Chapter 272: Core Reforging! Four Seas Merchant Guild!
Celestial Spring Peak.
“Palace Master, did you say that Elder Lin is going to reforge his core!?”
On this day, as the Fairy of Rainbow Skirt from Xuanyin Pavilion brought the two of them to the vicinity of Celestial Spring Peak, she slowly explained the situation.
Liu Ruyu immediately widened her eyes, revealing a look of disbelief.
“Elder… Elder Lin has already attained the True Core…”
However, before she could finish speaking, it seemed that something occurred to her, and an expression of admiration quietly surfaced.
A low-grade True Core would at best reach mid-stage Core Formation in this lifetime. With some fortune, one might break through to late-stage Core Formation.
But Lin Chang’an’s core reforging this time was clearly not aiming for a mid-grade True Core, but rather the upper-grade True Core that held the possibility of forming a Nascent Soul.
He truly was a bitter cultivator.
Xu Lingfeng at the side was also utterly shocked.
“How could that be possible!”
Having attained a mid-grade True Core himself, Xu Lingfeng naturally understood the gap between the two. Just like him, at most he could cultivate to late-stage Core Formation in this lifetime.
But that was only in theory. Throughout Xuanyin Pavilion and even the great sects and clans, those who had achieved mid-grade True Cores and advanced to late-stage Core Formation were few and far between.
“Do not underestimate the cultivators of the world.”
Seeing the two of them, the Fairy of Rainbow Skirt also sighed deeply. It seemed that this incident had taught her the unwavering resolve of rogue cultivators.
“My master once said, although rogue cultivators vary greatly, those who manage to emerge from among them possess divine abilities and a resolute Dao heart, far beyond ordinary cultivators of the same realm.”
At this moment, she silently reminded herself not to look down upon cultivators from the wider world.
“Senior Sister, in my opinion, this Elder Lin is far too arrogant,” Xu Lingfeng said with a frown after his initial shock.
Liu Ruyu, standing nearby, gave her senior brother a sideways glance.
“Palace Master, this Elder Lin is a truly resolute cultivator. In my view, if he succeeds this time, he may achieve great things in the future.”
Looking at the two, the Fairy of Rainbow Skirt gently shook her head and said,
“Enough, there are no outsiders here. Since Elder Lin is a guest elder of our Xuanyin Pavilion, it is our duty to guard him.”
Outside Celestial Spring Peak, all three were Core Formation cultivators. With their spells concealing their presence, naturally, no one could see them.
...
Meanwhile, within Celestial Spring Peak, Lin Chang’an had secluded himself under the pretext of closed-door cultivation. The protective formation of the spiritual peak was activated, obscuring everything within.
Inside the cave abode—
A sword attendant dressed in dark cyan combat attire sat cross-legged outside the chamber with a solemn expression, fully alert alongside the Azure-Horned Ox, guarding like sentinels.
Lin Chang’an sat cross-legged in the secluded chamber.
“Although this secret method for core reforging from Xuanyin Pavilion is incomplete, a stone from another mountain can still polish jade—it has added to my experience.”
Within the fragmented memories of the Blood Fiend True Lord, there had been a single attempt at core reforging—
Refining an upper-grade True Core into an Immortal Golden Core.
This was also the reason for Lin Chang’an’s confidence.
Because, in a way, he possessed indirect experience in this path.
“That Blood Fiend True Lord could be considered a genius of his era. Unfortunately, it was fate that failed him.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head inwardly. Even an Immortal Golden Core was merely a manifestation of talent; whether one could eventually form a Nascent Soul still depended on personal fortune.
“Core reforging deals great damage to a cultivator’s body. Therefore, in theory, the stronger the body, the better.”
Now, he was at the early stage of the second level of Art of Body Refinement, and coupled with his terrifying Regenerative Body, he was confident in minimizing the damage.
At present, his regenerative ability was such that, unless his True Core was harmed, even if his head or heart were pierced, he could recover in an instant.
“I’m about ready. Time to begin reforging. May all go smoothly.”
Lin Chang’an took a deep breath. Outside the chamber, the Wind-Chirp Bird watched the surroundings with intense vigilance.
“Core Reforging—begin!”
As Lin Chang’an closed his eyes, he slowly began circulating the secret method of core reforging.
With the secret art in motion, his dantian’s spiritual power began to reverse its flow. A sharp pain surged through him, as if his True Core was being scraped raw within his dantian.
The threat to his core triggered tremors from the soul, causing Lin Chang’an to break into a cold sweat. Still, he gritted his teeth and endured.
This was the process of core reforging—its pain rivaled the shattering of a core.
This excruciating process lasted two full hours. By then, the True Core in his dantian had vanished, replaced by countless sand-like granules.
“Refine!”
Under the reversal of terrifying mana, the dense granules slowly began to liquefy.
This defiance of natural law, this process of reverse refining, inflicted the greatest harm on the body.
At this point, Lin Chang’an’s complexion turned pale, and numerous internal injuries emerged.
“No wonder cultivators suffer immense vitality loss after core reforging.”
As time passed, Lin Chang’an’s pale face gradually regained color. Thanks to his powerful regenerative body, his internal injuries quickly healed.
But his attention was fully on his dantian, where at last the core had liquefied completely.
“The reason this secret art can elevate the quality of a core lies in this—after liquefaction, the resulting mana is of a much higher grade.”
Now, the liquid mana within Lin Chang’an far surpassed what he had during his initial core formation, for back then he was only a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
This time, however, it was mana forged after already becoming a Core Formation cultivator, evolved and reversed refined—its quality was naturally worlds apart.
At present, he was in an extremely precarious state. If interrupted now, he could suffer a drop in major cultivation realms.
“Next comes reaffirming the Great Dao of the Core!”
Lin Chang’an inhaled deeply. With a flick of his finger, a jade bottle opened before him. Strands of purified black Qi were drawn into his body.
This pure energy not only stabilized and nourished his body but also gradually consolidated the liquid mana in his dantian.
Then he quickly swallowed a Premium Crystal Condensing Pill.
Before him still lay several bottles of purified demonic Qi, as well as Blackwater Liquid, all precious spirit items for Core Formation.
...
Meanwhile, a strange phenomenon erupted in the outside world, startling many cultivators on Five Dragon Island.
“He’s beginning to form his core!”
The first to react were the three guarding cultivators outside Celestial Spring Peak—Fairy of Rainbow Skirt and the others. The trio immediately took on solemn expressions and watched the anomaly in the sky.
“Junior Sister, Junior Brother, be vigilant. The phenomenon of core formation will surely attract attention.”
“Palace Master, rest assured.”
“Senior Sister, don't worry!”
The two replied in unison. However, Xu Lingfeng’s affectionate term “Senior Sister” made the Fairy of Rainbow Skirt frown slightly.
It wasn’t that she minded formalities—but how could she not see through her junior brother’s intentions?
It was too obvious.
In Xu Lingfeng’s view, Xuanyin Pavilion now relied entirely on the three of them. As a Core Formation cultivator, if he could dual cultivate with his senior sister as Dao companions…
He might have a chance to reach late-stage Core Formation. As for her dream of attaining Nascent Soul? He hadn’t even considered it.
Heavenly Spirit Roots might be rare, but in the cultivation world, they weren’t unheard of. Yet how many could truly form a Nascent Soul?
Besides, their Xuanyin Pavilion lacked the resources to gather Nascent Soul spirit items.
Thus, in his heart, everything he did was for the sake of the sect.
On Five Dragon Island, countless cultivators looked toward the heavenly phenomenon.
“Someone’s forming a core!”
“Look! Someone’s forming a core—who could it be!?”
In an instant, Five Dragon Island was filled with murmurs. Some Foundation Establishment cultivators who considered themselves strong were already flying sword-bound toward the source of the phenomenon.
This time, the core formation anomaly was stunning. Spiritual energy and multicolored clouds spiraled and converged, startling many cultivators.
The Core Formation cultivators of the Long Clan frowned slightly when they saw it, but quickly restrained their clan members from interfering.
At present, the Long Clan needed to keep a low profile.
However, the Core Formation cultivators of the Four Seas Merchant Guild all wore serious expressions.
“It’s coming from the direction of Xuanyin Pavilion.”
“Let’s go!”
The third force on the island—namely the Zhu and Liang families—had in recent years attracted numerous other powers.
They had even drawn in a few families from neighboring sea regions and jointly established the Four Seas Merchant Guild.
Their strength had now risen to rival that of Xuanyin Pavilion.
...
Amid the anomaly above Celestial Spring Peak, the cultivators managing the cave abodes below the spiritual peak all stared in astonishment at the sky above the mountain.
“It's True Lord Lin’s cave abode!”
“Heavens! What is True Lord Lin doing?”
Just then, a cold snort echoed from atop the spiritual peak. The sword attendant at the Foundation Establishment stage shouted sternly:
“All cultivators of Celestial Spring Peak, hear this! No one is to act without authorization. Anyone who dares ascend the peak or disrupt the formation—dies!”
A sharp, killing intent erupted from him. At this moment, with Lin Chang’an in seclusion, nearly all the cave abode's attendants were merely at the Qi Refinement stage.
With one bark from the sword attendant, countless cultivators below turned pale and cupped their hands in trembling submission.
“Moo!”
The Azure-Horned Ox beside him also released its terrifying aura as a quasi–third-rank demon beast.
...
Meanwhile, outside Celestial Spring Peak—
Streams of escape light flickered as numerous Core Formation and False Core cultivators arrived upon hearing the news.
Even more Foundation Establishment cultivators arrived flying on swords, though they stopped at a distance, cupping their hands respectfully toward the arriving Core Formation cultivators.
Among this group of Core Formation cultivators, many had gleaming eyes—some were clearly here hoping to fish in troubled waters.
“Fellow Daoists, please halt. A guest elder of our Xuanyin Pavilion is currently undergoing Core Reforging here.”
Seeing the growing number of arriving cultivators, the three members of Xuanyin Pavilion exchanged looks and all wore solemn expressions. The Fairy of Rainbow Skirt also revealed herself, her cold voice echoing across the area.
“Isn’t that the Fairy of Rainbow Skirt?”
As the three from Xuanyin Pavilion appeared atop a spiritual peak, the assembled cultivators’ gazes flickered. They then all flew over and cupped their hands in greeting.
Facing them, the graceful and ethereal Fairy of Rainbow Skirt gave a gentle smile, her presence otherworldly, as she returned their salute.
“Fellow Daoists are too courteous.”
“Greetings, Fairy.”
The other Core Formation and False Core cultivators also returned the greeting. Many looked at the Fairy of Rainbow Skirt in her flowing pale green dress with various expressions in their eyes.
“Haha! Fairy of Rainbow Skirt, this disturbance from Xuanyin Pavilion is quite something.”
“Indeed! With such a huge commotion, Fellow Daoist Rainbow Skirt, why didn’t you inform us in advance?”
At that moment, the heads of the Zhu and Liang Families from the Four Seas Merchant Guild both laughed and spoke, causing many nearby to shift their expressions.
The Four Seas Merchant Guild had recently risen in prominence. In overall strength, it was the strongest, but its internal factions were too numerous—unlike Xuanyin Pavilion or the Long Clan, who functioned as unified forces.
“Greetings to the two Fellow Daoists.”
Upon seeing the two, the Fairy of Rainbow Skirt also offered a gentle smile and cupped her hands. Yet the two men's eyes gleamed with intent.
“Such a momentous event as Core Reforging—why didn’t Fellow Daoist inform us?”
“Indeed. With the longstanding friendship between our Four Seas Merchant Guild and your Pavilion, how could we not be of help?”
Though their words seemed polite, it was clear that the atmosphere was becoming tense.
With the Long Clan in decline and the Four Seas Merchant Guild and Xuanyin Pavilion on the rise, competition over resources in the Five Dragon Island seas left little room for lasting alliances.
At the same time, the gathered cultivators learned the truth—this third-rank formation master, Daoist Lin, was undergoing Core Reforging.
Some were in awe of Lin Chang’an’s courage, while others were filled with envy and jealousy.
Still, everyone had to consider—was it worth offending a third-rank formation master?
...
Unaware of the disturbance he had caused outside, Lin Chang’an sat with his eyes tightly shut, continuously forming hand seals to condense the core.
With one Premium Crystal Condensing Pill, a dose of Blackwater Liquid, and the assistance of purified demonic Qi, his path of Core Reforging was proceeding smoothly.
Within his dantian, all had transformed into crystalline liquid mana of exceptionally high quality.
After all, it had come from a mid-grade True Core—its quality was naturally superb.
“Mana crystallizes—next is core formation!”
As Lin Chang’an formed a hand seal, the liquid mana within him immediately began to compress and condense. Especially with the aid of that pure demonic Qi…
What was supposed to be a painful and arduous reformation of his core progressed smoothly, with the inner condensation happening naturally.
Aside from those precious spiritual items, the most crucial factor was Lin Chang’an’s current powerful physique.
His early second level Art of Body Refinement had given him a significant boost.
...
“He’s that fast!?”
Many cultivators outside cried out in shock, especially those who had previously formed cores. They turned toward the sky with astonishment in their eyes.
The anomaly in the sky kept shifting—a vortex-like cloud of radiant light wildly devoured spiritual energy from heaven and earth, and it continued to expand.
“This speed… it’s actually incredibly stable!”
The Zhu and Liang Family Core Formation cultivators from the Four Seas Merchant Guild both looked grim. Naturally, they didn’t want a powerful cultivator emerging from Xuanyin Pavilion.
“This phenomenon is already approaching the level of a mid-grade True Core!”
Veteran cultivators cried out in surprise.
“The pressure keeps climbing—could it be that Formation Master Lin is going to form an upper-grade True Core!?”
Someone in the crowd exclaimed, prompting everyone to turn and look.
An upper-grade True Core meant one had the qualifications to form a Nascent Soul in the future. One could say that upper-grade and Immortal cores were both Nascent Soul prospects.
“Haha! I happen to be a close friend of Daoist Lin. Allow me, Zheng, to help guard him!”
At that moment, a burly cultivator let out a hearty laugh. His whole body radiated mid-stage Core Formation pressure—he clearly intended to intervene.
“Fellow Daoist Zheng, Daoist Lin is a guest elder of our Xuanyin Pavilion. No need for your concern.”
At that moment, the Fairy of Rainbow Skirt intercepted the Core Formation cultivator named Zheng Hu.
“Fairy of Rainbow Skirt, I am an intimate friend of Daoist Lin! What’s the meaning of this!?”
Blocked from intervening, Zheng Hu’s face twisted with rage, and his aura turned menacing.
In truth, he hadn’t wanted to offend Xuanyin Pavilion. But the Four Seas Merchant Guild had just sent him a voice transmission with tempting offers, and after weighing the risks, he made his choice.
“Fellow Daoist, this is a matter of our Xuanyin Pavilion!”
The usually mild and serene Fairy of Rainbow Skirt still wore a smile, but two top-grade third-rank magical artifacts had appeared before her—
One for offense, one for defense.
Even Xu Lingfeng and Liu Ruyu, though only at early Core Formation stage, brought out magical artifacts that made many cultivators envious.
“As expected of Xuanyin Pavilion with centuries of heritage.”
Many cultivators silently turned sour. These magical treasures left behind by prior generations of Core Formation cultivators had become the very foundation of the sect.
“Haha, very well! I’ve long heard that the sect master of Xuanyin Pavilion is a prodigy of the Seven Kingdoms. Let’s see how much strength you really have!”
With a furious roar, Zheng Hu instantly clashed with the Fairy of Rainbow Skirt.
“You two—continue guarding Elder Lin!”
“Yes!”
In the face of such a critical moment, Xu Lingfeng and Liu Ruyu responded with cold shouts, unleashing strong auras. With the aid of their artifacts, they managed to intimidate quite a few onlookers.
Moreover, no one really wanted to offend Xuanyin Pavilion.
Some merely came to watch. Others hoped to fish in murky waters.
“Brother Liang, what now?”
“We wait. Now’s not the time to fall out openly. Let’s hope this Zheng Old Tiger isn’t all bark and no bite.”
The Zhu and Liang Family leaders of the Four Seas Merchant Guild exchanged secret voice transmissions, frowning as they watched the battle.
It seemed they had underestimated the combat prowess of this Fairy of Rainbow Skirt. Despite both being mid-stage Core Formation cultivators, she could actually suppress the long-renowned Zheng Old Tiger.
While her advantage partly came from her magical treasures, it still made them wary.
With a Heavenly Spirit Root, they definitely didn’t want another Long Clan rising on Five Dragon Island.
They never wanted to experience that feeling again.