"Foundation Establishment is the beginning of the Great Dao and the cornerstone of that path. The journey of Cultivation has only just begun."

The Great Dao is the main pursuit, while romantic attachments are but embellishments. Having come to this world and possessing the Proficiency Panel, I would waste this life if I didn't strive for immortality. If Zhang Pengpeng cannot achieve immortality, her fate is to be but a passerby in the journey of my life. As cruel as it might be, it is also the reality. To achieve immortality is to live for thousands or even tens of thousands of years; even a century is a mere fraction of such a lifespan.

"I'll wait for you to reach the Golden Core stage."

Jia Ren understood Zhang Pengpeng quite well. Her will to pursue the Dao was not strong. Without external factors, it would be difficult for her to even achieve Foundation Establishment, let alone form her Golden Core. She harbored a wish, one that could inspire her to strive for a higher Realm and greater strength. Once she lost that drive, the possibility of her forming a Golden Core in this life would be remote.

The difficulty of forming a Golden Core far exceeds that of Foundation Establishment. Foundation Establishment Cultivators are already extraordinary individuals, but how many among them can successfully form a Golden Core? The vast majority are barred from the Golden Core stage, living with lifelong regrets. Without a strong desire to advance to the Golden Core stage, even with an abundant supply of resources, the chances of success are minuscule.

Jia Ren hoped she could survive, and the longer, the better.

With Foundation Establishment, she can accompany me for only a little over two hundred years. A Golden Core grants five hundred years...

"Can I... reach the Golden Core stage?" Zhang Pengpeng's voice was tinged with doubt.

The Golden Core was a Realm she longed for but felt was beyond her reach. The Ancestor of the Five Elements Sect ruled the sect for nearly five hundred years—could I become such a powerful being?

"Previously, could you have imagined yourself achieving Foundation Establishment?" Jia Ren encouraged. "As long as you want to, you certainly can achieve it."

Zhang Pengpeng didn't want to let go of Jia Ren, resting her head on his warm chest, savoring his familiar scent.

"You will enter secluded cultivation here to consolidate your Cultivation Level and take care of the Medicinal Garden for me," Jia Ren instructed. "I must return to the Barren Extreme Land to relocate another Cave."

The Water Mansion was to be moved here, and the Medicinal Garden would be reestablished. The planting area would be expanded to twenty mu, and newly discovered centuries-old Spiritual Medicines would be transplanted here. If left untended for a long time, the established Spirit Fields would fall into neglect, and the properties of the medicines would be damaged.

"This is the Heavenly Talisman Treasure Scroll from the Tian Fu Sect, along with the Cang Hai Jue, and these Cultivation Pills. They should be enough for your use until I return."

Jia Ren only possessed one complete Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique, the Cang Hai Jue, which was the only one she could currently cultivate. Not everyone could switch Cultivation Techniques as quickly as he did. It would likely take Zhang Pengpeng several years to completely convert her Spiritual Power.

"I have cleared the surrounding area of Magical Beasts, but you must still be cautious and minimize your trips outside."

The Cave had been arranged and was divided into visible and hidden sections. The visible part of the Cave was established on the Spirit Land, where the Spirit Fields were cultivated. Inside the Cave, there were hidden passageways, including a route leading to a more concealed hidden Cave, mainly intended for emergency refuge.

After briefly explaining everything and leaving behind a batch of resources, Jia Ren departed. The Water Curtain Cave Abode hadn't been moved yet, and the Spirit Fish and Spirit Insects were waiting to be fed; the provisions he had left them wouldn't last much longer.

"Let's go!"

Jia Ren placed the Fathead Fish Demon and the Thousand-Year-Old Black Turtle inside the Mountain and River Pearl. The Insect External Incarnation transformed into the Sonic-Thief Mosquito King and entered the River Mountain Bag. He then ascended into the sky using his Sword Controlling Technique.

In an instant, the sword hummed, and a long rainbow of sword energy, accompanied by a thunderous roar, shot towards the distant horizon.

Sword Qi Thunder Sound!

Indeed, Jia Ren was employing the Sword Qi Thunder Sound technique. This was not considered a secret technique; as long as one's strength was sufficient and their Sword Control Technique had reached the Master Level, they could execute it. "Sufficient strength" in this context meant Golden Core level strength. This divine skill was typically beyond the reach of Sword Cultivators below the Golden Core stage.

Jia Ren was the sole exception. His Cultivation Level was insufficient, but his proficiency in the Sword Control Technique was exceptionally high, having reached the Great Grandmaster Level—an unparalleled achievement. Even so, he was still slightly lacking. However, he had a trick up his sleeve: he used a Divine Wind Talisman. The Sword Control Technique, augmented by the Divine Wind Talisman, worked like a charm. The sword energy transformed into a thunderous sound as he disappeared over the horizon at an astonishing speed.

A journey that would take a third-order Magical Beast more than half a month was drastically shortened; by unstintingly using Divine Wind Talismans and the Sword Qi Thunder Sound technique, Jia Ren traveled at a speed more than five times greater than before.

「Two days later, he arrived at the territory once inhabited by the Deceitful Trickster Fish Demon.」

The Bizarre Demons had already vanished without a trace and had not returned. Jia Ren paid them no mind and continued onward.

The rest of the journey was even faster. Three days later, he returned to the Water Curtain Cave Abode.

Inside the Cave, the Spirit Insects had consumed all their food and were visibly thinner from starvation.

Just as I expected.

Jia Ren knew he had been away for a considerable time. He had fed them well before leaving and had left ample provisions, which should have lasted until his return. Their current state indicated they hadn't followed a normal feeding schedule and had likely devoured all the Elixirs prematurely.

Jia Ren scattered a large amount of feed, allowing them to eat their fill.

In the fish ponds, the Spirit Fish were also extremely hungry. Many had jumped out of the ponds; if not for the protective Formations, there might have been a mass escape of Spirit Fish. The Spirit Beast Nest was in a similar condition; the seven Thunder Rhino Beasts had also grown thin, their eyes welling with tears as they looked at him.

"Time to eat!"

Jia Ren scattered the feed, and the Spirit Beasts finally regained their vitality.

The spiritual energy here is too poor.

Without comparison, one doesn't realize the disparity. The spiritual energy in the Water Curtain Cave Abode was significantly worse than in the new Cave; it was definitely time to relocate completely.

There's also the underlying threat of the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre—this place is not ideal; it's wise to leave sooner rather than later.

The Water Curtain Cave Abode contained many items, all sorted and stored in various River Mountain Bags and Mountain and River Pearls. The Spiritual Medicines planted in the Spirit Field were carefully preserved for easy transplanting. This second relocation was much easier than the first; packing was a breeze.

This time, leaving the Barren Extreme Land, I probably won't come back in the future.

Before departing the Barren Extreme Land, Jia Ren intended to visit the region where the Five Elements Sect was located.

With the Thousand-Year-Old Black Turtle and the Fathead Fish Demon, both third-order Monster Pets, guarding me—and they recently killed a third-order Shrimp Demon—there isn't much in the Barren Extreme Land that can threaten me, as long as I don't court death by actively challenging Golden Core Cultivators and Bizarre Demons. Avoiding the Bizarre Alliance, Bizarre Demons, and the Golden Core Cultivators of the two sects, few beings can pose a threat to me.

His mind made up, Jia Ren quickly packed up everything useful from the Water Curtain Cave Abode and hurried towards the area of the Five Elements Sect. This location was not close to the Five Elements Sect's territory, nearly three thousand li away. Jia Ren used the Wind Control Skill throughout the journey, reaching the Five Elements Sect's domain in two days.

The Five Elements Sect occupied a vast area, claiming nearly one-third of the Barren Extreme Land. However, with the Five Elements Ancestor's tragic death, the Five Elements Sect had been forced to contract its power, and its former territories were gradually being divided among other major Sects and families. Many territories had fallen into the hands of the Thousand Illusion Sect and the Cold Moon Palace. The Five Elements Sect now retained only its core area of a thousand li, less than one-tenth of its territory at its peak.

Jia Ren was currently in the Five Elements Marketplace, a market town named after the Five Elements Sect with a history spanning over a thousand years. The Five Elements Sect had once been a small sect that had risen to prominence by relying on this marketplace. This was the very origin of the Five Elements Sect.

The Five Elements Marketplace was immense, far surpassing the Great Wilderness Market, and was densely protected by Formations. Although the Five Elements Sect had declined, its foundations remained. Both the sect and the Marketplace were managed like an impregnable fortress, difficult for even Golden Core Cultivators to breach. However, this state of affairs could not last indefinitely. Unless the Five Elements Sect could produce another Golden Core Cultivator, its chances of a resurgence were slim.

Jia Ren's true body did not enter the Five Elements Marketplace; he instinctively avoided any place that posed a threat to his life. He had already found a secluded area outside the Marketplace to wait for news.

The Insect External Incarnation paid the entry fee of Five Fragmented Spirit Stones and entered the Marketplace. The Marketplace was quite lively; although not as bustling as the Qingfu Fang Market at its peak, it still had a decent flow of people.

"You still dare to say you didn't steal? Come with us to the Law Enforcement Office!"

Cultivators from the Enforcement Team flashed past, dragging a few unlucky Loose Cultivators into the Law Enforcement Office.

Based on my familiarity with the Law Enforcement Office, if they manage to come out alive, their Storage Bags will be empty.

Jia Ren did not conceal his aura; his Foundation Establishment Stage strength helped him avoid a lot of trouble.

Whether it was the cultivators from the Enforcement Team or many Loose Cultivators, they all treated people differently based on their perceived strength. If you are weak, you will inevitably be pushed around.

Jia Ren arrived at the residence marked "A-15" and sent in a Sound Transmission Talisman. Before long, a familiar tall figure emerged from the residence.

"Brother Jia, it's really good to see you," said the person who appeared. It was none other than Yang Shengwu.

He must have cultivated some secret technique; the blood-red hair on his head has disappeared, and his aura is restrained, showing no trace of a Demon Cultivator. His skill in concealing his presence is not bad.

"You're quite bold, coming to the Five Elements Sect's Marketplace!" Jia Ren remarked.

Yang Shengwu was seeking Revenge against the Five Elements Sect, so he would likely operate within their territory. That's why I used the exchanged Magic Artifact to contact him. Turns out, my guess was right. The only thing I didn't foresee was Yang Shengwu's audacity, hiding right in the Five Elements Marketplace. Once his identity as a Demon Cultivator is discovered, it will be hard for him to leave alive.

"Before my Revenge is fulfilled, I certainly don't wish to die," Yang Shengwu stated. "I've already investigated. The ones who attacked were disciples of a Foundation Establishment Elder. I've already assassinated most of them. Only the main culprits remain; they found out and are now hiding within the sect, refusing to come out." He sneered, "Heh, do they think hiding in the Five Elements Sect will save them? It won't be long before the Five Elements Sect itself is destroyed!"

Something occurred to Jia Ren, and he asked, "Do you remember Yang Bingzhi, the member of the Yang Clan Patriarch I mentioned to you before? Do you have any news of him?"

It was thanks in no small part to Yang Bingzhi that I was able to get the Foundation Establishment Pill. Otherwise, even with my vast amount of Spirit Stones, I would have had no channels or means to acquire it. Any slip-up, revealing my wealth, would have meant my death. Without the Foundation Establishment Pill, after escaping the Great Wilderness Market and trying to make a living in the Black Desert Marketplace, I would likely have died mysteriously at the hands of the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre. Even if I had luckily escaped with my life, without the Foundation Establishment Pill, I wouldn't necessarily have succeeded in my Foundation Establishment. Without the Elixir's help, the chances of successful Foundation Establishment were too slim... Coming to the Five Elements Sect, I also wanted to know how my old friend was doing.

"Yang Bingzhi?" Yang Shengwu fell silent for a moment before replying, "Your old friend is not doing well. According to the information I've gathered, he was getting along well with a Steward's daughter, and it seemed they intended to become Dao Companions. However, three years ago, his Foundation Establishment failed, damaging his foundation. His Cultivation Level not only stagnated but actually regressed. Consequently, the Steward's daughter called off the engagement... Oh, right, he's working at the Five Elements Marketplace's Law Enforcement Office now."

Foundation Establishment failed? Engagement called off? The Steward must have thought that with Yang Bingzhi holding two Foundation Establishment Pills, he had a good chance of becoming a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and considered it a good connection. When the investment failed, calling off the engagement was only normal. His Foundation Establishment failed? Yang Bingzhi's luck was certainly not good. But, at least he's still alive...

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