For cultivators, establishing connections is crucial alongside their practice.
Foundation Establishment cultivators have their own circles, and so do Crystallization cultivators.
As cultivation levels increase, the connections established within these circles will only become more impressive.
Take Lu Ping for example; after reaching the Golden Core Stage, he transitioned from his original circle of Crystallization Cultivators to the circle of Golden Core Ancestors, forming bonds with the likes of Elder Jiang and other Golden Core Ancestors of the Chu Kingdom.
The better the circle, the more abundant the resources.
Given Lu Yuanshan’s Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation level, being introduced to Crystallization Cultivators ahead of time is somewhat of an elevation for him.
The reason Xuu Qingshan introduces Lu Yuanshan to his friends is primarily due to the strong backing of Lu Ping, the Golden Core Ancestor.
Secondly, as the Sect Leader of the Cyan Mountain Sect and a young Foundation Establishment cultivator, Lu Yuanshan’s future is promising.
Regarding the current development and background of the Cyan Mountain Sect, paying attention to which treasures Lu Yuanshan brings to the Trade Conference will suffice.
While Lu Yuanshan was engaging in conversation with Xuu Qingshan and Zhao Liancheng, Lu Changfeng and Lu Zhiwei remained largely silent.
Lu Changfeng, being taciturn, only exchanged looks with Xuu Qingshan and others, ensuring future encounters would make them acquaintances, nothing more than a nod of recognition.
Lu Zhiwei’s demeanor was cold and aloof, not one for conversation in such settings. Xuu Qingshan and others noticed this and naturally refrained from further words.
It was only Yuan Lang who was more talkative, voluntarily chatting with Lu Zhiwei about her reasons for attending the Trade Conference and her Foundation Establishment matters.
Lu Zhiwei didn’t reject Yuan Lang’s topics and answered patiently. Read full story at novel⸺fire.net
Meanwhile, Lu Yuanshan was observing the surrounding cultivators to see if there were any familiar faces.
Indeed, there were some familiar faces.
Lu Zhiwei spotted Sun Jinxiu of the Heaven-Facing Sect, a Ninth-Layer Qi Cultivation cultivator with whom she had collaborated to fend off a locust plague, now present here.
"Little Sister Lu, long time no see, have you entered Foundation Establishment?"
Sun Jinxiu, upon seeing Lu Zhiwei, approached and greeted her amicably and politely.
Seeing that Lu Zhiwei had already entered Foundation Establishment, Sun Jinxiu felt a sense of emotion.
She too had come to acquire a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Although the Heaven-Facing Sect produces their own Foundation Establishment Pills, they only refine a few batches every ten years.
These Foundation Establishment Pills are usually distributed among the higher echelons of the sect, and the remaining few also get claimed by other outstanding disciples.
Hoping to contest for the next batch of Foundation Establishment Pills still requires waiting another eight years.
Sun Jinxiu didn’t want to wait that long, so she personally brought some Tier Two treasures this time to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill.
"Sister Sun, you must have come for the Foundation Establishment Pill."
Noticing Sun Jinxiu’s Qi Cultivation Great Perfection, Lu Zhiwei smiled faintly.
"To be honest, that’s right."
Sun Jinxiu nodded, with a tone of slight envy.
"To think, today when we meet again, Little Sister Lu has already stepped into Foundation Establishment ahead of me. As an elder sister, I feel a bit embarrassed."
"Little Sister Lu’s extraordinary talent will certainly lead to achievements far surpassing mine."
Age-wise, Sun Jinxiu was indeed over a decade older than Lu Zhiwei, justifying her addressing Lu as ’little sister’.
"Sister’s aptitude isn’t poor either; I just got lucky and obtained a Foundation Establishment Pill a bit earlier to build my foundation."
After a few exchanges, Sun Jinxiu fell silent, noticing that Lu Zhiwei was with her two brothers and surrounded by Yuan Lang, Xuu Qingshan, and others, it seemed inappropriate to interrupt further.
Among those present were several cultivators who caught Lu Yuanshan’s attention; three cultivators from the Hengyue Sect.
The leading figure was Elder Wei Yuan of the Hengyue Sect.
The other two were disciples of the Hengyue Sect.
One was called Chen Ming, Chen Yuerong’s brother, cultivator at Qi Cultivation Great Perfection, who was here for a Foundation Establishment Pill.
The other was named Li Sishui, at Eighth-Layer Qi Cultivation, and a fellow disciple friend of Chen Ming.
As Lu Yuanshan began paying attention to these three, Wei Yuan also noticed Lu Yuanshan, his eyes narrowing in surprise.
Since their last departure at the Celestial Fire Palace, only about a year had passed, yet at that time, Lu Yuanshan was still at Second-Layer Foundation Establishment.
Now, upon seeing him again, Wei Yuan was astonished to find that Lu Yuanshan’s cultivation had become more obscure, indicating growth.
How exactly is this Lu Yuanshan cultivating to progress so rapidly?
Moreover, when he noticed Lu Zhiwei, Wei Yuan almost blurted out.
"Another Foundation Establishment!"
It was truly unexpected that the rarely seen Lu Zhiwei also exuded Foundation Establishment Stage aura at this moment!
Could the Cyan Mountain Sect have a hidden stash of Foundation Establishment Pills?
This thought birthed a sense of apprehension in Wei Yuan, leading him to avert his gaze when he locked eyes with Lu Zhiwei, letting out a subtle huff.
"Elder, people from the Cyan Mountain Sect are here too, seemingly for the Foundation Establishment Pills."
By Wei Yuan’s side, Chen Ming remarked, gazing at Lu Changfeng with disdain.
"With Lu Changfeng’s cultivation matching mine, does he think he can reach Foundation Establishment with his Three Spirit Roots aptitude?"
Hengyue Sect and Cyan Mountain Sect had been foes for years, and the talents of Lu Yuanshan and his associates were no secret to Hengyue Sect’s leadership.
"What kind of treasure could the Cyan Mountain Sect offer in exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill? Spirit Stones?"
"Even if they sold everything, they wouldn’t have ten thousand Spirit Stones!"
"Besides, it’s rumored that you can only exchange a Foundation Establishment Pill with a treasure at this Trade Conference. Even having Spirit Stones won’t procure a pill."
Li Sishui chuckled derisively, his eyes filled with scorn.
Hearing Li Sishui’s words, Wei Yuan’s face darkened: "Do not underestimate the Cyan Mountain Sect, and don’t cause trouble!"
After seeing Lu Yuanshan and Lu Zhiwei, both Foundation Establishment cultivators, Wei Yuan absolutely didn’t believe they couldn’t obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Just in the instance where Lu Yuanshan displayed a stellar performance against Outer Realm Demons and earned considerable merit, he exchanged them for several pieces of Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper.
With such treasures, a Foundation Establishment Pill could easily be acquired.
Additionally, as descendants of a Golden Core Ancestor, Wei Yuan certainly didn’t believe that Lu Ping hadn’t left behind some valuable treasures.
Chastised by Wei Yuan, Li Sishui immediately shut up, seething internally, though he still didn’t take Lu Yuanshan and the others seriously.
Regarding this minor episode, Lu Ping, who observed the surroundings, heard and saw everything.
Wei Yuan is not a mindless individual, having realized the Cyan Mountain Sect’s rising prominence and wisely choosing to stand down, hence he wouldn’t act recklessly.
His approach in disciplining his disciples was entirely correct.