"Junior Brother Wang! I heard that you've been diligently studying the path of Alchemy lately, making rapid progress?" Liu Jihu couldn't resist, taking the lead in starting the conversation.
"That's right. I've been fascinated by the path of Alchemy recently and gained a little insight. It's nothing worth mentioning in front of Foundation Building cultivators," Wang Hong modestly replied.
"It's true. Even as a first-tier Alchemist at most in Qi Cultivation, it's better to focus on cultivation. Hurry up and reach Foundation Building. Only then will you truly understand the difference between Qi Cultivation and Foundation Building," Liu Jihu advised, unaware that Wang Hong was already a second-tier Alchemist and had achieved Foundation Building earlier than him.
Liu Jihu found it satisfying to occasionally guide junior cultivators in Qi Cultivation after becoming a Foundation Building cultivator.
"Thanks for the guidance, Senior Brother Liu. I'll strive to achieve Foundation Building soon," Wang Hong replied, feeling a bit frustrated for having to downplay his cultivation level and express gratitude to peers of the same tier.
"Ah, Foundation Building is indeed challenging! This time, hundreds obtained the Building Foundation Pills, but only a little over a hundred actually achieved Foundation Building in the end," Liu Jihu said with a sigh, pretending to be regretful but filled with pride.
While saying these words, Liu Jihu occasionally displayed a look that seemed to say, "See, Foundation Building is so difficult, but I successfully achieved it!"
At that moment, Elder Brother brought in two more Foundation Building cultivators: a mid-stage female cultivator and a late-stage male cultivator.
Liu Jihu and Wang Hong quickly stood up and saluted. The late-stage male cultivator, Lu Fang, the main disciple of Kaiyang Peak, welcomed them with a smile.
"Junior brothers, no need to be polite. Please, have a seat."
Lu Fang, with a radiant face, efficiently managed the daily affairs of Kaiyang Peak. Elder Brother found them a place to sit and left.
Gradually, more people arrived, and after a while, Zhang Chunfeng entered.
After exchanging greetings with everyone, he walked straight to Wang Hong and sat beside him.
Liu Jihu had initially intended to invite Zhang Chunfeng to sit next to him, considering they were from the same peak and achieved Foundation Building simultaneously. However, before he could speak, Zhang Chunfeng had already taken a seat beside Wang Hong, showing great respect for him.
When did Foundation Building cultivators start showing such respect to a Qi Cultivation junior?
With everyone finally gathered, including the somewhat out-of-place Wang Hong, there were twenty people in total, with Lu Fang having the highest cultivation level at the late Foundation Building stage.
Exiting Elder Brother's cave mansion together, Lu Fang produced a small Spiritual Boat. Tossed into the air, it transformed into a boat two zhang long and five feet wide. All twenty people boarded the Spiritual Boat, and it didn't feel crowded at all.
Powered by Spirit Stones, the boat moved swiftly and comfortably with a wind-resistant formation, making the journey enjoyable for everyone.
In just one day, the group arrived at Azure Void City.
At the city gate, Lu Fang released a Transmission Talisman, which flew into the city.
Shortly after, a squad of cultivators in standard armor arrived at the city gate.
This group consisted of ten individuals, with the lowest cultivation level at the early Foundation Building stage, and the highest being a tall cultivator in the late Foundation Building stage.
All of them wore complete sets of Spiritual Weapon armor, a rarity that held significant value.
"Fellow Daoist Zhao, long time no see! How have you been?" Lu Fang greeted the tall cultivator in the late Foundation Building stage, appearing familiar with each other.
"Ah, it's Fellow Daoist Lu! Pleasure to meet you! Everyone, follow me. The target is still in that location," Zhao, the tall cultivator, replied, leading the group into the city. The nine individuals with him turned and followed closely, their armor making a clanging sound.
Lu Fang led the rest of the group.
During their journey, the tall cultivator and Lu Fang exchanged information through Message Transmission, sharing details about the situation here.
Lu Fang then conveyed this information to the other nineteen people.
The group learned that the adversaries were hiding in a mansion with a total of twenty-three individuals. Thirteen were Qi Cultivation disciples, and ten were in the Foundation Building stage, with only one in the late Foundation Building stage.
Arriving at a relatively small estate covering more than two mu, the group discreetly spread out, surrounding the entire estate.
Among the thirty individuals, Wang Hong was the only one who stayed far away, seemingly afraid of being involved.
Liu Jihu thought, "If you're staying so far away, why bother following us? Are you just here to watch the show?"
After the encirclement, the group slowly closed in, shrinking the perimeter.
Despite having numerical superiority, the thin spread of people made it difficult to guard against a concentrated breakout. If the adversaries focused their efforts in one direction, stopping them would be challenging.
Upon reaching the estate wall, everyone stopped. The estate had protective formations, making further progress impossible.
"Listen to my command. When the time comes, we'll attack the formation together," Lu Fang instructed through Message Transmission.
Then, a sharp whistle sounded, and everyone exerted their strength to launch a fierce attack.
Wang Hong, sitting on a distant rooftop, watched as the formation was attacked. Various runes flowed on the Large Formation.
In Wang Hong's eyes, these flowing runes consisted of Yin and Yang symbols constantly rearranging and evolving into new patterns.
Carefully observing, he verified what he had learned. After all, he had spent years contemplating these matters in Space.
Currently, he only understood the Yin and Yang symbols, unable to recognize the other runes.
Although comprehending these unfamiliar symbols was challenging, he sat on the rooftop, brewing tea. Sipping tea, he contemplated the runes he saw.
An odd scene unfolded: thirty cultivators below fervently attacking the formation, while a Qi Cultivation disciple leisurely sat on a rooftop, sipping tea.
After attacking for the time it took an incense stick to burn, there was finally a resounding "boom." The formation shattered, and the group leaped over the estate wall.
Inside the courtyard, twenty-three black-clad cultivators were ready for battle.
It wasn't that they didn't want to seize the opportunity to escape during the incense stick time; after all, Shadow Kill never prohibited fleeing, and training an assassin wasn't an easy task.
"I believe you can guess why we're here. If you can reveal the mastermind behind your actions this time, we can leave immediately," Lu Fang stood at the forefront, addressing the leader of the opposing group.
[Read at /shanefreak, and heartfelt thankyou for your support!]