Xianxia :I live for ever in Cultivation World

Several days passed in the blink of an eye. 

Having already experienced guarding someone during their breakthrough once before, He Song didn't find the process tedious. 

The Earth Sect provided each outer disciple with a small courtyard equipped with all necessary facilities. 

Over the past few days, aside from occasionally checking on the quiet room where Wei Fan was attempting his breakthrough, He Song spent most of his time immersed in studying the *Introduction to Formation Dao*. 

It had been five full years since He Song joined the Earth Sect as an outer disciple and selected the *Introduction to Formation Dao* from the sect's library. 

During these five years, He Song had diligently studied the *Introduction to Formation Dao*, making rapid progress. 

However, despite his efforts, He Song had yet to successfully set up even the simplest formation recorded in the *Introduction to Formation Dao*. 

The formations recorded in the *Introduction to Formation Dao* were far more numerous and complex than those in the *Basics of Formation Dao*. 

The knowledge contained within was also much more profound. 

That said, with more formations available to learn, He Song didn't need to study every single one. 

He could choose which formations to focus on based on his own interests. 

For example, the formation He Song was currently studying was the simplest one recorded in the *Introduction to Formation Dao*: the *Minor Spirit Gathering Formation*. 

According to the *Introduction to Formation Dao*, the *Spirit Gathering Formation* recorded in the *Basics of Formation Dao* was merely an entry-level micro version. 

Its range was limited, and the spiritual energy it gathered was relatively sparse. 

In contrast, the *Minor Spirit Gathering Formation* recorded in the *Introduction to Formation Dao* was an advanced version of the micro formation. 

The micro formation only required carving formation patterns onto spirit stones to create the foundation of the formation, allowing it to be successfully set up. 

However, the *Minor Spirit Gathering Formation* was different. 

It required the crafting of formation flags and a formation plate, which then had to be placed in specific positions using special techniques.

Finally, a secret art was used to activate the formation. 

Due to the difference in the medium used to carry the formation patterns, the *Minor Spirit Gathering Formation* was naturally more powerful than the micro version. 

Additionally, formations set up using formation flags and plates were far more potent than entry-level formations. 

Moreover, since formation flags and plates were more difficult to destroy, the likelihood of someone forcibly breaking the formation was significantly reduced. 

It could be said that the formations recorded in the *Introduction to Formation Dao* were vastly superior to the entry-level formations in the *Basics of Formation Dao*. 

At the same time, the materials required and the depth of knowledge needed were also far beyond what was required for entry-level formations. 

This was precisely why He Song had spent the past five years immersed in studying the *Introduction to Formation Dao*. 

As for actually setting up a formation, he would need to wait until he had fully mastered the methods for setting up the *Minor Spirit Gathering Formation* and crafting the formation flags and plates. 

Only then could he leave the sect to gather the necessary materials and begin crafting the flags and plates. 

That would be the time for him to set up his first formation. 

Thus, several more days passed. 

One day, while He Song was deep in his study of the *Introduction to Formation Dao*, he suddenly noticed out of the corner of his eye that the door to Wei Fan's quiet room had opened. 

Before He Song could react, a figure stumbled out and collapsed to the ground with a thud. 

Seeing this, He Song rushed forward and helped Wei Fan to his feet. 

"Brother Wei?" 

After helping Wei Fan sit down, He Song's heart sank. 

This was a failed Foundation Establishment attempt! 

There had been no spiritual energy vortex, nor the intense spiritual pressure that accompanied a successful breakthrough. 

When Wei Fan stepped out of the quiet room, his face was ashen, and moments later, he collapsed, barely able to stand. 

If not for the fact that Wei Fan showed no obvious injuries, He Song might have thought he had been attacked. 

But how could someone have bypassed him while he was guarding outside? 

After a moment of thought, He Song realized what had happened. 

Wei Fan had attempted Foundation Establishment for the first time—and failed. 

After sitting for a while and catching his breath, Wei Fan's pale complexion improved slightly. 

However, when he saw the concern on He Song's face, Wei Fan forced a bitter smile. 

"Ah, I've truly experienced the bottleneck of Foundation Establishment today." 

"Difficult, difficult, difficult!" 

"As difficult as climbing to the heavens!" 

Shaking his head, Wei Fan's eyes flashed with a hint of fear, as if recalling something terrifying. His body even trembled slightly. 

Seeing this, He Song's expression changed, and a shadow seemed to fall over his heart. 

Was Foundation Establishment really this difficult? 

Why did Wei Fan seem so shaken by this failure? 

What had he experienced during these past few days? 

What had caused his failure? 

A cloud of doubt formed in He Song's mind, and his gaze toward Wei Fan grew more questioning. 

Before today, He Song had always thought Foundation Establishment was difficult—extremely difficult. 

However, with Meng Guan's successful breakthrough as an example, He Song had developed a certain level of complacency. 

Given his endless lifespan and immortality, he believed that breaking through to Foundation Establishment was only a matter of time, no matter how hard it was. 

Even if he failed once and had to wait ten years to try again, as long as he didn't die, his breakthrough was inevitable. 

But now, seeing Wei Fan's intense fear and trembling after a single failed attempt, He Song gained a deeper understanding of just how difficult Foundation Establishment truly was. 

"Brother Wei, what happened?" 

Handing Wei Fan a cup of tea, He Song took the opportunity to ask while Wei Fan was drinking. 

The best way to find out what had happened was to ask directly. 

Wei Fan, who had just picked up the teacup and was about to take a sip, shuddered again as he recalled his recent experience. 

"It was much like what Old Meng described, but... if you fail to compress your spiritual energy into true essence, the energy will dissipate and wreak havoc on your body." 

"Without life-saving pills, the moment the spiritual energy dissipates, the cultivator will die." 

"If I hadn't had a Foundation Establishment Pill to save me, I would have perished today." 

A look of fear flashed in Wei Fan's eyes as he spoke, and he instinctively glanced at his dantian. 

Though he showed no outward injuries, his body was riddled with internal damage. 

During the breakthrough attempt, his spiritual energy had been compressed within his dantian, where true essence was supposed to form. 

When the energy dissipated, the rampant spiritual energy had ravaged his body. 

If not for the healing effects of the Foundation Establishment Pill, the consequences would have been dire. 

As he reflected on this, Wei Fan felt a wave of relief. 

At the same time, he couldn't help but feel immense admiration for Meng Guan, who had successfully broken through to Foundation Establishment without a Foundation Establishment Pill, relying only on a single Meridian Protection Pill. 

After all, back then, Old Meng had been ready to attempt the breakthrough without even a Meridian Protection Pill. 

(End of Chapter)