Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Cultivation Through Copulation.

Episode 46: The Foundation Establishment Festival

In the xianxia world, the means of information transmission are truly diverse.

There would be messenger pigeons, teleportation formations, and even relay stations…

In the society of cultivators who roam like immortals, there were numerous ways for information to be relayed.

Thus, while rumors in the mundane world spread slowly and information crawled like a worm, in the cultivation world, rumors spread swiftly like a horse without legs.

However, such information transmission wasn’t always effective.

Messenger pigeons required trained birds, teleportation formations needed precise arrays and a large amount of Spirit Stones, and relay stations required trained horses and professional couriers…

Therefore, even in the cultivation world, they often adopted the information transmission method suitable for each situation.

For instance, urgent information would use teleportation formations despite the high cost of Spirit Stones, messenger pigeons if delivering the information was crucial, and relay stations if the reliability of the information was important.

So, what method would be used when announcements needed to be made to many people in a confined space like within a sect?

The most cost-effective and efficient method is used.

That is none other than vocal announcements!

The most primitive method of transmission from mouth to mouth.

Disciples tasked with the relay mission went to various places within the sect, posted proclamations on the bulletin boards, and began shouting loudly. Their voices resonated with Spiritual Qi.

“Listen, all disciples at the Qi Condensation Great Perfection stage. In one month, the small grotto-heaven where Foundation Establishment Pill ingredients can be harvested will open. If you desire the Foundation Establishment Pill, challenge the ‘Foundation Establishment Festival’!”

The Foundation Establishment Festival.

An event where one enters the small grotto-heaven where the ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill ripen, and gathers Spiritual Herbs. Not only could the core ingredient of the Foundation Establishment Pill, the Warm Yang Grass, be found there, but the other various ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill also grew there naturally.

The Foundation Establishment Festival, which only Qi Condensation disciples at the Great Perfection stage could challenge, was not an event exclusive to the Dark Moon Sect.

The Foundation Establishment Festival, led by the three major sects of Manho, took place in a small cave world that was a shared management area overseen jointly by the three major sects.

This small cave world, referred to as a “small grotto-heaven”, was a fragmented world connected through spatial rifts, too small and incomplete to be considered a proper world, with even the laws of the world not fully condensed.

Only Qi Condensation disciples could enter the small grotto-heaven to gather materials, as the unstable fragmented world could not withstand the presence of beings above the Foundation Establishment stage.

Those who thought they had no hope of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage by natural talent all participated in the Festival, hoping to gather materials and receive Foundation Establishment pills. In fact, even those who wanted to quickly overcome the bottleneck of the Qi Condensation stage through wisdom-based Foundation Establishment were eager to attend.

In the Dark Moon Sect, if disciples gathered a certain amount of herbs and Foundation Establishment materials, they could exchange them for Foundation Establishment pills, so the Qi Condensation disciples at the Great Perfection stage of the Dark Moon Sect were always eager.

However, since the Festival involved all three major sects, it was always followed by bloody battles.

In particular, the disciples of the demonic Deathblood Sect, were notorious for their vicious tactics, making the Festival a dangerous celebration.

In reality, casualties occurred every time during the Festival, so it wasn’t just a festival.

Nevertheless, many Qi Condensation disciples at the Great Perfection stage applied for the Foundation Establishment Festival.

For Qi Condensation cultivators, the Foundation Establishment stage was a realm they dreamed of reaching.

No matter how dangerous, they considered it worth the risk.

“So the Foundation Establishment Festival is happening again.”

“Which disciples will obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill and achieve Foundation Establishment this time?”

Those quick to hear news had already learned what the criteria for participating in the Foundation Establishment Festival were and were talking about it.

“This time, they’re deciding participants for the Foundation Establishment Festival through a magic arts competition.”

“That’s probably because there’s a limit to the number of people who can enter the small grotto-heaven, right?”

“Right. I wonder how many outstanding talents will appear this time.”

Yuk-gyeong, who was also interested in the vocal announcement, came to the bulletin board to see the proclamation and eavesdropped on people’s conversations.

As expected, Yuk-gyeong too wanted to participate in the Foundation Establishment Festival and this competition.

‘The Foundation Establishment Pill! I want the Foundation Establishment Pill too!’

Having never experienced a bottleneck at the Qi Condensation stage, Yuk-gyeong felt increasingly frustrated these days. Just Half a Step to Foundation Establishment. Just half a step left, so why can’t I move forward?

It felt like suddenly encountering rush hour traffic in the middle of Seoul after racing on the Autobahn in a sports car.

The feeling of longing Yuk-gyeong had for the Foundation Establishment Pill was largely due to that sensation.

So, when is the magic arts competition?

“In a week! Participants will be decided through the magic arts competition!”

A week, huh.

I need to prepare.

A week later,

the magic arts competition was hosted at Iron Star Peak.

The martial spirit of Iron Star Peak was remarkable.

No wonder the master of Iron Star Peak always said,

“In the cultivation world, strength is supreme! Strength is the true path!”

He was the one who brought the term ‘Martial Arts Tournament’ used in the Murim world to the sect, and he was the one who held the tournaments.

With an excessively single-minded nature, he didn’t belong to any faction, but his prestige was high enough that he did as he pleased.

The master of Iron Star Peak rarely missed events like this.

The magic arts competition being prepared at Iron Star Peak was on a different scale compared to the martial arts tournament previously held there.

Firstly, all elders, except those with unavoidable circumstances, came to observe the magic arts competition.

The sect leader also sat in the seat of honor to watch the competition.

This alone showed how important this magic arts competition was.

A magic arts competition that drew the attention of the elders and the sect leader.

“There will be an encouraging speech from the Sect Leader before the magic arts competition!”

“Strive to do your best in the magic arts competition ahead of the Foundation Establishment Festival. Also, show consideration for your fellow Dark Moon Sect members….”

Beyond merely determining the participants for the Foundation Establishment Festival, it was significant for assessing the talents who would support the future of the Dark Moon Sect.

The Foundation Establishment stage is undeniably the backbone of Dark Moon Sect.

Securing talented Foundation Establishment stage cultivators was crucial for the Sect’s future.

Foundation Establishment stage cultivators become Core Formation stage cultivators.

Though only a very small number among them reach the Core Formation stage, the fact remains that the Foundation Establishment stage is necessary for the Core Formation stage to emerge.

‘Strictly speaking, the Foundation Establishment stage is a preliminary Core Formation stage, and those in the Qi Condensation Great Perfection stage are candidates to become preliminary Core Formation stage cultivators. Even if they’re preliminary candidates, they are always important.’

Yuk-gyeong had such idle thoughts amidst the crowd.

The Sect Leader’s encouraging speech was tedious. The high-minded and old-fashioned encouragement of the grandmaster Sect Leader could be summarized in one sentence.

‘Don’t draw blood among fellow Dark Moon Sect disciples, and take it easy.’

After the Sect Leader’s speech, there was a formal bow to the elders of Dark Moon Sect, and the rules of the magic arts competition were recited. It was advised to refrain from using magic arts that could cause serious harm and to maintain camaraderie among fellow sect disciples.

Finally, it was time for the introduction of the participants in the magic arts competition.

A disciple of Iron Star Peak loudly recited the names of the participants in the magic arts competition.

“Geum Mook! Yang Hwa-young! Won Kyung-wi! Deung Sa-jin! Jang Su-wi!…”

The inner disciple of Iron Star Peak called out the names one by one, reading loudly in the order written on the sheepskin parchment.

However, nearing the end, the inner disciple hesitated for a moment. It was because an unexpected name has been written.

“…Lee Yuk-gyeong!”

At Yuk-gyeong’s appearance, there was a momentary commotion among the elders. Mainly between the Sect Leader and the elders who followed him.

‘Wasn’t it said that a Foundation Establishment pill was already prepared for the Single Spiritual Root owner?’

“I don’t think he was informed.”

“Shouldn’t we tell him?”

“Let’s just leave it. He won’t be sent to the Foundation Establishment ceremony anyway, so just let him participate in the competition. Let’s take this opportunity to see the Single Spiritual Root owner’s skills.”

“I heard he’s at Qi Condensation 8-Star? Why is he here?”

“Who knows.”

The commotion among the elders quickly subsided. It wouldn’t do for dignified elders to chatter like children. They were just momentarily flustered.

With Yuk-gyeong as the last, the introduction of the Qi Condensation Great Perfection stage participants in the magic arts competition was complete.

The number was quite large.

Since all the Qi Condensation Great Perfection stage disciples, who were rarely seen within the Sect, were gathered, it was a spectacle for the other Qi Condensation stage disciples to look up to with admiration.

While the inner disciples of the Foundation Establishment stage felt like stars too distant to reach, the Qi Condensation Great Perfection stage disciples were certainly within reach, yet felt like frontrunners who were far ahead.

Among them, Lee Yuk-gyeong was quite an anomaly.

It felt like someone who shouldn’t be there was mixed in.

There are always those who are envious of the talented, no matter where they are.

One of the old outer sect disciples, who had been in the sect for 15 years, raised his hand high and questioned. His voice filled with indignation.

“Disciple Lee Yuk-gyeong was at Qi Condensation 8-Star not long ago! He wasn’t even close to 9-Star. How could he have already reached Great Perfection? He must be lying about his level to participate in the technique competition.”

Even some of the disciples who were in the martial arts competition that was held to select the strongest of those in the Qi Condensation stage, participated in a few of the magic arts competition, but they were all at the 9-Star stage, nearing Great Perfection.

However, wasn’t Lee Yuk-gyeong clearly at Qi Condensation 8-Star at that time? Reaching beyond 9-Star to Great Perfection isn’t child’s play, and it doesn’t make sense that he has already achieved it.

The other disciples murmured and nodded.

They were indicating their agreement with the outer sect disciple’s question.

The Iron Star Peak couldn’t ignore the disciple’s legitimate objection.

If Lee Yuk-gyeong, who was participating in the technique competition, wasn’t truly at the Great Perfection stage, it would be problematic.

The magic arts competition for the Foundation Establishment Festival could only be participated by those at Qi Condensation Great Perfection, and since most of the disciples at Great Perfection were well-known, there were no separate verification procedures, leading to such suspicions arising.

It wasn’t just those who were jealous of Yuk-gyeong; most of the disciples gathered here had doubts.

Wasn’t Lee Yuk-gyeong at Qi Condensation 8-Star not long ago? How could he be at Great Perfection now?

“Senior Uncles! Please verify!”

“Is Lee Yuk-gyeong truly at Qi Condensation Great Perfection?”

“How could someone at Qi Condensation 8-Star have already achieved Great Perfection?”

The outer sect disciples protested towards the inner sect disciples. The inner sect disciples were bewildered by the intense reaction of the outer sect disciples.

“Everyone, quiet!”

The elder of Iron Star Peak, who had loudly put an end to the commotion, came down from the platform and grabbed Yuk-gyeong’s wrist.

After infusing Spiritual Qi to examine Yuk-gyeong’s body,

“Disciple Lee Yuk-gyeong is indeed at the Great Perfection stage of Qi Condensation. Moreover… He is a Half-Step into Foundation Establishment!”

He confirmed that Yuk-gyeong was at Great Perfection stage of Qi Condensation. Additionally, he announced the fact of him being Half-Step into Foundation Establishment.

People were astonished.

Not long ago, Lee Yuk-gyeong was at Qi Condensation 8-Star! It would be surprising if he reached Qi Condensation 9-Star, but to already have reached Great Perfection? And Half-Step into Foundation Establishment?

Is he the son of some immortal? Or is he someone who was already an immortal and is cultivating from the start again?

Such a destructive rise in cultivation was truly astonishing.

Could he really be a genius comparable to the sect leader’s disciple or the great senior brothers of the various peaks?

“Qi Condensation Great Perfection? And even Half-Step into Foundation Establishment?”

“Who is it? Who dared to defame the Single Spiritual Root owner by questioning if he’s at Qi Condensation Great Perfection?”

“He reached Qi Condensation 8-Star in just a week, so how long would it have taken him from Qi Condensation 8-Star to Qi Condensation Great Perfection?”

The opinion of the outer sect disciples reversed in an instant.

Instead, criticism poured towards the outer sect disciple who had raised the question earlier.

The outer sect disciple who first raised the question couldn’t lift his head. He couldn’t bear to watch the magic arts competition and left the place with his head lowered.