Chapter 436 - 431: Core Formation Perfection

Chapter 436: Chapter 431: Core Formation Perfection

’Lu Songx and Longx Longx both reached Core Formation, which means the Sect now has four Core Formation True Men...’

At first, Bai Zichen was delighted, but he fell silent after hearing the rest.

Back at Feiyue Lake, he and Su Li had lived next to each other and were on fairly good terms among their fellow disciples.

The Qingfeng Sect’s conditions for Core Formation were top-tier even in the Northern Domain. With the Desolate God Stealing Sun Technique and the Clear Spirit Jade Marrow, only the descendants of True Monarchs from a few Nascent Soul Major Sects could possibly have better treatment.

Core Formation Spiritual Objects on the level of the Enlightenment Lotus Seed, Buddha Light Relics, or Divine Tempering Yellow Water were rarely used by the true Core Disciples.

With their aptitude, the trial of Core Formation posed little difficulty.

Instead, it was the Direct Descendants of Nascent Soul True Monarchs—those with mediocre aptitude whose realms were built up by piling on Elixirs—who were more likely to need these top-tier Core Formation Spiritual Objects.

For a Qingfeng Sect Disciple, with so many advantages, it wasn’t difficult to survive even if they failed to reach Core Formation.

But Su Li obviously didn’t see it that way. Clinging to life for a few more decades held little meaning for him; he would rather risk it all in a desperate gamble.

Succeed or die trying.

Even if he fell on the path to Core Formation, he would have no regrets, for he had striven for it his entire life.

Su Li, who possessed a Talisman Spirit Body and had no lack of Cultivation Resources, still failed to reach Core Formation. The path of the Great Dao was just that merciless.

With every step climbed, several times that number of Cultivators would fall into the abyss, never to rise again.

Come to think of it, all three were elderly Foundation Establishment Cultivators who, in the traditional sense, had all passed the optimal time for Core Formation. 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

That Lu Songx could reach Core Formation was within Bai Zichen’s expectations.

The Seven Luminaries Spiritual Body allowed Lu Songx to ignore the decay of his physical body and the decline of his vitality. Breaking Realm to Core Formation would have been feasible even a year before his death.

Furthermore, this Spirit Body, obtained through an infusion in a Secret Realm, had clearly improved his aptitude without him realizing it. Otherwise, a cultivator with Four Spiritual Roots, no matter how abundant his Cultivation Resources, could never have cultivated to Foundation Establishment Perfection before his lifespan ran out.

Bai Zichen had long suspected the Seven Luminaries Spiritual Body had more than just its superficial effects. Longx Longx’s success, however, was somewhat unexpected.

This famous "ice mountain beauty" had been unremarkable among the Sect’s Foundation Establishment Cultivators at first. It was only when the original heir to the Law Enforcement Hall proved so outstanding that he was set to skip the rank of Hall Master entirely that she was noticed by Liang Yu and became the successor.

Only then did she begin to distinguish herself, showing her strength in the later stages.

Bai Zichen’s strongest impression of her was her soul-stirring beauty and her disdain for the idea of taking a shortcut by becoming Qi Yue’s Dao Companion to easily become a Core Formation True Man.

He never expected her to succeed in reaching Core Formation when no one thought she could, becoming the Sect’s fourth Core Formation True Man.

"Those Demon Cultivators appeared again later, but we guarded our gates closely and gave them no opportunities. They vanished after a few years... But in recent years, Tribulation Cultivators have appeared frequently within the Sect’s territory, forcing us to dispatch Disciples to deal with them. We’ve lost several Foundation Establishment Disciples in the ensuing bitter fights."

Wei Dao could see the situation clearly. As long as the Core Formation True Men were safe, their hidden enemies had no better options than to instigate a large number of Tribulation Cultivators to enter Hejian and Black Mountain commanderies.

As for intervention from a higher level, every Nascent Soul True Monarch was accounted for; it was impossible for one to suddenly appear incognito.

Unless the mastermind behind the scenes had decided to step into the open, daring to face the future retaliation of both Ge Cang and Bai Zichen.

Otherwise, the only ones to act would be Core Formation True Men who could hide their identities and Foundation Establishment Tribulation Cultivators used as cannon fodder.

"Have there been any unusual movements among the major Nascent Soul Sects in the Northern Domain?"

Bai Zichen tapped his fingers lightly on the table. It seemed his decision to disappear for a while after the events at Zengguang Immortal City had been a wise one.

Unable to find any trace of him, the hidden hand behind everything was wary and didn’t dare to make a real move.

"The Celestial Principle Sect and the Holy Lotus Sect are still locked in a major war. The Tianhe Sword Sect has reportedly lost its share of Spirit Stones in Beiyuan and is having a hard time... Not much has changed elsewhere. Oh, right, the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons has a new Nascent Soul True Monarch. If the Celestial Principle Sect hadn’t clashed with the Holy Lotus Sect first, they might have been the ones to make a move."

"Give the order to suppress the news of my return as much as possible. At the very least, don’t let anyone know I’m back in the Sect for a year."

The grand strategies and alliances between sects were not his forte.

Bai Zichen understood one thing: if someone didn’t want the Qingfeng Sect to have a seat at Liang Country’s table, then he’d just flip the whole table so no one could eat.

Once he achieved the Nascent Soul Realm, even with Ge Cang away from the Sect, no one in the Northern Domain Cultivation Realm would dare to offend them lightly.

He then handed the two Tier Four inheritances he had obtained in the Great Wild Marsh—the Beast Taming Technique and Puppetry—to Tong Huan, telling him to place them in the Transmission Hall.

He also arranged for interested Foundation Establishment Elders to begin cultivating them and started recruiting talented disciples.

Once they achieved some success, they could consider expanding the Spirit Beast Hall’s roster and establishing a new Puppet Hall.

After their conversation, Bai Zichen told Wei Dao to get more rest and prepared to leave for Flame Mountain immediately.

"Is there something else you want to tell me?"

His eldest disciple, Tong Huan, who had grown up by his side, followed behind him.

A single gesture revealed his hesitation, that he was holding back some news.

"It’s Third Junior Sister... Four years ago, a group of Tribulation Cultivators made their way into the heart of Black Mountain. Junior Sister Huo led a team to deal with them but never returned. By the time Junior Sister Ma arrived with reinforcements, they only found the bodies of a few Tribulation Cultivators. Junior Sister Huo had vanished."

Tong Huan lowered his head and spoke quietly. Having been the Sect Leader for decades, he was a figure of stern authority to the Sect Disciples, and his word was law.

He acted with integrity and was skilled at handling disputes between the various factions, keeping them all in line.

But in front of his Master, he was still humble and cautious, just as he was when he had first become his disciple.

As their Eldest Brother, he felt guilty and responsible for failing to look after his junior brother and sisters.

"Fortunately, Third Junior Sister’s Soul Lamp is still lit, so she hasn’t met with a fatal disaster..."

Seeing his Master pause, he quickly added.

"Very good. To think they’d target my disciple... Have someone investigate the identities of those Tribulation Cultivators. Find out where they came from."

A nameless fire ignited in Bai Zichen’s heart. This was a blatant attack aimed directly at him.

"When I succeed, any faction involved in this matter will pay the price!"

He had originally planned to make a trip back to Celestial Thunder Cliff, but now it seemed there was no need. He had to seize every moment.

...

「Flame Mountain, Observatory Pavilion.」

A Fire Dragon roared silently as tangible Fire Element Spiritual Energy howled and surged into its draconic body in a visible torrent.

A Tier Four Spirit Land where Fire Element Spiritual Energy was predominant was the perfect complement for Bai Zichen.

In just a few breaths, the Fire Dragon grew even more majestic. The Dragon Scales on its body became clearly visible, its Dragon Beard drifted in the air, and the horns on its head pulsed with a crimson glow like magma, eye-catching even in the deepest volcano.

Seven days later, the Fire Dragon finally circled once before being absorbed into his body.

’This Celestial Essence Jade Dew is truly extraordinary, worthy of being a Tier Four Spirit Wine... It’s a shame I couldn’t recruit Guu Chang Wanderer as an Honored Guest Elder.’

Bai Zichen opened his eyes, which still danced with fiery light, his pupils now a deep crimson.

He had consumed and refined the first mouthful of Celestial Essence Jade Dew, and it was truly equivalent to ten years of his own arduous cultivation.

And unlike Elixirs, this wine had no Erysipelas. As long as his body could withstand it, he could drink it continuously.

Unfortunately, the brewing process was too complex and time-consuming. It could only serve as a supplement to Elixirs, not a primary method.

Judging from how Guu Chang Wanderer was willing to trade anything for the Tribulation Crossing Pill, he hadn’t given up on the Great Dao and still wanted to make a gamble.

He hadn’t yet reached the point of considering his final affairs and enjoying the rest of his life, so of course he wouldn’t accept the Qingfeng Sect’s invitation.

A place like Zengguang Immortal City was the most suitable venue for him.

’Just seven or eight years of effort to go. One more mouthful of Spirit Wine, and I’ll reach the Peak of Late-Stage Core Formation...’

The Celestial Essence Jade Dew was incredibly potent. The nature’s spiritual energy it drew in rushed violently into his meridians; it was, after all, a Spirit Wine intended for Nascent Soul True Monarchs.

After taking a single mouthful, a Core Formation Cultivator would definitely need to recuperate and repair their meridians to avoid leaving behind hidden dangers.

Bai Zichen estimated that he would need to drink more than ten consecutive mouthfuls before it could possibly put a strain on his meridians.

The impact of the Spiritual Qi wasn’t even enough to cause the slightest feeling of swelling or pain in his limbs.

After cultivating the Five Crystal Glaze Body, his tolerance for nature’s spiritual energy had also reached the Nascent Soul Level.

He gently shook the Mutton Fat Jade Bottle, and a stream of Spiritual Liquid flew out, swirled in his mouth, and flowed into his stomach.

Even with the concentration of Spiritual Qi in a Tier Four Spirit Land, it had become thin after being absorbed twice in a row by the Fire Dragon Returning Essence Scripture, creating a vacuum.

The Array activated, automatically redirecting Spiritual Qi from other parts of Flame Mountain.

Conveniently, the other Tier Four Spirit Land on the summit was unoccupied. The majestic Spiritual Qi formed countless threads that rushed eagerly toward the Observatory Pavilion.

The disciples standing on the mountain who witnessed this scene were all deeply stirred and found it hard to compose themselves.

To Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining levels, such a feat was nothing short of a miracle, something unimaginable.

It took a total of twelve days to refine the second mouthful of Celestial Essence Jade Dew. When a thin golden line appeared in the pupils of the Fire Dragon behind him and it let out a deafening roar, it transformed into a streak of fire and merged with him.

He felt his aura rising steadily. The True Essence in his body churned endlessly, having increased by more than half.

At the same time, the Fire Dragon Returning Essence Scripture began to operate along a completely new path. When he reached out his hand, wisps of fiery clouds lingered around it.

His affinity for Fire Element Spiritual Energy had risen to another level.

’Core Formation Perfection. I’ve finally reached this realm!’

Bai Zichen closed his eyes, savoring the new realm. For ninety-nine percent of Core Formation True Men, this was the final destination of their life’s cultivation.

One step further was the Immortal Realm; one step further was the abyss.

There was no middle ground.

And Shattering Core and Transforming into Nascent Soul to become a True Monarch was a monumental feat for any individual cultivator, an achievement that could not be overstated.

There were plenty of Sects with legacies stretching back thousands, even tens of thousands of years, that had never produced a single Nascent Soul True Monarch.

It was a peak that was difficult to summit even with the collective efforts of dozens or hundreds of generations of cultivators and the sacrifices of countless people.

For Bai Zichen, however, upon reaching the Peak of Late-Stage Core Formation, all it took was a thought for his cultivation technique to advance to the next level, and it was done in a single stroke.

’My cultivation base can’t advance any further. It’s hard to quantify how much my Fire Spiritual Root’s aptitude has improved... My Divine Sense has expanded to sixty miles, which isn’t a huge change. It seems a qualitative leap will only happen when I advance to the Nascent Soul Stage.’