Sword Sect Outer Sect

Chapter 352 The Great Collapse

By the time Song Yan returned to Wipe Sword Peak, it was already broad daylight.

Instead of entering the cave, he went to the reclining chair in the bamboo grove courtyard, sat down, and leisurely lay down.

Then, he began to look through the jade slips he had borrowed from the library.

The owner of the first jade slip was a Golden Core cultivator from the Myriad Mysteries Sect. In the opening annotations, he very prominently introduced his identity.

Song Yan pondered to himself, could this person be the same Golden Core cultivator from the Myriad Wonders Sect that the former sect leader had casually killed when he first arrived in Chu?
The cultivation method practiced by this person belongs to the water element, so many of the spiritual objects and elixirs mentioned in it are related to the water element.

Condensing a golden core is actually not complicated. You only need to cultivate your technique to the late stage of Foundation Establishment to attempt to condense the core.

It sounds similar to Foundation Establishment, but in reality, the difficulty is incomparable.

Very few cultivators can truly condense a golden core without relying on external assistance.

In this step, it is necessary to use spiritual treasures from heaven and earth to increase the success rate of condensing the elixir.

After browsing through the entire jade slip and noting down the names of some common elixirs and treasures, Song Yan opened another jade slip.

The author of this jade slip was rather low-key, not mentioning who he was, getting straight to the point without a single unnecessary word.

He listed out the entire process of condensing his elixir in detail, leaving no stone unturned.

Song Yan read it carefully and memorized many noteworthy details.

Both jade slips mentioned a precious pill that could greatly increase a cultivator's chances of condensing their core, called the Chongyuan Pill.

According to the second jade slip, after a cultivator reaches the late stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, they must begin an extremely long process of spiritual energy condensation.

For the condensation of the elixir, the most important factor directly affecting the success rate is the degree of refinement of spiritual energy.

The Chongyuan Pill's effect is to highly condense a cultivator's spiritual power, thereby increasing the success rate.

Chongyuan Dan can be taken a maximum of three times, with the first dose being the most effective.

In this respect, it is somewhat similar to the Sword Nourishing Pill.

Unfortunately, it seems that there is no record of how to make this kind of elixir in the Thousand Elixir Recipes.

If you want to get the elixir, you'll have to find it yourself.

However, it's not only this kind of pill that works. For example, the senior in the second jade slip did not take the Chongyuan Pill.

According to his records, Chongyuan Pill and another pill called Luoling Pill had similar effects, but he only obtained Luoling Pill and eventually succeeded.

It seems that the path to Core Formation for most cultivators is unrepeatable.

As long as you construct the most suitable and reliable path based on your own cultivation, techniques, insights, and so on, then that is the correct one.

After pondering for a moment, Song Yan put away the two jade slips.

He began to look at the last jade slip, the one that Xu Wenxuan had specially found and given to him.

This jade slip is called "The True Canon of the Daoist Tradition". After reading the first part, it immediately piqued Song Yan's interest.

This Daoist canon appears to be a fragment of an ancient book called "Yunji Miyao".

It mainly discusses the origins and development of various lineages, cultivation systems, secret techniques, and supernatural powers in the world of cultivation.

Surprisingly, it doesn't mention the name "Chu" at all. Judging from the perspective and tone, it may be referring to the general situation of the entire human cultivation world.

Historical documents like these are more likely to discuss matters related to sword cultivation.

He looked through it carefully and found that there wasn't much content, and it didn't mention anything about sword cultivators.

However, there are indeed some legends and anecdotes about cultivators condensing their cores.

Long, long ago, the path of cultivation in this mortal realm had just begun to flourish.

At that time, the world was filled with spiritual energy and abundant with spiritual objects; all kinds of rare and precious materials were everywhere.

However, the cultivation world was just beginning to emerge, and cultivators seeking immortality had no predecessors to guide them.

All the techniques, methods, and even the experiences on how to use spiritual objects to achieve better results are gradually accumulated through generations of cultivators' exploration, recording, and compilation.

At that time, the overall speed and level of cultivation in the human world were actually inferior to those of the present era.

The turning point came during a major catastrophe.

Unlike ordinary natural disasters or man-made calamities, at that time, no one knew what had happened, but the sky changed color and the earth cracked.

Throughout history, many landforms and regions have undergone significant changes, and that great cataclysmic event was the most severe of them all.

As a result, the spiritual energy between heaven and earth also became chaotic.

What exactly happened is now impossible to know. At that time, people revered the power of heaven and earth and dared not even speculate.

All I know is that such a thing exists.

However, this time the great upheaval did not cause a decline in the overall strength of the human cultivation world.

Quite the opposite.

Since then, the strength of the cultivation world has advanced by leaps and bounds, and many powerful beings have emerged who later changed the landscape of the cultivation world and even brought blessings to future generations.

Many of the cultivation systems in the world of immortality began to develop slowly during that time.

For a very long time afterward, the cultivation world flourished.

In its most prosperous era, not to mention the Golden Core realm, even Foundation Establishment realm cultivators were able to comprehend the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth and grasp some of the characteristics of supernatural powers.

Some Foundation Establishment cultivators even comprehend the seeds of the Five Elements and Five Paths Divine Powers simultaneously, and condense their Golden Cores using the power of the Five Elements Divine Powers.

After that senior condensed his core, he was invincible among those of the same realm, and could even fight against Nascent Soul cultivators of a higher realm.

Therefore, the ancients divided the Core Formation stage into five grades based on the number of supernatural abilities these genius cultivators achieved upon forming their cores.

If one can simultaneously comprehend the seeds of the Five Elements Divine Powers at the time of Core Formation, then it can be called a First-Grade Golden Core.

Those who comprehend supernatural powers during the Foundation Establishment stage and integrate the power of supernatural powers during the Core Formation stage are collectively referred to as those who have entered the Golden Core stage, in order to distinguish them from other Golden Core stage cultivators.

To date, there has been no cultivator who has achieved the Six Paths Divine Power Core Formation.

According to records, when the Golden Core is formed, the foundation of the Dao collapses, and only the Five Elements Divine Powers can be integrated into the Golden Core.

Other types of supernatural seeds will not participate in the process of forming a golden core.

However, it is unknown when, perhaps tens of thousands of years ago, or perhaps hundreds of thousands of years ago, the spiritual energy between heaven and earth began to decline.

As a result, the number of cultivators who have reached the Golden Core stage is decreasing.

Until a certain point in time, it completely disappeared.

Tens of thousands of years have passed, and nowadays, there are very few cultivators in the human world who can comprehend supernatural powers at the Golden Core stage.

The Foundation Establishment Realm was unheard of and there were no further records of it.

"There is such a thing."

Song Yan took a deep breath.

This jade slip was most likely brought from elsewhere by the sect leader from the State of Chu. He had never heard of such information before.

However, whether you've heard of it or not doesn't really matter much.

After all, the jade slip also said that in this era, there are very few people who can comprehend supernatural abilities even in the Golden Core stage, let alone in the Foundation Establishment stage.

Song Yan naturally dared not hope for those so-called Golden Elixir-level attainments; he regarded them merely as interesting anecdotes to broaden his horizons.

He wasn't someone who aimed too high; as long as he could eventually achieve the Golden Core, that would be the best outcome.

"I wonder what the difference is between a sword cultivator who condenses his core and an ordinary cultivator."

He put away all three jade slips and sat down on the rattan chair to ponder.

"If only a senior sword cultivator could leave behind a jade slip related to Core Formation..."

Otherwise, he would have no idea what his current situation was like.

Upon introspection.

The lotus flower of the Zhendao Sword Mansion slowly rotated, and most of the blue and purple mist on it had disappeared.

Two inches above the lotus platform, a dreamlike speck of light, the size of a lotus seed, floats above it.

Some time ago, Lotus seemed to have completely refined that wisp of sword energy, making up for the missing parts, and the Mirror Flower Water Moon Sword Intent was finally perfected.

This lotus seed, radiant and bright, hangs on the lotus platform, its special qualities unknown.

As he sat in the courtyard deep in thought.

Suddenly, a noise came from outside the cave.

He got up to check, only to find no one outside the cave, except for a special communication jade slip.

It was entirely red, resembling a piece of blood-red jade pendant. Song Yan was taken aback at first, then his expression turned serious.

Remove the jade pendant and activate its spiritual power.

"Huanling Cave..."

After pondering for a while, he closed the cave's restrictions, then descended from Wiping Sword Peak and left the sect.

……

The southern part of Longquan Prefecture is a barren mountain.

This desolate mountain is deserted and shrouded in gray mist all year round, with a constant chilling wind flowing through the crevices of the rocks.

Xinshan Sanren's cave dwelling is located at the bottom of a valley.

In stark contrast to the gloomy and desolate atmosphere of the entire Huanling Cave, the valley floor is spring-like all year round, filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers.

Xin Shan Sanren sat in front of the cave entrance, his face showing a hint of weakness that was hard to conceal, with a few faint wisps of spiritual energy surging in front of him.

In the open space in front of the mansion, three or five small paper figures were scribbling on the ground in response to the changes in spiritual energy, doing something unknown.

At the entrance to the valley, a series of light footsteps could be heard.

The newcomer was dressed in a black robe, with a horizontal sword at his waist. Clear water flowed slowly along the blade of the sword.

He descended the gray stone steps, his face emerging from the shadows of the mountains, appearing before Xinshan Sanren.

He was in his prime.

Sheng Nian remained expressionless, his eyes fixed on Xin Shan, and bowed to him, saying, "Master summoned me. What are your instructions?"

His posture was still respectful, but he did not take another step forward.

Li Xinshan kept his distance from the small paper figures in front of him.

“Hehe,” Xin Shan Sanren smiled kindly, “Good disciple, over the years, your master has not paid much attention to you. Many techniques and secret arts have been directly given to you to study on your own.”

"To be honest, I've been a bit incompetent as your master. Do you have any complaints about that?"

"This disciple dares not," Sheng Nian shook his head and said.

"I am already deeply grateful for the divine skills and immortal manuals bestowed upon me by my master. How could I be greedy and dissatisfied?"

"it is good."

Xin Shan Sanren seemed extremely satisfied with his disciple, and stood up: "Today I happen to be out of seclusion and have some free time."

The little paper figures on the ground seemed to have finished their work, and carrying their little objects, they happily trotted into the cave.

"If you have any doubts about your practice, feel free to ask."

He also walked into the cave, glancing sideways at Sheng Nian: "What are you still standing there for? Come on."

"..."

Sheng Nian stood still, without moving.

"Master, I have a question."

"Oh?"

Xin Shan Sanren also stopped in his tracks: "Just speak frankly."

"You've been in seclusion these past few days, and you seem rather weak now. Has something gone wrong with your cultivation?"

Xin Shan narrowed his eyes and chuckled, "Ah, there are indeed some problems."

"When I was in seclusion a few days ago, I made a careless move and damaged my vital energy, but it's nothing serious. I'll be fine after a few days of rest."

"That's a good thing, otherwise, I'm afraid I would never have been able to find the time to guide you."

"I see."

Sheng Nian said, "Then I can rest assured."

To outsiders, this scene of a master's deep affection and a disciple's care would surely be moving and bring tears to their eyes.

"Don't stand outside. If you have any questions about cultivation, come in and talk."

"No need, Master."

Sheng Nian suddenly interrupted Xin Shan, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"You can't teach me anything anymore."

Sheng Nian slowly raised his lowered gaze, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

His hand rested lightly on the horizontal sword at his waist.

"The rest is for you, disciple, to study on your own."

The languid expression on Xin Shan Sanren's face vanished instantly: "What do you mean by this...?"

"It means I want to kill you!"

Clang——!
The sound of a sword being drawn suddenly rang out in the valley, interrupting Xin Shan's question.

In his prime, his figure transformed into a streak of black light that moved swiftly along the ground. Before the blade even arrived, its chilling aura had already locked Xin Shan Sanren firmly in place.

"Humph."

Xin Shan Sanren sneered: "You traitorous disciple, you actually dared to attempt to kill your master!"

With a casual gesture, crimson spiritual energy surged forth.

"I, Xinshan Sanren, have treated you well, so why did you commit such an outrageous act!"

hum-

In his prime, he suddenly swung his hand, and a burst of dark light erupted as he unleashed a slash that resembled splashed ink.

Crimson spiritual energy condensed into a large palm, which pressed down, causing both attacks to dissipate simultaneously.

In just a moment, the spiritual energy in the valley surged.

"Will you be nice to me?"

Sheng Nian sneered, casually flicking his wrist, a drop of dew from the blade spilled onto the ground.

"I think you're treating your future body quite well."

Xin Shan's brows furrowed: "You already knew."

"good."

He nodded, a hint of amusement in his eyes: "Even earlier than you're currently guessing."

boom--

A violent explosion suddenly erupted from a rock wall in the valley.

The dust and mist generated by the cracking of the rock walls quickly dissipated under the surging winds and flowing spiritual energy in the valley.

Then a tall figure slowly walked out from among them.

Corpse Puppet A Yuan stared intently at Xin Shan Sanren's figure, his steps quickening.

In the blink of an eye, it became a sprint.

Corpse-fiend flames roared from his two iron fists, hurtling towards Xin Shan.

Where the fist passed, several pale white frost marks condensed in the air.

In a moment of haste, Xin Shan patted his Qiankun bag and produced a small white bone shield.

"Bang!!"

Fist and shield clashed, producing a loud explosion.

However, in an instant, the raging corpse fire seemed to come alive and drilled into the cracks in the bone shield!

The crimson protective spiritual energy suddenly split off and flew out along with it, thus preventing it from spreading.

Xin Shan looked at him coldly: "Lu Yuan, you still have your sanity after all."

The corpse puppet A Yuan remained silent, only throwing punches.

They actually wanted to smash this bone shield with their bare fists!
"Ah, you've misunderstood."

"He only has some fragmented memories left, specifically..."

Sheng Nian laughed and pointed to himself: "Of course, I was the one who told him."

(End of this chapter)