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Amidst the churning sea of ​​clouds, the mountain gate of Huangfeng Valley pierced the sky like the fangs of a giant beast.

Han Li stood on the deck of the flying boat, his sleeves fluttering in the strong wind.

In the distance, the seventy-two peaks appeared and disappeared in the spiritual mist, each peak radiating a precious light, which was the location of the cave dwellings of Golden Core cultivators.

"That's Tianquan Peak, the cultivation ground for the sect leader's lineage," Uncle Wu explained, pointing to the highest peak. "You newly initiated disciples are all assigned to Qingluan Peak."

Li Feiyu quietly nudged Han Li's elbow and whispered, "Look at that dark mountain peak in the southeast corner. It's said that's..."

"Silence!" Uncle Wu suddenly interrupted the conversation, his gaze sweeping nervously over the Foundation Establishment deacons at the front of the flying boat.

Han Li then noticed that the ears of two of the deacons were twitching slightly and unnaturally...

It's clearly some kind of special spell being cast!
The airship landed on the square paved with bluestone.

With a wave of his sleeve, Uncle Wu conjured dozens of items that floated neatly in front of each new disciple.

Han Li's fingers trembled slightly as he took the yellow silk robe...

This seemingly ordinary garment was surprisingly heavy, and upon closer inspection, one could discover that every thread was wrapped with pale gold runes.

"The Yellow Maple Valley's basic cultivation technique, 'Evergreen Mantra,' can be cultivated up to the Foundation Establishment stage." Uncle Wu's voice echoed in the square. "The Azure Leaf magic weapon requires the seventh level of Qi Refining to wield. The storage bag contains ten squares of space, and there are also the Blazing Sun Sword and the Cold Moon Blade, as well as a set of basic formations..."

However, because Han Li entered Huangfeng Valley with the Ascension Token, he received an exceptionally precious Foundation Establishment Pill as an extra reward.

When the Foundation Establishment Pill, the size of a longan, fell into Han Li's hand, he felt dozens of scorching gazes instantly pierce his back.

The three golden lines on the surface of the pill gleamed in the sunlight, and the fragrance of the medicine caused the surrounding spiritual energy to ripple.

"Why should a useless person with four spiritual roots be able to get a Foundation Establishment Pill?" A suppressed discussion arose from the crowd.

Han Li caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye of Li Feiyu's hand gripping the sword, where the veins were bulging. Although he quickly let go, the jealousy he felt in that instant was obvious.

On the contrary, Su Ning remained calm and even shook his head almost imperceptibly.

"A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime." Su Ning's voice transmission rang in Han Li's ears. "No matter what happens next, remember the 'three questions' I taught you."

Han Li nodded to himself.

This is the content of the special training they received from Suning before leaving Tainan Valley: When encountering danger, first ask about the motive, then the cost, and finally the escape route.

"New disciples, come with me to register in the Jade Register!" Just as Uncle Wu finished speaking, a sarcastic voice suddenly interrupted.

"Wait a minute."

The crowd parted automatically, and a young cultivator in brocade robes and a jade belt stepped out. He was the Lu family member who had been defeated by Su Ning in the arena competition.

The jade pendant hanging from his waist indicated that he had been promoted to an inner disciple, and he was followed by two obsequious followers.

"Junior Brother Han, is it?" Senior Brother Lu approached with a forced smile. "I heard you entered the sect using the Ascension Token? Perfect, I need a medicine boy..."

"Senior Brother Lu." Su Ning suddenly stepped in front of Han Li, blocking his path. "Has your injury from the Tainan Small Tournament arena healed?"

Senior Brother Lu's face instantly turned ashen.

That day, he was beaten so badly that he vomited blood and fell unconscious, which became a laughing stock among the inner sect members.

Now that his old wounds were exposed in public, a fierce glint appeared in his eyes: "You're asking for death!"

A beam of silver light shot out from his sleeve—it was the Cold Jade Ruler!

This time, however, the ruler was wreathed in even colder blue flames, and ice crystals condensed wherever it passed.

Just as Han Li was about to dodge, he saw Su Ning advance instead of retreating, forming a strange hand seal with his hands.

With a soft shout, seven points of starlight suddenly lit up on his chest, which was the "Seven Star Soul Lock" he used in the arena that day!
However, the arrangement of the stars this time is slightly different, vaguely forming some kind of defensive formation.

"Oh!"

The Jade Ruler struck the Starlight Barrier, sending up a shower of ice shards.

"Ah..." Senior Brother Lu suddenly screamed, clutching his head and collapsing to his knees...

The starlight actually rebounded back through the connection between the artifact and its master's consciousness!

"Stop!" Uncle Wu's shout rang out just in time.

With a wave of his sleeve, a soft blue light separated the two sides. "Fellow disciples killing each other, what kind of behavior is this!"

A soft laugh suddenly came from the shadows: "Junior Brother Wu, why get angry? It's just a friendly sparring match between juniors."

At this moment, a middle-aged man emerged, dressed in a black robe, with a sinister expression.

Han Li noticed the words "Ye, Hall of Law Enforcement" engraved on the token hanging from his waist, and his heart tightened immediately.

“Junior Brother Ye.” Uncle Wu frowned slightly. “This batch of new disciples has not yet been recorded in the Jade Register, so they are not considered formal fellow disciples.”

Uncle Ye seemed not to hear, his gaze immediately fixed on the Foundation Establishment Pill in Han Li's hand: "Junior, your aptitude is inferior, it's a waste for you to take the Foundation Establishment Pill. Why not give it to someone who needs it more?"

There was dead silence in the square.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for Han Li's reaction.

Han Li felt his throat go dry.

According to the "three questions" taught by Su Ning: The other party's motive is clearly to seize by force; the cost is possibly offending the Enforcement Hall; as for the way out...

"Disciple...disciple..." Han Li stammered, while secretly observing Su Ning's reaction.

The latter nodded almost imperceptibly.

"What? You're unwilling?" Uncle Ye's face darkened, and he suddenly released the pressure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Han Li felt as if he were carrying a thousand pounds, and his knees bent uncontrollably.

Just as he was about to kneel down, a gentle force suddenly supported his back.

Suddenly, Wu Shishu appeared beside him, unleashing his own Foundation Establishment aura to counter Ye Shishu: "Senior Brother Ye, isn't it beneath your dignity to bully the weak?"

"Hmph!" Uncle Ye withdrew his oppressive aura and stared coldly at Han Li. "I won't take your money for nothing. Here are one hundred spirit stones, plus three hundred-year-old spirit herbs."

As he spoke, he tossed over a dusty, gray bag.

Han Li caught it, weighed it in his hand, and sneered inwardly...

At most fifty spirit stones, and of poor quality.

But his face showed a mixture of fear and gratitude: "Thank you for your generous gift, Uncle Ye!"

When he presented the Foundation Establishment Pill with both hands, he deliberately shook his sleeves, appearing extremely reluctant to part with it.

His acting skills are absolutely top-notch. After all, he's not stupid; he naturally understands that circumstances are beyond one's control.

After Uncle Ye put away the pills with satisfaction, he gave Su Ning, who had remained silent, a meaningful look: "Kid, you're very smart. I hope your fellow disciples are just as smart."

Only after the two Foundation Establishment cultivators left did the new disciples dare to breathe loudly.

Li Feiyu grabbed Han Li and said, "Are you crazy? That's a Foundation Establishment Pill!"

"Junior Brother Li," Su Ning pressed down on his shoulder, her voice extremely low, "Do you really think we can protect him now?"

Han Li felt humiliated and remained silent, witnessing once again the cruelty of the cultivation world.

"But……"

Su Ning chuckled: "Although the spirit stones given by Uncle Ye are few, they are still free."

He looked toward the Hall of Law Enforcement, his eyes growing cold. "But this is not over! We must strive to improve ourselves and one day we will be able to avenge this humiliation."

By the time registration was completed, the setting sun had already dyed the seventy-two peaks blood red.

Han Li followed the servants to the disciples' quarters. As they passed a maple forest, he suddenly heard a deliberately hushed conversation coming from behind the trees:

"Hehe, this is so satisfying! I've disliked them for a long time."

"That's right! In our cultivation world, strength is still the most important thing."

"Uncle Ye is so awesome! I like strong people like him."

Han Li's anger was almost uncontrollable.

Just as he was about to turn around, a warm and strong hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.

"Don't turn around." Su Ning's voice rang out as usual, as if she hadn't heard the conspiracy. "I heard the Spirit Food Hall on Qingluan Peak is pretty good, shall we go and try it?"

Han Li understood and deliberately said loudly, "Great! I'm hungry." After the two walked away, Su Ning explained in a low voice, "Junior brothers, don't sleep in the disciples' quarters tonight. I'll take you somewhere."

Under the moonlight, three figures quietly slipped into the abandoned mine shaft behind Qingluan Peak.

Han Li lit a tinderbox and discovered that the cave walls were covered with marks from knives and axes, the deepest of which was over ten feet deep.

"This is……"

“This was left behind when the demonic cultivators invaded three hundred years ago.” Su Ning gently stroked the mark. “At that time, a Golden Core elder self-destructed his Golden Core here, perishing together with three demonic cultivators of the same level.”

Han Li was startled.

He suddenly understood why Su Ning had brought him here...

The resentment of a Golden Core cultivator lingers here, making it an ideal hiding place that ordinary divine senses dare not easily probe!

"Senior brother, how come you seem to know so much about Yellow Maple Valley?"

"Intelligence is a very profound subject."

"..."

"Go to sleep." Su Ning placed a few simple warning talismans at the cave entrance. "Tomorrow we have to go to the Hundred Machines Hall to receive a mission. This time we really embarrassed Uncle Ye. It would be better for the three of us to hide for a while."

In the darkness, Han Li stroked the Blazing Sun Sword beside him, his mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.

Today's events flashed through my mind like a revolving lantern: Senior Brother Lu's sneak attack, Uncle Ye's cunning and forceful seizure, the conspiracy and mockery of my fellow disciples behind the tree...

And then there's Suning's consistently steady presence.

In the world of cultivation, just as my senior brother said—it's either eat people or be eaten.

……

Su Ning didn't try to appease Han Li after that, since he had to endure such humiliation himself; otherwise, there wouldn't be the Han Laomo he became later.

The next day, Su Ning, Han Li, and Li Feiyu went to Baiji Hall to accept the mission.

Han Li indeed went to the Hundred Herbs Garden; Li Feiyu went to the Mountain Patrol Hall; however, Su Ning chose to go to the Spirit Food Hall, since the lower-level disciples of Huangfeng Valley still needed to eat.

With Suning's superb culinary skills, he quickly stood out at Ling Shi Tang.

The morning in Huangfeng Valley was shrouded in layers of thin mist, and wisps of smoke were already rising from the Ling Shi Tang (spirit canteen) at the foot of Qingluan Peak.

Suning pushed open the heavy wooden door, and a rich aroma of spirit rice wafted out, mixed with the delicious flavor of stewed spirit beast meat.

Several disciples were busily stirring the spiritual vegetables in the large pot when they saw Su Ning enter. One of them quickly wiped his sweat and said respectfully, "Senior Brother Su, you've arrived."

"Hmm." Su Ning nodded, her gaze sweeping over the stove, and she frowned slightly. "The heat was too high, and at least 30% of the spiritual energy in the spirit valley has been lost."

The disciple was taken aback, then smiled wryly and said, "Senior brother has a discerning eye. How could we outer disciples know so many delicate skills? We're lucky if we can even cook it."

Without saying anything more, Su Ning walked straight to the stove, rolled up his sleeves, and flicked his fingertips. A wisp of cyan spiritual energy seeped into the fire, and the originally raging flames instantly became warm and even.

He picked up the shovel, and with a flick of his wrist, the spirit rice in the pot flew around like snowflakes, each grain carrying a faint spiritual light, without a trace of burning.

"This..." The surrounding servants and disciples stared in disbelief.

"Cooking spiritual food requires a balance between heat and spiritual energy," Su Ning said calmly while stirring the food. "If the fire is too strong, the spiritual energy will dissipate easily; if the fire is too weak, the spiritual grain will be raw and difficult to digest. Only when it is just right can the spiritual energy in the food be absorbed most easily."

His movements were fluid and graceful; in no time, a pot of crystal-clear, spiritually vibrant rice was ready.

The aroma filled the air, attracting disciples passing by outside the canteen to stop and admire it.

"It smells so good! Did they change staff at the Spirit Food Hall today?"

"It seems to be the new Senior Brother Su. I heard that his cooking skills are excellent, and even his Foundation Establishment stage uncle has praised them."

"No way? Even the senior uncles are eating at the Spirit Food Hall?"

"Of course! It's only human nature to crave food and drink."

Soon, the news spread, and the number of diners at Ling Shi Tang increased several times over.

Su Ning didn't hold back; instead, he began teaching the menial disciples how to control the heat, how to combine spiritual ingredients, and even occasionally used low-grade spiritual herbs provided by Han Li to prepare medicinal meals, thus increasing the effects of ordinary spiritual food several times over.

Three months later, the reputation of the Spirit Food Hall had spread throughout the outer sect, and many inner sect disciples even made special trips to taste it.

And Suning's Ling Shan (a type of cuisine) has gradually developed its own unique style...

"Spirit Fire Stewed Beast Meat" - made primarily from the meat of low-level fire-type demon beasts, supplemented with "Qi Nourishing Pill" powder refined by Han Li, and simmered over low heat for six hours. It melts in your mouth, is rich in spiritual energy, and can temporarily enhance the power of fire-type spells after consumption.

"Clear Heart Lotus Soup" is made by simmering lotus seeds from the Spirit Pool and adding a small amount of calming herbs. It can stabilize the mind and is very beneficial for disciples who are prone to going astray during cultivation.

"Hundred Herbs Spirit Porridge" - This is Su Ning's masterpiece. It is made by boiling low-grade spiritual herbs provided by Han Li into porridge. Long-term consumption can slowly improve physical condition and even slightly improve the cultivation speed of pseudo-spiritual root cultivators.

One day, a Foundation Establishment stage elder stepped into the Spirit Food Hall. After tasting a mouthful of "Hundred Herbs Spirit Porridge," a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: "This porridge... actually contains a trace of the medicinal effects of the 'Marrow Cleansing Pill'?"

Su Ning smiled slightly, cupped his hands and said, "This disciple has some knowledge of pharmacology, but this is just a rudimentary attempt and I dare not compare it with real elixirs."

The elder gave him a deep look and nodded, saying, "Indeed, if you can perfect the recipe for this porridge, it may be included in the sect's contribution and earned you merit."

Su Ning's heart skipped a beat—this was exactly what he wanted.

However, as the reputation of Ling Shi Tang grew, some people began to have ill intentions.

"Junior Brother Su, your spiritual food business is doing quite well!"

On this day, several inner disciples surrounded Su Ning. The man in the lead had a sinister face and wore a "Forging Pavilion" token at his waist, clearly indicating that he had come with ill intentions.

"Senior brother, you flatter me. It's just some rudimentary skill." Su Ning said calmly.

"Simple?" the man sneered. "I heard that some of the spiritual materials you use are even pill-grade herbs. Where did you, an outer disciple, get such resources?"

Su Ning's eyes flickered slightly, knowing that the other party was testing whether he had any powerful backers, or...

Is there a secret hidden?

"It was just a lucky coincidence that I obtained some low-grade spiritual herbs," he said casually.

"Is that so?" The man narrowed his eyes. "Then how about this: you hand over the formula, and our inner sect can help you promote it, how about that?"

Su Ning smiled and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother! However, the Spirit Food Hall is meant to serve fellow disciples. If you like it, you are welcome to come and try it anytime. No recipe is required."

The man's face darkened, and he was about to lash out when a cold voice suddenly rang out...

"What? The people from the Forging Pavilion are now even meddling in the Spirit Food Hall's affairs?"

Everyone turned around and saw Li Feiyu standing with his arms crossed, the long sword at his waist trembling slightly, as if ready to be drawn at any moment.

The inner disciples' expressions changed slightly, clearly aware of Li Feiyu's fearsome reputation. In the end, they snorted coldly and left dejectedly.

After they left, Li Feiyu walked to Su Ning's side and whispered, "Senior Brother Su, be careful lately, someone is watching you."

Suning nodded: "As expected."

Li Feiyu paused for a moment, then said, "Han Li's side is not peaceful either. Master Ma of the Hundred Herbs Garden seems to have become suspicious of the speed at which he cultivates spiritual herbs."

Su Ning's gaze darkened slightly: "This is the world of cultivation! We must become stronger step by step."

……

Three years have passed in the blink of an eye.

With Han Li's continuous supply of pills, Su Ning and Li Feiyu's cultivation levels advanced by leaps and bounds.

The spiritual food served at the Spiritual Food Hall also gave them a much more solid foundation than ordinary disciples.

On this day, three auras erupted almost simultaneously on the back mountain of Qingluan Peak!

"boom--"

A surge of spiritual energy swept across the surroundings.

Su Ning opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and restrained, his spiritual energy flowing freely and smoothly around him.

Qi Refining Stage Thirteen, Great Perfection!
Not far away, Han Li and Li Feiyu also broke through one after another. The three of them looked at each other and saw the determination in each other's eyes.

"Senior Brother Su, what's next..." Han Li said in a low voice.

"Foundation Building." Su Ning's gaze was profound. "The true path of cultivation has only just begun."

...(End of chapter)