__________
『Host』: Tian Shen
『Cultivation』: 9th Stage of Qi Refining Realm
『Auxiliary Profession』: Formation Master (1-star)
『Physique』: 7580
『Spirit』: 6300
『Qi』: 3150
『Luck』: 960
『Charm』: 1925
『Martial Arts Experience』: 8000
『Auxiliary Profession Experience』: Alchemist–1500, Formation Master–1200, Weapon Refiner–400, Talisman Master–100
『Cultivation Arts』: Solar Cultivation Technique (2-Star) – Master
『Martial Art』: Poison Aura Finger Technique (2-Star) – Master, Storm Chasing Technique (2-Star) – Master, Body Tempering Technique (2-Star) – Minor Accomplishment
『Divine Power』: Beastial Sword Intent
『Storage』: Incomplete Soul Demon
『Undistributed Attributes』: Thunder Element ×10, Fire Element ×350, Poison Element ×250, Wood Element ×50, Water Element ×50, Ice Element ×15, Metal Element ×40, Earth Element ×80
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Under the faintly glimmering morning light, Tian Shen stood quietly on a cliff overlooking the now deserted Beast Taming Sect.
The mountain gates were still there, solemn and ancient, but the life and vitality that once filled this place had long scattered. Only the echo of footsteps, carried by the mountain winds, remained as a memory.
In his hand, Tian Shen toyed with a small talisman he had picked up earlier—a crumbling yellow rune inscribed in paper soaked with an ancient aura.
He had not wasted his time.
In the time given to him, Tian Shen had carefully combed through the empty residences, the elder halls, the outer sect quarters, and even some half-broken training grounds.
The number of attribute bubbles he gathered far exceeded his expectation.
Although most bubbles were white or green, each one accumulated steadily, filling the gaps in his foundation.
It wasn't earth-shaking power, but it was enough to thicken the blood in his veins, sharpen the edge of his Qi, and stabilize his spirit.
And most importantly—
Tian Shen looked inward.
The thresholds to ascend to Foundation Establishment were looming ahead like a silent wall.
For normal cultivators, only the strength of their Qi was tested.
But for him, it was different.
He needed to raise Physique, Spirit, Qi, Luck, and Charm—all five—to their respective peak thresholds.
Only then could he take the next step.
A monstrous requirement for others.
But Tian Shen felt no impatience.
Each drop of strength he earned was solid, unshakable.
"Five times the effort... Five times the power," he whispered with a faint smile.
The road was long, but his footsteps were firm.
...
After a brief glance at the distant mountains, Tian Shen flicked the worn talisman into the wind and turned around.
The main convoy of Beast Taming Sect was already far ahead, steadily moving toward their new destination—the ancient ruins hidden within the territory of Profound Qi Sect.
Without another word, Tian Shen blurred into motion, his Storm Chasing Technique activating soundlessly.
His figure became a streak of wind among the trees, surging across the landscape.
In a few breaths, he caught sight of the massive group in the distance.
Rows and rows of disciples, elders, beasts, and carriages, forming a slow-moving river of humanity.
Feng Yan stood at the forefront, his expression stern but composed.
Qiu Zheng patrolled the edges like a vigilant hawk, ensuring no accidents occurred.
The disciples remained mostly quiet, each carrying only the barest necessities.
The deeper they traveled into unfamiliar territory, the heavier the atmosphere grew.
But no one faltered.
...
Tian Shen quietly merged back into the group, his presence hardly noticed except by a few sharp-eyed elders.
Feng Yan's gaze swept over him briefly but didn't call him out.
Instead, he sent a faint transmission.
"You're back. Good. Keep close."
Tian Shen nodded silently.
He didn't need unnecessary attention.
Especially not now.
After several hours of steady travel, the group finally came to a stop.
Before them loomed a mountain range, thick with mists and strange spiritual fluctuations.
Ancient broken stone pillars jutted out like skeletal fingers from the ground.
Faint runes, half-erased by time, still glimmered weakly under the sunlight.
Demonic energy filled the air, making the Qi within the body feel sluggish.
Even the low-level disciples began to sway uneasily.
"This is it..."
Qiu Zheng muttered grimly.
"The ruins... of a Talisman Master Sect," Feng Yan confirmed, his voice low.
At this revelation, Tian Shen's eyes sharpened.
Talisman Masters—one of the ancient auxiliary professions, experts who could manipulate runes and spiritual ink to create talismans capable in all rounding things.
They were rare and extremely powerful in their prime.
If these ruins truly belonged to a sect of Talisman Masters...
Then the treasures buried here might be unimaginable!
Formation diagrams.
Spiritual talismans.
Ancient rune techniques.
A surge of excitement brewed quietly within Tian Shen.
...
The sect moved cautiously.
Feng Yan split the convoy further into smaller teams, setting up camp near the safer outskirts of the ruins.
Outer disciples were forbidden from entering the deeper areas without permission.
Core disciples and elders formed exploration teams, slowly beginning the preliminary investigation.
Tian Shen, under the pretense of being a specially protected disciple, had free movement privileges.
Naturally, he intended to take full advantage of it.
He sat cross-legged at the edge of camp for now, pretending to meditate.
But under his calm surface, his senses were fully stretched outward.
He could feel it—
Attribute Bubbles.
Numerous faint attribute bubbles scattered throughout the ruins like hidden stars.
Waiting to be harvested.
Some were white, some gray, even a few early hints of blue deep within the ruins.
...
『Host gained Spirit ×50』
『Host gained Auxiliary Profession Experience (Formation) ×350』
『Host gained Martial Arts Experience ×500』
...
Tian Shen's lips curled slightly.
"Looks like this trip will be worthwhile," he muttered.
Beyond the mist, beyond the broken runes, countless opportunities awaited.
Not just for Qi.
Not just for strength.
But for building the deep, indestructible foundation that would carry him to heights unimaginable.
Slowly, Tian Shen stood up.
The ancient ruins beckoned.
And he intended to answer.
With silent steps and steady breath, he melted into the mist.
The mist around the ruins rolled and shifted like living creatures, thick with the scent of ancient demonic energy.
Standing at the edge of the mist, Tian Shen narrowed his eyes.
In front of him, broken pillars, half-collapsed stone bridges, and distant spirit lights flickered like will-o'-the-wisps.
More importantly...
Attribute Bubbles.
Hundreds of them.
His fingers twitched slightly with suppressed excitement.
『Host detected abundant Attribute Bubbles ahead.』
『Proceed with caution.』
"...Caution my foot," Tian Shen muttered.
He had already prepared his Storm Chasing Technique to its limit, ready to dart in, grab a few handfuls of bubbles, and bounce before anyone even noticed.