Chương 51: The Foundation Establishment Ceremony

When Zhang Lixian finally broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, it was like a storm sweeping across the entire Langya County! The three Foundation Establishment Realm clans and the Qi Refining Realm clans were shaken to their very cores. Even though they had mentally prepared for this possibility, when the news actually arrived, they couldn't help but be stunned. After all, this involved the overlord of Bing Province, the Heavenly Crane Sect! The Zhang family's fortunes had exploded.

They had produced a prodigy with a Wind Spirit Root and traded that genius for a Foundation Establishment Realm Pill, a treasure that ten thousand spirit stones couldn't buy. This was a once in a lifetime stroke of luck. The other families could only watch with envy, powerless to do anything about it. And Zhang Lixian had seized that chance with both hands. He shattered the Foundation Establishment Realm barrier, defied his fate, and ascended to the next Realm of power.

He himself possessed a decent Three Spirit Root talent, an unshakeable Dao Heart, and access to the Heavenly Crane Sect's abundant spiritual energy. Time, place, and human will, all three had aligned perfectly in his favor. If Zhang Lixian had failed his breakthrough, the Zhang family would be facing a very different reality right now. The Qi Refining Realm families burned with envy and resentment. The Miao and Yang families, in particular, were sick with jealousy.

Both of their clans had once obtained a Foundation Establishment Pill, but due to their own failings, they had never produced a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator. Yet the Zhang family, which had only been established for seventy years, succeeded on their very first pill and would now soar as a Foundation Establishment Realm clan. That was fate. You couldn't force it. The Miao family's situation was simple enough: their chosen cultivator's Dao Heart wasn't firm enough, and he had failed to break through.

But the Yang family was different. Their pill had been stolen from them. And the thief had successfully used it to become a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator. The Yang family had no one to cry to. The three existing Foundation Establishment Realm clans, however, were quite pleased. —— Inside the main hall of the Tian family compound, the atmosphere was heavy. Tian Jianmin, the head of the Tian family, looked grimly at the elders gathered around him.

"Everyone, the news is out. The invitation to the Zhang family's Foundation Establishment Ceremony has arrived. Do we, attend or not?" Tian Jianmin's voice echoed slowly through the hall. The elders exchanged uneasy glances and remained silent. Originally, the two families had enjoyed a decent enough relationship. Tian family members often bought the Zhang family's spirit wine. But because of an order from their Supreme Elder, the Tian family had been forced to suppress the Zhang family.

The relationship between them had deteriorated rapidly, eventually leading to the current situation. Now that Zhang Lixian had broken through, the Zhang family was rising as a Foundation Establishment Realm clan. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. How were the two families supposed to interact from now on?

"We should definitely attend."

"Correct. We mustn't let anyone think the Tian family lacks grace." The First and Second Elders spoke, and the other elders nodded in agreement.

"Fine. It's decided, then."

"But let me ask you all, what path should our relationship with the Zhang family take from now on?" Tian Jianmin's question was met with immediate, heavy silence.

"Clan Head, we all know where the root of this problem lies. But none of us here have the authority to decide on this matter. You should go and ask for the Supreme Elder's guidance." The highly respected First Elder spoke frankly, unafraid to voice the uncomfortable truth. The other elders nodded in agreement. Tian Jianmin had anticipated this answer. He went to the secluded cultivation chambers of the clan's two Foundation Establishment Realm elders.

But he received only one sentence in reply:"You decide for yourself." Tian Jianmin understood immediately: the Tian family owed the Zhang family an apology. That was the weight of a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator. The difference between a Qi Refining Realm cultivator and a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator was a chasm, an unbridgeable gulf. —— For an entire month, the Green Bamboo Mountain was in a flurry of preparation.

All clan members, except for those guarding the spirit mountains, returned home. In just a few short months, their family now had a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator at its helm. They could already see the clear signs of their family's impending rise. Every face was wreathed in smiles. And today was the day of the Foundation Establishment Realm Ceremony. Every major cultivation force in Langya County, and even the most prominent rogue cultivators, had received an invitation.

All were heading toward the Green Bamboo Mountain. Zhang Liwei's injuries had fully healed. When he learned what Zhang Huaijin had done for him, he was deeply moved. Although they were uncle and nephew in name, their relationship was more like that of brothers. They were the same age and had grown up as playmates. And now, Zhang Lixian has ascended to the Foundation Establishment Realm. In just a few short months, the Zhang family's circumstances had been completely overturned. It was truly astonishing.

—— Today, the main gate of the Green Bamboo Mountain stood wide open, welcoming guests from all directions. At the gate, Zhang Hong was in charge of receiving gifts and recording the register.

"The Miao family, three stalks of Tier 1, Upper Grade spirit herb, Scarlet Flame Flower!"

"The Yang family, three blocks of Tier 1, Upper Grade spirit ore, Azure Pattern Metal!"

"The Hu family, one stalk of Tier 1, Upper Grade spirit herb, Purple Fox Ginseng!" The announcements rang out, one after another, at the foot of Green Bamboo Mountain. Even the Hu family, once enemies, presented gifts. The power dynamic between them had changed completely. Hu Lingsi, the Hu family's patriarch, could only hope that the Zhang family, now a Foundation Establishment Realm clan, would be magnanimous enough to let bygones be bygones.

"The Gao family, one Tier 2, Low Grade spirit fruit, Profound Gold Fruit!"

"The Yan family, one block of Tier 2, Low Grade spirit ore, Ice-cold Essence Iron!"

"The Tian family, one Tier 2, Mid Grade spirit fruit, Blood Ink Fruit!" After the Qi Refining Realm clans had presented their gifts, it was the turn of the Foundation Establishment Realm clans. Each of the three local Foundation Establishment Realm clans sent a Foundation Establishment cultivator as their representative.

"The Shangfu Wu family, one Tier 2, Mid Grade spirit flower, Clear Wind Flower!" Besides the three local Foundation Establishment clans, the Zhang family's in-laws, the Shangfu Wu family, had also arrived. The Wu family sent a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator named Wu Ping. The Wu family had a total of three Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. Wu Ping, the uncle of Wu Anhe, was no weakling, he had already reached the Third Level of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Since its founding, Green Bamboo Mountain had never hosted a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator as a guest. Now, four of them had arrived at once. This was the difference in status. Only a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator could command the respect of a similarly powerful force. —— The Foundation Establishment Ceremony began quickly. Zhang Lixian sat alongside the four visiting Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Fellow Daoist Tian, your family's gift is far too generous! You're too kind!" The banquet downstairs was already underway. Zhang Lixian turned his gaze to the Tian family's cultivator, Tian Jianmo. The Tian family had two Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators: one at the Fourth Level and one at the Second Level. Tian Jianmo, the man before him, was at the Fourth Level of the Foundation Establishment Realm, already in the middle stage of the realm. Zhang Lixian sensed that something was off.

For a ceremony like this, a clan would usually send its weakest Foundation Establishment representative. Why had Tian Jianmo come instead of Tian Jianwei, the one at the Second Level? The cultivators from the Gao and Yan families exchanged knowing smiles. Even Wu Ping looked toward Tian Jianmo. The Tian family's gift was indeed exceptionally generous. Zhang Huaijin, dressed in white robes, stood silently behind Zhang Lixian.

Meanwhile, Zhang Hong, Zhang Linyi, and the eldest brother, Zhang Hanren, along with other members of the third generation, circulated through the banquet, attending to the guests.

"Junior Brother Lixian," Tian Jianmo said, "this old man has been in seclusion for many years. Upon emerging, I discovered that my family's juniors had been causing trouble for your family. So I've taken this opportunity to come and formally offer my apologies." The meaning in Tian Jianmo's words was crystal clear. The Tier 2, Mid Grade Blood Ink Fruit was the Tian family's apology.