It turns out that breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage without a Foundation Pill is the norm. The majority of rogue cultivators and small family cultivators attempt it this way, though 90% fail at the critical juncture.
Even successfully achieving Foundation Establishment doesn't guarantee a brighter future. For rogue cultivators and members of small families, simply securing a foothold after breaking through is already a struggle.
To be recognized by Yu County's six great families and be allowed to share in the county's resources, a clan must possess at least two second-tier spiritual veins—one to support mortal reproduction and provide a steady supply of cultivators, and the other to sustain the cultivation of the family's own members.
Even after breaking through to Foundation Establishment, these minor cultivators lack the income and stipends of established Foundation Establishment clans, as well as advanced techniques that could improve their spiritual energy absorption. As a result, their cultivation progresses painfully slowly, and most of their lives are spent scrounging for cultivation resources.
Most of these individuals, even at the end of their lives, are trapped at the early or mid-stages of Foundation Establishment. Only a fortunate few, through sheer luck, manage to reach the late stage.
Even then, without treasures like the Crystal of Blazing Flame, which aid in breaking through, their chances of advancing to the Purple Mansion stage are only one or two percent.
Even among the rogue cultivators of Tianxu Mountain, such as Lin Qianshu, the Purple Mansion cultivator with an Ice Spirit Root, success only came through the support of Ancestor Jiang.
In comparison, the Chen family—descendants of a cultivation lineage spanning centuries—has several second-tier spiritual veins and stable income sources. They don't suffer from feast-or-famine cultivation, so their chances of producing Purple Mansion cultivators are significantly higher.
"Cultivation is truly difficult," sighed the elder patriarch.
"Even we, the six great families of Yu County, are in the same position relative to the Purple Mansion families."
"Without third-tier earth veins, spiritual veins, or cultivation techniques, what does it matter if a Purple Mansion cultivator occasionally emerges? Cultivation remains a struggle. Advancement becomes nearly impossible."
"And after a few hundred years, when the Purple Mansion cultivator passes on, it's nothing more than a fleeting moment of glory, incapable of sustaining a true Purple Mansion lineage."
The elder patriarch sighed as he finished his thoughts.
Elian listened quietly, frowning slightly.
"With the Unique Spirit Root of the Spirit Peach Tree, our Chen family is bound to acquire third-tier spiritual veins in the future. The issue lies in obtaining a Purple Mansion-level technique."
"The Yang family of Ling County offered such a technique at the recent trading conference, but their terms were far too demanding."
"These Purple Mansion families will almost never allow third-tier techniques to fall into the hands of others," the elder patriarch said, shaking his head. Then he smiled.
"But the future is uncertain. If we ever reach the Purple Mansion stage and possess valuable enough third-tier treasures, it might not be entirely impossible to trade for one."
"After all, even Purple Mansion cultivators need to exchange resources among themselves."
Elian's eyes glimmered as he mused, "Our family's Fiery Void Art and Blazing Sun Void Ascension Technique are both exceptional techniques. I've always felt that there's a complementary connection between them."
"If we refine them, keeping the essence and discarding the dross, we might advance them further, perhaps even beyond their current level."
The elder patriarch's pupils contracted before he burst into laughter.
"If you can achieve that, your brilliance would rival that of Ancestor Jiang."
Elian remained calm, saying, "Ancestor Jiang's talent is unparalleled. She has mastered alchemy, formations, crafting, and talismans, all at a near-divine level. I am far from her equal."
He continued to inspect Lin Baixi's storage bag.
As the second-most important figure in the Lin family, Lin Baixi had a wealth of treasures, including over 2,000 spirit stones.
Among his spoils were the Lin family's Purple Sun Furnace and the Myriad Star Needles, both second-tier high-grade artifacts, now in Elian's possession.
Additionally, the Heart-Piercing Cone and Azure Flying Sword, both second-tier mid-grade artifacts, added significant value. With such treasures alone, Lin Baixi's assets were enough to make even late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators envious.
"The Lin family truly lives up to its reputation as Yu County's leading clan," the elder patriarch said with a smile.
"With Lin Mohe, a Purple Mansion cultivator, backing them, they've certainly reaped their share of benefits."
The two quickly divided the treasures. Elian, already burdened with numerous artifacts, found his spiritual energy and mental capacity nearing their limits.
He decided to replace his Green Ape Pearl with the Purple Sun Furnace, retiring the artifact he had used for many years to the family treasury.
Additionally, he placed the Azure Flying Sword and Heart-Piercing Cone into the treasury, intending them for Chen Qingwan and the third elder.
In truth, both lacked sufficient spiritual energy to wield more than three second-tier artifacts. The excess items would remain in the treasury, available for future trades or for equipping newly established Foundation Establishment cultivators in the family.
Once Lin Baixi's possessions were sorted, the third elder, summoned by a message talisman, arrived in Pingyang City.
"What happened?" the third elder asked upon arrival.
Elian recounted the events, and after hearing the story, the third elder's expression turned grim.
"With Lin Baixi dead, the Lin family won't let this go."
"They may not let it go, but neither will I," the elder patriarch said, his voice brimming with killing intent.
"Lin Baixi and Lin Moqin tracked Elian with artifacts. If not for his strength, even an ordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator might not have survived."
"This debt must be repaid," he declared.
"However, with Lin Mohe backing the Lin family and their foothold on Ink Green Mountain, we can't act recklessly."
"No matter," the elder patriarch replied.
"While we may not take Ink Green Mountain, we can claim Spirit Apricot Mountain."
Spirit Apricot Mountain was one of the Lin family's second-tier spiritual vein. Seventy years ago, it had belonged to the Mo family, a Foundation Establishment clan in Yu County.
When the beast tide struck, both Mo family Foundation Establishment cultivators perished, leading to the family's decline. One of their spiritual veins was claimed by the newly risen Sun family, while the other, Spirit Apricot Mountain, fell into the hands of the Lin family.
Spirit Apricot Mountain, though a second-tier low-grade spiritual vein, had no special resources except for an ancient spirit apricot tree.
The tree, several hundred years old, was of first-tier high-grade quality and produced around a dozen spirit apricots annually.
These apricots didn't increase cultivation but extended lifespans. Each apricot was said to grant a cultivator one additional year of life, though a person could only consume three in their lifetime.
Despite the limited lifespan extension, these fruits were treasures of longevity, valued at 50 spirit stones apiece. The Lin family relied on this tree to generate an additional 700 to 800 spirit stones of income annually, making it the envy of the other Yu County families.
The elder patriarch sneered.
"Inform the six great families of the situation. Elian and I will launch a surprise attack on Spirit Apricot Mountain."
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D