Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

Incense was burned, baths were taken, and for three days, there was silent meditation.

Thud, thud, thud!

The three solemn bell tones of the ceremony resonated, second only to the five tones of the Golden Pill Ceremony. Foundation-building cultivators would not receive such an honor in their entire lives.

Upon the solemn and majestic Sect Main Hall,

many foundation-building cultivators silently watched the center of the venue.

A mortal, a young man of sixteen or seventeen years, wore the Five Peaks Crown on his head and was attired in the Seven-colored robe of the stars, bowing three times and kowtowing nine to Immortal Jinlian, the former Supreme Elder.

Envious expressions were evident on many faces.

This bow, by the laws of the sect, signified a status in the Qiyu Sect second only to that of the two Golden Pill Patriarchs.

But why, why just a mortal?!

Had the Patriarch gone mad?

”The ceremony is complete!”

Zhou Sanyan announced.

A vast wave of Spirit Consciousness Fluctuation swept over everyone present.

”We pay our respects to Little Uncle-Master!”

Not daring to hesitate, over thirty Sect foundation-building cultivators, ranging from early stage to the peak of foundation building, respectfully performed a grand salutation to the young man above.

”Everyone, please rise.”

Jiang Ding’s demeanor was calm, without the trepidation one would have in the presence of Golden Pill Monks.

The Flying Sword at the edge of his sleeve trembled incessantly, causing his gaze to linger on two individuals a moment longer.

One was a pale-skinned, red-haired old man, his complexion a mottled red resulting from the intermingling of flames and pigments, suggesting some issues with his cultivation method.

The other, a middle-aged beauty, draped in golden gossamer, exuding charm, and upon seeing him look her way, she offered a shallow smile.

”The rites are finished!”

Zhou Sanyan announced.

Following the protocol, the foundation-building cultivators each departed one by one, leaving only Jiang Ding and the other three.

”Let’s go, Little Junior Brother.”

Daoist Baimei, with his white eyebrows, smiled heartily: ”Let’s go take a look at the cave abode the Senior Brothers have prepared for you.”

Two streaks of Escape Light flew tens of miles away and finally landed upon a thousand-meter-high Little Mountain sandwiched between Tianleifeng Peak and Tianhuofeng Peak.

This mountain was picturesque, with craggy stones jutting out, and it was covered with Spirit Wood and Spiritual Plants, most of which had metallic properties. The Spiritual Energy was dense, and white mists intertwined occasionally, creating the scenery of a celestial hermitage.

”Little Junior Brother, this mountain is called Jinlingshan Mountain, one of the best metal-attribute cave abodes within the Sect. It includes a Second-Order Top-Grade Spiritual Vein.”

Daoist Baimei stroked his beard and continued: ”It’s not like your Senior Brothers are reluctant to give away a Third-Order Spiritual Vein; the reality is the energy from a Third-Order vein is too intense and not suitable for cultivating Qi. It could lead to detrimental rapid growth. A Second-Order vein is most fitting.”

This was true.

It was also true that a Third-Order Spiritual Vein was tied to the cultivation speed of a Golden Pill Monk, and no Golden Pill Monk would ever willingly give up such a resource.

”Many thanks to the two Senior Brothers!”

Jiang Ding bowed deeply.

Receiving a cave abode with a Second-Order Top-Grade Spiritual Vein upon their first meeting was a grand gesture rarely seen in the world, and he was genuinely moved.

”What’s there to thank for? We’re all brothers of the same sect.”

Daoist Baimei feigned discontent and continued: ”On this mountain, there is a ten-acre plot of Second-Order Top-Grade Spirit Field, a hundred acres of superior quality Second-Order Spirit Field, and a Spirit Spring.”

”In terms of defense, there is a Second-Order Top-Grade Golden Light Silver Knife Formation, which can withstand prolonged attacks from Peak foundation-building cultivators without breaking, and can even block an attack from a Golden Pill Monk.”

”If Little Junior Brother wants to add any Formation Method, just talk to Senior Brother, and we will send someone to set it up for you.”

”This place is big, and if you’re short-staffed…”

He waved his hand and immediately, a gray-clothed elder came running over, his cultivation being at the Late Stage of Qi Practicing.

Following him were twelve young maids in the Middle Stage of Qi Practicing, all attractive in appearance, with different temperaments and figures, each exhibiting four entirely distinct styles.

”Liu SanQi greets the Patriarch and Little Uncle-Master Ancestor!”

The gray-clothed elder led the group as they tremulously knelt before the three.

Jiang Ding was somewhat unaccustomed but did not show it.

”Little Junior Brother, these servants come from small clans which have been affiliated with our Sect for at least five hundred years. They are loyal and reliable. You can entrust them with any miscellaneous tasks,” Daoist Baimei explained.

”Aside from Liu SanQi, the others all possess Three Spiritual Roots aptitude, which you may cultivate as you see fit, so you’ll have dependable hands in the future,” he said, pointing at a few individuals.

”I am beyond words for how the Senior Brothers treat me,”

Jiang Ding sighed.

”Ha-ha, if we don’t treat our Little Junior Brother well, then whom should we?”

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Daoist Baimei smiled.

The two took Jiang Ding around Jinlingshan Mountain, spending half a day explaining every flower and tree in great detail, as if the time of a Golden Pill Monk was worth nothing.

”Junior Brother, is there anything else you want or are unsure about? Just speak freely,” they said.

Finally, Daoist Baimei said, ”Your Senior Brother and Second Brother are both Golden Pill Monks; one is in closed-door cultivation, which consumes a lot of time, and I’m afraid in the future they will not have the leisure they do today.”

He hinted subtly.

Golden Pill Monks are not really so idle.

”Senior Brothers, who are these two people?”

After some thought and without any formality, Jiang Ding pointed his finger and a faint blue edge of sharp True Qi burst forth, forming two vivid portraits—the golden-robed beauty and the old man with fiery red hair.

Since the formation of the sword phantom in his Divine Soul, although it still had no physical form, it was extremely sensitive to external malice and murderous intents.

During the ceremony at the Sect Main Hall when he was being recognized among the Foundation-building cultivators, the majority of them did not take kindly to him.

This was understandable; after nearly two hundred years of arduous cultivation, having a mere mortal sit above them was unbearable for anyone.

Yet these two people harbored clear murderous intents, even triggering the Flying Sword to sing in warning, urging their master to keep away from the significant threat.

”Junior Brother has quite the keen spiritual perception,” praised Daoist Baimei, seemingly unsurprised as he introduced, ”This young woman is named Chu FengXi, a Mid-stage Foundation Building Cultivator, and the master of the Jinmai among the sect’s seven veins. Junior Brother, can you think of anything?”

”Jinlingshan Mountain!”

Jiang Ding’s expression changed slightly.

”Correct.”

”Junior Brother, let me teach you a principle: In the world of cultivation, the best things are never just lying around for the taking; they are always claimed by someone.”

”There is only one abode with a Second-Order Top-Grade Spiritual Vein in the sect, and the next best are the Second-Order medium quality ones,” Daoist Baimei said with a light smile.

”Plus this woman, in her last battle with Xuetu Hall, was overly cautious and lacked the decisive nature of the Jinmai, so I found an excuse to seize control of Jinlingshan Mountain for you.”

”Junior Brother, are you worried about making a powerful enemy?” Daoist Baimei asked with a smile, ”Then your Senior Brother will give this cave mansion back to her, saying it was at your request. This way, the significant threat disappears, and who knows, maybe she’ll even offer herself to share your bed.”

”There’s no need for that,” responded Jiang Ding quietly.

”The spirited lands of the sect should naturally belong to the cultivator who is most capable of protecting and flourishing the sect, not become the private property of just anyone.”

”Hahaha!”

Both Golden Pill Monks laughed heartily.

”I like the way you think,” said Zhou Sanyan with a laugh, ”As for the red-haired Daoist, he is a nominal disciple of your Second Brother, Zhou Kunlong, also a distant relative from my clan, with a cultivation base at the Peak of Foundation Building.”

”Then why…” Jiang Ding said, puzzled.

”Our Ancestor Master, Immortal Qiyu, had a tremendous destiny, and after he passed away, he left behind many treasures for the sect. Among them, there is a Nine Apertures Golden Spirit Tree, bearing fruit every nine hundred years. The number of fruits cannot be disclosed, but consuming one directly could increase a cultivator at the perfect completion of Foundation Building by half the chance of achieving Golden Core Formation.”

Jiang Ding’s breathing quickened.

He may not need it himself, but it was immensely important for his mother and sister, who had almost no chance of achieving Foundation Building and Golden Core on their own.

Moreover, that half chance is from consuming the fruit directly; the pill industry of Xianmen Sect is well-developed, so there’s likely more than just that.

”All Junior Brother needs to know is that in twenty-five years, a Nine Apertures Golden Fruit will mature, and neither of us will partake in the contest for it,” they continued.

”I see,” said Jiang Ding, understanding.

He was regarded as a life-and-death enemy blocking the path by that person, even if he were only a mortal. Having the position of a great-grand uncle made him an enormous variable.

It seemed that the two Golden Pill Monks were not likely to cede it to him.

There were probably sect rules involved. Golden Pill Monks couldn’t monopolize all the good things, lest they offend all the Foundation-building cultivators.

After all the life-and-death struggles, they must leave a glimmer of hope.

”In the world of cultivation, such matters are very common,” laughed Daoist Baimei, ”Your Senior Brother assures you, they wouldn’t dare make a move within the sect.”

”Just wait until you establish your foundation. It’s not difficult for you, Junior Brother,” they added.

”Understood,” Jiang Ding replied, bowing in thanks.

The two left behind a Golden Pendant, claiming it to be a relic of their former master, a supreme Magic Tool with abilities for Gathering Spirits, storage, and withstanding a strike from a Foundation-building cultivator, then bade farewell and departed.

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