Sensing that she was about to reach Foundation Establishment, Mu Li did not hesitate to seek out Mu Yuhan.
After probing with spiritual power, Mu Yuhan confirmed her intuition was correct and immediately began arranging matters for her advancement. The first priority was to give her a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Mu Li held the pill, unable to suppress her curiosity, examining it closely again and again.
The Foundation Establishment Pill greatly increased the chance of a Qi Refining cultivator successfully advancing, but it was difficult to refine and extremely expensive on the market. If she could learn to refine it herself, she would truly strike it rich.
Seeing her staring at the pill, Mu Yuhan assumed she was nervous and reassured her: “Don’t worry. This is a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill. I prepared it for you long ago. It will guarantee your success in one attempt.”
Mu Li didn’t know how to distinguish between top-grade and ordinary pills, but thought it looked fine. She replied, “Mm, I’m just curious. It’s my first time seeing a Foundation Establishment Pill.”
“We’ve always kept a few in reserve, prepared for your advancement. But Mu Fei and Mu Tong are just like your second uncle—never putting their hearts into the proper path. Who knows when they’ll ever use them?”
As he spoke, Mu Yuhan’s expression darkened. Compared to other clans, the Mu family’s numbers were thin. Mu Yucheng’s two children were useless, and though some collateral branches had talent, they still fell far short of the flourishing Xuanyuan clan.
Mu Li found the name Mu Fei unfamiliar, but thinking of Mu Yucheng and Mu Tong, she felt no fondness.
She respected Mu Yuhan but had little attachment to the Mu family. So she changed the subject: “If I go to Jingchen Courtyard to advance, will I disturb the Ancestor?”
Jingchen Courtyard was a secluded compound in the northwest corner of the Mu estate, where the family’s patriarch Mu Yunhu secluded himself in cultivation. Few ever passed by, and it was always quiet.
Mu Yuhan waved his hand. “I’ve already sent word to the Ancestor. If he knows you’re advancing, he’ll surely be delighted.”
“Actually, I could just do it in my own courtyard, as long as no one disturbs me.”
She had only come to inform Mu Yuhan, hoping he would order others not to intrude. She hadn’t expected him to treat it so solemnly, arranging for her to advance in the Ancestor’s own cultivation grounds.
Was it because she had read the novel and knew of higher realms and worlds beyond that she was treating Foundation Establishment too lightly?
Mu Yuhan explained, “The Ancestor’s courtyard has a Spirit Gathering Array. The abundant qi will make your advancement easier. And since we don’t know how long it will take, with the Ancestor guarding you, I’ll feel more at ease.”
His expression was complicated. In truth, his Golden Core cultivation was enough to guard her. But as clan head, he had many responsibilities. If her advancement took too long, he might be forced to leave, and he dared not entrust her safety to others.
Mu Li couldn’t guess his thoughts. Hearing of the Spirit Gathering Array, she was eager to try it.
The messenger soon returned, saying the Ancestor was aware and ready for her to come.
Mu Li didn’t know what preparations were needed, so she simply carried the pill and followed.
Mu Yuhan watched her enter the courtyard and ordered his trusted men: “No one is to enter. Report immediately if anything happens.”
Mu Yunhu was a vigorous old man. Mu Li only knew he was the family’s Ancestor, but not his exact age. Seeing his cold attitude, she said little, sat where he indicated, and began cultivating.
Breaking through to a new realm was different from ordinary cultivation. It required a single burst of effort to shatter the bottleneck and step into a higher level.
When she had read novels, the protagonist’s breakthroughs were described in just a few lines. Now, experiencing it herself, she realized it was a test of both physical and mental endurance.
If the body failed, the flow of spiritual power would falter—failure.
If the mind failed, unable to endure until the moment of breakthrough—failure.
She was now in a state of extreme tension, both physically and mentally. She didn’t know how long it had already lasted, nor how much longer she had to endure.
In the Mu family’s main hall, Mu Yuhan struggled to maintain composure, though inwardly he was anxious. Mu Li had been inside for seven days, with no sign of progress. He asked a servant just returned from Jingchen Courtyard, “Still no movement?”
“Not yet,” the servant answered cautiously.
In the second branch of the family, Mu Yucheng and his two children were also concerned.
Mu Tong, jealous that Mu Li had been allowed to advance in the Jingchen Courtyard, now gloated: “Seven days already—she must have failed.”
Mu Fei, who disliked her, sneered: “Even if she fails this time, she’ll succeed eventually. With her talent, advancement is only a matter of time.”
Mu Yucheng hated hearing the words “good talent.” His face hardened as he scolded, “You two never focus on cultivation. Even if she fails, she’s already at the peak of Qi Refining. Look at yourselves—you’re only at a few layers!”
That evening, rain fell over the Mu estate, unlike anywhere else in Ling City. It drizzled softly until midnight.
At first, no one thought much of it. The rain felt gentle, nourishing the land, even refreshing the air. But by morning, they realized something extraordinary had happened.
Withered grass had revived, tree leaves were greener, roadside shrubs had grown taller, and flowers bloomed out of season.
Hearing of these omens, Mu Yuhan knew at once that Mu Li had succeeded. He rushed to Jingchen Courtyard.
Mu Li had indeed broken through the night before, though she had not yet awakened. She was still absorbing spiritual energy to stabilize her new realm.
Mu Yunhu, unusually, summoned Mu Yuhan inside.
“Thank you, Ancestor. Without your protection, Li’er could not have advanced so smoothly.”
Mu Yunhu waved it off. “It had nothing to do with me. It was her own ability. But she is indeed a fine seedling. To cause such omens just by advancing, cultivate her well. She will surely support the Mu family in the future.”
Mu Yuhan, overjoyed, promised, “Yes, I will follow your guidance.”
Mu Yunhu said calmly, “When she wakes, take her away. I prefer peace and quiet.”
Knowing the Ancestor’s temperament, Mu Yuhan said no more, bowed, and left to check on Mu Li.
She had just finished consolidating her cultivation. Seeing Mu Yuhan, her first words were: “I’ve succeeded in Foundation Establishment. I want to visit the Cliff-Sea Secret Realm.”