Kapitel 16: Hidden Mist Peak
At this moment, Xiao Xuan's biggest hope was to find the Chen family's Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique and some powerful spells in Chen Damrong's storage bag.
"Let's hope for the best," he muttered to himself, brimming with anticipation.
With that, Xiao Xuan poured out all the items from the storage bag onto the table.
After carefully inspecting the pile, his excitement turned to disappointment. A frown crossed his face as he looked at the contents.
There were plenty of talismans—dozens of various types, including a few second-order low-grade talismans. These talismans had impressive power, equivalent to a full-force strike from a cultivator in the early stage of Foundation Establishment.
There were also a few bottles of Spirit Gathering Pills, which could aid in cultivation. But aside from these items, there was nothing else of value.
The Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique and spells he had hoped to find were nowhere to be seen.
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Xuan realized why this was the case.
The Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique was the core treasure of any Foundation Establishment family. It would never be casually carried around by its members.
Even someone like Chen Damrong, the most talented disciple of his family, wouldn't be allowed to keep it with him. Such techniques were typically safeguarded in the most secure location within the family estate.
Only after a family member successfully reached the Foundation Establishment stage would they be granted access to the technique. At that point, they would commit it to memory, ensuring it could not be leaked.
Reflecting on his previous battle with Chen Damrong, Xiao Xuan now understood why his spells had felt ineffective.
The children of Foundation Establishment families had a clear advantage over those from Qi Refining families. They benefited from systematic cultivation techniques and superior spell mastery, making them far more formidable opponents.
Some geniuses from Foundation Establishment families were even more exceptional, standing out far above their peers.
After organizing the storage bag, Xiao Xuan decided not to dwell on it anymore. What he urgently needed now was access to spells that could be practiced up to the Foundation Establishment stage. This would save him from scrambling to learn new spells after advancing.
His gaze shifted to the tallest peak within the family grounds—Hidden Mist Peak, the most secretive location of the Xiao family.
At its summit stood a modest two-story building: the Sutra Pavilion, where the family's cultivation techniques and spells had been preserved for generations.
The "Qi Refining Technique" that Xiao Xuan practiced was a top-grade technique for the Qi Refining stage, the best that the Xiao family had to offer for cultivators at his level.
"It seems I can only try my luck in the Sutra Pavilion," Xiao Xuan murmured to himself as he began walking briskly toward the peak.
However, his expectations were low. The Xiao family was, after all, a small Qi Refining clan. If they possessed any remarkable techniques, he would have heard about them long ago. For years, there had been no rumors of any extraordinary treasures in the family's possession.
Before long, Xiao Xuan arrived at the peak and stood before the small structure.
The building was crafted entirely from golden cicada bamboo, a material known for its incredible toughness and strength, comparable to a first-tier top-grade magical item.
Inside, near the entrance, sat an elderly man at a wooden table.
The old man was dressed in plain linen, his hair completely white. His wrinkled face bore the marks of a long and arduous life, and he leaned on a wooden cane with his right hand.
Yet, his most striking feature was his eyes, which were rolled up and lifeless, indicating he was blind.
Seeing the old man sitting not far away, Xiao Xuan smiled warmly, his gaze filled with respect.
"Is it Xiao Xuanzi? Come in!" the old man suddenly called out toward the door.
Hearing this, Xiao Xuan quickly stepped forward and approached the table.
"Grandpa, I'm back!" he said cheerfully.
The old man didn't respond immediately but spoke in a slow, measured tone.
"Your steps are lighter, there's more Spirit Power circulating within you, and your aura feels more refined," he remarked.
"It seems you've broken through to the seventh level of Qi Refining."
Xiao Xuan listened silently, nodding as his grandfather analyzed him. He had long grown accustomed to this. From his childhood to now, every time he visited the Sutra Pavilion, his grandfather would immediately discern his progress in cultivation.
Even though the old man had been blind since the age of forty, he could perceive the world around him through sound and other heightened senses.
"Yes, Grandpa, I've reached the seventh level of Qi Refining!" Xiao Xuan replied earnestly as he sat down before the old man.
He admired his grandfather deeply, more so than anyone else in his family, even his own grandfather.
The man before him was Xiao Zhongtian, the eldest of the "Zhong" generation of the Xiao family, now one hundred and twenty years old. Though his current cultivation level was only at the third stage of Qi Refining, his Spiritual Roots were exceptional—a rare combination of earth, wood, and thunder attributes.
In his youth, possessing a Thunder attribute Spiritual Root, Xiao Zhongtian had been the undisputed genius of the Xiao family and even all of Qinghe Town. His talent had brought him fame, but it also led to overconfidence.
At the height of his success, Xiao Zhongtian had left home to pursue greatness. However, when he returned at the age of forty, he was blind, his cultivation had regressed from the ninth level of Qi Refining to the third, and his ambitions had crumbled.
Despite his fall from grace, what Xiao Xuan admired most about his grandfather was his vast knowledge. Xiao Zhongtian could explain even the most complex concepts with ease.
Over the years, Xiao Xuan's happiest moments were the times spent listening to his grandfather's stories—tales of the world beyond Qinghe Town.
"Are you here to learn new spells?" Xiao Zhongtian asked, breaking the silence.
Xiao Xuan opened his mouth to reply, but his grandfather cut him off with a statement that left him stunned.
"I'll be direct—no," the old man said firmly.
"Our Xiao family only has spells for the Qi Refining stage. If you're looking to learn advanced spells for Foundation Establishment, you won't find them here."
Before Xiao Xuan could respond, Xiao Zhongtian added with a knowing smile,
"Well, since you're here, let me tell you a story."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein