I'll make you the furnace and the cauldron, so you can refine Yin and Yang and prove the Great

The news of Xu Lingxi's Foundation Establishment in the Heavenly Dao was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, causing a huge uproar in the Hehuan Sect.

From that afternoon onward, Jade Peak became the liveliest place in the entire sect. Countless streaks of light flew in from various peaks, including Golden Core elders, core disciples, and even many old monsters who had been in seclusion for years. They all wanted to see with their own eyes just what kind of genius the disciple who had triggered the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment was.

Hua Nongying was the most well-informed. Having cultivated connections within the sect for many years, she had a network of contacts across all the peaks, and by that very evening, she had learned everything that had happened on Jade Peak.

"The First Elder has gone, and the Second Elder has gone too." Hua Nongying sat by the stone couch, smoking her pipe as she reported to Li Hanshan, "Even the number of Golden Core cultivators has exceeded ten. The sect hasn't seen such a grand occasion in over a hundred years."

"Hanlang, I heard that the First Elder and the Second Elder are both vying to take Lingxi as their disciple."

Li Hanshan raised an eyebrow: "The First Elder and the Second Elder want to take Lingxi as their disciple?"

The First Elder and the Second Elder are both Nascent Soul stage cultivators, second only to the Sect Master in status. They rarely even get to see each other on ordinary days, yet now they've both gone to Jade Peak to snatch a young girl who has just established her Foundation Establishment.

"Of course I want to." Hua Nongying exhaled a puff of smoke, a hint of envy flashing in her eyes. "That's the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment stage. In the hundreds of years since the Hehuan Sect was founded, only a handful of people have achieved it. Besides Han Lang, who was the last one to achieve the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment? That was our Sect Master! So you can imagine how high the status of the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment stage is." At this point, Hua Nongying stared intently at Li Hanshan. "Han Lang, now you know how powerful the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment stage is, right?"

Li Hanshan was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Do you think I would receive the same treatment as Lingxi if I revealed my Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment now?"

Hua Nongying paused for a moment, then decisively shook her head: "No."

She put down her pipe, her expression turning serious. "Hanlang, you're not like Lingxi. Lingxi is Elder Jiang's personal disciple, with an impeccable background and outstanding talent—everyone can see that. Her Foundation Establishment was simply seen as a stroke of genius, a great achievement. But what about you? You joined the sect as a cultivation vessel, over a hundred years old, and in just over a year you've gone from a mortal to Foundation Establishment—do you think the elders are fools? Won't they become suspicious?"

Li Hanshan remained silent. He was naturally aware of what Hua Nongying had said. His background was completely different from Xu Lingxi's; for a centenarian to rise to prominence in such a short time was itself suspicious. The reason the Third Elder wanted to take him as a disciple was because he believed he possessed a great treasure. If he were to reveal his Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, even the First Elder, the Second Elder, and the Sect Master would likely become uneasy.

At that time, what awaits him is not being accepted as a disciple, but rather having his soul searched and his spirit stolen, and being completely devoured.

"Your concerns are valid," Hua Nongying said. "The Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment is a halo for Lingxi, but for you, it's a death warrant. The sect's higher-ups won't let any suspicious disciple go unpunished, especially an old fellow like you with an unclear background and unknown origins. 'A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime'—this is no joke."

Li Hanshan stood up and paced back and forth in his cave. While Xu Lingxi's achievement of Foundation Establishment was certainly cause for celebration, it also served as a reminder. His own cultivation had already reached the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, and he could attempt to break through to the Golden Core stage at any time. However, the commotion of a Golden Core breakthrough was far greater than that of Foundation Establishment. If he were to form his Golden Core within the sect, it would undoubtedly expose his true cultivation level. At that point, he wouldn't be able to keep a low profile even if he wanted to.

"I have to go out." He stopped and looked at Hua Nongying. "The commotion of Core Formation within the Hehuan Sect is too great and will expose my cultivation level. I must go outside."

Hua Nongying had also considered this point and nodded, but then frowned: "How can you go out? You are a core disciple and cannot leave at will without sect missions. Moreover, you always get into trouble every time you go on a mission, and the Third Elder is probably already keeping an eye on you."

Li Hanshan said, "Let her take me there."

Hua Nongying was stunned for a moment, then realized: "Qin Muyue?"

"Hmm," Li Hanshan said, "With her handling the mission, it's perfectly legitimate, and the Third Elder won't suspect anything. She's a quasi-Saintess, and she can apply for missions from the External Affairs Hall at any time. It's common for her to bring a core disciple along to assist her."

Hua Nongying pondered for a moment, then a mischievous smile suddenly appeared on her lips: "Would that demoness agree?"

"She wouldn't dare refuse," Li Hanshan said calmly.

After the two reached an agreement, Li Hanshan didn't delay any longer and immediately flew to Qin Muyue's cave on his flying sword. Qin Muyue was still as languid as ever, leaning against the stone bed. When she saw Li Hanshan enter, she didn't even lift her eyelids.

"What is it now?" Her voice was languid, tinged with impatience.

"I have something to do outside. Find me a mission and take me out with you." Li Hanshan got straight to the point, but didn't mention that he was preparing to break through to the Golden Core stage.

Qin Muyue finally opened her eyes: "You certainly know how to boss people around. This Holy Maiden covers for your murders, and now I have to cover for your breakthrough?"

"I'm going to find rare and precious materials to break through my bottleneck, which is also a good thing for you." Li Hanshan sat down opposite her, his tone calm. "The stronger I am, the safer you will be. If I ever die at someone else's hands, I will definitely take you with me before I die."

Qin Muyue's smile froze slightly. She knew this old man wasn't joking. She had personally experienced the effects of the Yin Mark; that feeling of having her life force choked was something she never wanted to experience again.

"What mission?" she asked coldly.

"Whatever, as long as there's enough time and the location is far enough," Li Hanshan said.

Qin Muyue thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Perfect timing. I'm planning to apply for a mission to gather herbs deep in the Monster Beast Mountain Range. Taking you along will make it perfectly legitimate."

"When are we leaving?"

"Three days from now," Qin Muyue said, "this Holy Maiden needs time to prepare."

For the next three days, Li Hanshan practically lived in the alchemy room on Jade Peak. With Jiang Nianwei absent, Xu Lingxi assisted him, and the two refined several batches of pills. Li Hanshan's alchemy skills were now quite impressive; mid-grade pills were commonplace, and he could even occasionally produce one or two high-grade ones. Among them, he refined a total of five Condensing Essence Pills, which were effective for Core Formation, one of which was even high-grade.

On the day of departure, Qin Muyue was already waiting at the Outer Affairs Hall early. She had changed into a black, fitted outfit, her long hair tied in a ponytail, giving her a more capable and less alluring look. The Third Elder gave her a few brief instructions, nothing more than the usual platitudes like "go early and return early" and "be careful." Qin Muyue responded calmly to each one.

After leaving the Hehuan Sect, Qin Muyue summoned a flying boat and flew north with Li Hanshan. The flying boat was incredibly fast, and the mountains and rivers below rushed past. The Hehuan Sect's mountain gate soon disappeared into the sea of ​​clouds.

On the flying boat, Qin Muyue stood at the bow, the mountain breeze ruffling her long hair. She glanced back at Li Hanshan, who was sitting cross-legged at the stern, and suddenly spoke: "What kind of rare treasures are you looking for? Tell me, this Holy Maiden might know where they are."

"You'll know when we get there," Li Hanshan said without elaborating.

Qin Muyue snorted coldly and stopped asking questions.

Several days later, a vast mountain range appeared on the horizon—the Monster Beast Mountain Range. Qin Muyue lowered the flying boat and asked, "Which area do you want to go to?"

"Let's part ways here." Li Hanshan stood up. "We'll meet again here two months from now."

Qin Muyue frowned: "You're alone? There are quite a few third-tier demonic beasts deep in this Demonic Beast Mountain Range, and you're just a Foundation Establishment cultivator?"

"I have my own way." Li Hanshan interrupted her, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Go do your mission, see you in two months."

Qin Muyue stared at him for a long while, then suddenly laughed: "Very well. If you die here, this Holy Maiden will be relieved of some worries." After saying that, she stopped talking and transformed into a streak of light, flying off in another direction. In the blink of an eye, she disappeared into the mountains.

Li Hanshan watched her leave before summoning his flying sword and heading deeper into the mountains. He remembered that on his last visit, he had discovered a small spiritual vein in a secluded valley, where the spiritual energy was far more concentrated than in the surrounding area. Forming his core there would be twice as effective with half the effort.