My cultivation level increases by one year every day!

A calm voice boomed like a clap of thunder in spring.

In an instant, the aura that Gu Fengyang had gathered was broken, like clouds dispersing and light returning.

Everyone looked up and saw Fang Zhongwu suspended in the air, shining with golden light, as dazzling as a small sun.

"Is the head of the Fang family also a Golden Core True Monarch?"

The two, both heads of prominent families in the county, were shocked to discover that they were from completely different worlds.

"Our Qinghai City actually has a Golden Core True Monarch hidden away!"

Everyone present.

Apart from Gu Fengyang, who had met Fang Zhongwu before, everyone else, including Li Chengxian and Emperor Hongtai, was astonished.

In particular, Emperor Hongtai was completely unaware that a Golden Core True Monarch was hidden within the territory of his dynasty!

"My father is actually a Golden Core True Monarch."

Fang Yuan was also surprised that his adoptive father was so powerful!

Moreover, judging from his aura, he was able to contend with Gu Fengyang on equal footing, which clearly indicates that he was an extremely powerful being in the Golden Core realm.

"You are not my match yet."

Gu Fengyang glanced confidently at Fang Zhongwu and spoke calmly.

"You'll only know if you try." Fang Zhongwu's fingertips crackled with lightning, his aura was astonishing.

Gu Fengyang sighed deeply, dissipating his aura, and said helplessly, "You should know that the cultivation environment here is not good."

He genuinely wanted to take Fang Yuan as his disciple, so how could he have clashed with Fang Zhongwu?

"I know, but I have the ability to create a good cultivation environment for him, so you don't need to worry about it."

Fang Zhongwu said, "If he wants to go to the Qingyun Sect, I won't stop him, but if he doesn't want to go, I can accept that."

Gu Fengyang still wanted to try and mention that the Three Lives Sect had long since collapsed in the river of history, but the words remained unspoken.

"Take this token."

A cyan-gold token floated in front of Fang Yuan, and Gu Fengyang returned to his previous calm and composed demeanor.

"If you encounter any trouble in the future, you can always probe the token with your divine sense."

"The gates of the Qingyun Sect are always open for you."

Seeing this, Wang Ting looked anxious and hurriedly said, "Elder, that's the master's order, it can't be spread..."

Gu Fengyang didn't speak, but gave Wang Ting a cold look.

"I have overstepped my bounds; please forgive me, sir."

Wang Ting recalled Gu Fengyang's past actions, and his back was soaked with sweat. He had repeatedly offended Gu Fengyang, and even if he were killed, the sect might not pursue the matter.

As the saying goes, one should not accept rewards without merit.

Fang Yuan did not reach out to take it, but a voice transmission suddenly appeared in his mind, and he then put the token away.

"Foundation Building is the first step on the path of cultivation, and it is also a very crucial step."

Gu Fengyang earnestly warned, "Many geniuses perish during the Golden Core tribulation."

"Youth is a good thing, but we must seize the time to hone our skills and not slack off."

"Ten years from now, I will come back again. If you haven't broken through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, I will bind you to the sect."

After saying that, Gu Fengyang gave Fang Zhongwu a deep look, his expression unreadable.

"May I ask, senior, how long does it take for an outstanding disciple of your sect to break through to the Golden Core Realm?"

Gu Fengyang pondered for a moment and replied, "Under one hundred years old."

"It's been taking so long," Fang Yuan muttered.

Although Fang Yuan's murmur was very soft, everyone present was highly skilled and had excellent hearing and eyesight, so they heard him very clearly.

"Fang Yuan, you should know that after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, it is very difficult to improve your cultivation level."

Li Chengxian couldn't help but say, "It's possible to be stuck in one place for more than ten years or even several decades."

"Especially after condensing the core, the required investment, accumulation, and time to advance towards the Golden Core Path are extremely long."

Fearing that Fang Yuan might be overly ambitious, Gu Fengyang slowly said, "Some extraordinary talents can establish their foundation before the age of twenty."

"After that, his cultivation level continued to improve rapidly, reaching the ninth level of Foundation Establishment in ten years, one level per year."

"But after reaching the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, it takes a long time to accumulate experience before crossing over to the Golden Core stage; otherwise, one cannot survive the Golden Core Heavenly Tribulation."

Wang Ting seemed to be deep in thought, recalling a legend from a sect. His face showed respect, and he asked thoughtfully:

"Your Excellency is referring to that Sword Lord who broke through to the Golden Core stage at the young age of sixty-two!"

Gu Fengyang nodded slightly.

The 62-year-old Golden Elixir True Monarch.

This made many people present feel ashamed of themselves.

Especially those deputy palace masters of Qingyun Academy, who have cultivated to the Core Formation Realm and are already hundreds of years old, still have no hope of achieving the Golden Core Realm.

"Such an unparalleled genius is indeed a rare find in the world."

Emperor Hongtai also sighed, for he had already been over five hundred years old when he cultivated to the Golden Core stage.

In comparison, the Ninth Prince Li Chengze, who broke the Great Zhou Dynasty's Foundation Establishment record at the age of thirty-two, is simply no match for him.

In the eyes of many orthodox cultivation sects, the path of cultivation begins with Foundation Establishment, followed by the formation of the Golden Core, the condensation of the Nascent Soul, and finally, the attainment of the Divine Transformation stage…

Between Foundation Establishment and Golden Core, there is a Core Condensation Realm, which is where one has condensed the Yuan Core but has not yet cultivated the Golden Core, let alone transcended the tribulation.

This was often the level of power held by the heads of the major families in the Great Zhou Dynasty, such as Fang Runan, Wang Jingtang, and Zhu Hengping.

"A change of weather every year, that's really impressive."

Fang Yuan had to admit that the Sword Dao True Monarch of the Qingyun Sect had exceptionally high talent and an astonishing cultivation speed.

The cultivation of the Foundation Establishment Realm is extremely difficult.

This is quite different from the Innate Realm. Not only does it require a massive accumulation of resources, but the refining speed must also be fast enough to comprehend the profound mysteries of the realm.

"However, with the blessing of the Heavenly Origin Realm, what do you have to compare with me?" Fang Yuan shook his head and chuckled.

One year is equivalent to 365 years for him!

Moreover, he now possesses two top-tier talents: the Martial Dao Imprint and the Nine Tribulations Green Lotus.

Even if he encounters a barrier in his cultivation level in the future, it won't take up too much of his time. He only needs to spend time comprehending his two great talents and increasing his understanding of martial arts.

After all, the effects of the Heavenly Origin Realm are primarily focused on improving one's cultivation level.

Let's set a small goal first: break through to the Golden Core stage in ten years.

"I will come back in three years."

Gu Fengyang was very efficient. After leaving instructions for Li Chengxian, he turned into a streak of green light and disappeared into the sky above the county city.

Ninth Prince Li Chengze stood still, not even glancing at the scene.

"You two, come with me too."

Wang Ting pointed to Murong Jing and Li Chengze. He also needed to return to the sect to report, and he also had to report the matter here to the sect.

As an elder of the Nine Heavens Palace, he was responsible for recruiting young talents from all over the country; it was his duty.

Murong Jing glanced at Fang Yuan longingly, but still didn't say anything. She turned around, stepped onto Wang Ting's flying sword, and flew away.

"She looks kind of familiar."

Fang Yuan noticed Murong Jing's gaze and wondered where he had seen her before.

At this moment, Emperor Hongtai, who had not yet left, suddenly cleared his throat and began to twirl his fingertips, as if he were writing something.

Then he took out a large seal and engraved it on the sky.

In an instant, lines of text appeared in the sky, accompanied by a golden dragon soaring through the air, and a solemn and majestic sound suddenly rang out.

"I hereby commend the Fang family for their loyalty, bravery, virtue, and talent, and hereby bestow upon them this honor. The Fang family is hereby granted the title of Duke of Zhenyuan, the head of the Fang family is hereby granted the title of Duke of Zhenyuan of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and the eldest son is hereby granted the title of Marquis of Xiaoyao."

"This title may be inherited for generations, to honor the loyalty and righteousness of the entire family. Furthermore, the Fang family will be granted a hundred houses, a thousand acres of fertile land, and ten thousand taels of gold, so that the Fang family may forever enjoy wealth and honor..."