Chapter Twenty-Four: Breakthrough! Foundation Establishment!

As Yun Yi’s voice rang out, the entire crowd erupted in excitement.

"A twist?"

Shen Ziyi’s expression contorted, shifting through a kaleidoscope of frantic emotions.

"Yun Yi, what else could you possibly have to say?"

Song Hao was also intrigued, watching Yun Yi with gleaming eyes.

Yun Yi smiled silently and pulled a memory jade from his robes, holding it high. "Can this serve as material evidence?"

"A memory jade!"

Someone in the crowd exclaimed, clearly having forgotten such a device existed. Shen Ziyi’s pupils contracted, an ominous premonition washing over him. Mou Hong looked equally bewildered, clearly unaware that Yun Yi possessed such a thing. Song Hao remained impassive, though he was inwardly amazed at Yun Yi’s foresight and meticulous preparation.

"Play it."

At Song Hao’s command, the corners of Yun Yi’s mouth curled upward. Amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd, he activated the jade. A scene suddenly manifested before everyone’s eyes.

"Yun Yi! Don't lecture me with your high-minded principles; I only know that today is the day you die!"

"If you kill me, aren't you afraid of a thorough investigation by the academy?"

"Hahahaha! Do you think you’re the first one I’ve killed? I’ve killed plenty, and haven't I always been just fine? Die, Yun Yi!"

The three-part audio and the clear visuals of the figures' expressions and actions were laid bare. The hall fell into a deathly silence, and everyone looked at Shen Ziyi with eyes full of pity.

"Not only did he do it, but he was recorded—how utterly shameful!"

Shen Ziyi stood stunned, his face turning into a mask of pure, uncontrollable rage. Glaring at Yun Yi, who stood within arm's reach, his mind snapped.

"Go to hell, Yun Yi!"

While everyone was still in shock, Shen Ziyi lunged at Yun Yi with a fist.

"Brother Yi!"

Before Lei Ling'er could even scream, Song Hao had already acted.

"Hmph!"

With a mere flick of his finger, Shen Ziyi was sent flying backward. He collapsed onto the floor, staring blankly at the ceiling. He knew it—he was finished.

Everything had transpired in a single second. Mou Hong’s face darkened, then, suddenly realizing the situation, he pointed a finger at Shen Ziyi and spoke sharply, "To think that a disciple of mine would commit such an unconscionable act! From this day forth, I sever our master-disciple relationship!"

A roar of shock swept through the hall; no one had expected Mou Hong to be so heartless. Yun Yi sneered inwardly: *The old fox!*

"Elder Song, I shall take my leave first!"

Mou Hong turned to address Song Hao, shot a venomous glare at Yun Yi, and stalked away. Song Hao watched the chaotic scene, knowing it was time for him to intervene.

"Yingtian Academy disciple Shen Ziyi has harmed his fellow disciples. The Enforcement Hall hereby declares the abolition of Shen Ziyi's cultivation and his immediate expulsion from the academy gates. He shall be left to his own fate!"

As these words were spoken, the crowd exchanged glances, their expressions a complex mix of emotions.

...

Exiting the Enforcement Hall, Qian Duoduo and Qian Mo rushed over.

"Boss, is Shen Ziyi completely done for?" Qian Mo asked, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Shen Ziyi has committed many evils over the years; we don't need to dirty our hands. Others will settle the score with him," Yun Yi replied with a smile.

"Boss, what about you and sister Ling'er?" Qian Duoduo, sharp-eyed, gestured toward Yun Yi holding Lei Ling'er’s hand, a look of curiosity on his face.

"Uh, Boss, the fatty and I have things to do, we're leaving!" Qian Mo quickly covered Qian Duoduo’s mouth and dragged him away.

"What an interesting pair," a voice drifted from behind before Yun Yi could even respond. Without turning, Yun Yi knew it was Feng Lingling who had appeared before him.

"Senior Sister!" Lei Ling'er blushed, clearly shy.

Feng Lingling had naturally seen what Qian Mo had witnessed, but she remained composed, looking at Yun Yi with a playful air. "Yun Yi, how are you going to thank me?"

"Uh! How about Ling'er and I treat you to a meal another day?"

"Deal!" Feng Lingling agreed, flashing her small canine teeth. She leaned toward Lei Ling'er and said, "Junior sister, you have to keep a close eye on him; don't let him go flirting around!" She then turned to Yun Yi: "And you, you'd better not bully my junior sister!"

With that, she turned and left before either could respond. A comfortable silence settled between the two. They walked hand-in-hand until they reached Lei Ling'er’s quarters.

"Go inside and get some rest before you continue your cultivation," Yun Yi said, touching the head of the stunningly beautiful Lei Ling'er.

Lei Ling'er’s face flushed red. Summoning her courage, she stood on her tiptoes, pecked Yun Yi quickly on the lips, and scampered away.

"Goodbye, Brother Yi!"

"Too bad I didn't get a real feel for it," Yun Yi touched his lips and muttered to himself with a smile. Suddenly, he sensed something, his eyes widened, and he sprinted toward his own residence.

"This works too?"

Yun Yi was ecstatic; he had touched the threshold of Foundation Establishment!

Time flickered by, and half a month passed.

At the very edge of the Yingtian Forest, a figure crawled slowly forward, his clothes shredded and a pungent, foul stench wafting from his body. With every crawl, he gasped for air. Shen Ziyi no longer possessed a shred of his former arrogance. In just half a month, he had experienced being abandoned, having his cultivation crippled, and being hunted by enemies who shattered his tendons, leaving him a broken shell of a man. No one knew how he had survived these two weeks.

As Shen Ziyi struggled forward, a foot descended, crushing his palm. A sharp, agonizing pain shot through him, but Shen Ziyi no longer had the strength to look up.

"Do you want revenge?"

A hoarse, low voice echoed. Shen Ziyi’s cracked lips could no longer form words. He extended a trembling finger and feebly traced a character in the dirt: *Yes.*

The black-clad figure before him revealed an evil grin and tossed a red pill onto the ground. "Eat it! Become my dog!"

A flicker of pride rose in Shen Ziyi’s heart—he did not want to be anyone’s dog! But the cruelty of reality crushed that impulse instantly. The past few days had stripped away the last remnants of his dignity. Closing his eyes, he trembled as he wrote in the dirt: *Understood.*

The man in black smiled. "The Bloodthirsty Sect welcomes you."

With a wave of his hand, the man hoisted Shen Ziyi up and flew off into the distance.

...

Within the Yanhuang Jade space, Yun Yi was enveloped in layers of dense spiritual energy, which he was absorbing continuously.

"Thrum!"

A crisp sound resonated. Suddenly, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth rushed frantically into Yun Yi’s dantian until he opened his eyes. He exhaled a breath of turbid air and used a Cleansing Spell to wash away the grime from his skin. Seeing his skin, now as fair and supple as a newborn's, Yun Yi smiled.

"Finally, Foundation Establishment!"

He knew that only by reaching this stage could he truly step into the world of cultivation, for he could now begin to study alchemy, arrays, talismans, artifacts, and a myriad of spiritual techniques! Rising to his feet, he performed a set of fist techniques, feeling the surging power within him. He was now full of confidence for the path ahead.

Lifting his gaze to the first door atop the stairs, he smiled.

"It is time to open the first door."