The calm within Six Peaks Sect did not last forever. Though no battles erupted, the pressure of cultivation continued to build silently within Li Hao and his team. The dense spiritual energy of the peaks, combined with their relentless training under Gu Shen and guidance from the sprite, began pushing each of them toward a critical limit.
Li Hao noticed the changes first.
Wang Lei's wind aura became unstable during meditation, occasionally bursting outward in sharp currents. Su Ling's alchemy flame flickered unpredictably, reacting to her rising cultivation. Lin Xue's illusion field began distorting even when she was at rest, as if her power could no longer be contained easily. Xu Mei's phoenix flames flared without warning, their intensity growing beyond her previous control.
They had all reached the same point.
The peak of Foundation Establishment.
"You're all close," Gu Shen said one evening, his tone calm but serious. "But breaking through isn't about force. It's about control. Fail, and your foundation cracks."
Li Hao understood this deeply. His own body held multiple energies—ice, lightning, and flame. A careless breakthrough could destabilize everything.
He looked at his team.
"Prepare," he said quietly. "We break through together—but carefully."
One by one, they nodded.
The next step… would define their future.