46. Foundation

{Start of Act 3}

Mo Tian stepped out of the secret chamber, his movements steady but purposeful. The air in the room seemed to hum with the power that now coursed through him, his body, enhanced by the breakthroughs he had achieved, felt light yet impossibly strong. The feeling of vitality surged within him, but there was no time to bask in his achievement. His mind shifted quickly to the tasks ahead, the plans that had long been set in motion.

As he emerged into the dimly lit hallway of the stronghold, a figure waited for him, leaning casually against the stone wall. The figure was a beggar, his ragged appearance not immediately striking but his stance betraying the alertness of one accustomed to the shadows. Mo Tian didn't have to look twice to recognize the beggar as one of his loyal subordinates.

The beggar straightened upon Mo Tian's arrival, offering a quick bow. "Lord Mo," he said, his voice low and respectful. "I've been waiting for you."

Mo Tian acknowledged him with a simple nod, his face impassive. "You were right to wait. I've just finished my seclusion." His gaze sharpened, and he crossed his arms as he surveyed the beggar. "Is there something urgent?"

The beggar hesitated for a brief moment before speaking again. "The beggar leaders... they've been waiting for you. But there's also something else," he said, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. "Word from the front lines has been coming in. There are signs that both the Zheng and Jing families are preparing for something, an alliance or perhaps another assault. But it's all rumors for now."

Mo Tian listened, but his thoughts moved quickly. The beggars would not be idle; they'd need direction. He had his own plans to attend to, ones that would take him away from the city. His mind turned to the mountain range, the location where he had begun to establish a base for his operations. It was time to reinforce it, to turn it into a stronghold that could be defended and expanded.

"Send word to the leaders," Mo Tian instructed, his tone cold and final. "Tell them I will be returning to the mountain range. I need them to prepare for any disruptions in the city. I want everything running smoothly while I'm gone."

The beggar nodded, his brow furrowing slightly at the order. "You'll be... away for some time?"

"For as long as it takes," Mo Tian answered, his gaze distant as he considered the possibilities of what awaited him in the mountains. "It's time to solidify our hold. The base needs to grow; we'll need more resources, more manpower. And I need the beggars to be ready to act quickly, should the need arise."

The beggar bowed again. "Understood, Lord Mo. I'll make sure the leaders are informed. And everything will be ready for your return."

Mo Tian nodded once more, then turned to leave. He did not need to hear further details, his mind already working out the logistics. The beggars would handle things in his absence, but it was the mountain base that needed his immediate attention. The city was too volatile, the balance of power too delicate. It was time to fortify their position before anything else could disrupt the progress he had made.

As Mo Tian made his way to the hidden entrance of the tunnels, the beggar watched him go, then quickly turned and disappeared into the shadows, carrying out the task that Mo Tian had set before him. The wheels of Mo Tian's grand plans were already turning, and there was no going back now.

Deep beneath the earth, Mo Tian walked through an intricate network of tunnels stretched for miles, their sheer scale and craftsmanship a testament to the immense effort poured into their creation. Wide enough to accommodate entire caravans side by side, the tunnels were reinforced with stone and tempered steel, ensuring their endurance against time and siege alike. The walls bore faint traces of expert carving, seamlessly blending natural rock formations with architectural precision, while sturdy wooden beams, lacquered for preservation, stood as silent sentinels along the path.

Despite their underground nature, the tunnels were well-ventilated, with cleverly concealed vents allowing fresh air to flow in, preventing stagnation. Hidden alcoves lined the passageways, acting as storage areas or shelters in case of emergencies, while defensive choke points had been subtly integrated to allow for swift tactical responses should an enemy ever intrude. Softly glowing spirit lamps embedded into the walls cast a steady, ethereal light, illuminating the path without betraying the tunnels' presence to the surface world.

This underground highway, built with both secrecy and resilience in mind, was more than a mere passage. It was a fortress beneath the land, capable of withstanding war and calamity alike.

Mo Tian stepped out of the tunnel's mouth, his boots crunching against the frost-laced earth as he emerged into the crisp mountain air. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the jagged peaks, while a thin mist clung to the valley below, swirling like ghostly tendrils in the morning light. The air was rich with dense spiritual energy, more potent than before, a testament to the existence of the Crystal buried deep within the mountain's heart.

His gaze swept over the newly carved path leading toward his sect's foundation. Workers and cultivators toiled in the distance, hauling stone and reinforcing the structures that would soon form the heart of his dominion. The tunnels were complete, the mountain secured, and now, at last, his true work could begin.

As he took a deep breath, feeling the raw power of the land seep into his very marrow, Li Xue approached, bowing deeply before speaking. "Master, the mountain tunnels have been fully reinforced. We await your next command."

Mo Tian's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Good. Now, it's time to raise a sect."

Mo Tian stepped out of the tunnels, his sharp gaze sweeping across the mountain range. The air was crisp and cold, carrying the scent of damp stone and pine. He adjusted his coat, his expression unreadable as he took in the progress.

Waiting for him was Li Xue, arms crossed, her stance firm. "You're finally back." Her tone was steady, but there was a sharpness to it. "We need to talk about the sect. The tunnels are complete, and the workers are waiting for direction. What's next?"

Mo Tian met her gaze with his usual calm. "We'll schedule a meeting to discuss everything in detail. In three days, I want all key members present. We'll finalize the plans then."

Li Xue studied him, her sharp eyes searching for something beneath his detached words. "Three days? What are you planning in the meantime?"

Mo Tian's expression remained impassive. "I have unfinished business in the mountains. Personal matters."

She narrowed her eyes slightly. "You expect me to just wait?"

Mo Tian offered a small, almost placating nod. "I expect you to do what you do best, take control. Organize the workers, get a layout of the land, and ensure everything is ready for construction. This way, we won't waste time when we meet."

Li Xue scoffed, shaking her head. "Convenient how you always push the tedious work onto others."

Mo Tian let a faint smirk tug at his lips, though it never reached his eyes. "Delegation is a skill."

She exhaled, clearly unimpressed, but there was no true protest. "Fine. But you better not disappear longer than three days."

"I won't," Mo Tian assured her smoothly. Without another word, he turned and started toward the tallest peak, his silhouette soon swallowed by the mountain's shadow.

Li Xue clicked her tongue, watching him vanish before muttering, "Always keeping secrets…" Then, with a sigh, she turned on her heel and strode back toward the camp. There was work to do.

…

(2 hours later, At the top of the highest mountain of the mountain range.)

Mo Tian stepped through the courtyard gates, his boots silent against the stone path. The courtyard atop the mountain was simple yet imposing, built with dark, reinforced stone to withstand the howling winds that battered the peak. Wooden pavilions with curved eaves lined the perimeter, their lacquered beams gleaming under the dim light of the setting sun. Despite the harsh climate, the courtyard had an undeniable serenity. A few lanterns swayed gently from iron hooks, casting flickering shadows across the stone floor.

At the far end, a large stone archway loomed, its entrance seamlessly blending into the mountainside. The cave behind it was unassuming at first glance, just a dark maw carved into the rock. But as Mo Tian stepped inside, the air shifted. The temperature dropped slightly, and a faint energy pulsed beneath his feet. The deeper he walked, the more the outside world faded behind him, swallowed by the weight of the mountain.

The tunnel seemed like a natural formation. It was carved with deliberate precision, the walls smoothed by an unknown force. Patterns were faintly etched into the stone, worn, ancient inscriptions that had long since lost their meaning. The air carried a subtle vibration, a hum just beneath the threshold of hearing, as if the mountain itself was breathing.

The path sloped downward in a gentle spiral, leading him deeper and deeper into the mountain's heart. The lanterns lining the walls burned with an eerie blue glow, casting elongated shadows that danced like specters along the carved stone. The deeper he went, the denser the air became, not in weight, but in presence, thick with an unseen force that pressed against his skin.

At last, the tunnel opened into a vast, hollow space. The ceiling arched high above, disappearing into darkness. The ground was uneven, jagged with raw mineral deposits that shimmered faintly in the dim light. And in the very center, embedded in the ground, stood the crystal.

It was massive, towering over him, its smooth surface pulsating with an inner radiance. A soft, rhythmic glow emanated from within, each pulse sending ripples of energy through the chamber like a heartbeat. The air around it shimmered, thick with condensed energy, swirling in unseen currents that Mo Tian could feel pressing against his very being.

This was no ordinary treasure. It was a force of nature, a wellspring of power.

And it was waiting to be claimed.

Mo Tian stepped toward the crystal, his every movement measured, deliberate. The vast chamber was silent except for the soft hum emanating from the towering structure before him. Its translucent surface pulsed with an inner radiance, each slow glow a breath, a heartbeat, as if the mountain itself was alive. The energy in the air was thick, pressing against his skin, sinking into his bones with an invisible weight.

He reached out.

The moment his fingers brushed against the crystal's surface, a violent surge of energy roared to life. The chamber trembled, loose shards of rock breaking from the ceiling, shattering upon the ground. A blinding light erupted from the crystal, engulfing Mo Tian in its radiance. His vision blurred as the energy surged into his body, raw and unfiltered, invading his body like a raging tide.

His muscles tensed, his veins bulged. The sheer intensity of the energy threatened to tear him apart. It was not merely an absorption. It was a test, a challenge. The crystal, ancient and sentient, sought to judge his worth.

Mo Tian clenched his teeth, his stance unyielding. He had expected resistance. He had read the signs in the corpses of those who had come before him, the martial artists who had dared to take what was not theirs, their remains nothing more than silent warnings. But Mo Tian was different. He did not resist the crystal's power; he welcomed it, let it flow through him, let it rip apart the weak remnants of his past self.

His marrow, once tempered to perfection, roared in response. His organs, fortified and strengthened, adapted to the storm. Every drop of blood carried the essence of his will, every beat of his heart burned with defiance. He was not here to take from the crystal. He was here to command it.

The struggle dragged on, seconds stretching into eternity. The energy surged, then coiled around him like a serpent, testing, waiting. Then, at last, the crystal dimmed, its violent radiance retreating as the last wave of energy settled into his core.

The chamber fell silent.

Mo Tian stood before the crystal, breath slow, steady. His body ached, but he did not falter. He raised his hand once more, pressing his palm firmly against the smooth surface. This time, the crystal did not resist.

It accepted him.

The energy within the chamber shifted, no longer rejecting him but bowing to his presence. The air grew still, the mountain itself acknowledging its new master.

Mo Tian closed his eyes. The crystal, the mountain, the very land beneath him. It was his now. And with it, the foundation of his sect had truly begun.

Additionally, he notices that the formerly grayed out reward could now be claimed by Mo Tian.

[Rewards]

['Clan Foundation' Reward – Ready to be claimed]

[Return]

The moment Mo Tian's hand pressed to claim the reward. Then, his mind trembled as a flood of knowledge poured into him, some things he had never even heard of.

He saw visions, people presumably sect leaders standing before similar crystals, their sects thriving under their influence. He received information regarding Sect Core Formation. It was the method to bind a Qi Crystal to a land, turning it into the heart of a sect, nourishing generations of cultivators with endless energy. Then came the secrets of Qi Vein Expansion, a technique to stretch the crystal's influence, directing its energy like flowing rivers, creating cultivation hotspots and powerful defensive zones.

Deeper still, he glimpsed the profound art of Crystal Resonance, the ability to harmonize his own Qi with the crystal, increasing his own cultivation efficiency and even exerting control over the surrounding Qi density. He could shape the very environment of his sect, deciding who thrived and who withered.

As the knowledge settled, Mo Tian slowly exhaled, his expression unreadable. This was more than a mere power boost. It was the foundation for an empire. It is a shame that he could not use it until he had Qi himself and a lot of it.

However, it was more than enough for Mo Tian to create the perfect planning for his sect.