As the frequency of the tremors intensified, the green Qi slapped against the shell of the mysterious space like waves crashing against a cliff, climbing higher and higher...

Eventually, the seed's vibrations seemed to have reached a critical point, where the rising waves finally tipped over, folding back on themselves and rushing toward the seed from all sides like a powerful tsunami!

Just as the tumultuous waves touched upon the delicate, antenna-like sprout of the seed, a miraculous transformation occurred!

It was as if the seemingly frail sprout acted as a legendary deep-sea stabilizing cudgel, magically converging all the tsunamis into a swirling green whirlpool!

Subsequently, the suction force from the seed morphed the whirlpool into a tornado, rapidly funneling Qi into the seed!

And the emergence of the tornado set off a chain effect!

The rest of the turbulent green misty sea, originally pushed away, began receding toward the seed as if drawn by a black hole, transforming into nourishment for the seed...

With the abundant green Qi serving as sustenance, thin, fuzzy tendrils began to sprout from the seed's shell, visibly extending outwards like roots!

Simultaneously, the sprout stemming from the seed began to subtly grow, its frail form gradually infused with a more vibrant green, exuding a deeper essence of life as time passed.

Not long after this metamorphosis began, the seed began birthing pulsating runes…

Like an illusory entity, these runes passed through the tornado and turbulent Qi curtain, drifting outward, eventually reaching the still mysteriously resonating shell…

In a harmonious welcome, the runes of the mysterious formation on the shell came alive!

Following dynamic trajectories that hid the profound mysteries of nature, they shifted and slid, making space to accommodate the new runes, allowing each rune to seamlessly slot in, completing a fusion with the existing formation and contributing to the upgrade of the shell…

These phenomenons marked the first stage of his advancement, and it seemed like it will be an automated process that would leave him with zero worries.

Yet Bubai felt he was sitting on pins and needles because...

As more and more roots grew out from the seed, intertwining in a tangled mess, the seed still persisted in devouring the green sea, displaying an insatiable appetite. It seemed intent on consuming every last strand!

In a normal breakthrough process, a cultivator's spirit was expected to permeate the Qi left in their dantian.

However, Bubai found himself facing a unique situation - he might be left with no Qi for his spirit to permeate...

Even after thoroughly supplementing his knowledge of the foundation establishment stage, Bubai had absolutely no clues regarding this abnormal phenomenon!

Whether this was good or bad remained uncertain, but Bubai could only watch as his gathered Qi vanished.

Adding onto his worries was the external Qi that was unceasingly flowing in from the shell’s mysterious formation, and Bubai was fully aware of the abnormality this might cause, yet he still chose not intervene.

After all, his instincts had been warning him: If he stopped it at this juncture, he will close the door to this opportunity… forever.

Once the breakthrough starts, only death can stop it.

After what felt like hours, the green Qi in Bubai's mysterious space began to run thin. When the last strand of Qi was siphoned away, the seed finally ceased its absorption.

Now, the tangled bushel of roots had already expanded to cover a small area around the seed, reaching out in multiple directions, spanning several times the size of the seed itself.

Meanwhile, the sprout had transformed into a vibrant green, its height doubling that of the seed. Its bud at the tip now displayed a blend of raw green and red hues.

The mysterious shell, tightly packed with runes, now even featured some symbols that had shifted to a second layer, acting as anchors for the framework of a new outer shell!

Everything appeared to be in readiness as the mysterious space finally fell into stillness...

At this moment, Bubai sensed the familiar urge to stretch once again.

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Already accustomed to the process, with a relaxed mentality, he stretched...

With this, he witnessed the tiny bud atop the sprout finally blooming, unfurling into two perfect leaves, stretching out as if awakening from a long, refreshing nap!

The awakening prompted a mysterious, intangible fluctuation to disseminate from the seed, spreading outward and passing through the shell.

In mere moments, Bubai sensed the mysterious energy sweep through his physical body, baptizing him with a refreshing sensation. Simultaneously, a mysterious connection was established with every part of his body!

Accompanying the birth of this connection, a 3D model of his body became ingrained in his mind, allowing him to observe all the vessels, viscera, and meridians in his body!

He could even sense the odd tinges of green in the blood flowing throughout his body and identify all the foreign entities, including the strange, greenish-black scorpion entrenched in his heart!

Through this model, Bubai realized he now possessed fine control over many parts of his body. This was internal sight - a hallmark of a cultivator's mastery over their physical form!

This was why the body required a full saturation – it was a key component allowing the spirit to establish a connection with the body after a breakthrough!

Well, at least this part was normal. With this sign, Bubai knew he had initially stepped into the realm of Foundation Establishment!

Diverting his focus from the model, Bubai’s senses immediately honed in on the newly born leaves.

One leaf was crystal fresh, its veins glistening with a vivid green radiance, the existence of its vitality and life evident.

Like a squirrel preparing nuts for winter, this green leaf began to absorb the unceasing influx of external Qi, converting them into liquid-like drops of vibrant green energy!

These drops collected on the leaf like morning dew, and eventually, the leaf tipped slightly, allowing these drops to roll off and drip down, falling like a light rain into the mysterious space below...

Settling onto the ground floor of the mysterious space, these drops trickled to the bottom of the slope, gathering into a puddle that gradually expanded as more and more drops rained down.

Despite these drops being mixed together, Bubai still felt a distinct connection to each and every drop, aware that he could separate them at will. As for other functions... he’ll look into it later.

His focus then shifted to the other leaf, tinted with the red hue of fall. Luminous pink mist flowed through its veins, radiating a mysterious vibe.

From time to time, the red leaf undulated ever so slightly as Qi brushed against it, but it indifferently ignored all the incoming Qi drifting around itself, like an arrogant princess despising the gifts presented by suitors.

Well, the contrast was real, but... whether diligent or arrogant, after their birth, Bubai felt an innate connection that granted him instinctive control and understanding of both leaves.

No. From his innate knowledge, it was more apt to say they were originally a part of him, under his dominion.

The connection had always existed, but they had been dormant. Now, with the influx of sufficient energy, he was simply unlocking more functions.

However, regardless of their new mysterious functions, he didn’t have the time to explore it at this moment because the tingling of his senses were intesifying, warning him of the crisis encroaching on his physical body!

With a thought, Bubai's senses escaped from the mysterious space, bringing him back to the room filled with books, but now...

Looking up, he saw the dark grey thundercloud that had already gathered above him!

Though not colossal, the stormy cloud still covered a large part of the room's ceiling. It was unknown how it got in or where it came from, but Bubai knew exactly what it was.

Cultivation, in essence, involved plundering the world of its Qi and vitality, making it one's own. Essentially, it was a journey to break the shackles imposed by the world itself!

How could this not invite the judgment and wrath of the world?

Now, the first judgment from heaven had come - an inescapable phenomenon that could strike a cultivator anywhere, even if they hid indoors or buried themselves in solid ground. Even with a lightning rod nearby, the lightning would still find its target.

This was the Foundation Establishment tribulation!

Only by surviving this tribulation could a cultivator truly break free from the mortal shackles, becoming a true cultivator graced with an extended lifespan!

With a solemn expression, Bubai moved away from the bookshelves, his eyes observing the stormy cloud that ominously followed his every move, seamlessly blending into the wall as if it was just an illusory existence.

But only an idiot would think it was an imaginary friend.

Bubai had read and heard about the tribulation. Its strength depended on the foundation of the cultivator, but regardless, it was a painful experience.

Well… how could being struck by lightning not hurt?

Hence, this was why a strong body was necessary for establishing a foundation. A normal mortal body would likely be charred, most likely perishing after just one strike, but a cultivator typically must face at least three strikes!

The stronger the foundation, the more strikes! Breaking oaths will lead to more merciless strikes! Inviting others to help will only make it fatal for all parties involved!

This was a test that could only get more deadly and not easier!

Alas… Except for banking on the nourishment of his body from his green Qi, there was not much Bubai could do to prepare for this tribulation.

Blocking with mortal methods was ineffective, as the tribulation lightning could easily pass through them.

The only means of resistance against tribulation lightning involved using powerful cultivator artifacts.

However, most normal artifacts were incapable of providing protection against tribulation lightning, and those that could were often auctioned off at outrageously high prices, yet they were still coveted by all cultivators, even more so than foundation establishment pills!

Naturally, it wasn’t something within his financial reach. Oh... the woes of the poor.

Observing the lightning streaking through the stormy clouds above, Bubai gritted his teeth, “This is gonna hurt.”

Following his words, he heard a rumble echoing in his ear, signaling the impending test!

Then, without any further warning, a streak of blinding lightning struck down from above!

Bubai’s pupils contracted, wanting to instinctively avoid, but it was too fast!

His survival instincts kicked in, his hands shooting upwards, aiming to take the initial impact and block as much damage from the critical parts of his body as possible! “Come at me! Arghhhhh-”

The lightning struck him, the thunder reverberating in his mind as if originating from within himself! Boom!

Bubai’s screams abruptly stopped.