Chapter 52: Foundation Establishment Attack

The night grew late.

Indoors.

Li Chang’an slowly opened his eyes, a trace of joy flashing in their depths.

’Qi Refining Fifth Layer!’

This breakthrough was quite smooth.

It was a natural progression.

He had been at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer for a long time, building a profound foundation. He only needed one final push.

Switching his Cultivation Technique had provided the opportunity to break through.

’After switching to the Cyan Wood Technique, my efficiency at absorbing Spiritual Power is far greater than before.’

Li Chang’an pondered.

Now, he didn’t lack cultivation resources, had a superior Spiritual Land for cultivation, and had even switched to a better Cultivation Technique.

’All my other problems are solved. Only my Spiritual Root is a bit weak, but cultivating to Foundation Establishment shouldn’t be an issue.’

Li Chang’an thought to himself.

Although breaking through to Foundation Establishment was difficult with a Low Grade Spirit Root, it wasn’t impossible.

’If I get the chance, I should get my hands on a few more Foundation Establishment Pills.’

By taking a Foundation Establishment Pill, even if the breakthrough failed, a Cultivator wouldn’t suffer a backlash.

Therefore, with enough Foundation Establishment Pills, if one attempt failed, you could just try again.

Sooner or later, one attempt would succeed!

’However, Qinghe Marketplace is just a small place. It’s very difficult to obtain Foundation Establishment Pills and various Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects here.’

Li Chang’an thought to himself.

’Ultimately, I’ll still have to go to Yellow Crane Immortal City.’

A moment later.

He made a decision.

After breaking through to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, he would leave Qinghe Marketplace and head to the Immortal City to seek his chance at Foundation Establishment.

’Before then, I need to save up more Spirit Stones and do my best to acquire a Body Refining Technique.’

Li Chang’an mulled it over for a moment and confirmed his goals.

Saving Spirit Stones was for buying Foundation Establishment Pills.

Body Refinement was for his vitality.

To break through to Foundation Establishment, one needed to overcome the three barriers of "Essence," "Qi," and "Divine."

The Divine Barrier refers to one’s Spiritual Power.

And Li Chang’an’s Spiritual Power far exceeded that of Cultivators at the same stage, so this barrier wouldn’t be much of a problem.

The Qi Barrier represents Magical Power.

’The Magical Power from the Cyan Wood Technique is extremely potent. It shouldn’t hold me back when I try for Foundation Establishment.’

Li Chang’an was fairly satisfied with his Magical Power.

Only the Essence Barrier made him a little unsure.

’The essence of one’s flesh and blood begins to wane after the age of sixty. Thus, it’s best to reach Foundation Establishment before then, unless one has practiced a Body Refining Technique to firmly lock in their vitality.’

At his current cultivation speed, he was certain he could reach the Qi Refining Ninth Layer before he turned sixty.

Even without Body Refinement, he would still meet the conditions to attempt Foundation Establishment.

But he felt it wasn’t safe enough.

’With Body Refinement, my vitality will be more vigorous, making it easier to break through to Foundation Establishment.’

Li Chang’an mused.

In the coming days, he had to pay more attention to news about Body Refining Techniques.

At this moment, a golden light flashed before his eyes, and the contents of the Divination appeared.

[Divination has been refreshed]

[Today’s Divination · Auspicious]

[The Cao Family’s Foundation Establishment Ancestor breaks through to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, raids overnight, and battles the Zheng Family’s Foundation Establishment Ancestor. The Marketplace falls into chaos. You take advantage of the chaos to eliminate Zheng Jinbao and obtain the wealth he has accumulated over many years.]

’A Foundation Establishment Ancestor is attacking?’

Li Chang’an’s heart jumped in shock.

His expression turned grave as he read the Divination’s contents carefully several times.

’The conflict between the three great families has finally spilled over into the Marketplace, and it’s happening so fast.’

Li Chang’an’s heart grew heavy.

A battle between Foundation Establishment cultivators!

If two Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Ancestors were to fight inside the Marketplace, who knows how many deaths and injuries would result.

After all, to those at Foundation Establishment, everyone below was an ant.

A Foundation Establishment Ancestor could kill a Late Stage of Qi Refining expert with a single, casual blast of Magical Power.

’In such a dangerous situation, how can the Divination be ’Auspicious’? Could it be that the two Foundation Establishment Ancestors will fight outside the Marketplace?’

Li Chang’an pondered for a moment and felt that must be the case.

Otherwise, how could he possibly have a chance to eliminate Zheng Jinbao?

’I can’t let my guard down. I have to prepare for the worst.’

Without the slightest hesitation, Li Chang’an immediately began to prepare.

A moment later.

He stealthily moved away from the Marketplace, cast the Little Five Elements Escape Technique, and burrowed deep into the earth.

He went straight down, entering an extremely deep region underground.

’Hiding here should be safe. Unless my luck is absolutely terrible, I won’t get caught in the crossfire.’

Li Chang’an calmed his heart and mind, concealing his entire aura.

He waited silently beneath the thick, yellow earth, just like a stone.

He had left several Puppets in the Marketplace.

One of them was his body double, another was watching Zheng Jinbao, and the rest were responsible for observing the overall situation in the Marketplace.

Time slowly passed.

About half an hour later.

On the distant horizon, a streak of light suddenly shot across the sky.

Immediately after, came a wild laugh.

"Hahaha, Zheng the Ghost, come on out and catch up with this old man!"

The voice was like a thunderclap, exploding in the silent night sky.

In an instant, the entire Marketplace was startled awake.

"What’s happening?"

"Zheng the Ghost, is he talking about the Zheng Family’s Foundation Establishment Ancestor?"

Countless people woke from their sleep, their faces filled with terror.

What kind of person would dare to call the Zheng Family’s Foundation Establishment Ancestor "Zheng the Ghost"?

Thinking of the conflict between the three great families, everyone felt a sense of dread.

"Could it be that the Foundation Establishment Ancestors from the Cao and Wu Families have come to attack?"

Soon, an extremely tyrannical aura appeared just outside the Marketplace.

The newcomer was a middle-aged man with a square face, brimming with vigorous vitality and an overwhelming aura. It was none other than the Cao Family’s Foundation Establishment Ancestor.

Cao Zhengxiong!

"Zheng the Ghost, have you finally died of old age? Why won’t you come out and see this old man?"

He let out a thunderous roar.

The sound made countless people dizzy, their vision blurring.

Furthermore, the terrifying pressure of a Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment expert was released without reservation, suffocating the many Cultivators in the Marketplace.

Just then, a cold snort echoed through the night.

"Hmph!"

Everyone felt the pressure on them lighten.

The next moment, an old man in a white robe with white hair and a white beard rose into the air, facing Cao Zhengxiong from a distance.

The aura he emitted had also reached the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.

It was the Zheng Family’s Foundation Establishment Ancestor.

Zheng Yuandao!

"Zheng the Ghost, this old man knew you weren’t dead!"

Cao Zhengxiong laughed loudly.

Zheng Yuandao’s expression was grave, his aged eyes fixed on Cao Zhengxiong.

"You’ve actually advanced to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment?"

"That’s right!"

Cao Zhengxiong’s aura was tyrannical, and he made no effort to restrain it.

"Back then, you relied on your higher Cultivation to bully this old man repeatedly, even blocking the way outside the Cao Clan Territory! If it weren’t for the protection of our Array, I’m afraid you would have killed me long ago!"

Cao Zhengxiong’s voice boomed like a great bell as he spoke of the past.

Now, he was triumphant and his heart was filled with satisfaction.

"Zheng the Ghost, back then, did you ever imagine this day would come?"

Hearing this, Zheng Yuandao’s expression remained unchanged, but a trace of worry rose in his heart.

His sun was setting.

But Cao Zhengxiong was in his prime, with at least a hundred years left to live!

"Did you come here today just to show off your Cultivation?"

Zheng Yuandao asked nonchalantly.

Seeing his calm and composed appearance, the many Zheng Family disciples below relaxed slightly.

The many Loose Cultivators also breathed a sigh of relief.

From the looks of it, the Zheng Family’s Foundation Establishment Ancestor didn’t seem to be at a disadvantage.

But Cao Zhengxiong suddenly sneered.

"Zheng the Ghost, you don’t have much lifespan left, why bother putting up a strong front? As you are now, how many years do you have left? How many more times can you cast your Magic?"

"Hmph, we’ll know after a fight!"

Zheng Yuandao’s aura surged, and he actually initiated the battle.

His aura was powerful and majestic.

He showed no sign of weakness at all!

"Good, good, good! This old man had the same idea!"

Cao Zhengxiong showed no fear, his will to fight soaring.

The two transformed into streaks of light, instantly moving far away from the Marketplace.

Before long, from far away under the night sky, came earth-shattering rumbles.

The battle of Foundation Establishment had begun!