Raise a sword!

Jiang Peng stood there pondering for a long time, then suddenly asked, "Senior Sister, have you attained enlightenment?"

Before Sun Yinxi could respond, Jiang Peng turned his gaze to her again, scrutinizing her carefully for a moment before asking curiously, "It's said that Foundation Establishment is a stage where cultivators see their true nature and return to their original simplicity, but what does 'returning to simplicity' mean?"

Sun Yinxi shook her head and said, "I never comprehended the Dao. I relied entirely on accumulating my cultivation to its limit. After the Spirit Transformation Pool, I broke through in one fell swoop with the help of the Foundation Establishment Pill."

Jiang Peng's expression grew increasingly confused.

Regarding the Foundation Establishment, Master Lü has spoken about it, Ni Chang has spoken about it, Ancestor Liu spoke about it at the banquet that day, and Monk Miaoyin spoke about it just now.

These four individuals are either at the Golden Core stage or are top-tier Foundation Establishment cultivators.

No matter how they phrased the Foundation Establishment Realm, their descriptions were inseparable from enlightenment and the concept of "truth."

But now, from Sun Yinxi, who has just established her foundation, Jiang Peng heard a completely different answer.

"I remember my senior sister Ni Chang once said that if you can't understand the future, then you can't understand the future. Foundation Establishment is just Foundation Establishment," Jiang Peng said tentatively.

But Sun Yinxi shook her head slightly.

"My master has said similar things to me before."

Jiang Peng was surprised.

"If that's the case, how could you, as the only disciple of Peak Master Ni Chang, not understand your own path?"

"My master said that I am single-mindedly striving for improvement, and that is enough."

Jiang Peng became even more confused.

Seeing Jiang Peng's appearance, Sun Yinxi frowned and pondered for a long time, wanting to offer some help to her junior brother who was clearly lost.

But after much thought, she finally sighed helplessly.

"My master asked me why I cultivate, and I said I wanted to make a name for myself."

"She then asked what happens after one becomes successful."

Jiang Peng asked curiously, "How did Senior Sister respond?"

"Respond to whatever you think in your heart." Sun Yinxi's gaze was deep, her thoughts lost in memories, and she murmured, "I said, there's no turning back on the path of seeking the Dao, so just keep going with your head down."

"The path to enlightenment? If we compare the path to enlightenment to a road, then although travelers cannot turn back, they can rest." Jiang Peng tried to argue.

Sun Yinxi looked at Jiang Peng in surprise.

"That's what Master said back then too."

She chuckled softly.

"Then I said, 'The road is meant to be traveled. Once you've embarked on the road, there's no reason to stop, unless you can't walk any further...' Then my master patted the top of my head. I was already thirty years old then, but she still treated me like a child."

Jiang Peng didn't say anything more, and the two set off again. In less than an hour, they arrived at the gate of the Cangshan Sect.

They returned to the sect and made their way to the main peak.

Only after reaching the main hall of the sect did Jiang Peng finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Junior brother, have you figured it out?" Sun Yinxi asked curiously.

Jiang Peng shook her head.

"It's still a long way off... I have a feeling that this doubt is probably the last obstacle before I can reach the Foundation Establishment stage."

...

Inside the main hall, Jiang Peng and his companion met Chu Chun'an.

After handing over Xuan Xinye, the two then passed on Liu Zhu's letter, discussing the mastermind behind Elder Liu Zhi's murder.

To Jiang Peng's surprise, after hearing their story, Chu Chun'an wanted to send him away first.

"Jiang Peng, you must be tired from your journey. Go back to Biwu Peak and rest... We'll need you to refine the Foundation Establishment Pills later, so it's time for you to conserve your energy."

After saying that, Chu Chun'an noticed that Jiang Peng looked surprised. He smiled and said, "There are some things that we should talk about after you have established your foundation. Right now, you are at a critical juncture. Knowing too much is not a good thing."

"Your disciple obeys." Jiang Peng bowed and took his leave.

After leaving the main peak, Jiang Peng first went to the Pill Hall of Pill Fire Peak.

When they met their master, Qin Yuan, Qin Yuan was instructing the disciples of the Pill Hall on how to refine the pills needed by the sect. His aged figure moved between the pill furnaces, looking full of energy.

But Jiang Peng could see at a glance that Qin Yuan was just putting on a brave face.

Upon seeing Jiang Peng return, Qin Yuan's face lit up with joy, and the master and apprentice found a quiet room to talk.

Jiang Peng briefly recounted what she had seen and heard along the way, mentioned the various events at the birthday banquet, and finally took out the last remaining second-tier Turtle Essence Pill.

"This pill can extend the lifespan of a Qi Refining cultivator by ten years. Master, please take it quickly."

Looking at the pill handed to him, Qin Yuan showed a look of relief. He then took the pill and swallowed it, beginning to refine its medicinal power in front of Jiang Peng.

About half an hour later, Qin Yuan opened his eyes, looking refreshed.

"Excellent pill! I feel incredibly energetic; this pill truly lives up to its reputation as a second-tier pill."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Peng did not show much joy on her face; instead, she couldn't help but sigh.

"Does Master still think of me as some clueless little cultivator from the marketplace?"

Qin Yuan's expression froze.

Jiang Peng sighed, "So Master had taken similar longevity pills long ago, and even more than one kind."

Seeing that Jiang Peng had spoken frankly, Qin Yuan smiled and said, "I have failed to establish my foundation twice but still lived to be over a hundred years old. It was all worth it... I have gained you as my disciple as my life is coming to an end. I have no regrets in my life."

Ordinary Qi Refining cultivators have a lifespan of 150 years, but most only live to be 110 or 120.

Qin Yuan is already this old.

Qin Yuan is already this old.

Not to mention the countless years he lost due to his two failed attempts to establish his foundation.

To outsiders, Qin Yuan's ability to live to such an old age already suggests that he has mastered the art of longevity.

"Considering my life experiences, I have long since lived a fulfilling life. My disciple, there is no need for you to be saddened by this matter."

As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Yuan stood up, put his hands behind his back, and slowly walked out of the room.

"Those youngsters from the Pill Hall are still lacking in skill. I need to keep an eye on them. Zhao Shan'ao alone can't take care of so many disciples."

"Young man, you've reached the crucial point of foundation building, so don't let other things distract you... I still have many years to live."

...

We bid farewell to Qin Yuan and returned to Biwu Peak.

Late at night, Jiang Peng sat alone on a boulder beside the cliff behind the mountain, raising his cup to invite the moon.

In fact, Jiang Peng doesn't like drinking. The wine he's drinking right now was a gift that Lan Yingying brought to him in the market town at the foot of the mountain when he hadn't yet joined the Cangshan Sect, in order to freeload a meal.

A gourd of wine weighs several dozen kilograms, and it's been drinking from it for years without ever finishing it.

Light footsteps came from behind.

Looking back, I saw Lan Yingying's slender figure standing quietly not far away.

Jiang Peng smiled and shook the gourd in her hand.

"I was just thinking of you!"

"Having heard that Jiang Lang has returned, I came to see for myself."

Lan Yingying's face was flushed. With a light leap, she landed gracefully beside Jiang Peng, took his arm, and leaned against him.

"Why is Jiang Lang drinking alone?"

"Sorrow," Jiang Peng responded, then couldn't help but shake her head, saying, "Drinking to drown my sorrows only makes them worse."

"Worried about Foundation Establishment? With your extraordinary talent, Jiang Lang, Foundation Establishment is a trivial matter, not worth mentioning... I'll keep you company while we drink."

Jiang Peng pressed down on the jade-like hand that was groping her thigh.

"Just chat, why are you touching me like that?"

"What's wrong with touching it?"

Jiang Peng tried hard to break free from the female demon's grasp, but the demon came on strong and he couldn't resist her.

"Tsk, weren't you going to drink with me?"

"Stop touching me, sis, have a couple of sips."

"Ahh~"