Chapter 377 ·Breaking Through to Late Core Formation

Bibo ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Island.

After ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Lin Chang’an returned this time, he truly felt just how massive the waves of unrest within the Demon Beast Sea Abyss had become.

Even ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍in a place like Sea Abyss City, robbery cultivators already dared to act so openly without fearing Bihai Palace.

One ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍could easily imagine the situation elsewhere. No wonder every sea region had fallen into turmoil. In truth, many cultivators already harbored thoughts of fleeing to distant lands or seeking wealth amid danger.

The ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Nascent Soul factions they once feared—

now ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍people simply thought that at worst, they could snatch one fortune and leave.

As a result, the situation became increasingly chaotic.

Unfortunately, Lin Chang’an understood clearly that although the idea of grabbing one fortune and fleeing sounded appealing—

how many people who truly obtained benefits could still restrain their greed?

If the gain was small, they would feel dissatisfied and want to move elsewhere to catch another “fat fish.”

If the gain was large, greed would rise again, naturally making them desire even more.

This was human nature.

It was also why so many cultivators walked further and further down the path of robbery cultivation.

However, none of this had much to do with him anymore.

This time, after obtaining benefits from the Sixth Elder in Sea Abyss City, all he wanted now was to enter secluded cultivation and break through to Late Core Formation as soon as possible.

……

As stars shifted and time flowed onward, five years passed in the blink of an eye.

The unrest in the Demon Beast Sea Abyss continued unabated.

Even the surrounding sea regions of the Five Dragon Islands experienced several disturbances because the Blazing Fire Sect was hunting cultivators.

Inside the cave abode.

“The time to break through is now!”

Dressed in white robes, Lin Chang’an sat cross-legged while circulating his cultivation technique.

After five years of bitter cultivation, his cultivation had finally steadily reached the peak of Mid Core Formation.

The moment he clearly sensed this bottleneck, Lin Chang’an immediately took out the Quasi Fourth-rank medicinal pill he had obtained from the Sixth Elder without the slightest hesitation.

【Lifespan: 253/798】

【Realm: Mid Core Formation (99/100)】

The higher one’s cultivation became, the slower improvement progressed.

Especially after encountering bottlenecks.

His cultivation had taken a full five years just to rise from 96 points to 99.

And this was already because his talent had become exceptional. After Core Reforging and Re-cultivation, he had reached the level of a High-grade Golden Core, while his spiritual roots had now reached Earth-grade.

Cultivators capable of breaking through to Late Core Formation around the age of two hundred and fifty could practically all be called Nascent Soul seeds.

One could easily see that his cultivation speed was not slow.

For many cultivators with decent aptitude, wasting several decades at a bottleneck was completely normal.

Even failing while attempting to break through bottlenecks was nothing unusual.

As for this final point—

Lin Chang’an estimated that if he continued relying solely upon bitter cultivation and polishing, he would still need at least another ten years.

Thus, at this crucial moment, this Quasi Fourth-rank medicinal pill became decisive.

“Gulp!”

The medicinal pill entered his stomach, and powerful medicinal force immediately began transforming within his body.

Lin Chang’an calmly circulated his cultivation technique without impatience, steadily refining the massive medicinal power.

The attempt to break through the bottleneck had begun.

Several months later.

The Golden Core within Lin Chang’an’s body suddenly trembled with a resonant roar, producing resonance with his Sea of Consciousness.

A vast and dense fluctuation of magical power suddenly erupted from his body.

Outside the cave abode, the Green-horned Ox, which had been lying inside a cool water pool, seemed to sense something and raised its head toward the direction of the cave abode.

“Moo!”

The Sword Attendant cultivating nearby naturally sensed the fluctuations of magical power as well.

Opening her eyes, she revealed a trace of joy.

“Master has broken through to Late Core Formation.”

Furthermore, the entire cave abode had formations personally arranged by Lin Chang’an.

Thus, this fluctuation of magical power could only be sensed by those inside the cave abode, while the outside world remained completely unaffected.

At this moment, within the cultivation chamber, Lin Chang’an radiated cyan life aura throughout his body.

The rare spirit flowers and fruits inside the cave abode all seemed invigorated by this aura, as though they had gained additional spirituality.

Meanwhile, some low-rank decorative spirit flowers and spirit herbs greedily absorbed the strands of overflowing aura and began flourishing rapidly.

Visible to the naked eye, flower buds bloomed while spirit herbs grew another section taller.

【Lifespan: 253/869】

【Realm: Late Core Formation (0/100)】

“Two hundred and fifty-three years old, Late Core Formation… I’ve finally succeeded!”

At this moment, Lin Chang’an’s carefree and exhilarated long howl echoed throughout the cave abode.

He had started as a wandering cultivator with poor aptitude and struggled step by step until now.

To reach Late Core Formation in his two-hundred-fifties and directly catch up to those geniuses—

only he himself could understand such excitement.

At the same time, Lin Chang’an could clearly feel the terrifying power contained within his Golden Core.

Compared to before, it had grown another circle larger while becoming far more condensed.

Moreover, compared to the past, both the quality and quantity of his magical power had doubled.

Even his Divine Sense had risen tremendously, reaching the peak level of Late Core Formation Divine Sense.

“I am now also a Late Core Formation cultivator.”

Feeling the terrifying strength within his body, Lin Chang’an could not help but reveal joy.

This cultivation technique was still displaying its effects.

The benefits from breaking through far surpassed others of the same rank.

“I never expected the Profound Heaven Spiritual Body to already be this powerful before even being fully cultivated.”

While delighted, Lin Chang’an also sensed the further fusion between himself and his Natal Spiritual Plant.

His life aura strengthened once again.

This breakthrough directly increased his lifespan by more than seventy years, reaching the terrifying figure of nearly nine hundred years.

Once the Profound Heaven Spiritual Body was fully cultivated, his lifespan at the Core Formation realm might very well exceed a thousand years.

“And there’s also the qualitative transformation of magical power, along with the overall enhancement. I can clearly feel certain divine abilities operating more effortlessly now.”

Lin Chang’an took a deep breath before suddenly circulating the Sword Shadow Following the Heart divine ability.

In an instant, faint golden light emerged around his body.

Then it gradually condensed into nine small swords that began revolving around him, forming a sword shield.

【Divine Ability: Sword Shadow Following the Heart (Perfect 8932/10000)】

“I can control it even more naturally now. It has even reached the level described by the creator of this divine ability—‘moving according to one’s will, like commanding one’s own limbs.’”

At this moment, Lin Chang’an secretly rejoiced.

His control over the divine ability had improved even further.

Now, during ordinary times, he could consume a large amount of magical power beforehand to condense these nine sword gleams inside his body.

This way, when facing enemies, he would no longer need to expend large amounts of magical power to condense the nine sword gleams on the spot.

He would only need to maintain them with a small amount of magical power during ordinary times.

A hidden trump card concealed within the body—

faster to activate and even more lethal.

“The power unleashed by each of these nine sword gleams is no weaker than a Third-rank High-grade Magical Artifact. If self-detonated, although slightly inferior individually, their combined quantity makes up the difference.”

After all, magical artifacts possessed actual physical materials as their foundation.

Pure magical power-condensed sword gleams could not compare.

But he possessed nine of them.

If three sword gleams self-detonated simultaneously, their power would roughly equal the self-destruction of a Third-rank High-grade Magical Artifact.

If all nine sword gleams detonated at once—

with this move alone, he could crush ordinary Late Core Formation cultivators of the same rank.

“And there’s also the divine ability gained after the cultivation method chapter broke through to Late Core Formation.”

《Profound Light Transformation》

It could create three illusionary avatars capable of confusing the real with the fake, making it extremely difficult for same-rank cultivators to distinguish truth from illusion unless they possessed special ocular techniques.

Whether used to confuse opponents or during escape—

it was an exceptionally sharp divine ability.

Lin Chang’an even connected it to another divine ability of his.

If this divine ability were used together with the Avatar divine ability—

truth and falsehood intertwined, illusion and reality overlapping—

it would likely become another deadly trump card.

【Profound Light Transformation (Beginner 0/100)】

“There’s no need to mention the Avatar divine ability, since that divine ability mainly relies upon the Profound Heaven Immortal Vine.

But a divine ability like Profound Light Transformation—

abilities of this level generally belong only to Nascent Soul cultivators.

Yet now I possess them.

Unless absolutely necessary, I absolutely cannot expose these two divine abilities lightly.”

At this moment, Lin Chang’an frowned secretly.

If he ever encountered enemies requiring him to reveal these two divine abilities, then he would have to ensure complete extermination without giving the opponent any chance to escape alive.

A Core Formation cultivator possessing divine abilities comparable to those mastered only by Nascent Soul cultivators—

such cultivation techniques were not unheard of within the cultivation world.

However, without exception, all such cultivation techniques were famous top-tier cultivation methods within the cultivation world.

Even Nascent Soul cultivators would never mind adding another top-tier cultivation technique to their collection.

Even if they did not switch cultivation methods themselves—

the principle of “using stones from other mountains to polish jade” meant many Nascent Soul cultivators were still quite willing to study and learn from them.

“Still, with the Sword Shadow Following the Heart divine ability, it’s already sufficient for dealing with most enemies.”

The sword cultivation path naturally emphasized talent.

In the eyes of outsiders, he could completely portray himself as a somewhat gifted sword cultivator, thereby concealing many matters.

……

Half a month later, Lin Chang’an finally stabilized the fluctuations of magical power after his breakthrough and prepared to leave seclusion.

However, before emerging, he turned and walked toward the underground tunnel excavated beneath the cave abode.

Traveling downward over a hundred zhang deep, he arrived within the underground cavern connected to the earthfire beneath Bibo Island.

The golden Fusang Divine Tree radiated dazzling light while greedily absorbing the Fire-attribute Spiritual Qi from the earthfire to restore its own spirituality.

Meanwhile, the Fengming Bird rested inside a bird nest woven from golden threads atop the tree, wrapping its wings around densely packed spirit stones and treasures radiating spiritual light.

“Congratulations to Master for breaking through into Late Core Formation. In the future, once Master forms a Nascent Soul, where in the cultivation world will we not be able to go?”

The moment ripples appeared across the restriction barrier of the earthfire cavern and Lin Chang’an appeared, the Fengming Bird’s eyes instantly lit up as it excitedly flew over while chirping nonstop.

However, even while flying over, it did not forget to store away its bird nest and all the treasures within.

Its appearance of fearing others might covet its possessions left Lin Chang’an speechless.

“I’ve only just broken through to Late Core Formation. Who knows how far away the Nascent Soul path still is.”

Lin Chang’an shook his head.

He would not become arrogant simply because this bird flattered him with a few pleasant words.

There were many Late Core Formation cultivators in the world—

but how many could truly find Nascent Soul-forming spirit items?

And even among those who obtained such spirit items, how many successfully formed Nascent Souls in the end?

Furthermore, Nascent Soul-forming spirit items were not so easy to find.

“And also, the magical artifact I refined for you—you use it as a bird nest every single day.”

Lin Chang’an shook his head helplessly.

This golden thread net originally originated from a magical artifact of the Divine Sword Sect. Later, through his own artifact refinement skills and research, he recreated it.

Using even more precious materials along with the shell material from the Fengming Bird’s egg, he refined this Third-rank High-grade Magical Artifact Golden Thread Net.

Yet after obtaining it, the Fengming Bird used it to build a bird nest.

“Master, I’m also nurturing this magical artifact better this way.”

The Fengming Bird forcefully argued.

Didn’t it also nurture the magical artifact daily with its own magical power while lying on it?

However, Lin Chang’an ignored the Fengming Bird and instead looked directly toward the treasured armor resting upon the formation altar inside the cavern.

Ancient Treasure · Four Symbols Dragon Scale Armor

Five years ago, after returning, he refined the final Late Third-rank Wind-attribute Demon Core, finally completing the Four Symbols power of this Ancient Treasure.

At the same time, he continuously nourished this Ancient Treasure using a Spirit Nurturing Formation powered by High-grade Spirit Stones.

“Wind avoidance, fire avoidance, water avoidance, dust avoidance. A defensive Ancient Treasure gathering the power of the Four Symbols… I wonder just how powerful its defensive strength has become now.”

Thinking this, Lin Chang’an took a deep breath.

With a solemn expression, he raised his hand, causing the defensive Ancient Treasure to float above the cave abode.

Immediately afterward, under the activation of his magical power, the defensive Ancient Treasure emitted golden light as the phantom image of golden ancient armor emerged.

“Go!”

With a flick of Lin Chang’an’s sword fingers, dense sword gleams instantly condensed around his body.

The next moment, the sword gleams poured out like torrential rain, filling the cave abode with dazzling golden light, causing the Fengming Bird’s eyes to shine brilliantly.

Dense and piercing metallic collision sounds rang continuously.

In merely three breaths of time, a tremendous amount of Lin Chang’an’s magical power had been consumed.

Each sword gleam individually only possessed the ordinary power of a Late Core Formation cultivator’s sword attack.

Yet under such dense bombardment, even Lin Chang’an, renowned for his vast magical power reserves, could not sustain it for long.

However, beneath such dense attacks, the golden phantom armor of the Ancient Treasure Four Symbols Dragon Scale Armor did not reveal even the slightest crack.

Its spiritual light merely dimmed slightly.

Yet under Lin Chang’an’s continuous magical power supply, it instantly recovered again.

Clearly, as long as sufficient magical power existed, this Ancient Treasure could easily withstand such terrifying and concentrated sword rain bombardment.

“Hoo…”

Suddenly, the storm-like sword gleams ceased.

Feeling that over thirty percent of his magical power had been depleted, Lin Chang’an secretly sighed in amazement.

With the enhancement of Sword Shadow Following the Heart, there was no need for him to fake his talent in the sword path.

He was entirely a genuinely talented sword cultivator.

Especially with the control level of allowing sword shadows to move according to his will—

he could unleash such terrifying sword rain merely by raising his hand.

This move demanded extremely high sword path control and consumed enormous magical power.

Likewise, its power was terrifying.

In less than ten breaths of time, ordinary Late Core Formation cultivators without supreme treasures protecting them would struggle greatly to survive beneath his sword rain.

“Master, this sword rain is terrifying. Ordinary Late Third-rank demon beasts probably couldn’t withstand even one wave of it.”

The Fengming Bird exclaimed in shock.

Lin Chang’an, however, laughed helplessly.

“Enough flattery. Don’t I know its power myself? At most, it can shatter defensive barriers and heavily wound opponents. It still hasn’t reached the level of wiping them out in one wave.”

Yet after hearing this, the Fengming Bird secretly curled its beak in disdain.

And that still wasn’t enough?

A Late Third-rank demon beast getting its defenses shattered and suffering severe injuries in a single exchange—

how many people could actually accomplish that?

Lin Chang’an naturally understood the truth.

This move consumed too much magical power.

If cultivators possessed decent defensive magical artifacts, at most he could destroy their magical artifacts.

However, if this move were combined with the nine sword gleams condensed through the Sword Shadow Following the Heart divine ability—

same-rank cultivators unfamiliar with his methods truly could end up capsizing in the gutter.

The combination of these two techniques currently represented his strongest offensive methods.

“Now, relying upon this talent of controlling sword intent according to my will is enough to establish the title of sword path genius.”

Lin Chang’an secretly nodded.

This way, he could also conceal his true primary cultivation technique.

After all, the Profound Heaven Immortal Vine involved far too much.

He did not wish to suffer calamity in the future due to carelessness.

“Master.”

Seeing that its master appeared in excellent spirits, the Fengming Bird immediately revealed a flattering expression and approached.

Lin Chang’an glanced sideways at the crafty bird.

“With only Mid Third-rank cultivation, if you continue slacking off, be careful that the Green-horned Ox doesn’t surpass you.”

Hearing the teasing words, the Fengming Bird instantly widened its eyes.

“Master, can I even compare to you? Although my bloodline isn’t bad, just look at how many resources you’ve used for cultivation over these years. If all those resources had gone to me, I would’ve already—”

Under its master’s increasingly dangerous gaze, the Fengming Bird’s crisp voice abruptly halted.

Immediately afterward, it hurriedly patted its chest and guaranteed:

“Master, you are handsome as jade, extraordinarily talented. Who could possibly compare to you? In the future, Master will definitely become a peerless heaven’s chosen of the cultivation world, one seen only once in a thousand years—no, ten thousand years!”

“Enough flattery.”

Lin Chang’an waved his hand.

“Next, I’ll help you find some cultivation resources so you can strive to break through to Late Third-rank as soon as possible.”

As Lin Chang’an raised his hand, the Ancient Treasure Four Symbols Dragon Scale Armor transformed into a streak of light and directly merged beneath his robes.

This magical artifact truly matched the records within the jade slip.

Although only partially repaired, it had already reached the power of a top-tier Third-rank magical artifact.

In terms of defense, it could forcibly withstand a strike from a Nascent Soul cultivator.

It was truly unimaginable what level of defensive power this Ancient Treasure would possess once fully restored.

RelatedRelatedRelated