MTLNOVEL Chapter 34: 9-Pattern Golden Core
Lu Qingshan cast his gaze toward the progression task.
[Nine-Pattern Golden Pill]: 1. Learn a Golden Core Technique (The level of the Cultivation Technique must not be lower than Heaven Rank).
2. Kill an enemy of the same rank (107/100), kill an enemy of a higher rank (7/3).
3. Master the talent [Spiritual Power Control](High Level).
4. Reach the first Initial Stage of the Solidifying Form Realm in the Divine Soul Realm (155/100)
All four conditions had been met at this time, which meant that as long as he was willing, he could start cultivating the "Taoist Treasury" and form his Golden Core at any time.
Of course, forming a Golden Core was such an important matter that Lu Qingshan would not recklessly proceed with it in this place.
"Let's go, let's leave the Demon Spirit Tomb first," Lu Qingshan decided.
"Oh right, actually, inside the Yin Tomb, Gengjin Tiger King left a passage to leave this place," the Rat King added weakly, clearly still immersed in the sorrow of the empty Yin Tomb, unable to extricate himself.
"That Gengjin Tiger King is quite thoughtful, fearing that those who obtain his legacy would be coveted and not be able to leave the Demon Spirit Tomb safely, so he left another way," Lu Qingshan realized.
"He is indeed thoughtful, everything was prepared, just that not a single treasure was left!" the Rat King clenched his teeth, his heart sour.
I really don't want to keep trying!
The Rat King sighed deeply to the sky, filled with remorse.
....
Whoosh!
Lu Qingshan and Qin Yitian had just turned back to the passage when they heard the sound of someone hastily treading through the wind.
A graceful figure of a woman appeared in their line of sight.
It was Dantai Qingrun, who was hurrying over.
Dantai Qingrun stared at the unharmed Lu Qingshan in front of her, as well as the blood-soaked monument built from demon beast heads behind him, her beautiful eyes widening in disbelief.
Even though she had encountered those fleeing demon beasts on her way and had learned the situation from them, having some mental preparation,
the shock of witnessing it firsthand was far beyond what rumors could convey.
"It's good… that you're okay," Dantai Qingrun opened her mouth to speak, the words at her lips ultimately turning into four dry and simple words.
Lu Qingshan sincerely bowed his hands to Dantai Qingrun, "Thank you for your concerns, Tower Master Dantai."
However, in just a moment, Dantai Qingrun had expelled the malevolent aura from her Divine Soul and re-entered the tomb.
The exact methods she used were unclear to Lu Qingshan, but clearly, the cost must not have been light.
Dantai Qingrun raised her eyebrows, making no attempt to take credit.
"Let's head out first," Lu Qingshan said.
Dantai Qingrun nodded and turned to leave.
On their way back, Lu Qingshan saw the corpses of those demon beasts that had fled earlier, including the most mystical two-headed golden-maned lion, its body riddled with wounds, much like a death by a thousand cuts, showing the ruthlessness of its killer.
All these were the work of Dantai Qingrun.
Once out of the Demon Spirit Tomb, the Beiming True Venerable, who had been waiting outside the valley, saw everyone emerge unharmed and laughed heartily for a rare moment, "It's good that everyone is safe, it's good, this time you have all achieved great merits, the Tower will definitely not be stingy with rewards!"
Upon hearing this, Xian Huaibi felt somewhat sour.
This time, not only had the Netherworld of Lingxu been swept empty, but there was also a significantly profound achievement involving the Tower, in which Lu Qingshan and Dantai Qingrun were the main contributors.
As for him and the Lingxu Tower Master, not being severely punished was already an extraordinary favor from the Tower.
After pondering for a moment, Beiming True Venerable decided, "This place will definitely be fraught with disputes next, let's return to Lingxu City first and plan for the long term afterward."
"Yes!" everyone responded.
...
Three days later, in Lingxu City.
Inside a quiet room, Lu Qingshan was sitting cross-legged.
After he announced his plan to break through and form a core, Dantai Qingrun lent him the cultivation chamber she used regularly.
Although Lu Qingshan was not particularly concerned about this, he did not refuse Dantai Qingrun's kindness.
Taking in the room's features, Lu Qingshan saw Luminous Pearls embedded in the walls, creating a bright environment. In a corner of the quiet room, a column of Spirit Solidifying Incense was burning. The rising wisps of light smoke spiraled within the room.
This fragrance had the effect of steadying the mind and aiding in cultivation.
On the ground, mystical Taoist patterns were carved, and dozens of Spirit Stones were placed at Formation Points, gathering spiritual energy.
The Spirit Gathering Array was effective in accumulating Spiritual Power.
Dantai Qingrun's usual cultivation environment was indeed lavish.
Lu Qingshan mused quietly.
Shaking his head, Lu Qingshan thought no more of it and took out the sheet of golden paper recording the "Taoist Treasury" from the Storage Ring.
"Detected 'Taoist Treasury,' Golden Core Chapter, do you wish to spend 100,000 Experience Points to learn it?"
"Yes!"
100,000 Experience Points were drained instantly.
However, Lu Qingshan originally had a reserve of 200,000 Experience Points, and after the Demon Spirit Tomb, the Experience Points had surged to 450,000, so naturally, he was not concerned about this expenditure.
After he made his choice, a strange transformation immediately occurred within his dantian: a surge of golden light, and the wind and clouds altered.
The overflowing Spiritual Power inside his dantian gathered into a cluster and began to spin rapidly.
With each rotation, the cluster of Spiritual Power shrank slightly and became more condensed.
Gradually, as the cluster continued to diminish in size, a dazzling light was born and flickered.
Boom!
Inside Lu Qingshan's dantian, suddenly, a terrifying roar resounded.
The blinding light filled the space, like a miniature sun, so brilliant that it was impossible to discern the specific details within.
A tremendous force spread repeatedly within Lu Qingshan's body, the intense sensation making him take a deep breath, utterly captivated.
A moment later, the radiance converged and dispersed.
All the clusters of Spiritual Power had vanished, replaced by a Golden Core the size of a mung bean, floating within the dantian, slowly rotating and releasing numerous golden strands with each turn.
However, it was not over yet; as the Golden Core rotated, Spiritual Power continued to flow endlessly within the dantian, pouring into it and causing it to undergo a transformation.
Sizzle!
A mysterious pattern, containing the subtle essence of heaven and earth, slowly appeared on the Golden Core, intoxicating those who saw it.
A One-Pattern Golden Core!
Within the dantian, the divine light of Spiritual Power flowed incessantly, continuously nourishing that Golden Core, thereby causing further changes in the Golden Core.
Soon, the second pattern emerged!
The third pattern!
As the number of patterns increased, the fluctuations of Spiritual Power emanating from the Golden Core grew increasingly powerful.
The fourth pattern!
....
The sixth pattern!
After the sixth pattern appeared, golden light began to seep out from Lu Qingshan's body.
The seventh pattern appeared on the Golden Core.
With the appearance of this seventh pattern, the color of the Golden Core also began to change.
A faint purple hue appeared, mingling with the golden light, yet not very noticeable.
The eighth pattern emerged.
By now, purple and gold on the Golden Core had begun to share dominance, twisting like a yin-yang fish, forming an extremely harmonious balance.
The Golden Core spun faster, inhaling and exhaling Spiritual Power, lingering on the eighth pattern for a long time.
Finally, with a booming sound, the purple light flourished, and the ninth pattern slowly emerged on Lu Qingshan's Golden Core.
At the same time, a massive amount of purplish-gold light diffused from the Golden Core, connecting to all the meridians in Lu Qingshan's body, and at that instant, Lu Qingshan's pupils, along with the formation of the Golden Core, completely turned a purplish-gold color.
At this moment, the Nine-Pattern Golden Core, was achieved!
Lu Qingshan's Golden Core had completely transcended the appearance of an ordinary Golden Core.
Because it is widely known that a Golden Core is supposed to be golden.
Yet, Lu Qingshan's Golden Core was a deep purplish-gold color, radiating utmost nobility.
In the Taoist Sect, it is said that among Golden Cores, the Purple-Gold denotes the pinnacle!
That is, among Golden Cores, the Purple-Gold Golden Core is the most perfect and ultimate form, with no further advancement possible.
And the Nine-Pattern Golden Core, is the legendary Purple-Gold Golden Core.
In such a realm, the Cultivator's Spiritual Power is so pure and profound that it is beyond the imagination of others.
Lu Qingshan felt an unprecedented strength, his heartbeat more forceful, his Divine Sense expanding, his body becoming tougher, and his bones stronger, signifying a transformation and evolution in every aspect of his being.
This is the Great Dao of the Golden Core!
Lu Qingshan's eyes suddenly snapped open, and in the instant his eyes flicked opened, a dazzling purplish-gold light burst forth from his eyes.
"So this is the power of the Nine-Pattern Golden Core..." Lu Qingshan murmured.
Rows of luminous small characters continuously flickered before his eyes.
"You have mastered 'Taoist Treasury' (Golden Core Chapter)!"
"Advancement task 'Nine-Pattern Golden Core' detected as completed, your Rank has been raised to Golden Core!"
"You receive the 'Nine-Pattern Golden Core' Rank boost: As for the Core, Pure Yang it is; as for Purple-Gold, it is supreme! Your Divine Sense is enhanced: +100, and with each minor rank advancement in the Golden Core Stage, the increase to Divine Sense is: +50."
"Your talent 'Leakproof Body' is enhanced, transformed into 'Pure Yang Body'!"
'Pure Yang Body': Swallowing a Golden Core, you know your fate is not dictated by heaven. With the Great Dao of the Golden Core, you are impervious to a hundred diseases, indifferent to heat and cold, and your lifespan is extended (500 years).
"Your talent 'Sword Technique Affinity' (Primary Level) has been upgraded to 'Sword Technique Affinity' (Intermediate Level)!"
'Sword Technique Affinity' (Intermediate Level): Sword Cultivators need 15% less experience to learn and upgrade Sword Techniques, the experience needed to learn and upgrade additional skills related to Sword Techniques increases by 15%, and damage from Sword Techniques increases by 10%!
"You gain a new Life-bound Sword slot! Note, the Attribute of the Life-bound Sword added in this slot must not duplicate any existing Life-bound Sword Attribute!"