131: Chapter 131 Chu Family Secret Realm

Just as Wang Bin was savoring the delicacies and lost in his thoughts, the most crucial part of the Golden Core Grand Ceremony—the sermon (Dao lecture)—officially began.

This segment was considered the most important aspect of holding a Golden Core Grand Ceremony; Golden Core cultivators would impart all their insights and experiences from Qi Refinement Stage cultivation all the way to the Golden Core Realm, including various techniques to pay attention to during cultivation, especially valuable experiences at the critical juncture of forming a Golden Core.

This had already become a tradition passed down for many years in the Cultivation World; unless a Golden Core Grand Ceremony was not held, after receiving numerous congratulatory gifts, there always had to be some reciprocation by imparting substantial knowledge.

At this moment, a mysterious grand gate suddenly appeared above the courtyard, and Chu Yunfei's figure emerged at the gate without warning; immediately after, an illusory staircase slowly extended downwards from the gate.

“Everyone, today Qingluan’s Golden Core Grand Ceremony has encountered a few minor disruptions.

To prevent further complications, Qingluan’s lecture will be held within our Chu Family Secret Realm. Only those holding an invitation can enter!”

After Chu Yunfei finished speaking, he gently waved his hand, and the grand gate opened in response; he was the first to step inside.

Immediately after, Chu Qingluan, dressed in a fiery red gown, followed closely behind him, entering the gate.

Subsequently, the Nascent Soul Cultivators from the inner courtyard entered one after another, followed by the Golden Core cultivators.

Wang Bin and Du Juan exchanged glances, understanding each other implicitly, and followed the crowd onto the illusory staircase.

Although there was a slight hesitation in their hearts, since things had come to this, they could only brace themselves and go in.

After all, in such an occasion, not going in would actually make them seem suspicious; if they were suspected of being from the Zhong Sheng Sect, it would be troublesome.

Besides, everyone else went in, so what did he have to fear?

It was just that this feeling of his life being controlled by others made him feel insecure.

As soon as he stepped through the grand gate, a fresh and extremely rich Spiritual Qi surged towards him like a tide; Wang Bin was momentarily taken aback, he was used to it!

“How could the Chu Family Secret Realm’s layout be exactly like the Four Seas Commerce League’s auction? Logically speaking, shouldn’t it be filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers everywhere, with various Spirit Medicine and spirit fruits covering the mountainsides?”

“We are probably still at the entrance of the Secret Realm; these are just Formations and illusions, so do not run around carelessly.

I heard that this Secret Realm is where the Chu Family’s Foundation lies; it is filled with traps, and even a Spirit Transformation Realm Cultivator who rashly breaks in will surely die. Do not run around.”

A Cultivator in front quickly whispered a reminder to his Junior Sister beside him.

“Young Miss Qingluan, this must be the legendary Chu Family Secret Realm.

I heard that a Soul Transformation Cultivator was once trapped and killed here, I wonder if it’s true or false!”

Zuo Wentian said with a Face full of curiosity; he had not expected that he would actually have the opportunity to step into the Chu Family Secret Realm.

One must know that the Secret Realm played a crucial role in why the Chu Family had been able to firmly control West Sea City for such a long time.

The Chu Family had not produced a Soul Transformation Cultivator for over a hundred years; a hundred years ago, a Soul Transformation Family attempted to replace them.

They colluded with traitors in West Sea City and jointly broke through the outer city protection Formation.

A Soul Transformation Cultivator led eight Nascent Soul Cultivators, aggressively charging into the Chu Family; however, after entering this Secret Realm, they vanished like a stone sinking into the sea, leaving no trace.

This incident was witnessed by many people from the inner city of West Sea City back then.

Since then, no Soul Transformation Cultivator dared to covet West Sea City.

Upon hearing Zuo Wentian’s words, Chu Qingluan snorted coldly and said without politeness:

“If you have the guts, you can try it yourself!”

Zuo Wentian was about to retort but was stopped in time by his Dao protector beside him.

“Young Master, we are currently within a Fifth Order Formation. Although I am not sure what kind of Formation it is, I can confirm that this Formation can take our lives with ease.”

Although Zuo Wentian was unwilling after hearing his Dao protector’s words, he could only obediently shut his mouth.

When under another’s roof, one has to bow their head.

However, his curiosity did not dissipate; he still looked around from time to time, trying to glimpse the true nature of the Chu Family’s Secret Realm.

The Chu Family had obtained this Secret Realm for over a thousand years, and later, West Sea City was built around it.

The Spiritual Qi in this Secret Realm was so rich, and it could house a Fifth Order Formation, which was enough to prove that there was at least a Fifth Order Spiritual Vein within it.

Thinking of the countless thousand-year Spirit Medicine the Chu Family had cultivated within the Secret Realm over the past thousand years, Zuo Wentian drooled with envy, but it was a pity.

The entire venue was quite grand; Wang Bin very consciously walked to the back row and found a seat, while Du Juan sat three seats away from him.

Most of the Foundation Establishment Cultivators very consciously sat in the back rows; no one dared to go forward and vie for the front-row seats.

Once everyone was seated, Chu Qingluan, dressed in red, stood gracefully on the stage; at this moment, she was undoubtedly the focus of everyone’s attention.

A fiery red lotus seat slowly emerged beneath her; Chu Qingluan gently sat on it, and the lotus seat then slowly lifted about a meter off the ground, hovering in mid-air.

She looked like a Fairy descended to the mortal world, exuding Immortal Qi. Immediately after, her clear and melodious voice spread throughout the entire hall like ripples.

“Thank you all fellow Daoists for attending my Golden Core Grand Ceremony.

I began Cultivating at the age of ten and it took me a full fifty years to Cultivate to the Golden Core Realm.

The Qi Refinement Stage is the beginning of Cultivation; those new to the Dao of Cultivation must carefully perceive and absorb Spiritual Qi, using the power of Spiritual Qi to temper and broaden their Meridians, making them tough and wide.

Once Spiritual Qi gathers in the Dantian and is refined, simple Spells such as object manipulation and illumination can be cast in the Late Stage.

However, the path of Cultivation is not smooth; many Bottlenecks will be encountered along the way. Only by successfully breaking through can one enter the Scripture Pavilion to obtain High Grade Cultivation Techniques, or participate in treasure hunts to acquire precious resources, thereby continuing the path of Cultivation.

The Foundation Establishment Stage is a critical advancement stage in the Cultivation journey. Cultivators need to use the power of spiritual objects and Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to impact the Dantian, establishing a spiritual power circulation hub.

In this stage, one must fully consolidate their Foundation, expand Meridian capacity, and comprehend the superficial aspects of the Laws of Heaven and Earth.

At the same time, one must also undergo secluded cultivation to resist the invasion of Heart Demons; once successful, spiritual power will greatly increase, allowing for the use of more powerful Spells, and taking a big step towards the Golden Core Stage...”

Wang Bin initially listened quite attentively, but it wasn't long before he realized that everything Chu Qingluan was saying was content he was already familiar with.

He had seen this knowledge in many Jade Slips; what he eagerly anticipated was for Chu Qingluan to share the detailed process of breaking through to Golden Core, as well as the critical matters that required special attention during the Breakthrough.

Now it seemed that the so-called lectures of these prominent families were merely a formality, and they would not impart any truly valuable information.

As soon as he thought of this, Wang Bin’s thoughts began to drift uncontrollably, and gradually, drowsiness washed over him like a tide, making him feel sleepy.

He remembered back then, whenever he heard his leaders give long-winded speeches on stage, especially those that lasted for several hours, he couldn't help but feel sleepy, and today's scene was exactly the same.

Chu Qingluan sat on the stage, speaking incessantly, and soon noticed the unusual situation below; only a handful of people were listening attentively.

Although she felt helpless, she could only continue to read from the script.

After all, the content she was speaking about was all taught by her elders in the Family; she herself had never paid attention to these details during her own cultivation.

With her Single Spiritual Root and Qingluan Bloodline, and being in the Chu Family, she received focused cultivation, and every stage of her cultivation was meticulously arranged, making her cultivation speed incredibly fast and smooth, never encountering any so-called Bottlenecks.

If it weren't for the Clan Chief constantly suppressing her, demanding that she lay a solid Foundation in the Foundation Establishment Realm and form a High Grade Golden Core, she would have already been able to attempt to break through to the Golden Core Realm in her thirties.

However, when her gaze inadvertently swept across the audience, she noticed that Zuo Wentian and many people from other prominent families were all distracted, their minds wandering.

Even more so, a few people completely disregarded her Face and directly closed their eyes to rest.

Seeing this, Chu Qingluan’s anger instantly surged like a volcanic eruption.

It was simply too much; they were giving her no Face at all! She secretly grumbled in her heart, 'Do I want to say all this nonsense?'

When you yourselves held your Golden Core Grand Ceremonies, weren't you also just going through the motions? Every time, I still had to pretend to listen attentively.

Just as she was filled with anger, her gaze suddenly caught sight of someone in the back row who was actually dozing off, his head nodding, as if he could fall over at any moment.

Chu Qingluan looked closely and saw that it was actually Qing Mu!

Her anger immediately reached its peak; it was one thing for Zuo Wentian and those aristocratic disciples not to give her Face, but Qing Mu, an Outer Sect Disciple with no backing, actually dared to sleep soundly during her lecture.

If this matter were to spread, she would surely become the laughingstock of the entire West Sea City, and her sisters would certainly often tease her about it in the future.

Thinking of this, Chu Qingluan glared fiercely at Wang Bin, and seeing that he seemed to be fast asleep, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of her mouth:

“I also know that what I am saying is all nonsense, and I presume everyone is already familiar with it.

It’s mainly because of my extraordinary talent and rapid cultivation speed that I haven’t actually encountered any Bottlenecks.

Since that is the case, I will tell everyone about the matters to pay attention to during Core Formation, as well as the issue that Golden Cores also have different qualities.”

As Chu Qingluan spoke, she secretly condensed her Divine Sense, transforming it into a needle-point sized attack, which shot directly towards Wang Bin’s head.

“Ouch!”

A scream instantly broke the tranquility of the venue.

The smile on Chu Qingluan’s Face became even more obvious, but she still tried hard not to laugh out loud, as she still needed to maintain her image as a cold and aloof goddess.