Chapter 16: Foundation Establishment(2)

As Grey continued his intense cultivation, a dramatic change occurred in the skies above him. Dark, ominous clouds began to gather, swirling and churning as if responding to the immense energy being channeled below. The tranquil Bamboo Forest was soon overshadowed by a foreboding storm brewing in the heavens.The once-clear sky darkened, and streaks of lightning began to crackle through the clouds. The lightning arced and danced, casting eerie shadows across the forest floor. The storm seemed almost sentient, as if it were a living entity reacting to Grey's efforts. The air crackled with static energy, adding to the tension of the moment.The storm above Grey roared in fury as if it were enraged by his defiance. Dark, tumultuous clouds twisted and surged, and jagged lightning bolts cracked violently across the sky. It seemed as though the heavens themselves were waging a battle against Grey's will, unwilling to let him proceed with his audacious quest to build his foundation.As the storm reached its zenith, a powerful blue lightning bolt descended from the churning clouds, striking Grey with a blinding flash. The force of the lightning seared through his body, causing agonizing pain and making his skin burn with intense heat. His muscles convulsed uncontrollably, and the air around him crackled with residual energy. Yet, even as lightning ravaged his form, Grey's resolve remained unshaken.Despite the agony, Grey's resolve remained unbroken. He clenched his teeth, every muscle in his body taut in the effort to withstand the torment. His eyes, though filled with pain, burned with unyielding determination. This trial, this tribulation, was just another obstacle in the path he had chosen.Grey gritted his teeth and with a face set in unwavering determination, he shouted into the storm, "This is the path I chose! Even if Heaven tries to stop me, I will forge my own way!" His voice, though strained, echoed with defiance despite the excruciating pain that wracked his body.With a fierce clapping of his hands, Grey forced his Qi and Demonic Qi to merge, igniting a dazzling display of light and power. The two energies, once chaotic and separate, began to blend and intertwine in a breathtaking spectacle. The swirling energy around him was a vivid testament to the shaping of his foundation, a visible manifestation of his progress.The storm, sensing the monumental shift, retaliated with an even more intense lightning strike. Grey felt the searing pain intensify, as if the heavens themselves were attempting to tear him apart. The sensation was nearly unbearable, pushing him to the brink of death. Each bolt seemed to challenge his very existence, but his determination burned fiercer than the storm's wrath.Through the blinding pain, Grey gritted his teeth and continued to channel his energy, his focus unwavering amidst the relentless assault from the skies. Every fiber of his being was strained to its limits as he fought against the storm's unrelenting fury. His body, already covered in wounds, blood, and scorched skin, was on the brink of collapse.One more lightning bolt, and he knew he might not survive. Yet, even as the storm's rage threatened to overwhelm him, his mind remained a singular force of will, refusing to yield. The storm's fury was a mere shadow compared to the resolve that drove him forward.With his life hanging by a thread, Grey summoned every ounce of his remaining strength. His determination burned brighter than the storm's rage. His voice, though hoarse and strained, rang out with a final, thunderous cry. "Foundation complete!" The words carried across the tumultuous skies with a fierce echo of triumph and defiance.As he declared his victory, his entire body was enveloped in a blinding aura of Qi. The sheer force of his breakthrough erupted from him, a radiant surge that pierced through the storm. The energy from his successful cultivation cut through the dark clouds, unraveling the tempest with explosive brilliance.The storm, overwhelmed by the intensity of his aura, began to dissipate. The once furious and chaotic clouds were driven away, revealing a clear, serene sky. The blinding light of Grey's breakthrough illuminated the heavens, casting away the storm's malevolent grip and leaving behind a tranquil expanse.Grey's body underwent a profound transformation, reshaping and solidifying to accommodate the harmonious blending of both Qi and Demonic Qi. The once chaotic and separate energies within him now flowed together seamlessly, enhancing his strength and fortitude. His entire being radiated with newfound power and stability, marking the culmination of his breakthrough.With a triumphant roar, Grey shouted, "Haha, finally, I did it!" His voice echoed with exhilaration as he reveled in his achievement. The storm clouds had dissipated, and the once-menacing sky now lay clear and serene above him. He tilted his head back, looking up at the open sky with a sense of satisfaction and victory."And you, lightning—" Grey began, his gaze shifting to the remnants of the storm. With a defiant grin stretching across his face, he extended his middle finger toward the heavens. "Fuck off!"