Immortality Begins With The Alchemical Master Chapter 453: Congratulations, Dao Friend, on Your Golden Core Achievement! - Novel Cool

Chapter 453: Congratulations, Dao Friend, on Your Golden Core Achievement!

Chapter 453: Congratulations, Dao Friend, on Your Golden Core Achievement!

"Congratulations, Dao Friend! Well done!"

Chu Kui's cave mansion was located very close to Luo Chen's.

They were practically neighbors.

Therefore, Luo Chen rushed over without delay.

Obviously, Chu Kui had been waiting for Luo Chen, so they met without any barriers.

As soon as they met, Luo Chen offered his congratulations.

Chu Kui's current state was worthy of such a grand greeting.

His spiritual energy was calm and harmonious, perfectly balanced.

Amidst this tranquility, there was a hint of unity.

This was the external manifestation of reaching Foundation Establishment Grand Completion!

Facing Luo Chen's congratulations, Chu Kui's face revealed a warm smile.

After years of seclusion, aside from participating in the battle at the Thunder Accumulation Mountain, he rarely ventured out.

With his current realm, how could he not feel a sense of satisfaction?

"I originally thought that the final stage of Foundation Establishment would take me a hundred years or more, but I never expected to achieve it in just thirty years."

He sighed as he spoke.

Luo Chen smiled and offered a timely compliment.

Chu Kui's rapid progress in cultivation was actually foreseeable.

His foundation was exceptionally formidable among loose cultivators.

Even when compared to the true disciples of sects, he was not inferior.

The rankings on the Dao Platform were not based on reputation but on the results of battles and competitions.

What had previously hindered Chu Kui's cultivation speed was actually resources.

However, after the battle at Thunder Accumulation Mountain, Luo Chen had reaped a bountiful harvest, and Chu Kui's gains were also substantial.

Moreover, by joining the Luotian Association, he had quick and convenient channels to convert his abundant resources, eliminating the need for him to personally sell them.

This was the advantage of having a powerful backing.

For instance, after Luo Chen returned from Thunder Accumulation Mountain, he only had one to two million spirit stones on him.

Logically, after years of frenzied pill refining, his wealth should have diminished, right?

The answer was no.

Luo Chen's spirit stone savings had actually increased, and he now possessed a staggering three million spirit stones!

The reason was that with the help of the Luotian Association cultivators, he had quickly sold and converted his previous spoils of war.

Chu Kui had also benefited in the same way!

It was precisely because of this batch of resources, and with Luo Chen sharing a portion of his high-grade Ascending Dragon Pill that he didn't need, that Chu Kui was able to leap through the longest stage of Foundation Establishment in just thirty years.

Now that he had achieved Foundation Establishment Grand Completion, the next step was...

As they chatted, the atmosphere gradually became more solemn.

It was Chu Kui who eventually brought up the topic.

"I've been cultivating the Spirit Bead Curtain Secret Technique for over twenty years."

Upon hearing this, Luo Chen's heart stirred, and he eagerly asked, "What are the results?"

"I've achieved the Minor Heavenly Cycle!"

The Minor Heavenly Cycle? Luo Chen's eyebrows furrowed involuntarily, "Does that mean you've only condensed thirty-six spirit beads?"

Chu Kui gave a bitter smile, "I'm sorry, but with my current foundation, I can only achieve a minor success in the Spirit Bead Curtain Secret Technique. If I want to take another step forward, it won't be a matter of twenty or thirty years."

Luo Chen opened his mouth but couldn't find the words to respond.

He hadn't expected the Spirit Bead Curtain Secret Technique given by the Falling Cloud Sect to be so challenging to cultivate.

According to the agreement between him and Chu Kui, the one with the higher cultivation level at the time, Chu Kui, would cultivate the Spirit Bead Curtain first.

Luo Chen would provide him with the Mystic Passage Pill to enhance his soul spirit foundation.

Chu Kui's task was to share all the difficulties, experiences, and insights he encountered during his cultivation of this secret technique with Luo Chen.

Additionally, Chu Kui had to attempt to use this technique to break through to the Golden Core stage!

In summary, this was an experimental trial for Luo Chen, a guinea pig for his future breakthrough.

Chu Kui didn't refuse and readily agreed.

After all, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

However, if it was only a minor success...

Luo Chen pursed his dry lips and asked, "I've refined the Mystic Passage Pill to the second level, and you've taken it, but you still can't make further progress?"

Chu Kui shook his head, "It came too late, and there's no more time. Moreover, with the Core Formation stage approaching, it's common knowledge that you shouldn't take too many pills. You know that, too."

In the cultivation world, it was common knowledge that one should avoid taking too many pills when approaching a major breakthrough.

Doing so could lead to residual pill toxins, affecting the breakthrough.

Luo Chen was well aware of this common knowledge and had suffered from it in the past.

It was only after obtaining the Cleansing Source Miraculous Pill Formula that he was able to resolve this issue.

Furthermore, his physique was different from ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators. With his Five Elemental Root Constitution and Ancient Third Stage body, he could consume a larger quantity of pills more frequently than others.

How could the endurance of a perilous peak compare to that of a vast and stable continent?

Luo Chen still felt dissatisfied, "Didn't I give you a cultivation insight from a Falling Cloud Sect cultivator who used the Spirit Bead Curtain Secret Technique to break through to the Golden Core stage? Did you read it? Was it of no use?"

Chu Kui smiled, "It was precisely because of that cultivation insight that I was barely able to achieve the Minor Heavenly Cycle with thirty-six spirit beads."

Luo Chen was momentarily stunned, caught off guard.

He had some idea of the difficulty of cultivating the Spirit Bead Curtain Secret Technique, but he hadn't expected it to be this challenging.

With Chu Kui's capabilities and Luo Chen's full support, as well as the guidance of previous cultivators, they had only managed to achieve a minor success?

"The main reason I came today is to tell you three things."

"Go ahead."

"The first is to share all my experiences and insights from cultivating the Spirit Bead Curtain Secret Technique over the years."

Luo Chen nodded, as this was only natural.

Without further delay, Chu Kui began to explain, not only verbally but also by presenting a stack of bamboo slips, occasionally pointing out key points to Luo Chen.

These bamboo slips contained his thoughts and feelings recorded during his cultivation of the secret technique.

"The so-called Spirit Bead Curtain involves transforming the soul spirit into threads, stringing together spirit liquid, and forming spirit energy beads similar to the characteristics of a golden core."

"The most challenging and earliest hurdle is pain!"

"The pain of dividing and cutting the soul spirit is something I'll never forget in this lifetime. Those with slightly weaker mental fortitude would find it impossible to persevere."

Chu Kui spoke with lingering fear in his voice.

His face also seemed more refined, losing some of its former roughness.

Evidently, the excruciating pain had truly tormented him.

"Based on the notes left by that senior, Ling Hu Jie, I have a guess. Perhaps there's a complementary technique within the Falling Cloud Sect that can alleviate this pain. Unfortunately, we don't have it. So, when it's your turn to cultivate this technique, you'll just have to endure it."

Luo Chen nodded without a trace of fear.

In the path of cultivation, a little pain was nothing.

When he achieved the third stage of his ancient body, he endured no less hardship.

"Another challenge of the Locking Pearl Curtain Secret Technique is something we both understand. It requires an incredibly powerful foundation, even surpassing one's current realm."

"When I said your Mystic Passage Pill came too late, it wasn't that I couldn't wait. It's just that, with my current realm and physical body, I can no longer bear a larger and stronger soul spirit."

"Humans do have their limits!"

This statement was somewhat biased. Humans have no limits; otherwise, how could there be the concept of achieving immortality and becoming a god, demon, or Buddha? But it was also true.

Because every realm has its limits.

Otherwise, why would the ancient sages bother to define these realms?

"If you want to cultivate the Locking Pearl Curtain, you must do so within your endurance limits and strengthen your soul spirit as much as possible. Going beyond the Foundation Establishment Grand Completion is just the foundation!"

"Because only with a more robust soul spirit can you divide and allocate more soul spirit threads without harming the foundation."

Looking at Chu Kui's earnest guidance, Luo Chen slowly nodded.

He firmly remembered this and planned to take the premium second-stage Mystic Passage Pill after returning, making his preparations more thorough.

"The last challenge..."

At this point, Chu Kui subconsciously reached for his lower abdomen.

That was where the Qi Sea was located!

He said with some trepidation, "Once the spirit beads form, they will possess the characteristics of a Golden Core, instinctively absorbing nearby spiritual energy and liquefying it to strengthen themselves."

Luo Chen didn't understand, "That's normal, it's a method of forming a core."

Chu Kui shook his head, his expression grave, "No, one is fine, but if there are more, and each one does this, then the consequences..." He trailed off, leaving Luo Chen to imagine.

Luo Chen's heart trembled.

Cultivators form only one Golden Core!

If each spirit bead tried to absorb the Qi Sea's spiritual energy and form a Golden Core individually, then...

"Imbalance?"

Chu Kui knocked heavily on the table, "Yes, it will become imbalanced! Even if you try to control it with your main soul spirit, the number is limited. I've already reached my limit after condensing thirty-six spirit beads and achieving the Minor Heavenly Cycle."

"My lifespan is actually quite long, at least another hundred years."

"But I can't wait any longer. These thirty-six spirit beads float above the Qi Sea, constantly urging me to form a core. Otherwise, the only outcome is an imbalance of spiritual energy and an explosion of the Qi Sea."

Luo Chen seemed deep in thought.

Ling Hu Jie had only achieved a minor success in his cultivation of the Locking Pearl Curtain.

It seemed that this was also a factor.

Suddenly!

"You want to form a core?" Luo Chen realized.

Chu Kui exhaled a turbid breath, his eyes losing their various expressions, leaving only determination.

"This is the second reason I came to you."

"Maintaining the balance of the spirit beads is already my current limit, and further seclusion won't help."

"Right now, the only option is to form a core!"

Luo Chen stared at him, and after a careful examination, he spoke.

"Then, the third matter must also be related to forming a core."

"But what about the third-stage Spirit Ground?"

Chu Kui nodded, "I knew I couldn't hide it from you. To break through the Golden Core stage, you need the assistance of a corresponding-tier Spirit Ground; otherwise, once you succeed, you won't be able to absorb enough external spiritual energy, and your realm will easily collapse. Failing because of this would be more painful than being killed on the spot."

"Do you have a plan?"

"I had prepared before. He Yuanqing from Green Pill Valley promised to help me obtain the position of a disciple and borrow the third-stage Spirit Ground there. But..."

At this point, Chu Kui smiled helplessly.

Luo Chen also felt helpless.

The current disciple of Green Pill Valley is Tao Wan.

So, the promise made by He Yuanqing back then was naturally no longer valid.

"I had reserved a third-stage cave mansion in another immortal city, but it was taken by a foreign domain Golden Core cultivator."

"Sigh..."

"Luo Chen, I plan to venture into the vast and rugged mountains to find a third-stage Spirit Ground and break through the Golden Core stage. For this, I'm afraid I'll need your help..."

For loose cultivators,

The need for a Spirit Ground is not as critical during Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment.

Even without a corresponding second-stage Spirit Vein during Foundation Establishment, one can still create a second-stage Spirit Ground with the help of a Spirit Gathering Formation and a large number of spirit stones.

That's what Luo Chen did in the past.

But the spiritual energy required for the Golden Core stage is far beyond what a Spirit Gathering Formation and spirit stones can provide.

Of course, if one has enough high-grade spirit stones, that's another story.

Obviously, with Chu Kui's wealth, even combined with Luo Chen's savings, they couldn't gather that many high-grade spirit stones.

Loose cultivators who want to form a core have only three paths to choose from.

One is to affiliate with a great sect and borrow a third-stage Spirit Ground.

Another is to spend a vast amount of spirit stones to reserve a third-stage cave mansion in a great immortal city.

The third is to venture into the vast and rugged mountains, choose a third-stage Spirit Vein, and attempt core formation.

Now, with no other options, Chu Kui is about to take the risk and venture into the rarely-trodden rugged mountains.

However, before he could finish speaking, Luo Chen interrupted him.

"Why not borrow the third-stage cave mansion in Heavenwave Immortal City?"

Chu Kui subconsciously asked, "But hasn't Senior Hao Ranzi returned? Can we still borrow that third-stage cave mansion?"

"We can't borrow Senior Hao Ranzi's, but Heavenwave Immortal City has more than one third-stage cave mansion!" Luo Chen replied.

Chu Kui was taken aback.

Luo Chen shook his head, "It seems that after your seclusion, you're even more out of touch than me. After the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect's ceasefire, they've opened up their exclusive third-stage cave mansion. With spirit stones, you can rent it!"

"But won't foreign domain Golden Core cultivators covet it?" Chu Kui still felt apprehensive.

Luo Chen smiled confidently, "You're overthinking it. I've already made arrangements. For the next twenty years, the third cave mansion on Heavenly Wave Peak will be mine!"

Chu Kui's eyes widened in disbelief.

He trembled, unable to resist whispering, "How many spirit stones per year?"

This question caused Luo Chen's lips to twitch.

"One hundred and twenty thousand spirit stones per year for a third-stage cave mansion!"

"Damn! Why not just rob it?"

Chu Kui slammed the table, making a loud noise.

A second-stage upper-grade cave mansion only costs 48,000 spirit stones per year.

A third-stage cave mansion, even a lower-grade one, with an artificially created third-stage Spirit Vein environment, costs twenty times more.

This is not just about robbing spirit stones.

It's akin to extracting the marrow and chewing the bones, and that's not an exaggeration.

"So many people want this opportunity, but they can't find it," Luo Chen muttered.

Chu Kui rolled his eyes but had to admit that this was indeed an opportunity that many Foundation Establishment Grand Completion loose cultivators couldn't find even if they begged.

It was all because of Luo Chen!

Being the first Jade Cauldron Foundation Establishment cultivator, a master pill concoctor, and having excellent relationships with multiple local sects like the Ice Fortress, Green Pill Valley, and Falling Cloud Sect, he was given this opportunity.

"Of course, considering I paid for twenty years in advance, the Falling Cloud Sect senior from Heavenly Wave gave me a twenty percent discount, and I only need to pay one million spirit stones per year."

One million was no small sum!

Many Foundation Establishment cultivators would struggle to earn that much spirit stones in their entire lives.

Chu Kui couldn't help but ask, "Can the Luo Tian Association provide you with that many spirit stones every year?"

Luo Chen shook his head, "No! So, I have to dig into my savings."

Currently, after deducting various personnel costs, the Luo Tian Association could only provide Luo Chen with around three hundred thousand spirit stones annually.

It could have been more.

After all, the Luo Tian Association had swallowed up many forces, and their business was thriving.

However, with the impending Colony War, the number of foreign cultivators was increasing. To avoid conflicts over business, Sima Hui Niang and Luo Chen decided to retract their reach and focus on solidifying their current operations.

Moreover, the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Luo Tian Association was growing, and their monthly salaries were a significant expense.

Three hundred thousand was the limit of what the Luo Tian Association could afford to support Luo Chen with! Any more would impact the operation of the organization.

However, Luo Chen had another source of wealth, which was his Jade Dew Pill business with the Ice Fortress, earning him a profit of around five hundred thousand spirit stones annually.

With both sources combined, he could barely afford to rent a third-stage cave mansion.

Luo Chen would also have to dig into his savings to maintain his expenses.

In reality, this was the true reason Luo Chen could rent the third-stage cave mansion!

Reputation and being invincible among his peers were merely stepping stones.

Wealth!

That was the fundamental chip he had to compete with foreign Golden Core Masters. After all, an ordinary Golden Core Master might only have a million spirit stones in assets.

In fact, Luo Chen's lavish spending and renting the Grade A third-stage cave mansion for the next twenty years had already made many Golden Core Masters envious.

He now mostly stayed in the Heavenlywave Immortal City, rarely venturing out, fearing that he might be surrounded and robbed.

Who knew if there were any poor Golden Core cultivators who, out of envy, would disregard their status and rob him, a junior?

Shush...

A strange sound echoed.

Luo Chen glanced at Chu Kui, who was nervously rubbing his hands together.

"Um, esteemed President, I'm also a part of the Luo Tian Association, and I've made significant contributions. Perhaps..."

Luo Chen pulled at the corners of his mouth, "Dream on!"

Chu Kui looked at Luo Chen with pleading eyes and tremblingly took out his storage bag.

"I only have around four hundred thousand spirit stones on me. If I convert the other items, it might add up to eight or nine hundred thousand at most."

Luo Chen waved his hand.

"Put it on my tab!"

"Don't say the Luo Tian Association doesn't provide benefits. Giving you access to a third-stage cave mansion is a benefit."

"With your accumulated merits, you can exchange for a maximum of one year's usage. For the excess, I won't charge you spirit stones for now, but once you achieve Core Formation, you must repay the Luo Tian Association in full!"

In other words, he wasn't charging Luo Chen for the time being.

Chu Kui's eyes lit up, and he immediately patted his chest, his voice booming, "I, old Chu, will repay this favor. When the time comes, I'll dedicate myself to the Luo Tian Association, even to the point of death!"

Luo Chen smiled but didn't take his words seriously.

Currently, the Luo Tian Association didn't even have a second-grade spirit ground as its headquarters.

Once Chu Kui achieved Core Formation, what could they offer to keep him? However, establishing a good relationship and inviting him as a guest elder shouldn't be a problem.

Moreover, Luo Chen's primary purpose was to learn from Chu Kui's experience of using the Locking Pearl Curtain Secret Technique for Core Formation.

Regarding the great endeavor of Core Formation, no price was too high!

"When do you plan to start?"

"The sooner, the better. If possible, I'd like to move into the Grade A third-stage cave mansion today and familiarize myself with the third-grade spirit ground in preparation for Core Formation."

"Then wait another half a month!"

"Hmm?"

"We can only use that third-grade cave mansion in half a month."

Chu Kui suddenly understood, realizing that someone was currently occupying the cave mansion.

...

Half a month later.

Without any delay, Luo Chen and Chu Kui arrived at the Grade A third-stage cave mansion.

The Falling Cloud Sect disciple in charge of cleaning the cave mansion carefully informed them of the cave's taboos and only left with a smile after receiving a bottle of pills from Luo Chen.

For a moment, only Luo Chen and Chu Kui remained in the spacious and bright cave mansion.

This was Luo Chen's first time entering this Grade A third-stage cave mansion.

Although it was ranked last, its spirit qi density was no less than that of the Grade A first and second cave mansions.

Even without entering the cultivation chamber, the living room and other rooms had spirit qi density comparable to a high-grade second-grade spirit ground.

One could imagine how abundant the spirit qi density in the dedicated cultivation chamber would be.

Looking at the spacious cave mansion, Chu Kui couldn't help but sigh, "In my over 150 years of cultivation, I've traveled far and wide, toiling tirelessly, all for the sake of cultivation resources."

"I thought it would become more difficult the further I progressed."

"But after meeting you, Luo Chen, everything has been smooth sailing."

"Now, with wealth, a partner, and a cultivation ground, it's the perfect time for Core Formation!"

In the cultivation world, what constituted wealth, partners, and cultivation grounds?

Spirit stones were wealth.

Dao companions, friends, and teachers were partners.

Cultivation methods and secret techniques were cultivation resources.

Spirit veins were cultivation grounds.

Although Chu Kui couldn't claim to have everything, he currently had no shortage of corresponding resources.

He patted Luo Chen's shoulder.

"I knew that inviting you for a drink was the best decision I ever made."

"You truly are my lucky star!"

A faint smile appeared on Luo Chen's face, but he didn't say anything.

He understood that Chu Kui's words were to reassure himself.

The path to Core Formation was extremely dangerous.

No matter how much preparation one made, there was always a chance of failure.

Borrowing Luo Chen's name as a lucky star was a way to borrow his good fortune, giving Chu Kui an extra boost of confidence for Core Formation.

After accompanying Chu Kui on a tour, listening to his endless chatter, Luo Chen finally arrived at the cave mansion's entrance.

Seeing Chu Kui seeing him off, Luo Chen turned and clasped his fists, "May your Dao path thrive, and may you achieve Golden Core!"

Chu Kui's expression was complex as he accepted this hopeful and congratulatory statement.

Then, he returned the salute.

"Dao friend Luo, I'll take my leave now."

As they exchanged glances, the door slowly closed, and clouds rose around them, obscuring everything.

After a long while, a figure emerged from the mist and left the peak of Heavenly Wave.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end

Report