Atop Xiao Nanshan, Luo Chen sat in Mohe Garden, engrossed in his book. Across from him, Shi Lan rested her chin on her hand, her eyes full of curiosity. At last, she could no longer hold back. “Senior Brother Luo, I never expected your alchemy techniques to be that amazing. How exactly did you get so good at it?” Luo Chen smiled but said nothing. As if the floodgates had opened, Shi Lan chattered on, “You don’t even know! During the second round of competition, the True Inheritors from Ailao Mountain and Hundred Flowers Palace completely looked down on you at first. But once all three rounds ended, every one of them was dumbfounded. Some even placed private bets with spirit stones, all wagering on Dan Yangzi. In the end, he only took fourth place in the second round, and they lost everything.” Luo Chen lifted his head and asked casually, "What about you? Did you win or lose?" “I won! I earned over twenty thousand spirit stones!” Shi Lan lifted her chin proudly. For a newly advanced Foundation Establishment junior like her, that was quite a fortune. Luo Chen blinked, caught off guard. Warmth stirred in his chest. “You were… rooting for me?” “Uh…” Shi Lan fidgeted, visibly awkward. Suddenly, something clicked in Luo Chen’s mind. "You didn’t bet on me?" "Then how did you win that many spirit stones?" “I ran the betting table!” she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “They all placed their bets and lost, so of course I made a killing!” Luo Chen’s expression stiffened, a vein twitching at his temple as he stared at her in exasperation. “I should really talk to your master to cut your monthly supply of Jade Dew pills.” Shi Lan froze. “How do you know I’ve been using Jade Dew pills since Foundation Establishment?” Her eyes widened in sudden realization. “Wait… don’t tell me our Ruthless Lineage’s pills were refined by you too?” Luo Chen gave the girl a helpless look. Of course I know! he thought. She hadn’t even finished refining the medicinal energy of her last dose. With the medicinal energy she was radiating, she might as well have been a massive lit-up billboard ad for Jade Dew pills. In all fairness, most wouldn’t go so far as to practice Cleanse until such an advanced level as Luo Chen had. Naturally, they couldn’t completely mask their medicinal energy. When he didn’t deny it, Shi Lan’s eyes lit up and she practically jumped to her feet. “So the Jade Dew pills really were made by you, Senior Brother Luo? My granny wouldn’t tell me anything! She said it was a secret!” Her voice quickly turned wheedling. “Senior Brother, could you maybe give me a few extra bottles? My master only gives me a little every month… it’s totally not enough!” She chattered away, quick-tongued and lively. This girl truly had a nose for profit; she had talked her way through cave residences and spirit land sales like a seasoned vendor. Thinking of how she had once arranged a premium cave residence for him, Luo Chen figured he might need her help again someday. Luo Chen smiled and handed her a bottle of Jade Dew pills. "I don’t have much to spare, but here, take this bottle of mid-grade pills as a Foundation Establishment gift from me." Mid-grade?! Shi Lan’s eyes sparkled as she quickly accepted it. "Thank you, Senior Brother! You're the best!" “Alright, alright,” Luo Chen waved her off. “I’m not from the Ice Fortress. You don’t have to keep calling me Senior Brother every other sentence.” “But didn’t everyone say you are part of our Ruthless Lineage now?” Shi Lan asked with her head tilted. “Besides, skill comes first. You deserve the title!” Luo Chen paused. It’s already spreading? Fairy Ruthless really moved fast. She’s already started declaring me as one of her own. The thought had barely crossed his mind when her presence arrived. From the entrance of Mohe Garden, four figures stepped into view. Leading them were Fairy Ruthless and Adept Baisu, with a pale Tao Wan and Tao Yisheng following close behind. Luo Chen’s spirit consciousness had already sensed them, but Shi Lan remained unaware. She continued to flatter him cheerfully. “Senior Brother, can I use spirit stones to buy Jade Dew pills from you privately in the future? This pill is really great. The others always make me cough!” “That’s a bit dramatic… Ahem!” "Eh? Senior Brother, why are you coughing?" Shi Lan blinked in confusion—then froze. She turned and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Master. Greetings, Daoist Uncle Baisu!" After her salute, she obediently scampered off to chat with Tao Yisheng. Fairy Ruthless shot her a glance, then looked at Luo Chen. "Now that matters are settled, I’ll be leaving Green Pill Valley for Tianlan Immortal City shortly. Will you be coming with us?" Luo Chen put away the book in his hand. "Thank you for your kind offer, but I plan to stay until Tao Wan’s Dao Scion Ceremony." As he spoke, his gaze shifted toward Tao Wan, who stood behind Adept Baisu. She met his eyes with a warm smile. The Fairy Ruthless nodded. "Alright. When you return, come find me at Cave Residence Jia One." Why would she summon him? Naturally, for benefits! She had already claimed him publicly as one of her own, forcing him to reject enticing offers from other sects. If she failed to reward him handsomely, wouldn’t she risk being ridiculed as a stingy old woman? Luo Chen suppressed her excitement and bowed respectfully. Fairy Ruthless didn’t linger and walked straight out of the garden, with Shi Lan following close behind. Adept Baisu cast Luo Chen a look filled with interest, then stepped outside as well to see off her friend. Only Tao Wan and Luo Chen remained in the garden. Even Tao Yisheng had tactfully excused himself. "I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you yet. From now on, I suppose I’ll have to address you as Dao Scion Tao.” In response to Luo Chen’s teasing remark, Tao Wan shook her head and said, "Fellow Daoist, please don’t tease me. I only won that title because of your help.” Luo Chen smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist, you’re underestimating yourself. With the techniques you displayed in that final match, even if your initial ranking was lower, you would have still fought your way to the finals. My help was merely something auxiliary." Tao Wan let out a long sigh. "Even with so many restrictions on Senior Brother Dan Yangzi, I still had to exhaust all my means and even rely on the Cold Marrow Ice Essence I borrowed from Uncle Ruthless just to scrape together a narrow win. If I had faced him after climbing from a lower rank while he waited fully rested, I would have stood no chance. Your contributions were decisive in this battle!” Luo Chen smiled and didn’t deny it any further. Dan Yangzi had indeed revealed much during the final duel. Sword-fusion, spellcasting through enchanted artifacts, and his trump card, Violet Skyfire—any one of these alone would have secured him a place among the strongest of Foundation Establishment cultivators. Yet he had mastered all three! Without Tao Wan’s advantageous ranking, even though he’d been worn down in earlier rounds, her victory might never have been possible. To say Luo Chen was solely responsible was too much. Yet the advantage gained from his three consecutive first-place victories was undeniable, and the results had far surpassed Tao Wan’s initial expectations. When she first hired Huang Hezi, her goal had merely been to secure a top-five finish in the second round to maintain her ranking. Meanwhile, not only had Luo Chen delivered results beyond expectations, but he had also showcased alchemical prowess that could tempt even Golden Core Adepts. With achievements like that, the gifts she had offered earlier now seemed inadequate if she truly intended to bind Luo Chen to the Tao family. "In the coming days, I’ll need time to rest and prepare for the Dao Scion Ceremony. I’m afraid I won’t have time to keep you company," Tao Wan said gently. Luo Chen frowned slightly. It wasn’t about companionship. Right now, he was feeling an urgent desire to return. The cultivation conditions on Xiao Nanshan simply couldn’t compare to the premium cave residence atop Tianlan Peak! “How long will it take?” he asked. Tao Wan understood what he was concerned about and explained, "Not long, half a month at most. Only after I officially become Green Pill Valley’s Dao Scion will I gain access to the appropriate resources. The batch of top-grade Ascending Dragon Pills you requested can only be delivered then." Luo Chen considered her answer and nodded. Half a month was a wait he could afford. "During this period, Yisheng will remain here on Xiao Nanshan. If you need anything, just look for him." “I understand. Do what you need to do,” Luo Chen replied with courtesy. A gentle smile crossed Tao Wan’s lips as she offered her apology and departed gracefully. After she left, Tao Yisheng entered the courtyard. Once inside, he immediately began praising Luo Chen in the same way Shi Lan had earlier. He even recounted the expressions of the others during the matches. His vivid descriptions brought the scenes to life. Luo Chen wasn’t annoyed in the slightest; being praised and flattered by others certainly lifted the mood. Eventually, Tao Yisheng handed over a storage pouch. "What’s this?" Luo Chen asked in surprise. Tao Yisheng replied, "These are for the requests you left in the Green Pill Valley market. The sellers delivered everything. I’ve already paid the spirit stones. Check it over to see if the resources are correct." Luo Chen gave it a quick look and appeared satisfied. Apart from a few items, nearly everything he had sought was accounted for. "Some of those were likely negotiated in person, right? How many spirit stones are in total? I’ll reimburse you." To his astonishment, Tao Yisheng dismissed the matter with a wave of his hand. “There’s no need to be so formal. You’ve done so much for my sister. Think of it as a token of gratitude. It is only a few spirit stones.” Luo Chen’s expression darkened. “That cannot be accepted. A fair deal was already made when I helped your sister and received proper compensation. What belongs to me, I will take without hesitation. What does not belong to me, unless I choose to accept it, will never be taken as a favor. Otherwise, the debt will one day bind me.” Faced with his unshakable stance, Tao Yisheng reluctantly provided the total. The amount was a few tens of thousands of spirit stones, which Luo Chen paid immediately. Tao Yisheng looked disheartened; he’d hoped this small favor might win him some goodwill. After he left Mohe Garden, he suddenly smacked his forehead. "Why am I so dumb! I could’ve said it was in gratitude for the guidance he gave me! If I had said that, he surely wouldn’t have refused." When he returned to the Tao family estate, still brooding over his mistake, Tao Wan called out before he could retreat inside. She had not yet returned to Qingyun Peak. “You gave everything to him already?” she asked. “Yes,” he admitted. “He accepted the goods but returned the spirit stones.” Tao Wan frowned slightly. But considering Luo Chen’s character, she found no surprise in his choice. “That makes sense. A trivial offering like that was never going to impress him.” "Sister, then what do we do?" Tao Yisheng asked. Tao Wan chuckled. "It’s fine. Luo Chen’s still on good terms with us, so I will just keep it that way for now. And then… I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse." Tao Yisheng blinked, as if something dawned on him. "Sister, you’re brilliant!" Tao Wan had won the Dao Scion competition and became the new Dao Scion of Green Pill Valley. An event of such magnitude naturally could not end without a proper conclusion. Thus, the follow-up ceremonies had to be properly arranged. However, no matter how bustling Green Pill Valley became, or how busy the Tao family was with their hosting duties, Luo Chen stayed alone in Mohe Garden. There, he remained absorbed in his book. In his hands rested a book titled Dao Revelation of Nanshan, the gift Tao Wan had offered when she first sought his help. Although it was not a secret manual for Core Formation, the text contained a collection of insights written by the Tao family’s Grand Elder, Adept Nanshan, after he had successfully formed his Golden Core. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✦𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✦𝓷𝓮𝓽 As the seventh sect leader of Green Pill Valley and a powerful Golden Core Adept, his experiences in core formation remained valuable even though he had lived two centuries earlier. As for the writing itself, while not overly obscure, it was nevertheless compact and dense. Luo Chen read it slowly. Each time he encountered a key passage, he paused to contemplate it thoroughly. Even a single phrase could hold profound meaning, and this reading was only a rough first pass. Late at night, when all was silent, Luo Chen sat cross-legged in the quiet chamber with a thoughtful look on his face. A cultivator’s Golden Core was the condensation of vital essence, spirit, and divine soul—essentially a great medicine condensed from the body itself. Over a lifetime of cultivation, one continued to refine this medicine, which was why it came to be called a “pill.” For an alchemist, the metaphor felt especially apt. However, just as there were many schools and techniques of alchemy, there were many methods for reaching the Golden Core Realm. In Adept Nanshan’s insights, he clearly outlined the concept of three distinct levels of methods. The first was the Lower Path. This method formed the core through inversion of water and fire, mutual harmony of elements, and the fluctuation of metal and wood. The process was arduous, but it could still lead one to the Great Dao. The second, the Middle Path, placed the sun and moon within the furnace, giving rise to creation, manifesting something from nothing, and uniting the energies of dragon and tiger. Lastly, the Upper Path drew upon heavenly essence and earthly marrow, harmonizing yin souls and yang spirits while gathering the stars of the heavens into one cosmic convergence. These three paths appeared ranked, suggesting a hierarchy of depth and difficulty. Yet Adept Nanshan emphasized that the difference lay only in the challenge of execution, not in the potential for post-core cultivation. In simpler terms, the Lower Path required the least preparation but offered the lowest success rate, while the Upper Path was the most difficult to attempt yet promised the highest likelihood of success if it could be used. Once the Golden Core was successfully formed, all three methods produced the same outcome. No inherent difference in quality existed, and the cultivator could still aspire to one day reach Nascent Soul. Of course… that was what the text claimed. Luo Chen had no way of knowing if differences truly existed. The Dao Revelation of Nanshan was clearly incomplete, and sections involving secret core formation techniques had been deliberately removed. So far, he had only managed to vaguely understand one of the three methods. The Dragon-Phoenix Tribulation fell under the category of the Lower Path. It required only two third-tier pills and a corresponding technique to attempt the breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm. Unfortunately, it increased the odds of success by no more than ten percent. The description aligned perfectly with Adept Nanshan’s explanation of the Lower Path: minimal requirements, daunting execution. As for the other two categories, Luo Chen still couldn’t grasp them. But based on what the Dao Revelation of Nanshan suggested, they were likely deeply connected to spirit energy and the divine soul. That suggestion echoed something Chu Kui had once let slip—that a strong foundation of the divine soul was especially critical during core formation. No rush. No rush! I’m only at the fifth stage of Foundation Establishment. I’m still far from Perfected Mastery, so I can’t even think about attempting to form a core. One step at a time. Luo Chen carefully stored the copy of the Dao Revelation of Nanshan in the deepest corner of his storage pouch. He planned to bring it out occasionally for further study. Perhaps, as his cultivation deepened, the parts he didn’t understand now would naturally become clear. Once I return, I have to ask Fairy Ruthless for some books on Core Formation. She definitely won’t hand over any secret techniques, but for a Golden Core cultivator, such knowledge is considered common. She probably won’t mind sharing. Using another mountain’s stones to polish your own jade is just natural.[1] The more materials I gather, the more precise my next steps will be. The flow of thoughts eventually quieted. Luo Chen steadied his breathing, drawing himself into the calm rhythm of deep meditation. A tranquil stillness settled over his body and spirit. The Dao Scion competition had kept him from cultivation for far too long, and the time had come for him to resume it. Inside the quiet chamber, the crimson-robed cultivator sat unmoving, alone with his practice. Only after a long while did the silence break with the sound of a deep exhale. The spirit energy in the surrounding chamber surged violently as though seized by force, streaming into Luo Chen’s body without end. His cultivation, which had stagnated for an entire month, finally began to advance once again.