Courtyard Check-in: Starting with a Small World of Cultivation

October 26th, 5:00 AM.

Before dawn, Qianmen Dashilan West Street was shrouded in a thick autumn fog. Chen Yu stood in the courtyard, his aura completely concealed, as if he had merged with the fog.

He had been standing in the courtyard for two whole hours. From the moment the enemy left, he hadn't moved, just waiting quietly.

Waiting for dawn, waiting for the battle.

Qin Huairu was sent into his little world by him. When he said goodbye softly last night, she didn't say anything, but just hugged him tightly, then let go and let him send her into that world that belonged only to them.

That's enough. With no worries about the future, he can go all out.

His spiritual sense spread out, covering an area of ​​a hundred feet. He could "see" two figures loitering at the entrance of the alley—seventh-level Qi Refining cultivators, sentries. Further away, two more were hidden on the rooftops, carrying crossbows with arrowheads that glowed with a ghostly blue light, indicating they were poisoned.

"Five people," Chen Yu counted silently in his mind. "One at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment, two at the second level, and two at the seventh level of Qi Refining. And that elder at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment should be bringing up the rear."

Despite the vast disparity in strength, he had no way out.

At 5:15, the sky began to lighten. The fog started to thin, and visibility gradually improved.

The two sentries at the alley entrance exchanged a glance and silently approached the courtyard. The two on the rooftop also raised their crossbows and aimed at the gate.

Just as they were about to launch their attack, Chen Yu made his move—

Instead of charging at the enemy, he turned and retreated into the house. He formed hand seals and poured in spiritual energy, instantly creating a faint light barrier around the courtyard—a defensive formation he had set up over the past few days. Although rudimentary, it could withstand attacks from those below the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Damn it! He's found us!" The leader, a Foundation Establishment Level 5 expert, exclaimed, his expression changing drastically. "Charge in!"

Two Foundation Establishment Stage 2 cultivators were the first to break through the door, but they were blocked by the array as soon as they entered the courtyard. The light barrier flickered violently, but it withstood their attack.

Chen Yu rushed out of the house and headed straight for the two Foundation Establishment Level 2 cultivators—

He must act swiftly and eliminate as many enemies as possible before the seventh-level Foundation Establishment cultivators arrive!

"You're asking for death!" A Foundation Establishment Level 2 cultivator sneered as he saw him charging towards him and threw a punch to meet him.

The two clashed instantly. A fifth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator against a second-level Foundation Establishment cultivator was a complete and utter defeat—Chen Yu slapped away his fist with one palm and then landed a solid blow to his chest with the other.

"Pfft!" The man coughed up blood and flew backward, crashing into the courtyard wall and losing consciousness.

Another Foundation Establishment Level 2 cultivator was shocked and turned to run away, but Chen Yu was faster—he flashed and caught up behind him, kicking him in the back of the knee. The man knelt on one knee and was then struck on the back of the neck by Chen Yu, collapsing to the ground.

In less than ten seconds, both Foundation Establishment Level 2 cultivators were dealt with!

"Damn it!" The fifth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator roared in fury, smashing the courtyard gate with a single palm strike and rushing in.

Instead of retreating, Chen Yu advanced and exchanged a palm strike with him.

"Bang!"

A shockwave rippled through the air, cracking the courtyard wall and sending roof tiles flying. The two men each took three steps back, resulting in a stalemate!

"Fifth level of Foundation Establishment?!" The fifth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator's face turned ashen. "You were clearly only at the fourth level of Foundation Establishment before!"

"Thanks to you, I just broke through these past few days," Chen Yu said coldly.

The Foundation Establishment Level 5 cultivator gritted his teeth: "Even if we're at the same cultivation level, you're no match for me!"

He formed hand seals, his aura surged, and a sharp palm wind swept in—a secret technique of the Xuanming Palace!

Chen Yu summoned the Azure Dragon Cauldron, its azure light shield protecting his entire body as he withstood the palm strike. At the same time, the Vermilion Bird Lantern Mirror flew out, unleashing a blazing flame that hurtled towards the fifth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"The Four Symbols Ritual Artifacts!" The fifth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator was shocked and hurriedly dodged. But the raging flames followed him relentlessly, burning him relentlessly.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Chen Yu pressed forward, his White Tiger Cong enhancing his power and his Black Tortoise Armor solidifying his defense, each punch and kick carrying immense force.

The fifth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator was badly beaten by the Four Symbols Ritual Artifacts and could only barely parry. The more he fought, the more alarmed he became—this young man, despite being at the same cultivation level, was far stronger than him!

"boom!"

Chen Yu punched him in the chest, and the fifth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator coughed up blood and flew backward, crashing into half of a house.

"You...you..." He struggled to get up, but Chen Yu had already walked up to him and stepped on his chest.

"Tell me, what exactly does your Xuanming Palace want?" Chen Yu said coldly.

The fifth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator gave a bitter smile: "You think... you've won? The elders are on their way, you... can't escape..."

As soon as the words were spoken, a powerful aura descended from the sky—

The old man in the gray robe has arrived!

Chen Yu kicked the fifth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator unconscious, then turned to face the seventh-level Foundation Establishment elder.

The gray-robed old man landed on the courtyard wall, looking at his men lying on the ground, his face ashen: "Good lad, you've actually broken through again in just a few days."

Chen Yu remained silent, merely staring coldly at him. The Four Symbols Ritual Artifacts hovered around him, ready to attack at any moment.

"However, a fifth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator is still just a fifth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator," the gray-robed elder sneered. "Today, I'll show you what true strength is!"

He raised his hand and unleashed a palm strike, a force as powerful as a tidal wave!

Chen Yu activated the Four Symbols Ritual Artifacts with all his might. The Azure Dragon Cauldron shone brightly, the Vermilion Bird Lantern Mirror blazed fiercely, the White Tiger Cong unleashed its full power, and the Black Tortoise Armor reinforced its defenses—he withstood the palm strike head-on!

"boom!"

Chen Yu staggered back seven steps, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. The gray-robed old man, however, remained completely still.

A Foundation Establishment Level 7 is indeed much stronger than Level 5.

"Not bad, you can withstand one of my palm strikes." A hint of appreciation flashed in the gray-robed elder's eyes. "Boy, I'll give you a chance. Hand over the Four Symbols Ritual Artifacts and the secrets of the grotto-heaven, join the Xuanming Palace, and I'll spare your life."

Chen Yu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and laughed: "Old man, are you dreaming?"

The gray-robed old man's face darkened: "You're courting death!"

He struck again, this time even more ruthlessly and fiercely than before!

Chen Yu gritted his teeth and charged forward, unleashing the full power of his Four Symbols Ritual Artifacts, engaging the gray-robed elder in battle—

"Boom!" "Bang!" "Thud!"

The two fought their way from the small courtyard in front of the gate into the alley, and from the alley into the street. Wherever they went, walls collapsed, roof tiles flew, and countless residents were awakened.

But ordinary people can't see the cultivators' battle; they only hear the loud rumbling sounds and think that there is construction going on somewhere.

Chen Yu was finding it increasingly difficult to fight. The gap between a seventh-level Foundation Establishment cultivator and a fifth-level cultivator was too great. Although he had the Four Symbols Ritual Artifacts to enhance him, his true essence was being consumed extremely quickly. If this continued, he wouldn't last more than thirty moves.

"I have to find a way." He gritted his teeth and persevered, his mind racing.

Suddenly, he remembered an item in the system shop—

[Beginner Spirit-Boosting Pill: After consumption, it temporarily raises your cultivation level by one, but will leave you weak for three days afterwards. Requires 200 points]

200 points! He has exactly 280 points!

Chen Yu exchanged the pill without hesitation, and a dark red pill appeared in his palm. He swallowed it in one gulp—

In an instant, a violent power exploded within his body! His cultivation level surged from the fifth level of Foundation Establishment to the sixth level, approaching the seventh level!

"What?!" the gray-robed old man exclaimed in surprise.

Chen Yu stopped wasting words and went all out—

The Four Symbols Ritual Artifacts shone brightly, and together with the surge of true energy, they punched the gray-robed old man in the chest!

"Pfft!" The gray-robed old man coughed up blood and flew backward, crashing heavily to the ground.

Chen Yu followed up and threw another punch!

Two punches!

Three punches!

Four punches!

The old man in the gray robe was beaten so badly that he was powerless to fight back. In the end, he collapsed to the ground, motionless.

Chen Yu gasped for breath, the effects of the Explosive Spirit Pill beginning to wear off, and a sense of weakness gradually crept in. He struggled to stay upright, coldly staring at the gray-robed old man.

"What kind of evil magic did you use...?" the gray-robed old man asked weakly.

Chen Yu did not answer, but squatted down and searched his body for several spirit stones, a bottle of pills, and a token with the character "Xuan" engraved on it.

"Xuanming Palace, I've remembered that." Chen Yu stood up. "Go back and tell your palace master not to send anyone else. Otherwise, kill one if they come, kill two if they come."

The old man in the gray robe glared at him with resentment, struggled to his feet, and staggered away.

Chen Yu watched his figure disappear, and finally couldn't hold on any longer, collapsing to the ground.

The side effects of the Exploding Spirit Pill appeared—I felt weak all over, my true energy was almost completely depleted, and I couldn't even stand up.

He barely managed to enter the small world and appeared in the bamboo house. Qin Huairu was anxiously waiting downstairs. When she saw him covered in blood, she turned pale with fright.

"Chen Yu!" She rushed over and helped him up. "You...you're injured?"

"It's nothing, just a superficial injury." Chen Yu smiled weakly. "I'm just tired, I'll be fine after a nap."

He sat down cross-legged, swallowed a Qi-nourishing pill, and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing.

Qin Huairu stayed by his side, not daring to disturb him, and only silently shed tears.

In this little world, time flows slowly.

Three days later (small world time), Chen Yu opened his eyes.

The weakness had disappeared, and his cultivation had recovered. Moreover, through this battle, his understanding of the Foundation Establishment stage had deepened, and he showed faint signs of a breakthrough.

"This time, it's all thanks to the Exploding Spirit Pill," he murmured.

Qin Huairu brought over a bowl of spiritual spring water. Seeing that he was awake, her eyes reddened: "You're finally awake..."

"I'm sorry to have worried you." Chen Yu took the bowl, took a sip, and asked, "How's it outside?"

"I don't know, I didn't dare go out." Qin Huairu shook her head. "Will those people... come back?"

Chen Yu paused for a moment, then said, "Yes."

Although the gray-robed elder was defeated, the Xuanming Palace will not let it go so easily. Next time, it might be a Golden Core stage expert.

"What should we do then?"

Chen Yu held her hand: "Don't be afraid. I have a way."

He looked out the window; his little world was bright with sunshine and peaceful.

But for the outside world, the storm has only just begun.

And he must become stronger.