Chapter 630: The Supreme State of Nature, The Pinnacle of This Realm

“Hmm!”

Lu Miaoge lightly pressed herrred lips, her clear eyes glowing with a bright and resolute light.

She didn’t immediately activate her cultivation technique, instead calming herself, letting her mind drift over the more than hundred years of her life.

In her youth, influenced by her family and guided by her father, she vowed to become a great Foundation Establishment cultivator. After beginning her cultivation journey, she came into contact with Talisman Making, and was praised by the Fourth Elder for her exceptional talent, being told she had a bright future. Her father was overjoyed upon hearing this, placing great expectations on her.

For her first twenty years, it could be said she grew steadily, nurtured by her family’s guidance.

Until her brother-in-law, Lu Changsheng, entered her life, which began to alter her destiny. Though she had long been aware of Lu Changsheng’s early affections, she had been solely focused on her cultivation, without any romantic feelings for him.

Over time, as the two spent more time discussing talisman making, a certain bond developed. However, she regarded him more as a younger brother and treated him as such.

That was until they encountered a life-threatening disaster, nearly losing their lives in the Abyss of Death. Lu Changsheng used the Dual Cultivation Secret Method to save her, which completely changed the nature of their relationship. Reflecting on their over eighty years together, Lu Miaoge still found it all reamlike.

Her goals from back then had long been accomplished.

Now, she was about to take a step into the once-distant Golden Core Formation!

The image of her father, her blurry-faced mother, and the various elder relatives appeared in her mind, seemingly full of anticipation.

“Sister Miaoge, this is only the beginning. In the future, we’ll continue walking together, stepping into the realms of the Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Divine Transformation!”

The decades of Lu Changsheng’s help, care, and even favoritism flooded her heart.

Even if she had been gradually left behind, unable to assist him effectively anymore, she still did her best to support the family’s rear. When the time came for him to attack Nascent Soul, she would help increase his success rate!

“The Supreme Kindness Water that benefits all things without contention. None in the world can compete with it.”

Lu Miaoge began to circulate he Supreme Kindness Water Technique.

Seeing this, Lu Changsheng activated the Taiyi Dao Seed Technique, creating a mystical resonance between them.

When Lu Miaoge’s essence, spirit, nd energy, along with her Spiritual Energy, reached their peak, the two opened their eyes, exchanging soft, tender glances.

After over eighty years as husband and wife, no words were needed—just one look was enough.

The two embraced tightly as the Sun and Moon Reincarnation Sutra activated.

This cultivation technique aided in breakthroughs from the Foundation Establishment to Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Divine Transformation realms.

Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge had long perfected his technique, which was incredibly harmonious between them. Currently, Lu Changsheng was at the late-stage Golden Core with a Nascent Soul-level Divine Soul, which elevated his help to Lu Miaoge far beyond any Golddn-Core-grade spiritual material! In that moment, within the cave dwelling, the sun and moon spun, and a beautiful symphony of life unfolded.

After a long duration, Lu Miaoge’s immortal skin anddflawless bones shone with an ethereal glow, as waves of energy and Spiritual Energy coursed through her. In her Qi Sea Dantian, the Taiyi Dao Seed and the Supreme Kindness Water Dao Foundation merged, releasing magnificent rays of light.

The disturbance caused by this was even greater than that of Meng Xiaochan and Xiao Xiyue when they broke through to the Golden Core.

This wasn’t because Lu Miaoge’s foundation was sttonger than Meng Xiaochan or Xiao Xiyue, but because Lu Changsheng’s foundation was overwhelmingly powerful.

The Taiyi Dao Seed’s assistance to Lu Miaoge was far beyond whattLu Changsheng even anticipated.

Or rather, Lu Changsheng had underestimated its power!

In the Sumeru Cave Heaven, the essence of heaven and earth rained down like mist, converging toward Lu Miaoge..

The starting point was too high, causing the essence of heaven and earth to become too intense. Lu Changsheng immediately signaled to Sumeru to slow the incoming energy.

Lu Miaoge hadn’t undergone Booy Tempering. While her body had been washed over for years, making it comparable to a second-tier body cultivator, she couldn’t endure the impact like Lu Changsheng.

During this time, Lu Changsheng quietly observed her breakthrough, guarding her carefully.

Judging the time, he crushed a talisman, signaling to Ling Zixiao in Immortal City of Da Mengze that the Golden Core phenomenon they had prepared could begin.

At the same time.

In Yue Kingdom, at the Golden Sun Sect.

“Whoosh, whoosh—”

Suddenly, the color of the sky at Tianyuan Peak changed drastically.

Countless amounts of Spiritual Energy, like rolling tides, surged toward Tianyuan Peak, forming a massive whirlpool of energy. The forces were tremendous.

“What’s happening?”

“Could it be Senior Brother Qingshan at Tianyuan Peak?”

“Senior Brother Qingshan is attempting to reach the Golden Core? I thought he only just broke through to the ninth level of Foundation Establishment not long ago?”

“Senior Brother Qingshan made great contributions on the front lines recently, so the sect rewarded him with a Condensing Crystal Pill and top-tier Golden Core materials, allowing him to directly tackle Golden Core Formation!”

“Golden Core Formation… I didn’t expect Senior Brother Qingshan to begin already. I wonder what grade of Golden Core he’ll achieve, maybe a High-Tier Golden Core?”

“With Senior Brother Qingshan’s talent, he’ll definitely form a High-Tier Golden Core. But this is happening so fast. It seems like his foundation might become unstable.”

“No, you don’t understand. Lu Qingshan’s path in Sword Dao emphasizes ‘Invincible Self, Moving Forward Unstoppably.’ Hesitation before forming his Golden Core could harm his mindset.”

Tianyuan Peak was considered unique within the Golden Sun Sect. Apart from Immortal Tian Yuan, it was home to only Lu Qingshan and his sister, Lu Qingzhu.

Since a Golden Core phenomenon appeared at Tianyuan Peak, the sect’s disciples and cultivators quickly guessed that it was Lu Qingshan attempting to reach Golden Core.

With Lu Qingshan’s fame, he was known throughout the sect. Many disciples emerged from their cave dwellings, gazing toward Tianyuan Peak with murmured discussions.

They could see that the whirlpool of heaven and earth energy was extraordinarily fierce, expanding like a funnel-shaped tornado, swirling with faint rays of light.

“Such astonishing phenomena!”

Even a few elders and the sect leader stationed within the sect observed Tianyuan Peak with amazement.

Especially the Golden Sun Sect Leader, whose face glowed with joy upon witnessing it.

In the bitter war with Liangyue over the years, the Golden Sun Sect had suffered heavy casualties.

Though two new Golden Core cultivators had been quickly trained to bolster the sect’s top ranks, their impact was limited.

But Lu Qingshan was different! Ever since Foundation Establishment, he had been invincible at his level and had even killed a False Core cultivator. His strength was astonishing! If he broke through to Golden Core, he would surely be unrivaled at his level, contributing greatly to the front lines on behalf of the Golden Sun Sect.

Additionally, True Lord Hunyuan and True Lord Ziguang had drawn up a list of candidates for focused cultivation!

Lu Qingshan was on that list.

As long as he performed well, achieving Nascent Soul in the future was highly possible. Reaching the late stage of Golden Core was almost a certainty!

With Lu Qingshan’s talent in Sword Dao, once he reached the late stage of Golden Core, he would be one of the top experts beneath the Nascent Soul stage. He’d be the sect’s pillar in gaining fourth-tier spiritual lands and resources for Nascent Soul formation!

As more time passed, the whirlwind of energy on Tianyuan Peak expanded over ten miles in radius.

This phenomenon signified a High-Tier Golden Core!

“A High-Tier Golden Core, Senior Brother Qingshan is really forming a High-Tier Golden Core!”

“With his ability, forming a High-Tier Golden Core seems only natural.”

Given Lu Qingshan’s past achievements, the observing Golden Sun Sect cultivators were both amazed and unsurprised at the same time.

However, as the Golden Core phenomenon escalated without any sign of slowing down, everyone was stunned.

“Could he be attempting an Immortal Golden Core!?”

While third-grade and second-grade Golden Cores were rare but acceptable, a first-grade Golden Core, known as an Immortal Golden Core, was something far more profound. It represented the peak achievement of Golden Core Formation!

If Lu Qingshan had accumulated decades of experience, the hope for an Immortal Golden Core might have been reasonable, but this was far too fast!

“This…”

Even the sect leader was shocked.

Although Immortal Tian Yuan had told him about Lu Qingshan’s situation, and he had spoken with Lu Qingshan himself, he knew that the latter’s chance of forming an Immortal Golden Core was at most one or two percent.

But now, it seemed impossible that he was directly aiming for an Immortal Golden Core!

“If he faltered and couldn’t sustain his momentum, wouldn’t he…”

For a cultivator striving for Golden Core Formation, the worst fear was using too much force too quickly, leading to insufficient energy and an unstable core.

Thinking of Lu Qingshan’s typically decisive nature, the sect leader was filled with worry.

After contemplating briefly, he called for the sect’s array master and activated the formation on Tianyuan Peak to stabilize the heaven-and-earth energy around it while veiling the phenomenon.

On one hand, this was to prevent distractions from interrupting Lu Qingshan’s breakthrough.

On the other, whether success or failure, a phenomenon of this scale had consequences, so it was better to obscure it. The core members of the sect would know, and that was enough.

The idle sect leader decided to oversee Tianyuan Peak personally.

Ten days later.

“Boom!”

The whirlpool of energy on Tianyuan Peak dispersed, while the sound of a grand symphony echoed, accompanied by rays of sunlight and clouds swirling.

Even though the phenomenon was hidden by the formation, the sect’s Golden Core cultivators could still gauge what was happening.

They knew it was indeed a High-Tier Golden Core, and their hearts were filled with envy and bitter awe.

“Excellent! Excellent! Just perfect!”

The Golden Sun Sect Leader, seated at Tianyuan Peak, was flushed with excitement, cheering proudly.

Though he couldn’t be sure if it was an Immortal Golden Core, this phenomenon at least indicated a second-grade Golden Core! With such quality, True Lord Hunyuan and True Lord Ziguang would surely prioritize resources for Lu Qingshan!

The sect leader remained patiently at Tianyuan Peak, awaiting Lu Qingshan’s emergence.

As the sect leader, he had to deal with major sect affairs, coordinate with other sects, and bolster the sect’s unity and culture.

For disciples or elders as talented as Lu Qingshan, greater attention was necessary to foster their loyalty toward the sect.

In his secluded chamber, Lu Qingshan sensed the waiting sect leader outside.

After consolidating his newfound cultivation level, Lu Qingshan excitedly stepped out of his cave dwelling.

An Immortal Golden Core. Even without external factors, merely by relying on his efforts, Lu Qingshan now had a thirty percent chance of reaching Nascent Soul!

“Too bad I can’t head home and show off.”

Thinking of his father’s achievement of slaying Tu Yuan with one sword strike, Lu Qingshan suddenly felt nothing special about his Immortal Golden Core. It wasn’t worth showing off.

“Qingshan, congratulations on your Golden Core!”

Seeing him, the Golden Sun Sect Leader immediately stepped forward to offer his congratulations, presenting a personally prepared gift box.

“Thank you, Sect Leader!”

Even though the sect leader had always treated him favorably, Lu Qingshan still sensed a discernible shift in the way he was perceived.

From this moment on, they stood as equals.

“Qingshan, did you form an Immortal Golden Core?”

The sect leader couldn’t hide his anticipation as he questioned him.

“When I form a Golden Core, it is the finest in the world, the pinnacle of this realm.”

Lu Qingshan’s sharp brows and starry eyes carried a calm expression as he spoke.

As he spoke, a majestic and imposing Sword Intent surged to the sky, stirring the heavens, and filling Tianyuan Peak with intangible sword energy. Leaves fluttered down, rustling in the wind.

“Excellent! Excellent! Absolutely excellent!”

The Golden Sun Sect Leader didn’t mind the arrogance in his tone.

After all, Lu Qingshan had earned the right to speak like that.

An Immortal Golden Core was indeed the pinnacle of this realm!

If he had reached Golden Core at the age of seventy or eighty, the sect leader might have been even more boastful than Lu Qingshan!

“Sect Leader, with my breakthrough, my current flying swords have become insufficient. Does the sect have any third-tier flying swords?”

Lu Qingshan, having finished his brief moment of arrogance, spoke solemnly.

Unlike others, he used eight flying swords.

Apart from the Zhoutian Xingdou Sword Embryo, the other seven flying swords had become too hard to maintain. Now that he had broken through, he needed to acquire new ones through other means.

“The sect does have third-tier flying swords, but only three that you can use. If needed, I can approve them for you, or ask an equipment refiner to forge some for you. However, according to sect rules for newly promoted Golden Core cultivators…”

The Golden Sun Sect Leader knew Lu Qingshan had received a top-tier sword Dao inheritance, and typically used a Sword Formation consisting of seven flying swords aside from his magical treasure’s embryo.

However, the Golden Sun Sect wasn’t a pure sword-cultivating sect, and didn’t have an abundance of third-tier swords.

Moreover, the sect’s rules indicated that newly promoted Golden Core cultivators could choose one or two magical treasures.

Lu Qingshan couldn’t receive all seven swords at once and needed to follow the standard process.

Still, given the current circumstances, the sect leader was willing to bend the rules for him, approving the swords in advance and deducting the cost from his future contributions later.

“Thank you, Sect Leader!”

Lu Qingshan bowed in gratitude.

He had based his cultivation on the Great Metal Sword Technique and incorporated various sword techniques into his own unique style.

Many aspects of the Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Manual had been merged into his own sword techniques.

The way he wielded seven flying swords and deployed a sword formation was his simplified version of the Seven Luminaries Star Sword Formation.

Now that he had broken through to Golden Core, once he crafted the Seven Luminaries Star Swords, he’d be able to unleash the full power of the sword formation and remain undefeated at his level, even capable of slaying stronger foes!

“Qingshan, when do you plan to hold your Golden Core ceremony?”

The sect leader smiled and asked.

“With the ongoing battles on the front lines, what’s the point of a ceremony now? Once my foundation is stable, and my techniques are perfected, I’ll slay three or five Golden Core cultivators, and then the world will know of my breakthrough! That will be the time to celebrate.”

Lu Qingshan’s words were filled with a supreme confidence and an incomparable, invincible aura! He wasn’t just boasting.

Deep inside, he believed that once his techniques and treasures matured, though he couldn’t yet match his father’s ability to defeat Golden Core cultivators with one sword, he could still slay them with his Sword Formation!

The Golden Sun Sect Leader was deeply influenced by Lu Qingshan’s confidence.

Here was someone with a truly invincible heart! With that mindset, nothing could stop him from moving forward. Even gods and immortals would be slain by his sword!

“It must be this mindset, this Sword Intent, that allowed him to break through so easily and achieve an Immortal Golden Core,” the sect leader thought with admiration.

In his youth, he had been considered a top-tier talent with undeniable sharpness, but even he hadn’t been able to compare with Lu Qingshan’s ambition.

“Good. Spend the next few days cultivating the Divine Abilities and techniques of the sect to stabilize your foundation. I’ll ask Junior Brother Ou to craft your flying swords soon!”

The sect leader nodded, speaking approvingly.

“Thank you, Sect Leader. I will never forget the sect’s gracious cultivation.”

Though Lu Qingshan’s sense of attachment to the sect hadn’t been particularly strong.

Still, over the decades, the sect hadn’t mistreated him. He would repay that kindness in full.

“You’ve now formed your Golden Core and become a sect elder. You’ll need to participate in the elder rites. Inform me once you’re finished with your seclusion.”

Since attachment to the sect wasn’t mandatory, the sect didn’t demand life-and-death loyalty from its disciples. They only asked that disciples remember the sect’s kindness.

Therefore, when recruiting disciples, sects often considered both talent and character.

The way Lu Qingshan cared for his sister, Lu Qingzhu, made it clear he was loyal and just.

“Understood.”

Lu Qingshan nodded and returned to his seclusion to continue cultivating.

As for going to Jiang Kingdom to fetch his sister, Lu Qingzhu, there was no rush for that.

His sister had only returned home two and a half years ago. Rushing to fetch her just after breaking through would only get him scolded. His aunt and mother might say nothing, but his father, with his usual temper, would likely chase him away.

“Wait, I remember my relationship with Father always being at odds. Maybe if I go home, he’ll end up leaving.”

Recalling the times he’d returned home only to find his father away on his travels, Lu Qingshan smiled wryly.

Meanwhile, in the Hunyuan Sect, at Wujifeng.

“Junior Sister, congratulations on your Golden Core breakthrough!”

Lü Muping immediately stepped forward to offer his congratulations when he saw his junior sister emerge from her cave dwelling.

Filled with joy over her success, he felt his efforts had been worthwhile, not failing his master’s expectations in cultivating her.

“Thank you, Senior Brother.”

Shen Yu’s mood was excellent as she smiled warmly, thanking her senior brother.

Though, with the inheritance from her father and the Condensing Crystal Pill, she likely could have broken through to Golden Core on her own.

Without her senior brother giving her the Five Elements Spirit Fruit, how could she have achieved a fourth-grade Golden Core?!

A fourth-grade Golden Core exceeded countless others, making her one of the standouts within the Golden Core realm!

Her senior brother, Lü Muping, had only managed to form a fifth-grade Golden Core himself.

As for a High-Tier Golden Core, it sounded easy, but how many within the Yue Kingdom’s cultivation world had formed one?

Even within the Hunyuan Sect, those with High-Tier Golden Cores were extremely rare.

But then she thought of her father, who had been a top-tier cultivator, having condensed a High-Tier Golden Core. Her heart grew heavy with sorrow.

“Father, don’t worry. Once I have the ability, I’ll definitely avenge you. Please watch over your daughter.”

Shen Yu muttered as she and Lü Muping visited her father’s grave to pay their respects.

Beside her, Lü Muping stared at the tombstone, then glanced at his now slightly more ethereal junior sister with a complex mixture of satisfaction and reluctance.

Months later, when Shen Yu exited her seclusion, she learned some news: her senior brother Lü Muping had committed a grave mistake and been sent to the front lines to atone.

“Senior Brother, don’t worry. I’ll never forget you.”

Hearing the news, Shen Yu murmured softly to herself.

Although her senior brother was now a Golden Core cultivator, he was still in the early stages. Obtaining the Five Elements Spirit Fruit would not have been easy for him.

She speculated inwardly where that spirit fruit had come from.