Chapter 372 : A Golden Core's Unexpected Dawn

"Old Granduncle's innate talent, comprehension, and even the trials he has undergone are all exceptional. Previously, he was merely lacking a touch of opportunity."

Eldrin Chen gazed at the Spirit Fish [spiritually infused fish] in the pond, casually tossing in fish food.

He examined Old Patriarch carefully for a moment, then remarked, "It seems you have gained immensely from this, Uncle. To have actually broken through to the Golden Core, 3rd Tier [the third stage of the Golden Core realm, where a cultivator's spiritual power condenses into a solid, radiant core]."

"The Creation Treasure Jade [a miraculous jade that aids in refining one's cultivation foundation] possesses extraordinary efficacy. This breakthrough of mine was an unexpected boon while I was solidifying my foundation."

Old Patriarch was a cultivator with Two Spiritual Roots [an affinity for two of the five elemental spiritual energies], and the Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's life force, growing in power with them] he refined could not compare to Eldrin Chen's five. Furthermore, with Eldrin Chen's full support using the Spirit Peach [a mystical peach that greatly enhances cultivation], his cultivation speed was exceedingly rapid.

Chen Thalion spoke, then paused thoughtfully before continuing, "Ethan broke through to the Purple Mansion Ninth Layer [the ninth and final layer of the Purple Mansion realm] three years ago. It appears he will attempt to assail the Golden Core [the realm where spiritual energy condenses into a golden, core-like entity] within the next decade."

"Kael broke through a little earlier than him. However, his Three Spiritual Roots [an affinity for three elemental spiritual energies] and the need to refine three Life-Bound Magical Treasure will cause some delay. Still, he should also be able to attempt the Golden Core breakthrough before the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic cataclysm where hordes of demonic beasts rampage]."

"Beyond them, Lior's cultivation is also progressing swiftly. He will likely attempt his Golden Core breakthrough around the time of the Beast Tide Calamity. We need to prepare tribulation-surpassing treasures for them."

Eldrin Chen nodded, pondering for a moment before asking, "We do not possess many Fourth Rank Low Grade Magical Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts of the fourth rank, low grade]. The Blazing Sun Void-Burning Furnace [a furnace treasure that burns with solar flames] suits you well and is not ideal for weathering a tribulation."

"Then let us forge a few more Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts of significant power] specifically designed for overcoming heavenly tribulations." Official source: audio-novel . com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Old Patriarch spoke as he retrieved a list.

He handed the list to Eldrin Chen and said with a smile, "Here are a few Fourth Rank Heaven and Earth Treasures [rare materials born from the convergence of heaven and earth's spiritual essence] from the Clan Treasury. Choose a couple to refine into tribulation-resisting Magical Treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators]."

Eldrin Chen took a look and discovered there were a full seven Fourth Rank Heaven and Earth Treasures within the Clan Treasury.

Over the years, to enhance the power of their Lifebound Magical Treasures [enchanted artifacts bound to a cultivator's life force], Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang had consumed quite a few Fourth Rank Heaven and Earth Treasures. He hadn't expected so many would still remain, which came as a pleasant surprise.

Noticing his expression, the Old Patriarch smiled faintly and explained, "Of these treasures, three were purchased by the clan's shops. The rest were produced over the years by the clan's several Earth Veins [natural conduits of earth-attribute spiritual energy]."

"That makes things easier."

Eldrin Chen smiled. With this many Heaven and Earth Treasures, he could select the ones most suited to withstand the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the trial of heavenly lightning faced during major cultivation breakthroughs].

He selected three pieces of Fourth Rank Heaven and Earth Treasure: one piece of Abyssal Sinking Stone, one piece of Azure-Gold Mother Stone, and one piece of Blazing Sun Gold Crystal.

Among these three treasures, the Abyssal Sinking Stone possessed dual earth and water attributes. The Azure-Gold Mother Stone was a triple-attribute Heaven and Earth Treasure of earth, wood, and metal. Finally, the Blazing Sun Gold Crystal was a dual-attribute Heaven and Earth Treasure of metal and fire.

These treasures encompassed the five elemental attributes of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth. With the exception of those possessing an Anomalous Spiritual Root [a rare spiritual root type outside the standard five elements], any cultivator could unleash their maximum potential with them.

After selecting the treasures, Eldrin Chen said, "Since we are crafting Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] for the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a trial of lightning sent by the heavens to test cultivators seeking a major breakthrough], it is best to forge them all into Defensive Magical Treasure [magical treasures specialized for protection]. This will significantly increase our chances of success."

"Indeed, that is the wisest course," Old Patriarch replied with a smile.

Having chosen the Heaven and Earth Treasures [rare natural materials imbued with spiritual power], the two of them set to work crafting Fourth Rank [the grade corresponding to the Golden Core Realm] Defensive Magical Treasure.

Both Eldrin Chen and Old Patriarch possessed exceptional skill in artificing. Working together, there was little chance for error.

In merely three days, the Abyssal Sinking Stone was forged into an 'Abyssal Sinking Stone Cauldron', the Azure-Gold Mother Stone was transformed into an 'Azure-Gold Ancient Bell', and the final Blazing Sun Gold Crystal was refined into a 'Blazing Sun Gold Pearl'.

These three treasures were all Fourth Rank Low Grade Defensive Magical Treasure. They possessed almost no offensive capabilities, but their defensive power ranked among the very best within their grade.

After the three treasures were completed, Old Patriarch stored them away with evident satisfaction.

At that moment, Silas Chen approached. She glanced at Eldrin Chen, a flicker of joy, almost imperceptible, crossing her features, and then said, "Greetings, Old Patriarch, greetings, Uncle Eldrin."

"You have arrived,"

Eldrin Chen looked at her, his eyes glinting with a subtle light.

Back in the day, Silas had to attempt the breakthrough to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual foundation expands into a grand internal mansion] three times in succession to subdue his Mortal Tribulation [a trial of the heart and spirit that must be overcome to advance to higher realms], a process that delayed his progress by forty years.

Who could have imagined she would now catch up in cultivation? She has already reached the Purple Mansion Eighth Layer, and she is only around two hundred and thirty years old. It seems she will be able to cultivate to Purple Mansion Great Perfection [the peak of the Purple Mansion realm, where one's spiritual mansion is fully perfected and stabilized] by the age of two hundred and sixty or so.

This pace of advancement is nearly on par with Caleb Chen, who broke through twenty years earlier than her, a clear testament to the girl's immense diligence in her cultivation.

One must understand that although she received substantial resource rewards upon breaking through to the Purple Mansion, her actual resources still could not compare to what the Old Patriarch had access to in his time.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen felt a swell of paternal pride. This was, after all, the girl he had raised from childhood. "Your cultivation progress is commendable," he said, his voice warm with approval. "It seems you have not been idle these years."

"Take this Creation Green Essence Pill [a rare and potent elixir that refines one's spiritual essence and enhances the potential for future breakthroughs]." Visit audio - novel . com to enjoy the complete series.

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen retrieved a Jade Vial and handed it to Silas Chen.

Accepting the Jade Vial, Silas Chen could not conceal a flicker of joy. Her fingers traced the smooth jade surface almost reverently, and a new light kindled in her eyes.

"Thank you, Uncle Eldrin."

"With this pill, your hopes of one day breaking through to Golden Core [the fourth major realm, where a cultivator condenses their spiritual essence into a radiant, durable core] will be significantly bolstered."

Old Patriarch stroked his long beard, a smile gracing his lips as he spoke. "By the way," he inquired, "what brings you here today?"

Hearing his question, Silas Chen quickly snapped back to attention.

She glanced at Eldrin Chen before speaking. "In response to your question, Granduncle," she began, "although my cultivation has progressed steadily within the clan these years, I feel I have lacked sufficient tempering and experience."

"Therefore, I wish to leave the clan for a time, to travel and gain experience in the surrounding Cultivation World [the world where cultivators pursue immortality and power]. My hope is to return better prepared to attempt a breakthrough into the Golden Core [a solidified core of spiritual power, a major milestone in a cultivator's journey] realm."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. He exchanged a look with the Old Patriarch before turning his gaze back.

He regarded Silas Chen, letting out a soft sigh. "Journeying the world holds considerable peril," he said, "though with your current cultivation, you are indeed capable of traveling across several provinces."

"However, once you leave the Chu Kingdom, the risks become unknown. In unfamiliar lands, even a Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened the spiritual mansion within their dantian, a high-level expert] can fall prey to the schemes of others. You must be certain of your decision."

Silas Chen's expression shifted, but she clenched her jaw with resolve. "The path I have walked these years has been too smooth," she insisted. "Without experiencing certain trials firsthand, one can never gain a profound understanding."

"I believe I must undertake this journey if I am to have any hope of forging a Middle Golden Core [a Golden Core of middling quality and potential]."

Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch shared another glance. With a sigh, Eldrin spoke. "With such determination and conviction, it is truly a pity you did not achieve Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [a method of establishing one's cultivation foundation without external aids, leading to greater potential]. Otherwise, you might have had a chance to forge a Superior Golden Core [a Golden Core of superior quality and potential]."

Silas Chen did not achieve Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [a method of establishing one's foundation without external aids, considered the purest path]. His early Deep-Seated Foundation [the quality and stability of a cultivator's foundational cultivation stage] was, in truth, rather poor. That he managed to break through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core] three times without relying on external treasures, relying solely on sheer force of will to subdue the Mortal Tribulation [the internal trials of heart and mind faced during major breakthroughs], marks him as a figure of extraordinary, almost obsessive, determination.

From the moment of his first failure, it was clear he fundamentally could not endure that level of agony. Yet, despite this unbearable pain, he charged forward again and again, three times in total, ultimately conquering the tribulation through sheer, unyielding obsession. This depth of fixation is truly awe-inspiring.

Alas, in the end, he was not one who had undergone Self-Guided Foundation Establishment. Having missed that crucial step, he was forever destined to be unable to forge a Superior Golden Core [the highest grade of Golden Core formation, offering the greatest potential for future advancement]. Discover more cultivation stories at audio_novel.com.