The first order of business upon returning to Cold Blood Peak was naturally to head to the Stone Hut District. The capture missions for the spirit slave tasks of each peak didn't require reporting to the various halls and markets; they were handled by the spirit slave stewards of each respective peak.
Wang Yu made his way there with practiced ease. Compared to years ago, when three stewards balanced and vied for the profits from the spirit slaves to curry favor with the True Disciples above them, now only one steward remained. It was Steward Liu, an old acquaintance from his earliest days at the Stone Hut District and a long-time follower of True Disciple Yan Ling.
"Steward Liu."
The man was approaching ninety years of age and was an old subordinate of Yan Ling. He might even be rewarded with a Foundation Establishment Pill. Therefore, Wang Yu was quite courteous.
Steward Liu rubbed his eyes, surprised. "Brother Wang? You've returned alive?"
"Indeed. The journey had its twists and turns. Old Man Ning and the others fell in the Taihu Spiritual Domain. I was fortunate, hiding in the Withered Leaf Swamp without being discovered. It delayed me for a few years. I just returned today."
"What luck, what luck! It's good that you're safe and sound. It was just a simple spirit slave capture mission. I'll issue your reward right away."
"..."
Steward Liu was openly helping him skim benefits, which was rather puzzling, but Wang Yu wouldn't refuse free resources.
"By convention, the reward for a slave capture mission is eight hundred contribution points. I'll take it upon myself to round it up to a thousand for you!"
"By the way, in the years you were gone, Lord Yan Ling established three new slave capture teams operating within Scarlet Kite. Would you like to join one as a team leader?"
Wang Yu waved his hands repeatedly. In the past, he would have agreed, but not now.
"I have already broken through to Foundation Establishment. My purpose in coming here is both to report on the mission and to seek advancement within Cold Blood Peak. Is True Disciple Yan Ling available to see me?"
Hearing this, Steward Liu first looked shocked, scrutinized him for a moment, then his expression turned troubled.
"This... Lord Yan Ling is currently preparing for her battles. It's not a suitable time to disturb her."
"How about I take you, Brother Wang, to the
"That works too. I'll trouble Steward Liu to lead the way."
"No trouble at all. Please."
If he couldn't see her now, he would see her later. There was no rush. In any case, once he had the Foundation Establishment Token, he could claim all corresponding items at the various halls and markets. Registration was required both here at Cold Blood Peak and at the various halls and markets; records needed to be kept in both places.
Along the way, Steward Liu试探着 (tànshì zhe - tentatively) asked, "Brother Wang, could you share how you achieved Foundation Establishment? I recall you had a five-element spiritual root... and you're not even forty yet."
The question was somewhat intrusive, but Wang Yu had anticipated it. Anyone would be curious about the secret hidden within. A Foundation Establishment cultivator under forty, with a five-element spiritual root? Wasn't that worth coveting? One needed a dual spiritual root to establish a foundation by fifty! How could *you* do it? Cheating? No, the door was never closed.
Wang Yu gave a relaxed smile. He wasn't very famous within the sect, but after today, waves would surely be made. He already had a prepared story, backed by the infamous 'Reverse Spirit Three Young Masters'.
"Steward Liu, no need to probe. There's nothing unspeakable about it." He sighed and continued, "My aptitude was low, and I was born a spirit slave. To defy fate, I had no choice but to疯狂 (fēngkuáng - madly, frantically) burn my lifespan. By sixteen, I was as withered as an old man."
"Fortunately, I was recognized by Senior Brother Su and escaped the mire of being a spirit slave. With the help of spirit pills, I regained my youthful appearance. Deeply feeling the difficulty of cultivation, I had no choice but to continue burning my lifespan under desperate circumstances."
"A few years ago, I reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, just one step away from exhausting my lifespan and passing away. But Heaven was unwilling to see me die like this. I encountered a benefactor."
As he spoke, Wang Yu displayed the Enforcement Token he had obtained from Zhuo Shouqing.
"Senior Brother Zhuo could not bear to see me perish and bestowed upon me the 'Foundation Seizing Art'. My recent trip to the Taihu Spiritual Domain was to find a righteous cultivator and seize his foundation. Only thus did I gain temporary longevity and subsequently establish my foundation."
Steward Liu was stunned by what he heard. Such a thing actually existed in the world? Burning one's lifespan due to poor aptitude, then discovering a ruined spiritual root couldn't establish a foundation, so one used a demonic art to seize another's foundation, forcibly entering this realm. Even if future potential was zero, for a low-level cultivator like himself, it was still something to envy! After all, whether *he* could establish his foundation was still an unknown, and the risks were great.
Wang Yu's use of this explanation was well-considered. With the backing of the Reverse Spirit Three Young Masters, those from established families would look down on him. Those without background would, at most, covet the [Foundation Seizing Art]. Those who desired such a secret art with severe side effects were mostly Qi Refining cultivators and wouldn't pose much trouble. As for the Reverse Spirit Three Young Masters, who knew the inside story, they would actively help cover for him. After all, having mastered the Demonic Womb Profound Origin Secret Curse, his future was limitless. With existing ties and investments, increasing their investment was inevitable; why share with others?
This backing was already secured. The path ahead was clear!
Today, he could use Steward Liu's mouth to spread this story, nipping potential trouble in the bud. If someone still took a reckless risk, so be it; it was an inevitable麻烦 (máfan - trouble, nuisance). It was better to lure it out proactively than let it fester in the shadows.
The rest of the journey passed in silence. After completing the registration smoothly, he turned and left Cold Blood Peak, leaving Steward Liu standing there in a daze.
***
**Various Halls and Markets, Name and Affairs Hall.**
The person in charge here was a seventh-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator Wang Yu hadn't met before. Holding the Foundation Establishment Token granted by Cold Blood Peak, he stepped forward respectfully.
"Wang Yu, inner disciple of Cold Blood Peak, recently achieved Foundation Establishment. I am here to register and claim the Foundation Establishment benefits."
"A new Foundation Establishment from Cold Blood Peak?"
The man wore a Lotus Crown and a dark green crane cloak embroidered with intricate patterns. His steps were dignified, his demeanor refined and lean, unlike a demonic path cultivator, more resembling an accomplished scholar from the righteous path.
"Yes."
Wang Yu lowered his head, his etiquette meticulous. Someone who could lead a hall within the Various Halls and Markets, regardless of cultivation strength, must have a very尊贵 (zūnguì - noble, prestigious) status.
"Rise. Wait a moment."
Shortly after, the man left for a moment and then returned from the inner hall, tossing a storage pouch to Wang Yu.
"As an inner disciple promoted to Foundation Establishment, you have two choices."
"First, maintain your disciple status. When the next True Disciple selection occurs, you can undertake the True Disciple trial mission and compete for a True Disciple position."
"Second, become a Steward. This grants you a high-grade residence in the Cold Blood Market, allows you to choose a position within one of the Various Halls and Markets, and provides an annual stipend of five thousand spirit stones."
Wang Yu didn't hesitate.
"I choose the second option."
To be honest, he had once entertained thoughts about the True Disciple position, especially after deciding to stay and develop within the demonic path. The status of a True Disciple could provide many benefits. His current choice was a matter of practicality. Wei Zhong's recent misfortune served as a stark warning. He couldn't be sure he wouldn't end up the same way. Simply put, the risk was too high. No matter how great the potential rewards, they were just pie in the sky, utterly useless.
Furthermore, True Disciple selections were held once every two hundred years. It would take at least another twenty or thirty years for Yan Ling's cohort to decide the outcome. The next inner sect competition would be in a hundred years. Only the top ten would qualify to compete. Barring any accidents, he would likely have formed his Golden Core by then and could assume the position of a Peak Elder. He could also learn the core legacies of the Reverse Spirit Blood Sect. Striving for the True Disciple position and placing himself in a dangerous situation seemed somewhat不值 (bù zhí - not worth it).
Moreover, using the Foundation Seizing Art as his excuse, if he truly became a True Disciple, it would be easy for others at the Foundation Establishment stage to see through the flaws. By the time he broke through to the Core Formation stage and stepped into the spotlight, exposure of the Demonic Womb Profound Origin Secret Curse wouldn't matter anymore.
"Since you've chosen, do you have a preferred position?"
"The Enforcement Hall of the Evil God Market. I was previously an enforcement disciple there."
Upon hearing this, the hall master with the unique气质 (qìzhì - temperament, aura) showed a flicker of surprise. "You actually know those three good-for-nothings... Very well, very well."
After a moment of silence, he continued the introduction.
"The storage pouch given to you contains the higher-level sect benefits, including a set of first-grade high-tier ritual robes, a high-grade storage pouch (fifty cubic meters), and a token to exchange for a second-grade cultivation method."
"Since you have chosen the second path, I will also grant you a second-grade enforcement token and accessories matching your status. With this token, you can command the enforcement disciples of one market. You may go."
"Yes."
Wang Yu didn't ask further. Having obtained what he wanted, there was no need to linger. His time was also quite tight.
As for the matter of leaving the sect to establish his own manor, not every Foundation Establishment cultivator had the qualification. He needed to apply to the sect. That matter would likely fall to the Reverse Spirit Three Young Masters. Once he finished his business here, he would need to visit them.
Now, it was time to go to the Legacy Transmission Hall to obtain the second-grade method for the Cold Blood Art. Don't be fooled by the fact that he had placement-derived the "Cold Blood Spirit Ascension Art"; the sect had a proper, orthodox advancement method. Moreover, it differed from the direction his placement derivation had taken. The accompanying spells, secret arts, artifact refining methods, and pill recipes were all obtainable items of significant value.
The path to the Legacy Transmission Hall was even more familiar. He arrived in no time, handed over the token, and a legacy jade slip was placed in his hand.
Scanning it with his spirit sense, he found:
*Foundation Establishment High-Grade Method: **[Heavenly Cold Yin Blood Art]**. Can be cultivated smoothly to the Core Formation realm. However, the parts related to aptitude improvement have completely disappeared, replaced entirely by effects that strengthen the ice attribute.*
*Attached:*
*Second-Grade Pill Recipes: Ice Spirit Pill (Cultivation Base), Cold Moon Pill (Required for movement technique cultivation)*
*Second-Grade Artifact Refining Methods: Heavenly Cold Spear, Yin Blood Sword, Snow Hidden Ice Needles. (Final grade determined by materials and artificer's skill)*
*Second-Grade Low-Tier Spells: Freezing Rain Art, Cold Ice Sword Aura*
*Second-Grade Mid-Tier Spells: Moon Chasing Spear, Yin Blood Nine Swords*
*Second-Grade High-Tier Spells: Frost Moon Wings (Movement Art), Ice Wheel Art, Extreme Ice Chaos Kill*
*Foundation Establishment Secret Arts: Ice Coffin Seal, Cold Drawing Art, Breathless Curse*
This was everything recorded in the legacy jade slip. Wang Yu couldn't possibly learn it all; he didn't have the time. But there were still many excellent techniques among them. It was truly a complete second-grade legacy.
In terms of pills, both were good. For artifacts, he wasn't interested in any of them; they were far inferior to the spells.
*Freezing Rain Art*: Altering the environment could give him a significant advantage. *Learn!*
*Frost Moon Wings* was likely the movement art to be cultivated with the Cold Moon Pill. Also needed. His standards had always been high. The three high-tier spells and the three secret arts were all must-learns.
Among the secret arts, the *Cold Drawing Art*, an auxiliary cultivation art for environments rich in ice spiritual power, held the highest value.
*Breathless Curse*, as the name implied, was for concealing one's aura. Perfect timing for the Night Veil Curse to be phased out; he would use this in conjunction with the Invisibility Art from now on.
The *Ice Coffin Seal* needed no further explanation.
(End of Chapter)