I Can Upgrade My Talent Infinitely

She had thought that after all their years together, this wouldn’t happen. In mortal terms, they were practically an old married couple, yet she still found herself feeling a little awkward.

"You get some rest. I’m going to merge the Fire Lotuses from my Cultivation Technique." Song Qiaoqiao had been the one assisting him during their use of the Dual Cultivation Method last night.

This was a very draining process, even for a Core Formation Cultivator.

He wasn’t tired, but Song Qiaoqiao was.

"Mm."

After her response, Fang Yun left and headed to his personal Cultivation Room.

The personal Cultivation Room was much smaller than the one they shared.

The room was bare, save for a Jade Mat for Concentrating Spirit in the center.

The Fire Lotuses created by the Foundation Establishment Technique, the Nine Fire Lotus Technique, could be used to increase the probability of breakthroughs within the Foundation Establishment Stage.

When he first chose this Cultivation Technique, Fang Yun had planned not to use a single Fire Lotus.

He planned to wait until he reached the true Peak of Foundation Establishment, gather all nine Fire Lotuses, and merge them into a Great Fire Lotus to greatly increase his chances of breaking through to the Core Formation Stage.

Thinking back, he had now reached the step of merging them.

Sitting cross-legged, Fang Yun followed the steps outlined in the Nine Fire Lotus Technique and began to merge the Fire Lotuses within his Qi Sea.

Merging the Fire Lotuses was not something that could be done in a single attempt; it would take time.

The first step was to fuse two Fire Lotuses. Once they merged into a larger one, it could begin to absorb the others.

This would require several cultivation sessions to complete.

Fang Yun’s plan was to form the Great Fire Lotus in his Qi Sea within three months.

Afterward, he would also need to spend some time preparing for his breakthrough to the Core Formation Stage.

’I’ll aim to begin my seclusion to attempt Core Formation before the end of next year.’

Fang Yun revised his plan once again.

Plans never keep up with reality. In his previous plan, his seclusion for Core Formation was set for the year after next, or possibly even the year after that.

After fusing the first two Fire Lotuses, Fang Yun stopped cultivating.

After leaving the Cultivation Room, he saw Song Qiaoqiao tidying up in the main hall.

"Husband, come and see! They sent so many gifts." Song Qiaoqiao had now fully settled into her new status with Fang Yun, a union in name and in truth.

He watched as Song Qiaoqiao sorted and tallied the Spiritual Materials.

Fang Yun had to admit, the value of the gifts they received for becoming Tao Companions completely exceeded his expectations.

For instance, one gift from an early-stage Foundation Establishment Elder was so valuable that any other Cultivator at that stage would be completely enthralled by it.

For an early-stage Foundation Establishment Elder to give such a gift, they must have truly spared no expense.

Fang Yun walked over, his eyes focused on the Spiritual Materials Song Qiaoqiao was organizing.

The Spiritual Materials they received held quite a few surprises for him.

He had started preparing to collect Spiritual Materials for his post-Core Formation Lifebound Magical Treasure a long time ago. Among the gifts was a particular Spiritual Material from the Red Flame Valley, which was a crucial auxiliary component he would need for its refining.

These Spiritual Materials he lacked were exactly what he needed.

After they finished organizing everything.

Later, Fang Yun and Song Qiaoqiao’s conversation consisted mainly of him asking questions and her providing answers.

Naturally, all their questions and answers were related to the breakthrough to Core Formation.

Song Qiaoqiao had successfully achieved Core Formation, so the more he learned from her experience, the better his own chances would be.

「In the blink of an eye, it was September of the following year.」

Over the past year or so, aside from Alchemy and Artifact Refining, Fang Yun had dedicated all his remaining time to preparing for Core Formation.

He had obtained the Middle-grade Golden Core Pill and the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Object, Cloud Ink Water, at the beginning of the year.

Now, Fang Yun felt he was sufficiently prepared to formally begin his seclusion for Core Formation.

During his preparations, he drew most heavily upon the successful experiences of the current and previous generations of Supreme Elders.

These experiences were compiled into tomes that could be purchased with Sect Contribution Points. For the current Fang Yun, the cost was a mere drop in the bucket.

However, speaking with Core Formation Cultivators—especially those who had recently advanced—was far more effective than simply reading books.

Every Core Formation Cultivator had different insights about their breakthrough. Learning more about them, even if it only added a sliver of hope to his own attempt, was worth it.

Fang Yun was determined to accumulate every advantage he could, no matter how small.

In the main hall of their cave residence, after speaking with Song Qiaoqiao, Fang Yun announced,

"Wife, I intend to enter seclusion for Core Formation."

"Husband, are you ready?" Song Qiaoqiao asked, looking at him for confirmation.

"All the necessary preparations are more or less complete."

"Then let’s go see the Sect Leader."

Before entering seclusion for Core Formation, it was customary for an Elder of the Celestial Cloud Sect to meet with the Sect Leader.

If the Sect Leader was not in seclusion or away on important business, he would personally open the seclusion cave for the Elder.

This act served as a blessing for the Elder’s attempt to reach the Core Formation Stage.

The two of them first sent a message before heading out to find the Sect Leader.

They arrived at the Sect Leader’s residence.

The stone door to the cave residence opened.

When Duan Qingyun saw Fang Yun and Song Qiaoqiao arrive together, he knew why they had come even before Fang Yun spoke.

"Sect Leader, I intend to enter seclusion to attempt my breakthrough to Core Formation."

It was just as Duan Qingyun had expected.

He had known since last year that after becoming Tao Companions with Song Qiaoqiao, Fang Yun had reached the true Peak of Foundation Establishment ahead of schedule.

All told, Fang Yun had only been cultivating for a little over a hundred years.

Even if Fang Yun failed this time, he would have plenty of opportunities in the future, all of which the sect would fully support. This was a level of treatment that not even a Core Formation Seed received. Fang Yun was simply too special, especially after he had successfully refined a Middle-grade Golden Core Pill.

The Sect Leader had already considered several possibilities regarding Fang Yun’s Core Formation.

Of course, what he most hoped for was that Fang Yun would succeed on his very first attempt.

A cultivator is always most prepared for their first attempt, making this Fang Yun’s most likely chance of success.

If Fang Yun were to try again later, there was no guarantee they could find another Heaven and Earth Spiritual Object. And although an agreement had been reached with the other Three Sects, obtaining another Middle-grade Golden Core Pill was not a certainty.

Fang Yun was attempting Core Formation.

The Sect Leader gave a few simple instructions, then waved his hand and said,

"Come with me."

"Yes."

The sect currently only had one dedicated cave residence for Elders entering seclusion for Core Formation.

If two Elders at the true Peak of Foundation Establishment needed it at the same time, they would have to wait their turn.

Such a situation had only occurred once in the history of the Celestial Cloud Sect.

In the past, few Elders in the Celestial Cloud Sect ever reached the Peak of Foundation Establishment, so the probability of multiple Elders needing the cave at once was extremely low.

Now, however, Sect Leader Duan Qingyun was already considering a change: establishing another cave residence and setting up more Spirit Arrays.

The frequency of Elders using the cave for their breakthrough had increased significantly in recent years. Furthermore, considering the number of early and middle-stage Foundation Establishment Elders currently in the sect, if there was still only one cave in a few decades, queuing would become a common occurrence.

This would undoubtedly cause delays.

In front of the seclusion cave.

Song Qiaoqiao’s great-grandfather, Zhong Yankun, and Fang Yun’s master, Xiong Xingfeng, had already arrived.

The message they had sent earlier had been to these two seniors.

"Great-grandfather. Master." Fang Yun greeted them with a bow, and Song Qiaoqiao did the same.

"I hope that when you emerge, you’ll be just like Qiaoqiao,"

"Fang Yun, when it comes to Core Formation, don’t follow your master’s example."

The two seniors offered Fang Yun their well-wishes. Though their words differed, their meaning was the same.

They hoped Fang Yun would successfully achieve Core Formation and join the true upper echelon of the sect.

Under the gazes of the four,

Fang Yun entered the cave, and his figure vanished as the stone door closed behind him.

Song Qiaoqiao was the last of the four to look away.

She felt a nervousness now that she hadn’t experienced during her own seclusion for Core Formation, a feeling she couldn’t control.

Fortunately, with the help of the Golden Core Pill, she didn’t have to worry about his safety. Otherwise, she would have been even more anxious.