"Senior Brother Hu! It really is you!"
"Senior Brother Hu, you've finally arrived!"
"Senior Brother Hu, it's been a year since we last met, and your cultivation has improved so much!"
As Hu Nan entered, everyone stood up and warmly greeted him.
These people felt a mixture of envy and jealousy towards Hu Nan.
After all, Hu Nan had the highest cultivation among them.
He was also the only one to win the sect's grand competition.
And the most likely to become a Foundation Establishment expert.
Qin Changsheng, controlling Hu Nan, raised his hand to return the greeting with a cupped-hand salute: "Fellow countrymen, you're too kind. For the past year or so, I've only sought a secluded place to cultivate diligently, without venturing out, which has caused me to neglect you all."
As he spoke, the crowd surrounded Hu Nan and led him to an empty seat near the head of the table. Zhao Lei quickly poured him a cup of spiritual tea.
The atmosphere in the private room instantly livened up. Everyone gathered around, chatting animatedly, their voices filled with envy as they praised Hu Nan's talent and perseverance.
"Senior Brother Hu is truly amazing! It's only been a year, and his aura has become so much stronger. He'll probably reach Foundation Establishment soon, right?"
"Indeed! The rest of us have been stuck in the same place for over a year, at most advancing one or two levels. On the other hand, Senior Brother Hu has steadily improved. He's a true role model for us fellow villagers!"
"Yes, we come from ordinary backgrounds, without powerful connections or abundant resources. To be able to steadily improve like Senior Brother Hu Nan is already an incredible achievement. It's impossible not to envy him!"
The crowd's tone was full of admiration and respect.
Most of these fellow villagers were of mediocre talent, trapped in the outer sect, lacking resources, and their cultivation had stagnated for over a year. Hu Nan's steady progress, however, was an extremely high achievement in their eyes, worthy of their awe.
With Hu Nan's arrival, the gathering of fellow villagers officially began.
The group first discussed cultivation-related issues.
Then they moved on to the major events within the sect.
The number of demonic beasts near the sect had increased significantly over the past year.
Several demonic beasts even attacked the Heavenly Sword Sect's mountain gate.
However, those beasts were quickly slain by the sect elders.
Just then, Zhao Lei, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke, his tone filled with shock and astonishment, his voice slightly raised: "The biggest event in the sect this year isn't the rampant demonic beasts, but Senior Brother Lin Hao—he, he successfully established his Foundation Establishment!"
"What?! Senior Brother Lin Hao successfully established his Foundation Establishment?!"
"Senior Brother Lin Hao's cultivation speed is simply too fast!"
These words caused an uproar in the private room. Incredulous expressions appeared on everyone's faces, their voices filled with shock and astonishment.
Hearing Zhao Lei's words, Qin Changsheng wasn't particularly surprised.
After all, Lin Hao's father was Lin Zhentian.
With Lin Zhentian's Golden Core cultivation, he could easily have found many treasures.
If Qin Changsheng hadn't robbed Lin Hao several times,
Lin Hao would probably have already reached Foundation Establishment.
Just then, Zhang Han, who had been silently listening, suddenly spoke up: "Everyone, besides the rampant demonic beasts and Senior Brother Lin Hao's Foundation Establishment, there's another major event in the sect recently, which I'm sure most of you are unaware of."
Zhang Han's words instantly attracted everyone's attention, and everyone turned to look at him, their faces showing curiosity.
Zhao Lei spoke first, his tone urgent: "Zhang Han, what's the big deal? Tell me quickly! We're usually so busy with missions and cultivation that we haven't been able to keep up with much of the sect's news."
The other villagers nodded in agreement, their eyes fixed on Zhang Han, filled with curiosity.
Zhang Han then explained, "I heard about it yesterday from a senior brother in the Hall of Affairs. The sect will be holding a grand Foundation Establishment Ceremony for disciples who have successfully established their foundations in the past few years. Firstly, to celebrate these disciples' breakthrough and their becoming the backbone of the sect; secondly, to boost morale and alleviate the panic caused by the rampant monster infestation."
"A Foundation Establishment Ceremony?!" Incredulous expressions flashed across everyone's faces, their voices filled with shock and envy. "Really? The sect is actually holding a ceremony specifically for Foundation Establishment disciples? This is an immense honor!"
"Absolutely true," Zhang Han nodded emphatically, his tone certain. "The senior brother in the Hall of Affairs said it himself. The ceremony is scheduled for a month from now. All disciples who have established their foundations in the past few years will attend, and even the sect leader, True Person Xuan Yangzi, will personally preside over the ceremony."
These words caused an uproar in the private room. The fear and helplessness on everyone's faces were instantly replaced by shock and envy, and they began to discuss it amongst themselves, their voices filled with longing.
"My goodness, the sect leader is personally presiding over the ceremony? That's incredible treatment!"
"Absolutely! Foundation Establishment is a major event on the path of cultivation, and the sect even holds a special ceremony for it. For those Foundation Establishment disciples, it's the highest honor!"
"Alas, it's a pity that we people have mediocre talent and our cultivation has stagnated. We'll probably never have the chance to participate in such a ceremony in our lifetime; we can only envy them from afar."
"It's only because Wu Yong, Jiang Lijuan, Lin Hao, and others successfully established their foundations that we have this Foundation Establishment Ceremony!"
The crowd chimed in, their voices filled with sighs and longing.
Seeing the envious looks on everyone's faces, Zhang Han slowly added, "It's not just about glory, but also real rewards. I heard that at the Foundation Establishment Ceremony, Sect Leader Xuan Yangzi will personally bestow upon each person a sword-flying technique."
"What?! One sword-flying technique per person?"
"I really envy those Foundation Establishment cultivators!"
"If I could fly on a sword, I wouldn't be afraid of those demonic beasts!"
The crowd's tone was filled with unbelievable joy and longing.
Sword-flying was an ability that all cultivators dreamed of.
Mastering sword-flying techniques not only greatly increased movement speed and saved travel time, but it was also a symbol of Foundation Establishment cultivator status. Normally, obtaining a sword-flying technique was as difficult as ascending to heaven.
Hearing the crowd's discussion, a hint of joy flashed in Qin Changsheng's eyes.
For the past year, Qin Changsheng had been searching for the sword-flying technique.
However, he hadn't found it in the Scripture Pavilion.
He hadn't even found sword-flying techniques in the black market.
Now that Sect Leader Xuan Yangzi has bestowed upon him the art of sword flight, it saves him the trouble of searching.
As for how to participate in the competition for the Foundation Establishment Ceremony rewards with a legitimate identity, Qin Changsheng already has a preliminary idea in mind.
That is to have Hu Nan register as a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Even if he faced suspicion and targeting later, Qin Changsheng would only need to abandon Hu Nan's identity.
And Qin Changsheng could easily remain hidden in the outer sect, carefully cultivating.
...
The General Affairs Hall, located in the center of the sect, was where daily sect affairs were handled, disciple information was registered, and various procedures were processed. It was usually bustling with disciples coming and going.
At this time, it was still early, and many stewards and disciples were already busy in the General Affairs Hall. Some were organizing files, some were registering tasks, and some were answering disciples' questions—a scene of orderly activity.
Qin Changsheng, controlling Hu Nan, walked straight into the General Affairs Hall, his gaze quickly sweeping across the hall before finally settling on a counter for registering disciples' cultivation levels.
Behind the counter, a middle-aged cultivator dressed in a gray steward's robe was tidying up files, his expression languid, occasionally yawning, his body surrounded by the spiritual energy fluctuations of a Qi Refining Great Perfection cultivator.
This man was Steward Li of the General Affairs Hall, responsible for registering disciples' cultivation levels and updating their identities.
Hu Nan slowly stepped forward and said softly, "Steward Li, I've come to register my cultivation level."
Steward Li didn't look up, assuming he was just an outer disciple registering for advancement to the Qi Refining stage.
His face remained expressionless, even showing a hint of impatience: "Oh, registering your cultivation level? Name and cultivation level, please state them so I can register you."