Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

Chapter 257: Late Foundation Establishment

Time drifted on, and another month and a half melted away in the blink of an eye.

Night had fallen over the Qin Estate, but the grounds were ablaze with light. Lanterns and colored banners fluttered in the evening breeze, casting a warm, golden glow over the courtyard. The air was thick with the savory aroma of spirit dishes and the boisterous sounds of celebration.

Tonight, the Qin Sect was feasting.

Cups clinked and laughter rang out as friends and sect members gathered for a dual celebration.

First and foremost, they were toasting the master of the Qin Sect, Qin Lu. He had successfully advanced to the Late Foundation Establishment stage, cementing his status as a true powerhouse in the cultivation world. This feast served as a formal announcement; once word spread, the Qin Sect’s influence within the White Jade Market would inevitably surge.

Second, it was a farewell banquet.

Come dawn, Qin Lu would lead a delegation of Qin Sect cultivators out of the market to attend the Grand Founding Ceremony of the Raging Waves Sect.

In the center of the spacious courtyard, two large round tables groaned under the weight of rare delicacies and fine wines. Fifteen cultivators—the entirety of the Qin Sect’s current roster—sat around them, eating and drinking with abandon.

Seated at the head of the main table, Qin Lu wore a beaming smile, his mood exceptionally light.

After a month of focused effort, his cultivation had progressed as naturally as water flowing into a canal. He had broken through to the Late Foundation Establishment stage without a single hitch, reaching the phase known in cultivation circles as “Dredging.”

At this stage, the spiritual Qi within his body had fully liquefied. It surged through him like a river, scouring his twelve primary meridians, his five viscera, and his six bowels. The torrent washed away hidden impurities and dredged blockages, allowing his power to cycle with terrifying speed and fluidity.

With this advancement, Qin Lu’s combat prowess had leapt to a new tier.

If he were to face that Blood Demon formation again, he wouldn’t be forced on the defensive. He possessed the power to fight back now. Even if he couldn’t secure an outright kill, he was confident he could hold his ground undefeated.

“Sect Master! I wish you smooth winds and calm seas! Let me toast you!”

Cao Yunxi, his face flushed the color of cooked crab, stumbled over to Qin Lu, holding his wine cup high with exaggerated respect.

“Old Cao, you’re already drowning in it,” Qin Lu scolded with a laugh, raising his own cup to meet Cao Yunxi’s with a crisp clink.

Both men drained their wine in a single draught.

“I’m just happy tonight, that’s all!” Cao Yunxi giggled, his eyes swimming with drunken delight. “By the way, I already lectured A’Da. I told him that once he’s out there, he’d better not lose face for our Qin Sect!”

“Don’t worry,” Qin Lu replied, glancing at the young man at the other table. “Cao Mo has a good head on his shoulders now.”

This trip to the Founding Ceremony wasn’t a solo venture. Four others were tagging along.

The first was Gu Can, who had practically bullied his way into the group. Ever since his injuries healed, Gu Can had been idling in the market, bored out of his mind. The moment he heard about the lively event, he insisted on joining.

Qin Lu didn’t object. Having another Foundation Establishment cultivator around was good insurance.

The other three were the Qin Sect’s “Three Little Ones”: Feng Xi, Wu Zhengtian, and Cao Mo. Their duties in the shops were flexible enough that the business would run smoothly in their absence, so Qin Lu decided to take them along to broaden their horizons.

Looking at Cao Yunxi’s sloppy grin, Qin Lu turned slightly to address Nie Feng, who sat nearby with his usual stoic expression.

“You two just wait patiently,” Qin Lu said, his voice carrying a confident promise. “On this trip, I’ll make sure to bring back two [Foundation Establishment Pills] for you.”

The atmosphere at the table instantly electrified.

It was common knowledge that both Cao Yunxi and Nie Feng had reached Qi Condensation Perfection. They were standing at the threshold, just one step away from Foundation Establishment. As their Sect Master, it was Qin Lu’s responsibility to help them cross it.

He had promised that after the Raging Waves Sect’s banquet, he would scour the prosperous neighboring markets for the pills.

Visibly moved, the two men reacted immediately. Even the ice-cold Nie Feng raised his cup with rare fervor.

“Thank you, Sect Master!” they shouted in unison.

“The round trip might take over a month. Just make sure the shops are looked after…” Qin Lu paused, shifting his gaze to a quiet female cultivator seated further down the table. “Ruling, you’re handling the gambling den now. If anyone comes looking for trouble while we’re gone, go tell Senior Gu immediately.”

The quiet woman was Xu Ruling. Since Lu Anchen had gone into secluded cultivation to attempt his own breakthrough, the management of the gambling den had fallen to her.

However, Xu Ruling was introverted and soft-spoken. Qin Lu worried her gentle personality might not be enough to suppress unruly gamblers, hence the reminder to seek backup from the formidable Senior Gu—likely referencing Gu Can’s sister, Gu Yue, who would be holding down the fort.

“Understood,” Xu Ruling replied softly, her words sparse as always.

Qin Lu nodded, thought for a moment, and issued a few final instructions to the others. Everyone clasped their fists in acknowledgement, their loyalty absolute.

The feast continued amidst cheers and laughter until late into the night, eventually winding down into a comfortable, tipsy silence.

…

Early the next morning.

A medium-sized spirit boat rose quietly from the northern sector of the White Jade Market, banking toward the northern horizon.

On board were Qin Lu and his party of five, officially beginning their journey.

Their destination was the Raging Waves Sect, newly established by Zou Chang. It was located tens of thousands of miles north of the White Jade Market. The route would take them past the territories of two established Golden Core sects.

Qin Lu estimated the flight would take roughly ten days.

Inside the spirit cabin, the atmosphere was relaxed.

Gu Can sat at the controls, channeling spiritual power into the drive array. Qin Lu sat cross-legged nearby, eyes closed in meditation, while the three youngsters huddled in a corner, whispering excitedly.

“Brother Qin, which market are we hitting up first?” Gu Can asked suddenly, a grin plastered on his face.

Qin Lu opened his eyes. “The Ten Thousand Treasures Market. I hear their auction house is grand. We’ll browse around and see if we can secure those [Foundation Establishment Pills].”

“Nice, nice. And aside from the market, are we stopping anywhere else?”

Qin Lu looked at him with amusement. “Where else did you have in mind?”

Gu Can raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. “I remember there’s a spectacular scenic spot near the Ten Thousand Treasures Market. Supposed to be magnificent. Shall we go take a look?”

“Oh…” Qin Lu searched his memory. “You mean the Seven Colored Sea?”

“Exactly!”

“Yes! Master!” Feng Xi suddenly popped up, her face glowing with excitement. “I’ve read about the Seven Colored Sea in books all the time! Can we please go see it?”

“Sect Master, I want to go too!” Wu Zhengtian raised his hand instantly.

“I second that!” Cao Mo chimed in from the side.

The three of them looked at Qin Lu with puppy-dog eyes, full of anticipation.

Faced with such unanimous enthusiasm, Qin Lu saw no reason to be a killjoy. He smiled.

“No problem. Since everyone wants to go, we’ll make a detour.”

Cheers and laughter erupted in the cabin at his consent.

Steady and swift, the spirit boat cut through the clouds, speeding toward the distant Raging Waves Sect.