Chapter 112: Creation Foundation, Expectant Gaze

The energy pod, developed by the Divine Mechanism Alchemy Pavilion, creates the optimal environment for Foundation Establishment.

As the external affairs hall's junior steward pressed a button on the side of the silver-white pod, the door slowly opened.

Inside was not dark, but illuminated by light.

"Please hand me the spirit liquid," she said gently.

At this, Zhang Yunlu handed her the purified spirit liquid; through the transparent bottle, no thicker than a thumb, the pure white liquid inside could be seen swirling.

Spirit liquid differs from Foundation Establishment spirit liquid: the former is condensed from extremely high-concentration spirit energy, while the latter is essentially a liquid form of the Foundation Establishment pill.

The external affairs hall's junior steward inserted the spirit liquid into the side of the energy pod: "You may enter now. I will monitor your condition constantly—rest assured."

"Thank you."

After expressing her gratitude, Zhang Yunlu stepped into the pod, sat at its center, and assumed the Five Points Toward Heaven posture.

As the pod's door slowly closed, the interior lights shifted from white to warm yellow, and the temperature began to rise.

Hss~ Like steam escaping, fine strands of pure white mist—spirit energy vaporized—emerged.

As the surrounding spirit concentration gradually increased, "In ancient times, such an environment for Foundation Establishment existed only at the nodes of major spirit veins."

Zhang Yunlu recalled what she had read in the texts.

Now, every Foundation Establishment cultivator could enjoy this environment—this is the convenience brought by the advancement of the age.

She placed the silver spirit-energy concentrated capsule into her mouth, pressing it beneath her tongue, closed her eyes, and began to mobilize her spirit energy.

Because of its specially designed casing, there was no need to worry about it dissolving.

She emptied her mind and began recalling the Foundation Establishment knowledge she had studied these past days.

As stated in the "New Compilation of the Theory of the Human Body as a Microcosm."

Heaven and earth constitute the great universe; the human body is a microcosm.

The principles one personally comprehends are infinitely profound—the finest "Heaven-Earth Marvelous Treasures."

Huh~ Ah~ With each inhale and exhale, the vaporized spirit liquid was continuously drawn into Zhang Yunlu, and the hazy surroundings gradually grew clearer.

At this moment, her spirit sea was undergoing a cataclysmic transformation.

The previously calm spirit sea now churned with massive waves; the spirit energy she had just absorbed fell like raindrops into the sea.

Yet her spirit sea did not grow fuller.

On the contrary, it began to recede at a visibly rapid pace, drying up.

A faint, black-and-white phantom dais slowly rose, and spirit energy continuously flowed into it, making it increasingly luminous.

Yet the spirit sea now held only a thin layer left.

For external-assisted Foundation Establishment or natural Foundation Establishment, one would rely on Foundation Establishment spirit liquid or Heaven-Earth Marvelous Treasures to solidify the void.

But Creation Foundation Establishment requires none of these.

Zhang Yunlu did not hesitate—she swallowed the spirit-energy concentrated capsule in her mouth.

Boom! The capsule entered her body and instantly transformed into a pure, vast surge of spirit energy, rapidly refilling the dried-up spirit sea.

The dais, replenished, nearly became solid—but still lacked one final thread.

Zhang Yunlu crossed her hands and formed an unusual hand seal.

Om~ An unfathomably profound vibration spread from her spirit sea; her physical body instantly withered, turning gaunt in moments, her vitality reduced to the faintest flicker.

The Principle of Peril—life born from death!

The dais seemed to cross the final heavenly chasm, becoming utterly solid.

Upon the dais, black and white slowly intertwined and entwined.

For external-assisted Foundation Establishment, black and white would fully merge.

For natural Foundation Establishment, one color would remain dominant.

But Creation Foundation Establishment was different: the Principle of Peril stood at the center, mediating black and white, ultimately forming on the dais a distinct, Dao-filled Taiji pattern.

Her emaciated, skin-and-bones body restored to normal; the faint, candle-flame vitality swelled into a roaring inferno.

Her previously pure spirit energy now had the texture of flowing radiance, transformed into Foundation Establishment True Yuan.

Her soul force underwent transformation; her spiritual sense began to extend outward.

At this very moment!

In a haze, Zhang Yunlu felt a gaze—a gaze filled with expectation—gazing from the depths of the void, from infinite distance. "Here it comes!"

Every Foundation Establishment cultivator experiences this—but only those who achieve Creation Foundation Establishment can perceive it.

As that gaze descended, a mysterious rune appeared upon the dais.

…………

Inner Sect, Sword Lord Hall.

"That elder still remains as he always has," Xu Xing sighed.

He had naturally paid attention to Zhang Yunlu's Foundation Establishment.

"Our human youth are free from alien coveting precisely because of this elder."

No alien race has ever seized a human body because this elder has always guarded against it.

He is a human apex existence equal to the Xian Sect's Hehuan Laozu, rarely interacting with others—even with fellow elders like them.

But whenever any human cultivator reaches Foundation Establishment, regardless of rank, he casts his gaze upon them and leaves a protective rune upon their dais.

This protective rune shields every human cultivator from alien possession and control.

Thus, even Gu, the Ancestor of the Cang Clan, unless he intervenes personally, can only induce human cultivators to betray through manipulation and brainwashing.

Bie Xuening stood beside Xu Xing, also gazing toward Zhang Yunlu's direction.

With Creation Foundation Establishment complete, she only needs to adapt for a while in the Starfield Simulation Arena before departing.

May she succeed.

Suddenly, a vast will descended, and a voice echoed in both their ears.

"Congratulations, Elder Brother, on emerging from seclusion."

"Elder Brother is too kind," Xu Xing replied.

The vast will said nothing more, receding like a tide, as if it had descended solely to utter those words.

Xu Xing smiled.

That did suit that elder brother's nature.

"Let's go, Ye Shijie."

"Mm."

Their figures vanished as if erased, disappearing from the entrance of the Sword Sovereign's Hall.

……

……

When they reappeared, they were already outside the Sword Sect's outer gate.

It had been a long time since they last met, and with all his affairs nearly settled, he had rare free time—he ought to accompany Ye Shijie for a walk.

At this moment, Xu Xing wore nothing but an ordinary black sportswear outfit.

Bie Xuening had also abandoned her ancient cultivator attire; instead, she wore a light gray long-sleeved shirt, its loose hem tucked into black pants, over which she draped a brown windbreaker, her long hair flowing behind her.

Though her refined face showed no expression, the ripples in her eyes revealed she was in good spirits.

Walking among the crowd, they looked no different from ordinary tourists.

"Did Ye Shijie buy these clothes herself?" Xu Xing asked.

Bie Xuening's attire was no magical garment capable of changing form—it was merely ordinary clothing.

"Jiu Yu bought them."

That rebellious disciple has a defiant nature; every time he goes out, he provokes me on purpose, yet fears being punished upon return, so he always brings gifts.

"I see."

That makes sense.

After all, Ye Shijie's style never changed much before.

Second update, seeking subscriptions.

By the way, the assassin Wu Liuqi is truly handsome. (End of chapter)