Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

However, beneath this festive atmosphere, one person harbored unspeakable anxiety and uncertainty. That person was Elder Han Lin.

Han Lin was old and experienced, and had a deep affection for the sect. He watched as the sect leader, Su Xiao, Shi Tie and other younger generation members established their foundations and stepped into higher realms, while he himself was stuck at the bottleneck of the Great Perfection of Qi Refining for many years, and dared not take that step. His feelings were complicated and hard to describe.

However, he was already old, and his vital energy was beginning to decline, so his success rate in establishing a foundation was far lower than that of younger people.

Furthermore, having spent his early years as a wandering cultivator, his cultivation techniques were flawed, and his foundation was not perfect, leaving him even more uncertain about his future. If he failed to establish his foundation, at best his cultivation would be completely lost, and at worst, he would die!

He wasn't afraid of dying, but he was afraid that if he fell, the sect would lose an experienced elder, adding a burden to the sect leader and the children.

That day, after the sermon, the disciples dispersed. Han Lin remained alone on the platform, gazing blankly at the empty prayer cushions below. The setting sun cast a long shadow of him, making him appear somewhat lonely.

"Elder Han." Shen Mo's voice sounded from behind.

Han Lin snapped out of his daze and quickly turned around to bow, saying, "Sect Leader."

Shen Mo walked to his side and gazed at the sunset with him, calmly asking, "Elder, are you worried about the Foundation Establishment process?"

Han Lin trembled, gave a bitter laugh, and sighed, "As expected, I couldn't hide it from the sect leader. Han Lin... I'm ashamed."

"Seeing the sect leader, Su Xiao, and Shi Tie all establish their foundations and enhance the prestige of our sect, I... I feel timid and hesitate to move forward. I am truly... letting down the sect leader's high expectations and the sect's cultivation."

His words were filled with deep self-reproach and helplessness.

Shen Mo remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Elder, why belittle yourself? You have worked hard for the sect for many years, and your contributions are immense. The sect's success today is largely due to your efforts."

"The matter of foundation building concerns one's path to enlightenment, so caution is advisable."

Han Lin shook his head: "Sect Leader, there's no need to comfort me. I know I'm getting old and my foundation is flawed. Establishing a foundation is harder than ascending to heaven."

"If we fail... alas, it's fine if these old bones of mine break, but I'm afraid it will ruin the sect's important affairs..."

"Flaws in your foundation can be remedied; and with age comes experience." Shen Mo turned around, his gaze calm as he looked at Han Lin. "Elder, do you know why I haven't urged you to establish your foundation?"

Han Lin was taken aback: "Is the sect leader showing concern for Han Lin?"

"Yes, and not entirely," Shen Mo said. "I'm waiting for the right opportunity, and I'm also preparing something for you."

He flipped his palm, and a round, emerald-green pill the size of a longan, emitting a strange fragrance and rich vitality, appeared in his palm. Faint cloud patterns flowed on the surface of the pill.

"This is...?" Han Lin felt the immense vitality within the pill and his breath caught in his throat.

"This pill is called the 'Yunlin Mending Heaven Pill'."

Shen Mo said, "This is a product I specially made for you, based on the profound meaning of the Foundation Establishment chapter of the 'Flowing Cloud Dao Body', combined with several rare spiritual herbs provided by Xiao Cao, and the 'Cloud Rain Essence' collected in the Flowing Cloud Secret Realm. It took me several months of effort."

"The effect of this pill is not to provide spiritual power, but to repair the foundation, nourish the blood and qi, and stabilize the soul, which can increase the success rate of foundation building by 15%."

"One-tenth... one and a half percent?!" Han Lin's pupils shrank suddenly, and his voice trembled.

For a perilous hurdle like Foundation Establishment, even a 0.5% increase in the success rate is an incredible treasure! A 1.5% increase is practically defying fate!

"Sect Leader! This...this is too precious! How could Han Lin possibly be worthy of it..." Han Lin was so excited that tears streamed down his face, and he was about to decline.

Shen Mo placed the pill in his hand, his tone leaving no room for argument:

"Take it. Although I refined this pill, it also contains the power of Qingyan's adjusted 'Minor Spirit Gathering Array' to accelerate the growth of spiritual herbs, the effort of the herbs to identify their medicinal properties and extract their essence, and even the danger that Shi Tie brought back the main ingredient from the perilous secret realm."

"This is a gift prepared for you by the entire sect."

He patted Han Lin on the shoulder, his gaze profound: "Elder, the sect is not only a place for cultivation, but also our home."

"When your family is in trouble, you should do your best to help. You have dedicated yourself to the sect for many years, and now it is time for the sect to lend you a hand."

"Don't feel burdened. Go all out. If you succeed, the sect will gain another pillar; if you fail, we will protect you and keep you safe. Qingyun Sect will always be your support."

Holding the warm, smooth pill, feeling the immense vitality and deep camaraderie it contained, Han Lin could no longer contain himself. Tears streamed down his face, and he knelt down with a thud, choking back sobs:

"Sect Leader... Han Lin... Han Lin will certainly do his utmost to live up to the sect's expectations! To live up to the Sect Leader's expectations!"

"Get up." Shen Mo helped him up. "The pill needs to be refined in a calm mind for three days to fully absorb its medicinal power. After three days, I will personally protect you."

"Let's choose the 'Core of the Cloud Sea' in the Flowing Cloud Secret Realm. The spiritual energy there is the most gentle and pure, and the power of the secret realm can slightly conceal the secrets of heaven and reduce interference from external demons."

Three days later, deep within the Flowing Cloud Secret Realm, in the "Core of the Cloud Sea" composed of pure cloud and mist spiritual energy.

Han Lin sat cross-legged on a naturally formed white jade platform, his face rosy and his breathing peaceful. He had clearly absorbed the medicinal power of the "Yunlin Mending Heaven Pill" perfectly. The slight flaws in his foundation had been repaired, and his blood and qi were much stronger. His eyes were filled with unprecedented confidence.

Shen Mo, Su Xiao, Shi Tie, Zhao Qingyan, Li Xiaocao and other core disciples were all quietly guarding from a distance.

"Let's begin," Shen Mo transmitted his voice.

Han Lin nodded emphatically, closed his eyes, circulated his cultivation technique, and began to break through the Foundation Establishment bottleneck that had plagued him for decades!

This time, with elixirs to mend his foundation, the spiritual energy of the secret realm to aid him, and the sect leader personally protecting him and his fellow disciples supporting him, Han Lin focused wholeheartedly on his cultivation and will, concentrating it into a single point, and launched an attack on the Foundation Establishment stage!

Although the process was still fraught with twists and turns and hidden dangers, Han Lin made steady progress and proceeded step by step with Shen Mo's constant guidance and stabilization of his pure spiritual energy.

Several hours later, the spiritual energy at the core of the cloud sea fluctuated violently, and a gentle yet resilient aura soared into the sky. Although it was not as domineering as Shi Tie, it was more enduring and profound!

Han Lin slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and restrained, his aura profound, indicating that he had successfully established his foundation!

Feeling the surging vitality and increased lifespan within him, he trembled with excitement and bowed deeply in the direction of Shen Mo and the others!

"Han Lin kowtows to express his gratitude to the Sect Leader for saving his life! He also thanks all his fellow disciples!"

A relieved smile appeared on Shen Mo's face. Su Xiao, Shi Tie, and the others also stepped forward to offer their congratulations.

With this, Qingyun Sect now possesses four core members at the Foundation Establishment stage!

Their high-end combat power is already comparable to some established Foundation Establishment sects! The foundation of the sect is becoming increasingly solid!

At the summit of Qingyun Mountain, the clouds drifted and swirled. The auras of the four Foundation Establishment cultivators intertwined and permeated the air. Although they tried to conceal themselves, the entire mountain gate was still enveloped in an invisible, majestic Daoist charm.

The disciples who cultivate in the mountains straighten their backs unconsciously, whether walking, sitting or lying down, and their brows are filled with pride and confidence.

Once upon a time, Qingyun Sect was just an insignificant little sect on the edge of Blackwater Marsh. Now, however, it has become a powerful force with four Foundation Establishment cultivators in charge and a far-reaching reputation! Within a radius of hundreds of miles, no force dares to underestimate it.