https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-434-Perfection-in-Dan-Technique-Reversing-the-Spirit-Vortex/12934803/
Chapter 433: Am I Going to Form a Golden Core?
Chapter 433: Am I Going to Form a Golden Core?
Very soon!
Luo Chen quickly dismissed his previous thoughts.
It was fortunate that he hadn't joined the Ice Fortress earlier!
The reason was simple; the Ice Fortress Sect was extremely lacking in resources.
Aside from his diligent cultivation, Luo Chen wanted to refine some pills and explore the nature of the Vitality Decay Flame.
However, after he requested the necessary medicinal ingredients, it took the Ice Fortress several days to gather and deliver them.
The quality of the ingredients was inconsistent, the years of cultivation were not up to par, and the processing was also subpar.
"Strange!"
"The Ice Fortress used to have a Pill Master, so they should have experienced personnel and mature processes for handling medicinal ingredients."
"Moreover, several essential materials are missing."
After carefully selecting from the ingredients at hand, Luo Chen could only reach one conclusion.
He could only light the furnace a few times and refine a hundred or so pills.
"Forget it, I didn't personally cultivate the Pill Masters of the Luo Tian Association. They don't understand my pill refinement methods, and the quality control of the medicinal ingredients is also lacking."
"This place is not suitable for pill refinement. I'll reconsider after leaving the Ice Prison!"
Luo Chen abandoned the idea of pill refinement.
Instead, he shifted his focus to his daily cultivation.
He discovered something wonderful!
His Soul Essence had increased by another thirty percent!
Currently, his Soul Essence was no weaker than those of veteran Late Foundation Establishment Cultivators who had cultivated for a century or two.
"This must be related to my breakthrough in the Demon Obstacle and the clarity of my thoughts."
"Additionally, I've spent three years refining the Vitality Decay Flame, and my Soul Essence has been continuously utilized."
"Now that I've relaxed, it's gradually recovering and reaching new heights."
Initially, Luo Chen's Soul Essence was already stronger than his cultivation base, reaching the Ninth Layer Foundation Establishment.
Now, with this further improvement, he had achieved the pinnacle of perfection.
If he could take one more step, his Soul Essence would rival that of a Core Formation Cultivator.
But that step would be incredibly challenging.
"It's rumored that the Falling Cloud Sect has a secret technique for tempering the Soul Essence, allowing Foundation Establishment Cultivators to control puppets beyond their level, and even manipulate multiple puppets simultaneously."
"If only I could obtain it."
Of course, this was just a beautiful fantasy.
Such a secret technique was undoubtedly the most guarded secret of a sect, not something easily obtained.
"Perhaps I can find time to ask Senior Sister Tsang Long?"
Luo Chen's thoughts turned, and he couldn't help but anticipate their next meeting.
Giving up on pill refinement, Luo Chen devoted his extra time to reading.
He read many books, all of which could be categorized into one group.
Core Formation Secrets!
Dragon Phoenix Tribulation, Primordial Law, Escape from the Cage, and Lock Pearl Curtain.
Three Descents One Ascent, Three Gate Secrets.
Additionally, there was the cultivation experience of the Lock Pearl Curtain secret technique that the Falling Cloud Sect had given him, which was one of the conditions he had negotiated with Tian Xingzi in the Skyfire Immortal City.
There was no choice but to study these secrets thoroughly.
He had once asked Tsang Long if the Ice Fortress had a better Core Formation secret technique than the Dragon Phoenix Tribulation.
She was straightforward in her reply, saying that there was!
It was a secret technique called the Ice Heart Art, a combination of pill and cultivation methods for Core Formation.
However, this technique was not suitable for Luo Chen.
It was more suitable for female cultivators, especially those specializing in water and ice.
According to Tsang Long, this technique, when combined with the Jade Dew Pill, would have remarkable effects.
This was why, upon learning about Luo Chen, the Ice Fortress was determined to hire him as a guest elder.
Although it wasn't suitable for Luo Chen, Tsang Long also said that he could consult her about any issues related to Core Formation.
If she was unavailable, he could seek out Heartless Immortal.
Tsang Long had already informed Heartless Immortal, and she would not refuse.
With such openness and trust, it was no wonder that Luo Chen had changed his previous thoughts about not getting too involved with the Ice Fortress and warmly addressed her as "Senior Sister."
"Since I can't rely on the Ice Fortress for help with Core Formation secrets, I'll have to depend on the resources I currently have."
"Three Descents One Ascent, four secret techniques, are actually sufficient."
Luo Chen first opened the cultivation experience of the Lock Pearl Curtain sent by the Falling Cloud Sect.
Coincidentally!
The owner of this experience was named Linghu Jie.
He was the Golden Core Cultivator who had controlled three puppet ghost kings to besiege Pang Renxiong in the Great River Marketplace.
Thinking of his superior skills, Luo Chen eagerly anticipated his insights.
"The Lock Pearl Curtain technique was obtained by our sect's ancestor from a secret realm. It consists of three skills and two techniques, which laid the foundation for the Falling Cloud Sect's legacy. Cultivating this technique is extremely painful and challenging.
...If you also cultivate my sect's other Soul Essence Lineage Secret Art, it would be ideal. If not, you must possess a strong Soul Essence Essence, otherwise, at best, your soul will be in disarray, and at worst, your path to immortality will be utterly ruined, and the Golden Core path will be out of the question. Back then, when I reached Core Formation, I only cultivated this art to a minor level of success. Truly, the pain was unbearable, and time was not on my side...】
The tiny characters were written without any literary flair.
However, the content captivated Luo Chen, and before he knew it, he was engrossed.
...
Three months later.
Luo Chen looked at the cold woman before him and couldn't help but smile, "Daoist Friend Dantu, it's been a while since we last met. You seem a bit down. If there's something bothering you, tell me so that I, a secluded cultivator, can have some joy."
Dantu Jin glared at him, "Elder Luo, please be mindful of your words!"
Luo Chen laughed it off, unbothered.
He had long seen through her cold demeanor, which was merely an imitation of her master, the Heartless Immortal.
Her true personality was likely quite different.
He had been secluded for too long, and with nothing else to do, he was just joking around.
His gaze fell on the wooden tray she held, and he asked curiously, "What's this?"
"Elder Cheng Yi of my sect has brought two sets of Dharmic Robes with the sect's emblem, so you can change them. A formal Elder Identity Token, as your previous one was temporary. And a Storage Bag."
"There were also Spirit Stones, pills, Magical Treasures, and Talismans provided."
"But the Supreme Elder said you don't need pills. Moreover, since our sect has business dealings with Jade Dew Pills, there's no need to provide Spirit Stones. She said you'd understand this."
There were seven items in total, categorized and well-prepared.
Luo Chen asked with interest, "Then where are my Magical Treasure and Talismans?"
"You lack Magical Treasures?"
Dantu Jin stared at Luo Chen speechlessly.
Alright then!
Luo Chen indeed had no shortage of Magical Treasures, as he had a whole bunch of them.
"As for Talismans, they are actually Ice Deity Jade made from Primordial Ice, used to prevent disciples from going astray. My master gave it to you a long time ago."
Luo Chen touched his chest, where a piece of Ice Deity Jade was indeed hanging.
This jade was indeed a Magical Treasure carved using Talisman Dao, and calling it a Talisman was not inappropriate.
Luo Chen accepted the Dharmic Robes, Identity Token, and Storage Bag.
If he wore them all, he would officially become a genuine Ice Fortress Guest Elder.
"Why did you suddenly decide to bring these?"
Dantu Jin's face turned slightly sour at this question.
"Three months from now, the sect will hold a Core Formation Ceremony for Ice Soul Immortal. As an Elder, you said you wouldn't attend, but what if something unexpected happens? So, the Supreme Elder instructed my master to send you the necessary items."
Luo Chen suddenly understood.
Suddenly, he realized why Dantu Jin's mood was off today.
Ice Soul Immortal had a bigger reputation than Dantu Jin.
Moreover, she had taken the position of a Daoist Patriarch, overshadowing her peers in the Ice Fortress.
Now, she was about to reach the Golden Core stage ahead of schedule and would soon take over the position of the Ice Fortress Sect Master. How could Dantu Jin feel cheerful?
He shook his head, "You're not that far off, either. I sense your aura is long-lasting, and your spiritual energy is restrained. I suspect you're only about four to five decades away from reaching the Foundation Establishment Grand Completion stage. By then..."
Dantu Jin was pleased with his words up to this point.
But then... What does he mean by just four to five decades?
How many four to five decades can a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator have in their lifetime?
She glared at Luo Chen and turned to leave.
Luo Chen smiled and shook his head, unbothered by her attitude.
Looking at the Elder Identity Token in his hand, engraved with a crystal snowflake emblem, and a Second Rank defensive spell—Ice Shield Technique, which could be instantly activated, Luo Chen fell silent.
What made him silent was the current situation of the Ice Fortress.
After spending over three years in the Ice Prison, Luo Chen gradually learned about the Ice Fortress from the few people he had contact with.
The Ice Fortress was not weak, and due to its location in the harsh environment of the Jade Cauldron Domain, its cultivators were even stronger than those from Green Cauldron Valley and Ailao Mountain.
However, it was this harsh environment that hindered their further development.
Even supporting nine Golden Core Cultivators was already a significant strain.
Now, with Ice Soul Immortal's advancement to the Golden Core stage,
This was even more challenging for the Ice Fortress, which couldn't expand its territory.
Sometimes, having more powerful cultivators wasn't always better.
It depended on whether the sect's resources could support these powerful cultivators.
Otherwise, it would hinder the cultivation of higher-level cultivators.
As far as Luo Chen knew, the Ice Fortress's finances mainly came from managing their own Immortal City and the twenty or so marketplaces under their control.
Snow Lotus Market was one of their own developments.
Additionally, the Ice Fortress sold some resources unique to Heavenly Mountain, mostly related to water and ice systems.
Due to the sect's limited finances, most high-level female cultivators in the Ice Fortress also cultivated a side skill to earn Spirit Stones for personal use.
Heartless Immortal was skilled in talisman crafting, while Elder Tsang Long possessed unparalleled medical expertise, and so on.
However, these were merely personal achievements.
For the entire sect, they were separate matters.
"Actually, looking at it this way, the situation in the Ice Fortress is the current state of most sects in the Jade Cauldron Domain."
"In this realm, spiritual energy is abundant, and resources are plentiful. Human cultivators emerge one after another. No matter how abundant the resources are, they can't withstand the consumption of such a vast number of cultivators."
"To solve this problem, either there will be internal strife, consuming a portion of the cultivators, thus freeing up more resources. The Jade Cauldron Sword Sect is clearly engaging in such actions, which is why they turn a blind eye to the destruction of the Flame Alliance."
"Or, the only option is to expand outward, making the cake bigger."
"As for external expansion..."
Subconsciously, Luo Chen thought of a term.
Expansion War! But soon, he dismissed this idea.
If the Falling Cloud Sect were to engage in an expansion war, it might meet the conditions, but the Ice Fortress was far too weak in comparison.
Most importantly, they lacked a Nascent Soul Master!
...
Time passed slowly.
The date of Ice Soul's Core Formation Ceremony was drawing closer.
The entire Ice Fortress was filled with a festive atmosphere.
Teams of female cultivators went in and out, cleaning and repairing the sect, setting up the celebration venue.
The Ice Cold Immortal City, belonging to the Ice Fortress, was the lowest-ranked among the ten great immortal cities, but over the past few months, the number of visitors had noticeably increased.
Cultivators from other sects arrived in an endless stream, led by their elders.
It was even said that the rival Jade Cauldron Sword Sect had sent a special envoy to the Ice Cold Immortal City.
No one knew if they would cause trouble or offer congratulations during the ceremony.
But this move by the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect made many people realize that the long-standing civil war within the Jade Cauldron might reach a turning point at Ice Soul's Core Formation Ceremony.
Either the war would intensify, or there would be a ceasefire for recovery.
The commotion in the outside world had little to do with Luo Chen, who was dedicated to his solitary cultivation.
One day,
Luo Chen sat cross-legged on the ice bed, his body suddenly trembling violently.
The spiritual energy around him was also shaking intensely.
It was supposed to spread outward, but suddenly reversed!
Not only did the scattered spiritual energy outside flow backward, but even the spiritual power within his meridians, acupoints, and internal organs reversed!
This phenomenon was definitely not a sign of breaking through a cultivation stage.
In his mind, Luo Chen focused his spiritual sense on his Qi Sea.
That vortex!
The vortex that appeared after partially mastering the Clear Origin Marvelous Pill Art! Over the years, this vortex had been continuously expanding and spinning.
Whenever Luo Chen consumed pills and refined spiritual power, it would first enter this vortex.
After being cleansed and purified, it would transform into an even purer and cleaner spiritual power.
The pill poison contained within the pills would be expelled from his body.
Over the years, Luo Chen had become accustomed to the existence of this pill-induced vortex and hadn't paid much attention to it.
What concerned him was that the Clear Origin Marvelous Pill Art had been stuck at the Master 999/1000 progress for many years, making it difficult to achieve perfection.
This was a rare situation.
In the past, for any technique or pill art, once proficiency was achieved, it would naturally reach perfection.
But only the Clear Origin Marvelous Pill Art had been stuck for years without reaching completion.
This strange state persisted for a long time.
Eventually, Luo Chen stopped paying attention to it.
But he never expected that today, the Clear Origin Marvelous Pill Art would suddenly reach perfection! It came so suddenly that he was caught off guard.
At this moment, within his Qi Sea!
The vortex, which originally spun clockwise, began to spin counterclockwise in a completely different manner.
Moreover, its size was rapidly expanding.
All the spiritual power in his body was gathering towards that vortex.
This spiritual power had been refined for many years, becoming so pure that it had liquefied.
Countless drops of spiritual liquid, like seawater, were surging towards the vortex.
They poured into the vortex,
Gathering!
Compressing!
Uniting!
A blurry pill formed within his Qi Sea, appearing and disappearing.
Subconsciously, a profound feeling emerged in Luo Chen's heart.
The sun and moon within the furnace, creation self-evident, creation from nothing, dragon and tiger convergence—these were the phenomena recorded in the Southern Mountain Dao Explanation as the secret art of intermediate Core Formation.
"Am I about to form my core?"
Sorry, I watched the Asian Games today, so the update is a bit late, but I managed to catch up.
Still eight thousand words, I'll continue tomorrow.
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(End of Chapter)
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