Chapter 448

"Congratulations, fellow Daoist, congratulations!"

Chu Kui's cave dwelling was very close to Luo Chen's.

The two could be considered neighbors.

Therefore, Luo Chen arrived very quickly.

Clearly, Chu Kui had also been waiting for Luo Chen, so the two met without any obstruction.

And the moment they met, Luo Chen issued such a congratulatory sound.

Because the state Chu Kui was in was worthy of such congratulations.

His spiritual power was neither hurried nor impatient, harmonious and smooth.

Amidst the peace, there was a hint of a seamless feeling.

This was the external manifestation of the Great Perfection of the Foundation Establishment stage!

Facing Luo Chen's congratulations, a warm smile appeared on Chu Kui's face.

After many years of seclusion, except for participating in the battle of the Flame Alliance, he rarely went out.

Having reached his current realm, how could he not be proud of himself?

"I originally thought this last realm of the Foundation Establishment stage would trap me for a hundred years, but I didn't expect to reach it naturally in just thirty years of effort."

He said with some emotion.

Luo Chen smiled and timely offered a few words of praise.

Chu Kui's rapid progress in cultivation was actually predictable.

His own foundation among rogue cultivators could be considered extremely terrifying.

Even compared to those true disciples of the sects, he was not inferior.

The ranking on the Dao Discussion Platform was not based on fame, but fought out through one battle after another.

What had previously shackled Chu Kui's cultivation speed was actually resources.

But in the battle of Leishan, Luo Chen had a bountiful harvest, and Chu Kui also had a significant harvest.

And after joining the Luotian Society, the many resources in his hands also had channels for rapid realization, so he didn't need to handle the disposal of stolen goods himself.

This is the benefit of having a force.

Just like Luo Chen, after returning from Leishan, he only had one or two million spirit stones on him.

Logically speaking, his wealth would have been consumed a lot by his frantic alchemy in recent years!

The answer is no.

Luo Chen's spirit stone savings were actually increasing, and now he had a massive amount of three million!

The reason is that his previous spoils of war were quickly processed and realized through the help of Luotian Society cultivators.

Chu Kui was the same!

It was precisely because of this batch of resources, plus Luo Chen sharing a portion of the high-grade Ascension Dragon Pills he didn't need with Chu Kui.

That the other party was able to cross the longest realm of the Foundation Establishment stage in just thirty years.

Now that he was at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, what next...

As the two chatted, the atmosphere gradually became heavy.

Until Chu Kui took the initiative to bring up that topic.

"I have been practicing the 'Locking Pearl Curtain' secret technique for over twenty years."

Hearing this, Luo Chen's heart stirred, and he asked impatiently: "What are the results?"

"It has reached the number of a small heavenly cycle!"

The number of a small heavenly cycle?

Luo Chen's brows furrowed involuntarily, "Doesn't that mean you only condensed thirty-six spiritual pearls?"

Chu Kui gave a bitter smile, "Sorry, with my foundation, I can only achieve the small success of the 'Locking Pearl Curtain' secret technique. If I want to go further, I fear it won't be a matter of twenty or thirty years."

Luo Chen opened his mouth, speechless for a moment.

He didn't expect that the high-level Core Formation secret technique given by the Luoyun Sect would be so difficult to practice.

According to the agreement between him and Chu Kui back then, Chu Kui, who had the highest realm at the time, would practice the "Locking Pearl Curtain" in advance.

Luo Chen would provide him with Tongyou Elixirs to increase his spiritual sense foundation.

And what Chu Kui had to do was to tell Luo Chen all the confusion, difficulties, experiences, lessons, and insights encountered along the way of practicing this secret technique.

And Chu Kui also had to try to use this technique to impact the Core Formation stage!

In general, this was a job of paving the way for others, acting as a laboratory mouse for Luo Chen.

Chu Kui did not refuse and readily agreed.

After all, it could be considered a mutually beneficial matter.

However, if it was only at the small success stage...

Luo Chen pursed his dry lips and asked: "I have deduced the Tongyou Elixir to the second-tier level, and you have also taken it, can't you go further?"

Chu Kui shook his head, "It came too late, and time is running out. Moreover, with Core Formation imminent, you also know the common sense that one should not take too many elixirs."

In the cultivation world, there is such common sense.

The closer one is to a major realm breakthrough, the less one should take too many elixirs.

Because doing so can easily cause elixir poison to remain, thereby affecting the breakthrough of the major realm.

Luo Chen knew this common sense well and had once suffered from it.

Later, he managed to get the "Qingyuan Miaodan Method" to solve this problem.

Furthermore, his constitution was different from ordinary Foundation Establishment True Persons; his five-element spiritual root constitution plus his third-tier ancient desolate physique allowed him to take more elixirs in larger batches and more frequently than others.

How can the carrying capacity of a dangerous peak be compared to a broad and solid continent?

Luo Chen was still unwilling, "Didn't I send you a copy of the cultivation insights of a Luoyun Sect cultivator using the 'Locking Pearl Curtain' secret technique to break through to the Core Formation stage before? Have you read it? Was it useless?"

Chu Kui smiled, "It was precisely by relying on those cultivation insights that I was barely able to achieve the realm of the small heavenly cycle of thirty-six spiritual pearls!"

Luo Chen was slightly startled, caught off guard.

He knew a little about the difficulty of practicing the "Locking Pearl Curtain" secret technique, but he didn't expect it to be this difficult.

With Chu Kui's capabilities, under his full support and with the help of predecessors' experience, he had only barely reached the small success stage?

"I came to see you today mainly to tell you three things."

"Hmm, go ahead."

"The first thing is to tell you all the experience and insights I have gained from practicing the 'Locking Pearl Curtain' secret technique over these years."

Luo Chen nodded; this was expected.

The two didn't delay, and Chu Kui immediately began to speak.

Not only did he speak orally, but he also took out a stack of bamboo slips, pointing them out to Luo Chen from time to time.

Those bamboo slips were all the thoughts he had jotted down while practicing the secret technique.

"The so-called Locking Pearl Curtain is to turn spiritual sense into silk threads, stringing together spiritual liquid to form spiritual pearls with Core Formation characteristics."

"The most difficult barrier, and also the earliest one, is the pain!"

"Dividing and cutting the spiritual sense, the pain is something I will never forget in my life. Those with slightly fragile minds simply cannot persist."

When Chu Kui spoke, he still had lingering fears.

And his face also lacked the ruggedness of the past, having gained a bit more delicacy.

It can be seen that such severe pain had truly tortured him.

"Through the notes left by that Senior Linghu, I have a conjecture. Perhaps within the Luoyun Sect, there are supporting methods that can alleviate this pain. Unfortunately, we don't have them. So, when you want to practice this technique, you will just have to endure it."

Luo Chen nodded, without a trace of fear.

On the path of cultivation, it's just a little bit of pain.

When he achieved his third-tier ancient desolate physique, the suffering he endured was not small at all.

"The other difficulty of the 'Locking Pearl Curtain' secret technique, we both understand. That is the need for an incomparably powerful spiritual sense foundation, even exceeding one's own realm."

"The reason I said your second-tier Tongyou Elixir came late is not that I couldn't wait. It's that with my current realm and my physical body, I actually can no longer carry more or larger spiritual sense."

"Humans have limits!"

This statement is biased; humans have no limits, otherwise, how could there be talk of achieving immortality or Buddhahood?

But it is also correct.

Because in every realm, there will be its limits.

Otherwise, why would the predecessors and great beings divide the realms?

"If you want to practice the 'Locking Pearl Curtain', you must strengthen your spiritual sense as much as possible within your tolerance. Exceeding the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment is just the foundation!"

"Because only a larger spiritual sense can cut and divide more spiritual sense threads without damaging the origin."

Looking at the earnestly teaching Chu Kui, Luo Chen nodded slowly.

He kept it firmly in his heart and planned to take the top-grade second-tier Tongyou Elixir after returning to make his preparations more sufficient.

"The last difficulty..."

Speaking of this, Chu Kui subconsciously reached out and touched his lower abdomen.

That is where the Qi sea is located!

He said with some fear: "Once the spiritual pearls are formed, they have Core Formation characteristics. They will instinctively swallow the nearby gaseous spiritual power and liquefied spiritual power, thereby strengthening themselves."

Luo Chen was puzzled, "That's normal; this is a method of Core Formation."

Chu Kui shook his head and said gravely: "No, one is fine, but once the number increases, and each one does this, the consequences... think about it!"

Luo Chen's heart trembled.

A cultivator forms a golden core, but only one!

If every spiritual pearl is trying to swallow the Qi sea's spiritual power to form a golden core individually.

This...

"Imbalance?"

Chu Kui knocked heavily on the table, "Yes, it will be unbalanced! Even if you try your best to control it with your main spiritual sense, the number is limited. Like me, after condensing thirty-six spiritual pearls and achieving the number of a small heavenly cycle, I have already reached the limit."

"My lifespan is actually still very long, at least another hundred years."

"But I can't wait anymore. These thirty-six spiritual pearls are floating above the Qi sea, urging me to form the core every moment. Otherwise, the only ending waiting for me is spiritual power imbalance and the explosion of the Qi sea."

Luo Chen was thoughtful.

Linghu Jie only reached the small success stage when he practiced the "Locking Pearl Curtain" back then.

Thinking about it, there are also factors in this regard.

Suddenly!

"Are you going to form the core?" Luo Chen reacted.

Chu Kui exhaled a breath of turbid air, the many expressions in his eyes dissipated, and gradually only firmness remained.

"This is the second thing I came to you for."

"Controlling the balance of the spiritual pearls is already my current limit. Continuing to practice in seclusion is of no use."

"Currently, only Core Formation!"

Luo Chen stared at him, and after a thorough examination, he slowly opened his mouth.

"Then I suppose the third thing is also related to Core Formation."

"Is it that third-tier spiritual land?"

Chu Kui gave a hum, "I knew I couldn't hide it from you. Breaking through to the Core Formation stage requires the help of a spiritual land of corresponding grade. Otherwise, once successful, if you can't absorb enough spiritual energy from the outside, the realm will easily collapse. If you really fail because of this, it's more uncomfortable than killing the cultivator on the spot."

"Do you have any plans?"

"I had preparations before. After getting the promise of He Yuanqing of the Green Elixir Valley to help him win the position of Daoist Son, I could borrow the third-tier spiritual land of the Green Elixir Valley. But..."

Speaking of this, Chu Kui smiled helplessly.

Luo Chen was also quite helpless.

The current Daoist Son of the Green Elixir Valley is Tao Wan.

So the promise of He Yuanqing back then naturally didn't count.

"I originally reserved a third-tier cave dwelling in another immortal city, but it was also occupied by a Core Formation cultivator from outside the domain."

"Sigh..."

"Luo Chen, I plan to go deep into the wild Great Mountains, find a third-tier spiritual land, and break through to the Core Formation stage. For this matter, I fear I have to trouble you..."

For rogue cultivators.

For Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment, the demand for spiritual land is not that great.

Even if there is no corresponding second-tier spiritual vein during Foundation Establishment, one can rely on spirit-gathering arrays and a large number of spirit stones to forcibly build a second-tier spiritual land.

Luo Chen did that back then.

But the spiritual energy required for the Core Formation stage is simply not something that can be gathered by mere spirit-gathering arrays and spirit stones.

Of course, if there are enough high-grade spirit stones, that's another matter.

Clearly, with Chu Kui's wealth, even adding Luo Chen's savings, they couldn't gather that many high-grade spirit stones.

Ordinary rogue cultivators who want to form a core only have three paths to take.

Rely on a large sect and borrow a third-tier spiritual land.

Spend a huge amount of spirit stones to reserve a third-tier cave dwelling that comes with a large immortal city.

And, go deep into the wild Great Mountains, choose a third-tier spiritual vein, and try to form the core.

Now that Chu Kui is at a dead end, he is going to take the risk to go to the rarely visited wild Great Mountains.

However, before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Luo Chen.

"Why not borrow the third-tier cave dwelling of Tianlan Immortal City?"

Chu Kui subconsciously said: "But hasn't Senior Haoranzi already returned? Can that third-tier cave dwelling still be borrowed?"

"Senior Haoranzi's naturally won't work, but Tianlan doesn't just have that one third-tier cave dwelling!" Luo Chen replied.

Chu Kui was stunned.

Luo Chen shook his head, "It seems that after you went into seclusion, your news is even more blocked than mine. After the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect stopped the war, they have already opened the third-tier cave dwelling that belongs exclusively to them. As long as you have spirit stones, you can go and rent it!"

"But, won't Core Formation True Persons from outside the domain covet it?" Chu Kui was still a bit uneasy.

Luo Chen smiled confidently, "You worry too much. I have already greeted people in advance. For the next twenty years, the A-3 cave dwelling of Tianlan Peak belongs to me!"

Chu Kui widened his eyes, somewhat unbelievable.

He twitched his lips and couldn't help but ask quietly: "How many spirit stones a year?"

This question made the corners of Luo Chen's mouth twitch uncontrollably.

"A third-tier cave dwelling, one million two hundred thousand spirit stones a year!"

"Damn! Why don't they go rob someone!"

Slap!

Chu Kui slammed the table, making a loud noise.

A second-tier high-grade cave dwelling only costs forty-eight thousand a year.

A third-tier cave dwelling, still low-grade, and a man-made third-tier spiritual vein environment, actually charges twenty times more, or even more.

This is no longer robbing spirit stones.

It is no exaggeration to call it knocking the bones and sucking the marrow.

"Even so, many people want it but don't have this opportunity." Luo Chen muttered.

Chu Kui rolled his eyes, but he had to admit that this was indeed a path that many rogue cultivators at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment couldn't find even if they begged their grandfathers and grandmothers.

It's just Luo Chen!

The number one Foundation Establishment cultivator of Jade Cauldron, plus an alchemy master, and having excellent relationships with many sects in the domain like the Ice Fortress, Green Elixir Valley, and Luoyun Sect, could have this opportunity.

"Of course, given that I booked it for twenty years in one go, the Luoyun Sect senior on duty at Tianlan gave me a twenty percent discount, charging only one million a year."

One million is not a small amount either!

How many Foundation Establishment True Persons, in their entire lives, cannot earn so many spirit stones.

Chu Kui couldn't help but ask: "Can the Luotian Society earn so many spirit stones for you every year?"

Luo Chen shook his head, "No! So, I have to dig into my old savings."

The spirit stones that the Luotian Society can earn for Luo Chen every year, after deducting various personnel costs, are currently only about three hundred thousand.

It could have been more.

After all, the Luotian Society has swallowed so many forces, and the business is getting better and better.

But the opening war is imminent, and there are more and more foreign cultivators. To avoid conflicts with people over business, Sima Huiniang and Luo Chen discussed and set a policy of shrinking their reach and only stabilizing the current business.

Moreover, the number of Foundation Establishment True Persons in the Luotian Society is increasing, and their monthly salaries are also a huge expense.

Three hundred thousand is the limit that the Luotian Society can currently take out to support Luo Chen!

Any more, and it would affect the operation of this force.

However, Luo Chen has another source of wealth, which is his Jade Dew Elixir business with the Ice Fortress, which can have a profit surplus of five hundred thousand every year.

Adding the two together, it is barely enough to rent a third-tier cave dwelling.

Luo Chen then digs a little bit of old savings from his own accumulation, and he can just barely maintain it.

In fact, this is the real reason why Luo Chen can rent a third-tier cave dwelling!

The so-called reputation, the so-called invincible combat power of the same rank in Foundation Establishment, are all just stepping stones.

Wealth!

Is the fundamental bargaining chip for him to compete with Core Formation True Persons from outside the domain!

After all, ordinary Core Formation True Persons only have a wealth of one million spirit stones.

It can even be said that because Luo Chen spent a thousand gold to rent the A-3 cave dwelling for the next twenty years, he has already attracted the jealousy of many Core Formation True Persons.

He basically stays in Tianlan Immortal City now, without stepping out, also because he is afraid of being besieged and robbed.

Who knows if there are any poor ghosts among the Core Formation cultivators who, out of jealousy, would ignore their status and rob him, a junior.

Rustle, rustle, rustle...

A strange sound rang out.

Luo Chen caught a glimpse of Chu Kui rubbing his small hands.

"That, respected President, I am also a part of the Luotian Society and have made great contributions to the Luotian Society, is it..."

Luo Chen twitched his mouth, "Dream on!"

Chu Kui looked at Luo Chen eagerly and tremblingly took out his storage bag.

"I only have about four hundred thousand spirit stones on me, and other things converted, adding up to at most eight or nine hundred thousand."

Luo Chen waved his hand.

"Put it on the account!"

"Don't say the Luotian Society has no benefits; providing you with a third-tier cave dwelling is a benefit."

"Based on your accumulated merits, you can exchange for at most one year of usage time. For anything beyond that, I won't collect your spirit stones for now, but once you successfully form the core, you must make a great effort for my Luotian Society!"

In other words, he wouldn't collect his money for now.

Chu Kui's eyes lit up, and he immediately patted his chest, saying in a very loud voice: "Old Chu knows how to repay kindness, and when the time comes, I will definitely do my best for the Luotian Society, even if it means death!"

Luo Chen smiled and didn't take these words seriously.

The Luotian Society doesn't even have a mountain gate with a second-tier spiritual land now.

Once the other party successfully forms the core, what will he use to keep Chu Kui?

But forming a good relationship and hiring the other party as a guest elder, I think there shouldn't be much of a problem.

Moreover, Luo Chen's main purpose is to learn from the other party's experience of using the "Locking Pearl Curtain" secret technique to form the core.

Regarding the great cause of Core Formation, no matter how much is paid, it is worth it!

"When do you plan to start?"

"Choosing a day is not as good as meeting the day. If possible, I want to move into the A-3 cave dwelling today, familiarize myself with the third-tier spiritual land in advance, and prepare for Core Formation."

"Then wait another half a month!"

"Hmm?"

"Half a month later, it will be our turn to use that third-tier cave dwelling."

Chu Kui suddenly realized that the cave dwelling was still being used by someone.

Half a month later.

Without any gap, Luo Chen and Chu Kui arrived at the A-3 cave dwelling.

The Luoyun Sect disciple responsible for cleaning the cave dwelling earnestly informed them of the taboos of using the cave dwelling, and after accepting a bottle of elixir that Luo Chen handed over, he left with a smile.

For a time, in the spacious and bright cave dwelling, only Luo Chen and Chu Kui remained.

This was also Luo Chen's first time coming to this A-3 cave dwelling.

Although the ranking was at the end, the spiritual energy concentration was not inferior to the A-1 and A-2 cave dwellings.

Even if they didn't enter the practice room, just the living room and other rooms had a spiritual energy concentration comparable to a second-tier high-grade.

One can imagine how abundant the spiritual energy concentration in the practice room specifically used for cultivation would be.

Looking at the spacious cave dwelling, Chu Kui couldn't help but sigh: "Chu has been practicing the Dao for over a hundred and fifty years, running around, racking his brains, all for worrying about cultivation resources."

"I thought that the further I went, the more difficult it would be."

"But I didn't expect that after meeting you, Luo Chen, it would be smooth sailing."

"Now that I have wealth, partners, methods, and land, it is a great time for Core Formation!"

In the cultivation world, what is wealth, partners, methods, and land.

Spirit stones are wealth.

Dao partners, friends, and teachers are partners.

Cultivation methods and secret techniques are methods.

Spiritual vein land is the place for cultivation.

Although Chu Kui cannot be said to have everything now, he is temporarily not lacking in corresponding resources.

He patted Luo Chen on the shoulder.

"I knew that inviting you to drink back then was the most correct thing I ever did."

"You are indeed my noble person in life!"

Luo Chen had a faint smile on his face and didn't say anything.

He knew that Chu Kui saying this now was just to calm his own heart.

The matter of Core Formation is extremely dangerous.

Even with many preparations, there is a possibility of failure.

Borrowing the name of Luo Chen as a noble person, isn't it also borrowing his noble energy to have more confidence in Core Formation?

Accompanying Chu Kui around, listening to him chatter for a long time.

Finally.

Luo Chen came to the gate of the cave dwelling.

Looking at Chu Kui who sent him out, Luo Chen turned back and cupped his hands in a salute.

"I wish fellow Daoist a prosperous immortal path and success in Core Formation!"

Chu Kui's expression was complex, and he frankly accepted this word of hope and congratulation.

Subsequently, he returned the salute.

"Fellow Daoist Luo, Chu will take a step first."

As the two looked at each other, the gate slowly closed, and clouds and mist rose all around, making it impossible to see one's fingers.

After a long time, a figure stepped out from the clouds and mist and left the top of Tianlan Peak.