.

Being able to secure such conditions, Lin Shen was quite satisfied in his heart.

"Very well, then come to this Elder's side!"

The Elder smiled and nodded. With a wave of his hand, Lin Shen's body involuntarily floated into the air, landing directly on the Elder's spiritual boat.

Seeing the transaction completed,

Valley Master Gongsun Buxiu, who was standing to the side, nodded slightly.

This kind of transaction was tacitly accepted in Chiyun Valley, and even somewhat encouraged.

After all, newly joined members would have to wait who-knows-how-long to Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm, while there was already a large group of Qi Refining Peak Cultivators in the Sect stuck at the Bottleneck of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

As such, it was better for both parties to complete the transaction.

It was a win-win situation, and it allowed the Sect to directly materialize an additional Foundation Establishment-grade combat power.

With a slight wave of Valley Master Gongsun Buxiu's hand, the two youths who had not agreed to trade their foundation establishment pills were also pulled onto the spiritual boat.

After all, they possessed the immortal ascension tokens and were considered Inner Sect Disciples, so they naturally did not need to participate in the subsequent Heart-Nature and willpower assessment.

"Next, the assessment will continue. After the assessment is over, those who pass will enter the Chiyun Valley outer Sect in an orderly manner to receive their identity tokens!"

Giving instructions to those below, Valley Master Gongsun Buxiu did not linger here. He directly led the group of Elders, driving the spiritual boat to quickly disappear, flying off into the distance.

Standing on the Elder's spiritual boat, Lin Shen watched as the spiritual boat quickly flew through the clouds and mist, breaking through a layer of white light waves and heading towards a place he had never seen before, marveling at the sight.

He understood in his heart that he had already left the mortal world and entered the world of cultivation.

This could be known from the unfamiliar surroundings and the air that emitted a refreshing feeling that relaxed his pores.

"Lad, this old man is named Mo Shenggu, with a cultivation at the Peak Foundation Establishment Realm. I am an Elder of the inner Sect's Law Enforcement Hall."

Driving the spiritual boat quickly towards Chiyun Valley, his mood couldn't help but brighten at the thought that his granddaughter, who was stuck at the Qi Refining Peak Realm, now had hope of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

His granddaughter's talent was not very good. She had been stuck at the Qi Refining Peak Realm for ten years and was now in her mid-thirties, so he couldn't help but be anxious.

After all, once one passed the age of fifty, trying to Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm again would be extremely difficult.

"So it is Elder Mo. This junior is named Lin Shen, 'Shen' as in cautious. Greetings, Elder Mo. May Elder Mo Breakthrough to the Golden Core soon, and attain the Dao of the Nascent Soul in the future!"

Lin Shen nodded quickly, introducing his name.

Flattery never goes out of style.

He still had to follow Mo Shenggu to Cultivate for three years, and the Cultivation resources exchanged for the foundation establishment pill were also with him, so he naturally had to curry favor with him.

"You sure know how to flatter, but this Elder feels comfortable hearing it!"

Mo Shenggu laughed heartily. The Lin Shen before him was indeed a tactful person, not one of those foolish types.

However, thinking of his own Peak Foundation Establishment Bottleneck and the distant, hopeless Nascent Soul Realm, he couldn't help but shake his head and smile bitterly, "As for the Golden Core Realm, this Elder might still risk his life to strive for it in this lifetime, but the Nascent Soul Realm... it's a pipe dream!"

"There will always be hope. This Disciple believes that with your blessings, Elder, perhaps one day you will encounter a great Opportunity and achieve Immortal Ascension in a single step!"

"You kid, only saying things that are pleasant to the ear!"

Mo Shenggu smiled, pointed at Lin Shen, and shook his head, "How could it be that easy? Do you know what cultivation level the Valley Master of Chiyun Valley is at now?"

"This Disciple dare not make wild guesses!"

Lin Shen lowered his head, not daring to make wild guesses about the cultivation of the Chiyun Valley Valley Master. If he said something wrong, it could easily invite unnecessary trouble.

After all, trouble comes from the mouth.

"Golden Core Peak! Even an outstandingly talented expert like the Valley Master has been stuck at the Golden Core Peak Realm for a hundred years. Do you think the Nascent Soul Realm is that easy to Breakthrough to?"

Thinking of the high-and-mighty Nascent Soul Realm, a look of yearning couldn't help but appear in Mo Shenggu's eyes, "Aside from those two Grand Elders who have been in secluded cultivation all year round, within the entire Chiyun Valley, the Valley Master has the highest cultivation and is the most promising to Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul in the future. As for us ordinary Elders, even thinking about it is a luxury!"

Perhaps because he had opened up, or perhaps because he found Lin Shen pleasing to the eye, Mo Shenggu also separately explained some of the rules and Rank distribution of Chiyang Valley.

According to Mo Shenggu, Chiyun Valley was divided into the inner Sect and the outer Sect. Within the outer Sect, it was divided into Utility Disciples and ordinary Outer Sect Disciples.

Among the Inner Sect Disciples, in addition to the ordinary Inner Sect Disciples, there were also Core Disciples, and their treatments were completely different.

For example, Wang Boan, who was accepted as a Personal Disciple by Valley Master Gongsun Buxiu, as well as Xu Changqing and Lin Zhaoxue, who were accepted as Disciples by two other Golden Core-level Elders, would enjoy the treatment of Core Disciples as soon as they entered the inner Sect.

Their treatment was incomparably more generous than that of ordinary Inner Sect Disciples, and the most important point was that they did not need to go out to perform missions every month like other ordinary Inner Sect Disciples.

Lin Shen listened attentively on the side, not daring to miss a single shred of useful information.

Under Mo Shenggu's explanation, the spiritual boat sped rapidly through the high sky.

Soon, they arrived in Chiyun Valley.