Chapter 494: Formation of the Core

I can’t believe I actually broke through.

Chen Mobai’s spiritual consciousness left his body, like a phoenix tree forest rooted in the void. He felt his spiritual consciousness expand three or four times its previous size, as if he were a giant suspended in mid-air. With a single thought, he clearly reflected the entire island and its surroundings within his Purple Mansion consciousness sea.

Previously, the volume of spiritual consciousness in Chen Mobai’s Purple Mansion consciousness sea had reached its limit. Any spiritual consciousness gained from listening to Meng Huang’er’s profound "Heart Sounds" could only be stored as phoenix tree fruits. However, at the moment of breakthrough, his Purple Mansion consciousness sea was expanded. Chen Mobai used the Divine Control Art to transform the spiritual consciousness stored in these fruits into young phoenix tree saplings, which then grew vigorously with the power of the breakthrough, forming this flourishing green canopy.

Chen Mobai felt that the boundaries that had previously confined him no longer existed. His spiritual consciousness could continuously extend outward. It stretched five miles, then ten, and finally reached a twenty-mile radius before he felt his power begin to wane.

At that moment, an extremely weak gasp echoed within his consciousness sea. Chen Mobai immediately began to retract his spiritual consciousness, focusing his attention on the source of the sound. The jade phoenix tree at the very center was lush and vibrant, full of life, but the phantom of a five-colored phoenix weakly alighted on its thickest branch, gradually dimming and dissipating.

It was Meng Huang’er! Chen Mobai instantly knew who the five-colored phoenix was. She had pushed her Profound Sound Marvelous Art to its extreme through Core Formation, evolving it into the Grand Dao Heavenly Melody, which allowed him to hear the "Sound Track of the Dao" at the moment of their union.

It was indeed worthy of being called the Immortal Sect’s top auxiliary divine art. The moment Meng Huang’er’s primordial yin energy entered him, Chen Mobai’s Purple Mansion consciousness sea began to shake violently, and cracks appeared in his bottleneck.

However, a broken bottleneck did not guarantee a successful breakthrough. At the most critical juncture, Chen Mobai nearly failed. His Purple Mansion consciousness sea showed signs of falling back from the breakthrough, and the broken bottleneck cracks began to close up again.

Fortunately, he had previously received the Pure Yang Purple Qi gifted by Qin Beichen, and he also possessed a Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill for his Core Formation, which he could use first. Aided by the Pure Yang Purple Qi, Chen Mobai’s Purple Mansion consciousness sea, which had been opened by the Grand Dao Heavenly Melody, gradually stabilized, halting its regression. Then, powered by Meng Huang’er’s primordial yin and the last remnants of her Profound Sound Marvelous Art, he finally crossed the threshold and completely shattered the bottleneck.

Chen Mobai succeeded in his breakthrough, but Meng Huang’er did not. Her initiation of the Core Formation process was originally to help Chen Mobai listen to the Grand Dao Heavenly Melody. In the end, she disregarded her own depleted vitality and spiritual consciousness, chanting a high-pitched note as the final push to help Chen Mobai break through. Consequently, her own Core Formation was declared a complete failure.

As Chen Mobai noticed the five-colored phoenix’s phantom dissipating, his spiritual consciousness immediately returned to his body. The moment he opened his eyes, he saw Meng Huang’er, her face pale, collapse in front of him. Chen Mobai immediately picked up the “Five-Fungus Hundred-Flower Paste” and “Heavenly Fragrance Eight-Treasure Pill” that were set aside, gently opened her cherry lips, and fed them to her. Then, Chen Mobai placed his hand on Meng Huang’er’s smooth, snow-white back and circulated the Lamp-Lighting Art to help her digest the medicinal properties.

These two Tier 3 spirit elixirs were indeed extraordinary. Soon, a hint of color returned to Meng Huang’er’s pale cheeks, and her previously rapid gasps gradually subsided. The Heavenly Fragrance Eight-Treasure Pill took effect first. All injuries to Meng Huang’er’s Purple Mansion consciousness sea from her failed breakthrough healed, and she felt her spiritual consciousness rapidly recovering. Only the mental vitality lost from her Core Formation failure could not be restored. This was outwardly evident in her slightly vacant eyes when she opened them.

“Are you feeling better?” Chen Mobai asked with a touch of heartache, his hand still pressing on her back. He continued to transfer pure Pure Yang spiritual energy and circulated the Lamp-Lighting Art to help her digest the elixir.

“My blood essence and spiritual energy have mostly recovered, but my body still feels a bit weak.” Meng Huang’er spoke truthfully, not trying to pretend otherwise. She simply leaned against Chen Mobai’s embrace, her delicate and weak appearance stirring pity in him.

“This is likely because you lost something important. Rest well; I will protect you.”

“Okay.” Meng Huang’er seemed truly exhausted. After uttering that single word, she closed her eyes and fell asleep in Chen Mobai’s arms. He held her tenderly. Fortunately, Chen Mobai had already prepared a bed to create a better environment for his own Core Formation. He took a blanket and covered Meng Huang’er.

It wasn’t until the third day that Meng Huang’er groggily turned over and woke up. She opened her eyes to see Chen Mobai sitting by the bed, still there, and a sweet smile appeared on her face.

“How are you feeling?” Chen Mobai reached out, interlocking his fingers with her outstretched right hand, and asked with concern.

“Thanks to the elixirs you prepared in advance, I’ve barely felt any after-effects from the failed Core Formation. However, my primordial energy and mental vitality are still somewhat depleted, so I’ll probably need a period of recuperation.” Meng Huang’er assessed her body internally before sharing her feelings. She hadn’t expected to succeed in Core Formation herself. After guiding Chen Mobai to hear the Grand Dao Heavenly Melody, she had poured all her spiritual consciousness and energy into performing a “Phoenix Cry.” Therefore, although her Core Formation failed, her injuries were not severe because she hadn’t forced the breakthrough. And since she had taken the two elixirs promptly, after a year or two of recovery, it was unlikely anyone would be able to tell that she had attempted Core Formation once.

“The fire spiritual energy here isn’t compatible with your Profound Sound Marvelous Art. Although the spiritual energy is abundant, it won’t benefit your recovery. I’ll send you out first.” Chen Mobai had some basic medical knowledge, and he had also thoroughly checked her condition with the Lamp-Lighting Art. He felt it would be better to send her away from this place.

“Okay.” Meng Huang’er nodded gently in agreement. She knew that Chen Mobai had truly broken through to the Core Formation level in his Purple Mansion consciousness sea with the help of the Profound Sound Marvelous Art, and she had even more confidence in his ability to form his core without relying on elixirs. She could now fully treat this gentle, refined young man as a true Golden Core cultivator. So, although she secretly longed for more intimacy with Chen Mobai, she meekly allowed him to embrace her. Amidst a flash of silver light, they were transported back to Chen Mobai’s wooden house using a Small Teleportation Talisman.

Chen Mobai had drawn this Small Teleportation Talisman himself. The key to the Myriad Treasures Cave Abode only allowed one-way transmission back, so he had prepared this for convenience in entering and exiting. Given Meng Huang’er’s current delicate and weak state, it was perfectly suitable.

Upon reaching the wooden house, Chen Mobai carried her back to the mountain-top villa. “What do you want to eat? I’ll make it for you.” Meng Huang’er’s beautiful eyes sparkled as she sat on the sofa. She casually named a few of her favorite dishes, and Chen Mobai immediately went out to buy ingredients.

How wonderful it would be if life could always be like this. Watching Chen Mobai busy himself in the kitchen for her after he returned, this thought suddenly arose in Meng Huang’er’s mind. But she immediately shook her head. He had his bright future, and she had her own path. If they were to truly become cultivation partners, they might hinder each other. It was better to maintain their current relationship. After all, as cultivators of the Immortal Sect, it was better not to consider marriage until their cultivation had fully reached its peak and entered a bottleneck. With these thoughts, Meng Huang’er’s somewhat fluctuating state of mind returned to its usual composure.

Just then, Chen Mobai emerged with a salad. She smiled and asked him to feed her, and he naturally treated her with tenderness. And so, the two of them lived together again in the mountain-top villa for another six months. Free from the constraints of her primordial yin, Meng Huang’er completely let go, taking Chen Mobai to various places to enjoy and relax to their heart’s content.

“The art troupe is urging me to return.” One day, as they embraced on the balcony sofa, watching the sunset, Meng Huang’er pouted, clutching Chen Mobai with a hint of reluctance. For the past six months, she had declined all entertainment industry activities, but the art troupe performances were unavoidable. After all, she was part of the official establishment and would rely on this to obtain the Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill in the future.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai breathed a sigh of relief. If he hadn’t cultivated the Longevity Dao Body during this period, he might not have been able to handle it. However, outwardly, he still spoke to Meng Huang’er with an expression of concern. “Although your body has recovered, don’t overexert yourself.”

“I’ll leave the day after tomorrow. For these two days, let’s not leave the bed.” Meng Huang’er lifted her head, her slender, snow-white legs curved gracefully as she sat up, her bright eyes filled with allure…

After listening to Meng Huang’er sing for two more days, Chen Mobai gained a new understanding of his former dream. Listening to songs every day could indeed become tiresome. Moderation was key.

After seeing Meng Huang’er off, Chen Mobai naturally returned to his cave abode in the Myriad Treasures Cave. It was somewhat embarrassing to admit that Qin Beichen had given him this place for his Core Formation, yet for half a year after moving in, he hadn’t formally cultivated for a single day. However, this was excusable. After all, Meng Huang’er had sacrificed a great deal for him. He couldn’t just turn his back on her after his spiritual consciousness broke through and simply send her away, uncaring, could he? He wasn’t a heartless man. As he thought this, Chen Mobai’s guilt about delaying for half a year gradually faded.

After all, he hadn’t truly just listened to songs for the past six months. After his Purple Mansion consciousness sea broke through to the Core Formation level, Chen Mobai certainly needed time to control his rapidly expanding spiritual consciousness. And Meng Huang’er, with her Profound Sound Marvelous Art, was the best assistant to help him adapt. During these six months, Chen Mobai had refined, integrated, and mastered all the spiritual consciousness he had accumulated previously while helping Meng Huang’er break through various minor Foundation Establishment realms. By now, his spiritual consciousness had completely stabilized at the first level of Golden Core. Unfortunately, Meng Huang’er’s cultivation had already reached the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment. In the future, only when she officially formed her own Core would she be able to help him advance using the Grand Dao Heavenly Melody.

However, those were matters to consider after forming his Core. For now, the most important thing was for him to truly form his own Core. After his Purple Mansion consciousness sea broke through with Meng Huang’er’s assistance, Chen Mobai was full of confidence in his own Core Formation. He didn’t believe anything else could hinder him at this stage.

After three months spent adjusting his essence, qi, and spirit to their peak, Chen Mobai reviewed all his preparations for Core Formation. Once he confirmed there were no issues, he took out the Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill. Without any hesitation, he swallowed it in one gulp. After the elixir entered his body, guided by his internal circulation, it quickly settled into his Dantian Qi Sea. Subsequently, a vast wave of medicinal power began to spread, like a surge of energy flowing through his meridians, encompassing Chen Mobai’s entire body.

In the first stage of Core Formation, his physical body began to transform. Above the black island, wisps of red airflow suddenly converged, instantly turning into brilliant red light spots that descended like raindrops upon Chen Mobai, who sat at the center. These were Tier 4 top-grade spiritual energy essences. In addition to these, there was also a spirit-gathering array formed from five top-grade spirit stones. One was vast, the other pure! The two streams of spiritual energy converged from above and below, merging within Chen Mobai’s body. Under the influence of the Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill’s medicinal power, they flowed in strands into every single cell.

The first to respond was the Fire Spirit Body he had obtained when he attained Foundation Establishment by comprehending the Dao. Chen Mobai felt that the Heavenly Fire Spirit Root, normally concealed within his heart, was also awakening during the Core Formation process. It was like a warm current gushing forth, flowing through his entire body, causing him to suddenly comprehend the various profound mysteries of the Fire Spirit Body. His understanding of the Pure Yang Scroll deepened profoundly at this moment. Furthermore, he gained a unique understanding of the Dao of Fire. He intended to firmly remember these insights and make them his own.

Giant, translucent skeletal bones emerged behind Chen Mobai. Unbeknownst to him, the Myriad Manifestation Body had already activated. The vast and potent fire spiritual energy from the Myriad Treasures Cave continuously flowed towards the heart area on the left side of the spine, which was condensed from void power. Gradually, a half-meter diameter fiery-red vortex formed. Faintly, a heart chamber appeared along with a crimson blood vessel. This thick vessel extended outward, connecting with the already condensed Five Elements Sword Arms, forming a complete energy circulation pathway.

As the Myriad Manifestation Body improved with the aid of the Heavenly Fire Spirit Root and gained some properties of a Fire Spirit Body, Chen Mobai’s own physical body also completed its final transformation under the medicinal power of the Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill. Wisps of vibrant green life force burst forth from his bone marrow. This was the longevity tree sap that had not yet fully integrated into his physical body, but during this Core Formation process, it was completely refined. At the moment his physical body completed its transformation, the first layer of Chen Mobai’s Longevity Dao Body reached perfection, saving him over a decade of effort that would have been required for subsequent life-force infusion to enhance his body’s vitality.

Simultaneously, the Myriad Manifestation Body’s second heart chamber also began to condense under the vast fire spiritual energy, with even a faint glimmer of green light appearing. This was the wood-attributed liver, corresponding to the phenomenon after his Longevity Dao Body reached great success. However, due to the insufficient wood spiritual energy here, it merely lit up within the Myriad Manifestation Body, flickering twice before failing to fully form.

Chen Mobai paid it no mind. He allowed the Myriad Manifestation Body to absorb the abundant fire spiritual energy to condense the heart, while he himself prepared to draw the two major spiritual energies stored in the void of his spine into his body, beginning the second step of Core Formation.

He mentally reviewed the Core Formation content of the Two Phases Art and the Pure Yang Scroll once more. Under the blessing of the Heavenly Fire Spirit Root, Chen Mobai gained new insights. Unfortunately, the Core Formation process had already begun, preventing him from savoring these insights further. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and formed a Tai Chi hand seal. With his left hand embracing his right, palms facing inward, a blue and red Yin-Yang fish pattern began to emerge from his palms, enveloping his entire body and a large portion of his Myriad Manifestation Body. The blue represented Longevity spiritual energy, and the red represented Pure Yang spiritual energy. At this moment, the two great spiritual energies maintained a delicate balance, with Chen Mobai’s spiritual consciousness acting as the separating “Yi” character in the middle!

“Twenty-two years of Foundation Establishment, and I’ve finally reached this step!” Chen Mobai sighed softly, then released his spiritual consciousness. The moment the Longevity spiritual energy and Pure Yang spiritual energy converged, the Two Phases Art, which he had long since mastered, began to circulate! The originally vibrant green and bright Longevity spiritual energy seemed to merge into the Pure Yang spiritual energy like kindling. Like adding fuel to a fire, the Pure Yang spiritual energy erupted into a dazzling, brilliant red radiance at that instant. The blue half of the Tai Chi Yin-Yang diagram began to dim, while the red half, like the rising sun, burst forth with unprecedented brilliance.

The bright light was like a flame, and the flame resembled a crimson sun! A tiny, golden particle of light began to shine at the very center of the red sun!

“The crow flies for gold, the rabbit runs for jade, the three realms are but a grain of millet.Mountains and rivers, the earth, have endured years of dust; Yin and Yang invert and fall into the Profound Valley.”

Chen Mobai chanted the Core Formation content of the Pure Yang Scroll, using his newly breakthrough spiritual consciousness to control the nascent golden light particle. The moment his spiritual consciousness penetrated it, he felt as if he had sunk into water; an omnipresent sense of obstruction made him feel enveloped by a restraint. This was the Pure Yang spiritual energy at the Core Formation level! It was indeed incredibly powerful. If Chen Mobai’s spiritual consciousness hadn’t broken through, he likely wouldn’t have been able to control this force at all. Even now, as the Pure Yang spiritual energy continuously absorbed Longevity spiritual energy and grew, and the golden light particle steadily expanded, he gradually felt the strain. It was like an indescribable, invisible, yet extremely heavy weight pressed down on his shoulders, making every step feel like a burden. Fortunately, for now, he could still bear this burden. This was the benefit of his spiritual consciousness breakthrough. Without it, Chen Mobai estimated that he would indeed have failed, as Chen Chun had predicted, due to an inability to control the Core Formation level spiritual energy.

However, as time passed, especially when the Pure Yang spiritual energy was about to fully form into a thumb-sized Golden Core, Chen Mobai began to feel overwhelmed. “Fortunately, not much of the Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill’s medicinal power was consumed earlier.” With a thought, the golden elixir in Chen Mobai’s Dantian Qi Sea, still retaining over seventy percent of its medicinal power, began to slowly dissolve into an incredibly gentle medicinal force. Chen Mobai used twenty percent of this medicinal power to assist in the formation of the spiritual energy core, and over fifty percent was directed into his Purple Mansion consciousness sea. Like sweet dew, after the medicinal power of the Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill flowed in, the phoenix tree forest formed by his spiritual consciousness began to mature leaf by leaf. Soon, Chen Mobai’s spiritual consciousness broke through again under the fusion of the Divine Control Art, instantly advancing from the first to the second level of Golden Core. Truly worthy of a Tier 4 elixir!

As he marveled, the Pure Yang spiritual energy had completely swallowed all the Longevity spiritual energy, along with that twenty percent of medicinal power. A golden, thumb-sized Golden Core, resembling a miniature sun, had already formed. The process of spiritual energy forming the core was utterly smooth, a natural culmination.