Chapter 55: Mission: Forming the Golden Core

Originally, Ye Xiuxiu did not think that this so‑called Military Body Fist was impressive at all,

She even seemed a bit disdainful.

In her view, Military Body Fist, a mortal martial art,

placed within a cultivation world dominated by immortal Dao techniques,

could hardly stir up any great waves.

However, a few words from her mother, Bai Qingxia, completely changed Ye Xiuxiu's mind.

She listened as Bai Qingxia explained in detail the subtleties and power of Military Body Fist,

and only at that moment did she finally understand,

that this seemingly ordinary Military Body Fist was in fact profoundly hidden.

Thinking of this, Ye Xiuxiu couldn't help but feel a secret joy:

"Haha, this system really hasn't shortchanged me,"

"It actually gave me such an incredibly precious treasure!"

"If so, I must double my effort in cultivation!"

So, Ye Xiuxiu silently resolved,

to devote herself wholly to the study of Military Body Fist.

Meanwhile,

Ye Ruyan was also concentrating fully on cultivating her own Body Refining method.

The difference from others was that

Ye Ruyan was a reincarnated person,

so she knew the various problems of her own body like the back of her hand.

Compared with those strong ones who merely reincarnated with memories of a past life to start anew, Ye Ruyan was clearly more at ease.

Because although they possessed past‑life experience and lessons,

their souls had nevertheless transferred into entirely new bodies;

whereas Ye Ruyan truly returned, in the proper sense, to the past,

everything felt so familiar.

"Back then, in that mysterious hidden realm, I barely managed to obtain the fragment of the Golden Net Body Refining Manual,"

"I thought that with my innate talent I should be able to cultivate it smoothly."

"Who could have guessed…"

Ye Ruyan, while pondering silently,

continued to grit her teeth and persist in performing one arduous move after another.

Suddenly,

her mouth corner suddenly spurted a strand of bright red blood.

"What a domineering technique!"

Despite the setbacks,

Ye Ruyan did not speak of giving up lightly,

instead, a stubborn glint flashed in her eyes.

If Ye Xiuxiu were to arrive here at this moment,

she would surely be amazed to notice that

the fragment of the Golden Net Body Refining Manual that Ye Ruyan was practicing possessed a strikingly similar brilliance to the Military Body Fist she cultivated.

However, a careful comparison reveals that

this fragment resembles a castrated version.

Time flies like a white colt slipping through a crack, rushing by,

and in the blink of an eye nearly a year has already passed.

During these days,

Ye Xiuxiu and Ye Ruyan constantly buried themselves in arduous cultivation at Ye Jia Zu Di.

As long as Ye Qingping has not ended his seclusion for a day,

they can only remain here.

After all, without a Heavenly Net Sedan to escort them,

relying solely on their own strength to return home would take an incalculable amount of time,

even if it took two or three years, they might still not reach the destination.

Moreover, the return journey is long, and the road is distant,

with many unknown dangers lurking along the way.

In comparison, staying at Ye Jia Zu Di is clearly safer and more reliable.

After nearly a year of relentless cultivation of Military Body Fist,

Ye Xiuxiu now feels she can fairly easily execute the first tenth of this fist method.

Whenever she swings her fist,

she can clearly sense a power as massive and unrivaled as an explosion contained within.

"Hoo!"

Ye Xiuxiu exhaled a long breath of turbid qi,

the breath resembling a wisp of white smoke.

It rose gently and then dispersed into the air.

Even though less than a year has passed,

what is astonishing is that,

this petite and delicate body has silently grown taller by a great deal.

At this moment, Ye Xiuxiu's figure remains slender and lithe,

with not a trace of the bulky, robust muscles that harsh Body Refining would produce.

Externally, she is indistinguishable from an ordinary girl—delicate, gentle, and endearing.

However, when she throws a punch,

the forearm that was hidden beneath her sleeve,

instantly reveals tight, powerful muscle cords, like agile swimming snakes,

brimming with strength and explosiveness.

Beside her, Bai Qingxia smiles,

watching Ye Xiuxiu gracefully complete a full set of Military Body Fist with keen interest,

and can't help but say,

"Xiuxiu, your Military Body Fist has become ever more skillful and exquisite!"

She then adds,

"It not only plays a pivotal role during Body Refining,"

"but also proves endlessly useful in combat,"

"truly a worthy companion spell for you."

In fact, Bai Qingxia herself has been practicing this Military Body Fist for a full year.

Unfortunately, despite such effort,

the moves she can currently perform

are barely a tenth of what Ye Xiuxiu displayed.

Even if she has only grasped this thin veneer,

it already makes her feel she has gained a lot and benefited greatly.

Hearing Bai Qingxia's praise,

Xiuxiu's face blossoms with a slightly shy smile,

just as she is about to modestly speak,

suddenly,

the familiar system voice abruptly rings in her mind,

【Your cultivation has lingered in the Foundation Building Great Perfection for a long time, fully stabilizing your Foundation Building level, defeating all invincible opponents of that stage; even a typical Golden Core Stage is no match for you. Though you are not training within a sect, you can already contend with core sect disciples.】

【Now the time has come; you should break through to the Golden Core Stage!】

【Moreover, you must form at least a First‑grade Golden Core; the higher the grade, the more it aids future cultivation, and only a First‑grade Golden Core can possibly break through to the Great Ascension Stage.】

【You can align a First‑grade Golden Core with a Single Spirit Root.】

【Task: Form a Golden Core.】

【Reward: Top‑tier Palm Thunder spell (later upgradable to the Five Thunder Divine Light Incantation, then to the Five Thunder True Dharma of Divine Power,)】

Ye Xiuxiu hears the system's cold mechanical voice echo,

and her tiny mind instantly goes blank,

leaving her completely stunned.

Because this task issued by the system is truly too difficult,

it actually demands that she break through to the Golden Core Stage and successfully form a Golden Core!

How could that be possible?

She is still far from the Golden Core Stage,

Heaven knows how much longer she must cultivate to reach that realm.

The previous tasks,

at least could be completed with some clever shortcuts,

but this time is truly a solid hard nut, with no shortcuts at all.

Thinking of this, Ye Xiuxiu sighs deeply in helplessness.

However, immediately after,

it seems that even if the previous task wasn't completed, another task will still appear,

and thus Ye Xiuxiu feels a sudden relief in her heart.

Future rewards can still be obtained.

When she truly prepares to assault the Golden Core Stage,

she can later claim this reward,

since the task stays there and won't disappear,

even if it truly were to run away, Ye Xiuxiu couldn't stop it,

that would truly be unbreakable!

However,

at this moment, Ye Xiuxiu's mind is filled with a strong curiosity about the Great Ascension Stage mentioned by the system.

So she lifts her head, blinking those bright, watery eyes, looks toward her mother White Clear Summer beside her, and asks with hopeful anticipation:

"Mother, how much do you know about the Great Vehicle Stage?"

Bai Qingsia had originally been sitting quietly to the side,

Upon hearing her daughter say the three words 'Great Vehicle Stage',

She couldn't help but freeze slightly, a hint of surprise appearing on her face.

After a moment,

She then gradually came to her senses and softly replied:

"Great Vehicle Stage? Hmm… Actually, Mother has only heard that above the Tribulation Crossing Stage there is a Great Vehicle Stage; as for other details, Mother truly knows very little."

After saying that, Bai Qingsia gently shook her head, indicating her knowledge on the matter was limited.

"From ancient times to the present, there has never been an accurate description of the Great Vehicle Stage nor any related figures."

"You should know that those who have successfully crossed the heavenly tribulation have all ascended to become immortals."

At this moment, Ye Xiuxiu, full of curiosity, asked:

"If that's the case, how then can one know that such a realm as the Great Vehicle Stage exists in the world?"

"No one has ever broken through to it."

She blinked her lively big eyes, her face full of doubt.

Bai Qingsia smiled faintly and patiently replied:

"Actually, I also learned this by chance from a book."

"It is said that when a cultivator's cultivation reaches the peak of the Tribulation Crossing Stage, they can faintly sense that there seems to be room for further advancement above."

"However, despite being able to sense it,"

"they can never precisely know exactly where this advancement lies."

"Not knowing how to advance,"

"Precisely for this reason, people call the unknown realm above it the Great Vehicle Stage."

Pausing, Bai Qingsia continued:

"However, since the Tribulation Crossing Stage already allows one to ascend to immortality and enter the Immortal Realm,"

"The purpose of cultivation is to become an immortal, and since the Tribulation Crossing Stage already enables that,"

"there is really no need to insist on breaking through to the Great Vehicle Stage before choosing the path to immortality."

"It's like a road to a destination; the Tribulation Crossing Stage is one of the more convenient shortcuts."

After hearing this explanation, Ye Xiuxiu suddenly understood, as if enlightened.

However, she recalled what the system had previously said,

It seemed the system was more inclined to have her raise her cultivation to the Great Vehicle Stage,

yet it said nothing about ascending to immortality via the Tribulation Crossing Stage.

"I don't know when Father will finally emerge from his seclusion!"

Ye Xiuxiu let out a soft sigh,

A hint of worry appeared on her lovely face.

Bai Qingsia, standing beside her, gently patted her shoulder,

She comforted: 'Xiuxiu, don't worry; your father, as a Body Integration Stage cultivator, the time needed for each seclusion is hard to predict,'

'It could be as short as a few months or as long as several years.'

'Perhaps we may even have to stay here for several years?'

Ye Xiuxiu nodded helplessly,

She secretly prayed that her father's seclusion would not exceed the next Ascension Festival.

After all, to her,

that is the important occasion when she gathers once a year with her seventy-two Hall Master subordinates.

After a moment of silence, Bai Qingsia suddenly asked:

'All right, Xiuxiu, let's not think about these things for now.'

'Quickly tell Mother, what do you want to eat for lunch?'

Upon hearing this,

Ye Xiuxiu's lively big eyes rolled around,

A flash of inspiration struck her mind.

Only seeing her shake her head with a grin, she said:

'Mother, you always work hard to cook for me on ordinary days,

'Today let the daughter show her skills! I want to personally prepare a meal to honor you.'

(End of chapter)