The First Immortal of Destiny

Chapter 498: Chapter 498: Profound Magic for Making Elixir_1

The method of forming an External Core does not necessarily surpass the prevalent way of condensing an Inner Core; there is no measure of superiority or inferiority between the two.

However, as time has passed and contemporary methods have been perfected, the practice of forming an External Core has slowly declined. The requirements of this method are stringent, demanding not only a cultivator’s innate talent and physique but also proficiency in alchemy.

However, not all cultivators possess talent in both domains.

It is highly possible that a cultivator with an exceptional Spiritual Body may possess only average abilities in the Alchemy Path. This would make it impossible for them to refine a satisfactory External Core, thereby wasting their impressive talent.

Of course, refining an impeccable Elixir using the External Core method does not guarantee the creation of a flawless Golden Core.

An External Core is only a means, not an end!

The process of Core Formation still involves the transformation of Essence and Qi. If this transformation is flawed, even if the External Core is an excellent Elixir, the resulting Golden Core could still be of inferior, medium, or high grade.

The strict conditions for forming a Golden Core using an External Core reveal just how difficult it is.

The methods of the present era have separated out the Alchemy Path.

Even if a cultivator’s skill in the Alchemy Path is average, they can still advance into the Golden Core Realm by following the method of Inner Core formation!

Over time, the method of forming an External Core has been replaced by that of the Inner Core, gradually falling into oblivion, which is justifiable.

This is why the grade divisions between a cultivator’s Inner Core and the elixirs they refine are almost identical, an inheritance handed down since ancient times.

Shen Mo was already a Grade IV Alchemist, well-versed in the art of elixir refining.

By analogy, I am well aware of how difficult it is to achieve perfection on the first attempt at ”alchemy”!

Without a great opportunity, extraordinary talent, or thorough preparation, it is almost impossible to create a perfect Golden Core at once.

Conversely, if I were given endless attempts—like refining elixirs—and could fully master the practice of Golden Core Formation, I am confident I could create a Golden Core of excellent quality!

However, that thought was pure wishful thinking. Even a Martial Performance Body could not help me achieve it.

A cultivator at the peak of the Spirit Sea Realm has very few opportunities to form a core in their lifetime. The first attempt offers the highest chance of success and the best potential quality for the Golden Core.

If the first breakthrough attempt fails, the Essence and Qi will be irreversibly Corrupted and damaged during the transformation. Consequently, the chance of success on subsequent attempts will plummet dramatically. Even if they are lucky enough to form a core, its quality will be extremely poor—most likely inferior, or at best, medium-grade.

In such a situation, the experience and insights left by the sect’s Golden Core Realm patriarchs become invaluable.

”Three Seniors who formed the Chaotic Yuan One Qi Pill... one of them achieved high-grade, while the other two achieved middle-grade.”

”From their explanations, the process of Essence and Qi transformation is crucial, but the preparation beforehand is also indispensable...”

”However, these methods are not easy to implement.”

The jade slip of insights recorded a total of four methods to improve the quality of the Golden Core.

The first method is to enter the Ascending Pool in the Vacuous Realm. This pool, formed from Primal Spirit essence and possessing inexplicable mystical power, is used to cleanse the Dao Body and nourish the soul.

This achieves a rejuvenating, transformative effect.

This method has extraordinary effects for all cultivators, capable of bringing their Dao Body, True Yuan, and soul to an optimal state.

However, the amount of water in the Ascending Pool is limited. It accumulates enough for only one sect disciple to enter and purify their Soul Body approximately every thirty years.

With my status and potential, striving for this once-in-thirty-years opportunity shouldn’t be difficult...

However, the entrance to the Vacuous Realm lies beyond the Ninth Heaven and is unstable. Currently, all Teleportation Arrays have been invalidated, making it impossible to construct a new one to directly reach the Dungeon entrance!

Even Patriarch Zhou Zhiwei finds it difficult to locate the Vacuous Realm, needing to spend months or even years searching Beyond the Heavens.

Clearly, this method is currently unfeasible and needs no further consideration!

Furthermore, Shen Mo had cultivated his ”Three-headed Six-armed True Immortal Magic,” ”Soul Contemplation Sutra,” ”Great Sun Tathagata Sutra,” and other magic and cultivation methods to a very high level.

As long as he did not use Sacrificial Magic, his Essence and Qi were generally in an excellent state.

Even if I were to enter the Ascending Pool to cleanse my Dao Body and nourish my soul, the effect wouldn’t be as pronounced as for ordinary cultivators; my foundation is too solid!

The second method is to jointly cultivate a dual cultivation method with a Dao companion.

This involves attempting the Essence and Qi transformation by harnessing the fleeting ethereal state at the moment their soul bodies mingle completely.

This method, however, imposes extremely strict requirements on both the individual and their Dao companion. In a state where their physical and spiritual aspects are indistinguishable, all secrets could be exposed to the other party.

Under such circumstances, it is difficult for both parties to reach a state of true intimacy and mutual Yin and Yang harmony...

If any setbacks occur during the process, it could adversely affect Core Formation, potentially plunging both individuals into the abyss of cultivation deviation.

Therefore, although this method may seem easy and pleasant, few Seniors or patriarchs in the sect’s history have improved the quality of their Golden Core this way.

After a brief thought, Shen Mo discarded this method.

The secrets I hold cannot be revealed even to those closest to me.

Besides, Zhao Lingyin is currently trapped in the Mountain River Dungeon. Who would I practice a dual cultivation method with?

The third method involves finding a Blessed Land that aligns with one’s cultivation method and using the environmental advantages for breakthrough advancements.

The fourth method is to ingest Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, such as the Chaotic Yuan Fruit or Clear Spirit Qi, during the Core Formation process. Alternatively, one could consume Chaotic Yuan Pills specifically prepared for condensing the Chaotic Yuan One Qi Pill.

These last two methods are ones I can consider.

What is quite regrettable, however, is that the elixir recipe for the Grade V Chaotic Yuan Pill was lost several hundred years ago.

At that time, the conflict between the Immortal and secular forces within the sect was so intense that even two Golden Core Realm cultivators perished, nearly overturning this thousand-year-old sect. Many precious Manuals, cultivation methods, talisman scrolls, and elixir recipes were lost or destroyed, never to be found again.

The Grade V Chaotic Yuan Pills stored in the sect’s Treasure Hall have also been consumed over these past few hundred years by predecessors who practiced the Chaotic Yuan and One Qi technique and attempted Core Formation.

This means that for me, the most feasible options currently are to find a suitable Blessed Land and seek Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

Additionally, a faint idea has taken root in my mind... perhaps... I can try to restore the elixir recipe for the Grade V Chaotic Yuan Pill!

According to the descriptions from the three Golden Core Realm Seniors, I can roughly deduce that the effect of the Chaotic Yuan Pill is similar to breaking through in a suitable Blessed Land or ingesting Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures like the Chaotic Yuan Fruit and Clear Spirit Qi.

That is, while I undergo Core Formation, it would help me comprehend the Primordial Dao Fruit, thereby further enhancing the degree of my Essence and Qi transformation!

This way, even if the transformation of Essence and Qi is flawed, the pill could forcefully compensate, promoting a medium-grade Golden Core to high-grade, and a high-grade Golden Core to a perfect one.