Chapter 204: Chapter 104: Core Formation Celebration

In this cultivation world, Core Formation is a watershed, blocking nearly ninety percent of cultivators.

Once one succeeds in forming a True Core, it signifies a leap across the ranks, realizing a true shift in social classes.

True Core cultivators in the southern part of the Yan Kingdom already belong to the upper echelon of the pyramid, especially if backed by solid financial power, the future holds limitless possibilities.

Especially in Liuyun City, where ninety-nine percent are Loose Cultivators, True Core cultivators are revered by many.

As for those opening shops in Liuyun City, apart from businesses of major powers, most are run by Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators, and those at the Fake Pill level are extremely rare.

Loose Cultivators who manage to reach True Core almost invariably find themselves in the embrace of commerce alliances or become offerings to major forces.

Li Jizhou has now achieved the rank of True Core Master and is still the owner of Taobao Pavilion, certainly many will extend an olive branch.

As expected,

as soon as the banquet started,

Baiqi City, Vice City Lord of Liuyun City Commerce Alliance, personally sent a congratulatory gift worth a thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones, along with an offering contract promising a permanent cultivation dojo, and an annual example of a thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones.

This made the neighbors present swallow hard, as an annual income equivalent to a hundred thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones is akin to a windfall for Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment cultivators, something they dare not even dream of.

However, for Li Jizhou, this is still not enough for the cost of materials for one Fetus Nourishing Pill.

Of course, most Core Formation cultivators wouldn’t start preparing for the formation of a Nascent Soul as prematurely as he does, usually taking things step by step, only truly starting preparations in the Late Stage of Core Formation.

After all, even after achieving Core Formation, many might remain stuck in the Early Stage of Core Formation for life, unable to progress.

Each advancement in the minor stages after Core Formation is extremely difficult.

Especially reliant on one’s own talent and the quality of the Core Formation.

Just like Master Han from the Sea Domain of Five Elders Association, who barely formed a lower-level True Core using a Profound Crystal Fruit, and whose talent is just above Middle Grade, without significant opportunities thereafter, he might never cross the barrier of the Middle Stage of Core Formation in his life.

Li Jizhou expressed honored humility and sincere gratitude towards the Commerce Alliance’s solicitation.

Nonetheless, he conveyed his resolve to continue and expand Taobao Pavilion.

To this, the Vice City Lord praised highly, commending Li Jizhou as an excellent ally of the Commerce Alliance, and offered some special treatments exclusive to True Core cultivators.

Then, various shops in the market all stepped forward with congratulatory gifts.

Various materials, red envelopes, innumerable.

Unsurprisingly, some forces near Liuyun City also received messages from shopkeepers stationed in the city,

many forces specially sent people to establish connections with Li Jizhou.

Among them, a few True Core Masters also came.

Most bore intentions of solicitation.

For a time, Li Jizhou was basking in unmatched glory.

Until most of the gift bearers had settled.

That familiar figure then slowly approached.

“Congratulations to Master Li on proving True Core, may your paths be smooth!” Qi Yuan, voluptuous and alluring, with a hint of playful smile, in a luxurious red robe, exudes a True Core aura stronger than Li Jizhou’s.

Li Jizhou, with a smile on his face, stood to greet her.

“Fairy Qi, long time no see, never expected you could come, much obliged for my lack of welcoming.”

Qi Yuan left the Sea Domain of Five Elders Association ten years earlier than Li Jizhou, with at least Top-Grade Spirit Root talent, having turned over a new leaf, backed by Golden Sun Sect, forming True Core was unsurprising.

Li Jizhou was just surprised she actually came to attend his Core Formation celebration.

“Oh? Indeed, it’s been long, must have been twenty years or so.” Qi Yuan, with smiling phoenix eyes, stared intently into Li Jizhou’s eyes.

Hearing this, Li Jizhou laughed lightly.

When leaving the Sea Domain of Five Elders Association, he had already revealed his true identity to Jiang Li, unconcerned about anything, naturally expecting Qi Yuan would find out eventually.

In this, he didn’t care much, at most it meant Qi Yuan would call him ’grandfather’ many times.

“Fairy Qi, please take a seat first; we’ll speak of the past later.”

“Haha, suits my intentions well.” Qi Yuan lazily shrugged, sitting next to Li Jizhou.

Upon returning to Golden Sun Sect twenty years ago, realizing Zhang Ruoyu hadn’t left the sect, she understood the Sea Domain one was fake.

But firstly, the impersonator of Zhang Ruoyu had saved her life.

Secondly, the person stayed low-profile and cultivated diligently in the Sea Domain, never using Zhang Ruoyu’s name recklessly.

Thirdly, for someone who could imitate Zhang Ruoyu’s speech, temperament, and demeanor so closely must be closely acquainted with Zhang Ruoyu.

Thus she kept this matter to herself, only mentioning it to Jiang Li, whom she deeply bonded with over decades.

Until later in her correspondence with Jiang Li, she learned of the impersonator’s real identity.

She never expected the small Qi Cultivation minor she once met at Spirit Pearl Mountain marketplace would grow to such a level.

Recently, she was in Purple Mist Immortal City east of Liuyun City for purchases when she unexpectedly heard of Li Jizhou’s Core Formation celebration, astonishing her greatly, so she hurried there overnight.

After seating herself, her phoenix eyes closed in a feigned rest, her mind recalling scenes from decades ago when she first encountered Li Jizhou.

Meanwhile, everyone present eyeing Qi Yuan seated beside Li Jizhou showed varied expressions.

“Hiss~ that fairy looks unfamiliar, isn’t listed on the Rouge Ranking.”

“Such enchanting fairy grace, how can she not be on the Rouge Ranking? Seems the ranking is just for show.”

“With years of experience, though this fairy’s charm doesn’t match the top ten on the Rouge Ranking, her voluptuous and tall stature is, indeed, if I were ranking, she must secure a spot in the top five!”

…

Even the Vice City Lord sitting on Li Jizhou’s other side couldn’t help but look askance at her,

being a True Core Master almost two hundred years old with real power in Liuyun City, his tastes had long elevated,

ordinary maiden charms can no longer catch his eye,

even those beauties on the Rouge Ranking seem lackluster to him.

And Qi Yuan’s well-rounded yet not plump, tall mature figure, at all times exudes a charm that stirs him.

“Haha, City Lord Bai didn’t know Master Li had such a fairy as a companion, truly enviable.” City Lord Bai saw Li Jizhou showed no intention of introducing, thick-skinnedly smiling.

Li Jizhou smiled, cupped hands, and diverted the conversation: “City Lord Bai flatters me, Fairy Qi was a senior in my youth, helping me greatly. Today, she’s kindly come to support, for which I’m deeply grateful.”

Without revealing Qi Yuan’s background.

“Haha, that certainly calls for a proper reception.” City Lord Bai laughed heartily, refraining from probing further, after all, facing a True Core Master, he couldn’t enforce.

After all guests took seats.

Li Jizhou raised a cup of Spirit Wine, standing tall: “Grateful for Celestial Grace, fortuitously achieving Core Formation, friends have graciously come, deeply thankful, a modest wine prepared, please drink together!”

Everyone stood up: “Congratulations to Master Chang Chun’s Core Formation! Cheers!”

——

A round of cross toasts, hosts and guests in merriment.

Li Jizhou also, at the invitation of everyone, shared some insights on Core Formation, pretending to be modest.

Until night fell, guests gradually dispersed.

While Qi Yuan waited eagerly…

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