Cultivation knows no time, and in the blink of an eye, two months have passed.

Within Cyan Peak Daoist School, the winds rise and clouds gather. The school has ordered the recall of all disciples to prepare for the campaign against Red Moon River.

Except for the disciples who are in seclusion at the brink of a breakthrough, all disciples must participate, even those from the "Guardian Vein" lineage, most of whom must be drawn in to provide logistical support.

Countless array discs, command banners, treasure boats, dharma artifacts, talismans... are being continuously moved out from the treasury like a tide.

The Daoist School commands the Qi Refining disciples to immediately practice the grand array in preparation for unexpected needs.

Every disciple is granted a new dharma artifact.

Foundation Establishment Cultivators are each granted a new spiritual artifact.

Everything is being prepared in a flurry of activity.

Though all this seems sudden, it is unavoidable.

Sunset Glow Sect has been winning successive victories, nearly conquering half of the Thundering Mountain Range, with countless spirit ores and resources being transported back to the sect’s base each day. Nearly every month, a new spirit peak falls under their dominion.

It can be said that now, as long as the disciples of Sunset Glow Sect are alive, each one possesses several dharma artifacts, hundreds of spirit stones, and bulging storage bags.

The longstanding hidden treasures of the Purple Gold Six-Winged Carving have all fallen into Sunset Glow Sect’s pockets.

If this battle is won, Sunset Glow Sect is bound to usher in an era of greatness.

Naturally, Cyan Peak Daoist School cannot be content to fall behind.

Every disciple has different emotions, some are excited, some are fearful. Various expressions abound, but all are desperately amassing strength.

Simultaneously, within five different cave mansions in Cyan Peak Daoist School, five cultivators are arduously refining Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

"Bang!"

No one knows how much time has passed, but within Three Flames Cave, the atmosphere is turbulent, spiritual qi forms swirls, firelight spills over, and finally, accompanied by a loud laugh, a young Daoist with ordinary features and eyes that seem to hold the vicissitudes of life breaks through and stands mid-air, gazing towards the great river and horizon.

"Finally succeeded!"

Ma Wu feels the abundant lifeforce and energy inside him, and can’t help but let out a long sigh.

"Bang!"

As if predetermined, on Golden Yuan Island, above another cave mansion, spiritual qi surges ceaselessly, followed by a young girl with pleasant features and a hint of pill fragrance about her, breaking through and emerging, her face flushed with excitement.

"Bang!"

Meanwhile, in another cave mansion on Golden Yuan Island, a young man in short attire with dark skin lets out a long whistle, shaking the four winds, as he too breaks through.

"Junior Sister Fu!"

"Junior Brother Lvu!"

"Congratulations on reaching Foundation Establishment!"

Ma Wu laughs heartily, his form transforms into light, arriving beside the two to offer loud congratulations.

Fu Youling and Lvu Zijin exchange glances, both showing joy and mutual congratulations as they say: "Congratulations to Senior Brother Ma!"

The three all owe it to Gu Yuan’s assistance to achieve Foundation Establishment, and all hail from humble lineages, naturally forming an alliance and displaying gentle attitudes.

"We managed to break through to Foundation Establishment before the campaign, avoiding becoming cannon fodder..."

Ma Wu looks at the busily industrious Qi Refining disciples on the island and can’t help but sigh.

"Thanks to Senior Brother Gu..."

Fu Hongling and Lvu Zijin express their deep gratitude.

If it weren’t for Gu Yuan, with their abilities, who knows how many years it would take to achieve Foundation Establishment via spiritual qi, and they might have perished at Red Moon River before getting the chance.

"How is Senior Brother Songg?"

Though happy, the three cannot help but direct their attention towards another cave mansion on Golden Yuan Island.

There resides the elder farmer skilled in managing spirit fields, Songg Shan, whose age makes the risk of Foundation Establishment highest among them; whether he can succeed is unknown.

"Bang!"

In their concern, suddenly spiritual qi rushes in the cave mansion, transforming into the hue of green wood, streaming into the cave mansion continuously.

"Hahaha, who would have thought the old man still has this day!"

A robust voice tinged with a trace of tears slowly comes forth, followed by a somewhat aged middle-aged farmer rising into the air, landing beside them.

"Sorry to keep you, senior brother and sister, waiting!"

Songg Shan sets his attitude low, performing salutations to them.

"No need for excessive courtesy, Senior Brother Songg; now that we’ve achieved Foundation Establishment, it’s time to pay homage to the sect!"

Ma Wu flicks his wide sleeve, calling gently.

"Let’s go, let’s go, together!"

The group exchanges glances, then proceed together, flying towards Earth Flame Island.

...

...

Meanwhile, in Azure Firmament Peak, within a cave mansion, a handsome young man breaks his shackles, rising into the air and floating above the flowing clouds.

Among the clouds, Elder Luu Guan watches the scene before him with satisfaction.

"Master, this disciple is fortunate to have succeeded and reached Foundation Establishment!"

The young man bows at Luu Guan’s feet, speaking respectfully.

"In the absence of the ancestor, though Azure Firmament Peak remains one of the seven great veins, it has greatly declined over the years, even inferior to some ordinary noble families. Your breakthrough to Foundation Establishment means our peak finally has someone to succeed it."

Elder Luu Guan can’t help but sigh deeply.

"Master, does this disciple really have to serve Gu Yuan?"

"This disciple wishes to serve you."

The young man hesitates for a moment, then cannot help but ask.

"What, just after achieving Foundation Establishment, your heart is already restless?"

Luu Guan raises his eyes slightly, looking at the disciple before him with a playful expression.

The young man remains silent.

"Such short-sightedness, how could I trust you with Azure Firmament Peak in the future..."

Luu Guan sighs helplessly.

"Do you know which household has the most Early Stage of Foundation Establishment cultivators in the sect currently?"

Elder Luu Guan asks again.

"This disciple does not know."

The young man shakes his head.

"Cultivating all day without much progress; you indeed need some training..."

Luu Guan sighs again, then says, "In the Daoist School now, the Su Family stands at the forefront. Even though this Flowing Cloud Banquet yielded little, they still have eight Early Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators available for command under them, besides that, there’s Gu Yuan."

"Under him, there are six Foundation Establishment cultivators serving him, plus himself, a total of seven Foundation Establishment cultivators. This strength is quite significant even within the Daoist School. In my Azure Firmament Peak, including you, we only have four Foundation Establishment cultivators. We older ones have other uses and cannot accompany you; if you go alone to Red Moon River, how confident are you in preserving your life?"

"Are you considering going to Cyan Flame Peak to serve under him?"

As he finished speaking, Luu Guan could not help but intensify his tone.

"This disciple does not dare!"

The young man becomes startled, quickly shaking his head.

"He’s now in his prime. As long as no one secretly sabotages him, he’s bound to achieve gains; following him is better than fighting solo!"

"What if someone secretly sabotages him?"

"...The inheritance will inevitably be acquired by someone. When you return from Earth Flame Island, I will grant you a spiritual artifact for protection, and you must establish your mark under this person’s service and show the power of domination."

Elder Luu Guan remains silent for a long time and finally speaks slowly.

The young man is caught off guard, seeming to understand his master’s strategy.

"Don’t think too much, I’m just preparing both ways. When you reach Earth Flame Island, you must sincerely make a Dao Heart Vow to serve for fifty years."

"The Ascendants have established this matter, not to be altered heedlessly. You just focus on serving faithfully; as for other matters, look to fate!"

Luu Guan, apparently fearing his disciple’s overthinking, admonishes once more.

"And what if this person is destined with no mishaps?" 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The disciple asks again.

"Then just stay dedicated and serve; following such figures will not bury you..."