From beginning to end, True Monarch Lu never mentioned the slain Luo Qingya, as if it were merely a trivial matter.

Jiang Yi saw this and understood the attitude of the higher-ups.

Just as Huang Yuanzhou had said before his death, the Sect Leader would never make an example of a True Monarch Dongtian.

Every enthroned True Monarch was a pillar supporting the Sect’s Dharma Lineage. Unless they committed the heinous crime of betraying the Daoist Lineage, they could not be easily touched.

This was precisely why Jiang Yi had gone to the trouble of using two Grand Mystic Azure Law Talismans to execute Luo Qingya with such ruthless efficiency.

That elder of the Luo Clan from Southern Balance Ridge carried significant weight. As a Grand True Master at the Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer, although he had no hope of being enthroned, he still wielded real power.

The Daoist personally arriving at his door to carry out the execution—once word of this got out, it would be enough to intimidate the descendants of the Eight Monarchs and the Master-Disciple lineage, dispelling any treacherous thoughts from all sides.

"True Monarch, how far do you think I am from Foundation Establishment?"

Jiang Yi asked, getting straight to the point.

Having refined the Six Harmonies Great Medicine and condensed the highest-grade True Qi, his path in the Qi Cultivation Realm was now clear, with almost no obstacles remaining.

"If the Daoist wishes to reach Foundation Establishment, it is practically a certainty."

True Monarch Lu said in a gentle tone,

"The Foundation Establishment Pill that the Ancestor refined for you is enough to grant you a soaring ascension into a wondrous realm. But just like condensing True Qi, there are different qualities of Foundation Establishment."

"The Ancestor used celestial stars as the material to refine this great pill for you, hoping you would forge an unprecedentedly powerful Dao Foundation, one that could stand shoulder to shoulder with Ji Fuyao of the Dongsheng Continent."

Jiang Yi lowered his gaze. ’From the day I accepted the Shao Yang Dao Inheritance, Tai Yang has become an unavoidable nemesis on my path. That’s why I must push everything to its absolute limit, not daring to be the least bit careless.’

"Foundation Establishment is a major realm."

True Monarch Lu explained slowly, 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"The general steps are essentially to nourish the Aerial Roots with True Qi, fuse the two together, then integrate Gang Sha, and ultimately forge the Dao Foundation."

Jiang Yi listened intently. ’I used the Six Harmonies Great Medicine to condense the highest-grade True Qi. A golden Dao lotus supports my Inner Mansion from within; it’s a foundation that ranks among the very best in the entire Yanfu Vast Land. When I forge my Dao Foundation, it must naturally far surpass my peers and reach the absolute highest grade.’

"Forging a Dao Foundation is not easy. It’s a task that requires meticulous, patient work."

True Monarch Lu eloquently explained the key points in a way that was easy to understand.

"There are two main hurdles that are the most difficult to overcome. The first is ’tempering the physical body and giving form to Qi.’ This involves refining the Innate Body into a ’Sacred Embryo’ that can gather and disperse at will, transcending the shackles of life and death."

"The second is ’shedding the Mortal Shell and ascending into the Dao.’ Qi Cultivation Cultivators perform Breathing exercises with Spiritual Qi, gather Spiritual Energy, and condense Gang Sha, using external objects to strengthen their own Cultivation Furnace. However, with every Cultivation session, impurities from the qi transform into the Mortal Shell and accumulate within the body. This is extremely difficult to wash away and ultimately affects the quality of the Dao Foundation."

Jiang Yi frowned slightly. ’Now I understand why most of those who condense low-grade True Qi have no hope of ever reaching Foundation Establishment.’

’The root cause is probably that their Dao Foundation is too shallow, unable to support them all the way to the step of ’ascending into the Dao.’

True Monarch Lu’s voice was as clear and pleasant as pearls dropping onto a jade plate.

"An unstable foundation makes it difficult to travel far. But for someone like the Daoist, whose foundation is deep, solid, and unparalleled in its power, there are corresponding troubles."

"The main one is that the accumulated ’Mortal Shell’ is thick and heavy. You must expend immense effort to refine it away, bit by bit."

"The past few Daoists of our Sect all possessed First Grade True Qi and superior Dao Foundations. Even the fastest among them took fifteen years, aided by various Spiritual Objects, to slowly burn away the Mortal Shell and attain the flawless, untainted Realm of Perfection."

Jiang Yi’s expression remained calm, but his heart was in turmoil. ’This is exactly why I’m in such a hurry to reach the Flying Foundation Establishment Realm.’

’In the end, the disciples of the Innate Sect’s eight peaks, the various holders of True Inheritance, and even the True Monarchs Dongtian—none of them approve of me as the Daoist. They all believe I can never ascend to the position of Shao Yang.’

’Sixty years isn’t a long time for a Cultivator; it might not even be enough for a Foundation Establishment True Master to master a single Daoist Technique. Yet, in that time, I must not only break through the two major realms of Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment but also seek enthronement. And I have to do it all while protecting the very roots of my cultivation path, without suffering the slightest damage. The difficulty is unimaginable.’

’Besides, the Demon Dao Dharma Lineage has always been pragmatic. Potential is just something on paper; whether it can ever be realized is another question entirely.’

’Rather than unite to support a bottom-tier Daoist who is destined to fail, only to lose everything in the end, it’s better for them to back a top-tier Dao Material of their own choosing. At least that way, they have a chance to win.’

This was a matter of differing perspectives.

It was almost impossible to change.

"I won’t hide it from you, True Monarch. This Disciple intends to reach the Flying Foundation Establishment Realm within five years."

Jiang Yi’s conviction was unshaken by True Monarch Lu’s words, and he spoke with utmost sincerity.

"The Ancestor said long ago that the Daoist is unwilling to fall behind, always striving to be first. He always chooses the path with the greatest rewards and the deepest perils—a perfect fit for a monarch of Shao Yang."

True Monarch Lu’s expression shifted slightly, a complex look flickering in the depths of her eyes.

"The Daoist should understand that in this world, only ’Opportunity’ can defy conventional logic. What takes others fifteen years, or even thirty, you wish to accomplish in five. Setting aside talent, innate gifts, Dao Wisdom, and comprehension, it all comes down to ’Opportunity.’"

Jiang Yi nodded. The concept of Opportunity was broad, encompassing blessed fortune, favorable encounters, karmic connections, and more.

Even an enthroned True Monarch would regard such a thing as a great blessing from the Celestial Lord.

’The only reason I dare to set a five-year limit is because I have the Celestial Book. It allows me to select the most suitable Opportunity for myself from the infinite web of cause and effect.’

"Five years is still a long way off. For now, Daoist, focus on reaching the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer and achieving Gang Sha Unity."

Thinking of the Sect Leader’s Isle of Gathering Caves, True Monarch Lu veiled the light in her eyes and said softly,

"Opportunity is a gift from the heavens; only a Daoist Monarch can bestow it. The Daoist must not be impatient."

Jiang Yi cupped his hands in thanks.

’True Monarch Lu’s unspoken meaning is that the Ancestor probably has his own arrangements.’

’However, whether I can seize the opportunity and how I distinguish myself will all depend on my own abilities.’

...

...

Within the grotto-heaven, layers of a jade cosmos seemed to stack upon one another, the highest point reaching into the Great Void.