novelraw Chapter 196 : Grade of the Golden Core
Chapter 196 : Grade of the Golden Core
Chapter 196: Grade of the Golden Core
《Human-Skin Puppet of Yin-Type Corpse》
Ji Yuan had a rather deep impression of this item—firstly, because this Human-Skin Puppet could rival a Yin Ghost in strength.
If it were just a single Yin Ghost, it would even be at a disadvantage against it.
Secondly, it was because this Human-Skin Puppet looked exactly like Yin Child.
He hadn’t expected that he would actually obtain this secret art now.
However, after skimming through it briefly, Ji Yuan gave up on the idea of crafting his own Human-Skin Puppet.
No other reason—the method was far too demonic.
It required stripping the skin from ten living virgin boys and girls, and injecting his own blood essence to nurture them...
"Demonic cultivators truly deserve death."
After finishing the book, Ji Yuan couldn't help but mutter softly.
Though the righteous path was also full of hypocrites, few would go this far.
But as for demonic cultivators, they didn’t care about such scruples.
What remained of value was Yin Child’s breath-concealing technique, named 《Shadow Escape Technique》. Compared to 《Shadow-Following》, its effect was minor.
So Ji Yuan had no plans to learn it.
The rest were various demonic cultivation materials.
Ji Yuan buried them all into the 【Grave Mound】. He couldn’t use them now, so he would let them nourish the Yin Energy for the time being. If needed in the future, he could always dig them out and sort through them slowly.
Looting... no, after finishing the inventory of Yin Child’s Storage Pouch—
Ji Yuan pulled out Senior Brother Ma’s Storage Pouch. He had already mostly gone through this one earlier, when searching for the Yin Ghost Sect’s inheritance.
At least, he had a firm grasp on what was valuable inside.
As for spirit stones, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator did indeed have more than a mid-stage one—213 in total, enough to raise the Spirit-Devouring Bees a few more times.
There was a Talisman Treasure named Giant Deer Sword with two uses left, which Ji Yuan had already stored away.
Among spiritual artifacts, the most valuable was undoubtedly the Thousand Souls Banner.
Not only was it powerful in combat, but more importantly, it could grow stronger—truly a growth-type spiritual artifact.
Additionally, there was a mid-grade flying spiritual artifact in the shape of a locust leaf. Its speed was quite impressive.
And unlike ordinary demonic artifacts, it didn’t emit smoke and filth.
Its name was “Wind Locust.” Ji Yuan planned to keep it for his own use.
His current Sky-Slicer Boat, after all, was just a low-grade spiritual artifact.
Once he advanced to late Foundation Establishment and could fully exert mid-stage power, it would be time to replace his flying artifact.
And this Wind Locust would be just right.
Besides that, there was a valuable upper-grade spiritual artifact—a Pill Cauldron.
Ji Yuan hadn't expected Senior Brother Ma to be an alchemist. No wonder his Storage Pouch was filled with medicinal herbs.
There weren’t many pills—probably because he’d sold some off earlier.
Ji Yuan’s current Pill Cauldron was still the Crimson-Blood Tripod he bought from the Island Lord of Iron Hammer Island—a mid-grade spiritual artifact.
It was still useful enough and didn’t need replacing.
Now he had a spare, conveniently delivered.
This Pill Cauldron was called “Inverted Golden-Ear Cauldron.” It looked exquisitely crafted. After refining it, Ji Yuan found it not only suitable for alchemy but also usable in combat.
In critical moments, the large cauldron could suppress enemies, packing tremendous force.
"I'll take it! Many thanks to Senior Brother Ma for the gifted cauldron!"
After putting away the cauldron, Ji Yuan found himself holding a corpse-wrapping cloth... this item didn’t seem to have any grade. It wasn’t a spiritual or magical artifact.
When he first met Ma Xingkong, he had used this corpse-wrapping cloth to conceal his presence.
Though it looked unremarkable, its effect was genuinely impressive.
Even Divine Sense could barely detect it.
A good item—taken!
He didn’t find any protective spiritual artifacts—perhaps they were destroyed by the Heavenly Thunder Seed.
Speaking of which, Ji Yuan had originally bought two of them at great cost during the auction.
These seeds—each equivalent to a full-powered strike from a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator—cost nearly as much as a Two-Pattern Foundation Establishment Pill.
He used one to kill Senior Brother Ma.
Unexpectedly, kind-hearted Senior Brother Ma returned one after death.
Looking at the Heavenly Thunder Seed in the Storage Pouch, carefully wrapped in cotton within a jade box, Ji Yuan felt a profound sense of security.
Using it in tandem with the Thousandfold Chains Talisman Treasure—
For Foundation Establishment cultivators, it essentially meant certain death for whoever got caught.
Recalling how he had once looked down on the Thousandfold Chains, Ji Yuan now felt he had truly failed to recognize its worth.
As for secret arts—Ma Xingkong didn’t have anything particularly valuable.
Instead, Ji Yuan found a few pill recipes inside, applicable to both righteous and demonic paths.
He planned to study them when he had time.
Having sorted through both Storage Pouches, Ji Yuan once again made a bountiful harvest.
Naturally, he was in an excellent mood.
And what to do when in a good mood?
Celebrate, of course!
He lit a fire, butchered chickens, pigs, and fish, and thoroughly indulged himself.
Of course, the freeloading Great Toad and Ice Flood Dragon weren’t far behind.
But the two still couldn’t get along—always bickering upon meeting.
They even competed over who could eat more... which led to neither getting any food.
...
The next day.
With the bonus effects from numerous upgraded buildings, Ji Yuan entered the 【Enlightenment Room】.
His top priority remained successfully cultivating the 《Nine Chambers Soul-Suppressing Scripture》.
He meditated, entered deep concentration, and began comprehension.
Ji Yuan wasn’t sure if his talent for comprehension was simply that high or if the 【Enlightenment Room】’s effect was just that good. Either way, he found that even with a Divine Soul-type technique like this one, it took him only one month to reach the beginner level.
Through inner observation, he saw a large bell emitting faint golden light surrounding his Divine Soul.
Its name—Soul-Suppressing Bell.
Perhaps due to having just begun cultivation, the Soul-Suppressing Bell’s color wasn’t very distinct, and its glow was dim.
But that didn’t matter—so long as he had entered the beginner stage, progress could now be made steadily.
Having entered the technique, Ji Yuan spent a few more days in his Cave Dwelling drawing talismans and refining pills.
It had been a while since he worked on his side job. Though he wasn’t aiming to earn lots of spirit stones, he still had to maintain his feel for the craft.
After a month of seclusion, the 【Chicken Coop】 had already produced over thirty Three-Colored Spiritual Eggs. Alongside his cultivation, Ji Yuan now had the task of eating eggs.
This long-missed cultivation life brought Ji Yuan a deep sense of peace.
He even felt a bit of the same mood he had back in Zengtou Market.
After over a month of cultivation on Misty Island, Ji Yuan finally brought dozens of jars of Wishful Wine and headed to the sect.
Not only that, he deliberately brought along three jars of “Peerless Wine.”
He intended to let Hua Yaoyue have a taste.
First, to see if the “Peerless” could unlock her own “Peerless.” Second, he hoped to consult her on a few matters and perhaps freeload a few benefits.
As for his reason—he would simply claim he’d come up with a new wine during his time away, but it wasn’t quite perfected yet.
So he wanted Hua Yaoyue’s guidance.
On the way to Forgotten Worry Island, Ji Yuan made a stop at Wuyou Island.
He had hoped to check on Dong Qian and Du Wanyi’s whereabouts and learn how they were doing, while also getting a feel for the sect’s current state. But unexpectedly, not only had Dong Qian not returned from a mission—
Even Du Wanyi had received her first assignment and left.
As for where exactly she went, Ji Yuan had no way to find out. He could only wait for Dong Qian’s return to see if she knew.
‘Even though everyone has completed Foundation Establishment, we still rarely get to meet.’
Thinking ahead to the upcoming righteous-versus-demonic war, Ji Yuan felt things would only become more chaotic. If the frontlines were breached... everyone would likely be displaced.
By that point, Ji Yuan figured he would need Hua Yaoyue’s protection himself.
Forget protecting anyone else.
With these thoughts, Ji Yuan arrived at Forgotten Worry Island.
Back when he was still on Misty Island, he had already sent a message to Hua Yaoyue, asking if she was at Forgotten Worry Island. After receiving confirmation, Ji Yuan came with peace of mind.
However, this time, Hua Yaoyue was not at her usual pavilion enjoying the view, nor resting in her small building atop the mountain.
Surprisingly, she was strolling along the sandy beach by the shore.
Ji Yuan descended, stowed his Sky-Slicer Boat, and offered a respectful cupped-fist salute to the tall woman in a snow-white dress before him.
“Disciple greets Master.”
Hua Yaoyue paused her steps and gave Ji Yuan a once-over, as though trying to discern something.
“Mm, when did you return?”
“A few days ago.”
A few days could mean literally a few—or forty-something. Not inaccurate.
Hua Yaoyue didn’t ask whether Ji Yuan had completed his task—that was his business, not hers. If he brought it up, then it might become hers.
“If there’s nothing else, in a few days go and swap your Third Senior Sister back.”
“Yes.”
Feng Zhi Tao was still covering Ji Yuan’s shift, mining under Liancheng Mountain.
A total of three years.
Ji Yuan had worked one year, Feng Zhi Tao covered half a year, and more than a year remained.
The two walked along the sandy shore. Ji Yuan, who had originally walked ahead, naturally fell behind Hua Yaoyue.
“Your Third Senior Sister is about to break through to peak Foundation Establishment. I’ll need to take her away for a while to assist her breakthrough. So during this time, I won’t be at the sect—don’t stir up trouble.”
Whether Hua Yaoyue was explaining the reason for Ji Yuan to return to Liancheng Mountain, or simply warning him to be cautious, wasn’t clear.
Either way, Ji Yuan quickly responded: “Disciple is not one to cause trouble.”
“Mm. If trouble really finds you, don’t worry. Look for your Sect Master Martial Uncle or Li Gang—they’ll sort it out for you.”
With that, Hua Yaoyue stopped walking and turned around.
She just stared at Ji Yuan like that, until even Ji Yuan himself became a little flustered, and only then did she say:
“Out of wine.”
So that was it. You should have said so earlier… Ji Yuan took out the Wishful Wine he had prepared in advance, dozens of jars, and placed them in front of the two of them, row after row.
Hua Yaoyue’s eyes lit up at the sight.
With a thought, she put them away, leaving only one jar, uncorked it, and drained it in one gulp.
She became even happier.
“Wishful, wishful,” it magnified Hua Yaoyue’s current state of mind.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan, who was following behind her, immediately stepped forward and said:
“Master, during this time I was away, I came across a few other jars of wine. I ask Master to taste them.”
“Mm?”
Seemingly savoring the Wishful Wine, Hua Yaoyue didn’t think much of it, and simply extended her right hand towards Ji Yuan.
“Bring it here.”
Ji Yuan took out the Peerless Wine he had already prepared beforehand, this time in a different wine jar.
Previously, the Wishful Wine had been stored in a spirit-jade wine jar, which by its look alone showed that the brew was exquisite, worthy of slow tasting. But this Peerless Wine?
Ji Yuan had placed it in a golden wine jar, its whole body resembling a mass of burning flame. Just by looking at it, one could tell the wine was fiery strong.
After receiving it, Hua Yaoyue glanced at it in surprise, then seemed to think of something, smiling with a hint of teasing:
“This time, you didn’t give me something you already drank again, did you?”
“Disciple wouldn’t dare.”
Ji Yuan hastily cupped his hands, though in his heart he muttered… Master, how can you be so vengeful? Such a small matter, and you still remember it after so long.
“As if you’d dare.”
He wasn’t sure if it was an illusion, but Ji Yuan thought he heard Hua Yaoyue give a faint snort?
When he looked up again, Hua Yaoyue had already pulled out the cork, raised the wine to her nose and sniffed lightly. Whatever she smelled made her frown slightly, but she didn’t ask further. Instead, she took a large gulp.
She didn’t sip like Ji Yuan.
She was used to drinking in big gulps.
Even with Peerless Wine, it was the same.
But after that mouthful of Peerless Wine went down, even she flushed rosy red.
Just as Ji Yuan was about to ask how it was, he suddenly felt an immense pressure burst forth from Hua Yaoyue. Even Ji Yuan’s heart sank, and he nearly fell to his knees.
Fortunately, the pressure only lasted for an instant before Hua Yaoyue restrained it.
Yet, the surging spiritual energy around her still raged on for three breaths before finally settling.
“Ma… Master?”
Ji Yuan softly called out, looking at Hua Yaoyue whose face was now uncommonly flushed.
After three breaths, Hua Yaoyue returned to normal. Looking at the wine in her hand, she said,
“If this weren’t wine given by you, I’d suspect it was poison.”
“Disciple wouldn’t dare.”
Ji Yuan cupped his hands slightly and said:
“This Peerless Wine, disciple has also drunk it. A single gulp raises strength significantly, but only for twenty breaths’ time. For Master, it seems even shorter.”
“Mm, my cultivation is different. For me, it lasts only three breaths.”
Looking at the Peerless Wine in her hand, Hua Yaoyue took another gulp. Spiritual energy surged again, but this time lasted even shorter.
After merely one breath, it calmed.
She took a third gulp.
This time, there was no effect at all.
“Only the first two mouthfuls are effective. The next time it works will be after twelve hours,” Ji Yuan quickly explained.
“No need, six hours are enough for me.”
Hua Yaoyue put away the wine.
“Peerless Wine? The name is nice. Do you have more?”
For Hua Yaoyue at her cultivation level, a wine that could raise strength, even briefly… it could well be called a heavenly treasure.
If it had been a pill, or some rare spiritual fruit, to achieve the same effect, the price would have started at thousands of spirit stones. And that was only the base value.
The final price would depend on how many cultivators fought over it.
“Disciple has two more jars.”
Ji Yuan hurriedly took out the remaining two jars.
“This was something I stumbled upon after accidentally spilling some wine and mixing it. As for the exact ingredients and proportions, I am still experimenting.”
“This is unlike Wishful Wine—quality matters more than quantity.”
Hua Yaoyue put away the two jars of Peerless Wine, and finally turned her gaze to Ji Yuan.
“This wine is useful even to me. Speak. Is there anything you want?”
“Disciple wishes to ask Master a few questions.”
“Answering your doubts is my duty as your master. It’s no reward. Ask away.”
Hua Yaoyue turned around as she spoke, continuing forward. Ji Yuan followed behind and asked softly:
“Master, the Golden Core of a Golden Core Real Person… are there ranks within them?”
“Ranks of Golden Cores?”
Hua Yaoyue clasped her hands behind her back.
“Indeed there are. But on the Cangluo Continent, there’s not much distinction. Everyone’s core is ordinary.”
“And the extraordinary ones?”
“The extraordinary are Blood Cores above Golden Core, and even above that, the Purple Core. The Purple Core emanates purple qi. If you condense such a core, compared to the same realm, your mana will be at least five times greater!”
Five times?!
That was inconceivable—within the same realm, spiritual energy would practically be inexhaustible.
Ji Yuan’s very breath caught.
“May I ask Master, how can such a Golden Core be condensed?”
“I can’t,” Hua Yaoyue gave the conclusion first, then explained.
“One way is through cultivation methods. It is said there are secret arts that can refine the core.
“Another way is through heritage. If a powerful elder in the clan is willing to act, they can refine your core into a Blood Core. But refining it further into a Purple Core is impossible.
“The last way is what you asked about before: the Spiritual Egg. Above the Three-Colored Spiritual Egg, there exists an even rarer Four-Colored Spiritual Egg. Its effect is precisely that.”
“Perhaps there are other methods, but I do not know.”
So there really was hope. It seemed this 【Chicken Coop】 still had some use. Unfortunately, Ji Yuan’s 【Chicken Coop】 was only level 3, so he couldn’t help Hua Yaoyue even if he wanted to.
“Disciple has one more matter.”
“Speak.”
“Master, have you ever heard of cultivation methods pertaining to the Divine Soul?” Ji Yuan asked softly.
At these words, Hua Yaoyue couldn’t help but turn her head, staring at him.
“Where did you even hear such things? They’re old tales, half-read, and you come to ask me.”
“This…”
Ji Yuan scratched his head in embarrassment.
“Disciple obtained some old relics. They contained some records, but most were fragmented. So I could only seek Master’s guidance.”
“There are. But they are as rare as those that refine Golden Cores.”
Hua Yaoyue halted, raising her head to look at the horizon where the lake met the sky, and said softly:
“Creating a Foundation Establishment method—that is somewhat common.
“Creating a Golden Core method—that is a genius once in a hundred years.
“But to create a Nascent Soul method—that is a genius once in a thousand years.”
Here, Hua Yaoyue paused.
Ji Yuan probed further:
“Then to create a Divine Soul method… that would be a genius once in ten thousand years?”
“If you think of it that way, it’s not wrong.”
Hua Yaoyue lowered her head slightly, seemingly lost in thought, before continuing:
“Long ago, on that continent, there was indeed one who created a Divine Soul method. Do you know what he said?”
Without waiting for Ji Yuan to reply, Hua Yaoyue spoke on her own:
“He said: If you create a Golden Core method, seeing me is like seeing the moon in a well. But if you create a Nascent Soul method, seeing me is like a mayfly seeing the blue sky.”
“Hiss… isn’t that just Second Senior Brother?!”
Ji Yuan blurted out.
Hua Yaoyue: “……”
She rolled her eyes at him helplessly.
“That person had true ability. Your Second Senior Brother only has the ability to talk.”
Ji Yuan deeply agreed.
At the same time, he couldn’t help but wonder.
Just what kind of sect was the Yin Ghost Sect, to have such power?
Even possessing a Divine Soul method?
From what Ji Yuan knew, the Yin Ghost Sect had never appeared on the Cangluo Continent. The strongest sects to ever appear here were the Shang Court, which had dominated the continent ten thousand years ago.
Since the Shang Court, the world had been fragmented, with no such unparalleled sect ever again.
“Then does Master have such a Divine Soul method?” Ji Yuan asked curiously.
“No. The Six Immortal Sects of Shangdong don’t have it. It is said perhaps in Western Shang there is one, but I don’t know if that’s true.”
Hua Yaoyue said this casually.
Ji Yuan nodded, then stepped forward and handed over a jade slip he had inscribed.
“Then may Master look at this Divine Soul method I recorded… how is it?”
“Wha… what?!”
Hua Yaoyue looked as if she had misheard, staring at Ji Yuan in disbelief.
Ji Yuan repeated himself.
“May Master look at this Divine Soul method I recorded. How is it?”