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As she recalled her audacious flirtation with Fang Xi, unaware of his true potential, she felt an intense desire to find a crack in the ground and disappear into it.

“Congratulations, Qianbei, on achieving Foundation Establishment!” Jin Ling followed the customs of the cultivation world by performing an ancient salute, her expression deeply mixed.

“Sigh… It was after hearing your account of Fellow Daoist Su’s determination that I, too, considering my approaching sixtieth year limit, decided to take this perilous leap…” Fang Xi wore a somber look, reflecting on the risks he had faced. “I merely got lucky…”

In reality, his Foundation Establishment process had been remarkably smooth, almost as if he could have succeeded without needing the Foundation Establishment Pill.

However, even given another hundred chances, Fang Xi would still choose to use the pill for the added safety! Longevity demands unwavering caution, like an old dog’s steady approach.

Any breakthrough with a risk of death would be utterly irresponsible towards his four hundred years of potential longevity!

“Su Lie…” Jin Ling seemed to ponder something and shook her head sadly.

Her cultivation partner was already past sixty yet insisted on attempting the breakthrough without a life-saving Foundation Establishment Pill. His fatal failure could indeed be seen as self-inflicted, reaping what he had sown…

“Furthermore…” Fang Xi smiled and took a sip of spirit tea before continuing, “I must apologize for troubling both of you esteemed neighbors today. There is actually a favor I’d like to ask.”

“Qianbei, whatever your request, this junior stands ready to assist!” The Grapevine Fairy’s eyes immediately brightened.

Running errands for a great Foundation Establishment cultivator! Among the numerous Qi Refinement cultivators in the city, few have connections with those at the Foundation Establishment stage. If she could impress him, it would elevate her status significantly, making her someone associated with a Foundation Establishment practitioner, greatly enhancing her standing in the Outer City!

“As Qianbei commands, I am at your service!” Jin Ling responded gracefully.

Fang Xi couldn’t help but marvel at how distinctly one’s position changes after achieving a major breakthrough in the cultivation world - it truly felt like night and day!

He cleared his throat and said, “I’m not fond of commotion. With news of my Foundation Establishment spreading, there will undoubtedly be numerous visitors in the coming days. I request both of you to serve as my greeters. Accept calling cards from ordinary factions, but for any influential groups that cannot be easily dismissed, please inform me so I can personally receive them…”

“Oh, such a simple task! Qianbei, rest assured. Having spent over a decade in Baize Immortal City, I am well-acquainted with its major powers. Your wishes shall be fulfilled!” The Grapevine Fairy confidently patted her firm chest.

Serving as doorkeepers for a Foundation Establishment cultivator was a coveted position many Qi Refinement cultivators could only dream of obtaining. After all, being a gatekeeper implied representing the Foundation Establishment cultivator in welcoming guests, signifying a close relationship with them.

The Grapevine Fairy stole another glance at Fang Xi:

‘Might it be… this great cultivator intends to take us as concubines? We must gently persuade Jin Ling then… What an exceptional opportunity; she should seize it without hesitation.’

Given the vast disparity in status, the Grapevine Fairy didn’t dare harbor hopes of becoming his primary wife; instead, she merely envisioned herself as a secondary consort.

Unaware of Grapevine Fairy’s thoughts and her intention to befriend Jin Ling for future assistance within their shared quarters, Fang Xi had simply sought two random helpers out of convenience.

After giving them all necessary instructions, he promptly returned to his seclusion.

As expected, when news spread that another rogue cultivator achieved Foundation Establishment in Baize Immortal City, it caused quite a stir in the Outer City.

Each successful Foundation Establishment by a rogue cultivator greatly inspired countless others there.

Instantly, numerous cultivators wished to pay visits to Fang Xi.

Most were from small to mid-sized factions, aiming to make connections by presenting calling cards and gifts…

Some tiny Qi Refinement factions even offered their leadership positions outright, provided Fang Xi would accept…

After all, having a Foundation Establishment cultivator as their leader would instantly elevate them to significant influence within the Outer City.

Jin Ling and Grapevine Fairy, mutually overseeing each other yet occasionally collaborating, managed everything efficiently. They sorted and stored the gifts and calling cards neatly, awaiting Fang Xi’s review.

However, one individual who tried to gift servants and furnaces was met with Grapevine Fairy’s sarcastic rebukes. Seeing two exquisite goddesses present, he realized his attempt at flattery had backfired, and reluctantly departed…

Of course, these were all minor forces at the Qi Refinement level.

Once Foundation Establishment representatives arrived, Grapevine Fairy and Jin Ling dared not act independently and had to request Fang Xi’s personal presence for reception.

Fang Xi waited anxiously for half a month, yet the individual he most desired to meet did not appear.

Just as his suspicions grew, while feeding the Great Azure Fish by the pond, he saw Grapevine Fairy hastily approach with news: “Qianbei… Song Qing, the crown prince of the Song Clan, has arrived!”

“Oh?” Rubbing his chin, Fang Xi stood up, “I shall personally go out to welcome him!”

Upon reaching the entrance, Fang Xi indeed spotted Song Qing from their previous encounter, still dressed impeccably with a jade folding fan in hand. Upon seeing Fang Xi, he smiled and bowed courteously, saying, “Song Qing offers heartfelt congratulations on your successful Foundation Establishment, Daoist friend! Please accept this humble gift!”

Clearly, Song Qing did not recognize Fang Xi as the rogue cultivator who had disguised himself to purchase the ‘Longevity Technique’ earlier.

“Ah, it’s the young master of the Song Clan! Please, come right in!” Fang Xi feigned surprise and delight, inviting Song Qing into the courtyard and instructing Jin Ling and Grapevine Fairy to serve spirit tea.

“Your courtyard exudes a serene atmosphere, reminiscent of leisurely clouds and wild cranes…”

Song Qing exuded grace and charm, making everyone around him feel warmly welcomed. As he tapped his fan against the pond edge, he commented on the little azure dragon with admiration before smiling, “To be candid… my primary purpose here is to congratulate you on achieving Foundation Establishment, Daoist friend. Secondly, I wish to invite you to join our Song Clan!”

“Join the Song Clan?” Fang Xi feigned contemplation, but internally felt quite puzzled.

He knew that after reaching Foundation Establishment, numerous factions would seek to recruit him, yet he didn’t expect the first suitor to be the Song Clan!

‘What’s this? A narrow escape from fate?’

Noticing Fang Xi’s hesitation, Song Qing chuckled heartily and continued, “Being from the Yue Kingdom yourself, Daoist friend, you must surely be familiar with the seven great aristocratic families?”

“Famed indeed!” Fang Xi nodded affirmatively.

Song Qing elaborated, “Among the seven Foundation Establishment immortal clans of the Yue Kingdom - Baiqiao Qi Clan, Verdant Xu Clan, Huangfeng Long Clan - all recognize the leadership of our Song Clan. Decades ago, the Blackwater Situ Clan and Heavenly Talisman Shen Clan declined, while the Tu Clan and Wan Clan emerged as new powers… Their current Foundation Establishment patriarchs were originally rogue cultivators, now elevated to influential positions, founding their clans and enjoying immense prestige!”

“What does Daoist friend mean by this?” Fang Xi’s eyes brightened.

“If you join our Song Clan, I, Song Qing, guarantee within twenty years… your Fang Clan will secure a place among the seven great aristocratic families!”

With a commanding presence, Song Qing declared, “Having lived at Wan Island Lake for several decades, Daoist must be aware that the Dragonfish Zhong Clan, once among the seven great aristocratic families, has now fallen from grace. Our Song Clan is actively seeking suitable candidates…”

‘So they want me to step into the Dragonfish Zhong Clan’s storm!’ Fang Xi internally rolled his eyes. ‘And they expect me to return to Wan Island Lake to establish my own clan… Yeah right… If Wan Island Lake was such a paradise, why would I have fled in the first place?!’

He knew all too well that Wan Island Lake had become treacherously murky and unpredictable.

‘The Song Clan harbors ill intentions, trying to make me fill their pitfall!’

‘I refuse to believe they’re completely unaware of the underlying situation!’

‘Furthermore, could this person also be meddling behind the scenes, preventing other Foundation Establishment factions within the city from extending invitations?’

Fang Xi had no intention whatsoever of joining the Song Clan, but he feigned interest on the surface. “Well… since I’ve just reached Foundation Establishment, please allow me some time to consider your offer, Daoist friend.”

“Agreed. This Gongzi will give you a few days to ponder. Remember, opportunities to join one of the seven great clans are rare…” Song Qing chuckled lightly, without even tasting the spirit tea offered by Jin Ling, and promptly took his leave.

“Gongzi!” A member of the Song Clan approached from the doorway.

“Let’s discuss further inside the carriage!”

Song Qing stepped onto a vehicle pulled by two spirit steeds, his expression turning cold and distant.

The Song Clan servant followed suit, bowing respectfully before reporting, “We’ve thoroughly investigated… Fang Xi, a rogue cultivator from the Yue Kingdom, once worked as a spirit farmer at Qingzhu Mountain Market. His appearance matches perfectly… After disappearing for two years following the Qingzhu Mountain incident, he reappeared at Wan Island Lake, assisting Peach Blossom Island’s Lady Ruan Xingling to reclaim her ancestral lands. In return, he was granted Jade Cliff where he farmed and raised fish for thirty years. At age forty, he made a breakthrough to Late Stage Qi Refinement, and five years ago, left Peach Blossom Island for Baize Immortal City with a cultivation base already at the eighth layer of Qi Refinement. Recently, within the past few months, he reached Peak Qi Refining, rented a tier-2 spiritual vein immortal’s cave, and achieved Foundation Establishment…”

“A rogue cultivator reaching Foundation Establishment must have some luck on their side!” However, Song Qing remained unconvinced. “This individual has low aptitude; his rapid progress is undoubtedly due to seizing vast resources during the chaos at Qingzhu Mountain and the upheaval at Dragonfish Island!”

“It also helps that the Yue Kingdom has been unstable these past decades, with successive falls among its Foundation Establishment cultivators. Otherwise, how would someone like him ever emerge?”

As the eldest son of the prestigious Song Clan, Song Qing naturally disfavored rogue cultivators suspected of profiting off fallen Foundation Establishment immortals.

“Five years ago, this person was still at the eighth layer of Qi Refinement, yet suddenly reached Peak Qi Refinement - it seems somewhat suspicious…” The Song Clan servant pointed out another concern.

“Perhaps he concealed his cultivation; upon leaving Peach Blossom Island, he likely reached the ninth level of Qi Refining… Even if not, there are numerous medicinal pills in the cultivation world to aid breakthroughs. Achieving Peak Qi Refining just before turning sixty suggests some hidden secrets, albeit not significant ones…” Song Qing casually stroked the Violet Accumulation Bracelet on his left wrist.

Every rogue cultivator capable of reaching Foundation Establishment must harbor their own minor secrets. If someone with low aptitude still managed to succeed by their twenties or thirties, that would warrant genuine scrutiny!

“I suspect this individual stumbled upon a Foundation Establishment spirit item during his time at Dragonfish Island; otherwise, how could he have achieved success? It’s unfortunate we didn’t discover it sooner, allowing him to utilize it seamlessly.” Song Qing shook his head.

As for the Foundation Establishment Pills? Their distribution was closely monitored, so he never considered them as a possibility!

“Crown Prince, your wisdom is commendable, but… do we truly wish to support such a person?” The Song Clan servant seemed somewhat reluctant.

After all, Fang Xi hailed from the lineage of a venerable patriarch among the Foundation Establishment Immortals!

“Wan Island Lake runs deep waters; let’s place our first move to test the currents…” Song Qing lightly tapped his fan, appearing confident and well-prepared.

Ultimately, which rogue cultivator wouldn’t yearn for rapid advancement? And who among them would dare reject an olive branch extended by the young master of the prestigious Song Clan?