9: "The True Scripture of Ultimate Truth and Ultimate Tranquility to Eliminate Delusion"

"Cultivators refine essence, transform Qi, and return to their true nature, making their Physical Body one with the Dao, capable of containing the Qi of heaven and earth, and forging the foundation of the Dao."

Only then did Xu Sanyan understand that martial Dao and Cultivation were interconnected; however, mundane Cultivation Techniques reached their limit at the step of returning to true nature, which was commonly known as the Tianren Realm.

Cultivation Techniques, however, could continue to Cultivate upwards, which involved absorbing the Qi of heaven and earth, refining it into one's own magical power, and forging a Dao foundation, also known as Foundation Establishment.

That is, Refining Essence, Inner Energy, Tianren, and Foundation Establishment.

He continued to flip through the pages.

"Those who achieve Foundation Establishment with The Supreme Truth and Serenity Scripture of Eliminating Illusion and Attaining Reality can be divided into three grades: Lower Grade, which uses mundane objects to forge the Dao foundation. By gathering thirty-two childlike hearts and using a secret method to forge a Blood Demonic Dao Foundation, one can transform into a Blood Demonic body, possessing strong power and being skilled in combat. However, there is a lack of follow-up strength, and Foundation Establishment is the limit, furthermore, the mind will be twisted, and one will be as bloodthirsty as their life depends on it."

Xu Sanyan's eye twitched. Forging a Dao foundation with human hearts?

Good heavens!

The Blood Demonic Dao Foundation was powerful and could even transform into a Blood Demonic body, but Cultivation stopped at Foundation Establishment, and there were side effects, so Xu Sanyan decisively rejected it.

"Middle Grade, which uses spiritual objects to forge the Dao foundation. One can gather eleven spiritual objects such as blood fish roe, green vine grass, and Heavenly River water, and use a secret method to forge a Muddy Water Dao Foundation. One can transform into a Muddy Water body, which has weaker power and slower Cultivation, but is relatively peaceful and less prone to injury."

The Muddy Water Dao Foundation was acceptable, had no side effects, and had room for further Cultivation, so it could be considered.

"Upper Grade, which uses heaven and earth treasures to forge the Dao foundation. Any one type is sufficient. Depending on the chosen wondrous item, the Dao foundation will vary. Use a secret method to refine it and integrate it into the Dao foundation. However, wondrous items are rare, so choose carefully."

"heaven and earth treasures..."

Xu Sanyan thought carefully; he had never heard of such a thing, but he imagined it must be extremely precious.

He continued to flip through the pages, which were all about Cultivation methods and secret techniques for forging the Dao foundation.

This Cultivation Technique ended at Foundation Establishment Completion, with no methods for further Cultivation, so it seemed he would have to find a way himself in the future.

However, there was no need to consider so much; he had only reached Refining Essence Perfection, and there was still some distance to Foundation Establishment.

With a thought, Xu Sanyan opened his panel to check.

"Xu Sanyan"

"Age — 17 / 82"

"Realm — Refining Essence"

"Cultivation Technique — The Supreme Truth and Serenity Scripture of Eliminating Illusion and Attaining Reality (Not initiated)"

"Spell — None"

"Technique — Perfect Stance (Perfection). Three Tigers Subduing Dragon Saber (Intermediate). Horse Appraisal Technique (Intermediate). Excavator Repair and Maintenance (Beginner)..."

"Qi — 1"

The Cultivation Technique was fine!

Xu Sanyan was excited; he could finally Cultivate!

And his lifespan column had increased by one year, which should be due to the spiritual medicine.

He turned to look at Ma Tianqing, hesitating whether to kill him. Xu Sanyan still wanted the spell to control that monster.

The monster's power had left a deep impression on him, making him quite covetous. If he could obtain it, it would be a great help for self-protection.

However, it would involve some risk, as no one knew if Ma Tianqing could use that spell again.

Xu Sanyan thought for a long time and still felt it was worth a try. After all, no matter how powerful Ma Tianqing was, he was just an eleven-year-old child. With some schemes, he should be able to trick him.

Moreover, he had just experienced the pain of his Family's destruction, a truly dark moment in his life, and his heart must be restless. If he could be a ray of sunshine shining into his heart...

Besides, he had not shown his face at all, so as long as he was careful not to be exposed by others, it should be worth a try.

Xu Sanyan pondered for a long time, placed the Cultivation Technique and Spirit Stone he had obtained in front of him, and sat quietly, waiting for him to wake up.

The sky slowly plunged into darkness.

"Cough, cough..."

Ma Tianqing slowly opened his eyes, showing a moment of confusion, then remembered what had happened, abruptly sat up, and looked at the other person in the room.

"Who are you?" Ma Tianqing's tone was full of vigilance.

Xu Sanyan glanced at him sideways and said calmly, "The one who saved your life."

Ma Tianqing felt a little relieved upon hearing this, then turned to look around, "Where is this?"

"Dafeng Town," Xu Sanyan said.

"Thank you, Xu Brother, for saving my life."

Ma Tianqing clasped his fists in a proper manner, then remembered something, felt his chest, and his expression froze, "Oh no!"

"Heh... Are you looking for that Cultivation Technique?" Xu Sanyan asked.

"Precisely."

"It's under your feet," Xu Sanyan pointed. It was dark, and he hadn't noticed it at first.

Ma Tianqing picked it up and flipped through it, seeing no abnormalities. He breathed a sigh of relief, but felt even more grateful to Xu Sanyan in his heart. This person clearly knew what it was, yet left it untouched. He was truly a great man.

Then, thinking of his Family's destruction, his face instantly became sorrowful, and large tears rolled down his cheeks, "Xu Brother, my... my Ma family, are there any survivors?"

"Yes."

"Yes?" Ma Tianqing looked excited, "Is it my third uncle who is still alive?"

"No," Xu Sanyan shook his head.

"Then who is it?" Ma Tianqing asked anxiously.

"You."

"Me?" Ma Tianqing was stunned.

"The Ma family was exterminated. If I hadn't arrived in time, your life would have been in danger too."

Xu Sanyan looked at him coldly, "Now, the vast Ma family has only you as a sole descendant. If you don't want revenge, then hide here and cry. See if you can cry your enemies to death. If you don't want to live..."

Xu Sanyan drew his long saber with a clang and casually stuck it into the ground. "Then use this saber to commit suicide. Remember to say hello to Master Ma for me when you see him in the underworld. Consider it repayment for his great kindness back then."

Ma Tianqing was scolded by Xu Sanyan and lost all his temper. He lifted his sleeve to wipe his tears. "You're right, I must avenge the dozens of lives in my Ma family!"

Ma Tianqing thought of the hatred, gritting his teeth, wishing he could devour his enemies alive.

His Family members had risked their lives to protect him, and this Cultivation Technique in his arms. He didn't know if it was worth it; for his one life, the entire Ma family had been annihilated.

Then he looked at Xu Sanyan, gratefully saying, "Xu Brother, you saved my life, please accept my bow!"

Ma Tianqing knelt down to kowtow.

Xu Sanyan stepped forward to stop him. "No need. Master Ma saved my life back then, and now I save yours. We are even."

Only then did Ma Tianqing realize that this person actually had a connection with his grandfather.

"May I know Xu Brother's esteemed name?"

"Xu Dong," Xu Sanyan casually made up a name.

"Xu Brother, no matter what, your younger brother will always remember your life-saving grace. I will repay you in the future!" With that, he turned to leave.

Ma Tianqing's eyes were bloodshot, already blinded by hatred.

Of course, Xu Sanyan couldn't let him just leave like that, so he quickly said, "Where are you going?"

"To get revenge!" Ma Tianqing stopped.

"Do you know who your enemies are?" Xu Sanyan asked.

"I know. My fourth uncle told me it's the Jin Family and two groups of horse bandits."

"How can you defeat them alone?" Xu Sanyan pulled him back.

"Xu Brother doesn't know, but the leaders of those two groups of horse bandits have already been killed by me. Only the Jin Family remains. Even if I sacrifice my life, I will exterminate the entire Jin Family!" Ma Tianqing said fiercely.

"Heh, do you think the Jin Family is the sole culprit?" Xu Sanyan sneered.

The Jin Family was indeed the culprit, but he couldn't let him get revenge so easily, so he had to fabricate an enemy.