Breaking Through to Foundation Establishment, Returning to Star City

In the bamboo grove

After Qin Yi swallowed a Fire Source Fruit in one gulp, the spiritual power throughout his body grew turbulent, and his skin gradually turned bright red. He hurriedly ate a stalk of Thunder-Vein Grass, and a crackling sound immediately came from within him. As he circulated the Blazing Yang Thunder Asura Instruction, his twin lightning and fire Spirit Roots rapidly absorbed the surrounding lightning- and fire-attribute Spiritual Qi and sent it to his Dantian.

"The Blazing Yang Thunder Asura Instruction truly is wondrous," Song Qi remarked from the sky, unable to contain his admiration after seeing it suppress the two raging currents of spiritual power within Qin Yi.

Seeing that Qin Yi had begun to touch the threshold of Foundation Establishment, Song Qi shook his head, turned, and left.

Only those whose thoughts flowed freely could explore the mysteries of the immortal path.

A month later, Qin Yi finally touched the threshold of Foundation Establishment. He then adjusted his condition, swallowed the Foundation Establishment Pill, and began assaulting the barrier.

Cultivation knew no passage of time. The days flew by, and in the blink of an eye, more than half a year had passed.

Boom!

A muffled rumble of thunder suddenly sounded beside Qin Yi. Two orbs of light, one red and one purple, spun rapidly around him. A moment later, both orbs abruptly shot into his body.

"Break!"

With Qin Yi's shout, the barrier within him that had held him back for more than half a year shattered with a crash.

Qin Yi slowly opened his eyes, lightning and flames flashing through them. Feeling the surging spiritual power within him, he smiled faintly. "I've finally reached Foundation Establishment."

Song Qi arrived at the sound. Qin Yi could not yet control the spiritual power that had surged within him, and the surrounding area was filled with violent Spiritual Qi. Song Qi raised a hand and suppressed the turbulent Spiritual Qi around Qin Yi, then said seriously, "Stabilize your cultivation and take this chance to open up your Divine Sense."

Qin Yi closed his eyes and circulated the Blazing Yang Thunder Asura Instruction. The spiritual power within him gradually gathered in his Dantian, while a special force emerged from his niwan palace. Gradually, his Divine Sense extended outward one zhang, then ten zhang, twenty zhang... Finally, it stopped at thirty zhang.

"My Divine Sense can extend thirty zhang." Qin Yi rose and looked at Song Qi.

"Thirty zhang?" Song Qi was somewhat surprised. Back then, Lan Xuan had only reached twenty-five zhang. As for himself, ahem, to avoid discouraging his disciple, he had better not mention it.

"Ahem, not bad. Your talent is quite good," Song Qi said.

"Bring me Cangyuan. I can undo one layer of its seal now."

Qin Yi handed Cangyuan to Song Qi, who sent a Law Seal into it. The spear hummed, and a red light flashed across its shaft. The cold glint at its tip became even more chilling.

Qin Yi took the spear back. Sensing Cangyuan's current power, he could not resist performing a set of basic spear techniques. Watching him, Song Qi could not help nodding repeatedly.

"You've reached Foundation Establishment. You can go down the mountain to gain experience now," Song Qi told Qin Yi, taking out a mask and handing it to him.

"This object is called White Visage. Wearing it can change your appearance and conceal your cultivation. Those below the Golden Core Stage cannot detect it. Although those at the Golden Core Stage can see through your cultivation, their Divine Sense cannot pass through it. As long as you don't take it off, they won't be able to see your true face."

"If you use it well, this object can save you a great deal of trouble," Song Qi cautioned Qin Yi.

Qin Yi put the mask into his Storage Bag. After calculating how long he had spent in seclusion, he realized it was time for Song Qingyun to fulfill their agreement.

Star City

Qin Yi had returned here after a year away. He changed into black robes, put on the mask to alter his appearance, and entered a teahouse.

With nothing to do today, he would listen to a storyteller at the teahouse and see how things stood in Star City while he was at it.

"A year ago, a mysterious person entered Star City. No one knew what grudge this person had against the city lord's manor, but they poisoned the city lord's eldest son, Song Yunfeng, by an extremely cruel method. More than thirty guards and maidservants in his courtyard also died miserable deaths."

"After Song Yunfeng died, the city lord flew into a rage and spent three months hunting for the killer, only to find nothing. With no other choice, he made his second son, Song Qingyun, the young city lord. Although Song Qingyun was Song Yunfeng's brother, his talent and character were both inferior, far below his elder brother's."

"With his eldest son dead a miserable death and his worthless son in line to succeed him, the city lord's manor began keeping a low profile after the upheaval. Even Song Qingyun was confined at home by the city lord to cultivate diligently and forbidden from going out to make trouble again. As a result, Star City enjoyed nearly a year of peace."

"To learn what happened next, listen to the next installment." The elderly storyteller on the stage took a sip of tea, then turned and walked down.

Qin Yi sat by the window, quietly sipping his tea. The storyteller here normally told stories, not history, but he could not resist Qin Yi's high offer. After listening to the Historical Records of Star City he had requested, Qin Yi left a few Spirit Stones, rose, and left the teahouse for the city lord's manor.

"I'm the young city lord's old friend, Jin Peng. I've come to visit. Sorry for the trouble, but please announce me," Qin Yi said to the guard at the gate of the city lord's manor.

The man looked Qin Yi over and saw that he had an extraordinary bearing. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Wait while I announce you."

The guard hurried into the manor. A moment later, Song Qingyun came striding out with an ingratiating smile. "Brother Jin, it's been a long time since we parted. Please, come in."

The guard at the side stared in astonishment. Who was this man? Not only had the young city lord come out to welcome him personally, but he was also treating him with such respect. If Song Qingyun had known what he was thinking, he would only have told him that he did not want to end up like his dead elder brother, not even knowing how he had died.

The sight of Song Yunfeng's miserable death was etched deep in Song Qingyun's mind. Ever since Qin Yi had left, he had watched for the stars and the moon, hoping Qin Yi would return and settle everything with him. After all, with such a bane always at his side, he was afraid too. Afterward, he restrained himself considerably and no longer dared bully men or prey on women, terrified that one day he would meet another bane like Qin Yi who would take a dislike to him and secretly do away with him.

Qin Yi played with a piece of porcelain in Song Qingyun's room and asked casually, "Brother Song, how are the arrangements for the secret realm coming along?"

Song Qingyun stiffened and said, looking a little awkward, "Don't be impatient, Brother Jin. You may have to wait another month."

Qin Yi's face darkened. "Oh? Is that so?" he asked softly.