Chapter 122: One Person's Success Benefits All

"Of course, if your master or close friend is a Foundation Establishment expert, the probability of you achieving Foundation Establishment in the future is naturally much higher than that of an ordinary cultivator."

This matter-of-fact statement from Pinger immediately stunned He Song.

What? 

If your master or close friend is a Foundation Establishment expert, your chances of achieving Foundation Establishment are much higher than those of an ordinary cultivator? 

Why? 

Although He Song, as a seeker of immortality, had never considered Foundation Establishment as his ultimate goal—for him, it was merely the starting point of his immortal path—he was still taken aback by Pinger's words. 

According to the information He Song had gathered from the Spirit Technique Pavilion, Foundation Establishment experts were supposed to be extremely rare.

How could it be, as Pinger claimed, that anyone close to a Foundation Establishment expert would have a much higher chance of achieving it themselves?

If that were the case, wouldn't Foundation Establishment experts be everywhere? 

"What do you mean? Is there some hidden secret here? If so, why are Foundation Establishment experts still so few in number?" 

Without overthinking, He Song directly asked his questions. Since Pinger had brought it up, it was likely true. He just didn't know the exact reason. 

As he spoke, He Song glanced at Meng Guan and True Person Clear Moon, who were still arguing nearby, a flicker of doubt passing through his eyes. 

Could it be that the breakthrough experience of a Foundation Establishment expert greatly increases the probability of achieving Foundation Establishment?

Or perhaps, with the help of a Foundation Establishment expert, obtaining a Foundation Establishment Pill becomes much easier?

Or maybe... there are other secrets he isn't aware of? 

"You don't know? Well, it makes sense. Your friend has only recently broken through to Foundation Establishment, so it's normal for you not to know. Let me explain, but you mustn't spread this information." 

Seeing He Song's confusion, Pinger quickly realized the situation. After warning him not to share the information, she began to explain. 

"Although this information isn't widely shared, you're not an outsider, so I'll tell you." 

"During the Qi Refining stage, the opportunity to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill is very rare. Do you know why? Although the ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill are precious and the refining process is complex, for a Golden Core Sect, it's still possible to produce some." 

"However, the vast majority of Foundation Establishment Pills are consumed internally. Foundation Establishment experts, wanting to nurture their successors, will reserve these pills for their disciples or descendants." 

"With a Foundation Establishment Pill, a cultivator at the peak of Qi Refining naturally has a much higher chance of achieving Foundation Establishment than an ordinary cultivator." 

"The occasional appearance of Foundation Establishment Pills in the city is merely a gesture by the sects to give rogue cultivators some hope. The real bulk of these pills is in the hands of Foundation Establishment experts, used to nurture their successors." 

"Moreover, when nurturing their successors, Foundation Establishment experts usually share their breakthrough insights. With both the Foundation Establishment Pill and the breakthrough insights, the chances of achieving Foundation Establishment are significantly increased." 

"As for why there are still so few Foundation Establishment experts... even with these advantages, the success rate of achieving Foundation Establishment is only slightly higher than that of rogue cultivators. It's not a guaranteed breakthrough." 

"Those who truly manage to break through to Foundation Establishment are still few and far between." 

"However, compared to rogue cultivators, having a master or close friend who is a Foundation Establishment expert does significantly increase the probability of success." 

After listening to Pinger's explanation, He Song finally understood. 

With a Foundation Establishment Pill and breakthrough insights, even a cultivator with average talent has a much higher chance of breaking through than an ordinary rogue cultivator. 

In such a situation, it was no wonder Pinger felt confident about her own Foundation Establishment prospects. 

However... wasn't Pinger being a bit too confident? Based on her words, He Song almost thought that breaking through to Foundation Establishment was as easy as eating or drinking for her. 

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Pinger, for clearing up my doubts. I am deeply grateful." 

He Song cupped his hands in gratitude, though he didn't dwell too much on the matter. After learning this information, a weight in his heart had been lifted. 

If what Pinger said was true, both he and Wei Fan would have a much higher chance of achieving Foundation Establishment in the future. 

For He Song, it didn't matter much. Foundation Establishment was merely a stepping stone for him.

Even without a Foundation Establishment Pill, as long as he could obtain some Meridian Protection Pills, he could keep attempting to break through over time. 

If he failed once, he would just need ten years to recover before trying again. 

He Song didn't believe that after ten or even a hundred attempts, he still wouldn't be able to break through to Foundation Establishment. 

But Wei Fan was different. As a rogue cultivator, achieving Foundation Establishment would be extremely difficult for him. 

Without a Foundation Establishment Pill or breakthrough insights, Wei Fan's chances of breaking through were almost like a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse. 

Of course, the same could be said for Meng Guan. 

But Meng Guan had actually succeeded, managing to break through to Foundation Establishment. 

He Song could only attribute this to sheer luck. 

However, He Song couldn't guarantee that Wei Fan would have the same luck. 

Therefore, after learning this information, He Song felt a sense of relief. 

At the very least, Wei Fan now had a glimmer of hope for achieving Foundation Establishment. 

He Song's gaze instinctively shifted to Wei Fan, only to find Wei Fan staring at him in surprise. 

In response, He Song smiled at him and then turned his attention back to Pinger. 

"No problem. If your Foundation Establishment friend joins the Earth Sect, you might even have to call me 'Senior Sister' one day." 

Pinger waved her hand, a hint of amusement in her eyes as she looked at He Song. Her eyes curved into crescents, as if she was already looking forward to the day He Song would address her as "Senior Sister." 

However, upon hearing this, He Song was completely baffled. 

Senior Sister? 

What Senior Sister? 

Pinger was now a disciple of the Earth Sect and a direct disciple of True Person Clear Moon. 

He, on the other hand, was just a rogue cultivator. How could he possibly call her "Senior Sister"? 

Unless... 

He Song suddenly thought of something and looked at Pinger in astonishment. 

"It seems you've figured it out. If a rogue cultivator achieves Foundation Establishment and chooses to join the Earth Sect, they can bring others with them." 

"However, they would have to start as outer sect disciples, and they would need to have at least late-stage Qi Refining cultivation. The maximum number of people they can bring is three." 

"This is what they mean by 'one person's success benefits all.'" 

"However, whether he's willing to bring you two into the sect is another matter. But since you're close friends, it shouldn't be a problem." 

Under He Song's astonished gaze, Pinger calmly explained. 

This was the real reason she had told He Song all this information and considered him an insider. 

Based on her speculation, He Song and Wei Fan had a high probability of being brought into the Earth Sect. 

Once that happened, He Song would become a disciple of the Earth Sect, making him one of their own. 

By telling him this information in advance, she wasn't worried about it being leaked. 

After all, the fact that Meng Guan had called upon He Song and Wei Fan to protect him during his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment showed just how much he trusted them. 

Now that Meng Guan had become a Foundation Establishment expert and learned that he could bring others into the Earth Sect, it was unlikely he would abandon He Song and Wei Fan. 

Given their close relationship, it would be almost impossible for them not to be brought into the Earth Sect. 

In other words, as long as Meng Guan agreed to join the Earth Sect, He Song and Wei Fan becoming disciples of the Earth Sect was practically a done deal. 

(End of Chapter)