NOVEL NEXT Chapter 22 – Foundation Establishment
After enduring the trials of blood and sweat, all the spiritual energy within Lin Hao's body transformed into golden liquid, leaving no room for further metamorphosis.
He asked his senior sister to escort the three female cultivators away and then directly consumed the Foundation Establishment Pill.
Seeing him enter meditation, Li Qiushui quickly set up a barrier to isolate any outside interference and focused her energy to protect him.
Boom!
Lin Hao suddenly stood up, his skin flushed red, resembling a boiled shrimp!
Li Qiushui's face turned pale with worry for Lin Hao. What was happening?
She wanted to help but couldn't interfere, as any external force during a cultivator's breakthrough could lead to failure, a drop in cultivation level, or even death.
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle...
The fire within nearly roasted Lin Hao's internal organs, and his skin was cracking open, as if about to turn into charcoal.
Li Qiushui dared not watch any longer and closed her beautiful eyes.
She didn't know how much time had passed until she felt a calmness return, prompting her to open her eyes.
Seeing Lin Hao lying on the ground, his clothes tattered and his skin pitch black, she cried out in shock.
"Junior Brother Lin..."
She called out twice, receiving no response, and reached out a jade-like finger to check his breath, only to have it bitten.
"Senior Sister, what are you doing?" Lin Hao had a playful smirk on his face.
Hmph!
Li Qiushui snorted softly, then pounded his chest with her delicate fist, playfully scolding, "What are you doing? You scared me to death!"
Then she joyfully congratulated him, "Junior Brother, congratulations on becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator."
"Foundation Establishment is nothing special..."
"Compared to Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment is a significant leap. You could defeat me with just one finger now."
"No, Senior Sister, I'm still used to using two fingers."
Lin Hao grasped her jade-like hand and said sincerely, "Thank you, Senior Sister, for helping me with the Foundation Establishment."
Li Qiushui's delicate face showed a complex emotion as she softly said, "No need to thank me, just hope that your path to immortality remains evergreen, and when you become truly powerful, don't forget me."
"How could I!"
"Ew, you stink. Go wash up."
Lin Hao sniffed himself and realized he did smell bad, his skin covered in a layer of black substance.
...
He lay in the bath, washing away the impurities expelled from his body while carefully sensing the changes within.
Previously, his spiritual energy was like a single vat of liquid, but now it was a small pond, and his spiritual awareness had expanded tenfold!
Compared to the Qi Refining stage, it was a qualitative change!
Thinking back, he had once considered challenging Wang Jingzhan, who had already reached Foundation Establishment, with his Qi Refining cultivation. He couldn't help but laugh at his own naivety.
After washing up, he and his senior sister engaged in another intense battle, leaving him thoroughly satisfied.
The top three advancement competition, clear skies.
Six prodigies emerged from thousands of disciples, standing on the high platform, receiving countless gazes.
The Grand Elder of the Xuan Yin Sect glanced at the six prodigies.
Swish!
The Grand Elder took out six bamboo sticks enveloped in spiritual energy and announced with a strong voice, "Now, draw your lots."
The six stepped forward to draw their lots.
Lin Hao held the number one lot, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Who would his opponent be?
"Those who drew the number one lot, stay. The others, step down for now."
As the Grand Elder's words fell, only two people remained on the stage.
Lin Hao looked at his opponent, Jiang Mingfei.
It was this bastard, which made him breathe a sigh of relief.
Opposite him, Jiang Mingfei initially showed joy at facing Lin Hao, but... who knew his opponent seemed relieved.
As if he thought Jiang Mingfei was an easy target.
"Brat, you're unlucky to face me today!" Jiang Mingfei said arrogantly.
"Fighting you would dirty my hands, indeed quite unlucky."
Jiang Mingfei, enraged and humiliated, retorted, "You little brat, all you have is a sharp tongue!"
"Thanks for the compliment."
The audience below the stage buzzed with discussion.
"Lin Hao from Great Bamboo Peak is amusing, sharp-tongued and relentless."
"On the stage, it's about strength, not words. No matter how much Lin Hao talks, he's just a clown."
"I think Lin Hao is quite strong, having defeated Cui Qing'er from Little Bamboo Peak."
"So what? Brother Jiang is much stronger than Fairy Qing'er."
"Lin Hao is the dark horse of this competition. Can he defeat the renowned Jiang Mingfei?"
An elder, without hesitation, said, "Mingfei is not only exceptionally talented but also the grandson of Elder Jiang, with a deep family heritage.
How could a rootless cultivator from a humble background defeat a genius?"
"That's true. Brother Jiang once fought several ninth-level Qi Refining cultivators and won, even slaying a half-step second-tier demon beast, truly awe-inspiring.
Lin Hao is unknown, without any impressive achievements, and cannot compare to Brother Jiang."
Lin Hao stood on the stage, ignoring the surrounding noise.
Jiang Mingfei, however, was full of confidence, looking down on his opponent, directly revealing his Great Perfection of Qi Refining cultivation, exuding a faint aura of authority.
"Brat, kneel and surrender now, and it's not too late," Jiang Mingfei said with a smug smile.
"Otherwise, you'll regret standing on this stage."
"Oh," Lin Hao replied calmly.
"You..." Jiang Mingfei felt his opponent was deliberately mocking him, gritting his teeth, "Brat, let's see how long you can keep up this act!"
"Come and fight!"
Lin Hao raised an eyebrow.
"Alright! Brat, you really don't take me seriously!" Jiang Mingfei felt his lungs were about to explode with anger!
He suddenly lowered his body, like a warrior preparing to charge, pulling out several talismans and chanting to activate them.
Golden Shield Talisman, Cold Soul Talisman, Divine Power Talisman, Wind Walk Talisman, and more.
A barrage of talismans rained down, his momentum astonishing.
"As expected of Brother Jiang, using precious first-grade top-grade talismans without hesitation."
Feeling the amazed gazes around him, Jiang Mingfei was very pleased. This was the result he wanted, to overpower his opponent under the shocked eyes of the audience!