Xuanheng walked up to Su Ming and gently patted his shoulder. The warmth from his palm penetrated through the heavy True Disciple robe. "Su Ming, this is destiny, and also your fortune. Without these twists and turns, you might have only ended up as a carefree elder, passing your remaining days in obscurity. But now that you've entered my sect, there are some paths, no matter how difficult, that your Master will give you a push to walk."

Su Ming suddenly raised his head, a hopeful fire rekindling in his eyes.

"The Earth Vein Spirit Milk is now available for you to exchange. Foundation Establishment is urgent and imminent. This is your top priority right now. No matter what the future holds, you must take the steps before you one at a time."

"As for after the Golden Core..."

Xuanheng paused slightly, as if carefully choosing his words. After a long moment, he slowly said, "I've consulted ancient texts and learned of an ancient Alchemy Formula called the 'Heaven-Mending Pill.' Its principle is not repair, but 'reforging.' If such a pill could be successfully concocted, it might be able to completely melt down and recast your shattered Dao foundation into an immaculate body."

"However, this method is ethereal and uncertain. The spiritual herbs required are all rare treasures of heaven and earth, some even existing only in legends. Moreover, the refining method has long been lost. The cost is immense, and it may not even be real." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

At this point, Xuanheng's expression became exceptionally serious as he stared into Su Ming's eyes. "I'm telling you this not to encourage you to aim too high, but to give you a sliver of hope to hold in your heart. The Great Dao numbers fifty, Heaven derives forty-nine, and man seizes the one that escapes. As long as you live, as long as you keep moving forward, there is always a thread of hope."

"For now, don't think too much about it. First, condense your Golden Core, then plan the next step. If we truly reach that stage, even if I have to venture into those forbidden lands, your Master will seek that thread of opportunity for you."

Su Ming felt his nose sting slightly, and his eyes grew a bit warm.

In this cultivation world where profit reigns supreme and the strong prey on the weak, to receive such a promise from a Nascent Soul mighty figure—this kindness was as weighty as Mount Tai.

He took a step back and performed a solemn, deep bow, his forehead touching the cold floor, his voice as firm as iron. "Disciple Su Ming respectfully follows Master's teachings. I will certainly not fail Master's high expectations!"

Xuanheng accepted this bow, a trace of weary contentment appearing on his face. He waved his hand. "Go. Your senior brothers and sister are still waiting for you outside the hall. Go get acquainted with them. From now on in Formation Peak, don't let anyone bully you."

"Yes."

Su Ming rose respectfully and backed out of the Star Pivot Hall.

The hall doors slowly closed, shutting away the boundless starlight and the figure in blue robes within.

Su Ming stood on the white jade plaza. The mountain wind was biting, yet it couldn't disperse the heavy pressure in his heart. The damage to his Dao foundation was like a festering sore clinging to the bone, and the road ahead was shrouded in thick mist. He clenched his fist, his nails digging into his palm, leaving pale imprints.

"That's it?"

In his Consciousness Sea, Lin Yu's voice carried a hint of amusement.

Su Ming reached up and touched the warm True Disciple Token on his chest, a wry smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Master, please stop making fun of my Master. Regardless, he was willing to lay his cards on the table for me and even made such a heavy promise. That is kindness."

"Kindness is kindness, but the road still has to be walked by yourself," Lin Yu snorted. "That 'Heaven-Mending Pill' sounds unreliable. Rather than pinning hopes on something from legends, better to hope our 'Like Water Art' mutates, or that this black egg hatches some divine beast to carry us up to ascension."

Su Ming instinctively touched the heavy black egg in his storage pouch, and his heart settled somewhat.

Yes.

At least for now, the path is clear.

With the Earth Vein Spirit Milk, Foundation Establishment is already a sure thing. As for after the Golden Core... that's a matter for decades or even a century from now.

When the cart reaches the mountain, there will be a path; when the boat reaches the bridge, it will go straight.

"At least, the path to Foundation Establishment is still there," he silently repeated to himself, forcibly suppressing the churning thoughts. He raised his head and looked toward the three figures waiting not far away.

The road must be walked step by step. Right now, he needed to first obtain the Earth Vein Spirit Milk.

He strode forward, his steps steady and firm as he walked toward the three figures waiting on the other side of the plaza.

There, Luo Feng was waving at him, Qin Yi was fiddling with some spiritual grass, and that aloof Eldest Senior Sister Ling Shuang, though still facing away from him, had not left.

...

After exiting the Star Pivot Hall, Luo Feng was the first to approach. Gone was his usual exuberance, replaced instead by a cautious, probing demeanor.

"Junior Brother, Master... didn't give you a hard time, did he?" he asked in a lowered voice. "You don't look too good."

Su Ming forced a smile and shook his head. "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. Master just urged me to diligently cultivate and not slack off."

Ling Shuang, who had been leaning against a pillar with her sword in her arms, suddenly spoke up. Her voice was as cool and clear as ever, but she uncharacteristically said a few more words. "Cultivation is not urgent for the moment. An unstable foundation easily breeds inner demons."

Her words seemed ordinary, yet they felt pointed. Su Ming's heart grew slightly alert. He cupped his hands respectfully. "Thank you for the advice, Senior Sister."

Qin Yi, who was squatting nearby using a blade of grass to tease a spotted lizard that had appeared from nowhere, looked up upon hearing this and smiled gently. "Junior Brother Su has just experienced a great battle and undergone the master acceptance ceremony. His mental energy must be quite depleted. I still have some calming 'Tranquil Heart Grass.' I'll send some over to you later."

"Thank you, Second Senior Brother." A warmth spread in Su Ming's heart. These senior brothers and sister, though seemingly different in temperament, this quiet, unspoken care was genuine.

The simple two words, carrying a chill, instantly made Luo Feng shut his mouth. He shrank his neck and chuckled dryly. "Ha, I was just asking casually, just casually. Well, since the ceremony is done, shouldn't we throw a welcome party for our junior brother?"

"Where to?" Qin Yi played with a foxtail grass he'd plucked from somewhere, sounding somewhat distracted. "If it's the dining hall, forget it. The spiritual rice there is so hard it could break your teeth. It's not even as good as the feed I give my spirit crane."

"The dining hall? How shabby!"

Luo Feng thumped his chest, full of bravado. "To my place! I happened to help an elder repair a formation the other day, and he gave me a few jars of 'Drunken Immortal Brew' and some 'Cold Fat Fish' shipped from the North Sea. We'll do it ourselves—weave our own cloth and make our own food!"

As he spoke, he pulled something out of his storage pouch.

It was a... flat "board" pieced together from countless metal sheets and wood. The edges were jagged, its surface carved with formation patterns, some areas charred black, clearly having exploded before.

"Now that's what I call professional," Lin Yu whistled in Su Ming's mind. "Disciple, see that? If you ever end up using that kind of airship, don't say you're my disciple."

Su Ming looked at the airship that screamed "I'm broke" from every angle, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

"This is..." Su Ming asked hesitantly.

"My Floating Formation Board!" Luo Feng proudly patted the board, producing a dull clanging sound. "Made from a discarded 'Directed Wind Flow Formation' core. Saves on spirit stones! It's just a bit bumpy and occasionally spins out of control. But don't worry, you won't fall. I installed a cushioning formation underneath!"

Qin Yi facepalmed. Ling Shuang silently averted her gaze.

Looking at this airship and recalling Luo Feng's earlier statement about "sinking all my assets into formation plate materials," Su Ming suddenly understood.

This Third Senior Brother was truly poor, and truly obsessed.

"Come on, get on!" Luo Feng jumped onto the formation board first. The board wobbled, its spiritual light flickering unsteadily a few times.

Suppressing a laugh, Su Ming also leaped on. The board sank slightly, emitting a groan of protest under the weight.