Chapter 454: Qin Yi’s Second Grade Golden Core!

“Bihu Mountain, forty years ago, was seized by Lu Changsheng from the Yu Family, establishing the Bihu Mountain Lu Family.

Qin Yi studied the information about Bihu Mountain on the Jade Slip in her hand.

She noticed that the information about the Lu Family’s eldest son, Lu Ping’an, was brief, so she inquired, ‘Senior brother, do you have detailed information about Lu Ping’an from Bihu Mountain?’

“Lu Ping’an from Bihu Mountain? Please wait a moment, junior sister.

Moments later, a disciple from Tianwang Pavilion handed over a Jade Slip with information.

The slip only contained basic details—appearance, identity, and current combat power—about Lu Ping’an.

As for his life experiences, only the defeat of the Tao Family’s patriarch and the Sima Family’s patriarch were noted.

“So, it really is him.

Qin Yi was slightly stunned when she saw the tall, robust young man with a steadfast and rugged appearance in the Jade Slip. She softly bit her lips.

Years ago, she parted ways with Lu Ping’an and embarked on a journey to the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Looking back now, she realized how bold and reckless she had been.

At the Qi Refining fourth layer, she dared to travel alone from the Qingyun Region to the Heavenly Sword Sect to seek a master.

Had Lu Ping’an not given her a stack of talismans and three bottles of pills before their parting, she likely would have died before making it halfway.

Even so, she was lucky enough to meet an elder from the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Otherwise, getting accepted into the Heavenly Sword Sect would have been nearly impossible.

He not only managed to start cultivating but has grown to such a level.

It seems he must have some hidden Spirit Root or even a Spirit Body that wasn’t apparent back then, which prevented him from cultivating.

Qin Yi, looking at the image of Lu Ping’an on the Jade Slip, whispered to herself with a sense of relief and contentment.

After they parted ways back then, she felt an emptiness deep in her heart, wanting to find Lu Ping’an.

But they had no way to contact each other.

Moreover, in her youth, she was determined to find a way for him to cultivate as a mortal.

But when she arrived at the Heavenly Sword Sect and gradually learned about cultivation, she realized the heavy meaning of the phrase ‘the difference between immortals and mortals’.

Indeed, treasures that can grant Spirit Roots to mortals exist in the cultivation world.

But such treasures are extremely rare.

Even Golden Core stage and Nascent Soul True Lords may not have them!

Still, she did not give up.

After breaking through Foundation Establishment, she traveled outside the sect, exterminating demons and seeking information on such matters.

But twenty years passed, and she found nothing.

To her surprise, as soon as she returned to the sect, she heard Lu Ping’an had embarked on cultivation and grown to such an extent.

Her heart was filled with relief and joy, feeling as light as a feather.

“So, back then, in the Purple Secrets Realm, that was him!

At this moment, Qin Yi’s delicate eyebrows slightly arched as she recalled the ‘Anping’ she met in the Purple Secrets Realm.

At that time, her instincts told her that person was Lu Ping’an.

But he didn’t admit it, and the idea of a mortal cultivating seemed so outlandish that she had doubts.

Now, seeing Lu Ping’an had started his cultivation, without the quasi-Third-Tier Body Tempering back then, she was certain.

“Why didn’t he reveal himself to me?

Qin Yi frowned slightly, clutching the Jade Slip tightly.

“It’s because he was disguising his identity to enter the Purple Secrets Realm, showing he didn’t want to expose himself.

And judging by his appearance, he has been hiding his true strength.

Qin Yi pondered about Lu Ping’an’s situation.

She guessed that his talent most likely awakened later, leading the family to keep him concealed.

After all, in family powers, this kind of situation is common.

When a small family produces a top talent, they don’t dare reveal it until the person matures, lest they be exterminated by other families.

But why didn’t he send a single letter afterward!

Qin Yi bit her lips lightly, lost in thought.

If ‘Anping’ was indeed Lu Ping’an, she clearly told him she was at the Heavenly Sword Sect, so why didn’t he send even one letter?

She didn’t think further, preparing to head to Bihu Mountain to see Lu Ping’an and get the answers she needed!

After all these years, the regrets of youth had become deeply ingrained.

Memories of their separation, guilt, and emotions had fermented for decades, and those early dreams now became an obsession in her heart.

After registering at the Recording Palace, Qin Yi suddenly paused, then turned toward the letter house, took out her identity Jade Token, and asked, ‘May I ask, do I have any letters?’

A Qi Refining attendant verified the token and then found a stack of letters in a corner, asking, ‘Aunt-Master, are these your letters?’

Qin Yi looked at the sender’s names on the letters, slightly dazed as she held the stack of over ten letters, her expression distant.

Her previously expressionless face suddenly softened into a smile, followed by a wry grin as she took the letters and left the letter house.

She quickly returned to her dust-covered Cave Dwelling, didn’t even use the Cleanse skill, and eagerly opened the letters to read the contents.

“???”

But when she saw the contents of the letters, she froze, her face full of bewilderment.

Misty Rain Market.

“Bihu Mountain Lord Lu Changsheng has fallen in the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm.

“Am I a widow before I’ve even married?

A woman, around twenty-eight or twenty-nine, with a pretty face and wearing a light blue dress, heard a passing rumor and looked somewhat incredulous.

Before, when the Sima Family sent people to Misty Rain Market to hold them accountable, she decisively went to Bihu Mountain to seek aid and agreed to become the concubine of Bihu Mountain Lord, hoping they would help.

But who would have thought, before the marriage could even happen, this Lu Mountain Lord would die in the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm.

“Sister, with Lu Changsheng’s death in the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm, the Sima Family may take the opportunity to provoke and test Bihu Mountain.

“And if we align with Bihu Mountain, we might become targets of the Sima Family. I should go to Bihu Mountain.

After pondering a moment, Yu Fei spoke to her older sister.

“But now that this Lu Changsheng has fallen, will Bihu Mountain even be willing to act?

Yan Lan’s eyes held some worry as she spoke.

Though Bihu Mountain has Lu Ping’an and Lu Wangshu as pillars of support,

Without Lu Changsheng, the Lu Family’s patriarch and a Third-Tier Talisman Master, Bihu Mountain is down one Top-Tier False Core combatant, making them no match for the Sima Family of Xuanwu Ridge.

Under such circumstances, how could they fight the Sima Family for us, the Misty Rain Market?

“Though my marriage with Lu Changsheng has not yet been finalized, it is nominally established that I’m his concubine, so I don’t think Bihu Mountain will ignore us. If they do, how will their other allies view them?

Moreover, Bihu Mountain and Xuanwu Ridge are already mortal enemies, destined to fight to the death. Ignoring this, would weaken their own position.

Yu Fei explained.

The benefits we offer as a vassal don’t justify Bihu Mountain opposing the Sima Family,

But with the two families already being enemies, Bihu Mountain ignoring us would only weaken themselves.

“Feifei, it must be hard on you.

Yan Lan sighed at her sister’s words.

She had opposed her sister’s decision to marry Lu Changsheng, feeling it would be unfair to her.

And now that Lu Changsheng is missing, her sister is left with the unwanted title of a widow before the marriage even took place.

“There’s nothing to be sad about.

Yu Fei laughed lightly, not caring at all.

She didn’t feel much about Lu Changsheng’s death.

After all, she had only met the patriarch a few times.

Although Lu Changsheng was a strikingly handsome man and a rare beauty, and she was willing to marry him, it wasn’t love at first sight; she wasn’t devastated by the news of his death.

Besides, her decision to marry him was driven by her own interests.

Now that Lu Changsheng is dead, though she lost some benefits, it isn’t a huge loss.

Yu Fei hugged her sister around the waist, their bodies close like snakes as she whispered, “It’s just a title, sister. It doesn’t change anything.

Besides, didn’t you not want me to marry anyone else?

She playfully rubbed against her sister’s body and kissed her, breathing heavily as she bit Yan Lan’s red ear gently.

“Feifei.

Yan Lan’s cheeks flushed, her legs weakened, and she passionately kissed her sister’s lips.

Lu Changsheng, unaware of what was happening outside,

Was still fully focused on helping Chu Qingyi form her Golden Core.

With Chu Qingyi mastering the Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Manual, and with the help of the Yin-Yang Creation Sutra, the two streams of Spiritual Energy fused perfectly, making it much easier for her to form a Golden Core.

Although a first-Tier Golden Core was still challenging,

Achieving a High-Tier Golden Core was almost certain.

Time passed, bit by bit.

The Heaven’s Yuan Imperial Lotus’ spiritual energy surged like a funnel, pouring into Lu Changsheng’s body.

At first, the spiritual energy in the Cave Heaven seemed endless, thick like water.

But as this continued, it grew noticeably thinner.

After all, the Heaven’s Yuan Imperial Lotus didn’t have spiritual veins.

All the spiritual energy came from the accumulation of thousands of years inside the Heaven’s Yuan Imperial Lotus.

Even though the spiritual energy had thinned, it was still thick enough to support Chu Qingyi’s breakthrough to the Golden Core.

No one knew how much time passed.

“Buzz—

In Chu Qingyi’s Qi Sea dantian, a small, radiant Golden Core, tinged with a faint seven-colored glow, released endless divine light, breaking out of the Sun and Moon furnace and slowly rotating above her Dao Foundation jade plate.

“Rumble—

The Dao Foundation trembled, emanating boundless light, reflecting against the Golden Core.

Then, a small Yin-Yang fish entered Chu Qingyi’s Qi Sea dantian, swimming around the glowing seven-colored Golden Core as if carving into it.

As the Yin-Yang fish swam, strands of Yin-Yang Dual Qi spread like mist, as if the aura of the Dao itself flowed, causing colorful lines to gradually appear on Chu Qingyi’s Golden Core.

“This—

Chu Qingyi was startled, not knowing what method Lu Changsheng used to make her Golden Core suddenly feel more refined.

But then, her mind drifted.

She seemed to see, after forming her Golden Core, herself returning with Lu Changsheng, her junior sister Xiao Xiyue heartbroken to learn about her relationship with Lu Changsheng.

And the disappointed look Master had when Lu Changsheng proposed to her.

“Heart demon.

Chu Qingyi had previously attempted breaking through to the Golden Core, and knew this to be a heart demon illusion.

Her Sword Heart bore clarity, so these delusions shouldn’t have arisen.

But since these days, she had uncertainties about how to handle her situation with Lu Changsheng, and her anxieties and worries had accumulated deep in her heart, now surging forth.

“Break!

Her Sword Heart was innate, her Sword Dao technique was honed, and she had experience forming a Golden Core. In an instant, her Divine Soul shattered the heart demon’s illusion.

But as she opened her beautiful eyes and looked at the handsome Lu Changsheng before her, her feelings grew more complicated.

Easier to conquer an external enemy than the enemies within the heart.

Even though her Dao Heart was steadfast, she found herself troubled by her current state.

Lu Changsheng noticed Chu Qingyi glance at him and, with a fatigued expression, smiled softly and said gently, ‘Calm your mind.

“Mm.

Chu Qingyi softly responded, focusing on settling her Golden Core.

Ordinarily, forming a Golden Core requires a hundred days of stabilization.

But since this was Chu Qingyi’s second time forming a Golden Core, with a deep foundation, plus the help of a Nascent Soul True Lord’s essence and Lu Changsheng’s assistance, it wouldn’t take that long.

On that day, Chu Qingyi’s Golden Core and Dao Foundation merged in a profound resonance, and then the mysterious sounds of the Dao rang out as boundless light from the Golden Core bathed her body.

In that moment, her life-bound Magical Sword faintly emitted a sound of joy.

“It’s still lacking somewhat, but a Second-Tier Golden Core is acceptable, and there’s room for improvement in the future!

Seeing Chu Qingyi complete her Golden Core formation, Lu Changsheng let out a long breath, his face full of joy.

They say saving a life earns more merit than building a seven-story pagoda!

Having successfully saved Chu Qingyi from the brink of death and helped her form a Second-Tier Golden Core, Lu Changsheng felt a deep sense of accomplishment.

Moreover, helping Chu Qingyi form her Golden Core gave him a new insight into the process.

In the future, when Lu Miaoge, Xiao Xiyue, or Linn Zixiao form their own Golden Cores, he can use this method to help them, greatly improving their chances and quality of core formation.

However, it won’t be as easy for them to form High-Tier Golden Cores as it was for Chu Qingyi.

After all, Chu Qingyi’s success was largely thanks to the Nascent Soul True Lord’s essence.

While True Lord Tianyuan claimed it was only a small amount of essence,

For a Golden Core stage cultivator, even a small portion can be vast and overwhelming.

This essence not only healed Chu Qingyi’s meridians and flesh, allowing her to form a Second-Tier Golden Core, but it also boosted Lu Changsheng’s cultivation from mid to late Golden Core Formation.

Just one more step, and he could break through to the fourth layer of Golden Core Formation.

“If I refine all this Nascent Soul essence, I might even break through to the fifth or sixth layers.

Lu Changsheng thought to himself.

Before, when he transferred the Nascent Soul essence into Chu Qingyi’s meridians and dantian, a lot of essence was wasted.

But he didn’t feel too bad about it.

You have to lose some to gain some.

After all, how can you catch a tiger cub without entering its lair?

Hmm, considering Fairy Qingyi’s flawless white skin, perhaps calling it a ‘tiger lair’ isn’t too much of an exaggeration.

“Thank you, Daoist Lu.

At that moment, Chu Qingyi slowly opened her clear, beautiful eyes and softly thanked Lu Changsheng, still unsure of how to face him.

“Heh, congratulations to my dear Qingyi for forming a High-Tier Golden Core.

Lu Changsheng, with a familiar air, wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her delicate, flawless face gently.

“…

Chu Qingyi frowned slightly, unsure of how to engage in the conversation with Lu Changsheng.

It felt too close, making her fear he would take it too far, causing embarrassment,

But, if she acted distant, it might come across as cold.

“Qingyi, you’ve just broken through to Golden Core. You need to properly stabilize your realm.

Seeing that Chu Qingyi was still feeling uneasy,

Lu Changsheng knew he couldn’t push her too hard and needed to give her time.

“Smooch!

Lu Changsheng got up, put on his robe, and prepared to explore the Cave Heaven.

After all, before his death, True Lord Tianyuan mentioned there were still some Natural Treasures.