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At the moment the Crimson Forbidden Land collapsed, Su Ning, mixed among the fleeing disciples of the seven sects, perfectly displayed a look of panic on his face.

He deliberately lagged behind a few steps, letting the panicked cultivators rush ahead, while he would occasionally look back, as if to confirm the extent of the collapse of the forbidden area.

"Senior Brother Su! Let's go!" Han Li waved from a distance, with Li Feiyu, who was also in a sorry state, beside him.

After the three reunited, Su Ning noticed the bulging storage bag at Han Li's waist, while Li Feiyu tightly gripped a spiritual herb emanating a chilling aura.

"Let's go!" Su Ning replied briefly, and the three of them rushed towards the exit with the flow of people.

Behind them, the sky of the Crimson Forbidden Land crumbled like a shattered mirror, revealing dark spatial rifts.

Those cultivators who were slower to run were swallowed up by the cracks, turning into dust before they could even scream.

The moment he broke out of the forbidden area, Su Ning felt a heat between his brows.

He looked inward and discovered that the spatial world had completely devoured the core of the Crimson Forbidden Land and was slowly digesting it.

After those spatial fragments merged, his spatial world expanded more than three times, and mysterious runes similar to those in the Crimson Forbidden Land appeared at its edges.

"Everyone assemble! Take a headcount!" The Core Formation elders from the seven sects stood in the air, their faces ashen, watching the continuously collapsing entrance to the forbidden area.

Old Monster Qiong of Spirit Beast Mountain was so angry that his beard stood on end: "How could it suddenly collapse? There were still three days before the closing time!"

However, no one answered his question at this moment, because the blood-red forbidden space had completely collapsed.

The count was alarming—less than 60% of the disciples from the seven sects who entered the forbidden area survived.

On the Yellow Maple Valley side, Li Huayuan looked at the few remaining disciples, his face ashen.

But when his gaze swept over Su Ning and the other two, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes...

These three lads not only survived, but they also had powerful auras, clearly indicating they had gained a lot.

But when Su Ning appeared, Chen Qiaoqian, who had also survived, breathed a sigh of relief.

"Return to the valley!" Li Huayuan waved his sleeve and summoned his flying magic weapon.

The disciples hurriedly followed, fearing they would be left behind in this perilous place.

During the flight, Su Ning closed his eyes to regulate his breathing, but in reality, he was secretly studying the "Human King's Heavenly Control Technique".

This cultivation technique is divided into nine realms: Body Refined to Steel, Divine Consciousness Transformed into the Sea, Spiritual Energy Reaching the Heavens...

Each level requires a special cultivation method, far superior to ordinary techniques.

What surprised him even more was that the cultivation technique contained a prophecy about a "great calamity for humanity" at the end, but the content was vague and seemed to have been deliberately concealed.

"Senior Brother Su, are you alright?" Han Li's voice brought Su Ning back to reality.

He opened his eyes and saw the concerned looks on Han Li and Li Feiyu's faces.

"It's nothing, just excessive exertion." Su Ning smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over the two of them. "How were your gains?"

Han Li cautiously looked around and lowered his voice: "I got a few spiritual herbs, which is barely enough."

Li Feiyu excitedly showed off the ice-attribute spirit herb: "I found it by a cold pool. It should be worth a lot of contribution points."

Suning nodded without asking any further questions.

He knew that Han Li was definitely holding back, but that was perfectly normal in the cultivation world.

Li Feiyu's frankness, on the contrary, surprised him somewhat...

Although this kid has excellent spiritual roots, he is relatively simple-minded, which may not be a good thing in the dog-eat-dog world of cultivation.

So the cultivation world is still a world of cunning old devils like Han Laomo. After all, the saying "better to die than to die" is not just a meme.

After returning to Yellow Maple Valley, the disciples of the seven sects dispersed.

Li Huayuan summoned the three to the cave and inquired in detail about the situation inside the forbidden area.

Suning had already prepared its own explanation, claiming that it had been operating on the periphery and was completely unaware of the changes in the core area.

Han Li and Li Feiyu cooperated tacitly, never mentioning their actual gains.

"Well, it's a miracle you came back alive." Li Huayuan sighed and took out three jade bottles. "These are your rewards for completing the mission. Each of you will receive a Foundation Establishment Pill. Go back and cultivate diligently, and strive to establish your foundation as soon as possible."

The three men respectfully accepted the gifts and left the cave. Han Li suddenly stopped the other two: "Senior brothers, I have something to discuss with you."

Inside Han Li's stone house, he set up a soundproof barrier, then took out two jade boxes: "I obtained two extra Foundation Establishment Pills in the forbidden area. Fei Yu has a mutated wood spirit root, so his chances of establishing a foundation are the greatest. I'll give you both of these."

Li Feiyu's eyes widened, and he waved his hands repeatedly: "This is too valuable! Senior Brother Han, you keep it for yourself..."

"I have my own plans." Han Li interrupted him, a resolute glint in his eyes. "My spiritual root aptitude is poor, and one or two Foundation Establishment Pills may not be enough. It would be better to concentrate resources and ensure that one person succeeds in Foundation Establishment first."

Suning nodded to himself.

Han Li's move, seemingly a disadvantage, was actually brilliant...

If Li Feiyu succeeds in establishing his foundation, he will have a powerful backer within the sect; even if he fails, this favor will be something Li Feiyu will remember for the rest of his life.

He thought for a moment and took out his own Foundation Establishment Pill: "Junior Brother Han is right. Feiyu, take all three of them and make sure we succeed in one fell swoop."

"This..." Li Feiyu's eyes reddened slightly, and his hand trembled slightly as he accepted the pill. "I will never forget the great kindness of my two senior brothers!"

……

A month later, spiritual energy suddenly gathered above Huangfeng Valley, forming a small vortex.

Inside the cave, Li Feiyu took the second Foundation Establishment Pill, and the spiritual power within his body surged like a river.

His mutated wood spirit root emitted an emerald green light, absorbing all the surrounding spiritual energy.

"It's done!" Sensing the fluctuations in spiritual energy, Su Ning and Han Li opened their eyes at the same time.

When the two arrived outside Li Feiyu's cave, several Foundation Establishment stage senior brothers were already watching.

"The mutated spiritual root is indeed extraordinary." A blue-robed cultivator exclaimed, "He succeeded with only two Foundation Establishment Pills. Back then, I used four to barely break through."

When Li Feiyu stepped out of the cave, his aura was already different.

He bowed deeply to Su Ning and Han Li: "Thank you both for your kindness!"

Han Li quickly helped him up: "Senior Brother Li... no! Uncle Li, you are now a Foundation Establishment cultivator, it is we who should pay our respects to you."

"Stop fooling around! The three of us will always be fellow disciples." However, Li Feiyu looked at Han Li and said with a smile and a scolding.

The three of them smiled at each other, understanding each other tacitly.

Half a month later, Han Li began his seclusion to attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

He swallowed five Foundation Establishment Pills at once—which he had secretly obtained by exchanging a large amount of spiritual medicine.

The violent effects of the drug nearly tore his meridians apart, but with his unwavering will and experience from his past life, he managed to survive the most dangerous phase.

When the seventh Foundation Building Pill entered his stomach, a soft "crack" sound finally came from within Han Li's body, as if some kind of shackle had been broken.

The spiritual energy surged through every meridian like a tidal wave, eventually condensing into liquid true essence in the dantian.

"Finally... I've reached Foundation Establishment." Han Li breathed a long sigh of relief, his eyes gleaming.

He touched his storage bag; there were still three Foundation Establishment Pills left inside…

This was his way out.

Meanwhile, Suning is also making its final push.

Unlike the other two, he did not take the Foundation Establishment Pill, but instead circulated the "Human King's Heavenly Control Technique" to compress the spiritual power in his body to the extreme.

This ancient cultivation technique is extremely domineering. Every time it is used, it brings excruciating pain, but its effects far surpass those of ordinary techniques.

"Condense!" Su Ning shouted, and the spiritual energy in his body instantly liquefied, while his muscles and bones made popping sounds like popping beans.

The first level of "Human King's Heavenly Technique", "Body Refinement Like Steel", perfectly matches the Foundation Establishment stage!
When he opened his eyes, a golden light flashed deep within his pupils, but it vanished in an instant.

The news of the three successfully establishing their foundations quickly spread throughout Yellow Maple Valley.

Li Huayuan personally summoned him, offered words of encouragement, and then bestowed upon him a Foundation Establishment cultivation method and a magical treasure.

Even more surprisingly, the sect leader and the Nascent Soul stage Elder Linghu issued a decree allowing the three of them to enter the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion and choose a secret technique.

"It seems we've attracted the attention of the higher-ups," Su Ning said in a low voice after leaving the library.

Han Li nodded, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes: "The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind. We must be more careful in our actions from now on."

Li Feiyu, however, did not take it seriously: "What's there to be afraid of? We are already Foundation Establishment cultivators, and we are considered a core force within the sect."

He brandished his newly acquired greenwood sword, the sword's energy leaving a shallow mark on the ground.

Just as the three were talking, Xiang Zhili, in a secluded place in Huangfeng Valley, was standing in front of a blood mirror.

A blurry image appeared in the mirror—the moment the Crimson Forbidden Land collapsed, a barely perceptible spatial fluctuation flashed by.

"Hmph! As expected, someone tampered with things..." Xiang Zhili smiled sinisterly. "Investigate! Find out the background of all the surviving disciples! Especially those who suddenly succeeded in Foundation Establishment..."

Ripples spread across the surface of the blood-red mirror, and a hoarse voice responded, "Yes, Your Majesty."

A flash of crimson light crossed Xiang Zhili's eyes, and the blood mirror vanished. When he raised his head, he had returned to his kind old man appearance and slowly walked out of the hidden cave.

Behind Huangfeng Valley, Su Ning stood alone on the edge of a cliff, gazing at the sea of ​​clouds in the distance.

His consciousness sank into the spatial world, which had expanded to a radius of ten miles. In the center stood a miniature blood-red pyramid, surrounded by twelve illusory stone pillars.

“Blood God Cult… Human King’s Legacy…” Su Ning murmured to himself, “It seems the cultivation world is about to be stirred up.”

With a thought, the Thousand Illusion King Armor covered his entire body, transforming into the yellow silk robes worn by ordinary Yellow Maple Valley disciples.

From the outside, he was just an ordinary cultivator who had just successfully established his foundation. No one would have guessed what enormous secret this young man carried.

The mountain wind howled, whipping up Suning's yellow robes.

Behind him, the lights of Yellow Maple Valley gradually lit up, like a sea of ​​stars.

But in the darkness beyond, an unknown crisis is brewing...

……

The bell in Huangfeng Valley tolled nine times, a sign that a disciple had been accepted as a personal disciple by a Nascent Soul Ancestor.

Li Feiyu, dressed in a brand-new blue robe, stood in the center of the Ancestral Hall, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

Before him stood the Old Ancestor Linghu, dressed in white, his face appearing to be in his early thirties, yet his eyes were as deep as the starry sky, containing the vicissitudes of hundreds of years.

More than a dozen Core Formation stage elders stood on both sides of the hall, and even the sect leader, who was usually rarely seen, was present in person.

"A mutated wood spirit root, indeed rare." Ancestor Linghu's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears. "I have been in seclusion for a hundred years and am in need of a disciple to manage the herb garden. Are you willing?"

A collective gasp filled the hall.

Who doesn't know that Linghu Laozu's herb garden is full of thousand-year-old spiritual herbs?

Getting this job is like having access to countless resources!

Several late-stage Foundation Establishment deacons had red eyes; they had cultivated diligently for a hundred years without achieving this honor, and even those Core Formation stage cultivators could not remain calm.

Li Feiyu hurriedly knelt down: "This disciple is willing! Thank you for your favor, Ancestor!"

Linghu Patriarch nodded slightly, and a beam of azure light shot out from his fingertip and entered Li Feiyu's brow: "This is the first three levels of the 'Azure Wood Longevity Technique,' cultivate it well."

After speaking, his figure gradually faded away and disappeared without a trace in the blink of an eye.

The sect leader, beaming, stepped forward and personally helped Li Feiyu up: "It is truly a blessing for Huangfeng Valley that Junior Nephew Li has gained the favor of the Ancestor!"

Turning to the crowd, he said, "Pass down the order that from this day forward, Junior Nephew Li will enjoy the treatment of a core disciple and will be free to enter and exit the first three floors of the Scripture Pavilion."

Han Li and Su Ning, who were standing outside the hall, saw this scene clearly.

Han Li said in a low voice, "Fei Yu has really risen to the top in one step."

Su Ning frowned slightly: "Good fortune may be fraught with misfortune. Although mutated spiritual roots are good, they can also easily arouse jealousy."

As they were talking, Li Huayuan walked out of the hall and his eyes lit up when he saw Han Li: "Han Li, come with me."

Han Li quickly followed, and the two arrived at Li Huayuan's cave.

The cave dwelling was simply furnished, except for an ancient bronze sword hanging on the wall that exuded a sharp sword aura.

After Li Huayuan sat down, he carefully examined Han Li: "Do you know why I took you as my disciple?"

Han Li respectfully said, "This disciple is dull-witted, please enlighten me, Master."

“Dull-witted?” Li Huayuan scoffed. “Anyone who can survive the Blood Forbidden Land and successfully establish their foundation is no simpleton.”

He stood up and walked to Han Li. "What I value is your character. You have the aptitude of four spiritual roots, yet you were able to establish your foundation in your early twenties. This perseverance and opportunity are more precious than any heavenly spiritual root."

Han Li was shocked; he hadn't expected Li Huayuan to have such a sharp eye.

“From today onwards, you shall come here every day at Chenshi (7-9 AM) and I will personally instruct you in the Qingyun Sword Manual.” Li Huayuan took out a jade slip and tossed it to Han Li. “In addition, in the Seven Sects Grand Competition three months from now, you must bring me a top ten finish. Don’t embarrass your master.”

"Yes! Master."

Meanwhile, Suning was summoned to a remote valley.

Thunder rumbled faintly in the valley. A middle-aged man in purple robes stood with his hands behind his back, staring intently at a sword mark on the cliff face.

"Disciple Su Ning greets Uncle Lei," Su Ning said, bowing.

He had long heard of Lei Wanhe, a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator in Huangfeng Valley, who was proficient in thunder magic but lived a secluded life. He never expected to be summoned today.

Lei Wanhe turned around, his eyes flashing with electricity: "Hmm. The strange phenomena you triggered when you established your foundation, others didn't notice, but I saw them clearly."

He raised his hand and pointed, and a bolt of purple lightning suddenly struck Su Ning's feet. "What kind of cultivation technique are you practicing?"

Su Ning was shocked, but remained outwardly calm: "This disciple does not know what Uncle-Master means."

"Playing dumb?" Lei Wanhe sneered. "Fine! Every cultivator has their own secrets, I won't pry."

"Uncle Lei..."

As he pondered a solution, Lei Wanhe suddenly withdrew his oppressive aura: "Don't worry! I have no interest in your secrets. I'm willing to take you as my disciple, are you willing?"

It turns out that Lei Wanhe has been stuck in the mid-stage of Core Formation for nearly a hundred years, and his self-created "Five Thunder Orthodox Method" is still missing the last level and cannot be perfected.

He realized that Su Ning's cultivation technique contained the true meaning of ancient thunder magic, which is why he decided to take him as a disciple.

"This disciple is willing." Su Ning breathed a sigh of relief, as this actually gave him a legitimate opportunity to study thunder magic.

"Haha, good! This is the Five Thunder Orthodox Method. Remember to study it carefully."

"Yes! Master."

The news that the three had each become disciples quickly spread throughout Yellow Maple Valley.

Li Feiyu became the center of attention, with a constant stream of visitors every day, and even some Core Formation elders sent people to deliver congratulatory gifts.

Han Li, due to his status as Li Huayuan's disciple, attracted challenges from many fellow sword cultivators.

Suning, on the other hand, has a much quieter environment because it is mentored by the low-profile Lei Wanhe.

That day, Han Li was practicing his sword at the sword platform when a sarcastic voice came from behind him: "Oh! Isn't this Uncle Li's newly accepted disciple? He can even reach the Foundation Establishment stage with four spiritual roots? Could it be that he ate some kind of evil pill?"

Turning his head, he saw Senior Brother Lin, who was in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. He was a disciple of the sect leader's lineage and always looked down on others.

Han Li sheathed his sword and bowed, "What advice do you have for me, Senior Brother Lin?"

"I wouldn't call it giving pointers," Senior Brother Lin sneered. "I just want to see what's so special about the person that Uncle Li has taken a liking to."

After saying that, he suddenly drew his sword, and a sharp sword aura went straight for Han Li's face!
Han Li hastily parried with his sword, but was forced back three steps, his hand going numb.

He was secretly annoyed, but unwilling to cause trouble within the sect, he could only suppress his anger: "Senior brother's swordsmanship is superb, junior brother admits defeat."

"You're admitting defeat already?" Senior Brother Lin pressed his advantage, "Uncle Li's judgment is nothing special after all!"

"Senior Brother Lin, you're quite the show-off." Li Feiyu appeared at the sidelines unnoticed, his face grim. "How about I take a look at you?"

Senior Brother Lin's expression froze. Li Feiyu was now the patriarch's disciple, how could he dare to act recklessly?

He quickly smiled apologetically, "Junior Brother Li is joking. I was just sparring with Junior Brother Han."

"Really?" Li Feiyu walked up to Han Li and deliberately said loudly, "Senior Brother Han, Ancestor Linghu asked about you yesterday, saying he would like to meet Uncle Li, his esteemed disciple, if he has the chance."

Upon hearing this, Senior Brother Lin's expression changed drastically, and he slunk away.

Han Li smiled wryly and said, "Senior brother, you don't need to do this."

Li Feiyu patted him on the shoulder: "Why be so formal with us brothers? By the way, Senior Brother Su asked me to tell you to meet at the usual place tonight."

"it is good."

As night fell, the three secretly met in Han Li's cave.

After setting up a soundproof barrier, Su Ning said in a deep voice, "Junior brothers, I suspect that the matter of the Crimson Forbidden Land is not over yet. Today, Uncle Lei revealed that the higher-ups of the seven sects are investigating the cause of the collapse of the forbidden land. Therefore, we must keep a low profile as much as possible from now on."

Han Li nodded: "I also heard my master mention that a mysterious figure has been frequently visiting various sects recently, seemingly looking for someone."

Li Feiyu scratched his head: "Ancestor Linghu didn't mention this, but there were a few unfamiliar faces among the handymen disciples in the herb garden yesterday, which felt a bit strange."

"Next, we need to be wary of sudden contact with unfamiliar fellow disciples. Those of us who returned safely from the Blood Forbidden Land are in the most danger," Su Ning finally instructed Han Li and Li Feiyu.

"clear."

After exchanging information, the three became increasingly convinced that things were not as simple as they seemed.

Su Ning concluded by saying, "Be careful these days, especially Fei Yu. You're too much of a target right now."

Just as the three were having their private conversation, a hunched figure quietly appeared inside the gate of Huangfeng Valley.

Xiang Zhili gazed at the lights in the valley, a flash of bloodlust crossing his eyes: "Who exactly are these three little ones?"

A blood-red jade pendant in his sleeve was slightly warm, pointing in three directions into the valley...

That's exactly where Suning and his two companions were!
...(End of chapter)