"Senior Sister Jiang, a rare guest indeed, please come in," Hu Nan said.
Jiang Lijuan nodded and smiled, stepping into the courtyard.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Hu Nan gestured for her to sit at the stone table and poured her a cup of tea.
Jiang Lijuan picked up her teacup, took a sip, and set it down. "Junior Brother Hu," she said, "I have something important to tell you today."
Hu Nan looked up at her, a hint of doubt in his eyes. "Senior Sister Jiang, please speak."
"It's like this," Jiang Lijuan began slowly, explaining the matter in detail. "Every year, the Heavenly Sword Sect holds a Foundation Establishment Gathering!"
"This gathering is specifically for us Foundation Establishment cultivators!"
"Firstly, it's a place for us, those who have just entered the Foundation Establishment realm, to get to know each other, exchange cultivation experiences, learn from each other, and make up for our shortcomings. After all, the Foundation Establishment realm is completely different from the Qi Refining realm, and more exchange will always help us avoid some detours;
"Secondly, it's also an opportunity for us to obtain some cultivation-related information, such as the distribution of cultivation resources inside and outside the sect, and the dynamics of secret realms;
Furthermore, fellow disciples can also take this opportunity to exchange treasures, cultivation techniques, or cultivation materials, each taking what they need to help each other improve faster."
She spoke in detail, clearly informing Hu Nan of the organizers, participants, and core purpose of the gathering.
Upon hearing this, Qin Changsheng, residing in the outer courtyard, felt a slight stirring in his heart.
Qin Changsheng had originally planned to attend the Beihai County gathering at Qingyun Tower.
He hoped to gather some information there.
However, the fellow villagers from Beihai County were merely outer sect disciples with low cultivation levels, offering Qin Changsheng very little information.
Furthermore, he couldn't obtain information about any treasures or cultivation insights from them.
But a gathering of Foundation Establishment cultivators was different.
These people were all Foundation Establishment cultivators within the Heavenly Sword Sect, possessing formidable cultivation, talent, and resources.
Whether exchanging cultivation insights, trading treasures, or acquiring intelligence, it would greatly benefit his future cultivation.
Thinking this, Qin Changsheng had Hu Nan agree.
"Thank you, Senior Sister Jiang, I will definitely go!" Hu Nan said.
Seeing his agreement, Jiang Lijuan said, "Three days later, fourth floor of Qingyun Tower."
Hearing this, Qin Changsheng was somewhat surprised.
Their fellow townsmen from Beihai County also gathered at Qingyun Tower, though they were always in a private room on the second floor.
...
Qingyun Tower.
Second-floor private room.
Although it was still morning, more than ten people were already seated there.
These people were all fellow townsmen of Qin Changsheng and Hu Nan.
The reason they came so early was to wait for Hu Nan's arrival.
After all, Hu Nan had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage last year.
Moreover, at the Foundation Establishment Ceremony, he defeated Lin Hao in one move and obtained ten thousand spirit stones.
If Hu Nan could give them some guidance, they would benefit for life.
"Speaking of which, Senior Brother Hu is truly remarkable! Among us disciples from Beihai Prefecture, no matter which sect we cultivate in, he's always the first to break through the shackles and reach the Foundation Establishment Realm. He really brings honor to Beihai Prefecture!"
"He's not just called Senior Brother Hu anymore, he's now Uncle-Master Hu!"
"Yes, yes, Uncle-Master Hu!"
"I've known since I was little that Uncle-Master Hu was destined for greatness!"
"If I'd known Uncle Hu was so promising, I should have fawned over him back then!"
The atmosphere at the gathering immediately became lively, with everyone praising Hu Nan.
Some said Hu Nan was exceptionally talented, his comprehension far surpassing ordinary people, and his cultivation speed was incredibly fast;
Some said Hu Nan was humble, often sharing his cultivation insights back in the outer sect, helping them solve problems encountered in their cultivation;
Some even remarked that having a fellow townsman like Hu Nan as a guide gave them more confidence and motivation.
However, one person's expression was very unpleasant.
That person was Zhang Han.
Zhang Han had always believed himself to be the number one genius in Beihai County.
He was certain he would achieve great things within the Heavenly Sword Sect.
But unexpectedly, more than ten years had passed, and he was still only at the fourth level of Qi Refining, his cultivation showing no improvement whatsoever.
Meanwhile, Hu Nan, whom he had always looked down upon, had made rapid progress.
First, he won the sect's grand competition.
He then broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage, becoming a highly respected Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"Thump, thump, thump..." At that moment, a series of hurried footsteps approached.
Zhao Lei immediately opened the door to the private room.
Light streamed in, allowing everyone to clearly see the scene outside.
Several Foundation Establishment cultivators dressed in purple robes were walking upstairs.
These were all newly promoted Foundation Establishment cultivators, and Hu Nan was among them.
As they walked slowly, they chatted in hushed tones, their tone relaxed, seemingly discussing recent cultivation matters or the upcoming Foundation Establishment gathering.
"Hmph, so what if he's only at Foundation Establishment? He walks with his head held high, clearly looking down on us fellow townsmen who're still in the Qi Refining stage."
"Exactly! Back in Beihai County, he wasn't this arrogant. Now that he's just reached Foundation Establishment, he's already treating us like dirt."
"What's so great about Foundation Establishment?"
"He's only just reached Foundation Establishment, and he's already putting on airs!"
"Such a big shot, does he think he's already reached Core Formation?"
The crowd looked at Hu Nan as he walked up to the fourth floor, their faces grim.
They had originally thought they could curry favor with Hu Nan at the gathering.
They might even receive some rewards from him.
But unexpectedly, Hu Nan had no intention of attending their Beihai County gathering at all, and didn't even greet them.
They wouldn't get any benefits at all?
"Pah, so what if he's at Foundation Establishment? I'll be at Foundation Establishment in a few years!" Zhang Han's face was even more unsightly.
...
Qingyun Tower, fourth floor.
The private room on the fourth floor was more spacious and elegant than those on the second floor.
A large, ornately carved round table sat in the center of the room, already filled with people, all recently promoted Foundation Establishment cultivators. They chatted quietly among themselves, the atmosphere a mix of camaraderie and subtle competition.
Hu Nan gently pushed open the door and entered, his gaze slowly sweeping over the people in the room, a hint of indifference flashing in his eyes.
He saw many people seated in the room, mostly newly promoted Foundation Establishment cultivators he had recently heard of. Some were exchanging pleasantries, others were meditating with their eyes closed, all exuding composure, clearly indicating they were all individuals with considerable foundations.
Just as his gaze shifted, a cold stare suddenly locked onto him, filled with undisguised hostility and even a hint of chilling killing intent, making the surrounding air seem to freeze instantly.
Hu Nan looked up and saw Lin Hao sitting at the head of the round table, dressed in a magnificent cultivator's robe.
Lin Hao hated Hu Nan so much because he always considered himself exceptionally talented and held a high position within the sect.
However, since the outer sect competition began, he had consistently been outshone by Hu Nan.
Not only had he been humiliated by Hu Nan in the outer sect competition, but he had also been humiliated by Hu Nan at last year's Foundation Establishment Ceremony.
"Brother Hu, please have a seat. We've been waiting for you," Wu Yong said with a smile, standing up.
Hu Nan nodded in acknowledgment and slowly walked to an empty seat.
The other Foundation Establishment cultivators also found seats.
Once Hu Nan and the others were seated, Wu Yong slowly raised his hand, signaling for silence. The hushed conversations in the private room instantly ceased, and all eyes were on him.
Wu Yong began, "Now that everyone is present, let's begin the Foundation Establishment gathering!"
"The core purpose of this gathering is for everyone to exchange cultivation experiences, learn from each other, and complement each other's strengths to aid each other's future cultivation. I will start by sharing my cultivation insights from the past year, and I hope everyone will generously offer their guidance."
As he spoke, Wu Yong began to share his cultivation insights in detail.
From the basics of cultivation techniques to the techniques for stabilizing mastery, and the precautions for avoiding qi deviation during daily cultivation, every word was sincere, based on his own hard-earned experience.
He spoke meticulously, and everyone listened attentively, nodding in agreement from time to time. Some even secretly took notes, afraid of missing any crucial points.