Chapter 309: When Nascent Soul Does Not Appear, Golden Core Rules
Ever since the battle between the Sixth Elder of Bihai Palace and the Mystic Yin Old Demon, news spread that the Nascent Soul cultivators had privately reached an agreement.
This time, regarding the Secret Realm of the Sinister Soul Sect, none of the major factions would dispatch Nascent Soul cultivators.
One reason was to avoid a full-scale war between both sides. Another was that the combat power of Nascent Soul cultivators was simply too terrifying. If their battle accidentally triggered the restrictions and stirred the seabed earthfire connected to the secret realm—
Then no one would obtain the secret realm.
When Nascent Soul did not appear, Golden Core ruled.
Whether greedy or firm in their Dao hearts, the Golden Core cultivators all fought for that sliver of opportunity.
Some sought a chance to step into the Nascent Soul Realm, while many Foundation Establishment cultivators sought the opportunity to form their Golden Core.
The countless living beings of the world of cultivation were no different from the ordinary people of the mortal world.
……
【Lifespan: 192 / 607】
【Realm: Early Golden Core (75 / 100)】
Within Celestial Spring Peak, Lin Chang’an looked at the recent growth in his cultivation over the past three years and nodded secretly.
“This treasure jade containing Clear Spirit Qi is truly extraordinary. In only three years, it actually increased my cultivation progress by an extra point.”
Playing with the jade in his palm, Lin Chang’an revealed a satisfied expression.
At his current cultivation speed, he gained two experience points per year. Over three years, he gained seven points. Among those, one point undoubtedly came from the amplification of this jade.
At first glance, gaining one extra point of progress in three years did not seem like much. But over the long term, the exchange he made using that set of the third-rank Heavenfire Grand Formation was absolutely worth it.
Of course, he also knew that as his cultivation continued to grow stronger, the effect would gradually weaken.
But for now, he was clearly profiting.
“A treasure of this level—if placed within a clan or sect—would absolutely become a legacy treasure used to stabilize the entire sect.”
Lin Chang’an sighed inwardly. Just as the woman who traded it had said, if she had even one or two descendants, she would never have traded such an item.
“These rogue cultivators… walking the path of cultivation through countless hardships, only to find at the end of their lifespan that they are completely alone on this road. No matter how many treasures they possess, they become nothing more than a joke.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head and sighed softly.
He could understand the state of mind that fellow Daoist had back then.
Although the item was precious, in her hands it was better exchanged early for something useful to herself.
“However, according to what she said, although this item has a cultivation-assisting effect, it shouldn’t be this strong. Yet in the past three years, not only me—
Even the Sword Attendant who cultivates together with me has shown even more obvious amplification…”
Thinking of this, Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered as he carefully recalled the details of cultivation over the past three years.
Eventually he realized something.
When the Sword Attendant used this item alone, the effect was decent but ordinary.
However, when she cultivated with him in dual cultivation, after he circulated that ancient cultivation method—
The effect noticeably accelerated.
“If according to the records of this ancient cultivation method, the three chapters—Body Refinement, Spell Refinement, and Spirit Refinement—are entirely meant to prepare for cultivating the Xuantian Spirit Body…
Then it seems that the Xuantian Spiritual Energy caused the effect of this spirit jade to increase.”
Lin Chang’an was not particularly surprised by this conclusion.
In the world of cultivation, certain treasures amplified specific attribute techniques, sometimes even triggering chain reactions.
For example, the legendary Wood Spirit Pearl—when a cultivator practiced a top-tier wood-attribute cultivation method, the power of that treasure could be fully unleashed.
“The companion object of Spirit Eye Jade… Clear Spirit Qi naturally complements wood-attribute spiritual energy. And with my top-tier cultivation method, such an effect is only normal.”
Inside the pavilion, Lin Chang’an casually played with the jade while pondering.
If he ever found a suitable artifact refinement method in the future, perhaps this spirit jade could be refined into an extraordinary support-type magical artifact.
Just then, as a streak of light flickered beyond the barrier, the Sword Attendant entered with a solemn expression.
“Moo!”
As soon as she passed through the barrier, the Azure-Horned Ox soaking in the pool immediately let out a moo, looking greedy.
The Sword Attendant habitually took out two spirit fruits from her storage pouch and tossed them over using Object Manipulation Technique, then continued walking toward the pavilion.
“Master!”
“Didn’t I ask you to retrieve some materials from Xuanyin Pavilion? Why are you in such a hurry?”
Seeing her expression, Lin Chang’an felt puzzled.
Normally when he sent the Sword Attendant to collect materials or handle affairs in Xuanyin Pavilion, many cultivators would try to curry favor with her.
At the very least, it would take half a day before she returned.
But this time she came back in only an hour, and her expression was so serious—clearly something had happened.
“Master, Elder Xu led a team to explore the secret realm and something went wrong. The squad suffered heavy casualties. Even he himself was severely injured and nearly died inside the secret realm…”
After hearing the report, Lin Chang’an could not help but feel shocked.
Half a year ago, the restrictions of the secret realm had weakened enough for Early Golden Core cultivators to enter.
Judging by the destructive power of Golden Core cultivators, perhaps in another two or three years even Late Golden Core cultivators would be able to enter.
He never expected Xu Lingfeng to be injured.
But thinking about it carefully, it made sense.
Great fortune is found in danger—and lost in danger as well.
This saying was always true.
Xu Lingfeng’s bold and aggressive personality was not wrong. But not everyone could enjoy good luck forever.
“He was injured?”
“According to Elder Liu, he encountered demonic cultivators inside the secret realm and a conflict broke out. Elder Xu was severely wounded, though the other side did not fare well either.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head.
“It’s already good that he managed to return alive.”
If Xu Lingfeng had not been one of Xuanyin Pavilion’s Golden Core elders, Lin Chang’an would not even bother asking further.
After all, losing a Golden Core elder would have a huge impact on the sect.
Just then, the Voice-transmission Jade Talisman of Fairy of Rainbow Skirt from Xuanyin Pavilion began to glow.
Lin Chang’an raised his hand and the jade talisman floated before him.
Soon the voice of Fairy of Rainbow Skirt echoed in his ears.
After listening, Lin Chang’an revealed a look of realization.
Compared to the news from the Sword Attendant, the message from Fairy of Rainbow Skirt was far more detailed.
“Not too bad. Although severely injured, his foundation wasn’t damaged. He only needs two or three years to recover.”
Her message served two purposes.
First, it clarified Xu Lingfeng’s injuries so that the sect would not panic.
After all, Xuanyin Pavilion only had a few Golden Core cultivators. Losing even one would cause unrest.
Second, because Xu Lingfeng was injured, she wanted Lin Chang’an to escort a merchant ship to Sea Abyss City in half a year.
“In half a year, Sea Abyss City will host a grand gathering. The merchant ship will sell materials and purchase a large number of resources. Naturally, it requires escort along the way.”
Originally this responsibility belonged to Xu Lingfeng.
But since he was injured, Liu Ruyu needed to remain in the sect to guard it.
And Fairy of Rainbow Skirt, as the Sect Master of Xuanyin Pavilion, could not move easily either.
Thus the task fell to Lin Chang’an and Alchemist Wen of Blazing Fire Peak.
“Sea Abyss City…”
After hearing Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s tone of discussion, Lin Chang’an set down his spirit tea and tapped his fingers on the stone table.
Back when he and Yun Yao sold many treasures on Blazing Fire Island, he obtained many spirit stones.
Combined with the income he earned as a third-rank Formation Master over the years, he now possessed a large amount of spirit stones.
“Although the Five Dragon Island sea region has prospered due to the secret realm in recent years, there is still no trace of the third-rank high-grade formation inheritance I’ve been searching for.
But Sea Abyss City… perhaps I could take a look there.”
Lin Chang’an pondered.
Five Dragon Island Marketplace was good, but it could not compare to Sea Abyss City.
Rare third-rank spirit herbs often appeared there.
If he went, he could purchase rare high-grade materials—especially ones that could increase cultivation.
“However, the journey to Sea Abyss City must be handled cautiously. The nearby sea abyss has been unstable these years, and many robber cultivators have been targeting passing merchant ships.”
After thinking for a while, Lin Chang’an did not immediately reply.
Only after some time did he respond, saying he would invite Alchemist Wen to participate in the escort mission.
To outsiders, this simply appeared cautious.
But only Lin Chang’an knew the truth.
If he left for too long, Alchemist Wen—his avatar disguise—might be exposed.
After all, the avatar technique could not allow the avatar to stray too far from the original body.
After Lin Chang’an sent his reply, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt quickly responded with a noticeably relieved tone.
She said she would visit Alchemist Wen herself, but Lin Chang’an should also invite him personally—otherwise the alchemist would be difficult to persuade.
From her position, she was indeed doing her duty carefully.
Lin Chang’an smiled.
To outsiders, Alchemist Wen was a solitary and difficult person to approach. Since Lin Chang’an was known as his friend, inviting him personally would not raise suspicion.
“In that case, preparations will be sufficient. But before that, it would be best to hunt a few Sinister Spirit Beast Kings in the Fog Sea of Tongtian.”
At their level of cultivation, many high-grade materials were not traded with spirit stones but exchanged for other treasures.
Spirit stones were useful for ordinary materials.
But when it came to special resources, demon cores often had the highest value.
The Beast Sea Abyss possessed unique geographical advantages.
Over generations, cultivators accumulated countless materials for artifact refinement, alchemy, and formations—many of which required demon cores.
“And I should also begin preparing Golden Core materials for the Sword Attendant.”
Lin Chang’an glanced at the respectful Sword Attendant nearby.
Truly worthy of the Heavenly Spirit Sword Body.
After following him for less than fifty years, her cultivation had already reached the late stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm.
In another twenty or thirty years, she could attempt to form her Golden Core.
She was only a little over seventy years old.
A cultivator forming a Golden Core before the age of one hundred would be considered a genius even within Nascent Soul forces.
Moreover, hunting Sinister Spirit Beast Kings in the Fog Sea of Tongtian was a good opportunity.
Most Golden Core cultivators were focused on the secret realm.
As a result, the Fog Sea had become unusually peaceful recently. Few cultivators had the time to hunt sinister spirits.
Soon afterward, Lin Chang’an prepared a generous gift and openly visited Blazing Fire Peak.
After that, he accepted the sect’s escort mission.
……
Half a month later, Lin Chang’an took the Sword Attendant and two spirit pets, deliberately detouring around the secret realm region before arriving at the Fog Sea of Tongtian.
“Master!”
Outside an island filled with sinister energy, the Sword Attendant—wearing dark-green combat attire—stared at the island with a solemn expression.
Through his powerful perception, Lin Chang’an could clearly sense that the island contained one mid-grade third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast King and two low-grade third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast Kings.
There were also countless low-rank sinister spirits wandering aimlessly.
“Use the formation. Leave the trash to you.”
Lin Chang’an spoke calmly.
Without hesitation, the Sword Attendant cupped her fists firmly.
“Yes! Master!”
Holding formation plates and formation flags, she began setting up formations around the island while using Hidden Spirit Gauze.
The Azure-Horned Ox let out a curious moo.
Although it could not speak, its intelligence allowed it to understand that even with formations, the Sword Attendant’s strength alone might not be enough to face so many sinister spirits.
“Master, with the formation, does she really have to kill all those low-rank sinister spirits?”
The Wind-Chirp Bird hopped onto Lin Chang’an’s shoulder and voiced the thought the ox could not express.
Lin Chang’an chuckled and patted the Azure-Horned Ox’s head.
“Even a foolish ox like you can think of that. Do you think I wouldn’t know?”
Letting the Sword Attendant hunt low-rank sinister spirits brought him no benefit.
“The Sword Path cannot reach its highest level by shutting oneself away. Even the Three Great Sword Cultivation Physiques require tempering.”
Lin Chang’an smiled meaningfully.
Sword cultivators could only become unstoppable through constant sharpening.
Since the opportunity existed, how could he not train the Sword Attendant?
Otherwise, the Heavenly Spirit Sword Body would be wasted.
He also wanted to see how powerful she would become after forming her Golden Core.
Once the formation around the island was complete, Lin Chang’an nodded in satisfaction and formed a hand seal.
Immediately, clouds of mist began to rise.
The Fog Sea of Tongtian was already filled with thick fog, especially around islands where sinister spirits gathered.
Thus, the sinister spirits noticed nothing unusual.
Formation · Blood Fiend Scarlet Sun Formation
Only when the formation barrier sealed the entire space did the three third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast Kings in the center of the island sense something wrong and emit sharp screeches.
“Your turn now. That mid-grade third-rank Beast King is yours.”
Lin Chang’an patted the Wind-Chirp Bird.
The next moment, a clear phoenix-like cry resounded across heaven and earth.
Amid the terrified screams of countless sinister spirits, a streak of golden flames swept across the sky.
Wherever the flames passed, low-rank sinister spirits were instantly obliterated before they could even scream.
Seeing this, Lin Chang’an smiled calmly.
It seemed the relationship between the Sword Attendant and the Wind-Chirp Bird had grown quite good over the years.
Otherwise that clever bird would not have conveniently cleared a path for her.
“You stay outside and watch over that girl.”
After patting the Azure-Horned Ox, Lin Chang’an raised his hand.
Five Sun-Piercing Divine Swords appeared before him.
A confident smile spread across his face.
Two low-grade third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast Kings—
He wondered how long they could last against him.
Ever since refining his life-bound magical artifact, the Sun-Piercing Divine Sword, his ability to suppress sinister spirits was no weaker than the Wind-Chirp Bird.
The next moment, terrifying battle sounds erupted across the island.
The miserable and fearful screams of the Sinister Spirit Beast Kings echoed through the air.
That fear came from instinct—
Their innate terror of fire.