I fabricated myths to guide the revival of spiritual energy.

As six beams of light shot into the sky, the originally violent spiritual rain gradually subsided.

It was as if the world had been paused.

All eyes were focused on the two most dazzling sources of light on the back mountain—a purple aura rising from the east, domineering and unparalleled; and a red light filling the sky, beautiful yet chilling.

Boom!

A loud bang shattered the silence.

The stone door of Cave No. 1 of the Jia-class was not opened slowly, but was directly shattered from the inside by a violent spiritual force, turning into countless fragments of stone that flew out.

A figure, bathed in a faint purple light, defied the laws of gravity and slowly rose into the air, hovering ten meters above the ground, without the aid of any magical artifacts.

It is Chu Tian.

At this moment, his previously tattered robes had been replaced with new ones, his long hair moved without wind, and visible arcs of electricity swirled around his body.

Between the opening and closing of his eyes, a faint glint of light flashed, a manifestation of his divine sense being projected outward and his spiritual power being materialized.

"This is... the Foundation Establishment stage?"

Chu Tian looked down at his hands, feeling the surging liquid true essence within his body, like the Yangtze River.

That was more than ten times stronger than the Qi Refining stage.

This power gave him the illusion that he could make a hole in the sky if he wanted to.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother! Congratulations, Senior Brother!"

Below, thousands of students erupted in deafening cheers in the square.

Looking at Chu Tian suspended in the air, everyone's eyes were filled with envy and admiration.

Soaring through the air!

This is humanity's ultimate dream since ancient times, and now it has been realized right before their eyes by human beings with their own bodies!

However, just as the cheers began...

Clang—!

A clear, cold sword cry seemed to freeze boiling water instantly.

The gate to Cave No. 3 of the Yi-character type slowly opened.

There was no violent flying of flying stones, only a chilling aura.

Zhao Feng, carrying the Red Makeup Sword on his back, walked out step by step.

With each step he took, a red ice lotus would appear out of thin air beneath his feet, lifting his body upwards.

Each step is like walking on air, as if lotus flowers blooming with every step.

He reached the same height as Chu Tian, ​​standing a hundred meters apart.

If Chu Tian is like a rising sun, radiating boundless light, then Zhao Feng is like a sharp blade hidden in its sheath, its edge concealed yet deadly.

"Junior Brother Zhao, you've broken through too." Chu Tian stood with his hands behind his back, a confident smile on his lips. "It seems I'll have to fight for the title of 'Number One' a little longer."

Zhao Feng remained calm, his right hand lightly resting on the hilt of his sword: "It's just an empty reputation. However... if Senior Brother wishes to spar, Hongzhuang would also like to test the sharpness of a Foundation Establishment stage sword."

The air instantly filled with the smell of gunpowder.

The two, having just broken through to the next level, were at the peak of their momentum and confidence. Their inherent arrogance made neither willing to yield to the other.

Below them, four other Foundation Establishment cultivators, including Wang Tiechui and Lin Xiaolu, also emerged from seclusion.

Although its presence wasn't as imposing as those two, the pressure emanating from the Foundation Establishment stage was just as suffocating for the surrounding Qi Refining students.

"Hahaha! I feel like I could punch that venomous python to pieces!"

Wang Tiechui, his body gleaming with golden light, laughed wildly like a bronze statue, "This power! It's so exhilarating!"

A feeling known as "inflation" spread rapidly throughout Kunlun University.

They felt that they had been reborn and were no longer mortals, but "immortals" who were high above them.

……

Gu Qing looked at the students on the light screen, who were full of vigor and even starting to provoke each other to fight in the sky, and gently shook his head.

"Still too young."

Gu Qing took a sip of tea. "You want to run as soon as you learn to walk, and you want to compete to see who can fly higher as soon as you grow wings."

"system."

【exist. 】

"Activate the [Heavenly Tribulation Simulation System]."

A hint of sternness, like that of a loving father, flashed in Gu Qing's eyes:

"Cultivating immortality is inherently defying the heavens. In the true world of cultivation, Foundation Establishment requires undergoing a tribulation of lightning. Although the current Earth does not have the will of Heaven to send down tribulations of lightning, as the principal, I have an obligation to help them make up for this lesson."

"Not only should you chop, but you should chop hard."

"Let them know that in this world, we must always maintain awe for the sky above us."

[Command confirmed.]

[Heavenly Tribulation Simulation System activated.]

[Target identified: Chu Tian, ​​Zhao Feng, Wang Tiechui, Lin Xiaolu, and 6 other Foundation Establishment stage cultivators.]

[Lightning Tribulation Intensity: One-Nine Lightning Tribulation (Weakened Version - Teaching a Lesson Mode).]

……

The clouds, which had gradually dispersed after the rain stopped, suddenly began to churn again.

This time, it was no longer a white spiritual cloud.

Instead, it was a dark, thick cloud of calamity, as heavy as ink, seemingly about to crush the mountain peaks.

Rumbling--

A muffled rumble of thunder rolled deep into the clouds, carrying a chilling pressure that sent shivers down one's spine.

This pressure was many times stronger than the aura that Chu Tian and Zhao Feng had just released!

Chu Tian and Zhao Feng, who were just about to have a "sparring session", suddenly changed their expressions.

They felt an invisible force locking them in.

The feeling was like being prey targeted by an ancient ferocious beast, making every hair on your body stand on end.

"What's going on? Spiritual energy backlash?" Chu Tian looked up in surprise and uncertainty.

"No...this is..." The Crimson Sword on Zhao Feng's back trembled violently, emitting a piercing warning shriek, "It's lightning!"

next second.

Gu Qing's indifferent yet authoritative voice, transmitted through the mountain-protecting array, resounded throughout the heavens and earth like a great bell:

"The path to immortality is fraught with peril, every step a tribulation."

"Having established the foundation, one has already transcended the mortal realm. If you wish to rise above others, then first ask the heavens above if they will grant your request."

"Everyone, listen up! Retreat one kilometer!"

"Foundation cultivators, prepare to undergo tribulation!"

As soon as Gu Qing finished speaking, before the Qi Refining stage students in the square could react, they were pushed back by a gentle force, clearing a large area.

In the air, only those six arrogant "newly promoted masters" remained.

They hovered alone beneath the clouds of calamity, appearing so small.

"Transcending...transcending tribulation?!"

Wang Tiechui's maniacal laughter froze. "The principal didn't mention this part! Didn't the book say that the tribulation only happens at the Core Formation stage?!"

"This is Kunlun, and the principal's word is law!"

Chu Tian gritted his teeth, abandoning his earlier contempt. He looked up at the dark cloud gathering terrifying energy and roared, "Don't panic! We're Foundation Establishment stage cultivators! Mere lightning is nothing to fear! Form the formation!"

However, the heavenly tribulation won't wait for you to form your formation.

Snap!

The clouds parted.

Six silver lightning bolts, each as thick as a wrist, lashed down with unparalleled precision, like whips from a god.

"break!"

Chu Tian roared, his hands forming hand seals, and a purple spiritual energy shield instantly opened.

Zhao Feng drew his sword, and a red light transformed into a sword net to protect his body.

Wang Tiechui crossed his arms, his whole body radiating golden light, and he withstood the attack head-on!

boom! boom! boom!

The confrontation was not as evenly matched as one might have imagined.

The moment they made contact, Chu Tian's spiritual energy shield shattered like a soap bubble.

Zhao Feng's sword net was torn apart.

Wang Tiechui's golden statue was smashed, sparks flying everywhere.

The six figures, like mosquitoes swatted by a fly swatter, plummeted straight down to the ground from mid-air.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Six large, human-shaped craters emitting black smoke appeared in the square.

"Cough cough... Pfft..."

Chu Tian crawled out of the pit in a disheveled state. His once elegant new robes had been ripped into tattered clothes, his hair was a mess, and he exhaled a puff of black smoke.

pain.

Excruciating pain.

Although there was no immediate danger to his life, the lightning power penetrated his meridians and surged wildly within his body, nearly causing his newly condensed true essence to dissipate.

"He's...falling down already?"

Gu Qing's voice rang out again, tinged with mockery.

"Weren't you flying really high just now? Didn't you think you were invincible?"

"Stand up."

"The first lightning bolt was just a greeting. There are eight more to come."

"Either withstand it and stabilize your realm, or have your true essence shattered and fall back to the Qi Refining stage."

Upon hearing the words "fell back to the Qi Refining stage," the eyes of the six people instantly turned red.

Having finally climbed up, who would want to fall back down?

"Again!!"

Chu Tian roared, disregarding his image, and soared into the sky once more.

This time, he no longer simply went into defense.

"Signal lightning!"

He pointed his long sword to the sky, attempting to draw in the thunder.

Zhao Feng also silently stood up, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and the Red Makeup Sword emitted a high-pitched sword cry.

"Sister Hong, let's give it our all!"

Rumble—!

The second wave of thunder struck.

Thicker and more powerful than the first time.

……

This night was a shocking one for the other students at Kunlun University.

They watched as their usually aloof senior brothers and sisters were struck by lightning, their skin torn and bleeding, and repeatedly slammed into the ground, only to roar and charge forward again and again.

The horrific screams sent chills down the spines of every onlooker.

The blind worship and envy that were originally directed at the "Foundation Building Stage" have now turned into a deep sense of awe.

It turns out that the price of gaining power is so heavy.

After half an hour.

The calamity clouds finally dissipated.

Sunlight shone on the square again.

Six charred figures lay sprawled on the ground, motionless.

If it weren't for the slight rise and fall of her chest, she would really be mistaken for a corpse.

Gu Qing's figure slowly descended in front of them.

With a wave of his hand, six beams of vibrant green light entered their bodies, repairing their injuries.

"How do you feel?" Gu Qing asked casually.

Chu Tian struggled to open his eyes, looked at the azure sky, and forced a smile, revealing a set of white teeth:

"It hurts... but... my true essence... has solidified."

Yes.

Although they were severely struck by lightning, the tempering of the thunder made their originally somewhat weak true essence become extremely condensed, with a foundation as solid as a rock.

Gu Qing nodded, his gaze sweeping across the entire room, his voice echoing in every corner:

"I've got it."

"Foundation Building is merely the starting point of cultivation, not the end."

"Once you have power, you become arrogant. Next time you're in this spot, what awaits you won't be lightning tribulation, but true death."

After saying that, Gu Qing turned and left.

He left behind only a mysterious figure and a group of thoughtful students.

[System Prompt:]

[Teaching task completed: The pride of the first batch of Foundation Establishment cultivators was thwarted.]

[The entire school has completed its mindset adjustment: restlessness has decreased by 80%, and respect has increased by 100%.]

[Increased purity of the product.]

Gu Qing's lips curled up slightly.

"Only when it hurts will they learn their lesson."

……