Chapter 152

In the depths of the cave, Wang Shan clenched his eyes shut, veins bulging on his forehead, bean-sized sweat droplets rolled down his cheeks, instantly vaporized by the heat radiating from his body.

Inside him, the nascent Foundation Establishment spiritual power surged like a burst dam, wildly crashing through his already ravaged meridians. Each impact brought excruciating pain as if tearing his heart and lungs. The medicinal potency of the Purple Monkey Flower had not yet been fully refined, and together with the 【Condensing Origin Obstacle-Breaking Pill】, it was overwhelmingly domineering, as if it would crush and refine his five viscera and six bowels.

"Ugh..."

A stifled, extreme low growl was squeezed from deep in Wang Shan's throat, his teeth grinding audibly, drawing blood.

This Foundation Establishment attempt is practically like dancing before the Ghost Gate Pass!

He must focus completely, guiding this violent power along the cultivation method's route, condensing the Qi Sea and forming the Dao Foundation. Any mistake would result in a spiritual power backlash, ending in bodily explosion and death.

"Boom——!"

Outside the cave, a terrifying pressure far surpassing Wan Tianjue suddenly descended, like a substantial mountain pressing down from above. The waterfall's flow seemed to stall, the insect chirps and bird calls in the surrounding forest vanished instantly, all fell silent, leaving only an oppressive stillness.

The few crude warning talismans set up by Li Hu and Zhang Mei emitted no sound under this pressure, flickering like a candle in the wind before their light quickly dimmed.

"Thud!"

A figure landed heavily in the open space not far from the cave entrance, the ground trembling slightly. With hair and beard bristling, it was Wan Family Supreme Elder Wan Honghai! Behind him, Wan Tianjue's face was pallid, resentfully staring at the cave mouth concealed by vines and rubble, followed by more than ten sturdy Wan Family cultivators, each with grim expressions.

"Trash!" Wan Honghai glanced at the disheveled Wan Tianjue, his voice devoid of warmth, "A mere ninth-level Qi Refining junior, you took the Purple Monkey Flower and still managed to injure yourself like this? You've thrown away all the face of the Wan Family!"

Wan Tianjue's face alternated between green and white as he lowered his head, "Supreme Elder's reprimand is deserved. That Wang Shan employs endless tactics, far from an ordinary loose cultivator; he surely harbors greater secrets!" A flicker of greed crossed his eyes, "Otherwise, how could he know the secrets of Ghost Sorrow Cliff, and repeatedly escape from our grasp?"

"Hmph!" Wan Honghai's eyes flashed like lightning as he swept over the cave mouth, "No matter his secrets, today they will all belong to the Wan Family! Let this old man see what kind of three-headed, six-armed dare to break ground on Tai Sui's head!"

Releasing his late-stage Foundation Establishment pressure without restraint, all beasts within ten zhang fled, leaving even the air viscous.

"Supreme Elder, that old coot seems to be attempting a Foundation Establishment breakthrough!" Wan Tianjue suddenly sensed something and hurriedly said.

Wan Honghai curled his lip with a cruel smile: "Oh? Still want to struggle before death? Perfect, it saves me some effort. Issue the order: seal this place, not even a fly may escape!"

Yet in his mind he calculated, this Wang Shan could already push Tianjue to such an extent during the Qi Refining stage; if he truly succeeded in Foundation Establishment... he'd be even harder to deal with. We must take him down at his weakest moment!

At the same time, on the other side of the dense forest, dozens of black shadows moved like ghosts, silently approaching the cave direction to flank.

The black-clad leader halted his steps, looked toward the cave direction, his hoarse voice carrying a strange undulation: "Such rich spiritual energy fluctuations, and a hint... of calamity? This Wang Shan is indeed attempting a Foundation Establishment breakthrough!"

A black-clothed person beside him whispered, "Leader, the Wan Family people have already arrived first; looks like they're a tough opponent."

"Wan Honghai...?" the black-clad leader gave a low chuckle, his voice like sandpaper rubbing, "No problem. Our target is the 'Key', and incidentally we'll take Wang Shan's life. The Wan Family want to play the mantis catching the cicada, oblivious to the oriole behind? Hah, we'll see if they have the stomach for it."

A glint of dark light flashed in his eyes: "This old thing choosing to break through Foundation Establishment now and here actually saves us some trouble. Issue the order: everyone restrain their aura, await the moment. When he reaches the critical juncture of his Foundation Establishment, or when he and the Wan Family fight to mutual ruin, we'll strike then!"

"Yes!"

The two forces, one open and one hidden, both targeted the cave where Wang Shan resided as their center. Although their goals aligned, each harbored secret wariness, none wanting to do another's bidding, thus forming a strange balance that gave Li Hu and Zhang Mei at the cave mouth a brief respite.

"Crack... crack..."

The talismans at the cave mouth, already dim, under the alternating scans of two powerful spiritual senses, finally could bear no more, emitting faint cracking sounds as spiderweb-like fissures rapidly spread.

"Pop!" One talisman exploded outright, turning into specks of spiritual light that vanished.

"Not good!" Li Hu's face changed drastically, "This damn thing, the Spiritual Sense is too strong! The Array can't hold!"

He shielded Wang Zhitao and Wang Zhite tightly behind him, grabbed the Board Axe at his waist, veins bulging on his forehead.

Zhang Mei drew the Iron Bone Bow to full, three Armor-Piercing Arrows nocked and ready, her hand steady but her tightly pressed lips betrayed her inner tension.

"Aunt Mei, Grandpa……Grandpa he……" Wang Zhitao's little face turned ashen, his voice trembling with tears.

Wang Zhite also trembled all over from fright, yet stubbornly clung to Li Hu's pant leg, refusing to retreat.

"Don't be afraid!" Li Hu grinned, trying to put on a comforting smile but it looked worse than crying, "Who's your grandfather? Even King Yama wouldn't dare take him! It'll be fine soon!"

In the depths of the cave, Wang Shan's heart and mind jolted sharply.

【Warning! Outside World powerful Spiritual Sense interference! Host's Foundation Establishment success rate down 10%!】

【Warning! Heavenly Earth Law Perception, Foundation Disaster will descend in ten breaths!】

"Damn it!" Wang Shan cursed inwardly.

Those damned things outside, never coming early or late, picking exactly this moment! And this damn Foundation Disaster!

He could feel that the sky above seemed to press down like a huge millstone, the invisible pressure making his soul tremble. This was a trial of Heavenly Earth Law; if he couldn't pass it, it would mean death and the disappearance of his Dao.

He simply had no spare attention to divert to other things.

"Condense, damn it!"

Wang Shan roared, casting aside all distracting thoughts, immersing his entire mind and spirit in guiding and compressing the violent Spiritual Power within his body. In the qi sea, that illusory Spiritual Power vortex spun and condensed with difficulty, each rotation accompanied by indescribable pain, yet gradually becoming more substantial.

Success lies in this very effort! Failure means eternal ruin!

"Boom!"

The last Defensive Talisman at the Cave Entrance shattered instantly.

Wan Honghai's eyes turned fierce: "Get out here, old man!"

He took a step forward, and a terrifying surge of air swept toward the Cave Entrance.

The Black-clad Leader also snorted coldly, making a gesture to his subordinates.

Strong enemies have arrived at the door!

Meanwhile, the sky above the cave had at some point become overcast with dark clouds, low rumbles of thunder brewing deep within, a destructive aura beginning to spread.

The Foundation Disaster was also brewing!