After Qin Ruxue failed in Foundation Establishnt, she had already fallen to the point of sitting at the sa table as Five Dragons Child within the sect.
Although in the eyes of those low-level Qi Refining disciples she still appeared imposing and glorious, in the eyes of the sect’s upper echelons she was soone whose last trace of value would be squeezed dry.
Her future was bleak, one could well imagine it!
"If there were a thod that could guarantee your Foundation Establishnt success with absolute certainty, but from then on you would be subject to another, would you be willing?"
Fang Qing thought for a mont before finally asking.
"Guaranteed Foundation Establishnt success?"
Qin Ruxue suddenly raised her head, a trace of blazing heat flashing in her eyes. "Naturally I would be willing but does such a cultivation thod truly exist? Could it be so demonic path secret art with enormous hidden dangers?"
Her injuries had only just stabilized slightly before she ca to Fang Qing’s Cave Dwelling. Naturally, it was because he had previously transmitted a ssage to her, and she clung to a thread of hope.
She did not expect Fang Qing to find her another Foundation Establishnt Pill, but even another major healing pill would have been good.
The war between the Azure Sea Sect and the Zhong Family was the final battle to unify the Small Huan Sea cultivation world. If she missed this opportunity, she might truly never have another chance.
Qin Ruxue did not wish to toil for the sect her entire life. She had already prepared herself to pay so price but she had not expected Fang Qing to suddenly say this.
"Demonic path secret art?"
Fang Qing’s expression turned sowhat strange. "You could say so, but as long as you do not betray , there will be no hidden dangers. I will speak frankly first: if you agree, I will place a restriction upon you, preventing you from revealing even the slightest of my secrets. To be honest, the reason I chose you is that after my Foundation Establishnt, I will need a disciple to manage the spiritual fields outside my Cave Dwelling, and handle miscellaneous sect affairs."
"Place a restriction?" Qin Ruxue hesitated visibly.
If she had been soone with a Low-Grade Spiritual Root, dood to never achieve Foundation Establishnt in her life, she might have clenched her teeth and agreed.
But she was a prodigy of Array Island. She had failed by only a hair’s breadth in two attempts at Foundation Establishnt, her pride remained high.
Yet she had still failed.
Pain pierced Qin Ruxue’s heart. Miserably, she said, "If Martial Uncle guarantees that this disciple can achieve Foundation Establishnt successfully, this disciple is willing to have a restriction planted."
"Very good. Open your mind and spirit, do not resist in the slightest."
Fang Qing ford the Sun Wheel Seal with both hands. The cultivation thod within his body transford into the Great Sun Empowernt Secret Art. His aura blazed fiercely like fire, proud as the rising morning sun!
This… Wasn’t Martial Uncle cultivating a water-aspected technique? The aura on his body. He must possess a great secret!
A great secret also ant a great opportunity. Perhaps, he could go even farther, perhaps even touch the Core Formation realm?
She opened her mind and spirit, and felt as though an invisible hand suddenly seized her True Spirit and life in a single grasp!
Her body and mind rged as one with that blazing sun.
Qin Ruxue’s body and soul trembled, sensing the gaze of so indescribably great existence.
When she ca back to her senses, she discovered that it had rely been Fang Qing’s gaze.
"Very good. From today onward, you are my Bright Consort. To the outside world, say that you are my close friend, temporarily acting on my behalf in managing affairs."
Fang Qing dared to accept Qin Ruxue as a Bright Consort because he had long since inquired into her background. Her master had already passed away, and within the sect she had no true backing.
"Bright Consort?!"
Qin Ruxue raised her head and looked at Fang Qing, suddenly feeling that his figure was incomparably tall and majestic, so much so that she unconsciously wished to rely on him.
Even to devote everything she possessed!
"Correct. This is the Secret Treasury Path. You must guard it with mouth secrecy and must not divulge it."
After giving several instructions, Fang Qing switched his cultivation thod back to the Azure Sea Art, intending to bestow it so that Qin Ruxue could achieve Foundation Establishnt on the spot!
But sothing awkward occurred. The Azure Sea Art did not move at all.
As expected, only Secret Treasury Domain cultivation thods, once opened at the source, could accomplish this. If I wished to bestow the Azure Sea Art, unless my own realm and attainnt reached that of the Lord of Great Snow Mountain, and then I reformatted the Azure Sea Art into the Secret Treasury Domain format, there might be so possibility.
Fang Qing sighed inwardly, switched back to the Great Sun Empowernt Secret Art, and drove it to the peak completion of the Ninth Layer of Qi Ingestion. Borrowing the Dao-Birth Pearl’s omnipresence, along the previous precept and empowernt channel, it entered Qin Ruxue’s Sea of Consciousness and Dantian in an instant.
"This…This is? The Horse-Headed Vajra Guardian Divine Art?"
Qin Ruxue suddenly felt that a Seed Syllable had appeared within her Sea of Consciousness. Her blood and qi surged, and in an instant she achieved Second-Tier body refinent!
"Correct. This is the body-refining technique I cultivate. I have now shared it with you. It is equivalent to you directly possessing Second-Tier body refinent without cultivating it yourself."
Fang Qing said solemnly.
"In the cultivation world, there actually exists such a miraculous art?"
Qin Ruxue was astonished, then sighed. "If I had already possessed Second-Tier body refinent before, the Essence and Blood Gate could have been broken in an instant. I could have used the entire dicinal power of the Foundation Establishnt Pill for condensing qi into liquid there would have been no possibility of failure."
"Speaking of condensing qi into liquid, look again at your Dantian."
Fang Qing reminded her.
"Dantian?"
Qin Ruxue’s divine sense sank into her Dantian, and she was horrified to discover that at the core of her gaseous True Power, a single drop of golden-red liquid True Power had appeared at so unknown ti!
"Liquid True Power? I—I have achieved Foundation Establishnt?"
Qin Ruxue asked in shock.
"Judging from physique, True Power, and divine sense, you are at Foundation Establishnt level but your Essence–Qi–Spirit Three Gates have not been harmonized into one, nor have you undergone the tendon-and-marrow cleansing that occurs during Foundation Establishnt."
Fang Qing shook his head. "It can only be considered pseudo–Foundation Establishnt, or half-step Foundation Establishnt."
His Azure Sea Art could not be converted, but with Foundation Establishnt capability, compressing the Ninth Layer of Qi Ingestion Great Sun Empowernt Secret Art into a drop of liquid True Power and transmitting it to Qin Ruxue was rely a trivial matter.
"The liquid True Power within you will be gone once used. You cannot cultivate more of it yourself. You can only co to for replenishnt."
Fang Qing had Qin Ruxue approach and carefully sensed that peculiar Seed Syllable within her Sea of Consciousness.
This Seed Syllable resembled both dragon and worm. It was the connection between him and Qin Ruxue. Through it, he could bestow True Power, divine abilities.
Even realm status!
I have a feeling that the number of these special Seed Syllables that can be bestowed is limited. Even at Dao Foundation or Purple Palace, I likely could only bestow five. Only after a Bright Consort dies could it be reclaid and bestowed anew.
Observing this character, Fang Qing suddenly recalled a sentence from the Great Sun Empowernt Secret Art: The World-Honored One has five Bright Sons. When manifesting the wrathful form of the Immovable Wisdom King, they beco the Five Demon Sons.
The disciples I empower—male are Bright Sons, female are Bright Consorts—at most five?
Fang Qing also thought of Xu Hei, who was still in the World of Ancient Shu, diligently collecting Spiritual Items for him.
Although that man was also considered his disciple, he was not a Bright Son, because Fang Qing had not reserved a position for him.
So Secret Treasury Domain masters can accept many disciples, but only five key positions? Only after one dies does it beco the turn of the next in line?
After I reach Dao Foundation, Qin Ruxue should then be able to cultivate like an ordinary Foundation Establishnt cultivator and replenish liquid True Power herself.
After Fang Qing finished examining, Qin Ruxue’s face was flushed, her heart surging. "Young Master, I now possess Foundation Establishnt combat power. After this, I can go to the sect’s frontlines and strive to obtain another Foundation Establishnt Pill. No matter what, I can achieve true Foundation Establishnt success."
Yes, this was also the terrifying aspect of Bright Consorts and Bright Sons. Aside from what the master bestowed, they could still cultivate on their own!
——
But as for who those cultivation results ultimately belonged to—that was another matter entirely.
"Since that is the case, you might as well wait one year first. I will also head to the frontlines afterward."
Fang Qing smiled. "You may first study formations and strive to beco a Second-Tier Formation Master soon. At the sa ti, help handle my Foundation Establishnt celebration. I do not have many friends. Given that it is warti, there is no need for grandeur. Simply invite a few close friends."
"Everything will follow Young Master’s instructions. I shall go make arrangents first."
Qin Ruxue said softly.
"No need to rush. I will first transmit to you the path of Bliss and Emptiness Dual Cultivation, the Unsurpassed Yoga."
Fang Qing laughed heartily. He had achieved Foundation Establishnt; it was only fitting to celebrate.
Several days later.
A streak of Escape Light descended before the Profound Azure Cave, revealing Linghu Chong.
"I greet the Acting Sect Master. My Young Master has prepared so simple wine. Please enter the Cave Dwelling."
Qin Ruxue stood at the entrance to receive the guest.
"Oh? Junior Brother Fang’s small Foundation Establishnt gathering is truly quiet."
Linghu Chong glanced around, inwardly puzzled. This woman walks quite closely with Junior Brother Fang. Could it be….
Wait. Clearly she is still Qi Refining, and she just failed Foundation Establishnt, injuring her vital energy. Why does my spiritual intuition feel a hint of danger from her, just like when facing other Foundation Establishnt cultivators?
"Young Master said that the sect is currently at a critical juncture. His Foundation Establishnt celebration need not be extravagant—just a small gathering."
Qin Ruxue led Linghu Chong into the garden, where a single table was set within a pavilion—indeed with only a few people.
"Haha, Senior Brother Linghu has arrived?"
Fang Qing wore a blue robe, appearing relaxed and at ease.
"Congratulations on your Foundation Establishnt, Junior Brother. A modest gift—please accept it."
Linghu Chong presented a gift box. Upon opening it, inside lay a silkworm silk soft armor, shimring with azure light.
"Second-Tier, Azure Spirit Armor? This is a spiritual artifact, and a defensive one at that?"
A True Disciple of the Talisman Path nearby cried out in surprise. "Martial Uncle Linghu truly gives generously."
"This gift is too heavy."
Fang Qing repeatedly tried to decline, but unable to refuse Linghu Chong, he ultimately accepted it, knowing inwardly that with his clean background, after achieving Foundation Establishnt he was being vigorously courted by the Sect Master’s faction.
"Co, co—take your seats."
At this ti, Qin Ruxue also joined the banquet, sitting beside Fang Qing.
Seeing this, Linghu Chong and the others smiled inwardly. After Qin Ruxue failed Foundation Establishnt, she attached herself to Junior Brother Fang and beca his Dao companion?
Her intimate deanor and flowing glances deceived no one—and did not need to.
Linghu Chong instead felt that she knew how to advance and retreat, finding herself a decent backer.
With a Foundation Establishnt Dao companion standing behind her, even if she still needed to exhaust herself for the sect in the future, she could be slightly more at ease, at least not assigned labor until old age and death. It could be considered a good ending.
"Co, let us congratulate Junior Brother Fang!"
Linghu Chong smiled faintly and raised his wine cup.
"My thanks."
Fang Qing laughed loudly. "Tonight, none shall return sober!"
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