Within the tranquil depths of the Broken Sky Sect, Xia Zhi stood alone atop a cliff, her silver hair flowing like a shimmering cascade in the cool mountain breeze. Her expression was one of unwavering focus, her silver strands catching the faint light, giving her an almost ethereal presence.
Perfect Foundation Establishment.
It was a realm many could only dream of reaching, a stage of cultivation where one's spiritual foundation was as flawless as a polished jade. Yet for Xia Zhi, it was only the beginning. Her ambition soared higher, and her heart burned with a quiet, unyielding resolve.
Clutching her jade sword, a gift from her master, she drew a deep breath and began her sword dance. Each movement was a symphony of grace and power, her blade slicing through the mist with an ethereal glow. Her spiritual energy flowed smoothly, her control impeccable, but her thoughts were anything but calm.
'Lin Yuan... why do you hide so well?' she wondered, recalling the fleeting glimpses she had seen of his swordsmanship. Despite his quiet demeanor and his seemingly ordinary status, there was something about him—something she couldn't quite grasp.
'It's not just talent... It's as if he is always concealing a part of himself.'
Xia Zhi's sword art grew faster, her strikes sharp enough to carve through the mist. Even in the sect, rumors had begun to spread of a mysterious expert cultivating in secret. Elders whispered, disciples speculated, but no one could identify the source.
Her breathing steadied as she transitioned from one sword form to another. This time, her thoughts shifted away from Lin Yuan. She had her own path to walk, her own ambitions to achieve. To truly excel within the Broken Sky Sect, she needed more than just talent—she needed strength, wisdom, and an unshakeable will.
"I cannot be distracted," Xia Zhi whispered to herself, her eyes sharpening. "Whether it is Lin Yuan or any other, I will reach the peak on my own terms."
Her sword's glow intensified, a thin mist of spiritual energy forming around her. In that moment, Xia Zhi's aura surged, a perfect balance of power and calm, like a serene lake concealing a roaring undercurrent.
She sheathed her sword, her gaze returning to the distant horizon. Somewhere out there, great opportunities awaited. But here in the Broken Sky Sect, she would carve her own path, with or without the answers she sought.
And if Lin Yuan was truly hiding his strength, then she would surpass him regardless.
.....
Jiang Yun had been traveling for days after his departure from the city. He wandered through dense forests and crossed vast, open plains, all while continuing his cultivation in the quietude of nature. His mind was sharp, and his body had grown stronger with each passing moment, though he had yet to settle in one place for long.
It was on a cloudy afternoon that the air suddenly grew heavy. A strange pressure settled over the forest, and the sky darkened unnaturally. Lin Yuan stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing. This was not a natural storm. He had heard of such phenomena before—a Heavenly Tribulation.
But why here? Why now?
> ORB INTERFACE ACTIVATED — Heavenly Tribulation Detected — Cultivation Stage: Beyond Qi Condensation (Unique) — Transition to Foundation Establishment in Progress
Lin Yuan's heart pounded, but a sense of calm washed over him. He understood. His constant absorption of energy, the relentless refinement of his body—it had led him to this moment.
Lin Yuan took a deep breath and stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the swirling clouds above. He could already feel the energy building, the power of the storm coiling and gathering strength as if preparing to strike.
Without a second thought, he closed his eyes and allowed the natural flow of his Qi to guide him. His body, honed and tempered, stood ready for whatever would come next.
The sky rumbled, and a bolt of lightning shot down without warning, striking directly at Lin Yuan. Instead of dodging, he stood his ground. The lightning struck his body, and instead of destroying him, it was absorbed, surging through his veins like molten metal.
> ORB INTERFACE — Energy Absorption Initiated — Energy Type: Heavenly Thunder — Energy Absorbed: +150 — Energy Refinement: Heavenly Tempering
Pain surged through him, but it was a pain he embraced. His muscles strained, his bones ached, and his skin burned, but he did not falter. Instead, his body absorbed the lightning, refining itself with each crackling surge.
As the energy coursed through him, Lin Yuan's body reacted instinctively. His Qi, already in the process of transforming, surged as the heavenly energy tempered his very bones, muscles, and skin. It wasn't just the cultivation energy he was absorbing; the Heavenly Thunder was reshaping his form at the most fundamental level. The power of the tribulation, instead of destroying him, was instead perfecting his body, fortifying it in ways unimaginable.
Lin Yuan's skin began to glow faintly with the residual energy of the storm. His muscles tightened, his internal organs strengthened, and his bones became as solid as tempered steel. The energy was not only refining his cultivation base but was enhancing his body's durability to an extreme degree.
Each successive bolt of lightning struck with more power than the last, but Lin Yuan stood his ground, his body absorbing the energy rather than resisting it. The process felt excruciating, like his body was being torn apart and put back together at the same time. Yet, in this agony, there was also power—tangible, raw power.
> ORB INTERFACE — Energy Absorption: +200 — Cultivation Advancement: +120 — Body Tempering Complete: Perfect Foundation Establishment — Special Power Unlocked: Heavenly Thunder Mastery
Lin Yuan's eyes glowed faintly with electric light. He could feel it—power surging within him, a power beyond the ordinary. The Heavenly Thunder had not only tempered his body but had become a part of him.
The storm raged on, lightning crashing down again and again. Each bolt was absorbed, and with each strike, Lin Yuan's power grew. His body, his Qi, and even his soul were refined to new heights.
> ORB INTERFACE — Heavenly Thunder Mastery — Cultivation Realm: Foundation Establishment (Heavenly Thunder) — Energy Absorbed: +500 — New Abilities Gained: — Thunderstrike Form (Active) — Lightning Manipulation (Passive)
As the final bolt of lightning struck, Lin Yuan raised his hand, catching the bolt as if it were a mere spark. The energy danced around his fingers before dispersing. His aura surged, a fierce blend of refined Qi and crackling thunder.
The sky cleared, sunlight piercing through the clouds. Lin Yuan stood in the clearing, his body radiating a faint electric glow. He had done it.
While his qi had broken through to Initial stage Foundation Establishment,his body had already reached perfect stage Foundation Establishment and he had also gained the power of Heavenly Thunder—a force feared by all evil and dark beings.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Yuan clenched his fist. His body was stronger, his senses sharper, and the power of lightning danced at his fingertips.