Chapter 85

Qingzong Sect.

Under a huge spirit locust tree in front of the Skill Pavilion, Huaxin swung her legs, holding a candied hawthorn skewer, eating it slowly, her big eyes shining, seeming quite satisfied.

Beside her, Yunhe sat with a smiling face, earnestly asking about some cultivation matters.

"Strictly speaking, the main difference between mid-stage and early-stage Foundation Establishment lies in the purity and quantity of one's mana. Therefore, when cultivating, don't just focus on condensing mana to increase amount; also pay attention to refining mana to raise its purity, which will greatly benefit both you and others when breaking through to late-stage Foundation Establishment."

Although Huaxin looks young, she is in fact a genuine Golden Core expert, and any experience she casually imparts is of great benefit to Yunhe.

At least, it can help him avoid many detours.

At this point, it has been the second year since Yunhe returned to the sect after the Wang Clan Village incident, and also the third month since the Demon Beast Body explored the Deep Ravine.

He had just finished a stage of cultivation and came out for a walk.

"Little Yun, this candied hawthorn is nice; the honey syrup on the outside isn't ordinary syrup, is it?"

Meanwhile, Huaxin clearly cared more about the candied hawthorn in her hand, eating it with relish.

Yunhe didn't understand why such a dignified Golden Core expert like Huaxin would like candied hawthorn so much, but he still smiled and explained:

"As long as Martial Uncle likes it, that's fine. This honey is made from the spirit honey collected by the bees I raise; I made it into syrup during my leisure and brought it for Martial Uncle to try."

"Hmm, not bad." Huaxin nodded to herself.

Upon taking a bite, accompanied by a crackling sound, the shell of the honey made from red-pattern spirit honey melted in her mouth, releasing a faint fragrance.

Seeing Huaxin satisfied, Yunhe's mind stirred, and he asked calmly:

"Martial Uncle Huaxin, recently while I was browsing through some classics, I suddenly saw a kind of metal stone whose surface was pure gold in color, able to emit thunder light; after being left for a while, some white hairs would grow on its surface. I was very curious, but I didn't know what kind of metal stone this was, Martial Uncle."

"Oh?"

Huaxin wiped her mouth, her eyes flashing with recollection, and after a long while, she hesitantly spoke slowly:

"The qi of the far west, merging with the thunder of heaven and earth, appears gold on the outside and white within; the white that transforms into hair is called gold essence."

Hearing this, Yunhe was completely bewildered.

Then he heard her say somewhat uncertainly:

"Could it be heavenly thunder gold essence?"

"Heavenly Thunder Gold Essence?" Yunhe started.

"You've given too little information; even I, This Seat, have never seen it. Look at it yourself."

Saying this, she threw a jade slip over.

Yunhe, feeling a bit curious, placed the jade slip on his forehead, and as his divine sense entered, he began to browse its contents.

It turned out that the jade slip recorded a miscellaneous readable work, even including the author's name, which was that of a mad scholar who called himself Sheng Banzi, claiming to "know the future five hundred years ahead and the past five hundred years later."

This cultivator Sheng Banzi compiled several lists, such as the Divine Wood List, the Magic Treasure List, and the Spirit Insect List, among others.

Among them was a list concerning refiners' interests: the Metal Stone List.

In this Metal Stone List, the seventh entry is precisely the Heavenly Thunder Gold Essence that Huaxin mentioned!

It contains only textual description, with no illustrations.

The first sentence of the description reads: "Refined gold thunder slurry fills its interior, while jade pearl strange stone adorns its surface."

"Jade pearl strange stone" reminded Yunhe of the round stone wrapping that peculiar metal stone.

Finally, Sheng Banzi gave a summary: "The secret of gold essence need not be discussed."

In short.

"This Heavenly Thunder Gold Essence is a kind of metal stone that only condenses under specific conditions; it is oriented toward slaughter and heavy thunder, and is a precious material for forging top-tier slaughter magic treasures."

The more Heavenly Thunder Gold Essence is incorporated into a magic treasure, the greater its power may become.

Of course, it also depends on the artifact refiner's skill level.

After reading it, Yunhe was basically ninety percent certain that the small piece of metal stone he had obtained was indeed Heavenly Thunder Gold Essence.

Speaking of which, the Demon Beast Body has also collected a considerable amount of precious ore, some of which have been refined into the Crimson Sheath Fan and the Thunder Fire Vessel.

But reaching a metal stone like Heavenly Thunder Gold Essence that can enhance a magic treasure's power is truly the first time.

Just by adding it to a magic treasure, can it increase the treasure's power?

You should know that magic treasures can only be refined by Golden Core cultivators, and their value far surpasses that of spiritual artifacts!

"How is it?"

Seeing Yunhe finish reading, Huaxin casually asked.

Yunhe slowly set down the jade slip and shook his head.

"I'm not sure either; the classic only mentioned it in passing."

Saying this, he returned the jade slip.

Huaxin, however, waved her hand.

"Keep it. It's not anything valuable."

Having said that.

She flicked her palm.

The bamboo skewer of the candied hawthorn disappeared without a trace, as if wiped away by an eraser.

She then wiped her mouth, clapped her hands, and walked toward the formation at the Skill Pavilion.

Seeing Huaxin unintentionally reveal such a skill, Yunhe felt a sense of awe.

Because he could not see how Huaxin removed the skewer, and there was not even a trace of mana fluctuation.

Is this the ability of a Golden Core cultivator?

He rose and clasped his hands, saying:

"Thank you, Martial Uncle."

Huaxin, with her back to him, waved her hand, and a childlike voice came.

Kong Xiaozi seems to be looking for you.

After saying that, he walked into the formation.

Huh?

Just as Yunhe was surprised, a message talisman shot from afar and hovered before him.

It actually was the message talisman of Sect Master Kong Zhibo!

This matter, then I'll trouble you two junior brothers.

At the mountain gate of Qingzong Sect, Sect Master Kong Zhibo bowed with a smile and said.

Since the Sect Master elder brother has given an order, how dare we junior brothers not follow?

Yunhe and a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator beside him simultaneously returned the salute; under Kong Zhibo's gaze, each took out their flying boat and sped away.

After the two flew out of Qingshan City's territory, the Foundation Establishment cultivator named Huang Ling, who was with them, laughed and said:

Yunhe junior brother, don't put on a bitter face; this is actually a good thing.

A good thing?

Looking at this Huang senior brother, as one of the earliest Qingzong Sect Foundation Establishment cultivators Yunhe knew after his Foundation Establishment, the two are still quite familiar.

Hahaha— Seeing Yunhe's puzzled expression, Huang senior brother laughed loudly, then his expression turned a bit more solemn.

The Zou family we are going to congratulate on their birthday is one of the largest cultivation families in the surrounding domains, and the Zou family's patriarch is actually a False Dan cultivator!

Hearing that, Yunhe was startled.

False Dan cultivator?

Sect Master Kong Zhibo ordered Yunhe and Huang Ling to go congratulate a cultivation family on their birthday.

This matter isn't really a mission, so even though Yunhe had just finished dealing with the Wang Clan village affairs over a year ago, he was still sent out by Kong Zhibo.

There are not few cultivation families in the Qingyu Domain; even in Qingshan City there are five major clans, and back when the Ma Family patriarch celebrated his 200th birthday, Qingzong Sect also sent Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Yunhe originally thought the family for this birthday celebration was merely a Foundation Establishment family, which made him wonder why Kong Zhibo would send him and Huang Ling, two Foundation Establishment cultivators, together.

But he never expected that the Zou family actually has a False Dan cultivator!

False Dan is a special realm between Foundation Establishment and Golden Core.

It is a cultivator whose Cultivation Base has reached Foundation Establishment perfection, who refined a third-rank great demon's inner dan, thereby barely forming a False Dan.

It is said that in terms of strength, divine abilities, and lifespan, they are not much different from early Golden Core cultivators.

However, once one refines a demon beast's inner dan to become a False Dan, their cultivation base can make no further progress for life, and even at death they remain around the early Golden Core stage.

Only those Foundation Establishment cultivators who know they have no hope of reaching Golden Core would consider forming a False Dan.

Of course, for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to obtain a third-rank great demon's inner dan, the difficulty can be imagined.

Moreover, for a Foundation Establishment cultivator with only a little over two hundred years of lifespan, forming a False Dan can rival a Golden Core cultivator, granting at least five hundred years of lifespan, allowing them to live several hundred years longer.

Many Foundation Establishment cultivators, even if they want to form a False Dan, have no way to do so.

Yes, the Zou family patriarch's 400th birthday is the person we are going to congratulate.

A 400-year-old False Dan cultivator may not be in his prime, but he still has over a hundred years of lifespan left.

Then the Zou family, relying on their False Dan patriarch, is likely one of the powerful cultivation families in its heyday.

Although I understand why we two were sent, what is this 'good thing'? Yunhe raised another doubt.

Because the Zou family's hospitality is famous, just the feast at the birthday will not be lacking. Moreover, by convention, when such Golden Core cultivators celebrate a major birthday, with many Foundation Establishment cultivators coming and going, there naturally will be a Treasure Exchange Gathering.

Huang senior brother laughed while explaining.

Furthermore, as the host, the Zou family's Golden Core cultivator will also bring out some treasures rarely seen in ordinary times.

Now I understand.

After hearing Huang Ling say that, Yunhe then understood.

Even the lowest level of these Treasure Exchange Gatherings participated by early Foundation Establishment cultivators naturally yields items of higher grade than ordinary market auctions.

No wonder Huang Ling would say this is a good thing.

By the way, Yunhe junior brother, your flying boat is quite fast.

Huang senior brother is just joking.

The place where the Zou family resides is neither within the Qingyu Domain, nor within the Spirit Beast Domain or the Return to Origin Domain.

But rather in a region called Heyu to the south of the Qingyu Domain.

This domain occupies the final stretch of the Tianling Mountain range and is also considered resource-rich.

However, within this domain there is no particularly powerful cultivation sect, nor any force that can dominate the domain; instead, it is jointly managed by various forces, and the Zou family is one of them.

Inside Heyu.

On a high mountain, Yunhe and Huang Ling landed their flying boat.

Further ahead is a mountain valley flattened by some great force, and within that valley lies a huge ancient city, which is the Zou family's territory, Zou City.

As soon as they landed, they both simultaneously looked toward the not-so-distant distance.

All they saw was a cultivator standing on a flying boat approaching at extreme speed.

He is the Zou family's mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, Zou Jiping.

Huang Ling obviously knew this person; after giving Yunhe a brief introduction in a low voice, he cupped his fists and stepped forward, saying:

Daoist Zou, long time no see, your cultivation has improved again.

Hahaha, Daoist Huang is the one; it's been years since we last met, I don't know if your Yellow Dragon Sword has been completed.

The two exchanged a few superficial pleasantries.

I have been rude; I don't know which Daoist this is.

Only then did Zou Jiping turn his gaze toward Yunhe.

This is my junior brother, Huang. Huang Ling introduced.

"I am Yunhe, I have met Daoist Zou."

Yunhe clasped his fists.

"So it's Daoist Yun."

Zou Jiping showed an expression of realization, clasped his fists, and then continued: "The two Qingzong Sect Daoists visiting, the ancestor will surely be extremely pleased. Please!"

Speaking, he made an inviting gesture.

Only then did he lead the two into the mountain hollow, enter Zou City, and finally arrive before the grand residence of the Zou family.

"Please excuse us, Daoists." Zou Jiping explained: "I still have duties; you two may enter on your own, someone will receive you. You may also stroll around Zou City; I believe you will meet many fellow Daoists."

Having said that, he performed a salute and left.

The birthday celebration would officially begin only two days later.

"'Tsk.' Huang Ling pursed his lips, seeming not to get along with Zou Jiping."

As for their past, Yunhe wasn't particularly interested in learning about it.

He merely had some doubts, lowering his voice: "Senior Brother Huang, why did Daoist Zou know as soon as we arrived on the mountain?"

"I suppose they left some sort of restriction, to receive guests as early as possible to show hospitality."

"'Is that so?' Yunhe's doubts in his heart were not dispelled."

"'Then, Junior Brother Yun, do you want to wander around, or rest first?' Huang Ling asked with a smile."

I

Yunhe was just about to say 'rest' when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw an unexpected figure, and he froze.

"'Junior Brother?'"

Yunhe came to his senses, clasped his fists, and said:

"'Senior Brother Huang, Junior Brother is somewhat curious about Zou City, so I'll just wander around.'"

"'That's fine. Elder Brother has already been here twice, so I have little interest.'"

Huang Ling nodded, told Yunhe some points to note, then gave him a Jade Slip recording the map of Zou City, and then walked into the Zou family residence.

Just as Zou Jiping had said, as soon as Huang Ling entered the door, someone came forward to greet him and led him to the resting place.

Meanwhile, Yunhe waited until Huang Ling disappeared before looking at the person who had surprised him.

"'It is indeed Wang Jinglan!'"

(End of chapter)