Chapter 246

The Qi Refining world.

Within a cave dwelling on an unnamed island.

Fang Qing sat cross-legged in meditation. Black mist rose around him, within which the shadows of several demon souls drifted in and out of view.

A dim glow flickered across his face, evidence that the true core condensed from the Devouring Sea Art had brought him tremendous benefits.

“My early Core Formation true core has finally reached perfection.”

After a long while, Fang Qing opened his eyes and let out a sigh of admiration.

“As expected of the Ten-Thousand-Year Hollow Azure…”

However, accumulating mana had never been particularly difficult as long as one possessed sufficient resources.

He connected with the Dao-Genesis Pearl and immediately obtained a flood of information.

“The Violet Garden Sect has been destroyed. The Illusory Sound Sect and the Vermilion Origin Sect have mostly fallen as well…”

“Before long, the various Dharma Kings, Dumu, and Duzi of the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain will likely tear through the void and gather at the mountain gate of the Blissful Union Sect.”

“Judging by the timeline, this should coincide with the period when Zhan Hongxiu and I are supposed to explore that secret realm.”

Naturally, Fang Qing had no intention of missing this opportunity.

More importantly, even without that opportunity, he would not return to the Qi Ingestion world at a time like this.

“I should still trust Sangji. If he cannot handle the situation, I can always run.”

“Now that I possess a Purple Mansion spiritual object, my path to Purple Mansion is assured. Even if Sangji dies and I lose the Duzi divine status, once I advance to Purple Mansion, where in the world could I not go?”

“Compared to my own life, everything else is insignificant.”

Fang Qing quickly set aside his concerns about the Qi Ingestion world and refocused on himself.

“It has only been eleven years since I formed my core and I am already preparing to break through to mid-stage Core Formation?”

“After reaching Core Formation, my aptitude improved. With abundant resources and a top-tier cultivation method to support me, my cultivation speed is practically absurd.”

He retrieved a pill from his storage bag.

The pill shimmered with starlight and bore six pill patterns upon its surface.

It was none other than the superior-grade Profound Star Cascade Pill.

“A superior-grade pill possesses greater efficacy. If used to break through to mid-stage Core Formation, it should increase my chances by at least fifty percent.”

“If I save it for the major bottleneck between mid-stage and late Core Formation, its effectiveness would probably fall to only ten or twenty percent.”

Even so, if this superior-grade Profound Star Cascade Pill were put up for sale, countless mid-stage Core Formation cultivators would go mad trying to obtain it.

An ordinary Profound Star Cascade Pill had no effect whatsoever on breaking through to late Core Formation.

This only proved how much Fang Qing's alchemy had improved, allowing him to refine such a superior-grade pill through a fortunate stroke of luck.

“With this pill in hand, this breakthrough should be absolutely foolproof.”

Fang Qing sat quietly in meditation, carefully reviewing the breakthrough methods recorded in the Devouring Sea Art.

He cultivated a top-tier cultivation method, which naturally granted him a higher chance of success. Furthermore, the quality of his true core surpassed even ordinary high-grade cores.

With all these factors combined, his probability of breaking through to mid-stage Core Formation was effectively one hundred percent.

“Let's begin.”

Calming his mind, Fang Qing sank his divine sense into the pitch-black true core within his dantian.

In an instant, the spiritual qi throughout the cave dwelling began to churn violently.

Boundless heaven and earth spiritual qi surged toward him, rushing into his body in an endless stream.

At that moment, he no longer resembled a mortal cultivator.

Instead, he had become a black hole.

“Hm? This is…”

In the neighboring cave dwelling, Zhan Hongxiu opened her eyes while familiarizing herself with her newly formed core's mana and divine abilities.

Although breakthroughs between minor Core Formation realms lacked the spectacular phenomena accompanying core formation itself, nearby Core Formation cultivators could not fail to notice the changes in spiritual qi.

“That direction… it is Fellow Daoist Bai's cultivation chamber.”

“Could he be cultivating some extraordinarily powerful divine art? Or perhaps…”

“Breaking through?”

A trace of admiration flashed through Zhan Hongxiu's beautiful eyes.

“Fellow Daoist Bai formed his core barely ten years ago, yet he has already reached this stage?”

Inside the cultivation chamber, Fang Qing remained completely unaware of her thoughts.

He simply continued circulating his cultivation method and advancing toward the next stage of the Devouring Sea Art.

Then suddenly, something completely unexpected happened.

Rumble!

Within his dantian sea of qi, the pitch-black true core frantically devoured the surrounding spiritual qi.

As it broke through the bottleneck of mid-stage Core Formation, the true core did not expand.

Instead, it shrank slightly.

Its color deepened further, becoming as dark and lustrous as black jade.

At the same time, a mana fluctuation far surpassing early Core Formation spread outward.

His divine sense also broke through its limits, expanding several more li in an instant until it encompassed a radius of roughly ten li.

“This…”

“I broke through just like that?”

“I haven't even taken the breakthrough pill yet.”

Fang Qing stared at the jade bottle containing the Profound Star Cascade Pill, feeling as though he had thrown a punch into empty air.

Then realization dawned on him.

“So this is what it's like to be a cultivation genius?”

“The quality of my true core already places me among the geniuses of Core Formation cultivators.”

“No wonder high-grade true cores are known as seeds of Nascent Soul.”

“They actually weaken cultivation bottlenecks as well.”

Fang Qing's smile deepened slightly.

“Not only that, my physique and divine sense are both exceptionally powerful. They should provide considerable assistance in overcoming bottlenecks. After all, I have consistently cultivated the Horse-Headed Wisdom King Protector Divine Method and the Dragon Elephant Golden Body Attainment Method.”

“And the Devouring Sea Art is a top-tier demonic cultivation technique, which likewise offers significant benefits when breaking through bottlenecks.”

“With all these factors combined, breaking through the mid-stage bottleneck without relying on pills is perfectly reasonable.”

No matter what, successfully overcoming the bottleneck while saving a breakthrough pill was ultimately a good thing.

Although the Profound Star Cascade Pill was unnecessary this time, it could still be used when he attempted to break through to late-stage Core Formation in the future.

While its effects would not be as significant then, considering the aptitude of his true core, it would probably still be enough.

He formed a hand seal, and two streaks of dark radiance emerged, transforming into a bottle and a mirror.

The bottle was the Devouring Sea Bottle, while the mirror was the Abstruse Dark Mirror.

These were his natal treasures, painstakingly refined with the essence of his core mana. Now that he had advanced, the two treasures had likewise reaped tremendous benefits.

The Devouring Sea Bottle had naturally advanced to a third-rank mid-grade dharma treasure.

As for the Abstruse Dark Mirror, although it had not fully advanced, it was no longer merely a prototype dharma treasure. Even among low-grade dharma treasures, it could be considered an outstanding piece. After a little more nurturing, it would naturally advance to the third-rank mid-grade level and fully display its ability to suppress heart demons.

'I already possess the Purple Mansion spiritual object needed for my breakthrough. The reason I haven't immediately entered secluded cultivation is because I still haven't pushed my preparations to their limit.'

'Attempting to break through to Purple Mansion with only a single spiritual object is no different from courting death.'

Fang Qing was intimately familiar with the process of advancing to Purple Mansion.

After all, he not only possessed numerous Purple Mansion scriptures, but had also personally observed Sangji's breakthrough.

'There is no heavenly tribulation when advancing to Purple Mansion. In truth, the very concept of heavenly tribulation is unique to the Qi Refining path.'

'Therefore, the only things I need to consider are condensing my divine ability and overcoming the various heart demon illusions.'

Jade Spirit Rhinoceros Rinse was a Purple Mansion spiritual object capable of assisting the transformation of a [Ji Water] Dao Foundation into a divine ability.

As for resisting heart demon illusions, he would need the support of treasures such as the Abstruse Dark Mirror.

Even then, Fang Qing still felt it was insufficient, which was why he had embarked on this journey into the secret realm.

After examining his two natal treasures for a while longer, he leisurely emerged from seclusion.

Not long after Fang Qing left his cultivation chamber, Zhan Hongxiu also emerged.

“Congratulations on your successful breakthrough, Fellow Daoist.”

As she looked at Fang Qing, Zhan Hongxiu felt increasingly puzzled.

She had clearly sensed the breakthrough phenomenon earlier. Yet no matter how she examined him now, he still appeared to be an early Core Formation sword cultivator. In fact, his aura seemed somewhat weak.

'If Senior Turtle were here, he would surely be able to see through it. Fellow Daoist Bai's concealment technique is truly extraordinary.'

A trace of melancholy surfaced in Zhan Hongxiu's heart.

“It is merely a minor technique.”

Fang Qing glanced at her while secretly circulating the Dao-Genesis Pearl. The fluctuations of his mana shifted subtly.

He had transformed his Dao Foundation into [Feng Seeks Huang].

When facing a Child of Destiny like her, he could not afford the slightest carelessness.

“This is... a fire-aspect technique?”

The look in Zhan Hongxiu's eyes became even stranger.

“Just what kind of cultivation method do you practice, Fellow Daoist?”

“It is merely a small technique. Only by tempering metal with fire can true sharpness be achieved.”

Fang Qing waved his hand dismissively.

At the same time, he heard Zhan Hongxiu's inner thoughts.

'Could this person truly be the Master of Taibai Island? The Master of Taibai Island is famous for cultivating water-aspect techniques and became a renowned master of water-method alchemy because of them.'

“Setting that aside, are you prepared?” Fang Qing quickly changed the subject.

“Before we enter this secret realm, you should tell me the details. Also, how will the treasures be divided? What compensation am I receiving?”

“Naturally.”

Zhan Hongxiu smiled sweetly.

“I alone know the location of the secret realm's entrance. Unfortunately, the route is rather perilous, and several third-rank demon beasts occupy the surrounding area. When I was only at Foundation Establishment, I had no way of passing through safely.”

“But with Fellow Daoist accompanying me now, there should be no problem.”

'Not right. She's hiding quite a lot.'

Fang Qing's thoughts stirred.

Deliberately, he said, “I've heard you possess a fourth-rank high-grade turtle shell. With a treasure capable of concealing one's presence so effectively, could you truly not avoid detection by a few third-rank demon beasts?”

By now, wanted notices for Zhan Hongxiu had spread throughout the Eastern Sea cultivation world. Bringing up the matter himself only made him appear open and forthright.

Zhan Hongxiu let out a bitter smile.

“To be honest, while that turtle shell possesses remarkable defensive abilities, using it to conceal myself is rather difficult.”

“Moreover, those third-rank demon beasts are extraordinary. They possess innate ocular abilities capable of seeing through illusions and deception.”

Yet inwardly, she thought:

'Senior Turtle once said that after I reached Core Formation, he would teach me a secret technique that would allow me to enter the secret realm without anyone noticing. Unfortunately, he fell into slumber before he could pass that technique on to me.'

'So the old grandfather figure is temporarily out of the picture. No wonder her fortune has declined so drastically lately.'

Listening carefully, Fang Qing nodded inwardly.

“In that case, I naturally wish to help you.”

He revealed a faint smile.

“However, regarding that turtle shell...”

“Could it be that Fellow Daoist has taken an interest in it?”

A trace of vigilance flashed through Zhan Hongxiu's eyes, and a chill rose in her heart.

Fang Qing sighed.

“The life of a rogue cultivator is difficult. Even if I am fortunate enough to reach Core Formation, I have no idea how I will survive the Nascent Soul heavenly tribulation in the future.”

“If I one day attempt to overcome the Nascent Soul lightning tribulation, would Fellow Daoist be willing to lend me that treasure?”

“And perhaps protect me during the process?”

A fourth-rank high-grade turtle shell was indeed an excellent treasure for resisting lightning tribulations. Zhan Hongxiu herself had used it during her own Core Formation breakthrough.

After pondering for a moment, she finally nodded.

“Very well.”

In truth, Fang Qing had no need for a lightning-resistant treasure.

He was, in fact, extremely interested in this world's heavenly tribulations.

However, knowing that such a precious treasure rested in Zhan Hongxiu's hands yet never mentioning it would seem suspicious.

He might as well establish an agreement now.

When the time came, he could simply claim that his Nascent Soul breakthrough had happened too suddenly, leaving him no opportunity to seek Zhan Hongxiu's protection.

Naturally, the matter of borrowing the treasure would never arise.