125: Foundation Building (Second Stage)

His Meridians throbbed with pain as they were rapidly expanded by the surging Spiritual Qi, feeling as if countless needles were piercing them simultaneously.

But following that was the ultimate pleasure of an explosive increase in power.

Intense pain and comfort coexisted.

Lin Yan did not dare to be negligent and immediately circulated the Mind-Cultivation Technique of the Azure Emperor Longevity Art, guiding this massive Spiritual Qi to flow according to a specific route.

The Spiritual Qi vortex within his Dantian rotated and grew at an unprecedented speed.

Under the continuous impact of the violent Spiritual Qi, cracks began to appear in the shackles of the Foundation Establishment First Layer.

Finally, under a violent wash of the Spiritual Qi tide... "Crack!"

The Realm barrier that had blocked him for a long time shattered at the sound!

In an instant, all the intense pain receded like a tide, replaced by a feeling of sudden enlightenment and the refreshing joy of a vast, open sky.

The majestic Spiritual Qi was no longer violent, but instead circulated obediently through his body. The Spiritual Qi vortex in his Dantian had expanded by nearly fifty percent.

Its color had also become deeper, looking more solid and heavy.

Foundation Establishment Second Layer, achieved!

Lin Yan slowly opened his eyes. A sharp light flashed through them before being replaced by a deep calm.

Feeling the power surging through his body, he raised his hand and gave it a light squeeze. The air actually emitted a slight explosive pop, and Sword Qi seemed to linger between his fingers.

“With the Spiritual Qi cultivation of the Foundation Establishment Second Layer, if I go all out, my combat strength can reach the Foundation Establishment Late Stage for a short period,” Lin Yan thought to himself.

“But I shouldn't fight for long. It's best not to provoke such a powerful opponent.”

...Ever since he catalyzed the first stalk of Fire Crystal Rice and gained enlightenment into the Transcendent Realm Brewing Technique,

Lin Yan began to cultivate the Crimson Flame Rice and Fire Crystal Rice in his spirit fields regardless of the cost.

To brew spirit wine containing fire essence, he was really giving it his all.

He held particularly high hopes for the mutated Fire Crystal Rice.

He wouldn't let a single Crimson Flame Rice plant showing signs of mutation go, putting all his effort into cultivating them.

【spirit plant Name: Crimson Flame Rice】

【Growth Progress: 734/1000】

【spirit plant Characteristics: Wood and Fire Dual-Attribute Spirit Rice】

【Mutation Progress: 98%】

【Growth Status: Absorbing a small amount of fire spirit Qi, experience +3】

“This stalk of Crimson Flame Rice is about to transform.”

While cultivating the Crimson Flame Rice and Fire Crystal Rice, Lin Yan had invested many fire-attribute spiritual materials, such as fire spirit stones.

This greatly accelerated the growth progress of the Spirit Rice.

Lin Yan naturally wouldn't overlook any Crimson Flame Rice that was about to mutate.

“Every time I catalyze a mutation in the Crimson Flame Rice, my Transcendent Realm Brewing Technique improves slightly, but I always feel like something is missing,” Lin Yan thought.

This feeling of being separated by a thin veil was very uncomfortable.

“I hope this rice stalk doesn't disappoint me...”

Immediately, Lin Yan sat cross-legged and began to catalyze it using the Azure Emperor Longevity Art.

Green Spiritual Qi flowed continuously into the interior of the Crimson Flame Rice.

Resonance was achieved at this moment.

Under his catalysis, the mutation of the Crimson Flame Rice entered its most critical moment.

Soon, the transformation occurred.

The stem of the Crimson Flame Rice became more crystal clear, as if carved from the purest red crystal, with golden flowing light inside as graceful as a galaxy.

The originally crimson rice ears shone brilliantly. Each grain of rice seemed to have shed its outer layer, becoming transparent and turning into a dazzling crystal form.

The grains, which had not yet fully matured, huddled closely together, emitting a crimson halo like a rising morning sun.

A strange fragrance filled the air, a blend of the aroma of rice mixed with the heat of fire and the crispness of crystal stones.

【spirit plant Name: Fire Crystal Rice】

【Growth Progress: 740/1000】

【spirit plant Characteristics: A type of Spirit Rice containing pure fire essence】

【Growth Status: None】

...At the same time, a profound insight entered Lin Yan's mind.

Countless inspirations regarding brewing runes erupted like a spring.

He clearly "saw" the tiny energy cycles constructed within the Crimson Flame Rice, and every detail was deeply imprinted in his mind.

How to lead, how to guide, how to solidify, and how to transform.

This was no longer a theoretical deduction on paper, but an imprint branded deep within his Soul after personal practice.

“So that's how it is...”

Lin Yan muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously tracing through the air, as a wisp of green Origin Qi, barely visible to the naked eye, flowed from his fingertips.

The core rune of the brewing technique then manifested.

This time, its strokes did not increase, but it was more profound than before.

His understanding of this rune improved significantly at this moment.

But there wasn't much surprise on Lin Yan's face.

“Still a little short... I feel like I've reached the limit of the Transcendent Realm.” A look of confusion appeared on Lin Yan's face:

“What exactly is missing?”

He could feel that there was another, higher step after the Transcendent Realm, but it was always just out of reach.

“Let nature take its course.” Shaking his head, he stopped thinking about it... The mutation probability of Crimson Flame Rice was not low.

Over the past year, the number of Fire Crystal Rice plants in the spirit field had increased to about twenty.

The first stalk of Fire Crystal Rice that had been successfully catalyzed was already close to maturity.

【spirit plant Name: Fire Crystal Rice】

【Growth Progress: 894/1000】

【spirit plant Characteristics: A type of Spirit Rice containing pure fire essence】

【Growth Status: Absorbing mottled fire essence, experience +2】

Its plump grains were like works of art carved from red crystal, standing quietly in the field, emitting a hot and powerful aura.

Lin Yan was very much looking forward to the maturity of this Fire Crystal Rice.

It would certainly take his spirit wine a step further... A month's time passed in the blink of an eye.

The day Lin Yan and Lie Shanhe had agreed upon to collect the sword had arrived.

The Spirit Artifact Hall was still a scene of bustling activity, with the clanging of hammers, the whistling of bellows, and the low shouts of Cultivators interwoven into a unique symphony.

Lin Yan walked through the noisy crowd and went straight to Lie Shanhe's Artifact Refining area.

Before he even got close, a sharp and peerless aura rushed towards him, making the air feel as if it were about to be sliced open.

The door to the quiet room behind the high platform was slightly ajar, and a loud, proud voice came from inside:

“Junior Brother Lin, you've finally come! Come in quickly, let me show you the masterpiece I've spent this past month on!”

The burly Lie Shanhe was standing in the center of the room with a look of pride on his face.

And in the furnace before him, which was emitting waves of crimson heat, a sword floated quietly within.

Lin Yan's gaze narrowed. He saw that the sword was about three feet long. The blade was not the usual metallic silver-white, but a vibrant green, as if carved from the finest jade, yet faintly flowing with a metallic luster.

The blade was not wide, but its lines were smooth, with an elegance that revealed a decisive resolution.

Most strikingly, on the spine of the sword, a texture of white Protective Aura like mist or smoke had naturally formed.

The texture extended from the hilt all the way to the tip, making the entire sword look like a piece of sealed green lightning, agile and lethal.