Chapter 142 Foundation Establishment!

However, distracting thoughts are not so easy to get rid of.

Following the instructions in the "Heart Method," Rong Xie began to mobilize his spiritual power and circulate it throughout his body. At first, it went quite smoothly. His spiritual power flowed like streams into the long river of Qi circulation, continuously washing over the twelve meridians and widening and strengthening these twelve main channels of Qi and blood circulation.

Each meridian corresponds to an organ. When Rong Xie passed through the heart meridian, he felt his breathing become rapid, and an ominous premonition enveloped his heart.

The heart meridian is the key to breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage. There can be no mistakes. Once you fail, you will be left with irreparable sequelae. If you want to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage again, it will take at least one year and at most three years.

Rong Xie knew this so clearly because he had failed at this hurdle twice. Later, for the sake of the inner sect assessment, he did not hesitate to attempt the Foundation Establishment stage again before his heart meridian injury had recovered. He forced himself to do so, which caused him to vomit blood on the eve of the assessment and regretfully withdraw from the inner sect.

The familiar sense of unease surged up again, and Rong Xie immediately tensed up. A series of terrible consequences flashed through his mind, and waves surged in his consciousness, making him less focused than before.

The path of cultivation lies in cultivating the mind. Once the mind is in turmoil, problems will arise in various parts of the body. Rong Xie could clearly feel his spiritual energy starting to run rampant out of control. The occasional sharp pain in his heart meridian when he breathed made him feel frightened, and sweat soaked his forehead and back.

"Are we going to fail again this time?"

"If we fail this time, we'll have to wait another year to try to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage."

“In the past, failures could be attributed to poor aptitude or insufficient spiritual power, but this time…”

Rong Xie grew increasingly anxious, feeling as if he were trapped in a nightmare. His body was paralyzed, only his consciousness was racing. He couldn't even send a message to Shen Bingsi, who was protecting him. This feeling of having rescue right beside him but being unable to call out was terrifying. Rong Xie felt his body sinking deeper and deeper into the mud, the murky mud covering his mouth and nose...

etc.

Foundation Establishment was originally his own business. When did he start relying on Shen Bingsi for even that? Was he living too comfortably and being too intimate with Shen Bingsi, which led to an uncontrollable dependence on her, to the point that he had to rely on her to take his place in his attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment?

Rong Xie jolted awake, his scattered thoughts instantly coming back to him. He adjusted his breathing, focused his gaze on his nose and his mind, experiencing the sensation of sinking into the mud, and slowly pulled himself out of the mire.

He was no longer someone who needed Shen Bingsi to survive. He had moved out of Huanxue Manor, had his own small house, a livelihood, and friends like Captain Zhao, Linglong, and Xiaozhi. Even without Shen Bingsi's love, he could live. When his affection for Shen Bingsi was about to overflow, he would retreat into his own life to calm down. When he felt like seeing her again, he would see her, maintaining this distant yet intimate relationship without affecting anything. After successfully establishing his foundation this time, he would have another hundred years of lifespan. In those hundred years, there would always be new hope. The Heavenly Demon... Lu Yingqi... He had tried his best, and perhaps the final outcome would be different.

Rong Xie's heart settled down, and his thoughts flowed like water, without any lingering concerns. He simply watched them surge past him in a mighty torrent, heading towards the distance, an endless stream, a cycle of birth and death.

A sense of freedom and lightness rose from his heart. As the spiritual energy flowed and spread to his limbs and bones, Rong Xie felt the filth accumulated in his body suddenly burst open and slowly flow out. Every pore became clear and refreshed. The spiritual energy in nature seemed to have substance, flowing around his body. With just a slight intention, that spiritual energy would flow into the major acupoints of his body, pour into the twelve meridians, and then gather into the dantian, accumulating layer by layer.

The originally narrow dantian and qi sea have expanded considerably, as if they have transformed from a small pond into a vast lake, with blue sky, white clouds, and all of nature reflected in the lake, instantly opening up one's mind.

When Rong Xie opened his eyes again, he saw Shen Bingsi smiling with her lips pursed.

The foundation has been successfully laid.

"It actually worked..." Rong Xie sat there for a while. The sounds of the wind, birdsong, and rustling leaves were exceptionally clear in his ears. He still had a sense of unreality, as if he were still in a dream.

From afar, a melodious and lingering voice drifted over.

Buzz—Buzz—

Rong Xie listened carefully and counted; there were eight tolls in total, the sound of the bell at the hour of Wei (1-3 PM).

He could hear the bells ringing from the main peak.

So the sound of the bell from the main peak was so clear that it could be heard clearly even in Huanxue Valley. Shen Bingsi was not lying.

The familiar sound of the bell brought back memories of his days cultivating in the inner sect. Who would have thought that after leaving the inner sect for more than ten years, he would have successfully established his foundation?

"What, are you surprised?" Shen Bingsi's voice came from the side. "Your strength is already sufficient, it's just that your spiritual power can't keep up. Once your spiritual power catches up, Foundation Establishment will be as simple as eating and drinking."

Rong Xie turned his head slightly, and the bright sunlight of dusk fell on Shen Bingsi's head and shoulders. He still maintained his meditative posture, sitting in a place that he could reach with an outstretched arm.

"It's not that simple. I almost failed." Rong Xie patted his chest. "I nearly drowned in distracting thoughts. I couldn't even call out to you..."

"Really?" Shen Bingsi asked in surprise. "How come I didn't notice anything at all?"

Rong Xie then realized that Shen Bingsi was no ordinary person. The meaning of his protection was that Shen Bingsi could detect his abnormality and help him get through the crisis without Rong Xie having to call for help.

Shen Bingsi, however, did not notice anything unusual.

It seems that the situation he encountered was not as serious as he had imagined.

It can't be that Shen Bingsi is incompetent.

"Ugh... what's that smell? It stinks." Rong Xie frowned.

Shen Bingsi smiled again, her gaze sweeping over Rong Xie.

Rong Xie looked down and finally understood why Shen Bingsi had kept her mouth shut. His white casual clothes had turned a filthy color, as if someone had splashed mud all over him.

"Oh my god..." Rong Xie felt dizzy and almost fainted.

He, who was always a clean freak, could not tolerate being so dirty and immediately couldn't stand it.

Shen Bingsi patted the daybed: "This is nothing. You didn't see the Foundation Establishment assessment day. Everyone expelled more impurities than you. You are the cleanest one I have ever seen."

That's what he said, but he was clearly suppressing a laugh, and his breathing was a little unsteady as he spoke.

Rong Xie glared at him angrily, then got off the floor and ran to the bathroom as fast as she could, without even bothering to put on her shoes.

In the blink of an eye, the bathroom door was right in front of him. Rong Xie opened the door, raised his hand and added water to the tub. A steady stream of clear water overflowed from his palm, quickly filling the tub.

Rong Xie quickly stripped off his clothes and jumped into the water, not caring whether it was cold or not. Rings of black mud were peeled off his body—it took three different bathtubs before the water became clean after his bath.

Throughout the process, Rong Xie held his breath until he was completely clean before he began to breathe.

"call……"

Once he calmed down, Rong Xie realized how amazing he had just done—he ran from the bedroom courtyard to the bathroom at an incredible speed, a speed that used to require the use of a flying talisman, but now he could do with just a little spiritual energy.

There is also breathing, which does not require the mouth and nose. Rong Xie can breathe freely. It is breathing from the skin and pores, also known as fetal breathing. After the foundation is established, the potential of every part of the body is greatly mobilized. It really feels like being an immortal, which is completely different from when refining Qi.

Slowly, ecstasy rose from his abdomen, growing in gusts of wind, gradually filling his chest. Sitting in the cool water, Rong Xie didn't feel cold at all; on the contrary, he felt invigorated and relaxed. He stared wide-eyed at this and that. The increased vision made the world seem brand new. Familiar furnishings suddenly had new colors and details, and he couldn't get enough of looking at them.

Shen Bingsi is the same.

Having arrived in the bathroom at some point, Shen Bingsi sat sideways on the edge of the wooden plank, her long legs casually spread apart, her back against the wooden slat backrest, waiting there. In front of her, two bathtubs had been cleaned and filled with fresh water, awaiting Rong Xie's use.

Rong Xie stared at him.

Shen Bingsi felt his gaze, so she stood up and walked in front of him.

Although they had practiced dual cultivation many times, Shen Bingsi still looked away and did not stare directly at Rong Xie in the bathtub, knowing that Rong Xie was easily embarrassed.

However, this time he didn't look at Rong Xie, but he felt Rong Xie's gaze lingering on his face.

Shen Bingsi found it strange and turned to glance at Rong Xie, only to find that Rong Xie was looking him up and down carefully.

"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with me?" Shen Bingsi followed his gaze and looked at herself.

“It’s very clear.” Rong Xie stretched out his wet hand and beckoned to Shen Bingsi to stand closer.

Shen Bingsi's heart skipped a beat, and he muttered, "Why is he being so enthusiastic?" He pressed his body against the edge of the wooden tub, letting Rong Xie grab his belt and look at him again and again.

"So beautiful," Rong Xie exclaimed.

Shen Bingsi's gaze remained fixed to the side, a slight smile playing on her lips: "She's not that pretty, is she? Besides, how can the word 'pretty' be used to describe her—"

"These patterns are so delicate and beautiful," Rong Xie exclaimed, stroking Shen Bingsi's belt.

“…” Shen Bingsi fell silent.

Rong Xie examined Shen Bing Si's belt again and again, admiring it, when suddenly he sensed something was amiss.

A burning gaze fell upon him.

He seems to be wearing nothing now, and the impurities he discharged have been washed away. The water is still relatively clear and doesn't block out much.

Rong Xie froze instantly, his chest and shoulders feeling as if they were burning. The only consolation was that Shen Bingsi cultivated the Path of Ruthlessness. In his eyes, he was a cultivation object when naked, and a close friend when clothed. There was no romantic feeling involved...

Rong Xie let out a slight breath, trying to act naturally. Over the past few days, the two of them had done everything they could, both spiritually and physically, deeply intertwined. It was just a matter of being seen without clothes; there was no big deal.

Thinking this, Rong Xie glanced up.

Shen Bingsi was indeed looking at him, her dark eyes as deep as wells, her gaze fixed on him... from the neck down.

Rong Xie clearly saw his prominent Adam's apple move up and down, his cheeks tighten slightly. Shen Bing Si was so engrossed in watching that she didn't notice him looking up for a moment. This expression only lasted for a moment. Shen Bing Si quickly realized what was happening, and after their eyes met for a brief instant, she quickly looked away, a faint blush rising on her cheeks.

At this moment, Rong Xie discovered that his eyesight had improved. Not only could he see things more clearly, but he could even capture subtle changes in time. As long as he paid attention, time would slow down, allowing Rong Xie to see every little expression and movement of Shen Bing Si clearly.

This is absolutely amazing.

but.

Rong Xie frowned slightly.

Something feels off about Shen Bingsi's expression. It's not as composed as I remember; it's like...

“Should we change the bucket? I’ve refilled it,” Shen Bingsi cleared her throat, adjusted her collar slightly, let her hand hang down, and placed it on the edge of the wooden bucket, her fingers pressing down slightly so that her knuckles protruded. “Although you have already reached the Foundation Establishment stage, it’s okay for you to soak in cold water, but… hot water will be more comfortable.”

"Um……"

“If you’re too shy, I’ll turn around,” Shen Bingsi said, then paused, her Adam’s apple bobbing again. “Or would you like me to carry you over?”

Rong Xie subconsciously placed his hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat clearly through a thin layer of skin. Was this an illusion caused by his greatly improved vision, or a hallucination caused by soaking in cold water for too long?

Why did Shen Bingsi act like an ordinary lover, blushing and looking like she was being seduced?

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Back from Jiuzhaigou trip! Thank goodness I wasn't crushed by the crowds! [Sprinkling flowers]