A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

Bell Spring Creek.

On an ordinary day, thunderclouds suddenly rolled in from the east.

A terrifying aura descended as countless dark clouds materialized to obscure the sky. The rumble of thunder and flashes of lightning were incessant.

Within the Yu Family Territory, Yu Feng’Er sat in the main hall’s seat of honor.

Her face was etched with worry.

”My love...”

Meanwhile, dozens of streaks of light converged on the area. Some cultivators arrived using the Flying Technique, others rode on Spiritual Birds, and a few came in lavish Flying Vehicles. They all wore looks of shock and suspicion, their gazes fixed upon the Yu Family Territory.

”Could the Yu Family be about to produce a Golden Core Master?”

The Patriarch of a nearby clan saw the unmistakable celestial phenomenon of Core Formation and couldn’t help but think, ’If the Yu Family becomes a Golden Core Clan, we’ll have to live at their mercy from now on. I’d better start making plans.’

Not far away, someone suddenly cried out in alarm.

”The Three-Nine Celestial Tribulation is starting!”

Before the words had faded, the first bolt of Tribulation Thunder descended.

At the peak of the mountain, Lü Zhong hovered in mid-air.

He paid the incoming Tribulation Thunder no mind, allowing it to strike him down.

When the Tribulation Thunder reached his head, it was intercepted by the Thundering Grass, which had undergone a Metamorphosis and turned pure white.

After it was channeled through the grass, the Tribulation Thunder’s power was instantly weakened by a third!

The remaining Tribulation Thunder then entered his body and began to ravage his limbs and organs.

Lü Zhong’s expression remained placid, showing not a trace of fear.

The Celestial Tribulation was not without its benefits. Baptized by the Tribulation Thunder, the newly formed Golden Core within him immediately grew several shades brighter, spinning ceaselessly in his Dantian.

Like a waterspout, the Golden Core rapidly absorbed from the Sea of True Essence, continuously growing stronger.

Simultaneously, a vital energy emerged in the wake of the thunder’s destruction, rapidly repairing his body.

Throughout the process, Lü Zhong was constantly refining Spiritual Qi.

This Spiritual Qi was supplied by auxiliary Core Formation Spiritual Objects, such as the Insect Tripod Pill. The Golden Core Pill provided the largest amount. Once refined into True Essence, the Spiritual Qi rapidly replenished the shrinking Sea of True Essence, ensuring a continuous supply for the Golden Core’s transformation.

His powerful Divine Sense wasn’t idle, either; it constantly exerted pressure, making the Golden Core even more condensed.

Bolts of the Three-Nine Thunder Tribulation rained down one after another. Among them were three particularly terrifying strikes—the greatest test a Core Formation Cultivator faces. Lü Zhong weathered them by using the Thundering Grass to diffuse their power. The entire Thunder Tribulation lasted for over half an ancient hour before it finally, slowly, began to dissipate.

Just as everyone thought it was over...

Suddenly, the sky darkened.

A brilliant river of stars burst into view!

The phenomenon lasted for less than an instant before the sky returned to normal.

On the scorched earth of the mountaintop,

Lü Zhong floated cross-legged in the air, savoring the benefits of his successful Core Formation.

His Magical Power had more than doubled from his time in the Foundation Establishment Stage. It was also purer and more condensed; a single wisp was now equivalent to ten wisps from his time in the Fake Pill Realm. The difference in quality was staggering.

As for his Divine Sense, it had finally broken through the two-hundred-zhang limit, expanding all the way to five hundred seventy-one zhang.

As for the newly formed Flying Star Golden Core... he had obtained a Divine Power Technique from it.

It was called ”Star Shifting and Dipper Changing.”

Its effect was to obscure the secrets of heaven.

With his current power, it was only effective on himself.

’I wondered what kind of Divine Technique I would get, but I never expected this,’ Lü Zhong thought. He had actually been hoping for a Combat Divine Technique. For instance, the ”Sand Flying Stone” that Li Wuzhen of the Seven Sons of Huayi had used would have been great.

’Oh well, this Divine Technique is actually quite good, too!’ Lü Zhong thought.

At the very least, all sorts of divination Magic Skills would now be useless against him.

It was like gaining a passive skill.

”My love!”

Yu Feng’Er arrived just then, throwing herself into his arms with tears in her eyes.

”What were you worried about? Didn’t I tell you I’d succeed?” Lü Zhong said with a smile, stroking her hair. He looked up and saw streaks of Spiritual Light approaching in the distance. They were all coming to congratulate him on his successful Core Formation.

”Congratulations, Master Lü!”

”Congratulations on successfully passing your tribulation, Senior!”

”Congratulations, Senior!”

”...”

Lü Zhong smiled and responded to each of them in turn before taking Yu Feng’Er back to Lintao Pavilion.

Many people had gathered there as well, all waiting to offer their congratulations.

There were owners of nearby shops and masters of workshops that did business with the Chengde Commerce Association. As they gazed at this remarkably young Golden Core Master, they couldn’t help but feel a tinge of jealousy mixed with their envy.

To compare oneself to him was simply infuriating!

”Announcing a gift from Master Dongbu! A five-hundred-year-old Ice Jade Flower to congratulate the Master on his successful Core Formation!”

A cultivator in red robes appeared and presented an exquisite jade box.

’It’s true what they say: success brings instant fame. Back when I attended his classes, Master Dongbu never gave me a second glance. Now that I’ve achieved Core Formation, he’s sending me a five-hundred-year-old Spirit Medicine.’

Lü Zhong sighed to himself and had someone accept the Spirit Medicine.

Now that he was in the Core Formation Stage, increasing his cultivation would be far more difficult than it had been during the Foundation Establishment Stage.

The Ice Jade Flower could be refined into a Pill for advancing one’s cultivation; he had no reason to refuse it.

Besides, Master Dongbu was an influential figure who controlled the renowned Dongbu Refining Pill Workshop in Changchun Immortal City.

Building a good relationship with him would be a great boon to the Chengde Commerce Association’s future development.

By the time all the guests had come and gone, night had fallen.

In the courtyard.

Lü Zhong was lounging on a recliner, calming his exhilarated heart. Yu Feng’Er was nestled against him like a docile bird. A sudden thought made her giggle.

”What is it? What are you giggling about...?”

”I was just thinking how lucky I am to have become a Golden Core Master’s wife. It feels like I’m dreaming!” Yu Feng’Er said, snuggling closer and tilting her head up to study Lü Zhong’s face.

”Heh heh, is that so...” Lü Zhong said with a wicked grin, his hand tracing the smooth lines of her skin. ”In that case, you’ll have to serve me well. Now that I’m a Golden Core Master... shouldn’t that come with some special privileges?”

”Hmph!” Yu Feng’Er huffed, her face flushing red. ”You wish!”

She even turned her head away as she said it.

But Lü Zhong paid her no mind, simply sweeping her up in his arms and carrying her into their room.

...

Lü Zhong was up bright and early the next morning.

There was a mountain of things to do now that he had formed his core, but the most important task was to head to the end of Changchun Street and officially register his new status with Changchun Valley.