Chapter 139: Chapter 125: Red Mist Secret Realm, All 6 Qi Distributed
Half a day ago, Gu Yuan was still discussing the secret realm obtained by Ma Wu with Bian Chuyao here. The engraved version of the Red Mist Secret Manual was still in his hand. Unexpectedly, half a day later, Ma Wu personally came to present the secret realm.
This made him once again sigh at the allure of Spiritual Qi and Foundation Establishment.
A hundred birds in the forest are not worth one in hand.
"What kind of secret realm is it? Why doesn’t the nephew take it himself?"
Gu Yuan asked with a smile.
"To be frank, I have already entered this secret realm before and obtained some opportunities, which allowed me to cultivate a Top-Grade Spiritual Sense. But this secret realm is fraught with danger, filled with Foundation Establishment demons and evils. My strength is weak and undeserving, so I prefer to offer it to you, Uncle, for you to claim!"
"This secret realm belonged to the Golden Core Sect, Red Mist Sect a thousand years ago. It contains a great number of Exotic Fruits and the Treasure Pill Technique. If I am not mistaken, there should even be Upper-class Spiritual Artifacts or even Artifact Fragments!"
Upper-class Spiritual Artifacts, Artifact Fragments?
Gu Yuan immediately became interested.
After Foundation Establishment, cultivation is divided into early, middle, and late stages, which are also called Foundation Establishment Three Turns. With each small breakthrough, mana is greatly increased, and Dao Foundation Power is significantly augmented, creating a considerable gap in combat strength.
The Spiritual Artifacts used for Foundation Establishment are also divided into primary, intermediate, and upper-class, corresponding to the three cultivation levels of Foundation Establishment.
Spiritual Artifacts have spirit and substantial power, essential means for cultivators. Obtaining an upper-class Spiritual Artifact at the primary cultivation level would greatly enhance one’s combat strength, though such artifacts, if beyond one’s level, can also be a burden. Insufficient mana can lead to being drained and harming one’s foundation. Generally, they serve as a trump card.
And Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts are the elite among Spiritual Artifacts, with exceedingly powerful abilities.
As for Artifacts, they are treasures only Golden Core Ascendant can possess, even fragments can wield terrifying power.
Gu Yuan hadn’t expected that the Red Mist Sect’s secret realm still held such treasures, truly unexplored.
Ma Wu indeed had a bit of fortune with him.
Ma Wu, seemingly aware of Gu Yuan’s interest in the secret realm, immediately prostrated himself on the ground and presented a Jade Key with both hands.
The Jade Key was only finger-sized, golden jade in color, with mysterious patterns flowing through it, though its luster was dim, seemingly having exhausted much of its power, now slowly accumulating.
"This Jade Key is the object to open the Red Mist Secret Realm. Once every ten years, at the South Mountain Red Cliff, it is opened with mana, and the gate to the secret realm can be unlocked."
"The disciple activated this secret realm eight years ago. To open it again, one only needs to wait another two years!"
Speaking, his tone carried a trace of grief, and he pleaded softly, "Though my appearance has not yet aged, I am nearly fifty, only a short distance from the sixty-year limit, truly unable to delay further. I hope Uncle fulfills my wish!"
His current cultivation was entirely due to the secret realm; otherwise, he would merely be an ordinary disciple.
Within the secret realm, the dangers are unknown. Surviving unscathed previously was a fortunate stroke of destiny, and without Foundation Establishment cultivation, exploring is impossible.
He initially thought of using the rewards from the secret realm to defeat noble family disciples, seize Spiritual Qi, break through to Foundation Establishment, and then explore the realm again. In doing so, he could certainly turn his fate around and break the limitations of humble lineage.
The Daoist School’s humble lineage geniuses of the past mostly followed such a script.
But he didn’t expect... in the end, he was defeated by Bian Chuyao, falling short of success.
No matter how good the opportunities in the secret realm, without Foundation Establishment, it’s all wasted time.
The most critical thing is that the news of the Red Moon River campaign is already spreading in the sect.
This is not a minor skirmish, but a real battle.
Qi Refining disciples are merely cannon fodder!
Without Foundation Establishment, life and death are uncertain!
The precedent of the Sunset Glow Sect is a vivid memory, where even under the Golden Core Sect, many Qi Refining disciples perished tragically. Only by achieving Foundation Establishment can one hold even a slight chance of controlling their fate, otherwise, they cannot protect themselves in major battles, especially humble lineage disciples.
This is why people in the sect pursue Spiritual Qi so fiercely.
The time is running short!
The Jade Water Fire-Eyed Ape tribe has been a Demon King force dominating the Red Moon River for thousands of years, not easy to contend with.
The prior Cloud Cliff Shell Field and Wave Mountain were merely trivial fringes, almost tacitly allowed to the Daoist School by the Jade Water Fire-Eyed Ape tribe.
But this time, it’s different.
Therefore, he was willing to reveal his biggest secret, only to quickly achieve Foundation Establishment.
Having revealed all his cards, Ma Wu lay prostrate on the ground, anxiously awaiting Gu Yuan’s response.
"There’s no need for such ceremony, rise quickly, soon you will be called an equal."
At that moment, a heavenly voice sounded from above, causing Ma Wu’s expression to tremble with joy!
"Thank you, Uncle, thank you, Uncle!"
Ma Wu exclaimed with excitement.
After years of grinding cultivation, the gate of Foundation Establishment finally shone brightly toward him.
"Do not rush to thank me. As good as the secret realm is, you will inevitably have to follow my lead for fifty years, to advance and retreat together."
Gu Yuan put away the Jade Key and then said calmly.
The greatest value of Spiritual Qi is in driving others post-Foundation Establishment.
"I will certainly follow wherever Uncle leads!"
Ma Wu immediately responded without any hesitation.
This so-called following was merely serving, not enslavement. He had mentally prepared for it and did not resist.
As long as he could achieve Foundation Establishment, fifty years would pass in the blink of an eye.
"Good!"
Gu Yuan chuckled lightly, waved a large sleeve, and a strand of crimson-golden Spiritual Qi floated and hovered in front of Ma Wu.
Overjoyed, Ma Wu could not help but bow once more.
"Cultivate earnestly, and hope to soon become my equal!"
Gu Yuan encouraged him.
A strand of Spiritual Qi was an investment; he did not wish for it to fail.
"Once Foundation Establishment is achieved, I will come to pledge a Dao Heart Vow!"
Ma Wu bowed deeply, then took the Spiritual Qi and returned to the Cave Mansion to enter closed-door cultivation.
...
...
Meanwhile, over time, the contest outside the Earth Flame Cave gradually came to an end.
A humble lineage disciple named Lvu Zijin stood out in the field of Artifact Refining, creating a flawless Top-Grade Dharma Artifact in the shortest time, overshadowing all others and obtaining a strand of Golden Yi Spiritual Qi.
Another humble lineage woman disciple named Fu Youling also stood out in the field of Alchemy and acquired a strand of Cyan Wood Spirit Qi.
Additionally, there was an older humble lineage disciple, nearly sixty years old, who received a strand of Spiritual Qi due to his unique insights into cultivating Spirit Field.
Since these three disciples had no other treasure contributions, Gu Yuan agreed with them to serve for a hundred years, and they gladly consented.
At this point, Gu Yuan had distributed all the Spiritual Qi in his possession, with two going to noble families, and four to humble lineages, covering both combat and logistics, barely forming his faction.
Because he did not wish to reveal his Three Dharma Foundation Establishment for the time being, he announced that the remaining two strands of Spiritual Qi would have future uses and were not to be distributed. Although this disappointed many Qi Refining cultivators, there was nothing they could do.
The Gu Clan had formed its own faction within the Daoist School, and unless a great power intervenes, who could deal with him?
However, such prominence naturally drew jealousy from others.
Within the Seven Clans, some individuals with many years of Foundation Establishment also began to notice Gu Yuan.
But everyone remained inactive, quietly waiting for the Red Moon River campaign.
This was to be a grand melting furnace, a trial by fire, testing all.
And at this moment, Gu Yuan was also busily enhancing his strength.
In half a month’s time, the Three-Eyed Spirit Water and Stone Liquid were fully gathered.
