Advancing to Mid Foundation Establishment, This Art: Landslide!

For ordinary cultivators who had advanced to Foundation Establishment, the direct effect of a spiritual ground on their cultivation was already comparable to the auxiliary benefits of medicinal pills. Cultivating for a single day in a Tier 2 low-grade spiritual ground converted spiritual energy roughly equivalent to half a low-grade Qi Harmonizing Pill. If paired with auxiliary resources like Fierce Spirit Incense to cycle one's life-bound cultivation method a few more times, the spiritual energy absorbed would nearly equal the full effect of an ordinary Qi Harmonizing Pill. And if a cultivator possessed a cave abode in a Tier 2 superior-grade spiritual ground, the results were even more astonishing! It would even surpass consuming a low-grade Qi Harmonizing Pill. This theory applied to ordinary early Foundation Establishment cultivators. Luo Chen's cultivation also fell under this principle. In fact, his dependence on spiritual grounds far exceeded his reliance on Tier 2 low-grade pills. Because he was no ordinary early Foundation Establishment cultivator! His physique was stronger, and his spiritual soul foundation was vastly deeper, to the point where, aided by Fierce Spirit Incense, he could circulate his life-bound cultivation method ten full times in a single day. At that rate, the required concentration of ambient spiritual energy was naturally far greater. Fortunately, he had secured a Tier 2 superior-grade cave abode! Taking a full day's circulation, if the spiritual energy converted from a low-grade pill was considered one standard unit and a medium-grade pill two standard units, then the spiritual energy refined purely through cycling his cultivation method amounted to nearly five standard units! It was precisely because of this that he had later delegated various powers and responsibilities, letting Sima Huiniang manage the Luotian Association in his stead. He himself stayed behind closed doors, remaining holed up inside his cave abode to cultivate almost every single day. Even when it came to pill refinement, having acquired the Ice Emperor Cauldron and Tier 2 earth fire, he directly waived the assistance of the Pill Hall's logistical cultivators. If he had their help, the daily yield of Jade Marrow Pills he crafted would only be higher! However, doing so would require constantly traveling back and forth between two locations. That would invisibly waste far too many cultivation opportunities. As time passed, Luo Chen's understanding of the importance of spiritual grounds grew ever deeper. Cultivators in the Qi Refinement stage could easily manage without relying on spiritual grounds at all, advancing purely on medicinal pills. Foundation Establishment cultivators, however, absolutely required a long-term spiritual ground to reside in. Such dependence would surely become even more pronounced upon reaching the Core Formation stage! And for the Nascent Soul stage, perhaps even Tier 3 spiritual grounds could not support their daily cultivation. Only Tier 4 spiritual grounds could barely suffice. Having realized this, Luo Chen finally understood why all grand and superior sects established their mountain gates among famous mountains and mighty rivers rich in spiritual veins. He also understood why the Falling Cloud Sect, knowing full well it was outmatched, still initiated a war against the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect. Because in the vast Jade Cauldron Domain, only Mount Yuhuang—where the Sword Sect resided—possessed a Tier 4 spiritual ground! After advancing to Nascent Soul, that ancestor of the Falling Cloud Sect, Han Zhan, was bound to covet Mount Yuhuang intensely! That was straying off topic. Back on Tianlan Peak, amidst this orderly cultivation life, time quietly flowed by. The shifting tides of the outside world seemed to have nothing to do with Luo Chen. He drop-by-drop cultivated, read, practiced arts, and refined pills. When a year flashed past in the blink of an eye... In Cave Abode B-17, the heavy door of the quiet room swung open with a rush. A figure radiating intense fluctuations of spiritual energy stepped out with calm composure. He wore a red cloud robe over a tall, broad frame. His facial features were refined, yet set in a resolute outline. Beneath a pair of sword-like brows lay deep, bottomless starry eyes. Hearing the commotion, Bai Meiling quickly drifted over. "Master, have you reached mid Foundation Establishment?" Luo Chen glanced at her, but before he could speak, Bai Meiling's body shrank back. "Master, that aura of yours is too overwhelming." Realizing the issue, Luo Chen circulated his Grandmaster-level Breath Concealment Spiritual Art, reigning in his spiritual energy fluctuations as much as possible. Not only that, but his newly expanded spiritual soul gradually subsided into tranquility. After this restraint, even though a faint trace of spiritual energy still leaked out, Bai Meiling felt considerably better. Luo Chen frowned. "Has your practice of the Secret Ghost-God Record still not reached initial mastery?" Bai Meiling pouted, grumbling aggrievedly, "I'm not an extraordinary genius like you, Master, where any profound scripture or secret art comes easily in your hands. Besides! I clearly have attained initial mastery—I can even briefly open the Soul Gathering Banner and cultivate with the remnant ghost essence inside. It's just that you're too strong, Master, not that I'm too weak!" Listen to her! One excuse after another, acting wronged while slipping in flattery. Luo Chen did not bother arguing with her. She truly had not slacked off. Not only had she successfully switched from the fragmented True Soul Refining Art to the Secret Ghost-God Record, but her cultivation had also reached the late ghost soldier realm. That was equivalent to restoring the late Qi Refinement cultivation she had held during life. For a ghost spirit's cultivation speed, that was certainly not slow. "Guard the abode well. I'm going out for a bit!" "Master, where are you going? Can you take Xiao Ling with you?" Bai Meiling followed closely behind, eager to please. Ever since she had refined the Sun Avoidance Pearl, she yearned to wander outside every single day. Yet because Luo Chen stayed home constantly, she was confined to circling within the narrow confines of the cave abode, boring her out of her mind. "That place isn't suitable for you. Stay home!" Leaving behind that command, Luo Chen turned and strode out the cave abode entrance. Before departing, he casually glanced at the one mu of Tier 2 spirit fields. The Star Azure Grass, Yin Moon Flowers, and Warm Sun Wood planted there were growing remarkably well. It was evident that over the past year, Yuan Dongsheng had visited regularly to tend to them, expending immense care. These three spirit plants corresponded to the astral, lunar, and solar attributes, and spanned Tiers 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Combined in this manner, their growth results were superb! Moreover, their growth cycles were short and their economic value high. This was a planting blueprint Yuan Dongsheng had devised after painstakingly studying spirit plant manuals and adapting them to the Tier 2 spirit fields. In his words, this was an experiment. If the results were good, it could be promoted across Danxia Peak in the future. As for the necessary Tier 2 spirit fields, they could invest substantial effort to cultivate a parcel. Soaring through the sky, Luo Chen's mind was calm. Breaking through to Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer and successfully stepping into mid Foundation Establishment was certainly cause for joy. However, he had already anticipated this milestone long ago. Thus, there was no wild ecstasy. After all, it was merely the elevation of a minor realm. "Fellow Daoist Luo, heading out?" Near the grand formation, a Daoist sat beneath a pavilion, sipping fine wine and munching on snacks produced by Danxia Hall, thoroughly enjoying himself. "Indeed. Luo here is born to toil, unlike Fellow Daoist Wang, who enjoys such leisure and ease." Wang Pingzhi, the gatekeeper on duty, chuckled. "Fellow Daoist is too modest! Who doesn't know that under your diligent governance, the Luotian Association is flourishing by the day?" "You flatter me!" Luo Chen smiled faintly. As if remembering something, he added, "Fellow Daoist should already know those subordinates of mine. When they pass through, please show them as much leeway and care as possible." "Naturally!" Wang Pingzhi responded as though it were only right. The snacks he enjoyed to pass the time were all gifts of courtesy presented by Luotian Association cultivators whenever they came and went. Having accepted their generosity, he was naturally inclined to look out for them. In particular, that Qu Lingjun brought him novel little trinkets every single time he visited. After exchanging a few casual pleasantries, Luo Chen exited the grand formation. His destination was not outside the city, but a place both familiar and foreign. *** "Senior, are you here to compete or to spectate?" "Neither. I'd like to rent a training arena. Do you have any recommendations?" "Our Sword Pavilion's Dao Discussion Platform offers seven types of training arenas for Foundation Establishment True Cultivators. There are unobstructed open plains, marshlands where rivers converge, and an arena simulating rugged mountain ranges..." After listening to the introductions of each arena, Luo Chen selected the first: the open plains. For no other reason than it was cheap! Renting it for a day cost only three hundred spirit stones. Of course, calling it cheap applied only to someone as wealthy as Luo Chen. Other Foundation Establishment True Cultivators would never bear to spend such a sum. If they wanted to practice techniques, they would simply go to the wilderness outside Tianlan Immortal City. Once the arena was selected, the Sword Pavilion disciple asked warmly, "Do you require a sparring partner?" Luo Chen waved his hand. "No need. I've invited a friend who will arrive shortly." Having said that, the realization struck him. "Your Jade Cauldron Sword Sect and the Falling Cloud Sect are fighting so fiercely right now. How is it that the Sword Pavilion still has Foundation Establishment sword cultivators available as sparring partners?" The disciple in white robes smiled. "How could someone like me understand matters concerning the upper echelons? All I know is that aside from Qianye Immortal City, the Sword Pavilions in the other nine immortal cities are operating normally." Luo Chen frowned. That was an active war! Why did the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect look as though it had not even exerted its full strength? "If Senior wishes to hire a sparring partner from our Sword Sect, the price might be somewhat steep, and a reservation is required." "However, I have a roster here of Foundation Establishment experts who reside permanently in the immortal city! If Senior wishes to book one, I can contact them shortly." Looking at the portfolio the Sword Pavilion disciple handed over, Luo Chen was momentarily caught off guard. When he flipped through the pages, he was left even more dumbfounded. Right there on the first page, in the very first row, he saw the renowned name of his neighbor, Chu Kui! [Chu Kui of Tianlan, Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer, Seventh on the Prodigy Board!] [Rich in combat experience and deeply learned. Capable of guiding magical combat methods for all cultivators below late Foundation Establishment.] [Gentle temperament, tailors instruction to each individual, pinpointing fatal flaws.] [Price: 10,000 low-grade spirit stones.] Luo Chen swallowed hard. He had never imagined that Fellow Daoist Chu ran such a lucrative private gig as a playmate... no, a sparring partner! Though his rates were daylight robbery. Ten thousand spirit stones per session—was that not outright extortion? Yet according to the disciple's boast, plenty of people actually booked Chu Kui's sparring sessions. Granted, almost none were rogue cultivators. Most were Foundation Establishment disciples fresh from Core Formation grand sects. *If it were me, newly emerged from a sect and stepping into Foundation Establishment with spare funds on hand, I might hire Chu Kui once or twice as well!* *From the description, he doesn't just spar; he helps identify shortcomings and analyzes which direction one should develop.* *No wonder that fellow can reside in a superior-grade cave abode year-round—his income streams are astonishingly diverse!* In terms of a gamer's income, Chu Kui was maintaining his high placement as Seventh on the Prodigy Board to collect handsome ranking rewards, taking private boosting gigs on the side to intervene for spirit stones whenever someone had trouble, and occasionally picking up sparring requests to spice up life while studying the combat methods of sect disciples. *Tsk, tsk. Truly worthy of being called the Timely Rain of Tianlan!* Luo Chen marveled inwardly as he waited quietly in the VIP room. Before long, the person he was waiting for arrived. "Eh? You're still at Foundation Establishment Third Layer?" "No, Fourth Layer!" Wang Yuan scrutinized Luo Chen intently, finally sensing the aura of mid Foundation Establishment from the occasional faint wisp of leaked spiritual energy. He shook his head in admiration. "Your mastery of the Breath Concealment Spiritual Art is truly formidable!" Naturally! Even immediately after breaking through, when one's aura was most unstable, Luo Chen could conceal the vast majority of his spiritual energy fluctuations. Once his cultivation stabilized, few peers in the same realm would be able to see through his true strength. Luo Chen smiled with quiet pride and led Wang Yuan into the training arena. *** An endle—well, not quite endless, as the borders were visible. Across the spacious plain, two figures stood facing each other. Luo Chen gazed at Wang Yuan from over a hundred zhang away. There was deliberate thought behind this distance! Back when Wang Yuan had reached the Blood River realm in body refinement while his Qi Refinement was only at the Great Perfection, it was precisely because he could not bridge a distance of a hundred zhang that Duan Qiankun had mercilessly kited him. Now, serving as sparring partners, this distance served perfectly to test Luo Chen's kiting ability while verifying how much Wang Yuan had improved since achieving Foundation Establishment. "Come!" "After you!" Following brief pleasantries, the two acted without hesitation. In a single stride, Wang Yuan crossed ten zhang, entering within the hundred-zhang range. Simultaneously, Luo Chen glided back nine zhang, preserving the distance. A flicker of surprise crossed Wang Yuan's face. "Soaring Dragon Step?" "Yes, I learned a little." In the distance, Luo Chen smiled faintly, joining two fingers like a sword. Dense golden beams erupted forth. Seeing this, Wang Yuan shook his head. With a tremor of his frame, countless small blood-qi serpents hissed as they burst from his body. Slithering through the air, they coiled around the golden beams, either devouring them or obstructing their path, allowing Wang Yuan to close the distance steadily. Watching this, Luo Chen was not surprised. Just as he had improved, Wang Yuan had not remained stagnant. This sparring match was not a fight to the death; it was meant for Luo Chen to familiarize himself with his existing arsenal following his breakthrough and test new methods. The same held true for Wang Yuan. He needed combat to temper the complementary fusion of Foundation Establishment and the Blood River realm. Why had Luo Chen not sought another sparring partner? The reason was that he was also walking the dual path of qi and body refinement. Only Wang Yuan, who pursued the same dual cultivation, could genuinely test his techniques and expose his flaws. One advanced while the other retreated, their silhouettes shifting like the wind, elusive and untraceable. The sword pill in Luo Chen's hand was maneuvered with increasing fluidity. During this exchange, his other offensive techniques gradually unfolded. With the sword pill as his primary weapon and the Heavy Turn Seal as support, complemented by intermittent casts of the Entanglement Art and Flying Fireflies, he gave Wang Yuan considerable trouble. On the other side, Wang Yuan displayed explosive power far beyond ordinary standards. His primary weapon was a superior-grade saber artifact. He had recently acquired it from a black market in Tianlan Immortal City. It allowed him to channel and unleash his blood-qi superbly. Every swing of the blade erupted with colossal saber beams dozens of zhang long. Thus, the two clashed continuously, familiarizing themselves with their respective arts. Yet clearly, without resorting to their stronger techniques, neither could gain the upper hand over the other. "Your progress is immense!" Wang Yuan stopped, praising him sincerely. Luo Chen chuckled. "I thought that reaching mid Foundation Establishment would let me crush you." Wang Yuan's face darkened. "You're progressing, but I haven't been sleeping all day either. I've fully completed the four stages of Organ Refining, Tendon Changing, Marrow Cleansing, and Meridian Unblocking. Though Acupoint Opening has only just begun, I mastered overt force ahead of time. Measured by the immortal cultivation path, I am a genuine mid Blood River realm cultivator, comparable to a mid or late Foundation Establishment expert." In the tiers of body refinement, Organ Refining, Tendon Changing, and Marrow Cleansing comprised the early Blood River realm. Meridian Unblocking and Acupoint Opening constituted the mid Blood River realm. Meanwhile, the four forces—overt, covert, transformative, and pellet force—belonged to the late Blood River realm. Wang Yuan had mastered the technique of converting blood-qi into overt force ahead of time, so claiming to rival a mid to late Foundation Establishment cultivator was by no means an exaggeration. Moreover, he possessed early Foundation Establishment cultivation, which compensated for his slower flight speed. Luo Chen raised an eyebrow. "Use our real methods?" "Are you sure?" "Sure. And try not to dodge—let's test the raw power!" "Fine, you go first!" Wang Yuan clasped his hands behind his back, assuming the imposing posture of a grandmaster. Luo Chen did not hold back! Fireballs materialized before him in a frenzy. They fused together, transforming into a blazing sun that showed every sign of continuing to accumulate power. Wang Yuan was flabbergasted. He hastily raised a hand. "Stop, stop!" "I said stop!" Luo Chen pinched an incantation gesture, and the blazing sun gradually dissipated, leaving behind only scorching spiritual energy on the ground. Wang Yuan looked at him speechlessly. "Casting the Blazing Sun Art normally is fine—I have the confidence to take that. But what's with continuously stacking its power?! You don't honestly think an opponent will give you that much time in battle, do you?!" "You told me to go first!" Luo Chen retorted with righteous indignation. Wang Yuan rolled his eyes. "Fine, I acknowledge your Blazing Sun Art! Pick another!" Luo Chen gave a soft huff and shifted his incantation seal once more. In the next instant, a massive wave of spiritual water surged up from beneath Wang Yuan's feet. Wang Yuan's eyelids twitched. *What fast casting speed!* He slashed with his saber, the colossal blade beam cleaving the surging wave straight in two. Yet the wave did not scatter. Instead, it coalesced into two roaring water dragons that lunged toward him. His expression shifted slightly. "This is the Tier 1 Surging Waves Technique?" What a joke! Whose Tier 1 Surging Waves Technique was this agile and versatile? With his physique, being swept into it naturally would not inflict serious harm. However, if an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator were trapped, the immense water pressure would severely injure them. Even though Wang Yuan would not be hurt, he had no desire to be thrown into a disheveled mess. Frowning, he vaulted into the air. The two water dragons roared in pursuit beneath his feet, but they were clearly unable to match his speed. Just as Wang Yuan's tension eased slightly, a sudden premonition struck him. Without hesitation, he turned and thrust out a palm! A colossal blood-colored palm print swept forth as if engulfing the heavens and earth. Its target was a terrifying peak that had formed without anyone noticing. "The Heavy Turn Seal?" "No!" "It's the Tier 1 Earth Peak Technique!" The palm print and the mountain collided, unleashing a deafening explosion. *Boom!* Wang Yuan drifted back gracefully. Behind him, the mountain shattered into dust! Looking across at Luo Chen in the distance, he said, "Although your execution of techniques is magnificent, trying to handle me with this sort of Tier 1 spell... aren't you underestimating me a little?" In the distance, the corners of Luo Chen's lips curled upward. "I certainly won't disappoint you, Brother Wang!" In the next heartbeat, he slammed his palms together. A terrifying wave of spiritual energy erupted outward, centered on him. As if provoked, an immense pressure violently burst across the plain battlefield. Wang Yuan's expression changed drastically! "Something's wrong!" He attempted to pull away, but under that uncanny pressure, his speed was halved. To the naked eye, three surges of spiritual energy welled up simultaneously from below, behind, and ahead. The waves surged anew! The blazing sun reappeared! The towering mountain crashed down in ruins! A scorching, violent wave of spiritual energy surged forth like a volcanic eruption, carrying apocalyptic momentum. Along with the collapsing mountain, thunderous roars sounded continuously. *Boom! Boom! Boom!* The destructive spiritual energy vibrated incessantly amidst the rolling thunder. It felt as though any living creature within this domain would be shaken to death. Not only that, but the pristine azure waves had transformed into molten, fiery red magma that churned and rolled. Smoke that blotted out the sky soon engulfed the battlefield. After a long while... A bare-chested figure standing a full two zhang tall strode out from the haze. His heavily muscled body was blackened by smoke and scorched by fire, yet bore few actual wounds. It was clear that Luo Chen had exercised restraint. "Cough, cough..." Wang Yuan dismissed his Giant Spirit Transformation, his physique gradually shrinking back to normal. With a solemn gaze, he looked up at Luo Chen suspended in the sky. "What technique was that?" Luo Chen smiled faintly. "This art: Landslide!"