Cultivation Starting from Choosing Augments

Chapter 298 - 172: Breakthrough to the Eighth Level of Foundation Establishment, Riding the Clouds on Rishan

Back at Elemental Magnetic Peak, Xiao Chen followed his routine and opened the *Yin-Yang Unity Contract* to its final page, contemplating the Spiritual Rhythm Map.

He had already committed the preceding text to memory.

He would also frequently study the Spiritual Rhythm Map, attempting to grasp the hidden imagery within.

It didn’t matter if he couldn’t understand it right away; with enough time, he was bound to gain some insight.

Afterward, he completed one Grand Circulation as part of his routine before peacefully falling asleep.

Several more days passed like this.

Xiao Chen felt his Dantian brimming with Magical Power. His spirit was vigorous and his Qi and Blood were stable. He was perfectly ready for a breakthrough.

He should have done this at the beginning of the month, but he had been unexpectedly interrupted several times.

This time, with the aid of various Spiritual Objects, he finally broke through to the eighth level of Foundation Establishment.

Perhaps it was because he had consumed too many Wood Element Spiritual Objects recently.

During his breakthrough, he surprisingly didn’t need to draw in any Spiritual Qi from the outside world. His own accumulated energy was enough to make the Spirit Flower in his Dantian bloom once more, sprouting another six stamens.

Since it was only a Minor Realm, this breakthrough didn’t grant any other additional benefits.

It took Xiao Chen only about half an hour to adapt to his new level of Cultivation.

He then took out a Stabilizing Pill and swallowed it.

As its name suggested, a Stabilizing Pill helped a cultivator stabilize their cultivation after breaking through a Minor Realm, shortening the period of aura fluctuation.

’To be on the safe side, I should probably wait a few days before breaking through to the ninth level of Foundation Establishment.’

Xiao Chen stretched his limbs and went outside the peak to practice his Escape Techniques.

Ever since he obtained the Purple Gold Spirit Sand, he had been practicing the *Vertical Earth Golden Light* almost without pause.

Strangely enough, however, he had always felt as if he were being held back by some kind of restriction.

His progress wasn’t stagnant, but it was painstakingly slow.

Despite the aid of the Purple Gold Spirit Sand, the Great Success Realm still seemed a long way off.

But ever since he had made progress in his Body Refining, that subtle restriction seemed to have vanished.

He had noticed it during his trips to and from Xianghe Market.

Now, testing it out, he found that his training had indeed returned to its previous efficiency.

’How strange.’

Xiao Chen couldn’t make head or tail of it. ’What’s the principle behind this?’

Body Refining and the Gold Escape Technique weren’t just unrelated—they were as different as night and day.

Regardless, it was a good thing.

Without that mysterious restriction, his training progressed by leaps and bounds, and he successfully reached the Great Success Realm.

Now, a single flash could take him over a hundred zhang away.

As long as there were no terrain restrictions or interference from Magical Artifacts, his speed alone made him immune to many magical attacks.

No matter how high their Magic Power, an attack that couldn’t hit its target was worthless.

Having mastered the *Vertical Earth Golden Light*, Xiao Chen shifted his focus to his other Fire Techniques.

He had come to accept that his Spiritual Root wasn’t actually that important.

After all, with his Yang Fire Seal and a large supply of Flame Light Spiritual Sand, he saw no need to learn Wood Element Techniques. What he had was good enough.

「A few more days passed.」

Having sorted out his branch family’s affairs and gotten his spirits back, Chang Shunping returned to Elemental Magnetic Peak with the latest news.

Ye Fei was going to have a public duel with the Zeng Family’s ancestor. They would fight to the death on an arena stage.

Regardless of the victor, all past grievances would be wiped clean.

The matter had already caused a huge stir, even overshadowing the upcoming Riding the Clouds on Rishan to become the hottest topic of conversation.

More than a few people had secretly started taking bets, and Chang Shunping knew where to place them.

"No way. The Lingyuan Sect actually agreed to this?"

The threat from the Divine Fire Sect hadn’t even passed. ’If I were a high-ranking member of the Lingyuan Sect,’ Xiao Chen thought, ’I would never allow internal conflict to weaken our strength at a time like this.’

"There’s something you don’t know, Xiao. It’s said that Ye Fei killed Young Master Zeng."

"This is a feud over a murdered son. How could mediation from outsiders possibly quell that?"

"If the Lingyuan Sect tried to stop it by force, it might lead to an even greater disaster down the line."

"News about it has spread far and wide; practically everyone knows. At this point, the only option is to let them settle their feud as quickly as possible."

Xiao Chen pressed, "When did this happen?"

He had just seen Ye Fei not long ago. ’How could he have caused this much trouble in just a few days?’

"I heard from a few friends that it was half a month ago."

"Apparently, Ye Fei was with a Kun Cultivator named Ziyan, and they got into a conflict with Young Master Zeng while they were eating."

Chang Shunping added uncertainly, "Although, there are also rumors that the two already had a grudge from their time at Seeking Plum Mountain. They just happened to run into each other at Elemental Magnetic Peak and deliberately used it as an excuse."

"But you really can’t judge that Ye Fei by his cover."

"They were both at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment, but Young Master Zeng was no match for him at all."

"It’s a pity he’s so young and reckless, not knowing when to pull his punches. Now that the Zeng Family’s ancestor is getting involved personally, I’m afraid Ye Fei is doomed."

Xiao Chen shook his head. "I wouldn’t be so sure."

"Is there anywhere to place a bet? I’m betting on Ye Fei to win."

Hearing this, Chang Shunping’s eyes went wide. "Xiao, the Zeng Family’s ancestor is at the Great Perfection Realm of Foundation Establishment! His..."

Xiao Chen held up a hand, cutting him off. "Eh, that’s not important. Just trust me on this one. Betting on Ye Fei is a sure thing."

"The main thing is the rules. What’s the maximum amount of Spirit Stones one person can bet?"

Chang Shunping held up one finger. "I know a place. For a simple win-or-lose bet, the maximum is one thousand Spirit Stones per person, with a two-to-one payout."

"If you bet on the duration of the fight, or specific techniques used, or the extent of injuries, you can bet more and the odds are higher."

Xiao Chen sounded a little disappointed. "Only a thousand? Well, I guess that’ll have to do."