Cultivation Begins with Daily Intelligence Reports

244: Dao Foundation PhantomThe altar ruins were as silent as a tomb.

The thick, congealed stench of blood and Evil Qi, mixed with dust, slowly settled in the stagnant air, like a dark red carpet laid out for this tragic battle.

Broken bones, shattered Magical Artifact fragments, and the cold, stiff corpses of Devil Cultivators were scattered among the cracked black rocks, silently recounting the cruelty of what had just transpired.

Lin Jingyu’s consciousness slowly solidified from a blend of Chaos and light, like a latent Dragon emerging from its abyss, returning to his spiritual platform.

What he first perceived was not the ravaged external scene, but the earth-shattering, Grandmist-opening transformation within his body.

His consciousness sank into his Dantian, and in an instant, he “saw” a sight that shook his mind profoundly—

The river of spiritual power, once vast and surging like a lake, had now vanished! In its place was a nascent, yet fully formed, Dao Foundation phantom radiating the Dao rhythm of Perfection!

This Dao Foundation phantom was only three feet square, its entire body displaying an indescribable Chaos color, neither grey nor purple, as if formed from a wisp of Origin Qi before the heavens and earth were separated.

It was not a physical entity; its edges were blurred, yet it gave an impression of immense stability and indestructibility, as if it were the core and cornerstone of all power.

The phantom slowly rotated on its own, and with each turn, it autonomously absorbed and exhaled the pure spiritual power remaining in the surrounding Meridians, refining and transforming it, making it even more condensed and pure.

Furthermore, a thread-like yet dazzling purple electric snake joyfully darted and weaved across the surface of the Foundation.

Each flash emitted a heart-pounding, majestic heavenly might and a solemn righteousness that purified all things, a manifestation of that trace of Thunder True Intent.

”Perfect Dao Foundation... Phantom!”

A tempest raged in Lin Jingyu’s heart, an indescribable surge of excitement and shock washing over his Divine Soul.

Though not yet fully solidified, this phantom had already pointed him towards the path of the supreme immortal Dao.

It represented not only an increase in power level but also a leap in the essence of life, laying the Foundation for infinite possibilities in his future Dao path.

However, amidst his excitement, the powerful Divine Sense honed by the Spirit Refining Art immediately calmed him. The euphoria receded like a tide, revealing the reef of reason.

”A phantom... is ultimately just a phantom.”

He introspected the slowly rotating Chaos Foundation, his mind clear as a mirror.

”It’s like a peerless blueprint in the hands of a skilled craftsman, grand and magnificent, stirring the heart. But to transform this blueprint into a towering edifice requires a vast amount of ’building materials’ and endless reserves to fill and solidify it!”

Though this phantom had already brought about earth-shattering changes in the quality and quantity of his spiritual power, far surpassing ordinary Cultivators at Great Perfection of Qi Refining, and its condensed state subtly touched the threshold of Foundation Establishment.

Yet, there was still a long road ahead, requiring diligent accumulation, before reaching the truly perfect and flawless Foundation Establishment realm.

The more solid the Foundation, the further and higher one could walk on the immortal path in the future! This, he knew with absolute clarity.

With a slight thought, the Dao Foundation phantom trembled gently, and the surrounding spiritual power immediately moved as if commanded by an arm, flowing smoothly and effortlessly, with a sense of seamless Perfection far exceeding before.

His Divine Sense swept through his limbs and bones; his Meridians were now several times wider and tougher than before, exhibiting a faint golden luster.

His flesh and bones, having been washed and reshaped by the violent yet vitalizing power of the Secret Realm’s Origin, now contained a boundless Qi and blood force like a Dragon; with a slight exertion of strength, he felt the power to split mountains and crack stones.

The Spirit Refining Art also advanced, with the three spiritual lakes expanding by about half, their waters becoming even more crystal clear, with subtle ripples, and his perception range and precision improved again, revealing every detail within a hundred zhang.

He unconsciously clenched his fist lightly; as his knuckles rubbed together, a faint metallic clang could be heard, and the surrounding air seemed to be squeezed by an invisible force, emitting an unbearable ’hum’.

”Is this... the power of touching the edge of Foundation Establishment?”

He mused inwardly, a strong sense of confidence rising within him.

”Hoo...”

A long, turbid breath slowly exhaled from his mouth.

This breath actually condensed without dissipating, transforming into a foot-long gray-white Qi arrow in the air, its edges entwined with tiny purple electric threads, emitting soft ’crackling’ sounds.

It flew several zhang away, striking a scorched boulder, silently corroding a small pit before slowly dissipating.

He slowly opened his eyes, his pupils containing an inner divine light, deep as a star sea; a sharp glint flashed and then receded into tranquility with each opening and closing.

What met his gaze were the concerned and weary faces of Feng Xixi, Qin Yue, Xu Li, and others. They had clearly been waiting for a long time.

Their robes were stained with blood, their hair disheveled, and their faces bore the pallor and deep fatigue of a great battle, but their eyes held more of an undisguised joy and relief.

”Jingyu!”

Qin Yue was the first to exclaim, her voice a little hoarse and trembling. She rushed forward, tears instantly filling her eyes, no longer caring about anything else.

”You’re finally awake! You were unconscious for two whole hours! We... we all thought you...”

She choked, unable to continue, simply staring intently at him, as if afraid he would disappear if she blinked.

Compared to Qin Yue’s excitement, Feng Xixi appeared more restrained, but the flickering ripples in her clear Phoenix eyes betrayed her inner turmoil.

She stepped forward, carefully sensed Lin Jingyu’s condition, and her tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed. She let out a long sigh, a sigh filled with the exhaustion of having shed a thousand-pound burden:

”It’s good that you’re awake. How do you feel? Your aura fluctuated violently just now, and that last moment was like annihilation, truly worrying.”

She keenly sensed the restrained yet unfathomably deep aura emanating from Lin Jingyu, like a deep abyss or a towering mountain, and her shock was immense; this was definitely not something an ordinary Qi Refining Cultivator could possess!

Lin Jingyu tried to move his body; a slight soreness spread through his limbs, a sign of not yet fully adapting to the sudden surge of power, but it was nothing serious.

He slowly sat up and stretched his neck, and a series of dense, crackling sounds, like popping beans, emanated from his muscles and bones.

His Physical Body strength had now reached the half-step Foundation Establishment stage, far exceeding ordinary Ninth Layer of Qi Refining Cultivators.

An invisible wave of Qi subtly spread out from him, causing Xu Li and Gu Yue, who were nearby, to feel their breath catch, and an inexplicable sense of awe arose in their hearts.

”Thank you all for your concern, Lin, am unharmed.”

Lin Jingyu cupped his hands in a bow, his voice steady and gentle, yet naturally carrying a captivating majesty and power.

”It was merely an excessive expenditure of spiritual power and Divine Sense, leading to exhaustion and unconsciousness. After a short period of rest and recovery, I am fine now.

This time, to be able to slay the Devil Head and break this deadly situation, it was all thanks to the collective efforts and strong support of my fellow Daoists. Lin, thank you all!”

His gaze sincerely swept over everyone present, seeing many with injuries, looking dispirited, and even noticing that several figures who had fought alongside them were now gone.

His heart sank slightly, and a hint of melancholy and respect arose. The immortal path was cruel, paved with white bones, just like this.