Chapter 349 : A Golden Core Forged in Crisis

However, the Peach Blossom Mountain's Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of spiritual energy within the earth] was only of Third Rank Low Grade [a specific grade within the cultivation resource hierarchy], its ambient spiritual energy far insufficient to fuel the breakthrough of a Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator at the Golden Core stage].

"This is bad, the spiritual energy is insufficient!"

Qingyan the Immortal Maiden [a title for a powerful female cultivator] paled, hurriedly crushing a large quantity of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] to release their energy and supply Qingci the Recluse's breakthrough.

Yet the Spirit Stone in her possession were not plentiful; they fell far short of what was needed to supply a Golden Core Cultivator's breakthrough.

At this critical juncture, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. The spiritual energy had begun to coalesce into a vortex—Qingci the Recluse had completed the most crucial step. It would be a profound tragedy if failure resulted from a mere lack of energy.

And so, Eldrin Chen raised his hand, releasing nearly one million Spirit Stone. He crushed them into a vast, surging tide of spiritual energy, lending Qingci the Recluse a final, decisive hand.

Such a torrent of energy was nearly equivalent to over half a Fourth Rank Low Grade Spirit Vein, ample to aid Qingci the Recluse in completing his core condensation.

After this step, Eldrin Chen estimated Qingci the Recluse's chances of breaking through to the Golden Core [the stage where a cultivator forms a solidified golden core of energy] were now virtually assured.

Indeed, as the spiritual vortex gradually dissipated, a powerful aura finally erupted from Peach Blossom Mountain.

"Success." This chapter appears courtesy of AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he saw Qingci the Recluse ascend into the sky. The man gave him a nod, then gazed with profound gravity at the Tribulation Clouds gathering over the Firmament.

At that very moment, Lyra Jiang beside him stirred, a faint frown creasing her brow.

"What is it?" Eldrin Chen inquired.

"For an instant just now, I sensed an extremely powerful aura."

Lyra Jiang spoke, then closed her eyes to continue her search. Yet, in the end, she found nothing.

Eldrin Chen also furrowed his brow. The two of them scoured the area, but ultimately failed to locate the source of that aura.

After a long moment, Eldrin Chen looked at the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the cataclysmic trial of thunder and lightning that tests a cultivator's path to a higher realm] in the Firmament, his expression grave. "If someone truly hides in the shadows, their aims are likely far from simple. It seems we must be cautious."

"Perhaps it was merely an illusion."

Lyra Jiang shook her head, her voice calm.

Meanwhile, hidden deep within the earth several hundred Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] away, was an elderly man clad in Daoist robes.

This individual gazed at the distant Tribulation Clouds [dense, churning clouds that gather during a cultivator's heavenly trial], his gaze then turning heavy and focused as he looked towards Lyra Jiang and Eldrin Chen. "The Alliance Master of the Heaven's Ruin Alliance, and the Chu Kingdom Sword Immortal [a title bestowed upon a supremely skilled sword cultivator from the Chu Kingdom]... why would they come here?"

"Although Qingci the Recluse's breakthrough into the Golden Core realm is an unforeseen variable, it is ultimately inconsequential. However, Lyra Jiang and Eldrin Chen possess Great Divine Ability [a supreme and powerful supernatural technique]. If they join forces, I have no confidence in my ability to slay them."

"Could it be that he sensed my approach and deliberately invited these two here?"

The old man pondered silently for a moment, a flicker of gravity passing through his eyes.

After a long pause, he shook his head. "Impossible. If he knew I was coming, he would have long since fled Peach Blossom Mountain. He would never dare remain."

"That Golden Radiance Glazed Lamp [a precious artifact that emits a golden, crystalline light] is the key to my confidence in surviving the Nascent Soul Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the cataclysmic thunder tribulation one must endure to form a Nascent Soul]. I am determined to obtain it. Who could possibly stand in my way?"

"Enough. I shall wait. They will depart eventually."

With this thought, the old man smoothed his long beard and completely concealed his aura.

Engaging two powerful Golden Core cultivators in battle was unwise, especially when both had mastered Great Divine Ability and were among the pinnacle of their realm.

Although the old man's cultivation had reached the False Nascent Soul [a pseudo-realm just below a true Nascent Soul, often achieved by those who failed the tribulation], and he held great confidence in his own strength, he was acutely aware of his dwindling lifespan and waning vitality. He feared that sustaining an injury could sever his path to advancing into the true Nascent Soul realm.

He suppressed his aura, concealing himself silently within the fabric of heaven and earth, while the tribulation crossing at the other end finally drew to a close.

Having acquired a considerable fortune from Lin Daoyang, Qingci the Recluse [a wandering cultivator known for his poetic and reclusive nature] was naturally exceedingly well-prepared, possessing a multitude of Tribulation-Substituting Treasures [magical items designed to absorb or deflect the damage of a heavenly tribulation].

Relying on these treasures, Qingci the Recluse successfully weathered the tribulation, achieving a breakthrough into the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, golden-hued core] realm in one fell swoop.

Immediately after surviving the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the trial of lightning and thunder sent by the heavens to test a cultivator's worthiness for advancement], Qingci the Recluse sought out Eldrin Chen and promptly bowed deeply in respect. "Fellow Daoist, your assistance in my path to the Dao is a kindness I shall never forget," he said with heartfelt gratitude.

"There is no need for such formalities. Your breakthrough to Golden Core was achieved through your own efforts; I merely gave fate a gentle nudge," Eldrin Chen replied with a faint smile.

Eldrin Chen allowed himself a slight smile. Qingci the Recluse's successful ascension to Golden Core meant his own not-insignificant investment had not been in vain. The complete novel can be found at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

Qingci the Recluse shook his head, his expression earnest. "Without your aid this time, I likely would have been forced to burn my lifeblood essence to replenish my energy for forming the Golden Core. Even if I had succeeded, it would have left my vital essence severely depleted."

"However, the Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] debt I owe you... I'm afraid its repayment must wait until after we explore the ancient ruins," he continued, his tone turning solemn.

As he spoke of the ruins, a look of profound gravity settled upon Qingci the Recluse's face.

The mention of the pre-ancient ruins stirred a thrill of anticipation within the group. Any site that could endure for millennia within an environment like the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a legendary, perpetually burning region of extreme heat and danger] was almost certainly of a grade surpassing the mere Golden Core Grade [pertaining to the power level or treasures associated with the Golden Core realm].

Thinking of this, Yu Qingyan [the Immortal Maiden of the Yu Clan] said with a smile, "The ruins are set to open again in two months. It is time for us to depart."

"Then let us set off."

With the imminent opening of the ruins on their minds, the group did not tarry. That very day, they departed from Peach Blossom Mountain [a mountain known for its enchanting peach blossom groves] with great haste.

The distance from Peach Blossom Mountain to the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a perilous region of scorching flames] was over three million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. Fortunately, the Green Sun Treasure Boat [a flying vessel enchanted with the essence of the verdant sun] possessed extraordinary speed. It traversed the vast distance in a mere ten-plus days, arriving within the bounds of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire.

After entering the outer periphery of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, Qingci the Recluse [a renowned rogue cultivator] spoke with grave seriousness, "The secret realm lies deep within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, and it is inhabited by Crimson Flame Spirit [demonic spirits born of pure fire] of the Golden Core Realm [the realm of the solidified Golden Core]. We must proceed with utmost caution."

"Hold a moment."

At that very instant, Eldrin Chen brought the Green Sun Treasure Boat to an abrupt halt.

His expression turned grave as he glanced at Lyra Jiang and asked, "What is the situation?"

"What is wrong?"

Seeing the shift in their demeanor, Qingyan the Immortal Maiden [the elegant and perceptive Immortal Maiden] could not help but inquire.

At that very moment, Lyra Jiang [the Immortal Maiden Lyra] opened her eyes, her expression turning grave. "Throughout this entire journey," she said, "I have been using a specific art to sense auras. I have detected someone tailing us, and their strength is at least at the level of Golden Core Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Golden Core Realm]."

"How is that possible?"

Qingci the Recluse [the Recluse Qingci] paled, unable to suppress his shock. "This journey was kept in absolute secrecy. Aside from the three of you, I informed no one."

It was then that Eldrin Chen [Eldrin of the Chen Clan] spoke up. "My Grudge Soul-Tracking Art [an art that senses lingering grudges and hostile intent] has also sensed something. I fear the one following us is Astrael [the renowned rogue cultivator Astrael]."

"Astrael."

The complexions of the others shifted. A person's reputation casts a long shadow, and Astrael was known as the foremost Rogue Cultivator [an unaffiliated cultivator] of the Heavenly Abode Continent. Decades prior, he had obtained a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary pill that aids in forming a Nascent Soul] and subsequently broke through to the False Nascent Soul [a quasi-Nascent Soul state, a powerful intermediate realm].

His foundation was a Middle Golden Core [a Golden Core of solid, above-average quality]. It seemed that within a few more decades, he would be ready to attempt the true Nascent Soul [the realm of the Nascent Soul, a major milestone] breakthrough once more, and his chances of success were estimated to exceed fifty percent.

"Now I understand."

Hearing that their pursuer was Astrael, a bitter smile touched the lips of Qingci the Recluse.

The reason became clear. Not long ago, he had contemplated selling his Golden Radiance Glazed Lamp [a Magical Treasure lamp that emits a golden, glazed light], and a few close acquaintances had learned of this. Astrael, on the cusp of his Nascent Soul breakthrough, had been meticulously preparing to face his Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation. In all likelihood, he had come for the Golden Radiance Glazed Lamp, seeking its protective power for his impending trial.

After informing the others of the situation, Qingci the Recluse said with a bitter smile, "My apologies to you all. Today, I have brought trouble upon you."

"Do not worry."

Seeing his troubled expression, Lyra Jiang [the Immortal Maiden Lyra] spoke calmly, "The aura within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a region of chaotic and scorching energies] is muddled and chaotic. I can use my divine ability to conceal our treasure boat, making it difficult for him to sense us." Official source: audio–novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.