49: Chapter 49 Foundation Building Technique Acquired

Seeing him pondering, Zhao Shan continued, "However, Brother Wang, don't be discouraged. Prefecture City is a mixed bag, and naturally, there are channels for fencing stolen goods and dealing with such items.

In the south of the city, there's a place called 'Tingfeng Tower'. On the surface, it's a tea house, but in reality, it's one of Prefecture City's largest intelligence and trading centers.

The owner is a mysterious figure; no one knows his background, only that he has immense influence and an excellent reputation.

As long as you can afford the price, let alone a Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique, you can even buy secret information about some Golden Core True Persons."

"Of course, the price is also astronomical," Zhao Shan added. "The most common Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique will cost at least a thousand Spirit Stones, or you won't even get through the door. If it's of better quality, several thousand Spirit Stones are common."

"Actually, with your cultivation, Brother Wang, it's best to join a force, such as my Four Seas Chamber of Commerce..."

"Thank you, Brother Zhao, I have my own plans for this matter." Su Chengyuan had a good idea in his heart and did not let Zhao Shan continue.

He had exchanged Medicinal Pills for fifteen hundred Spirit Stones on this trip, plus what the Chamber of Commerce gave him, his current net worth exceeded two thousand, which was enough.

Moreover, he still had more than twenty supreme-grade pills in his Storage Pouch; if it wasn't enough, he could just exchange them for Spirit Stones then.

"Don't mention it." Zhao Shan waved his hand, "Since you don't want to join the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce, this is all I can help you with. Our Four Seas Chamber of Commerce can't interfere in a place like Tingfeng Tower. Brother Wang, you must be careful when you go to trade; it's not a benevolent place."

Su Chengyuan bid farewell to Zhao Shan and did not immediately go to Tingfeng Tower.

He found a secluded inn in the city and spent three days familiarizing himself with the general layout of Prefecture City and the basic situation of various forces.

On the fourth day, he changed his attire, made subtle adjustments to his appearance and physique, and suppressed his aura to the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining before heading to the south of the city.

Tingfeng Tower was indeed, as Zhao Shan said, just an ordinary-looking three-story tea house.

After Su Chengyuan entered, an attendant came forward, and he simply uttered the secret code: "I've come to listen to the wind outside the window."

The attendant understood and led him to a secret room on the second floor.

In the secret room sat a black-clad man wearing a ghost-face mask.

"What do you want?" The masked man's voice was hoarse and dry.

"A Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique, one that's clean and won't cause trouble," Su Chengyuan said directly.

The masked man was silent for a moment, then flicked his finger, and three Jade Slips appeared on the table.

"The first, 'Fushui Art', is a water-attribute Cultivation Technique, balanced and peaceful, cultivable to Foundation Establishment Peak. It was the Sect-protecting Cultivation Technique of the 'Tingtao Sect', which was annihilated a hundred years ago. Now, with time having passed, no one pursues it anymore. Price: one thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

"The second, 'Panshi Record', is an earth-attribute Cultivation Technique, primarily focused on defense, with a stable Foundation. It was left behind by a Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator who passed away, so its origin is absolutely clean. Price: eleven hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

"The third, 'Qingyuan Sword Art', is a wood-attribute Cultivation Technique, primarily focused on offense. Its Sword Qi naturally possesses the meaning of endless vitality, and its power is considerable. It was created by a Golden Core True Person in his early years, later abandoned, and accidentally circulated. Price: fifteen hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

Su Chengyuan quickly calculated in his heart.

His purpose on this trip was to acquire a Cultivation Technique for himself, to Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, and become the true pillar of his Family.

Once he entered Foundation Establishment, he would need to choose his own Spiritual Qi attribute, which must be done with extreme caution.

The Fushui Art was balanced and peaceful, and the Panshi Record leaned towards defense; neither was what he wanted.

This Qingyuan Sword Art, though wood-attribute, focused on offense and had sharp Sword Qi. What was even better was the meaning of "endless vitality," representing sustained combat power.

Although it was the most expensive, to protect his Family's safety and the Family's future, it was insignificant.

This amount of Spirit Stones must be spent!

"I want the Qingyuan Sword Art."

He pushed over a Storage Pouch containing fifteen hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

The masked man took the Storage Pouch, swept it with his Divine Sense, nodded, and pushed over the Jade Slip containing the Qingyuan Sword Art.

The transaction complete, Su Chengyuan did not linger for a moment and quickly left Tingfeng Tower.

Although this was Prefecture City, his long-standing cautious habit led him to make several detours in the city, confirming no one was following him before returning to the inn.

In the secret room, he probed the Jade Slip with his Mental Energy, and a profound Cultivation Technique incantation immediately flooded his mind.

After confirming the Cultivation Technique was correct, the anxiety that had been weighing on his heart finally completely subsided.

Medicinal Pills, Cultivation Technique—everything was ready.

He subconsciously wanted to immediately embark on his return journey and bring this hope home.

However, as he walked out of the inn and merged into the bustling crowd of Prefecture City, seeing occasional Foundation Establishment Cultivators with stable auras passing by, a bolder and more secure idea emerged in his mind.

Breakthrough at home?

No, perhaps breaking through here in Prefecture City was the best choice!

He stopped, his thoughts racing.

This place was filled with powerful Cultivators, and there were many Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Even if he advanced to Foundation Establishment here, it wouldn't cause any ripples at all.

But if he returned to a small place like Qingyang Town to seek a Breakthrough, once his aura leaked, it might attract investigations from many forces, adding unforeseen complications.

More importantly, he had the supreme grade foundation establishment pill refined by his son, and now he also had a Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique.

Everything was ready, why wait any longer?

Returning as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator would greatly enhance safety on the road!

Furthermore, after advancing to Foundation Establishment, going to buy Spells, Magical Artifacts, and Pill Formulas used by Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators would not attract attention.

With this in mind, Su Chengyuan no longer hesitated.

He did not return to the inn but turned directly towards the city center, beginning to inquire about the locations of securely protected and Spirit Qi-rich Cultivation rooms rented out by the major forces in Prefecture City.

...

Meanwhile, at Tiangang Sect.

On the huge plaza in front of the mountain gate, the atmosphere was solemn and fervent.

Twenty Inner Sect Disciples and Core Disciples of higher status, who were about to represent the Sect in the Five Sect Martial Competition, stood in a row, dressed in unified Sect-standard Magical Artifact robes, looking valiant and spirited.

Su Yunling was in the ranks of the Inner Sect Disciples.

Her expression was calm, her gaze tranquil, but her cultivation at Foundation Establishment Peak still stood out among the numerous Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters at Qi Refining Ninth Layer.

In the middle of the Core Disciples' ranks, Wenren Zimo, who had originally guided her into the Sect, stood out prominently.

As a Genius meticulously cultivated by the Sect, he was also one of the core combat forces in this Martial Competition.

In front of them stood a black-robed Elder with a stern face and eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

He was Elder Liu Cang of the Sect's Law Enforcement Hall, a Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, known for his impartiality.

This Five Sect Martial Competition would be led by him, accompanied by two other Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Elders.

"This Martial Competition will be held at Qingxuan Sect. The journey is long, so you must remember that outside, you represent the face of Tiangang Sect! Do not cause trouble, but if anyone provokes you, there is no need to tolerate it. If anything happens, the Sect will bear the responsibility for you!" Liu Cang's voice reached everyone's ears.

"Yes, Elder!" The twenty people responded in unison.

At the back of the team, there were also more than ten Disciples who had applied to observe, and Chen Zifan was notably among them.

With a gentle smile on his face, he slowly walked up to Junior Sister Su and said with concern, "Junior Sister Su, this Martial Competition will be full of experts; you must be extra careful."

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Chen." Su Yunling replied indifferently, distancing herself from him.

Chen Zifan didn't mind, retreating with an unchanging smile.

However, the moment he turned around, a cold glint flashed in the depths of his eyes.

"All Disciples, board the flying cloud boat!"

As Elder Liu Cang gave the command, he waved his large sleeve, and a white Magical Artifact, over ten zhang long and shaped like a giant boat, appeared out of thin air, hovering above the plaza.

This was the Sect's flying Magical Artifact, the flying cloud boat.

Everyone boarded the flying cloud boat in order. The boat body trembled slightly, then transformed into a white light, soaring into the sky and speeding towards Qingxuan Sect.

On the deck, the strong wind was biting.

Chen Zifan stood by the railing, watching the mountains and rivers rapidly receding below. The gentle disguise on his face finally faded, and he cast a sinister glance at Su Yunling not far away.

Then he quietly retreated, disappearing into the shadows, his wide sleeves covering his hand.

A special communication talisman was silently crushed between his fingertips, transforming into a wisp of spiritual light that dissipated in the wind.

The message had been sent.