Chapter 507 - 478: Golden Core Tremor

Chapter 507: Chapter 478: Golden Core Tremor

In the secret chamber, Li Yuan opened his eyes.

The final Spiritual Wave from his simulated Core Formation had just dissipated. This time, he had raised the spiritual power output from the top-grade spiritual pill to the full level of an Early-stage Golden Core, maintaining it for the time it takes to burn an entire stick of incense. The frequency of the Spiritual Power’s condensation, the rhythm of his Dantian’s vibrations, and the characteristic fluctuations of his meridians as they expanded were all identical to a genuine Core Formation process.

The perfect control granted by his Top-grade Golden Core made the charade flawless.

Outside the secret chamber, the Spirit Gathering Array trembled violently for a moment under the impact of the spiritual power, then fell silent.

Li Yuan stood up, collected the Artifact Refining manuals and talisman-crafting tools scattered on the stone platform into his personal storage space, and pushed open the chamber’s stone door.

Just as he rounded a corner, the street ahead suddenly fell silent for a moment.

An extremely profound Spiritual Wave swept over from the direction of the marketplace’s center. It wasn’t hostile, but its pressure was immense. Late-stage Golden Core.

A middle-aged man in cyan-gold robes, accompanied by two Late-stage Foundation Establishment attendants, strode quickly from the end of the main street. He had a square face and a neatly trimmed goatee. His spiritual power was restrained and steady, and his gait carried an air of authority that commanded respect without anger.

The Pavilion Master of Celestial Peak Marketplace, a Late-stage Golden Core Cultivator.

The middle-aged man stopped before Li Yuan, clasped his hands in a salute, and smiled. "I am Qi Chong’an, the humble Pavilion Master of Celestial Peak Marketplace and an elder of the Celestial Peak Sect. I just sensed a fellow Daoist successfully achieving Core Formation in one of the breakthrough chambers and have come especially to offer my congratulations."

’To be able to sense the Spiritual Wave from the private chambers and arrive personally in the first instance, either the marketplace’s Defensive Array monitoring is exceptionally sharp, or this Pavilion Master was already keeping a close watch on the area. Most likely, it’s both.’

"Li Yuan."

"So it is Li Dao You." Qi Chong’an’s eyes lit up. "I had long heard that Pavilion Master Li of Mist Forest Marketplace is quite famous in the Liangzhou region. To think that you would break through to the Golden Core realm here today—this is truly a joyous occasion worthy of celebration."

He gestured invitingly. "Dao You, you have come from afar and just experienced a great joy. Why not adjourn to the marketplace’s inner hall? Allow me to prepare some humble wine to celebrate with you."

Li Yuan did not refuse.

「In the inner hall of Celestial Peak Marketplace.」

In a spacious reception hall, the fragrance of Spirit Tea filled the air. Qi Chong’an sat opposite the main seat, personally pouring the tea with a very deferential posture.

"Li Dao You, for a Loose Cultivator to break through to the Golden Core realm, your strength and perseverance are beyond ordinary." Qi Chong’an passed him a teacup, his tone sincere. "My Celestial Peak Marketplace has always respected powerful cultivators. May I ask what plans Li Dao You has for the future?"

"None for now," Li Yuan said, lifting his teacup.

Qi Chong’an smiled and smoothly changed the subject. "To be frank, Dao You, my Celestial Peak Sect has been expanding rapidly in recent years and is in need of talent. If you are interested, you could take on the position of an Honored Guest Elder. The monthly stipend is thirty Mid-grade Spirit Stones, and you would have free use of all facilities in the marketplace, including the Artifact Refining workshops and the High Tier Spirit Gathering chambers."

"The terms are good." Li Yuan set down his cup. "What are the obligations?"

Qi Chong’an replied candidly, "An Honored Guest Elder must handle at least three matters for the Sect each year, mostly miscellaneous tasks."

Li Yuan shook his head. "It’s not convenient for me to be bound by such obligations."

Qi Chong’an showed no sign of disappointment. He took a sip of his tea. "Since Dao You has your own enterprise, it is indeed inconvenient to be distracted. There is no rush. If you change your mind in the future, the gates of Celestial Peak Marketplace will always be open to you."

The two chatted for a little longer. Qi Chong’an asked a few questions about the business operations of the marketplaces in Liangzhou, and Li Yuan answered briefly, without revealing too many details.

When he left the inner hall, Qi Chong’an personally escorted Li Yuan to the door.

News of a Loose Cultivator breaking through to the Golden Core realm did indeed travel fast.

By the time Li Yuan left Celestial Peak Marketplace, many Cultivators were already discussing the matter in teahouses and taverns. A semi-Loose Cultivator, nominally a Protector for the Primordial Yang Sect, had successfully achieved Core Formation in a breakthrough chamber at Celestial Peak Marketplace. This news alone was eye-catching enough.

The number of Golden Core Cultivators in Liangzhou wasn’t large, and the appearance of each new one would attract the attention and assessment of the various powers.

Li Yuan paid no heed to the discussions. He returned to Liangzhou via the inter-prefectural teleportation network and headed straight for Mist Forest Marketplace.

As soon as he stepped through the marketplace gates, he could feel that the atmosphere was different.

The Cultivators in the patrol team stopped in their tracks the moment they saw Li Yuan, their faces filled with pleasant surprise. A few familiar Shopkeepers poked their heads out of their shops, their gazes holding unconcealed excitement.

The news had arrived even faster than Li Yuan himself.

Xu Zhang practically jogged over to greet him.

"Pavilion Master, congratulations on your breakthrough to the Golden Core realm."

A marketplace overseen by a Golden Core Cultivator and one overseen by a Foundation Establishment Cultivator carried completely different weight in the cultivation world. For everyone in Mist Forest Marketplace, Li Yuan’s breakthrough to the Golden Core realm meant that the marketplace’s foundation and security level had just leaped up a major tier.

Li Yuan walked into the main hall and sat down. Xu Zhang followed close behind, briefly reporting on the marketplace’s situation during Li Yuan’s seclusion. Then he lowered his voice and said, "Pavilion Master, we’ve also received news from the Primordial Yang Sect. The Sect Master said he wants to come in person."

"When?"

"Today."

The words had barely left his mouth when an exceedingly powerful Spiritual Wave emanated from the outskirts of the marketplace.

The aura of a Late-stage Golden Core.

A moment later, an old man wearing the robes of the Primordial Yang Sect’s Sect Master strode into the main hall, accompanied by two Early-stage Golden Core elders.

Zhou Mingyuan. Sect Master of the Primordial Yang Sect.

The old man was tall and had a dignified face, but at this moment, it bore a very obvious smile, and his steps were a bit faster than usual.

"Li Dao You, my sincerest congratulations." Zhou Mingyuan walked before the main seat, but instead of sitting, he first clasped his hands and bowed to Li Yuan in salute.

Li Yuan rose and returned the salute.

Zhou Mingyuan waved his hand, and an elder behind him immediately took out a document and presented it.

"Li Dao You has broken through to the Golden Core realm; your strength is no longer what it once was. Previously, the profit share for Mist Forest Marketplace was an eighty-twenty split, but now, there’s no need for us to keep that twenty percent." Zhou Mingyuan pushed the document in front of Li Yuan. "From this day forward, all profits from Mist Forest Marketplace belong to you. The ownership of the entire marketplace is also being formally transferred."

Li Yuan opened the document and glanced at it. It was all there in black and white, complete with official seals.

From this day on, Mist Forest Marketplace was completely his.

"Furthermore," Zhou Mingyuan continued, "your status within the Sect should also be adjusted. The position of Protector is too low for a Golden Core Cultivator. Effective immediately, you are promoted to a Consecrated Elder of the Primordial Yang Sect. A Consecrated Elder is not bound by sect regulations and does not need to participate in sect affairs. The monthly stipend and resource provisions will be allocated separately."

Li Yuan looked at Zhou Mingyuan. "What are the obligations?"

Zhou Mingyuan laughed heartily. "There are no obligations. If Li Dao You wishes to visit the Primordial Yang Sect, you are welcome. If you do not wish to come, we will absolutely not insist. A Consecrated Elder is just that—a Consecrated Elder. We are merely expressing our goodwill."

Li Yuan nodded and accepted the document.

Zhou Mingyuan sat down, picked up his teacup, and suddenly asked, "Li Dao You, are you currently in need of a Tier Three Cultivation Technique?"

Li Yuan’s movements paused.

"After breaking through to the Golden Core realm, a Tier Two Cultivation Technique is no longer sufficient," Zhou Mingyuan said, setting down his cup.

"My Sect happens to have a few Tier Three Cultivation Techniques, all collected by past Sect Masters. While their quality isn’t the absolute best, they are more than sufficient for an Early-stage Golden Core Cultivator. If you have a need, Li Dao You, you may choose one to take with you."

An elder placed a storage pouch on the table. Li Yuan opened it and looked inside. There were four jade slips within.

Li Yuan picked up the jade slips one by one, his Divine Sense sweeping over their contents.

Li Yuan placed the jade slip for the Burning Wood Evergreen Skill, the only one with an entry, in his palm.

Li Yuan returned the other three jade slips to the storage pouch, keeping only the Burning Wood Evergreen Skill.

"This one."

Zhou Mingyuan glanced at it and nodded. "Not many people walk the path of dual Fire and Wood cultivation, but since Li Dao You has chosen it, you must have your reasons."

The Sect Master and his party did not stay long. After a few pleasantries, they rose to leave. As he was leaving, Zhou Mingyuan added another reminder, "The resource allocation for your Consecrated Elder position will be delivered within three days. Please focus on your cultivation without worry, Li Dao You."

After seeing off the people from the Primordial Yang Sect, Li Yuan had just returned to the main hall when he found Ji Wenyuan standing there.

Ji Wenyuan’s aura was completely different from a few months ago. His Spiritual Wave was steady and enduring, and the Spiritual Power density in his meridians was already very close to the limit of the Qi Refining Stage.

Qi Refining Ninth Level.

Ji Wenyuan noticed Li Yuan sizing him up and smiled faintly. "Thanks to the abundant Spiritual Qi in the marketplace, I just broke through a few days ago."

"Your progress is not slow," Li Yuan commented.

Ji Wenyuan shook his head. "Compared to the Pavilion Master’s leap from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core, my small progress is not worth mentioning."

After Li Yuan sat down in the main hall, he saw Xu Zhang approach.

"A Golden Core Ceremony. Are you planning to hold one?"

Li Yuan looked at him.

Xu Zhang shrugged. "According to custom, when a Cultivator breaks through to the Golden Core realm, their sect or faction will hold a grand ceremony, inviting fellow Daoists from all over to attend. It’s partly to display their strength and partly to expand their network."

"However, no Loose Cultivator in Liangzhou has ever reached the Golden Core realm before, so these ceremonies have always been hosted by the major factions. If we were to host one, it would take some time to prepare. Besides, the situation in Liangzhou isn’t great right now, with many areas occupied by Demon Cultivators."

Li Yuan thought for a moment.

’The ceremony itself isn’t the point. The point is to use this opportunity to accomplish something tangible.’

"We won’t hold a ceremony," Li Yuan said. "But we can use it as a pretext to host a trade fair at Mist Forest Marketplace, with an auction included."

Xu Zhang’s eyes lit up. "What scale?"

"A tier higher than usual." Li Yuan paused. "However, I don’t have much stock of such items on hand. It will take time to procure and prepare everything."

Xu Zhang nodded. "My merchant guild can help with procurement. We have channels for High Tier Spiritual Materials. It’s just that Golden Core Level auction items aren’t cheap, and the initial investment will be significant."

"Spirit Stones aren’t a problem."

Xu Zhang and Ji Wenyuan stayed for a while longer, discussing recent marketplace affairs before taking their leave.

After seeing them off, Li Yuan returned to the main hall and took out the jade slip for the Burning Wood Evergreen Skill.

[Detectable Equippable Item: Burning Wood Evergreen Skill (Complete)]

[Equip Entry Preview: Flame of Proliferation (Blue)]

[Effect: Fire Element and Wood Element Spiritual Qi naturally form a generative cycle in the body, increasing Spiritual Power recovery speed by fifty percent.]

[Permanence Condition Preview: Simultaneously cast two different attribute Magic spells using dual-attribute Fire and Wood spiritual power.]

’A blue entry. A generative cycle of fire and wood, increasing Spiritual Power recovery speed by fifty percent.’

"Equip."

[Equipped: Burning Wood Evergreen Skill (Complete)]

[Flame of Proliferation (Blue) is now in effect.]

As a blue light flared up in the equipment slot, a surge of insight regarding the Burning Wood Evergreen Skill flooded his sea of consciousness.

The core principles of the Cultivation Technique—how to circulate dual-attribute Fire and Wood Spiritual Power in parallel through the meridians and how to form a generative cycle in the Dantian—were directly infused into Li Yuan’s understanding.

The learning speed bonus from his True Art Comprehension talent, stacked with his other bonuses for cultivation technique progression and comprehension, compressed the time needed for initiation to an absolute minimum.

Li Yuan closed his eyes and began to circulate the Burning Wood Evergreen Skill.

The Spiritual Power in his body began to split, following the paths dictated by the technique. One stream flowed into his Fire Element meridians, while the other flowed into his Wood Element meridians. After completing a minor circulation cycle in their respective meridians, the two streams converged in his Dantian.

「An hour later.」

[Burning Wood Evergreen Skill: Initiated]

Initiation complete.