First achieve immortality, then cultivate immortality.

The fact that outer disciples don't have Foundation Establishment Pills hasn't spread yet, otherwise it would have a huge impact.

Although outer disciples have poor talent and bleak personal prospects, they are the cornerstone of a sect.

If we don't give them something to look forward to, they might leave the sect at any time.

Xu Mu continued farming his land, waiting to see how things would develop.

That morning, as always, he came to the cliff to meditate and contemplate the Tao.

When I opened my eyes, Yan Qing was standing quietly beside me. It seemed that he always kept his eyes closed. Was he also trying to comprehend something?

He opened his eyes and said, "The situation has indeed escalated."

"?" Xu Mu sensed that beneath his aloof exterior lay a heart that loved to gossip.

Does he not have any other friends in the inner sect to talk to?

"I heard that the outer sect has run out of Foundation Establishment Pills?" Xu Mu stood up and took over the conversation.

He would definitely listen attentively to any news from within the sect.

Yan Qing glanced at him: "Your information network is quite impressive."

Xu Mu smiled and said, "I don't know why, but a lot of people are willing to chat with me."

Yan Qing nodded and said calmly, "This is the result of a six-month argument between the sect leader and the elders."

Half a year has passed since Lao Yu was framed, and the turmoil is far from over.

"Why is it the Foundation Establishment Pill from the outer sect?" Xu Mu asked, puzzled.

Yan Qing thought for a moment and said, "Neither of them will give in, so the outer disciples will have to suffer."

"Does the inner sect still need Foundation Establishment Pills?"

"Of course there's a shortage. Many inner disciples on each peak haven't even reached the Foundation Establishment stage yet, and they can only wait for the sect to allocate them each time. Moreover, if they were to be sold, they would be hard currency, and there would never be enough."

Xu Mu nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "What exactly is the situation? There doesn't seem to be any activity from Yulongtian."

Yan Qing calmly said, "It seems that some elders want to investigate this matter in detail, and even expand the scope. They have already conducted a private investigation and produced a list, but they lack evidence."

The main issue is personnel reassignment. Some key positions need to be filled by different people, which the elders on the other side are naturally unwilling to accept, so there is a tug-of-war between them.

Such partisan strife is common in the imperial court.

When he said this, his face was full of a detached indifference, as if he had seen through everything, and even carried a hint of detached mockery.

He seemed to be saying: Look, what's the difference between these Core Formation stage elders and the officials in the mortal court?

This guy dares to call himself a cultivator?

This is something Xu Mu imagined himself, which explains why the other person likes to come and chat about gossip. They want to find someone to express their opinions, just like online political commentators, which is understandable.

He thought for a moment and said, "In other words, the Foundation Establishment Pills that should have been allocated to the outer sect were used to appease the disgruntled elders and temporarily stabilize the situation."

Why doesn't the sect leader order a thorough investigation? Wouldn't providing an explanation to others better ensure fairness and long-term development within the sect?

Yan Qing glanced at him and said leisurely, "Do you think the sect leader is so clean?"

"..." Xu Mu increasingly felt that the cultivation world was like a dark forest.

You don't know if others will try to take your resources, but if someone else takes them, you'll have nothing left. So the best way is to take them yourself.

"This matter is too complicated. If we really investigate it, the more we investigate, the more we find, and the harder it will be to resolve."

"Then... how long will the situation at the outer gate last?" Xu Mu asked.

Yan Qing thought for a moment and said, "For at least the next ten years, outer sect disciples should not be able to apply for Foundation Establishment Pills."

"Ten years? That long?" Xu Mu was immediately taken aback.

"Yes, the outer sect already has a shortage of Foundation Establishment Pills. This supply disruption will last for at least ten years, and this rule may even change in the future."

"...Aren't you afraid of upsetting the outer disciples?" Xu Mu asked.

Yan Qing glanced at him but didn't say anything, clearly mindful of his status as an outer disciple and not wanting to say more.

Who cares about the feelings of cattle and horses?

It's better for the outer disciples to be dissatisfied than for the Core Formation elders to be dissatisfied.

Compared to the situation within the sect, the treatment of outer disciples is practically insignificant.

After a moment of silence, Xu Mu asked sincerely, "Does Senior Brother have a way to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill within six years?"

"What? With your cultivation speed, you probably don't need it."

"I don't care, but I have a senior sister who teaches in the Transmission Hall. She treats all the new junior brothers and sisters equally and is respected by everyone. She has now reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, but she has encountered this situation."

I simply couldn't bear to see her efforts fail at the last hurdle, and that she ultimately died of old age.

Xu Mu bowed respectfully, making a sincere request.

Yan Qing paused for a moment, then said softly, "I'm sorry I can't help you. I can only hope that one of the disciples of a Core Formation elder doesn't need a Foundation Establishment Pill and has one left over. Perhaps then you could take on a disciple from the outer sect..."

If my Cui Xin Peak intends to accept outer disciples, I will recommend this person to my master. That's all I can do to help.

"Thank you." Xu Mu bowed respectfully.

This is all predicated on Mo Yao being able to establish his foundation. The elders who help him achieve the Core Formation stage will definitely conduct a more rigorous examination, so obtaining the Foundation Establishment Pill through this channel will certainly be very difficult.

Perhaps this will be the model in the future, depending on whether the Core Formation Elders recruit disciples. Only outer disciples will have the opportunity to apply for Foundation Establishment Pills, rather than relying on individual contributions.

……

Xu Mu privately told Mo Yao about this situation.

Mo Yao was also incredulous after hearing this.

"I've been teaching at the Kitamura Training Hall for forty years, instructing countless beginner disciples. They all said that with my contributions, anyone who could cultivate to the ninth level of Qi Refining would receive a Foundation Establishment Pill. Why has it turned out like this?"

The Transmission Hall has always been short-staffed, because it is like a private school teacher. Although respected by the disciples, the teacher's actual status is not high. They have no real power, low income, and few cultivation resources. It is a job with no future and a retirement life.

Therefore, in Kitamukura, there have always only been Senior Sister Mo Yao and Venerable Chen Xuan.

Master Chen Xuan is here to cultivate his mind and character, while also staying away from the inner sect to secretly study demonic arts.

Mo Yao is here for the sake of peaceful cultivation and the hope of obtaining a Foundation Establishment Pill.

However, this hope was easily shattered at the last moment.

"I'll go ask the master!" Mo Yao said, pouting.

Xu Mu quickly pulled her back and comforted her, "Senior Sister, don't be anxious. This is a secret within the sect, so we can't ask directly."

"What should I do?" She couldn't help but cry out in grievance.

When Xu Mu saw her tears, he panicked a little.

Although my senior sister is over seventy years old, thanks to the anti-aging technique, she is still young and beautiful, and who wouldn't feel sorry for her when she cries?

"In that case, Senior Sister, you can't question her directly. This matter was decided by the Sect Master and the elders, and Venerable Chen Xuan can't make the decision either."

You remind him of your original promise and get his assurance that if you have a Foundation Building Pill available, he will recommend you first.

I have a senior brother from the inner sect who has promised me that if his master is willing to accept an outer sect disciple, he will definitely recommend you. That way, you'll have two recommendations, which provides some protection.

"Next, you should cultivate diligently and strive to be noticed by a Core Formation elder, who will help you achieve Foundation Establishment and accept you as an inner disciple."

Mo Yao listened with tears in her eyes, then wiped them away and nodded.

"Yes, thank you, junior brother, for doing so much for me." Her voice was still a little choked up.

Xu Mu smiled and said, "Senior Sister is beautiful and kind-hearted; she will surely be rewarded."

Mo Yao burst into laughter through her tears.