No one in the outside world knows how the Water Moon Array atop Celestial Capital Peak slaughtered the Tribulation Cultivator.

People only saw the Spiritual Qi Tide sweeping across the sky suddenly disperse, and the Core Formation phenomenon come to an abrupt halt—anyone with discerning eyes could guess that the attempt of Master Tingyu to form a Golden Core was ultimately a failure.

The news spread swiftly, as if it had grown wings, soon reaching the Thousand Peaks Mountain Range and even the distant Linglong Immortal City.

Inside the Li Fire Pavilion, Xu Longhu was seated behind a purple sandalwood desk, holding a Communication Jade Scroll in his hand, with a furrowed brow.

The writing on the Jade Scroll was clear:

"Tingyu Daoist failed in his attempt to form a Golden Core, the Pill Domain unformed, revealing his Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivation, Sword Qi soaring to the sky."

"A Sword Cultivator at Foundation Establishment Perfection..."

Xu Longhu murmured to himself, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

He finally understood why this Brother Tingyu was so obsessed with the Tier Three Demon Pill—ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators would not dare to covet such a treasure.

He recalled the times his attempts to recruit were rejected, feeling a bit fearful in his heart.

Fortunately, he did not resort to force back then, otherwise, given the other's strength, even if the Li Fire Pavilion could seek justice, it would likely come at a great cost.

Xu Longhu put away the Jade Scroll and called out to the door:

"It seems we need to put more effort into maintaining this trade route."

"Someone, deliver that batch of Thunder Pattern Steel from the warehouse to Celestial Capital Peak, and say it's a token of goodwill from the Li Fire Pavilion."

At Li Xiao Sect, in a secret chamber on Lingyun Peak.

Yuan Shenxiao grasped a Communication Jade Scroll, his fingertips turning white from the pressure.

The twelve characters on the Jade Scroll, "Celestial Capital Peak, Pill Domain unformed, ultimate failure," pierced his heart like needles.

"How difficult it is to form a Golden Core..."

He sighed deeply, an inexplicable sadness in his eyes.

This sadness was not for Tingyu Daoist, but for himself. Being a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he knew all too well how hard it was to achieve Golden Core.

The resources in Chu Country are scarce, and for a Loose Cultivator, forming a Golden Core is a near-death endeavor.

Yet, even so, Tingyu Daoist dared to give it a shot, a courage that made Yuan Shenxiao feel ashamed in comparison.

"If you can go, so can I!"

A hint of resolve suddenly flashed in Yuan Shenxiao's eyes.

His lifespan was already nearing its end; he would never wait for a Tier Three Demon Pill. Even in death, he must die on the path to forming a Golden Core!

"Someone!"

He called to the door.

A black-clothed cultivator walked in briskly and bowed.

"What are the True Inheritor's orders?"

Yuan Shenxiao said solemnly:

"From today onwards, I will be in seclusion for cultivation. Unless it is important, no one is to disturb me!"

"Bring the 'Li Fire-Quenching Body Liquid' from the warehouse to the secret chamber, also deliver this Jade Scroll to Xu Longhu..."

The black-clothed cultivator took the Jade Scroll and quickly responded:

"Yes, True Inheritor!"

Watching the black-clothed cultivator's retreating figure, Yuan Shenxiao took a deep breath and turned into the secret chamber.

…

At Qinghua Sect, Pill Furnace Peak.

Zhao Bailu was standing in front of Wu Ruoxu, unable to conceal his glee:

"Young Master, you wouldn't believe it, that Tingyu Daoist was actually a Sword Cultivator at Foundation Establishment Perfection, no wonder he was so arrogant before."

He paused, his tone full of schadenfreude:

"However, this person is ignorant of his own limits. Despite being just a Loose Cultivator, he dared to forcefully attempt Golden Core formation, now he has failed, serves him right!"

"In my opinion, he probably won't have another chance to attempt forming a Golden Core in this lifetime."

Wu Ruoxu was sitting on a meditation mat, playing with a Jade Ring in his hand. He only nodded slightly at these words, his face showing no expression.

His dislike for Zhao Bailu deepened further.

This smug demeanor was really despicable. The Zhao Clan ancestors were illustrious, how could this generation produce such a petty person?

Wu Ruoxu sighed inwardly but said nothing.

Petty people have their uses, at least Zhao Bailu was capable in gathering information and handling miscellaneous tasks.

He waved his hand casually, finding an excuse:

"Alright, I got it. Go to the warehouse and inventory the 'Cyan Spirit Grass' collected last month and send it to the Alchemy Room."

Zhao Bailu thought the Young Master agreed with his view, his smile grew brighter, and he nodded quickly:

"Rest assured, Young Master, I will take care of it at once!"

Watching Zhao Bailu leave happily, Wu Ruoxu shook his head and called out:

"Tributor Qin, come in."

Qin Daolei quickly entered, bowing in salute:

"What are Young Master's orders?"

"You must have heard about Tingyu Daoist's failure to form a Golden Core?"

Wu Ruoxu asked.

Qin Daolei nodded solemnly:

"I have already received the news. Please, Young Master, instruct me; no matter what, I will get it done."

He thought the Young Master would use the opportunity to suppress Celestial Capital Peak and was already prepared.

Yet Wu Ruoxu smiled:

"Don't worry, it's nothing difficult."

He took out a Jade Bottle from his Storage Pouch and handed it to Qin Daolei:

"This is a Small Tribulation Pill, a quasi-Tier Three Elixir. Although not as profound as a true Tribulation Pill, it is quite beneficial for Foundation Establishment cultivators in healing and recovery."

"Deliver it to Celestial Capital Peak for me, expressing my personal goodwill, hoping Fellow Daoist Tingyu will recover soon."

Qin Daolei accepted the Jade Bottle, sighing at the Young Master's generosity, and quickly saluted:

"I obey, Young Master!"

The news continued to spread until it reached the true upper echelons of the two sects.

At Qinghua Sect, in the top-level conference hall of Piaomiao Peak.

Wu Guang sat at the head seat, fiddling with a Jade Scroll, and said with a smile:

"Speaking of which, my grandson attempted to recruit Tingyu Daoist a few days ago, but since he's a Sword Cultivator at Foundation Establishment Perfection, it naturally didn't work out."

The few Masters present couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this.

Lin Yi lightly sighed:

"This Tingyu fellow is really hidden, a Sword Cultivator at Foundation Establishment Perfection, his combat power might rival that of a half Master Fake Pill."

"It's not easy for a Loose Cultivator to reach such a level."

Li Yang echoed:

"It's a pity he failed the Core Formation, afraid he won't have another chance."

Wu Lingshuang, sitting beside, sighed softly at these words:

"This Tingyu fellow, having reached Foundation Establishment Perfection, must have decent aptitude, possibly an Earth Grade Spiritual Root, what a pity..."

A Celestial Grade Spiritual Root goes without saying, surely a Golden Core seed!

But an Earth Grade Spiritual Root ultimately falls short; besides her, which in the room isn't an Earth Grade Spiritual Root?

But in the end, only Hua Xiu used the sect's main peak foundation to smoothly achieve Golden Core.

She couldn't help remembering Chen Sheng from back then.

If her husband had Tingyu Daoist's aptitude, perhaps he wouldn't have fallen so early...

The years have passed, and she had nearly given up hope for her husband and young son.

The Myriad Beasts Mountain Range is far and fraught with danger, even a Golden Core cultivator would take years to cross if lucky.

Encountering a powerful Demon King, survival was uncertain.

The upper echelons of Qinghua Sect barely mentioned Tingyu Daoist, not taking it to heart.

The reason being that Chu Country's Core Formation resources were nearly all controlled by the two sects, and a Loose Cultivator who failed Core Formation had almost zero chance of succeeding in another attempt.

Even an improbable success wouldn't affect the sects' standings.

Of course, even a slight possibility should be nipped in the bud early.

Hua Xiu, sitting at the main seat, pondered for a moment and then decisively said:

"In a few days, Fellow Daoist Li Yang, please make a trip to Celestial Capital Peak."

"Explain with emotion, reason with logic, and see if we can bring this person into our sect; if so, it would add a Foundation Establishment Perfection Elder to our ranks."

Li Yang bowed and replied: "Understood!"

The discussion in the conference hall soon shifted to other matters.

The topic of Tingyu Daoist was like a stone thrown into a lake, creating only slight ripples before quickly calming down again.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.