Chapter 331: Chapter 329: Core Formation (Congratulations to Elvin2016 for joining the Silver Alliance!) _1
"The Supreme Elder Mu Yu of the Profound Ice Palace has disappeared, and it’s been announced that he has been in closed-door cultivation all this time... They’ve also hidden the fact for nearly ten years."
"If it weren’t for several major incidents that required Mu Yu’s presence recently... The Profound Ice Palace might still be able to keep it a secret."
"If this palace can’t find a strong backer soon, it’s highly likely it will meet the same fate as the Golden Sword Gate..."
Fang Xi put the jade slip back and pondered to himself.
Soon after, he settled his bill for the Spirit Stones and left the Wind Hearing Tower.
...
A few days later, Fang Xi, having completed his purchases, returned to his cave mansion to enter seclusion once again.
Wind Hearing Tower.
A young man who looked like a servant stood behind the counter, his cultivation also reached Foundation Establishment: "Shopkeeper... I have found out everything. This person arrived in the market ten years ago and then rented a third-tier cave mansion for long-term seclusion..."
"After leaving our Wind Hearing Tower, he went to several pill shops in succession, selling pills and buying spiritual herbs, seemingly an alchemist... and then returned to continue his seclusion, obviously a cultivator devoted to arduous cultivation."
"As for his background... Yuan Country is vast and has too many Foundation Establishment cultivators to really identify... Perhaps the person also used a fake identity."
"I see..." The shopkeeper stroked his chin.
"Shopkeeper... this person’s wealth is indeed substantial, exceeding that of the average Foundation Establishment completion stage by a great deal..." The servant seemed somewhat discontented.
"We, at Wind Hearing Tower, only deal in the business of trading information..." the shopkeeper let out a sigh, "Moreover... there’s a Core Formation elder keeping an eye on things here in White Yuan Market, what are you thinking?"
Upon hearing this, the light in the servant’s eyes dimmed considerably, and his demeanor became noticeably dejected.
"I think this person has a steadfast Dao Heart, renting a third-tier cave mansion for the long term boldly; perhaps he’s preparing to attempt Core Formation in one go. It just depends on how his success or failure turns out. If successful, he’ll soar to the heavens; if failed, well, that outcome... tsk tsk."
The shopkeeper shook his head and sighed.
He was well aware that without the aid of Core Formation Spiritual Objects, relying solely on the slim chance of success with one’s own ability, how difficult it would be to succeed at Core Formation?
After all, those who could succeed in Core Formation on their own were Nascent Soul seedlings!
Even within great sects like Mixed Origin Sect and the Blood Sect, there were only a few.
The person who rented the cave mansion to undertake Core Formation was probably without the backing of a large force and must be an Individual Cultivator.
How difficult is it for an Individual Cultivator to undergo Core Formation?
...
Of course, Fang Xi had no idea that just because he had shown a slightly more substantial resource for a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, many interested parties in the market were watching him.
But even if he had known, he would have simply laughed it off.
After sealing the cave mansion, he once again immersed himself in the monotonous cycle of daily cultivation, occasionally alchemy, and contemplation of Arrays.
Three years later, in the Ice Cave Mansion.
On the meditation cushion, two people sat opposite each other.
Fang Xi withdrew the last hand seal and looked at the Externalization in front of him: "Not bad at all... You’ve actually cultivated the ’Snatch Skills’ to such a level, the next step must be your legal body undergoing Core Formation, right?"
"Exactly so..." The Externalization replied with a slight smile.
His cultivation of the ’Evoking Demon Spell’ and ’Spirit Splitting Skills’ was progressing rapidly, after all the ’Evoking Demon Spell’ attracted mostly Qi Refining level external demons, which were mere snacks to the Externalization!
A powerful Divine Consciousness was also highly beneficial for the cultivation of the ’Spirit Splitting Skills’.
And as for the ’Snatch Skills’?
Using the body of a Devil Corpse with the ability to consume souls, the Externalization quickly progressed after capturing and devouring some powerful evil spirits.
Not to mention, a large portion of the pills refined by Fang Xi also ended up in the stomach of the Externalization.
Now, after more than a decade of painstaking cultivation, the Externalization had reached the threshold of Core Formation!
Fang Xi naturally did not intend to waste the opportunity and allowed the Externalization to undergo Core Formation in the Southern Wilderness Cultivation Realm!
In doing so, he would have a genuine and unmistakable ’Core Formation Phenomenon’, upgrading this identity to a high-level cultivator at the ’early stage of Core Formation.’
Moreover, as the Externalization had already been known as Master in the Red Sun World, causing a Core Formation Phenomenon there would be considered strange if discovered by others.
Lastly, the process of Core Formation for this legal body must take place under Fang Xi’s close watch, to eliminate any potential risks!
’I am about to undergo Foundation Establishment to Core Formation... My background and wealth might not be so clean, but there’s no major concern. Under Core Formation cultivation level, it can all be ignored, and when the time comes, the forces that will vie for my alliance won’t be few... A high-level Spiritual Vein Dongfu is naturally to be had.’
Once Fang Xi had made up his mind, a trace of a smile appeared on his face.
He touched his Storage Ring, and two jade boxes fell to the ground.
Upon opening them, a blue and a red glow immediately filled the entire cave mansion; they turned out to be Core Formation Spiritual Objects — "Mysterious Water Crystal Ying" and "Heavenly Fire Liuli"!
"The secret method of refining a Gold Core with water and fire isn’t too rare... There has long been a copy in the Saint’s library."
"The most crucial point is, what’s the difference between a legal body’s Golden Core and a cultivator’s Golden Core, and is there any conflict?"
Fang Xi looked at the two Spiritual Objects and fell deep into thought.
These two Spiritual Objects, in the Black Witch Secret Realm or the Fragment World, were not too uncommon.
At least, each Demon Sect disciple entering the Secret Realm, even if they didn’t dare covet the Five Elements Spirit Fruit, would prepare a portion for themselves.
Therefore, in the Storage Bags of Demon Sect disciples, the chances of finding them were high...
Apart from this, the storage bags of Demon Sect disciples generally have a much greater capacity than those of the Golden Core cultivators from the South Wilderness.
The storage tools of cultivators mostly take the form of storage bags; the only difference lies in their capacities.
In addition to this, there are some special shapes, such as belts, gourds, rings, bracelets, etc... it all depends on personal preference.
The quality of a storage tool is judged solely by its internal capacity, not by its shape.
However, like the ’Mountain Sea Pearl’ of the Saint, which can form a world of its own, allowing cultivators to enter and exit freely, it is undoubtedly top-tier!
Fang Xi released his Divine Consciousness entirely into his Externalization, experiencing the differences imparted by the ’Snatch Skills.’
’This method of cultivation is extremely mysterious... it focuses primarily on mental cultivation... even the condensation of the Golden Core does not occur in the Dantian Qi Ocean but within the Sea of Consciousness...’
’Although I do not know where the Golden Core would be situated in the other Red Sun World’s cultivation methods, it seems that this method does not clash too much with the cultivation practices of the Southern Wilderness Cultivation Realm...’
Of course, it seems unproblematic, but Fang Xi was not entirely confident about any hidden dangers that might arise afterward.
His original body would follow the ’Kuyong Skills’ step by step in cultivation, with hopes of Transcendent God ascension in the future; naturally, he would not recklessly cultivate any messy methods.
But the Externalization has no such concerns.
"My vision and understanding are not high, but at least at the Golden Core cultivation stage, the problems should not be significant..."
"Just to be on the safe side..."
Fang Xi took out the jade box containing the ’Nine-Eyed Bodhi’ and placed the Bodhi Seed in his palm. He press his hands together and began to ponder.
After a moment, he opened his eyes and looked at the Nine-Eyed Bodhi Seed, now a shade dimmer in its green glow, and a twinge of pain crossed his face as he carefully stored it away.
"I didn’t expect... there were some oversights... Indeed, if I were to form the core directly, there could potentially be conflicts..."
"But now, there should be no major problems, let’s begin!"
With the insight provided by the Nine-Eyed Bodhi just now, Fang Xi had thought through many difficulties, and all the obscure and tough parts of the ’Snatch Skills’ scriptures became clear to him.
Without hesitation, he let his Externalization take the "Mysterious Water Crystal" in the left hand and "Heavenly Fire Liuli" in the right, and began to refine them with a secret method.
"Water and fire are Yin and Yang... the fusion of water and fire, the embracing of dragon and tiger, leads to the formation of the Golden Core!"
Having had one experience with Core Formation, Fang Xi was naturally proficient with the process.
His original body closed his eyes and began to assist his Externalization single-mindedly in condensing the law cultivation Golden Core...
...
Outside the Ice Cave Mansion.
Time unknowingly passed by another two years.
Apart from a group of people who were silently paying attention to Fang Xi, very few still remembered this cultivator who was enduring austerities in seclusion.
And Fang Xi had prepaid the rent for the mansion for thirty years, so naturally, no one came to disturb him during his seclusion.
Until this day.
Wind Hearing Tower.
"Shopkeeper... the customer just now was again asking about the Profound Ice Palace. It seems like ever since the last Supreme Elder of the Profound Ice Palace passed away, and a peak Foundation Establishment elder rashly failed the Core Formation two years ago, they seem destined to decline..."
A Foundation Establishment cultivator behind spoke, his tone filled with sighs.
"Those female cultivators can struggle on for a while with their third-tier array... but Icefiend Sect has long since become restless, seizing the opportunity to take over the profits of several mining veins... now, they seem to be eyeing the Profound Ice Palace’s own Spiritual Vein."
The shopkeeper stroked his beard and showed an expression that he was watching a good show. Suddenly, he thought of something and asked, "What happened to that man?"
"Always in seclusion, it has been five years now... could he really be planning to cultivate straight till the end of his leasing period?"
The Foundation Establishment cultivator behind showed a doubtful expression.
"Indeed, he has deep pockets..."
The shopkeeper had just said that and was about to add something when his expression suddenly changed.
He exchanged a glance with the Foundation Establishment cultivator behind him, then both turned into two streaks of light, rushing out of the ’Wind Hearing Tower.’
Around tens of miles, the Heavenly Earth Spiritual Qi was violently surging, converging toward a certain mansion.
The sky was overcast, and a large amount of spiritual qi could be seen with the naked eye converging, forming a funnel that kept pouring into the center of the mansion!
A powerful Spiritual Pressure emerged, leaving the nearby Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators feeling as though they were bearing a tremendous weight.
"This is... the Core Formation celestial phenomenon! It can’t be wrong... it’s Core Formation!"
The shopkeeper’s face contorted, his expression a mixture of intense envy and sorrow, evidently reminded of his own hopeless Core Formation endeavors.
"Someone in the market is forming a core?!"
The Foundation Establishment cultivator trailing behind the shopkeeper was equally shocked, then looked toward the focus of the Spirit Qi Vortex: "That place... seems to be where the rental mansions in the market are located... Based on the position, it’s exactly that person’s mansion!"
"It’s him... he’s actually forming a core?"
The shopkeeper seemed to think of something, shuddered, and then patted his chest: "That was really close... lucky for us we have only been silently collecting information, never offending that person... From the celestial phenomenon, it’s likely this person has a large chance of successfully forming a Golden Core..."
"Shopkeeper, should we...?" The Foundation Establishment cultivator behind him was full of envy, his voice trembling slightly.
"Forget it... now that he’s forming a core, why wouldn’t he be prepared? Right now, in the market, apart from ’Master Hong Ye,’ no one else can stop this person!"
The shopkeeper shook his head decisively and sternly said: "You are already blinded by greed; I will request to have you transferred away, so you don’t cause any more trouble for me!"