Several hundred li away from Wuguang City.
A third-rank Huang Dragon Beast, its long body resembling a cross between a dragon and a crocodile, soared across the layered skies of the Nine Fiery Heavens.
Seated atop the Huang Dragon Beast's broad back was a pair of cultivators—one a woman, and the other a man with a green-scaled face.
The male cultivator, with horn-like protrusions on his head and arms covered in dark cyan scales, cut an imposing figure. His lower half was not human legs, but a smooth, serpentine tail resembling that of a flood dragon.
At that mont, the green-faced man’s gaze abruptly shifted toward the direction of Wuguang City. His snake-like hand, covered in coarse scales, casually stroked the rugged, thick armor of the Huang Dragon Beast beneath him. The motion was nonchalant, as though he were petting a loyal dog.
Despite its earth-grade bloodline and third-rank cultivation base, the massive Huang Dragon Beast’s body trembled faintly, its instincts forcing it to maintain steady flight.
“Master, it seems soone has reached Core Formation in Wuguang City.”
Kneeling beside the green-faced man was a breathtakingly beautiful woman, her long violet hair cascading down her back, her delicate features as pure as untouched snow, and her presence as serene as a secluded orchid blooming in a quiet valley.
If Lan Chang'an were present, he would imdiately recognize her—it was none other than Fu Xuei.
Following the green-faced man’s gaze, Fu Xuei faintly sensed the lingering traces of Core Formation energy radiating from Wuguang City before the fluctuations quickly dissipated. The distance, coupled with the brevity of the event, made it difficult for her to determine the specifics.
“A mid-tier Core Formation…”
The green-faced man’s voice erged from deep within his chest, hollow and raspy, carrying a sinister undertone that sent shivers down one’s spine.
After casting a single glance toward Wuguang City, he retracted his gaze.
A trace of envy flashed in Fu Xuei’s eyes, though she had no idea who the person breaking through to Core Formation was.
Since entering the Core Formation stage herself, she had co to deeply understand the profound impact of one’s Core quality on cultivation.
A poor-quality Core might only slow down one’s cultivation speed, which, though inconvenient, was not the end of the world. Similarly, a weaker performance in combat could be overlooked, as cultivation level and magical treasures often held greater sway over strength.
These drawbacks could sotis be mitigated with external resources.
However, the real issue lay in the Core's quality serving as a reflection of a cultivator's foundational potential.
For those with the lowest-grade Cores, advancing even slightly within the Core Formation stage beca agonizingly difficult.
With her earth-attribute spiritual roots, Fu Xuei had been stuck at the early Core Formation stage for decades, and her cultivation speed reduced to diocrity—even among Core Formation cultivators, she was notably slow.
More critically, poor Core quality greatly hindered advancent between minor stages of Core Formation.
Breaking through to the mid or late stages was significantly harder for soone with a low-tier Core compared to those with mid- or upper-tier Cores.
As for advancing to the Nascent Soul Realm? That was nothing more than a theoretical possibility for her—a faint hope with less than half a percent chance of success.
In contrast, those with Immortal Golden Dan had at least a 20–30% chance of reaching the Nascent Soul Realm, even without external assistance.
“If only I had t Master a few decades earlier, perhaps my fate might have…”
Fu Xuei’s gaze dimd as she retracted her thoughts, her heart heavy with regret.
Having entered the Core Formation Realm decades ago, her Core had long since solidified, making it nearly impossible to tread the path of Core Reformation.
Moreover, shattering her Core would an dropping back to the Foundation Establishnt stage, and even her lifespan would be affected.
Years ago...
Through her connections with Huang Lang Immortal of the Ten Thousand Beasts rchant Association, Fu Xuei had found a thod to awaken the petrified Huang Dragon Beast. That thod lay with one of the Six Demonic Sects—the Beast King Valley, renowned as the progenitor of beast-taming techniques.
Bearing a token given by Huang Lang Immortal, Fu Xuei traveled across multiple countries and ventured deep into the territories controlled by the demonic sects. After nurous twists and turns, she finally contacted a cultivator from Beast King Valley. However, before negotiations could even begin, she was captured.
Her captor was none other than a late-stage Core Formation cultivator of Beast King Valley, against whom she had no ability to resist.
For a stunning female cultivator like her, falling into the hands of demonic cultivators could only an a grim fate.
Fortunately, the green-faced master had intervened, eliminating the late-stage Core Formation cultivator of Beast King Valley with a flick of his fingers.
Not long after, even a Nascent Soul True Monarch from Beast King Valley pursued them, riding a fourth-rank Demon King as massive as a mountain.
Yet when the green-faced master turned back to glance at the incoming Nascent Soul True Monarch, the latter froze in place before abandoning the chase altogether.
Following this, Fu Xuei implored the green-faced master to help revive the petrified Huang Dragon Beast. He agreed and did so with ease.
However, both Fu Xuei and the Huang Dragon Beast beca bound to him—she as his servant and the Huang Dragon Beast as his mount, both to serve him for a hundred years.
...
Wuguang Immortal City.
Within a secluded cultivation chamber, Lan Chang'an sat cross-legged, ditating to stabilize his newly ford Core and consolidate his cultivation.
He carefully examined the quality of the Core.
A mid-tier Core—slightly inferior to the mid-tier Core of his past life but still within the acceptable range.
It barely qualified as a mid-tier Core, thanks to the benefits brought by his two instances of Core Reformation, which elevated the Core’s grade by an entire tier.
The first Core Reformation had brought greater improvents to his Core’s quality than the process of advancing from the peak of Foundation Establishnt to its pinnacle.
This was because, during his first Core Reformation, not only had his cultivation reached the pinnacle of the ninth level of Foundation Establishnt, but his mana had also been far purer than that of other cultivators at the sa level.
Typically, both the eighth and ninth levels of Foundation Establishnt were considered late-stage levels, with only slight distinctions between them. The difference between the ninth level of Foundation Establishnt and its peak was even less pronounced—barely more than a rounding error.
Reaching the pinnacle of the ninth level simply ant having slightly more robust mana and a more stable foundation for advancing to Core Formation.
For ordinary cultivators, however, even the smallest advantage could not be overlooked.
Practicing the Evergreen Technique, Lan Chang'an had built his foundation with careful, steady steps. For him, such minor advantages were rely icing on the cake.
“The second Core Reformation was noticeably more challenging and even left with minor injuries…”
The injuries he sustained at the ti had been healed imdiately by sacrificing a portion of his lifespan.
The second Core Reformation had consud nearly half a year of Lan Chang'an’s lifespan.
Though his process of Core Reformation appeared simple, for ordinary cultivators, it was as difficult as ascending the heavens.
Furthermore, those with low quality Cores, such as Fake Dans, were often considered poor investnts due to their limited potential.
Only those from prestigious cultivation clans or sects could afford to have Nascent Soul cultivators safeguard their Core Reformation attempts.
Additionally, the advantages of possessing a True Dan-level physique were sothing only a select few cultivators could attain.
Even Lan Chang'an, with his third-rank physique, had felt the strain and sustained minor injuries. For ordinary cultivators, the consequences would be unimaginable. As such, the path of Core Reformation was suitable only for cultivators with Fake Dans.
For ordinary cultivators, dissolving a mid-tier Golden Core was almost impossible, even with the protection of a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
“Now that I’ve ford a mid-tier Core, the difficulty of the third Core Reformation will likely increase significantly.”
Fortunately...
Having gone through two relatively easier Core Reformations, Lan Chang'an had accumulated valuable experience and techniques, giving him confidence in the final attempt.
His third-rank physique still had room to endure more strain.
Both previous Core Reformations had left him unscathed by serious injuries.
In fact, even the spirit possession of his second life—a hidden trump card—had yet to be utilized.
As for advancing beyond a mid-tier Core to an upper-tier one, Lan Chang'an dared not attempt it. The risks were too great, and the rewards too minimal.
A mid-tier Core was the safest and most stable choice, with manageable risks, for his final Core Reformation.
This was the culmination of Lan Chang'an’s experience from his first Core Reformation and the foundation laid by the second. Had he attempted to reform a mid-tier or higher Core during his first attempt without any experience, it would have been nothing short of suicidal.
“For the Third-Turn Golden Dan, Liang Kingdom’s Wuguang City is not suitable—it’s far too conspicuous.”
Lan Chang'an decided to perform his final Core Reformation in Wangyue Immortal City, a neutral territory better suited to his needs.
...
Half a month later.
Having initially consolidated his breakthrough, Lan Chang'an ended his secluded cultivation.
“Congratulations to Fairy Liu on forming a True Dan!”
“Fairy Liu, I am an elder of the Liuyun Sect’s outer sect. May I have the honor of exchanging contact information with you?”
“Fairy Liu, I have been stuck at the bottleneck of early Core Formation for many years. Could I listen to the sacred music of the Xuan Yin Pavilion’s instrunts to help alleviate my heart’s inner demons?”
When Lan Chang'an—now under the alias Liu Qingyan—erged from seclusion, nurous visitors arrived to pay their respects. Outside the cave residence, a crowd of cultivators gathered, most of them Core Formation cultivators. Those with rely Fake Dans couldn’t even get close to the conversation.
This ti, the commotion was far greater than when he reford his Core previously.
While the higher quality of his Core was a factor, the main reason was Liu Qingyan’s status as a female cultivator of outstanding beauty, grace, and talent.
In the world of cultivation, female cultivators were inherently fewer in number than male cultivators, especially at higher levels of cultivation.
In truth, the disparity began at the very source: the mortal world where potential cultivators, or "immortal seedlings," were discovered. Mortals often favored sons over daughters, leading to more female infants being abandoned and a skewed gender ratio.
At the lower levels of cultivation, so cultivation families faced tough choices when resources were limited. If two children possessed the sa spiritual root aptitude, would the family prioritize training the male cultivator or the female one? In most cases, the male cultivator was chosen.
All of these factors contributed to the male-to-female imbalance in the cultivation world.
...
Inside the cave residence, Lan Chang'an personally received several Core Formation cultivators. Most were True Dan cultivators, though two Fake Dan cultivators with so level of status also managed to gain an audience.
“Fellow Daoist Xu, this gift is far too generous. I fear I cannot accept it.”
Every visiting Core Formation cultivator brought gifts, each one of considerable value.
So individuals, eager to leave an excellent first impression on “Liu Qingyan,” presented gifts worth several thousand spirit stones.
Though Lan Chang'an declined such gifts at first, he eventually accepted them with a polite smile when the givers insisted.
“The gap between people truly is enormous, even within the sa cultivation realm.”
The gifts Lan Chang'an received this ti were worth several tis more than what he had received during his previous Core Reformation.
Having experienced the incredible advantages of being a female cultivator in this world, he couldn’t help but entertain a bold idea:
Should he consider reincarnating as a female cultivator in his next life?
With the activation of the Nine Seal Stele, Lan Chang'an’s fourth life cycle offered him so degree of customization over his future reincarnation. This included options for his lineage, aptitude, and even destiny.
Whether he could choose his gender was still uncertain.
However, Lan Chang'an’s priority for his next reincarnation stele was to inherit the lifeti of the Nascent Soul elder, converting their experiences and insights into his own past life.
This was the most reliable thod, as it ca with the added benefit of gaining a full understanding of the tribulations one faced when advancing to the Nascent Soul Realm.
Such insights were not the type recorded in jade slips, like those left behind by Zhang Tieshan. Instead, they would be actual experiences transford into Lan Chang'an’s personal mories—an invaluable resource equivalent to having personally transcended a Nascent Soul tribulation.
...
Before Leaving Wuguang Immortal City.
Lan Chang'an arranged a eting with Vice City Lord Huang Chao. After all, he had taken advantage of the man earlier and owed him so explanation.
“Fairy Liu, with your talent and beauty, why did you feel the need to deceive my feelings that day?”
Huang Chao let out a bitter laugh, suppressing the indignation in his heart.
After Liu Qingyan successfully ford her Core, he had even sent her a congratulatory gift of significant value. Yet he had gained nothing in return, leaving him both emotionally and financially at a loss.
“I was wandering alone, with no one to rely on. I had no choice but to conceal the truth about myself. I beg for your forgiveness, Fellow Daoist Huang,” Liu Qingyan said with practiced courtesy, her tone calm yet polite.
Her respectful deanor softened the frustration in Huang Chao’s heart.
“Well, strictly speaking, you didn’t violate any promises by forming your Core.”
With the misunderstanding resolved, Huang Chao forced a smile and took the initiative to express goodwill.
However, he knew deep down that Liu Qingyan, as a newly ascended True Dan cultivator, was now far beyond his reach.
In the cultivation world, a female cultivator with a Fake Dan might still have the chance to marry a male cultivator with a True Dan. However, a male cultivator with a Fake Dan would find it nearly impossible to marry a female cultivator with a True Dan.
“This visit is not just to apologize. I also have a favor to ask,” Liu Qingyan said, shifting the conversation.
“Oh? What does Fairy Liu need?” Huang Chao asked after a mont’s thought.
“I’d like to obtain information on the route to Fengyuan Kingdom and any relevant intelligence about the area.”
After briefly considering the request, Huang Chao agreed without hesitation.
Though so of the information was quite valuable and could have been sold for a considerable sum of spirit stones, Huang Chao decided to let it go.
“One thousand spirit stones—will that be enough for the information?” Liu Qingyan offered.
“No need for that. A simple piece of information is not worth accepting spirit stones from a fairy,” Huang Chao replied, waving her off with a sigh.
From Liu Qingyan’s inquiry, Huang Chao could guess her intention.
Having ford her Core, she likely wanted to reconnect with the Xuan Yin Pavilion, which had relocated to Fengyuan Kingdom.
In truth, Lan Chang'an’s inquiries were rely a pretense, serving as a cover for Liu Qingyan’s eventual disappearance.
Fengyuan Kingdom was far more distant than Jing Kingdom, separated by harsh and treacherous desert terrain.
The infamous Bladed Sand Abyss was one of the most perilous regions along the way, Foundation Establishnt cultivators who fell into it had no way of returning.
This didn’t even account for the other dangers lurking in the desert: sandworms, rogue beasts, and bandit cultivators.
Without proper knowledge of the terrain, a Fake Dan cultivator traveling alone to Fengyuan Kingdom would be courting disaster.
The strongest sand beasts in the area had even been known to kill True Dan cultivators.
Natural disasters and man-made perils alike made communication between the two countries sparse. Unlike the frequent trade exchanges between the Liang and Jing Kingdoms, the Fengyuan Kingdom remained isolated.
Because of this, even if Liu Qingyan’s identity were to suddenly vanish, it wouldn’t raise much suspicion.
...
The next day,
Liu Qingyan departed northward, flying toward Fengyuan Kingdom. Her trail vanished amidst the endless desert.
Half a month later.
Lan Chang'an returned triumphantly to Zijing Immortal City in the western region of Liang Kingdom, carrying his spoils.
"Interesting. Two rounds of Core Reformation, and not only did I avoid any losses, but I also earned a significant profit."
He found the situation amusing.
Especially with Liu Qingyan’s identity, the benefits he had reaped were comparable to what a Fake Dan cultivator could gain through decades of banditry.
While the advantages of being a female cultivator were imnse, Lan Chang'an was well aware of the accompanying risks.
Cultivators like Liu Qingyan, who were talented, beautiful, and charming, often attracted unwanted attention. They could easily provoke disputes or be targeted by powerful individuals, becoming embroiled in conflicts.
Such an approach might work occasionally, but it didn’t align with Lan Chang'an’s preference for stable, long-term operations.
Zijing Immortal City was located relatively close to Jin Yun Valley.
Lan Chang'an planned to purchase so resources here and wait for a ti before seeking out Zhang Tieshan for magical treasure crafting.
There were less than twelve months left until the date he had arranged with Zhang Tieshan.
Lan Chang'an intended to refine a suitable wood-elent magical treasure before heading to Wangyue Immortal City for his final third attempt at Core Reformation.
For Core Formation cultivators, having a magical treasure that matched their abilities was critical to unlocking their full potential.
Moreover, the area surrounding Wangyue Immortal City was known to be treacherous.
Once ard with an effective weapon, Lan Chang'an would no longer be considered weak, even as an early-stage Core Formation cultivator.
In addition, to avoid raising suspicion, he planned to extend the ti between his final Core Reformation and the previous two attempts.
His first and second Core Reformations had been spaced one year apart. This ti, he would wait longer.
...
Lan Chang'an stayed in Zijing Immortal City for six months.
During this ti, he refined a sturdy tortoise puppet with powerful defensive capabilities.
This third-rank puppet was a completed masterpiece, costing him a hefty sum—two to three thousand spirit stones just for materials.
Through testing, Lan Chang'an confird that even his spells could not breach the puppet’s robust defenses in a short amount of ti.
Against threats like the Earth Burrowing Rat, the tortoise puppet could hold its ground for quite so ti.
"Two third-rank puppets—one tortoise for defense and containnt, and one rat for ambushes and assassination."
As a third-rank puppet master, Lan Chang'an could maximize the potential of both puppets.
If the puppets were given to other cultivators to control, the strength they could exert would be significantly weaker than that of cultivators of the sa rank
...
With his third-rank puppets completed, Lan Chang'an set out for Jin Yun Valley.
Before leaving Zijing Immortal City, he overheard so rumors:
On the southwestern frontlines of Yan Kingdom, Beast King Valley—one of the Six Demonic Sects—had clashed in small-scale skirmishes with the "Righteous Dao Alliance" of several countries.
In the initial battles, the sect cultivators from the area surrounding Feng Kingdom had suffered a minor defeat.
Back at Jin Yun Valley.
Upon Lan Chang'an’s return, he found Zhang Tieshan in residence, who welcod him into his cave abode.
During their conversation, Lan Chang'an received so concerning news.
Zhao Siyao was soon to be among those conscripted to the frontlines.
In the past few years, various sects across the region had already sent many of their cultivators to the frontlines.
Cultivators like Zhao Siyao, who were Fake Dan cultivators without significant growth potential, often ford the backbone of such deploynts.
“Fellow Daoist Zhao volunteered to go to the frontlines. This decision will allow her disciple, Zhao Tan’er, to focus on tempering herself as a True Dan cultivator for a few more years,” Zhang Tieshan explained.
Among Zhao Siyao and her disciple, one of the two had to go.
Sending Zhao Siyao was clearly the better option.
Zhao Tan’er, like Lan Chang'an, had only recently entered the early stage of Core Formation and was still refining her natal magical treasure.
Curious, Lan Chang'an asked, “So the frontlines have truly escalated into battle? How strong is Beast King Valley?”
For soone like Lan Chang'an, who always paid attention to the broader trends of the cultivation world, this was a question of great interest.
“They’ve clashed, yes. Beast King Valley is incredibly powerful. The sects allied under the ‘Righteous Dao Alliance’ must work together closely if they hope to resist.”
When Zhang Tieshan ntioned Beast King Valley, his expression grew grave, and a trace of worry flickered in his eyes.
Through their conversation, Lan Chang'an learned more about the situation.
Beast King Valley’s invasion was supported by two subordinate Nascent Soul-level sects.
While the Righteous Dao Alliance had a nurical advantage in Foundation Establishnt and Core Formation cultivators, the alliance of sects across Feng Kingdom and its neighbors had difficulties uniting. Each group was more focused on minimizing its own losses than forming a cohesive force.
If not for the presence of a unifying leader like Chu Tianfeng, the sects of the Righteous Dao Alliance would have likely remained fragnted and ineffective.
In addition, Beast King Valley employed a secret technique that allowed them to rapidly produce large numbers of second-rank and even quasi-third-rank demonic beasts by sacrificing the potential lifespans of their beast subjects.
Although these beasts typically only lived for a few months to half a year and lacked intelligence, their effectiveness on the battlefield was undeniable.
In this initial encounter, Beast King Valley’s wave of fearso, death-defying beasts had overwheld the alliance forces, securing an obvious advantage in montum.
anwhile, the sects of the Righteous Dao Alliance hesitated, each harboring selfish intentions and trying to minimize their own losses.
...
“Based on Fellow Daoist Lan’s earlier requests and fighting style, I’ve designed a suitable magical treasure,” Zhang Tieshan said with a smile.
“Oh? What kind of magical treasure?” Lan Chang'an asked, intrigued.
Zhang Tieshan was the first third-rank artifact refiner Lan Chang'an had befriended in this life, he man carried an air of mystery, and his skills hinted at guidance from a hidden expert.
With a flourish of his sleeve, Zhang Tieshan revealed a model crafted from ironwood.
The magical treasure was slender and compact, sowhere between a long spike and an arrow. Its shaft was made of wood, while its head resembled a sharp, tallic spike that glead with a cold, lethal light.
“A barbed arrow!”
Lan Chang'an’s eyes lit up. No wonder Zhang Tieshan had said the magical treasure matched his style.
“This magical treasure is very efficient in its use of materials. It consists of three barbed arrows, forming a set. Its strengths and weaknesses are clear.”
“The downside is that it’s not designed for direct confrontations or large-scale attacks.”
“But the advantages? The arrows have an incredibly long attack range, blinding speed, and extraordinary piercing power!”
“Additionally, the shaft is to be crafted from Soul-Nurturing Wood. With consistent refinent and spiritual nurturing, the arrows will increase their connection to the wielder, extending the effective control distance. Furthermore, the barbed arrows also carry a soul attack, capable of killing from afar without leaving a trace!”
After hearing Zhang Tieshan’s explanation, Lan Chang'an was elated.
Zhang Tieshan was truly worthy of being his century-old friend.
The design of the barbed arrow magic treasure was a perfect match for Lan Chang'an’s preferences.
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