Lu Yi knew that Sword Intent Grass did not seem to exist anywhere in Green Province. Curious, he asked, "Master, where did you find this Sword Intent Grass?"


    The Master of Ling Luo Peak lazily replied, "I made a trip to the Divine Sword Sect and requested it from them."


    Lu Yi was stunned and looked at her with a strange expression. "The Divine Sword Sect in Hope Province of the Eastern Region?!"


    The Divine Sword Sect was completely different from White Cloud Sect. While White Cloud Sect was a powerhouse in Green Province, it was merely average within the Eastern Region. There were countless sects and holy lands stronger than it.


    However, the Divine Sword Sect was considered a holy land even within the entire Eastern Region. Many powerful sword cultivators hailed from there.


    Lu Yi never expected that his master could obtain such a treasure from the Divine Sword Sect.


    The Peak Master of Ling Luo didn’t explain further and simply said, "Yes, that Divine Sword Sect. This Sword Intent Grass, combined with your foundation at the thirteenth level of Qi Refining, is enough to forge an unparalleled foundation in swordsmanship. Your future path in sword cultivation will be exceptionally smooth. Take it."


    Lu Yi felt touched as he accepted the Sword Intent Grass and earnestly said, "Thank you, Master."


    The Peak Master of Ling Luo sipped her wine nonchalantly and smiled. "Since you are my disciple, it is only natural for me to take good care of you. As for cultivation techniques..."


    She hesitated briefly before continuing, "I have two techniques suitable for you. You can choose for yourself."


    Lu Yi was surprised. "Two techniques?"


    The Peak Master of Ling Luo nodded slightly. "One is the ''Azure Sky Sword Manual,'' a technique that can be cultivated up to the Void Refinement Realm. It was the foundational technique of the now-declined Azure Sky Sword Sect in Green Province. It''s fairly decent.


    The other... is something I acquired by chance from an ancient ruin. It’s an immortal scripture called the ''Immortal Sword Scripture.'' Unfortunately, it only has complete methods up to the Nascent Soul Realm. The techniques for later stages are incomplete. Most importantly, the Immortal Sword Scripture cultivates an extremely domineering Immortal Sword Qi. After reaching the Nascent Soul Realm, switching to another technique would require an equally powerful one."


    After explaining, she looked at Lu Yi. "The path of swordsmanship is yours to walk. As your master, I can only support you. The choice is yours."


    Lu Yi hesitated for a moment.


    In terms of sheer power, the Immortal Sword Scripture was undoubtedly stronger, being an immortal scripture. However, it could only be cultivated up to the Nascent Soul Realm. If he couldn’t find follow-up techniques later or techniques of similar strength, switching cultivation methods would be extremely difficult.


    On the other hand, the Azure Sky Sword Manual offered a smoother path, allowing him to cultivate up to the Void Refinement Realm and making transitions to other techniques much easier.


    After thinking for a moment, Lu Yi recalled the missions he had recently received. The highest reward included Liu Ningshuang’s Void Refinement Realm technique.


    Since he could access such techniques even at the Qi Refining Stage, it seemed possible to find even stronger techniques at later stages. Perhaps even immortal scriptures weren’t out of reach.


    Moreover, there were immortal sects and holy lands in Tianming Continent—sects that had produced true immortals. They likely held immortal scripture legacies as well. In the worst case, he could approach them.


    With his abilities, it would be a waste not to cultivate the strongest technique available.


    Finally making up his mind, Lu Yi said, "Master, I choose the ''Immortal Sword Scripture.''"


    The Peak Master raised her brows and chuckled. "You have ambition. If you can''t find follow-up techniques later, I will help you think of a solution."


    Hearing this, Lu Yi nodded. "Thank you, Master!"


    The Peak Master took out an old leather-bound book. Its pages were yellowed, and it seemed to have been preserved for countless years. She handed it to Lu Yi. "This is the Immortal Sword Scripture. Take it."


    Lu Yi accepted it and found the book unusually heavy, weighing nearly a thousand pounds. He was shocked and wondered what kind of beast’s hide had been used to make it. Thanks to his powerful physique, he could lift it with ease. Ordinary Qi Refining cultivators would struggle to even pick it up.


    Opening the book, he noticed that many pages were slashed by sharp sword intent, leaving behind faint traces of sword energy. Only the first few pages were intact, likely covering the methods up to the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Lu Yi stored the book carefully, planning to study it later.


    The Peak Master yawned and stretched. "Alright, go back and cultivate."


    Hearing this, Lu Yi quickly said, "Master, I still need to clean your bamboo house."


    The Peak Master paused before smiling in satisfaction. "Not bad, taking care of your master. Go ahead and clean it."


    Lu Yi cheerfully began cleaning.


    Although he had never done chores before, as a cultivator, he knew basic spells like the Dust Removal Technique. Soon, the bamboo house was spotless.


    He cleaned several rooms, leaving only the Peak Master’s bedroom untouched. Looking at her, he asked, "Master, should I clean your room as well?"


    The Peak Master, lounging on her chair and drinking wine, waved her hand nonchalantly. "Go ahead."


    Lu Yi nodded and stepped inside. He was immediately stunned to see a few sets of undergarments casually thrown on the bed.


    What?! He froze at the doorway, his mind going blank. Am I supposed to be seeing this?


    Just then, the Peak Master seemed to realize something. Her expression changed, and in the next instant, she appeared behind Lu Yi, grabbed his collar, and flung him out of the bamboo house.


    Her voice echoed with a hint of menace. "If you dare speak of this, I will end you!"


    Feeling the murderous intent, Lu Yi coughed dryly and said, "What is Master talking about? I didn’t see anything."


    The door slammed shut without another word.


    Lu Yi glanced at his task and sighed in relief. Fortunately, the mission was complete; otherwise, his efforts would have been in vain.


    Back in his cave, Lu Yi claimed his reward and was pleasantly surprised.


    The reward included the Art of Transformation, a technique that used spiritual energy and controlled one’s flesh and blood to alter appearance. At higher levels, it could even transform a man into a woman or vice versa.


    Though Lu Yi was slightly disappointed that it couldn’t transform him into other creatures, he still appreciated its usefulness.


    Still, it’s a bit lacking compared to the legendary 72 Transformations of the Monkey King.


    Even so, the Art of Transformation could be incredibly practical in certain situations.


    Lu Yi added it to his future cultivation plans.


    For now, however, his main focus was breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage.


    ‘I must reach the Foundation Establishment Stage.’


    [Quest] Break through to Foundation Establishment Stage.


    Reward:


    <ul>


    <li>Mid-grade Treasure: Mysterious Sun Sword</li>


    <li>Low-grade Treasure: Ice Silk Boots</li>


    <li>Increase specified spell level by +1</li>


    <li>Three pieces of Enlightenment Tea Leaves</li>


    </ul>


    Accept? Yes/NoThis story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Looking at the quest, Lu Yi’s heart filled with excitement. The rewards were exceptionally generous!


    Not only did he receive treasures, but he could also upgrade his techniques and obtain Enlightenment Tea Leaves.


    Amazing!


    Lu Yi was immediately filled with greater motivation and began preparing to break through his realm.


    He consumed the Thousand Year Spiritual Milk, which, under the effect of the White Cloud Qi Absorption Technique at its peak level, transformed into the purest spiritual energy.


    The spiritual energy surged, charging towards the bottleneck of the Foundation Establishment realm.


    Boom!!


    A loud rumble echoed. The bottleneck, intertwined with Dao patterns and principles, remained completely unmoved. The Dao patterns shimmered with an incomparably mysterious light. Lu Yi observed but could not comprehend it; he only felt an inexplicable profundity within.


    He paid no heed and continued to charge forward.


    Again and again, without the slightest pause, Lu Yi consumed more Thousand Year Spiritual Milk whenever its spiritual energy was depleted.


    Time flowed on. Lu Yi spent a full month in repeated attempts, resting only occasionally. All other times were dedicated to wearing down the bottleneck.


    Another impact.


    Boom!!


    Crack...


    A faint cracking sound rang out. Lu Yi sensed the interwoven Dao patterns flickering, radiating a wondrous aura. His consciousness drifted, seemingly merging with heaven and earth, intertwining with all things.


    He perceived the natural cycles, the rotation of life and death, and even felt himself being drawn into them.


    At this moment, Lu Yi forcibly pulled himself back. With his breakthrough imminent, what he needed most was to establish the strongest foundation.


    Without hesitation, Lu Yi took out a wisp of Grand Dao Qi and swallowed it.


    As the Grand Dao Qi entered his body, it immediately transformed into the most primordial energy between heaven and earth, merging into Lu Yi''s body.


    It was an energy far superior to spiritual energy—heavier, more ancient, as if it had existed since the dawn of creation.


    With the infusion of the Grand Dao Qi, Lu Yi''s mind was flooded with visions of stars shattering, the birth and destruction of the universe, and cycles of creation and annihilation.


    He became immersed in the essence of the Dao, feeling the most primitive and original rhythms of all existence.


    Chaos shattered, and the Dao emerged.


    The spiritual energy within his body circulated on its own, continuing to assault the bottleneck. With the integration of the Grand Dao Qi, Lu Yi''s spiritual energy seemed to undergo a qualitative transformation. Almost instantly, it shattered the intertwined Dao patterns. At the same time, Lu Yi''s aura surged rapidly as the liquidized spiritual energy within him began to circulate and condense towards the core.


    The previously pure-white spiritual energy started to radiate brilliant colors, shimmering with seven hues.


    Lu Yi began transitioning from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment.


    He quickly took out another wisp of Grand Dao Qi.


    One after another, the wisps of Grand Dao Qi merged into Lu Yi''s body. In his consciousness, the sound of the Dao roared, and his spiritual energy rapidly transformed into the seven-colored brilliance.


    One, two, three...


    When eight wisps of Grand Dao Qi had been completely absorbed, the spiritual energy within Lu Yi formed a vortex. The vortex rotated slowly yet firmly, radiating colorful brilliance.


    The aura around Lu Yi also underwent a transformation. He seemed both disconnected from the world and completely integrated with it, with strands of seven-colored light drifting around him like an immortal.


    Moments later, the colorful glow around him gradually faded, and the vortex of spiritual energy in his body also reverted to its original milky-white color, as if the Dao had returned to its natural state.


    Lu Yi contemplated briefly and then took out the Sword Intent Grass, consuming it.


    The intense sword intent spread through his body before slowly merging into the spiritual energy vortex within him.


    However, the powerful sword intent fell silent the moment it entered his spiritual energy vortex, creating no waves at all.


    Lu Yi remained calm and unsurprised. After all, his foundation was forged with eight wisps of Grand Dao Qi. The Sword Intent Grass was not on the same level and naturally caused little disturbance.


    Lu Yi slowly opened his eyes, exhaled a breath of impure air, and revealed a smile.


    He had broken through. He was now in the Foundation Establishment realm.


    At that moment, Lu Yi suddenly sensed something. His expression changed, and his body vanished from his cave dwelling, appearing outside.


    Looking up at the sky, he saw dark clouds gradually forming. An oppressive and majestic aura spread out from the clouds, accompanied by streaks of purple lightning.


    Lu Yi''s expression froze.


    ''Could this... be tribulation lightning?''


    Normally, tribulation lightning wouldn''t appear before reaching the Nascent Soul Realm. So why was it happening now?


    Lu Yi could clearly feel that the target of this tribulation lightning was him. He had only just broken through the Qi Refining stage, and yet tribulation lightning had appeared?


    This was completely unexpected, and Lu Yi felt his scalp tingle.


    The gathering thunderclouds alarmed the entire Lingluo Peak and even the whole White Cloud Sect.


    One by one, powerful figures rose into the sky. Golden Core and Nascent Soul elders stood in mid-air, staring at the forming thunderclouds with grim expressions.


    "Which idiot is breaking through in the inner sect?!"


    "Judging by the direction... Lingluo Peak? The elders there are all at the Nascent Soul stage. Could someone be advancing to the Void Refinement Realm? Or is there another genius disciple reaching the Nascent Soul stage?"


    "No, this doesn’t feel right. The power isn’t enough for a Void Refinement breakthrough... It doesn’t even seem like a Nascent Soul breakthrough. What is going on?"


    "..."


    The elders were full of doubts and discussed among themselves, but none dared to approach.


    If the tribulation lightning engulfed them, its power would increase, leaving them seriously injured or even dead.


    The disciples and elders of Lingluo Peak were the most speechless.


    They rushed out of their caves and were dumbfounded when they saw the tribulation clouds in the sky.


    "What the hell?! Who’s undergoing tribulation on the peak?!"


    "Is it Xie Tianming? Or Wang Jianyu? Which bastard is it?!"


    "Are they insane?? Damn it, I’m speechless."


    "Run! Get far away! Don’t get caught up in the tribulation lightning!"


    One by one, the disciples rose into the air and left Lingluo Peak as if fleeing from a deadly plague.


    The elders, too, were bewildered. They raised their heads to look at the heavenly tribulation and quickly left Lingluo Peak.


    "Hmph! Which disciple is so audacious?! After this breakthrough, I must teach them a proper lesson!" Dong Wanglian''s face darkened.


    "The herbs in my medicinal garden are about to mature. They better not be destroyed by this heavenly lightning! If they are, I’ll make that bastard pay me back tenfold!" A burly man’s face was grim, full of worry.


    At the peak of Lingluo Peak, the peak master, who had been sleeping, was startled awake by the aura of the heavenly tribulation. She opened her eyes, stepped out of her bamboo house, and was utterly furious. "Which bastard dares to break through within the peak? Disturbing my dreams! They must be locked up in confinement!"


    At this moment, the Lingluo Peak Master’s expression changed. She noticed something unusual. Her drowsy eyes filled with shock as she looked in the direction of Lu Yi’s cave mansion. "That little brat? How is this possible?!"


    She took one step forward and instantly appeared beside Lu Yi. She saw Lu Yi standing there stiffly, looking up at the heavenly tribulation with a blank expression.


    The Lingluo Peak Master’s face twitched. "You little brat, what did you do to trigger a heavenly tribulation?!"


    Lu Yi looked innocent. "Master, I just broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage, and then I suddenly sensed the heavenly tribulation. What should I do?"


    Lu Yi was completely dumbfounded. He truly hadn’t expected to face a heavenly tribulation. He wasn’t prepared for this at all.


    The Lingluo Peak Master was shocked, looking at Lu Yi’s innocent expression. She took a deep breath and murmured, "There are legends of peerless geniuses in ancient times who could even attract heavenly tribulation during the Qi Refining Stage. I never thought I’d actually encounter one."


    She muttered to herself before calmly speaking, "Focus on transcending the tribulation. I’ll handle the rest."


    At that moment, a voice called out, "Senior Brother! Senior Brother! Run! I don’t know which idiot caused a heavenly tribulation in the peak, but once I become stronger, I’ll definitely beat them up!"


    Donggong Mingyue suddenly landed.


    When she saw Lu Yi’s blank expression and the Lingluo Peak Master’s astonished face, Donggong Mingyue froze.


    She blinked her bright, watery eyes, looked at Lu Yi, then at the Lingluo Peak Master, and finally at the dark clouds in the sky. Her small face gradually turned dazed. "...This heavenly tribulation, is it because of you, Senior Brother?"


    Lu Yi expressionlessly nodded. "Yeah."


    Donggong Mingyue let out an awkward laugh. "Senior Brother, you’re amazing! I really admire you!"


    Lu Yi: "..."


    Wasn’t she just saying she’d beat up the person responsible earlier?


    The Lingluo Peak Master looked at Lu Yi and asked, "Are you confident in overcoming the tribulation?"


    Lu Yi glanced at the sky and nodded slightly. "Yes."


    The Lingluo Peak Master took out a formation plate and threw it to Lu Yi. "Use this in case of emergency. It can withstand a Nascent Soul-level attack. Don’t use it unless absolutely necessary. Heavenly lightning is extremely beneficial for a cultivator’s growth. You can try to use it for body tempering."


    Lu Yi’s mouth twitched. As expected of his master. What others considered a death sentence, she actually suggested using it for body tempering.


    He took the formation plate and nodded. "I understand."


    The Lingluo Peak Master grabbed Donggong Mingyue by the back of her collar and lifted her up. "Let’s go! Don’t disturb your Senior Brother’s tribulation!"


    In the blink of an eye, the Lingluo Peak Master disappeared along with Donggong Mingyue.


    Outside Lingluo Peak, the Lingluo Peak Master and Donggong Mingyue reappeared. One by one, the senior members of the White Cloud Sect quickly flew over.


    The leader was a handsome middle-aged man—Wu Qingfeng, the Sect Master of the White Cloud Sect. He looked at the Lingluo Peak Master and frowned. "Junior Sister Lingluo, who is undergoing tribulation in your peak? This violates sect rules."


    The Lingluo Peak Master yawned and replied, "This time it’s an accident. The one undergoing tribulation is Lu Yi."


    Hearing this, not only Wu Qingfeng but also the other elders—and even the disciples watching from afar—were all stunned.


    The air suddenly fell silent, with only the distant rumble of thunder echoing from the dark clouds above.


    After a moment of silence, Wu Qingfeng’s mouth twitched, and he asked in disbelief, "Lu Yi is undergoing tribulation?!"


    The Lingluo Peak Master nodded. "Yes. That kid just broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage and triggered a heavenly tribulation."


    "Hiss…"


    Gasps of shock echoed through the sky.


    Whether it was the elders or the disciples in the distance, they all exchanged looks of disbelief.


    The elders were utterly astounded.


    "How is this possible?! How could breaking through to Foundation Establishment cause a heavenly tribulation?!"


    "It’s not entirely impossible. There are legends that in ancient times, peerless geniuses who reached the Foundation Establishment stage could indeed trigger heavenly tribulations. Those individuals were destined to ascend to immortality."


    "Could it be that Lu Yi is comparable to those ancient geniuses? Could he truly ascend to immortality in the future? Our White Cloud Sect hasn’t had a cultivator ascend in nearly a thousand years!"


    "..."


    The elders were both shocked and excited.


    If Lu Yi truly possessed such talent, he might one day lead the White Cloud Sect to rise and make a name for itself throughout the Eastern Region.