Chapter 157: Foundation Establishment Stabilized, Yet a New Crisis

Inside the cave, the damp air still held a faint scent of blood and the charred fumes from the clash of Spiritual Power.

Wang Shan sat cross‑legged, the mighty Spiritual Power of the Foundation Establishment flowing like a gentle stream through the newly opened Meridians, slowly repairing the countless minute injuries caused earlier by forced breakthroughs and the activation of forbidden techniques.

It's done.

Foundation Establishment—truly completed.

He looked inward; within his dantian, the previously gaseous Spiritual Power had coalesced into a small pool of liquid Spiritual Power Spring, its purity and volume far beyond what the Body Refining stage could claim. Each breath now draws in more of the world's Spiritual Qi, and that is the crushing superiority of his realm.

But he couldn't feel happy.

In his mind, the forbidden technique called "Ten Thousand Beasts Reversal" radiated an ominous aura. It was like a blade without a sheath—wounding the enemy while also cutting its own hand. If that brat Wan Honghai hadn't fled first, and he had held on a bit longer, he would have been the one to fall.

Counter‑Devouring… this thing is more troublesome than the enemy.

"Sir, you're awake?"

Li Hu and Zhang Mei hobbled over, their faces showing the relief of surviving a disaster and genuine awe. The wounds on their bodies had scabbed over, clearly the Return Spring Pill Wang Shan gave them was working.

"Hmm." Wang Shan opened his eyes, his voice still a bit hoarse, "How are you both?"

"All fine! Just a skin wound!" Li Hu grinned, showing two rows of white teeth, patted his chest, which jolted the injury, causing him to wince in pain, "Hey, the pill you gave, sir, it's divine! I feel in two days I'll be able to smash a few more monsters!"

Zhang Mei, far more meticulous, pointed to a corner of the cave: "Wang Zhitao and Zhi Ze are both asleep; Wang Zhitao's complexion has improved, but…"

"I know." Wang Shan followed her gaze, seeing his young grandson Wang Zhitao lying on a straw pile, breathing steadily yet with a lingering dark aura in his brows, "The toxins in his body are rampant; the antidote pill can only keep him alive. To eradicate them completely will require time and specific herbs. No rush."

"Grandpa…" on the other side, Zhi Ze muttered in his sleep, his small hand still clutching the Black Jade Slip.

Wang Shan's eyes fell on the slip, his expression complex.

Surviving this time and completing Foundation Establishment is half due to his own ruthlessness, the other half thanks to this little thing.

He steadied his mind and issued a command to the system.

"Recall the storage bags of the Wan Family Cultivators and those Black-clothed Person."

【Ding! Recyclable items detected: Storage Bag x13, Magic Artifact x27, Talisman x89… Recycling complete.】

【Gained Spirit Plant Points: points.】

A huge sum!

Wang Shan felt his heart skip a beat. Indeed, the golden belt that kills and sets fire—ancients truly don't deceive. Earlier, to push his Foundation Establishment, he exchanged for the Condensing Essence Obstacle-Breaking Pill and auxiliary plans, nearly draining his family's wealth; now, not only has he broken even, he's made a hefty profit.

"System, exchange for the Third Tier Green Wood Return Spring Pill formula and materials, and exchange for the advanced templates of the Mystic Armor Talisman, Sharp Gold Talisman, and Swift Movement Talisman, all at Third Tier. Also, continue parsing the Beast Taming Sect inheritance, and raise its priority to the highest!"

【Command Confirmation. Deducted Spirit Plant Points. Remaining Spirit Plant Points: points.】

【Beast Taming Sect Core Inheritance analysis progress accelerating… Estimated 72 hours.】

After completing all this, Wang Shan finally felt a slight peace of mind. Spirit Plant Points are his backing; with them, he has the capital to turn the tide.

He stood up, stretched his limbs, and walked toward the deeper part of the cave.

Li Hu and Zhang Mei exchanged a glance and did not follow. They knew the sir had his own secrets.

Deeper in the cave was the spot where the Earth Vein Qi had previously surged. Wang Shan went over and discovered that the rock wall was not a seamless surface but a cleverly disguised stone platform—in other words, an ancient Altar.

The Altar was small, only three feet square, its surface covered with dense, intricate runes. These runes were more complex and older than those on the slip, interlocking to form fierce yet sacred images of exotic beasts, seemingly narrating a story forgotten by time. In the center of the Altar lay a recess, its shape and size matching the Black Jade Slip in Zhi Ze's hand down to the last detail.

This is the activated inheritance node.

Wang Shan extended his hand, his fingertips lightly brushing the runes on the Altar.

A cold, vast breath spread from his fingertips.

【Ding! High‑density Beast Taming Sect core rune array detected, currently cross‑referencing with "Earth Vein Key Fragment" data…】

【Analyzing…】

【Analysis result: The Altar is a coordinate positioning formation, pointing to an area called "Ten Thousand Beasts Origin".】

"Ten Thousand Beasts Origin?" Wang Shan raised an eyebrow.

【Based on current data extrapolation, "Ten Thousand Beasts Origin" lies deep within the core of the Man Yun Mountain Range, a location extremely hazardous, perpetually occupied by high‑level demonic beasts. The area may be the true birthplace of the Beast Taming Sect, or the ultimate vault storing its Core Inheritance.】

【Extrapolation conclusion: The Beast Taming Sect's downfall, higher‑tier techniques, even forces capable of reshaping the entire Man Yun Mountain Range, may all be linked to "Ten Thousand Beasts Origin".】

Sss—

Wang Shan felt as if he'd poked a massive wasp nest.

A collapsed sect leaves such a terrifying mess. Ten Thousand Beasts devouring the master, forbidden techniques back‑firing, and now the "Ten Thousand Beasts Origin" emerges.

Is the Beast Taming Sect truly righteous or a demonic school? Or perhaps a bunch of pyromaniac lunatics?

But…

Wang Shan's eyes lit up.

Danger often comes with colossal opportunity. If he could locate that "Ten Thousand Beasts Origin" and obtain higher‑tier techniques, could he finally solve the problem of the Ten Thousand Beast Method being countered? Could he break free from the Ten Thousand Beasts Reversal, a forbidden art as crippling as the Seven Injuries Fist?

Even gain the true capital to secure his livelihood!

"Sir, outside… outside has gone mad!"

Li Hu's excited voice came from the cave entrance, interrupting Wang Shan's thoughts.

Wang Shan stepped out and saw Li Hu's face flushed bright red, excitement making him look like a child.

"What's being spread?"

"It's about you!" Li Hu slapped his thigh, "Now all the wandering cultivators across the Man Yun Mountain Range no longer call you 'Pill Talisman Fierce Elder'!"

"Oh? What's it called then?" Wang Shan showed a hint of interest.

Li Hu cleared his throat, mimicking the tone of a street storyteller, and said vividly: "They all call you—Foundation Establishment Fierce Elder! They say your old self broke through in battle, completed Foundation Establishment, radiating king‑like aura; with a single palm or fist you battered the Wan Family Supreme Elder and that Black-clad Leader into a fleeing mess, crying for their mothers!"

"Pfft…" Wang Shan almost spat out a mouthful of old blood, "King‑like aura? And crying for their mothers?"

The rumor is absurd, but it works.

"Fine then." Wang Shan smiled, "A louder reputation can scare off many flies. We can have a few peaceful days. We'll tidy up; once your injuries improve, we'll leave Ghost Sorrow Cliff, this place of trouble."

"Alright!" Li Hu and Zhang Mei replied in unison, smiles on their faces.

Finally, we can have a few stable days.

Foundation Establishment succeeded, the strong enemy retreated, and his reputation spread far. Everything seemed to be developing in a good direction.

However, just as Wang Shan turned around, preparing to go back and study that Altar—

【——Highest‑Level Alert! ——】

【——Highest‑Level Alert! ——】

A string of scarlet, glaring characters, like sharp swords, drove mercilessly into Wang Shan's mind!

His whole body froze.

This is still the system's first time issuing an Alert of such a level!

【Detected ultra‑high‑intensity Spiritual Energy Fluctuation rapidly approaching! Target locked on current coordinates!】

【Target pressure intensity analysis: Foundation Establishment late‑stage peak… no, energy level has reached Golden Core barrier, suspected Half‑Step Golden Core!】

【Based on the technique's fluctuation and the aura of the carried artifact, the target is the second Elder of the Wan Family's Closed Meditation, Wan Tianxiong!】

【Warning: Target carries the Wan Family's heirloom—Fourth‑Grade Magic Artifact 【Binding Demon Rope】, and a malicious artifact specifically targeting the Spiritual Sense—【Soul‑Suppressing Banner】!】

In an instant, Wang Shan felt a chill surge from the soles of his feet straight up to the Celestial Spirit Crown!

Foundation Establishment late‑stage peak? Half‑Step Golden Core?!

And it also carries two Fourth‑Grade Magic Artifacts?

That useless Wan Honghai went back to fetch reinforcements? And brought something like this?

What a joke!

I'm only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, my Spiritual Power hasn't fully stabilized, the Counter‑Devouring of the forbidden technique hasn't been completely eliminated, so what can I use to fight a Half‑Step Golden Core strongman? The opponent also carries artifacts specifically designed to counter me!

【Binding Demon Rope】, hearing the name alone tells you it's aimed at cultivators of beast‑type techniques. My own "Ten Thousand Beasts Reversal" probably hasn't even been unleashed, and I'm about to be bound like a rice dumpling.

And that 【Soul‑Suppressing Banner】 is even more insidiously poisonous; once it envelops you, the Spiritual Sense will be torn to pieces!

The slight joy and hope that had just risen were instantly doused with a chilling cold.

What "Foundation Establishment Fierce Elder", what far‑reaching reputation—before absolute strength, they're all jokes!

"Sir, what's wrong with you?" Li Hu noticed that Wang Shan's complexion was off.

Wang Shan gave no reply; his mind was racing wildly.

Run?

Run where? A Half‑Step Golden Core's Spiritual Sense can cover a hundred‑li radius; with three burdens of my own, can I even escape?

Fight?

Use my head to strike?!

The only way to survive…

Wang Shan's gaze snapped toward the depths of the cave, to that ancient Altar pointing to the Ten Thousand Beasts Origin!