Ten Thousand Years in Seclusion
Chapter 15:Nine platforms gathered,The Supreme Foundation Establishment!

Chapter 15: Chapter 15:Nine platforms gathered,The Supreme Foundation Establishment!

Inside the finest clothing shop in the marketplace, Qi Tian changed into a brand-new moon-white robe.

The fabric was woven from exquisite cloud-patterned silk, with silver-thread embroidery lining the cuffs and a belt of green jade fastened around his waist.

Standing before the mirror, his robes flowing gently around him, his handsome features and composed bearing made him seem like an entirely different person from before. The elegance and presence he had kept hidden beneath the surface now revealed themselves in full.

Qi Tian stepped out of the clothing shop and looked up at the sky.

The evening had fully descended. Spirit stone lamps flickered to life throughout the marketplace, while distant evening bells echoed faintly through the air.

It was already dark.

Leaving the city for Mount Qinglu at this hour would be inconvenient. Besides, he had only just obtained some spirit stones and wanted to properly rest first.

"Tomorrow, then."

He turned and walked toward the liveliest part of the marketplace.

Yuelai Inn was the largest inn in Qingstone Marketplace. Rumor had it that it was an establishment owned by a minor sect.

Qi Tian strode into the main hall and chose a table by the window before placing his storage pouch on the table.

"Waiter."

"Coming!"

A young attendant with refined features hurried over.

"Guest, what may I prepare for you?"

With his current cultivation, Qi Tian no longer needed to eat. However, after ten thousand years of secluded cultivation, he had not tasted the pleasures of the mortal world for countless ages.

Partly because he had long forgotten the taste of ordinary food.

And partly because he genuinely wanted to see—

after ten thousand years of change, what flavors did this world now offer?

"What good dishes do you have?"

The attendant immediately smiled.

"Our inn’s Spirit Marrow Stewed Snow Chicken, Jadefin Silverfish Slices, and Blazing Demon Ox Roast are all signature dishes!"

"Bring them all. And add a pot of good wine."

"Right away!"

The dishes soon arrived, filling the table with rich aromas.

Qi Tian picked up a piece of silverfish.

The moment it entered his mouth, it melted instantly.

The freshness was so remarkable that his eyebrows almost lifted.

"Not bad. Interesting."

He swept through the entire table like a storm and finished the entire pot of spirit fruit wine before finally patting his stomach in satisfaction.

"Guest, will you be staying the night?"

The attendant approached at the perfect moment.

"Yes."

Qi Tian wiped his mouth.

"The finest room you have. The kind with a Spirit Gathering Array."

"We do have one! Heaven Grade Room One. Two low-grade spirit stones per night. It contains a second-order Spirit Gathering Array, with abundant spiritual energy."

"That one."

Heaven Grade Room One.

The room was spacious yet elegantly appointed. The floor was laid with sound-dampening cork, and at its center lay a second-tier Spirit Gathering Array spanning roughly ten feet across. Its ancient formation lines twisted and coiled across the floor, deeply engraved into the stone, lying dormant.

Qi Tian walked over at an unhurried pace. From his storage pouch, he took out sixteen spirit stones and set them one by one into the recessed sockets around the array, each in its proper position.

The moment the sixteenth stone fell into place—

Bzzz—

The entire formation hummed to life.

Brilliant white light surged through the engraved lines, illuminating the room as heaven and earth spiritual qi rushed toward the array like a rising tide, gathering without end.

Only then did Qi Tian step into the heart of the formation and lower himself into a cross-legged seat. He took three spirit stones in each hand, held them firmly in his palms, and slowly closed his eyes.

The warm touch of the spirit stones spread through his palms as strands of spiritual energy flowed into his meridians.

His divine sense sank into his dantian.

Inside his dantian was an endless, boundless sea of true essence.

Vast waves stretched endlessly, with no visible bottom.

Above the sea stood nine towering Dao Platforms.

Nine platforms gathered.

The Supreme Foundation Establishment in the eyes of the world.

Each Dao Platform was solid and condensed, heavy and flawless, without the slightest trace of instability or cracks.

As spiritual light flowed across them, an immense Dao resonance surged outward.

The waves of the true essence sea churned.

The winds from all directions fell silent.

Even the entire sea of qi seemed to freeze beneath that overwhelming pressure.

A trace of joy flashed through Qi Tian’s eyes.

After ten thousand years in seclusion...

the ninth Dao Platform had finally become completely solid.

But in the very next moment, his brows suddenly tightened.

A doubt rose in his heart.

"Something’s wrong..."

"With all nine Dao Platforms fully condensed, I should have already reached Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, with a flawless dantian, and been ready to attempt the Golden Core breakthrough. Why... why am I still only at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, unable to take even half a step further?"

"Why..."

"Why am I still only at the late stage of Foundation Establishment?"

"Why can I not take even half a step forward?"

The moment his voice fell—

deep within the sea of true essence, a faint light suddenly trembled.