56: Great Perfection of Qi Refining

Su Sizhu shook her head, clearly not entirely convinced, but since Lin Feng was unwilling to say more, she didn't press the issue and turned back to focus on Alchemy.

After leaving the Spirit Pill Pavilion, Lin Feng first went to Shang Gong Hall, intending to collect his Sect rewards for the past few months.

Shang Gong Hall was bustling with people, even livelier than usual. Many Disciples were discussing, and without exception, the topic revolved around the upcoming Sect Grand Competition, which, it was said, would see many Foundation Establishment Stage Prodigies who had been in seclusion for years emerge to participate.

"Have you heard? Senior Brother Lu Chenyuan, the 'Sword Maniac' from Heavenly Solitary Peak, was already at Foundation Establishment Mid-stage three years ago. Last month, he emerged from seclusion to test his sword, and with a single strike, he cleaved open the seventh layer Restriction of the 'Sword Testing Stone.' That's a strength that only those at the Peak of Foundation Establishment Mid-stage can barely shake."

"More than that. It's said that Senior Sister Ruan from Kaiyang Peak made great strides in the Dao of Alchemy after Foundation Establishment. A few days ago, she actually succeeded in refining a furnace of 'Rejuvenation Pills.' When the pills were formed, brilliant light filled the sky, even startling the Spirit Pill Pavilion Elder."

"And Senior Sister Liu Qingqing from Jade Pivot Peak, after Foundation Establishment, cultivated her unique Spell, 'Thousand Silk Entanglement,' to the Transcendent Realm. It's said that during a Sect mission, she used this Spell to completely immobilize a Third-Rank Demonic Beast, the 'Blood-Eyed Demonic Ape,' preventing it from moving an inch."

"None of that is the most astonishing. A few days ago in the Martial Arts Arena, an unfamiliar Disciple defeated Senior Brother Zhao, who ranked in the top thirty of the inner Sect's top hundred list, in just three moves. To this day, no one knows his name or which Peak he belongs to..."

Lin Feng listened to these discussions with a calm expression, but his heart stirred slightly.

"It seems this Sect Grand Competition won't be too easy."

After collecting his Sect rewards, he walked out of Shang Gong Hall and flew past the Martial Arts Arena on his sword, where he saw two people sparring.

Both were Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators. One had fierce swordplay, while the other, facing the sharp sword moves, did not directly engage but calmly cast several Talismans.

Fireball Talismans to obstruct vision, Ice Cone Talismans to weaken sword momentum, Earth Shield Talismans to block just right—several low-grade Talismans were used with exquisite skill in his hands, neutralizing his opponent's attacks one by one.

"Senior Brother Li Yun's 'Thousand Talisman Illusory Hand' is getting more and more formidable," a Disciple whispered in admiration.

Lin Feng watched from above for a moment. Li Yun seemed to notice his gaze and glanced at him during a break in the sparring, a faint smile on his lips, before refocusing on the match.

Lin Feng's expression remained unchanged. He no longer lingered and flew directly towards Divine Sword Peak on his sword.

At the Peak, Sword Qi whistled, and Senior Brother Chu moved with the wind, practicing his sword.

The longsword in his hand flowed freely, its light sharp, carrying an indomitable will to break through illusions. The surrounding air hissed as it was cut.

Lin Feng did not disturb him, standing quietly in the distance, his mind immersed in the Nine Profound Sword Heart Art, while secretly activating the heaven-stealing vine to carefully comprehend the Sword Intent.

He was engrossed in watching, and unconsciously, he made a slash in the air, following Senior Brother Chu's sword momentum.

Chii. A Sword Qi shot forth, breaking through the air.

Senior Brother Chu's sword momentum suddenly retracted, and he turned to look at Lin Feng: "Junior Brother Lin? When did you return? Wait... that move you just made..."

His eyes widened. "You can actually imitate my 'Delusion-Slaying Sword Intent'? Although it only has its form and not its essence, this Sword Intent is definitely correct."

Lin Feng cupped his fists in a salute: "I just returned. Seeing Senior Brother's exquisite Sword Intent, I was moved and couldn't help but imitate it a bit. Please forgive my presumption, Senior Brother."

However, a wave of clarity and joy washed over him: with the Nine Profound Sword Heart Art as the Foundation, supplemented by the heaven-stealing vine, the path of integrating and learning from others' Sword Intent was indeed feasible.

Senior Brother Chu strode over and heavily patted his shoulder, making Lin Feng's body sway slightly.

He carefully examined Lin Feng: "Good kid. Not only is your Sword Intent comprehension astonishing, but your cultivation has also advanced rapidly. It seems this trip outside has brought you considerable gains."

He paused: "Since that's the case, you must seize the time and strive for a Breakthrough before the Grand Competition. This Sect Grand Competition is unlike previous ones; the rewards are exceptionally generous. The top ten in the Dao of Sword can enter the third floor of the Myriad Laws Pavilion to choose any sword art secret technique."

Senior Brother Chu sighed and continued: "Precisely because of this, some Disciples who used to Cultivate in seclusion or disdained participating in the Grand Competition are now tempted. This competition will likely be several times more intense than in previous years."

"With your Comprehension Ability and rate of progress, if you can successfully establish your Foundation before the Grand Competition, you might just be able to contend with these Prodigies," Senior Brother Chu patted him forcefully again.

Lin Feng cupped his fists again: "I have benefited greatly today. Thank you, Senior Brother. Junior Brother still needs to return and prepare for Foundation Establishment matters, so I will take my leave first."

After obtaining the Medicinal Pills from Su Sizhu, Lin Feng went to the Myriad Laws Pavilion, paid five Spirit Stones, rented a secret chamber in the Sect, and then sealed the stone door.

Sitting cross-legged on the stone bed, the numerous details observed during Alchemy, the insights gained from comprehending Sword Intent... various thoughts constantly clashed and merged in his mind. The Mind-Cultivation Technique of the Nine Profound Sword Heart Art operated on its own, and Spiritual Qi flowed ceaselessly within his body.

Half a month later, the Spiritual Qi, which had been stable within the Immortal Cave, suddenly fluctuated violently, converging like a vortex towards the center, then receding back into Lin Feng's body, and everything returned to calm.

He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and contained, and his aura was more harmonious and profound than before.

Qi Refining Great Perfection.

Feeling the surging Spiritual Power and solid Foundation within his body, he took a deep breath.

Only one month remained until the Sect Grand Competition.

He took out the foundation establishment pill, blood origin pill, and ice heart pill from his bracelet, examining them carefully.

With the Medicinal Pills ready and his Realm reached, he seemed to be standing at the threshold of Foundation Establishment.

'Should I... attempt Foundation Establishment now?' This thought was incredibly tempting.

But he ultimately suppressed the urge to immediately make the attempt. Foundation Establishment was a matter of great importance, requiring a peaceful mind and thorough preparation.

He decided to emerge from seclusion first and visit a few old acquaintances.

He first went to visit Martial Uncle Zhao Li and Ye Yuner.

Zhao Li sensed the harmonious and full Spiritual Pressure on him and heard that he was preparing to attempt Foundation Establishment. A complex yet gratified expression appeared on her face as she sighed:

"I can't believe... it's only been this long, and you've actually reached this step. When I first saw you, you were just..."

Ye Yuner, on the other hand, looked at him with adoration, chattering excitedly and asking about his adventures.

Lin Feng looked at the lively Junior Sister before him, smiled, and ruffled her hair: "I did encounter some things. I'll tell you slowly when I have time in the future."

After comforting Ye Yuner, Lin Feng took out the small azure banner he had obtained from Jiao Xuan and handed it to Martial Uncle Zhao Li: "Martial Uncle, please help me examine this item."

Zhao Li took it, infused a trace of Spiritual Power to carefully examine it, and saw a faint light flowing on the small banner, with a faint azure flood dragon phantom appearing and then disappearing.

She nodded and said: "This item is called the 'azure flood dragon banner.' It's a decent offensive Magical Artifact. With a flood dragon soul as its core, it can emit azure light for protection and also manifest an azure flood dragon phantom to attack enemies.

However, the refining technique is quite crude, failing to fully display its power. The potential of the Materials themselves is far greater than this.

I will re-refine it for you, which should significantly increase its power."

Lin Feng was overjoyed to hear this: "Then I'll trouble Martial Uncle."

To have a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator personally optimize a Magical Artifact was naturally something he eagerly desired.