Chapter Sixty: The Lobbyist

By the spiritual spring at the back of Biyun Mountain, Shen Xiangchi sat quietly, his eyes closed, his entire being resembling an unmoving statue.
Under the guidance of his cultivation method, the spiritual energy flowing out from the spring gradually gathered around him.
These pure spiritual energy flowed through his mouth, nose, and pores, gathering into his dantian along his body’s meridians.
At this moment, in Shen Xiangchi's dantian, the spiritual energy pouring in was continuously compressed, condensing into droplets of thick spiritual liquid, slowly accumulating inside the dantian like raindrops.
Compared to Qi Refinement cultivators, the biggest difference for Foundation Establishment cultivators is that the spiritual energy in their dantian has transformed into a more purified and powerful spiritual liquid.
It is precisely because of these more refined spiritual liquids that Foundation Establishment cultivators possess the ability to control powerful spiritual tools and unleash formidable spiritual techniques.
The cultivation of the Foundation Establishment Realm involves continuously accumulating spiritual liquid in the dantian. Only when the entire dantian is filled can one have a chance to glimpse the Golden Pill Dao.
...
Suddenly, Shen Xiangchi, who had been sitting in meditation, abruptly opened his eyes, and a beam of brilliance shot out from his gaze.
In the next moment, he immediately stood up and left this secret place, transforming into a streak of light as he passed through the protective clan array's barrier, flying away towards the distance under the watchful eyes of countless observers.
Meanwhile, on a small hill near Bi Yun Mountain, a middle-aged man dressed in animal skin clothing stood against the wind, his gaze fixed firmly on the protective clan formation on Bi Yun Mountain.
When he saw the escape light emerge from the barrier of the great formation, a hint of surprise flashed in his originally calm eyes.
This middle-aged man was Liu Wensong, one of the two foundation-building cultivators of the Liu family. Under the instruction of the family head, he came to investigate the true nature of the Shen family.
Originally, Liu Wensong did not quite believe that a small cultivation clan like the Shen family would produce a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Therefore, he had only casually used his divine sense to touch the array's light screen earlier, without expecting to receive a response.
However, he didn't expect that as soon as he touched the luminous screen, a strand of spiritual light would appear from the screen shortly after.
This strand of escaping light was clearly that foundation-building cultivator from the Shen family!
Just as Liu Wensong was puzzled in his heart, a loud voice suddenly resonated in his ears.
“I wonder what brings you to the Shen family for guidance?”
As soon as the words fell, the figure of Shen Xiangchi appeared in front of the former.
Looking at the person in front of him, Liu Wensong's face immediately flashed with a smile as he clasped his hands in greeting and said:
“I am Liu Wensong, from the Liu family of Yuyangu!”
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiangchi was initially taken aback for a moment, a strange glint flickering in his eyes, before he smiled and returned the greeting:
“I've met Daoist Liu!”
In the midst of their conversation, Liu Wensong had already begun to carefully examine the newly established Foundation-Stage cultivator.
However, after a thorough assessment, he couldn't help but be secretly astonished, and his gaze towards Shen Xiangchi carried a hint of respect.
In his view, Shen Xiangchi's aura was now steady and powerful, completely different from the chaotic energy he had during his recent breakthrough.
If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would never believe that the person before him was a newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivator.
He just couldn't understand how the other party managed it. Could it be that the opponent actually broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage long ago, but only revealed themselves now?
Although it was only a matter of a few short breaths, Liu Wensong had already thought of many things in his mind, and even his gaze towards Shen Xiangchi became somewhat more serious.
At this moment, Shen Xiangchi, dressed in a blue robe, cupped his hands and asked:
“May I ask what brings you, Liu Dao-you, from afar?”
“Hehe... Shen Dao-you, are you not going to invite me in to chat?”
In response to the previous question, Liu Wensong did not answer directly but rather made a rather meaningful jest.
“I hope I haven't overstepped, it's just that my clan has just gone through a great battle, and the mountains are still quite chaotic... I hope you don't mind...”
At that moment, Shen Xiangchi immediately extended his hand in greeting:
"Friend, please!"
Sure!" "
As soon as the words fell, the two transformed into two streaks of light, one after the other, passing through the protective barrier of the clan and landing on the Yuxiu Platform.
Meanwhile, at the foot of the mountain, various visiting cultivators quickly recognized the two streaks of escape light. The crowd immediately began to discuss fervently, and their respect for the Shen family of Biyun Mountain grew even stronger.
On this side, Shen Xiangchi directly invited Liu Wensong into the family council hall, and then immediately instructed the clan members to serve tea.
“My humble abode is simple, please forgive me, fellow Daoist!”
"No worries, no worries!"
He only saw Liu Wensong slightly wave his hand, pick up the teacup and take a sip, and then put down the teacup and looked at Shen Xiangchi with a beaming smile, saying:
“Congratulations, fellow cultivator, on advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage and becoming one of us!”
"My success is truly a matter of luck; the process was incredibly perilous..."
Hearing this, Shen Xiangchi couldn't help but shake his head and smiled modestly.
"Friend, you're joking. In our remote area, being able to successfully plant a celestial root and establish a foundation is certainly not merely a matter of luck..."
...
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two parties felt as if they were old friends who had known each other for years.
Seeing this, Liu Wensong once again picked up the teacup from the table, and while drinking tea, couldn't help but cast his gaze towards Shen Xiangchi.
After he set down the teacup in his hand, he changed the subject and said:
“I wonder what you think about the current situation?”
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiangchi had already roughly figured out the other party's intentions. He feigned an expression of helplessness and said:
“I was previously in seclusion and have just recently come out, so I know very little about the current situation, especially regarding the sandworm attack incident...”
“In that case, let me briefly introduce the situation to my fellow Daoist...”
Liuwensong nodded slightly and then began to speak at length.
“The incident of sandworm invasion in the Xianxia realm within the Juelingsha Sea involves an extremely wide range; besides our location, all areas close to the Juelingsha Sea have been attacked by sandworms...”
“In our region, Shayu County can be said to be the hardest-hit area... As far as I know, not only has the county seat fallen, but your county magistrate has also perished...”
As soon as these words were spoken, Shen Xiangchi's heart suddenly sank, and he immediately turned his gaze to Liu Wensong.
“Has County Magistrate Lin fallen?”
“As far as I know, it is indeed the case!”
Liu Wensong replied indifferently, then he looked at the silent Shen Xiangchi and asked with a hint of significance:
“Fellow Daoist, do you have any plans after hearing this news?”
Hearing this, Shen Xiangchi lowered his head and pondered for a moment before slowly speaking:
“Fellow Daoist might as well speak plainly!”
“Hehe... Since you are so straightforward, I'll speak frankly!”
```htmlLiu Wensong couldn't help but laugh a few times, then continued speaking.
“Now that you have become a foundation-building cultivator, and coincidentally, the influence of the Xuanling Sect has created a vacuum in Shayu County, why not take advantage of the situation and lead your family to establish their own sect?”```
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