287: Chapter 287 Golden Talent and Inner Demon

[Heart Demon]

[Heart Demon: Golden Trait]

In the next instant, the description regarding the Golden Trait, Heart Demon, slowly appeared in Qin Changsheng's mind.

[1. Heart Demon Immunity: Completely immune to attacks and backlash from Heart Demons during cultivation Breakthroughs.]

Looking at the description of the first characteristic, Qin Changsheng's eyes were filled with joy.

On the path of cultivation, every time one breaks through a Realm, Heart Demons take advantage of the opening to stir up the Cultivator's obsessions and fears; the slightest carelessness can lead to Qi Deviation and the total loss of one's cultivation.

This characteristic could form an invisible mental barrier. Whether breaking through to the Golden Core or subsequent higher Realms, Heart Demons would be unable to approach, making the Breakthrough process as steady as a rock and free of hidden dangers.

[2. Cultivation: When the host is focused on cultivating various Cultivation Techniques, all Heart Demon interference is eliminated.]

The greatest taboos in cultivation are mental unrest and Heart Demon chaos. At best, cultivation progress stalls and the Foundation is damaged; at worst, one goes astray. This characteristic could keep his mind constantly clear, undisturbed by any stray thoughts or Heart Demons. This would significantly increase cultivation efficiency and allow for precise comprehension of the essence of Cultivation Techniques, avoiding Qi Deviation.

Seeing that he had drawn a Golden Trait, Qin Changsheng stood up with a face full of joy.

Originally, he had been worried about encountering Heart Demon attacks during his secluded Breakthrough.

Which might have caused his Core Formation to fail.

But now that he had drawn the Golden Trait, Heart Demon,

He no longer had to worry about Heart Demon attacks.

His path to Core Formation would also be extremely smooth.

After checking the [Heart Demon] trait, Qin Changsheng began to methodically plan his future path.

He knew that since he had already reached the Foundation Establishment Great Perfection and all preparations for Core Formation were ready, this year would be the crucial year for his Breakthrough to the Golden Core. Only by stepping into the Golden Core Realm could he possess the capital to resist the future Great Calamity of Heaven and Earth and the Yao Race, and truly gain a firm foothold in this turbulent Southern Region Cultivation World.

The primary task was to go into seclusion to break through to the Golden Core.

Over the past ten years or so, Qin Changsheng had already prepared all the medicinal ingredients needed for Core Formation. The top-grade golden core pills and fire spirit fruits were properly stored, and the crimson flame furnace was ready for use at any time. Coupled with the support of the Golden Trait, Heart Demon, and a Core Formation success rate of over ninety percent, he had absolute confidence in breaking through the Bottleneck in one go.

As for the location for seclusion, he had already given it deep thought and decided on the Heaven-Grade Magical Artifact, the dongtian pearl.

The Spiritual Qi within the dongtian pearl was several times denser than the outside world. Moreover, it was isolated from the world and extremely well-hidden; almost no one could disturb his seclusion.

More importantly, there were spirit springs and exotic flowers and herbs within the Cave-Heaven Blessed Land, which could nourish his spiritual power and mind at any time. Even if an accident occurred while impacting the Golden Core, he could use the Spiritual Qi within the blessed land to adjust quickly, ensuring a smooth Breakthrough.

He only needed to set up a few Formations and have Hu Nan stand guard in the small courtyard. Then, he could focus entirely on impacting the Golden Core without distractions and join the ranks of Golden Core Cultivators as soon as possible.

However, before going into seclusion for the Breakthrough, there were two things he had to handle first.

The first was to make a trip to the Qingyun Tower.

The Qingyun Tower was a gathering point for Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Heavenly Sword Sect. All sorts of matters, large and small, as well as strange anecdotes, could be scouted out there.

Qin Changsheng's trip was, for one, to hear about the major events in the Southern Region Cultivation World recently to prepare for his future plans;

Secondly, and most crucially, he wanted to see if there was any news regarding heavenly dao fragments.

A heavenly dao fragment could upgrade Qin Changsheng's Golden Trait into a Heavenly Dao Trait.

It could also allow Qin Changsheng's strength to improve.

If he heard news of a heavenly dao fragment at Qingyun Tower, he would act to seize it first before settling into seclusion.

The second matter was to have Wang Cheng investigate the movements of the Yao Race.

The Yao Race had always been eyeing the Southern Region with hostility. Furthermore, after their failure to seize the furnace in Clear Spring Valley, they would surely be secretly accumulating power and plotting for a greater Opportunity.

Qin Changsheng knew clearly that the Yao Race's cultivation, artifact crafting, and recruitment of experts all required Spirit Stones. He had Wang Cheng investigate secretly because he wanted to know if the Yao Race had recently acquired a large amount of Spirit Stones.

If the Yao Race truly hoarded a large amount of Spirit Stones, Qin Changsheng intended to take the Opportunity to strike and quietly steal them away.

Spirit Stones were the hard currency of the cultivation world. Whether for subsequent cultivation, Alchemy, or repairing treasures, Spirit Stones were indispensable.

Stealing Spirit Stones from the Yao Race would both weaken their strength and enhance his own, killing two birds with one stone.

As his thoughts flowed, Qin Changsheng had already planned his future path clearly: first, have Wang Cheng investigate the Yao Race's Spirit Stones, then personally go to Qingyun Tower to scout for information and look for heavenly dao fragments.

Once these two things were settled, he would immediately enter the Cave-Heaven Blessed Land for seclusion, put all his effort into impacting the Golden Core, break through the Bottleneck early, and possess the strength to resist the Great Calamity of Heaven and Earth and the Yao Race.

...

Qingyun Tower.

Qin Changsheng controlled Hu Nan to arrive inside the Qingyun Tower.

He sent Hu Nan to the Qingyun Tower precisely to investigate the movements of the cultivation world.

And also for clues regarding heavenly dao fragments.

Just as Hu Nan entered the private room on the fourth floor, he discovered that many Cultivators had already gathered there.

The moment Hu Nan entered the room, all the Cultivators stood up one after another.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Hu!"

"Having not seen you for a year, Senior Brother Hu's cultivation has improved a lot!"

"Senior Brother Hu, you are truly our role model!"

"Senior Brother Hu, please, have a seat!"

For a moment, the room was filled with respectful greetings. Everyone vied to curry favor, their eyes full of fawning.

Everyone wanted to forge a connection with Hu Nan. If they could obtain his assistance, their path in the cultivation world would undoubtedly be much easier in the future.

Hu Nan's gaze swept indifferently over the crowd. His expression was calm, showing neither arrogance nor excessive warmth. He simply nodded slightly and said, "Everyone, there is no need for such formalities. Please take your seats."

Hu Nan sat directly on a chair. His gaze casually swept over the people in the room, and as his eyes moved, he noticed Wang Cheng.

Wang Cheng's expression was downcast at the moment, as if something was weighing on his mind.

"Senior Brother Wu," Hu Nan walked over to Wang Cheng and asked, "You look unwell. Could it be that you've encountered some difficulty?"

Wang Cheng's body stiffened slightly. He slowly raised his head, a forced smile barely forming on his face, yet unable to hide the sorrow in the depths of his eyes.

He shook his head, his lips moving as if to speak, but in the end, he said nothing and simply lowered his head again, clearly unwilling to mention the troubles in his heart.

Seeing Wang Cheng like this, Hu Nan didn't feel it right to press further.

Ten minutes later, with the arrival of Jiang Lijuan, Lin Hao, Jiang Hui, and others, the Foundation Establishment Gathering began.

Everyone also began to share their cultivation insights.

And some recent major events.

"Last year, that earth-grade low-rank alchemy furnace from the Azure Cloud Sect was snatched away by the Yao Race!"

"I didn't expect the Yao Race to actually come to our Southern Region!"

"Even Elder Wen Xuanli was played by the Yao Race!"

"Not only was the earth-grade low-rank alchemy furnace lost, but several experts even died!"

What everyone discussed most was still the matter of the Azure Cloud Sect's earth-grade low-rank alchemy furnace from last year.

Watching their discussion, Qin Changsheng's eyes were filled with a strange look.

Because that earth-grade low-rank alchemy furnace hadn't been taken by the Yao Race at all.

It had been taken by him.

He had even used that earth-grade low-rank alchemy furnace to refine ten golden core pills.

It was just that Qin Changsheng could never tell anyone.

"Do you all know Shen Bing of the Flowing Fire Sect?"

"Of course, she is the number one person of the Flowing Fire Sect!"

"What happened to Shen Bing?"

"I heard that Shen Bing has successfully formed her core!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the room was instantly in an uproar, with looks of disbelief appearing on everyone's faces.

Most people knew of Shen Bing's reputation. Her talent was decent but could not be considered top-tier. To think she could break through to the Golden Core so quickly was truly unexpected.

Qin Changsheng, far away in his small courtyard, was not particularly surprised.

After all, Shen Bing's status within the Yao Race was very high.

And her talent was also quite good.

Successfully forming her core was not surprising at all.

Just as everyone was in heated discussion, Lin Hao suddenly spoke up, "Everyone, the things you're talking about aren't the truly big matters."