Chapter 110: Foundation Establishment Technique

After bidding farewell to the shop owner, Chen Luo approached an old residence nearby. This house was visibly more ancient than its surroundings, with weeds overtaking the walls and brown-green moss covering the exterior. The aged wooden door had most of its paint worn off, while the door studs shone from frequent touch.

Chen Luo stepped forward and gently knocked on the door.

Soon, movement could be heard inside.

With a creak, the door opened, revealing an elderly man in his sixties. Upon seeing Chen Luo, a clear surprise flashed across his face.

Chen Luo’s demeanor starkly contrasted with the atmosphere of the old street, indicating that he was undoubtedly a person of status.

Cultivators, drawing upon spiritual energy for their practice, exuded a distinct aura even when dressed like ordinary individuals.

“May I ask if you are…” The elder spoke cautiously, using respectful terms.

“Sir, I’m seeking information about someone,” Chen Luo said courteously. “Have you ever heard of Qi Boyun?”

The elder paused momentarily, then scrutinized Chen Luo from head to toe. After a brief moment of consideration, he opened the door wider.

“Please come in and tell me.”

Chen Luo felt reassured, realizing he had indeed asked the right person.

The courtyard was meticulously maintained. A row of grapevines lined the left wall, while various vegetables were planted on the right side. In the southwest corner stood a small bamboo pavilion with chairs and a stone table beneath it.

Upon the stone table rested a teapot emitting wisps of steam. Just before Chen Luo knocked, the old man had finished brewing the tea.

After they both took their seats, the elder poured Chen Luo a cup of tea and casually asked, “May I inquire why you’re seeking information about Qi Boyun?”

“I have an elder who shared some past connections with the ancestors of the Qi family. On this visit, he entrusted me with a matter that can only be disclosed directly to someone from the Qi lineage.”

“Ah, I see,” the old man responded, relieved. He then lifted the teapot and poured Chen Luo another cup of fresh tea. “This is my own homemade blend; please give it a taste.”

Chen Luo picked up the cup and took a sip. Initially, it felt slightly bitter, suggesting it might not be high-quality tea. However, after swirling it around his mouth, a pleasant sweetness emerged upon swallowing.

Bitterness followed by sweet satisfaction.

“A fine tea indeed,” Chen Luo remarked briefly.

“As long as you enjoy it.” The old man smiled before continuing, “Regarding the Qi family, others might not know much, considering it’s over two hundred years ago.”

As he spoke, the old man fell into reminiscence.

“Qi Boyun was indeed from the Qi family, being their sole descendant of the fourth generation. This clan had its moments of prominence in the past. His great-grandfather served as the Martial General of the Luxury Nation, tasked with suppressing roving jianghu bandits. Known for his impenetrable Cape Blade technique, he gained significant renown within the martial world. Countless travelers met their end at his hand, numerous as fish crossing a river.”

Chen Luo listened attentively.

After finishing his cup of tea, the old man poured him another.

“The origin of this Cape Blade Technique is quite mysterious. Legend has it that the first patriarch of the Qi family encountered an immortal. Through teachings imparted by this immortal, they acquired the Cape Blade Technique, leading to the subsequent glory of the Qi family.”

Tales of immortals were common lore, but they felt distant to ordinary people. In places like Mushan City, such stories seemed even more remote. When Hu Qiudao began his training years ago, his grandfather had taken him to the state capital just to board a flying boat, much like how Chen Luo and two other prodigies embarked from Shenfeng County during his own journey.

Such privileges were typically reserved for descendants of cultivator clans.

As the old man continued narrating, Chen Luo pieced together the broader picture. The immortal encountered by the first patriarch of the Qi family was likely Daoist Wuwei himself.

This event occurred over two hundred years ago when Daoist Wuwei incurred a debt here and casually taught the Cape Blade Technique as repayment.

“Later, when the first patriarch of the Qi family passed away, the clan began to decline. The allure of the Cape Blade legacy attracted numerous travelers, leading to the near annihilation of the once-prosperous Qi family overnight. Those who narrowly escaped moved to a neighboring village, only to encounter the merger of five villages. Already devastated by calamity, the Qi family inadvertently offended the village elders during the merger. As a result, their lands were seized, and the second generation’s sole heir had his legs broken, enduring immense suffering.”

At this point, a sense of melancholy filled the old man’s face.

Despite it being over a hundred years ago, revisiting the tale still evoked deep emotions within him.

“Afterward, with the merging of three towns to form Mushan City, the youngest son of the Qi family angered the County Magistrate due to matters related to immortal fate. Consequently, their land was confiscated, forcing them to change their names under duress.”

The old man stopped narrating at that moment.

The young son mentioned in the story must have been himself - Chen Luo realized he was speaking to the very person he sought, Qi Boyun.

“Earlier, you mentioned that the Qi family’s patriarch, known for the Cape Blade, had connections with immortals,” Chen Luo said, setting down his teacup. “Given such mistreatment, did these oppressors not fear offending those immortals?”

Ordinarily, no ordinary person would dare provoke a family with ties to cultivators.

“There are numerous rumors, and the old Qi family has been here for one or two hundred years already. After three generations, if they truly knew immortals, wouldn’t someone have helped them by now? Moreover, even the County Magistrate’s family has connections with immortals; their descendants also cultivate within the immortal sects. When it comes to comparing backgrounds, they have no fear of the Qi family.”

Over the past two hundred forty years, nearly four generations had passed. Even if their ancestors indeed interacted with immortals, after such a long time, those immortals likely would not remember them.

“Not all ‘immortals’ are equal.”

The County Magistrate’s family background extended only to ordinary Qi Refinement disciples, which paled in comparison to Daoist Wuwei, a Foundation Establishment cultivator and leader of an entire peak.

Seeing that the conversation had reached this point, Chen Luo decided not to pursue the topic further.

This elderly man named Qi Baoyun was indeed from the Qi family he sought. Although his name had changed, some aspects cannot be hidden easily. An outsider could never possess such detailed knowledge about the Qi family’s history.

“I have an item gifted to me by an old friend, and I wish for you, sir, to deliver it to the Qi family.”

With one hand, Chen Luo produced the scroll given to him by Daoist Wuwei. This was no ordinary item; he had witnessed its power when Daoist Wuwei practiced cultivation within the grand hall. As a painting beneficial even to Foundation Establishment cultivators, its value was unimaginable. Chen Luo wondered why Daoist Wuwei would gift such a precious artifact to an ordinary person, suspecting there must be a specific purpose behind it.

“I will ensure it reaches them.”

The elderly man swiftly stood up and respectfully bowed to Chen Luo.

Just as Chen Luo deduced his identity, Qi Baoyun also surmised Chen Luo’s origins. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have allowed Chen Luo easy access to his courtyard or shared so much about the Qi family’s history.

Age brings wisdom, after all.

“Hmm?”

As Chen Luo handed the scroll to Qi Baoyun, a peculiar sensation emerged in his palm. It was the latent energy originally sealed within the painting by Daoist Wuwei, now activated upon reaching Qi Baoyun’s possession.

‘Unbound divine soul energy detected, can be absorbed.’

‘Divine Soul Writing Technique: A method focused on cultivating the divine soul, commonly used by arcane cultivators for imparting skills.’

From the external brains, two Foundation Establishment minds simultaneously provided feedback.

Recognizing it as a technique of similar caliber, their minds instantly comprehended its nature. Not a single one among the other Qi Refinement-stage cultivators stirred, including Wan Ming, Chen Luo’s newly recruited rogue disciple.

“This gift was bestowed upon my great-grandfather by his close friend. Please safeguard it well,” Chen Luo instructed earnestly before leaving. “In case you encounter enemies, unfurling the scroll can help resolve any peril.”

As he rose to depart, Chen Luo specifically emphasized this advice.

The scroll contained Daoist Wuwei’s contingency measure, capable of swiftly dispatching any Qi Refinement-stage cultivator who posed a threat. Being a formidable divine soul arcane cultivator among Foundation Establishment practitioners, Daoist Wuwei possessed such expertise.

“Many thanks, immortal elder.” Old Man Qi solemnly bowed to Chen Luo.

After bidding farewell, Chen Luo turned and sought out an inn. Once inside, he closed his eyes and sat cross-legged.

Instantaneously, the information stored by Daoist Wuwei within the painting surfaced in Chen Luo’s mind.

A cultivation technique comprising around three hundred words appeared in his thoughts, titled ‘Xin Mo Jue’ (Heart Demon Art). It was an advanced method that could be cultivated up to Foundation Establishment, surpassing even the Spirit Comprehension Art currently practiced by Chen Luo. This same technique was what Daoist Wuwei himself had cultivated.

The Heart Demon Technique, though seemingly unorthodox, granted immense power surpassing peers and held great potential.

Among Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Divine Lake Immortal Sect, Daoist Wuwei was one of the most formidable opponents. Before reaching Pill Formation, the Heart Demon Technique posed an insurmountable divine ability for any cultivator, instilling fear in all who faced it. A momentary lapse in concentration could lead to a fatal qi deviation.

“A Foundation Establishment cultivation method,” Chen Luo murmured, his eyes flashing with delight before quickly comprehending the implications.

By gifting him this technique alongside the quest reward, Daoist Wuwei intended not only to fulfill his obligation but also as an investment in Chen Luo’s future.

Advancing to the ninth layer of Qi Refinement within just a year was exceptionally rapid, even by Divine Lake Immortal Sect standards. Daoist Wuwei suspected that Chen Luo possessed a ‘hidden constitution’ and aimed to establish goodwill early on. Should Chen Luo successfully break through to Foundation Establishment, this favor would yield significant returns. Even if Chen Luo unfortunately failed, Daoist Wuwei stood little to lose; cultivation techniques can be infinitely replicated, costing him virtually nothing—a high-return business venture indeed.

“This means I must complete the latter part of the quest.”

After memorizing the cultivation technique, Chen Luo sighed.

The latter part of Daoist Wuwei’s task involved taking care of the Qi family. If any descendant possessed spiritual roots, he was to accept them as a disciple; otherwise, it would be considered their destiny fulfilled.

Currently, Chen Luo had only encountered Qi Boyun and not met any younger members of the Qi family.

“Since I have nowhere else to go right now, I might as well stay here for some time.”

Glancing out the window at the surroundings, Chen Luo made his decision. Reaching the Qi Refinement stage didn’t necessarily require seeking an immortal training ground—at least not yet for him. Compared to the conditions within the Yue Tomb, this place was already significantly better.

His cultivation base also needed time to stabilize, as progressing from the tenth level of Qi Refinement onwards would become increasingly difficult with each subsequent three realms. While medicinal pills could supplement external factors, ensuring his own internal growth remained crucial. Achieving this would demand considerable time and effort for assimilation.

Additionally, the presence of the Hu Family could save him much trouble. With access to a cultivator clan’s resources, purchasing spirit materials and other items would be far more convenient. Such favorable circumstances wouldn’t be easily found elsewhere.

He decided not to return to the Divine Lake Immortal Sect until its situation stabilized.