For Zhou Xuanhao, entering seclusion to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage was a significant event for the entire Zhou Family.
To be precise, it had been several decades since anyone in the Zhou Family attempted to reach Foundation Establishment. The last Zhou Family cultivator who attempted to break through without using a "Foundation Establishment Pill" was an elder of the "Guang" generation over fifty years ago.
Therefore, after Zhou Xuanhao entered the seclusion chamber, not only did Zhouyang and Lin Yuting remain guarding outside to protect him, but Zhou Xuantai and Zhou Xuanbin, two elders of the Zhou Family, also put aside all their affairs to join the protective team.
It was reasonable for them to take such precautions.
Because when a cultivator is breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, not only must their magical power not be disturbed at all, but their mind must also remain free from any external interference.
During such times, it doesn't even require a direct attack on the cultivator in the midst of Foundation Establishment. Just a slight disturbance near the "Haoyang Cave" spirit vein, stirring up the Spiritual Qi, could potentially disturb Zhou Xuanhao, leading directly to failure.
Thus, before attempting Foundation Establishment, every cultivator ensures a safe external environment, allowing only the most trusted individuals to guard the seclusion chamber before daring to make the attempt.
Generally speaking, a cultivator attempting to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage has a time limit—typically between one and three months; beyond three months with no news, it is almost certainly a failure.
After Zhou Xuanhao entered seclusion, Zhouyang and others maintained a calm demeanor while meditating outside for the first month.
However, when a month passed without any sign from inside the seclusion chamber, Mrs. Zhou, Lin Yuting, first showed signs of anxiety.
This was understandable because, according to experienced cultivators, the longer the time taken for Foundation Establishment, the lower the success rate. After two months, even if success is barely achieved, it may leave residual issues affecting future cultivation.
"Father didn't use the Foundation Establishment Pill, so taking longer is normal. Mother, you should have confidence in him."
Upon noticing his mother Lin Yuting's anxious expression, Zhouyang softly murmured words of comfort to her.
"I..." Lin Yuting opened her mouth, and upon seeing her son and the two clan cousins looking at her, she immediately realized her lapse, quickly closing her mouth, and silently recited the Purifying Heart Spell to control her anxious emotions, nodding gently to show her understanding.
However, after guarding the outside for fifty days without any movement inside, even the previously composed Zhouyang showed a change in expression, let alone Lin Yuting.
"Relax, no news is the best news. With Brother Xuanhao's cultivation, even if he failed, some sign would emerge. If you, mother and son, feel overwhelmed, perhaps it's better to step outside for a moment to avoid causing any disturbance that might alarm Brother Xuanhao."
"Second Uncle is right; no news is the best news!"
Zhou Xuantai's transmitted words jolted Zhouyang from his anxious state, quickly nodding in agreement.
Then he went to the side of his worried mother, Lin Yuting, taking her hand firmly and comforting her, saying: "Mother, we must believe in Father. He will surely succeed!"
"Son, mother is so afraid, afraid I might never see your father again!"
Lin Yuting tightly grasped her son's hand, her youthful face already pale, eyes filled with fear.
She actually opposed Zhou Xuanhao's risky attempt at Foundation Establishment and had earnestly urged her husband to abandon this dangerous idea, but the outcome was clear; she had not dissuaded her determined husband.
This had left her feeling pessimistic all along, with this pessimism intensifying as Zhou Xuanhao's time in seclusion lengthened, nearly reaching despair.
"No, I believe father will succeed, and mother, you must believe in father too; he won't let us down!"
By this point, Zhouyang could only use these words to comfort his mother.
Although he knew in his heart that without any movement for so long, it was obvious Zhou Xuanhao's attempt at Foundation Establishment had not been smooth.
Nevertheless, for the nearly despairing Lin Yuting, his comforting words were like a lifeline, even though she knew they wouldn't be much help, she clung to them as a source of hope.
"That's right, husband won't let us down, he has never disappointed mother, and he won't this time either!"
She murmured to herself, slowly regaining her composure.
Time passed slowly, soon exceeding two months since Zhou Xuanhao had entered the seclusion chamber.
Reaching this point, even Zhou Xuantai and Zhou Xuanbin wore heavy expressions.
Throughout history, no one from the Zhou Family had taken over two months to successfully break through the Foundation Establishment Stage. Could Zhou Xuanhao break this record?
Finally, on the sixty-seventh day of Zhou Xuanhao's seclusion, a strong surge of Spiritual Qi erupted from the previously silent seclusion chamber.
"It's Spiritual Energy Infusion! Is Brother about to succeed?"
Zhou Xuantai, having the deepest cultivation, was the first to sense the change in Spiritual Qi. His face changed dramatically as he stood up, looking towards the seclusion chamber with shock.
"Indeed, it's Spiritual Energy Infusion! This is the final stage of the Foundation Establishment Stage; once the turbulent Spiritual Qi pouring in is subdued and refined into Foundation Establishment True Essence, success is achieved!"
Zhou Xuanbin also stood up, looking towards the seclusion chamber with a solemn face, eyes filled with deep envy.
That is the Foundation Establishment Stage!
A realm they could never hope to reach in their lifetime.
Once Zhou Xuanhao successfully establishes his foundation, it not only means that the Zhou Family will have an additional Foundation Establishment Cultivator, but it also implies that Zhou Xuanhao, the oldest cultivator of the "Xuan" generation, will likely be the one who lives the longest among them.
Thinking about how Zhouyang also stands a great chance of successfully establishing his foundation in the future, Zhou Xuanbin feels a bit jealous.
Truly an enviable family!
His peripheral vision catches Zhouyang and Lin Yuting, who are tightly hugging and cheering, a mixture of emotions stirring within him that only he knows.
"Mother, it worked, Father has succeeded in establishing his foundation!"
Zhouyang tightly grasps his mother's shoulders, the worry in his eyes vanishing, replaced by sheer joy.
"Son, son, pinch me, am I dreaming? I'm so afraid that this is just a dream!"
Lin Yuting also holds her son's shoulders firmly, her expression a blend of tears and laughter, full of disbelief.
It's fair to say that the surprise came too suddenly.
Who would have thought that after more than two months had passed, Zhou Xuanhao could succeed in establishing his foundation without taking the "Foundation Establishment Pill"!
Such an occurrence is not only rare for the Zhou Family but is an extraordinary event that might only appear once in several decades in the entire cultivation realm of the Land of the Far West.
Rumble!
On the third day after the "Spiritual Energy Infusion" occurred, the door of the seclusion chamber, which had been shut for seventy days, was finally opened from the inside.
Then, under the watchful eyes of Zhouyang and the others outside, Zhou Xuanhao, wearing a blue robe and with a face full of smiles, walked out.
The former Zhou Xuanhao, nearing a hundred years old, not only had his skin starting to sag with wrinkles, but his hair was also more than half white, resembling an elderly man of fifty.
However, now that he has successfully established his foundation, due to his significantly extended lifespan, both his hair and appearance have returned to that of a middle-aged man around forty years old.
Seeing him walk out in such a middle-aged appearance, both his son Zhouyang and his wife Lin Yuting were slightly stunned.
"Father!"
"Husband!"
Watching the man, full of smiles walking towards them, Zhouyang and Lin Yuting, who were in a daze, finally snapped back to reality, hurriedly moving forward to embrace him tightly.
"Fifth brother, eighth sister, let's head out first, the old Clan Leader and the family are still waiting for our news!"
Zhou Xuantai watched as the family of Zhouyang tightly embraced each other, smiling slightly, he gave a quick gesture to Zhou Xuanbin and Zhou Xuanyan beside him, and the three quietly exited the stone chamber.
Zhou Xuanhao's successful foundation establishment is a joyous event celebrated by the entire Zhou Family.
The old Clan Leader, Zhou Minghan, after receiving the news, immediately flew over from Jade Spring Peak to personally verify the situation for peace of mind.
"Xuantai's message stated you took over two months to successfully establish your foundation. Honestly, when I first received the news, my initial reaction was whether there was a mistake, so much so that I specifically checked with Yu'Er to confirm it was true!"
In the "Haoyang Cave," after the old Clan Leader Zhou Minghan arrived and saw Zhou Xuanhao approaching him, he recounted the amusing tale with a face full of smiles.
The imposing aura of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator on Zhou Xuanhao is undeniable, and upon seeing this, the last bit of concern in his heart completely dissipates, allowing him to joke with this junior.
Considering this elder's jest, Zhou Xuanhao didn't mind, simply chuckling, "Hehe, not to mention that you, old Clan Leader, found it incredible, even I consider myself lucky now. If I had to choose again, I wouldn't dare to take such risks!"
Zhou Minghan, upon hearing this response, seemed moved for a moment, sighing, "Luck is also a kind of strength. In our life of cultivation, we will encounter various opportunities. Some seize opportunities and rise swiftly, while others miss them and thus remain obscure!"
Zhouyang, overhearing this remark, seemed to have a moment of realization.
He recalled the old Clan Leader once mentioned the "Foundation Establishment Conference" to him, and after this conference, the Zhou Family would certainly empty its savings to purchase a "Foundation Establishment Pill."
If he cannot break through to the Ninth-Layer Qi Cultivation before then, wouldn't he miss this opportunity?
Reflecting on this, his heart tightened, suddenly overcome with an unprecedented sense of urgency.
He is currently only a step away from the Ninth-Layer Qi Cultivation, and logically there should be ample time to break through.
But who knows if something unexpected might occur during this time?
What if, just what if the "Foundation Establishment Conference" is suddenly pushed forward?
"I heard many senior cultivators choose to travel to temper their state of mind and broaden their horizons when facing bottlenecks. It seems a trip to the marketplace is imperative; perhaps my opportunity for a breakthrough lies there!"
With this thought, his expression gradually relaxed, feeling a sense of relief.