Chapter 316 : A Golden Core Forged in Lightning

The Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a devastating bolt of heavenly lightning that tests cultivators] crashed down with a deafening roar. In that instant, the Earth Marsh Five Mists Veil [a defensive treasure that conjures five layers of mist from swampy earth] trembled violently, its radiance flickering wildly. Though the veil was not pierced through, its protective glow was visibly wounded by the strike.

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, formidable power.

Fortunately, this treasure was, after all, a Fourth-Rank Magical Treasure [a high-grade enchanted artifact]. Though wounded, it ultimately held firm and blocked that final, cataclysmic bolt of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

As the ominous Tribulation Cloud [the dense, lightning-charged cloud that forms during a cultivation breakthrough tribulation] finally dissipated, droplets of precious Heavenly Thunder Tribulation Liquid [a rare, condensed essence of heavenly thunder with potent restorative and empowering properties] began to rain down. Elara Lin had successfully weathered the Golden Core Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the specific heavenly thunder trial for forming a Golden Core] and solidified her foundation in the Golden Core Realm [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a radiant, durable core].

"We offer our congratulations to the Patriarch Lin!"

Witnessing Elara Lin's successful 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 Mists Veil back to Exquisite Jiang, a note of heartfelt distress in her voice as she spoke.

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

"It is of no consequence," Exquisite Jiang replied with a gentle smile. "Your successful transcendence of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation far outweighs the value of a single Fourth-Rank Magical Treasure."

For Exquisite Jiang, seeing her disciple achieve a Golden Core [the solidified core of spiritual energy] breakthrough was a cause for profound joy. Compared to that milestone, the fate of one Fourth-Rank Magical Treasure truly mattered little. Join our community of readers at (audio-novel.com).

After Elara Lin achieved her breakthrough into the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, golden-hued core], a grand three-day banquet was held at Heavenly Ruins Lake, entertaining thousands of guests.

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

Upon meeting them, his expression was 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 continued.

"To speak frankly, I intend to attempt the Golden Core Realm breakthrough once more within three years. I now estimate my chances of success to be around fifty percent."

"Over the years, my Shyu Clan has gathered four Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts used to protect and stabilize a clan's foundation]. I believed I had some measure of confidence to withstand the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the cataclysmic 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, the likelihood of meeting a disastrous end would be at least sixty or seventy percent."

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

The reason was clear: having seen the sheer peril of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, a trial that held life and death in the balance, he had swallowed his pride and come to borrow the Crimson Sun Void-Burning Furnace.

He understood clearly in his heart that Exquisite Jiang had also sold quite a few magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] recently. The Ink Snow Immortal Sword was Elara Lin's signature Immortal Sword [a sword of immense power wielded by an immortal], and now the Earth Marsh Five Mists Veil had also suffered severe damage.

Leaving aside the fact that there was no suitable magical treasure to lend, even if Exquisite 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 Exquisite Jiang, acquiring four Golden Core Formation Pill [a rare elixir that aids in forming a Golden Core, a core stage of cultivation]. This was a great fortune not encountered for centuries. To then ask to borrow a Fourth-Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact of the fourth rank] would be rather presumptuous.

While Eldrin Chen himself possessed several Fourth-Rank Magical Treasure, his Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical treasure bound to one's life force and cultivation] was impossible to lend out. However, the Crimson Sun Void-Burning Furnace did hold some possibility of being loaned.

Coupled with the fact that the relationship between their two families had been quite good in recent years, this Xavier Xu thus swallowed his pride and sought out the two of them.

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

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

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

He looked at the Old Patriarch once more, then continued, "My Old Granduncle will attempt his Golden Core [a core stage of cultivation representing solidified spiritual power] breakthrough 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 [a divine trial of thunder sent by the heavens to test cultivators] thirty years hence?"

"This—"

Xavier Xu was left speechless. Yet, with life and death hanging in the balance, he still wished to struggle a little. He opened his mouth and spoke.

"I can swear to you, if you lend me the Crimson Sun Void-Burning Furnace, then even if I have to shatter my Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure to block the final two strikes of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, that is the most I will do."

"In that case, the magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] will not be too severely damaged. Its power can certainly be restored through nurturing within thirty years."

Hearing this, the Old Patriarch glanced at Eldrin Chen.

Seeing 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 yours." Official source: audio novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

"Henceforth, my Xu Clan will also follow the lead of your Chen Clan."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod.

Although, given his own wealth, he did not particularly care for Xavier Xu's promised spoils, the two had shared a good friendship for many years.

Xavier Xu had less than forty years of lifespan remaining. To offer aid within his power now was preferable to witnessing an old friend wither away in the future.

"I can agree to this matter," he declared, "but you must honor your promise. The Crimson Sun Void-Burning Furnace [a powerful alchemical furnace] must not suffer significant damage."

"Let me be blunt," he continued, his tone hardening. "If this impairs my granduncle's future attempt to transcend the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the cataclysmic heavenly trial faced by cultivators], I fear our two families will be forced to sever all ties."

Eldrin Chen spoke these words, a stern expression settling upon his features.

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

After all the banquet guests had departed, Eldrin Chen did not leave immediately. Instead, he remained at Heavenly Ruins Lake to keep Exquisite Jiang company.

Three months later, his spiritual power [the cultivated energy within a practitioner] had become perfectly harmonized, allowing him to touch the threshold of the Violet Sanctum 9th Tier. Seizing the opportunity, he leveraged the abundant spiritual energy of Heavenly Ruins Lake to make a breakthrough, successfully advancing to the Violet Sanctum 9th Tier.

"..."

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

A year later, Green Plum Fang the Patriarch made her second attempt to assault the Golden Core Realm [a major realm where a cultivator condenses their spiritual power into a solid golden core]. She had prepared thoroughly, but her lifespan was nearly spent, leaving her vital essence slightly deficient. In the end, her efforts fell just short of success.

This failure struck Patriarch Fang a devastating blow. With less than twenty years of life remaining, her hope of ever breaking through to Golden Core now seemed exceedingly slim.

She had already consumed one Longevity Pill [a pill that extends a cultivator's lifespan]. Over these years, the Fang Clan had exhausted the wealth accumulated over centuries to help him purchase the Golden Core Formation Pill [a rare and precious pill that aids in forming a Golden Core], plunging the family deeply into debt in the process.

In the future, they likely could not even afford another Longevity Pill. Even if they strained their resources to buy two more pills to extend her life by another Sixty-Year Cycle [a complete cycle of sixty years], procuring another Golden Core Formation Pill would be utterly impossible.

Without the Golden Core Formation Pill, a failed attempt to form a Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, forming a solidified core of spiritual power] would require a full Sixty-Year Cycle of recuperation. At most, she would have only one more chance to attempt the Golden Core breakthrough.

Compounded by her waning Vitality [the life force and vigor of a cultivator] and the insufficiency of her physical body—one of the three treasures of Vital Essence, Energy, and Spirit [the foundational trinity of a cultivator's being: essence, energy, and spirit]—her chances of successfully breaking through to Golden Core were likely less than thirty percent. Thus, her hopes were indeed slim.

Upon receiving this news, Eldrin Chen felt a pang of melancholy. While his friendship with Patriarch Fang was not deep, he could not help but sigh at the profound hardships of the cultivation path.

This individual had, after all, obtained two Golden Core Formation Pill in succession. Compared to the many Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators at the Violet Sanctum realm, the stage before Golden Core] who never even laid eyes on such a pill in their entire lives, her fortune was far greater than that of most cultivators.

Yet, even with such advantages, she ultimately failed to shatter the barrier into the Golden Core Realm, and her future prospects remained dim.

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

Xavier Xu, with forty years of lifespan remaining and his Vitality still at its peak, had barely managed to break through to the Golden Core Realm after consuming the Golden Core Formation Pill. He then weathered the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a trial of heavenly lightning that tests a cultivator's foundation upon major breakthroughs] with the aid of the Crimson Sun Void-Burning Furnace [a powerful magical furnace].

It was said that to survive the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, Xavier Xu had to shatter four of his Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [powerful artifacts that serve as a clan's ultimate defense]. In the end, he used the Crimson Sun Void-Burning Furnace to block the final two bolts of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

After blocking the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a devastating tribulation of heavenly thunder], the Crimson Sun Void-Burning Furnace [a magical furnace forged from the essence of a crimson sun] sustained minor damage. It would require nearly three decades of careful nurturing and spiritual infusion to fully restore its power.

Xavier Xu personally escorted it back to the Chen Clan, expressing a thousand thanks and boundless gratitude for the assistance rendered. For more chapters, visit audio—novel.com for the complete novel.