Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Foundation Establishment Opportunity

Outside the cave mansion, following Lü Yang’s breakthrough, information concerning him was swiftly placed on the desks of those paying attention, and his background was thoroughly investigated.

Just as Lü Yang had expected, his origins could be summed up in four words:

”This is an ascetic cultivator.”

Looking at the documents, a female cultivator with a powdered face and fierce eyes couldn’t help but admire. Though she was also in the Late-phase of Qi Refining, her cultivation had reached the Ninth Layer, just one step away from Perfection!

Her name was ”Feixia,” quite famous within the Stain Sect.

Not only because of her beauty, but also because she was one of the few Talisman Cultivators in the sect, earning the favor of an Elder with her talisman-crafting skills.

”An ascetic alone couldn’t reach the Late-phase of Qi Refining.”

Beside Fairy Feixia, a young man with a feather fan and silk kerchief smiled slightly. ”It’s clear he made a large sum from speculating on Death-Warding Skeletons, yet remains low-key.”

”From this alone, he appears cautious and intelligent.”

”It’s normal — expected.”

Fairy Feixia sighed: ”For ordinary disciples like us to rise, talent, caution, intellect, courage... none can be lacking.”

”So, it’s decided?”

Fairy Feixia nodded. ”I’ll recommend him. In just ten years, he reached the Late-phase of Qi Refining. Our Sanhe Association needs such talent.”

...

Inside the cave mansion, Lü Yang sat cross-legged on a mat.

In front of him, over a dozen offers lay neatly arranged. Each one promised great gifts should he join their faction — Dao Companions, cultivation techniques, artifacts, Qi Pills... practically anything one could desire.

”I wasn’t attentive in previous generations... I didn’t expect so many factions within the Stain Sect...”

In truth, any disciple who reached the Late-phase of Qi Refining could build a respectable following, just like Liu Xin did in previous lives.

Lü Yang wasn’t surprised.

Wherever there are people, there are factions — strange and numerous. The Stain Sect is vast; it’s impossible for everyone to be of one heart. Naturally, mutual-benefit groups form.

Of course, these small factions were rootless weeds, without real backing.

True value lay in the Elders’ factions or those led by Direct Disciples — only they could offer reliable resources.

Even so...

”It seems I overrated myself.” Lü Yang shook his head. The bigger factions had tempting offers — thousands of contribution points as a starting gesture.

But money wasn’t his concern.

What he needed more was ”access,” access to resources only mid-tier disciples could obtain.

As Lü Yang pondered, the array outside shook.

He looked up and saw the illumination array flare, outlining a graceful silhouette.

Fairy Feixia, in person.

”Junior Brother Lü, you understand arrays?” Fairy Feixia looked around at the activation patterns, surprise and delight on her charming face.

Lü Yang cupped his hands. ”Senior Sister, what brings you here?”

Without pretension, Fairy Feixia returned the salute. ”I am Feixia, Steward of the Sanhe Association. I’ve come for you, Junior Brother.”

”Oh? Please, Senior Sister...”

Lü Yang immediately became alert. The Sanhe Association... wasn’t that Zhao Xuhe’s faction? And now they were recruiting him?

He knew little of them — only that Zhao Xuhe belonged to it, and even he, heir of the Master of Heaven Mending Peak, ranked merely mid-tier. That alone spoke volumes.

”Pardon me, Senior Sister — what exactly is the Sanhe Association...?”

Fairy Feixia smiled, not surprised by the question. ”The Sanhe Association was founded by three direct-disciple senior brothers.”

”The eldest is now a Foundation-Stage Cultivator with his own mountain peak in the Cloud Sea.”

”The other two have not yet established their Foundations, but they possess Third Grade Qi and have reached the Final-phase of Qi Refining — they could break through at any time.”

”I’ve heard you also rose from an ordinary disciple, Junior Brother, so you should know the struggles we face. Those three senior brothers share the same background; thus, after achieving greatness, they founded the Sanhe Association to help ordinary disciples through their early challenges.”

”Is that so?” Lü Yang looked genuinely impressed. ”The three senior brothers are certainly admirable.”

Nonsense!

If I hadn’t borrowed from you lot in past lives — and experienced your 36% annual interest — I might actually believe this.

Lü Yang complained inwardly. Empty promises meant nothing to him — only concrete benefits. He carefully asked:

”Being invited is an honor, but... may I ask what benefits the association provides?”

”Rest assured, Junior Brother.”

Fairy Feixia answered straightforwardly: ”Once you join, I can immediately grant you a Technique of Direct-disciple level.”

”Each year, you will receive contribution points.”

”And, if you have the means, you may purchase coveted items using the association’s Direct-disciple privileges — or even seek guidance directly from the three senior brothers.”

”Of course, there are obligations.”

She took out a Jade Scroll and presented it to him. ”All members must sign a contract and leave a drop of blood essence...”

”That’s simple.”

Lü Yang skimmed the clauses — standard confidentiality and loyalty provisions found everywhere. Some would feel constrained, losing freedom — but Lü Yang didn’t mind. He signed his name boldly.

It’s just for one lifetime. It won’t affect the next.

In fact, the stricter the better — more recognition, more resources.

Seeing his decisiveness, Fairy Feixia nodded with satisfaction.

”Next, Junior Brother, please take out your disciple token. I will set an account so it functions within the association.”

”Thank you, Senior Sister.”

Lü Yang handed over the token and watched as she cast a talisman technique onto it. A new interface appeared.

”Talisman-crafting skills...?”

His eyes brightened. As a Ninth Grade Array Master, he could grasp some principles already.

To him, talismans were simplified, temporary arrays.

A fine art indeed... worth learning.

At that moment, he finally recalled who Fairy Feixia was — someone he had heard of in previous lives.

”She’s Zhao Xuhe’s Dao Companion...”

They had once reached the perfected phase of Qi Refining together and made a name for themselves on the battlefield. They had even attempted Foundation Establishment side-by-side... before dying in the aftermath of failure.

Lü Yang’s gaze sharpened.

The important part wasn’t their death — but the fact that they had the opportunity to attempt Foundation Establishment.

Which meant... a Foundation Establishment opportunity was involved!