234: Chapter 234 Sun Chengzhi Begins Core Formation!

...

On Zixiao Peak, Shi Jian lay in the pool of thunder, listening to Elder Rat recount the detailed proceedings transmitted back from the Shangqing Sect.

Silence followed for a long while.

The purple-gold thunder arcs in the pool fluctuated and leaped continuously, mirroring Shi Jian's mood—heaving, silent for a long time.

"He has reached Core Formation."

Shi Jian exhaled a turbid breath, as if relieved, his entire body relaxing.

"Indeed, Shi Yin has successfully achieved Core Formation."

Elder Rat crouched at the edge of the pool, feeling deeply moved as well...

The world knows the dangers of Core Formation, but few realize what a price and Opportunity a Yao Beast must pay to achieve Core Formation in the Xuanling Continent, where the Human Race reigns supreme.

But in the end, it was all worth it.

With Shi Yin having achieved Core Formation, their various Yao Beast tribes gained another source of support!

Now, Shi Yin was planted in the heartland of the Shangqing Sect, bearing the title of "Sect-Protecting Spirit Beast," protected by a Nascent Soul Sect, consuming the Sect's offerings, and cultivating on the Sect's top-tier Spiritual Vein.

This position was more useful than any hidden weapon.

Soon, Shi Jian fell back into a deep slumber. The thunder liquid submerged his body, and the violent thunder fell silent along with him.

Now that Shi Yin had achieved Core Formation, the most direct impact was that White Cloud Temple's status in the Qingcang Kingdom rose another level.

Outsiders only knew that White Cloud Temple was skilled at raising Spirit Beasts, to the point that even a Spirit Beast sent to the Shangqing Sect could cultivate to the Golden Core stage.

Just how deep must the Foundation of White Cloud Temple itself be?

In fact, White Cloud Temple's ranking among the various Golden Core Sects in the Qingcang Kingdom had already squeezed into the top ten.

With two Golden Core Cultivators presiding, one "Sect-Protecting Spirit Beast" registered within the Shangqing Sect, the Ming Prefecture Northern Protectorate under its jurisdiction, and affiliated direct forces spread across Hua Prefecture and Yuan Prefecture.

With this kind of scale, anyone who looked at it would have to weigh their options.

However, excitement aside, another matter was now the top priority for White Cloud Temple!

The Guiyuan Sword Tomb.

Sun Chengzhu had been in seclusion for a long time.

Over these years, the Sword Tomb had been calm, like a stagnant pool.

To many Cultivators in White Cloud Temple, this silence was not necessarily a bad thing; the quieter it was, the more it indicated that Sun Chengzhu was still polishing his Foundation, not rushing to breakthrough.

Impatience leads to chaos, and chaos leads to failure.

Being cautious and thoroughly prepared is never a mistake.

This winter was exceptionally cold.

The Mortal villages under White Cloud Temple's rule experienced five consecutive heavy snowfalls, which collapsed many houses. The Sect stepped in to provide relief once; it didn't cost many Spirit Stones, just considered doing a good deed.

The business in the White Cloud Immortal City, on the other hand, was becoming increasingly prosperous.

The post-war dividend period hadn't passed, and the prices of various supplies remained high. Everyone in White Cloud Temple was making a fortune in silence.

Only the Sun Clan remained quiet.

Those of the qi generation, the managing Disciples promoted by Sun Chengzhu, guarded the family business properly, not fighting or snatching, and not causing trouble.

They paid the required offerings without missing a cent and didn't take more than their allotted share.

They were so low-key that one could almost forget the existence of the Sun Clan.

But no one truly forgot; everyone was waiting.

Waiting for that person in the Sword Tomb to give an answer.

Success, or failure?

Life, or death?

...

The Guiyuan Sword Tomb was located deep within the Southern Mountains of White Cloud Temple.

This place was a blessed land of the Sword Dao forged by White Cloud Temple through hundreds of years of painstaking effort, and it was also the Foundation upon which White Cloud Temple had continued its Legacy to this day.

Inside the blessed land.

A wisp of Sword Dao heaven and earth qi floated uncertainly, waiting for the person who would claim it.

Sun Chengzhu was in the Sword Tomb, cultivating his heart in seclusion.

Over these years, he first polished his cultivation from the Late Foundation Establishment Stage to Foundation Establishment Perfection, and then spent much time repeatedly honing his Dantian and Meridians, making final preparations for Core Formation.

This patience was rare even among the younger generation.

Until today.

The Spiritual Qi around the periphery of the Guiyuan Sword Tomb began to fluctuate slightly. The two Sun Clan Disciples guarding outside the tomb looked at each other, their expressions changing abruptly.

"Quick, go report!"

The news reached Lu Xun first.

Lu Xun put down the Sect administrative scrolls in his hand, remained silent for a moment, then stood up, left the Law Enforcement Hall, and rushed to Zixiao Peak to report to the Old Ancestor.

Hearing the news, Shi Jian slowly woke up, feeling moved.

"Has it finally come?"

"Yes." Lu Xun stood at the edge of the pool, his robes flickering in the light of the thunder: "The Spiritual Qi around the Sword Tomb has begun to loosen. Given Senior Brother Sun's temperament, it shouldn't be long now."

"Spread the news."

"Core Formation is no ordinary matter. If anything goes wrong, someone needs to be there to provide support."

"This Disciple understands."

Lu Xun turned and walked down the mountain. After a few steps, he heard Shi Jian's voice coming from behind:

"Lu Xun."

"Present."

"If he succeeds, White Cloud Temple will have three Golden Core Cultivators presiding. You are also at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage now; you must work harder in the future, don't let people look down on you."

Lu Xun was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

"This Disciple understands."

...

Outside the Guiyuan Sword Tomb, everyone was waiting with bated breath.

On the peaks to the north, Lei Zhen led the two Thunder Bears, Lei Bao and Lei Kuang, crouching on a hillside next to the Sword Tomb, watching from afar.

Kuang Dou and Elder Rat huddled together, silently watching the changing situation:

"Why, are Elder Rat and Lord Kuang Dou nervous for a human?" Shuang Yu walked over at this moment, crouching to the side.

"I naturally do not like the Human Race, so why would I be nervous?"

Elder Rat said with disdain: "I am merely calculating an account. If he succeeds, won't the Sun Clan be able to turn things around?"

"Once they turn things around, the days of my Rat tribe's two lineages will naturally improve."

"Back then, my Rat Department cooperated closely with the Sun Clan. If they fall, the interests of my Rat Department will also suffer."

"Otherwise, why would I be so worried here for this Human Race?"

Hearing this, Shuang Yu nodded silently, not refuting.

They were both very clear about the weight of this Core Formation. The Sun Clan had declined to this point and was at a critical juncture of survival.

If he succeeded, White Cloud Temple would have three Golden Core Cultivators.

It would rank among the first-class Sects in the Qingcang Kingdom, second only to the major Nascent Soul Sects.

But if he failed, it would be complete destruction!