Chapter 29 – Foundation Establishment Insights

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Translated by Frog in the Well

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Beom Chang begged Jin So-myeong with a face that looked as if it would cry.

“Ugh… brother! Please think again. A thousand spirit stones is too much!”

Jin So-myeong frowned.

It was to the point of being puzzled by the reaction of refusal, which was much more violent than expected.

“Why does a fellow who also has plenty of spirit stones act so stingily?”

“St-Stingy?! Brother. I do not know what misunderstanding you are making, but it is not that a thousand spirit stones is not precious to me also! Most of the dharma treasures or spirit stones I use were given by my uncle. In the first place, they are not mine, so how could I use them carelessly!”

“…Hmm.”

“It might be a bit difficult, but I can prepare a thousand spirit stones and give them to you, brother. But what happens after that? No matter how much I hide it, Uncle will eventually find out!”

He made such a whining sound that his ears were tingling.

However, the fellow’s words also made sense.

Giving as many as a thousand spirit stones suddenly to a newly taken-in subordinate was too suspicious.

“Sigh. Fine.”

“Ah! You really thought well! As expected, you are wise, brother!”

He gestured with his chin toward Beom Chang, whose complexion even brightened instantly, perhaps because he was completely relieved.

“Let’s make it just borrowing. I will use it for just a short while and return it.”

“B-Borrow? Argh! How is that any different from just giving it! It is obvious you will absolutely not repay it!”

He was speechless for a moment. It was a sound from which he could guess how the fellow usually lived.

It was obvious he had extorted spirit stones from powerless juniors under the pretext of borrowing them and never returned them.

“Haa… I said I will repay it?”

“Ugh! How can I trust that and give you— Argh?!”

Forehead flick!

Beom Chang, who let out a scream, grabbed his forehead and retreated.

Before he knew it, he had delivered a forehead flick to the fellow who had lost his reason and was even committing an outrage.

“Tsk. How impudent for someone who is supposed to be the elder brother. Cut the nonsense and hand over the spirit stones. I will use them for exactly a hundred days and return them.”

In fact, a hundred days was more than enough to recover the principal from the Spirit Stone Mine.

His purpose to strengthen the mine without spending a single spirit stone of his own was unchanged.

“Ugh…”

“Surely you won’t say even this won’t do? No matter how incompetent you are, you should be able to hide it for a short while. If you lend it quietly without speaking to anyone, how would even your Foundation Establishment uncle know?”

“You r-really must repay it. I will try to hide it as much as possible, but if Uncle finds out, I will have nothing to say.”

“I said I understand. Is there any need for me to cheat you of it? I will repay you cleanly, without missing a single penny, exactly one hundred days later.”

The hesitating Beom Chang gritted his teeth and pulled out his storage pouch.

What was so unfair to him, he poured out spirit stones and various dharma treasures with even the rims of his eyes turned red.

“If you take these dharma treasures to the Thousand Treasures Pavilion and sell them, they should be worth a thousand spirit stones! Is that enough now!”

He frowned at the fellow who was huffing and making a silent protest.

“You seem to have a lot of complaints. I have not forgotten what you bastards did to me. Do you wish for me to act truly viciously?”

“N-No!”

Beom Chang, who shrank his shoulders in fright, bowed his head deeply. Looking at the fellow who turned polite again in an instant, he shook his head.

‘Tsk, tsk.’

Although the fellow was in the position of suffering now, he was a villain who had lived his entire life swindling others.

Probably when he tormented others himself, he did not know such a day would come.

Furthermore.

If Jin So-myeong had lost the fight a month ago, the fellow would have exploited him without showing mercy. Even more severely!

“Ah! It suddenly came to mind, since you are the nephew of the Grand Cultivator, you must know a lot about Foundation Establishment? I would like you to give your brother some advice?”

“…There is something called the Foundation Establishment Insights passed down in the Red Yang Sect. If you wait for a moment, I will go to the Hall of Dharma Transmission and borrow it.”

How long did he wait?

Beom Chang, who returned after about thirty minutes had passed, held out a jade stone as large as a fist.

“All the information about Foundation Establishment gathered by our Red Yang Sect is recorded in this Jade Slip.”

“Oh?”

“Ah, right! A position-tracking restriction is carved into this Jade Slip. You must absolutely not take it out of the Red Yang Sect. Knowledge related to Foundation Establishment is treated as a strategic resource.”

“Understood. I will be careful.”

Whether the cost of borrowing was not light, he closely inspected the jade stone that Beom Chang held out with a face as if he was dying of regret.

The fact that it harbored dense spiritual Qi made it look quite precious. No matter how he looked at it, it was not an ordinary jade stone.

Although it certainly looked precious, it was puzzling because not a single character was written on it.

“How is this Jade Slip used?”

“You can view the Jade Slip as a high-grade book in which a Foundation Establishment expert recorded information using Divine Sense—meaning, mental strength. It is highly efficient and convenient, but one must possess mental strength above a certain level to use it.”

“Above a certain level? Specifically how much?”

“Hmm… When I asked upon borrowing, they said that once one reaches the late stage of Qi Condensation, one will be able to read the information contained in the Jade Slip.”

As Jin So-myeong toyed with the Jade Slip with curious eyes, Beom Chang added a few words of explanation.

“The Jade Slip is efficient enough to transmit more information than a thick book in just a single breath. Higher-grade cultivators mostly record information on Jade Slips instead of books.”

“I see.”

Nodding his head, Jin So-myeong asked for the specific usage method.

“It is simple. You just need to place the Jade Slip against your forehead and concentrate your mind.”

Really? Let’s see…

The moment he placed the Jade Slip against his forehead out of simple curiosity.

‘To become a Foundation Establishment, a Qi Condensation cultivator must break through the Three Passes . The Three Passes are gateways testing the three of Essence , Qi , and Spirit , and if one’s level is insufficient, one can absolutely never pass.’

He could not help but be startled by the suddenly poured information.

Frowning, Jin So-myeong concentrated again.

‘In the case of failing to break through the Three Passes, one generally dies, and even if lucky, one becomes a cripple. Only by consuming a Foundation Establishment Pill can this danger be prevented. In addition, challenging Foundation Establishment at a Rank 2 or higher spiritual vein can increase the probability of breakthrough…’

A short time of less than a second.

Numerous pieces of information poured out constantly. It was a feeling as if an entire book had been injected.

It was information filled with things to watch out for or prepare when challenging Foundation Establishment.

It was highly precious knowledge that would reduce his trial and error.

“Brother? Do not strive too hard. Normally, there will be no response during the mid-stage of Qi Condensation. It can only be used when the divine soul becomes stronger above a certain level.”

At the suddenly heard voice, Jin So-myeong, who naturally pulled the Jade Slip away, nodded his head.

“I see. At any rate, thank you. Once I reach the late stage of Qi Condensation, I will read it and return it.”

“…Haha. Then I will be grateful, of course. I hope you return it as quickly as possible, brother. Is there anything else you need? Just speak. This brother will grant it all!”

He waved his hand at Beom Chang, who gritted his teeth.

“Knowledge does not decrease by sharing, so what are you so regretful about? Anyway, you will also need the Foundation Establishment Insights sooner or later, so consider that I borrowed it in advance, and go cultivate. I will call you when a need arises.”

“…Yes.”

Leaving behind Beom Chang, who was sorrowful as if he had torn off his own flesh, Jin So-myeong turned his gaze.

Staring at the Jade Slip, he fell into question.

‘He says mental strength must be at the level of the late stage of Qi Condensation to use it? But why does it work for me?’

Although he did not show it off particularly in front of Beom Chang, he used the Jade Slip all too easily.

It was definitely a strange thing.

‘Could it be because I awakened my past life?’

Since there were too many suspicious reasons, judgment was difficult.

Since a strong divine soul was not a bad thing anyway, he put it aside for now and decided to handle the urgent business first.

Glance.

Looking at the dharma treasures piled like a mountain on the floor, he was slightly speechless.

‘He is indeed rich, after all.’

This was because it was an immense amount for the fuss Beom Chang made.

It was to the extent that he grew curious about just how many things that person, the Foundation Establishment uncle, had provided for him.

Swish!

As Jin So-myeong waved his hand, all the items disappeared.

Having swept and packed the dharma treasures and spirit stones, he went straight to the Thousand Treasures Pavilion and sold them all off.

“Thank you, guest! Please come again!”

He returned to the Red Yang Sect under the send-off of the branch steward, who bowed his waist ninety degrees.

In fact, if one sells goods to the Thousand Treasures Pavilion, one suffers a loss in price. This is because the Thousand Treasures Pavilion is a place that buys cheap and sells expensive.

But at least they did not play dirty tricks.

It was a decent sales outlet for Jin So-myeong, who did not wish to experience annoying matters.

“The time to strengthen the mine has finally come.”

Flash!

Arriving at the green hill, the scenery of the Secret Realm of the Mind that had become familiar before he knew it, Jin So-myeong concentrated his mind.

He invested all of the spirit stones obtained from Beom Chang.

After the thousand spirit stones disappeared all at once.

Rumble!

Along with a weak vibration, the entirety of the Secret Realm of the Mind shook.

“Oh?”

The fog that surrounded the hill like a fence receded. The entire secret realm had expanded.

Although it was a secondary benefit that arose as the mine grew, there was no way he disliked it.

Naturally, it was good!

Jin So-myeong, who looked at the green hill that had expanded by a full two times, was gratified.

‘If it becomes just a bit larger, I will be able to make at least one vegetable garden.’

Smacking his lips, his eyes gleamed. Now it was time to eat the even tastier main dish.

【Secret Realm of the Mind】

【Facilities】: Rank 1 mid-grade spiritual vein, Rank 1 mid-grade Spirit Stone Mine

【Resource Production】: 20 spirit stones / 1 day

“Heh. This is it!”

The Secret Realm of the Mind did not betray him. As much as he consumed a thousand spirit stones, the production volume increased intact!

It had grown without wasting the resources consumed while breaking through the rank.

Whoosh!

Jin So-myeong, who ran straight to the Spirit Stone Mine, admired it.

“Awesome.”

The entire underground cave was filled with blue light.

The spirit stones, which suddenly doubled in number, twinkled like stars.

20 a day.

There were so many that mining them one by one was even difficult.

But since it was a matter of earning money, how hard could it be? Labor of this degree was merely on the level of picking up money dropped on the street!

Grab!

Jin So-myeong, who drew the pickaxe dharma treasure purchased from the market, took a stance.

Clang! Clang! Clang…!

Since it was a task he had done for a long time, he mined the spirit stones proficiently.

Did he mine about fifteen?

Jin So-myeong, who was looking for the next target, faltered.

“No, wait a minute. This is truly exhausting?”

Between his eyebrows. A faint pain was felt deep somewhere.

It was a feeling of mental fatigue accumulating, not physical.

He did not know because he had mined spirit stones steadily every day in the meantime, but mining spirit stones in a semi-soul state was quite arduous.

Of course.

This was not merely a bad thing. There are pros and cons to everything.

As much as it was hard, rewards followed.

It was precisely that his divine soul, a type of mental strength, grew stronger. Mining spirit stones itself was cultivation!

‘…It’s because of the wish I made.’

He had certainly wished that the Secret Realm of the Mind would be helpful to cultivation as well. Thanks to that, the mine itself was formed as a kind of cultivation site.

‘No wonder.’

The doubt he had felt since long ago was resolved.

He was strangely sensitive in his senses. He had accurately recognized the realm of a mid-stage cultivator even when he was in the early stage of Qi Condensation.

Thinking about it now, it was all thanks to his divine soul growing stronger.

Truthfully, there were times when mining the spirit stones one by one was annoying. But if it gave such great help, it was rather welcome.

Once the divine soul became stronger, the benefits were infinite.

It was natural that it helped break through the Three Passes of Foundation Establishment, and it had countless advantages, such as preventing him from falling easily into illusions.

Had he not been able to verify the information inside the Jade Slip even today?

The stronger the divine soul, the better!

Flash!

Jin So-myeong, who mined all the spirit stones, returned to his cave dwelling.

He pulled out the Foundation Establishment Insights Jade Slip, which he had scanned roughly and passed over earlier because of Beom Chang, and placed it against his forehead.

“Mmm…”

After a long while had passed.

Having completely memorized the information inside the Jade Slip without missing a single character, he fell into contemplation.

‘To break through to Foundation Establishment, one must break through the Three Passes of Essence, Qi, and Spirit…’

Essence, Qi, and Spirit easily meant the three of the physical body, spiritual Qi, and divine soul.

To break through the Three Passes, the training level of Essence, Qi, and Spirit had to approach Foundation Establishment infinitely.

Of course, this was difficult to the point of being nearly impossible.

How could a Qi Condensation cultivator possess a Foundation Establishment-level mind, physical body, and spiritual Qi.

Naturally, most failed the breakthrough.

It would be good if one could challenge again after filling the lacking parts after failing, but that was impossible.

‘There is no next opportunity. The moment one fails, one becomes a cripple or dies.’

It was truly an atrocious level of difficulty.

It was not for nothing that the absolute majority of Qi Condensation cultivators failed to pass this gateway and died.

‘There is a way.’

What was needed at this time was precisely the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Consuming the Foundation Establishment Pill gave great help in breaking through the Three Passes, while simultaneously reducing the aftermath drastically in case of failure.

Not to mention preserving one’s life, it also protected the meridians to prevent one from becoming a cripple.

It was a tremendous effect that did not fall short of being called a Divine Pill.

‘The Foundation Establishment Pill… It is perfect, except for the fact that it is hard to obtain.’

The reason Jin So-myeong was trying to enter the Red Cloud Secret Realm was also mostly because of this Foundation Establishment Pill.

If he missed this secret realm which opened every thirty years, far from the Foundation Establishment Pill, obtaining the core ingredient, the Foundation Establishment spiritual object, would be as difficult as plucking stars from the sky.

Strategic materials like the Foundation Establishment Pill were not something one could buy just because one had spirit stones.

It was the same logic as the United States not selling its latest fighter jets on Earth.

‘Anyway, to raise the probability of Foundation Establishment, one must train Essence, Qi, and Spirit sufficiently.’

If so. One of them was practically already resolved.

Since his divine soul would grow stronger just by mining spirit stones steadily in the Secret Realm of the Mind, there was no need to worry.

Jin So-myeong, who reflected on the content of the Foundation Establishment Insights, brushed himself off and stood up.

He intended to go to the Sutra Pavilion and check the cultivation methods and spells provided for free.

‘It should be of a higher level than street shops, at least.’

Although Jin So-myeong was a regular at the Library Pavilion, in truth, he could not obtain truly high-grade cultivation methods there.

Because the monopoly on knowledge was severe in this world, he could at most buy Rank 1 low-grade spells.

Since the Red Yang Sect was a sect in name, he believed it would be incomparably superior to ordinary bookstores.

‘…Right?’

For a moment, a slight doubt arose, but he pushed it away by force.

In any case, there was no way a sect that had ruled Red Yang Market for over twenty years lacked foundation.

If he could find a secret technique to improve spiritual roots or a method to train Essence, Qi, and Spirit, it would be the best.

Leaving the cave dwelling and asking fellow disciples for directions, he moved diligently and was soon able to arrive at the Sutra Pavilion.