Chương 98: The Third Pillar

This year, Zhang Huaijin was thirty-seven years old. Rather than venturing out, he remained in seclusion to solidify his cultivation base. Meanwhile, Zhang Liwei had pushed his own training to the very peak of the Qi Refining Realm, the stage of Perfection. But Liwei was in no rush. The Foundation Establishment Pill he'd helped bring over a few years ago still had more than a decade of potency left.

So he continued refining his foundation and tempering his energy, working tirelessly to make his foundation as deep and solid as possible. Time flowed like running water, vanishing in a breath. Another year passed. Huaijin emerged from seclusion. His cultivation at the fourth level, now stable and he'd even advanced a step further. And Zhang Liwei had finally made up his mind. He emptied his merit points at the clan treasury, redeeming that single Foundation Establishment Pill.

Then, without hesitation, he entered seclusion to begin his breakthrough. Zhang Liwei was the same age as Zhang Huaijin. Thirty-eight years old. He was still under forty. If he failed now, the second half of his life would be ruined. But time waited for no one. His vitality and blood qi were at their peak, and the clan had a Foundation Establishment Pill right now. This was the best chance he would ever get. And Liwei's resolve was absolute.

He had spent years leading the clan's spirit beast hunting teams deep into the Purple Dusk Mountain Range. His Dao Heart was firm. He thrived on combat. His battle experience was vast. And his foundation was incredibly solid. With the unstoppable momentum of total commitment, he swallowed the pill and began his assault on the Foundation Establishment Realm. Every member of the Zhang family held their breath, their hearts and minds captivated by the event.

As the days passed, even Haihu's (tiger) aura slowly grew stronger in tandem. Then Zhang Huaijin's figure appeared in the main clan hall. Zhang Chongwen felt the aura radiating from his grandson, and his pupils abruptly constricted.

"Huaijin… you reached the fourth level of Foundation Establishment Realm in just four years?" Shock flooded the old patriarch's voice. Even a Heavenly Spirit Root couldn't advance this fast! Zhang Huaijin didn't bother hiding his aura from his grandfather.

"Mm. I had some fortunate encounters." Zhang Chongwen forced down the shock in his heart, struggling to compose himself.

"If Liwei can break through and join us as a Foundation Establishment cultivator… that would be joy upon joy." He slowly sat back down, unable to suppress the delight creeping into his voice.

"Liwei's Dao Heart is firm," Huaijin replied.

"He will succeed. He's always had that kind of will." Zhang Chongwen nodded slowly, then a thought seemed to strike him.

"Oh… by the way, the spirit peaches are ripe now. Have been for a year, actually." This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Huaijin's eyes sharpened with interest.

"The Seven Colored Spirit Peach Tree?"

"The same," Chongwen confirmed. It was now classified as Tier 2, low grade, bearing fruit once every six years. The azure peaches could assist early stage Foundation Establishment cultivators in their training. But the green peaches… those were something else entirely. Each green peach contained a rich, concentrated life force, a genuine longevity treasure. A Tier 2, low grade green peach could extend a person's lifespan by a full ten years.

Chongwen produced eighteen peaches from his storage, each one preserved in a sealed jade box to lock in its essence. Huaijin took them, then selected three green peaches.

"Grandfather, these are longevity treasures." He held them out.

"Each one adds ten years." The old man's breath caught.

"The tree's grade can still evolve," Huaijin continued.

"Take one now and see for yourself. Who knows? You might still be around for the green peaches that extend life by twenty years." Zhang Chongwen's heart surged with emotion. He had never dared to hope for such a thing. But then his expression grew serious.

"Huaijin… the Spirit Peach Tree didn't just change on its own, did it? This has something to do with you." The original azure peaches were already extraordinary. But green peaches with the power to extend life? The Zhang clan was still far too weak to protect such a treasure. Everything had to be handled with extreme caution. Huaijin met his grandfather's gaze.

"Just a fortunate encounter," he said, his answer deliberately vague. Zhang Chongwen studied him for a long, searching moment. Then he nodded slowly.

"Aren't you planning to build your own cultivation abode?" he said quietly.

"The clan compound has too many eyes and ears. Now that you've reached the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm… take the Peach Tree and leave the clan as soon as you can." The old patriarch's voice carried real unease. With more and more clansmen gathering at Green Bamboo Mountain, the risk of a leak was growing every day. Huaijin inclined his head.

"I was thinking the same thing. Once Liwei successfully breaks through, I'll go." He had already picked a location, Green Ape Peak, the very place where he'd originally found the spirit peach tree. The mountain had a new master now, of course. More than seven years had passed since the last beast tide, and the number of spirit beasts in the surrounding area had swelled again. Low-level beasts were once more running rampant. Some spirit beast species simply bred too quickly.

"Alright." Zhang Chongwen tucked the three green peaches away with trembling hands. —— A month later. A powerful aura erupted from Zhang Liwei's cultivation chamber. The intimidating pressure of a Foundation Establishment Realm slowly spread through the clan grounds. The shimmering array formation at the cave entrance flickered and faded, and Zhang Liwei walked out. His aura was still slightly chaotic, raw from the recent breakthrough.

But it was unmistakably, undeniably stable at the Foundation Establishment level. Zhang Liwei had succeeded. He was now the Zhang clan's third Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator. The entire Zhang family erupted into an uproar. A third Foundation Establishment cultivator. The clan's power was growing stronger with every passing year. Elsewhere, Zhang Liliang stood alone in his quarters, dressed in black.

His aura had completely transformed since his own failed breakthrough years ago, light and detached now, like wind brushing over clouds. But deep in his eyes, a faint trace of baleful energy still churned. He had changed. After his failure, he had thrown himself into talisman crafting with manic intensity, repaying most of the merit points he owed. His old wounds had long since healed. Every day, he refined his foundation, waiting.

His state of mind had become calm and unwavering, like an ancient well undisturbed by even the strongest wind. But seeing Zhang Liwei succeed… it stirred a faint wave in that placid heart.

"I will reach Foundation Establishment Realm again." Liliang's voice was calm. The tribulation power in his eyes surged briefly. Then he turned and walked away. Inside his chest, an endless, burning unwillingness still smoldered. Once he finished repaying his remaining merit points, he would try again. So what if he was past the age limit of sixty? It wasn't as if no one had ever succeeded. ——"Huaijin… Father…"

Zhang Liwei stood in the main hall, his face pale from the ordeal but split by a grin he couldn't suppress.

"I didn't disgrace the family." Foundation Establishment Realm. He had never imagined, not in his wildest dreams, that he would reach it in this lifetime. From now on, he would have a lifespan of two hundred and forty years. To live as he pleased. Carefree. Unfettered.

"Good! Good! GOOD!" Zhang Chongwen was beside himself with excitement, his face flushed red as he clapped his son on the shoulder again and again. He had started as a lone, wandering rouge cultivator. Building a clan from nothing and establishing a foothold in Langya County had already been an outstanding achievement. But now… now he had two sons at the Foundation Establishment level. He didn't know how many people in the county envied him.

After showing his face briefly, Liwei returned to seclusion to stabilize his new cultivation. —— And three months later. The Purple Spirit Tiger, Haihu finally broke through as well, ascending to Tier 2 and settling at the first level of the Foundation Establishment Realm. The Zhang clan had gained another Foundation Establishment level combatant.