Chapter 473: Chapter 458: Seclusion for Core Formation!
Cultivation for core formation consists of three steps.
The first step is Condensing Pill: condense the virtual into reality, transform liquid into pill, compress and refine the entire magical true essence into a small Golden Core about the size of an egg.
Nearly 80% of cultivators find it difficult to complete this step during their first attempt at core formation.
If one can complete the first step "Condensing Pill," they can proceed to the second step "He Pill."
"He Pill" refers to allowing the divine soul located in the Purple Mansion Divine Court to descend into the lower Dantian Qi Sea and merge with the substantial Golden Core, using the refining power of the Golden Core to transform the divine soul into the Golden Core Primordial Spirit.
This step is difficult; among cultivators who complete the "Condensing Pill" step, the success rate for this step is scarcely even one-fifth.
However, according to the experience of elder cultivators, the purer the magical power and the stronger the divine soul before core formation, the more advantageous one is in this step "He Pill", with a significantly higher success rate compared to other cultivators.
If a cultivator can complete both the "Condensing Pill" and "He Pill" steps consecutively, they can then proceed to the third and final step "Forming Core."
"Forming Core" is the creation of the Golden Core: when the divine soul successfully transforms into the Golden Core Primordial Spirit and merges with the Golden Core, it will lead to a strange transformation, drawing in spiritual qi from miles around to form the Core Formation Celestial Phenomenon.
Despite being the final step, it is, in terms of difficulty, the easiest to complete.
As long as the cultivators prepare in advance, find a Spiritual Mountain Cave Mansion for seclusion, and secure cultivators to act as guardians to ensure they are not disturbed when the Core Formation Celestial Phenomenon appears, failure is generally not a concern.
Zhouyang studied and researched several experiences and insights from elder cultivators regarding core formation for half a year in the cave mansion of his Dao Companion, Xiao Ying, before renting a Tier Five Cave Mansion for formal secluded core formation.
The rent for a Tier Five Cave Mansion is as high as eight thousand low-grade Spirit Stones per year; Zhouyang renting this grade of cave mansion for seclusion clearly showed he harbored a bit of hope for success.
Unfortunately, this hope was cruelly shattered by reality.
After more than a year in secluded cultivation, he still hadn’t completed the first step "Condensing Pill," resulting in his first attempt at core formation ending in failure.
The failure of core formation dealt a significant impact to Zhouyang’s dantian, requiring almost two years for recovery to prevent it from affecting his regular magical combat.
However, it will be at least a decade before he can attempt "Condensing Pill" again.
This is because his first "Condensing Pill" process did not last long, so the resulting impact from failure wasn’t too severe.
Conversely, those who complete the "Condensing Pill" step but fail at the second step "He Pill," will suffer a major impact when their substantial Golden Core disperses back into liquid form and fills the dantian. Without several decades of recuperation, it’s impossible to fully restore the damaged dantian.
The failure of his first core formation allowed Zhouyang to fully experience the difficulty of core formation, forcing him to reassess his core formation plans and prepare for the worst.
Initially, he thought that after one attempt, he could use the spiritual objects at hand to push through to the Golden Core Stage.
But now, he feels he must at least complete the step "Condensing Pill" on his own before employing those spiritual objects to maximize his chances.
Having failed at core formation, staying in the Tier Five Cave Mansion was no longer necessary, so Zhouyang returned the mansion and moved back in with his Dao Companion Xiao Ying, while starting to consider leaving Haoyang Immortal City.
The matter of Zhou Guangxiang requires his personal attention to alleviate concerns, and Xu Song, that old ghost, keeps murmuring in his ear to fulfill his past promise to release him to cultivate in "Fallen Demon Valley."
Of course, the primary reason is his Dao Companion Xiao Ying repeatedly brings up the matter of leaving, and as her Dao Companion, he must respect her opinions.
But plans never keep up with changes; just when Zhouyang agreed to leave, Golden Core Stage Cultivator Zhao Hao suddenly arrived without invitation to visit him personally.
"It is an honor for Elder Zhao to visit, truly bringing glory to this humble abode. Please, come in quickly. Ying’er, please serve Elder Zhao the finest Spirit Tea."
Outside the cave mansion, upon seeing Zhao Hao, Zhouyang’s pupils narrowed, and various thoughts emerged in his mind as he immediately speculated on the visitor’s intentions.
The saying goes, three treasure halls are not entered for no reason, and Zhao Hao, a Golden Core Stage Cultivator, suddenly visiting him without invitation at this time is inherently strange, not to mention that Cyan Origin Sword Sect has been inviting him as a "substitute fighter."
Despite various speculations surfacing in his mind, his manners showed no hint of negligence, naturally extending his hand to invite the guest to sit in the cave mansion and asking his Dao Companion Xiao Ying to serve tea.
Xiao Ying is not a fool either; upon seeing Zhao Hao at their door, her heart skipped a beat, and her face changed drastically.
But faced with Zhao Hao, the Golden Core Stage Cultivator, even with thousands of reluctances inside, she couldn’t directly turn away guests like she did with Jin Qu at the door, and instead unwillingly went to prepare the tea.
After a moment, she prepared the tea and brought it up, standing directly behind Zhouyang like a maid, with no intention of retreating.
This was her final stubbornness!
"Is this Fellow Daoist Zhou’s Dao Companion then? She truly is a national beauty, a celestial mien, just like Fellow Daoist, both are dragons and phoenixes among men!"
Zhao Hao seemed as if he hadn’t noticed the displeasure on Xiao Ying’s pretty face, lightly picked up the tea cup after sitting down, took a small sip, and smilingly praised the hostess first.
Unfortunately, this tactic didn’t work on Xiao Ying. Her straightforward nature meant that since she knew Zhao Hao’s visit was with ill intentions, she was highly vigilant and resistant towards him and wouldn’t relax in the least due to a single compliment.
She stiffened her face, slightly bowed, and said without emotion, "I dare not accept such praise with my humble appearance. Getting to serve my husband is a blessing acquired from my past life cultivation; this life only wishes to grow old with him, live and die together!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Hao shook his head and said, "Fairy Xiao speaks in error!"
"We cultivators pursue immortality and freedom in the great Dao!"
"Such immortal lovers as Fairy Xiao and Fellow Daoist Zhou surely can’t be as mundane in their aspirations as ordinary people; you should aim higher, for example, a thousand years together, a thousand aeons of freedom."
A thousand years together is something only Golden Core stage cultivators can achieve; if Zhao Hao came at another time and said these words, Xiao Ying would surely have a different attitude.
But now, she merely replied blank-faced, "Elder Zhao’s teachings are correct; I have learned much."
Her words immediately stirred irritation in Zhao Hao’s heart, and his expression darkened instantly.
He, after all, was a dignified Golden Core stage cultivator, willing to actively praise and flatter a Purple Mansion stage cultivator, already a sign of great respect.
Yet now he had been repeatedly coldly mocked by Xiao Ying, her words like needles, how could he not be angry.
Luckily, Zhouyang, who had not spoken, saw the situation was about to lose control and quickly coughed lightly, interjecting, "Ahem, my wife is not skillful with words, and might have offended you, I hope Elder can excuse her, I apologize on her behalf."
After saying this, he gently cupped his hand in greeting, then signaled to his Dao Companion Xiao Ying, indicating for her not to speak further.
No matter how displeased Xiao Ying was, she still needed to give Zhouyang face in front of outsiders; she fell silent for a moment and then bowed, saying, "I am not in a good mood today, and have recklessly offended Elder Zhao with my words; please forgive my impertinence."
Seeing this, Zhao Hao’s expression eased considerably; he looked directly at Zhouyang and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, let’s speak frankly; you’ve probably guessed the purpose of my visit, let’s hear the detailed reason now, shall we?"
Upon hearing this, Zhouyang immediately nodded and said, "Elder Zhao, please speak."
"It’s simple, after eighteen years of continuous war, the Great Brightness Immortal Palace proposed to end the war through a death combat, and our alliance’s leaders agreed."
"Both sides now have a year to decide the participants in the death combat, according to the rotation mechanism within our alliance’s member sects, our Cyan Origin Sword Sect must send one participant this time, and ideally, they should win."
"I won’t hide the fact, Fellow Daoist Zhou might laugh, because the death combat is too perilous; not one of our sect’s late-stage Purple Mansion cultivators dares to step forward, and considering their capability, their chance of winning is less than ten percent, which means if they enter, they’re almost assured death!"
"The sect can force them to draw lots to decide the participant. But merely fulfilling the minimal task doesn’t rectify the main issue; if they lose, our Cyan Origin Sword Sect would have to bear one-third of the lost resources wagered in the combat!"
"We don’t want our disciples to die pointlessly, nor do we wish to send a significant amount of resources to those scoundrels in the Great Brightness Immortal Palace; hence, I recommended Fellow Daoist Zhou to our sect leader and brothers, hoping Fellow Daoist could help our Anti-Light Alliance, help our Cyan Origin Sword Sect win a death battle!"
Zhao Hao looked severely at Zhouyang, his tone serious as he voiced his purpose.
Upon hearing this, Zhouyang showed no reaction, but Xiao Ying already turned pale with fright, quickly grabbed Zhouyang’s arm, trembling as she pleaded, "Zhou Lang, don’t agree, please? I beg you, don’t take the risk, okay?"
"Don’t worry, my dear, I’m aware of what’s at stake!"
Zhouyang gently held his Dao Companion’s delicate hand and gave her a reassuring look to comfort her.
Then, with a solemn look, he turned to Zhao Hao and said, "You honor me with this recognition, Elder Zhao, it’s a privilege, but the matter is too risky; I’m afraid I cannot agree!"
Zhao Hao, seeing this, couldn’t help but narrow his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Don’t rush to refuse; hear what reward Zhao offers before deciding, it’s not too late!"