Journey of the Fate Destroying Emperor

Chapter 1563: Foundation Pillars

"Since this is your idea, you’ll be in charge of setting everything up," Qiyuan said.

"Hmm, sure," Wang Wei nodded.

"He’s probably thinking about how to pass down his duty and be lazy," Yan Hai commented.

"It’s called delegation, outsourcing, and management," Wang Wei argued.

"It’s called being lazy — being privileged."

"With the right word, you can make anything sound bad."

"That’s your argument?"

"Well, it’s true, isn’t it?" Wang Wei said truthfully, making Yan Hai speechless.

"Alright, let’s continue the meeting," Qiyuan said. However, one of Wang Wei’s talisman suddenly lit up, and he summoned it from his treasury dimension.

"What happened?"

"Lord Maitreya wants to see me," Wang Wei replied, his brow slightly furrowed.

"Did she say why?"

"No, but it’s not hard to guess why."

"Then, hurry up. We can wait," Qiyuan said.

Wang Wei stood up before secretly heading to the common district, walking directly toward Buddhism’s headquarters. Feng Heng was waiting in the front for him.

"Donor."

"It’s good to see you alive — and yourself," Wang Wei smiled.

"While it was an honor to serve the teacher, this poor monk is indeed glad to be in control of my consciousness again," Feng Heng nodded.

"And it seems like your teacher followed my advice."

"Yes, and this poor monk is forever grateful for that, Donor."

"No need to thank me. Something tells me you would have started the Spiritual Practice Path at one point in your life," Wang Wei replied. Feng Heng not only had an affinity with that path, but he seemed destined for it.

"But how many years would this poor monk have wasted then?"

"True. In that case, I’ll accept your gratitude."

"Much appreciate it," Feng Heng uttered as he bowed slightly. "Now, Donor, let’s not make the teacher wait." Wang Wei followed him to a small room, where Monk Wuzhou was waiting. Wang Wei saluted him before entering.

He saw his wife already waiting, and was not too surprised. Wang Wei took a cursory glance at this simple, almost empty room, before sitting down next to Wu Hong, and opposite Maitreya.

"You look more awe inspiring than the last time we saw you," Wang Wei commented.

"Thanks to you two, I’ve made great progress," Maitreya said with a smile. "And this is why I’ve brought you here."

"So, this is about the Soul Quintessence Technique."

"Yes. I want to ask for a favor."

"Oh?"

"I plan to sell the technique to Heavenly Dao, but I want you to loan me your share of the merit. Of course, I promise to repay it in the future, with a 30% interest," Maitreya revealed.

Wang Wei and Wu Hong looked at each other. The couple did not use their words or divine sense, but they instantly communicated with their eyes. Then, Wu Hong finally said:

"The technique is universal, making it extremely valuable. Why do you need so much merit?"

"Do you know that Primordial Saints are classified based on their foundation?"

"How would we know that?"

"Fair," Maitreya said before she raised her hands to manifest six golden pillars behind her. "They are called Foundation Pillars, and it’s the most effective way to determine someone’s strength at our level. Although it’s not a perfect method, it’s the best and most common."

Wang Wei and Wu Hong observed these pillars, but aside from the different symbols, such as clouds, dragons, and weapons, they saw nothing. They attempted to use their blueprint observation technique and observed that the pillars were composed of numerous golden and silver stars, but they could not determine what these stars represented.

"No need to force yourself. You’ll know what they are during your breakthrough process," Maitreya explained before dismissing the pillars. "There can be a total of 12 Foundation Pillars. 1-3 means low foundation, 3-6 means middle foundation, 7-9 means top foundation, 10-12 pillars are Human, Earth, and Heaven Foundation, and the 13th pillar is called the Source Pillar."

Wang Wei and Wu Hong frowned after hearing those words.

"You think my foundation is weak now? Before I completed the soul technique, I only had two pillars."

Wang Wei took a deep breath.

"And the technique only raised my foundation by two," Maitreya continued. "The rest came from my enlightenment, and because Heavenly Dao offered to help improve my foundation as long as I make an oath to be the world’s protector and die with it."

"As always, that thing will take advantage of people’s weakness," Wu Hong sneered.

"To be fair, I probably would have still died with this world even without the oath," Maitreya said. This was her home, and she would fight for it until her last dying breath.

"Are flawed techniques so harmful?" Wang Wei asked. It made no sense for a Primal with Maitreya’s talent to have such a weak foundation in the Quintessence Realm.

"Yes," Maitreya nodded. "The foundation pillars are created based on a cultivator’s entire cultivation journey. Everything you’ve done counts, including achievements, titles, uniqueness, and even aspects like cultivation speed, which can be an achievement that enhances your foundation.

"However, all of these things will mean nothing if you do not walk a unique and independent transcendent path."

"This changes everything," Wang Wei muttered before finding it odd he had said those words twice in a few hours.

"Indeed," Wu Hong nodded. She was still indecisive about whether to focus on strengthening her foundation or advancing to the next level. But with Maitreya’s words, the choice became obvious.

"I plan to buy a World Source Leaf to see if I can achieve an advanced foundation," Maitreya continued, which made Wang Wei’s lips twitch. He remembered the price of that thing, but what irked him the most was its description: cleanse the foundation. It was so vague that it was impossible to know its true value without knowledge about Primordial Saints.

"So, what do you think? Can you lend me the merit?"

"There is no issue on my part, but you have to give us a timetable on when you plan to repay it," Wu Hong said.

"Immediately. I will not buy anything during the disaster until I’ve repaid your share. You have my words," Maitreya said, and Wu Hong was satisfied with that, leaving Wang Wei.

"I also have no issues, but I have one condition and two questions."

"I’m listening."

"My condition is that after you’ve gathered the funds to repay me, do not immediately give it to me. Secretly notify me, and I will come get it at the appropriate time."

Wu Hong immediately gave him a suspicious look, while Maitreya gave him a knowing look. "No problem."

Wang Wei’s face remained calm and composed. He knew he was technically evading tax, but he did not want to pay 80% of such a large amount of merit. Anyway, he’ll do his part to contribute to the sect, and that should not affect his own independent fund.

"My first question is about the person on the other side of the gate. How strong were they?"

"They probably had four pillars. I didn’t get a good look, but given how they defeated me with one move, their strength should be around that level."

"There is such a vast difference? Is there no mechanism that allows for challenging higher power?" Wang Wei asked.

"The Battle Realm still exists, but accessibility is based on the foundation, and more importantly, how many times someone enters the Taboo Battle Realm," Maitreya revealed.

"Really?"

"Yes, and technically speaking, you’ve accessed a weaker version of it."

"I have?" Wang Wei was puzzled, but he immediately tried to deduce what she meant.

Maitreya was about to explain, but she sensed something. "That’s all I can say for now. Are you satisfied?"

"No, I still have one more question," Wang Wei said. He originally had two questions to ask, but he asked more because of the conversation.

"Go ahead," Maitreya nodded, not showing a hint of impatience.

"I want to know about Time Nexuses," Wang Wei asked. He always mysteriously forgot to ask Maitreya about such an important thing.

"I can’t tell you that — at least, not until you’ve become a Primal."

"What? Why?"

"For some reason, Grand Dao is actively delaying your knowledge of this subject. It’s to the point that revealing it to you is a small taboo, which is odd given that this knowledge is common for Primordial Saints. I’m afraid there is more involved here than I’m privy to."

Wang Wei groaned.

"What if you tell me?" Wu Hong asked. "Maybe he doesn’t have to know now, but if I do, I can maybe help or protect him if necessary."

"Maybe that’s feasible," Maitreya muttered. She closed her eyes to do something. Upon opening them a few seconds later, she tapped her finger on Wu Hong’s forehead, directly instilling this secret into her mind.

"...Thank you," Wu Hong said with a serious expression. She then gently took Wang Wei’s left hand. "Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. I got your back."

"I know," Wang Wei smiled as he held her hands tighter.