Chapter 296 - 230: Core Formation Heavenly Phenomenon, Radiance Reaches Thousands of Zhang_2
“In the past, Sect Master Leng was hailed as the most talented in the Immortal Mist Sect for a millennium when he achieved the Core Formation in his eighties, but now Elder Zhou has achieved this feat at fifty-four, a truly unprecedented achievement.”
“If Elder Zhou successfully forms the Nascent Soul in the future, our Immortal Mist Sect might once again manifest the prestige of a Nascent Soul Sect, as it did three thousand years ago.”
The Foundation Establishment Elders were engaged in a heated debate.
They were all beginning to get excited.
For them, they had long fully accepted the existence of Zhou Sui.
The stronger Zhou Sui became, the greater their benefit would naturally be.
After all, it’s good to take shelter under a big tree.
If Zhou Sui really becomes a Nascent Soul Ancestor in the future, then they all might rise to heaven with him.
“Elder Zhou, you are indeed a rare genius.”
The Peak Master of Pill Medicine Peak, Ma Qianjun, was very emotional.
He remembered the first time he met Zhou Sui, originally thinking that this young man was nothing more than a pretty boy who was relying on flattering the Sect Master and climbing up the ranks thanks to a woman.
However, as time passed, this young man gradually demonstrated his innate talents as a Pill Master and a master of formations, which even an old Pill Master like himself had to acknowledge.
Leaving aside his Spiritual Root Aptitude, such skills alone could grant him a secure position in any sect.
And now, he was even starting the Core Formation.
His cultivation was about to completely surpass an old predecessor like himself.
He had felt envy in the past, but now even that was gone.
Under the circumstance of such a huge disparity, not even emotions of jealousy could arise, only profound admiration was left.
At this time, Ji Bingyu, Mu Ziyi, Xia Jingyan, Leng Yuexi, Lin Yazhu, and Shen Biqian were all waiting outside the cave dwelling on Immortal Mist Peak, feeling a bit anxious.
They were also very concerned about Zhou Sui’s Core Formation this time.
Because this time, it wasn’t just the Core Formation for Zhou Sui, but a self-initiated Core Formation.
They didn’t know how many times the risk would increase by doing so.
They couldn’t believe that their husband could make such a decision.
“I wonder if our husband can succeed in the Core Formation this time?”
Xia Jingyan’s face was filled with worry.
“Don’t worry, there certainly won’t be a problem.”
“You all know our husband’s character.”
“Would he attempt self-initiated Core Formation if he weren’t absolutely sure it could succeed?”
“Besides, he does possess the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill.”
“Even if there were any accidents, there would still be an opportunity for remedy.”
Leng Yuexi stated gravely.
“Indeed, that’s true.”
“Our husband wouldn’t do anything he isn’t sure about.”
Ji Bingyu and Mu Ziyi also wholeheartedly agreed on this point.
Honestly, no one was more cautious than their husband.
They couldn’t imagine what risky things their husband would do.
If he dared to do this, it meant there wasn’t much risk.
“It’s also our husband’s choice.”
“If he can successfully achieve self-initiated Core Formation, the probability of his future Nascent Soul formation will increase significantly.”
“Always one step ahead.”
Shen Biqian sighed with emotion.
She of course knew that self-initiated Core Formation could significantly increase the chance of Nascent Soul formation, but the success rate of self-initiated Core Formation was too low.
Even though she possessed the First Grade Spirit Root, she had barely managed to achieve Core Formation by using assisting Core Formation spiritual materials in the past.
If there were no assisting spiritual materials for Core Formation, she would likely have failed.
It goes without saying, those truly capable of self-initiated Core Formation were one in a million.
Even Heavenly Spirit Root cultivators, for the sake of mitigating risk, mostly used assisting Core Formation spiritual materials.
“Now we cannot do anything.”
“All we can do is choose to believe.”
“Most importantly, we mustn’t allow anyone to disturb our husband’s Core Formation.”
Lin Yazhu bristled with killing intent.
“That’s right.”
Leng Yuexi and the others nodded.
They also guarded outside the dwelling to prevent any accidental factors from disturbing their husband’s Core Formation process.
Inside the dwelling, Zhou Sui was completely oblivious to the commotion outside.
After all, all his energy was dedicated to the Core Formation; anything else was of little relevance to him.
The result was exactly what he had anticipated.
Thanks to his profound foundation and meticulous preparation, the Core Formation proceeded without a hiccup.
A Golden Core, radiating endless golden light, had formed deep within his Dantian Qi Sea.
It was marked with mysterious runes, presenting a dark golden color – a sight of unrivaled nobility.
However, as it had just formed, this Golden Core was not yet fully stable.
In effect, he had already accomplished the Core Formation.
What was left was a process akin to slow grinding, which required absorbing a massive amount of nature’s spiritual energy to consolidate a powerful Golden Core.
Of course, the deeper the foundation, the stronger the formed Golden Core would be.
But don’t think this was a surefire success.
In fact, during this process, various Heart Demons would come into existence deep within his Sea of Consciousness, affecting the formation of his Golden Core. If he was genuinely lost to these Heart Demons, Core Formation would fail.
That would result in a Pseudo Pill, leading to the forfeiture of any future opportunities.
Rumble—
At that moment, Zhou Sui activated the Insect God Sutra, causing endless spiritual energy from heaven and earth to surge towards him, flowing into his Dantian Qi Sea, where they were devoured by his Golden Core.
The Golden Core was visibly growing larger, its rate of growth noticeable even to the naked eye.
However, in this process, it was inevitable that some Demonic Qi from heaven and earth was absorbed, leading to a multitude of Heart Demons.
Although it wasn’t as terrifying as the Heart Demon Tribulation during the Nascent Soul phase, it was a fatal blow for cultivators whose Dao Spirit wasn’t stable.
Boom—
Just then, an invisible force exerted by a Heart Demon surged towards him, instantly dragging Zhou Sui’s soul into an illusion.
Suddenly, Zhou Sui’s vision darkened, and he found himself in an extravagantly decorated palace, surrounded by scantily clad beautiful women.
Each one was seductive and enchanting, waiting to be claimed.
Ordinary cultivators wouldn’t have been able to withstand such a test; they would instantly fall into temptation and be unable to extricate themselves.
“Fake, too fake.”
“Is this the level of a Heart Demon’s test?”
Zhou Sui blinked, for other cultivators, perhaps such an illusion was very realistic, as if they were truly immersed in it.
But since he had obtained the Dream Soul Gu, he had become a master of illusion techniques, capable of manipulating dreamland power.
The power of the Heart Demon and the power of the Dreamland were virtually identical.
Thus, when such a Heart Demon illusion appeared before him, it was tantamount to child’s play.
“Devour it.”
Zhou Sui commanded the Dream Soul Gu.
Humming—
At once, a creature appeared within the illusory Heart Demon world – it was a bug.
For the Heart Demon, this was as terrifying as encountering a prehistoric behemoth.
The Dream Soul Gu opened its big mouth and took a savage bite, instantly devouring a part of the Heart Demon’s illusionary world.
“Ahhhh!!!”
“How could this happen?”
“How could this cultivator harm us, the Heart Demons?”
“Run, run fast.”
In a split second, horrifying screams echoed through the illusory world. The Heart Demons scattered and fled in panic.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
The Dream Soul Gu, having advanced to the lower realm of the Third Stage, was multifold stronger than before.
It exerted a whirlpool-like force – much like a black hole appearing.
The entire Heart Demon illusionary world transformed into a bubble that popped, then was swallowed into its stomach.
The mob of Heart Demons was completely devoured by the Dream Soul Gu and became its food.
At that moment, the power of the Dream Soul Gu ascended exponentially.
It seemed to benefit much more from feasting on the Heart Demons than on the souls of human cultivators; it was as if it had found a greatly nourishing food.
“Wait, could these Heart Demons be more than just unique entities born from cultivators’ hearts?”
“Could they also be unique creatures borne of the outside world?”
Zhou Sui was filled with doubt; he was uncertain of the origin of the Heart Demons.
However, before he had time to ponder any longer, the illusionary Heart Demon world collapsed instantly, and his soul returned.
It was as if nothing had ever happened.
This time, he had breezed through the Heart Demon Tribulation with ease, effortlessly at that.
Moreover, after devouring the Heart Demons, Zhou Sui experienced an inner clarity, as if a layer of dust within the depths of his heart had been swept away, allowing him to reach an understanding Dao Heart state.
Each removal of a Heart Demon represented a substantial enhancement for a cultivator.
The benefits were self-evident.
This time, there were no further obstacles.
As Zhou Sui continued his cultivation, time flew, and a hundred days went by in the blink of an eye..