Courtyard House: Starting in 1938, kill enemies and loot equipment.

In the summer of 1941, the mountains and forests of the Pingxi base area were lush and green, but they could not conceal the increasingly heavy shadow of war. Zhou Ye stood atop the stronghold, and the purplish-gold primordial yang energy swirling around his fingertips suddenly fluctuated violently—an emergency warning popped up on the system panel: "High-level energy fluctuations detected from within Japan. Three 'Amaterasu Priests' have entered the country with the Yin-Yang Dao Grandmaster 'Abe no Seimei,' their target being the host and the stolen artifacts. Abe no Seimei has cultivated the 'Eight-Headed Yin Sha Technique,' reaching the 'Yin Dan' realm. He is skilled in manipulating Yin Sha and setting up deadly formations. He carries with him the ancient artifact 'Eight-Headed Broken Blade,' corrupted by evil magic, which possesses immense power."

A Yin-Yang Master at the Yin Core Realm? Zhou Ye's heart sank. Although the *Purple Mansion Primordial Yang Technique* could suppress Yin and evil, it ultimately remained at the level of martial arts. Against a true cultivator, it would likely be difficult to contend with. What worried him even more was that Abe Harumi's target wasn't just him, but also Xiaocao in Yan'an—the Japanese knew his weakness well; if his sister were to be harmed, he would be doomed.

"System, are there any cultivation techniques that transcend martial arts that I can exchange for?" Zhou Ye asked anxiously in his mind, his aura slightly disordered due to anxiety.

The system panel refreshed instantly, displaying a solemn message: "The host has been detected facing a cultivation-level threat and possesses sufficient 'spiritual energy artifacts' and gold reserves, unlocking the 'Cultivation Inheritance' exchange. Currently available for exchange is the top-tier cultivation technique: 'Taiyan Golden Elixir Technique' (requires 10,000 taels of gold + energy from fifty artifacts containing ancient spiritual energy). This technique is orthodox and balanced, easy to learn but difficult to master. Foundation Establishment strengthens the body and prevents all diseases; Golden Elixir allows for flight and spiritual energy to defeat enemies; and Mastery allows for spiritual travel through the void. It is most suitable for defensive cultivators and can also be used to create a simplified version, 'Taiyan Foundation Establishment Technique,' suitable for younger cultivators."

Fifty artifacts imbued with ancient spiritual energy? Zhou Ye immediately entered the system space to inventory the treasures he had previously retrieved—a Warring States bronze sword, a Han Dynasty jade disc, a Tang Dynasty gilded bronze Buddha, a Song Dynasty Ru ware porcelain vase… These artifacts, dating back thousands of years, were not only cultural treasures but also condensed the purest spiritual energy of heaven and earth. With a thought, the fifty artifacts with the most concentrated spiritual energy automatically floated, emitting a soft halo, and together with the ten thousand taels of gold in the space, transformed into dazzling streams of light, flowing into the system panel.

"Cultivation technique exchange successful. The Taiyan Golden Elixir Technique and the Taiyan Foundation Building Technique have been stored in the system's knowledge base. Ten Spirit Gathering Pills and three Foundation Building Pills are included as a bonus, suitable for use in the early stages of cultivation."

Information flooded into Zhou Ye's mind like a surging river. The profoundness of the "Taiyan Golden Elixir Technique" far surpassed previous martial arts methods. Rooted in "Taiyan Qi," it drew spiritual energy from heaven and earth into the body, tempering the meridians and condensing the golden elixir. Each advancement in realm was accompanied by a leap in life level. The simplified version, the "Taiyan Foundation Building Technique," eliminated the complex spiritual energy circulation routes while retaining the core essence of foundation building, specifically tailor-made for Xiao Cao, who possessed a pure physique and no prior cultivation experience.

Zhou Ye dared not delay and immediately entered the system farm. At this moment, due to the infusion of a large amount of cultural relic energy, the spiritual energy concentration in the farm was dozens of times that of the outside world. Visible spiritual energy particles floated between heaven and earth, and a faint spiritual light emanated from the rolling wheat waves. He sat cross-legged in front of the wooden house with the most concentrated spiritual energy, took out a Spirit Gathering Pill and swallowed it. The pill melted instantly in his mouth, turning into a vast amount of spiritual energy that surged into his dantian.

Following the incantation of the "Taiyan Golden Elixir Technique," Zhou Ye guided spiritual energy to cleanse his meridians. Under the tempering of the spiritual energy, his original martial arts meridians gradually widened and became more resilient. The purplish-gold primordial yang energy merged with the pure Taiyan spiritual energy, transforming into even more refined spiritual power. He was immersed in cultivation, isolated from the flames of war and the sounds of the wind outside, with only the surging sound of spiritual energy and the resonance of his heartbeat remaining.

Three days and three nights later, a burst of spiritual light suddenly erupted from the farm, and Zhou Ye was surrounded by spiritual energy, forming a huge vortex of spiritual energy. He suddenly opened his eyes, raised his palms upwards, and the spiritual power in his dantian suddenly condensed, transforming into a golden core the size of a pigeon egg. The surface of the golden core was engraved with intricate Taiyan runes, radiating a warm yet majestic light—Golden Core Stage, Successful!

Once the Golden Core was formed, Zhou Ye felt completely refreshed. His five senses had transcended the mundane, allowing him to clearly perceive the flow of spiritual energy within a hundred miles, and even vaguely glimpse the spiritual energy pathways of mountains and rivers. With a wave of his hand, the Golden Core within his dantian spun, releasing a surge of pure spiritual energy that transformed into an invisible force, carving a deep ravine several meters deep into a distant mountain peak. With a thought, the bronze sword beside him automatically levitated, soaring up and down according to his will, his ability to control a weapon and fly had awakened.

"Finally, I've reached the Golden Core stage." Zhou Ye felt a little relieved, but then he thought of Xiao Cao, who was far away in Yan'an, and his eyes filled with concern again. He took out the jade tablet, circulated the spiritual power of the "Taiyan Golden Core Technique", and accurately transmitted the simplified version of the "Taiyan Foundation Building Technique" and the energy of a Foundation Building Pill into Xiao Cao's consciousness through the Heart-Connecting Function.

At this moment, in the Yan'an Nursery, Xiao Cao was practicing basic martial arts in the yard when she suddenly felt a gentle spiritual energy flow into her body. Clear incantations and cultivation diagrams appeared in her mind. "Brother?" she whispered, clutching the jade pendant.

"Little Grass," Zhou Ye's voice came through the jade tablet, carrying an unprecedented calmness, "Brother will teach you a new cultivation technique called the 'Taiyan Foundation Building Technique,' and the energy from a Foundation Building Pill will help you cultivate to the Foundation Building stage. Only in this way can brother feel at ease letting you live in Yan'an, so that even if you encounter danger, you can protect yourself."

"What is the Foundation Establishment stage?" Xiaocao asked curiously. The spiritual energy flowing through her body made her feel warm and comfortable all over.

"The Foundation Establishment stage is the entry-level realm for cultivating immortality," Zhou Ye patiently explained. "After successfully cultivating, you will become stronger, able to run faster and jump higher, and you will also have a faint spiritual energy protecting you. Ordinary swords and spears cannot harm you, and bad guys cannot get close to you. Your brother will guide you remotely. Just follow the incantation to circulate your spiritual energy, don't be afraid."

Under Zhou Ye's remote guidance, Xiao Cao sat cross-legged on the stone steps in front of the cave, guiding the spiritual energy within her body to circulate slowly according to the incantation of the "Taiyan Foundation Building Technique". The simplified version of the technique was particularly suitable for her physique, and with the added energy of the Foundation Building Pill, the spiritual energy flowed smoothly within her body, and her meridians were gradually widened and nourished.

Zhou Ye used the Heart-to-Heart connection to observe Xiao Cao's cultivation in real time. The spiritual energy within her golden core transformed into a soft halo, continuously providing assistance through the jade tablet to help her overcome any obstacles that might arise during her cultivation. He could clearly see a faint spiritual light emanating from Xiao Cao's body, her face exceptionally focused, and spiritual energy gradually condensing within her dantian, forming a small vortex of spiritual energy.

Seven days later, in the early morning in Yan'an, Xiaocao suddenly opened her eyes. A flash of spiritual light appeared around her, and a pure spiritual energy emanated from her, gently swirling up the fallen leaves around her—Foundation Establishment stage, achieved! She stood up, feeling the abundant spiritual energy within her body, and tried to leap lightly. She jumped more than two meters high, landing lightly and silently.

"Brother! I did it!" Little Grass excitedly gripped the jade pendant, her voice filled with joy.

Zhou Ye witnessed this scene through the Heart-to-Heart connection, his eyes filled with relief and a sense of calm. The little grass in the Foundation Establishment stage, though unable to defend itself, already possessed the ability to protect itself. Its spiritual energy shield could block ordinary attacks, and its speed and reaction far surpassed that of ordinary people. In addition, with the teleportation permission of the jade tablet and the protection of the farm, it could escape immediately even if it encountered danger.

"Little Grass is really amazing," Zhou Ye's voice was filled with pride. "Remember, you must diligently cultivate your spiritual energy during the Foundation Establishment stage and not let it go to waste. Your brother has exchanged a 'Spirit Jade Heart-Protecting Pendant' for you, which has already been sent to you via the jade token. Wear it close to your body; it can enhance your spiritual energy protection and also warn you of danger."

Suddenly, a warm, white jade pendant appeared in Xiaocao's pocket. It was engraved with simple Taiyan runes and emitted a faint spiritual energy. She immediately put the jade on and hid it close to her body: "Thank you, brother! I will practice my cultivation every day so you won't worry."

With his sister's safety resolved, Zhou Ye was finally able to fully dedicate himself to his cultivation and preparations for dealing with Abe no Harumi. He returned to the system farm to continue consolidating his Golden Core cultivation. His Golden Core slowly rotated within his dantian, absorbing a large amount of spiritual energy with each rotation, transforming it into pure spiritual power. He attempted to wield the bronze sword; with a thought, the bronze sword transformed into a streak of light, traversing the farm at lightning speed. He circulated the power of his Golden Core, unleashing a palm strike; spiritual energy condensed into a massive palm print, striking the ground and instantly creating a crater several meters deep—its power far surpassing his previous Yuan Yang Po Sha attack.

At the same time, he exchanged for the "Taiyan Qingxin Mantra" and the "Po Sha Talisman" through the system. The former can resist the spiritual attacks of the Yin-Yang Path, while the latter can effectively suppress the power of Yin Sha. Under the nourishment of his Golden Core stage spiritual power, the cultural relics in the system space have become increasingly rich in spiritual energy. Some severely damaged cultural relics have even automatically repaired their cracks under the influence of spiritual energy.

Meanwhile, in Beiping, Abe no Harumi had already joined forces with Yamamoto Ichiki. He was dressed in a white priest's robe, wielding a black longsword exuding a sinister aura (the very same Yamata no Orochi fragment), his eyes malevolent, and a faint black mist swirling around him. "Zhou Ye? Just a mortal who stole a few drops of spiritual energy," Abe no Harumi sneered. "Three days from now, I will set up the 'Yamata no Orochi Annihilation Formation' at the Temple of Heaven in Beiping, using his golden core and the stolen artifacts to sacrifice to the Yamata no Orochi god, helping me break through to the Yang Dan realm!"

Yamamoto Ichiki bowed deeply: "As Your Excellency commands, I have mobilized all the city's troops and sealed off all entrances and exits to ensure that Zhou Ye cannot escape!"

When the message reached the base via underground couriers, Zhou Ye was standing atop the farm's mountain peak, his bronze sword hovering in mid-air. His Golden Core stage spiritual power granted him a wide field of vision, allowing him to clearly see mountains and rivers a hundred miles away. Upon receiving the intelligence, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes: "The Eight-Headed Serpent Formation? Abe no Harumi, you want to sacrifice artifacts and slaughter living beings? I'll destroy your formation, seize your blade, and make you pay the price for your aggression!"

Through the telepathic connection, he gave Xiaocao his final words of advice: "Little sister, your brother is going to deal with a very powerful Japanese soldier, and I may not be able to contact you for a while. You must study hard and cultivate diligently in Yan'an, and take good care of yourself. If you encounter any danger, return to the farm immediately, and your brother will sense it right away."

"Go, brother!" Little Grass's voice was firm. "I'll wait for news of your victory, wait for you to bring back more treasures, and wait for you to take me home."

After disconnecting, Zhou Ye put away the jade token, his body surging with spiritual energy. As his golden core spun, the bronze sword flew automatically into his hand. He gazed in the direction of Beiping City, his eyes flashing with golden light, and slowly released the pressure of his golden core stage, causing the surrounding spiritual energy to tremble.

"Abe Harumi, the appointment at the Temple of Heaven, I will keep." Zhou Ye's voice carried an unwavering determination. "But remember this: anyone who offends China, anyone who steals China's national treasures, whether you are a martial arts master or a cultivator, I, Zhou Ye, will surely punish them!"

Having said that, he wielded his bronze sword, transforming into a golden streak of light, and shot out of the system farm, flying towards Beiping City. The speed of a Golden Core cultivator flying on a magical artifact far exceeded ordinary people's imagination; mountains and rivers rushed past beneath his feet, and the war-torn land became increasingly clear in his eyes.

A duel between cultivators, an ultimate battle to protect national treasures and resist Japanese aggression, is about to unfold at the Temple of Heaven in Beiping. Zhou Ye is fully prepared, wielding his golden core as a blade and spiritual energy as a shield, vowing to protect the nation's treasures, safeguard his sister's peace, and safeguard the dignity and future of this land.