In an instant, a faint golden light emanated from the attribute panel, the light screen trembled slightly, and the power of the golden words quietly spread out, radiating from Qin Changsheng's courtyard to a radius of a thousand miles, like an invisible probing force searching for any trace related to the "Supreme Foundation Establishment Pill."
Qin Changsheng focused his mind, his gaze fixed on the panel, silently awaiting the search results.
One second, two seconds, three seconds… time slowly passed, and the golden light on the panel gradually dimmed, finally fading completely. Where the treasure information should have appeared, only a line of cold gray text remained: [Target treasure not found: Supreme Foundation Establishment Pill, or target is outside the search range].
A knowing glint flashed in Qin Changsheng's eyes; he wasn't overly surprised.
He already knew that Supreme Foundation Establishment Pills were extremely rare. The fact that the search yielded no results meant that there were no Supreme Foundation Establishment Pills within a thousand miles of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
"Since the top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill failed, I'll try the treasures of Qingyun Lake." A new idea popped into Qin Changsheng's mind.
He had been keeping an eye on the secret treasure within Qingyun Lake.
Qin Changsheng typed "treasures of Qingyun Lake" into his attribute panel to initiate a search.
But this time, the golden light on the panel barely appeared before vanishing, and gray text reappeared: [Target treasure name unclear, unable to perform a valid search].
This result startled Qin Changsheng slightly, but he slowly recovered, the doubt in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by a clear understanding.
He pondered quietly for a moment, finally fully grasping the limitations of this golden entry, [Information], and understood.
While this entry was powerful, capable of accurately searching for treasures, it was not omnipotent.
First, it has strict limitations. It can only search for treasures within a thousand miles of itself. If the target is outside this range, even if the treasure truly exists, no clues will be found. The previous search for the top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill was fruitless, most likely because it wasn't within that thousand-mile radius.
Second, it has extremely high requirements for the treasure's name. The specific name of the treasure must be entered; vague descriptions are not acceptable.
Searching for "treasures of Qingyun Lake" was too general; the entry couldn't identify the specific target, thus failing to perform an effective search.
However, when searching for Foundation Condensation Grass, the accurate treasure name allowed for quick and detailed location information.
Understanding these two points, Qin Changsheng felt no more turmoil, but rather a sense of relief.
He already knew that there's no such thing as a free lunch. Such a powerful entry would be illogical if it had no limitations.
Even with the limitations of range and name, this entry was still an immense opportunity for him.
At least, it could help him accurately locate Foundation Establishment Grass within a thousand miles, saving him countless troubles and dangers—that was enough.
Qin Changsheng slowly withdrew his divine sense, and his attribute panel quietly disappeared.
Now, Qin Changsheng needed to gather information about Lin Hao—when he left the sect, or when he was alone.
Then he would find a way to seize the Foundation Establishment Grass from Lin Hao.
...
Heavenly Sword Sect.
Enforcement Hall.
Lin Zhentian sat upright in a sandalwood chair, clad in a deep purple elder's robe. His face was resolute, and his brows exuded an aura of authority befitting a long-time high-ranking figure. His aura was refined and powerful, clearly that of a true Golden Core cultivator, holding considerable prestige within the sect.
The hall doors opened softly, and Lin Hao, dressed in inner sect disciple robes, slowly entered.
"Your son, Lin Hao, greets Father," Lin Hao bowed respectfully.
"Why hasn't your arm recovered yet?" Lin Zhentian's brows furrowed slightly.
"Father... your son wishes to take the pill after reaching Foundation Establishment..." Lin Hao's expression was extremely unpleasant.
The pill meant to restore his arm had long been lost.
He had searched for it extensively over the past year without finding any clues.
He couldn't very well ask Lin Zhentian for the pill again, so he could only offer this excuse.
Lin Zhentian nodded slightly, showing no suspicion towards Lin Hao.
His gaze fell upon Lin Hao, and with a slight sweep of his divine sense, he clearly sensed the changes in the spiritual energy within Lin Hao's body and the improvement in his cultivation.
His previously tense face gradually relaxed, a clear hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes, and his tone softened: "No need for formalities. It seems you haven't been slacking off lately; your cultivation has improved considerably."
Hearing his father's praise, Lin Hao was overjoyed and slightly raised his head: "Your son dares not slack off. Since my defeat in the last competition, I have devoted myself to diligent cultivation, hoping to improve my cultivation as soon as possible, break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, and not disgrace Father and the Lin family."
As he spoke these words, he secretly harbored resentment towards Hu Nan.
In the last competition, he suffered a crushing defeat at Hu Nan's hands, causing him to lose face within the sect.
He had never forgotten this humiliation.
Lin Zhentian nodded slightly, gently stroking his beard: "You are now at the peak of the tenth level of Qi Refining, and your foundation is becoming increasingly stable. You must be planning your Foundation Establishment!"
"Father, how confident are you of successfully establishing your Foundation?"
At the mention of Foundation Establishment, a hint of confidence flashed in Lin Hao's eyes, and he quickly replied, "Father, I already have a mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pill. This pill can increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment by 20%. Combined with the support of my spiritual root, I have a 50% chance of successfully breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm."
His spiritual root was dual, giving him a much higher chance of Foundation Establishment than those with lower-grade spiritual roots.
Upon hearing this, Lin Zhentian smiled approvingly and nodded slowly, "A 50% chance is acceptable. However, the Foundation Establishment process concerns your entire cultivation path; it allows no room for error. The greater the chance of success, the less danger you face."
As he finished speaking, Lin Zhentian waved his hand, taking out a vibrant green spiritual herb with glistening leaves from his storage pouch. A faint aura of spiritual energy surrounded the herb.
He tossed it gently, and the Foundation Establishment Herb floated slowly to Lin Hao, landing steadily in his hand.
Lin Hao instinctively caught the herb. A flicker of surprise and delight crossed his eyes. He quickly looked up at Lin Zhentian, his voice urgent, "Father, this is… a Foundation Establishment Herb?"
Although he hadn't personally sought it out, he knew its effects: it could increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment by 30%, making it an excellent and extremely rare spiritual herb for aiding Foundation Establishment.
"Indeed, this is the Foundation Condensation Grass." Lin Zhentian spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity. "This Foundation Condensation Grass was acquired by your father at a great cost."
"Thank you, Father! I will definitely succeed in Foundation Establishment!" With this Foundation Establishment Grass, he had no more worries about Foundation Establishment, and his confidence was much greater.
Lin Zhentian looked at his excited expression and nodded with satisfaction. His tone softened, and he slowly asked, "Hao'er, let me ask you, if you successfully establish your foundation and break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, what is the first thing you want to do?"
He hoped that Lin Hao would be able to say things like "devoting himself to cultivation" and "serving the sect," becoming a source of pride for the Lin family and helping him advance further within the sect.
But to everyone's surprise, upon hearing this question, the gratitude in Lin Hao's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by intense resentment and unwillingness: "Father, if I successfully establish my foundation, my first priority will be to find Hu Nan! I'll make him pay the price, and let everyone know that offending me, offending the Lin family, will end badly!"
"Insolence!" Lin Zhentian slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, his Golden Core stage aura erupting forth, instantly enveloping the entire hall. Lin Hao felt a tightness in his chest, his legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.
The smugness and resentment on his face froze instantly, replaced by panic and fear.
Lin Zhentian's face turned ashen: "Do you know what nonsense you're spouting?! It's just a personal grudge, yet you've held onto it until now, and you even dare to say in front of your father that you'll dedicate your primary energy after Foundation Establishment to revenge?"
Lin Hao trembled with fear, immediately bowing his head, not daring to breathe. His former arrogance vanished, replaced by utter terror: "Father...Father, your son knows his mistake..."
"You know you're wrong? You don't know you're wrong at all!" Lin Zhentian was furious, his tone growing increasingly harsh. "What is Hu Nan? He's nothing but a piece of trash with a low-grade four spiritual roots!"
"What trouble do you think he can cause? His low-grade spiritual roots are difficult to break. Even if he's currently at the tenth level of Qi Refining, he's still ultimately a piece of trash incapable of Foundation Establishment! In this lifetime, he'll never be able to reach the Foundation Establishment realm. Before long, his lifespan will run out, and he'll turn into a handful of dust!"
He paused, took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and softened his tone slightly, yet it still carried a stern admonition: "Hu Nan is nothing but a passerby in your life, an insignificant piece of trash! You are a member of the Lin family, a core disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect. You are destined to uphold the Lin family and strive for higher cultivation levels. How can you let such trash and such trivial matters hinder your progress?"
"I spent a fortune buying you Foundation Establishment Grass, hoping you would establish your foundation soon, so that you could focus on cultivation, improve your strength, bring glory to the Lin family, and contribute to the sect, not so that you could establish your foundation and then spend it arguing with a piece of trash over personal grudges!"
Lin Zhentian's tone was filled with disappointment and frustration. "You're short-sighted and narrow-minded, only focused on this immediate humiliation. How can you achieve anything great? How can you support the future of the Lin family?"
Lin Hao lowered his head, trembling all over, his face filled with shame and fear. Every word his father spoke felt like a heavy hammer blow to his heart.
He had never seen his father so angry, nor had he ever imagined that his burning desire for revenge was so laughable, so insignificant in his father's eyes.
"Father... your son truly knows his mistake," Lin Hao said, his voice choked with emotion, his tone sincere.
Seeing Lin Hao's ashamed expression, Lin Zhentian's anger subsided somewhat, and his oppressive aura gradually dissipated. His tone remained serious: "This grudge isn't unavoidable. But revenge must be taken with discretion and dignity!"
"Once you successfully establish your foundation, you'll naturally have cultivators who will rely on you and obey your commands."
"At that time, you only need to send a few subordinates to quietly finish off Hu Nan. It will be done without anyone noticing. You'll avenge yourself without hindering your cultivation, and you won't lower yourself or disgrace the Lin family."
Upon hearing this, Lin Hao's fear vanished instantly, replaced by joy: "Thank you, Father! I understand!"
Seeing that he understood, Lin Zhentian's expression softened completely, and his tone became gentler: "It's good that you understand. Remember, those who achieve great things must first eliminate distractions and distinguish between what is important and what is urgent. Foundation Establishment is the most important thing for you right now. Revenge is just a matter of lifting a finger; you must not lose sight of the bigger picture for the sake of small gains."
Lin Zhentian earnestly instructed, "When you are strong enough, let alone Hu Nan, even someone ten or a hundred times stronger than him will be at your mercy."
"Your son will remember Father's teachings!" Lin Hao bowed deeply.
Lin Zhentian nodded slightly, waved his hand, and softened his tone a bit: "Alright, you can go now. Cultivate diligently. Keep the Foundation Establishment Grass safe; you must not be careless about Foundation Establishment."
"Your son obeys!" Lin Hao carefully put away the Foundation Establishment Grass, bowed again, and quickly walked out of the Elder Hall.