Everyone present was stunned.
Just the day before, he was a mortal who ate grains and cereals, and now, after a day, he had stepped into the Foundation Establishment realm.
Moreover, the Heavenly Dao had created a spectacle with thunder tribulations, showering spiritual energy like sweet rain to congratulate him. Was this child truly the favored son of the Heavenly Dao?
For mortals to establish their foundation, it took anywhere from a hundred days to several years, or even a lifetime to bridge this gap. But he… in just one day.
Could a Heavenly Spiritual Root truly be this heaven-defying?
Suffocation and heartache were insufficient to describe the feelings of those present. Compared to him, they, who were once called geniuses and prodigies by others, were as common as radishes planted everywhere.
Envy.
Extreme envy.
Yet, they also knew that the gap between them was like the difference between heaven and earth, insurmountable.
"Did you understand?" Daoist Zhiyang's eyes, often sly and seemingly small, were now brilliant and sharp. He swept his gaze over the various mountain lords. "He has the greatest hope for the most brilliant future among all of you. How can you compare yourselves to him? And why would the Immortal Sword choose anyone other than the best契主 (qi zhu - contractee)?"
These words undoubtedly struck their sore spot.
"He is the hope of our Great Yan Sect, and will also be your pride. Put away your petty minds; elders should act like elders."
It was rare for the usually jovial old Daoist to stop smiling. His serious and proper demeanor made them uncomfortable, but at this moment, they were powerless to refute anything.
Seeing that he had successfully subdued them, Daoist Zhiyang's expression changed like a flip of a coin. He turned and cheerfully waved, calling out, "Good disciple—"
Liujiang Fusheng finally returned to his senses from the previous profound state. Amnesiacs always instinctively sought what they had lost, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not recall more.
He saw a line of people standing not far away. The sect leader and several mountain lords, dressed somewhat differently, were all there. He composed himself and respectfully stepped forward to bow.
"Fusheng greets the Sect Leader, Master, and all mountain lords."
Wei Li relaxed his tense fox form only after the thunder tribulation clouds had completely dispersed. He had also overheard Daoist Zhiyang's words, his eyebrows slightly raised as he sized up Liujiang Fusheng, who had already reached the Foundation Establishment realm.
That brief encounter days ago; in his eyes, the Heavenly Spiritual Root was a simple, clean-faced but overly thin, delicate little flower. Now, after cultivating, the person had undergone a qualitative change from the inside out. His features had matured, and the sense of delicate prettiness had diminished considerably. A cinnabar mark between his brows added a touch of… splendid and refined aloofness.
His eyes could not conceal his curiosity and astonishment.
Achieving Foundation Establishment in one day, such a disciple was indeed more than enough for him to boast about throughout the entire cultivation world. He dared to bet that no one else could accomplish this.
This type of person would develop towards the ethereal and proud immortal path as they cultivated further, and would absolutely not become infatuated with a demonic woman… That little demon had wasted her effort for nothing.
He said to him with satisfaction, "You have done well. However, remember that cultivation involves two aspects: cultivating the Dao and cultivating virtue. Never make mistakes in certain matters, be tempted by unknown external evils and fall. Upholding your original heart is the root of cultivation."
Liujiang Fusheng lowered his head submissively, unaware of the "deep meaning" in his words, merely taking them as the sect leader's earnest teachings.
"This disciple obeys."
Wei Li's eyes flickered with unrestrained brilliance. His lazy, clear voice, however, conveyed an irrefutable tone. "You achieved Foundation Establishment in just one day, which is indeed unparalleled in the world. However, precisely because your Foundation Establishment was too rapid, lacking a solid foundation, you shall now enter secluded cultivation for three years to integrate and internalize. Upon your emergence, you will be perfectly in time to participate in the newcomer rankings."
He was indeed outstanding, but he was also a case of "a tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind." He possessed a Heavenly Spiritual Root yet had only just reached Foundation Establishment. He had an immortal artifact but didn't know how to unleash its power. This was like a child walking down the street with immense treasure; wouldn't it attract everyone to vie for it?
Therefore, rather than letting him "attract trouble" outside, it was better to send him into secluded cultivation for three years. By the time he emerged, he would at least possess the ability to protect himself, and he wouldn't have to worry like a mother hen guarding her chicks from an eagle, always needing to keep a watchful eye on him.
Three years of secluded cultivation?
Three years was not much for a cultivator, but for a mortal, three years was over a thousand days and nights.
Liujiang Fusheng quickly said, "Then my wife… please, Sect Leader, investigate thoroughly. The matter of the Immortal Seeking Stone indeed has nothing to do with my wife."
Seeing his deep concern for his mortal wife, Wei Li's mood greatly improved. He currently wished to see that little demon suffer from lovesickness and heartbreak. For this reason, he was willing to withdraw his order and spare the mortal wife.
"That matter has been investigated and found to have nothing to do with her. I will order Wu Mei to handle this matter and exempt her from her debts. However… do you intend to let her return to the mortal realm?"
"No—" Liujiang Fusheng refused without a second thought. He cupped his hands, his voice hoarse yet firm, "This disciple wishes to be with her."
At this moment, Wei Li felt like laughing uproariously. Very good, he loved the drama of infatuated lovers. The more the Heavenly Spiritual Root loved his wife, the more despair and sadness the little demon would feel later due to unrequited love.
"Good, then let her stay." He curved his lips into a strange smile, his tone remarkably gentle.
Daoist Zhiyang was about to speak up and object, not wanting his promising disciple to be held back by a mortal wife. However, he was met with a faint glance from Wei Li. The warning in his eyes, brooking no defiance, instantly subdued him.
He froze on the spot, his heart churning like claws scratching, unable to comprehend what the Sect Leader was planning!
However, he thought that no matter what, he had to separate these two. They were not meant to be husband and wife. Even if they became husband and wife, their path of love was destined to be bumpy, leading to either death or severe injury.
Thus, Liujiang Fusheng, without even the chance to meet Gu Junshi to explain the situation, was forcefully escorted by Daoist Zhiyang into secluded cultivation.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Gu Junshi, upon receiving the news of Liujiang Fusheng's Foundation Establishment in one day, also received a sum of money from Fang Rui, an admirer of her husband. It amounted to five low-grade spirit stones.
Converting it into an amount that modern people could understand, it was roughly a few thousand yuan.
… How should she put it? She was somewhat disappointed.
She knew countless fiancées from wealthy families. If they were to dismiss women entangled with their fiancés with money, they would be generous enough to showcase their status as the primary wife, usually no less than six figures. Her approach was truly too small-minded.
Fang Rui had come to find her at the behest of Liujiang Fusheng's message. Upon seeing Gu Junshi, she did not mention Liujiang Fusheng but said, "The Sect Leader has pardoned your transgressions. You are now a free person, and you can leave whenever you wish."
Gu Junshi's reaction was mild upon hearing this. She only said, "I am penniless, where can I go?"
Thus, she received the "huge sum" of five low-grade spirit stones from her benefactor.
Gu Junshi glanced at it once and then withdrew her gaze. "Twenty high-grade spirit stones."
Fang Rui stared at her, somewhat stunned, suspecting her ears had misheard.
"Wh-what did you say?"
She gently reminded her, "You've given too little."