Just as Chen Changge was nursing a headache over what to prepare for a Core Formation congratulatory gift, an invitation from the Xu family appeared in Feng Juechen's hands.
Reading the information on the invitation, his pupils slightly constricted.
"What tremendous audacity!"
"Xu Chuan has kept a low profile for so long. Has he finally decided to flaunt his strength?"
Thinking back to the performance of the other Xu family members at the Prodigy Grand Assembly, the Xu family's potential no longer needed anyone's validation.
As long as Xu Mingxian and the others did not fall prematurely, each of them possessed the potential to reach Golden Core Perfection and attempt the breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage.
Of course, the prerequisite was that they did not die.
"This gift cannot be too light," Feng Juechen muttered.
However, since this invitation was addressed to the Green Wood Sect and not to Feng Juechen personally, it was clear that in the Xu family's eyes, their relationship with him wasn't particularly close.
Next were the Golden Core aristocratic families of the seven cities. The Heavenly Azure Sect, being the furthest away, only received their invitation several days later.
This invitation was delivered to True Lord Green Wood. Another copy found its way into Cang Yuyang's hands, representing the Cang family.
True Lord Green Wood was somewhat surprised by this, yet simultaneously felt it was only natural.
"How could Xu Chuan be a simple man when he managed to teach four top-tier prodigies? Forming a core at nearly one hundred and twenty years old is not considered stunning, but his confidence is simply beyond common sense."
After a brief moment of silent thought, he summoned Xi Tianqing and said, "On the eighth day of the sixth month, you will accompany me to Cloudstream Town."
"Why? To visit the Xu family?"
"To attend the Xu Clan Head's Golden Core Grand Ceremony."
"What? Xu Chuan is undergoing Core Formation?!"
"Here is the invitation. Read it yourself."
Xi Tianqing glanced at it, finding it completely unimaginable. "If it were Fairy Feng Ling attempting Core Formation, I might not be so surprised. After all, her foundation is unfathomably deep.
"But Xu Chuan..."
"We will know once we take a look. You are the genius of our Xi family's current generation. If Xu Chuan succeeds in his Core Formation, the Xu family's development will accelerate even further.
"Even our Xi family can no longer ignore the Xu family itself.
"Regardless of what happens to the Xu family in the future, at the very least, our Xi family cannot afford to make enemies out of them right now. Do you understand?"
"I understand, Master."
"There is no harm in building good relations with the Xu family. If we can secure a marriage alliance, that would naturally be even better. But the Xu family has pitifully few members, and as for Xu Deling...
"I suspect no aristocratic family or sect would ever send out such a prodigy for a marriage alliance."
Indeed, once the number one prodigy of Heavenly South fully matured, the Xu family's future accomplishments would inevitably surpass those of the Heavenly Azure Sect!
Across the Seven Heavenly Azure Cities.
The news of the Cloudstream Xu Clan Head publicly attempting Core Formation caused a great disturbance.
Even the Foundation Establishment aristocratic families who hadn't received invitations planned to send representatives to witness the ceremony.
"Have you heard? The Head of the Cloudstream Xu family is publicly undergoing Core Formation."
"Who doesn't know about this by now? We don't need you to tell us. On the eighth day of the sixth month, Cloudstream Town is bound to be incredibly lively. Many people have already gone to secure accommodations."
"Daoist Friend, why aren't you going?"
"The grand-nephew-in-law of my great-aunt's uncle is a resident of Cloudstream Town. He owns properties and shops there."
"Daoist Friend, you're amazing. I merely own one spirit grass shop and one materials shop in Cloud Brook Market."
Heart Constellation City, the Yan family.
After receiving the invitation, the Ancestor of the Yan family planned to bring heavy gifts and attend alongside Yan Kuangtu.
From Fangri City's Yan family, the Ancestor of the Yan family along with Yan Yue and his sister would be attending.
The rest of the aristocratic families also sent their Ancestors and clan geniuses.
Bringing the geniuses along naturally allowed for mingling among peers of the same generation.
The tales of the Xu family's three prodigies had spread far and wide, becoming common knowledge.
As for the matter regarding Xu Deling, only a small minority knew the truth, and by unspoken agreement, none of them let the secret slip.
The vast majority of Heavenly Azure Prefecture only knew that Fairy Feng Ling was the number one prodigy of this Prodigy Grand Assembly and a disciple of the Heavenly Foundry Sect, the number one artifact refinement sect in the southern part of Heavenly South. That was the extent of their knowledge.
Ever since returning to Cloudstream Town, the Xu family had basically closed its doors to guests. Their core clan members never wandered outside, and outsiders did not wish to visit rashly either.
After all, they had never shared any prior ties.
But this time, the Xu family was making such a grand spectacle, which perfectly handed them an opportunity to bring their clan geniuses over for a visit and exchange.
This news even reached the neighboring Greedy Wolf Prefecture.
Recently, many disciples from the Greedy Wolf Sect had been hiding their identities in Heavenly Azure Prefecture, secretly gathering intelligence.
Greedy Wolf Prefecture, the Greedy Wolf Sect.
"The Xu Clan Head is attempting Core Formation?" True Lord Canglang was thoroughly surprised by the news. "I thought those prodigies of the Xu family would be the first to form their cores.
"To think it would actually be this Xu Clan Head?
"It seems he's been hiding his true depths!
"However, while it's difficult to stir up trouble for those prodigies listed on the Prodigy Roll, this Xu Clan Head isn't under the same protection!"
A cruel smile surfaced on True Lord Canglang's lips. "If this Xu Clan Head were to die, I wonder if it would inflict severe inner demons upon those prodigies."
Although a formal Inner Demon Tribulation only occurred during the breakthrough to Nascent Soul, the interference of inner demons could be triggered by traumatic events and might happen at any time.
The more severe the inner demons, the more they would impede cultivation, Core Formation, and other such endeavors.
"With a hindered Dao Heart and a clouded mind, it will be hard for them to live up to the title of prodigy!"
True Lord Canglang's maniacal laughter echoed throughout the great hall. Half a day later, he summoned two Early-Stage Golden Core elders, preparing to deliver a grand 'gift' to the Xu family.
Four days later.
The Heavenly Foundry Sect's magic skiff arrived in the sky above Cloudstream Town and was soon stowed away.
The air was packed densely with people.
This spectacle drew the curious gazes of numerous cultivators in Cloudstream Town.
"So many cultivators!"
"Who are they? They can't be here for the Xu family, right?"
"They probably are, but who knows if they're here for revenge or for a visit?"
"A visit? With this many people?"
A bystander looked over in astonishment, feeling it was highly unlikely.
However, it didn't take long for an answer.
Five figures flew out from the Xu family grounds. It was Xu Chuan, leading Xu Mingxian, two others, and Wu Zhusan. They arrived before the crowd, halted, and cupped their fists in greeting.
"Uh... they really are here for a visit!"
The person who had just claimed it was impossible instantly felt a stinging slap to the face!
Another person in the crowd was Mei Yun.
'The Xu family is about to become a Golden Core aristocratic family. Should I still leave Cloudstream Town? If the Xu family elevates to a Golden Core clan, they will likely recruit a batch of outsiders. I wonder if I can join.'
'I feel like following the Xu family gives me hope of living a comfortable, effortless life.'
Mei Yun stroked his chin, pondering deeply.
Up in the sky.
"Senior True Lord Fierce Sun, Senior True Lord Qingxuan, the arrival of you two great personages is making my humble home shine. Daoist Friend Zhang has come as well."
True Lord Fierce Sun and True Lord Qingxuan gave slight nods. Zhang Xuanzhi cupped his fists toward Xu Chuan and said, "Xu Clan Head, we meet again."
"Senior Fire Cloud, and the other two seniors, please follow me to the Xu Residence for a chat."
"As for the rest," Xu Chuan's gaze swept over the one hundred and eighty Heavenly Foundry Sect disciples who had tagged along, "Zhusan, guide them to the Yellow Crane Tower to settle in."
True Lord Fierce Sun added, "All of you, follow along. We will most likely be intruding on your Martial Uncle Xu's family for quite some time."
"Yes, Martial Uncle!" the disciples responded.
The Heavenly Foundry Sect disciples followed Wu Zhusan toward the Yellow Crane Tower near the plaza.
"Is that Yellow Crane Tower a restaurant?" Zhang Xuanzhi asked curiously.
Ye Fan smiled and said, "Indeed. It is a restaurant our Xu family built a few years ago. Look over there; it's the tallest building. My Master personally inscribed the name."
"It certainly looks magnificent," Zhang Xuanzhi remarked mildly.
"The first floor serves as a public dining hall, the second floor contains private rooms, and the third floor upward are lodgings. It has a total of eighteen floors, with eighteen rooms on each floor. It is more than enough to accommodate these disciples from the Heavenly Foundry Sect.
"Every day from early to late afternoon, storytellers perform in the main hall. And from the early evening until night, there are theatrical performances.
"Brother Zhang, if you are interested, you can head downstairs later to listen and watch."
"I understand. Thank you for the recommendation, Brother Ye," Zhang Xuanzhi chuckled, cupping his fists without the slightest hint of arrogance.
Ye Fan practiced the dual cultivation of dharma and body. While it was unknown how far he could go, his potential was extraordinary—not an inch inferior to Zhang Xuanzhi's own. After all, he was the only cultivator at the Eighth-Layer Foundation Establishment to claim the thirty-sixth rank among the Heavenly Dipper prodigies.
In fact, if he were still able to issue challenges, he might have advanced a few more ranks.
Guests flowed into the Yellow Crane Tower like rolling clouds every single day.
It supplied low-grade, mid-grade, and high-grade spirit rice, along with demonic beast meat, spirit fish, spirit wine, spirit tea, and spirit fruits.
It was the most renowned restaurant in Cloudstream Town.
Business boomed from morning to night; afternoons brought storytellers, and evenings featured theatrical plays.
Through this establishment alone, the Xu family raked in a massive fortune of spirit stones daily.
Apart from the Yellow Crane Tower, the Xu family owned numerous other properties in Cloudstream Town, such as cultivation towers, Pill Refining Halls, Artifact Refining Halls, and halls dedicated to the four cultivation arts.
The pills and dharma tools they refined were not only supplied to the Xu family but also sold to the public, or custom-made upon request.
Additionally, they operated spirit wine breweries, spirit rice mills, spirit fruit orchards, clothing boutiques, grotto-residence rentals, and magic skiff dealerships.
As long as it pertained to food, clothing, housing, or transportation—anything that could earn spirit stones—the Xu family had a hand in it.
Of course, they never monopolized everything ruthlessly, always leaving room for maneuver so others could survive.
Entering the Xu Residence.
Zhang Xuanzhi immediately noticed that what his spiritual sense probing had detected from the outside differed greatly from the reality inside.
The scenery was identical, but the people within the residence did not match.
When sweeping with his spiritual sense from the outside, there had clearly been people walking around. But upon entering, those figures were nowhere to be found, as if they had been mere illusions.
"Xu Clan Head, has a peculiar grand array been set up around your Xu Residence?"
"It is merely a minor trick. I have made a fool of myself before Daoist Friend Zhang. Let us head to the main hall to chat."
Seeing that Xu Chuan had no intention of elaborating, Zhang Xuanzhi did not press for details.
Inside the main hall.
Xu Chuan sat in the host's seat, while the others took their respective seats in descending order.
True Lord Qingxuan had previously probed Xu Chuan with his spiritual sense.
However, constrained by the crowded environment outside, he had held his tongue. Now, he finally asked, "The Xu Clan Head's body is pure and flawless, and the magic power in your dantian has completely crystallized. It seems Core Formation is indeed imminent."
"Were it anyone else, they would have probably already entered life-or-death secluded cultivation, focusing entirely on forming their core," True Lord Fierce Sun chuckled faintly. "The Xu Clan Head possesses an audacity unlike ordinary men."
"You two seniors praise me too highly. I have merely made a few extra preparations," Xu Chuan replied calmly.
"Does the Xu Clan Head truly plan to attempt Core Formation on the eighth day of the sixth month?"
"The invitations have already been sent out. I must bite the bullet and undergo Core Formation, or else I'll lose all face."
Feigning helplessness, Xu Chuan continued, "Before the Core Formation begins, I still have more preparations to make, so I won't have the time to entertain everyone. I ask for your forgiveness."
"That is only natural. Core Formation is a momentous event; we will not disturb you. On the eighth day of the sixth month, we shall witness the grand spectacle of the Xu Clan Head's breakthrough."
True Lord Qingxuan stroked his beard and smiled lightly. "Daoist Friend Xu, please do not disappoint this old man. I have already brought the congratulatory gifts for your successful Core Formation."
"Senior Qingxuan, since you put it that way, even if just for those gifts, I must succeed in my Core Formation."
Zhang Xuanzhi's mouth twitched. 'Why does that sound a bit greedy for wealth?'
"Our sect has also brought heavy gifts," True Lord Fierce Sun declared.
"Grandfather, those were prepared by my Master, Zhen Yangzi. You will definitely love them!" Xu Deling acted mysterious.
"You little rascal. I bet you forced his hand to get them, didn't you?"
Xu Deling flashed a playful smile.
Afterward, True Lord Fierce Sun, along with Perfected Person Fire Cloud and the others, were led by Ye Fan to the Yellow Crane Tower to settle in.
Xu Chuan was going to attempt Core Formation within the Xu family grounds, so no outsiders were permitted to reside there temporarily.
The next day.
True Lord Fierce Sun and Rong Tianyang set off for the Heavenly Azure Sect.
True Lord Yanzhen, Xu Deling, and Perfected Person Fire Cloud traveled to Fire Cloud Valley to inspect the terrain and landscape.
Fire Cloud Valley was roughly forty kilometers away from Cloudstream Town.
In a matter of moments.
They arrived at their destination.
True Lord Yanzhen probed the area with his spiritual sense, stroking his beard as he said, "It is indeed an excellent site for artifact forging. Daoist Friend Fire Cloud has chosen a splendid location for a grotto-residence.
"Unfortunately, a sect cannot be established as it currently stands. After all, Qi Refining disciples wouldn't be able to live and reside here; it requires significant modification."
Xu Deling chimed in, "With the Heavenly Azure Sect helping out anyway, we won't need to expend too much effort."
"That is true." After speaking, he stared intently at Xu Deling. "Junior Sister Feng Ling, Martial Uncle Yan Longzi told me to keep an eye on you. He said you are only a hair's breadth away from comprehending a beginner divine ability to perfect mastery.
"Once your grandfather successfully forms his core, you must go into proper secluded cultivation and break through to the Golden Core stage as quickly as possible.
"It would be best if you accomplish this before the sect is fully built. That way, you can naturally and rightfully become the Sect Master of our Heavenly Foundry Sect's branch, the Heavenly Plume Sect."
"I understand, Senior Brother Yanzhen."
"Look at how undisciplined you are. Daoist Friend Fire Cloud, you are also Junior Sister Feng Ling's Master. You must supervise her properly."
Perfected Person Fire Cloud stroked his beard and smiled warmly. "True Lord Yanzhen, Deling requires no supervision. Her diligence is something this old man has witnessed firsthand."
"That is for the best."
Meanwhile, at the Heavenly Azure Sect.
True Lord Fierce Sun and Rong Tianyang arrived at the gates and were warmly received by True Lord Green Wood.
Following a thorough discussion, the two sides reached an agreement.
The Heavenly Azure Sect would provide a Tier 3 fire-element spirit vein, as well as three Tier 2 spirit veins attuned to earth, wood, and metal, while also assisting in the establishment of the Heavenly Plume Sect.
In exchange, True Lord Fierce Sun allowed them to borrow the name of the Heavenly Foundry Sect, and even agreed to act as a deterrent when absolutely necessary.
Of course, if they wanted True Lord Fierce Sun to personally fight and fend off the Greedy Wolf Sect on behalf of the Heavenly Azure Sect, that would come at an entirely different price.
After all, the Heavenly Plume Sect lacked a Nascent Soul cultivator overseeing it, and the Heavenly Foundry Sect was stationed far away in the southern part of Heavenly South. Distant water could not quench immediate thirst.
If they pushed the Greedy Wolf Sect too hard, it might provoke their Nascent Soul experts into hunting them down.
In that scenario, True Lord Fierce Sun and his group would be in grave peril.
Therefore, unless left with absolutely no other choice, they would not meaningfully intervene in the conflict between the two prefectures.
True Lord Fierce Sun's primary objective for coming to Heavenly Azure Prefecture was to act as Xu Deling's Dao Protector.
Whether the Heavenly Azure Sect survived or perished mattered little to them.
Even if the Greedy Wolf Sect ultimately unified both prefectures, they wouldn't dare lightly offend the Heavenly Foundry Sect.
Although the Heavenly Foundry Sect only had two Nascent Soul cultivators, their network of connections was completely incomparable to that of the Heavenly Azure Sect. They could easily call upon four or five Nascent Soul experts to assist them in battle without much issue.
Over an hour later.
Under True Lord Green Wood's watchful gaze, True Lord Fierce Sun and his disciple departed from the Heavenly Azure Sect.
A golden silhouette flashed by.
Bai Yan appeared by True Lord Green Wood's side. "Senior Brother Green Wood, how did the talks go?"
"They only want to reap the benefits without taking any actual action. Forcing the Heavenly Foundry Sect to stand in direct opposition to the Greedy Wolf Sect will be impossible unless their sect is tangibly threatened.
"This matter requires careful and gradual scheming.
"At the very least, for now, they are willing to superficially cooperate with our Heavenly Azure Sect to deter the Greedy Wolf Sect.
"That is enough to buy us more time."
"Sigh, it's all because we were too impulsive last time. Otherwise, Senior Brothers Chiyang and Huangyuan wouldn't have perished in the Ancient Mount Tai Sect Secret Realm.
"If they were still alive, our Heavenly Azure Sect wouldn't have been reduced to such a dire state."
True Lord Green Wood glanced at Bai Yan. "There is no need to bring up the past. Self-blame and regret won't change anything.
"Besides, the Greedy Wolf Sect has been eyeing our Heavenly Azure Sect for much longer than just a day or two.
"However, they must have experienced a significant boost to their foundations. Perhaps one or two of their Golden Core elders achieved grand mastery of their divine abilities, or maybe they've gained an additional Nascent Soul cultivator.
"Otherwise, they should know that even if they win a war against us, it would be a pyrrhic victory. They would only end up letting the fisherman profit.
"Speaking of which, Junior Brother Bai, regarding your encounter in the secret realm last time, do you truly have no idea who killed Junior Brothers Huangyuan and Chiyang?"
"We split up to explore the secret realm. I was being hunted by True Lord Canglang, so the one who killed Senior Brother Chiyang and the other must have been True Lord Heavenly Wolf. After all, he is the number one person beneath the Nascent Soul stage in the Greedy Wolf Sect.
"He is also a Golden Core Perfection powerhouse!"
"If he made a move, there is indeed a high probability he could have killed them."
A look of dread flashed through True Lord Green Wood's eyes. He was a late-stage Ninth-Layer Golden Core True Lord, not far from Golden Core Perfection.
But if he truly clashed against the Greedy Wolf Sect's True Lord Heavenly Wolf, his only option would be to flee in disarray.
"Junior Brother Bingqian will emerge from seclusion in about a decade. His innate aptitude surpasses mine. If not for the extreme difficulty of cultivating his ice-element divine ability, he would have become a True Lord powerhouse long ago.
"However, once he comes out this time, he will likely have succeeded.
"Even if he fails to reach Golden Core Perfection, with the might of that ancient ice-element divine ability he cultivates, the Qianlan Ice Flame, it will be enough to match or even suppress True Lord Heavenly Wolf."
"So that is why you drew in the Heavenly Foundry Sect—to muddy the waters, make the Greedy Wolf Sect wary, and buy more time for Senior Brother Bingqian?"
"Exactly. But..." True Lord Green Wood let out a faint sigh. "Let's speak no more of this. We must focus on the immediate matters first."
Having said his piece, True Lord Green Wood drifted back toward his own mountain peak.
In Cloudstream Town.
During the final seven or eight days.
Following Murong Yun's instructions, Xu Chuan had already begun condensing a Divine Ability Seed, using his divine ability true intent as the core.
He sat cross-legged beside the Withered Glory Tree.
The Withered Glory True Intent he exuded resonated with the Withered Glory Tree. The Power of Withering and Thriving flowed back and forth between them, allowing the Seed of Withered Glory—which would normally take five or six days to form—to condense successfully in a mere two days.
Furthermore, the Withered Glory Tree reaped massive benefits. After being nourished, it grew to a height of roughly two and a half meters.
For the remaining days, Xu Chuan continued to comprehend the Withered Glory True Intent, simultaneously pondering the next seal art of his Withered Glory Seals.
In the blink of an eye, the eighth day of the sixth month arrived.
Every single Golden Core aristocratic family within Heavenly Azure Prefecture had rushed to Cloudstream Town. Besides them, there were numerous Foundation Establishment families and a massive throng of rogue cultivators eager to catch a glimpse of the Core Formation phenomenon.
The streets of Cloud Brook Market and the area surrounding the plaza were teeming with immortal cultivators.
As for the plaza itself, banquets were laid out beneath the canopy of a grand array. Only those holding an invitation card were permitted to enter and take a seat.
"Brother Yan, you've arrived as well."
"Brother Shangguan, it's been a long time. The Xu family has truly gone all out this time. It seems every Golden Core aristocratic family in Heavenly Azure Prefecture has been invited."
"Old Ghost Yan, you've been burying yourself in artifact refinement for so long, and yet you're finally willing to step out for a walk."
"This old man goes wherever he pleases! Mind your own damn business!"
"Daoist Friend Lei, to think a top-tier Golden Core clan like your White Cloud Mountain would care so much about a Foundation Establishment cultivator's Core Formation."
"The Three Sects, the Cang family, and the Jade Bamboo Sea's Mo family have all arrived. How could my Lei family be absent?"
The Golden Core elder of the Lei family stroked his beard and smiled. "Look, True Lord Green Wood and Prodigy Xi have arrived as well."
In the distance, two figures flew over.
Ye Fan went up to receive them, ushering them into their designated seats.
"Speaking of which, Daoist Friend Lei, your family's Lei Zhaojian nearly forced his way into the Prodigy Grand Assembly. What a pity."
"There's nothing to pity. A miss by a hair's breadth is a miss by a thousand li. It was impossible in the past, and there is even less hope in the future. I heard that starting from the next Prodigy Grand Assembly, the Blackwater Region will also participate.
"We'll need to nurture a prodigy comparable to the chief disciple of a Nascent Soul power just to have a chance at entering the Prodigy Roll."
"Sigh, that's true. But the Xu family is truly an anomaly."
The Golden Core cultivators of Heavenly Azure Prefecture—even those from the Golden Core aristocratic families of the seven cities—rarely met with one another. Unless visiting close friends, attending a Golden Core Grand Ceremony like this one, or convening for major prefecture-wide events, they almost never gathered, spending the vast majority of their time in secluded cultivation.
However, the Golden Core Grand Ceremony of an ordinary newly-advanced Golden Core cultivator could never attract so many prominent figures.
Some wouldn't have bothered attending even if they received an invitation card.
During Chen Changge's Golden Core Grand Ceremony last time, quite a few people showed up since it was hosted under the Green Wood Sect's banner, but even then, only a third of the Golden Core powers dispatched representatives.
Yet this time, virtually every faction in Heavenly Azure Prefecture at or above the Golden Core tier was fully assembled.
It couldn't be helped.
A Foundation Establishment clan producing three peerless prodigies from the same household—it was impossible not to pay attention.
As for those driven by sheer curiosity, they were everywhere.
After receiving the invitations, they had all scrambled eagerly to get a good look at the Xu family.
"Daoist Friend Chen, you and Daoist Friend Feng are both here. Is there anyone left guarding the Green Wood Sect?" an Ancestor from a Golden Core aristocratic family teased with a laugh.
Chen Changge cupped his fists. "Daoist Friend Wenren, you love to joke. I am here representing the Chen family this time. Daoist Friend Feng is the true representative of the Green Wood Sect."
The Ancestor of the Dongfang family stroked his beard, eyeing Chen Changge. "It seems the Chen family has deep ties with the Xu family. Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone out of their way to send an extra invitation specifically to you, Daoist Friend Chen."
"Daoist Friend Xu and I simply share compatible temperaments. We hit it off quite well, which naturally led to a deeper friendship."
"I see."
This gathering was not merely a congregation of Golden Core experts, but also a grand assembly of Heavenly Azure Prefecture's younger generation.
Almost all the top prodigies from the various families were present.
While the Golden Core Perfected Persons chatted among themselves, these young geniuses were similarly exchanging greetings.
"Prodigy Ye, why don't I see Fairy Cold Moon?" Liu Yue asked.
"Yes, very few female cultivators came among the younger generation this time. She is now the ultimate role model for female cultivators in our Heavenly Azure Prefecture!" Yan Fengwu added with a smile.
"Is Fairy Deling not here either? Could she still be out wandering and hasn't returned?" Yan Yue asked with concern.
Hearing this, Yan Fengwu shook her head helplessly. 'My foolish brother, when will you wake up from this sweet daydream of yours!'
Ye Fan smiled and answered, "Yue'er is currently keeping Master company. Once Master has fully prepared everything, he will send her to notify us."
"I see," Liu Yue said. "However, there is one thing I don't understand. Why didn't the Xu Clan Head wait until after his Core Formation to invite everyone to his Golden Core Grand Ceremony? Wouldn't that have been much safer?
"If his Core Formation fails today, the hard-earned prestige the Xu family built through Brother Ye and the others will be entirely burnt to ashes."
"Prestige? What use is that to my Xu family?" Ye Fan replied coolly. "With or without prestige, my Xu family remains the Xu family."
The others fell into thoughtful silence.
On the upper floors of the Yellow Crane Tower.
Xu Deling, True Lord Fierce Sun, True Lord Yanzhen, True Lord Qingxuan, and Zhang Xuanzhi had not made their way down to the plaza.
They planned to make their appearance only after Xu Chuan successfully completed his Core Formation.
Out on the streets of Cloud Brook Market.
An old man with pure white hair and a matching beard strolled leisurely. As he stroked his beard, he glanced left and right, continuously nodding in approval.
"This marketplace may be small, but it is truly bustling, brimming with a vigorous vitality rarely seen in ordinary markets," the white-haired old man muttered. "No wonder that brat could so easily produce such a massive sum of spirit stones.
"The Lord of Cloudstream controls all the properties here. He leases sections of the market to the local town families while his own family manages the rest.
"The shops raking in the most spirit stones in this town are all operated by the Xu family, covering the arts of pills, artifacts, formations, and talismans, as well as food, clothing, housing, and transport.
"Even after subtracting the resources spent on the clan's cultivation, their sheer profit in spirit stones cannot be underestimated. An ordinary Golden Core aristocratic family probably couldn't earn a quarter of the Xu family's annual profits.
"And this is only because they are currently holed up in this small corner. If one day their industries spread across the entire Heavenly Azure Prefecture, or even the entire Northwest Region...
"I'm afraid another super conglomerate akin to the Void Heaven Chamber of Commerce might be born.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Last time, I should have demanded three thousand spirit stones per wooden casket.
"I guess my heart has gone soft in my old age."
By chance, his gaze shifted toward the Xu Residence, and the corners of his mouth curled upwards. "Using illusions to deceive the senses is indeed far more brilliant than relying on spiritual sense restrictions to block probing.
"Xu Mingxian... that brat has impressive formation attainments. My 'Formation Journal' must have fallen into his hands. At least it hasn't gone to waste.
"But ultimately, it is only a Tier 3 grand array. If a Nascent Soul-level spiritual sense attempts to forcibly pry, it still wouldn't be able to resist.
"Never mind. This old man won't pry into your Xu family's secrets."
The old man quickly resumed his playful, carefree stroll through the mortal world.
Inside the Xu Residence.
Beneath the Withered Glory Tree.
Xu Chuan sat cross-legged, clad in a plain white Daoist robe. With his eyes half-closed, the aura radiating from him was astonishingly tranquil.
Xu Deyue stood respectfully a few meters away.
"Grandfather, the two great top-tier Golden Core aristocratic families of Heavenly Azure Prefecture—the Lei family and the Mo family—along with the Heavenly Azure Sect, the Three Sects, and the Golden Core families of the seven cities... almost everyone who was supposed to come has arrived."
"Go and notify them."
"Yes, Grandfather."
Xu Deyue cupped her fists, soared into the sky, and flew toward the plaza.
"Everyone, the Head of my Xu family has finished his preparations. The Core Formation will begin immediately."
Although it was a public Core Formation, it wasn't as if he was completely defenseless, forming his core right before everyone's eyes. To actually do such a thing would be no different from openly courting death.
"Is it finally starting?" a Golden Core elder murmured, stroking his beard with a faint smile.
"Breaking through to the Golden Core isn't that simple. Even with ample preparations, forcefully shattering the bottleneck will likely take at least a day or two," another person commented, gazing intently at the sky above the Xu Residence.
"Perhaps. Back in my day, it took me over half a month of grueling effort to painstakingly break past the bottleneck."
"Tell me about it!"
Meanwhile.
Within Xu Chuan's dantian, the half-green, half-gray Divine Ability Seed gleamed brilliantly.
Guided by his will, a surge of Withered Glory True Intent began fiercely battering against the invisible realm barrier.
He had optimized every single step of this Core Formation process to the absolute extreme. The Golden Core bottleneck, usually an insurmountable heavenly chasm, was now barely thicker than a sheet of paper.
It was countless times easier than his initial Foundation Establishment breakthrough had been.
There was no sluggishness, not a shred of mortal peril. After merely fifteen minutes, a faint, almost imperceptible 'pop' echoed out. The bottleneck had been effortlessly shattered.
Right on cue, the Core Formation Phenomenon erupted!
The five elements spiritual qi between heaven and earth seemed ensnared by an invisible magnetism. It morphed into vividly colorful rivers of spiritual energy, converging madly in the sky above the Xu Residence.
It quickly formed a massive spiritual energy vortex a hundred meters in diameter.
A moment later.
The energy came crashing down like a torrential waterfall!
"A Core Formation Phenomenon?!" countless people cried out in shock!
"How is it so fast?!" Every Golden Core expert and Foundation Establishment genius present widened their eyes in pure terror.
After all, a mere fifteen minutes had passed since Xu Deyue's announcement.
Shattering the Golden Core bottleneck in fifteen minutes—even someone with Heavenly Spirit Root Aptitude couldn't accomplish such a feat!
"Just how monstrously deep has the Xu Clan Head polished his foundation to make it this effortless?!"
"Without a doubt, it has to be a Divine Ability Core Formation!"
"It's been centuries... is Heavenly Azure Prefecture finally going to birth another True Lord powerhouse forged through Divine Ability Core Formation?"
True Lord Green Wood, True Lord Fierce Sun, and True Lord Qingxuan all had ripples of shock flashing in their eyes. Even though they had never witnessed a Divine Ability Core Formation firsthand, they had read about it in their sect records.
But this breakthrough speed was still terrifyingly fast!
"A Divine Ability Core Formation should take three or four hours at the fastest, and up to a day at the slowest. This is simply too fast."
True Lord Qingxuan muttered under his breath, though he couldn't pierce through the Xu family's grand array to verify the situation inside.
Zhang Xuanzhi, who also intended to pursue the Divine Ability Core Formation path in the future, was intimately familiar with his sect's records. He too found this completely inconceivable.
Throughout Cloudstream Town, heated discussions erupted everywhere.
"The Xu Clan Head really formed his core today."
"Yeah! He literally just sat down and did it. It's practically divine!"
"It feels like piercing a thin membrane—just one poke and it's done!"
"Daoist Friend, your description is a little too vivid!"
The oceanic volume of five elements spiritual qi poured down like an inverted celestial river, cascading into the grand array above Xu Chuan's head. After being refined by the Five Elements Origin Condensation Array set up by Xu Mingxian, it transformed into a higher-quality spiritual energy before sinking directly into his dantian.
The Divine Ability Seed spun continuously, aggressively absorbing this deluge of spiritual qi. Meanwhile, Xu Chuan utilized his mighty Golden Core-level spiritual sense to compress the energy over and over again.
Two hours later.
A fist-sized Golden Core radiating a five-colored glazed luster finally took shape within Xu Chuan's dantian. The Power of Withering and Thriving swirled vibrantly across its surface.
At its very core, the phantom silhouette of the Divine Ability Seed was faintly visible, exuding a pressure that far eclipsed that of an ordinary Golden Core.
However, the Core Formation was not yet truly complete.
He still needed to fuse his essence, qi, and spirit into the Golden Core, linking his very lifeblood to it. Only then would the Core Formation be finalized, and this step was also the ultimate key to eventually shattering the core to form a Nascent Soul.
But Xu Chuan did not initiate this final step right away.
Instead, he formed a sequence of hand seals and exhaled sharply.
The Golden Core transformed into a streak of light, flying out of his mouth to hover a meter in front of him.
The moment the Golden Core left his body, it instantly connected with heaven and earth. The pure five elements spiritual qi above washed over it endlessly, tempering and baptizing the core.
Subsequently, this refined power surged back down, flooding into Xu Chuan's meridians and dantian.
This was the ancient Core Formation method Murong Yun had taught him. By borrowing the heavens' gift of quintessential spiritual energy during his breakthrough, he could completely convert all the magic power in his body into Golden Core-tier magic power in an incredibly short span of time.
It completely bypassed the agonizingly long refinement process ordinary cultivators endured after breaking through.
For someone like Chen Changge, this single step of converting magic power had consumed several months—perhaps even over half a year.
After all, even after reaching Foundation Establishment, converting one's magic power usually took nearly a month.
Naturally, the time required at the Golden Core stage would be far more drawn out.
Armed with this secret method, he could rapidly stabilize his cultivation immediately after his core formed, instantly grasping the full combat strength of a legitimate Golden Core cultivator.
Of course, Xu Chuan was walking the path of Divine Ability Core Formation.
With the Divine Ability Seed as his core, not only did his Golden Core Pressure grossly exceed that of an Early-Stage Golden Core cultivator, but his transformed magic power fundamentally carried the inherent traits of his divine ability. The sheer quality vastly outperformed typical early-stage power, earning it the right to be called "Withered Glory Spiritual Power."
This trait was entirely exclusive to a Divine Ability Golden Core. If one stepped into the Golden Core stage first and only comprehended a divine ability later, they would never attain this.
This phenomenal opportunity only presented itself once—at the exact moment the core was formed.
This secret method had virtually been lost to modern times. Even apex Nascent Soul sects might not have recorded it.
This act was essentially stealing secrets from the heavens, so there was a strict time limit on absorbing this quintessential energy—at most, two hours.
But during these two hours, the speed of converting and accumulating magic power was hundreds, if not thousands, of times faster than usual. The exact results relied heavily on an individual's accumulated foundation.
When Xu Chuan finally sensed his physical limits, he retracted the core back into his body, completing the final linking of his life force.
Only in this very moment was his Core Formation completely finalized.
The heavens and earth sensed it, and the grand phenomenon slowly began to disperse.
At this point, the aura rippling off Xu Chuan had already surged straight to the peak of the First Layer of the Golden Core stage.
His spiritual sense could now blanket a forty-kilometer radius, practically brushing against the domain of a Late-Stage Golden Core cultivator.
Feeling the tidal waves of magic power surging in his body and his drastically fortified divine soul, the corners of Xu Chuan's mouth curved upward.
It was just as the saying went:
"When medicine meets its kin, the true form appears; when the Dao blends with the formless, nature itself is revealed."
"Swallowing a single Golden Core into the belly, one finally knows: my fate is mine, not decided by heaven!"