Over the next few hours, under Ye Chengye's gaze, which mixed trepidation and wild joy, the Foundation Establishment ceremony proceeded with perfect order.
Shan Hu, working in continuous batches of twelve, constantly used the Azure Nether True Fire to suppress the medicinal power and guide the spiritual energy. This was not only a massive drain on his True Essence but also an extreme test of his Divine Sense control.
Each surge of True Essence made Shan Hu's already pale face appear slightly more fatigued, yet his movements remained precise and graceful, without the slightest error.
After one hour, four groups of clansmen had completed the Foundation Establishment.
After two hours, another four groups had finished.
Finally, when the last batch of twelve opened their eyes and felt the abundant power within their bodies, the sun was already setting, and over ninety transformed cultivators stood in the backyard herb garden.
Each one looked at Shan Hu, the youth in the azure robe, with an gaze bordering on reverence. This Immortal Master had not only changed their individual destinies but had also propelled an ancient cultivation family to a new peak with astonishing speed.
Ye Chengye could no longer suppress his excitement. He dropped to his knees with a thud, his voice choked: "Immortal Master's great grace, the Ye family will never forget! We are willing to brave fire and water for the Immortal Master, even at the cost of our lives!"
All the newly established cultivators and the core elders present knelt down and shouted in unison: "We thank the Immortal Master!"
Shan Hu raised his hand, and a gentle True Essence lifted everyone up.
"There is no need for such ceremony," Shan Hu's voice was slightly hoarse. He took a deep breath, calming the consumed True Essence within his body. "You have successfully established your foundations, but the path of cultivation is long; this is merely the beginning. The foundation is set, but cultivation still requires your own efforts."
He took a jade slip from his Cosmic Ring and handed it to Ye Chengye.
"This jade slip records the most basic breathing technique, the Azure Wood Longevity Art. It can be used to cultivate up to the middle stage of Qi Condensation. Given the Ye family's scarce spiritual vein, this technique is the most gentle and maximizes the absorption and preservation of spiritual energy."
"In addition, there are three bottles of pills, used for recovering spiritual energy during the Qi Condensation stage. After this, all resources must be self-sufficient."
He did not leave any more Foundation Establishment Pills, as the remaining family members had spiritual aptitude that was too poor; forcing Foundation Establishment would only waste the pills.
Ye Chengye accepted the jade slip as if it were a priceless treasure. This was not just a cultivation method; it was the foundation for the Ye family's existence for the next several hundred years!
"Please rest assured, Immortal Master, the Ye family will certainly propagate this method and bear your teachings in mind."
Shan Hu nodded, his gaze fixed in the direction of the Yan Mountains to the north. He did not want to waste any time; the allure of the "Foundation of the Celestial Palace" far outweighed these mundane matters.
"I have an urgent matter requiring my immediate departure. I will return in no less than a month and no more than half a year. During this period, the affairs of the Ye family are entirely your responsibility."
He paused, speaking sternly: "The matter of Foundation Establishment is of great significance and must be kept secret. With the spiritual energy depletion in this world, there may be petty individuals who covet this. You must act cautiously and bide your time."
Ye Chengye's heart tightened, and he immediately complied: "Yes, Immortal Master! Chengye will definitely remember and will not reveal a single detail!"
Having said this, Shan Hu did not linger. His figure blurred. Instead of flying with his sword, he used an Immortal Emperor-level movement technique, transforming into an azure afterimage that vanished from everyone's sight in the blink of an eye, streaking toward the Yan Mountains due north of the Capital.
Ye Chengye and all the newly established cultivators watched the direction of the Immortal Master's disappearance, speechless for a long time.
It wasn't until Shan Hu's aura had completely vanished that Ye Chengye slowly straightened up, clutching the jade slip and the pills tightly.
He took a deep breath, turned around, and faced the nearly hundred clansmen whose eyes were burning with fervor, an unprecedented look of authority and excitement on his face.
"Descendants of the Ye family! Starting today, our Ye family will undergo a complete transformation and rise again!"
"You are the pioneers of the Ye family's new era!"