Chương 128: Chapter 127: Breakthrough!

"System feedback: One hundred top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills!" This gift, without a doubt, triggered a critical reward. What started as one high-grade Foundation Establishment Pill had turned into one hundred top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills. Perfect! Ye Chen thought for a moment. Now, with the addition of these new pills, he had a total of one hundred and thirty top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills. Even with his poor spiritual root, the sheer number would nullify that disadvantage.

It was secure now! He gently wrapped his arm around Yao Xi's slender waist. The curve of her waist only made her full moon figure even more pronounced.

"I've obtained the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method, but I plan to use it for my own breakthrough," Ye Chen said. Yao Xi immediately smiled.

"That's great! Why don't you keep the high-grade Foundation Establishment Pill for your breakthrough? As for me, once I finish refining my spiritual fire and my strength increases, I might be able to secure the top spot this year!" Yao Xi showed no displeasure about Ye Chen keeping the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method. On the contrary, she was delighted. With Ye Chen's immense combat power, it would be a pity if he didn't break through to Foundation Establishment.

She even pulled out the pill bottle again, intending to offer it to Ye Chen. Ye Chen smiled and gently pushed the pill bottle back toward Yao Xi's clothes.

"Senior Sister, don't rush to break through just yet! Wait until after I've broken through, then you can attempt it!" With one hundred and thirty top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, Ye Chen likely wouldn't use them all. If he had any left after his breakthrough, he could always give them to Yao Xi. However, the origins of these top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills were a bit unclear.

So, he had to make sure to break through first, and only after Yao Xi used the Heart Command Talisman would he fully trust her. Although Yao Xi was the most grateful and considerate among the female cultivators he had encountered, Ye Chen knew that appearances could be deceiving. In his past life, he had seen many women who were devoted and loving when their husbands were thriving, only to turn their backs when they fell on hard times.

Therefore, Ye Chen had to ensure his own breakthrough to Foundation Establishment before handing over any top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills to Yao Xi. Yao Xi was momentarily taken aback. She had originally planned to refine her spiritual fire and then push forward with her breakthrough. But since Ye Chen had said so, she decided to listen. Without asking further questions, Yao Xi simply smiled and agreed.

"Junior Brother, are you staying tonight? Can you handle it?" Yao Xi asked while feeding Ye Chen sugar water, her long eyelashes fluttering with a playful smile. As she spoke, she shifted her position ever so slightly. Ye Chen had originally planned to decline. But then Yao Xi asked if he could handle it? How could a man not handle it? Though he knew Yao Xi's feedback qualifications had to be preserved. After all, once he broke through to Foundation Establishment, all his equipment would need to be updated.

Yao Xi would most likely break through herself, and she would be the perfect recipient for the gift. However, Ye Chen could still show Yao Xi that he was capable, all while ensuring her feedback qualifications were unaffected. With that in mind, Ye Chen leaned in close to Yao Xi's ear and whispered softly. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Yao Xi's face turned a shade of red as she stood up from the lounge chair, her movements graceful as she made her way toward the room. The door, however, was left slightly ajar. Clearly, she was waiting for her guest to follow.... Everything went incredibly smoothly. After teaching Yao Xi the various transformations of the full moon, Ye Chen felt completely refreshed as he returned to Sword Peak.

The moment he arrived, he announced, much to the maidservants' surprise, that he would be going into seclusion to break through to Foundation Establishment. All the items he needed for his breakthrough had already been prepared previously, when he had prepared for Yao Xi. They were all top-tier. This time, Ye Chen's breakthrough preparations were near perfection.

From the Foundation Establishment method to the Foundation Establishment Pills, to all the auxiliary pills, Ye Chen had spared no effort in making everything the best it could be. Ye Chen had made the decision: this time, he would not emerge until he broke through to Foundation Establishment. Even if it took a year or more, he was determined to solidify this foundation! After leaving behind the formation plate, Ye Chen sat cross-legged on the stone bed.

First, he took out the jade slip containing the Great Five Elements Heaven-Dao Foundation Establishment method and placed it on his forehead. Once he had comprehended it fully, Ye Chen took out the Heaven-Dao Foundation Establishment spiritual items and placed them on either side of him. Top-grade Clear Heart Pills, one hundred! Top-grade Ice Clear Pills, one hundred! Top-grade Dragon's Breath Incense, lit around him. Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, one hundred and thirty!

After spending some time organizing everything, Ye Chen was finally ready. With everything prepared, he sat upright, steadying himself as he drew Qi into his body. He officially began attempting his breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment! In the outside world, not many days passed before Yao Xi took the initiative to visit Sword Peak and find Ye Chen. She sought to learn more about the usage of the Full Moon magic tool. However, soon after, she learned of Ye Chen's breakthrough.

Upon hearing that the sect had amended its regulations, Gu Yunyun flew into a fit of rage. This was an act of targeting him! Ye Chen's talent was undeniable—who could say how many Foundation Establishment Pills it would require? Anyone under thirty could attempt it, yet my disciple is only twenty-one. Why should he be denied? But as Gu Yunyun prepared to drag Ye Chen to confront the authorities, to see who dared oppose him, she soon discovered that Ye Chen had already begun attempting a breakthrough.

Meanwhile, the Internal Affairs Hall, upon hearing of Gu Yunyun's fury, trembled with anxiety. Elder Chen personally arrived, hoping to have a word with Ye Chen. Yet, he too found nothing. The news of Ye Chen attempting the Foundation Establishment breakthrough spread quickly throughout the entire Green Cloud Sect. The reactions from the outside world varied. Undoubtedly, Yao Xi was the one most hopeful for Ye Chen's success.

Gu Yunyun, though seemingly indifferent, couldn't stop her spirit sense from flying towards Ye Chen. Lin Ke'er, Lu Jing, and Sun Ruoxin also wished for Ye Chen's breakthrough. After all, even aside from personal feelings, Ye Chen's ascension to Foundation Establishment would elevate their own status significantly. However, beyond these female cultivators, most others remained skeptical. Fa Zhen sighed with regret.

"If only the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method were mine. With a third-grade spiritual root, attempting Foundation Establishment is harder than ascending to the heavens… to waste it on Ye Chen…" Li Xiaoyao, Kong Xiangbei, and the others, upon hearing the news, couldn't help but sneer inwardly. No matter how strong you are, Ye Chen, what does it matter? With a third-grade spiritual root, it would be nearly impossible to establish a Foundation.

When we achieve our own breakthroughs, what will your invincible Qi Refining matter? We will make sure you regret it. The road of cultivation was long, and temporary successes or failures meant little. Those who despised Ye Chen watched with malicious intent, eager for his failure.... And so, time passed in the blink of an eye. A month had already gone by. Within the room, the scent of dragon's saliva incense filled the air. Ye Chen sat cross-legged, his eyes tightly shut, calm as a still pond.

Before him, the two Foundation Establishment spiritual items had vanished without a trace. Despite the silence in the room, there was a constant, thunderous vibration echoing from within Ye Chen's body. When the rumbling sounds finally ceased, Ye Chen's eyes snapped open. In those tranquil eyes, purple-black flames blazed, erupting forth and scorching the air with a sharp crackling sound. Ye Chen remained seated cross-legged, but his body slowly lifted.

He was floating in midair without relying on any external force.

"This… is what it means to be in the Foundation Establishment stage?" Ye Chen lowered his gaze to his own hands. He could clearly feel the surging, tidal-like energy within him. Compared to before, it had grown not merely tenfold. Such immense power made Ye Chen smile, his heart swelling with confidence. Unable to contain himself, he let out a mighty roar that reverberated across the entire Green Cloud Sect!

"I, Ye Chen, have successfully Established my Foundation!"