Chapter 450: A foot away 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 swirling of wind and clouds, creating a special celestial phenomenon.

Such a phenomenon usually only appears when a Foundation Establishment cultivator ascends to the Core Formation stage.

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

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

At this moment, on Tianlan Peak, white clouds surged and the wind blew softly; such a grand display instantly attracted the gazes of countless cultivators in Tianlan Xiancheng.

Those in Qi Refining looked up in awe.

Those in Foundation Establishment looked on with longing and envy.

And those Core Formation cultivators scattered in various places curiously cast their spiritual senses over.

"Whose 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 veins of this immortal city? Do they not know that the spiritual energy of artificial spiritual veins is constrained and mobilized by array prohibitions, making it unsuitable for charging at a major realm?"

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

"A shallow purse is not necessarily the case; one who can rent a third-tier cave dwelling in the immortal city must be a wealthy individual. In this old man's view, I fear it is a lack of experience!"

"Even if they lack experience, looking at the phenomenon, Core Formation is a certainty."

"Should we go and pay a visit?"

"Let's wait a while longer. Not to mention that after successfully forming the core, they will need several years to consolidate their realm, even just stabilizing their current state will take three to five days. No rush, no rush!"

Amidst the transmissions of spiritual senses.

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 cave dwelling's gate for a long time.

With hands clasped behind their back, their silhouette stood tall like a mountain.

Their long hair, a mix of gray and black, was tied behind them, as if they 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, clearly reflecting all things.

"Junior Luo Chen greets the two seniors!"

When he spoke, Fairy Fengyue finally seemed to notice his other features.

Brows straight and eyes solemn, calm and tranquil.

He wore a blue-collared white robe, painted with swaying ink-bamboo.

It was originally an elegant style, but for some reason, just standing there gave one the feeling of a great river's black turtle or a giant reef in the sea—imposing and immovable!

Even when facing two Core Formation masters simultaneously, he remained neither servile nor overbearing, his expression showing no fluctuation.

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

Luo Chen's lips curled upward, also smiling as he said: "Senior's style remains the same, and your aura of integrity is even greater than in the past; I imagine the Nascent Soul realm is already beckoning to you."

Haoranzi shook his head with a helpless smile.

This Luo Chen!

His pleasantries are always so well-spoken.

Nascent Soul?

He is still a long way off!

While the two were conversing, Fairy Fengyue had been watching Luo Chen.

She was even more surprised in her heart.

It turns out the one charging at the Core Formation stage inside the cave dwelling is not Luo Chen, but someone else!

However, even so, she still marveled at the external bearing Luo Chen displayed.

With such style, anyone who saw him walk out would only take him for a top-tier figure, like a true disciple of a great sect.

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

The spiritual energy 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 Core Formation stage within fifty years!

Fengyue couldn't help but sigh inwardly; every time a pioneering war occurs, countless figures as dazzling as stars emerge.

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

At that time, they were merely Core Formation 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 can successfully form his core and participate in the pioneering war as a Core Formation cultivator, the future... I fear...

"This senior's realm is profound and their temperament outstanding, as if they were someone 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 looked at Luo Chen with appreciation and was about to speak.

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

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

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow, savoring the information revealed in the other party's brief sentence.

Fenghua Palace, a Nascent Soul Upper Sect that controls a domain.

Even if they don't completely dominate a domain like the Yaowang Sect, after years of management, they are far superior to latecomers like Yuding and Shenfu.

Most importantly!

Jade Dew Elixir is currently Fenghua Palace's most famous specialty elixir.

And the other party happens to be the Master of the Dan Ding Pavilion.

In the faint feminine fragrance she emitted, there was the elixir scent Luo Chen was most familiar with.

It was not the scent of a single elixir, but a special aroma formed by the mixing of various elixirs refined over many years.

Mellow and intoxicating.

If Luo Chen didn't insist on using the Cleansing Technique, the similar elixir scent on his own body would likely be even stronger.

From this, it can be seen that this woman is also someone who has been immersed in the Dao of Elixirs for a long time.

"I heard that the little friend is extremely skilled with Jade Dew Elixir. After receiving the news, I rushed over specifically to exchange ideas 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 Jade Dew 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 toward all directions of Tianlan Peak.

Seeing this, Fairy Fengyue was filled with suspicion and uncertainty.

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

Haoranzi sighed, lamenting: "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 incomparably calm and composed, couldn't help but let his expression darken in the face of this situation.

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

"My apologies, two seniors."

"A mishap occurred with my sect member forming their core today; I fear I cannot entertain you."

"Another day, I will certainly pay a visit in person."

He said that last sentence to Fairy Fengyue.

Fairy Fengyue thought for a moment and nodded slightly.

Haoranzi offered Luo Chen a few words of encouragement before departing.

After they left, Luo Chen waved his great sleeve, and the array mist covering the Jia-3 cave dwelling parted, forming a small path for him to proceed.

"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, pure Azure Brilliance spiritual power was injected into Chu Kui.

But after performing the medical technique for a while, he saw the other party's state getting worse and worse, almost to the point of dying.

"It won't work!"

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

Luo Chen frowned and made a decisive choice, taking a grayish elixir from his storage bag.

"Eat it!"

Chu Kui, with his dim and heavy eyes, looked at the elixir with a hint of hesitation.

Luo Chen said urgently: "Take this Spirit-Dispersing Elixir! If the cultivation is gone, it can be recultivated. If the life is gone, a lifetime of effort will have been in vain."

Chu Kui gave a bitter smile.

If the cultivation is gone, isn't everything in vain?

Seeing him still hesitating, Luo Chen couldn't help but let out a low roar.

"As long as the green hills remain, there is no need to worry about firewood. With me here, with the Luo Tian Society here, with your hundred-year lifespan, there is still a chance for 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 instantly surged forth.

Sounds of pfft, pfft, pfft suddenly came from Chu Kui's body.

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

The incomparably violent spiritual energy in his body also followed these small holes, continuously venting out from his body.

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

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

The massive leakage of spiritual energy caused a sudden gale to rise 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 did not just stand by.

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

Barrier-Solidifying Talisman!

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

Even if the river water rushes 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, with the mind collapsing. One must let the cultivator who failed the breakthrough maintain a firm will at this moment.

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

Great Perfection Healing Technique, to heal the skin and physique.

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

Spring Breeze Turns to Rain Formula, to repair the damaged meridians.

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

Chu Kui's state had completely stabilized.

Although he still looked like he was on the verge of death, the foundation had ultimately been preserved.

"Foundation Establishment ninth layer, Chu Kui, I have done my best!"

Chu Kui felt his condition; the previously perfect Foundation Establishment Great Perfection realm was now reduced to the state of just entering the ninth layer.

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 always left a glimmer of hope for himself.

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 like this? Could that final step not be taken?"

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 golden core from his mouth.

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

"This..."

Luo Chen couldn't believe it. Could it be that Chu Kui's Core Formation failure was because of this thing?

Chu Kui was in low spirits and told the origin of this golden core.

He was a person of 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 golden core that had been preserved by someone using a secret method.

By using a secret method, he could activate this golden core to fight against 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 had relied on this golden core 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 golden core had 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 predecessors, no matter how well it merges with my spiritual power, is ultimately not something I painstakingly 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 is.

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

"Regarding the 'Locking the Pearl Curtain' secret technique, I have already experimented with it. It is indeed quite effective during Core Formation. Thirty-six spiritual pearls combined into one, under the control of the main soul, can form a golden core seed."

"Even, this golden core seed itself carries the characteristics of magic power."

"If one can succeed, upon entering Core Formation, one can directly cross the initial threshold and become a first-layer Core Formation cultivator."

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

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

As he recounted it, Luo Chen also became clearer about the various steps of "Locking the 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, who was radiating deep fatigue between his brows, 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 silhouette, Chu Kui opened his mouth, but in the end, he only sighed dejectedly.

The result of this encounter was disappointing.

Not only was he disappointed, but Luo Chen was disappointed, and the Luo Tian Society was even more disappointed.

Now is a prosperous age.

The Luo Tian Society especially needs a Core Formation cultivator to sit in command; if he had succeeded in Core Formation, the situation would be completely different.

It's just a pity...

"Do I still have a chance?"

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

The meeting with Fairy Fengyue was on the seventh day.

Right in the Danxia Hall of the Luo Tian Society.

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

Luo Chen had originally promised to pay a visit in person.

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

In the quiet room, Fairy Fengyue played with the Jade Dew 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 attainments in refining the second-tier Jade Dew Elixir to be perfect. I didn't expect that compared to you, it is simply the difference between a candle flame and the bright moon!"

Luo Chen put down the teacup in his hand, "The Master overpraises."

The woman shook her head and said without concealment: "It is definitely not flattery! Although your Jade Dew Elixir is of superior quality, 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 energy to spare and could completely refine top-grade Jade Dew Elixir."

Luo Chen's mouth stiffened.

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

Indeed, his refining of Jade Dew Elixir had long reached the peak.

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

The strength of the medicinal power was astonishing!

After the Ice Fortress suffered heavy losses in the Great Snow Mountain, the juniors in the sect closed themselves off to charge at the Core Formation stage one after another, which seemed tragic.

But being able to have so many juniors meeting the conditions for Core Formation was truly amazing.

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

If it were other sects, they wouldn't be able to assemble a lineup of at least five people closing themselves off to charge at the Core Formation stage in a short time.

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

And for top-grade Jade Dew Elixir, he could currently achieve a twenty percent success rate.

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

And relatively speaking, it was less likely to be coveted.

However!

It 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 Jade Dew Elixir externally."

Luo Chen gave an "en," "Except for the Ice Fortress, it is not sold externally anyway."

"No, you didn't understand my meaning." 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 seriously at the other party.

"Master, is this too overbearing?"

"Is it not natural for my Fenghua Palace to be a bit overbearing?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere turned cold.

Fairy Fengyue didn't speak either, occasionally stroking the Jade Dew Elixir Luo Chen had just given her, as if studying something.

A long time later, Luo Chen nodded slowly.

"This junior understands."

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

Luo Chen gave a forced smile and took the initiative to cast aside this topic that made him uncomfortable.

Instead, he changed to another topic.

"A secret technique to eliminate alien magic power?"

"Yes, a few days ago, my subordinate failed to advance to the Core Formation stage. The main reason was that he had activated a golden core left by a Core Formation cultivator in his early years, becoming contaminated with someone else's magic power, which ultimately led to falling short of success. I wonder if the Master has any pointers in this regard."

Perhaps because Luo Chen was sensible and tactful earlier, Fairy Fengyue's attitude was quite good at this moment.

She thought for a moment and said: "My Fenghua Palace does not have such a secret technique. Or rather, most sects do not study this stuff; after all, no fool would let someone else's magic power bind too deeply with their own."

Is Chu Kui a fool?

Alright!

Judging from the result, he is indeed a fool.

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

Right and wrong are already hard to distinguish.

How to solve this problem now is the key.

"Perhaps you can try to contact cultivators of 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 magic arts, 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. If you look for them, you definitely won't be wrong."

"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.

Fenghua Palace was not the only place that took a fancy to his alchemy.

Over the years, no fewer than five sects had thrown olive branches at 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 is inside.

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

If it weren't for Master Canglong's quite good attitude, who knows how many troublesome things would have found him.

If he were to rashly join a new sect, Luo Chen really didn't have the mood to engage in superficial social niceties with people.

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

She only took a fancy to Luo Chen's alchemy.

But Fenghua Palace sits in a domain, and although it is not a great alchemy sect, after years of cultivation, it is not lacking one or two alchemists.

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

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

"Remember my advice!"

Luo Chen personally sent her to the main gate.

His expression remained calm, but his lips were pressed somewhat tightly.

Advice?

A warning, rather!

Fenghua Domain is so far away from Yuding Domain, spanning several great domains in between.

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

This is the overbearing nature of a Nascent Soul Upper Sect!

Or rather, it was a slight toward the local masters, the Yuding Sword Sect.

Thinking of Master Yunhe coming to Yuding Domain, the first person he visited was not the Sword Sect, but the Hundred Flowers Palace.

It can be seen that the Upper Sects from outside the domain don't think much of the Yuding Sword Sect.

And the Sword Sect is going to hold that Jade Emperor Sword Discussion in a few years; I imagine they are also preparing to flex their muscles and make people value them.

Footsteps came from behind.

Luo Chen knew who was coming without turning his head.

"President, this Master is not easy to deal with!"

"En, it has been difficult for you these past few days."

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

Her own man bears too many gazes and too much pressure.

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

"Is something the matter?"

She didn't speak, but Luo Chen could perceive her hesitation.

Gu Caiyi gave a bitter smile and took out a stack of invitations.

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

"Master Tantai Jin of the Ice Fortress was discovered half a month ago to have failed in charging at the Core Formation stage and died silently in her cave dwelling. The Jueqing lineage is holding a funeral for her, and Sima Hui Niang 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 matters, Luo Chen pursed his lips.

He looked up at the sky.

Some people step onto the golden core path, some fall halfway, while petty people are wary of the Luo Tian Society producing a Core Formation cultivator.

And those even stronger, with a single word, cut off the path Luo Chen wanted to use Jade Dew Elixir to expand his financial resources.

All these things are truly mixed with a thousand flavors.

"You are more familiar with the Ice Fortress side; go there in person to offer condolences on my behalf!"

"Let Hui Niang make a trip to Qingdan Valley, and as the President of the Luo Tian Society, send a heavy gift to congratulate Master Tao Wan... Master 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 Luo Chen's orders in mind one by one.

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

By his ear came the sound transmission Luo Chen left behind.

"For the next twenty years, you and Hui Niang can handle the affairs of the Luo Tian Society; you don't need to look for me to make decisions."

Is this washing his hands of it?

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

Her man is planning to close himself off for a life-or-death seclusion!

A moment later.

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

Chu Kui had already moved back to the original second-tier cave dwelling, so this third-tier cave dwelling naturally returned to Luo Chen's use.

Or rather, this cave dwelling was originally prepared by Luo Chen for his own cultivation after reaching the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment.

As soon as he returned.

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

"Core Formation, only Core Formation!"

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

Without becoming a golden core, it is ultimately vanity!

(End of chapter)