103: Impacting the mid-stage of foundation building

The Yan Clan Cultivator's expression changed drastically. In his haste, he blocked with the black banner in front of him, while simultaneously spitting a mouthful of essence blood onto the banner. The banner's surface glowed with intense black light, condensing into a heavy Ghost-head Shield.

Boom!

The crimson Sword Qi slashed fiercely onto the Ghost-head Shield, producing a deafening roar.

Flames and black Qi intertwined and eroded each other frantically, eventually annihilating one another.

The Yan Clan Cultivator was shaken back repeatedly, his blood and Qi churning. Although he blocked the strike, he appeared quite wretched, and the spiritual light on the black banner dimmed significantly.

Lin Feng panted slightly, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter. Those two consecutive sword strikes just now had allowed him to faintly touch upon a key insight.

Wood and fire, mutually generating and aiding each other—why must they be converted one after the other? Could they... exist simultaneously?

Just as the Yan Clan Cultivator was preparing for a desperate struggle, Lin Feng closed his eyes, his mind completely sinking into the comprehension of the two types of Sword Essence.

The next moment, he suddenly opened his eyes and gripped the sword hilt with both hands. The wood and fire Sword Essences within his body no longer converted into one another, but instead began to resonate and blend.

"Sword Qi Differentiation, Wood and Fire Mutual Aid."

With a clear shout, the spiritual sword in his hand underwent a strange transformation. At the core of the sword blade remained the emerald Wood Attribute Sword Essence, while the outer edge burned with crimson Fire Attribute Sword Essence.

Lin Feng swung his sword, and a half-green, half-red, intertwined Sword Qi—like a roaring Azure Dragon wreathed in raging flames—tore through the air and shot toward the Yan Clan Cultivator.

"This... what is this?" The Yan Clan Cultivator turned pale with fright, channeling all his spiritual power into the black banner to once again condense the Ghost-head Shield.

This time, however, the green Sword Qi was the first to pass through the Ghost-head Shield, weakening its Yin-evil defense. Immediately following, the crimson Sword Qi on the periphery exploded violently, like a volcanic eruption.

Crack! Rumble!

The Ghost-head Shield shattered instantly, and the black banner was snapped in half.

The Yan Clan Cultivator screamed as his chest was pierced by the Sword Qi. He was sent flying, smashing heavily against the rock wall. His Meridians were eroded by the dual Wood and Fire Sword Intent, leaving him severely wounded and unconscious, his cultivation completely crippled.

Lin Feng panted heavily, his face pale, but as he looked at the gradually dissipating sword of blended green and red in his hand, his eyes were filled with excitement. Sword Qi Differentiation—he had finally achieved a preliminary mastery of it.

However, before he could catch his breath, the spiritual power boiling within him from the outburst and Epiphany began to frantically strike against his Bottleneck.

Lin Feng's expression changed. He forcibly suppressed his churning blood and Qi, collected his spoils, incinerated all traces, and enduring the agitation of his spiritual power, he summoned the wine immortal gourd. Swaying, he soared into the sky, speeding toward the Sect.

I must return to enter seclusion immediately.

Upon returning to the Sect, Lin Feng knew his current state had reached a critical point. Not daring to delay for a moment, he immediately entered his Immortal Cave and activated multiple layers of Restrictions.

Inside the cultivation room, Lin Feng sat cross-legged on a prayer mat. He first took a Tranquility Medicinal Pill and adjusted his breathing for a moment, slowly smoothing out the fatigue and minor hidden injuries from the great battle.

Once his mind was completely settled and his blood and Qi had returned to peace, he finally took out the bottle of Five Elements Condensing Liquid obtained from the Sect Grand Competition.

When the stopper was opened, the spiritual liquid inside appeared as a warm amber color. A refreshing and exotic fragrance quietly diffused; it was not strong, yet it made his spirit feel invigorated.

Without hesitation, he consumed the spiritual liquid.

The expected scene of majestic medicinal power battering his Meridians did not occur. Upon entering his stomach, the spiritual liquid initially only transformed into a gentle warmth. It was not scalding, but slowly dispersed into his limbs like soaking in a hot spring on a winter day, dispelling the cold and fatigue accumulated during his days of flight.

The heartstrings that had been constantly taut due to anxiety and urgency actually loosened a few degrees involuntarily under the envelopment of this warmth.

Time passed quietly in the silence. The Spiritual Qi within the Immortal Cave slowly gathered and was steadily drawn into his body, transforming into pure spiritual power that settled in his Dantian.

Sunlight passed through the Restrictions, casting mottled light and shadows on the floor of the quiet room, shifting, lengthening, and disappearing in a daily cycle, over and over again.

Lin Feng's breathing was long and steady, and the aura surrounding him grew increasingly condensed and heavy as his spiritual power accumulated.

The Bottleneck of Foundation Establishment Mid-stage, under the continuous nourishment of the medicinal power and the natural accumulation of spiritual power, no longer seemed indestructible. Instead, it became like a riverbank washed day and night by flowing water, gradually becoming smooth and loose.

In the blink of an eye, a month and a half passed quietly.

On this day, the spiritual power within Lin Feng's body naturally flowed to a certain peak of fullness, and his Dantian Qi Sea vibrated slightly, emitting a soft chime.

That layer of obstruction was gently punctured, and pure spiritual power surged into a broader path of Meridians. After running for one full cycle, it slowly returned to tranquility.

He slowly opened his eyes, a divine light contained within his gaze, clear and calm. Feeling the spiritual power within him—far more abundant and solid than before his seclusion—and his more stable and firm Dao Foundation, he knew that Foundation Establishment Mid-stage was achieved.

After a brief tidy-up, Lin Feng went directly to Cloud Vast Pavilion to seek an audience with his Revered Master, Lu Yuchan.

Inside Cloud Vast Pavilion, Lu Yuchan was still dressed in a plain white gown, sitting quietly upon a jade platform. Seeing Lin Feng enter, she slowly opened her eyes, her gaze falling upon him.

With just one look, a flicker of nearly imperceptible surprise and joy flashed deep within her cold eyes.

She could naturally see that Lin Feng had successfully broken through to Foundation Establishment Mid-stage, but that was not the key point.

The key lay in her keen perception that the spiritual power surrounding her Disciple was exceptionally pure, his aura was calm and heavy, and his Foundation was so stable that it far exceeded that of an ordinary Cultivator who had just broken through, even faintly revealing a solidness as if it had been tempered a thousand times.

This was definitely not an effect that could be achieved through simple seclusion and bitter cultivation; he must have experienced great tempering or had an extraordinary encounter.

However, there was no ripple on her face. She merely nodded: "Not bad. Foundation Establishment Mid-stage, your Foundation is not floating and your spiritual power is solid. It seems you have gained much from this trip."

She paused, her tone remaining flat, but she naturally shifted the topic: "A month ago, that girl Xiao Qinghan from Beast Taming Peak returned in a hurry, speaking of a sudden change in Hundred Beasts Mountain. She said you went missing while leading away a powerful enemy and was burning with anxiety, begging the Sect to send people to search for you."

When mentioning "burning with anxiety," her tone seemed to soften slightly, and her gaze lingered on Lin Feng's face for a moment, as if wanting to see his reaction.

"Since you have returned safely and your cultivation has progressed, go to Beast Taming Peak. Firstly, to put Martial Niece Xiao's mind at ease, and secondly, regarding the details of the Hundred Beasts Mountain matter, perhaps you and Martial Niece Xiao will need to report to the Sect together." Having finished, she closed her eyes once more.

Hearing this, Lin Feng was slightly startled, then bowed respectfully: "Yes, this Disciple shall head to Beast Taming Peak immediately."

Exiting Cloud Vast Pavilion, Lin Feng rode the wine immortal gourd, transforming into a streak of light as he flew toward Beast Taming Peak.

Just as he landed on the cloud platform of Beast Taming Peak, a crisp voice rang out from the side: "Junior Brother Lin?"

Lin Feng turned his head to see Xiao Qinghan leaping down from the back of a brilliantly feathered spirit bird, walking quickly toward him. Today she wore a goose-yellow dress, her features carrying their usual liveliness, but upon closer inspection, there seemed to be a bit more concern and urgency in her expression than before.

She walked up close and scrutinized Lin Feng carefully. Especially after sensing the noticeably more steady aura on him, the surprise and joy in her eyes grew even stronger: "You... you're alright? And you even broke through? That's wonderful!"

Just then, a gentle, laughing voice came from nearby: "Oh, isn't this the star pupil of Yunmiao Peak? You've finally come back in one piece. If you hadn't returned soon, I'm afraid this girl of mine would have nagged my Beast Taming Peak into collapsing."