A Glimpse Toward Golden Core

Everyone could more or less guess Bu Xuanyin's intention—it was nothing more than preparation for his future tribulation and attempt to form a golden core. Over the past three months, he had tirelessly searched the markets and sect grounds for a rare spiritual item, and this had long become public knowledge.

Among the disciples returning from the mystic realm, those at the peak of the Qi Refining stage were few, but that didn't mean they didn't possess rare and valuable items.

That was why Bu Xuanyin had organized this trade gathering, limiting participants to those in the late-stage Qi Refining realm. He was hoping to gather clues or items from his junior brothers and sisters who had just returned from the realm.

"This is the Golden Flame Seal—a mid-grade tier-two spiritual tool, a rare dual-attribute artifact of gold and fire! Junior brothers and sisters may exchange it for spiritual items or spirit stones of equal value!"

"This is the Violet Feather Umbrella, both offensive and defensive..."

Bu Xuanyin introduced the spiritual items and tools he displayed, yet made no mention of the item he wished to acquire, as if he were merely doing this to benefit the others.

"Senior Brother, why didn't Bu Xuanyin mention the item he wants? Is he just exchanging things for the sake of it?" asked Chen Jinshu, puzzled.

"You don't understand," someone replied. "Bu Xuanyin is clever. First he makes a good impression, then he brings up the item he's seeking. That way, there's less room for negative gossip."

"There's a strategy behind that?!" Chen Jinshu could only sigh at how little she knew of worldly affairs.

Soon after the introductions, a Foundation Establishment cultivator stepped forward to trade. Bu Xuanyin accepted anything of equal value—be it items or spirit stones—with warmth and generosity. Before long, all the items he had displayed were traded away.

"Senior Brother is only a step away from the Golden Core stage. I've searched for the Earth-Spirit Gold Liquid for a long time, but still haven't found any leads. If any of you happen to have it, or even a clue about it, please let me know. The reward will be substantial," Bu Xuanyin said with a smile, his tone humble and sincere.

Chen Jinshu immediately recalled the pool of golden liquid she and her two senior brothers had found in the Incense-Burning Cavern—it was exactly the Earth-Spirit Gold Liquid.

She had only learned its true value after consulting with her master Shui Huanmeng. It was an extremely rare treasure, rich in earth essence, capable of enhancing one's aptitude, boosting cultivation, and improving the quality of a golden core formed during tribulation.

One must know: Golden Cores are ranked from Grade Nine to Grade One. Between the peak of Foundation Establishment and Golden Core lies the realm of Pseudo-Core—often chosen by those with poor aptitude and dim prospects. Though it grants 200 more years of life, it offers no further cultivation progress.

The lowest three grades of true Golden Core barely surpass the Pseudo-Core, granting perhaps a hundred more years of life, but making Nascent Soul formation extremely difficult. However, with each higher grade beyond Grade Three, the chances increase.

And should one possess heavenly treasures like the Earth-Spirit Gold Liquid, they could elevate their core grade even further.

Of course, this elixir is most effective during the tribulation to form one's Golden Core.

Bu Xuanyin's true aim was likely to form a higher-grade core, and thereby increase his chances of reaching Nascent Soul in the future.

"Such a pity! Treasures like that—who would easily part with them?"

Chen Jinshu only had two bottles. The rest had been split with Du Yi and the other senior brother—after all, they had explored together.

Moreover, she had already cleansed the impurities in her spiritual roots in the Moon Cleansing Pool. Her cultivation speed now rivaled those with single or variant spiritual roots, or even surpassed them, since her body carried fewer impurities.

She intended to use half a bottle during her Foundation Establishment breakthrough, and the full bottle during Golden Core formation—to improve her odds of reaching the Nascent Soul stage.

Bu Xuanyin gazed at the assembled disciples for a long time, but in the end, no one stepped forward.

Such treasures were just too rare.

"If you have any clues, feel free to find me in private. You'll be well rewarded," Bu Xuanyin finally said, then stepped down with a resigned smile.

"I am Duan Chenliang. I'm seeking thunder-attribute refining materials or ready-made spirit tools! Price is negotiable! Here are the talismans I've drawn—tier-two, ranging from low to high quality…"

The trade event continued, and around thirty Foundation Establishment cultivators took the stage, most of them in the mid- to late-stage. After all, courtesy demanded that stronger cultivators went first.

Chen Jinshu scanned the dazzling array of spiritual items but hadn't yet found anything she wanted.

"This is blood from a late-stage Foundation Establishment Gold-Feathered Demon Bird! It can be used to make top-grade tier-two talisman ink…"

This particular item did catch her attention, though she didn't immediately intend to trade. At that moment, her Qinluan Pendant on her waist stirred in her spiritual sea, transmitting a thought.

"There is a trace of phoenix blood in that Gold-Feathered Demon Bird's blood—it could enhance the bloodline of the Shadowpeak Finch."

The Qinluan's voice was sharp and high-pitched, but far stronger than it had been in past days. Hearing this, she acted without delay, sending a message to express her intent to trade.

"Junior Sister, that demon bird wasn't easy to hunt, and this is late-stage Foundation Establishment blood—it's valuable. If you have a mid-grade tier-two spiritual pill, or two mid-grade tier-two spiritual herbs, I'll trade."

Chen Jinshu immediately took out two stalks of mid-grade tier-two Golden Marrow Grass. Spiritual herbs were the last thing she lacked. Though the trade slightly disadvantaged her, it was acceptable.

Half an hour later, the senior brothers and sisters near her had also made trades, acquiring what they needed. Chen Jinshu later traded with another senior brother for a tier-two spiritual fruit—the Golden Scale Fruit.

This fruit enhances physical defense and is often used by body cultivators or those focusing on physical refinement. Her physical strength was at the peak of Qi Refining, but her defense was still lacking.

After forming her Foundation, she planned to train her body while cultivating her qi. After all, one must endure a lightning tribulation to reach Golden Core. A weak body could be torn apart by lightning—not something she wished to experience.

She also had the intention of cultivating the fruit herself.

Her spiritual herb space had great potential, but its usage was low due to a lack of high-quality herbs. She needed to expand both variety and quality. She continued trading several more herbs and fruits afterward. Before she knew it, an hour had passed, and the trade fair was drawing to a close.

"Junior Sister, will you be returning to Master's residence for secluded cultivation or going back to your own courtyard?" her senior brother asked as they prepared to leave.

"I'll stay in my own courtyard. Since Master is in seclusion, too much coming and going would disturb her," Chen Jinshu replied without hesitation.

"Fair enough! We're all heading back to our own places too."

"By the way, you're at the ninth level of Qi Refining now—just three or four months from the peak. When you're ready to attempt Foundation Establishment, let us know. We'll protect you during the process."

"Yes! You must inform us when that time comes!"

"Thank you, senior brothers and sisters! I plan to wait another six months. My cultivation has advanced too quickly lately—I'd like to stabilize before attempting Foundation Establishment."

"Then we'll await your good news, Junior Sister!"