Chapter 73: A Surge in Strength, Huoyu's Doubt

The instant the Sea of Divine Sense formed, Shen Lian’s spiritual consciousness burst forth from his body, rapidly expanding outward. Outside the cave dwelling, the mountains and vegetation were all swept into his perception.

Subtle fluctuations within his flesh and blood triggered a resonance among his five internal organs; this mysterious force transformed into spiritual consciousness, pouring into the Sea of Divine Sense and instantly propelling its strength to six hundred and ten feet, before settling into calm once more.

Seated cross-legged within the cave, Shen Lian quietly savored the mysteries of his breakthrough.

Two days later.

Shen Lian’s entire aura had undergone a dramatic transformation.

From Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment marked a metamorphosis in the quality of life itself; his lifespan leaped to two hundred years. This two hundred was a threshold, signifying that unless beset by calamity, a Foundation Establishment cultivator could easily live past two centuries. Should his strength advance further, his longevity would continue to increase.

At this moment, Shen Lian’s spiritual power was full and seamless, radiating an oppressive force born of his destiny.

This was why Foundation Establishment cultivators stood above Qi Refining practitioners—not merely in strength, but in the very level of existence.

He gazed inward at his dantian, where spiritual energy had evolved into a small lake; every strand of spirit power was a dozen times more potent than at the Qi Refining stage.

Shen Lian sensed his Sea of Divine Sense.

Such a tiny space, yet so profound; the accumulated spiritual consciousness was far stronger and denser than during Qi Refining.

Six hundred and ten feet.

Before achieving Foundation Establishment, Shen Lian had purchased some scattered records in Black Whale City, which contained descriptions of Foundation Establishment cultivators—not entirely accurate, but useful for comparison.

Generally speaking, those who established their foundation with the Foundation Pill would see an increase in spiritual consciousness after opening their Sea of Divine Sense, depending on how much was nurtured during the breakthrough. The typical range was between one hundred and two hundred feet.

However, some cultivators—due to old age, frail bodies, disrupted meridians, and other factors—barely managed to break through, just opening their Sea of Divine Sense but lacking the vitality to generate much spiritual consciousness. Their increase was meager, barely reaching one hundred feet.

Such cases were not uncommon.

In the vast world of cultivation, countless practitioners have but one aspiration: to become a Foundation Establishment cultivator; anything more is scarcely dared to be hoped for.

As long as one can achieve Foundation Establishment, even if their spiritual consciousness is weak or their Yang force dwindles, it is enough.

Yet Foundation Establishment is still Foundation Establishment. Though the increase may seem modest, with the Sea of Divine Sense’s support, the density of spiritual consciousness far surpasses that of Qi Refining practitioners. This is one reason why they can easily suppress those of the lower stage.

During his breakthrough, Shen Lian not only experienced resonance in his flesh and blood, but also benefited from the refinement of numerous five-element spiritual materials within his organs, which did not go to waste; this, too, generated additional spiritual consciousness.

The leap from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment is a major breakthrough, and the increase in spiritual consciousness is significant.

In the future, minor breakthroughs within Foundation Establishment will yield smaller increases, until the Core Formation stage brings another substantial leap.

A spiritual consciousness strength of six hundred feet already rivals those at the fourth or fifth layer of Foundation Establishment.

Yet Shen Lian had just broken through to the first layer.

Having successfully advanced, he was in no hurry to leave.

Activating the Five Qi Returning To Origin technique, a strand of pale golden flame emerged at his fingertip, flickering into a delicate firebird.

Though tiny, the firebird was far more lifelike than those conjured by Fire Spirit Arts before.

Shen Lian clearly sensed the pressure of the pale golden flame had intensified, its attack power at least surpassing the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment.

He would need to find a good companion to test its true strength.

His Fire Spiritual Root was perfected, and by observing endless flames, he comprehended the Heavenly Fire Domain divine ability.

Next, once he perfected the other four spiritual roots, he should, in theory, be able to trace their origins and witness corresponding scenes.

“Next time, I mustn’t pass out so quickly. I need to prepare to observe longer.”

He looked inward to his organs.

The Five Qi refined earlier within his organs had now settled into his dantian, serving as nourishment for his spiritual energy.

The Five Qi Returning To Origin technique belonged to the Golden Core stage; while it aided Foundation Establishment, it also offered a ten percent chance of assisting in Core Formation.

During Qi Refining, he refined five-element spiritual materials to condense the Five Qi; at Foundation Establishment, he could similarly refine second-tier materials.

These second-tier spiritual items are of higher grade, and their essence would transform into five-element true liquid, just like liquid spiritual energy.

An extra ten percent chance at Core Formation was well worth spending large amounts of spirit stones on five-element materials.

After advancing, the Fire Cloud Sword he had purchased finally found its use.

Though only a second-tier, lower-grade sword, Shen Lian’s mastery of five-element techniques and powerful fire spiritual energy made it easy to wield.

It also allowed him to present himself as a fire-root cultivator, concealing the fact that he possessed all five spiritual roots.

Since he began cultivating, he had engaged in few battles; if it ever came to sword-fighting, it would mean all his backup plans had been exhausted and danger was imminent.

The Fire Cloud Sword contained eleven spiritual prohibitions, and was imbued with the Fire Cloud Sword Qi divine ability.

After several days, Shen Lian finished the ritual refinement.

He did not bring out the Five Element Mountain here; after all, this was the territory of the Sea Spirit Sect, and it was best to reserve that artifact for his own cave.

“Hiss, hiss—”

As Shen Lian finally paused from his busy preparations, the large black creature carrying the Heavenly Thunderfire Talisman approached, pitifully shaking the talisman hanging on its body.

“Master, have you forgotten something?”

Shen Lian belatedly remembered, grabbing Da Hei’s offspring and removing the talisman, then compensating with several spirit beast pellets.

“Your contribution is noted. Once I’ve gathered the necessary herbs, I’ll let you meet your ancestral grandmother and see if you can inherit more bloodline power.”

Though he said so, Da Hei sensed a subtle ambiguity in his master’s words.

Storing the Heavenly Thunderfire Talisman, Shen Lian took out a pill furnace to boil water and brew tea.

Foundation Establishment was achieved, several years ahead of schedule.

Black Whale City was stable, the Sea Spirit Sect was satisfactory.

He could remain a while longer.

After Foundation Establishment, the spells he cultivated during Qi Refining fell behind; relying solely on talismans was too limiting, so he needed to improve his own spellcasting skills.

He also needed to seek a defensive artifact.

With his spiritual consciousness greatly increased, he could now attempt the Ninefold Heavenly Thunder Talisman Array, which he previously lacked confidence in.

…

Black Whale City, North District, Four Seas Blessed Land, inside a second-tier cave dwelling.

“Where is it?”

A suppressed, harsh voice resounded in the cave, as the jade box containing the “Five Element Dao Seed” was crushed to powder by spiritual power.

Within the array-shrouded cave, energy surged tumultuously.

Pei Huoyu reverted to his true face, eyes filled with savagery, the excitement of discovering the Five Element Mountain long gone.

He had clearly sensed it in Black Whale City, yet could not find it.

Did this person never duel, never refine artifacts, but simply hide the Five Element Mountain like a thief?

“Where are you!”

The large hand squeezed the “Five Element Dao Seed,” which burst like a bubble in his palm.

Another Dao Seed was exhausted.

“Could he have left Black Whale City?”

“Damn it!”

His aura boiled, slapping the furniture in the cave, his turbulent magic power causing the array to rumble and explode.

Allowing his spiritual power to tear his robes, Pei Huoyu kept attacking the array.

After a long time, enveloped in the array’s spiritual light, he muttered at the corner of his mouth.

“Clear as water, water as heart… unruffled…”

Suddenly, he shuddered, scanning the shattered furnishings in the cave, a look of confusion flashing in his eyes.

“Whew—”

In an instant, Pei Huoyu returned to himself and sat down cross-legged, examining every corner of his body.

In Ninefold Immortal City, he had killed the Flowing Fire artifact master without hesitation, stormed the city, and only realized afterwards that something was amiss.

He had not always been so explosive and irritable.

He didn’t know when he began losing control of his own heart.

Moreover, this savage emotion was appearing more frequently.

He checked his body over and over, but found nothing amiss.

A dignified Foundation Establishment cultivator unable to control his heart—if word got out, he’d be ridiculed, but such was the truth.

“Could it be Ziyang…”

Thinking of that Nascent Soul ancestor, Pei Huoyu shivered.

But if a Nascent Soul ancestor wished to cast spells on him, such petty tricks would be unnecessary—a single thought could kill him.

“Try again.”

Calmed, Pei Huoyu began circulating his cultivation method anew, refining a fresh “Five Element Dao Seed.”