Chapter 258

Several months later.

Inside a cave abode within Iron Mountain Fort.

Fang Qing sat cross-legged, his face faintly glowing with a jade-like radiance.

Within his dantian, the Devouring Sea Art circulated ceaselessly, continuously channeling the origin essence of his True Core into the Abstruse Dark Mirror.

At the same time, he took out an ancient bronze bell.

It was the Heaven-Listening Bell, the treasure he had obtained from the secret realm.

He turned it over in his hands, his fingers tracing the ancient seal script engraved across its surface. The dragon-like strokes and phoenix-like characters seemed almost alive, overflowing with spirituality. Yet no matter what he tried, the bell remained impossible to activate.

“This treasure is definitely at the Nascent Soul level. It might even be the sort of trump card that early or mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators would rely upon. Unfortunately, it requires far too much spiritual power. I simply cannot activate it with my current cultivation.”

Treasures of the Qi Refining path were ultimately different from those of the Qi Ingestion path.

For example, a Purple Mansion treasure could still display a portion of its power in the hands of a Dao Foundation cultivator, or even a Qi Ingestion cultivator, so long as they belonged to the same lineage.

Even Dharma King Pilu had once borrowed the power of a True Lord Treasure. Naturally, within the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain, such treasures were generally called Buddha Treasures rather than True Lord Treasures.

But within the Grotto Heavens of the Qi Refining path, Foundation Establishment cultivators could scarcely activate dharma treasures at all. Core Formation cultivators likewise found it nearly impossible to wield Nascent Soul-grade treasures. Their cultivation simply fell short of the requirement.

“On the other hand, simply sitting upon the Clearheart Meditation Cushion immediately produces results. As for the Soul-Nourishing Prayer Beads, merely wearing them protects against inner demons while continuously nourishing the divine sense.”

The latter effect was especially valuable. Although it lacked the direct and overwhelming enhancement provided by the Abyss Eye Pearl, its gradual nourishment of the divine sense would become equally remarkable over time.

“Sigh... After observing them for a while, these treasures appear to be free of hidden problems. Especially the latter two. I will certainly need their assistance when facing my heart demon tribulation.”

Looking at these treasures, Fang Qing could not help recalling Venerable Fuyu.

No... he should now be called True Lord Fuyu.

This Golden Core True Lord of the Blissful Union Sect truly seemed to have vanished without a trace after ascending.

Whatever arrangements he had left behind before ascending, they clearly did not exceed the means of a True Lord.

‘That secret realm also doesn't seem to have been his true foundation. It feels more like a secondary residence casually opened for convenience...’

‘There were opportunities related to Nascent Soul there, but not many. That old turtle clearly intended to push Zhan Hongxiu all the way to Nascent Soul, perhaps even Soul Transformation. The legacy of the Zhoutian Star Palace should at the very least contain a fifth-rank Soul Transformation opportunity.’

‘Which means, the greatest treasure has yet to be uncovered?’

‘I never expected that the Child of Destiny named Zhan Hongxiu still has such a tremendous opportunity waiting to be harvested.’

Just then, Fang Qing sensed the surrounding spiritual qi surging wildly toward a single point. The entire Iron Mountain Fort seemed to tremble.

“Excellent.”

He glanced toward Yu Xiang'er’s secluded cultivation chamber with satisfaction before transforming into a streak of light and flying outside Iron Mountain Fort.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Streams of light shot into the sky as cultivators emerged one after another, alarmed by the heavenly phenomenon.

“This...”

“A Core Formation phenomenon? Could it be the Fort Master?”

“The Fort Master is only at early Foundation Establishment. How could they possibly be forming a Core?”

“A Foundation Establishment peak cultivator? Hiss...”

Several quick-witted cultivators immediately pieced together the truth. Their expressions turned pale as they stared toward their Fort Master.

Although Iron Mountain Fort served as a hidden stronghold of the Sea-Destroying Alliance, not every cultivator stationed here knew the full story.

“Return to your respective duties. It is merely a Core Formation heavenly phenomenon. There is no need for panic.”

At that moment, a divine sense transmission entered the ears of every cultivator present.

They froze briefly before obediently returning to their work.

Those cultivating resumed cultivation.

Those tending spirit fields returned to farming.

The Core Formation phenomenon occurring nearby seemed as ordinary as eating or drinking.

High above, Fang Qing stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching as a pillar of light pierced the heavens and blossomed into five-colored auspicious clouds.

He nodded inwardly.

“She has successfully condensed her Core. She has not disappointed my expectations.”

The auspicious clouds continued expanding.

Unfortunately, the process slowed dramatically. After reaching a radius of four li, they began losing momentum.

“Just barely reaching the standard of a mid-grade True Core?”

“Well... that is still better than a low-grade True Core.”

He nodded again before looking toward the dark clouds gathering overhead as bolts of tribulation lightning descended one after another.

After all, Yu Xiang'er had once cultivated in the Eastern Sea Cultivation World. Her cultivation of the demonic Black Profound Scripture was fairly solid.

More importantly, demonic cultivators possessed countless life-preserving techniques.

One after another, she employed them, barely surviving all nine heavenly tribulation lightning bolts.

Whoosh!

A streak of light landed respectfully before Fang Qing.

“Many thanks for your generous grace, Young Master. This servant has successfully condensed her True Core.”

“Very good. Very good.”

Fang Qing swept his gaze across her.

Her robes had been torn apart by the heavenly tribulation, exposing large patches of fair skin. Though her complexion remained pale and traces of blood stained the corners of her lips, the sight only made her appear even more delicate and alluring.

Seeing where his gaze rested, Yu Xiang'er smiled sweetly.

“Young Master... now that this servant has reached the Core Formation realm, I can perform many dual cultivation arts reserved for Core Formation cultivators. I ask that Young Master lend me your assistance in stabilizing my True Core.”

“Very well. I shall help you this once.”

Fang Qing nodded.

“Cultivate steadily for a period first. Afterwards, head into the outer sea and search for a deserted island with at least a modest spiritual vein.”

Although the Sea-Destroying Alliance maintained several uninhabited islands with spiritual veins throughout the outer sea, Fang Qing found none of them satisfactory.

He intended to personally search alongside Yu Xiang'er until they found the ideal place to attempt their breakthrough into the Purple Mansion realm.

Several months later.

Only then did passing cultivators begin spreading news that Core Formation heavenly phenomena had appeared above Iron Mountain Fort.

By the time the Blue Sea Sect realized something was amiss and dispatched its Five-Tusked Warship, the entire Iron Mountain Fort had long since been deserted.

It was hardly surprising that the Hall of Punishing Evil had reacted so slowly. Their Hall Master Cui was currently devoting all his efforts to recovering from his injuries while preparing for his own Core Formation breakthrough.

Meanwhile, in the outer sea...

The Minor Huan Sea was merely the name given by the human race.

Beyond its borders lay the true outer sea, a paradise for demon beasts.

Second-rank and third-rank demon beasts were by no means everywhere, yet sightings of them were hardly uncommon.

If one continued deeper into the sea for countless thousands of miles, they would eventually reach one of the forbidden regions of the Eastern Sea cultivation world, where fourth-rank sea beasts ruled supreme.

On a desolate island shrouded in sea mist.

Two streaks of light descended, revealing Fang Qing and Yu Xiang'er.

“I never expected to find a place with such a fine spirit vein even in the outer sea...”

Fang Qing casually flicked out a strand of sword light, splitting apart the rocky cliff before him.

Crash!

The stone wall split open, revealing a narrow passage hidden behind it.

The sound of flowing water drifted out as dense spiritual qi mixed with cool mist rushed toward them.

Stepping inside, they found the cliffs opening to either side. A single beam of sunlight filtered through the narrow gap overhead, illuminating a spiritual spring below. The cliff walls were covered in vines and ivy, while thick moss carpeted the ground.

“A spiritual spring as well? Excellent indeed.”

Fang Qing nodded in satisfaction.

The Minor Huan Sea already marked the edge of the Eastern Sea. Beyond it, the dangers increased dramatically. Few cultivators were willing to develop these waters. The investment was enormous, the risks immense, and the rewards comparatively meager.

Only organizations like the Sea-Destroying Alliance, which had no place left in the civilized world, would painstakingly establish hidden strongholds and final refuges among the scattered spirit islands of the outer sea.

Yet Fang Qing had not chosen a single one of them.

It had nothing to do with the quality of their spiritual qi.

Too many people knew about those places.

He trusted the Sea-Destroying Alliance no more than anyone else. The only ones he truly trusted were his own disciples and Wisdom Consort.

Thus, after Yu Xiang'er had stabilized her Core Formation cultivation, the two wandered aimlessly through the outer sea. Along the way, they had even encountered several third-rank demon beasts.

Fortunately, each of those demon beasts had respectfully offered up its own demon core, causing no trouble whatsoever.

Among all the islands they had discovered and cleared of demon beasts, this one was by far Fang Qing's favorite.

Not only was its spiritual qi abundant, but its location was extraordinarily secluded. Large groups of demon beasts constantly roamed the surrounding waters, naturally forming an almost impenetrable defensive barrier.

“Excellent. Truly excellent...”

Fang Qing formed hand seals and performed several calculations before casting the Plum Blossom Divination.

Studying the resulting hexagram, he nodded slightly.

“A land where water naturally flows downward. An ideal place for a breakthrough. This shall be the place.”

He turned toward Yu Xiang'er.

“I need not tell you how to construct the cave abode and arrange the arrays. From this moment onward, sever all contact with the outside world. As for the remnants of the Sea-Destroying Alliance, simply ignore them.”

Since he had decided to enter secluded cultivation, the safety of this retreat had to be absolute.

Fang Qing trusted Yu Xiang'er.

He did not trust the rest of them.

“I understand.”

Yu Xianger nodded solemnly.

Meanwhile, the pitiful remnants of the Sea-Destroying Alliance were still dreaming that Yu Xianger's successful Core Formation would allow her to lead them back into the Minor Huan Sea and destroy the Blue Sea Sect.

Little did they know that the person they placed all their hopes upon was about to disappear for years, perhaps even decades.

...

Several days later.

A hazy veil of mist gradually enveloped the entire island.

From the outside, the island had seemingly vanished altogether, leaving nothing visible upon the sea but a patch of drifting fog.

Inside the newly established cave abode.

Standing beside the spiritual spring, Fang Qing formed one seal after another as he silently performed water-method alchemy.

The auspicious wind of Ji stirred, while timely rain descended.

A Water Leopard roared.

A Silver Crow cried.

After an unknown length of time, three water birds flew out carrying three pills, gently placing them into Fang Qing's hands.

“The Three Mysteries One Heart Pill is a rather uncommon set of pills. Each set contains three pills.”

“They are taken one after another while breaking through a bottleneck. Though their effect is limited, they do provide some assistance in overcoming the heart demon tribulation.”

By now, Fang Qing possessed two complete Soul Transformation cultivation methods.

Naturally, each came with its own methods for overcoming heart demons.

After comparing them, he chose the one whose requirements he could most readily satisfy and refined these specialized pills.

The Three Mysteries One Heart Pill was recorded within the Devouring Sea Art. Since he already possessed every required ingredient, there was no reason not to refine it.

Looking at the three silver-white pills in his palm, he nodded inwardly.

“Still... having something is better than having nothing.”

He carefully stored the pills away before turning his consciousness inward.

Within his dantian, a jet-black True Core slowly revolved, continuously absorbing and refining the spiritual qi of heaven and earth.

Beneath the True Core, a bottle and a mirror quietly absorbed strands of its origin essence.

“The Abstruse Dark Mirror has also reached the middle grade of the third rank.”

Fang Qing slowly let out a long breath.

With a flick of his hand, two more treasures appeared.

Ten-Thousand-Year Stone Milk.

A supreme-grade spirit stone.

He had prepared both of these when forming his Core Formation as safeguards, yet had ultimately never needed to use them. Now, naturally, he brought them out once more.

Besides these, there was also the Five Elements Spirit Fruit.

This was purely a final contingency.

Should spiritual qi prove insufficient during the breakthrough, he would simply swallow the fruit whole and hope for the best.

He had deliberately refrained from refining it into a pill, wishing instead to preserve the fruit's innate life force. Perhaps consuming it in its natural form would produce some unexpected effect.

“It is time to begin.”

Fang Qing sat down upon the Clearheart Meditation Cushion.

Immediately, his heart became tranquil.

No distracting thoughts arose.

Holding the Soul-Nourishing Prayer Beads in his hand, he slowly rolled each bead between his fingers.

Gradually, his expression became as calm and still as an ancient well, without the slightest ripple.