Chapter 450: One step from the threshold, yet falling short of success; the upper sect is overbearing, only Core Formation will do!

Clouds follow the dragon, wind follows the tiger.

The so-called gathering of dragon and tiger is the wind swirling and clouds congregating, creating a special phenomenon of heaven and earth.

Such a phenomenon usually only appears when a Foundation Establishment cultivator ascends to the Jin Dan stage.

The specific principle is unknown, but it likely relates to the backflow of spiritual energy in a region.

After all, with such massive surges of spiritual energy, it is perfectly normal for the wind and clouds to move in response.

At this moment, on Tianlan Peak, white clouds surged and the wind blew softly; this grand spectacle instantly attracted the gazes of countless cultivators in Tianlan Immortal City.

Those at Qi Refining looked up in awe.

Those at Foundation Establishment looked on with longing and envy.

And those Jin Dan cultivators scattered everywhere curiously cast their spiritual senses over.

"Which family's cultivator is forming their Core?"

"The phenomenon is not bad; it seems their foundation during the Foundation Establishment stage was laid quite firmly."

"However, why not choose a third-tier spiritual land in the mountains and rivers to break through, instead of doing it on the artificial spiritual vein of this immortal city? Do they not know that the spiritual energy of artificial spiritual veins is constrained and mobilized by formations, making it unsuitable for charging at a major realm?"

"Perhaps it is a rogue cultivator with a shallow purse!"

"Not necessarily a shallow purse; anyone who can rent a third-tier cave dwelling in the immortal city must be wealthy. In this old man's view, I fear their experience is insufficient!"

"Even if their experience is insufficient, looking at the phenomenon, Core Formation is a certainty."

"Should we go and pay a visit?"

"Let's wait a bit longer. Not to mention that successful Core Formation requires several years to consolidate the realm, just stabilizing the current state will take three to five days. No rush, no rush!"

Amidst the various spiritual sense transmissions.

Suddenly, two figures broke through the air, heading straight for the summit of Tianlan.

When Haoranzi and Fairy Fengyue arrived, one person had already been standing outside the gate of that cave dwelling for a long time.

With hands clasped behind his back, his silhouette was as upright as a mountain.

His long hair, a mix of gray, white, and black, was tied behind him, as if he were someone who had experienced the vicissitudes of life.

When he turned around, a pair of bright eyes immediately captured the attention of the newcomers.

Deep as a pool, illuminating all things.

"Junior Luo Chen, greets the two seniors!"

When he spoke, Fairy Fengyue seemed to notice his other features for the first time.

Brows straight and eyes solemn, detached and tranquil.

He wore a white robe with a green collar, painted with swaying ink-wash bamboo.

It was originally a style of elegant simplicity, but for some reason, just by standing there, he gave people a sense of a great river's mysterious turtle, a giant reef in the sea, towering and immovable!

Even when facing two Jin Dan True Persons simultaneously, he remained neither humble nor arrogant, his expression devoid of any fluctuation.

Haoranzi smiled slightly, "Long time no see, Danchenzi. Your cultivation realm has risen another level; I imagine Core Formation is just around the corner."

The corners of Luo Chen's mouth lifted, and he also smiled as he said: "Senior's demeanor remains the same, and your aura of integrity is even greater than before; I imagine the Nascent Soul realm is already beckoning to you."

Haoranzi shook his head with a helpless smile.

This Luo Chen!

His pleasantries were always so beautifully spoken.

Nascent Soul?

He was still a long way off!

While the two were conversing, Fairy Fengyue kept her eyes on Luo Chen.

Her heart was even more surprised.

So, the one charging at the Jin Dan stage inside the cave dwelling was not Luo Chen, but someone else!

However, even so, she was full of admiration for the external demeanor Luo Chen displayed.

With such a bearing, anyone who saw him walk out would only take him for a first-class figure, like a true disciple of a major sect.

Haoranzi's remark that "Core Formation is just around the corner" was truly not just a pleasantry.

The spiritual power fluctuations the other party displayed, even if slightly restrained, were known to her keen eyes to be no less than those of an ordinary peak Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Such a figure would surely be able to charge at the Jin Dan stage within fifty years!

Fengyue couldn't help but sigh inwardly; every opening war always saw the emergence of many figures as dazzling as stars.

During the last opening of Lianxia, heaven-gifted talents like True Person Yunhe and Fuxiangzi appeared.

At that time, they were merely Jin Dan cultivators, but after the war ended, they returned and relied on their war gains to directly ascend to the Nascent Soul stage.

If this Luo Chen could succeed in Core Formation and participate in the opening war as a Jin Dan, his future would likely...

"This senior's realm is profound, and their temperament is outstanding, as if they were a person descended from the heavens, yet I have never seen them before. I imagine they are not a master from our Yuding Domain. Could Senior Haoranzi introduce us?"

Luo Chen suddenly said.

Haoranzi gave Luo Chen an appreciative look and was about to speak.

But he didn't expect Fairy Fengyue to take the initiative to introduce herself.

"Master of the Danding Pavilion of Fenghua Palace, Fengyue is the name!"

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow, savoring the information revealed in her short sentence.

Fenghua Palace, a Nascent Soul upper sect that controls a domain.

Even if it didn't completely dominate a domain like the Medicine King Sect, after years of operation, it was far superior to latecomers like Yuding and Shenfu.

Most importantly!

Yulu Elixir was currently the most famous specialty elixir of Fenghua Palace.

And the other party happened to be the Master of the Danding Pavilion.

In the faint fragrance of the woman, there was the elixir scent Luo Chen was most familiar with.

It was not the scent of any single elixir, but a special smell mixed together after years of refining various elixirs.

Mellow and intoxicating.

If Luo Chen hadn't insisted on using the Cleansing Spell, the similar elixir scent on him would likely be even stronger.

From this, it could be seen that this woman was also an existence who had been immersed in the Dao of Elixirs for a long time.

"I heard that the little friend is extremely skilled with Yulu Elixir. After I received the news, I rushed over specifically to exchange a few words with you."

Due to Luo Chen's previous words of praise, Fairy Fengyue also changed her previously aggressive attitude.

Luo Chen felt certain in his heart; he knew the other party had come for the Yulu Elixir.

Just as he was organizing his words, thinking about how to negotiate, he suddenly saw Haoranzi opposite him look up abruptly at the cave dwelling behind him.

Luo Chen was startled.

Subsequently, his expression changed drastically.

"How is this possible!"

The wind roared, like a dragon's howl!

The clouds suddenly scattered, like ethereal smoke!

The state of spiritual energy backflow suddenly reversed in the next moment, rushing towards all directions of Tianlan Peak.

Seeing this, Fairy Fengyue was suspicious and uncertain.

"Strange, it was clearly more than half done before, just one last step away, why would it be like this?"

Haoranzi sighed and said with regret: "A pity, a lament. It was just that one step away, yet it fell short of success at the very end."

Luo Chen, who had previously appeared extremely calm and composed, couldn't help but have his expression darken in the face of this situation.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

"My apologies, two seniors."

"My sect member encountered a mishap while forming their Core today, I fear I cannot entertain you."

"Another day, I will surely visit you personally."

He said the last sentence to Fairy Fengyue.

Fairy Fengyue thought for a moment and nodded her head slightly.

Haoranzi encouraged Luo Chen with two sentences and then left as well.

After they left, Luo Chen waved his large sleeve, and the formation clouds covering the Jia-3 cave dwelling parted, turning into a small path for him to walk forward.

"Why did it fail!"

"I... pfft..."

Luo Chen suppressed the anxiety in his heart and stopped asking.

Looking at Chu Kui, whose face was like gold paper and whose spiritual energy was rampaging throughout his body, he pointed his hands repeatedly.

One after another, threads of pure Qinghua spiritual power were injected into Chu Kui's body.

But after applying medical skills for a while, he saw that the other party's state was getting worse and worse, almost on the verge of losing their life.

"No!"

"It cannot be blocked, it cannot be smoothed; it must be vented out!"

Luo Chen frowned and made a decisive decision, taking out a gray, dusty elixir from his storage bag.

"Eat it!"

Chu Kui's drowsy eyes looked at the elixir with a hint of hesitation.

Luo Chen said urgently: "Take this Spirit-Dispersing Elixir! If your cultivation is gone, you can cultivate it back. If your life is gone, a lifetime of effort will be washed away."

Chu Kui smiled bitterly.

If cultivation is gone, isn't everything washed away?

Seeing him still hesitating, Luo Chen couldn't help but growl.

"As long as the green hills remain, there's no need to worry about firewood. With me here, with the Luotian Association here, with your hundred-year lifespan, you still have a chance at Core Formation!"

Chu Kui looked deeply at Luo Chen and opened his mouth.

The third-tier Spirit-Dispersing Elixir entered his body.

The medicinal power surged instantly.

On Chu Kui's body, pfft-pfft-pfft sounds suddenly erupted.

It was as if an air bag filled with water had been poked with small holes.

The incredibly violent spiritual energy on his body also flowed out from his body through these small holes.

At the same time, the pure spiritual power he had cultivated for many years was also passing away.

Not only that, his realm even showed signs of collapsing.

The massive leakage of spiritual energy caused a sudden gale in the cultivation room.

The gale blew Luo Chen's sleeves, making them rustle, and his gray-white long hair fluttered and trembled.

Luo Chen watched this scene, but he didn't just stand by and watch.

From his storage bag, one item after another was taken out.

Obstacle-Fixing Talisman!

The Qi Sea can be broken, but it cannot be destroyed.

Even if the river water flows away, the riverbed must always be preserved.

Mind-Cleansing Incense!

Dispel distracting thoughts and uphold the original heart.

Failure is not terrible; what is terrible is being crushed by failure and having one's mind collapse. One must let the cultivator who failed to break through maintain a firm will at this moment.

When the furnace incense was lit, Luo Chen pointed his hands repeatedly again.

Great Perfection Healing Spell, to heal the skin and body.

Five Elements Organ-Returning Spell, to protect the internal organs.

Spring Breeze Rain-Transforming Technique, to repair the damaged meridians.

Under Luo Chen's continuous efforts, after three days and three nights.

Chu Kui's state finally stabilized completely.

Although he still looked like he was on his last breath, his foundation was ultimately preserved.

"Foundation Establishment Level 9, Chu Kui, I have done my best!"

Chu Kui felt the situation on his body; the previously perfect and rounded peak Foundation Establishment realm was now only at the state of just entering Foundation Establishment Level 9.

And the situation inside his body was even more severe.

Especially the thirty-six spiritual pearls that had been condensed before; now, not a single one remained.

Although it was tragic.

It still left him with a glimmer of hope.

He moved his lips and spat out two words with difficulty.

"Thank you!"

Looking at Chu Kui, who was sitting cross-legged and dejected, Luo Chen finally couldn't hold back.

"Why did it happen? Could you not take that final step?"

Chu Kui said faintly: "Although Core Formation is difficult, I had actually already endured through it. The final failure was caused by an old ailment."

"Old ailment?"

Luo Chen was puzzled.

Chu Kui sighed and, in front of Luo Chen, spat out a Jin Dan from his mouth.

It was not the Jin Dan he had formed, but the Jin Dan of another person that he had relied on as a sharp weapon during his Foundation Establishment stage.

"This..."

Luo Chen found it hard to believe; could it be that Chu Kui's Core Formation failed because of this thing?

Chu Kui's mood was low as he recounted the origin of this Jin Dan.

He was someone with great opportunity!

During the Qi Refining stage, he had explored a predecessor's cave dwelling with others and obtained a considerable amount of resources.

And among those resources, the most precious was this Jin Dan, which had been preserved by someone using a secret method.

He could use a secret method to activate this Jin Dan and use it to fight enemies.

Along the way, Chu Kui's journey had not been smooth sailing.

Before meeting Luo Chen, he had experienced several life-and-death crises.

Each time, he relied on this Jin Dan trump card to turn danger into safety and reverse life and death.

But the more he used it, the pure magic power remaining in this Jin Dan unknowingly merged into his own spiritual power.

"At that time, I only thought my spiritual power was vigorous and purer than my peers, and my combat power was naturally strong."

"I didn't expect that the seeds of disaster had already been sown!"

"The magic power left by a predecessor, no matter how well it merges with my spiritual power, is ultimately not something I cultivated myself!"

Chu Kui let out a long sigh.

The great killing weapon he once relied on had almost killed him instead.

What an absurd thing this was.

Seeing that Luo Chen was still somewhat brooding, he shook his head.

"Regarding the 'Locking Pearl Curtain' secret technique, I have already experimented with it. It indeed has miraculous effects during Core Formation. The thirty-six spiritual pearls merge into one, and under the control of the main soul, they can form a Jin Dan seed."

"It can even be said that this Jin Dan seed itself carries the characteristics of magic power."

"If it could succeed, upon entering Core Formation, one could directly cross the initial threshold and become a Level 1 Jin Dan cultivator."

At this moment, it was the first time since his Core Formation failure.

Therefore, he remembered all the insights and experiences during the Core Formation process clearly.

As he spoke, Luo Chen also became clearer about the various steps of the "Locking Pearl Curtain" during Core Formation.

That feeling was as if he had personally experienced a Core Formation himself.

A long time later, looking at Chu Kui, whose brows were filled with deep fatigue, Luo Chen took the initiative to stop this exchange.

"You should rest first!"

"We will talk about future matters later."

Watching Luo Chen's departing back, Chu Kui opened his mouth, but in the end, he only sighed dejectedly.

The result of this attempt was disappointing.

Not only was he disappointed, but Luo Chen was also disappointed, and the Luotian Association was even more disappointed.

Now was a prosperous age.

The Luotian Association especially needed a Jin Dan cultivator to sit in command; if he had succeeded in Core Formation, the situation would be completely different.

It was just a pity...

"Do I still have a chance?"

Muttering to himself, the sturdy man curled up his body and fell into a deep sleep.

The meeting with Fairy Fengyue was on the seventh day.

It was right in the Danxia Hall of the Luotian Association.

There were no outsiders, just Luo Chen and Fairy Fengyue.

Luo Chen had originally promised to visit her personally.

But he didn't expect the other party to be unable to wait and come to him, so Luo Chen arranged it at the Danxia Hall on the Central Avenue.

In the quiet room, Fairy Fengyue played with the Yulu Elixir in her hand, her expression changing constantly.

A long time later, she put it down gently, her eyes full of amazement.

"I consider my alchemy skills in refining this second-tier Yulu Elixir to be perfect. I didn't expect that compared to you, it's simply the difference between a candle flame and the bright moon!"

Luo Chen put down his teacup, "Senior is too kind."

The woman shook her head and said without concealment: "It is definitely not flattery! Although your Yulu Elixir is of superior grade, the purity of the medicinal power within is infinitely close to the top-grade level. It even gives me the feeling that you still have strength in reserve and could completely refine a top-grade Yulu Elixir."

The corners of Luo Chen's mouth stiffened.

This woman's alchemy skills might not be as good as his, but her vision and insight were truly extraordinary!

Indeed, his refining of Yulu Elixir had long reached the pinnacle.

Even if it was of superior grade, it was infinitely close to top-grade.

The strength of the medicinal power was staggering!

After the Ice Fortress suffered heavy losses in the Snowy Mountains, the juniors in the sect closed themselves off in death-seclusion to charge at the Jin Dan stage, which seemed tragic.

But the fact that there were so many juniors who met the conditions for Core Formation was truly amazing.

In this, the large amount of superior Yulu Elixir provided by Luo Chen over the years had played a decisive role!

If it were any other sect, they wouldn't be able to gather a lineup of at least five people in death-seclusion charging at the Jin Dan stage in a short time.

From this, one can see the strength of the superior Yulu Elixir!

And as for top-grade Yulu Elixir, he could currently achieve a 20% success rate.

The reason he didn't refine it on a large scale was not that top-grade Yulu Elixir wasn't good, but that the superior grade was more cost-effective.

And relatively speaking, it was less likely to arouse covetousness.

However!

That was only relatively speaking.

After Fengyue confirmed Luo Chen's alchemy attainments, the topic returned to the essence.

"A piece of advice: do not sell Yulu Elixir externally."

Luo Chen said "Hmm," "Except for the Ice Fortress, I don't sell it externally anyway."

"No, you didn't understand what I meant." Fairy Fengyue shook her head.

Under Luo Chen's gaze, she said slowly: "I mean, even after your cooperation period with the Ice Fortress ends, you are not allowed to sell it externally."

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow and stared at the other party seriously.

"Senior, isn't this too overbearing?"

"Isn't it natural for my Fenghua Palace to be a bit overbearing?"

Once these words were spoken, the atmosphere turned cold.

Fairy Fengyue didn't speak either, still stroking the Yulu Elixir that Luo Chen had just given her from time to time, as if studying something.

A long time later, Luo Chen nodded slowly.

"Junior understands."

Fairy Fengyue looked at him appreciatively, "Very good, you are indeed someone who knows when to advance and when to retreat."

Luo Chen smiled reluctantly and took the initiative to steer away from this topic that made him uncomfortable.

Instead, he changed to another topic.

"A secret technique to remove alien magic power?"

"Yes, a few days ago, my subordinate failed to advance to the Jin Dan stage. The main reason was that he had activated a Jin Dan left by a Jin Dan cultivator in his early years, becoming contaminated with someone else's magic power, which ultimately led to his failure. I wonder if Senior has any pointers in this regard."

Perhaps because Luo Chen was sensible and knew the situation, Fairy Fengyue's attitude was quite good at the moment.

She thought for a moment and said: "My Fenghua Palace does not have such secret techniques. Or rather, most sects would not study this kind of thing; after all, no fool would let someone else's magic power be too deeply bound to their own."

Was Chu Kui a fool?

Well!

Judging from the result, he was indeed a fool.

But if you look at the process, without that trump card, how could he have reached today?

Right and wrong were already hard to distinguish.

How to solve this problem now was the key.

"Perhaps you can try to contact cultivators from the Five Elements Divine Sect in the future."

"Five Elements Divine Sect?"

"Yes!" Fairy Fengyue curled her lips and said, "That sect loves to study all kinds of strange spells, and the spiritual power and magic power cultivated by the cultivators within their sect are also extremely mixed, so they must have encountered similar situations. You will definitely not be wrong to look for them."

"Of course, if they don't have it either, then I can't help you."

Speaking of this, Fairy Fengyue suddenly became interested.

"I see you struggling alone in this world of cultivation, which is quite difficult. Are you interested in joining my Fenghua Palace as a guest elder?"

Luo Chen was startled.

Facing her invitation, Luo Chen ultimately declined on the grounds that he was already a guest elder of the Ice Fortress.

There was more than one place that valued his alchemy skills besides Fenghua Palace.

Over the years, no fewer than five sects had extended an olive branch to him.

Among them, there were also Nascent Soul upper sects like Fenghua Palace.

But Luo Chen declined them all.

The larger the sect, the more complex it was inside.

His previous dealings with the Ice Fortress were like walking on thin ice.

If it weren't for True Person Canglong's good attitude, who knows how many troublesome things would have come his way.

If he were to rashly join a new sect, Luo Chen really didn't have the mood to engage in hypocrisy with others.

Regarding Luo Chen's refusal, Fairy Fengyue didn't care much.

She just valued Luo Chen's alchemy skills.

But Fenghua Palace sat in a domain; although it was not a major alchemy sect, after years of cultivation, it was not lacking one or two alchemists.

External profit might not be possible, but internal consumption could still be self-sufficient.

"Alright, the matter here is settled, I will go first."

"Remember my advice!"

Luo Chen personally sent her to the gate.

His expression remained as calm as an ancient well, but his lips were pursed tightly.

Advice?

A warning, more like!

Fenghua Domain was so far from Yuding Domain, spanning several major domains in between.

To come over and point fingers from such a long distance.

This was the overbearing nature of a Nascent Soul upper sect!

Or rather, it was a contempt for the local master, the Yuding Sword Sect.

Recalling that when True Person Yunhe came to the Yuding Domain, the first place he visited was not the Sword Sect, but the Baihua Palace.

It could be seen that the upper sects from outside the domain didn't think much of the Yuding Sword Sect.

And the Sword Sect holding the Yuhuang Sword Discussion in a few years was likely preparing to show off its muscles and make people respect them.

Footsteps came from behind.

Luo Chen knew who it was without turning his head.

"Association President, this senior is not easy to deal with!"

"Hmm, it was hard on you these past few days."

Gu Caiyi smoothed her hair and looked at Luo Chen's back; although he was standing there with an upright spine, for some reason, it felt as if a mountain was pressing down on him.

Her own man was bearing too many gazes and too much pressure.

So much so that she hesitated about what she was prepared to say.

"Is something the matter?"

She didn't say it, but Luo Chen could sense her hesitation.

Gu Caiyi smiled bitterly and took out a stack of invitations.

"True Person Tao Wan of Qingdan Valley has come out of seclusion and is holding a Core Formation Ceremony, inviting you to go."

"Dantai Jin of the Ice Fortress was discovered half a month ago to have failed in charging at the Jin Dan stage and died silently in her cave dwelling. The Jueqing lineage is holding a funeral for her, and Sima Huiniang is asking whether to send someone to mourn."

"In addition, many Foundation Establishment forces that are on good terms with us want to invite you for a small gathering; these are the recent visiting cards."

Listening to these things, Luo Chen pursed his lips.

He looked up at the sky.

Some people stepped onto the Jin Dan Great Dao, some fell halfway, while small-minded people were wary of the Luotian Association producing a Jin Dan cultivator.

And the stronger ones cut off Luo Chen's path to expand his financial resources with Yulu Elixir in a single sentence.

All these things were truly a mix of emotions.

"You are more familiar with the Ice Fortress, go there personally to express my condolences on my behalf!"

"For Qingdan Valley, let Huiniang make a trip, and in the capacity of the President of the Luotian Association, send a heavy gift to congratulate Sect Master Tao Wan... Tao Wan on her successful Core Formation."

"As for other invitations and visits, decline them all."

"If anyone asks, just say my good friend Chu Kui is in critical condition, and I cannot leave because I am treating him."

Gu Caiyi followed his instructions and kept them in mind one by one.

Just as she wanted to say something else, Luo Chen had already stepped out of the gate and walked step by step towards Tianlan Peak.

By his ear, Luo Chen's voice transmission remained.

"For the next twenty years, you and Huiniang can handle the affairs of the Luotian Association; no need to seek me for decisions."

Was this washing his hands of everything?

Gu Caiyi's expression changed slightly, and looking at Luo Chen's ethereal back, she bit her red lips.

Her man was planning to go into death-seclusion!

A moment later.

Luo Chen returned to the Jia-3 cave dwelling on Tianlan Peak.

Chu Kui had already moved back to his original second-tier cave dwelling, so this third-tier cave dwelling naturally belonged to Luo Chen.

Or rather, this cave dwelling was originally prepared by Luo Chen for his own cultivation after reaching Foundation Establishment Level 9.

As soon as he returned.

Luo Chen took out the "Locking Pearl Curtain" secret technique.

"Core Formation, only Core Formation!"

Muttering to himself, in his cold, frost-like eyes, a raging fire seemed to ignite.

Without becoming a Jin Dan, it is all vanity!