Chapter 312: Middle Stage of Foundation Building Realm

Three days later.

Qin Sang’s cultivation had skyrocketed.

As expected, once the medicinal energy was fully refined, all that was left was to spend some time stabilizing his cultivation. Afterward, he could inscribe the killing symbol and make a breakthrough to the middle stage of Foundation Building in one swift move.

For a moment, Qin Sang wasn’t sure whether to be happy or sad.

This unexpected situation indicated only one thing: the medicinal energy of the Dark Patterned Heyun Pill was sufficient. However, it seemed somewhat mismatched for his condition, or perhaps its potency wasn’t strong enough.

The damage caused by the

Sutra of Profound Jade Cauldron

was likely more severe than he had anticipated.

Opening his eyes, Qin Sang’s expression turned solemn.

Although he had some premonition, Qin Sang realized he had still underestimated the

Sutra of Profound Jade Cauldron

. This cultivation art was not the same as ordinary, sinister energy-extraction arts.

After all, it was an art capable of assisting Core Formation Realm cultivators in advancing to the Spiritual Infant Realm!

Medicinal remedies like the Heyun Pill, Five-Herb Divine Ointment, and Snow Ginseng Jade Pill all had similar potency to the Dark Patterned Heyun Pill.

If that were the case, consuming more of such pills would not completely heal him. At best, it might allow for slightly better recovery.

He needed to search for more potent elixirs or divine herbs, such as the Daojing Grass and Purple Cloud Fruit, mentioned in ancient texts.

The good news was that he was about to break through to the middle stage of Foundation Building Realm, and there were no apparent obstacles due to his damaged foundation. On the surface, the only noticeable impact seemed to be on his Qihai.

Countless thoughts surged through Qin Sang’s mind.

Finally, he gently closed his eyes and entered meditation.

Cultivation ignored the passage of time.

Days turned into years. In the blink of an eye, three years had passed.

Outside the cave dwelling, thick layers of snow had accumulated, concealing its presence entirely. By sight alone, one could not tell there was a cave dwelling there.

Three years of uninterrupted cultivation.

While refining medicinal energy and stabilizing his cultivation, Qin Sang meticulously inscribed the killing symbol step by step, never leaving the cave dwelling.

A year earlier, his ebony sword had already been inscribed with two complete killing symbols, and his Primordial Spirit Sword Nourishment had advanced to the third stage. Qin Sang himself had successfully entered the middle stage of Foundation Building.

The following year, he had thoroughly stabilized his new cultivation realm.

Phew!

A gust of wind blew outward, scattering the accumulated snow.

Qin Sang deactivated the protective barrier and stepped out of the cave dwelling. Bright daylight greeted him—it was noon. Tilting his head slightly, he gazed at the blue sky and blazing sun he hadn’t seen in three years. Only after a long while did he withdraw his gaze with a faint sigh.

Then, his figure flickered and transformed into a streak of light, flying toward Wandering Man’s cave dwelling.

Moments later...

The evasion light descended before a snow-filled valley. Wandering Man’s cave dwelling was located within, complete with an unfrozen spring. The environment here was far better than Qin Sang’s cave dwelling.

Qin Sang landed and was about to use his spiritual power to activate the barrier when he noticed a ripple in the air. A group of armored Qi Refining Realm cultivators appeared—Xuanlu Guards.

"Greetings," greeted Gan Ying.

The leader of the Xuanlu Guards saluted Qin Sang and said, "Senior Uncle Wandering Man is currently in secluded cultivation and has ordered not to be disturbed. If you have urgent business, you may leave a Sound Transmission Talisman, and we will deliver it to him once he emerges."

This area was under the jurisdiction of the Taiyi Core Pavilion, and these guards were likely stationed here by them.

Qin Sang furrowed his eyebrows and withdrew his spiritual power.

He had intended to explain his situation to Wandering Man and seek his advice, as Wandering Man was highly knowledgeable in alchemy and might have a solution.

Since Wandering Man was still in seclusion, it would be inappropriate to disturb him.

𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Forget it. I had hoped to catch up with an old friend, but since Senior Wandering Man is in seclusion, I won’t intrude. There’s no need to leave a Sound Transmission Talisman either. Just let him know that Qin Sang visited when he comes out."

Qin Sang shook his head and asked, "Daoist, do you know when Master Wandering Man began his seclusion? Did he leave any message about when he might emerge?"

The Xuanlu Guard replied honestly, "Senior Uncle began his seclusion three years ago and left no word regarding when he might finish."

Three years ago—almost the same time Qin Sang began his own seclusion.

This likely meant Wandering Man had already refined the required pills. However, it remained uncertain whether his spiritual soul had been healed.

Qin Sang nodded silently, pondering for a moment before summoning his evasion light again and heading north toward Xuanlu Stronghold.

With his cultivation advancing, he needed to report his progress to the sect.

Breaking through to the middle stage of Foundation Building Realm meant the tasks assigned to him would be more dangerous. However, the merits and rewards would also be more substantial. After weighing the pros and cons, Qin Sang felt reassured. He possessed invaluable treasures, and with a formidable malevolent corpse as his aid, his strength surpassed that of most middle-stage Foundation Building cultivators.

Moreover, with Senior Brother Qi Yuanshou overseeing the situation, the advantages outweighed the disadvantages.

Entering the city, Qin Sang headed directly to the grand hall, where he encountered Yu Yangzi.

Yu Yangzi, a middle-stage Foundation Building cultivator, had grown significantly stronger over the years. Although he hadn’t yet advanced to the late stage of Foundation Building Realm, it seemed he wasn’t far from it.

Reuniting with an old acquaintance, Yu Yangzi was delighted to hear Qin Sang’s good news. The two walked together to meet Qi Yuanshou, exchanging insights on cultivation along the way.

In the past, while Yu Yangzi had always been friendly, he had never initiated discussions about cultivation with Qin Sang.

Such was the change brought about by an increase in cultivation level.

Qin Sang felt a wave of emotion but maintained a steady expression, earnestly seeking advice from Yu Yangzi. Their discussion resolved many of his lingering questions.

As they talked, they walked into a corridor and encountered several fellow disciples from Shaohua Mountain, one of whom was Yu Dayue.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Yu," Qin Sang said, cupping his hands.

Noticing that Yu Dayue was still stuck at the early stage of Foundation Building Realm and unable to break through his bottleneck, Qin Sang couldn’t help but feel a sense of melancholy.

He recalled their first meeting in front of the Red Dust Gourd, when Yu Dayue had already been a Foundation Building cultivator and had agreed to become a cauldron in hopes of breaking through.

Later, they had ventured together into the Heavenly Corpse Sect’s underground cavern and the Ancient Immortal Battlefield in search of opportunities. Over thirty years had passed in the blink of an eye.

Now, Qin Sang had advanced to the middle stage of Foundation Building Realm, while Yu Dayue had fallen far behind. It seemed unlikely he would ever progress further in his lifetime.

The twists of fate were truly unpredictable.

"Junior Brother Qin, are you also on your way to see Senior Brother Qi..."

Mid-sentence, Yu Dayue suddenly sensed Qin Sang’s cultivation aura. His eyes widened in shock, and disbelief filled his expression as he exclaimed, "Y-You’ve already broken through to the middle stage of Foundation Building Realm?"

"It was merely luck," Qin Sang replied calmly. Since he was on his way to see Qi Yuanshou, he hadn’t concealed his cultivation with the

Spirit Evasion Art

, allowing Yu Dayue to sense it.

Yu Yangzi laughed heartily. "Junior Brother Qin, there’s no need to be so modest. Breaking through to the middle stage of Foundation Building Realm at your age is no small feat within the sect. Your chances of forming a Golden Core are high. Within a hundred years, Shaohua Mountain may very well have another Golden Core master!"

Qin Sang knew Yu Yangzi’s words were polite flattery and modestly replied with humility.

The others also offered their congratulations to Qin Sang.

Yu Dayue, however, appeared dazed and distraught. He muttered a few distracted words before leaving with the others.

Watching Yu Dayue’s despondent figure retreating into the distance, Qin Sang sighed inwardly.