Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

A barely perceptible thin line swept across, and the stone disintegrated silently the moment it made contact, without offering any decent resistance.

"This is... the power of the Void?" Lin Zhao looked at his fingertips, his eyes filled with a mixture of shock and excitement.

Combined with his sword intent, the destructive power of this force was simply terrifying.

Moreover, with the furnace stabilizing, the four powerful spells and two powerful forbidden techniques attached to the Foundation Building chapter of the cultivation method can now be practiced.

This fourth-tier cultivation technique is extremely difficult to master. Without a certain level of confidence, how could Lin Zhao dare to choose this technique?

As he expected, his innate supernatural ability helped him successfully cultivate a fourth-tier technique.

As the one-month deadline approached, Instructor He returned. The moment he saw Lin Zhao, he sensed a completely different aura emanating from her.

Instructor He's pupils contracted slightly: "You...you really mastered it?!"

Lin Zhao smiled and nodded, though she didn't say much.

Regardless of how Lin Zhao did it, the sect only cares about the result. Only those who can successfully master a fourth-tier cultivation technique are the sect's top geniuses.

Instructor He gave him a deep look, and her complex emotions finally turned into a long sigh of congratulations: "Good, good! The road ahead is fraught with difficulties. Now that you have taken this step, the future... depends on yourself."

Without another word, the two left this strange and mysterious place together.

For the next six months, Lin Zhao lived a rather leisurely life.

To his surprise, Xu Chuan had been in Foundation Establishment seclusion for over a hundred days, which was much longer than that of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Lin Zhao was a little worried and even asked Instructor He about it.

Instructor He laughed upon hearing this: "That's normal! Xu Chuan is a Water Abyss Spirit Body, and he cultivates a technique that involves gradual accumulation before unleashing its full potential. This is how it is for Water Element Foundation Establishment cultivators. Don't worry, there won't be any problems."

Lin Zhao was relieved and spent the rest of the time experiencing the differences of the Foundation Establishment realm.

He has forged a superior Dao foundation, and his magical power is several times that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator. When he cultivates the "Five Spirits Returning to the Void True Technique," a fourth-order technique, the requirements for the quality and quantity of spiritual energy are even more frighteningly high.

The advantage is that it has a solid foundation and amazing endurance in combat.

The downside is that... the cultivation progress slows down noticeably.

No wonder everyone says that for a Foundation Establishment cultivator, advancing even a small level can take decades. The second-tier spiritual energy in the courtyard is simply not enough for his cultivation.

So he focused on familiarizing himself with the new techniques and practicing the spells.

He spent a great deal of time studying the four spells that came with the Foundation Establishment chapter of the "True Technique of the Five Elements Returning to the Void".

1. The Magic-Breaking Needle: This thing is insidious yet practical. It is made by drawing the power of Nirvana from the Ruins Furnace and condensing it into an invisible black needle, specifically designed to counter various protective auras and magical artifacts.

In the early stages of Foundation Establishment, he could nurture a maximum of three at the same time in the furnace, and after using them all, he would have to re-condense them.

As for its power, simply put, one needle can kill a beginner Foundation Establishment cultivator. Of course, this applies to ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.

2. Void Shield: A defensive spell. It forms an energy shield around the caster, providing decent defensive capabilities.

However, if a Foundation Establishment cultivator is brought close to someone, they are basically not far from death.

3. Five Elements Convergence Chain: A control spell. A chain of spiritual light composed of the five elements, extremely flexible, specifically designed to bind enemies.

Even more remarkably, the chains would briefly disrupt the balance of the five elements within a radius of several miles.

This is a countermeasure against Foundation Establishment cultivators who can draw upon spiritual energy to assist in casting spells.

4. Void God Thrust: This is a secret technique for attacking with divine sense, which uses visual observation to shake the enemy's soul.

But after Lin Zhao got his hands on it, he combined it with his own sword intent and figured out a new spell – the Sword Eye of Illusion!

He integrates a trace of sword intent and the power of the Void into his divine sense, piercing out with his gaze to specifically target the weaknesses of the soul, making him even better than the original.

As for the two forbidden techniques—"Five Emperors Seal" and "Return to the Void Furnace"—Lin Zhao could only comprehend them, but not use them.

The former is a forbidden technique consisting of five interlocking hand seals, corresponding to: Activation, Regulation, Seal, Formation, and Final Strike.

Although his attack power is incredibly strong, if he is not controlled properly and makes a slight mistake, he will be seriously injured first.

The latter was even more reckless, causing the Guixu Furnace to overload and explode. It is said that when used by a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator, its power could threaten a Core Formation cultivator, but after using it, the user would be severely injured, if not killed. For now, it will only be remembered as a trump card.

Having practiced the spells enough, his hands were itching again, and his gaze naturally turned to the fourth floor of the Cloud Tower.

Fifty thousand points! If I can pass this stage, I'll have all the resources I need for the Foundation Establishment stage in one go.

I went to the Cloud Tower to take a look, and the leaderboard was still the same as before.

More than half a year has passed, and there are more than two hundred new Foundation Establishment disciples, but on the list of those who have passed the fourth level, there is still only Qin Tianjun's lonely name.

"Is this really so weird?" Lin Zhao thought to herself, but she still gritted her teeth and went in.

Then... less than ten breaths later, he was kicked out, completely bewildered.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator inside also possessed a superior Dao Foundation and spiritual body configuration. The spells he cultivated were incredibly powerful, clearly spells that matched a fourth-tier cultivation technique. Moreover, his combat experience was unbelievably seasoned.

Lin Zhao was completely overwhelmed by a series of fluid and coordinated moves, and a final, sharp sword strike eliminated him.

"Grass! (a type of plant)"

Standing outside the tower, Lin Zhao couldn't help but curse, "So what if they're geniuses? Using monsters like this as standard challenges, which sect is so heartless... Oh, it's mine, never mind then."

Despite his frustration, he also knew that this precisely demonstrated the terrifying depth of the sect's resources.

Just how strong is Qin Tianjun, who was able to pass the level under such difficulty?

In the days that followed, Lin Zhao clashed with the fourth level of the Cloud Tower.

I take the challenge every day without fail, and then I'm always given out in various ways without fail.

It was a bit tragic, but in actual combat, he became more and more proficient in using the spells and his control over them improved considerably.

That day, he had just come out of the Cloud Tower and was squatting in the square of the Immortal City with Yan Chiheng and Fang Yue, who also looked gloomy. The three of them sighed and complained about the Cloud Tower, looking like three dried-up salted fish.

Just then, a cheerful voice rang out: "Hahaha! Lin Zhao! I've successfully established my foundation!"

Xu Chuan came running over, beaming with pride.

Then he met three pairs of listless, dead fish eyes.

Xu Chuan: "...Hey, what's with your reaction?! I've successfully established my foundation!"

Lin Zhao waved his hand weakly: "Congratulations... Fourth floor, wanna go? It's so much fun."

Xu Chuan laughed and said, "I'm not going. I can manage the first few floors of the Cloud Tower, but the later floors are insurmountable. I don't want to go looking for trouble."

Yan Chiheng added insult to injury: "If you don't go, you're not a true brother."

Fang Yue nodded silently, a hint of "goodwill" in his eyes.

Xu Chuan was practically pushed and dragged to the front of the Cloud Tower. He swallowed hard and said, "I just came out of seclusion, and my spells aren't ready yet..."

Finally, with a look of resignation to death, they were teleported inside.

Not long after, the light screen flashed, and Xu Chuan reappeared, his hair all messed up.

Lin Zhao and the other two surrounded them.

Xu Chuan murmured, "What is that...?"

Lin Zhao patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "It's okay, you'll get used to it."

The fifth year passed quickly amidst this playful banter. On the fourth floor of the Cloud Tower, only Qin Tianjun's name remained.

Time seemed to fly by after Foundation Establishment. Lin Zhao spent his time calmly familiarizing himself with the spells of the realm and nurturing his magical artifacts.