Foundation Establishment Layer Eight

Within Listening Bamboo Garden, moonlight filtered through the bamboo window and fell upon Qin Yuan, forming a faint silver halo around him.

One night of cultivation.

As the first ray of dawn pierced the darkness, Qin Yuan slowly opened his eyes.

A sharp glint resided within his pupils, his breath long and steady like a dragon's, and a faint sound of wind and thunder accompanied the flow of spiritual energy around his body.

Foundation Establishment, Layer Eight.

In a single night, he had advanced from the peak of Layer Six, through Layer Seven, and straight into Layer Eight!

If this speed were to spread, it would be enough to make the elders of the entire Xuan Yuan Sect question their lives.

But Qin Yuan knew he was far from his limit—last night, he had extracted twenty years of cultivation stored by the System, combined with a wisp of pure spiritual energy left by Elder Xu within the Xuan Yuan Token, which allowed him to achieve such a leap.

He looked inward at his body. The sea of Qi in his dantian had expanded to a radius of two zhang. Liquid spiritual energy rippled like a lake, and each circulation contained a boundless power far exceeding that of his peers.

His spiritual sense range had further expanded to eight hundred zhang, almost covering half of Fifth Peak.

"That should be enough."

Qin Yuan rose and changed into a clean grey robe. Though simple, the robe, paired with his current profound and steady demeanor, gave off an aura of returning to simplicity.

As he pushed open the bamboo door, a respectful voice came from outside the courtyard:

"Senior Brother Qin, Elder Xu requests your presence at the main hall for a discussion."

Qin Yuan looked up and saw a young disciple, about seventeen or eighteen years old, standing outside the courtyard. He wore the blue robe of a regular disciple of Fifth Peak, his expression a mixture of nervousness and reverence.

"Understood."

He replied and strode towards the main hall.

Fifth Peak was quiet in the early morning. Birdsong was crisp, and the mountain wind rustled through the bamboo forest.

Along the way, he encountered a few early-rising disciples. Upon seeing Qin Yuan, they all stopped, bowed, and paid their respects, their eyes filled with admiration.

Yesterday's grand competition had spread Qin Yuan's name throughout the Nine Peaks.

Being able to cripple Liu Feng, who was at Foundation Establishment Layer Four, with a single punch while only at Foundation Establishment Layer Six—such combat power placed him among the top of the younger generation in the entire Xuan Yuan Sect.

Moreover, it was rumored that he had advanced from Qi Condensation Layer Seven to Foundation Establishment Layer Six in just three days—this was no longer explainable by talent; he was simply monstrous.

Qin Yuan's expression was calm, and he paid no mind to the gazes he received, proceeding directly to the main hall.

The hall door was ajar, and voices could be heard from within.

Just as he was about to push it open, his spiritual sense swept into the hall first—

Three people were currently standing in the main hall.

In the center was a young man, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with sharp sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes. He wore a blue robe with silver trim, the mark of an elite disciple of Fifth Peak.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his expression arrogant. He was the Senior Disciple of Fifth Peak—Chen Tianyu.

To his left was a tall, thin man with a sharp mouth and monkey-like cheeks, his eyes darting around. He looked like someone skilled in calculation. His name was Sun Xing, Chen Tianyu's top lackey.

To his right was a burly man with a large waist and a round body, his face covered in thick flesh, exuding a fierce aura. His name was Wang Meng, also one of Chen Tianyu's confidants.

"Senior Brother Chen, that Qin Yuan was too prominent yesterday," Sun Xing whispered. "He just joined Fifth Peak and was personally received by Elder Xu, even bestowed with the Xuan Yuan Token. If this continues, I'm afraid your position as Senior Disciple..."

Chen Tianyu sneered, "Position? I, Chen Tianyu, have been established in Fifth Peak for ten years. How can a new brat shake it?"

"That may be so," Wang Meng said gruffly, "but that kid is indeed strange. I heard he was only at Qi Condensation Layer Three before being kicked out of Third Peak. And it's only been a few days? Foundation Establishment Layer Six! This cultivation speed is unheard of."

Chen Tianyu frowned slightly, "Have you investigated clearly? Where has he been these past few days?"

Sun Xing quickly replied, "We've checked everything. The day Liu Feng humiliated him, he returned to his Outer Sect hut. The next day, he became much stronger and crippled Zhao Hu. Then he participated in the competition, taking down ten disciples from Seventh Peak by himself, and then accepted the mission to White Bone Cave—it's said there are Foundation Establishment Stage evil spirits there, but he returned unharmed."

"And then, yesterday's grand competition, where he crippled Liu Feng with a single punch."

Search the book title, if you can't find it, try searching for the author, maybe the name has been changed!

"During this time, he only left the sect once, which was to go to White Bone Cave." Sun Xing paused, a glint of greed flashing in his eyes, "Senior Brother, do you think he stumbled upon some immense fortune somewhere?"

Chen Tianyu was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "White Bone Cave is a place with extremely heavy Yin energy. It's indeed possible that some ancient ruins or a powerful cultivator's dwelling are hidden there. But it's also possible... he truly had an epiphany."

"Epiphany?" Wang Meng scoffed, "An epiphany once a day? And each time his cultivation skyrockets? What kind of epiphany is that!"

"Regardless," a cold glint flashed in Chen Tianyu's eyes, "he definitely has a secret. And secrets... can be shared."

Sun Xing's eyes lit up, "Senior Brother means..."

"Find an opportunity to probe his background," Chen Tianyu said calmly. "If it's a common opportunity, have him hand it over to show respect to Senior Brother, and I'll look after him in Fifth Peak. If it's a great opportunity..."

He didn't finish, but the coldness in his eyes said it all.

Just then, footsteps were heard from outside the hall.

A disciple hurried in and reported, "Senior Brother Chen, Lin Qing'er from Third Peak is here. She says she's looking for Qin Yuan."

"Lin Qing'er?" Chen Tianyu raised an eyebrow, "The little girl from the same hometown as Qin Yuan? I heard she has good talent, already at Qi Condensation Layer Ten."

"Precisely," the disciple said, "She's already at the foot of the mountain."

Sun Xing suddenly leaned in and whispered, "Senior Brother, I heard this Lin Qing'er has a close relationship with Qin Yuan. If we were to..."

He made a "grab" gesture.

Chen Tianyu's eyes flickered, "You mean, use her to threaten Qin Yuan?"

"Exactly!" Sun Xing sneered. "That Qin Yuan just arrived at Fifth Peak and his foundation is unstable. If we capture his fellow villager, we can force him to hand over his opportunities. Would he dare refuse?"

Wang Meng frowned, "This... isn't that good? What if it backfires and we create a sworn enemy..."

"Sworn enemy?" Chen Tianyu scoffed. "Do you think he has a good impression of me now? Yesterday, when Elder Xu bestowed the Xuan Yuan Token upon him, I was standing right there, and he didn't even look me in the eye. A brat who doesn't know his place like that, we either completely subdue him, or..."

He didn't finish, but his meaning was clear.

"But Senior Brother," Wang Meng was still hesitant, "Lin Qing'er is from Third Peak after all. If we capture her, Third Peak..."

"Third Peak will fall out with Fifth Peak over a mere Qi Refining Stage girl?" Chen Tianyu sneered. "Moreover, we don't have to do it ourselves. Find two 'unfamiliar' disciples, pretend it's a misunderstanding, and 'invite' her to the back mountain. Qin Yuan will naturally panic, and then we can step in to 'mediate,' do him a favor, and probe his background at the same time."

Sun Xing clapped his hands, "Brilliant! Senior Brother, your plan is brilliant!"

"Go do it," Chen Tianyu waved his hand. "Remember, do it cleanly."

"Yes!"

Sun Xing and Wang Meng accepted the order and retreated.

Chen Tianyu stood alone in the hall, his expression unreadable.

He had been stuck at Foundation Establishment Layer Seven for three years. Three years! One more step would be Foundation Establishment Layer Eight, and he would be qualified to compete for the position of direct disciple. But this step felt like an insurmountable chasm.

Fifth Peak's resources were already scarce, and there were only three spots for direct disciples, which were firmly held by the other two senior brothers. If he wanted to get ahead, he needed strength far beyond ordinary people, or... an opportunity.

Qin Yuan's appearance gave him hope.

"No matter what secret you have," Chen Tianyu muttered to himself, "I will make it mine."

Outside the hall, Qin Yuan withdrew his spiritual sense.

His face was expressionless, but his eyes turned cold.

He had originally thought Fifth Peak would be more peaceful, but he didn't expect that on his first day, someone would already be plotting against him, even involving Lin Qing'er.

"Seeking death."

Qin Yuan pushed open the hall door and walked in.