Chapter 265 - 196: The Ten-Year Secret Realm, Main Ingredient at Hand
Chapter 265: Chapter 196: The Ten-Year Secret Realm, Main Ingredient at Hand
"The two goals for this trip have been accomplished. I’ll be able to depart in a few days."
Lin Changheng said with a smile.
Xu Hanji opened her mouth, but ultimately couldn’t bring herself to ask him to stay longer.
This also meant that Lin Changheng wouldn’t be there to see the result of her Foundation Establishment.
An indescribable emotion welled up in her heart.
Lin Changheng, however, just patted her on the shoulder and encouraged her, "I’m sure you can achieve Foundation Establishment. We have plenty of time in the future."
’While there’s no such thing as cultivation psychology,’ he thought, ’a few words of encouragement to create a positive mental suggestion might still have some small effect.’
"Mm!"
Xu Hanji nodded.
"Let’s head out together, then."
Just as Lin Changheng was about to turn, a figure lunged toward him. He felt a fleeting, warm sensation on his cheek—clearly the imprint of red lips.
He then saw Xu Hanji, standing close, biting her lip. Her beautiful, expressive eyes were fixed on Lin Changheng.
’Just imagine what it’s like to have someone who was once as aloof as a Moon Palace Fairy look at you with such an expression, with such a gaze.’
’This girl!’
Lin Changheng gave a helpless, wry smile.
RUMBLE!
The opening Array triggered earlier had activated, and the large door swung open.
He could feel several pairs of expectant eyes from outside the Seclusion Room landing squarely on his back.
Seeming to sense this, Xu Hanji glanced at Lin Changheng, a rare, graceful smile in her eyes.
Lin Changheng very pointedly grabbed Xu Hanji’s pale wrist, pretending to check her pulse.
"Mm, very good! The treatment achieved the desired effect."
He nodded in satisfaction before turning to call the others in, repeating his declaration.
The three Xu Family elders, having no reason to doubt him, were overjoyed at the news.
They insisted on pulling Lin Changheng into a small banquet, vowing not to part until everyone was thoroughly drunk.
Since he disliked large-scale affairs, a small one should be acceptable, right?
Lin Changheng had no choice but to accept.
「Three days later.」
After spending three good days with Tantai Feiyue, Lin Changheng got a clear sense of her Cultivation. He believed she had a chance to break through to the Second Layer of Foundation Establishment within two years and left her some Elixirs.
Ten years had passed since Tantai Feiyue reached the Foundation Establishment Stage. At this rate, it seemed her progress would require a total of twelve years of accumulation...
’Too slow. The disadvantage of a Lower Grade Spirit Root is on full display!’
He could predict that her breakthrough to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment would be incredibly difficult, and her chances of reaching the Late Stage were slim to none.
Lin Changheng didn’t say any of this to her directly, offering only encouragement.
He then bid farewell to the Xu Family. Under the grateful gazes of its senior members, he boarded his Dharma Ship, soared into the sky, crossed the Black Water River, and whistled away into the distance.
...
On this trip, Lin Changheng had only helped Xu Hanji resolve the issue with her Dantian. As for her preparations for Foundation Establishment, that was not something he could meddle in.
Whether she ultimately succeeded in her Foundation Establishment was a matter of her own destiny.
Lin Changheng did not interfere.
After all, Tantai Feiyue had used a Substandard Foundation Establishment Pill and a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object for her own breakthrough, and she had succeeded without even needing to use the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object.
’Xu Hanji’s Spirit Root talent is superior to Tantai Feiyue’s, and her external items are comparable. Her own preparations were just a bit lacking. If she uses everything at her disposal, her chances of a successful Foundation Establishment will naturally be higher.’
But at the banquet that night, toasts were exchanged freely, and everyone had a wonderful time.
Xu Xujun had also revealed two things to him.
A medium-sized Secret Realm, exclusively under the control of the Purple Extreme Sect, was about to open within its territory.
It opened once every sixty years.
The next opening was in ten years.
When the time came, every Double Foundation Establishment Clan within the sect’s jurisdiction would be granted at least one slot to enter the Secret Realm.
The specific number of entry slots would be determined by a clan’s Influence, foundation, and even its financial resources.
A clan’s strength and foundation were to be judged by the Purple Extreme Sect.
As for financial resources, it meant using Spirit Stones to purchase slots from the Purple Extreme Sect. The sect would offer a portion of the slots for various clans—and even Loose Cultivators—to compete for, though a purchase wasn’t guaranteed.
Therefore, Xu Xujun had asked if Lin Changheng planned to enter, offering to give him the Xu Family’s slot as a priority.
The Xu Family itself planned to forfeit its spot. The family had only just begun to rise, and if Xu Xujun were to perish inside the Secret Realm, the blow to the Xu Family would be devastating.
It was even possible they would revert to being a mere Qi Cultivation Clan.
This decision by the Xu Family was a firm resolution, one made after careful deliberation.
In Lin Changheng’s opinion, this was the right decision.
Lin Changheng did not give an immediate answer.
’Considering my cautious nature,’ he mused, ’and the fact that my Primordial Cauldron allows for steady progress with just Demon Beast Essence Blood, there doesn’t seem to be much benefit to entering a Secret Realm.’
’Besides, the fact that the Purple Extreme Sect is willing to share a Secret Realm under its sole control with its subordinate Foundation Establishment Clans is a bizarre thing in itself.’
’Someone willing to share the meat from their own pot is either a true saint or harbors ulterior motives.’
’The Purple Extreme Sect, being a body driven by profit, is certainly not the former. The real answer is obvious...’
Lin Changheng believed many clans could see this clearly.
But why did so many Cultivators still rush in one after another, even spending Flower Spirit Stones to buy a slot?
It was because of the immense temptation it held—
Legend said it contained opportunities for Core Formation, as well as confirmed sources of the Foundation Establishment Main Medicine!
Obtaining either would be a great boon to both the individual and their clan!
Many Foundation Establishment Cultivators—especially those whose Cultivation had stagnated, whose clans were on the verge of collapse, or whose Lifespans were nearing their end—would choose to risk it all for a chance.
"An open conspiracy!"
Lin Changheng evaluated the Purple Extreme Sect’s methods.
’Offer enough of a reward, and you can motivate anyone to do anything—even walk themselves to the gallows!’
Moreover, the Purple Extreme Sect had once issued an iron-clad rule: for half a month after the Secret Realm opened, any friction, attacks, invasions, or assassinations between any clans were strictly forbidden.