CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 36: FOUNDATION ESTABLISHMENT CELEBRATION

The news of Ding Yijin’s Foundation Establishment celebration, under the promotion of the Ding Family, spread throughout the nearby regions.

At this time, no one was concerned about the rumors of Ding Yisi’s theft of the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Everyone only knew that the Ding Family had successors, with a new Foundation Establishment Cultivator emerging.

The Ding Family widely publicized that Ding Yijin was exceptionally intelligent, possessing both virtue and talent, respecting sages and favoring the worthy, smoothly inheriting the position of Patriarch.

Of course, amidst the praises of Ding Yijin, there were some noises.

Some rumors suggested that the reason Ding Yijin succeeded in Foundation Establishment in one stroke, besides his personal efforts, was with the help of the entire Ding Family.

There were also rumors saying Ding Yijin’s talent was average, and the Dao Foundation he established was of low grade, raising concerns for the future.

Shen Xuan did not mind these rumors.

He only needed the Ding Family to remain stable for seven or eight years.

Before the old ancestor of the Ding Family passed away, he planned to break through to the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation, gaining some self-protection power, and then find ways to leave Cyan Dragon Bay Market with his wife.

The Immortal City of the East Sea was the most suitable place for his cultivation.

On the day of the celebration, the old ancestor of the Ding Family personally presided over the event.

The Patriarch of the Ding Family stood at the entrance of the Juxian Tower, welcoming distinguished guests who came to celebrate.

Holders of VIP invitations were representatives of nearby cultivation clans, renowned cultivators at the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation and above, and middle grade Pill Masters, Artifact Masters, and Talisman Masters.

The Zhao Family from Purple Maple Mountain, He Family from Wo Hu Ridge, and Tao Family from Bamboo Grove Forest all sent Foundation Establishment Cultivators to attend.

Todays’ Cyan Dragon Bay Market was much more bustling than usual.

Shen Xuan accompanied the meticulously dressed Ding Yuyao to the entrance of the Juxian Tower.

"Talisman Master Shen Xuan, gift of ten exquisite Rejuvenation Talismans!"

Just as the Ding Family members responsible for reception announced it, the Patriarch of the Ding Family came up, beaming with joy.

"Master Shen, please come in!"

As the Patriarch of a Foundation Establishment Clan, personally welcoming Shen Xuan was really giving him face.

"Patriarch Ding, you are busy, my wife and I will go in by ourselves!" said Shen Xuan, flattered.

"Haha, this must be Yuyao! We are family, no need for formality!"

The Patriarch of the Ding Family smiled, beckoning to a well-dressed young member of the Ding Family of notable status.

"Seventh Brother, this is Talisman Master Shen, your elder brother’s friend. Lead him inside personally, don’t neglect him!"

"Yes. Master Shen, please follow Yixuan inside."

Seeing the Patriarch’s attitude towards Shen Xuan, the nearby cultivators couldn’t help but be astonished.

Just a Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation cultivator, even as a middle grade Talisman Master, wouldn’t normally warrant such regard from the Patriarch!

Shen Xuan could also vaguely perceive that there was more behind the Patriarch’s smile than simple courtesy.

To warrant such warmth from the Patriarch, could it be...

Shen Xuan followed Ding Yixuan into the VIP box.

As expected, upon entering, he sensed a familiar powerful aura.

Shen Xuan blurted out without thinking, "Commandery Princess, why are you here!"

Sitting in the main seat of the box, dressed in snowy white, with a charming yet imposing face, was Qin Yuehan, the newly promoted Foundation Establishment Elder of the Cyan Cloud Sect.

Soon, Shen Xuan realized he had lost his composure.

Besides Qin Yuehan, the box also seated the old ancestor of the Ding Family, Ding Yijin, and three unfamiliar Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

"Master Shen, quickly take a seat. With Immortal Qin herself present, you’re late, you’ll be punished!"

Ding Yijin came over with a smile to smooth things over.

"Seventh Brother, you take Sister-in-law Yuyao to the section for the Yun Family women."

"Yes."

Seeing her husband nod slightly, Ding Yuyao obediently followed Ding Yixuan out.

"Wait a moment!"

Qin Yuehan rose from her seat and approached Ding Yuyao.

After scrutinizing Ding Yuyao with a few glances, she nodded.

"Sister-in-law, I am a school friend of Shen Xuan’s, hasn’t he mentioned me to you?"

"When husband was traveling as an Immortal, he mentioned it once. He once studied in the secular world and had six school friends. However, he did not mention specific names or stories."

"My name is Qin Yuehan, Elder of the Cyan Cloud Sect. Nice to meet you, take this bracelet as a meeting gift."

Qin Yuehan took off the Purple Jade Bracelet on her hand and pushed it into Ding Yuyao’s hand.

"Immortal Qin, this... is too valuable!"

A bracelet from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator is extraordinarily precious.

Shen Xuan instinctively refused.

"This bracelet is called the Purple Jade Sword Heart Bracelet, with my nine strands of Sword Intent nourished inside. As long as you cultivate True Qi, it can be activated."

Under the gaze of Ding Yuyao’s beautiful eyes, Shen Xuan nodded slightly, indicating she should accept it.

"Thank you, Immortal Qin, for the precious gift, Immortal Qin, thank you for your blessings!"

Ding Yuyao joyfully accepted the Purple Jade Sword Heart Bracelet and respectfully gave a formal salutation.

She did not know how precious this bracelet was.

By nature, women are naturally fond of such transparent and beautiful jewelry.

After Ding Yuyao left.

Ding Yijin introduced the guests to Shen Xuan one by one.

Zhao Tianxing from Purple Maple Mountain, He Zhongchang from Wo Hu Ridge, and Tao Xingde from Bamboo Grove Forest.

All were the Patriarchs of cultivation clans and Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Shen Xuan respectfully cupped his hands to greet them.

The difference between Foundation Establishment and Qi Cultivation status was like heaven and earth.

Shen Xuan’s place at this table was solely thanks to Qin Yuehan’s favor.

Everyone present was well aware of this fact.

Everyone returned to their seats.

Spirit wine and exquisite dishes were served one by one.

Shen Xuan sipped the spirit wine, observing quietly.

He noticed that Qin Yuehan only tasted a little spirit fruit, without touching the table’s delicacies at all.

Her demeanor was calm, exuding authority without anger.

She already had the aura of one in a high position.

The five Foundation Establishment cultivators present were all respectful towards her.

The status of sect disciples was naturally a notch higher than that of those from cultivation clans.

This hierarchical gap was deeply felt by Shen Xuan.

After all, he was just a loose cultivator, even less than a cultivation clan’s member.

At the banquet, Qin Yuehan remained cold and aloof, never taking the initiative to greet others.

The only ones who dared to toast her were the five Foundation Establishment cultivators present.

Qin Yuehan sat for the duration of an incense stick before bidding farewell to the old ancestor of the Ding Family.

"Shen Xuan, see me off for a while!"

...

Outside Cyan Dragon Bay Market.

Shen Xuan followed Qin Yuehan, walking silently.

The shadows of the two occasionally intertwined.

Under an ancient thousand-year-old tree, Qin Yuehan stopped.

"Shen Xuan, has your Spirit Root improved?"

Shen Xuan was startled.

Clearly, Qin Yuehan had seen through his cultivation realm.

The Concealing Breath Technique at the minor completion stage couldn’t deceive a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s Divine Sense.

After thinking for a moment, Shen Xuan decided to be honest.

"I acquired a secret technique that can enhance Spirit Root talent."

"Can it be enhanced to middle grade?"

"It should be possible."

"That’s good then."

Qin Yuehan gazed at the distant white clouds, seemingly speaking to herself.

"To achieve Foundation Establishment, at least a middle-grade Spirit Root is necessary."

She turned, smiling gently at Shen Xuan.

"In two years, your cultivation realm has improved significantly."

"Thanks to Immortal Qin’s favor, the Ding Family has been very accommodating to me."

Qin Yuehan slowly moved closer to Shen Xuan, a faint fragrance wafting over.

Her beautiful eyes fixed on Shen Xuan’s face, flashing with a hint of puzzlement.

After a moment, she finally spoke: "Sister-in-law is doing well. The Purple Jade Sword Heart Bracelet I gave her, keep it well. At a critical time, it can save your lives."

Shen Xuan pondered and replied: "Immortal Qin, I’m not the seventeen-year-old boy you imagine me to be. I’m sixty-seven years old this year."

"I know."

Qin Yuehan sighed softly: "A dream of fifty years! Only today do I realize I am who I am!"

"Shen Xuan, your talent is average, but your Dao heart is firm. If you can elevate your Spirit Root to middle grade, there might be hope for Foundation Establishment."

Even as she spoke, Qin Yuehan felt a bit regretful.

After all, Shen Xuan was too old.

If he had obtained the secret technique to enhance his talent earlier and joined a sect, perhaps he could have kept pace with her.

Now, missing one step had led to missing many.

"Thank you, Immortal Qin, for your kind words."

Shen Xuan smiled.

Qin Yuehan’s goodwill could only be appreciated in his heart.

"I’m leaving. Keep in touch, write to me if you need anything."

Qin Yuehan summoned a cloud, riding it away.

Only Shen Xuan was left, in the sunset, walking back to the market alone.