Journey to the West: Building a Celestial Empire Starting from Lion Camel Ridge

Fan Qiming's voice was low, but filled with surprise.

He came here with the intention of giving it a try, after all, the death aura had been eroding for many years, and being able to stop its spread was already a fairly satisfactory result.

Who would have thought that not only was the deathly aura completely dispelled, but even the cultivation level seemed to have made a leap forward!

......

Feeling the extremely powerful aura, Chen Ping'an and the others took a few steps back in unison.

Is this what Foundation Building is?

Chen Ping'an sized up Fan Qiming, whose robes were fluttering in the wind, radiating an aura that suppressed everything. The spiritual energy in the shelter was drawn to him, swirling and roaring in mid-air.

"Brother Fan has been at the ninth level of Qi Refining for three years."

Liu Cheng, standing to the side, also looked delighted. "But the death energy in his body was extremely strong. Today, thanks to Young Master Chen's help, he was able to expel the death energy, and advancing to the next level has become a natural progression."

"Everyone in the local temple will be deeply grateful for your great kindness and virtue, and will never forget it."

"Don't mention it. Brother Fan is kind-hearted and good-natured; good people are always blessed."

Listening to the two's polite conversation, Ali quietly scoffed.

However, Ali also knew that Fan Qiming was at a critical moment and could not be disturbed in the slightest. After staring intently for a moment, she returned to the corner of the wall, closed her eyes, and went to take a nap.

Foundation building!

That was also the realm that Ali longed for.

......

Fan Qiming sat cross-legged on the purification altar, his back straight.

Place both hands, palms up, on your knees.

One eye was tightly closed, and his brow was furrowed as if he were fighting against something.

The energy surged within him, visibly permeating outwards and thinning the golden light emanating from the purifying spirit platform.

This is something I've been holding back for four years.

The deathly aura relentlessly suppressed him at the ninth level of Qi Refining. His Qi, which was crucial for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, accumulated to the critical point time and time again, only to be eroded away by the deathly aura each time. It was like pouring water into a leaky bucket; once it was full, it couldn't hold any more.

Now that the deathly aura has been completely expelled, all the remnants accumulated over the past four years have converged at this moment—

All rivers flow into the sea.

boom!

The spiritual energy surged to its peak at that moment, then slowly receded, entering Fan Qiming's body and sinking in little by little until it disappeared.

The shelter fell silent again.

Fan Qiming opened his eyes, a glint of shrewdness emanating from them.

He looked down at his two palms, clenched them, loosened them, and then clenched them again.

"Foundation Establishment achieved."

He said his tone was very flat this time.

It was just a confirmation sentence, like saying something about today's weather.

Liu Cheng chuckled beside him, then realized he was being too loud, pressed his lips to his mouth, and his eyes reddened slightly.

Zhao Gou'er didn't understand what this meant, so he turned to Liu Cheng and whispered, "What is Foundation Establishment?"

Liu Cheng didn't answer, but just slapped him hard on the head.

Chen Ping'an remained silent, watching for a while until Fan Qiming stood up.

Fan Qiming got up from the purification platform and took two steps toward Chen Ping'an.

A fist and palm salute is a genuine form of greeting, not just a formality.

"I will remember Mr. Chen's kindness."

"Don't worry about it, just tell me I'm safe."

Chen Pingan smiled and pointed to the package.

"After all, I accepted your gift when we first met."

Upon hearing this, Fan Qiming was taken aback.

Those resources are like fireflies compared to advancing to Foundation Establishment; how could they possibly compete with the bright moon?

He knew in his heart that Chen Ping'an did not take this matter to heart.

This seemingly casual answer actually reflects the other party's desire to avoid any psychological burden or feeling obligated to do anything out of gratitude.

But faced with such a great kindness, they did not express their gratitude.

This is not Fan Qiming's style.

He looked Chen Ping'an over carefully and asked tentatively.

"Have you started your spiritual practice?"

......

In the corner, Ali watched Chen Ping'an and Fan Qiming talk about cultivation with a calm expression, feeling somewhat irritated.

It would be impossible for A-Li not to feel angry about Fan Qiming's previous expulsion.

At that time, I was being consumed by death energy and had little chance of survival. Having lost the protection of the local temple, I came to this ruin in despair, already prepared to die.

The sharp shards of glass grazed my wrist countless times, then were gently set aside.

Fortunately, she met Chen Ping'an.

Ah Li's thoughts drifted back to that day, and the image of that trembling figure standing between her and the wolf demon appeared in her mind.

Her reverie was interrupted when Zhao Gou'er spoke in a deep, muffled voice.

"Sister Ali."

"What's up?"

Ali glanced at the honest and taciturn young man, only to realize that Fan Qiming and Chen Ping'an had already finished their conversation.

She couldn't help but pat her forehead; she was so engrossed in thinking that she hadn't heard a thing!

It's all your fault!

Chen Ping'an!

"Brother Fan asked me to stay here and help you with some chores."

"For example, sharpening arrowheads, that's something I'm quite good at."

Zhao Gou'er said with an honest and simple smile.

Upon hearing this, Ali was immediately speechless.

You think I'm really sharpening arrowheads?

I... I really am sharpening an arrowhead!

......

"OK."

"Then it's settled."

Fan Qiming was in high spirits after his successful promotion.

"Before the rainy season arrives, I will come for an hour each day to teach you the methods of cultivation; as for how much you can comprehend, that depends on yourself."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "Then I'll have to trouble you, Brother Fan."

"With your natural talent, plus the uniquely advantageous environment of the shelter."

Fan Qiming looked around and said, "Before the rainy season, it should be no problem to draw in Qi and begin cultivation."

Let's start tomorrow.

Fan Qiming said, "There are too many things to do today. Try to feel the atmosphere in the shelter first. It's a good environment for practicing Qi. Get the feeling out of there first, so it will be faster when I come tomorrow."

Chen Pingan carefully wrote it down, "I understand."

Fan Qiming glanced to the side and called Zhao Gou'er over.

"Dog," he said, "you stay here."

"Do whatever Ping An and Ali tell you to do."

Zhao Gou'er glanced timidly at Sister Ali, who was fuming in the distance for some reason, then at Chen Ping'an, whose expression was gentle, and obediently replied, "Oh."

Liu Cheng explained from the side, "Gou'er is a quick and strong kid. He can do anything, from moving things to helping out. He's not picky about the work. If you need more people, you can let him do whatever he wants."

Chen Ping'an glanced at Zhao Gou'er.

He was thin with narrow shoulders and a face that still held a hint of youthful naiveté, but his posture was solid and steady, and his eyes were clear, without the awkwardness or scrutiny one might expect upon first meeting.

"OK."

Chen Pingan said, "Stay here. There's a lot of work to do at the shelter, and they're short-staffed."

Zhao Gou'er nodded, said nothing more, found a spot to squat down, and quietly waited to be assigned a task.

As the two were about to leave, Fan Qiming paused at the edge of the barrier and glanced back at Chen Ping'an.

"Peace," Fan Qiming's tone was a little more relaxed than when he came in today, "When you have time, go and visit the local temple. The children and elderly there have been wanting to see you."

After pondering for a moment, Chen Pingan nodded and said, "I will go there once the preparations for the rainy season are over."

"As for whether Ali goes or not, it's up to her."

Fan Qiming hummed in agreement, then turned and left.

Liu Cheng followed, and the sound of their footsteps faded into the distance in the ruins, soon being drowned out by the wind and disappearing among the broken bricks and tiles.

There were only three people left in the shelter, plus an extra person named Zhao Gou'er.

Chen Ping'an sat down next to the purification altar and, as Fan Qiming had instructed, calmed his mind and felt the pure aura emanating from it.

He didn't know what "qi sensation" was, nor did he know what it felt like to draw qi into the body.

But sitting here now, he can feel it.

My own path of spiritual cultivation has begun.