Explanation

The massive Spiritual Power fluctuations and extraordinary phenomena caused by Bing Li, True Disciple of the Ice Court, advancing to the Foundation Establishment had an impact far beyond the Ice Court itself.

The Spiritual Qi that surged and converged like a tidal wave, along with the subsequent explosive pressure of the Foundation Establishment stage, rapidly spread throughout the entire Inner Sect Academies area.

Not only the Disciple of the Ice Court, but also many Disciple from the Fire Court, Lightning Court, Wood Court, Earth Court, and even the Sword Academy Court and Alchemy Institute further afield, who were cultivating or resting, were startled by this unusual commotion.

They emerged from their respective courtyards and caves, some using Artifact Flight, others employing movement Movement Method, and converged on the source of the Spiritual Power fluctuations— the Ice Court.

Foundation Establishment is the first true insurmountable barrier standing before countless Qi Refining Stage Cultivator.

It is also one of the core goals pursued by every Disciple of the Jade Mist Sect.

Successfully Foundation Establishment signifies a significant increase in Lifespan and a qualitative change in Spiritual Power. One can begin to break free from the constraints of the Sky-Flying and travel through the air, truly entering the ranks of the core cultivators, and their status within the sect will be drastically different.

Observing others' Foundation Establishment process, feeling the rhythm of the resonance between Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, and experiencing the instantaneous fluctuations of Spiritual Power sublimation and qualitative change, is in itself a rare enlightenment for Disciple are still struggling to climb the Qi Refining Stage.

After all, although the Jade Mist Sect is large and has many Disciple, Foundation Establishment is not something that happens every day. Every successful Foundation Establishment is a small-scale event.

Using the signature Skyward Flight Technique of Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Bing Li hovered lightly above the Ice Court, her icy blue aura reflecting the morning glow, fully expressing the boundless joy of her advancement.

Her stunningly beautiful face radiated confidence, leaving a deep impression on the hearts of every Disciple who looked up at her.

Below, Disciple from various academies looked up, their faces displaying a variety of expressions: some marveled, some yearned, and some secretly clenched their fists in determination.

A low murmur spread through the crowd:

"That's Senior Sister Bing Li from the Ice Court? She was the champion in last year's competition! Truly a peerless talent!"

"Such powerful Foundation Establishment pressure... It seems to rival even my master's!"

"I wonder when I'll reach that point..."

"After reading this, I want to go back to cultivating even more..."

When Bing Li had finished enjoying herself, she withdrew her spiritual light and gracefully descended from the sky like a fairy, landing steadily on the Ice Court's Training Ground. Only then did the Cultivator from the surrounding courtyards disperse one after another, each carrying their own insights and feelings.

Another Disciple the Jade Mist Sect has successfully advanced to the Foundation Establishment!

This was not only a personal leap, but it also stirred up even greater ripples in the hearts of many young Disciple, quietly planting the seeds of a more steadfast heart toward the Dao and a desire to Breaking Through to Foundation Establishment.

"Congratulations, Senior Sister! No... you should now call me Elder Bing Li!"

Zhao Hanshuang, the Chief Disciple of the Ice Court, stepped forward quickly, cupped her hands in greeting, and a rare, sincere smile appeared on her usually Clear and Cold face.

According to the tradition of the Jade Mist Sect, once Disciple has successfully Foundation Establishment, unless there are special arrangements (such as continuing to serve as True Disciple or performing special tasks), he will usually be granted the title of Steward Elder or similar title and enjoy the treatment of Elder.

Upon hearing this, Bing Li smiled sweetly, like an ice lotus in bloom. Her gaze towards Zhao Hanshuang held anticipation. "Han Shuang, your time will come soon too."

"Let's bring back first place for our Ice Court in this Inner Sect Grand Competition!"

"With the Foundation Establishment Pill, and given your accumulated knowledge and Talent, you will definitely catch up with me and successfully Foundation Establishment by this time next year."

Zhao Hanshuang's gaze was firm as she met Bing Li's eyes. She nodded vigorously, her voice clear and confident. "Senior Sister, rest assured, I will definitely win first place in this competition!"

Bing Li nodded with satisfaction, then her gaze swept over the many Disciple of the Ice Court gathered in the Training Ground. Her voice, gentle yet clear, reached everyone's ears. "Fellow junior brothers and sisters, my success today is nothing to boast about."

"The Immortal Path to immortality is long and arduous, and diligence is the only way to reach it. I hope you will all remain true to your original aspirations, cultivate diligently, and in time, you too will be able to brave the waves, achieve Foundation Establishment, and bring further glory to our Ice Court!"

"Congratulations to Senior Sister Bing Li (Elder) on your successful Foundation Establishment! We will certainly continue to cultivate diligently!"

In the Training Ground, all the Disciple of the Ice Court, including Su Bai, bowed in unison.

Witnessing the success of their Senior Sister gave them a powerful source of inspiration.

Bing Li nodded slightly and said no more.

"Now that I have completed the Foundation Establishment, I need to immediately go to the Elders Hall to handle relevant sect affairs, register them, and also report to the Academy Master."

As she spoke, she nodded to Zhao Hanshuang and the others, and her figure rose up again with a light touch. Foundation Establishment Cultivator, she naturally flew through the Sky-Flying, transforming into a streak of ice-blue light, and sped towards the Elders Hall deep within the Inner Sect sect.

Having witnessed Bing Li's successful Foundation Establishment and heard her words of encouragement, all the Disciple of the Ice Court were filled with excitement. Their enthusiasm for cultivation was completely ignited, and they all rubbed their hands together, turning back to their respective Cultivation Room to prepare to work even harder.

The Training Ground quickly returned to its usual Clear and Cold.

Zhao Hanshuang also withdrew her gaze from the direction Bing Li had left, suppressing the turmoil in her heart caused by her Senior Sister's success, and prepared to return to her Quiet Chamber to make final preparations for the upcoming Inner Sect competition.

Just as he turned around, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in the crowd who was about to leave.

It was Su Bai, the new junior brother who joined the Ice Court Half a Year Earlier and "overestimated his abilities" by choosing the most difficult Jade Slip to cultivate, [Ice Snow Jade Puppet].

Huh? He's still here?

Zhao Hanshuang frowned almost imperceptibly.

Over the past six months, he had occasionally seen Su Bai in the courtyard, seemingly always appearing in the Public Cultivation Room area, but he had never sensed any significant fluctuations in Ice Attribute Spiritual Power.

In Zhao Hanshuang's view, Su Bai's choice of the [Ice Snow Jade Puppet], an advanced Law Technique, was tantamount to courting death. He would probably waste the next six months in the Cultivation Room without making any progress.

Newly Inner Sect Disciple usually Contribution Points resources and probably can't afford the "penalty" to replace the Jade Slip...

Thinking of this, Zhao Hanshuang felt a faint pang of regret and self-reproach.

If only I had been more assertive back then and forcefully prevented him from choosing that Jade Slip.

"Junior Brother Su, wait a moment." Zhao Hanshuang's Clear and Cold voice rang out, stopping Su Bai who was about to leave.

Su Bai paused slightly, turned around and looked at Zhao Hanshuang, somewhat surprised that this usually aloof Chief brother would take the initiative to call him back.

He strode forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Chief Brother Zhao, what can I do for you?"

Looking at Su Bai's still "calm" face, Zhao Hanshuang felt even more regret.

He carefully considered his words, trying to make his tone sound less like a lecture, "Junior Brother Su, Half a Year Earlier when you first entered this academy, regarding your choice of the [Ice Snow Jade Puppet]..."

"Although I offered a warning at the time, my attitude may not have been firm enough. The difficulty of this technique far exceeds what you imagined back then. Over the past six months, you... must have experienced this firsthand."

He paused, and seeing that Su Bai seemed about to speak, he raised his hand to signal him to listen to him first.

He continued, "The path of cultivation emphasizes gradual progress and building a solid foundation. Being greedy for quick results and rushing ahead will only lead to harm and a waste of time. I've seen you... spend a lot of time in the Cultivation Room these past six months, but... sigh."

Zhao Hanshuang gently shook her head. "Never mind, I was also partly to blame for my negligence back then."

"Today, I, your senior brother, will make an exception and exercise my authority as the Chief Disciple, granting you a free replacement of your cultivation Jade Slip. You may choose one from the left or middle Jade Slip. I hope you will choose carefully this time and not waste this precious time."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Su Bai, waiting for the other party to accept this "favor" with tears of gratitude.

Su Bai's reaction was completely unexpected.

Su Bai's face first showed a hint of surprise, which then turned into confusion. He cupped his hands again, his tone sincere but tinged with incomprehension. "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Zhao, but... Senior Disciple, I don't recall ever asking you to change my cultivation Jade Slip?"

Zhao Hanshuang: "...?"

Seeing Zhao Hanshuang's stunned expression, Su Bai assumed he hadn't heard clearly and added, "This Disciple finds the [Ice Snow Jade Puppet] excellent and is currently focusing on its cultivation. I have no plans to change it for the time being. Disciple understand the principle of not trying to do too much at once."

"You...!"

Zhao Hanshuang almost choked on her breath, and a rare hint of displeasure appeared on her Clear and Cold face.

Despite my good intentions and even making an exception for others, they are so "stubborn" and still clinging to their pride?

He stared at Su Bai for two seconds, and seeing that the other's eyes were clear and not feigned, he suddenly felt a tightness in his chest.

"Stubborn to the end! Enough!"

Zhao Hanshuang finally managed to squeeze out these few words through gritted teeth, then abruptly flicked her sleeves, no longer glancing at Su Bai, and strode towards her private Cultivation Room, her back view exuding a chilling sense of disappointment.

He decided to stop caring about this "self-destructive" junior brother; after all, he had chosen his own path.

Su Bai remained where he was, watching Zhao Hanshuang's angry departure, blinking in bewilderment.

He carefully reviewed the conversation, and after a long while, Zhao Hanshuang finally understood.

"Oh... Senior Brother Zhao thinks I haven't made any progress on the [Ice Snow Jade Puppet] in the past six months, and that I've wasted my time. He also thinks I might not have the money to exchange for Jade Slip, so he kindly offered to let me exchange one for free?"

Having figured this out, Su Bai couldn't help but feel a little happy. He developed a more favorable impression of this Chief brother who appeared cold and aloof but was actually quite warm-hearted.

"Senior Brother Zhao is... actually a pretty good guy."

Su Bai muttered something under his breath, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

Unfortunately, he couldn't explain to Zhao Hanshuang that he had actually mastered the basics, as revealing his cultivation progress might attract unnecessary attention.

This misunderstanding can only be left to exist for now.

Just then, a faint fluctuation of Spiritual Power came from the sky and accurately entered the Inner Sect Jade Token Su Bai's waist, causing the surface of the Jade Token to glow with a soft white light.

"Hmm? Flying Letter Transmit Message? Who would be looking for me?"

Su Bai was somewhat puzzled, so he picked up the Jade Token and immersed his Spiritual Sense into it.

The smile on his face froze instantly the next moment.

The Transmit Message, sent by Xu Shangran, the Academy Master the Sword Academy, was brief yet carried a palpable killing intent that could be felt even through the Jade Token.

"Su Bai! What are you doing at the Ice Court? And you're wearing someone else's Jade Pendant? Get back to the Sword Academy right now and explain yourself! -- Xu Shangran"

Following this is a simple, line drawing of an angry little figure holding a sword.

Su Bai: "..."

Oh no! The Academy Master has found out!

He then realized that his joining the Ice Court was a "secret operation" and he had not informed Xu Shangran beforehand.

After all, his main focus was Sword Dao, and the Sword Academy was his foundation. Joining the Ice Court was more for Copy his Talent and learning defensive Law Technique; it was a "side job."

Could the Academy Master think I've "betrayed" him?

Did someone see it and tell on you?

Su Bai Consciousness looked around. The Ice Court's Training Ground was empty; the Disciple had all gone back to cultivate.

Zhao Shanhe? He didn't seem to show up today... Could it be that he recognized me among the crowd watching Bing Li's Foundation Establishment and went back to tell the Academy Master?

Su Bai picked up the Jade Token and attempted to condense a Flying Letter Transmit Message, targeting Zhao Shanhe's Jade Token.

The art of writing is the most basic communication Law Technique, requiring only simple Law Seals, which Su Bai naturally mastered.

"Senior Brother Zhao, did you report this to the Academy Master?" -- Su Bai infused this questioning thought into the Flying Letter.

However, the condensed ball of Flying Letter light had only flown a short distance when it hovered around like a headless fly for a few moments before quietly dissipating, turning into specks of light and disappearing.

This indicates that the target, Zhao Shanhe, is not within the range of the Transmit Message, or that his Jade Token is under special shielding (such as in the Secret Realm or special formation).

"Not in the sect? Then it seems I wronged Senior Brother Zhao." Su Bai scratched his head.

This is troublesome.

Academy Master Xu Shangran seemed genuinely angry.

Su Bai sighed helplessly, put away the Jade Token, gritted his teeth, summoned the Azure Dragon Sword, and flew towards Sword Flight Sword Academy.

Before long, Su Bai flew on his Sword Flight and landed in the familiar yet somewhat empty Training Ground of the Sword Academy.

As soon as he landed, he felt a gaze, both mournful and sharp, lock onto him.

Following the gaze, he saw that the Academy Master Xu Shangran standing with his back to him under the old tree in the courtyard.

Xu Shangran did not turn around. He simply pointed his fingers like a sword and effortlessly manipulated a Spirit Artifact Longsword that was full of spiritual energy and obviously of high grade. He made it move like the most agile fish, drawing beautiful and dangerous trajectories in the air and bringing with it the faint sound of Sword Qi cutting through the air.

What made Su Bai's scalp tingle even more was that Xu Shangran Shangran's muttering, clearly tinged with displeasure, reached his ears clearly:

"Some people... they took my Spirit Pills and Academy Master Sword Art Academy Master, then turned around and went to hang their Jade Pendant in other people's courtyards... truly, the world is going to the dogs, and people's hearts are no longer what they used to be..."

The voice wasn't loud, but every word felt like a small hammer striking Su Bai's heart.

Oh no! The Academy Master is jealous! And quite jealous at that!

Su Bai took a deep breath, forced a smile, and cautiously stepped forward, trying to explain, "Academy Master, please let me explain, it's not what you think..."

Before the words were even finished!

Call out--!

The Spirit Sword, which had been leisurely hovering in the air, seemed to be startled by Su Bai's voice, or perhaps it had received some kind of tacit approval from its Master. In an instant, it transformed into a bolt of lightning and, with a speed that Su Bai could not even react to, "Whoosh!" hovered in front of his forehead, less than three inches away!

The sword tip did not emit Sword Qi, but the sword body naturally exuded the chilling Sword Intent and Spirit Artifact weapon pressure belonging to Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator, which was like solid ice, instantly enveloping Su Bai!

At that moment, Su Bai felt as if he were being stared at by an ancient ferocious beast, and the blood in his body seemed to freeze.

He even "saw" the phantom of a hundred-foot-long giant sword hovering above his head, ready to strike at any moment!

Even his Talent [Clear Heart Sword Intent], which granted him the ability to foresee danger, experienced a brief "malfunction" in the face of such an absolute difference in strength. A few breaths later, a series of unprecedented and terrifying warnings, almost piercing his eardrums, rang out!

Cold sweat instantly soaked Su Bai's back, and a bead of sweat slowly slid down his forehead.

"Cough cough..."

Su Bai coughed twice, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart, his voice trembling almost imperceptibly, "Academy Master... spare his life... please, please let this Disciple explain..."

Xu Shangran finally turned around slowly, his face now bearing a "kind and approachable" smile, as if the terrifying Sword Intent he had just unleashed was not his doing.

With a slight twitch of his fingers, the Spirit Sword that had been hovering in front of Su Bai flew back with a "whoosh" and obediently stopped beside him.

"Oh? Explain? This Academy Master is all ears."

Xu Shangran looked at Su Bai with a calm and collected expression, but the meaning in his eyes was clear: if you can't explain it well, you'll have to bear the consequences.

Su Bai's mind raced, and in a flash, a seemingly plausible reason slipped out. "Academy Master are wise! Disciple infiltration of the Ice Court was merely a temporary measure, to gather intelligence on the enemy!"

"To spy on the enemy?" Xu Shangran raised an eyebrow.

"Exactly!" Su Bai's tone became "indignant," "Disciple 've heard that Zhao Hanshuang, the Chief the Ice Court, is a favorite to win the Inner Sect Grand Competition this time. Her strength is unfathomable, and she poses a great threat to our Sword Academy!"

"Disciple believe that knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory in every battle. Therefore, I risked my life to infiltrate the Ice Court in disguise, to observe their cultivation habits and Law Technique characteristics up close, hoping to find their weaknesses so that I could be more effective in dealing with them during the competition!"

He patted the Ice Court Jade Pendant on his chest, then quickly took out the Sword Academy Jade Pendant from his Storage Bag, holding it with both hands, his expression "utterly loyal": "Rest assured, Academy Master, this Ice Court Jade Pendant is just a disguise! During the Inner Sect Grand Competition, Disciple will only wear my Sword Academy Jade Pendant and fight as Sword Academy Disciple!"

"Disciple was born a member of the Sword Academy, and I will die a member of the Sword Academy! I have no other intentions!"

Xu Shangran listened to Su Bai's eloquent explanation, the "amiable" smile on his face gradually turned into a playful one, and the sharpness in his eyes also dissipated considerably.

He stroked his chin, looking Su Bai up and down. "Infiltrating behind enemy lines? Gathering intelligence? You... you've got some ideas."

He clearly didn't completely believe this explanation, but Su Bai's statement that he would only participate in the competition as a member of the Sword Academy greatly eased his displeasure.

Moreover, upon closer reflection, if Su Bai could truly learn some defensive techniques at the Ice Court to compensate for the relatively weak defense of Sword Cultivator, it wouldn't seem like a bad thing, as long as his heart remained at the Sword Academy.

Why didn't you say that earlier?

Xu Shangran waved his hand, completely sheathing the terrifying Spirit Sword and Sword Intent, and the surrounding air immediately relaxed.

"That girl from the Ice Court advanced to the Academy Master Foundation Establishment today, causing quite a stir. I casually scanned the crowd with my Spiritual Sense and found you mixed in with them, wearing the Ice Court's badge on your chest... I thought you'd taken my Pill and now you think you can fly away after all."

Su Bai quickly smiled apologetically, "How could that be! I will never forget the great Disciple of the Academy Master."

"Infiltrating the Ice Court was truly for the sake of the competition. Zhao Hanshuang's Ice-Type Law Technique is indeed quite unique..."

"Alright, alright," Xu Shangran interrupted him, his expression returning to its usual nonchalant state.

"It's good that you know what's going on. With your Sword Dao Talent, it would be a real waste for you to go and hang out in other schools."

"Practice your Sword Dao diligently, perfecting the [Dragon Roaming Sword Control Technique] and [Dragon's Roar Sword Heaven] to their fullest potential. Brilliantly bring honor to our Academy Master in the Inner Sect Grand Competition sect competition!"

He walked up to Su Bai, patted him on the shoulder, and said with expectation, "Cultivate diligently. Once you successfully Foundation Establishment, I, the Academy Master, will impart even more outstanding Sword Dao Divine Ability to you!"

"In the future, you and I, master and disciple, might very well be able to forge a glorious Sword Dao together within the Jade Mist Sect, letting everyone witness what true ultimate offensive power is!"

Su Bai sensed the heroic spirit in Xu Shangran's words and was moved. He solemnly cupped his hands and said, "This Disciple will certainly strive to live up to the Academy Master's expectations!"