SWNOVELXO Chapter 14: Foundation Establishment
Riu Xian stood alone in the heart of the cave, the remnants of his battle with the Supreme Elder's soul still lingering within him. The elder's soul had vanished, but in its wake, something remained—fragments of memories, scattered and incomplete, yet profoundly significant. Riu Xian's mind pulsed as he sifted through them, the echoes of the elder's life and cultivation resonating in his thoughts.
His eyes narrowed as the memories began to make sense.
Wang Wei... The name echoed in his mind.
Wang Wei, the Supreme Elder of the Cloudspring Sect, had once stood at the pinnacle of the Spatial Tempering realm in the upper world. But after descending to the lower realm, he had been forced to sacrifice part of his cultivation due to the grave injuries inflicted by Riu Xian's family. The elder had managed to restore himself, ascending to the peak of the Deity Transformation realm. But even with that strength, he had never fully recovered.
Riu Xian's mind raced as he absorbed more of the elder's recollections. These were invaluable insights, detailing the stages of cultivation that followed the Qi Gathering stage:
Foundation Establishment: At this stage, a cultivator's age would increase to around 200 years. For Riu Xian, with the essence of Bixi infused in him, his lifespan would increase by 25% more with each breakthrough. If the Bixi had been from the upper world, matured, his lifespan could have tripled. Core Formation: Once the Core was formed, a cultivator's lifespan would increase to around 1000 years. Nascent Soul: At this stage, the cultivator would live for 5000 years, but only the truly powerful could reach it. Deity Transformation: The peak of Deity Transformation marked a lifespan of 10,000 years. Spatial Tempering: The final stage of cultivation before ascending to the upper world. At this stage, cultivators live for 250,000 years. However, it is nearly impossible to break through this stage in the lower world. Once a cultivator reaches the peak of Deity Transformation and is ready to break through to Spatial Tempering, they are forced to ascend to one of the upper worlds to complete the breakthrough. The energy and conditions required for such a monumental step can only be found in the upper realms.
Riu Xian paused, digesting the information. It was clear now—the cultivation in the lower world had limitations. Even those who reached the peak of Deity Transformation were bound by those limitations.
Beyond the Spatial Tempering stage, many more realms awaited, each more mysterious and powerful than the last. However, the fragments of the elder's memories did not contain any information about these higher realms. Riu Xian could only imagine what lay beyond.
There is more... The fragments of memory continued. Above the upper world lies the Immortal World—a singular and divine realm, unparalleled in its grandeur. It was far larger than all the lower and upper worlds combined, a place where only the most transcendent beings dwelled. Its vastness and power were beyond imagination, and its inhabitants possessed cultivations that surpassed anything Riu Xian could fathom.
His brow furrowed. The Wang Wei's master, someone from the Immortal World, had escaped under unknown circumstances. What Riu Xian did know, however, was that this master's cultivation had surpassed even Wang Wei's.
The spatial boat, the technique—it was all too much to ignore.
"I will use this," Riu Xian murmured to himself, turning his gaze toward the treasures scattered around him in the cave. The energy within these walls had already proven extraordinary, and now, with the technique and the resources at his disposal, he could break through to the next stage of cultivation. If I succeed, I will become more than just a pawn in this world's games.
He turned his attention back to the technique he had discovered in the outer cave before being pulled inside. It was rare—so rare that it came from the Immortal World itself. A technique that would help him establish his foundation, accelerate his cultivation, and make it stable. But it would require immense resources. His Qilin constitution, with its latent power, would aid him, but even it couldn't fully support such a monumental breakthrough without the proper materials.
"I will make it work," he whispered, his voice filled with resolve.
With a final glance at the treasures before him, Riu Xian began to gather the spirit stones scattered throughout the cave. His fingers brushed over the glimmering stones, each one crackling with energy. The herbs nearby—vibrant, fresh, and full of spiritual essence—were also essential for the breakthrough he sought.
Days passed, then weeks. Time lost its meaning. The outside world—the impending war between the Cloudspring Sect and the Bright Snow Sect—faded into irrelevance. All that mattered now was his cultivation.
His body sat in the lotus position, his mind focused entirely on the technique. The spirit stones fed his energy, while the herbs nurtured his body and soul. He meditated deeply, channeling the technique's immense power through his meridians. His body trembled as it absorbed the energy, but his will remained firm, pushing through the strain.
As the days turned into months, Riu Xian felt a profound transformation within himself. His cultivation advanced steadily, each day bringing him closer to a solid foundation. His Qilin constitution, along with the essence of other legendary and divine beasts infused by Wang Wei, amplified his efforts, helping his body adapt to the overwhelming influx of power.
Five years passed.
Riu Xian opened his eyes, his once-dull gaze now filled with newfound clarity. He could feel the change—his body had transformed. His cultivation had reached the middle of the Foundation Establishment realm. The world around him seemed clearer, more vivid. The power coursing through him was immense. The once-crippled disciple of the Cloudspring Sect was now something far more dangerous.
"I did it," Riu Xian whispered, his voice hoarse but triumphant.
The cave around him felt different—more alive, more responsive to his presence. He had completed his breakthrough into the Foundation Establishment realm.
And as the last of the spirit stones disintegrated into pure energy, Riu Xian knew that this was only the beginning.