Chapter 28 The sect is buzzing with discussion about preparing to participate in the Foundation Establishment Competition.

Cheng Xian's hands trembled uncontrollably. His fingertips touched the medicine bottle, feeling its icy touch. He abruptly withdrew his hand, not daring to look at the medicine.

No! I absolutely cannot take the Foundation Establishment Pill! I have a single spiritual root, and I will establish my foundation sooner or later. I cannot ruin my future just to achieve foundation establishment ahead of time!

Cheng Xian grabbed the pills and threw them into the drawer, locking it to avoid being disturbed. Next was his father's handwritten letter; having not yet reached Foundation Establishment for so long, he knew his father would urge him again if the news reached him.

He put the letter back into the envelope and put it in his storage bag, thinking that out of sight, out of mind, he would put off dealing with his father for as long as possible.

Cheng Xian adjusted his mood and returned to his usual self. He greeted his friends and listened patiently to his friends' complaints.

When his friends invite him out, he always agrees without hesitation, never wanting to spoil the fun.

My friend said, "How come there's such a huge gap between people? You and I are over twenty and haven't even reached the Foundation Establishment stage, while others reached it at twelve. If that Song Yin participated in this year's Foundation Establishment competition, she would definitely be able to enter the inner sect, and maybe even be taken in as a personal disciple by an elder. But Song Yin has a single spiritual root, while I have two. Sigh, I guess I just don't have enough talent! Let's drink!"

Cheng Xian's hand, which was resting on his lap, involuntarily gripped the fabric of his clothes. He smiled and replied to his friend, "Yes, there are huge differences between people."

But he also clearly had a single spiritual root, and was born into a family of cultivators, receiving high expectations from his family. His starting point was even higher than Song Yin's, so why was Song Yin able to surpass him?

No, that's not right. I have to believe that my single spiritual root is no worse than others. If Song Yin can establish her foundation, then I can too!

Cheng Xian picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

After drinking the fine wine, he tried his best to stop thinking about Song Yin and Foundation Establishment.

Just then, a group of new guests arrived at the next table, chatting and laughing as they ordered a table full of food and drinks.

"Hey, have you guys heard of Song Yin from the outer sect?"

"I know, she's the most popular person in the outer sect this year. I know an inner sect senior brother, and even he's talking about Song Yin's Foundation Establishment at the age of twelve. He also said that Song Yin's entry into the inner sect this year is absolutely a sure thing."

"Really?"

“Of course it’s true! The senior brother I know from the inner sect is about to advance to the Golden Core stage. Hearing that Song Yin established her foundation at the age of twelve, he was inspired and said he would go into seclusion to cultivate in order to break through to the Golden Core stage.”

"Now that you mention it, I think I know who this inner sect senior brother you're talking about is. His words are indeed true and reliable."

“We have quite a few outer disciples, and among the Qi Refining disciples, there are others with single spiritual roots. Tell me, why can Song Yin break through so quickly, while the others can’t?”

"Perhaps it's because of good comprehension? After all, talent and comprehension are equally important."

"I really envy these geniuses. I also want to enter the inner sect."

Cheng Xian gripped his empty wine glass tightly and remained silent.

The people at the next table were chatting, and every sentence they uttered was filled with Song Dynasty accents and references to the inner gate (a term referring to the inner gate of martial arts). Cheng Xian couldn't bear the stimulation and suddenly stood up, his eyes bloodshot.

Cheng Xian's friend at the next table was startled. He had been listening intently to the conversation about Song Yin at the next table when Cheng Xian suddenly stood up, his wine glass rolling to the ground.

"Cheng Xian, are you alright?"

Cheng Xian tossed out a "Excuse me," turned and left. He couldn't listen any longer; continuing would definitely affect his state of mind.

There are some things that Cheng Xian can't avoid just because he wants to.

Song Yin's achievement of Foundation Establishment at the age of twelve greatly stimulated many people in the outer sect. The topic of Song Yin's Foundation Establishment did not fade with time, but instead intensified.

If you talk to me about Song Dynasty pronunciation, then we're good friends.

Since the outside world was filled with Song Dynasty music, Cheng Xian locked himself in his bamboo hut courtyard and refused to see any guests.

Even though he confined himself to his own space, matters concerning Song Yin still found their way in. A letter from the Cheng family was placed on his desk, and Cheng Xian stared at it, a vague sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

[My son, how is your cultivation now? Is the Foundation Establishment Pill I found for you working well? I haven't heard from you for some time. Is everything alright at the Immortal Cloud Sect?]

Some elders in the family are urging you to enter the inner sect as soon as possible, but your mother said these things can't be rushed and we shouldn't pressure you too much, so I dismissed them all. The youngest daughter of the Zhang family head also had her spiritual root tested yesterday, and it turned out she has a single spiritual root. I heard they also intend to send her to the Immortal Firmament Sect in the future. However, that child is still young, and even if she enters the sect, her cultivation speed won't be as fast as yours.

...

I received messages from other Cheng family children in the Immortal Cloud Sect, saying that a twelve-year-old girl from the mortal realm in the outer sect has successfully achieved Foundation Establishment, becoming the first among your batch of disciples. My son, you must work hard! If you can't be the first to achieve Foundation Establishment, then strive to be the second. Your talent is no less than hers.

...

"ah--"

Cheng Xian used his arm to knock everything on the table to the ground.

The exquisite pen holder was shattered into many small pieces, and the paper was splattered with ink in many places. The once clean and tidy paper was covered with many ink splatters, obscuring the neat words written by its owner. Upon closer inspection, the words covered by ink were the repeated recitation of the "Meditation Mantra".

"Why, why do you all have to force me!" Cheng Xian sat on the floor, leaning against the table leg, burying his head in his knees and sobbing softly.

This is the Immortal Cloud Sect. No matter how much he cries, no mother will come and gently pat his back to comfort him and tell him not to cry.

He also wanted to build his foundation on his own, but his family insisted on pushing him forward without stopping.

Cheng Xian's tears dried, and he cried his fill. He braced himself with one hand on the ground, and with the other, he pulled open a drawer and took out a bottle of pills. A fourth-grade Foundation Establishment Pill lay in his palm, and Cheng Xian stared at it for a long time. Finally, he calmly swallowed the pill.

...

Another piece of news has broken from the outer sect of the Immortal Cloud Sect!

Another disciple from the outer sect has successfully established their foundation. This disciple entered the sect in the same year as Song Yin. It is said that this disciple also has a single spiritual root, comes from a cultivation family, and is even the young master!

There are also rumors that the young master broke through in the Bamboo Cottage. When the Foundation Establishment Tribulation was formed, it alerted the elders of the Bamboo Cottage, who then set up an array to prevent the surrounding houses from being destroyed by the tribulation. Many people witnessed this tribulation, and some even recorded it with recording stones and sold it for a large sum of spirit stones.

Following her master's advice, Song Yin stayed at Danque Peak to consolidate her cultivation without ever leaving the area.

She only learned about Cheng Xian's foundation building when Shi Heming told her about it during his visit to Danque Peak.

Ever since Shi Heming learned that Song Yin had achieved Foundation Establishment, he had been cultivating constantly in order to catch up with her. Neither of them went to the academy, but their legends were everywhere there.

Despite his best efforts, Shi Heming's cultivation level remained stuck at the late stage of Qi Refining. In order to catch up with the cultivation speed of Scroll King Song Yin, Shi Heming unleashed an even more determined spirit in his cultivation, prompting Song Yin to ask him why he was rushing so much.

Shi Heming replied, "Because I want to participate in the same Foundation Building Competition as you."

Having known each other for six years, Shi Heming knew that Song Yin loved cultivation. She had clear goals and would work hard to achieve them once she set her mind on something. Song Yin never stopped for anyone; she would only keep running forward. Wanting to continue being her friend, he was willing to strive to catch up.

Song Yin patted Shi Heming on the shoulder, "Then good luck." It won't be easy to catch up with Ben Aotian's speed.

Song Yin could withstand the intense training, and Shi Heming could withstand it even better. But there was one person who couldn't: Xia Xining.

Xia Xining tried to catch up with her friends, but found it too tiring. She habitually gave up and chose to lie down and stop trying.

Shi Heming knew to remain silent, but he was secretly pleased.

He knew that only he was worthy to be Song Yin's friend.

Spring goes and autumn comes, and the annual Foundation Building Competition will begin this autumn.

On the first day of registration for the Foundation Building Competition, Song Yin registered and waited for the competition to begin.

This year, the registration period lasted for a month. Song Yin registered in advance and began preparing for the competition.

The sword she used was one assigned by the sect; the wooden sword had long been replaced with a sharpened real sword. Unfortunately, even a real sword couldn't compare to the various natal spirit swords of sword cultivators.

After Feng Gai became a disciple of Senior Zhou, Senior Zhou personally prepared a natal sword for Feng Gai, which Song Yin found very enviable.

She sold the pills she refined, accumulating a considerable amount of spirit stones. Today, she decided to use her savings to buy a new spirit sword to enhance her overall combat power.

Normally, Shi Heming would accompany Song Yin whenever she went out, and over time Song Yin got used to Shi Heming following behind her.

Before leaving, Song Yin asked Shi Heming as usual, "I'm going to buy a spirit sword, shall we come together?"

Shi Heming: "I'm not going. I'll stay and continue my cultivation."

Huh? He actually chose not to go! Song Yin's eyes were filled with disbelief. Shi Heming actually didn't go!

"Alright, you continue your cultivation, I'll go take a stroll by myself." Song Yin bid farewell to Shi Heming with great pleasure.

Watching Song Yin's cheerful departing figure, Shi Heming silently shed tears. Damn it, I really want to go! The Foundation Establishment Competition starts in a month, hurry up and establish your foundation!

Human joys and sorrows are not shared.

Song Yin happily arrived at the Wanbaolou floor where spirit swords and magical artifacts were sold. The shelves were filled with spirit swords that would make any sword cultivator drool. Not to mention the sword cultivators, even Song Yin, a pill cultivator, wanted to take them home.

Long swords, short swords, and flexible swords are all available, and they come in various styles.

"Fellow Daoist, how much are these spirit swords?" Song Yin asked.

"The swords in our Wanbaolou are all good swords. The worst spirit swords here start at the third grade, so the price is naturally a bit higher. But the materials used to forge these spirit swords are absolutely genuine. Compared to spirit swords of the same grade outside, they are much more affordable."

So what is the price?

"Starting with five hundred top-grade spirit stones."

Song Yin: "Five hundred?!" And top-grade spirit stones at that! Hmm, that's still too expensive for her.

I could afford five hundred top-grade spirit stones, but after spending so much on the spirit sword, I wouldn't have any left to buy spirit herbs for alchemy, let alone a cheap alchemy furnace. I still couldn't bear to destroy the alchemy furnace my master had given me.

Song Yin: "Is there anything cheaper?"

"Wanbaolou does not have any spirit swords below the third rank. If you need one, you can go to Xianxiao City to take a look."

Song Yin had no choice but to leave Wanbaolou and go to Xianxiao City.

Having left the sect without any hindrance, Song Yin exclaimed, "Foundation Establishment is really great! There's no time limit for leaving the sect."

The bustling atmosphere of Xianxiao City differed from that of Xianxiao Sect. The streets were teeming with people of all ages and genders. Shouts rang out incessantly from both sides, as vendors enthusiastically promoted their wares to customers.

When Song Yin walked in a crowded place, people would make way for her. At first, Song Yin found it strange, but after observing carefully, she discovered that whenever she encountered a disciple of the Immortal Cloud Sect, these people would become courteous.

Having found out about the shops in Xianxiao City that specialize in magical artifacts, I walked with a clear purpose to a building.

Song Yin went inside, found someone, and directly told them what she wanted to buy. Upon hearing this, the person quickly led Song Yin to the spirit sword display area.

There are both first- and second-tier spirit swords here, and Song Yin took a fancy to a second-tier spirit sword that was entirely blue.

"How many spirit stones does this sword cost?"

"Five thousand mid-grade spirit stones."

That's equivalent to fifty high-grade spirit stones, much cheaper than the swords sold at Wanbaolou!

Song Yin: "I want this sword."

"I'll buy this sword. How much?" a male voice interrupted, also eyeing the cyan-colored spirit sword.

Song Yin turned her head. Who was this person? He looked familiar, but she couldn't quite place his name.

Cheng Xian, standing to the side, saw the face he would never forget, and his breath became unsteady.

“Song, Yin”.

Song Yin asked in confusion, "Who are you?"

Cheng Xian was clearly angered by the question "Who are you?" His chest heaving violently revealed his inner turmoil.

-----------------------

Author's Note: I'd seen you before but didn't pay much attention. But as time went on: Who are you? [Question mark]

-

Hoo hoo hoo, we've added volume titles! From now on, we'll divide the volumes according to Song Song's cultivation level!

Song Yin: I'll divide the volumes according to my cultivation level. Do you guys like that? (Raises eyebrow) (Holds a rose in his mouth)

-

I skillfully pulled out my small bowl [empty bowl].