Immortal Venerable's Order
Chapter 42 Shushan Sword Palace

Chapter 42: Chapter 42 Shushan Sword Palace

Ji Yun asked in confusion, "Brother Yan, why don’t I see any fluctuations of Spiritual Energy around you?"

Yan Rufeng could tell that Ji Yun was a person who clearly distinguished between gratitude and enmity. Hearing Hu Yixiang’s incitement without doing anything outrageous, Yan Rufeng decided to give Ji Yun some guidance.

Yan Rufeng released his aura, instantly Restricting Spiritual Energy around Ji Yun, then he smiled and said, "Brother Ji, do you understand now?"

Ji Yun exclaimed, "Spiritual Energy Restriction, a cultivation only at the Foundation Establishment Stage."

Yan Rufeng retracted his aura and smiled, "How do you feel now? Do you feel the bottleneck loosening a bit?"

Ji Yun closed his eyes tightly, deep in thought. Suddenly, he sat cross-legged on the ground, began to circulate his Spiritual Energy, and entered into a state of enlightenment.

Yan Rufeng’s lips curled slightly in a satisfied smile, "I’ll do a good deed till the end, and help you successfully Establish your Foundation."

For a Cultivator to enter the Foundation Establishment Stage, even in the Spiritual Energy-rich Cultivation World, one needs to take a Foundation Establishment Pill to succeed. Otherwise, if the Foundation Establishment fails, they would lose most of their cultivation.

When a Cultivator enters the Foundation Establishment Stage, they are considered to have truly stepped onto the path of cultivation. The amount of Spiritual Energy required is unimaginable, which is why a Cultivator in the Qi Refinement Realm cannot absorb it. Therefore, they need to take a Foundation Establishment Pill to supplement the required Spiritual Energy and ensure the success of the Foundation Establishment.

Whether Yan Rufeng had a Foundation Establishment Pill or not, even if he took out one now, it would be too late because once in enlightenment, waking someone would at best cause a loss of cultivation, or at worst, break the Spirit Vein.

Ji Yun, who was seated cross-legged on the ground, was already preparing for Foundation Establishment. Yan Rufeng then sat behind him, extended his right hand, and continuously delivered Spiritual Energy into Ji Yun’s body.

After a long while, Ji Yun finally let out a soft breath. From his expression, it was clear he had successfully Established his Foundation.

Ji Yun stood up, bowed, and cupped his hands, "Thank you, Mr. Yan, for your help."

Only now did Ji Yun realize the vast gap between him and Yan Rufeng. Even addressing Yan Rufeng as "Mr." seemed insufficient. He understood that without Yan Rufeng’s assistance in supplying Spiritual Energy, he would have surely failed at Foundation Establishment today. Knowing the consequences of failure, Yan Rufeng’s aid was akin to rebirth for him, solidifying his inner resolve.

Ji Yun continued, "Mr. Yan, I have been stuck at the Peak of Qi Refining for more than half a year. Seeing you today has broken my cultivation barrier. I am immensely grateful. If there is anything Mr. Yan needs from me in the future, please do not hesitate to command."

Wen Tong, seeing Ji Yun suddenly showing great respect to Yan Rufeng, was somewhat puzzled. However, upon hearing Ji Yun’s words, she smiled and said, "Chief Ji, why wait for the future? You can do something for your Mr. Yan right now."

Ji Yun bowed and said, "Chief Wen, please tell me."

"Get rid of that Instructor Hu at the entrance of the town for me. This lady doesn’t want to see him." Wen Tong commanded Ji Yun firmly.

At this moment, Yan Rufeng spoke, "Wen Tong, stop it. He is also from the base, and being able to come here shows his concern for the people. We can’t use public office for personal revenge."

Wen Tong fell silent, but Ji Yun understood because he knew Yan Rufeng disdained to mess with people like Hu Yixiang. Besides, even Ji Yun, before reaching the Foundation Establishment, could slap Hu Yixiang to death.

The joy brought by newfound strength led Ji Yun and Yan Rufeng to chat late into the night. Meanwhile, at the entrance of Qingshui Town, Hu Yixiang met with people from the Cultivation World. When they didn’t see Ji Yun return, Hu Yixiang began to incite them again.

"Not good, Brother Ji has not come back by now. He must have been trapped there by the people from the Fifth Base using Demon Art."

"Hu Yixiang, watch your mouth. Who the hell do you think has been trapped by people from the Fifth Base using Demon Art?"

Everyone looked; Ji Yun was already standing in front of them without their noticing.

"Brother Ji, it’s good that you’re safe." Hu Yixiang said with a forced smile.

Ji Yun, with a stern face, questioned, "Hu Yixiang, what did the base send you here for? Don’t tell me you don’t know."

Hu Yixiang thought, "Not good, Ji Yun must be under their Sorcery, otherwise, why would he confront me like this?"

"Brother Ji, what are you saying? Of course, I know." Hu Yixiang replied timidly.

"It’s good that you know."

Ji Yun ignored Hu Yixiang. The other base instructors introduced the Cultivators from the Cultivation World to Ji Yun.

"Brother Ji, this is Senior Hou Tao from the Shushan Sword Palace of the Cultivation World."

Ji Yun cupped his hands and said, "Junior Ji Yun greets Senior Hou."

Wan Guohua from the Fourth Base respectfully introduced the middle-aged man, "Senior Hou, this is our Chief Ji Yun from the First Base."

"Hmm, I know. You all rest for now. At dawn, follow me to exterminate the evil and subdue the demons."

Hou Tao from Shushan Sword Palace turned and left, leaving only a cold back in front of Ji Yun and others.

Out of politeness, Ji Yun didn’t use Divine Sense to probe Hou Tao, but Yan Rufeng had already observed everything clearly with his Divine Sense. Although Senior Hou from Shushan wasn’t highly cultivated, his arrogance was certainly high.

"Sigh."

Yan Rufeng sighed and thought to himself, "These people are recklessly coming to exterminate the Zombie King. Luckily, I arrived in time. Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable. This time, I hope Wen Tong and the others will learn a lesson. Earth is not as simple as they think..."

The next morning, the sky was dark and gray. A cold chill swept through, making the trees by the roadside rustle. The street was covered in dust, with scraps of paper twirling in the wind and dancing in the air.

After resting overnight, the people from the Five Bases began preparing to set off. Except for Yan Rufeng’s side, which was still quiet, the others followed Hou Tao of the Shushan Sword Palace towards the Zombie King.

"Instructor Yan, they have already set off. Should we also leave now?" Wen Tong anxiously asked Yan Rufeng, who had his eyes closed.

"Wait five minutes and leave after finishing breakfast."

Hu Yixiang, following behind the people from the three bases, saw Yan Rufeng’s team just starting to move, and sneered, "As expected, a bunch of cowards. When we return, expect the Fifth Base to disband."

The closer they got to the narrow valley where the Zombie King resided, the thicker the sky grew. Even in the daytime, a terrifying aura pervaded.

When they were less than five miles from the valley, the air was already filled with a suffocating smell.

Just as Senior Hou from Shushan Sword Palace led the group near the depths of the valley, a vast cloud of death aura erupted. The dark gray miasma engulfed the sky and earth, dimming even the sunlight. Tall trees creaked as the wind blew, branches rubbing against each other, producing eerie "wooo～wooo～" sounds that resembled the cries of sinister beasts.

"Everyone, hold your ground," Hou Tao commanded loudly.