Intercepting the Kill

On Misty Gorge Mountain.

"Boom--"

The moment the Five Spirits Qi went berserk, Chen Qing made a decisive move. Instead of suppressing the anomaly within his body, he instead circulated his cultivation technique with all his might, guiding the rampaging spiritual energy into his meridians!

The morning sun rose, and purple qi flowed from the east.

Although the spiritual energy in the present world was not as abundant as in his dream, it was more suitable for his current physical body.

He formed the Zi Wu seal with his hands, his pores opening wide, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth poured in like a hundred rivers returning to the sea!

"Splash!"

A sound like rivers surging came from within Chen Qing's body. His skin glowed, his bones cracked like jade striking metal, and the Taihe Qi that had been dormant for so long transformed into a swimming dragon, rising from his dantian!

"Taihe Qi, harmonizes yin and yang, and merges the Five Elements!"

The Taihe Qi flowed up the Governing Vessel to the Niwan Palace, then returned along the Conception Vessel and descended. With each circulation, it merged a little more with the five-colored spiritual light. Gradually, illusory images of mountains and seas flickered above Chen Qing's head, while a golden light surged beneath his navel, illuminating the entire quiet room!

"Break!"

With a clear shout, a clear spring suddenly poured down within the Niwan Palace – it was a newly born Taihe Qi!

This qi was completely different from the feedback from his dream. It originated from the world outside the dream, representing that Chen Qing's original physical body had truly entered the Soothing Harmony Foundation Establishment realm!

This was Foundation Establishment!

"Hoo--"

Turbid qi, like ink, was expelled from his pores.

After the Taihe Qi returned to the Yellow Court, the golden light in his dantian suddenly retracted, condensing into a single point of nascent, vital light.

From now on, any breath that passed through here could transform the mundane into the true, condense into Magical Power, and activate techniques!

"Breathing in the Lu space into the dantian, the Jade Pond's clear water irrigates the spirit root! The Dao Foundation of longevity, is complete!"

Chen Qing slowly finished his cultivation, his eyes now containing a hidden divine light. Although his breakthrough was complete, he dared not slacken in the slightest. He still needed to consolidate his realm. According to his master Zhou Yuanjing's arrangements, he should now consume the treasured Solidifying Origin Pill.

"But why is that necessary?"

The experience of breaking through in his dream flashed through his mind.

Chen Qing's mind immediately settled. The spiritual energy around his body transformed into swirling mist, and the illusory images of mountains and seas intertwined and merged beside him, finally condensing into a profound diagram above his head!

"Swish--"

His gaze was like lightning.

The dust in the room was clearly visible to his eyes, and the chirping of insects and birds outside the window was clearly audible.

Chen Qing's originally slender body was now as upright as a pine tree, his skin flowing with a jade-like luster. With every movement, the Taihe Qi surged through his meridians, bringing an unprecedented sense of power.

"It feels the same as in the dream, this is the true second realm! Soothing Harmony as the basis, establishing the Dao Foundation."

If he encountered those cultivators from Sea Abyss Temple again now, his mere aura would be enough to crush them.

"But those are just outer sect trash. The real threat is their high-level cultivators! I heard that Sea Abyss Temple not only has several elders in the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, but also a newly promoted third-realm cultivator guarding it! That's why they've been expanding so unscrupulously recently, recruiting disciples..."

He looked at the sunset outside the window.

"After Master passed away, Hidden Star Gate became like a piece of meat. Although I have entered the second realm, the sect's secrets have likely been leaked, and enmity has been forged. It won't be easy to make peace..."

Thinking this, Chen Qing's thoughts returned to the sect's situation.

"There's very little Spirit Marrow left to supply the consumption of the formation. After my advancement, although I can supplement it with Magical Power, my Magical Power is still shallow, and I've just broken through. I also need to go down the mountain to purchase some resources..."

As he thought, his gaze gradually turned cold.

"Instead of waiting for death, it's better to take the initiative! I must go down the mountain early, while they haven't figured out my full capabilities. I need to deter them. Blind compromise and retreat will only make them push their luck and will also dampen the morale of the disciples. The Mountain Collapse Sea Tsunami technique I comprehended in my dream, as long as I control the extent of its eruption, can reduce the damage to my physical body and serve as a trump card in combat!"

As he thought, he pushed open the door.

"Creak--"

He met two pairs of worried eyes.

Fang Da'ao and Qu Xiaoyao's tense expressions froze on their faces, then turned to shock!!

"Uncle-Master, there was quite a commotion in the room just now, you..." Sensing the change in Chen Qing's demeanor, Fang Da'ao cautiously inquired.

Chen Qing smiled, "My cultivation has made some progress, no need to be alarmed. Go and sort out the spirit herbs and specialties in the storeroom. I'll be going down the mountain to buy things in a couple of days."

Fang Da'ao guessed Chen Qing's progress and was immediately invigorated. "I'll go down the mountain with Uncle-Master."

"You two stay in the mountain as before," Chen Qing shook his head. "This place is protected by the great formation, it's safer than staying by my side."

Qu Xiaoyao then asked, "Uncle-Master, are you going down the mountain to find Senior Brother Han?"

Chen Qing shook his head, "Naturally not."

Three days later, in the early morning, the mountain mist had yet to dissipate.

Chen Qing, carrying his travel bag and a mustard seed pouch, took out a bamboo slip from his embrace and handed it to Fang Da'ao, instructing, "I've taken three pieces of Spirit Marrow. The rest can still support the formation's operation for seven days. This bamboo slip contains the method to control it, allowing you to manipulate the great formation using talismans. Remember, if I don't return within three days, take Xiaoyao and leave through the secret passage behind the mountain."

"It's that dangerous?" Fang Da'ao was shocked and immediately tried to dissuade him, but seeing Chen Qing's resolute gaze, he could only cup his fists heavily. "This disciple obeys!"

Chen Qing nodded, turned, and left.

He suddenly stopped as he reached the mountainside.

After advancing to the second realm, his five senses had sharpened several times over. The fresh scent of mountain flora, the dampness of the earth, and the babbling of a distant stream all unfolded in his perception like a painted scroll.

He detected faint breathing from a thicket about a mile away. The breaths were disordered and rapid, clearly not those of a wild beast.

Chen Qing continued walking a few more steps without showing any reaction, then suddenly called out, "Come out."

Silence first fell over the surroundings. After a few breaths, the grass rustled, and Han Sha stumbled out. His face was pale, with dark circles under his eyes and dry, cracked lips. He bore no resemblance to the refined young man he had been at Hidden Star Gate.

"Unc... Uncle-Master," Han Sha's voice was hoarse. He paused, then gritted his teeth. "Uncle-Master, hurry back! Liu Wang from Sea Abyss Temple is leading people and has set up an ambush ahead!"

Chen Qing's expression remained indifferent; he did not respond.

Just then.

"It's too late to go back now!"

A white figure flashed from the bushes, and Liu Wang walked out slowly. A short sword in his hand, glowing with a faint blue light, exuded a chilling aura. A cold smile played on his lips.

"I knew you had ulterior motives long ago." Liu Wang flicked his sword tip, and a streak of sword energy grazed Han Sha's cheek, leaving a bloody gash. "Did you think I wouldn't notice your little tricks? Letting you come to deliver a message was just to lure the snake out of its hole, and to let you witness how your Uncle-Master meets his end."

Chen Qing's gaze deepened. In his perception, four more people were hidden in the bushes, forming a pincer formation. One of them had a particularly cold aura and a formidable presence; like Liu Wang, he should also be at the second realm.

Liu Wang grinned and said to Chen Qing, "Sect Leader Chen, you should understand my intentions. There's no need for further pleasantries. I'll send you to reunite with your master now! And to solidify my Dao heart!" Before he finished speaking, he waved his hand sharply!

As killing intent surged, a blue light shot directly towards Chen Qing's throat!