308: Chapter 308 Core Formation Ceremony

In the blink of an eye, the day of Hu Nan's Core Formation ceremony arrived.

The Heavenly Sword Sect was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, exuding a lively and festive atmosphere everywhere.

From the Sect's mountain gate all the way to the main hall, the main path was hung with bright red lanterns that swayed in the wind, reflecting a crimson glow across the entire path.

As the first Cultivator to reach Core Formation in the Heavenly Sword Sect in recent years,

Hu Nan's Core Formation ceremony not only stirred the experts within the Sect but also attracted the attention of various powers throughout the entire cultivation world.

Early in the morning, the area outside the Heavenly Sword Sect's mountain gate was bustling with noise and surging with Spiritual Qi. Many cultivation experts from different Sects and forces arrived through the air, either alone or in groups. All were dressed in formal attire with solemn expressions, coming to congratulate Hu Nan on officially joining the ranks of Golden Core Cultivators.

Among these experts were elite Cultivators at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment as well as powerhouses of the Golden Core Realm. They came from all corners of the world, representing major powers in the cultivation world. Some were allies of the Heavenly Sword Sect, some came specifically to make an acquaintance after hearing that Hu Nan had condensed a red core, and others came with a wait-and-see attitude, wanting to see this number one Prodigy of the Southern Region with their own eyes.

Outside the main hall of the Heavenly Sword Sect, a spacious ceremonial platform had already been set up. Neatly arranged stone tables and benches were placed on the platform for guests from all sides to sit. Spiritual Tea and spiritual fruits were set on the tables, their fragrance filling the air.

Sect Disciples shuttled back and forth, warmly receiving the guests who came to offer congratulations, their faces filled with festive smiles.

The experts who came to congratulate them presented the gifts they had prepared long ago to the receiving Disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect, speaking with respectful tones and auspicious words of praise.

The gifts were of many kinds and a feast for the eyes, all of them rare items in the cultivation world: there were precious spiritual materials like hundred-year-old ginseng and lingzhi, which possessed pure Spiritual Qi and could nourish Meridians and aid in cultivation;

There were beautifully crafted and powerful mysterious grade Magical Artifacts, including swords, sabers, and jade pendants, all of which were helpful tools for a Cultivator's daily cultivation and combat;

There were also some long-lost Cultivation Technique Secret Manuals with neat handwriting, containing profound paths of cultivation and worth a fortune.

At this moment, before the mountain gate of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Qin Changsheng also stood there following many Outer Sect Disciples.

The reason Qin Changsheng appeared here was that the Sect had assigned him a task.

“Martial Uncle Hu is truly amazing!”

“To successfully achieve Core Formation in just over thirty short years!”

“In our Southern Region, Martial Uncle Hu must be the youngest Golden Core Cultivator!”

“Shen Bing from the Flowing Fire Sect should also be very young!”

“If only I had half of Martial Uncle Hu's talent!”

“I heard Martial Uncle Hu comes from Beihai Prefecture!”

“I didn't expect Beihai Prefecture to produce a Dragon!”

“If only I could also reach Core Formation!”

“It'll be good enough if you can reach Qi Refining Stage 6, and you still want to reach Core Formation?”

Many Outer Sect Disciples welcoming guests at the Heavenly Sword Sect mountain gate were discussing in low voices.

At this moment, they were all very envious of Hu Nan.

They all believed that Hu Nan's talent was the best.

As Qin Changsheng listened to these people's discussions, there was a strange look in his eyes.

Because Hu Nan was actually Qin Changsheng's External Incarnation.

“Shen Bing of the Flowing Fire Sect presents one mysterious grade high grade longsword!”

Hearing this voice, a flash of obvious shock crossed Qin Changsheng's eyes.

He knew that this Shen Bing was a member of the Yao Race.

Furthermore, she was Shen Guhong's daughter.

Now she had actually come to the Heavenly Sword Sect so brazenly and even presented a congratulatory gift.

This was truly too abnormal.

Qin Changsheng raised his head and looked toward the direction the voice came from.

He saw a group of people slowly walking in from outside the mountain gate, and the leader was Shen Bing.

Behind Shen Bing followed several Disciples dressed in the attire of the Flowing Fire Sect, all of whom had cultivation at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment.

However, when Qin Changsheng's gaze swept over the personnel accompanying Shen Bing, the shock in his eyes grew even stronger.

Because behind Shen Bing, she was not followed by her confidants like Wang Cheng.

Even Gou Feng did not appear here.

One must know that the Soul-Severing Sword was contacted by Gou Feng.

Shen Bing coming alone with a few Flowing Fire Sect Disciples this time was truly too abnormal.

“Qin Changsheng, take these people from the Flowing Fire Sect to the guest rooms!” Deacon Li beckoned to Qin Changsheng.

Qin Changsheng hurriedly cupped his hands and said, “This Disciple obeys the command!”

Deacon Li nodded slightly and then cupped his hands toward Shen Bing, his tone gentle: “Fellow Daoists, it is still early, you may go to the guest rooms to rest first!”

Shen Bing returned the gesture slightly: “I appreciate Deacon Li's trouble, we shall follow the arrangements.”

Her expression was calm, showing no sign of anything unusual, as if she were truly just a guest who had come purely to congratulate them.

After receiving the order, Qin Changsheng turned and made a 'please' gesture to Shen Bing.

Shen Bing nodded slightly, signaling for Gou Feng and the others behind her to follow, and then followed Qin Changsheng along the corridor on one side of the main path toward the direction of the West Wing Courtyard.

Along the way, Qin Changsheng deliberately kept his head down, appearing submissive and respectful on the surface, but secretly released his Divine Sense to its full extent.

He discovered that from beginning to end, Shen Bing did not take another look at the lively scene on the main path, nor did she ask a single question about the matters of the Core Formation ceremony. Clearly, she had no interest in this ceremony that belonged to him.

On the contrary, Shen Bing's gaze was constantly drifting over the surrounding buildings. She looked up and sized up the pavilions, towers, corridors, and stone steps of the Heavenly Sword Sect with a sharp and deep gaze, as if she were silently memorizing the route or investigating something.

Qin Changsheng became even more puzzled.

Before long, the group arrived at the West Wing Courtyard.

This was the place where the Heavenly Sword Sect provided rest for guests who came with gifts.

“Senior Shen, these are the guest rooms!” After saying that, Qin Changsheng prepared to turn and leave.

But at the moment he turned, Shen Bing called out to him: “Please wait.”

Qin Changsheng paused his steps: “Senior Shen, I wonder what other instructions you have?”

Shen Bing looked up at him, her gaze calm: “I heard that there is a Qingyun Tower within the Heavenly Sword Sect that is very good!”

“I wonder where this Qingyun Tower is located?”

Hearing Shen Bing ask this, Qin Changsheng became even more suspicious.

Qingyun Tower was not some well-known place. Why would Shen Bing, having come from afar, specifically ask for the location of Qingyun Tower?

What connection did this have with her purpose for coming this time?

Although his heart was full of doubts, Qin Changsheng still maintained his calm on the surface, showing no abnormality: “Replying to Senior, if you walk straight south for seven li, you will be able to see the tower's plaque.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Bing nodded slightly and said, “Thank you.”

Qin Changsheng cupped his hands slightly, said no more, and turned to leave the West Wing Courtyard.

In the afternoon, the Heavenly Sword Sect's Core Formation ceremony officially kicked off.

On the high platform before the main hall, incense tables were arranged, Spiritual Qi swirled, and red silk ribbons fluttered in the wind, making the entire ceremony look solemn and festive.

The guests who had previously been resting in different places gathered below the high platform, densely packed and neatly arranged, with all eyes focused on the high platform.

Hu Nan, dressed in the special ceremonial robes of the Heavenly Sword Sect, slowly walked onto the high platform.

“Martial Uncle Hu is truly amazing!”

“I didn't expect Martial Uncle Hu to be so young!”

“No wonder he is the number one Prodigy of the Southern Region!”

“Perhaps Martial Uncle Hu even has a chance to charge toward Nascent Soul!”

“Back then, Martial Uncle Hu and I entered the Heavenly Sword Sect together!”

“I just didn't expect that in less than thirty years, Martial Uncle Hu would have already achieved Core Formation!”

“While I am still hovering at Qi Refining Stage 5!”

Many Cultivators of the Heavenly Sword Sect were discussing in low voices.

Among them, many had joined the Heavenly Sword Sect together with Hu Nan.

They had become Outer Sect Disciples together.

They had performed Sect tasks together in the Outer Sect.

But now, after only thirty-odd years, Hu Nan had become a Golden Core Cultivator.

While they were still in the Outer Sect.

Some people's cultivation had even only just reached Qi Refining Stage 5.

In the center of the high platform, the Heavenly Sword Sect Leader, Sect Leader Xuanyangzi, sat in the main seat, dressed in a purple Daoist robe, his body emitting the Pressure of the Golden Core Peak.

On both sides were the Sect Elders and various deacons, their expressions solemn, looking at Hu Nan as he walked onto the high platform with gentle gazes.

Hu Nan walked to the center of the high platform and bowed deeply to the Sect Head, his posture respectful and his tone sincere: “Disciple Hu Nan pays respects to the Sect Head, and to all the Elders and deacons.”

As his voice fell, he knelt on his knees and performed the great Sect salute, his expression remaining respectful without any trace of impetuousness.

Sect Leader Xuanyangzi slowly raised his hand, signaling Hu Nan to rise, his tone gentle yet carrying an unquestionable majesty, full of encouragement: “Hu Nan, you came from the Outer Sect. Although your Aptitude is not top-tier, you were able to concentrate on your cultivation and finally join the ranks of the Golden Core. It is truly not easy.”