Chapter 40: Foundation Establishment

Song Wanqing leaned her pretty face close to Junior Brother Bai Ming, and the two of them examined the exquisitely crafted lock together, which seemed as if it had been fashioned by nature itself.

Song Wanqing asked softly, "How much?"

The stall owner waved his hands repeatedly, "I dare not accept payment."

He secretly transmitted his voice to the two using spiritual power, "This concentric lock was formed naturally by the divine tree and is just waiting for someone fated to take it. However, if I were to give it away for free, others wouldn't believe it, so I have no choice but to charge a nominal fee based on my mood."

"Those with weaker romantic bonds are charged more, while those with stronger bonds are charged less. The two of you are not only fellow cultivators but also share a deep romantic bond, so there is naturally no need to take money from you. If I were to insist on taking payment, it would only ruin the symbolic meaning."

Junior Brother Bai Ming thought to himself, "Is that so? There is actually some method to this."

He looked at Song Wanqing, and the two smiled at each other, no longer insisting on paying.

Having achieved their goal, Junior Brother Bai Ming and the others left the stall. Seeing this, the surrounding crowd became restless again, all eager to try it out with the people beside them.

Walking down the street, Song Wanqing played with the exquisite little lock, her eyes and brows still filled with smiles.

Watching the happy expression of the beauty beside him, Junior Brother Bai Ming found a smile on his own face, though he didn't know when it had appeared.

Next was going into seclusion to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage; by the time he came out, it would likely be time for his wedding with Wanqing.

The two strolled side by side in front, with Xiaoxue following closely beside them, keeping a distance that was neither too far nor too near, just right.

After playing with it for a while, Song Wanqing handed the concentric lock to Junior Brother Bai Ming, "You hold onto this lock for now."

Junior Brother Bai Ming was a bit bewildered, "Wanqing, don't you like this lock very much?"

Song Wanqing smiled charmingly, "It is precisely because I like it that I want to give it to you."

Looking at Song Wanqing's beautiful eyes and brows, Junior Brother Bai Ming was stunned for a moment, and could only smile as he accepted it.

Junior Brother Bai Ming suddenly spoke up, "By the way, Xiaoxue should also go and have her fortune calculated."

Her footsteps paused, and Xiaoxue's little face went blank, "What would I calculate? I'm alone, so there's nothing to calculate. Besides, I don't have anyone I like."

Song Wanqing sighed slightly, "That is a pity."

Xiaoxue nestled close to her young lady, tugging at her sleeve, "Oh, what's there to be a pity about? I'm not like you and the young master, able to find the right other half."

Song Wanqing stroked the head of the young girl in her arms and said nothing more.

After traveling for a while, the three of them returned to the Song Mansion.

Junior Brother Bai Ming's gaze was firm, "It is time for me to go into seclusion and break through."

Song Wanqing's eyes held some worry, "I have already prepared the resources you need for the breakthrough; just feel free to use them."

Junior Brother Bai Ming held the woman's hand, "Wanqing is always so thoughtful. But there is no need to worry; Foundation Establishment is not a difficult task for me. Have you forgotten what kind of spiritual root I have?"

Song Wanqing's expression was unreadable, "Naturally, I haven't forgotten."

Yanqing Spiritual Root.

A very special existence among the Heavenly Spirit Roots.

It holds many possibilities.

Watching the young man's departing back, Song Wanqing's expression was grave, and her heart felt heavy, as if a cloud of gloom was hanging over it.

Feeling the resonance of the concentric lock, a smile appeared on her face again, "It shouldn't be."

…

Cultivation Room.

A gentle white light shone down from above, and refreshing incense drifted throughout the room.

Touching the door of the cultivation room, Junior Brother Bai Ming felt a sense of comfort. Looking at the abundant and complete resources in his storage bag, a wave of warmth welled up in his heart.

Arriving at the center of the cultivation room, Junior Brother Bai Ming sat cross-legged, "It is time to break through."

After taking the medicinal pill, a surge of powerful spiritual power appeared within his body; his own aura began to become unstable, and his breath became erratic.

After performing a series of hand seals, Junior Brother Bai Ming's aura temporarily stabilized, and he began to charge toward the Foundation Establishment barrier.

During this process, the medicinal pill was systematically converted into pure spiritual power, helping him impact the barrier.

The spiritual root in his lower abdomen kept absorbing spiritual energy from the outside, emitting wisps of heat, as if it were undergoing a transformation.

The entire process was slow and meticulous; as time passed, he inched bit by bit toward a higher realm.

After an unknown amount of time, the spiritual root in his lower abdomen stopped emitting warmth, and the dantian within his body was crushed and transformed into a pedestal-shaped Dao Foundation.

The spiritual root transferred from its original position in the dantian to the newly formed Dao Foundation, its roots connecting with the Dao Foundation and merging into one.

The initial fusion between the two was still vague, without a specific pattern, only a rough shape.

As spiritual power was infused, the appearance of the Dao Foundation became more and more detailed, transforming toward a state of perfection.

Finally, a cyan-green circular pedestal Dao Foundation was formed, bearing some patterns of cultivation imagery, with the colorful Yanqing Spiritual Root resting upon it.

The surging aura gradually stabilized, and Junior Brother Bai Ming slowly opened his eyes, stood up, and performed a Cleansing Spell.

The impurities expelled from his body during the breakthrough dissipated, and the itching sensation on his skin disappeared along with them.

Foundation Establishment, complete.

Feeling the surging spiritual power within his body, Junior Brother Bai Ming was excited, while simultaneously using his spiritual sense to observe the Dao Foundation within.

"I wonder how many days it has been; it is time to come out of seclusion." Junior Brother Bai Ming was somewhat impatient.

Pushing open the door, a cyan figure caught Junior Brother Bai Ming's eyes; the woman's delicate brows were slightly furrowed, and she was leaning against the wall, looking somewhat melancholy.

Junior Brother Bai Ming was slightly surprised, "Wanqing, why are you here?"

With spiritual light flickering in her eyes, Song Wanqing looked carefully at the young man in front of her, as if she wanted to see through him completely.

But the young man only smiled faintly, looking at her with joy; the melancholy in her heart was erased by this smile, and a look of happiness appeared between her brows.

She said with a teasing tone, "What, are you tired of me?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming shook his head, "How could that be? I just didn't expect you, Wanqing, to be waiting for me here."

"Could it be that you were worried that I would fail the breakthrough and die? Then you have underestimated me."

Song Wanqing narrowed her eyes, a smile on her lips, "How could that be? I just inexplicably wanted to worry a little; is that not allowed?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming said gently, "Of course it's allowed. Knowing you are worried about me like this, I am actually quite happy."

Before he could finish speaking, Junior Brother Bai Ming was embraced by Song Wanqing; the two bodies were tightly hugged together, and a faint, refreshing fragrance drifted from the woman.

This time, he did not feel flustered or at a loss; instead, he gently placed his hand on the woman's fragrant shoulder, feeling the warmth of the woman before him, enjoying this quiet and beautiful moment.

A while later.

Song Wanqing raised her head, "Let's go see my father together."

Junior Brother Bai Ming looked down at the woman in his arms, "Okay."

…

Patriarch Song's Mansion.

In the magnificent mansion.

A middle-aged man with a commanding aura sat upright in the main seat, a gentle smile on his face.

Standing below was a beautiful couple; the young man bowed with his hands cupped, his expression calm, but unable to hide the joy in his eyes.

The beauty beside him moved with composure and elegance, though her smile contained a hint of shyness.

Patriarch Song raised his hand, signaling them to sit, "I didn't expect Ming'er to be able to reach Foundation Establishment in less than two months. With such talent, you will surely achieve great things in the future. I can rest assured leaving Wanqing to you."

Junior Brother Bai Ming quickly responded, "Patriarch, you are too kind. Wanqing is much stronger than me; over these past few days, I have actually received much care from her."

Patriarch Song laughed heartily, "What is wrong with that? You two have been childhood sweethearts since you were young, and since you lost your memories, it is only right that she takes care of you."