Outside the Hehuan Sect's outer gate.
A massive five-colored vortex spun in the sky, its terrifying suction pulling spiritual energy from nearly the entire outer sect.
In that instant, almost the whole outer sect was alarmed.
Countless disciples looked astonished and rushed toward the vortex.
"That is…"
"Wang Jianqiang's residence!"
In the Outer Affairs Hall, Dong Yue suddenly raised her head.
When she saw the five-colored vortex in the air, a rare smile lifted her always-cold face.
The disciple seated before her was dumbstruck.
This iceberg elder actually smiled.
So beautiful!
By the time he came back to his senses, he was shocked to find that Dong Yue had already vanished!
Inner Sect.
After hearing a maid's report, Yan Qingxuan impatiently waved her away.
The maid had barely left when Yan Qingxuan sensed something. Her gaze immediately swept outside the room, and the face that had been clouded with worry showed a rare smile.
"You finally did it?"
"I knew you could."
Before her words had faded, her figure disappeared from the room.
…
In front of Wang Jianqiang's house.
In just a few breaths, a huge crowd had already gathered.
"He's… breaking through!"
"He's not dead after all!"
Seeing the five-colored spiritual vortex in the sky, the crowd was shaken.
Was this Foundation Establishment?
The commotion was far too great!
Though they were merely outer sect disciples, many had witnessed fellow disciples forming their foundation before.
Compared to this, those scenes were like child's play.
Absolutely no comparison!
As more gathered, Wang Yuyao's face grew cold. She soared into the air, her eyes sharp as blades as they swept across the crowd.
"No one is allowed within thirty zhang of this house. Violate this, and suffer the consequences."
"She's Foundation Establishment stage!"
Sensing her powerful aura, the crowd shuddered and instinctively retreated several zhang.
For the moment, order was restored.
But as time passed—
The vortex in the sky did not shrink in the slightest. Instead, it continued to expand.
In no time, it reached forty zhang in diameter.
The disturbance grew even greater.
Some inner sect disciples passing through the outer sect felt it and hurried over.
With their arrival, the situation began slipping out of control.
"Hm? A five-colored vortex? What an astonishing Foundation Establishment phenomenon."
A surprised voice rang out as a figure shot toward them.
He ignored everyone else and flew straight for the vortex.
"Another Foundation Establishment cultivator!"
All eyes flickered.
The spiritual energy drawn during a breakthrough wasn't ordinary—it carried the laws of heaven and earth.
Such energy was not only crucial for the one breaking through but was also a great boon to others.
If stolen, the consequences for the breakthrough cultivator would be disastrous.
At best, their foundation would be unstable, requiring years to recover.
At worst, the breakthrough would fail, backfire, and cripple their cultivation forever.
That was why cultivators always sought absolute safety when attempting a breakthrough.
Though the Hehuan Sect forbade private fights, as long as no lives were taken, punishments were limited.
With such temptation, someone was bound to take the risk.
It was precisely for this reason that Wang Jianqiang had sought out Dong Yue beforehand—for her protection against "peach-pickers" during his breakthrough.
Before the crowd's eyes, the figure crossed into the thirty-zhang boundary.
"Get back!"
A cold shout rang out.
A massive hand of spiritual power, ten zhang across, slammed toward the intruder.
A flash of spiritual light flared around him, forming a protective barrier.
He was blasted away, but his shield only flickered violently before stabilizing. He wasn't harmed.
After flying dozens of zhang, he steadied himself.
Frowning at Wang Yuyao, his eyes narrowed. "It's you… one of the newly promoted outer sect disciples. If I recall, your name is Wang Yuyao, right?"
Her expression grew solemn.
She ignored his question, voice cold. "Leave immediately."
The man laughed. "Just a newly-advanced Foundation cultivator, and you dare threaten me?"
"I don't know what ties you have to the one breaking through, but if you back off now, I'll let this go. Otherwise… suffer the consequences."
Wang Yuyao bit her lip hard but remained silent.
She could feel his cultivation was deeper than hers.
He had entered the inner sect earlier, trained with more refined techniques, and even had a spirit weapon.
If they truly fought, she wasn't his match.
But she couldn't let anyone ruin Yang Senior Brother's breakthrough.
Her eyes steeled.
Seeing her stance, the man's face darkened.
He was already taking a risk by striking within sect grounds.
Time was short—he had to act before the Discipline Hall arrived.
The phenomenon here was extraordinary. If he absorbed it, he might break straight into mid-Foundation.
Even punishment would be worth it.
He pointed a finger.
A sword-light flashed, striking toward Wang Yuyao.
She raised her palm.
A golden seal platform appeared, golden light cascading down to shield her.
But the sword-light sliced through it like paper.
"That flying sword… it's a spirit weapon too!"
Her face paled. She hurriedly activated her Perfect Water Moon Dress.
Yet a spirit artifact was still just an artifact.
The moonlight it cast was instantly pierced.
Her shoulder was run through, blood spraying as she was blasted back.
The man sneered and flew toward the vortex.
Grinding her teeth, Wang Yuyao forced herself upright despite her wounds and once again blocked his path.
He scowled. "Fool. Be glad this is inside the sect—outside, you'd already be dead."
He pressed forward with his hand.
His sword trembled, splitting into dozens of lights that shot at her.
Wounds opened across her body as she fell weakly toward the ground.
He looked down on her with contempt and turned back to the vortex.
In moments, he stood before it.
Feeling the nearly liquefied spiritual energy within, his face grew feverish.
He reached out his hand.
"No~!"
Wang Yuyao struggled to rise, but her injuries were too severe. She collapsed again, only able to watch in despair as his palm neared the vortex.
The man's eyes blazed with excitement. Just as he was about to devour the spiritual energy—
A crushing spiritual pressure slammed into his chest.
His face went pale, blood spurting from his mouth as he was flung back.
At the same instant, a figure appeared where he had just been standing.