Chapter 357: Golden Core Ceremony

Wangyue Island, the cultivation chamber.

The Shi Tian Rat moved with practiced ease, its small hands diligently massaging Qin Ming's legs as it grinned and said, "Master, uh… since you've already broken through to the Golden Core realm, wouldn't it be a good time to… give me that Golden Core?"

Qin Ming naturally understood what it wanted—it was still fixated on the two human Golden Cores.

It was only one step away from breaking through to the mid-stage of a third-rank beast king, its power poised for another leap forward.

As Qin Ming's top battle beast, Qin Ming was naturally willing to invest resources in cultivating it.

But now was not yet the time.

"Hmm, I know you're eager, but don't rush."

"Once I've finished with my Golden Core Ceremony, I'll let you break through," Qin Ming said coolly to it.

The Shi Tian Rat grinned widely. "Hehehe! Fine, I'm not in a hurry at all—just asking out of curiosity."

Several days later.

A blue cultivation light shot from afar, radiating terrifying spiritual pressure, arriving near Wangyue Island.

It was Wei Wuyan of the Lei Yuanzong.

In an instant.

The air twisted, and the Shi Tian Rat's form materialized, addressing Wei Wuyan: "Wei Wuyan, aren't you a bit early?"

"The Golden Core Ceremony doesn't start for another month."

Wei Wuyan, seeing the Shi Tian Rat speak, couldn't help but sigh.

Back during the Beast Tide siege, he and three other Golden Core elders had battled this beast for three hundred rounds in Canghai Xiancheng, evenly matched.

Now, this famed third-rank beast king had become Qin Ming's spiritual pet—it left him struggling to accept it. "I came here alone to discuss something with Brother Qin," Wei Wuyan explained.

Qin Ming had also noticed Wei Wuyan's arrival and sent a mental message to the Shi Tian Rat: "Let him in."

After receiving Qin Ming's instruction, the Shi Tian Rat led Wei Wuyan onto the Lingdao.

"Brother Wei has traveled far—what brings you here?" Qin Ming asked after inviting Wei Wuyan to sit.

Wei Wuyan sipped tea, then spoke bluntly: "Brother Qin surely knows the current situation in the Wei Kingdom's cultivation world is far from optimistic."

"Are you referring to the Jin Kingdom's invasion?" Qin Ming asked coolly.

Wei Wuyan nodded. "Precisely. The Lingyun Sect, now possessing two Golden Core elders, is no longer content with its status and seeks outward expansion."

"That's why I've come—to discuss with you how to respond. After all, only you and I in the Wei Kingdom are Golden Core elders capable of handling this."

Wei Wuyan knew well that Qin Ming's current strength was far beyond that of an ordinary Golden Core cultivator.

Not only did he possess a third-rank peak beast king, but Qin Ming's magical energy was so deeply concealed that even he could not gauge its depth.

He could no longer fathom Qin Ming's true level.

The golden heavenly tribulation he had witnessed that day was something he had never heard of before.

Thus, if Qin Ming chose to act, the Wei Kingdom's crisis might still have a chance.

Qin Ming had anticipated this. After a moment's thought, he said coolly: "Who is this Duanmu Sheng of the Lingyun Sect?"

"Duanmu Sheng."

"Ah yes—Duanmu Sheng. I'll handle him. We have a personal grudge to settle," Qin Ming said lightly, as if speaking of a trivial matter.

His tone was so casual, it sounded like he was discussing the weather.

Wei Wuyan was stunned—he hadn't expected Qin Ming to agree so readily.

It made him even more curious about Qin Ming's true strength.

He asked: "May I boldly ask, Brother Qin—did you form a Superior Golden Core?"

Qin Ming smiled faintly and nodded. "Yes."

He naturally did not reveal everything—he held back key details.

Once a cultivator reaches the Golden Core realm, every minor breakthrough becomes immensely difficult.

The gap in power between Golden Core cultivators is thus evident.

Take the previous incident: Wei Wuyan briefly entered mid-stage Golden Core using the Thunder Armor Technique and utterly crushed Yuwen Hong and Yu the Ghost, leaving them no chance to resist.

It was pure domination.

The quality of the Golden Core directly affects the difficulty of future breakthroughs.

A Superior Golden Core makes advancing to mid- and late-stage Golden Core significantly easier.

In contrast, an Inferior Golden Core faces immense difficulty even reaching mid-stage Golden Core—the odds are slim.

Without rare opportunities and sufficient cultivation resources, one may be permanently trapped in early-stage Golden Core.

Most Golden Core cultivators are exactly like this.

Not to mention hermits—even Canghai True Person, with the backing of an Xiancheng, remained stuck in early-stage Golden Core.

Though I suspect Nalan Xi hasn't yet taken the Ming Chen Pill I traded her—if she had, she should have broken through to mid-stage Golden Core by now.

"Brother Qin, I must thank you," Wei Wuyan said. "Had you not traded me that Ming Chen Pill back then, I would have been the one eliminated in that life-or-death battle."

Qin Ming waved his hand. "Brother Wei, no need for thanks—we met by chance and exchanged what we needed."

"Besides, you gave me three sets of ingredients to brew the Ming Chen Pill."

"It was no loss for me."

The two exchanged a few more words.

After receiving Qin Ming's assurance, Wei Wuyan felt greatly reassured. After a brief conversation, he departed.

Qin Ming watched Wei Wuyan leave, his thoughts deepening.

In the past, he would never have meddled in such affairs.

But now, things were different.

The Lingyun Sect had dared to come here, to trample on the head of the Tai Sui.

Then let them bear the consequences…

One month later, the day of the Golden Core Ceremony arrived.

The entire spiritual energy Archipelago suddenly buzzed with activity.

Representatives of various factions and invited individuals arrived at Wangyue Island to offer congratulations and witness the ceremony.

This once-forgotten frontier spiritual island would, from this day forward, likely become a landmark of the spiritual energy Archipelago.

Today, Wangyue Lake was especially lively. Qin Ming had withdrawn all the mist illusions surrounding the island.

One after another, cultivation lights, flying artifacts, spirit steed carriages, and luminous divine chariots streamed in, their colors dazzling as cultivators arrived to pay their respects.

All were at least Foundation Establishment cultivators—representatives of major trading houses and top-tier sects or clans within the four kingdoms.

The majority came from the Wei Kingdom.

The Golden Core Ceremony was held on a vast open ground beneath the island, meticulously arranged by the Jingxue Pavilion.

The main peak hosted higher-ranking guests, such as Golden Core elders.

Qin Ming sat upon the throne at the head of the hall, looking down upon the packed square below.

Wu Jiang led his clan in organizing the reception with flawless efficiency, leaving Qin Ming no need to worry.

On the white jade square, the closer one sat to the front, the higher their status.

After Gu Qingzhao delivered a brief opening speech, the ceremony officially began.

Qin Ming also spoke a few words, drawing thunderous applause from the crowd.

The cultivators watching from outside the island fidgeted anxiously, cursing their lack of invitation.

Then, congratulations poured in: "Seventy-Two Island Free Alliance: One third-rank White Whale Pearl, offered by Alliance Leader Li Yuanqing!"

"Baihua Sect: One third-rank Chixiao Stone, offered by Baihua Immortal."

"Shennong Gate: Half a vial of third-rank Moon Shadow Jade Dew, offered by Sect Master Chu Wuwang."

…

At this moment,

A white cultivation light descended from afar, landing on the square, revealing its occupant, who then presented a gift.

All cultivators instantly felt a massive spiritual pressure: "A Golden Core True Person has arrived!"

"It's Nalan Xi, True Person of Canghai Xiancheng!"

…

"Canghai Xiancheng: Ten superior spirit stones, one third-rank Ziyou Xuanmu tree, five third-rank Fire Soul Grass seeds—offered by Canghai True Person."

After presenting his gift, Canghai True Person nodded and smiled at Qin Ming, then took his seat in the front row.

"Whoa!"

"Canghai True Person is truly generous! He's offered so many priceless gifts at once!"

"Not just the superior spirit stones— that Ziyou Xuanmu tree is said to have been retrieved by an explorer from a deadly abyss. Canghai Xiancheng only has one such tree."

Immediately after, another blue cultivation light descended.

"Lei Yuanzong: Ten superior spirit stones, two third-rank elixir formulas, one third-rank Thunderfire Crystal Gold—offered by Grand Elder Wei Wuyan."

Seeing another Golden Core elder arrive—and with such a lavish gift—the crowd murmured in awe.

"I heard that when Brother Wangyue was still in Foundation Establishment, he was already close with Grand Elder Wei and Canghai True Person. Now it's clear this is true!"

Wei Wuyan also gave Qin Ming a slight nod before taking his seat beside Canghai True Person.

The arrival of these two Golden Core elders instantly elevated the atmosphere.

At this moment,

Two emerald cultivation lights descended from the southeast of Wangyue Lake, radiating power far exceeding early-stage Golden Core, even parting the colorful clouds as they landed squarely on the white jade square.

As the lights faded, two figures emerged.

A middle-aged man in blue robes, elegant and scholarly, and an elderly man with silver hair and a gray robe appeared before the crowd.

Seeing these two esteemed guests arrive, Qin Ming could not help but rise from his seat atop the dais.

Not only him—even Wei Wuya and Canghai True Person had also stood up.

The man in blue robes, his face flushed with health and his voice booming, declared: "From the Qingxu Valley of Liang State, Qingxuan and Yuheng, we extend our congratulations to Brother Qin on your successful Golden Core formation—may your immortal path endure forever!"

His words fell silent.

Whirr! The entire hall fell utterly still, not even a pin could drop.

"No way?"

"Qingxuan Ancestor himself, a late-stage Golden Core cultivator, has come in person—and so has Yuheng Ancestor!"

"Wangyue True Person truly commands respect!"

"To have these two Ancestors travel here just to offer their congratulations!"

Qin Ming hurried forward, bowed deeply to the two Qingxu Valley Ancestors, and escorted them to their seats.

"So it is Brother Qingxuan and Brother Yuheng. You have traveled countless miles to come—this humbles me deeply; I am truly moved by your kindness."

Qin Ming subtly sensed their cultivation—Yuheng Ancestor was formidable, but Qingxuan Ancestor's power seemed bottomless.

No wonder he was a late-stage Golden Core master.

Qin Ming mused inwardly: hadn't they heard Qingxuan Ancestor was wounded in battle against the Green-Faced Poisonous Dragon?

And wasn't Yuheng Ancestor nearly killed by the Golden Toad that escaped from the Taihu Ruins? Yet now, both Ancestors looked remarkably well.

This hardly matched the rumors of their grievous injuries.

……

(End of Chapter)