Chapter 130: Golden Core Watershed
"So it really is that Secret Realm!"
Zhang Chi’s Turtle Shell Divination Skill had reached a higher level. Combined with the relatively certain information he’d already obtained and the Beast Hide he possessed, divining the result was easy.
First, his suspicions were correct.
Second, the Secret Realm did indeed contain Core Formation Spiritual Objects.
However, the Divination Technique couldn’t determine what other treasures might be inside.
Even when Zhang Chi tried to divine the greatest treasure within, the reading was completely indistinct.
Perhaps the item’s level was too high, or perhaps he had too little information. It was also possible his Divination Technique simply wasn’t advanced enough.
Finally, and most importantly, he performed a divination to see if joining this exploration would bring fortune or disaster.
The result was ’danger turning into fortune.’
In other words, the journey would be perilous, but the outcome would be favorable.
Of course, success still depended on his own efforts. A favorable divination didn’t mean he could get careless or simply coast.
The readings had already factored in his personal capabilities; they were predicated on him giving his all.
Zhang Chi even performed another divination to see what would happen if he chose not to go.
According to the reading, not going meant he would miss a transformative, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
This result wasn’t surprising. He could have reached a similar conclusion even without the divination.
Core Formation Spiritual Objects were simply too rare. Profound Light Grass had appeared at an auction once, but in the two years since, not a single other one had surfaced. It was clear that acquiring them was purely a matter of luck.
Furthermore, from what Zhang Chi understood, condensing a Golden Core required more than just a Dust Condensing Pill; other Spiritual Objects were needed as well.
With enough Spiritual Objects, not only was the success rate higher, but the quality of the resulting Golden Core would also be superior.
That’s right—Golden Cores had different qualities, and this was a major dividing line on the path of Immortal Cultivation.
A Cultivator’s Physique constantly transformed and evolved during their Cultivation. Upon reaching the Golden Core Realm, however, their Spirit Root was no longer as important.
From then on, their cultivation speed and ultimate potential all depended on the quality of their Golden Core.
Of course, a good Spirit Root made it easier to form a Golden Core, and the resulting Core would be of higher quality.
If one’s Spirit Root and other conditions were merely average, they had to rely on various methods, including Core Formation Spiritual Objects, to compensate.
Therefore, Zhang Chi had no choice but to take Core Formation Spiritual Objects very seriously.
’Looks like I have to go on this trip!’
Looking at the shattered Tier Two Turtle Shells, Zhang Chi felt no regret. He immediately made his decision.
"Senior Sister, sorry to keep you waiting. I’ve made my decision. I’ll go with all of you."
Zhang Chi then left the Inner Garden and, upon seeing Chen Ling’Er again, gave her his affirmative answer directly.
"Really? That’s wonderful!"
Chen Ling’Er had been worried Zhang Chi might refuse; after all, he had always been so low-key.
But now, hearing his answer, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of delight.
"Oh, right. These are some insights on Sword Control Technique Cultivation from Brother Qi and me. Take them and study them carefully. Pay special attention to Brother Qi’s. He cultivates the same Wind and Thunder Sword Control Skill as you, so it should be a great help."
"Also, before the Secret Realm opens, if you have any questions about your Cultivation or Swordsmanship, feel free to ask me or Brother Qi."
"This way, your Combat Power is sure to improve dramatically. Who knows, you might even reach the Entry Level Realm with your Wind and Thunder Sword Control Skill before the Secret Realm even opens!"
Then, Chen Ling’Er took out two Jade Scrolls and pushed them toward Zhang Chi.
"This is exactly what I need. Thank you."
Zhang Chi was taken aback for a moment but didn’t refuse, accepting them immediately.
’In truth, my Sword Control Technique is already far more powerful than Chen Bufan’s.’
’As for Chen Ling’Er, she’s not even in the same league.’
’But one can always learn from others. Chen Bufan’s Swordsmanship Insights would surely have some reference value.’
’Besides, she meant well. I should naturally accept her kindness.’
’Of course, if I had refused to go to the Secret Realm, I wouldn’t have gotten these two Jade Scrolls or the chance to ask for guidance.’
"By the way, if you have time, you should join us in guarding the front lines. Improving your Swordsmanship through actual combat is much faster!" Chen Ling’Er added with a slight nod.
"Alright, I’ll definitely come when I have time!"
Zhang Chi agreed readily, though he was merely being polite.
’If I can’t reveal my true Combat Power, fighting is just a waste of time. It wouldn’t even be good training. My usual sparring sessions with the Corpse Puppet and the Spirit Snake are far more effective.’
Chen Ling’Er, unaware of Zhang Chi’s true thoughts, was very satisfied. She chatted with him for a while longer and bought some Tier One Upper Grade spiritual pills before finally taking her leave.
After that, Zhang Chi dedicated himself to his Cultivation with even greater effort.
Half a year passed quickly, and the Sect finally announced the details of the exploration.
The rules were just as Chen Ling’Er had described: only Foundation Establishment and Qi Cultivation Cultivators could participate.
There were thirty spots for Foundation Establishment Cultivators and a staggering eight hundred for Qi Cultivation Cultivators.
The Secret Realm was scheduled to open in five months and would remain accessible for one month.
This timing ensured the exploration would conclude just before the Sect’s quinquennial assessment, so it wouldn’t interfere with the disciples’ participation.
Furthermore, the rewards did indeed include Foundation Establishment Pills and Core Formation Spiritual Objects.
If a disciple gathered enough Tier Three Spirit Medicine, they could even exchange it directly for the most crucial item for Core Formation: the Dust Condensing Pill.
Of course, the Sect wasn’t giving these rewards away for free; disciples had to exchange the Spirit Medicine they harvested for them.
Each disciple had a minimum quota of Spirit Medicine to turn in for a basic reward, but this minimum was very easy to meet.
All of this was within Zhang Chi’s expectations, except for one thing.
The number of people who signed up wasn’t small; it was huge. The disciples from the Demon Abyss, in particular, were scrambling to register, and for a while, there weren’t nearly enough spots.
In the end, the Sect had to increase the Foundation Establishment spots to fifty and the Qi Cultivation spots to 1,200. This was barely enough, and the spots remained highly coveted.
The reason for the rush was simple: everyone knew this was a massive opportunity.
The Sect was full of bold and diligent Cultivators.
This was especially true for the Cultivators who had volunteered for the Demon Abyss; every last one of them possessed a spirit of adventure.
Fortunately, Chen Bufan, Zhong Yu, and Chen Ling’Er were all going. Zhang Chi joined them, and they registered as a group, making it easy to secure their spots.
Back at the main Sect, Qin Susu and the others sent a letter complaining that they also wanted to go to the Secret Realm but couldn’t get a spot.
Zhang Chi, however, thought this was for the best. ’Qin Susu and the others clearly lack the necessary Cultivation and Combat Power.’
’Even after nearly eight years in the Sect, they’re only at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, and at least two years away from a breakthrough. And that Zhao Yi’s Cultivation is even lower.’
Five months passed in a flash. Led by Chen Bufan and the other Foundation Establishment Cultivators, Zhang Chi’s group departed from Azure Dragon Ridge, arriving at the Cangwu Sect’s residence in Shifang Immortal City three days early.
’What a pity. If this exploration were after the Sect assessment, I could have killed Patriarch Xie and gathered more Spirit Stones for my preparations.’
The night before the exploration, Zhang Chi slipped out of the residence in disguise and made his way to the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower once again.
He soon met with Zheng Yuanbao and sold the Magical Artifacts, Spirit Talismans, and Elixirs he had refined over the past several months, successfully amassing 200,000 Spirit Stones.
This was only possible because his Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation had been continuously improving, increasing his income.
Moreover, he had also been deliberately controlling the resources he consumed for Cultivation over the past year; otherwise, he never would have been able to save this much.
After all, as his Cultivation level rose, his speed at refining Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures increased, which meant his Spirit Stone expenditure naturally became more voracious.
Zhang Chi had no intention of holding onto the Spirit Stones. He immediately asked to purchase items that could serve as a trump card for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
"Fellow Daoist, what do you think of these treasures?"
Zheng Yuanbao knew a Secret Realm was about to open and had come prepared. Beaming, he slapped his Storage Bag and took out five Jade Boxes.