Another seven-day period had passed.

In the early morning, the eighty-seven geniuses who had joined the Azurecloud Sect had already gathered spontaneously in front of the main hall's plaza.

This was their only opportunity to receive food from the Azurecloud Sect, and they certainly couldn't miss it.

After all, they hadn't even completed Body Tempering yet and still needed to eat every day.

This time, Situ Mingyue and her maid were also present.

They didn't know why they had to gather at the main hall's plaza, but they had no choice but to come.

In fact, there was a significant issue here: Situ Mingyue's maid hadn't officially joined the Azurecloud Sect, so technically, she shouldn't be staying in the sect, let alone listening to lectures.

However, Zhang Yang didn't care, and the Seven Sons of Azurecloud pretended not to see it.

After all, Situ Mingyue had spent a million Spirit Stones to join the sect, so some privileges were expected. Besides, no one expected a pampered young lady to handle mundane chores.

Zhang Yang glanced at the crowd and smiled, saying, "Another seven days have passed, and everyone should have gained some insights into Body Tempering. So today, I have invited Elder Hualingzi, one of the elders of Azurecloud, to talk to you about Foundation Establishment. Elder Hualingzi is a great cultivator in the late Nascent Soul Stage. Let's give him a warm welcome."

Situ Mingyue was taken aback. Applaud? What's going on?

The other eighty-seven geniuses were also puzzled, but when they saw Zhang Yang leading the applause, they understood and joined in.

They thought it was an Azurecloud custom and foolishly followed suit.

Even Situ Mingyue found the Azurecloud rules quite novel.

Amidst the enthusiastic applause, Hualingzi made his entrance.

He didn't understand why this group of kids was clapping, as Azurecloud didn't have such customs, and often, people were quite informal.

Zhang Yang gestured for silence, and the applause ceased. Many children watched Hualingzi with eager eyes.

They hadn't even opened their Spirit Seas yet, and they were having a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator lecture them?

In other sects, it's said that Nascent Soul Stage cultivators are rarely seen by anyone other than direct disciples.

Azurecloud Sect truly valued them!

Hualingzi looked at the crowd and began, "Foundation Establishment is about laying the foundation of the Great Dao. A mountain of a thousand fathoms begins with a pile of earth; the vastness of rivers and seas starts from a stream. On the path of the Great Dao, how far you can go is often determined at the very beginning, so you must take the Foundation Establishment stage seriously.

I've heard that you've all succeeded in Qi Gathering, so I won't dwell on that.

Next, I'll start with Body Tempering.

Look at my hand; this is a piece of jade, and I'm about to carve it into a seal.

Do you think I should start carving as soon as I get the jade?

Of course not. I must first polish it and cut it into the basic shape of a seal."

As he spoke, the jade flew in his hand, quickly forming the shape of a seal.

"See?" Hualingzi pointed to the stone chips on the ground. "These chips I've removed are like the impurities expelled from your bodies during Body Tempering.

The more impurities you expel, the purer your body becomes, making it easier to open your Spirit Sea, and the Spirit Sea you open will be broader."

Hualingzi continued to explain, from Body Tempering to Sea-parting, and then to Dao Seed, covering all aspects of the Foundation Establishment stage.

If Zhang Yang hadn't stopped him, he might have continued explaining the Golden Core Realm.

"Uncle Master, you've been lecturing for most of the day. It's time to rest!" Zhang Yang said to Hualingzi. "Junior brothers and sisters are still in their mortal bodies and need to eat!"

In fact, the many geniuses were already hungry. But Hualingzi's lecture was so captivating that they were reluctant to interrupt, wishing to hear more.

Skipping a meal was no big deal, but listening to a Nascent Soul Stage lecture wasn't something easily available.

Hualingzi smiled and said, "I'll leave the rest to you."

As he was about to leave, Zhang Yang quickly added, "Uncle Master, since the seal is already polished, why not carve it into a seal? For you, it's just a matter of a wave of your hand. But I hope you can carve six words on the seal: 'We Must Have the Azurecloud Aspiration.' I have a great use for it."

Hualingzi glanced at Zhang Yang, unsure of his intentions.

However, carving a seal was indeed a trivial task for him.

In front of everyone, he swiftly carved the six words onto the seal and handed it to Zhang Yang with a smile. "I've used the art of talisman on those six words, which have the effect of calming the mind. Consider it a small magical tool!"

"Thank you, Uncle Master!"

Hualingzi waved his hand and flew away.

"Farewell, Uncle Master!" Zhang Yang respectfully saw Hualingzi off.

Normally, he was quite informal with Hualingzi, but in front of everyone, he was so respectful to emphasize Hualingzi's esteemed status to the junior brothers and sisters.

In fact, Zhang Yang's actions had already made the many geniuses hold their breath, and only after Hualingzi disappeared did they finally relax.

To them, a Nascent Soul Stage expert deserved such reverence.

As soon as Hualingzi disappeared, Situ Mingyue jumped up. "Senior Brother, how about giving me that seal... or just name your price, and I'll buy it! Uncle Master said it's a small magical tool; how about I offer ten thousand Spirit Stones?"

She knew Zhang Yang's nature and brought up money directly.

Zhang Yang secretly rejoiced: Junior Sister, well played!

He said sternly, "This magical tool cannot be given to Junior Sister!"

"Why?" Situ Mingyue was somewhat displeased.

It wasn't that she lacked magical tools, but because it was carved by Hualingzi, it had commemorative value and was worth some money, so she wanted it.

Zhang Yang slowly explained, "Uncle Master just said that in cultivation, one must have lofty aspirations. Especially during the Dao Seed stage, it's closely related.

So, I'm setting a challenge for everyone here. Please write an essay based on Uncle Master's lecture today and your own insights, titled 'Why I Want to Cultivate Immortality!'

The deeper your understanding and the clearer your goals, the smoother your cultivation journey will be.

Therefore, each essay must be no less than three thousand words!"

Everyone stared at Zhang Yang in disbelief. Cultivation required writing essays?

Especially Situ Mingyue, who was utterly bewildered.

She had never heard of any sect doing such a thing.

However, upon carefully considering Zhang Yang's words, they seemed to make some sense.

Zhang Yang raised the seal in his hand and said, "Submit your essays to me within seven days. At the next gathering in the main hall's plaza, I will select the best essays for evaluation, and the first-place winner will receive this seal as a reward."

Everyone's eyes widened again.

They had all heard clearly that this seal was a magical tool and could aid in cultivation!

Just writing an essay could earn it?

"Senior Brother, I can't write!" Wang Baole quickly stood up. "Senior Brother, I know a few characters, but what if I can't write?"

At this, several others also claimed they hadn't been to school.

Zhang Yang scolded, "If you can't write, then learn. Who will help you when you can't read Daoist texts? Those who can't read or write will have an additional course in reading and writing. How can Azurecloud Sect have illiterates?"

Wang Baole pulled a long face. "I accept reading and writing, but does that mean I have no chance in this competition?"

Those who couldn't read or write were quite dejected.

Zhang Yang shook his head helplessly. "For those who can't read or write, think carefully and then come to me. I'll write down what you want to say, and it will count as your essay. Remember, it must be your heartfelt words, and don't forget, it must be no less than three thousand words, the more, the better!"

Ideological instruction!

Let's start with understanding immortal cultivation.