This was not the end; the System's prompts continued to refresh:
【Heavenly divination yields forty-nine, humanity evades one, the Great Dao totals fifty! 】
【You have forged an unprecedented, perfect Qi Refining Stage! 】
【Your path of Qi Refining has reached its limit. 】
【You begin attempting Foundation Establishment! 】
At this moment, the mana permeating his body, resembling thick fog,
began to surge and churn like clouds.
Accompanied by a sound described as profound and mysterious thunder,
the first drop of True Essence liquefied and fell.
The True Essence rained down, vast and mighty!
One drop, two drops...
One hundred drops, two hundred drops...
One thousand drops!
A full one thousand five hundred drops of True Essence!
It must be known that ordinary cultivators who reach the Great Perfection of the tenth layer
only possess around one thousand drops of True Essence in their Sea of Qi.
Yet Du Tianle, upon just advancing to the Foundation Establishment Stage,
already possessed fifty percent more True Essence than a cultivator at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection!
If the Foundation Establishment Stage, like Qi Refining,
could be cultivated up to the fiftieth layer,
Hiss~~
it is unimaginable!
By then, let alone cultivators of the Same Rank,
even experts of the Golden Core Stage
would have to fight hard to determine the victor.
It is terrifyingly powerful!
...
The Azure World alone has eighteen Great Continents,
over one hundred and thirty scattered Small Continents,
plus countless islands scattered like stars,
and vast, boundless waters.
It can truly be called immense!
Qingping Continent, as one of the central six continents,
is home to many first-rate and even Super Sects.
The Heavenly Secret Pavilion is one of them.
Although the Heavenly Secret Pavilion is not large, it is exceptionally bustling,
because on the Cliff Face next to its Mountain Gate, the Heavenly Book Manifestation appears.
Legend says the Profound Heaven Spirit Treasure 《Investiture of the Gods (Fengshen Bang) 》 shattered during the last Great Calamity of the Epoch.
One fragment fell to the Lower Realm and transformed into the Heavenly Book.
This Heavenly Book absorbed the world's vital energy and formed two rankings.
One ranking lists the hundred most powerful cultivators in the Azure World.
Any Great Power on this list
can easily stir up the world's currents.
Thus, it is called the Wind and Cloud Ranking!
The other ranking records the rising stars,
those who make the list are all exceptionally talented Heavenly Prodigies.
Thus, it is called the Heavenly Pride List!
The Heavenly Pride List is divided into four tiers: Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding.
The Jia List is for the Void Refining Stage.
The Yi List is for the Nascent Soul Stage.
The Bing List is for the Golden Core Stage.
The Ding List is for the Foundation Establishment Stage.
...
The sun is high, and it is time for the Heavenly Book to release its daily rankings again.
The area outside the Qiyun Sect's Mountain Gate was crowded with people, their gazes eager.
However, few people paid attention to the Wind and Cloud Ranking.
Because this list rarely changes most of the time.
With no spectacle, it naturally fails to attract the attention of gossiping Cultivators.
Of course, if a change were to appear on the Wind and Cloud Ranking,
it would signify a major event occurring in the Cultivation World.
Most people focused their attention on the Heavenly Pride List.
Cultivation is perilous, and the Dao is long and arduous.
Therefore, this list changes frequently.
Although they could not witness the demeanor of the ranked Heavenly Prodigies,
watching them battle on the list offered a different kind of flavor.
When the time came, the rankings appeared punctually.
Immediately, discussions erupted.
“The Wind and Cloud Ranking hasn't changed, as expected!”
“What a joke. If there were changes, would you and I still be able to watch the rankings so calmly?”
“The first on the Void Refining Stage is still Ao Dongcheng; the East Sea Dragon Palace has successors.”
“That’s for sure. The Divine Dragon Clan is invincible among those of the Same Rank!”
“That’s not necessarily true; wasn't the Nascent Soul Stage ranking occupied by Demon Cultivators?”
“Right. And the first on the Golden Core Stage isn't from the Dragon Clan either. Heh, don't tell me the Four Seas Dragon Palace has no Dragon Clan sons and grandsons at the Golden Core Stage!”
“In any case, they are stronger than the Human Race Cultivators. Out of hundreds of spots on the entire Heavenly Pride List, only a few dozen are occupied by humans—truly shameful!”
“Huh? Someone new has made it onto the Heavenly Pride Ding List—it’s a Human Race Cultivator!”
“What’s so strange about that? After all, the Human Race has the largest population. No need to make such a fuss.”
“No, look at his Realm!”
The gossiping Cultivators looked up upon hearing this.
They immediately gasped in cold air.
Due to the large crowd, a small vortex even formed.
Heavenly Pride Ding List, Seventeenth Place: Tiannan Continent, Du Tianle, Human Race Cultivator, Foundation Establishment Early Stage!
After a long pause, a low exclamation from one cultivator broke the silence.
“Foundation Establishment Early Stage? Making the list right after achieving Foundation Establishment—that’s too heaven-defying.”
“If he reaches Foundation Establishment Perfection, won’t he be…”
“Exactly! Everyone else on the list is at Foundation Establishment Perfection. He’s only in the early stage and made the list—truly amazing!”
A nearby Demon Cultivator snorted coldly:
“A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator.”
“He might just perish prematurely one day.”
“Heh heh, after all, you Human Race Cultivators are the most fragile.”
Another cultivator, pale and gaunt, looking less than alive, also sneered:
“Truly a bumpkin, making such a fuss over a small matter.”
“The list manifested by the Heavenly Book only represents an individual’s inherent strength.”
“Even if a cultivator from a Small Sect and Faction has good talent and luckily makes the list,”
“can they really be a match for the disciples of those Super Sects?”
“Which one of them wasn't gifted powerful Magic Treasures, or even Spirit Treasures, by their Sect Elders?”
The surrounding cultivators fell silent upon hearing this.
However, the disciples specifically responsible for intelligence gathering from the major sects
diligently recorded the information and transmitted it back to their respective Sects through various means.
...
Of course, Du Tianle was unaware of the events unfolding thousands of miles away.
He was still studying his System:
Realm: Foundation Establishment Stage, First Layer.
Cultivation Method: 《Lesser Five Elements Qi Refining Technique》, Fiftieth Layer, Extreme Realm!
Five Elements Generation and Restraint: Slightly enhances Innate Five Elements aptitude, increases Five Elements affinity, and boosts the power of Five Elements spells!
Feeling the vast and surging True Essence power within his body,
Du Tianle suddenly felt a surge of emotion, as if tears were welling up.
The Qi Refining Stage was merely the reserve corps for cultivation.
Foundation Establishment—establishing the foundation for the Great Dao!
The Foundation Establishment Realm was the true entry point into cultivation.
From this point forward, achieving the Dao and becoming an Immortal was no longer just a fantasy.
Nearly eight hundred years of Lifespan invested,
the return on investment was astonishingly high.
Indeed, the only drawback of something expensive is that it is expensive.
Of course, none of that was a problem.
As long as the Great Sword Immortal Du held his three-foot-long sharp sword,
all the Demons, Monsters, Ghosts, and Ghouls in the world
would be like fish on a chopping block,
ready to be slaughtered as he pleased!
Of course, he couldn't charge in recklessly.
If he encountered someone truly unbeatable,
he would find a place to hide first.
It wouldn't be too late to seek revenge in three to five years.
Du Tianle felt confident in this thought.
After advancing to the Foundation Establishment Stage,
the first effect accompanying the System had also been enhanced.
It now read:
For every day survived, Lifespan increases by two years!
It seemed the Lifespan Increase scaled with the advancement of the Realm.
That meant...
The most critical issue right now was
to quickly obtain the subsequent advancement Cultivation Method.
He couldn't possibly continue practicing a Qi Refining Technique now that he was in Foundation Establishment, could he?
Just as he was lost in thought,
an aged voice suddenly came from outside the Bear's cave:
“High Immortal.”
“This humble old man is the Earth God of Qing River. I learned the High Immortal is here,”
“and have come to pay my respects.”
Du Tianle frowned upon hearing this.
He recalled that Han Qingchen had mentioned
that after the Qing River Water Demon began eating people,
an Earth God sought help from the Qiyun Sect.
Could this be that Earth God?
Why would he seek him out?
Did this rustic local deity discover his true identity?
Before he could figure it out, he heard the aged voice again:
“This humble old man has waited outside the cave for three days, merely wishing to bring the High Immortal some food.”
“If it is inconvenient for the High Immortal, this humble old man will return tomorrow.”
Du Tianle snorted coldly internally, making up his mind, and spoke:
“Thank you for your kind hospitality, Earth God. I have not yet recovered from my severe injuries; please come into the cave for a chat.”
A response came from outside the cave.
Before long, a short old man with white hair and beard and a benevolent face
entered, leaning on a cane in one hand and carrying food in the other.
The old man placed the wooden tray of food before Du Tianle,
stepped back a pace, and bowed fearfully, saying:
“These are two bear paws and some bear meat.”
“And a little fruit wine brewed by this humble old man.”
“Everything is sourced locally, truly simple fare; please forgive me, High Immortal!”
Du Tianle glanced at the fragrant bear paws and meat,
and said with a smile:
“Earth God, as the saying goes: Unsolicited kindness often hides ill intent.”
“What are your true intentions behind such great hospitality?”
The old man immediately waved his hands upon hearing this:
“This humble old man dares not.”
“The High Immortal may not know this.”
“An Earth God like myself has a True Body that is a mortal object.”
“We are born from the worship and incense offered by the common people, gaining spiritual wisdom after many years.”
“Once the incense offering is cut off, we will quickly have our souls scattered and spirits destroyed, turning into inanimate objects.”
“Therefore, we must perform good deeds regularly,”
“to keep the people mindful of our kindness, ensuring the incense never ceases,”
“barely maintaining our survival.”
“When that Qing River Water Demon devoured the children,”
“the common people were terrified day and night,”
“and had no leisure to worship a rustic local deity like myself.”
“My incense was about to be cut off.”
“Unexpectedly, the High Immortal passed by and slew the Water Demon with a single sword strike.”
“This humble old man is eternally grateful and would never dare to harm the High Immortal.”
His words were reasonable and heartfelt.
Du Tianle, who had been cautiously wary, felt a bit embarrassed.
However, for safety, he still did not touch the fragrant food.
The Old Man Earth God did not mind this,
but continued:
“The High Immortal mentioned just now that his injuries are not yet healed.”
“This humble old man’s Mana is low, and I possess no great treasures.”
“However, there might be one item that could assist the High Immortal.”
Saying this, he took something out of his robe and said:
“This humble old man’s True Body is a Ginkgo tree.”
“This item was woven from the vines that grew alongside my True Body.”
“It has absorbed incense offerings for a thousand years along with me.”
“Not only is it remarkably effective at healing injuries,”
“but wearing it around the neck can also conceal one's aura.”
“This humble old man relies on this item to evade mountain spirits and wild monsters daily.”
“To thank the High Immortal for saving my life,”
“I wish to offer it to the High Immortal.”
Du Tianle didn't truly need healing for his injuries.
But concealing his aura perfectly addressed his current need.
Breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage in less than a month after starting cultivation
was an explosive feat in the entire Cultivation World.
He was already worried about how to conceal this upon returning to his Sect.
Unexpectedly, someone—no, the Earth God—delivered a pillow while he was sleepy.
He took it and examined it closely.
It was a withered yellow vine, as thick as a pen casing, covered in profound Runes.
A faint light flickered, two colors interwoven, possessing a certain aesthetic beauty reminiscent of a Chanel fashion new arrival.
Du Tianle accepted it without hesitation, smiling broadly.
He casually placed it around his neck.
It was true; this withered vine collar could adjust its size automatically.
It seemed to be at least a Magic Tool Grade Treasure.
Much better than his low-grade Profound Iron Long Sword.
Returning from this trip,
he not only used others to kill an old enemy, satisfying the lingering resentment of the Original Owner,
but also gained a large amount of Lifespan, successfully breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage,
and acquired such a fine treasure capable of concealing his strength.
It was truly worth it.
The future Han Qingchen, the Fairy Han,
I thank you!
...