At the bottom of the canyon in the Ancient Spirit Realm…
The emerald Spirit Source fragment hovered silently in front of Ye Chen, its ancient runes pulsing softly. Spirals of spiritual energy flowed into his body, shaking his meridians and causing his dantian to surge like a rising tide.
The peak of Qi Refining—fully stabilized.
All he needed now… was a final spark to step into Foundation Establishment.
But Ye Chen didn't rush into cultivation.
His divine sense had already sensed the coming storm—murderous intent above.
"Don't let him refine the Spirit Source!"
"Attack!"
Boom!
Figures burst down from the cliffs above like falling stars. Battle force and magic aura blazed as they encircled the canyon—an ambush to end him before he could ascend.
Among them were Ruan Cang, Princess Ye Qiluo, and elite disciples from various sect-affiliated forces.
Ye Chen opened his eyes and rose slowly.
His spirit sword hovered beside him.
Under his feet, the lines of a spiritual formation silently began to unfold.
He did not flee.
He did not panic.
He was ready.
"…Before I draw my circle, I'll thin the herd."
Buzz—!
The spirit sword shot out like silver lightning, slashing toward a battle cultivator in the front ranks.
"Retreat—!"
Too late.
The man only saw a flash before his protective aura shattered. A hole appeared in his chest, and he fell without a sound.
The attackers froze.
"What kind of power is that?!"
"That's not battle force… or magic!"
Ye Chen stood amidst the rising wind, calm and cold.
"A cultivator commands the sword to sever the soul."
"Try and see how many of you can take a strike."
Whoosh!
The spirit sword split into three afterimages and shot toward the left flank.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three more disciples were sent flying, injured or unconscious.
Ruan Cang roared, "Form the array! Seal the Spirit Source!"
They raised talismans and cast spells, attempting to cut Ye Chen off from the fragment.
But—
Ye Chen lifted one hand.
A ring of flame erupted beneath his feet.
"Pill Array: Soulburn Flame Lock!"
Boom!
The flames rose high, interwoven with sealing runes. The array wrapped tightly around the Spirit Source like a burning cocoon.
Anything that approached would be scorched or stunned.
Ye Chen's gaze turned icy.
"You should've stayed back."
With both hands forming seals, the spirit sword danced through the flames like a dragon. Each strike landed clean, decisive, and unstoppable.
Meanwhile, Ye Chen sat down.
The Spirit Source floated before him, merging with the core of his dantian.
—The breakthrough began.
Spiritual energy surged into him.
Power flowed upward from the earth. His veins expanded. His consciousness roared.
Boom!
From deep within his soul, a golden vortex formed. The spirit sword hovered inside it, glowing with fresh runes.
[Notice: Spirit Sword has advanced to Low-Tier Artifact – Awakened Form.][Notice: Host has achieved Foundation Establishment.]
Ye Chen's eyes snapped open.
His aura surged like a tidal wave.
Outside the flame array, half the attackers were down. The rest stared in shock.
"He broke through!"
"Foundation Establishment?! What even is this system?!"
Princess Ye Qiluo gritted her teeth, voice low. "This bastard… is insane."
Ruan Cang was pale with rage. "If we don't fall back now… we'll all die!"
The survivors began retreating.
Ye Chen rose slowly.
His sword returned to his side.
He looked around at the scattered enemies and spoke quietly—
"The Spirit Source belongs to me.""Step forward again… and you die."
He stood alone.
And no one… dared move.