Chapter 333 : Core Formation! The Sorrowful Ones!
Chapter 333: Core Formation! The Sorrowful Ones!
【Lifespan: 211/783】
At this moment, inside the pavilion of Celestial Spring Peak, just as the Sword Attendant was breaking through, Lin Chang’an looked at the change in his lifespan and could not help but reveal a smile.
“Breaking through to Third-rank Body Refinement, my lifespan is already close to eight hundred. With my current cultivation, if in the future my magic, body, and spirit all reach the peak of the Late Core Formation Realm…
Wouldn’t my lifespan reach a thousand years!”
Among Core Formation cultivators, those whose lifespan exceeded a thousand years were extremely rare in the entire history of the World of Cultivation. Apart from those Human-beast Hybrid Descendant Core Formation cultivators who naturally possessed longer lifespans, only a few legendary special spiritual physiques, or cultivators who had obtained longevity-extending opportunities, could reach such heights.
“A thousand-year lifespan… that’s almost enough to rival some short-lived Nascent Soul cultivators.”
Lin Chang’an even revealed a strange expression. What he had just said was actually a conservative estimate.
If before forming the Nascent Soul he successfully cultivated the Xuantian Spirit Body, then his lifespan would probably rival that of the demon race.
What was the meaning of cultivation?
Was it not simply to pursue a longer life, and to become powerful enough to casually crush others—so that one would not be manipulated or oppressed by others?
The longer his lifespan was, the more time he had to cultivate, which meant more chances to reach the next realm.
“Moreover, having a long lifespan has another advantage. When facing a crisis, certain secret techniques that consume lifespan can be used.”
A trace of seriousness appeared in Lin Chang’an’s eyes. Within the inheritances of the Sinister Soul Sect, there were indeed several such secret techniques.
He might not need to use them, but he had to know them.
Especially since he would soon face the first Secret Realm of the Beast Sea Region. These techniques were ultimate trump cards kept at the bottom of the chest.
Just then, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth began to stir violently, pulling Lin Chang’an’s thoughts back.
He put down the teacup, slowly walked out of the pavilion, and looked up at the Core Formation Heavenly Phenomenon gradually gathering above Celestial Spring Peak.
“Finally… it’s time to form the core!”
……
Above Celestial Spring Peak, the winds and clouds shifted.
A vast amount of heaven-and-earth spiritual energy began to gather.
This Core Formation Heavenly Phenomenon immediately caused countless people to cry out in alarm.
Many Core Formation cultivators on Five Dragon Island also sensed the aura of Core Formation and turned their gaze toward Celestial Spring Peak.
Some False Core cultivators and even some Core Formation cultivators revealed nostalgic and envious expressions when they saw this scene.
“What good fortune.”
Their envy was not for the Sword Attendant forming the core itself, but for the fact that she had the fortune of receiving support from a Core Formation cultivator. When they themselves had attempted Core Formation, the process had been extremely difficult.
Others who were reminiscing shook their heads and sighed. People said Core Formation was difficult, yet few realized that for many Core Formation cultivators, Core Formation was also the endpoint.
There were also those who were jealous or waiting to see a joke unfold. After seeing the phenomenon, they sneered.
“She’s just a maid, yet he’s willing to spend so much.”
“She may be a maid before forming the core, but once she becomes a Core Formation cultivator, with greater strength her horizons will widen, and her ambitions will grow.”
“Heh heh… If she isn’t given a proper status before Core Formation, once she succeeds she might even harbor resentment.”
Many people were not doubting that the Sword Attendant could form the core.
They were simply waiting to see the joke unfold in the future.
Having lived for over a hundred years, these old fellows clearly understood four words:
The human heart is unpredictable.
Someone might be loyal enough to die for you today.
But in a different time, with a different mentality, that might no longer be the case.
……
While people harbored different thoughts, the spiritual energy clouds above Celestial Spring Peak continued to stabilize and rise.
“She’s really going to form the core!”
Seeing the phenomenon, many people were stunned.
With such a phenomenon, Core Formation was almost guaranteed.
Meanwhile, inside the cave abode of Celestial Spring Peak, the Sword Attendant sat cross-legged, forming seals with both hands as the liquid mana within her body began to crystallize.
Premium Crystal Condensing Pill.
Blackwater Liquid.
These high-grade Core Formation spirit items.
In addition, the refined demonic energy also had the effect of stabilizing the Golden Core, making it almost equivalent to half of a top-grade Core Formation spirit item.
As the condensation within the Sword Attendant’s body continued, her body greedily absorbed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
Outside the cave abode, Lin Chang’an sensed it immediately and revealed a smile.
“Everything is proceeding very smoothly.”
The next moment, he formed hand seals, activating the Spirit Gathering Formation within the cave abode. Spiritual light emerged, and the high-grade Spirit Stones that had long been prepared around the area began to glow.
As the high-grade Spirit Stones transformed into pure spiritual energy, the heavenly phenomenon outside was subtly regulated.
“This Core Formation phenomenon is sufficient.”
Under Lin Chang’an’s careful control, those outside only saw the heavenly phenomenon in the sky and revealed astonishment and envy.
“This phenomenon has already surpassed a Low-grade True Core!”
“Heavens, Formation Master Lin is really generous. He actually prepared Core Formation spirit items for a maid.”
“What do you know? With this situation, once the Sword Attendant forms the core, she will likely be promoted in status.”
“Being a rogue cultivator is truly good. No attachments, no need to worry about descendants.”
“Personally cultivating a Core Formation cultivator as a dual cultivation partner… truly enviable.”
Beneath the phenomenon, countless cultivators sighed with envy.
Even Liu Ruyu of Xuanyin Pavilion slightly opened her sandalwood lips, her beautiful eyes filled with shock and envy.
“M… Mid-grade True Core!”
After all, her own core was only a Low-grade True Core. Naturally she knew the immense gap created by that single step.
“How is that possible!”
When Xu Lingfeng saw this scene, his expression changed repeatedly, finally becoming one of disbelief.
He had struggled immensely to form a Mid-grade True Core.
Yet Lin Chang’an’s maid had achieved it with such fortune.
After recovering from her shock, Liu Ruyu began to think about the sect.
Previously she believed the Sword Attendant would be fortunate just to form a False Core.
Who could have expected such a scene?
Now she had no choice but to take this matter seriously.
“Sect Master, why haven’t you come out of seclusion yet? If you delay any longer, Elder Lin might be taken away by someone else. By then, the entire Five Dragon Island might not have any cultivator worthy of you.”
Liu Ruyu frowned secretly.
Not greedy for power.
No descendants.
And someone from Yue Country.
Such a person was simply too rare.
However, she also had some concerns.
Once a True Core cultivator was born, would she still willingly remain a maid or concubine?
……
Meanwhile, inside the cave abode, Lin Chang’an’s expression gradually became solemn.
Unlike the outsiders who merely saw the phenomenon, he could clearly sense that the Sword Attendant had reached the most critical step of Core Formation.
“The momentum of an Upper-grade True Core is still rising… and a strand of Sword Intent is also condensing.”
With his Spirit Eye and his formation, he could clearly observe the gathering of spiritual energy.
Inside the cave abode, as the Sword Attendant reached the final step, the bloodline within her body suddenly began to boil.
Her skin quickly turned flushed.
The originally smooth Core Formation momentum suddenly changed.
“Not good! Her bloodline is awakening!”
Lin Chang’an’s expression changed, and he immediately appeared inside the cave abode.
Without hesitation he said in a deep voice,
“Focus on condensing the core. I will help suppress and purify the changes in your body.”
He placed both hands against the Sword Attendant’s chest, and rich Xuantian mana began pouring into her body.
The boiling bloodline within the Sword Attendant caused Lin Chang’an to sigh inwardly.
It had awakened again at such a critical moment.
But it was still fortunate.
After all, it was an Upper-grade True Core. With the Sword Attendant’s talent, she was also a seed for Nascent Soul.
Meanwhile, the Sword Attendant clenched her teeth. Her slightly baby-faced and delicate features revealed stubborn determination.
“I refuse to accept this! How can I accept this!”
Her heart was filled with unwillingness as she continued compressing her mana.
Lin Chang’an could clearly sense the changes in her body.
“This feeling…”
His expression became serious.
This sensation resembled the evolutionary mutation of the Azure-Horned Ox bloodline, yet it was also different.
As the Sword Attendant formed the core, the demon bloodline within her boiled violently.
With Lin Chang’an’s assistance, the awakening gradually began merging with another power.
Previously, the Human-beast Hybrid Descendant bloodline had been incompatible, with only about one-tenth compatibility.
But now, that compatibility was increasing.
As time passed, Lin Chang’an suddenly opened his eyes in surprise and glanced at the Spirit Gathering Formation he had set up.
The formation suddenly flickered, and the Spirit Stones were consumed at a faster rate.
The Sword Attendant, gritting her teeth and persevering with unyielding will, forcefully pushed the Golden Core to its absolute limit.
Then suddenly—
Her momentum surged again.
“Immortal Golden Core!”
Even Lin Chang’an was shocked.
He looked at the petite Sword Attendant before him.
Such unwavering will caused him to nod inwardly in approval.
Considering the Sword Attendant’s life experiences and personality over the years, her willpower indeed far surpassed ordinary cultivators.
Combined with her talent and the numerous Core Formation spirit items he had prepared, forming an Upper-grade True Core was only natural.
Forming an Immortal Golden Core was also within reason.
If she had formed a Mid-grade True Core instead, that would have been abnormal.
However, the moment the Immortal Golden Core condensed, the Sword Attendant suddenly opened her eyes and let out a long cry.
The instant her eyes opened, dazzling light burst forth.
Fine silver arcs of lightning flickered across her body.
“She awakened a Divine Ability!”
Lin Chang’an exclaimed in admiration, though he was not overly shocked.
Although the Human-beast Hybrid Descendant bloodline was a shackle, some could awaken innate bloodline Divine Abilities.
These abilities normally belonged only to demon beasts.
Yet Human-beast Hybrid Descendant cultivators could inherit them, though the probability was low.
Even some pure human cultivators with powerful spiritual physiques could awaken Divine Abilities when their strength reached a certain level.
Such occurrences were rare but not unheard of.
“Master!”
“Calm your mind and stabilize your realm.”
Their minds were connected. The Sword Attendant took a deep breath, closed her eyes again, and began stabilizing the Golden Core within her body.
After all, just after forming the core, extreme emotional fluctuations could affect one’s cultivation.
As she closed her eyes, the changes in her body were clearly visible to Lin Chang’an.
Her previously faint heterochromatic eyes had once been dim.
But now—
Her ice-blue and pale-gold heterochromatic eyes shone with dazzling brilliance.
“This is a lightning-type bloodline Divine Ability awakening.”
Through their connected minds, Lin Chang’an could clearly sense the changes.
The two conflicting bloodlines within her had merged further after this awakening, yet they still could not completely fuse.
Lin Chang’an frowned inwardly.
Could this be the bloodline shackles recorded in ancient texts?
……
Outside, once the phenomenon stabilized, countless cultivators stared in astonishment.
“She… she really formed the core!”
Li Tianmo was almost speechless in shock.
Others were no better.
Some experienced Foundation Establishment cultivators who had witnessed several Core Formation phenomena even had tears in their eyes.
“She almost formed an Upper-grade True Core!”
“I knew it! How could Formation Master Lin casually allow a concubine to form the core unless her talent was exceptional!”
“Heavens! Do we still have a chance to join his sect?”
The rogue cultivators became chaotic.
But the various forces of Five Dragon Island thought of far more.
“Could it be that Formation Master Lin has been hiding his strength all along?”
Many people pondered secretly.
Such behavior was understandable.
A rogue cultivator personally cultivating a trustworthy concubine to Core Formation increased the chances that their descendants would possess superior Spiritual Roots.
Such things were very common in the World of Cultivation.
“Hmph. The greater the talent, the better. I want to see whether Lin Chang’an’s Dao Heart remains firm in pursuing the Great Dao, and whether his concubine will be the same!”
“That’s right. If Lin Chang’an wants descendants, then he will have a weakness.”
Within the Four Seas Merchant Guild, discussions erupted.
Many people even felt relieved.
Although Lin Chang’an had grown stronger, they believed that once he had descendants, he would have a weakness.
“More importantly, Xuanyin Pavilion will probably develop two opposing voices.”
Some even watched with schadenfreude.
A Mid-grade True Core female cultivator might willingly become a concubine now.
But would she still be willing in the future?
At present, Lin Chang’an’s Dao Heart was firm because he was still young.
Just like them when they had first formed the core.
Every newly advanced Core Formation cultivator had once been ambitious.
Every one of them had possessed a firm Dao Heart, determined to pursue the Nascent Soul path.
But even the firmest Dao Heart could not resist the erosion of time.
Once Nascent Soul became hopeless, they would eventually give up.
Then their attention would shift to descendants.
When that time came, Xuanyin Pavilion would inevitably face conflict.
……
The news that the Sword Attendant had formed the core quickly spread throughout the Five Dragon Island Sea Region.
Many Foundation Establishment clans who had prepared in advance brought gifts to offer congratulations.
Various False Core and Core Formation forces also sent representatives.
At Celestial Spring Peak, after the Mountain Protection Formation was opened, Xuanyin Pavilion cultivators began respectfully receiving guests.
“Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lin.”
“Congratulations, Senior Lin.”
Cultivators from all directions arrived to congratulate him.
Liu Ruyu and Xu Lingfeng, who had been guarding outside the peak, both wore smiles despite their own thoughts.
“Senior Brother Lin, our sect has gained another Core Formation Elder. This is all thanks to you.”
Liu Ruyu smiled softly, her teeth shining like pearls, speaking in an intimate tone.
Lin Chang’an naturally returned the smile.
“You are too kind, Junior Sister Liu.”
Meanwhile Xu Lingfeng’s smile was stiff.
Seeing Liu Ruyu behave so warmly, he even had the urge to stop his junior sister’s plan.
But when he thought about the words “for the sect,” he could only endure it with a bleeding heart while forcing a smile.
This was too cruel.
Everyone knew he had admired his senior sister for over a hundred years.
Yet he was forced to watch this scene unfold.
“Senior Brother Lin, the Sect Master is currently at a critical stage of seclusion and specially arranged for us to come.”
In the cultivation world, strength was respected.
Since Lin Chang’an was now a Guest Elder of Xuanyin Pavilion, Liu Ruyu calling him Senior Brother was acceptable.
However, her unusual enthusiasm today made Lin Chang’an secretly cautious.
“In recent years, Senior Brother Lin has either been in seclusion cultivating or in seclusion cultivating. My Sect Master Senior Sister often stands at Mystic Sound Peak, gazing toward Celestial Spring Peak in a daze…”
After a while, Lin Chang’an realized Liu Ruyu was merely trying to strengthen relations, and he finally relaxed inwardly.
Thinking about it, he understood as well.
Now that his side had gained another Core Formation cultivator, it was naturally beneficial for Xuanyin Pavilion.
Liu Ruyu strengthening their relationship was perfectly normal.
“This is a generous gift the Sect Master prepared before entering seclusion. Once Fellow Daoist Qiu emerges from seclusion, we will choose an auspicious day to hold the Core Formation celebration.”
Liu Ruyu presented the gift.
Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded, instructing the peak’s cultivators to accept it and prepare a return gift.
However, when the return gift was mentioned, Liu Ruyu revealed a thoughtful expression.
Only Xu Lingfeng felt bitter inside.
Hearing Liu Ruyu say that the woman he admired often gazed toward Celestial Spring Peak filled his heart with sorrow.
……
Today my old father was discharged from the hospital, but he absolutely refused to stay at my place.
He said he felt suffocated and insisted on returning to the village because there was a courtyard there.
There was nothing I could do. No matter how I tried to persuade him, he wouldn’t listen. And today we also have to burn paper offerings.
So I could only send my parents back.
【The second update will come after the author returns from burning paper offerings this afternoon. It’s already half written. If I return early, it will be updated this afternoon. I ask for everyone’s understanding, fellow Daoists.】