Ye Chen had been cultivating for an entire month. Every night, purple-black flames would emerge from his body, creeping out of his pores like tendrils. Combined with the starry energy, this strange force continuously tempered Ye Chen's physical body in a unique way.

Finally, on the last day, Ye Chen's tightly shut eyes suddenly snapped open. In his pitch-black gaze, flames surged wildly, as if capable of burning through everything. The flames that had covered his body dissipated completely, revealing a nearly renewed physique.

Ye Chen's once fair skin now carried a hint of bronze, and his entire being radiated with strength and vibrant life force. His aura skyrocketed as well. From the early stage of Qi Refining, he surged directly to the peak of Qi Refining, achieving the perfect completion of the ninth layer. The sensation of this all-encompassing power increase caused Ye Chen to involuntarily let out a groan.

The benefits of the Myriad Star Body were truly immense. Not only did it enhance his recovery and vitality, but even his meridians had grown more resilient during this transformation. He could now endure even greater flows of spiritual power, speeding up his cultivation process.

At this moment, Ye Chen's essence, energy, and spirit had reached their zenith. He felt that he no longer needed to wait for the sect's grand competition this year. He could attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage now.

"Greetings, Senior Gu..."

The voices of Lin Ke'er, Lu Jing, and the others could be heard from outside the door.

The master had arrived?

Ye Chen immediately got up and swiftly exited the room. Sure enough, he saw his master's graceful figure. There, standing with her back to him, was his master, clad in a red robe, admiring the water pool in the courtyard. Her figure remained as commanding as ever. Even with her back to him, the outline of her form was undeniable.

It was truly astonishing. But then, thinking about how he was so close to breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, and how soon he would be able to show his filial devotion to his master, Ye Chen couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. The long-held filial heart he had would finally be poured out.

"When did you dig this pool?"

Gu Yunyun turned around, her expression somewhat awkward.

Ye Chen: ???

Since when had his master cared about such trivial matters?

However, Ye Chen quickly responded, "Master, the spiritual spring here on Sword Peak is of excellent quality, rich in spirit Qi. Soaking in it can relax the flesh and blood, and sometimes it even has a fragrant aroma at night..."

"To just admire it would be a waste," he added with a smile. "How about I also dig a pool for you, to show my filial piety?"

Upon hearing this and recalling what had transpired during the night, Gu Yunyun's expression grew even more awkward. She didn't wish to continue this conversation. Instead, she turned her gaze to Ye Chen, and her eyes immediately lit up.

Ye Chen had changed significantly from before. He now carried a sharp, almost unyielding energy. If she had to describe it, he finally had a hint of the aura of a true prodigy.

In the past, even though Ye Chen had claimed first place in the sect's competition, aside from his pleasing appearance, he had been completely ordinary. Nothing about him stood out, and it was hard to imagine a promising future for him. She couldn't quite pinpoint what had happened to him.

One Qi Refining cultivator had taken all the starry energy from the entire sect for a month. And yet, he had undergone such a drastic transformation. But Gu Yunyun didn't probe deeper. Instead, she felt a sense of satisfaction. It was a good thing that Ye Chen had improved. It was worth it for her to silently bear the brunt of the criticism for a month.

"Pack up. I will send you to Middle Mountain soon..."

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Gu Yunyun's voice was calm as she spoke directly.

Ye Chen froze for a moment upon hearing this.

"To Middle Mountain? What for?"

Noticing Ye Chen's confusion, Gu Yunyun's red lips parted lightly.

"Green Cloud Sect and Misty Sect, as they stand now, were once part of a top-tier sect in ancient times. Later, that sect perished, but it left behind many relics and secret realms. Take the Middle Mountain Secret Realm you visited last time, for example.

"Ten years ago, a previously undiscovered secret realm opened, accessible only to Qi Refining cultivators. Both sides sent many disciples inside, about a hundred or so. A month later, only one person came out alive, and he had gone mad...

"But he claimed that within, there was an Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method! For the next ten years, the secret realm never reappeared. Until three days ago. I hadn't planned on sending you, since my expectations for you were not high—getting to Foundation Establishment would have been considered a success. But since you've exceeded my expectations and made it this far, go ahead and try your luck! If you can acquire the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method, your future might hold even greater possibilities!"

Gu Yunyun's tone was simple and direct. If Ye Chen had still been the same useless disciple from before, there would have been no need to risk such a dangerous secret realm. But since Ye Chen had surprised her and seemed to truly have a chance at Foundation Establishment, it was worth the risk to pursue the Earth-Dao method.

Ye Chen, upon hearing his master's explanation, was stunned.

Foundation Establishment came in three forms. Ordinary Foundation Establishment, Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment, and Heaven-Dao Foundation Establishment. Each Foundation Establishment method was vastly different, with the post-breakthrough foundational values varying tremendously.

It was said that after the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment, one's battle power would be at least five times that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment. Moreover, the chances of breaking through to Golden Core in the future would be significantly higher.

Heaven-Dao Foundation Establishment was even more remarkable. Not only were its foundational values high, making its battle power terrifying, but the chances of forming a higher grade Golden Core were even greater. Most importantly, one could awaken a unique talent or divine ability during the breakthrough process. The value of such a method was unimaginable.

Ye Chen had never considered this before. Because this Foundation Establishment method was simply something that could not be sought—it was a rare chance, to be encountered but never pursued.

Yet, here it was, right before him. If there was truly an Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method in that secret realm, and if he could obtain it and offer it as a gift, the rewards would be tremendous. Heaven-Dao Foundation Establishment would no longer be a dream. Once he reached the Heaven-Dao Foundation Establishment, his future cultivation journey would be far smoother.

"Do you want to go?" Gu Yunyun spoke calmly.

Without hesitation, Ye Chen nodded. Of course, he wanted to go. The secret realm did indeed sound dangerous. But with his current strength, and now the Myriad Star Body at his side, even if there was a Foundation Establishment cultivator hiding inside, Ye Chen believed he still had a chance. He was willing to take the risk. After all, what if this was his opportunity to turn things around? With Heaven-Dao Foundation Establishment so close, he had to consider whether this was truly his only chance. How could he possibly let it slip by?

Ye Chen's decisiveness made Gu Yunyun smile with approval. Immediately, the green flying sword rose into the air. Gu Yunyun stepped onto the sword, her voice calling to Ye Chen.

"The flying boat is too slow to catch up. Let's use the flying sword!"

Ye Chen didn't hesitate for a moment and boarded the sword. The flying sword was just big enough, and standing on it, Ye Chen was nearly pressed against his master.

The sword surged upward. As it shot into the sky, Ye Chen, for the first time on a flying sword, stumbled and nearly fell off. He quickly grabbed onto his master's slender waist.

Gu Yunyun had initially paid no mind. A sword cultivator of her caliber wouldn't be concerned with such trivial matters. Besides, it was her own disciple.

However, the harsh winds at high altitude and Gu Yunyun's speed were far too intense. The flying sword was not a flying boat, and it naturally swayed with the wind.

After Ye Chen had bumped into her a few times, Gu Yunyun couldn't take it any longer. She coldly halted the flying sword and said, "Switch positions. You stand in front!"

Ye Chen felt a bit helpless. He didn't intend to do anything reckless; he just wanted to show his filial devotion now. It was just that the flying sword was too bumpy, and the wind was too fierce. Obediently standing in front, the wind came at him even harder...

Above them, strange beasts soared through the sky. Suddenly, a second-tier giant eagle extended its claws from the clouds and swooped toward them.

Ye Chen instinctively took a step back. But in the next moment, he was flung off the flying sword. As he flew through the air, his mind raced, wondering how his master had managed to throw him like that. A flash of sword light cut through the sky, and the giant eagle howled in pain, blood raining down.

As Ye Chen plummeted toward the ground, a delicate hand reached out and grasped his collar. With his master there, Ye Chen wasn't in the least bit worried. The first person in the Green Cloud Sect under the Golden Core stage wasn't a title given lightly.

Thus, Ye Chen remained calm, still relishing the springy sensation from being tossed. But just as he was smiling, Gu Yunyun's cold voice rang out, sending a shiver through him.

"Ye Chen, are you feeling proud?"

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