Chapter 308: Breaking Through to Golden Core, Emotional Ties Stir!

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—”

As the spiritual energy vortex swirled and expanded above Caiyun Peak, spiritual pressure spread, activating the Azure Cloud Sect’s mountain-protecting formation.

After all, breaking through to Golden Core was a major event for the Azure Cloud Sect!

They absolutely couldn’t allow any interference!

At this moment, even secluded Golden Core cultivators in the Azure Cloud Sect awoke to guard the sect and protect the breakthrough.

“So this is the Azure Cloud Sect’s mountain-protecting formation?”

Lu Changsheng gazed at the sky.

He saw the entire formation like an inverted white jade glass bowl, radiating dazzling light with rolling clouds and mist. Inside, what looked like green dragons soared.

Although the formation didn’t emit any terrifying spiritual pressure, its mere appearance gave a sense of unfathomable depth.

Meanwhile, the tremendous commotion on Caiyun Peak and its spiritual pressure dissipated invisibly.

One could only see the spiritual energy vortex hovering in the sky.

This vortex continued to frantically sweep up and absorb the surrounding spiritual energy, forming a glowing cloud that kept expanding, reaching nearly a mile in diameter and enveloping the entire Caiyun Peak.

“Judging by this, there’s a high chance of successful Golden Core Formation.”

Lu Changsheng observed this scene, pondering silently.

He had previously asked Hong Lian about Golden Core Formation knowledge.

He knew that Golden Core Formation shared some similarities with Foundation Establishment.

For Foundation Establishment, one first passes three stages, then condenses spiritual power into liquid to raise the Dao platform!

Golden Core Formation is similar, with three stages, followed by condensing the elixir liquid to form the True Core!

The current Golden Core phenomenon on Caiyun Peak was steady and powerful, with an ever-increasing aura, showing great potential. This indicated the person had a solid foundation and was likely to succeed in forming a Golden Core.

“Sect disciples really have it good. When breaking through, they not only have an excellent environment without worrying about spiritual veins but also don’t have to fear disturbances.”

“Although I have all the resources prepared for Golden Core Formation, I still lack a stable breakthrough environment.”

Lu Changsheng gazed at the glowing clouds above Caiyun Peak and the Cloud Peak formation, thinking to himself.

He was confident he would break through to Golden Core in the future.

But there was still a major problem.

Spiritual veins!

Breaking through to Foundation Establishment required Second-Tier spiritual veins to supply spiritual energy.

Golden Core Formation was the same!

It needed at least Third-Tier spiritual veins to supply spiritual energy!

Otherwise, during the breakthrough, if spiritual energy was insufficient, it would lead to a lack of power and result in failure.

Bihu Mountain currently only had upper Second-Tier spiritual veins, far from enough for someone to attempt Golden Core Formation!

Even with the Spirit Eye Spring and Sumeru’s help, the spiritual energy in the Cave Dwelling could reach peak Second-Tier or even quasi-Third-Tier, it was still not enough for his Golden Core Formation.

Because the amount of spiritual energy needed for the breakthrough was simply too enormous.

This was also why most cultivators eventually join factions.

Only large factions could provide a stable spiritual vein environment for breakthroughs.

For independent cultivators to break through alone was incredibly difficult!

“With Sumeru at home, it’s the most stable. If I could break through in Sumeru’s cave heaven, it would even conceal the Golden Core phenomenon.”

“If I can’t upgrade the spiritual veins at home, I’ll have to go elsewhere to break through to Golden Core in the future.”

“Although I could rent a Third-Tier Cave Dwelling in the Immortal City, it’s still not as secure as being at home.”

“Moreover, when I break through, I’ll definitely form a High-Tier Golden Core. The phenomenon will be too shocking and easily attract trouble.”

Lu Changsheng pondered.

Originally, Golden Core Formation seemed distant, so he hadn’t given it much thought.

But now, seeing the Golden Core phenomenon, he couldn’t help but think about his own future breakthrough.

“Huff!”

Lu Changsheng didn’t dwell on it further. He exhaled lightly and turned to Zhao Qingqing, asking, “Qingqing, do you know who’s breaking through?”

Such an extraordinary Golden Core phenomenon indicated the person breaking through was quite remarkable.

“I’m not sure either. Since it’s on Caiyun Peak, it’s most likely Caiyun Zhenren’s senior disciple, Fairy Qingyi, who is also Xiao’s senior sister.”

“She’s a true disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect and reached late Foundation Establishment years ago. This Golden Core phenomenon is likely her attempting to form a Golden Core.”

Zhao Qingqing wore a green dress with her black hair coiled up, her appearance elegant and beautiful.

“Fairy Qingyi?”

Lu Changsheng paused when he heard this name.

In his mind appeared a woman in white tight-fitting clothes with a high ponytail, her features delicate yet strong, combining feminine softness with a cool, heroic air.

He hadn’t expected the person breaking through to Golden Core to be Chu Qingyi, whom he had met briefly before.

But thinking about it, it made sense. Chu Qingyi had been a true disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect early on, with late or even peak Foundation Establishment cultivation.

Now, after more than ten years, it was normal for her to attempt Golden Core Formation.

“By the way, how old is this Fairy Qingyi now?”

Lu Changsheng asked curiously.

Although he was close to Xiao Xiyue and knew her master was Caiyun Zhenren and her senior sister was Chu Qingyi.

But he didn’t know much about the two women’s situations.

“I’m not sure about that.”

Zhao Qingqing shook her head and said, “Rumor has it that Fairy Qingyi was adopted by Caiyun Zhenren as a child and brought back to the sect. She should be quite young now, probably not even a hundred years old.”

“Not even a hundred years old, it seems this Fairy Qingyi is indeed extraordinarily gifted.”

Lu Changsheng remarked with some emotion.

Being able to break through to Golden Core before a hundred years old was enough to be called a genius!

After all, not all cultivators were like him, having gathered all the resources needed for Golden Core Formation before even reaching late Foundation Establishment.

Ninety-nine percent of cultivators had to work hard for their cultivation resources daily, their attention divided by various matters.

After breaking through to the late stage, they had to prepare resources for the next boundary breakthrough.

Even though Chu Qingyi was exceptionally talented and had a Golden Core master, being a sect disciple, breaking through to Golden Core wasn’t easy.

She still needed to work hard to earn resources.

Originally, Lu Changsheng had planned to return soon.

But now, encountering a Golden Core breakthrough, he decided to stay a bit longer to observe this Golden Core phenomenon.

Moreover, with the Azure Cloud Sect’s formation operating at full power, although they weren’t sealing the mountain, they were strictly checking all people entering and leaving.

Three days later.

The spiritual energy cloud vortex above Caiyun Peak broke through to a three-mile radius.

“This Golden Core phenomenon…”

That morning, Lu Changsheng and Zhao Qingqing walked out of their room, gazing at the Golden Core phenomenon on Caiyun Peak, somewhat surprised.

Based on what he knew from Hong Lian, although the Golden Core phenomenon couldn’t 100% determine the breakthrough progress or Golden Core quality.

But it could give a general idea.

For example, if the spiritual energy cloud vortex maintained a two to three-mile radius, it was likely a low-Tier True Core.

If it broke through to a five-mile radius, it was likely a mid-Tier True Core.

If it could break through to a ten-mile radius, it was likely a High-Tier Golden Core!

In three days, Chu Qingyi’s spiritual energy cloud vortex had suddenly reached a three-mile radius, indicating a very solid foundation. It would at least be a mid-Tier True Core, with the potential for a High-Tier Golden Core!

Of course, problems could still occur during the process, leading to failure and the dissipation of the cloud.

But through this cloud situation, one could roughly judge a person’s foundation.

As time passed, the spiritual energy cloud vortex above Caiyun Peak continued to rise and spread, reaching a diameter of nearly seven or eight miles, which was quite astonishing.

“This… Could Fairy Qingyi really be forming a High-Tier Golden Core!?”

Someone in the Azure Cloud Sect exclaimed in surprise.

Although Chu Qingyi was a true disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect and a disciple of a Golden Core cultivator.

Forming a High-Tier Golden Core was still Core was still very challenging.

“Once a High-Tier Golden Core is formed, she’ll be a seed for future Nascent Soul!”

“That’s true, but in our Jiang Kingdom’s cultivation world, besides True Lord Xuanjian, there isn’t a second Nascent Soul True Lord!”

“Our Azure Cloud Sect doesn’t have Fourth-Tier spiritual veins. To break through to Nascent Soul, one must go out to seek opportunities.”

Many people were focused on the situation at Caiyun Peak, wanting to know about Chu Qingyi’s breakthrough.

After all, if the sect gained another Golden Core cultivator, it would be an absolute joyous occasion for the Azure Cloud Sect.

They would certainly hold a grand Golden Core ceremony to celebrate and announce it to the world.

Another seven or eight days passed.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—”

The spiritual energy cloud vortex above Caiyun Peak frantically swept outward, breaking through to a nine-mile radius, then nine miles and one, nine miles and three…

This massive phenomenon and spectacle caused the spiritual pressure, originally concealed by the Azure Cloud Sect’s mountain-protecting formation, to start leaking out.

It made the observing cultivators of the Azure Cloud Sect feel a formidable, invisible spiritual pressure.

Especially the disciples on Caiyun Peak, who at this moment felt difficulty breathing and their hearts pounding.

“This phenomenon…”

“Fairy Qingyi is really aiming for a High-Tier Golden Core!”

“She’s actually about to form a High-Tier Golden Core!”

“If our Azure Cloud Sect can add a Golden Core True Person, our foundation will greatly increase!”

At this moment, everyone in the Azure Cloud Sect was shocked and staring intently at the sky above Caiyun Peak.

After all, this all, this was a High-Tier Golden Core!

Chiyang Peak.

In a magnificent palace.

On an antique-style pavilion, a beautiful woman in her thirties, wearing a cyan Daoist robe with her black hair coiled into a bun, held a book as she gazed at the scene on Caiyun Peak.

“Attempting a High-Tier Golden Core…”

Her jade-like slender hand tightly gripped the book, her face looking somewhat gloomy and displeased.

Another day passed.

The spiritual energy cloud vortex above Caiyun Peak finally reached a ten-mile radius.

But this cloud vortex was unstable, rising and falling, making everyone watching this scene feel their emotions fluctuating along with it.

Who knows how long it lasted.

“Boom!”

The spiritual energy cloud vortex above Caiyun Peak twisted to the extreme, erupting with an astonishingly vast spiritual pressure.

Then the spiritual energy vortex dissipated like a receding tide, leaving only wisps of glowing clouds lingering.

In the heaven and earth, faint sounds of the great Dao echoed, descending upon the top of Caiyun Peak.

“Has the breakthrough succeeded!?”

“Did she form a High-Tier Golden Core!?”

“How would I know, this is my first time observing a Golden Core phenomenon!”

“Looking at this phenomenon, it seems similar to what’s recorded in ancient texts about Golden Core phenomena, but also a bit different.”

Within the Azure Cloud Sect, countless people watched this scene, discussing heatedly.

As the spiritual energy vortex on Caiyun Peak dissipated, the Azure Cloud Sect’s mountain-protecting formation also shifted from full power to normal operation.

After all, no matter what kind of faction’s formation, operating at full power was extremely draining on spiritual energy and difficult to maintain long-term.

“Has she succeeded in breaking through?”

Lu Changsheng watched this scene and let out a long breath, feeling quite emotional.

He had been paying attention to this phenomenon these past days, and he had to say, the Golden Core phenomenon was truly astonishing.

Compared to the Foundation Establishment phenomenon, it was more than a hundred times greater.

It also made him realize how difficult it would be to break through to Golden Core using Second-Tier spiritual veins and other methods to gather spiritual energy.

Especially if one wanted to form a High-Tier Golden Core, the amount of spiritual energy needed was simply astronomical.

Even ordinary Third-Tier spiritual veins might not be stable enough, affecting the chances of Golden Core Formation.

“Golden Core Formation…”

Zhao Qingqing gazed at the clouds above Caiyun Peak, lightly biting her red lips, briefly lost in thought.

Even though she knew she had no hope of forming a Golden Core, nor did she expect to.

Seeing such a phenomenon now, she couldn’t help but feel a trace of longing in her heart.

Lu Changsheng left the Azure Cloud Sect the day after Chu Qingyi’s Golden Core breakthrough.

He had originally planned to stay for only five or six days, but ended up staying for a month.

After returning home, Lu Changsheng told Ling Zixiao and Lu Miaoge why he had been dellyed for so long.

“Golden Core Formation…”

Hearing this, Lu Miaoge’s beautiful eyes cooldn’t help but show some fascination and longing.

Previously, she didn’t dare to hope for Golden Core Formation, considering Foundation Establishment a success!

But now, cultivating the Supreme Kindness Water Technique and forming a perfect Dao Foundation, along with Lu Changsheng’s Taiyi Dao Seed, she at least had the qualification to attempt Golden Core Formation!

“Golden Core? Xiao’s senior sister?”

Hearing this, Ling Zixiao’s expression became somewhat strange as she glanced at Lu Changsheng.

“Does my husband know this True Person Chu?”

She looked at Lu Changsheng and asked.

Lu Changsheng: “???”

What’s with this suspicious expression and tone?

“I happened to meet her once by chance.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t hide anything, explaining that when he first went to Nine Heavens Immortal City, he had just arrived and encountered Fairy Qingyi being chased by the Xiahou family.

“As expected of Lu.”

Ling Zixiao nodded thoughtfully and said.

“Zixiao, what do you mean by that? Just because it’s a female cultivator and I’ve met her once, it must have something to do with me?”

Lu Changsheng said with a righteous air.

Although he had some intimate contact with this True Person Chu.

But a doctor treats patients like parents, he was completely focused on saving her at that time, without any improper thoughts!

“Your wife didn’t say anything like that.”

Ling Zixiao showed an elegant smile, her clear beautiful eyes full of innocence as she spoke.

“Hmph, trying to tease your husband, are you!”

Lu Changsheng put on a fierce expression and directly picked up Ling Zixiao’s voluptuous and graceful body.

Since Ling Zixiao had agreed to have children, he naturally needed to make up for the time he was delayed on this trip.

Afterwards!

“Zixiao, besides spirit source beads and Spirit Eye items, do you know of any other ways to upgrade spiritual veins?”

On the white jade bed, Lu Changsheng held Ling Zixiao, whose body was as soft as silk and whose jade face was still flushed, and asked.

“Besides Spirit Eye items, there’s only the Ocean Pearl, a magical treasure that can nourish spiritual veins.”

“As for others, I’m not very clear. But I’ve heard that in the cultivation world, there are methods to cultivate spiritual veins, using Natural Treasures to nurture them and accelerate their growth.”

“But I don’t know much about this aspect. My husband can ask Senior Hong Lian.”

Ling Zixiao gently caressed her fair and smooth, slightly bulging lower abdomen, speaking softly.

After deciding to have a child with Lu Changsheng, she was increasingly looking forward to pregnancy.

But she also knew that as both she and Lu Changsheng were Foundation Establishment cultivators, getting pregnant wouldn’t be easy.

“Mm, I’ll ask Hong Lian later.”

Lu Changsheng’s hand roamed over the snow-white jade-like skin.

“Is my husband considering Golden Core Formation?”

Ling Zixiao asked softly.

Today, Lu Changsheng mentioned Chu Qingyi’s Golden Core Formation, and now he was asking about spiritual vein cultivation, clearly considering Golden Core Formation.

“That’s right, although I’m still far from Golden Core Formation, I should start considering it.”

Lu Changsheng spoke softly, expressing his concerns.

“When the time comes for my husband to form a Golden Core, you could consider going to the Azure Cloud Sect for the breakthrough.”

Ling Zixiao’s finger, as white as a spring onion, drew circles on Lu Changsheng’s chest as she spoke softly.

“Azure Cloud Sect?”

Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow at her words.

“Yes, my husband once participated in the sect’s entrance examination, and your growth has always been under Cloud Peak’s jurisdiction. Now Bihu Mountain even pays tribute to the Azure Cloud Sect annually.”

“So in the eyes of the Azure Cloud Sect, my husband is considered to have a clear background, half their own. As long as my husband is willing, with your identity and skills, entering the Azure Cloud Sect wouldn’t be difficult.”

Ling Zixiao nestled in his arms and spoke softly, “My husband is concerned about breaking through to Golden Core too early and attracting trouble or others’ covetousness.”

“My husband’s relationship with Xiao is extraordinary. Now her master and senior sister are both Golden Core True Persons, holding significant sway in the Azure Cloud Sect. As long as these two True Persons are willing to help, my husband can safely attempt Golden Core Formation in the Azure Cloud Sect.”

“Moreover, the Azure Cloud Sect also hopes to gain more Golden Core True Persons.”

Ling Zixiao’s voice was soft and unhurried.

“That’s true.”

Lu Changsheng said softly.

In his view, this was barely an option.

But with his lower-Tier spirit root, breaking through to Golden Core in less than a hundred years and forming a High-Tier Golden Core would certainly spread his name far and wide, attracting attention.

Although after breaking through to Golden Core, his strength would be considered Top-Tier in the Jiang Kingdom.

But there were still Nascent Soul True Lords in the cultivation world!

Who knows if a Nascent Soul True Lord might covet his opportunity and inexplicably target him.

After all, if a Nascent Soul cultivator targeted him, that would be troublesome.

So if he had a choice, Lu Changsheng still didn’t want to break through to Golden Core in the outside world, under public view.

The next day, Lu Changsheng originally wanted to ask Hong Lian about spiritual vein cultivation methods.

But the Ancient Beast Taming Talisman was inside Xu Ruoyin.

Currently, Xu Ruoyin was in seclusion, contracting her spirit beast.

He didn’t disturb her, planning to ask after Xu Ruoyin came out of seclusion.

In the following days, Lu Changsheng cultivated at home, made talismans, refined pills, and made babies.

He also let the family’s shop in Red Leaf Valley start selling Second-Tier pills.

Stating they were refined by himself, the Bihu Mountain Lord.

And accepted some pill refining commissions.

This was to formally inform the outside world that he had become a Second-Tier pill refiner.

On this day, in the pill refining room.

Lu Changsheng was instructing and guiding Li Xingruo in pill refining.

Suddenly, he felt a strange palpitation, as if a thread inside him had been snapped.

“This is… the Locking Emotion Gu?”

Lu Changsheng’s heart skipped a beat, his expression slightly tense, vaguely feeling this palpitation came from the emotional threads of the Locking Emotion Gu.