The results weren't exactly to Herman's satisfaction since they fell a bit off the mark from his predictions, but he still reached Foundation II. Things were even better for Lan Yue that jumped to Nascent Soul V, leaving as soon as the tribulations were over to brag about her 'accomplishments' to her big sisters.
While the remaining three girls, that were at the Ascension level or higher, looked at him as if looking at a monster he bitterly smiled and explained that because he forced another covenant so soon, he won't be able to go through another for at least another month. This time, it was for real! The damage he took was quite bad and it would even affect his passive Primordial Qi intake due to meridian damage.
[You should focus on condensing your foundation. It is the basis of a world after all. Don't rush and make sure it's perfect. No cracks, otherwise it will become a problem later on.](Celeste)
[Yes, yes! It's important to make sure that the Qi is properly condensed and do so as much as you possibly can. Go for it until you feel that it's about to explode and after that go even further!](Xu Wen'an)
[Further your head! His entire body would burst if he was to do that, you knucklehead!](Tianxia Xue)
[But, that's what I did...](Xu Wen'an)
[Well... not everyone is a cultivation-obsessed dimwit like you! You got lucky! You could've died!](Tianxia Xue)
"..."
Seeing how close the two girls got and how close Celeste was to kicking their asses for jumping in the conversation, Herman relaxed quite a bit. He had indeed a lot more to do, now that he reached the Foundation realm. The System, however, didn't acknowledge that just yet, as he didn't take the final steps.
"I'll go in seclusion for a couple of days to stabilize my realm. Try and don't disturb me unless if it's something major, please. Celeste, I will leave everything to you!"
[You already are...](Celeste)
[Do you need help?](Tianxia Xue)
"Not this time, miss Xue. Please keep an eye on our 'friends'. We need to make sure we are ready for anything they might have prepared."
[Understood.](Tianxia Xue)
[I'll go cultivate as well. I'm close to the third level of Ascension.](Xu Wen'an)
"..."
[...](Tianxia Xue)
[A place full of freaks...](Celeste)
The truth was that from the point where she joined Herman and began squatting illegally in his Dwelling, Xu Wen'an went from the first stage of Ascension to the second, in a matter of a week. Don't take Herman's poor example at heart. He used two cultivation covenants and quite the amount of internal damage to fast-forward his cultivation. Miss Wen, however, was entirely weird. The Ascension realm is considered the first step of the higher realms and it's not that easy to climb it as it is for this ditz.
Sighing and complaining about the unfairness of the world, Herman entered meditation and arrived in his spiritual world.
"This place hasn't changed much..."
Except for the almost solid rivers of Primordial Qi that were strengthened during the tribulations, the blue 'skies' and the 'stars' were still there. What Herman had to do now, was to gather all these rivers in a single point and compress them together. Using his Spiritual Qi that was already full after the upgrade of the Spirit gathering array to the 32nd level, he created a net that spanned over the entire world, covering every bit of Primordial Qi. Sealing his acupoints shut so they can no longer passively absorb Qi of any type, Herman began the struggle.
Even with the difference of time being 6 to 1, it took him an entire day in the Immortal World to just enforce the net made of Spiritual Qi and make sure it wouldn't break. Those were six days spent weaving threads here and there, for 144 hours straight. Finally, he began constricting.
"Thankfully, the purity of my Spiritual Qi is high due to my superior roots. The Primordial Qi is also still a bit soft since it just underwent tribulations a day ago, making it the perfect time. Well then, let's get to work."
The initial two days estimate became three days soon. Then another day passed and another. On the sixth day, Herman finished condensing a perfectly round bead that looked like glass. It was smaller than a fist and it glowed in many beautiful colors, giving the impression of an aurora borealis in the skies above. Tired, Herman gave it another push to cover the final small crack in this bead, when things finally went wrong due to his carelessness.
"Shit! I added too much Primordial Qi! It's going to explode!"
That was a death sentence and he was absolutely pale. Using whatever insignificant amount of Spiritual Qi he had left, he wrapped it around the bead and tried to contain it, knowing that it wouldn't be successful at all. Disappointed, he was just about to give up when an unexpected visitor made its presence known. The weird snake bolted in Herman's spiritual world due to his attention being focused elsewhere and wrapped its scaly body around the bead.
Surprised at first, but scared senseless a second later, he noticed how the snake was helping him mend the crack and contain the imminent explosion. That was virtually impossible since this wasn't a creature, spiritual or otherwise, but just a figment of his imagination drawn using Spiritual Qi. It wasn't possible for it to have its own intelligence and even more so, it's own Qi.
Yet all of this was already happening in front of his eyes, making his tired brain overload. His worst fears didn't come to pass, however, he was jolted awake by a wave of Primordial Qi being forcefully introduced in his body, making his heart skip a beat. That was a way to wake up cultivators that were in a trance, at the risk of ruining everything they built already. How bad is the situation that Tianxia Xue decided to wake him up?
Looking at the snake that was already relaxing his body from around the bead, he exited meditation and saw a very startled Celeste, looking at him as if she was about to say 'Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya! You killed my father. Prepare to die!'
"What's wrong?"
[What's wrong? What's wrong!? Would you please look around you!?](Celeste)
"Huh?"
Checking his surroundings, he noticed that his room suddenly had a garden. Or rather, the walls of his room were nowhere to be seen. Scratch that as well, he could see traces of those walls in the form of dust on Celeste's clothes. Seeing a shell-shocked Xu Wen'an and a surprisingly impressed Tianxia Xue, Herman was at a complete loss. Did he explode and took out the entire room? Well, the damage was a bit more extensive than his room, but how come he is still fine?
Seeing him check for wounds, Celeste got even more pissed for some reason.
[The hell did you do? Did you cultivate some forbidden arts? You should know that the Heavens won't stand for that!](Celeste)
"Miss Celeste, calm down, and please explain. All I did was condense my Primordial Qi..."
[Oh, yeah!? Then why the heck did we suddenly experienced a random tribulation at the level of mid-ascension!? You're lucky I was here! You could've died and killed WenWen as well!](Celeste)
"As I said, I'm sorry but I have no idea why this happened. I apologize to you two as I didn't intend to put you in danger."
[I'm fine. I wouldn't even be scratched by it. The Pavilion is quite messed up though.](Tianxia Xue)
[I would've been fine as well. Big sis Celeste exaggerates because she thought you were doing it on purpose while we were in the bath. When the lightning struck we were still nake...*MPFT*](Xu Wen'an)
[Youuuu! Little girl, what did I tell you!?](Celeste)
Surprised by the sudden affection between the two and looking at Tianxia Xue that was shrugging it off as if she had nothing to do with it, Herman was at a loss himself. Not regarding the destroyed Fate pavilion and the 'endangered' girls - or their innocence - but rather at the snake. The girls can't be attacked by tribulation randomly and if they could trace it to him, it was because he was close. That means that the snake not only helped contain the issue in his spiritual world but also camouflaged the bead so that the tribulation lightning couldn't find it?
"That's the only explanation. When the retribution from the Heavens came, the snake hid its presence and left it without a target. With only a general location, the lightning struck everyone at a higher cultivation level, having Celeste act and disperse it. This snake... is dangerous!"
Looking back to his spiritual world, the snake was already gone. He found it coiled around the Spirit Roots just as before, making it seem that nothing out of the ordinary happened. What was more suspicious was how much the snake was ignoring him as well. What gave Herman the creeps, was that the previously volatile and multi-colored bead was at the moment even smaller, probably about the size of a goose egg, and was pitch black.
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In this case, that black wasn't an ominous color, but rather, the result that he wanted to achieve as well. The different colors belong to Qi of different natures that must be deconstructed to nothing more than Primordial Qi which was colorless. So, in the absence of light...
"It still makes no sense though. I need to take some measures in case it's an old monster that hitched a ride once I got reincarnated in the past. Given those old farts prowess, this wouldn't be a big deal at all."
With the main issue solved and the bead fully formed and condensed, the System finally acknowledges his cultivation realm. The surprises didn't stop there, as the formation of this 'core' improved his body considerably as well.
Personal Information
Attributes
Ultimate
Pill
Name: Herman Roy
Cultivation time: 0 Years (16 days)
Spiritual realm: Foundation II
Body realm: Mortal Flesh VI
Ascension number: N/A
Attributes
Life Essence: 666
Attack: 3.330
Strength: 502
Defense: 2.510
Vitality: 754
Health Points: 11.310
Dexterity: 648
Evasion: 1.944
Fortune: 63
Critical Strike: 21
Perception: 478 Points
Efficiency: 239 Primordial Qi points / 1 hour (reduced to 60% due to damage)
Absorption: 167.4 points
Superior Qi Absorption: 83.7 Spiritual Qi point / 1 hour
Character (Unlocked - please select to view)
Personality (Unlocked - please select to view)
The step-up to Foundation II, he understood. That brought him 25 points for each one of the main four attributes. He even understood the sudden growth of his bodily cultivation due to the bead being successfully condensed. Just having it, would release a portion of the Qi to enforce the body, making sure that it could protect it. Also, each level in body cultivation would give early on 20 points in Life Essence, Strength, and Dexterity, plus another 40 in Vitality. Five levels, therefore why these many points.
However...
"Why the f*ck did my Fortune went up this much!?"
The more he thought about it, the less sense all of it made. It was certainly the snake, but why was it considered by the System a 'lucky encounter'? Was it not dangerous? With too many questions and no answers at all, Herman was starting to feel the cumulated stress on his body affecting him.
"Celeste, I'm sorry but I am about to pass out. Please have the administration send someone to fix things here. I'll let you in charge..."
[Huh!?](Celeste)
Just before he passed out, the System confirmed that his hard work was indeed recognized. The Realm Oracle title came into play and rewarded him for making it this far.
Congratulations on reaching the Foundation realm!
Rewarding the user based on the Realm Oracle requirements!
20 Spirit Jades, 5 x 1000 Wood Essence, 5 x 1000 Iron Essence, and 5 x 1000 Food Rations have been deposited in your Inventory.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
While Herman was enjoying the bliss of unconsciousness, Feng Qian was working hard to ensure that he wouldn't have to offend all the sects at the Basic-rank. She spoke on his behalf to her peers, all of which either Custodians or sect leaders, explaining how he was the best bet they had at the moment.
She didn't embellish the facts since these people were capable of doing a bit of research themselves and just told the stories as they were. Surprisingly, Yi Xuan was there as well.
[Thank you all for coming!](Feng Qian)
[Fallen Blossom sect master is being too serious. Since you mentioned it as an important matter, of course, we'll be here.](?)
[Not to mention that if we wouldn't, you probably would pester us to death. So? Out with it! What do you want?](?)
[Mind your words old fart, unless you want to leave here headless!](Yi Xuan)
[And you mind your own, lass. Do you think my Altar of Heaven and Earth is scared of you?](?)
[Custodian Chuyu, my sister spoke out of turn. However, don't make the mistake of thinking that we are on the same level. Leaving aside the fact that you are a mere Nascent Soul II, your position in your sect doesn't give you the right to question me, now does it?](Feng Qian)
[Hmpf! So what? What are you going to do about it?](Chuyu)
Before he could speak another word, his legs and lower body were already encased in ice, while a frightening Yi Xuan was looking at him emotionlessly, as if he was nothing more than a fly. Scared and pissed off, the Custodian of the evil sect tried his best to escape the encasing ice, but to no avail. Looking behind him, his sect master moved his hands slowly, thawing the ice.
[Now, now! The young sure are reckless. Let's stop here, shall we, miss Xuan?](?)
[But of course, sect master Li Xuanyuan. After I've collected some interest first, obviously.](Yi Xuan)
[You dare!?](Li Xuanyuan)
[Hmpf! So what? What are you going to do about it?](Yi Xuan)
Answering with the same sarcastic words that his own subordinate did, a sword flashed briefly and a terrifying scream filled the room. The cocky Custodian of the Altar of Heaven and Earth sect had met his match and lost a hand and a leg in the process. Everyone in the room was secretly satisfied as they weren't fond of arrogant trash, especially if they belonged to an evil sect.
[It seems that we aren't welcomed here, so we will take our leave now. Miss Qian, I will come later to account for this debt.](Li Xuanyuan)
[Our doors are open. Feel free to come any time, but make sure you have some extra limbs with you. You might lose more than a couple next time you do.](Feng Qian)
[...](Li Xuanyuan)
Leaving behind a glare full of hate, two attendants left the gathering called by Feng Qian. Well mannered, Yi Xuan apologized for acting out in front of this many people and disturbing the meeting, to which most people rolled their eyes in complaint. If you are going to apologize for it later on, how about you don't do it instead?
Then again, having to listen to those two thrashing about would've been a pain in the ass so... it all worked out for the best.
[It seems to me that miss Xuan's cultivation progressed once more. You make us old men feel embarrassed with such results.](?)
[I thank sect master's Chun Pu for his warm words.](Yi Xuan)
[They're not just compliments, my child. I am one of the oldest in this room and I have seen talent before. In our Illusion sect, besides my son that recently reached the Nascent Soul IV, there aren't many that can compete with your speed.](Chun Pu)
[Father is right, miss Xuan. You are as impressive as always.](Zhang Ziyu)
[I thank Custodian's Ziyu for his kind words. As for the reason behind my quick progress, I will allow my sect master to fill you in on the details. I have already talked more than my status would permit.](Yi Xuan)
[Miss Qian?](Feng Qian)
Letting out a charming chuckle, Feng Qian put some Qi in a recording talisman and while it played, she prepared tea for everyone to enjoy. The recording showed Herman's encounter with the thugs of the Crimson Lotus gang, his squabble with the avatar of the main elder of the Altar of Heaven and Earth Sect, the recording of him asking all five administrative positions of the Fallen Blossoms sect to join him in the race for Heavens, and finally, under the eyes of the blushing Yi Xuan, the same young man holding hands with the famed ice-woman while undergoing a cultivation covenant.
As imagined, everyone was shocked. Among the many things presented, him asking all five beauties to join him earned the ire of most men in the meeting, while almost duo-cultivating with the goddess in everyone hearts drew tears from some of the guys present. The older and wiser sect masters, however, understood what Feng Qian wanted by asking for this meeting.
[You are seriously considering this option, miss Qian?](Chun Pu)
[Yes! I haven't agreed to it still, but he is by far the best candidate we have so far.](Feng Qian)
[You and the younger generation might not have seen another race before, but I have. It's not something that you can easily declare to be in the top 10 of.](Chun Pu)
[He has the confidence. Is that wrong?](Feng Qian)
[No... I guess it's not. What is your request for us?](Chun Pu)
[Meet with him. He is planning to come over to spar with all five main positions of each sect, one by one. That's the message that he wanted me to pass to you.](Feng Qian)
[Speaking on his behalf already... it seems that we have lost you, miss Qian.](Chun Pu)
[Not yet, but I hope for it to happen. You've all known of my desire to see higher realms. This is my chance. And not only for me but for my sisters as well. If I decide to put my trust in him, I want to know who else can do the same.](Feng Qian)
[*Sigh* Very well, miss Qian. My Illusion Sect accepts. We'll be waiting for him to come and exchange some pointers with this old man.](Chun Pu)
[Thank you, sect master Pu!](Feng Qian)
[Aigo! I miss the times when you called me uncle Pu...](Feng Qian)
The room burst into laughter when seeing the unmovable goddess of the Fallen Blossoms sect blushing. Soon, the Levitation sect, the Phoenix Pavilion sect, the Elixir sect, and all others present expressed their agreement to meeting this young man, but without any further strings attached. It would depend on his capabilities to convince them and that's more than Herman asked for.
All sects except for the Altar of Heaven and Earth were waiting for Herman to come knocking on their doors, but this particular evil sect didn't mind. They did have after all their own secrets to hide, secrets that couldn't see the light of day, in fear of retribution.