The snowstorm howled.
This group of Tier Two Wind-split Eagle demon beasts seemed to hold a grudge against this Human Race Cultivator Market.
Many demon beasts were driven out from the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, and every night they were dropped down.
During the day, they occasionally ambushed demon-hunting teams venturing out, causing panic within the market.
After all, there were over thirty Tier Two Foundation Establishment Realm demon beasts in the sky.
However, after a period of silence, the two major sects, the Profound Sound Pavilion and the Li Huo Palace, suddenly used a net-like magical artifact one night.
Only then were this group of Tier Two demon beasts severely injured, allowing the market to temporarily stabilize.
Yet everyone could feel the situation was becoming increasingly dire.
Gathering Immortals Tower.
"Congratulations, Mr. Yun."
"Congratulations, Senior Yun."
When Yun Yao returned to the Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market, she intended to have a small gathering at the Gathering Immortals Tower, but it was forcibly turned into a Foundation Establishment celebration by various families.
But this "small" celebration was anything but.
It turned out that after Yun Yao successfully established her foundation in the sect, she was accepted as a direct disciple by a Golden Core elder from the Li Huo Palace.
How could the various families who learned of this not rush to make connections?
Even Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Profound Sound Pavilion came, as Foundation Establishment cultivators are ranked, and having a Golden Core master behind them makes them no ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.
The Gathering Immortals Tower was exceptionally lively that day, marking Yun Yao's triumphant return and Foundation Establishment celebration.
Until dusk, as the noise dispersed, in a private room of the Gathering Immortals Tower.
"Congratulations, Sister Yun, on achieving the Dao and establishing your foundation."
"Congratulations, Senior Yun, on your Foundation Establishment."
At this moment, Lin Chang'an, Li Erniu, Young Marquis Shen Lie, Lu Qingqing, and even Wei Buyi were present.
Under the congratulations of the five, Yun Yao, usually not one for smiles, had a perpetual smile on her face today.
"All of you are old friends of Yun Yao. Now that I have achieved Foundation Establishment, it's mostly thanks to your generous help. Yun Yao is deeply grateful, and how dare I act superior? We should address each other as fellow Daoists."
Yun Yao, in her fairy-like dress, was dazzlingly beautiful. Whether it was due to establishing her foundation or simply being in high spirits from the occasion, she seemed even more radiant.
However, seeing Yun Yao addressing them as fellow Daoists and not forgetting their friendship, everyone was quietly moved.
The Immortal Cultivation Realm is full of coldness in human relationships.
Lin Chang'an, having experienced much of this, was also unusually reflective and appreciative upon seeing Yun Yao's sincerity.
In the private room, the six gathered around one table, something they hadn't done since Old Lu's passing five years ago.
Unexpectedly, five years later, they gathered again, having known each other for twenty-five years.
Such a bond is rare and precious in the Immortal Cultivation Realm, especially since all six are still alive.
"Mr. Yun's advancement to Foundation Establishment without forgetting old friends, such purity of character is truly admirable."
Among the five, Wei Buyi was particularly flushed, rising excitedly to raise his glass in a toast.
This was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, after all, and he hadn't expected to secure such a connection.
Wei Buyi's appearance of sycophancy made Li Erniu scornful, but Yun Yao quietly nodded as if sensing something, and said calmly:
"Wei Buyi, swap seats with Mr. Lin."
"Ah? Alright!"
Wei Buyi was momentarily stunned before quickly understanding and awkwardly swapped seats with Lin Chang'an.
"Brother Lin, you've had a breakthrough!"
With his straightforward nature, Li Erniu blurted out in shock, and Shen Lie, seeing Lin Chang'an smiling and nodding, also realized.
"Thanks to cultivating resources from talisman painting, I was lucky to break through recently."
Lin Chang'an humbly smiled. Indeed, he had just broken through to the Qi Refining Sixth Layer a few days earlier.
Among the six, aside from the genius Yun Yao, Lin Chang'an was the second to reach the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, while Shen Lie and Li Erniu remained at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer.
Wei Buyi was also at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer but felt both embarrassed and regretful over the seat swap initiated by Yun Yao.
When Yun Yao borrowed Spirit Stones, he hadn't been ignorant, but out of a hundred Qi Refining cultivators aiming for Foundation Establishment, having even one make it would be considered lucky.
And at that time, Yun Yao was clearly going to risk adventuring in the Cloud Mist Mountain Range. His hesitation led him to claim family matters over attending the Gathering Immortals Tower meeting.
The result was predictable — a missed opportunity and deep regret.
After switching seats, Yun Yao turned to Young Marquis Shen Lie and said:
"I've burdened you with the affairs of the chamber these past years, Brother Shen."
"Mr. Yun, what are you saying?" In response to Yun Yao's apology, Shen Lie laughed heartily and waved it off repeatedly:
"In the end, we've all benefited from Mr. Yun's good fortune, and you are now a great Foundation Establishment cultivator."
With Shen Lie's joke, the atmosphere became harmonious.
However, unlike the gathering five years ago, this time Wei Buyi noticeably felt out of place, driving him to madness with jealousy.
Originally, he had the chance to be like everyone else.
"That time in the Cloud Mist Mountain Range was a near-death experience. After barely obtaining a Demon Core, I was already seriously injured, and many cultivators in the market knew I was preparing for Foundation Establishment.
To be cautious, I returned directly to the sect. With the Foundation Establishment materials prepared, I finally managed to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill and luckily broke through."
Putting down her glass, though Yun Yao spoke lightly, everyone knew well that if obtaining a Demon Core were easy, Foundation Establishment cultivators would be everywhere.
"Let's toast to Mr. Yun's achievement of Foundation Establishment."
There were too many hardships to speak of, yet it all boiled down to this simple toast.
After a few rounds of drinks, even though Yun Yao became a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she placed no airs. On the contrary, she sincerely thanked everyone.
"Mr. Li, thank you for your previous help. Here is a prescription for a medicinal bath that can provide Yifan with a solid foundation."
Yun Yao did not return the Spirit Stones borrowed earlier, but what she repaid them with was something they all desired, and its value far exceeded the initial loan.
Li Erniu blushed deeply upon hearing this and gratefully bowed:
"I'm not good with words, but I must thank Mr. Yun."
Yun Yao chuckled and nodded.
"The chamber happens to have the medicinal materials for these bath prescriptions, and I'll arrange for them to be sent to the Zhou Family."
Starting with the prescription and then the delivery of medicines, the thirty Spirit Stones Erniu had lent were now repaid with a value exceeding a hundred Spirit Stones.
Following that, under Wei Buyi's envious gaze, Lu Qingqing and Shen Lie each received gratitude gifts worth twice as much.
"Brother Lin, I owe you my thanks."
When it was Lin Chang'an's turn, Yun Yao touched her neck with lingering fear, as if without the last two Golden Light Talismans, she might not have returned.
"Mr. Yun, you're too kind. My humble skills couldn't have been of much help."
Lin Chang'an waved modestly, yet he didn't refuse the gift Yun Yao presented.
After all, aside from their friendship, it was also an investment.
If Yun Yao had been at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer when seeking Spirit Stones for Foundation Establishment, would anyone have lent?
"Brother Lin, this is a Jade Scroll with the complete inheritance of a Tier One Golden Light Talisman."
When Yun Yao presented this item, everyone was astonished.
"A Tier One Golden Light Talisman Jade Scroll!" Wei Buyi's eyes widened, for it was a complete inheritance.
One must know that an upper-grade inheritance at Tier One is not publicly shared.
Even upon joining a faction, there are spirit contracts binding the teachings, preventing easy passing to descendants.
This talisman inheritance in hand could be a treasure passed down through generations.
Seeing this generous gift, Lin Chang'an was somewhat stunned but accepted it nonetheless.
For them, the gift was significant, but for Yun Yao, the favor owed for her Foundation Establishment triumph was greater.
"Thank you, Mr. Yun."
Previously, he was worried over obtaining an upper-grade talisman inheritance, as joining major factions would provide it, but at the cost of freedom. The current dire situation also made him hesitant.
He feared joining a faction only to fall into a pit.
Yet Yun Yao delivered it directly, and it was worth what he'd secretly gifted in talismans earlier.
"Brother Lin, you're too humble. With your talent in talisman painting, I believe it won't take long for you to break through again."
Yun Yao nodded with a light smile. Though she spoke little, everyone was greatly shocked.
Nobody is a fool; they realized from her words that Lin Chang'an already possessed the skills of a Tier One upper-grade Talisman Master.
While they shared the banquet, only Wei Buyi felt awkward and had long regretted deeply.
Had he known, why did he act as he did back then!