Chapter 499: Impact on Forming the Core

He re-sealed the cave dwelling.

Qin Sang brushed his palm over his mustard seed pouch and retrieved a jade box. When the box opened, the golden Kanli Golden Core shone with dazzling golden light, bathing both Qin Sang and the cave in gold. At the top of the Kanli Golden Core was a small vortex where black and white energies converged distinctly, forming shapes resembling a dragon and a tiger. A dragon and a tiger manifested from the elixir, appearing incredibly vivid.

However, compared to the Nine Illusions Heavenly Orchid beside it, the Kanli Golden Core seemed somewhat overshadowed. As if stimulated by the Kanli Golden Core, the Nine Illusions Heavenly Orchid swayed slightly, and above it, various illusions instantly materialized and flickered rapidly, each appearing incredibly real. The Nine Illusions Heavenly Orchid displayed its power. At that moment, the Kanli Golden Core was clearly suppressed; its light dimmed slightly, and the dragon and tiger energies even subtly dispersed. Unexpectedly, even spiritual herbs competed with each other. Qin Sang marveled, then waved his hand to seal off the Kanli Golden Core's aura, and only then did the Nine Illusions Heavenly Orchid cease its activity.

Holding the Kanli Golden Core in hand, Qin Sang meditated for several more days, bringing his condition to its peak and calming his mind. Only then did he open his mouth and swallow the Kanli Golden Core.

The spiritual elixir entered his body. Soon after, it began to dissolve within Qin Sang, its power eventually splitting into two distinct streams of elixir energy. They entangled briefly, then suddenly separated as they entered Qin Sang's meridians, flowing clearly into separate pathways. These two streams of elixir energy were entirely different. One was scorching Yang energy; as it flowed, Qin Sang's meridians felt as if they were being scorched by a raging fire, causing intense pain. The other was extremely cold Yin energy; upon contact, Qin Sang felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. At this moment, half of Qin Sang's body was burning hot, his skin flushed crimson, while the other half was nearly frozen solid, radiating a chill that caused a thin layer of ice to form on his skin.

As these two streams of elixir energy raged within Qin Sang's body, he faintly heard the continuous, unending roars of a dragon and a tiger echoing in his ears. Qin Sang was already aware of the unusual phenomena associated with taking the Kanli Golden Core, so he remained calm. He guarded his inner self, unaffected by the dragon's roar and tiger's growl, constantly monitoring the movement of the elixir energies within his body. He actively guided the two streams, directing them to converge towards his Qi Sea. The two streams of elixir energy advanced side by side, on the verge of entering his Qi Sea. Suddenly, Qin Sang flipped his palm, quickly popping several pre-prepared pills into his mouth. He swallowed two healing elixirs to mend the damage left by the elixir energy in his meridians, then immersed all his focus into his Qi Sea.

'Boom!' His Qi Sea violently shook. The two streams of elixir energy reunited within his Qi Sea. At this moment, the spiritual energy in his Qi Sea began to boil violently, like churning seawater. Moreover, the internal changes that had occurred in his meridians earlier began to repeat within his Qi Sea. Ice collided with raging fire! At times scorching hot, at others icy cold... The abrupt shifts between extreme cold and heat made Qin Sang's Qi Sea increasingly unstable. This fluctuation grew more intense, seemingly without end.

The impact of the Kanli Golden Core's energy on the Qi Sea was terrifying. If one were to take this elixir without preparation, they would likely have to forcefully expel the energy from their body at this point. Otherwise, not only would core formation be impossible, but it could also backfire. Fortunately, not every spiritual item that aids core formation causes such destructive power. Different elixirs possessed vastly different potencies. The medicinal properties of the Snow Spirit Lotus and Iris were much gentler, requiring only some ordinary healing elixirs for preparation.

Qin Sang persevered for a while, but soon he could no longer continue; his Qi Sea showed signs of losing control. Without hesitation, he swallowed another elixir from his mouth. The elixir transformed into a gentle stream of energy, quickly entering his Qi Sea via his meridians. The storm within his Qi Sea intensified, but with the addition of this new energy, the intense conflict finally subsided slightly. However, this relief was short-lived, and soon the chaos resurfaced. Another elixir entered his stomach. After taking three elixirs consecutively, Qin Sang finally passed through the most dangerous period. Although his Qi Sea had not yet fully calmed, he could now barely control it.

Numerous predecessors from Shaohua Mountain had previously taken the Kanli Golden Core, and detailed records existed for several critical junctures. With a slight perception, Qin Sang realized the situation was now stable. He then immediately steadied his mind and fully activated his cultivation technique. The 'Primordial Spirit Sword Cultivation Chapter' circulated rapidly. One cycle after another was completed.

Qin Sang's Qi Sea remained turbulent and unsettled, but as time passed, the storm gradually weakened. Concurrently, the spiritual energy within his body seemed to be undergoing a subtle transformation. Qin Sang silently circulated the 'Primordial Spirit Sword Cultivation Chapter,' focusing intently on finding the opportunity for a breakthrough. Time flowed slowly. The spiritual energy in the cave, which had fluctuated when Qin Sang took the elixir, now returned to tranquility. A day and a night quickly passed.

On the evening of the second day, Qin Sang suddenly awoke. His eyes first gazed somewhat dazedly at the jade pool and the orchid before him, then he abruptly lowered his head, staring intently at his Dantian area. With a hint of disbelief in his voice, he murmured, "This... is it over?" At this moment, his Qi Sea had completely calmed down, showing no signs of turbulence whatsoever. It seemed no different from before he took the Kanli Golden Core. But this was definitely not good news! He had failed. If core formation had been successful, the process might have taken some time. Failure, however, would be evident much sooner.

It took Qin Sang a while to accept the reality, a bitter taste on his lips. The medicinal power of the Kanli Golden Core had been depleted so quickly. Throughout the process, Qin Sang had given his utmost effort, without the slightest distraction, yet he hadn't felt even a single so-called opportunity. Just like before, not only had he failed at core formation, but he hadn't even gained any experience. In the self-accounts left by many predecessors, they mentioned that even if they failed at core formation after taking the Kanli Golden Core, they could still feel some difference, however slight. Some had even shown signs of core formation but failed at the last moment due to an unstable state of mind, filled with extreme regret. This kind predecessor later succeeded in core formation and left a warning for future generations: one must temper their Dao heart before attempting core formation, to avoid everlasting regret.

Qin Sang had no doubts about his own Dao heart, but he hadn't even had the chance to apply the predecessors' experience. What opportunity? What signs? There were none at all! The spiritual energy in his Qi Sea was the same as before, with no tendency to condense. Perhaps there had been subtle changes during the process, but they were so faint and fleeting that he couldn't even sense them. Of course, every predecessor who managed to cultivate to the False Core stage possessed far greater talent than Qin Sang, and among those who left behind their experiences, none had five spiritual roots like him.

Was it a matter of talent? Qin Sang felt a pang of unwillingness. After a brief deliberation, he entered meditation again, resumed circulating his cultivation technique, and began another attempt.

One month later, Qin Sang left the cave once more, circled the small island, and finding no message from Yun Youzi, he returned. For that entire month, he had continuously circulated his cultivation technique, hoping for a breakthrough, but the results were disappointing; his cultivation remained unchanged.