“If only you had reached Golden Core a few decades earlier, Wei Tu, how great that would’ve been.”

Zhao Qingluo sighed softly.

Just as her words fell, a middle-aged man in a yellow robe, with a stern and imposing presence, suddenly appeared beside her.

“Ancestor,” sensing who it was, Zhao Qingluo calmed her heart, bowed slightly, and greeted the yellow-robed man respectfully.

This man was the pillar of the Zhao Clan of Xiyue—Golden Core Ancestor Zhao Jiangwu.

“Qingluo, with the combined efforts of the three Golden Core cultivators in our Zhao Clan, the teleportation array to the ‘Ancestral Clan’ has been fully activated. In three more months, the teleportation path will stabilize.”

“In these three months, I want both the clan and you to avoid any major disturbances.”

Zhao Jiangwu glanced at the jade talisman in Zhao Qingluo’s hand, frowning slightly as he spoke in a low voice.

“Yes, Ancestor.”

Zhao Qingluo nodded lightly in agreement.

Over these past decades, not only had Wei Tu sensed something strange with the five demonic sects in Jing Kingdom, but the Zhao Clan of Xiyue had also become aware.

A wise rabbit has three burrows. Just like how the Hanshan Tao Clan fled to Kang Kingdom, the Zhao Clan, as a leading family in Zheng Kingdom, also had its own means of escape.

The teleportation array to their “Ancestral Clan” was a secondary stronghold that had existed for thousands of years.

Seeing Zhao Qingluo’s agreement, Zhao Jiangwu’s expression eased.

He continued, “Zheng Kingdom, Jing Kingdom, Liang Kingdom—these three countries near the Demon Wolf Mountains were originally territories carved out by our righteous predecessors from the demon lands.”

“Now, with the rise of demonic power, losing these three countries is of little consequence to us. Once we return to the Ancestral Clan, there will come a day when we reclaim Zheng Kingdom.”

No one would have guessed that in the Zhao Clan’s territory, Zhao Jiangwu’s casual words actually revealed a great secret of the three nations’ cultivation world.

Now, what appeared to be the repeatedly defeated Righteous Alliance had, in fact, once been the victor in the great righteous-demonic war.

These simple words, if spread from the Zhao Clan, would surely stir up a storm.

Because it was not hard to hear from these words—that the “Seven-Nation Righteous Alliance” had already considered Zheng Kingdom, Jing Kingdom, and Liang Kingdom, these three border nations, as expendable pawns in the war.

Zhao Qingluo wasn’t surprised by these words, clearly she had long been accustomed to such truths.

“However, before we leave, I hope the clan can send a letter to Wei Tu, so he knows all of this and can leave Zheng Kingdom as soon as possible.”

“This is my request, I hope Ancestor will grant it.”

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Qingluo looked up at Zhao Jiangwu and spoke.

“Wei Tu?” Zhao Jiangwu was slightly surprised, not expecting Zhao Qingluo to speak so openly.

He had thought she would hide her feelings, but unexpectedly, she spoke them plainly.

“As expected of a child of the Zhao Clan.”

Zhao Jiangwu praised.

“If he succeeds in forming a Golden Core, I’ll have someone send the letter to him.”

“A rogue cultivator who reaches Golden Core is still quite the exceptional talent…”

Zhao Jiangwu replied.

“Thank you, Ancestor.” A faint smile appeared on Zhao Qingluo’s lips, and she gave a thankful nod.

Seeing this, Zhao Jiangwu grew curious and asked, “Qingluo, are you really so sure he can reach the Golden Core Realm? He might not even have a Mortal Shedding Pill.”

Zhao Qingluo didn’t answer. Instead, she tightened her grip on the jade talisman in her hand.

This talisman was a Minor Shift Talisman.

Years ago, when she fell into a trap and lost consciousness, Wei Tu had taken her Foundation Establishment Pill and succeeded in his cultivation.

But forty years ago…

Wei Tu came to Xiyue Mountain and returned the Minor Shift Talisman she had given him.

—Even though her father had confiscated it.

The one she held now was another Minor Shift Talisman.

One lost, one returned.

Zhao Qingluo firmly believed that this time, Wei Tu would succeed in breaking through to Golden Core.

The reactions from the outside world…

Wei Tu, deep in Red River Mountain, knew none of it. Right now, his entire focus was on forming his core.

There were three steps to forming a Golden Core.

First, “Crystalizing the True Essence.”

Second, “Condensing the False Core.”

Third, “Returning the Jade Liquid to Form the Core.”

Each of these three steps was extremely difficult. Any mistake, while not completely ruining the chance to ever form a core, would make future attempts incredibly hard.

The first step, “Crystalizing the True Essence.”

This step tested the purity of the cultivator’s true essence. If there were too many impurities or “pill toxins,” it would be impossible to transform the true essence into a crystal state.

During Foundation Establishment, Wei Tu had taken many pills, but with the help of the Yuan Gravity Law Seal, he could purify his true essence.

So this step wasn’t hard for Wei Tu—he just had to follow the process carefully, and he could pass it smoothly.

The second step, “Condensing the False Core.”

This stage was also known as the “Divine Sense Trial” during core formation.

Without strong enough divine sense, a cultivator couldn’t control their true essence, guide the world’s spiritual energy, compress the crystalized true essence into “Jade Liquid,” and then condense it into a “False Core.”

Although Wei Tu had never specifically trained in divine sense tempering techniques, as a talisman master, every time he crafted a talisman, he unintentionally tempered his divine sense.

In this aspect—

Wei Tu had some confidence.

…

The final step, “Returning Jade Liquid to Form the Core.”

This was also the most difficult part of core formation, testing a cultivator’s essence, energy, and spirit. Any small mistake could lead to core shattering and death, or at worst, forging a flawed core, falling into the rank of a False Core cultivator.

Fortunately, Wei Tu had previously obtained a complete Golden Core opportunity. In the Cloud Ze Secret Realm, he had captured the Ten-Thousand-Year Medicine King—the “Three-Eyed Silver Toad.” This gave him enough assurance to overcome this trial.

—The Three-Eyed Silver Toad was a living “Mortal Shedding Pill.”

Wei Tu patted his storage pouch, took out the jade box containing the Three-Eyed Silver Toad, and used his true essence to refine this Medicine King into a ball of crimson spiritual liquid, which he then swallowed.

The moment he swallowed the Three-Eyed Silver Toad—

Seated cross-legged, Wei Tu formed a hand seal, activating three blood-red pills, each the size of a chicken egg, near his dantian.

These three blood pills instantly shattered, turning into thick blood mist that seeped into Wei Tu’s dantian, pressing against the center of his dantian, where a waxy-white pellet floated.

This waxy-white pellet was the “False Core” that Wei Tu had spent years painstakingly condensing.

Immediately, the crimson spiritual liquid he swallowed began refining this pellet of condensed Jade Liquid.

Time slowly passed.

Days later, the “False Core” began to crack. The mercury-like Jade Liquid inside spilled out from the broken core, and under the power of the Mortal Shedding Pill, it re-condensed, transforming from liquid into solid.

The re-condensed “False Core” seemed to come alive, spinning constantly within his dantian, drawing in vast amounts of spiritual energy from outside the cave.

One day, two days…

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

A perfectly round core, the size of a pigeon egg, gradually formed under the shaping of spiritual energy, floating steadily within Wei Tu’s dantian.

“The trial of Returning Jade Liquid to Form the Core is finally over.” Seeing the Golden Core take shape, Wei Tu immediately relaxed his tense nerves and stood up, laughing heartily.

He looked up, facing the world outside, feeling the vast sky and earth, as if nothing could bind him anymore.

…

Two and a half years later.

After fully stabilizing his cultivation, Wei Tu flicked his sleeve, using a formation talisman to open the stone door of the cave.

“Congratulations, Daoist Wei, on achieving Golden Core.”

“From now on, you are one of us.”

Just as he stepped out, Wei Tu’s ears were filled with voices of congratulations.

Looking up, Wei Tu saw that among these well-wishers stood his master, Master Che Gongwei.

He immediately understood that these cultivators must be the Golden Core True Lords from the Loose Immortal Alliance who had protected his path.

“Greetings to all senior uncles and senior brothers.” Wei Tu didn’t overstep and call these people Daoist friends but humbly addressed them as seniors.

After all, his master was Che Gongwei. If he called these people Daoist friends, where would that leave Che Gongwei?

“Greetings, Master.” After returning their greetings, Wei Tu walked up to Che Gongwei and bowed respectfully.

Seeing Wei Tu’s respectfulness—

Che Gongwei’s tense heart finally eased. What he feared most was Wei Tu becoming arrogant after forming his core, leaving him, the master, embarrassed.

“No need for such formality.” Che Gongwei smiled gently and waved his hand.

Then, after a moment’s thought, he said what he had prepared years ago.

“Wei Tu, though you are my disciple, I must admit I didn’t teach you much. From now on, let’s just address each other as Daoist friends…”

“To call me master, I am unworthy.”

Che Gongwei spoke each word slowly.

Anyone with eyes could see that Wei Tu’s successful core formation was almost entirely due to his own efforts, with little to do with Che Gongwei.

At most, Che Gongwei had provided him with a stable environment for cultivation.

If he continued shamelessly clinging to the title of master, he would surely become the subject of ridicule among other cultivators.

“One day a master, a lifetime a master.”

Wei Tu shook his head, declining Che Gongwei’s kind gesture, and spoke firmly.

Though the bond between them wasn’t deep, from beginning to end, Che Gongwei had never wronged him as a disciple.

Now, there was no reason to change his allegiance.

“This…”

Che Gongwei was momentarily stunned and didn’t know how to persuade Wei Tu otherwise.

In the world of cultivation, strength made one a master. Wei Tu wasn’t someone Che Gongwei had raised from youth, just a disciple who had joined later, already skilled. If Wei Tu changed his sect now, no one would really criticize him for it.

As long as Wei Tu still respected him as a master in his heart, there was no need to cling to formalities.

“How about this.” True Lord Qi stepped forward and offered a compromise, “Privately, you can address each other as master and disciple, but in public, address us as Daoist friends. There’s no need to call anyone senior uncle or senior brother.”

Being called senior felt good, but it could also bring complications when handling affairs.

If the Loose Immortal Alliance assigned Wei Tu tasks in the future, and they acted as elders, wouldn’t that look like bullying someone younger?

This suggestion was sound.

Both Wei Tu and Che Gongwei agreed and nodded.

“Now that Daoist Wei has successfully formed his core, do you plan to leave the Loose Immortal Alliance or officially join us?” True Lord Qi turned to the main issue.

Normally, since Wei Tu had used the Loose Immortal Alliance’s spiritual veins to achieve core formation, he should naturally become a member of the Loose Immortal Alliance.

However, a Golden Core True Lord wasn’t the same as a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Even something that seemed obvious needed to be asked.

“I’m willing to join the Loose Immortal Alliance.” Wei Tu didn’t hesitate and gave a direct answer.

Wei Tu knew that if he left the Loose Immortal Alliance now, these Golden Core True Lords, who were currently friendly, might turn into deadly enemies the next moment.

He wasn’t foolish enough to make that mistake.

…

Next.

True Lord Qi, as the steward of the Loose Immortal Alliance, arranged a residence and other benefits in the Honghe Mountain Marketplace for this newly advanced Golden Core True Lord.

Once all was set—

Wei Tu cupped his hands in farewell, temporarily taking leave of True Lord Qi and the others, and flew towards his rented cave—Cloud Lark Residence.

More than ten years ago—

While he was in seclusion, over twenty of the Seven-Colored Phantom Moths he raised fell into a deep sleep, showing signs of transformation.

Now, over a decade later, there was a good chance these Seven-Colored Phantom Moths had advanced and become second-rank spirit insects.

When spirit beasts break through from the first to the second rank—

There was a small chance they could turn on their master.

So Wei Tu had to hurry back to Cloud Lark Residence to prevent any problems. Google seaʀᴄh N()velFire.net

But just as he landed at the entrance of Cloud Lark Residence, he noticed two shadowy figures lurking nearby.

“Gao Chen? Hua Xianlong?”

Wei Tu frowned slightly, unable to figure out why these two were waiting near his cave.

“Senior Brother Gao, Junior Brother Hua, come out.” Wei Tu’s voice turned cold as he glanced at their hiding spot.

As soon as he finished speaking—

Gao Chen and Hua Xianlong exchanged awkward glances and stepped out from the alley corner.

Gao Chen came forward, hesitated for a moment, then handed over a token, gritting his teeth. “This is the cave token for Cloudsmoke Residence. It was my mistake, offending you back then… Senior Wei, I hope you’ll accept this and not take it to heart.”

Times had changed.

Over thirty years ago, when he drove Wei Tu out of Cloudsmoke Residence, he relied on his False Core status. Even if Wei Tu was unhappy, he couldn’t do anything.

But now, Gao Chen only regretted offending Wei Tu, this future Golden Core True Lord.

“Staying at Senior Brother Gao’s residence was already a favor. When I left, I had no resentment. There’s no need for concern.” Wei Tu spoke plainly.

He wasn’t so petty as to hold a grudge just because someone had asked him to leave.

“But Junior Brother Hua, why are you here at my residence?” Wei Tu raised an eyebrow, full of doubt.

They had only met twice at most.

Once at the initiation ceremony.

Once at Master Che Gongwei’s lecture.

Clearly, they had little to do with each other.

Hua Xianlong gave an embarrassed smile and said, “During your seclusion, I spoke ill of you… so I’ve come to apologize.”

If it were just gossip, and Wei Tu didn’t know, Hua Xianlong wouldn’t bother apologizing.

But he feared that Nan Zi, who was close to Wei Tu, might bring up how he had slandered Wei Tu.

That’s why he rushed here to apologize first, to soften the blow.

“Junior Brother Hua, you’re quick on your feet.” Wei Tu’s expression turned a bit strange.

He hadn’t expected that after achieving Golden Core, both those who had openly wronged him and those who had done so secretly, would come to offer apologies.

“This is the power of the Golden Core.”

Wei Tu thought to himself.

“This is a second-rank magic robe I gathered. Please accept it, Senior Brother Wei.”

Taking the opportunity, Hua Xianlong handed over a gift box to Wei Tu.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep