A World Worth Protecting

Lightning crashed and thunder rumbled in the array formation in the Lightning Domain. Many cultivators could be seen on the towering pagodas, some teleporting in, some teleporting out, and others withstanding bolt after bolt of lightning strikes.

When Wang Baole arrived, he passed through the array formation immediately and appeared atop one of the pagodas. His entrance immediately drew the eyes of a few people. They didn’t pay him too much attention in detail though. They could be struck by lightning anytime as long as they remained there.

“Come on!” Wang Baole’s chubby body shook as he grew excited. He yelled at the lightning storm clouds in the skies. A bolt of lightning came crashing down instantly and struck him.

Loud rumbling resounded in the air, and Wang Baole shook, his hair standing on end. Countless arcs of lightning traversed within his body. The crystal inside him was forcibly broken down under the onslaught of rapid quakes. It fused into Wang Baole’s meridians.

It doesn’t seem to hurt? Wang Baole’s eyes flashed. He bounced a few times and was surprised and overjoyed. He could still remember the first time he had suffered the lightning strike and the agony and numbness that had assailed his entire body.

I’ve already mastered the first mystic technique, Flash Arc!

Next step, let’s see if I can attain the second mystic technique… Electromagnetic Pulse! Wang Baole bounced on his feet eagerly. He wondered if his taking of the Body Strengthening Freedom pills had transformed his physical body and made him less affected by the lightning strikes.

Filled with confidence, Wang Baole started to fantasize about acquiring the complete set of mystic techniques that could be obtained in the Lightning Domain. There were five in total: Flash Arc, Electromagnetic Pulse, Instant Sword, Explosive Dragon as well as… Hell Sea!

If one learned all five mystic techniques, he would be able to wield… the Electromagnetic Pulse!

In the Ethereal Dao College’s records, a True Breath realm cultivator typically only managed to acquire the Flash Arc. Only the rare few got their hands on the technique, Magnetic Pulse. The latter three techniques could only be achieved by one at the Foundation Establishment realm.

Wang Baole began his stay in the Lightning Domain. The days passed, and his endurance of the lightning strikes grew to an impressive extent. The crystal inside him rapidly broke down and fused with his meridians. His cultivation advanced steadily.

After many days, with a final lightning strike, Wang Baole finally acquired the second of the five mystic techniques hidden in the Lightning Domain!

Magnetic Pulse! Excitement stirred within Wang Baole. With a sweep of his hand, an invisible magnetic force field appeared around him, warping the surrounding space instantly. The force field held a startling electrical force.

By releasing his Flash Arc and allowing it to travel in the force field, the power of the Magnetic Pulse would be amplified.

Overjoyed, Wang Baole attempted the third wave of lightning strikes. If he managed to overcome that wave successfully, he would have a chance to acquire the third mystic technique in the Lightning Domain!

Instant Sword!

Feelings of excitement and anticipation rose within him at the thought. The third technique was said to only be attainable by one at the Foundation Establishment realm though. A difficult road lay ahead of Wang Baole.

Fortunately, he had a strong and hardy physical body and managed to pull through with great difficulty. The crystal inside him broken down even further with waves of quakes traveling through his body, fusing with and strengthening him further. He stumbled and staggered through the days ahead in a mad haze. His cultivation grew steadily, and the crystal inside his body slowly melded with him. It was after he had stayed at the Lightning Domain for a full month when…

The third wave of lightning strikes descended… as the shocked and gaping crowd stared on, Wang Baole bore the full onslaught of the third wave with a physical resilience that rivaled a monster. As the last lightning bolt vanished, he remained standing, almost scorched to the core. Waves of emotion surged through him. He had acquired the third Lightning Domain technique, the Instant Sword!

Instant Sword was a technique that could summon a flying sword created out of lightning in the blink of an eye. The speed of the flying sword was startling and the strength of its attack fearsome. It was an immensely powerful, near-invincible technique at the level of the True Breath realm.

Even a Foundation Establishment realm cultivator would have to keep his guard up when encountering such a technique!

Wang Baole’s acquisition of the Instant Sword was, besides the Supernova, another edge he had when facing off against a Foundation Establishment realm cultivator!

After a long month of baptism by lightning, his cultivation had also been reinstated from its post-compression fifth level of the True Breath realm to the peak of True Breath realm.

There was a vast difference in terms of actual power though, between his current peak at the True Breath realm and his initial peak status at the True Breath realm. If he were to face off against himself a month ago, the current him would crush the latter without any doubt!

During the month, Chen Yutong had tidied up the detailed information and resources regarding the Foundation Establishment realm. He had also sought guidance from his master. After acquiring a more comprehensive picture, he hurriedly sent everything to Wang Baole without delay.

The information he had gotten didn’t come only from the Ethereal Dao College but also included information sourced from other colleges. Included were also a few incomplete theories regarding the ancient Foundation Establishment realm cultivators that had resided within the realm of the Great Sword World.

“The Foundation Establishment realm is the second step to go from being mortal to immortal. It’s a very important step in the entire cycle!

“To begin one’s path towards immortality, one has to first build a foundation for immortality. After that, he will have nature at his beck and call and become a cultivator who can take flight on a sword!

“There are many paths to the Foundation Establishment realm. There are the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment Method, the Perfect Foundation Establishment Method, the Grand Foundation Establishment Theft Method, and even methods utilized by the barbarians that had been recorded in a few fragments… most of them are not fully documented though and ill-suited for our needs.

“The most appropriate method for us is the one created thirty years ago after much study and trial by countless highly powerful and prestigious cultivators of that period in the Federation… the Fusion Method!

“The Fusion Method works by first obtaining unique fragments from the numerous fragments that had fallen from the ancient greenish-bronze sword, fusing them in one’s dantian and using the fused product to form one’s foundational core… the Foundation Establishment core!

“Only such extraterrestrial fragments contain an endless source of Spirit Qi and can fuel our Foundation Establishment core. After all, the Spirit Qi that is found in the Federation is the product of these countless fragments.

“However, not all extraterrestrial fragments have such an effect. That’s why there’s a need for careful selection, and why luck plays a great part in this. The luckiest person… is the one who can find a fully intact artifact to serve as his Foundation Establishment core!

“Our Grand Supreme Elder, for example, found a fully intact bell that was of extreme rarity and contained immense Spirit Qi. He used it as his Foundation Establishment core to build his Foundation Establishment cultivation!

“There are other leading figures from the other political forces, many of whom also acquired completely intact artifacts. Such opportunities are rare and few, however. It all depends on one’s luck.”

“A typical person reaches the Foundation Establishment realm by obtaining a unique fragment that can be used for fusion. The elites, on the other hand, dream about acquiring a fully intact artifact!” Wang Baole let out a breath of air when he read that. Finally, he had a more complete understanding of the Foundation Establishment realm.

He continued reading.

“The Mystic Luna Realm was created because the number of fragments that could be acquired by each political force is finite. The fragments they obtain are key to sustaining the development of the political entity. Out of all the fragments, the ones that can be absorbed by the body and can be used to reach the Foundation Establishment realm are of greater value. That’s why, unless there are certain special reasons, they are often set aside and not freely used.

“That is why the Mystic Luna Realm was created! There are large quantities of fragments on the moon. The presence of these fragments in such large quantities resulted in a climate that is harsher than the earth’s climate and a landscape more treacherous than the earth’s… it’s only been three decades since we started excavating the site. There’s a shortage of men, and the process is slow. That’s why despite all the political forces having spent so much time and energy in the excavation process for many years, there are still many regions on the moon hiding countless extraterrestrial fragments and artifacts!

“This is especially so for the dark side of the moon!

“After all… the transformation of the luna landscape after the descent of the fragments has made the moon an inhabitable place. Only cultivators who’ve at least attained the fifth level of the True Breath realm can survive for long periods of time on the moon.

“It is due to this reason that the moon has gradually become a place of opportunity for the disciples of the respective political forces in the Federation to seek a breakthrough from the True Breath realm and to advance into the Foundation Establishment realm. They travel there to seek a chance to reach the Foundation Establishment and also to further attempts to colonize the land!

“The Mystic Luna Realm is filled with danger and death, as well as immense opportunity.”

Wang Baole couldn’t keep his composure as he read through and gained an understanding of the materials sent by Chen Yutong. His Spirit Qi started to stir and rouse. He reached the last line of the documents, where Chen Yutong ended everything off by telling Wang Baole that the entrance to the Mystic Luna Realm was opened once every year.

The next opening would take place in two months. Then, the respective political forces would send someone to fight for a chance to strike gold. Chen Yutong had already submitted his application.

“Baole, you have to consider this carefully. This is not the same as the Spirit Breath Village. Spirit Breath Village belongs to the four Dao Colleges, and killing is forbidden; the worst that can happen to you is being injured.

“But for the Foundation Establishment realm… things are different. It is a real battle for resources and opportunities. Fights to the death are common when one is faced with a rare chance of striking it lucky. Besides… all the political forces in the Foundation Establishment will be participating in this fight in the Mystic Luna Realm!

“You must think this through properly!”

Wang Baole fell silent as he considered what Chen Yutong had said. Slowly, a fierce and determined light appeared in his eyes.

He knew that if he missed the window, he would have to wait another year. If things had gone according to his initial plans, it wouldn’t have been possible for him to participate in the upcoming trip. However, the crisis with the giant tree and the opportune Hundred Seedlings training had accelerated his plans and made it possible for him to take part…

Wang Baole pondered for some time before his eyes lit up with determination.

I’m so powerful, others should fear me instead. What do I have to be afraid of?

Wang Baole made his decision. As he applied to the college for access to the Mystic Luna Realm, somewhere inside Ethereal City, within the residences of the Ethereal City Lord, stood an ancient tree. It towered a hundred feet tall, with a crown that spanned a hundred yards wide, and that was weighed down by countless drooping branches. Amidst its richly green leaves were numerous young fruits that had not yet fully ripened. It was at that moment… they brightened into a deep flush of red, and ripened!

Waves of unique fragrance spread throughout the City Lord’s residence and lingered in the air. The City Lord of the Ethereal City, Lin You, stood before the ancient tree with his hands behind his back. He gazed at the fruits and smiled.

“We have a great Ethereal Fruit harvest… send out the invitations to the heroes from the respective establishments to join us for the Ethereal City Fruit Feast and share in the fruits of our labor!”