https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-72-Aiming-for-Foundation-Building-/13504920/
Chapter 73: Rebirth After Death
Chapter 73: Rebirth After Death
"Cultivators of Foundation Building lay the immortal foundation, forging their physical bodies while refining mortal impurities. When the six senses grow tranquil and the form dissolves into qi, the five energies converge toward unity. With three yang forces gathered at the crown, perfection is achieved when form and self are forgotten—the embryonic immortal self-manifests. Only when yin is exhausted and yang is pure can one transcend the mortal shell and ascend to immortality, leaving behind the mundane world to join the ranks of the immortals, achieving eternal life and boundless freedom."
Inside the cultivation cave, Lv Yang sat cross-legged on a reed meditation cushion, contemplating these words.
“The Foundation Building stage is described differently across cultivation techniques, but at their core, their paths are essentially the same.”
It was the process of using one’s true qi as a foundation to elevate the consciousness sea and refine the body into ethereal energy for ascension.
Take, for instance, his own Nine Metamorphosis Dragon Art, which, when mastered, could forge the third-rank true qi known as “True Dragon Slaughter Qi.”
Yet the more advanced Ten-Thousand Chariot Dragon Ascension Sutra explicitly detailed how to complete this ascension process using the True Dragon Slaughter Qi. This highlighted the importance of one’s True Qi Rank.
Without sufficient rank, cultivators would either fail to lift their consciousness sea or collapse mid-ascent, plummeting to their deaths with no hope of burial.
The entire Foundation Building phase was essentially a trial of ascension. And the summit of this trial was the “Foundation Building Stage” itself.
Reaching this realization, Lv Yang couldn’t help but exclaim, “Foundation Building Stage… Foundation Building Stage! So it’s not a realm, but a place!”
Yet ascension was only the beginning.
Once a cultivator elevated their consciousness sea into the Foundation Building Stage, they had to forge an immortal foundation to anchor themselves there—a second formidable hurdle.
Even cultivators who succeeded in ascending often exhausted their energy reserves, leaving them barely able to construct a fragile foundation. An unstable foundation would inevitably shatter under the Stage’s immense pressure.
While failure during ascension might leave one alive, a shattered foundation meant certain death. Luo Wuya had likely perished at this very stage.
Moreover, when cultivators began forging their foundations, infinite demonic thoughts would spontaneously arise. Without unshakable resolve, even the most skilled cultivator would falter.
“Every step is fraught with peril,” Lv Yang muttered.
After reviewing the entire breakthrough process, he memorized the Ten-Thousand Chariot Dragon Ascension Sutra’s techniques and secrets. Then he retrieved his Ascension Edict, holding it in his palm as he channeled his energy.
In an instant, the edict transformed into a streak of light, vanishing into his consciousness sea. His mind cleared, and his body felt weightless, as if soaring through the heavens.
Closing his eyes, he entered a meditative state.
From his dantian, a strand of true qi emerged, sprouting branches, scales, claws, teeth, and flowing whiskers before coalescing into a vivid, living dragon.
Boom!
The dragon surged from his dantian, traversing the governing and conception meridians, passing the crimson palace, entering the purple mansion, and plunging into the depths of his consciousness sea.
Suddenly, the world brightened. His boundless qi, once inexhaustible, now gushed forth like a floodgate had opened, generating an indescribable force that lifted his consciousness sea skyward.
“Thankfully, I have the Ascension Edict,” Lv Yang thought.
Elevating the consciousness sea was no easy feat—normally, nine heavenly barriers would block the ascent, each draining immense energy. Yet the Ascension Edict, bestowed by True Man Yinshan, had flung all nine barriers wide open, leaving his path unobstructed.
More crucially, his journey didn’t start from the lowest point.
“Because I mastered the Sage Body Theft Cultivation Technique, I already possess a certain spiritual standing. In truth, I began my ascension midway.”
This shortcut spared him a grueling stretch. Though seemingly minor, it had spared him immense strain.
The Sage Body Theft Cultivation Technique and the Ascension Edict each averted one calamity along his path, while his third-rank True Dragon Slaughter Qi ensured he had sufficient reserves to ascend methodically.
Time lost all meaning.
Eventually, the blinding light before him dimmed, revealing an endless expanse. Looking down, Lv Yang saw his own physical body. Beyond it stretched the Yinshan Mountains, the Primordial Sacred Sect, rivers, mountains, and the bustling mortal world—life itself.
He had witnessed this scene once before atop Skull Mountain, when True Man Yinshan showed him a battle between Foundation Building cultivators. Back then, his spiritual senses had been clouded, preventing him from discerning their forms. Now, he could see clearly—near the northwest, a figure sat in meditation.
True Man Yinshan.
The immortal foundation beneath him was a black mountain stretching thousands of miles, yet even this vastness seemed infinitesimal within the boundless Foundation Building Stage.
At that moment, Yinshan seemed to notice him. A voice echoed softly:
“Focus your mind. Do not falter.”
The words rang like cascading spring water, cleansing Lv Yang’s wandering thoughts. He realized in alarm, “Demonic thoughts have invaded!”
Reining in his focus, he turned to the Foundation Building Stage. The Sage Body Theft Cultivation Technique, Ascension Edict, and his third-rank true qi had all reached their limits—what remained was his own effort. He began forging his immortal foundation.
But soon, a problem arose.
“My qi is running out.”
The brief distraction had cost him thirty percent of his energy, worsening his already precarious reserves.
With no choice, Lv Yang reduced the scale of his foundation. Normally, an immortal foundation’s size reflected a cultivator’s potential, but now he sacrificed future strength for survival.
Halving his original scale, his qi barely sufficed.
Yet suddenly, True Man Yinshan rose and strode toward him, cackling, “Excellent! The immortal foundation is complete. You’ve not disappointed me—my treasures hunger for such energy, and you’re the perfect candidate.”
Before his words faded, Yinshan thrust his hand forward.
The familiar, terrifying sensation returned. Lv Yang had seen Yinshan’s power firsthand—this was no illusion.
Wait… no illusion?
“Impossible!” Lv Yang’s mind jolted. Back when Yinshan confronted the Yun Clan Patriarch, he hadn’t needed such a grand display. This was a fake!
At once, the illusion shattered. True Man Yinshan was still seated, sighing regretfully, “A shame, younger brother.”
Lv Yang looked down. The immortal foundation he’d painstakingly forged lay riddled with holes, corrupted by his brief lapse into distraction.
He sighed, “Misery indeed.”
Boom!
The collapsing foundation shook the Foundation Building Stage, triggering external heavenly phenomena—a wailing wind howled like a mourning sky.
As Lv Yang etched the experience into his memory, he silently chanted:
“Ten Thousand Lives Scroll!”
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
