Chapter 336 : The Core's Forge

Back when Old Patriarch first attempted his breakthrough into the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, forming a solid core of condensed energy], the reason he only reached the Pseudo-Core Realm [a transitional, unstable state just before forming a true Golden Core] was primarily due to insufficient spiritual energy [the vital power cultivated by practitioners], which left him powerless to continue and unable to condense a genuine Golden Core.

Unlike his first attempt, this time he had already broken through the Pseudo-Core Realm. His spiritual energy was now a full sixty to seventy percent more abundant and profound than before. As he charged towards the Golden Core Realm, he found his energy reserves far more ample and manageable.

As all the spiritual energy within his body converged relentlessly towards his Elixir Field [the dantian, the primary energy center in the lower abdomen], that Pseudo-Core Realm grew increasingly solid, vast, and began to spin with a life of its own. Waves of immense power surged forth, potent enough to sunder mountains and churn seas.

If this rampant energy were allowed to run wild now, uncontrolled, it could very well cause the nascent Golden Core to detonate, resulting in the catastrophic destruction of his physical form.

Fortunately, Old Patriarch had consumed the Golden Core Formation Pill [a supreme elixir that aids in the formation and stabilization of the Golden Core]. The pill transformed into a wondrous, arcane force of Creation [the primordial, ordering principle of the universe], which tempered the violent spiritual energy, making it far more docile. It also assisted him in compressing the Golden Core taking shape within.

Seizing the moment, Old Patriarch swallowed the Sub-Golden Core Pill [a pill refined from the core of a near-Golden Core demonic beast] in one gulp. Instantly, the greater portion of a Pseudo-Core Realm great demon's spiritual energy flooded into his body. This torrential force rushed into his Elixir Field, compelling the spinning Pseudo-Core Realm to accelerate violently as it voraciously absorbed the influx.

Time lost all meaning. After devouring this massive influx of energy, the Pseudo-Core Realm finally crossed a critical threshold. A force of self-containment manifested, and it began to madly draw upon the spiritual energy [the ambient vital essence] of heaven and earth from the Spirit Pond.

"It is done."

Watching the spiritual energy within the Spirit Pond [a pool or spring rich with concentrated spiritual energy] being frantically drawn away, Eldrin Chen finally let out a sigh of relief.

Once the Pseudo-Core Realm crosses the threshold of self-containment, a true Golden Core is formed. What follows is merely the process of converting and refining the remaining spiritual energy. Continue reading this story at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

Once the transformation was complete, the Old Patriarch's spiritual power would become far more refined and condensed. Both the sheer volume and the purity of his mana would surge dramatically.

At that point, with the potency of Golden Core-level mana, the Old Patriarch could casually unleash a single Divine Ability [a supreme mystical technique], and it would require a Violet Sanctum Cultivator to expend their full arsenal of techniques just to contend with it.

An unknowable length of time passed. Seeing the Old Patriarch's mana transformation nearing completion, Eldrin Chen promptly called out in a clear voice.

"Expel your Golden Core [the solidified core of a cultivator's power]."

Placing absolute trust in Eldrin Chen, the Old Patriarch immediately opened his mouth and expelled the Golden Core from within his body.

Eldrin Chen cast a glance and observed that the Old Patriarch's Golden Core manifested in dual hues of gold and white, faintly exuding an aura of sharpness and searing heat, with gold being the predominant color.

The Golden Core radiated a blazing light, its golden glow resplendent and sacred, possessing a majestic and awe-inspiring presence. It resembled a miniature golden sun, its power vast and boundless.

"So this is the Golden Core formed from dual Spiritual Root [innate spiritual affinity] of Fire and Metal?"

In that instant, Eldrin Chen understood. The Old Patriarch primarily cultivated the Solar Solar Fire Scripture [a supreme cultivation art harnessing solar fire], which was why his refined mana leaned more towards the supreme and sacred nature of the Primordial Solar [the essence of the primordial sun].

Without further contemplation, he seized the moment and exhaled a stream of Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [a primordial and supreme form of spiritual energy].

In that fleeting instant, that wisp of Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [the supreme primordial energy of creation, tinged with violet] surged into Old Patriarch's Golden Core [the solidified spiritual nucleus of a Golden Core cultivator].

Faintly, it caused the radiance of his Golden Core to brighten momentarily before dimming once more. Thereafter, a subtle violet hue could be seen veiling the surface of the Golden Core.

Having absorbed the wisp of Violet Aura, Old Patriarch swallowed his Golden Core back into his dantian [the core energy center in the lower abdomen]. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and began to meditate, sensing the changes within his Golden Core.

After a long while, he opened his eyes, a flicker of pleasant surprise within them.

Eldrin Chen inquired, "What is the result?"

"After refining that single wisp of Violet Aura, the very foundation of my Golden Core has undergone a transformation."

Old Patriarch pondered for a moment, then continued with a furrowed brow, "It seems as though the Primordial Chaos Violet Aura has shattered a shackle, allowing my Golden Core to mend its flawed foundation. It can now be cultivated anew to reach the Middle-Tier Golden Core [a superior grade within the Golden Core realm]."

"However, to rebuild it to the Middle-Tier Golden Core would require a tremendous price to fully replenish its foundational essence."

"Replenish its foundation?" Eldrin Chen frowned, unable to hold back his question. "What resources are needed to accomplish this?"

Eternal Profound Chen spoke with evident reluctance and a pained expression, "It requires five hundred strands each of the Solar Fire [essence of pure yang solar flames] and Metallic Gold [essence of pure metallic energy] auras."

"In addition, one Fire Essence Treasure Pearl [a rare pearl imbued with the pure essence of fire], one Metal Essence Orb [an orb containing the refined essence of metal], and one Creation Jade [a legendary jade that aids in the foundational creation of a cultivator's core] are required to completely mend the foundation."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. One strand of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] equals ten thousand wisps. Five hundred strands would be five million wisps of Five Elements Essence.

Calculated this way, five hundred strands each of Solar Fire [the pure yang energy of the sun] and Metallic Gold [the sharp, unyielding essence of metal] would cost roughly one million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. This amount was naturally within the means of the Old Patriarch.

Among the other three treasures, both the Fire Essence Treasure Pearl and the Metal Essence Orb were priceless. Fortunately, within the Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated earth energy] beneath Green Sun Mountain, one Fire Essence Treasure Pearl is produced every three Sixty-Year Cycle [a complete cycle of sixty years, a significant unit of time in fate and cultivation]. The next one should appear within one Sixty-Year Cycle.

The Chen Clan lacks a metal-attribute Fourth Rank Earth Vein [a high-grade earth energy channel]. To obtain a Metal Essence Orb, one would have to go to the Firmament Sword Sect [a major sword cultivation sect].

However, with the Firmament Sword Sect's power greatly diminished now, they likely would not refuse Eldrin Chen's request. Furthermore, Metal Essence Orb can also be purchased at the Golden Core Barter Convention [a grand trading event for Golden Core cultivators]. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio~novel.com.

It is just that the Creation Jade is far too precious. This object is considered the supreme treasure of the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation where one forms a solidified core of power].

The Creation Jade possesses the wondrous ability to nourish the Golden Core [the solidified core of power formed at the Golden Core Realm] and enhance its Creation [the foundational creative potential and quality] potential. Using it as the main ingredient to refine the 'Creation Return Cloud Pill' [a legendary pill that aids in Golden Core advancement] can even give a Golden Core Cultivator a thirty percent greater chance of breaking through to the Golden Core Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Golden Core Realm].

A single Creation Return Cloud Pill is valued at five million Spirit Stone, equivalent to a Fourth Rank Superior Grade [a high-quality fourth-tier] magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators]. This illustrates just how precious the Creation Jade truly is.

Therefore, the value of this object typically starts at around ten million Spirit Stone. Once it appears at an auction, it can even fetch a high price of fifteen million Spirit Stones, almost equivalent to a small half of a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a pill that aids in forming the Nascent Soul, the next major stage].

The Chu Nation [a sovereign state within the cultivation world] has no known source for Creation Jade [a rare spiritual jade that can mend foundational flaws in a cultivator's constitution]. To obtain such a treasure, it seems one must be prepared to pay a truly exorbitant price.

This illustrates the profound difficulty of mending one's foundational cultivation roots. In truth, the higher a cultivator's realm, the more arduous and costly the process of rectifying such foundational flaws becomes.

For an Infant Soul Cultivator [a cultivator who has condensed their Primordial Spirit] to mend even a single Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual affinity channels that determine cultivation aptitude], the precious resources required could utterly deplete the accumulated wealth of an Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a clan led by an Infant Soul cultivator] built over thousands of years.

As for elevating the upper limit of one's Golden Core [the solidified core of spiritual energy formed during the Golden Core stage] quality, without the aid of Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [a supreme primordial energy of creation], it is doubtful anyone within the entire Purple Seal Realm [the greater realm encompassing the Chu Nation and surrounding territories] could achieve such a feat.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen shook his head with a faint smile. He glanced at the Old Patriarch and spoke calmly, "Although Creation Jade is exceedingly rare, cultivators of our standing do possess the means to seek it out."

"First, Old Granduncle, focus on transcending your tribulation. In time, I shall seek out this treasure for you and aid you in forging a Middle-Tier Golden Core [a Golden Core of superior quality and potential]."

Hearing these words, the Old Patriarch snapped out of his pained reverie.

The two hurriedly exited the cave abode, only to find the sky above already churning with rolling Tribulation Cloud [ominous clouds that gather to unleash heavenly punishment]. The Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the trial of divine lightning sent to test ascendant cultivators] had long since begun its ominous gathering.

Watching the Tribulation Cloud boil and seethe, Eldrin Chen voiced his concern.

"Old Granduncle, please, be cautious."

"No need for concern. This time, our preparations are more than sufficient."

Eternal Profound Chen offered a faint, confident smile, his demeanor one of absolute certainty.

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen gave a nod. The Old Patriarch had indeed made thorough preparations this time; his chances of weathering the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of heavenly lightning that tests a cultivator's foundation] should be ample.

Without another word, a trace of solemnity settled upon the Old Patriarch's features. He stepped forward, ascending into the sky, and stood in silent vigil, awaiting the arrival of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation. Continue your cultivation journey at http://www . audio-novel.com.