106: Chapter 106 A Glimmer of Hope

Based on Su Yang's understanding of the Foundation Establishment process,

after breaking through the Qi and Blood Gate and the Mana Gate, a Cultivator reaches their Peak state; there is no situation where the state is unstable.

However, Jiang Yishu's spiritual power fluctuated noticeably, as if he had to expend energy to stabilize his physical condition, preventing him from fully assaulting the Divine Sense Gate.

This sudden turn of events caused Jiang Wuyu's expression to change drastically during the battle.

Cheng Lan and Xu Heyan also sensed that something was wrong.

The two exchanged a glance, revealing looks of pleasant surprise, and then decisively retreated.

It was truly a turn for the better; they never expected that Jiang Yishu, who had consecutively broken through the Qi and Blood Gate and the Mana Gate, would encounter trouble at the crucial moment of breaking through the Divine Sense Gate. They didn't even need to interfere.

"Hahaha! I was just passing through Qingyuan and felt an itch to spar with a Fellow Daoist. I'll stop here for today. We shall meet again if fate allows!"

Before leaving, Xu Heyan did not forget to leave a message, his booming voice spreading everywhere, causing Jiang Wuyu's mouth to twitch in anger.

Who are you two? Everyone knows perfectly well, yet you're still putting on this disgusting act?

Jiang Wuyu wished he could kill them on the spot, but his son had run into trouble during his Breakthrough, forcing him to immediately return to try and save the situation.

"You two are quite something! Wait until my son successfully establishes his Foundation, and then I will settle accounts with you!"

Jiang Wuyu flicked his sleeve and quickly flew back to his Family.

A moment later, under the watch of countless Cultivators, the spiritual Qi emanating from the Jiang Family mansion abruptly ceased and rapidly withered away.

"No!!!"

A mournful roar filled with unwillingness echoed from within the mansion, completely announcing Jiang Yishu's failure to establish his Foundation.

Liu Mo and the others waiting outside were all stunned, followed by intense disappointment.

They had initially thought the Jiang Family would leap to become the overlord of Qingyuan, allowing them to drink soup while their master feasted on meat. In the end, it was all for naught.

The Qingyuan Cultivators who witnessed the entire Foundation Establishment process, however, held entirely different thoughts. They didn't care how many Foundation Establishment Cultivators the Jiang Family had; they were more impressed by the difficulty of establishing a Foundation.

The three gates of Foundation Establishment seemed simple, but in reality, each gate blocked the Immortal Path for countless Cultivators.

The Qi and Blood Gate was the most straightforward: failing to reach Qi Refining Perfection before the age of sixty meant the Immortal Path was immediately severed. This meant that from the moment a Cultivator stepped onto the Immortal Path, they were already walking the road of the Qi and Blood Gate.

The Mana Gate tested one's Foundation, symbolizing that a Cultivator could not rely on shortcuts to quickly elevate their cultivation. Even if they passed the Qi and Blood Gate, they might fail the Mana Gate.

Jiang Yishu clearly relied on shortcuts in the Mana Gate, which is why he failed at the final hurdle.

"The Jiang Family previously offended many Family forces in Qingyuan, causing everyone to grow closer to the Cheng Family and the Bihai Association."

Su Yang stood with his hands behind his back, shaking his head and sighing, "Jiang Wuyu was too eager for quick success to consolidate the Family's status in Qingyuan Market."

Although he didn't know what Medicinal Pills they used to cheat their way through the Mana Gate, this method was clearly unworkable. The false Mana Realm could not be maintained and instead became a great enemy for the Divine Sense Gate.

Given the wealth the Jiang Family had accumulated over the years, the foundation establishment pill they prepared was certainly not bad. The Divine Sense Gate should not have been too difficult.

The reason for Jiang Yishu's failure to establish his Foundation was that he lost at the Mana Gate.

"This is good news for us!" Su Xuanheng said with a smile, "If the Jiang Family had succeeded, who knows what the consequences would have been."

Su Yang gave a wry smile, "It is indeed a good thing, but this incident serves as a warning bell for us."

"The path of Cultivation requires steady steps; an unstable Foundation is ultimately illusory. This must be remembered and strictly instructed to the descendants of the Su Family."

Su Xuanheng's expression turned solemn upon hearing this, and he immediately cupped his hands in assent.

...

The identity of the person attempting Foundation Establishment in the Jiang Family was quickly investigated by those with keen interest, revealing it to be Jiang Wuyu's son, Jiang Yishu.

In just a few short years, he had advanced from Mid-stage Qi Refining to Qi Refining Perfection.

This cultivation speed shocked many Cultivators in Qingyuan Market.

Some said Jiang Yishu practiced a Cultivation Technique that could rapidly increase cultivation, while others said he forcibly raised his cultivation relying on Medicinal Pills. There was no unified explanation for this.

But the reason he broke through the Mana Gate was universally agreed upon: he relied on a surge of Mana from Medicinal Pills to forcibly break through the Mana Gate.

The plan was to charge through the Divine Sense Gate in one go while the false Mana Realm was still present. Once a formless Dao Foundation was successfully condensed, the false Mana could be slowly supplemented later.

It was just a good idea that failed to succeed.

After failing Foundation Establishment, Jiang Yishu's cultivation dropped from Qi Refining Perfection to the sixth layer of Qi Refining. Years of hard Cultivation turned to smoke, and all members of the Jiang Family felt deeply ashamed.

He made such a grand fuss about establishing his Foundation, only to rely on shortcuts.

Jiang Yishu's attempt at Foundation Establishment became a laughingstock in Qingyuan Market, while also serving as a warning to all Cultivators.

There is no shortcut to establishing a Foundation!

While the discussions about the Jiang Family's failed Foundation Establishment had not yet subsided, the figure of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator quietly appeared in Qingyuan Market.

"Devil Head infiltrated the Su Family, Ten Thousand Sword Sect Disciples provided full assistance..."

Looking at the intelligence in his hand, Huang Hongfang's expression was thoughtful.

He immediately went to the Su Family, and his indifferent voice echoed throughout the entire Su Family grounds: "Head of the Su Family, come out and see me."

Hearing this, Su Yang's expression tightened. He walked out of the residence immediately and cupped his hands in a salute toward Huang Hongfang.

"I am Su Yang, greetings to the Senior."

Huang Hongfang's gaze swept over with disdain.

Fifth layer of Qi Refining?

His cold sneer deepened, and he questioned condescendingly, "A Wan Jian Sect Disciple died in Qingyuan Market a few days ago. Explain everything you know, without omitting a single word!"

"A Daoist friend from the Wan Jian Sect died?!"

Su Yang's face showed shock, and he blurted out subconsciously, "Could that Devil Head have accomplices?"

Hearing this, Huang Hongfang's eyes chilled: "I ask, you answer!"

Su Yang suddenly came back to his senses, realizing he had lost his composure. First, he fearfully stated that he was in seclusion and did not know the details, then he called Su Xuanming out.

The two spoke back and forth, recounting the entire sequence of events.

"Senior, the Wan Jian Sect Daoist friend showed kindness to our Su Family. Everyone in the Su Family is willing to assist Senior in investigating the matter of the Devil Head!"

Su Yang's attitude was respectful, his voice firm and powerful, looking as if he was ready to avenge his benefactor.

Huang Hongfang's expression softened upon seeing this, but a trace of bewilderment flickered deep within his eyes.

What the Su Family said completely matched the information he had investigated. As for the timing, since the unit of measurement was not precise enough, only a general time frame was available, but it also matched.

Therefore, Huang Chen and the others disappeared while pursuing the Devil Head and had nothing to do with the Su Family.

Huang Hongfang suddenly raised his hand and cast a Spell at Su Xuanming, giving him no chance to react. A white light landed on Su Xuanming.

"Senior, what is the meaning of this?" Su Xuanming was stunned, and a trace of anger appeared in his eyes.

Huang Hongfang remained silent, merely frowning slightly.

He didn't find the mark left behind after Chen'er died...

Does the Su Family have the ability to cleanse marks, or did he overthink things?

A mere Eighth-Rank Family shouldn't possess the ability to cleanse marks.

Unfortunately, he was not proficient in tracking Spells, nor did he understand Soul Searching Spells. The trail was now broken, which was extremely frustrating.

Damn Huang Lingxiao! Not only did he cause the death of his Chen'er, but he also refused to help with the investigation.

It was all the fault of that old man, Huang Lingxiao!