Chapter 5, Foundation.

On this day, before the sky had fully brightened, the villagers of Chenjia Village gathered around the square, chatting in small groups of three to five. Some occasionally pointed and commented on the fourteen youths in the square.

Chen Zining smiled and said, "Alright, I understand. You little girl, you haven't had enough to eat yet."

Hongxia Valley is located twenty miles away, and considering the winding mountain roads, the distance is even greater. However, for these young individuals with strengths ranging from the sixth to the eighth level, it is hardly a challenge

Zhan Ping smiled and said: "Now you understand the pressure? The path of martial arts is like rowing against the current; if you stop, others will surpass you."

Zhan Ping guided her daughter to circulate the energy according to the "Shattered Jade Formula" several times. After sensing that her daughter could control it freely, she finally released her hand and gradually withdrew her breath.

Chen Zitao snorted and said, "You only caught a rabbit! I have already made up my mind; last year's autumn hunting champion was Zichang, who killed a saber-toothed tiger. I must not be inferior to him."

Chen Zining just turned fifteen three months ago. According to convention, he should participate next year. However, since he broke through to the eighth level of martial arts six months ago, he has been unmatched among the younger generation in both cultivation and martial skills. He wishes to participate early, and no one opposes this decision.

Zhan Ping was so angry that her forehead was lined with dark marks, and she said in a firm and fierce tone: "No!"

Chen Zikang smiled and said: "Zitao, what’s the rush? Hunting also requires a bit of luck. It’s better to go at the right time than to go early. Even if you go late, you might still encounter a desirable beast. If you go too early, you might only catch a rabbit."

Chen Daochong stood in front of a group of people and announced: "This year's location is set in the Hongxia Valley area. Do not wander far, and be sure to manage your time well. You must return to the village before dark. Alright, let's set off."

Fourteen young men strode forward with great strides, moving swiftly. After nearly an hour of travel, as the sun had just risen above the treetops, the group arrived at the entrance of Hongxia Valley. Chen Zining, who was regarded as the leader of the younger generation, addressed everyone: "Once we enter, we will have to part ways. Everyone, prioritize safety above all. We set out together, and we must return without losing a single one of us. In the morning, you can take your time to choose, but by the afternoon, you must act decisively and not be overly reckless."

He clearly remembers that he failed to establish his foundation after eating three Xuan Yu fruits for the first time, and only succeeded by a stroke of luck after consuming seven on the second attempt

After a while, a warm current slowly flows, and wherever it goes, the numbness disappears. This warm current grows stronger; at first, it crashes chaotically within the body, but gradually it becomes orderly, circulating along the limbs and torso. She finds it very amusing and focuses her mind on it, prompting it to move on its own.

Today marks the annual "Autumn Hunt Coming-of-Age Ceremony" in Chenjia Village, an ancient tradition on the Holy Lan Continent. Young men who have reached the age of sixteen will enter the mountains and forests alone, using their own strength to hunt fierce beasts. The severity of the prey they obtain serves as a metaphor for the future achievements of the young men

The several youths nearby laughed heartily

Chen Zining and thirteen other sixteen-year-old youths stood in the center of the square, each carrying a small package on their backs and a short knife at their waists. The other thirteen youths were similarly equipped with short knives, daggers, and bows and arrows.

After Chen Mushuang consumed both spirit fruits, Zhan Ping sat down behind her daughter, placed her hand against her back, and said: "Shuangshuang, calm your mind, do not think of anything else, focus on remembering the flow of true energy."

If these methods are applied appropriately, they are not inferior to those of warrior-level fighters, giving him a great hope of standing at the pinnacle of martial arts in the Holy Lan Continent in the future

Six months ago, Chen Zining experienced a breakthrough to the eighth level of true energy, which also allowed him to enter the initial stage of Qi induction in his cultivation practice, bringing him immense joy. He initially mastered the application of the five elements of spiritual energy, such as condensing a fireball, creating a water arrow, enhancing the sharpness of metal weapons through the Sharp Metal Technique, healing injuries with the Rejuvenation Technique, transforming the ground into quicksand traps with the Quicksand Technique, achieving a body as light as a swallow with the Light Body Technique, and utilizing spiritual awareness to search the surrounding environment within a radius of over twenty zhang, as well as employing spiritual awareness to exert pressure and intimidate others.

Although over the course of several thousand years, most of the people living in the city have long abandoned this dangerous ritual, those in the Yunjiuling region, especially the hunters in the mountains, still adhere to this ancient tradition

Chen Guangming comforted, "It's not that exaggerated; building a foundation also requires some luck. In our village, only three or four succeed each year by the age of seven."

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, a year has passed

After speaking, he casually chose a direction and plunged into the lush jungle

He gave his sister seven Xuan Yu fruits that he received this year, allowing her to advance to the first level ten days ago, leaving her peers far behind. She has been in high spirits all day and is now eyeing the wild fruits in the mountains.

In the midst of a lively conversation, the clan leader Chen Daochong and three elders from the village approached. The second elder, Chen Daonan, renowned for his blacksmithing and weapon forging skills, held the top position in Yunjiuling, even at the age of sixty-eight, still vigorous and strong, his strength rivaling that of the younger generation. The third elder, Chen Daojing, dedicated his life to the study of medicine and was responsible for treating the clan members. The fourth elder, Chen Daohong, specialized in dealing with outsiders, managing the sale of goods in the village. As for the position of the grand elder, it is reserved for the retired clan leader. Generally, the strongest member of the clan assumes the role of clan leader. Currently, since Chen Daochong is still in office, the position of grand elder remains vacant.

When encountering areas with excessively dense branches and leaves, he does not take a detour. With a slight push of his feet, his body leaps into the air, briefly using the strength of the tree trunk and branches to soar like a bird. At the same time, he releases his spiritual awareness, searching for beasts within a distance of twenty to thirty zhang. Wherever his spiritual awareness reaches, all movements, large and small, are reflected in his mind without any detail overlooked.

Chen Zining exclaimed, "Heavens! Are the children nowadays so remarkable? Yesterday, that girl Qingqing successfully established her foundation, and today there is another one. Was my aptitude really that poor in the past?"

Chen Moshuang closed her eyes, feeling her entire body warm and comfortable for a moment, while at another moment it seemed as if countless ants were crawling over her, causing an unbearable itch. Had she not received a warning in advance, she would have jumped up long ago

Once out of the public eye, Chen Zining no longer concealed his strength. He infused spiritual energy throughout his body and immediately felt as light as a feather. With a gentle push of his feet, he covered a distance of two zhang, appearing to stroll leisurely, yet in reality, he moved with extraordinary speed

A round-faced, thick-browed youth beside him looked around anxiously and said, "Why hasn't the old clan leader arrived yet? It's getting late; if we don't set off soon, it will be too late."

Chen Mushuang suddenly jumped up and said happily, "Great, great, I want to surpass Qingqing forever"

He ran over again and hugged his mother's arm, softly asking: "Mother, I have so many spiritual fruits now, can I let the little rabbit have one too?"

Chen Guangming and his son Chen Zining felt a sense of joy upon seeing that Chen Muxiang's breath was steady and rhythmic, knowing that the success of this foundation establishment was not far off.

Chen Zining patted his sister's head and said, "I will give you seven spirit fruits. You can eat one each day, aiming to advance to the first level within ten days, surpassing that girl Qingqing."

Fourteen young boys nodded in agreement and walked towards the village exit. At that moment, Chen Muxiang ran over and grabbed Chen Zining's arm, saying: "Brother, brother, I heard there are many delicious fruits in the mountains. Remember to bring some back for me."

Chen Moshuang adjusted her breathing for several cycles, finally condensing this faint trace of true energy into her dantian. She opened her eyes and said, "So practicing martial arts is this enjoyable. I used to think it was so boring seeing you all sitting still all the time."