Transform into ancestral tablets and create a supreme immortal clan.

Shen Shichu quickly instructed his clansmen to activate the mountain-protecting formation immediately to lock in the energy flow and prevent any unusual phenomena from occurring, which would draw the attention of outsiders to the Shen family's unusual nature.

Fortunately, Shen Shichu reacted in time, and this strange phenomenon lasted for three whole months.

In the Cao family's ancestral land on the eastern foothills of Beipan Mountain, the three elders of the Cao family had solemn expressions.

They clearly sensed a fleeting, unusual fluctuation in the primordial energy of heaven and earth at the northern foot of Beipan Mountain, thousands of miles away.

But upon closer inspection, everything returned to calm.

That place was clearly in the direction of the Shen family's territory.

Unfortunately, a distance of over a thousand miles was still too far for these Foundation Establishment cultivators.

I had a vague feeling, but I wasn't quite sure.

"Did you feel anything just now?"

"It seems that the vital energy of heaven and earth has become more active in the northwestern part of Beipanshan."

Too far away, not quite real.

"Could it be that someone in the Shen family has reached the Core Formation stage?"

"Nonsense. No matter how powerful Shen Jiuyang is, it's impossible for him to form his core in just one or two years."

Even if her cultivation has recovered, she's probably still consolidating it right now, isn't she?

"It seems I misunderstood. The spiritual veins of Beipan Mountain are ultimately somewhat unstable, and occasional fluctuations are normal."

"Leaving aside the Shen family, I heard that Elder Gu Hanjiang of Tianquan Peak in Seven Star Mountain has consolidated his cultivation at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment and will soon descend the mountain to investigate the whereabouts of Gu Zongyi."

"Hmph! That old fox really knows how to make excuses. I heard that Gu Zongyi's soul tablet was shattered, and he's probably dead somewhere long ago."

The patriarch, Cao Li, remained calm and indifferent, as if everything was within his expectations.

He slightly raised his eyes and said slowly, "It seems that this old fox is going to use Gu Zongyi's matter to launch an attack on the Shen family!"

The Cao family's eldest elder hurriedly asked, "Does he really believe the Shen family has the ability to condense a Golden Core?"

Cao Li coldly said, "The Floating Firefly Token is in his hands. Now that the restrictions on it have been broken, we have to go and see it no matter what."

The Third Elder sneered, "Heh! Shen Jiuyang has now recovered his cultivation and magical power, I'm afraid he won't be easy to deal with."

Could it be that the old fox can withstand the Shen family's top-grade talisman, the "Soul-Suppressing Bell"?

The elder said in a deep voice, "That old fox Gu Hanjiang must be over two hundred and eighty years old now, right?"

He finally broke through to the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment before his time was up.

He was determined to attempt to break through to the Core Formation realm, no matter what.

……

Just as the three elders of the Cao family were talking, deep within the Shen family's territory, the strange phenomenon that had lasted for three whole months finally began to subside.

Shen Xiao's cultivation and magical power ultimately remained at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment.

Although he merged with the original owner's remnant soul and destiny, he was ultimately not the original owner.

After reshaping his soul and body, his current cultivation level is already extremely extraordinary.

Perhaps part of the credit goes to the fact that this newly formed body possesses top-grade spiritual roots and a profound Dharma body.

Opening the personal panel again revealed a significant difference.

Host: Shen Xiao (Divine Spirit)

Lifespan: 300 years

Spiritual Root: Top Grade, Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Yin Yang, Thunder Sword

Spiritual Body: Profound Dharma Body

Cultivation level: Foundation Establishment Great Perfection

Innate supernatural powers: Divine Dharma Body, Blessing, Rebirth in the Impure World.

Offering points: 80

Fate Points: 70 (Intercepts and fills gaps in fate, can collect fate points)

Dao Ming: Divine spirit, divine mandate bestowed upon him. Possessing abundant fortune, a peerless genius.

The biggest change is that, in addition to being a cultivator, his soul has now become a "divine spirit".

In other words, his soul is different from others.

Shen Xiao's soul can not only be strengthened through cultivation, but also grow stronger by absorbing the power of incense offerings and wishes.

This was an unexpected surprise.

But seeing that his offerings were down to only 80 points again, Shen Xiao felt a headache coming on.

He had just drained the entire Shen family of their wealth.

In the short term, it seems unlikely that there will be any more offerings available to him.

"Since the Shen family has limited resources, perhaps..."

Murder and arson are rewarded with gold belts; there are countless spiritual treasures in the cultivation world of Southern Chu.

Perhaps, he should add a little more momentum to the undercurrents of cultivation in the Southern Chu.

……

In the quiet room, Shen Jiuyang slowly opened her eyes, her pupils seemingly reflecting a flowing river of stars before disappearing.

Her aura was harmonious and restrained, seemingly no different from what it had been a few months ago.

But only she knew that the illusory core within her dantian had completely solidified, its inner radiance shining forth, waiting only for the right moment to attract the true Golden Core Tribulation and take that extraordinary step.

This is the False Core stage; one foot has already stepped into the Golden Core stage.

All of this is thanks to the "Dragon Blood Spirit Fruit".

Originally, there was no such realm as "false core" in the cultivation world of Southern Chu.

After cultivators reach the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, most will consume the Golden Core Pill and then directly form their Golden Core.

If successful, one can directly enter the Golden Core stage.

If it fails, the person will suffer severe damage, and the chance of forming a core again will be greatly reduced.

However, the "Dragon Blood Spirit Fruit" greatly reduces the risks involved, condensing the cultivator's true essence and magical power into a "virtual core" first, thus creating a relatively gentle transition period.

They also had more time to condense their true essence and magical power, which lengthened the time to form the core and reduced the risks.

As a result, the chances of a cultivator successfully forming their core are greatly increased.

Therefore, Shen Jiuyang is currently in this transitional period.

However, when they undergo the Tribulation of the Three Nines, the power of the tribulation will increase by three points.

Once you overcome this hurdle, you will reap immense benefits, namely, a significant improvement in the quality of your Golden Elixir.

After swallowing another pill, Shen Jiuyang continued to refine the "virtual core".

Her next retreat must not tolerate the slightest mistake.

It may take months, or it may take years.

But one thing is certain: she will soon become a Golden Core cultivator.

The most difficult "Core Formation" stage has been passed, and the lightning tribulation is actually relatively easier for Shen Jiuyang.

……

"Ancestor." Shen Shichu's voice rang out respectfully outside the valley, tinged with weariness, but filled with joy and awe.

"Everything is fine; there is no definite information from the outside world."

"You've worked hard." Shen Xiao's voice was calm, yet it carried an air of reassuring authority.

"What's happening at the Cao family's place, and at Seven Star Mountain?"

Shen Shih-chu reported: "The Tsao family seems to have doubts, but it should not be confirmed yet."

"The tricky part is Qixing Mountain. Gu Hanjiang of Tianquan Peak has already set off down the mountain, heading... towards my Beipan Mountain."

Although the pretext was to track down Gu Zongyi, their true intention was undoubtedly to uncover the secret of my Shen family's "Golden Elixir".

This is because some time ago, someone spread the rumor that my Shen family possessed a Golden Core Pill.

Upon hearing this, Shen Xiao's lips curled into a cold smile: "Gu Hanjiang... his life is nearing its end. A person with no hope for the future often acts without restraint and becomes even more reckless."

If he truly believes the rumors about the Golden Elixir, he will not let the matter rest.

"How should we deal with this? Should we contact some of our close families or senior independent cultivators in advance?" Shen Shichu asked.

The Shen family, being located in a remote corner, faced immense pressure despite having the superior-grade talisman "Soul-Suppressing Bell" as a deterrent. They were still being deliberately targeted by a Foundation Establishment Grand Perfection elder from a behemoth like Seven Star Mountain.

Gu Hanjiang may not be able to cause much trouble, but the Shen family cannot ignore the Seven Star Mountain behind him.

The four great immortal sects of Southern Chu are behemoths to the Shen family; a single misstep could lead to utter annihilation.

"No need." Shen Xiao stood up and gently brushed her hand away.

"A favor is lost with every bit of it. Asking for help now would only reveal our cowardice and could easily drag others into the vortex, adding more variables."

Gu Hanjiang came for personal gain and may not dare to use the open power of Seven Star Mountain. This is both a calamity and an opportunity for the Shen family.

"Just keep them outside the mountain gate; why give him that much face?"