Chapter 316 : A Golden Core Forged in Lightning

The Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of heavenly lightning that tests a cultivator's foundation] crashed down with world-shaking force. In that single instant, the Earth Marsh Five Mist Veil [a defensive treasure that conjures five layers of protective mist from the earth's essence] trembled violently, its radiance flickering erratically. Though it was not pierced through, its luminous aura suffered a grievous wound.

Judging by the severity of the damage, it would likely require two decades of careful nurturing and infusion of spiritual energy to restore the treasure to its full, former glory.

Fortunately, this treasure was, after all, a Fourth Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful artifact suitable for Golden Core realm cultivators]. Though wounded, it ultimately held firm and blocked the final, devastating strike of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

As the Tribulation Clouds [the ominous, energy-charged clouds that gather before a heavenly trial] finally dispersed, droplets of Heavenly Tribulation Nectar [a miraculous, life-giving liquid condensed from the essence of a passed heavenly tribulation] showered down. Elara Lin had successfully weathered the Golden Core Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the specific lightning tribulation one must overcome to solidify the Golden Core realm] and firmly stabilized her footing within the Golden Core realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, golden core].

"We offer our congratulations to Ancestor Elara!"

Witnessing Elara Lin's triumphant passage through the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, the many cultivators present hurried to offer their felicitations.

Elara Lin descended from the void and handed the Earth Marsh Five Mist Veil back to Lyra Jiang, a pained expression on her face as she spoke.

"The treasure was damaged by the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation. I fear its operational lifespan may have been shortened somewhat."

"It matters not. That you successfully crossed the tribulation's threshold is what truly counts. A single Fourth Rank Magical Treasure is a small price to pay."

Lyra Jiang offered a gentle smile. Compared to the ascension of her disciple into the Golden Core realm, the loss of one Fourth Rank Magical Treasure truly was insignificant. Original English translation available at audio‑novel.com.

After Elara Lin broke through to the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, golden-hued core] realm, a grand banquet was held at Heaven's Ruin Lake for three days, entertaining several thousand guests.

When the festivities concluded, Xavier Xu sought out Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch.

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch, his expression turned hesitant, yet he gritted his teeth and spoke: "Fellow Daoists, I have come today to ask a favor."

"Oh."

Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly; he had already guessed the nature of Xavier Xu's request.

As expected, Xavier Xu's face was etched with worry and bitterness as he spoke.

"To speak frankly, within three years, this old man intends to attempt the Golden Core breakthrough once more. I currently estimate my chances of success at fifty percent."

"Over the years, my Xu Clan has gathered four Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [powerful artifacts used to protect and stabilize a clan's foundation], and I believed I had a fair chance of surviving the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the trial of heavenly lightning one must endure to advance to the Golden Core realm]. However, witnessing Immortal Maiden Lin's tribulation today made me realize that if I were to attempt it rashly, I would likely face a sixty to seventy percent chance of calamity."

As he spoke, Xavier Xu's face was filled with a look of belated fear.

Having seen the ferocity of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, a trial that holds life and death in the balance, he had swallowed his pride and come to borrow the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible.

He understood clearly in his heart that Lyra Jiang had also sold quite a few Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] not long ago. The Ink Snow Immortal Sword was Elara Lin's signature immortal sword, and now the Earth Marsh Five Mist Veil had also suffered severe damage.

Setting aside the lack of a suitable Magical Treasure to lend, even if Lyra Jiang had a spare Magical Treasure to lend him, their friendship had not yet reached such a level of intimacy.

Over these years, the Xu Clan had profited immensely by following Lyra Jiang, acquiring four Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious pill that aids in the formation of a cultivator's Golden Core] in succession. This was a great fortune not encountered for centuries. To then ask to borrow a Fourth Rank Magical Treasure would seem rather presumptuous.

As for Eldrin Chen, he also possessed several Fourth Rank Magical Treasure. A Lifebound Magical Treasure [a treasure bound to a cultivator's life force, making it inseparable] could not possibly be lent out, but the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible did hold some possibility of being borrowed.

Furthermore, the relationship between their two clans had been quite good over the years. Thus, this Xavier Xu mustered his courage and sought out the two of them.

He glanced at Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch, his face slightly flushed, and said, "To speak frankly, I have come to request the loan of the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible."

"I fear you will be disappointed, Fellow Daoist."

Eldrin Chen sat upright to the side, sipping his tea without a change in expression.

He looked at the Old Patriarch and then continued, "My Old Granduncle will attempt his Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, forming a solidified core of power] breakthrough again in thirty years, and will also require a Fourth Rank Magical Treasure to withstand the tribulation then."

"If it were lent out now and suffered severe damage, what would my Old Granduncle use to face the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the trial of heavenly lightning strikes that tests a cultivator attempting a major breakthrough] thirty years from now?"

"This—"

Xavier Xu was left speechless, but as this matter concerned life and death, he still wished to struggle a bit. He then opened his mouth and spoke.

"I can promise you this: if you lend me the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible, then even if I fight until our Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [the most powerful artifact a clan possesses for its defense] is utterly ruined, I will at most use it to block only the final two strikes of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the cataclysmic lightning tribulation faced during major cultivation breakthroughs]."

"In that case, the damage to the Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] would not be too severe, and its power would certainly be restored through nurturing within thirty years."

Hearing this, the Old Patriarch glanced at Eldrin Chen.

Seeing that the Old Patriarch seemed somewhat moved, Xavier Xu hurriedly continued, "Moreover, if you lend this treasure to us, then during the assault on Earth Lion Ridge, my share of the spoils can be given to you." This chapter appears courtesy of audio . novel . com.

"And in the future, my Xu Clan will also follow the lead of your Chen Clan."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen nodded.

Although, given his own wealth, he did not particularly care about Xavier Xu's share of the spoils, the two sides did share a friendship of many good years.

Xavier Xu's remaining lifespan was less than forty years. To lend a helping hand within his power now was preferable to witnessing the fading of an old friend in the future.

"I can agree to this matter," he said, "but you must honor your promise and ensure the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible does not suffer severe damage."

"Let me be blunt," he continued, his expression turning grave. "If this affects my granduncle's future attempt to transcend the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the cataclysmic heavenly trial faced by cultivators seeking to advance to the Golden Core realm], I fear our two clans will have no choice but to sever all ties."

As Eldrin Chen spoke, a stern and serious look settled upon his features.

Overjoyed, Xavier Xu nodded repeatedly and swore a solemn oath. That very day, he took the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible and returned to the Xu Clan to enter secluded cultivation.

After all the banquet guests had departed, Eldrin Chen did not leave immediately. Instead, he remained at Heaven's Ruin Lake to keep Lyra Jiang company.

Three months later, his mana had become perfectly harmonious, and he touched upon the threshold of the Purple Mansion Ninth Layer. Seizing the opportunity, he leveraged the abundant spiritual energy of Heaven's Ruin Lake to make a breakthrough, successfully advancing to the Purple Mansion Ninth Layer.

Time flowed on relentlessly, and in the blink of an eye, several more years had passed.

One year later, Qingmei Fang, the Ancient Ancestor of her clan, made her second attempt to breach the Golden Core realm. Though she had prepared thoroughly, her lifespan was nearly spent, and a slight deficiency in her vital essence and blood ultimately caused her efforts to fall just short of success.

This failure was a devastating blow to Fang the Ancient Ancestor. With less than twenty years of lifespan remaining, her hopes of ever breaking through to Golden Core in the future grew exceedingly dim.

She had already consumed one Longevity Pill. Over the years, the Fang Clan had exhausted its centuries of accumulated Deep-Seated Foundation [the profound and stable foundation of resources and cultivation built up by a clan over generations] to purchase a Golden Core Formation Pill for her, and they were now burdened with a mountain of debt.

In the future, I fear I won't even be able to afford a Longevity Pill [a pill that extends a cultivator's lifespan]. Even if I scrape together enough to buy two Longevity Pill and extend my life by one more Jiazi-time [a sixty-year cycle], it would be impossible to afford a Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious pill that aids in forming the Golden Core, the core of a high-level cultivator's power] after that.

Without a Golden Core Formation Pill, a single failed attempt to break through to the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's power condenses into a solid golden core] would require Nurture for a Sixty-Year Cycle [a long period of recuperation and cultivation to recover one's foundation]. She would have, at most, only one chance to attempt the Golden Core breakthrough.

Coupled with the decline of her vital energy and blood, and the insufficiency of the physical treasure among the three treasures of essence, energy, and spirit, her hope of breaking through to Golden Core was likely less than thirty percent. Thus, it could be said her prospects were dim.

Upon receiving this news, Eldrin Chen sighed with a touch of melancholy. His friendship with Fang the Ancient Ancestor was not deep, yet he felt a pang of sorrow, a stark reminder of the arduous path of cultivation.

This individual had, after all, obtained two Golden Core Formation Pill in succession. Compared to the many Purple Mansion Cultivator [cultivators of the second major realm, who forge a spiritual mansion within their dantian] who never obtain a Golden Core Formation Pill in their entire lives, her fortune was far greater than that of most cultivators.

Yet even so, she ultimately failed to shatter the barrier of the Golden Core realm, and her future hopes would not be much brighter.

Then, after another two years, news came from the Xu Clan side, and this time it was finally good news.

Xavier Xu still had forty years of lifespan remaining, and his vital energy and blood were still vigorous. After consuming the Golden Core Formation Pill, he barely managed to break through to the Golden Core realm. He then relied on the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible [a powerful magical treasure shaped like a crucible, capable of withstanding immense forces] to survive the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the trial of heavenly lightning that tests a cultivator attempting a major breakthrough].

It was said that to survive the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, Xavier Xu shattered four of his Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [a clan's most powerful and revered magical artifacts]. Finally, he used the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible to block the last two strikes of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

After withstanding the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible was slightly damaged and would require nearly thirty years of careful nurturing to fully recover.

That Xavier Xu personally escorted him back to the Chen Clan was naturally met with a thousand expressions of gratitude and boundless appreciation. Access the full story on audio - novel . com.