Bayue Weiban

Chapter 294 All Preparations Made

After deciding to compete for the Golden Core, the two gathered at the rendezvous point and chose a relatively secluded corner.

Although they possessed cultivation at the second realm, sufficient to build or seize a few wooden houses within the rendezvous point, doing so would have drawn too much attention, so they refrained.

However, while setting up their tents, Ji Yuan clearly sensed people observing them, primarily cultivators from various factions and the three major sects.

After all, they hadn't concealed their aura. In a gathering of a hundred people, two cultivators at the Spiritual Pulse realm would easily be noticed.

Yet, upon seeing them merely setting up tents, the surrounding scrutiny lessened considerably. It seemed they were assumed to be wild cultivators from the mountains and marshes, barely managing to enter the second realm, and thus posing no threat.

This was exactly the effect Ji Yuan desired: to minimize their presence, which would make their subsequent actions much more convenient.

Otherwise, with spies watching their every move, none of their objectives could remain hidden.

In the following days, Ji Yuan barely left his tent. After setting up a temporary formation to isolate his aura, he began to meticulously draw talismans.

As for Li Buwei, he roamed the rendezvous point daily, and no one knew exactly what he did, but he returned each night with a considerable amount of intelligence.

"I heard the inner sect rankings of the Nine Profound Sect are about to change."

One evening, Li Buwei spoke with a mysterious air.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan naturally became interested. Upon further inquiry, he learned that after Lin Yubai returned to the Nine Profound Sect's stronghold, he spent three to four months not only recovering from his severe injuries but also making a significant leap forward.

Eleven to twelve days prior, Lin Yubai successfully broke through a minor realm, now possessing cultivation at the late stage of the Spiritual Pulse realm. His breakthrough had also generated considerable stir.

Legend had it that dense lightning surged from the Nine Profound Sect's Void-Crossing Warship that day, the thunderous roars echoing for several miles, and finally manifesting an anomaly of "Thunderous Roar Across Nine Heavens."

Outsiders speculated that Lin Yubai, having condensed such an anomaly, would at least rank within the top five of the inner sect, and his combat prowess might be undisputed number one.

"Anomaly?"

Ji Yuan's brow furrowed. This was the first time he had heard of such a thing.

Seeing his puzzled expression, Li Buwei and Zhou Lianying exchanged glances, suddenly unsure of what to say.

Such common knowledge, let alone among disciples of prestigious sects, even wild cultivators who had been active for a while would have some understanding.

"The demon race possesses innate divine abilities; you know this, right?"

Li Buwei pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.

Seeing the young man nod, he continued, "Innate divine abilities originate from bloodlines, either legacies left by powerful ancestors or blessings bestowed by heaven and earth."

But regardless of the origin, once one's cultivation reaches a profound level, or one's bloodline is sufficiently dense and pure, these abilities can be fully manifested, even mastered as the fundamental basis of one's Dao.

In fact, it wasn't just the demon race; most beast spirits and sprites in the world were like this. Even some peculiar ghosts and malevolent spirits were born with innate divine abilities.

And humans were no exception. Besides various spiritual bodies, anomalies were a similar existence to innate divine abilities.

However, unlike innate spiritual bodies, anomalies could be cultivated through secret arts. Once successful, not only would one's strength surge, but their potential would also be enhanced.

"The specific details, I'm afraid, can only be mastered by those above the Golden Core realm, aside from major sects and factions."

Li Buwei said solemnly, "Let me put it this way: even in powerful sects, only a handful of individuals per generation can cultivate an anomaly. If these individuals do not perish midway, they will at least reach the Golden Core realm in the future."

Golden Core cultivators were also divided into various tiers. The lowest were those from wild backgrounds or lone cultivators. A higher tier comprised those from sects with orderly lineages and Golden Core cultivators from powerful sects.

And above these were individuals possessing spiritual bodies and those who had cultivated anomalies. While the comparison between the strength of the two couldn't be definitively made, undoubtedly, without any external factors, these were the strongest among human cultivators.

"Spiritual bodies are innate; there's no room for envy,"

Li Buwei sighed, "But anomalies are different. Through cultivation techniques or secret arts, one might be able to cultivate them based on their own talent."

Once an anomaly is cultivated, it is equivalent to guaranteeing a future entry into the Golden Core realm, becoming a powerful cultivator enjoying freedom in a region.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan nodded slightly, thinking that Lin Yubai's status within the Nine Profound Sect would likely skyrocket from now on.

However, he didn't feel envious, only happy for the other party. Although their acquaintance was brief, they had shared life-and-death experiences multiple times, and their compatible personalities had forged a considerable bond.

"I wonder if the Xuan Tian Dao Scripture and the Nine Yuan Heavy Water Scripture contain methods for cultivating anomalies?"

Ji Yuan suddenly had a thought, feeling a degree of anticipation.

It was just that his current realm was insufficient, and he couldn't fully comprehend the subsequent cultivation techniques, hence he couldn't know for sure.

But it wouldn't be long before he could ascertain whether these two scriptures held methods for cultivating anomalies, as according to Li Buwei, based on previous experience, the best stage to cultivate an anomaly was the Dao Comprehension realm.

Even for the best results, it was undoubtedly the Spiritual Pulse realm. If one could cultivate an anomaly at this stage, their potential would be considered the greatest.

"There's another piece of news: the three major sects have found a weak point in the formation and are preparing to create an opening."

Li Buwei's expression suddenly turned serious, and he spoke with a considerable degree of gravity.

More than ten days ago, the three major sects had each invited masters of formations. Now, they had finally found a relatively weak spot in the entire formation.

After all, this was a formation laid out by a Golden Core Grand Cultivator. Even after thousands of years, with the presence of two Golden Cores and certain special circumstances, it had been preserved quite intact.

Even if several cultivators at the third realm joined forces, they couldn't budge it in the slightest. To enter the formation, one could only rely on luck to be drawn in, like the few cultivators who had come before.

Despite the presence of the laws of two Golden Cores, over the long passage of time, unavoidable issues had arisen. The entire formation had become severely distorted, making it even more unpredictable and violent.

After the joint efforts of several formation masters, the three major sects had finally located the place where the formation's power was weakest, thereby opening a passage through which they could enter safely.

Otherwise, if they tried to force their way in, they would be annihilated by the violent formation power. Among a hundred people, perhaps only a select few would be fortunate enough to enter the world within.

"The news just reached the rendezvous point, and some people have already quietly left, following the people from the three major sects in secret."

Li Buwei said slowly.

It was clearly impossible to prevent any news from leaking out while being observed by a hundred cultivators.

When the formation masters invited by the three major sects discovered the weak point of the formation, news of this matter had already spread back to the rendezvous point.

However, only a few people knew about it at the moment; most cultivators had not yet received any information, but it was only a matter of time before everyone knew.

"Then should we go there now?"

Zhou Lianying asked from the side.

After days of discussion, the two had ultimately decided to bring her along. Although her cultivation was only at the mid-Enlightenment realm, with careful preparation, she could still exert a considerable effect.

Ultimately, it was a matter of lacking manpower. If they had the strength of the third realm, they wouldn't have to resort to this.

"No, we will follow them later."

Ji Yuan shook his head. From the very beginning, they had not intended to enter the formation.

That place was the most dangerous. Once inside, they would have to face attacks from cultivators from all sides, and no one would hold back at such a time.

In fact, according to Ji Yuan and Li Buwei's estimation, once the three major sects breached the formation, it was likely that cultivators at the third realm would fall before long.

The two intact Golden Cores were enough to drive any third-realm cultivator mad. Even sects like the Mountain River Gang, which ranked within the top ten in terms of strength and foundation within a prefecture, would be extremely covetous.

"How are the preparations coming along?"

After a long pause, Li Buwei suddenly asked.

Hearing this, Ji Yuan nodded slightly, a smile appearing on his face.

A few days were not long, but they were not short either, enough for him to make some preparations. Moreover, even though a weak point in the formation had been found, it would still take at least three to four days to open an opening.

"The crucial talismans have been prepared. These days, I just need to draw more of the other talismans."

He thought for a moment and roughly outlined the progress of their preparations.

After hearing this, Li Buwei also mused, "These days, I have also purchased some necessary items from other cultivators and contacted a few people. We will be able to support each other then."

Upon hearing this, the two beside him cast glances of a slightly different nature.

Ji Yuan and Zhou Lianying immediately recalled the scene when they first met Li Buwei. Back then, he had used a similar method to connect several people holding jade tokens, allowing them to work together to overcome challenges.

Unexpectedly, when vying for a Golden Core now, he was employing the same tactic, uniting several cultivators at the second and even the first realm.

"It's obvious you both come from major sects. Such tactics of alliance and maneuvering are the most commonly used among wild cultivators and lone practitioners."

Li Buwei glanced at the two, his gaze lingering on Zhou Lianying for a moment longer.

Ji Yuan's background was naturally beyond doubt. Although his specific origins were unknown, he clearly had an inexplicable connection with the Nine Profound Sect.

In contrast, the two of them still didn't know where Zhou Lianying came from, only that she should be from a sect in Qinghe County.

Based on their speculation, she should be from the Qinghe Sect, a once-dominant sect, though it had never been confirmed.