Chapter 13: Core Formation—The Birth of a Monarch
Chapter 13: Core Formation—The Birth of a Monarch
Deep within Iron Mountain, Shen Ziyan's body trembled as waves of spiritual energy surged through him. The massive influx of power from Moonlight Valley's destruction pushed him to the precipice of a Core Formation breakthrough.
---
[System Alert: Cultivation Bottleneck Detected.]
Host Cultivation: Foundation Establishment (Peak – 99%)
Breakthrough Status: Initiating Core Formation Process…
Energy Reserve: 125% (Excess Power Overflowing)
---
In his mind, 10,000,000 clones operated tirelessly—gathering spiritual energy, refining rare herbs, and cultivating in isolation realms. Their efforts fed directly into his core.
Shen Ziyan's lips curled into a cold smile. "With this much power… even heaven can't stop me."
He closed his eyes, focusing on the Core Formation process—a critical step where most cultivators failed, resulting in soul destruction. But with infinite clones, he would succeed where others fell.
---
The Nine Shadow Cores
Unlike ordinary cultivators who condensed a single Golden Core, Shen Ziyan aimed for something greater—Nine Shadow Cores, each forged through the energy absorbed from the fallen sects.
---
[System Initiating: Clone-Assisted Core Formation Technique.]
Core One: Shadow of Devouring (Complete)
Core Two: Shadow of Void (Complete)
Core Three: Shadow of War (Complete)
Core Four: Shadow of Illusion (Processing – 77%)
---
Far away, his Void Assassin Clones completed their purge of Moonlight Valley's hidden elders. Each kill fed Shadow of Illusion, accelerating his breakthrough.
Suddenly—
BOOM!
The mountain shook violently as the fourth core solidified. A surge of black lightning descended from the heavens—Heavenly Tribulation.
---
Heavenly Tribulation: Nine Shadows Lightning
The heavens themselves refused to allow such an abnormal being to exist. Jagged bolts of black lightning crashed down, aiming to obliterate Shen Ziyan's soul.
But he was ready.
"Activate the Clone Lightning Sacrifice!" he ordered.
Instantly, 100,000 clones materialized around him, forming a massive spiritual barrier. Each bolt of lightning struck a clone—shattering them into dust but shielding the true body.
He laughed softly as the last bolt fell. "Is that all?"
---
[System Alert: Heavenly Tribulation Surpassed.]
Core Formation Success – Nine Shadow Cores Fully Formed.
Host Cultivation: Core Formation Early Stage.
---
Power coursed through his veins—ten times stronger than before. With Nine Shadow Cores, his spiritual energy was vast enough to crush ordinary Core Formation cultivators instantly.
---
The World Trembles
As Shen Ziyan stood, his shadow stretched across the room—twelve figures emerging from it.
Shadow Monarch Commander Clones—each as strong as a Core Formation expert.
He had surpassed the limits of mortals. With an army that grew stronger by the second, the world was now his to take.
"Next," he murmured, his gaze cold. "The Blazing Sun Sect."
---
In the Blazing Sun Sect
At the summit of the Blazing Sun Peaks, the sect master Zhao Tianlie—a mighty Nascent Soul cultivator—felt an inexplicable chill.
"Sect Master, terrible news!" An elder rushed into the hall, panic etched across his face.
"Moonlight Valley… has fallen."
Zhao Tianlie's hands trembled. "Who? Who could destroy an entire sect so silently?"
The elder's voice faltered. "They call him… the Shadow Monarch. His clones are… endless."
The sect master's expression darkened. "Prepare the Blazing Sun Array. No shadow will touch this sect while I live."
---
[System Update: Blazing Sun Sect Infiltration Initiated.]
Deployment Status:
1,000,000 Void Assassin Clones
50,000 War Tyrant Clones
5,000 Shadow Commander Clones
New Ability Unlocked: Clone Shadow Gate – Instant Deployment of Clones to Any Location.
---
Shen Ziyan smiled. "Zhao Tianlie… your sun will set soon."
The Shadow Monarch had risen—and no sect could stand in his way.
---
End of Chapter 13.