I rely on learning to achieve immortality.

"Ouyang Ming has achieved Foundation Establishment!"

When Xu Zhou learned of this, his first reaction was that he must have misheard.

He was very familiar with Ouyang Ming.

The opponent is at the peak of Qi Refining cultivation, skilled in combat, and is a top-tier Qi Refining disciple.

However, this only applies to Qi Refining disciples.

If Xu Zhou remembered correctly, Ouyang Ming already had a considerable level of cultivation when he joined the sect.

In other words, Ouyang Ming was much older than him!

Conservatively speaking, Ouyang Ming should be over ninety years old at this moment.

Xu Zhou became increasingly shocked as he thought about it.

He was still struggling with whether reaching the Foundation Establishment stage at the age of eighty would attract the attention of the sect, and even considered whether to leave the sect.

But in the blink of an eye, Ouyang Ming, at the age of ninety, successfully established his foundation before him!

Once he calmed down, he immediately pressed for details.

Half a day later, through the discussions of others, he gradually learned the whole process of Ouyang Ming's foundation building.

That is, a little over a month ago, Ouyang Ming applied for a Foundation Building Chamber, intending to build his foundation.

His relatives and friends all thought that he was too old and had lived enough, so he decided to make an attempt to achieve that vague goal. They both understood and felt helpless about it.

Many people are ready to attend his funeral.

Unexpectedly, the Foundation Establishment Chamber reopened, and Ouyang Ming successfully established his foundation!

The news spread throughout the entire sect immediately.

Not to mention the sect leader, even the Core Formation Grand Elder who had been in seclusion for many years was shocked.

Currently, Ouyang Ming is still with the Supreme Elder, and no news has come out.

Xu Zhou seemed to be deep in thought.

He decided to postpone his seclusion and instead pay close attention to the matter of Ouyang Ming.

How the sect handles this matter will also influence his future choices.

...

It is said that Ouyang Ming was released by the Supreme Elder after more than a month.

Rumor has it that there was nothing hidden about his foundation building.

When Xu Zhou first heard this news, he was quite skeptical.

After all, achieving foundational enlightenment at the age of ninety is truly astonishing.

The most likely suspicion would be that Ouyang Ming had cultivated some kind of evil technique, since rumors of such evil techniques for foundation building were commonplace within the Yin Soul Sect.

But he quickly dismissed the idea.

If someone truly practices evil magic, let alone becoming a Supreme Elder, their aura would likely leak out during the Foundation Establishment stage, making it impossible to conceal.

"It seems we've encountered an opportunity."

Xu Zhou sighed inwardly.

In the world of cultivation, there is no shortage of stories of defying fate and changing one's destiny.

Some people remain stuck in poverty for a century without making any progress, while others suddenly gain enlightenment and rise rapidly.

Ouyang Ming may be the latter.

However, the origin and extent of this opportunity remain unknown.

Xu Zhou wanted to pay a visit and test the waters.

However, Ouyang Minggang has just successfully established his foundation and still needs to gradually consolidate his cultivation.

In addition, Xu Zhou wasn't the only one who wanted to see the other person, so he could only wait a little longer.

About six months later.

The turmoil caused by Ouyang Ming's foundation building gradually subsided.

I heard that he met with the Supreme Elder and obtained a high-grade pill. He stabilized his cultivation in just a few months and officially emerged from seclusion.

Xu Zhou sensed an opportunity and took the initiative to send a visiting card, finally getting the chance to pay his respects.

When Ouyang Ming saw Xu Zhou, he didn't act like a Foundation Establishment senior at all. Instead, he smiled and got up to greet him.

"Master Xu, it's been a long time."

The voice is still the same voice.

Xu Zhou looked at the other person, but for a moment he was in a daze.

The old cultivator who once had a weathered face and frail health has now turned black at the temples and exudes a powerful aura.

His every move carried a sense of oppression unique to Foundation Establishment cultivators.

If you hadn't seen it with your own eyes, who would have thought that just a few years ago this person was a frail old man?

Xu Zhou couldn't help but sigh inwardly, realizing that the other party had actually taken that step.

A moment later, the two sat down and chatted.

Ouyang Ming shook his head and laughed, "This Foundation Establishment has caused quite a commotion in the sect. Even the Supreme Elder came out of seclusion and summoned me to question me for a long time."

Xu Zhou said at the right moment, "After all, it's quite hard to believe that someone has reached the Foundation Establishment stage at such an advanced age."

Ouyang Ming remained silent for a moment.

Then, he couldn't help but laugh again.

"To be able to establish my foundation this time was a complete surprise, not to mention to others, even to myself."

"As far as I know, not to mention Mu Kingdom, even in the entire cultivation world, there are very few people who can reach the Foundation Establishment stage at such an advanced age."

The Grand Elder almost thought I had practiced evil magic or been possessed. Fortunately, after a thorough examination, he confirmed that there was nothing wrong with me and released me.

His smile subtly conveyed the feeling that years of pent-up frustration had finally dissipated.

Xu Zhou smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Uncle-Master Ouyang is blessed with great fortune, which gives us old folks even more reason to look forward to him."

Ouyang Ming's eyes flickered, revealing a meaningful smile.

"Who can say for sure about matters of spiritual practice?"

Perhaps, Master Xu will one day successfully establish his foundation and become my equal.

Xu Zhou said he dared not hope for it.

Ouyang Ming did not continue speaking.

After leaving the cave, Xu Zhou's expression remained somewhat uncertain.

Although they didn't talk much during the visit, he still managed to glean some clues.

To his relief, the sect would indeed investigate cases of advanced age reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.

However, as long as no problems are found, the sect will not investigate further.

I wonder to what extent the sect would investigate if I were to reach the Foundation Establishment stage.

Xu Zhou thought it over carefully. He had joined the sect and cultivated step by step for many years. His background and origins were not problematic at all.

As for physical constitution, apart from relying on learning to prolong life, it is no different from that of ordinary people.

He wasn't worried about it.

Once a person cultivates, their lifespan and aptitude become immeasurable.

Even if the Supreme Elder were to investigate, he would most likely assume that he had consumed some rare and precious herbs, which was why his blood and qi were so abundant.

Therefore, it seems that establishing one's foundation in a sect is not a problem.

Xu Zhou felt a sense of peace.

He was originally considering whether to leave the sect and find another way out.

Now that Ouyang Mingxian has attracted attention, even if he is eighty years old and has reached the Foundation Establishment stage, it will not seem so abrupt to the sects that have already "seen" it.

...

Even after half a year, the matter of Ouyang Ming's Foundation Establishment was still mentioned from time to time within the sect.

He had a long and distinguished career in the sect and knew many people. Now that he was advanced in years and had achieved Foundation Establishment, those who knew him couldn't help but mention him.

It is said that several other elderly cultivators within the sect have also considered establishing their foundations because of this.

After a little thought, they all found it difficult to face the possibility of failure and gradually gave up.

Those who are truly confident in building a foundation will not wait until they are old to try.

When Xu Zhou thought of this, he couldn't help but think of Zhang Wufeng.

Because Ouyang Ming caused such a commotion, the impact of Zhang Wufeng's previous exploration of the secret realm went unnoticed.

On that day, when Xu Zhou inquired about this matter, he heard that the other party had explored the secret realm again and returned disappointed.

This time, it seems that luck was on their side.

The well-organized team had barely entered the secret realm when they encountered an extremely rare beast tide.

Although they managed to survive by hiding in the cave, they all suffered injuries of varying degrees and had no choice but to leave early.

The trip yielded nothing, and two of the people traveling with us were seriously injured and nearly lost their lives.

Zhang Wufeng lost a considerable amount of spirit stones because of this.

This exploration not only yielded no resources, but also resulted in serious injuries to some people, forcing Zhang Wufeng to spend another sum of spirit stones to appease them.

Xu Zhou later overheard people discussing this, and most of them were lamenting Zhang Wufeng's bad luck.

"I heard that Master Zhang looked very unwell when he returned."

"How could it possibly be good? This time we spent tens of thousands of spirit stones, but we gained nothing."

"If this continues, Master Zhang Dan probably won't be able to keep going."

Xu Zhou didn't pay any attention and turned to leave.

When he happened to meet Zhang Wufeng again, he took a quick look and noticed that, at some point, the other man's face had developed an undeniable look of fatigue.

You can vaguely see that there are a few more strands of white hair at his temples.

Clearly, this junior brother was also beginning to feel his lifespan slipping away.

After returning to the cave.

After a moment's thought, Xu Zhou decided to add two more items to his proposed Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects.

...

Three years later, one day.

Xu Zhou paused his reflections on his foundation-building experience.

He got up and left the cave. The stone door slowly opened, and the sky outside was somewhat gloomy.

Xu Zhou walked down the mountain.

Today, a burial took place at the foot of the mountain.