Half a day ago, Gu Yuan was still discussing the secret realm obtained by Ma Wu with Bian Chuyao here. The engraved version of the Red Mist Secret Manual was still in his hand. Unexpectedly, half a day later, Ma Wu personally came to present the secret realm.
This made him once again sigh at the allure of Spiritual Qi and Foundation Establishment.
A hundred birds in the forest are not worth one in hand.
"What kind of secret realm is it? Why doesn’t the nephew take it himself?"
Gu Yuan asked with a smile.
"To be frank, I have already entered this secret realm before and obtained some opportunities, which allowed me to cultivate a Top-Grade Spiritual Sense. But this secret realm is fraught with danger, filled with Foundation Establishment demons and evils. My strength is weak and undeserving, so I prefer to offer it to you, Uncle, for you to claim!"
"This secret realm belonged to the Golden Core Sect, Red Mist Sect a thousand years ago. It contains a great number of Exotic Fruits and the Treasure Pill Technique. If I am not mistaken, there should even be Upper-class Spiritual Artifacts or even Artifact Fragments!"
Upper-class Spiritual Artifacts, Artifact Fragments?
Gu Yuan immediately became interested.
After Foundation Establishment, cultivation is divided into early, middle, and late stages, which are also called Foundation Establishment Three Turns. With each small breakthrough, mana is greatly increased, and Dao Foundation Power is significantly augmented, creating a considerable gap in combat strength.
The Spiritual Artifacts used for Foundation Establishment are also divided into primary, intermediate, and upper-class, corresponding to the three cultivation levels of Foundation Establishment.
Spiritual Artifacts have spirit and substantial power, essential means for cultivators. Obtaining an upper-class Spiritual Artifact at the primary cultivation level would greatly enhance one’s combat strength, though such artifacts, if beyond one’s level, can also be a burden. Insufficient mana can lead to being drained and harming one’s foundation. Generally, they serve as a trump card.
And Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts are the elite among Spiritual Artifacts, with exceedingly powerful abilities.
As for Artifacts, they are treasures only Golden Core Ascendant can possess, even fragments can wield terrifying power.
Gu Yuan hadn’t expected that the Red Mist Sect’s secret realm still held such treasures, truly unexplored.
Ma Wu indeed had a bit of fortune with him.
Ma Wu, seemingly aware of Gu Yuan’s interest in the secret realm, immediately prostrated himself on the ground and presented a Jade Key with both hands.
The Jade Key was only finger-sized, golden jade in color, with mysterious patterns flowing through it, though its luster was dim, seemingly having exhausted much of its power, now slowly accumulating.
"This Jade Key is the object to open the Red Mist Secret Realm. Once every ten years, at the South Mountain Red Cliff, it is opened with mana, and the gate to the secret realm can be unlocked."
"The disciple activated this secret realm eight years ago. To open it again, one only needs to wait another two years!"
Speaking, his tone carried a trace of grief, and he pleaded softly, "Though my appearance has not yet aged, I am nearly fifty, only a short distance from the sixty-year limit, truly unable to delay further. I hope Uncle fulfills my wish!"
His current cultivation was entirely due to the secret realm; otherwise, he would merely be an ordinary disciple.
Within the secret realm, the dangers are unknown. Surviving unscathed previously was a fortunate stroke of destiny, and without Foundation Establishment cultivation, exploring is impossible.
He initially thought of using the rewards from the secret realm to defeat noble family disciples, seize Spiritual Qi, break through to Foundation Establishment, and then explore the realm again. In doing so, he could certainly turn his fate around and break the limitations of humble lineage.
The Daoist School’s humble lineage geniuses of the past mostly followed such a script.
But he didn’t expect... in the end, he was defeated by Bian Chuyao, falling short of success.
No matter how good the opportunities in the secret realm, without Foundation Establishment, it’s all wasted time.
The most critical thing is that the news of the Red Moon River campaign is already spreading in the sect.
This is not a minor skirmish, but a real battle.
Qi Refining disciples are merely cannon fodder!
Without Foundation Establishment, life and death are uncertain!
The precedent of the Sunset Glow Sect is a vivid memory, where even under the Golden Core Sect, many Qi Refining disciples perished tragically. Only by achieving Foundation Establishment can one hold even a slight chance of controlling their fate, otherwise, they cannot protect themselves in major battles, especially humble lineage disciples.
This is why people in the sect pursue Spiritual Qi so fiercely.
The time is running short!
The Jade Water Fire-Eyed Ape tribe has been a Demon King force dominating the Red Moon River for thousands of years, not easy to contend with.
The prior Cloud Cliff Shell Field and Wave Mountain were merely trivial fringes, almost tacitly allowed to the Daoist School by the Jade Water Fire-Eyed Ape tribe.
But this time, it’s different.
Therefore, he was willing to reveal his biggest secret, only to quickly achieve Foundation Establishment.
Having revealed all his cards, Ma Wu lay prostrate on the ground, anxiously awaiting Gu Yuan’s response.
"There’s no need for such ceremony, rise quickly, soon you will be called an equal."
At that moment, a heavenly voice sounded from above, causing Ma Wu’s expression to tremble with joy!
"Thank you, Uncle, thank you, Uncle!"
Ma Wu exclaimed with excitement.
After years of grinding cultivation, the gate of Foundation Establishment finally shone brightly toward him.
"Do not rush to thank me. As good as the secret realm is, you will inevitably have to follow my lead for fifty years, to advance and retreat together."
Gu Yuan put away the Jade Key and then said calmly.
The greatest value of Spiritual Qi is in driving others post-Foundation Establishment.
"I will certainly follow wherever Uncle leads!"
Ma Wu immediately responded without any hesitation.
This so-called following was merely serving, not enslavement. He had mentally prepared for it and did not resist.