The Shrimp Demon, having just escaped from the Law Domain, was not frightened in the slightest and charged straight in. It simply wanted to escape quickly and keep its distance from the two formidable enemies. Luo Yu's power isn't even that strong, yet this utterly unthreatening attack thinks it can injure me?

BOOM!

One hundred and eight streams of fire and thunder roared in unison. The world seemed to fall silent at that moment, save for the sound of the thunderfire explosion. The explosion of 108 First-Order Talisman Pills was equivalent to the simultaneous detonation of 1,296 Talismans. Among these Talismans were First-Order Grandmaster Level Fire Bullet Talismans and First-Order Grandmaster Level Thunder Talismans. The combined might of thunder and fire roared with terrifying power.

Caught completely off guard, the Third-Order Shrimp Demon was struck by the earth-shattering explosion and flung into the riverbed, its carapace blackened. In the area directly hit, its carapace was gone, and the flesh was charred meat.

The Wings of Annihilation had a stunning first battle, severely wounding the Third-Order Shrimp Demon with a single strike. Although these were only First-Order Talismans, their sheer number compensated for their individual quality. The power of over 100 Talisman Pills exploding together far exceeded the full-strength blow of an ordinary Golden Core Cultivator.

Strike while the enemy is down, take their life!

"Die!"

A water bead flashing with lightning struck the Shrimp Demon's head, cracking its carapace and causing filthy blood to gush out. As it shook its head, trying to rise, a huge fish shadow slammed into it, ruthlessly striking the wounded spot. Flesh tore, and its carapace peeled off.

After landing its strike, the Fathead Fish Demon swiftly retreated, not giving the Shrimp Demon a chance to counter. The Slow Realm and Water-Banishing Realm that had been broken reformed. Facing the oppressive Law Domain, which was stronger than itself, the Shrimp Demon couldn't effectively fight back. It was already too late for it to escape.

The Shrimp Demon stared at everyone, fury raging in its eyes. A fist-sized, crimson Demon Core emerged, brimming with Spiritual Power ready to be unleashed. Just then, its consciousness became muddled. The Demon Core, suddenly uncontrolled, fell into the water.

BOOM!

The Third-Order Shrimp Demon lay on the ground, convulsing a couple of times before falling still.

"Stay back."

The blood flowing from the Shrimp Demon's head was tinted yellow, contaminated with something unknown. Jia Ren turned his palm over, and a Six Profound Yuan Heavy Water Bead appeared in it, a yellow liquid swirling inside.

Yellow Springs Ghostly Poison Pill!

This was a poison pill he had created using Netherworld Poisonous Insects. Upon reaching Grandmaster Proficiency Level, it could be fatal to Golden Core Cultivators. He had never used it before and hadn't expected its first use to decisively eliminate the enemy.

The Third-Order Shrimp Demon was not weak. The Fathead Fish Demon and the Thousand-Year-Old Black Turtle could have killed it together, but an all-out counterattack from a Third-Order Monster Beast would inevitably come at a cost. The Fathead Fish Demon and the Thousand-Year-Old Black Turtle harassed it from the front, causing the Shrimp Demon to regard them as the primary threat and pay no attention to the Insect External Incarnation. The Wings of Annihilation, with the 108 Talisman Pills, delivered a crippling blow. The mixture of the Yellow Springs Ghostly Poison Pill and the Six Profound Yuan Heavy Water was the fatal blow.

Even a Third-Order Monster Beast couldn't withstand an ambush and siege from four assailants.

To think I could also kill a Third-Order Monster Beast...

Killing a Third-Order Monster Beast involved both luck and strength. I must not become arrogant, thinking I have the battle power of a Golden Core Cultivator. Success once doesn't mean success every time. A single slip, and there's no opportunity for regret.

"You all performed well. There will be rewards."

Jia Ren wasn't stingy. He gave Ancestral Fish Sage Pills and a large amount of Beast Saint Pills to the Fathead Fish Demon and the Thousand-Year-Old Black Turtle. He waited for the Yellow Spring Poison to disperse before using the Great Handprint of Capturing to retrieve the corpse of the Third-Order Shrimp Demon.

A Third-Order Monster Beast's entire body was a treasure, enough to offset the consumption of 108 Talisman Pills and the Yellow Springs Ghostly Poison Pill – a certain profit. Monster Beast Meat and Demon Beast Blood were nourishing substances. He had Detoxification Pills and wasn't afraid of poisoning himself. The Shrimp Claws could be used to make Magic Artifacts and Magical Treasures, holding considerable value. The Third-Order Demon Core could be used in Alchemy. Using this Demon Core to refine Elixirs for Golden Core Cultivators too early would be a tremendous waste.

There should be other gains.

After killing the Third-Order Shrimp Demon, Jia Ren followed its scent to its lair. The lair wasn't large, with a few Red Corals growing within. The oldest was ripe with 800 years of growth, and even the youngest had 300 years of medicinal properties.

An unexpected delight!

Jia Ren didn't hesitate and harvested all the Spiritual Medicine. Beyond that, within the lair, he also found shells shed by the Shrimp Demon. Since the carapace had been shed for some time, the loss of Spiritual Power wasn't too severe. While they couldn't be used to craft Magical Treasures, creating top-notch Magic Artifacts was no issue.

Jia Ren strolled around the Shrimp Demon's lair, ensuring no other treasures remained.

This place is suitable. I can establish my Cave here.

The Third-Order Shrimp Demon had occupied the best Spirit Land, even superior to the area held by the Thousand-Year-Old Black Turtle. Jia Ren couldn't be bothered to look elsewhere and decided to usurp the nest. The Demon-Spotting Talisman meticulously scanned the area again, confirming no formidable Magical Beasts or Bizarre Demons were nearby. A Third-Order Magical Beast would fearlessly emit its aura, declaring its sovereignty, ensuring no other unwise Magical Beasts would dare to intrude.

I wonder if this place can shield me from the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre? If it can't, I'll have to hide even further away when forming my Golden Core.

Jia Ren got busy setting up Formations to isolate Spiritual Power and aura. The number of Magical Beasts nearby was incredibly high, but Jia Ren had no intention of taming them. The daily rations required for Spirit Beasts were not a small amount. In the future, when taming Magical Beasts, he would only choose those with excellent latent talent and the natural ability for Warding Off Evil.

With the issue of a secluded Cave resolved, Zhang Pengpeng prepared for Foundation Establishment. This would also confirm whether the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre would affect this location.

"Take this Mind-Guarding Talisman and Evil-Warding Talisman! Don't worry too much."

Vein-Protecting Pills and Fasting Pills were all prepared. Everything was ready; success or failure hinged on this attempt.

"I will definitely break through to Foundation Establishment! Just wait for my good news."

Zhang Pengpeng secluded herself for cultivation. Jia Ren opened a Cultivation Room next door, practicing daily and researching the Perpetual Motion Artifact for sealing evils. The Insect External Incarnation went to the nearby waters, accompanied by the Fathead Fish Demon and the Thousand-Year-Old Black Turtle, expelling Magical Beasts and scavenging for Spiritual Medicine. With two Third-Order Magical Beasts traveling together, they were akin to local overlords, unstoppable wherever they went. A large amount of high-vintage Spiritual Medicine was obtained. The Spiritual Medicine within a 100-li radius of water territory was swept clean, totaling more than 80 century-old Spiritual Medicines, 19 three-hundred-year-old or older Spiritual Medicines, and 7 five-hundred-year-old Spiritual Medicines.

The Insect External Incarnation went out daily, bringing back considerable gains and constantly replenishing the Spiritual Medicine Repository. Unfortunately, none of the three main ingredients required for crafting the Golden Core Formation Pill could be found...

「More than two months passed unknowingly.」

Jia Ren took out the newly-crafted Pure Spirit Jade Dew Pills. The Pills were translucent, resembling morning dewdrops and exuding a fragrant aroma. The Proficiency Level for crafting the Pure Spirit Jade Dew Pill had finally reached Master Level, barely meeting the standards for consumption. After swallowing a Pure Spirit Jade Dew Pill, his eyes felt cool and refreshed, with strands of jade-like dew circling endlessly in his pupils.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the medicinal effect was fully digested. Jia Ren opened his eyes; they were clear and bright. He roughly assessed that his normal vision had doubled in strength, and its range had also significantly increased. The effect of taking the Pure Spirit Jade Dew Pill for the first time was indeed the best, showing a clear improvement.

Before he could further experience the effects of the Pure Spirit Jade Dew Pill, Spiritual Power Fluctuations emanated from the room next door. Spiritual Power converged into clouds—the phenomenon indicating Foundation Establishment had appeared. Zhang Pengpeng had safely passed the Gathering Yuan Pass and the Flesh Body Pass. At this point, her Foundation Establishment was more than half complete.

Next was the most crucial Heart Demon Pass.

The Insect External Incarnation, the Fathead Fish Demon, and the Thousand-Year-Old Black Turtle guarded outside the Cave to prevent any external disturbances. Jia Ren approached Zhang Pengpeng's seclusion chamber. The Wings of Annihilation emerged, and 108 Second-Order Evil-Warding Talisman Pills were prepared, ready to be unleashed.

He dared not be careless when dealing with Bizarre Demons. The Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre was alarmingly powerful. Having not encountered it for some time, who knew how strong it had become? He had to be in peak condition to face it.

A white, hazy light emitted from each Mind-Guarding Talisman, protecting her mind and spirit. Jia Ren activated his Spirit Eye Technique, staring intently at Zhang Pengpeng without blinking.

Time passed, minute by minute, but no abnormalities appeared. The Evil-Warding Talismans showed no signs of being triggered. No Bizarre Demons invaded; the Heart Demon Tribulation had not attracted the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre.

Jia Ren finally felt the stone in his heart lift.

The swirling Spiritual Energy fluctuations in the sky gradually receded, indicating the successful completion of Foundation Establishment.

Shortly after, Zhang Pengpeng opened her eyes, which sparkled with a mesmerizing light.

Did I achieve Foundation Establishment?!

Zhang Pengpeng's eyes shone brightly, like twinkling stars, magnificent. She stared at Jia Ren without blinking.

Without him, I couldn't have survived to this moment. Without him, I wouldn't have been able to achieve Foundation Establishment.

The long-suppressed emotions in her heart finally found an outlet. She threw herself into Jia Ren's arms like a young swallow returning to its nest.

"Now that I've achieved Foundation Establishment, will you keep the promise you made?"

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