SWNOVELXO Chapter 9: The Unseen Power Within
The weight of the situation bore heavily on Riu Xian as he stood amidst the jade-adorned splendor of the ancient cave abode. His gaze was fixed on the Foundation Establishment Technique in Lu Hao's hands, its energy radiating faintly, like a beacon calling out to him. There was something inexplicably familiar about it, as if it was meant for him and him alone.
"This technique..." Riu Xian muttered under his breath, his thoughts racing. The information he had gleaned from Xiao Ming's jade slip came rushing back to him. Foundation establishment techniques were exceedingly rare, reserved for the core members of the most powerful sects. They were even categorized into five grades: low, high, advanced, supreme, and the exceptionally coveted Rare grade.
Using a pill to build one's foundation was far more common, as the pills were easier to find compared to these elusive techniques. However, the foundation established with a pill, while stable, was not as strong as one created using a technique. Riu Xian had no desire to establish his foundation using a pill, especially under the current circumstances.
In the Cloudspring Sect, only sixteen peak Qi Gathering cultivators were chosen to receive foundation-building pills each year through fierce competition. Even so, alchemists within the sect were scarce, making these pills difficult to obtain. But before this year's competition could take place, the Bright Snow Sect's sudden invasion had shattered any hopes of acquiring a pill. For Riu Xian, the chance of getting one now was slim to none.
Although his Murim techniques made him powerful and allowed him to gather Qi at an astonishing speed, they were useless when it came to building a foundation. Without a suitable foundation establishment technique, he would have no choice but to rely on a pill, which he desperately wanted to avoid.
This was why the technique was so precious to him. It offered a path to creating a foundation that was not only stronger but inherently more stable than one formed using a pill. Such techniques were typically reserved for the inner circles of high-grade sects like the Azure Immortal Sect, from which Senior Xiao Ming hailed. The jade slip he had received contained all this invaluable information, reinforcing Riu Xian's determination. This technique was his best hope to establish a foundation worthy of greatness, even if it meant defying the odds.
He clenched his fists. "I can't rely on luck to get a pill, and even if I could, I don't want a weak foundation. This technique... it's my chance, my only chance to ensure my path forward is secure."
Riu Xian stepped forward, his resolve firm. "Lu Hao," he said, his voice steady but filled with an undercurrent of tension, "I want that technique. You can have everything else in this cave—the weapons, the pills, all the treasures. Just give me the technique."
Lu Hao, clutching the scroll close to his chest, turned and sneered. "You?" he said with a mocking laugh. "A nobody from the outer sect thinks he can negotiate with me? This technique is mine, and so are the resources here. You don't even know your place!"
Riu Xian's jaw tightened, his patience wearing thin. "I'm not asking for much," he said, his voice sharper now. "Take everything else, but give me the technique. It's the only thing I want."
Lu Hao's arrogance only grew as he waved dismissively. "Do you think you have the qualifications to bargain with me? You're just a lowly outer sect disciple. I don't care what you want. This technique is mine, and I'll use it to become the greatest cultivator this sect has ever seen. As for you..." His gaze turned cold. "You're nothing but an insect beneath my feet."
Riu Xian's eyes narrowed, his patience snapping. He had tried reasoning, but it was clear that words wouldn't work. "Lu Hao," he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous tone, "don't test me. Give me the technique, or you'll regret it."
The room fell silent as the air between them grew heavy. Lu Hao laughed derisively. "Regret it? You?" he spat, his lackeys chuckling behind him. "Do whatever you want. You won't even be able to touch a hair on my head."
Riu Xian took a deep breath, his anger bubbling beneath the surface. He had wanted to avoid conflict, but Lu Hao's arrogance left him no choice. If words won't work, then I'll let my actions do the talking.
Without warning, Riu Xian moved. His body surged forward with a speed and precision that shocked even himself. Before Lu Hao could react, Riu Xian's hand struck out, his palm connecting with Lu Hao's face in a devastating slap.
The impact was catastrophic. The atmosphere in the ancient cave abode turned deathly silent after the devastating blow. Riu Xian's palm had struck Lu Hao with such force that the arrogant young man's head exploded on impact, leaving his lifeless body to collapse to the jade floor. Blood splattered across the pristine surface, painting a grim picture that shocked everyone present.
Riu Xian stared at his hand, a mixture of disbelief and unease flashing across his face. "I didn't mean for this to happen," he muttered, his voice low. "I didn't know my strength had grown this much... Could it be because of my Murim techniques blending with this world's cultivation methods? Or is it because I've unlocked 10% of my meridians and reached the peak of qi gathering realm?
Lu Hao's lackeys froze in their places, their faces pale as they processed what had just happened. The man they had served and feared was gone in an instant, killed with a single slap. One of them stepped forward hesitantly, bowing his head deeply. "S-Senior..." he stammered, his voice trembling. "We didn't know you were this strong. Please, take everything in this cave. Forgive us and spare our lives!"
The others quickly followed suit, dropping to their knees and pleading for mercy. Riu Xian looked at them, his expression unreadable. He let out a heavy sigh. "Indeed, I want these treasures, but there's no point in taking what I cannot carry." He gestured around the chamber, his tone steady. "I don't have a spatial treasure like a space ring or a spatial bag to store these items. Besides, I didn't intend to kill him."
His gaze turned to Lu Hao's lifeless body, a flicker of regret crossing his face. "His death was an accident," Riu Xian continued, his voice growing firmer. "I don't want to take any more lives unnecessarily."
The lackeys looked at one another, relief beginning to dawn on their faces. Riu Xian's next words, however, left no room for misunderstanding. "Take these treasures and scram," he ordered coldly. "I'm not interested in you or whatever allegiance you had to him. Just leave this place and don't cross my path again."
"Yes, Senior!" the lackeys chorused in unison, scrambling to their feet. They hurriedly began gathering the treasures, from pills to weapons, their movements frantic as they avoided looking at Riu Xian directly. Within moments, they were gone, leaving Riu Xian alone in the chamber.
The silence that followed was almost oppressive, broken only by the faint hum of spiritual energy radiating from the chamber's treasures. Riu Xian walked to the center of the room and picked up the Foundation Establishment Technique scroll, holding it tightly in his hands. That strange, familiar feeling surged through him again, as if the technique was resonating with his very soul.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "This technique... it's my chance to build a proper foundation, one that can support my path forward."