Chapter 22: A Word of Sudden Insight, Zhang Wu Establishes Foundation

At that moment, Lei Ling, the graceful young maiden and the others were all stunned.

What background does this junior brother actually have?

He actually gave up such a generous reward?

That is the legendary Thunder Dao treasure, superior even to the artifact held by Elder Lin Wu Ren, and it might even be the fabled Celestial Tier treasure.

Yet, after completing his cultivation, this junior brother teleported away without hesitation.

"That is the true warrior, treating treasures as nothing, wholeheartedly pursuing the invincible Dao, without relying on external forces," said an older man in a blue‑green robe, his eyes full of reverence, his voice deep and powerful.

He had previously kept pushing his limits, delving three hundred meters into Lei Fa Gu Lu in the Body Tempering realm, continuously tempering himself.

However, faced with such a treasure, he remained unmoved and left resolutely.

What a magnitude of heart and bearing.

"Senior brother is right!" the inner gate disciples all voiced their agreement, their cultivation drive intensified.

Some even abandoned defensive formations and the protection of the Yellow Tier Spirit Treasure, confronting thunder with their bare bodies; though their clothes were tattered, they felt their souls purified and elevated.

At Leize's entrance, a faint buzzing emanated from the passage.

Qin Yu stepped out, patted his chest, grateful that he left in time; otherwise he would surely have been struck dumb by thunder.

As time passed, the thunder rays grew denser, especially the oppressive pressure that rose like a tide; after three more breaths, I would definitely become a fool.

The spiritual consciousness at the fifth stage of Foundation Establishment is far insufficient.

Moreover, the fourth barrier was never meant for ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators to pass.

If it weren't for Nirvana traits and double restoration, who would dare confront it with a mortal body?

"I truly envy those senior brothers who have spirit treasures and defensive formations to protect their bodies; if I had those, perhaps I could cultivate a bit longer, but alas..."

Qin Yu muttered to himself.

But when he reached the entrance and felt the heavy pressure spreading across the plaza, as if endless mountains were bearing down.

He looked around and blinked.

The beggar elder and the other two elders seemed to be confronting each other, the atmosphere unusually solemn.

But time was pressing; he had to hurry to the Outer Gate Grand Competition.

"Ahem, how is your cultivation? Any injuries? Has your Sea of Consciousness been impacted? I have some healing spirit medicines; take them quickly, but be careful not to leave hidden hazards," the beggar elder coughed lightly, pulling out several spirit herbs that glowed faintly, each infused with dense life energy.

A flash of wariness crossed Qin Yu's eyes.

What is going on?

Earlier the beggar elder had been indifferent to him, now he suddenly offers kindness; it could only be deceit or theft.

Do a few spirit herbs really intend to tempt him?

Perhaps they covet the Thunder Dao law and Thunder Dao treasure within his body.

"Young friend, I have two Mysterious Tier Transforming Spirit Pills that can heal the Sea of Consciousness; that little impact is nothing. Yet you dare pull out a few Yellow Tier spirit herbs?" the Deputy Hall Master sneered, two pills materializing in his palm.

Wu Lao, seeing this, felt a sudden urgency; is this a challenge to compare fortunes?

He shouted, "What are Mysterious Tier pills? I have Earth Tier Condensing Life Pill; not only Foundation Establishment, even Earth Profound masters can instantly repair spiritual consciousness injuries!"

Qin Yu glanced at the beggar elder and the other two; this was definitely aimed at his Thunder Dao treasure.

He, a Body Tempering cultivator, needs an Earth Tier pill?

Crazy, right?

Sima Zhao's intentions are known to every passerby.

Fortunately he didn't bring it out then; that was a wise choice.

In this cut‑throat fantastical world, if he lacks sufficient strength, when sect elders forcefully snatch, he can only swallow his resentment.

Moreover, an ordinary man is innocent; to possess a treasure is a crime.

He then slightly bowed his hands: "I appreciate the kindness of the three elders, Qin Yu acknowledges it, but the Outer Gate Grand Competition is about to begin, I must hurry over, apologies."

"Senior brothers, shall we set off?"

He waved to Zhang Wu and the others; isn't this well‑meaning senior brother in a hurry?

The Outer Gate Grand Competition, even for those in the Body Tempering realm, can attract the attention of Outer Gate elders if they fight excellently, gaining preferential resources.

Zhang Wu and his few companions, their clothes ragged, saw the spirit medicines and pills before them, swallowed saliva, eager to tell the elders how much they needed them.

They had just suffered severe injuries...

But Qin Yu's sudden summons made their spirits tremble.

In their eyes, Qin Yu was now a golden, shining thigh; if they don't seize him now, when will they?

They quickly replied, "Junior brother is right, we'll go to the competition grounds together."

Then, they clustered around Qin Yu, hurrying toward the site of the Outer Gate Grand Competition.

The inner gate disciple who had witnessed everything from start to finish fell into contemplation.

One of them was a top‑tier cultivator of the Heavenly Origin Realm from the Xuan Yang Sect, another the Deputy Hall Master of the Penal Law Hall, and another a former Inner Gate elder.

All three extended invitations—why still attend the Outer Gate Grand Competition?

They have already indicated their intent to take disciples.

Moreover, that is an Earth Tier pill, priceless.

Not to mention them, most true‑line disciples couldn't produce one.

"Facing a treasure without being moved, this junior brother possesses such a mindset; his future is boundless."

"From now on, we can only look up to him..."

A slightly older inner gate disciple looked on with full admiration.

But a newly promoted inner-door teenage disciple scratched his head: "Senior brother, aren't we supposed to look up to him now? I'm at the third level of Foundation Establishment; if I stood on the arena, I feel I'd be killed by him."

Inner-door senior brother: "..."

Damn, that's right!

But the atmosphere in the plaza grew heavy again.

The old martial elder's eyes flashed with anger, and he transmitted his voice: "You two idiots, if it weren't for your abruptness, how could Qin Yu have left directly?"

The deputy hall master smirked: "What are you pretending? You took out the Earth-step pill, aren't you just flaunting your wealth and strength? Isn't it because your treasure is too valuable, scaring people away, offering unsolicited courtesy—either treacherous or thieving, understand?"

"Aren't you the one offering unsolicited courtesy? What are you blathering about, dare you step out for a duel!"

"If it's a duel, then duel—who's afraid of whom? When I get back, I'll bring the heavenly-step punishment artifact out of the dungeon!"

The old beggar, seeing this, felt a headache and directly transmitted: "Enough, stop arguing!"

"Now, regardless, the news that he has only ascended the Thunder Path Monument, passed the third trial, and become the first ever body‑tempering disciple of the Profound Sun Sect cannot be leaked for now; the three of us still have a chance to vie for the disciple."

"If Lin Wu Ren and the sect leader meet their end, do we still have the right?"

"The outer-door Grand Competition is our chance; whoever can snatch this disciple, that will be whose skill."

"Got it?"

The old martial elder and the deputy hall master, upon hearing this, fell into thought, then nodded slightly, temporarily standing on the same front.

Then, the three squinted simultaneously, their gazes landing on that group of inner-door disciples, gathering them together to prevent the news from leaking.

"You all probably want to see this year's outer-door Grand Competition, right?"

The young disciple who previously responded to the senior brother scratched his head: "Elder, our inner-door Grand Competition assessment starts in three days; we need to cultivate now, no time…"

Before he could finish, the older senior brother beside him, sweating profusely, covered his mouth and hurriedly said: "Want to, very much want to! This year has junior brother Qin Yu, it will definitely be spectacular!"

Damn, almost offended three elders; the older senior brother almost cried.

This kid scratches his head and speaks without thinking, huh?

The three nodded in satisfaction, then produced a flying vessel, loaded the group onto it, and rose slowly.

As they lifted off, the old beggar suddenly recalled that a disciple of Lei Fa Gu Lu had also witnessed it; he waved his hand, and countless mysterious formation patterns fell onto the entrance plaza, sealing it, so those who emerged could only stay here.

The old martial elder and the deputy hall master glanced, then casually cast a law, landing on the massive formation…

Then, carrying the "hostages" on the flying vessel, they sped toward the outer-door plaza.

…

At this moment, the outer-door plaza was a sea of people.

Rows of arenas, white as jade, stood among them.

One by one, outer-door disciples in white robes stood solemnly.

In this generation, there are only a thousand outer-door disciples…

But a body‑tempering cultivator can probably live just over a hundred years.

There are also many senior outer-door disciples who have come to watch the battle; some will step onto the arena to test their skills and hone themselves.

Some laborer disciples will also come to observe and learn.

Thus, this place can accommodate nearly ten thousand people.

"The outer-door Grand Competition is about to begin. All disciples, draw lots!"

"The top thirty‑two will receive spirit stone rewards, a lecture from an outer-door elder, and enter the beast trial, competing for the top three to earn an inner-door slot!"

One by one, disciples with impressive aura drew lots at the frontmost area.

At this moment… Qin Yu, Zhang Wu and others, hurrying, finally arrived.

At that time, Zhang Wu, standing nearby, looked at Qin Yu timidly and whispered, "Junior brother Qin… earlier I let you join the outer-door Grand Competition, but actually I had ulterior motives."

"After the competition, junior brother may freely pick a Yellow-step spirit herb, and I'll foot the bill."

"Additionally… I will apply to the sect to go to Green Mountain, to teach many laborer junior brothers for a year as atonement."

"I am sorry, I previously even thought of seizing the junior brother's opportunity; after the competition, besides lecturing, I will devote myself to cultivation and expel the distracting thoughts."

Zhang Wu's gaze was extremely sincere; at this moment his heart was filled with guilt.

If I truly suppress such a monster and seize the opportunity, then… even if I obtain the chance that belongs to Qin Yu, could I rise?

Earlier, during the Leize trial, he had already thought a lot.

He confessed deeply.

Hearing this, Qin Yu halted, realizing… this well‑meaning senior brother had previously thought he had obtained an opportunity, which sparked his martial insight.

He even considered acting, suppressing himself… wanting to seize.

His mind couldn't help but fall into contemplation.

Indeed, this is a law of the jungle world; his prior vigilance was correct.

Then, his gaze like torches, eyes meeting, he spoke calmly.

"Senior brother, a gentleman judges deeds, not the heart."

"There are many laborer disciples with thoughts like yours, but their strength is insufficient."

"Thus they have never shown it."

"However, regardless, you have never done that, and you are willing to admit your mistake, even to pay the price and do a good deed, which is already quite commendable."

"But… regardless, you have entertained the thought; if my strength is insufficient, I will be robbed—survival of the fittest, that is also correct."

"I'll take this Yellow-step spirit herb."

From his own perspective, Zhang Wu's thought, having entertained the idea, is certainly wrong.

But he never acted, nor even revealed the mistake, so you cannot say he is at fault.

Countless people harbor malicious thoughts in their hearts.

But they never act on them.

Can you say he's a bad person?

You should know, compared to the three sect experts from before, this has already been done very well.

They almost directly went up and snatched it.

They even thought to use cheap medicinal pills to make themselves owe a favor, preparing to scheme for the Lightning Dao Supreme Treasure.

Qin Yu had already imagined in his mind the mindset of Elder Wu and them.

Furthermore, he won't do it again in the future, so he isn't too angry.

Then just casually pick the most expensive Yellow-grade Spirit Herb…

Let him lose all his wealth.

As a warning to others.

After all… isn't it ungentlemanly not to repay a grudge?

This is also an ancient saying.

Many disciples, hearing this, trembled in shock.

This junior fellow disciple's breadth of mind… is truly vast.

Snatching someone's opportunity is like killing their parents.

But he actually can forgive?

But… at this moment, a hint of dazedness appeared in Zhang Wu's eyes.

"A gentleman… judges by actions, not by heart."

He kept murmuring it repeatedly.

He seemed to have fallen into a wonderful artistic conception.

His expression was extremely dazed.

But… the breath within his body trembled faintly at this moment.

Spiritual qi was constantly gushing forth.

Above the square, countless spiritual qi were now converging onto Zhang Wu's body.

Turning into terrifying vortices one after another.

Is this… about to reach Foundation Establishment?

An Outer Sect Elder expressed surprise, and countless gazes turned toward them.

The four disciples standing beside Zhang Wu, who were at the ninth level of Body Tempering.

At this moment, they all stared dumbfounded.

A single sentence, letting a talented person attain sudden enlightenment?

Directly breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm?

Holy shit!

Qin Yu, this is too ferocious, right?

In their eyes, looks of longing appeared.