Having formed his Golden Core, how was he to scale the high peak of the Nascent Soul realm?
It was simply a matter of accumulating little by little, step by step, until he stepped into the realm of a True Person!
When it came to cultivation, Luo Chen currently had no choice but to consider two matters: spiritual grounds and medicinal pills!
The former was paramount, yet impossible to resolve in the short term.
Countless eyes coveted the cave dwellings on Tianlan Peak.
Even if his wealth... well, Luo Chen had hardly any spirit stones left on him now.
Renting Jia-3 Immortal's Cave for thirty years had thoroughly drained the savings of both Luo Chen and the Luotian Association.
Aside from fifty high-grade spirit stones and the one thousand mid-grade spirit stones that had to be reserved for Danxia Peak, his pockets were cleaner than his face.
Qin Tairan's storage pouch had yet to be unsealed.
As for the storage pouches of the other Foundation Establishment True Cultivators, they had indeed all been opened.
Yet the resources inside, combined with what Luo Chen had saved up before, had all been turned over to Tianlan Immortal City, barely covering the spirit stones he had previously owed.
Right now, his pockets were truly cleaner than his face.
A Tier 3 spiritual ground?
Out of the question for now.
Like those Golden Core cultivators from other domains, he would just have to make do with a Tier 2 top-grade cave dwelling!
Since a spiritual ground was out of reach, medicinal pills that could accelerate his cultivation speed became an absolute necessity.
Over the years, Luo Chen had collected a fair number of Tier 3 pill recipes.
However, most were incomplete.
Back during the competition for the Azure Pill Dao Seed, he had obtained several ancient pill recipes from the Grand Alchemy Court of Azure Pill Valley.
One of them was indeed suitable for daily cultivation.
Yet two of its primary ingredients were already extinct, leaving him unable to make a meal without rice.
And the other pill recipes?
The Tier 2 Foundation Establishment pill, Emperor Flowing Liquid, actually contained quite good spiritual energy.
However, its primary ingredients relied mainly on various demonic beasts.
Although Emperor Flowing Liquid concocted from each type of Tier 2 demonic beast had boundary-breaking effects, taking it continuously over a long period for cultivation would easily taint one's bloodline and make it chaotic.
After careful consideration, Luo Chen naturally ruled it out.
In the end, Luo Chen set his sights on the Nether Origin Pill!
This was a Tier 3 boundary-breaking pill with exceptionally domineering medicinal potency.
It was ill-suited for daily cultivation.
Moreover, its primary ingredients were difficult to find.
However, Luo Chen had studied it thoroughly for a decade and had already attained basic mastery through the system.
If he could substitute the primary ingredients, even if the resulting Nether Origin Pill retained only a tenth of its original potency, it would surely serve as an outstanding cultivation pill!
Still, reverse-engineering and simplifying a Tier 3 pill recipe that a Soul Formation grandmaster had deduced to perfection required an unimaginable amount of effort.
Luo Chen could only take it one step at a time and experiment slowly.
One might wonder: why not just buy them?
The Medicine King Sect was in the pill trade, after all!
Yet the reality was far more complicated.
The difficulty of concocting Tier 3 pills far exceeded the ability of ordinary alchemists.
While the Medicine King Sect possessed a mature concoction system, their distribution channels were also long fixed.
Virtually all the Tier 3 pills the Medicine King Sect concocted were supplied on a one-to-one basis to Golden Core cultivators of the major sects.
For a rogue Golden Core cultivator, establishing a stable trading arrangement was extraordinarily difficult.
This was also why Luo Chen had pushed so hard to disband the association and establish a sect.
Only after founding the Luotian Sect would he have the standing to negotiate with the Medicine King Sect for regular purchases of Tier 3 cultivation pills.
Furthermore, he had to consider another issue:
His personal demand for pills far surpassed that of an ordinary cultivator.
Even if the Medicine King Sect were willing to sell to him, the quota would never be large.
It was precisely for this reason that Luo Chen wanted to concoct pills for his own use.
After his experiences with supreme-grade Dust Falling Pills and supreme-grade Blood Augmentation Pills, he felt the benefits of concocting and consuming his own pills all the more keenly.
Since forming his core, Luo Chen appeared calm and unruffled to the outside world.
Yet only he knew that after achieving Core Formation, his concerns had multiplied like ox hairs.
He had to consider spiritual grounds, core cultivation pills, and a lifebound cultivation method.
The Convergence of Myriad Paths had already been reorganized, allowing body tempering to be integrated into his daily routine.
Did it end there?
No!
It was far more than just these matters.
His lifebound magical treasure did not even have an outline yet.
He could not very well achieve the Golden Core realm without possessing a lifebound magical treasure!
Yet he did not want to follow the path of ordinary Golden Core cultivators who compromised by casually buying a mid-grade magical treasure to nurture and refine.
A lifebound magical treasure was an entity cultivated in tandem with one's very soul and life!
It affected not only daily cultivation, but also subsequent cultivation after reaching Nascent Soul and Soul Formation.
If by some blessing one ascended to immortalhood someday, the lifebound magical treasure would likewise transform into a fabled immortal artifact!
Thus, a truly exceptional lifebound magical treasure always complemented the cultivator.
Take the sword pellets of the Sword Sect: they could advance in rank, serve in battle, and temper the sword intent of Sword Sect cultivators.
Before forming his core, Luo Chen had laid a rock-solid foundation.
There was no reason that after Core Formation, he would instead pursue shortcuts and quick fixes.
Faced with such a tangled mess of priorities, it was easy to feel vexed.
Yet Luo Chen gradually sorted them out.
Nothing could be rushed!
With his lifespan ceiling soaring to four hundred years, whether he could cultivate to the Nascent Soul realm was another matter, but he was at least still very young.
Matters could be tackled one by one.
Inside the cave dwelling, Luo Chen looked at the three magical treasures before him, his eyes clear.
"Without a suitable Tier 3 spiritual ground and without suitable Tier 3 pills, my cultivation speed cannot soar. Besides, I have only just attained the first layer of the Golden Core realm, so there will not be much improvement in the short term.
"As for forging a lifebound magical treasure, although Huiniang and the others have gathered many blueprints for me, none have satisfied me. This matter cannot be rushed either; it must be planned slowly.
"The pressing matter at hand is to thoroughly master combat methods suitable for the Golden Core realm!"
Longevity could not be attained immediately.
Survival, however, was an absolute necessity.
Only by mastering the combat methods fitting for his realm and possessing the power to protect himself could he pursue immortality.
"Practicing spells requires space, time, and proficiency.
"What can rapidly bolster my strength right now are magical treasures!"
At this moment, the three magical treasures laid out before Luo Chen were items he had selected with meticulous care: the Profound Fire Sword, the Three Soul Breaking Nails, and the Sky Moon Purple Gold Wheel.
Due to insufficient spiritual power, Qi Refinement cultivators could usually wield only one or two dharma artifacts.
Upon reaching Foundation Establishment, their spiritual power became sufficient to control multiple dharma artifacts.
Unfortunately, dharma artifacts lacked sufficient power.
To pursue lethality, they generally refined only a single low-grade magical treasure.
Why not refine more?
That came down to the limitations of spiritual sense.
If the soul's foundation was not strong enough and the externalized spiritual sense was too weak, possessing more magical treasures was pointless.
Even Luo Chen, back during his Foundation Establishment stage, had usually relied on a single Profound Fire Sword against foes, despite being capable of dividing his mind three ways.
Quality over quantity!
Naturally, some people coveted an abundance of tricks and trump cards.
Take Helian Yun, for instance.
Flying sword, golden brick, Soul Breaking Nail, Marsh Country Gui Chart—a single man wielding four magical treasures!
The result?
Though he had seemingly forced Luo Chen to reveal his Heavenly Roc True Form and left him dripping with blood, the truth was that despite taking the initiative with complete preparation, he had failed to kill Luo Chen or even inflict severe injuries. Luo Chen's wounds had actually been caused later by a swarm of pursuing Tier 3 demonic beasts.
This showed that Helian Yun's mastery of the four treasures had been thoroughly deficient.
His attacks had failed to mesh seamlessly.
When pressing down with the golden brick, if he had unleashed the flying sword and Soul Breaking Nail simultaneously rather than one after another, Luo Chen would never have had the chance to transform into the Heavenly Roc True Form.
Helian Yun was a prime cautionary tale.
Upon reaching the Golden Core realm, magical power became vast and divine sense far surpassed spiritual sense. Logically, a cultivator could now command multiple magical treasures.
Yet even then, Golden Core cultivators rarely bit off more than they could chew.
They typically concentrated their main efforts on nurturing and refining their lifebound magical treasure.
Even if they refined other treasures, they kept the number to around one or two.
Take Qin Tairan: aside from his lifebound magical treasure, the Taiyang Furnace, he had only refined an additional flying sword.
Luo Chen's next choice diverged from conventional Golden Core cultivators.
He intended to achieve complete mastery over three magical treasures!
Not out of arrogance, but because he possessed the foundation to back it up.
Vast magical power and potent divine sense went without saying; furthermore, he had the ability to divide his focus across multiple tasks.
What was more, Luo Chen's gaze fell upon the Sky Moon Purple Gold Wheel.
This was a single magical treasure, yet also a set.
Once activated at full strength, it could release three hundred and sixty crescent flying wheels.
As for set-type magical treasures?
Ever since he attained Grandmastery in the Traction Technique during the Qi Refinement stage, Luo Chen had realized that he excelled at using set treasures.
His favorite weapon back then, the Jasper Saber, was a set of mother-and-child blades totaling seven pieces.
Later, when using the Azure Musk Flood Dragon Gathering Banner, he was able to control nine Azure Musk flood dragons single-handedly.
It could be said that the magical treasures best suited to Luo Chen were set treasures!
Without a lifebound magical treasure, this Sky Moon Purple Gold Wheel was his greatest reliance!
He had already inspected it.
This treasure was quite remarkable; even at the low grade, its quality far exceeded the likes of the Profound Fire Sword.
It was clearly not one of the shoddy, mass-produced items released by Tianfan City, but a bona fide low-grade magical treasure!
It was top-tier goods qualified to be refined as a lifebound magical treasure.
Small wonder it had fetched an exorbitant price of eighty thousand spirit stones at the auction back then!
If he could master this treasure, it would definitely provide a massive boost to his combat strength.
Aside from the Sky Moon Purple Gold Wheel, Luo Chen also held high hopes for the Three Soul Breaking Nails.
Armor-breaking, qi-breaking, soul-breaking.
Catching an enemy unawares with these three nails could easily inflict severe damage!
They were undeniably the premier choice for ambushes and underhanded strikes.
As for the Profound Fire Sword?
Choosing it was not because of how formidable it was.
It was simply a fire-attribute magical treasure.
Moreover, Luo Chen had already refined it over many years, bringing his control over it to roughly eighty percent.
Now that he had formed his core, finishing the remaining twenty percent would take hardly any time.
Furthermore, this sword complemented Luo Chen's weapon-guided arts.
In conventional combat, it remained very effective.
Looking at the three magical treasures, a faint smile surfaced on Luo Chen's face.
Even without a lifebound magical treasure, if he fully mastered these three armaments, he would surely hold his own against anyone in early-stage Golden Core combat.
If combined with spells and his Heavenly Roc True Form, he should have some ability to protect himself even under attack from a fourth-layer Golden Core cultivator!
If outside cultivators knew Luo Chen's thoughts, they would probably be utterly baffled.
Back when you were merely at Foundation Establishment, you forcefully slew two Golden Core cultivators, one of whom was a fourth-layer Golden Core expert. How have you grown timid instead now?
In truth, Luo Chen could not afford not to be cautious.
In both of those battles, he had relied on opportunistic advantages.
In particular, when killing Qin Tairan, two mid-stage Golden Core cultivators—Fei Ming and Fairy Jueqing—had joined forces to besiege him. Luo Chen had also used a Thunder Immortal Bead and even assumed the Heavenly Roc True Form before he barely managed to kill him.
Even then, he had failed to annihilate the man's soul completely.
Qin Tairan's Golden Core had survived back then, and if other Golden Core cultivators had not caught up with it later, the man might well have seized another body to revive.
Now, no one was assisting Luo Chen, and he had no more Thunder Immortal Beads.
He naturally had to be more cautious.
Having decided on his course of action, Luo Chen did not hesitate and began refining right away.
Unlike the cautious refinement during his Foundation Establishment stage, now that he was in the Golden Core realm, he could directly pour out his magical power and unleash waves of divine sense.
First, he washed away the residual marks of previous owners on the Sky Moon Purple Gold Wheel and the Three Soul Breaking Nails.
This step was completed swiftly.
In the blink of an eye, neither magical treasure bore any trace of another's aura.
Stowing the two treasures away, Luo Chen proceeded to refine the Profound Fire Sword first.
One had to eat a meal mouthful by mouthful; refining magical treasures likewise had to be done one by one!
***
Time flowed on.
While Luo Chen seized every moment to refine the magical treasures, three months passed in the blink of an eye.
On the eve of the Core Formation Grand Ceremony.
Inside Cave Yi-17, a figure sat cross-legged.
Though seemingly motionless as a mountain, his rhythmic breaths flowed in and out through nose and mouth.
The muscles and bones throughout his body trembled from time to time.
Drawing closer, one could even hear the surging rush of blood inside him, rolling like oceanic waves.
This was the perfected cultivation method of the Convergence of Myriad Paths.
Peering inward, one could even see wisps of azure flame roasting Luo Chen's entire physique.
While cultivating the Convergence of Myriad Paths, Luo Chen's heart suddenly stirred.
Taking a glowing voice transmission jade token from his storage ring, a flicker of surprise crossed his face.
After freshening up, he departed the cave dwelling and headed straight for Danxia Peak.
Shortly after, Luo Chen's hearty laughter echoed within the Luotian Main Hall.
"Fairy Jueqing, long time no see!"
Hearing his voice, the slender figure turned around, gazing at Luo Chen with a complex expression.
Luo Chen paid no mind to her scrutiny, keeping his hands clasped behind his back, easy and composed.
After a long pause, Fairy Jueqing said slowly, "Danchenzi, congratulations on your successful Core Formation."
Luo Chen did not address her as Master as he had in the past.
Nor did she put on airs or address Luo Chen by his birth name, choosing instead a more appropriate form of address.
A Daoist title was itself a mark of respect.
At this moment, under these circumstances, both tacitly altered the way they interacted.
Yet what surprised Luo Chen was that while he could make the shift naturally due to his prior dealings with Qu Xibai and others, Fairy Jueqing had always possessed an aloof temperament and had never been particularly warm toward him. How had she changed so quickly?
Suddenly, he thought of Fairy Canglong!
Though eager to inquire about recent developments, Luo Chen still minded the propriety of his words.
"Fellow Daoist has arrived early to celebrate with me. It is truly an honor."
The corner of Fairy Jueqing's mouth twitched. Though she forced a smile, it was visibly strained.
With a turn of thought, Luo Chen vaguely realized what was amiss.
After a brief deliberation, he said, "What happened to Tantai Jin is truly a pity."
At the mention of her beloved disciple, Fairy Jueqing sighed as expected.
"I advised her against it, yet she remained determined to enter the Ice Prison for death seclusion. If only she had waited another ten or twenty years, she might have had the opportunity to stand alongside us."
Core Formation could not be rushed.
Unlike breaking through to Foundation Establishment, which offered a high margin for error, failing Core Formation carried dire consequences.
Even Luo Chen had dared take the risk only after making every conceivable preparation.
Tantai Jin had indeed been too impatient.
Yet this was likely tied to Ice Fort's current predicament!
Luo Chen and Fairy Jueqing engaged in a rare conversation.
Their words were calm, devoid of specific business, just quiet, ordinary chatter.
Gradually, Luo Chen steered the conversation toward the core issue.
"How has Senior Sister Canglong been lately?"
Jueqing's eyes trembled, and she stared fixedly at Luo Chen.
"What do you know?"
Luo Chen shrugged. "Some matters cannot be hidden from others. Four Golden Core cultivators of Ice Fort died bizarrely, and junior disciples entered death seclusion one after another. If not for something happening to Supreme Elder Canglong, the pillar of your fort, you wouldn't have fallen into such disarray."
Fairy Jueqing parted her lips.
After a long silence, she said faintly, "Senior Sister... failed her Nascent Soul breakthrough."
Four simple words, yet packed with boundless information.
Even though Luo Chen had guessed as much, a look of surprise still crossed his face.
Yet past the shock, he swiftly gleaned further implications from those four words.
She had failed the breakthrough, but Jueqing had said nothing of life or death, which meant Canglong was likely still alive.
However, judging by Ice Fort's turmoil, even if she lived, she was probably in no condition to oversee the fort's affairs.
Amid the silence, Luo Chen murmured softly, "My condolences."
Fairy Jueqing shook her head. Looking at the high-spirited Luo Chen, she felt a constriction in her chest.
Once lofty and supreme, Ice Fort was declining by the day.
Luo Chen, who once had to rely on the favor of others, was now at the height of his success.
Cold-hearted though she was, she could not help but lament the fickle nature of worldly affairs.
She could not resist remarking, "I hear that over the years, quite a few major sects have invited you to serve as a guest elder."
The remark carried a subtle barbed edge.
"Yes."
A soft murmur of acknowledgment only tightened the knot in the woman's chest.
However, before she could say anything else, Luo Chen laid everything bare.
"My cooperation with Ice Fort will not change!
"You need not worry about that.
"I have declined the invitations from other sects as well.
"Though I am no gentleman of antiquity, neither am I ungrateful. Even if Ice Fort and I operated primarily on mutual benefit, Senior Sister Canglong and you have shielded me on numerous occasions. I hold that kindness in my heart.
"From this day forth, the Jade Dew Pill business will continue, and the Luotian Sect and Ice Fort shall remain mutual allies.
"Fellow Daoist Jueqing, does this put your mind at ease?"
The woman shuddered, her eyes locked onto Luo Chen.
Open and upright, he met her gaze with complete candor.
After a long while!
Fairy Jueqing dipped into an elegant bow. "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist, on your attainment of the Immortal Path, illuminating the Eastern Wasteland!"
This congratulations was spoken from the bottom of her heart, free of any hidden grievances.
Luo Chen smiled faintly and returned the bow.
"My Luotian Sect has shallow foundations. At tomorrow's Core Formation Grand Ceremony, there will likely be many breaches of etiquette regarding procedures and decorum.
"My hands will be tied, so I must ask Fellow Daoist to look after my disciples tomorrow."
A natural smile appeared on Fairy Jueqing's face.
"Since we are allies, such a minor matter is something I would gladly do; you need not even ask."
With that, the heavy stone weighing on Luo Chen's chest finally settled.
Observing his ambitious, high-spirited bearing, Fairy Jueqing remarked with emotion, "Given your reputation, tomorrow should be quite lively!"
Would it be lively?
Of the invitations sent out, how many factions would arrive, and how many would decline?
Tomorrow's scene would, in a sense, represent Luo Chen's standing and circumstance in the Jade Cauldron Domain going forward.
This time, he looked forward to it immensely!
Chapter 460