He has only just established his Foundation, and doesn't even have a Cultivation Technique. Finding a faction to rely on and gradually develop until the time is ripe to leave is not too late.

The reason he needs to consider is merely to make a final confirmation.

"Yes, this matter naturally requires careful consideration. Elder Xu can inquire about the treatment of Guest Ministers in our Immortal City; it's the same for everyone." Tang Liangcai said with a confident smile.

...

...

Going back to his home in the inner city.

Xu Ping sat on a stone stool, drank a sip of water silently, and couldn't help but think about joining Qiu Xuan Immortal City.

Joining a major faction should involve some scrutiny.

However, even a Core Formation elder would not rashly probe a Foundation Establishment Cultivator's Sea of Consciousness, Sea of Qi, or Dantian as these are critical areas.

This situation would almost always lead to a deadly feud. At most, they check bone age or whether someone has disguised themselves.

"As long as they don't check deeply, my Divine Sense and liquid Mana should not be discovered..."

"As long as these two aren't discovered, it won't be a big problem..."

"Even if my Second-stage Body Refining is exposed, it doesn't matter."

As for the proficiency panel, this Golden Finger?

As long as I'm not foolish enough to expose it deliberately, there's absolutely no need to worry.

...

In the following days, Xu Ping began to visit each Foundation Establishment faction in the Immortal City with a letter of introduction.

To his surprise, most Foundation Establishment Cultivators had actually been Guest Ministers of 'Qiu Xuan Mountain'.

Many resigned only when they got older and felt their path to immortality was hopeless, then accumulated wives and concubines and enjoyed their remaining affluent years.

No wonder most of these loose Foundation Establishment Cultivators are quite old.

The youngest even looked middle-aged.

By actual age, they should also be around a hundred years old.

Many more appear elderly.

"It seems that the compulsory tasks of 'Qiu Xuan Mountain' are not very dangerous. So many Foundation Establishment Cultivators have passed through safely; my strength is much greater than theirs, so there shouldn't be any fatal threats," Xu Ping thought to himself.

...

On the way back, he paused at Zhang Yan's medicine shop.

He is now at the Foundation Establishment level, so he shouldn't be collaborating with Zhang Yan to sell Spirit Wine anymore, as it's time-consuming and doesn't earn many Spirit Stones.

He ought to say goodbye.

As soon as Xu Ping entered the shop, he saw Zhang Yan taking Bliss Pills, to which his heart was unimpressed.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang," he greeted.

"Oh, Fellow Daoist Xu, you..."

Zhang Yan turned his head and saw Xu Ping, ready to greet him, but then noticed Xu Ping's unusual Mana fluctuations.

He was dumbfounded, pointing at Xu Ping as if he had seen a ghost, "You...you...you...you've reached Foundation Establishment!"

"I recently had the fortune to reach Foundation Establishment!" Xu Ping replied with a smile.

"That really is a distinguished guest. Fellow Daoist Xu...Elder Xu, please have a seat." Zhang Yan quickly adjusted his emotions and smiled warmly.

"The friendship between the two of us for years doesn't require such politeness. As before, do not speak of these formalities."

"No, no, I, a mere Qi Cultivator, wouldn't dare call myself your fellow Daoist. If people found out, they would think me arrogant and ignorant," Zhang Yan quickly waved his hand, his emotions mixed as he saw Xu Ping's invigorated appearance.

However, having experienced the harsh blows of the Cultivation Realm, his mindset had already adapted and soon adjusted again.

He understood that this was a golden opportunity to cling to.

Xu Ping insisted several times, but Zhang Yan persisted, and so he reluctantly went along. In the Cultivation Realm, the strong are revered, and the hierarchy is as brutally clear as this.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, after I established my Foundation, Qiu Xuan Mountain invited me to be their Guest Minister. After some thought, I decided to accept, so our Spirit Wine business might have to stop," Xu Ping said.

"Stop?" Zhang Yan was slightly taken aback before he realized, "That's only proper. Elder Xu is already at the Foundation Establishment stage. Time is precious; how can you waste it on brewing wine?"

Though he said this, worries crept into Zhang Yan's heart.

Without the Spirit Wine business, their interactions would lessen, and their friendship would likely fade.

Zhang Yan gritted his teeth and took out a jade slip from his storage bag: "Elder Xu, for successfully reaching Foundation Establishment, I don't have much to gift, so please accept a scroll of alchemical inheritance."

"That's too precious," Xu Ping shook his head, refusing.

"It's just a scroll of alchemical inheritance, not very valuable. To Elder Xu, it is of little importance."

"Besides, I've tried alchemy, but my talent is too poor. After so many years, I can only refine First Rank Lower Grade Pills barely. It's wasted in my hands, better to give it to Elder Xu," Zhang Yan insisted.

Xu Ping could not resist and accepted it.

He understood Zhang Yan's intentions behind giving such a precious gift.

When he scanned the jade slip with his Divine Sense, he initially thought it was just First Rank alchemy.

But he didn't expect the alchemical inheritance in the jade slip to reach Second-stage Upper Grade.

It even included several Pills that are beneficial for the cultivation of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Even for him now, it was immensely valuable.

Xu Ping was internally shaken, giving Zhang Yan a deep look, and said slowly, "If Fellow Daoist Zhang encounters any trouble in the future, you can come to me. I won't refuse to help within my power."

"Thank you, Elder Xu," Zhang Yan was overjoyed.

He gave Xu Ping such a precious gift for this reason.

After chatting a bit more, not long after, Xu Ping left.

...

...

Five days later.

Tang Liangcai visited again.

"What has Elder Xu decided?" he asked with a bright smile.

"I've made up my mind. I appreciate Qiu Xuan Mountain's consideration. I'll join," Xu Ping replied with a smile.

Joining 'Qiu Xuan Mountain' was more profitable than detrimental, with free Cultivation Techniques and a stable environment for cultivation. Thirty years is but a blink for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Upon hearing this, Tang Liangcai's smile widened, "On behalf of 'Qiu Xuan Mountain,' I welcome Elder Xu's joining. Do you need time to pack?"

"No," Xu Ping shook his head, as all his belongings were in his storage bag.

The golden-tailed carp he had raised for years were already in specially purchased spirit beast bags.

"Then please come with me, Elder Xu," Tang Liangcai led the way.

...

...

With Tang Liangcai leading the way along the long mountain path, through the illusionary mist, Qiu Xuan Mountain finally unveiled itself before Xu Ping's eyes.

It was larger than imagined, with terraced Spirit Fields and Herb Fields extending along both sides of the mountain path, layer upon layer, reaching up to the mountain peak.

The countless pavilions and towers were densely packed and magnificent.

Countless cultivators maneuvered their Magical Artifacts back and forth, busy with activity.

"Senior Brother Zhang, who is this?" a gatekeeping Cultivator asked with cupped hands.

"This is the new Guest Minister, Xu Ping, Elder Xu. I'm taking him to see the Sect Leader, Senior Brother."

Upon hearing this, the two hastily bowed, "Greetings, Elder Xu."

Xu Ping nodded slightly.

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