Chapter Sixty-Five: Gu Qingzhao Forms Her Foundation

Five days later.

Qin Ming took the invitation sent by Manager Liao, preparing to attend the banquet as requested.

As he opened the courtyard gate and stepped out, he happened to encounter Huang Xishan, the chief artifact refiner from the courtyard opposite, who was also about to leave.

“Oh! Fellow Daoist Qin, are you heading out?” Huang Xishan greeted him as he walked over.

Qin Ming cupped his hands in greeting to Huang Xishan. “Indeed, Fellow Daoist Gu is holding a small Foundation Establishment celebration today, so I’m on my way there.”

“Oh? What a coincidence! I’ve received an invitation as well. Why don’t we go together?” Huang Xishan smiled.

Qin Ming showed a hint of surprise, then laughed heartily. “That would be wonderful!”

“By the way, what about Alchemist Yan and the others…” Qin Ming hesitated to ask.

Huang Xishan clearly understood his meaning and replied directly, “Ah, they weren’t invited by Pavilion Master Gu. It’s said that only cultivators who have reached the upper ranks in one of the Hundred Arts of cultivation, or high-level cultivators, received invitations this time.”

Qin Ming understood and nodded.

This time, Gu Qingzhao chose not to hold her Foundation Establishment celebration at the Gathering Pavilion, but rather at the Mirror Snow Pavilion’s base in the wilds of Cloud Marsh, on Yunmeng Mountain.

The two of them left Qingyang Market, mounted their flying artifacts, and headed toward Yunmeng Mountain.

If this were a cultivation family, any time a member reached Foundation Establishment, there would be a grand “Foundation Establishment Ceremony” to show off the family’s strength.

Qin Ming remembered this well.

On the very day he was abandoned by his family and sent to open up new land with the Ling Feather Sect, it just so happened to be the day a certain uncle was holding his Foundation Establishment Ceremony.

Qin Ming hadn’t even managed to attend the banquet before he was sent off on a spirit boat to Cloud Marsh.

The resources his uncle used to achieve Foundation Establishment were obtained by trading the prospects of those like Qin Ming — family juniors with no hope on the path to immortality — to the Ling Feather Sect.

But in a power like the Mirror Snow Pavilion, Foundation Establishment was only a minor middle management position at best.

Besides, Gu Qingzhao was proud and aloof by nature, disliking noisy occasions. Most likely, she only invited some close colleagues and key partners for a small, private celebration.

Half an hour later.

Riding their flying artifacts, the two soared through the clouds, heading northwest. Soon, a mist-shrouded peak appeared in their sights.

On Yunmeng Mountain, many independent abodes had been carved out, the environment elegant and rich with spiritual energy, covering a vast area.

Qin Ming and Huang Xishan landed midway up the mountain on their flying artifacts.

“This top-grade second-rank spiritual vein is truly extraordinary!” Huang Xishan inhaled deeply, full of admiration.

Qin Ming nodded, feeling the dense spiritual energy around them. With such an excellent environment for cultivation, it was no wonder so many Foundation Establishment cultivators had emerged from here.

The two approached the mountain gate guards and handed over their invitations.

Immediately, someone came out to welcome them and lead the way.

A moment later.

They arrived before a verdant, tranquil bamboo grove.

After the welcoming cultivator announced their arrival, the restriction at the entrance lifted.

A graceful figure stepped out, radiating the aura of Foundation Establishment, and approached the two.

After breaking through, Gu Qingzhao’s bearing had grown even more noble. Dressed in a simple, flowing gown, she seemed like a celestial maiden untouched by the dust of the mortal world.

“Pavilion Master Gu.”

“Fellow Daoist Gu.”

Qin Ming and Huang Xishan bowed.

“Fellow Daoist Huang, Fellow Daoist Qin,” Gu Qingzhao greeted them. “No need to be so formal, please come in and rest.”

She glanced at Qin Ming, her beautiful eyes suddenly lighting up. “Fellow Daoist Qin, have you advanced to the sixth level of Qi Refining?”

“I was fortunate to make a breakthrough,” Qin Ming replied modestly. Compared to her ascension to Foundation Establishment, his own progress seemed insignificant.

A mere drop in the ocean.

“Fellow Daoist Gu, congratulations on your success. Here is our gift.” The two presented their gifts, which Gu Qingzhao accepted with pleasure.

Passing through the bamboo grove, Gu Qingzhao’s abode lay in a serene little valley.

Within were mountain streams, waterfalls, spiritual springs, herbal gardens, and quiet rooms for cultivation—everything one could desire.

The moment Qin Ming and Huang Xishan entered, waves of oppressive force characteristic of Foundation Establishment cultivators swept toward them.

Huang Xishan turned pale, nearly losing his footing. Qin Ming, with his robust physique, was less affected, but still pretended to be under great pressure.

In the courtyard outside the abode, over a dozen cultivators had already gathered—all Foundation Establishment, without exception. Even the Foundation Establishment elders of the Ling Feather Sect and Golden Cloud Valley had sent two representatives each.

Even if these Foundation Establishment cultivators weren’t actively releasing their spiritual pressure, the weight of so many gazes was nearly unbearable.

Qin Ming and Huang Xishan were a bit stunned. These Foundation Establishment experts, rarely seen elsewhere, were gathered here today in one place.

Apart from the two of them and a handful of others, everyone present was at least at the Foundation Establishment stage.

“M-Master Fang!” Huang Xishan spotted someone in the crowd and was instantly dumbstruck.

He hesitated, then humbly approached to greet him.

Qin Ming looked over and saw that it was none other than Fang Yizi, the renowned second-rank artifact master of Cloud Marsh.

At the same time, Fang Yizi was also the president of the artifact refiners’ guild among the rogue cultivators.

The top-grade flying artifact, “Luminous Shuttle,” in Qin Ming’s storage pouch was crafted by this very man.

“Fellow Daoists Qin and Huang, please take a seat over here,” Gu Qingzhao said, arranging for them to sit with disciples of Mirror Snow Pavilion to ease their discomfort. “These are all friends and colleagues from our pavilion.”

“Qingzhao, who are these two fellow Daoists?” asked a young man in silver robes of the Mirror Snow Pavilion, his own aura that of Foundation Establishment.

“Oh, let me introduce you,” Gu Qingzhao said. “This is Fellow Daoist Qin Ming, a high-grade spiritual botanist and a mid-grade alchemist. This is Fellow Daoist Huang Xishan, a high-grade artifact refiner. Both are close collaborators of mine.”

The young cultivator smiled and exchanged a few polite words with Qin Ming and Huang Xishan.

He then glanced at them, noting that their cultivation was only at the Qi Refining stage.

Once Gu Qingzhao left, the Foundation Establishment cultivators at the table quickly lost interest in the two.

The conversation at the table shifted among the Foundation Establishment cultivators, leaving Qin Ming and Huang Xishan quietly eating, unable to join in.

If not for Gu Qingzhao’s disregard for certain formalities, the two would have had to address her as “senior.”

So too with the other cultivators at the table.

After all, the world of cultivation respected strength above all; only cultivation and progress truly mattered.

All mastery of the Hundred Arts was ultimately in service of advancing one’s own cultivation, to climb further along the immortal path.

Though they were not directly ignored by these Foundation Establishment experts, Qin Ming and Huang Xishan still felt as if they were sitting on pins and needles.

Though they prided themselves on their mastery of high-level cultivation arts and were well-respected outside, here, with only Qi Refining cultivation, they felt out of place.

Qin Ming had once thought to seek higher-level information and to join Gu Qingzhao’s circle. Now he realized that, when circles differ, it’s best not to force one’s way in.

At that moment.

Gu Qingzhao led in a scholarly middle-aged cultivator, dressed in the silver robes of the Mirror Snow Pavilion. His cultivation was at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

Instantly, the attention of everyone present turned to him.

“Protector Huangfu!”

The Foundation Establishment cultivators at Qin Ming’s table from the Mirror Snow Pavilion all stood up and saluted.

Qin Ming and Huang Xishan dared not be slow to follow suit.

Gu Qingzhao introduced the man to them, “This is Protector Huangfu Qi of our Mirror Snow Pavilion, who will also be stationed at the Cloud Marsh Immortal City branch in the future.”

“If you ever have any intentions for cooperation, you may wish to get acquainted in advance.”

Qin Ming and Huang Xishan, surprised and honored, quickly voiced their agreement.

“Little friend Qin, I heard much praise for you from Qingzhao as I came in,” Huangfu Qi said gently, his smile warm. “As it happens, I have a matter I’d like to ask your help with, if it’s convenient?”

…