Foundation Establishment

It was drizzling in the early morning.

Zhou Ning tidied up briefly and walked into the courtyard, where rain began to fall.

The silver bracelet on his wrist shimmered softly, keeping the rain from falling on him.

Zhou Ning later learned that the bracelet woven by Jia Tingwan had such effects.

The courtyard is planted with many trees. Among them, the Snow Cherry sapling stands tall and graceful, with flowers in full bloom and fruit that looks like peaches.

He has been nurtured with Chen Earth for the past few years, so it's not surprising that he has grown to this size.

He picked the pink fruit, washed it, took a bite, and found it crisp, sweet, and refreshing.

"It's good for maintaining youthful appearance."

"Once I've reached the Foundation Establishment stage, I can sell it or keep it as a gift."

Zhou Ning picked all the fruit and scattered the blossoms, and the Snow Cherry sapling became ordinary again.

The tree had grown too big to be transplanted, and Zhou Ning didn't plan to cut it down, because he would come back to this place again.

After finishing the meal, Zhou Ning hung the sign back up at the villa, but this time it said "Temporarily Out of Town".

After that, he casually stepped on the bamboo leaf Law Artifact and left Little Willow Marsh.

Upon seeing this, the long-faced cultivator on the swamp's surface beamed with excitement, even bordering on morbid. "He's gone. The clan issued a death order the other day to seize all of the Su Household's enclaves. If all goes well, Little Willow Marsh's profits will double in the future."

The male cultivator beside him stroked his beard and said, "Quickly notify the clan to redeploy the formation and slay this fiend!"

"Indeed, its next entry into the formation will be its death day. The Alchemist's Storage Bag might contain Foundation Establishment fortuitous opportunity!"

Here, they were trembling with excitement; after four years of waiting, they had finally gotten their chance.

Zhou Ning for dozens of miles, then removed the bamboo leaf Law Artifact. He activated the Concealing Shadow Technique and traveled solely by his own Law Power.

Three years later, Gu Xiangning sent another letter, saying that she had broken through to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer and that Foundation Establishment was just around the corner, telling Brother Zhou not to worry.

Zhou Ning sent his congratulations.

As for the others, Old Jia sent a letter during this time, saying that he was currently busy on the front lines for the Su Household, but his job was to deliver messages and he didn't have to fight with anyone.

Jia Tingwan, on the other hand, was on Luyou Island.

--

Xu Qinghou never sent a letter, and Old Jia didn't mention it either, so no one knew what had happened.

The Su Household's power continued to shrink, but thanks to the formation, their core combat strength remained intact; all those who died were their retainers and advisors.

"You haven't changed at all over the years!"

More than six years later, Zhou Ning re-entered the Cuiwei Lake area without alerting anyone.

He took out the Water-Adept Talisman and slowly sank to the bottom of the lake.

An unnamed island, an underground cave, as dark as ever.

The Spring of the Spirit Eye gurgles forth, emanating a rich Spiritual Qi.

Two Purple Monkey Flower had ripened, and Zhou Ning casually picked the unripe ones and wrapped them in Chen Earth.

He then threw out the earth-brown array plate, and Spiritual Qi gathered around it. The array plate glowed, releasing a hazy light shield that completely covered the cave, which was twenty or thirty feet in size.

Zhou Ning took out the luminous pearls, arranged them neatly, and illuminated the cave. He then took out a futon and sat cross-legged.

He closed his eyes, recalling his conversation with Old Jia.

At that time, Zhou Ning had only been at Cuiwei Lake for two years. He asked, "Can Rogue Cultivator achieve Foundation Establishment?"

Old Jia smiled bitterly and sighed, "I've lived in the Cuiwei Lake area for decades and have never heard of it."

"Has anyone tried to break through to the Foundation Establishment?" Zhou Ning asked.

"Yes, I have three close friends who have all reached the Qi Refinement Perfection. They are unwilling to remain subordinate to others for the rest of their lives, so even without Foundation Establishment Pill, they are willing to try."

What happened next?

They're all dead.

Old Jia told him to focus on fishing and not to worry about unrealistic things; being a fisherman is a good job.

The Su Household also told him that if they caught a fish, they would give him a bite to eat.

Later, Zhou Ning became Alchemist.

The Su Household also told him to focus on refining pills and contribute to the Su Household.

He diligently refined elixirs, but what happened next?

The Su Household humiliated him, Chen Household humiliated him too. It was as if a Qi Refining cultivator without any backing was just an ant, someone anyone could kill or trample on!

Why do you think you can be so high and mighty? Why do you think you can trample on others at will?

Are we destined to be nothing more than beasts of burden?

"He is not discouraged even when the whole world criticizes him!"

Zhou Ning swallowed a Foundation Establishment Pill.

His consciousness sank into his Dantian, and as the Foundation Establishment Pill dissolved, the originally calm dantian was stirred up and began to boil and surge.

Countless streams of Spiritual Qi transformed into waves of energy, surging upwards and converging into a cluster of light.

One day, ten days, thirty days.

The Qi Sea had become empty, with only a constantly churning stream of light remaining above it.

Seven jade -Jade-Casting True Gold Talisman floated around the shimmering light, emitting an intense golden glow that attracted the shimmering light.

The shape of the light began to change, outline, and condense into layers of jade palaces, magnificent buildings, and towers stretching as far as the eye could see, their pure white tinged with a majestic gold.

This is the Immortal Foundation for immortality [Que Flowing Fire].

A fiery eye flew in, illuminating the entire jade palace, and unleashed the Delusion-Burning Fire, igniting the pavilions and towers.

"Not enough--"

"Not enough--"

Su Wen, Su Junsong, Su Yuanye, Su Youyou, Su Lixia, Su Yanghao —faces flashed by, Zhangzhang indifferent, some hypocritical, some arrogant.

You're nothing but the Su Household's dog!

"Just a dog of the Su Household-- "

"The Su Household's dog?"

A Rogue Cultivator dares to dream of Foundation Establishment?

That's wishful thinking. Focus on refining the elixir and prepare to die.

"Poverty and hardship, sorrow and grief, are what temper you into something great!"

At this moment, the fire in his heart was stirred by his divine thoughts and suddenly ignited, the raging flames passing through the corridors and halls, burning the platform and boiling the jade.

The Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth surged into the six meridians, and the entire jade palace was engulfed in flames that soared into the sky, with the fire flowing endlessly.

Thus, Zhou Ning completed the Immortal Foundation [Que Flowing Fire].

The Law Power was forged in the fire, transforming from scattered energy into solid energy, and its circulation became free of impurities and obscurities.

The embers of the fire baked the flesh, penetrating the skin, flesh, and meridians, tempering the Root Bone and strengthening the body, resulting in a surge of Qi and Blood and vitality.

Divine Sense expanded from the fire, reaching the earth's veins, the lake, and the sky.

Ten li, twenty li, thirty li -- stretching to the sky and across the earth, offering a panoramic view.

Zhou Ning suddenly opened his eyes, and golden flames spread from his body, burning the originally damp rocks in the cave into lava-like shapes, giving off a burnt smell.

With a thought, he abruptly withdrew all the golden flames, which then returned to his Immortal Foundation.

"Since embarking on the path of immortality at the age of seventeen, I have now reached the age of thirty-nine and established my Immortal Foundation!"

Zhou Ning experienced the wonders of [Que Flowing Fire], which is the Immortal Foundation under the path of Dao of Si Fire. The fire contains Geng Metal, and fire overcomes wood cultivation, while metal overcomes water cultivation.

Because of their natural affinity with metal and fire, they can control fire, refine elixirs, ward off poisons, and exterminate ghosts.

With his Law Power Que Flowing Fire through his body, Immortal Foundation Zhou Ning casually flicked out a strand of Law Power, which condensed into a sharp crescent moon in mid-air, burning fiercely.

Such an effect can be achieved without any Hand Seals.

"A single, casually cast Method Formula could probably give a cultivator of the same level a run for their money."

"Given the wondrous nature of Land of Wei's Immortal Foundation, can Foundation Establishment Late Stage in this realm withstand me?"

You have to try to find out, Zhou Ning already had a plan in mind, and he knew who to test his skills against.

However, there is one more thing before that.

Zhou Ning looked at the Spring of the Spirit Eye, which was radiating pure Spiritual Qi, and threw out a talisman with a mountain and river pattern.

The Mountain-Moving Talisman lit up, and the thick earth light enveloped the Spring of the Spirit Eye, emitting a deep humming sound.

Perhaps because he had established Immortal Foundation, Zhou Ning discovered that he could perceive the talisman as if it were speaking words of persuasion.

Zhou Ning lifted the small wooden box, the lid of which opened wide and swelled to the size of three zhang (approximately 10 meters).

In less than ten breaths, the Spring of the Spirit Eye seemed to be persuaded, and suddenly leaped up, accurately jumping into the wooden box.

Zhou Ning used a little Law Technique to shrink the wooden box, which then entered the Jade Space.

"First, loot the Su Household's belongings. As for the people, take them one by one."

Zhou Ning dispelled the formation, his body shimmering with light. With a tap of his foot, the illusory image of the Jade Palace appeared above his head. He rammed into it, and the passage that had been blocked by the large stone shattered with a deafening roar.

A moment later, Zhou Ning stood in mid-air, with the vast Cuiwei Lake beneath his feet.

He moved swiftly, riding the wind towards Bamboo Creek Island, his messy long hair fluttering in the wind.

The puppet Su Changhe stood before him, answering each word clearly.

After listening, Zhou Ning learned about the whereabouts of his friends. Jia Tingwan was on Luyou Island, but she had gone to the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range with Alchemist Tang a few days ago.

Because the Su Household had reached a preliminary cooperation agreement with the Sun Household, the Su Household sent their guest Alchemist Tang, to help the Sun Household refine elixirs.

"It's a good opportunity to make a trip along the way and bring her here to be my medicine apprentice. Otherwise, given the Su Household's nature, she probably won't survive after I go to war with Su Household."

Zhou Ning did not want to implicate his friend because of this.

Old Jia also frequented the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range.

But the news about Scholar Xu was the one that surprised Zhou Ning the most.

Scholar Xu had defected several years earlier, during the battle against the Bai Household, along with Yuan Dahu, Li Ji, and others.

The Su Household's arrest warrant is still hanging in the market near Cuiwei Lake.

"In that case, I have no more concerns."

Zhou Ning then asked Su Junsong about the movements of Su Wen and other key members of the Su Household.

Su Junsong has successfully Foundation Establishment and is currently overseeing Lineage affairs on Luyou Island, while Su Wen is also in seclusion on the island.

Zhou Ning knew that there was a top-tier second-order formation on the island, so he wouldn't attack directly but would first cut off its wings.

"Su Lixia and her husband, who once intended to interrogate me before the Han Household patriarch and then demoted me to Little Willow Marsh, and who intended to kill me, did so on the front lines of the battlefield—"

"Wait for me."

As for Su Changhe in front of us.

"I'll spare your life for now, but keep an eye on the Su Household Su Household for me, and while you're at it, see what happens to them."

Zhou Ning moved swiftly, heading towards the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range.

One day later.

A streak of pure white light appeared above Little Willow Marsh, Zhou Ning traveled on the Flowing Plainness Boat.

He has now reached the Foundation Establishment, and the boat shows no unusual signs; it can now be used for daily purposes.

The long-faced cultivator on the island's eyes gleamed. "You son of a bitch, after waiting all these days, you're finally back! You even bought a flying boat. Although it looks ordinary, I'll gladly accept it. What do you think?"

--

Chen Le laughed and said, "Of course I won't compete with Brother Hao, but if he has Spirit Condensation Pill, I'll take my pick first, as the younger generation in my family is waiting to use them."

The two chatted and laughed, already considering it theirs for the taking.

As soon as Zhou Ning landed above the island, he noticed something was wrong.

"A mere first-tier formation."

He smiled gently, put away the Flowing Plainness Boat, and stepped into the formation.

In an instant, Spiritual Qi surged, and several fire dragons burst forth, crashing head-on.

This formation has been changed into a killing formation.

"Brother Juncheng, make your move!"

Two figures suddenly appeared, a black knife and an axe wrapped in spiritual light, their bodies trembling, and they slashed down together, blocking his path.

They cooperated extremely well.

The firelight and the glowing light mingled together, producing a "boom" sound, and air currents flew everywhere.

The long-faced cultivator Chen Hao was overjoyed, his forehead veins bulging with excitement. "Dead!"

Chen Le said calmly, "Don't damage the Storage Bag."

Just as the two were filled with anticipation, a voice rang out from the chaos. "You guys?"

Zhou Ning waved his hand, and all the red light dissipated.

His Profound Fire Dharma Robe glowed slightly, while the two Law Artifact were surrounded by a ball of fire.

"How is that possible? He's only at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer— " Chen Hao's pupils constricted sharply as he sensed the immense aura emanating from him. "No! He's not at the Qi Refining!"

His body was involuntarily pulled towards him.

Zhou Ning gripped his neck as if he were holding a chick, and with a casual squeeze, he broke his throat with a "crack".

Chen Hao's eyes were wide open in terror as he died.

Chen Le's face showed fear, and his body trembled uncontrollably. "You are Foundation Establishment cultivator, no, you can't kill me, I have a spirit tablet at home!"

"Oh? Then you should kill him even more." Zhou Ning flicked his finger, and a stream of red light shot out, instantly piercing through the man's brow.

Chen Le's words froze for a moment, and he slowly lay down.

Zhou Ning put away the Storage Bag, then fired two fireballs, burning it to ashes.

He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the distant sky. "The Chen Household isn't far from here, is it? Don't keep me waiting too long."

Five hundred miles away.

Mount Xiangtu is not very high, only a hundred feet high, but it contains a second-tier Spirit Vein. The surrounding high mountains set it off in the center, giving it the appearance of an emperor. A pavilion is built against the mountain. In the innermost room, a spirit tablet on a long table suddenly shattered.

The monk at the door heard the commotion, glanced over, and hurriedly ran to report it.

A quarter of an hour later, a large black eagle flew out of the mountain, flapping its huge wings and creating a strong wind, and flew straight to Little Willow Marsh.

Chen Kexing stood on the eagle's back, his small eyes darting around, full of cunning.

"Chen Le's life tablet is broken? That shouldn't be the case. Could it be the work of the Daoist Mu?"

"Go and see. If Zhou Ning is still alive, I'll hold him accountable. He's just a dog; I'll hand him over to Daoist Mu. The Su Household is a bunch of useless trash!"

"Although he's a Qi Refining Alchemist, he's still quite wealthy!"

Thinking of this, Chen Kexing's face showed a hint of greed.

Zhou Ning waited there for nearly an hour before the cultivators from the Chen Household finally arrived.

It was exactly a few years ago, after Wang Guanhe died, that Chen Kexing was sent by the Chen Household.

The black eagle flapped its wings, creating a gust of wind that sent waves surging across the water, causing the turtles and fish to dodge frantically.

Upon seeing Zhou Ning, Chen Kexing suddenly realized that the man was a bit strange, as he had disheveled hair.

"However, he's just Qi Refining cultivator; he's nothing to worry about."

Before he even landed, he angrily shouted, "You lackey of the Su Household, where is my nephew Chen Le?"

Zhou Ning said loudly, "Naturally, he was killed by the Daoist Mu."

Chen Kexing's expression immediately became incredibly interesting. "Do you think I'm stupid?"

He laughed in fury, "You sharp-tongued bastard, a Qi Refining cultivator, dare to face us Foundation Establishment head-on? Die!"

He stepped onto the eagle's back, and the Gale Eagle's eyes flashed with cruelty as it tore down with its black talons, accompanied by a gale.

If this is taken seriously, Qi Refining cultivators will be torn to shreds.

Zhou Ning stood still, conjuring a stream of Law Power that formed a ten-foot-long fire blade. He clapped his hand forward and shouted, "Go!"

The blazing blade was pulled forward at an alarming speed.

With a "whoosh," it grinded its way through, sparks flying everywhere, illuminating the Gale Eagle.

The feathers that could withstand even the most powerful magical Law Artifact were easily sliced through by the fire blades, like wax sheets.

A piercing scream rang out as half of the eagle's wing was severed, its crimson blood splattering across the sky.

The fiery blade continued its trajectory without slowing down. Chen Kexing was caught off guard and his wrist was slashed, sending a burning pain through his soul.

The Gale Eagle plunged headfirst into the marsh, kicking up a spray of water and mud, its feathers bursting into flames. Chen Kexing's face contorted in pain, but he thought it was a powerful trump card. His eyes widened in fury as he pulled out his magical Law Artifact.

He roared menacingly, "You're asking for death!"

The next moment, his words were instantly cut off. Zhou Ning below took a step forward, and in a flash, he appeared in front of him.

Zhou Ning lightly slapped down, and Chen Kexing felt an immense force pressing down on his shoulder.

He couldn't help but let out a muffled groan as he plummeted from the sky, slammed into the water with a single blow.

Zhou Ning stood with his hands behind his back in the void, and then conjured a fiery blade.

His expression was contemptuous. "You dare call yourself Foundation Establishment cultivator?"

Chen Kexing's mind went blank for a moment, his face filled with disbelief. "You 'Foundation Establishment?"

Zhou Ning held the fire blade, offering no reply.

He recalled the incident four years ago when this person mocked him to his face.

Zhou Ning said calmly, "Kneel down, or die."

Chen Kexing had already lost one of his hands and was thrown into the swamp; even his second-tier Gale Eagle was burned to ashes.

This kid must be practicing some kind of Cultivation Method, it's so sharp! His wrist is burning with pain.

His face was filled with grief and indignation. "How dare you do this!"

Zhou Ning smiled enigmatically, "Heh, you weren't like this four years ago, Senior Chen."

He tossed the fiery blade formed from his Law Power, as if to fling it out. "Or do you think I wouldn't dare kill you?"

Filled with fear and grief, Chen Kexing knew that his life was the most important thing. He knelt down in the water in humiliation, his head, which had once been held high, now bowed deeply.

Zhou Ning immediately felt a significant relief from the anger that had been weighing on his heart.

Indeed, true power must be in one's own hands.

He nodded and said, "Leave the Storage Bag and get out of here."