Body forging, Pulse Opening, Foundation Forging and Vein Expansion. These were the first four major realms of cultivation, and for the majority of people, Foundation Forging represents the ultimate goal.
In this world, except for the mightiest sects, the only forces that dominated the regions were forces with Vein Expansion Experts.
Every major city and town was ruled by Vein Expansion Experts. But the number of Vein Expansion experts was pitifully low. Any force wouldn't have more than four or five experts. After all, the amount of resources one needs to step into this realm was mind-boggling. Not everyone could afford it.
Hence, for the majority of people, Foundation Forging became the ultimate goal.
A Vein Expansion expert was the peak combat. Experts who rarely take action. But Foundation Forging Experts were the backbone of any force.
Even in the major families in the cities, Foundation Forging Experts serve as the Elders and sometimes even leaders.
And now... a dream that was unattainable for the majority of people in this world was about to be achieved by a nobody.
Yang Ze meditated with his eyes closed as he felt Internal Energy in his body. With his five veins unlocked, the internal energy was moving everywhere in his body. He raised his finger before circulating the internal energy as a thin white layer covered it, which he soon dispersed.
He then focused back on the web-like structure inside his dantian, which was glowing like the moon.
Slowly, he felt an immense influx of internal energy inside his body out of nowhere. He wasn't surprised by it. During the breakthrough, even without any resources, the Enlightenment talent would fulfil the demands of resources.
In an instant, the web-like structure began to expand at a rapid pace. In just a few seconds, there were innumerable veins sprouting within the web-like structure before filling it completely.
In less than ten seconds, the previous hundred strands of internal energy have now transformed into a pillar that was completely made out of Internal energy.
The moment it formed completely, Yang Ze felt a pang in his heart.
In that instant, he felt the world around him getting brighter, his breathing slowed down, and the blood in his body seemed to have turned heavy. He didn't know if it was just his illusion, but at that moment, he felt like he could easily defeat the previous him with just the flick of a finger.
In the remaining time, he consolidated his realm before finally opening his eyes.
"Finally." Feeling the strength in his body, Yang Ze felt like he could split open the earth. Even though he knew it was just a feeling brought out by a sudden increase in strength, it was enough to show how strong he had gotten.
For a while, Yang Ze was filled with emotions. In less than two months, he went from an ordinary person to a Foundation Forging expert. He finally had a sense of security in his heart.
"Now then..." Earlier, he didn't dare to show his face to the two women outside because of fear. But now that he had stepped into the Foundation Forging realm and with their internal energy sealed... he didn't have to worry about them taking action against him.
As for how he knew about their internal energy being sealed... The guard who delivered fasting pills to him earlier shouted those words when the two of them wanted to go out for a walk.
"Heh..." With an evil smirk on his face, Yang Ze raised his head, puffed his chest and opened the door with absolute confidence.
"...."
"...."
The moment he opened the door, the two women there simultaneously looked at him. Xiao Ruolan frowned upon seeing him acting like this. Earlier, when the guard scolded her and Lin Yue, this bastard heard her clearly. And with his strength at the Body Forging... perhaps he had gained confidence in dealing with them.
Lin Yue, on the other hand, narrowed her eyes in response to Yang Ze's exaggerated posture. With his height that was half hers and his weary face that was of a man in his thirties, he looked like a crow that was trying to mimic a swan.
"Snort." She just let out a cold snort. How could she not understand why this bastard was acting so cocky? Thinking about how he violated her mouth, she just gritted her teeth in anger.
If not for her sealed strength, she would have chopped off that monstrosity and put it in his mouth.
Yang Ze took a look at the two women in front of him before averting his gaze, acting as if the two of them were merely insignificant ants.
After walking in front of them a few more times, he was about to head into his room under their resentful gaze when he heard an ear-piercing shout.
"ENEMY ATTACK."
The sound was so powerful that Yang Ze felt his head spinning. He didn't know who shouted, but the meaning behind those words was obvious. He was well aware of the ongoing conflict between the two sects. Even though he didn't know everything, he had a rough idea about what was going on.
This shout could only mean one thing... The Heavenly Sword Sect have launched an attack.
Yang Ze didn't even hesitate before turning around and wanting to rush out of the house. But the moment he reached the door, his footsteps halted.
He could hear the sounds of weapons clashing, people screaming and cursing, as well as the tremors of techniques.
"Gulp." Swallowing a mouthful of saliva, he didn't dare to get out. Even the hand that was on the door slowly fell down, not daring to push it open.
He took a few steps back, making some distance between himself and the door. He didn't even dare to move fast, afraid that the noise might attract someone. In that case, his outcome wouldn't be too pretty.
Even though he had just stepped into the Foundation Forging Realm, he wasn't arrogant enough to think that he could take on the members of the Duality Sect, the majority of whom were even stronger than himself.
Not to mention, he only had Black Tiger Technique.
Lin Yue and Xiao Ruolan were both similarly taken aback by this sudden turn of events. It took them a few moments to register what was going on, and once they realised it was the Heavenly Sword Sect that attacked, their eyes gleamed in excitement.
It wouldn't be wrong to say that the two of them were under the protection of the Heavenly Sword Sect. After all, their town and families pay tribute to the sect. In a sense, it was the Heavenly Sword Sect's responsibility to protect and rescue them.
The two of them looked at each other. They didn't even need to speak to communicate with each other.
Looking at the previously cocky little bastard who was now too afraid to move, Lin Yue just sneered in response. She wanted to say a few words to taunt him, but before she could even open her mouth to speak, she felt tremors of fighting getting closer and closer.
Even from inside the house, she could clearly feel the strength behind those blows. Even if she were at her peak, she wouldn't be their opponents, not to mention that her strength was sealed.
Yang Ze's body stiffened as she was rooted in the spot.
Thankfully, the people fighting didn't get close to the house before departing in another direction.
"Phew." Letting out a sigh of relief, Yang Ze wanted to run inside the room and hide in a corner, but the moment he thought about it, he heard the sound of someone knocking on the door.
*Knock... knock... knock...
This sudden sound of knocking almost made his heart leap out of his throat.
He didn't speak a word, much less open the door.
The knocking, on the other hand, didn't stop. The person outside seemed even more anxious than him.
Just when he was wondering if the other party was going to destroy the door, he heard a mosquito-like sound that he couldn't have been more familiar with.
"Yun'er... Are you there?"
The moment this sound echoed in the room, Lin Yue's body stiffened. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
On the contrary, it was Xiao Ruolan who hurriedly stood up and rushed to open the door.
The moment the door opened, Yang Ze could see the figure of Lin Wan standing there with a face full of worry.
"Yun'er." After throwing a single glance at Yang Ze, she hurriedly rushed towards Lin Yue, wanting to hug her. But the moment she got close, Lin Yue raised her hands in response, not wanting to be anywhere near this woman.
"...." Lin Wan wanted to say a few words, but looking at Lin Yue's face, she knew it was going to be impossible in the short while. The misunderstanding between the two of them was too deep, and it was going to take more than a single night for things to go back to the way they were before.
"Let's go." Lin Wan didn't waste any time. This night raid on the Duality Sect was a heaven-sent opportunity for them.
"I am going to take you out of this place." She didn't spend her days here in vain. At least she knew a way out of the Duality Sect.
"Umm..." Xiao Ruolan grabbed Lin Yue before following behind.
Yang Ze just took one look at them and turned around. What a joke... these idiots might consider it a good time to escape, but he doesn't.
If they were accidentally caught in crossfire or mistaken as enemies, their outcome would be certain death. He might have tried to escape the sect with them if it were another time, but now...
"Heh." Shaking his head, he was wondering if he should hide under a blanket in the corner of the room or if he should crawl under a bed and act like a dead person.
But before he could make up a decision, he felt a soft hand around the back of his neck and he was pulled up.
"YOU..." Looking at Lin Wan, who then clamped him between her arm and waist, with his face touching the corner of her soft breasts, Yang Ze was about to protest in anger when he saw her col,d murderous eyes.
"..."
"You should be careful." With a smile that was uglier than crying, he unwillingly spoke those words.
Lin Wan didn't say another word but stepped out of the room as the three women carefully walked around, narrowly avoiding the fights. As for Yang Ze... he was held under Lin Wan's armpits, being carried like a doll with his face constantly rubbing the side of her soft breasts.
The three of them carefully made their way to a distant, secluded place.
"We are here." Lin Wan's tired voice contained a hint of excitement. Once they were out of this place, the three of them could go back to their previous life.
Not only Lin Wan, but even Xiao Ruolan and Lin Yue were excited as well. The only oddity was Yang Ze, who was brooding. But at the moment, no one paid any attention to him.
And just when they were about to head inside the tunnel leading to the outside world, their breathing almost stopped.
In front of them, the figure of a masked woman was standing leisurely, as if waiting for them.
"Senior..." Lin Wan didn't dare to make any hasty moves. A person who can appear out of nowhere like this was infinitely more powerful than the three of them combined.
"Going somewhere?" The woman was wearing a black mask with her entire body enveloped in dark smoke. Just standing there, she was putting immense pressure on the four of them.
Lin Wan didn't speak a word. She released Yang Ze and then immediately rushed forward, punching with all her strength.
The masked woman in front of them just shook her head as she raised her hand, and with that, the ground beneath Lin Wan suddenly trembled before a hand made out of mud grabbed her legs, stopping her in place.
The masked woman then looked at Lin Yue and Xiao Ruolan, who were staring at her warily, before snapping her finger, and the moment she did that, both Lin Yue and Xiao Ruolan felt the seal in their body disappear as they regained their cultivation.
"Thank you, senior." Lin Yue was about to give her a respectful bow. She didn't know who the masked woman was, but since she helped her, she was an ally.
But to her surprise, the masked woman just let out a soft chuckle as she shook her head.
"No need to be thankful." Twirling her fingers, she tilted her head slightly before speaking further, "Killing you like that would have been boring."
"Now that the three of you are at your full strength..."
"COME."