bookbashuk Chapter 321 Instructions Before Core Formation
Chapter 321 Instructions Before Core Formation
Time flies, and two years have passed in the blink of an eye.
After relentlessly honing his cultivation day and night, Zhang Lingyu had reached the limit of progress in the Foundation Establishment stage and could now begin preparing for Core Formation.
"It's time to inform Grandfather." He touched his sleeve and crushed the jade pendant that connected him to Zhang Yuanhua.
The process of forming a core takes a long time; even for exceptionally talented cultivators, it takes about ten years.
However, unexpected things may happen during this time, and that's when a protector is needed.
If one were in a sect, there would be Golden Core cultivators like Xuanhao to protect them. In fact, there would be no need for protection, as no one in the sect would dare to interfere.
Independent cultivators are different; they generally find it difficult to gain the trust of friends and family at this time, and often can only seek a secluded and safe place to break through.
Now that Zhang Lingyu is about to break through in seclusion, Zhang Yuanhua will secretly return to the clan to take care of him.
Although a blood pact has been signed with the Chen family, the spiritual veins of Qingya Mountain have now been upgraded to the third-grade lower level, so it is perfectly feasible to sit in the mountain and refine pills.
As for the time wasted during the protection period, the old man said that at worst, he could serve as a guest advisor for a few more years. In any case, once he had reached the Golden Core stage, his lifespan would be more than enough.
The distance between Linhai County and Yingchuan County is not far; a Golden Core cultivator can arrive in a day. He does not intend to go into seclusion immediately; before that, he needs to take care of all the affairs of the clan.
After confirming that there was no significant intelligence in the intelligence system recently, he slowly walked out of the secret room.
Various types of communication devices are still displayed in the courtyard.
Two years ago, after rescuing Wang Menghan and the other two from the secret realm, Zhang Lingyu did not choose to let them stay in the clan, but instead sent them to Linhai County to continue their demon-slaying training.
We can't protect someone so tightly just because of a little setback, can we?
A great calamity is imminent, and all the cultivators in the Zhao Kingdom may be plunged into a quagmire. The severity of the disaster may be much greater than when they resisted the beast tide in Tianliu City and Lingyue Mountain. If they don't have some skills, how can they survive?
"It will take anywhere from eight to over ten years. By then, they'll definitely be in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, and the late stage isn't impossible. Unless it's a Demon King-level being, almost no one can take their lives."
He had already planned the route for the three of them and shown them how to proceed.
How well you go and how far you go depends entirely on yourself.
A day passed quietly.
As a beam of azure light descended upon the main hall atop the mountain, a quiet, small clan gathering began.
In addition to Zhang Yuanhua, Zhang Yuanlin, Zhang Xingyao, and Zhang Lingyu, there is also Zhang Yuanli, who is about to establish his foundation.
Because Zhang Lingyu is about to go into seclusion, which may last for eight or nine years or even more than ten years, the position of clan leader cannot be left vacant during this period.
However, time was tight and it was not a good time to hold a handover ceremony, as it would easily lead to the leakage of information, so he was temporarily put in charge of the family affairs.
We will hold the event formally after he succeeds in breaking through or fails and falls from grace.
"Your cultivation has just reached perfection, so there's no need to rush into seclusion. Taking a few months off won't be a problem," Zhang Yuanhua sighed and advised.
"My cultivation has reached perfection, and I have read many cultivators' breakthrough experiences. In addition, I have some insights, so there is no need to delay any longer. I will go into seclusion again in a while to begin the process of forming my core." Zhang Lingyu smiled.
In the world of cultivation, enlightenment is a mysterious and profound matter. Some cultivators may linger in a certain realm for many years without being able to break through, but a small matter can cause their bottleneck to loosen. This is a perfectly normal thing.
The main reason is that a great calamity is approaching, and it is necessary to break through to the Golden Core stage as soon as possible in order to have a high probability of saving one's life.
Since Zhang Lingyu had already said that he felt something, the others did not try to persuade him any further.
As for asking about the probability of a breakthrough, they won't ask anymore.
Everything that needed to be done has been done, and everything that needed to be prepared has been prepared. The rest can only be left to ourselves or fate.
All they could do was wait.
"In that case, you can go into seclusion in peace. We will take care of everything in the clan."
"With three elders guarding the mountain, I naturally have no worries. However, I have a few words to say to Yuanli. Listen carefully."
Zhang Lingyu said solemnly:
"The first is about the great calamity more than ten years from now. During my seclusion, the family must send people to keep an eye on the movements of the Wanling Mountains and the demonic path in Chu Kingdom. The great calamity will most likely be caused by the two of them."
"Secondly, we need to strengthen our defenses along the borders with Tianshui and Yanxing counties. If they do manage to invade Yingchuan County in the future, it will buy us a lot of time to evacuate."
"Also, regarding the matter of the First Line Valley Secret Realm on the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Spirits Mountains, Yuan Li, how are the arrangements?"
"Rest assured, Clan Chief, in the past two years, we have secretly relocated some of our clansmen there. In addition, the Supreme Elder in the East China Sea has also found a spiritual island and relocated some of our clansmen and mortals there as well," Zhang Yuanli replied respectfully.
"That's good. Also, there must be a Foundation Establishment cultivator stationed at the back of Xiaohe Village year-round, and war supplies must be stored there. If Qingya Mountain really can't be defended, that will be our last line of defense and the place for a counterattack."
When this was mentioned, Zhang Yuanhua, who was standing to the side, also nodded in agreement.
To be honest, he was quite shocked when he first heard about it. Even though he had learned a lot about the secrets of the cultivation world from the Chen family after becoming a Golden Core cultivator, he had never heard of the passage between the two worlds.
Although he became the so-called guardian of the Tianyan Sect by a twist of fate, the benefits he gained were real. Not to mention that True Monarch Yunhe solved the hidden dangers of the interdimensional passage, he also left behind two fifth-order great formations.
There were also many talismans and that Heavenly Evolution Token.
This will undoubtedly be of great help in the face of future calamities.
"I also have another idea, which is to stop suppressing the vassal families below and let all the clans members who are capable of Foundation Establishment establish it as soon as possible." After thinking for a while, Zhang Lingyu said what was on his mind.
Since unifying Yingchuan County, the Zhang family has not relaxed its supervision of other vassal families in the slightest.
In order to keep a close eye on those cultivators with decent talent, the so-called "hostages" were created, namely Mo Wuyai, Xu Haisheng, and others.
The core reason is simple: they are afraid that some of their subordinates will become Foundation Establishment cultivators and break free from their control.
It's not impossible that they could even unite and overthrow the Zhang family.
The Huang family, the Du family, and other vassal families were well aware that although they had appeared docile for many years, who among them did not harbor resentment?
After so much development, most of the larger Qi Refining families now have members who have reached the peak of Qi Refining; all they're missing is the Foundation Establishment Pill.
But they still dared not. As Zhang Lingyu's cultivation improved more and more, the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Zhang family increased. What use would it be if one of them were to reach Foundation Establishment?
The tragic state of the five Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators was still vivid in my mind.
As for why we need to relax now, there are two reasons. First, the First Family already has Zhang Yuanhua, a Golden Core cultivator, so they are no longer afraid of their subordinates reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.
Secondly, a great calamity is imminent.
"Gentlemen, a great calamity is imminent. It is too difficult for our family to defend Yingchuan County alone. We need more manpower and strength."
Zhang Lingyu said in a deep voice, "Although those vassal families will definitely stand with us, Qi Refining cultivators are ultimately useless. Only those who have reached the Foundation Establishment stage can play a role."
He had a premonition, oh no! A major plot twist! Watch now. This catastrophe is far more devastating than the century-old beast tide of decades ago.
Who knows how many sects and families will be wiped out...maybe even one or two of the Six Sects will be exterminated.
"Yuanli, what do you think?"
Caught off guard by the question, Zhang Yuanli paused for a moment before replying without hesitation:
"I agree with the clan leader's opinion. Our family already has a Grand Elder who has reached the Golden Core stage, and the clan leader will soon achieve it as well. Even if we don't, a mere early Foundation Establishment cultivator won't cause too much trouble."
"My suggestion is that we currently have a lot of Foundation Establishment spiritual items in the family treasury, and not many family members are ready to establish their foundations in the short term. We can sell them directly to them. This will not only earn us some spirit stones but also deepen our friendship. In addition, the Supreme Elder will be overseeing the family for more than ten years, so we will not lack Foundation Establishment Pills. We can also sell some to them."
He paused, then continued:
"However, if you want to buy it, you must sign a Netherworld Blood Pact with our family and be completely loyal to our family from now on, without any disloyalty."
These words drew nods from the others present, indicating that Zhang Yuanli had learned quite a bit from following Zhang Yuanhua over the years.
Once this blood pact was signed, it meant he was completely tied to the Zhang family's ship, with no way to get off.
Complete loyalty...?
Zhang Lingyu's expression was complicated. This blood pact seemed a bit too harsh. Most vassal families would not agree to it, and it might even deepen their hatred.
After all, it's not like other families in the county are prohibited from having their cultivators reach the Foundation Establishment stage. It's not like they have to buy Foundation Establishment spiritual items from your Zhang family. Can't they do it in Tianliu City or Yanxing Market?
Does that mean that if I don't swear eternal loyalty and never harm you in the slightest, you'll wipe out my entire clan at the drop of a hat?
So he advised, "The blood pact doesn't have to be so strict. But whether you buy it or not, you have to sign a blood pact. It will state that your entire clan cannot leave Yingchuan County within thirty years. After that, we won't care where you go or stay. But after you leave, you must guarantee that you won't oppose my family's cultivators in the future. We won't target them."
After establishing themselves as a foundational family, the territory of Yingchuan County might become too small for many vassal families, inevitably leading to situations where entire clans would relocate.
On this point, they have no reason to stop it.
Even after they leave, the entire Yingchuan County will belong to the Zhang family.
It's always better to have more friends than more enemies.
"However, after this great calamity, how many families in Yingchuan County will be able to escape unscathed?"
Even their own families are seeking a way out, so what way out could those vassal families have? The clansmen and territories in Yingchuan County are all they have.
"I am grateful for your guidance..." Zhang Yuanli realized at this moment that he had been too hasty and quickly apologized.
"It's alright. You're doing this for the good of the family after all, but in diplomacy, you should always show some goodwill... You can go now."
"I am grateful for your guidance..." Zhang Yuanli realized at this moment that he had been too hasty and quickly apologized.
"It's alright. You're doing this for the good of the family after all, but in diplomacy, you should always show some goodwill... You can go now."
"yes..."
After Zhang Yuanli left, Zhang Lingyu took out a stack of talismans from her storage bag and handed them to Zhang Yuanhua.
"Grandpa, this was given to me by True Monarch Yunhe that day. Besides these mid-grade fifth-rank talismans, there is also this Nine Heavens Cloud Thunder Talisman, which is the most valuable. It is a mid-grade seventh-rank talisman, equivalent to a full-force attack from a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator. A peak Golden Core cultivator would have almost no power to resist it, and even an early-Nascent Soul cultivator would be seriously injured if caught off guard. Please keep it safe."
"Also, here are two magical treasures; please take them as well."
Zhang Lingyu is going into seclusion, so these things are of little use to him. Zhang Yuanhua, on the other hand, is to stay at Qingya Mountain so that he can defend against any unforeseen events.
"Lingyu, don't worry, I'm here for you. You can focus on your seclusion. I'll keep these things safe for you and return them to you intact when you come out of seclusion!" Zhang Yuanhua clenched the Nine Heavens Thunder Talisman, feeling inexplicably sad.
He had finally achieved the Golden Core, but he didn't even have a decent magic weapon.
Now, even the things that protect the family have to be provided by this junior.
"Lingyu... has truly sacrificed so much for this family. I'm so useless; even achieving the Golden Core stage is thanks to Lingyu."
While the old man was inwardly cursing himself, Zhang Lingyu had already finished speaking with Zhang Yuanlin and Zhang Xingyao and was preparing to go back to seclusion. However, just as this junior was about to leave the main hall, a divine sense transmission made him suddenly look up.
"Grandpa, the true identity of the guest elder in our clan named Puppet Elder is the Spirit Puppet Myriad Transformations Box, the natal magic treasure of the founding patriarch of the Spirit Puppet Sect. I have made a deal with it, and it will serve my family for a period of time. If a great enemy attacks and we do not wish to use the Nine Heavens Cloud Thunder Talisman, we can go to it without hesitation, and it will definitely take action."
"The Spirit Puppet Myriad Transformations Box, a natal magic weapon for a Nascent Soul cultivator. Alright, I understand."
Zhang Yuanlin replied without changing his expression. After that figure returned to his secluded cave, he also flashed away and headed towards Elder Kui without alerting any of his clansmen.
......
After returning to his cave, Zhang Lingyu slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air. Now that all the family's affairs had been arranged, he had no more worries and could focus on his breakthrough.
But after thinking it over, it seems there's still one thing I haven't done.
After a long while, he suddenly slapped his forehead: "That's right, I didn't send a message to Meng Han!"
He didn't intend to tell his disciple that he was preparing to break through now, otherwise it would make the disciple uneasy and full of worries.
They might have to end their training early and stay outside the cave day and night, which could even delay their cultivation.
So he wrote her a message, telling her that he was aware of her recent experiences and that she should be careful and cautious while traveling, not to act impulsively, and that she should not neglect her spiritual practice.
As for when he will return, it will take at least another three or four years.
After replying to the letter, Zhang Lingyu took out all the necessary items for the first step of Core Formation, "Core Condensation," including the most valuable Golden Core and many pills to replenish mana.
The so-called "condensing pill" is to compress the spiritual liquid in the dantian into a pill, and then refine it with cultivation. This process is the most time-consuming and mentally taxing, and most of the breakthrough time of more than ten years is spent here.
If one does not have pills to replenish their mana during this period, relying solely on absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is far from sufficient.
The pills laid out before him were all top-grade fourth-order pills, meticulously refined by Zhang Yuanhua over the past two years to ensure there were no mistakes.
With everything prepared, Zhang Lingyu first spent a month adjusting his state of mind. Once his magical power reached its peak, he silently uttered, "Condense!"
The once calm sea of qi was suddenly engulfed in a raging torrent.
Thousands upon thousands of water dragons formed from spiritual liquid rose from all parts of the Qi Sea, rushing to converge above the Qi Sea, intertwining and merging with each other.
At first, it was just a huge, ever-expanding, and flickering spiritual cloud that condensed at the center. As more and more water dragons poured in, the spiritual cloud began to be squeezed and condensed inwards.
Just as this extreme compression and convergence reached a critical point, the massive cloud of spirits suddenly contracted inward, bursting forth with a golden light that was more brilliant and purer than the sun.
It was a tiny, golden pill-like embryo, smaller than a grain of rice, floating in the center of the dantian like a newly born star.
This was just the beginning. Deep within the Qi Sea, water dragons continued to rise into the air, recklessly rushing towards that faint golden dot.
Each time it merged, the tiny golden dot trembled violently, then became even more solid and larger.
......
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