I Seek Immortality Through Serendipity

Inside the great hall, none of the cultivators had left, quietly awaiting the outcomes of the Secret Realm competition.

The disciples of the Seven Clans were all sitting with their eyes closed, appearing calm and confident, as if they had everything under control.

On the other hand, the Humble Lineage disciples seemed tense, hearts burning with anxiety.

"What do you think, how many strands of Spiritual Qi can Senior Brother Gu obtain?"

After a long wait, one of the Humble Lineage cultivators couldn’t suppress their curiosity any longer and started whispering.

"Senior Brother Gu won the Cyan Wood Profound Spirit Qi so cleanly and efficiently, his strength surely isn’t ordinary. At the very least, he should be able to obtain more than two strands of Spiritual Qi!"

One of the Humble Lineage disciples paused in thought before speaking uncertainly.

"I hope he’ll get a strand of Taiyin Moonlight Qi, so we can still entertain some hope of entering Foundation Establishment..."

One disciple sighed deeply, speaking with trepidation.

The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi necessary for Foundation Establishment is usually found only in various secret locations, and these places are almost always owned by different sects; without the backing of a sect, an ordinary cultivator hoping to obtain even one strand of Qi is akin to reaching for the stars.

Even if they are sufficiently lucky, time will inevitably slip through their fingers.

The Flowing Cloud Banquet is their most clear and direct path to obtaining Spiritual Qi.

Unfortunately, their strength is inadequate, and they can only place their hopes on Gu Yuan.

"Humph, just a Humble Lineage disciple, obtaining one strand of Qi is already a fortunate blessing, yet dreaming of another Qi in the Secret Realm?"

Upon hearing these words, someone from the Noble Family mocked immediately.

"Haha, that’s right, wanting to acquire Spiritual Qi requires one to check whether they have the necessary strength and influence. A single person dreaming of overturning the cosmos?"

There were immediate echoes of support among the noble families, laughter ensued, the implications profound.

After the Secret Realm commenced, Junior Martial Uncle Huo disappeared from sight. Since he wasn’t around, the noble family disciples did not restrain their nature, mocking loudly.

Upon hearing this, the hall instantly fell silent, and all the Humble Lineage disciples’ faces darkened.

They are not fools; they understood it’s likely there’s an undercurrent of conspiracy in the Secret Realm, thus foreboding danger for Senior Brother Gu.

Among the crowd, Ma Wu also wore a somber face upon hearing the conversation.

"Clang!"

At this moment, the Golden Bell Jade Plate in the great hall rang once more, and Junior Martial Uncle Huo’s figure reappeared at the front of the hall.

His expression remained calm, yet his eyes bore lingering surprise, as if he had encountered something astonishing.

Upon seeing Junior Martial Uncle Huo appear, all the disciples fell silent, but the noble family disciples displayed joy, as though envisioning their clansmen emerging gloriously.

The Secret Realm struggle should be over now.

"Buzz, buzz!"

With a wave of his large sleeve, the jade screen at the front of the hall rippled like water, followed by shimmering light, as several silhouettes floated back into the hall.

Leading the people was someone in a cyan Daoist Robe, with a handsome face, a tall stature, his sleeves draping elegantly exuding a Banished Immortal aura, completely otherworldly.

Behind him were three others, each with remarkable looks and exceptional temperament, yet they followed behind him without any dissatisfaction, as if it were only natural.

But the great hall instantly erupted.

"Gu Yuan?! How could he be in the leading position?"

"Bian Chuyao, Feng Anping, how come even Senior Brother Ji Mobai is behind him, a Humble Lineage disciple, what capabilities or virtue does he possess?"

"Where is my elder brother? Where is my elder brother Su Huazheng?" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Senior Brother Xiao, where is Senior Brother Xiao?"

Seeing these four appear, the noble family disciples were incredulous. After a while, they still hadn’t seen their clansmen’s faces, and they became anxious, shouting without rest.

"Silence!"

Junior Martial Uncle Huo shouted, his powerful mana instantly silencing all the noise.

"The great Dao is about competition; if one lacks skill, how can there be any complaints?"

Junior Martial Uncle Huo swept his gaze across everyone, reprimanding them sharply.

Then with a wave of his sleeve, six wet and disheveled figures were dragged from the Secret Realm, landing in front of the great hall.

All six wore pallid expressions, shivered from cold, and upon seeing themselves returned to the hall, surrounded by spectators, their faces turned crimson with embarrassment, wishing they could vanish into the ground.

"During this Flowing Cloud Banquet, ten strands of Spiritual Qi, the allocation remains unchanged."

"In the Secret Realm struggle, Gu Yuan obtained eight strands of Spiritual Qi, securing first place; Bian Chuyao, Feng Anping, Ji Mobai each obtained four strands, following behind."

"The other six obtained nothing at all!"

Junior Martial Uncle Huo showed no mercy, announcing the final results of the Secret Realm competition without sparing the remaining individuals any dignity.

"How is this possible?!"

"How could Cyan Flame Peak fail to obtain even a single strand of Spiritual Qi?"

"Elder Brother, Elder Brother, say something, how could you lose to a Humble Lineage disciple?"

"Senior Sister, Senior Sister!"

"..."

Noisy voices filled the air; this matter pertained to Foundation Establishment, a key to a three-hundred-year lifespan, and none could remain calm.

Their hopes placed upon their family members met with deep disappointment, emotions overtaking them, questioning erupted throughout the hall.

"Silence!"

Junior Martial Uncle Huo shouted coldly, halting the chaos.

"Lacking skill, so let it be!"

"Do you all believe that the great Dao is determined by heaven, and merely by your birthright, you should enjoy everything?"

"The great transformation of heaven and earth is solely about struggle, now go and cultivate!"

Junior Martial Uncle Huo scolded, using his immense power to eject everyone except Gu Yuan out of the hall, driving them from Ancient Mountain Peak.

Then he pointed, retrieving the Sword Qi within the six who were severely injured by Gu Yuan, restoring their fractured limbs, their complexions becoming rosy, standing upright once again in the hall.

They promptly cupped their hands in gratitude, yet their eyes involuntarily turned to Gu Yuan.

"Let’s set aside the Secret Realm competition; the ten strands of Spiritual Qi are the Daoist School’s nurture, hoping that prodigies will emerge to contribute to our school."

"You are all elite seedlings carefully selected by the school; don’t dwell on this temporary competition, as long as you can reach Foundation Establishment, the days ahead are long..."

Seeing this, Junior Martial Uncle Huo shook his head slightly, offering reassurance.

"Thank you, martial uncle!"

The few showed gratitude, a glimmer of hope returning to their eyes.

"Alright, no more words are needed, the Flowing Cloud Banquet competition is completely over. You are all at Qi Refining Perfection, these ten Primordial Yang True Jade pieces are rewards from the Daoist School, with plentiful Spiritual Qi sufficient for your Foundation Establishment needs."

"Hopefully after this, next time we meet, everyone will be recognized at the same realm..."

The old Daoist waved his large sleeve, and ten crimson precious jades fell into the hands of ten individuals, though Gu Yuan’s jade clearly gleamed most brightly.

Then he pointed again, wrapping ten individuals in strange light, discreetly transporting them far beyond Ancient Mountain Peak, out of reach of all the waiting cultivators outside.

Just when leaving Ancient Mountain Peak, a warm voice sounded in Gu Yuan’s ear:

"After Foundation Establishment, you may come to Ancient Mountain Peak to find me!"

The voice naturally belonged to Elder Huo.

Gu Yuan felt astonished inside, yet he maintained an inscrutable expression, showing no anomalous reaction.

The ten exchanged glances outside Ancient Mountain Peak, and then the other six left without turning back.

Leaving just Gu Yuan, Bian Chuyao, and the others.

"Senior Brother Gu, on the day we meet again, I hope your charm remains, and your youthful looks never fade!"

Bian Chuyao softly gazed at Gu Yuan, saluting him, then departed riding her Escape Light.

Foundation Establishment cultivators can’t achieve immortality but retain their youthful appearance, and almost don’t age until their natural length runs out.

"In advance, congratulations to Senior Brother Gu for successfully achieving Foundation Establishment!"

Feng Anping also chuckled, then left.

"Senior Brother Gu, we will meet again after Foundation Establishment!"

Ji Mobai cast a deep look at Gu Yuan, then rode his Escape Light and left.

For a moment, heaven and earth were desolate, only Gu Yuan remained.

He glances at the many Qi Refining cultivators gathered outside Ancient Mountain Peak, a light laugh escaping him, before turning back without hesitation to return to Qianyuan Cave.

Everything is ready, finally, it’s time for Foundation Establishment!