Chapter 496: Five-Stage Vermilion Fruit

After forming his Golden Core, in addition to the transformation of his essence, energy, and spirit, there was another crucial aspect: the expansion of his domain.

The moment Chen Mobai's Golden Core settled within him, he felt the surrounding Void Force generate from nothingness, pouring into his domain like an endless torrent of energy. He didn't know where this Void Force came from, but unlike usual, there was no need to refine it. It was pure and gentle, as if extracted directly from Void Stones, and it seamlessly integrated into his domain.

Chen Mobai hesitated, wondering whether to intercept this extremely pure Void Force and channel it into his Myriad Laws Body. He felt that this Void Force was enough to fully form all the spinal "great dragons" of his Myriad Laws Body. However, after careful consideration, he decided against it. This was because after his Golden Core formation, the Divine Wood Sect's Void Stone mine in Lone Spirit Ridge would grant him a third of its shares. He would have ample time and resources in the future to cultivate his Myriad Laws Body. Moreover, this spontaneously generated Void Force might be specifically for enhancing his domain. If he used it on his Myriad Laws Body, it could potentially lead to an inherent deficiency in his domain later on.

Having thought it through, Chen Mobai wholeheartedly immersed himself in his domain. He saw that his small realm, originally two square meters in size, simply contained a meditation cushion and a shelf. On the shelf were miscellaneous items like his mobile phone, spirit stones, and books. In a corner, there was also a stack of talismans and two jars of spirit wine. After his Golden Core formation, as the vast Void Force surged in, his previously confined small realm slowly began to expand outward, much like a closed space barely big enough for one person suddenly having its walls broken through, revealing a wide-open area.

It was unclear how much time had passed, but the seemingly endless Void Force eventually began to diminish, gradually turning into a trickle until it completely vanished. Feeling this, Chen Mobai immediately opened his eyes and looked around. He saw that his domain, originally 2 cubic meters, had expanded to 20 cubic meters. In terms of volume alone, it could now be considered a small room. With a thought of his spiritual sense, Chen Mobai adjusted the domain's height to two meters and stretched its length and width to ten square meters, making it roughly the same size as his own room in Danxia City. Satisfied, he brought in the wooden bed and other items he had taken to the Myriad Treasures Cave, and began to arrange them simply.

This domain could store objects and even living creatures. Aside from lacking spiritual energy, it was almost a true small world, comparable to a combination of storage bags and spirit beast bags from the Sky River Realm. Previously, due to its small size, Chen Mobai had only used it as a secondary storage bag. Now, after his Golden Core breakthrough and tenfold expansion, he felt he could tidy it up a bit and use it as a portable dwelling.

The first issue to address was still the lack of spiritual energy. The Immortal Sect had methods for artificially cultivating spiritual veins. This required a spiritual item to suppress the core of the domain; for instance, Wenren Xuewei had prepared a high-grade third-tier tea tree. Chen Mobai had originally planned to transplant the immortal peach tree from Black Cloud Mountain, but he needed to wait until Zhuo Ming cultivated the Wood Cultivation Art to the third tier. If that wasn't feasible, he could lower his expectations and transplant a third-tier Golden Sun Spirit Tree from Giant Wood Ridge. Although every third-tier spirit tree of the Divine Wood Sect was extremely important, connected to the sect's grand formation and geomantic veins, practically considered a treasure guarding the sect, absolutely no one would dare object if Chen Mobai returned after forming his Golden Core to do this. If his cultivation hadn't been insufficient to transplant fourth-tier spirit wood, Chen Mobai would have wanted to bring in the three divine trees left by the Everlasting Cult from the Divine Tree Secret Realm. The best choice would have been the Grand Dao Tree; it was clearly extraordinary, likely a high-grade fourth-tier, or even originally fifth-tier. Unfortunately, he couldn't touch it. Last time, he was almost dragged in by the Grand Dao Tree to be purified and transformed into a Saint Fetus, only narrowly escaping thanks to the Violet Lightning Sword.

Thinking of the Violet Lightning Sword, Chen Mobai's expression shifted. Amidst shimmering violet light, an ancient-looking sword hilt lay in his palm.

"Oh, master, you've formed your Golden Core?"

After being acknowledged as its master, the Violet Lightning Sword achieved complete spiritual resonance with Chen Mobai, reaching the "Sword Heart Illumination" realm coveted by sword cultivators. Thus, the moment Chen Mobai grasped it, the sword released all its restrictions, allowing Chen Mobai's spiritual power and consciousness to permeate every part of it. Subsequently, a completely different sensation surged through the sword. If before, the Violet Lightning Sword felt like a child was holding it, requiring it to constantly restrain itself to cooperate, now it felt like a young man was wielding it, finally sensing some power.

As the sword trembled, half of Chen Mobai's Golden Core level Pure Yang spiritual power was instantly drawn away. Immediately, a heaven-shaking violet lightning bolt erupted above the black island, resembling a colossal purple pillar of light that suppressed all spiritual energy circulation within a ten-li radius.

"Enough, enough, I know you're strong, stop draining!" Chen Mobai, feeling his dantian and qi sea empty, immediately spoke to stop the Violet Lightning Sword's impulse to continue.

"Oh, sorry, it's been a long time since I felt this great." Since being placed in the Mountain Sea Academy, the Violet Lightning Sword had not experienced the exhilaration of drawing on its master's spiritual power to unleash its might. Ordinarily, it had to be frugal with the spirit stones it had, trying to make them last until the next ones were provided. Chen Mobai's successful Golden Core formation caused the sword, which had been suppressed for so long, to finally give in and experience such a satisfying sensation.

"Now that I've formed my Golden Core, what's the highest cultivation level of cultivator we can defeat when we combine our powers, person and sword?" After putting down the Violet Lightning Sword, Chen Mobai asked the question he was most concerned about. He was a cautious person; even after forming his Golden Core, he needed to assess his maximum strength before leaving seclusion.

"Below Golden Core Fourth Layer, they can generally be instantly killed with one sword strike. For Fourth to Sixth Layer, it depends on the opponent's quality, and might take several strikes. If you encounter someone at Seventh Layer or above, instant kills are basically impossible, and your spiritual power won't last long. Avoid them if you can." The Violet Lightning Sword spoke with great precision, primarily because it had accompanied Venerable Qingshi through thousands of battles, with most of their opponents being Golden Core True Persons. After all, upon forming a Nascent Soul, one became a giant of the Immortal Sect, and no one would dare challenge them anymore.

"Then, what level do you think my strength can reach without using you?" Chen Mobai asked again. The Violet Lightning Sword swayed, as if shaking its head.

"How would I know that? You'll have to fight yourself. Isn't Little Scarlet Heaven open now? Just challenge some Golden Core True Persons to practice."

Chen Mobai felt that made sense. After ten years of testing, Little Scarlet Heaven had also opened its battle rankings for the Golden Core stage. However, Chen Mobai had held the top spot in the Foundation Establishment realm for several years, and later, due to being busy with other matters, he no longer cared much about being number one. So, after the rankings were updated, he was too lazy to earn points and had almost forgotten about Little Scarlet Heaven. Now that he had just formed his Golden Core, he could use this online battle arena to hone his skills. The only point of concern was whether it would ruin his image as an invincible fighter in the eyes of the Immortal Sect's public. After all, he had just formed his Golden Core and surely couldn't defeat those seasoned Golden Core True Persons.

"Perhaps... I should try my hand against some peak Foundation Establishment cultivators first?" As a first-layer Golden Core cultivator, he could be matched with ninth-layer Foundation Establishment cultivators. Chen Mobai thought of his idol, Venerable Qingping. As a proponent of the realm-based school, he felt this idea was very sound, allowing him to both train himself and temper the future of the Immortal Sect.

However, the most important thing now was to announce his emergence from seclusion. He had formed his Golden Core! This news definitely needed to be widely publicized throughout the Immortal Sect. Hadn't years of cultivation been for this very moment?!

Chen Mobai confidently turned on his mobile phone. Message after message and missed call notifications popped up. After seeing them, he realized that the news of his independent Golden Core formation had already spread throughout the entire Immortal Sect from the Martial Arts Academy. After selectively reading some of them, Chen Mobai remembered his promise to Yan Bingxuan: to notify her first after forming his Golden Core. However, when he called, no one answered; she was likely busy with an essence energy experiment. Chen Mobai didn't mind. He flew up from the black island, which was home to a high-grade fourth-tier spiritual vein.

Previously, he would have used a Minor Teleportation Talisman to return to his wooden house outside the academy. But now that he had formed his Golden Core, he could move freely in the depths of the Myriad Treasures Cave. Moreover, with his awakened Fire Spirit Body, he felt as comfortable as if he were in a sauna, his entire body feeling relaxed and his qi and blood active. Chen Mobai even had an impulse to jump into the lava for a bath, though it was just a fleeting thought. He released his Scarlet Cloud Smoke Robe, sat on it, took out the key Qin Beichen had given him, and activated the restrictions on the island below, sealing it off. Although only Golden Core True Persons from the Martial Arts Academy could enter the depths of the Myriad Treasures Cave, necessary precautions still had to be taken.

After completing all this, Chen Mobai flew towards the surface. However, halfway through his flight, he suddenly realized he wasn't far from where Duanmu Longrong resided. He instinctively made a turn, intending to greet the vice-principal who had helped him select the Six-Yang Divine Fire Mirror. Deep within the Myriad Treasures Cave, there were numerous islands forged from black refined iron, all of which served as fourth-tier cave dwellings for the academy. Among these, the island where Duanmu Longrong resided boasted the most abundant spiritual energy and the largest area. Furthermore, with the Vermillion Fruit Tree suppressing it, its spiritual vein reached the low-grade fifth-tier level.

When Chen Mobai flew above the island, Duanmu Longrong did not emerge from her house. After waiting for a long time with no response, he had no choice but to call out.

"Student Chen Mobai greets Teacher Duanmu!"

"Oh? It's you?" A surprised voice came from the stone house. The woman with fiery red hair flew out with a look of astonishment and disbelief as she gazed at Chen Mobai. She had already sensed a Golden Core True Person arriving outside. Since people in the Immortal Sect generally didn't use their spiritual sense to probe others, and she assumed it was an academy teacher, she waited inside for the visitor to descend and speak with her. To her surprise, it was Chen Mobai's voice that rang out from above. Naturally, she had an impression of this most brilliant and talented graduate the academy had seen in the last century. If she wasn't mistaken, this child had only graduated less than twenty years ago? How could he have formed his Golden Core so quickly? Had he received a Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill from those Spirit Transformation families? Or... had he, like the Immortal Affairs Hall Master, formed his Golden Core through enlightenment?

While Duanmu Longrong was still in shock, Chen Mobai had already put away his Scarlet Cloud Smoke Robe and flown down, politely bowing to her. "When the principal helped me forge the Morning Bell last time, I also owe thanks to Teacher Duanmu for providing the Black Gold Seal. It was precisely with the help of this natal magic artifact that I was able to easily overcome my inner demons. I specifically came to express my gratitude." Chen Mobai's words were sincere.

Duanmu Longrong had by then recovered from her shock. She looked at the clear-faced young man before her and couldn't help but click her tongue in admiration. "So, you were the one who caused the spiritual vein tremors in Scarlet City Mountain over the past year? I thought the principal had achieved a breakthrough in cultivation." Somewhere in the Myriad Treasures Cave, there was a small realm similar to a secluded minor dimension, containing the Martial Arts Academy's most precious spiritual plants and minerals accumulated over thousands of years. It was also a mid-grade fifth-tier spiritual vein, where Venerable Chengxuan was in secluded cultivation. Nascent Soul cultivators also caused similar phenomena when breaking through minor realms, though usually on a grander scale. However, with a small world separating it, the effect on Scarlet City Mountain's spiritual vein was comparable to a Golden Core formation.

"When cultivating back home, I felt the opportunity for my breakthrough had arrived, so I returned to the academy to try. I never expected to actually succeed." In front of these elders, Chen Mobai had always been a very modest young man.

"I'm starting to believe you have the potential for Spirit Transformation now," Duanmu Longrong said, a remark that brought a slight smile to Chen Mobai's face. She invited him into the stone house for a cup of cool tea. After the refreshingly cold tea passed his lips, he felt his whole body tremble slightly, as if his muscles and bones had been cleansed, leaving him feeling incredibly comfortable.

"This is third-tier Ice Mist Tea, exclusively for our Martial Arts Academy. It's excellent for the hot environment here in the Myriad Treasures Cave." In his ten years at the academy, Chen Mobai had never exchanged more than ten sentences with Duanmu Longrong. Yet now, the two were like good friends, drinking tea and discussing the Dao, sharing their experiences cultivating in the Myriad Treasures Cave.

"If you wish to return to the academy after forming your Golden Core, I can let you have this place." Towards the end of their conversation, Duanmu Longrong made a proposal that greatly tempted Chen Mobai. This was a low-grade fifth-tier spiritual vein, after all. Even for Nascent Soul cultivators, it was an extremely potent spiritual site.

"Are there any responsibilities involved?" Chen Mobai's mind was still clear, and he asked the crucial question.

Duanmu Longrong: "Once you take charge here, you cannot leave until someone else is willing to take your place."

Chen Mobai: "I practice puppetry. Can I send a puppet out to travel on my behalf?"

Duanmu Longrong: "You can, but your true body must remain here to guard."

Chen Mobai: "Guard what?"

Duanmu Longrong: "This Myriad Treasures Cave, and the Jade Peace Grotto-Heaven deep within it."

Chen Mobai: "This disciple is still accustomed to freedom and might not have the patience like Teacher Duanmu." After a moment of thought, Chen Mobai decisively refused. Although a fifth-tier spiritual vein was rare, it was not significant enough compared to the vast resources of the Sky River Realm. He felt becoming a major inter-realm trader held more promise. After forming his Golden Core, he would have protection within the Immortal Sect, allowing him to appropriately sell certain items that he previously couldn't "launder." With resources from both realms, Chen Mobai believed it wouldn't be impossible for him to form a Nascent Soul.

"The term for guarding this place is three hundred years. Besides the fifth-tier spiritual vein, there's also a fifth-tier Vermillion Fruit here. That's why I'm here," Duanmu Longrong added, extending her hand to point at the fiery red Vermillion Fruit Tree at the center of the island. It was laden with fruits, but only the topmost one showed signs of maturity, shimmering with a fiery red iridescence. The fifth-tier Vermillion Fruit blossoms every hundred years, bears fruit every hundred years, and matures every hundred years, making it one of the most precious spiritual items in the Immortal Sect. Besides being the main ingredient for crafting Nascent Soul Cultivation Pills, consuming it alone could also increase the efficiency of forming a Nascent Soul. It was said that Venerable Chengxuan was able to form his Nascent Soul because he consumed a fifth-tier Vermillion Fruit.

"If I guard this place for three hundred years, can I obtain a fifth-tier Vermillion Fruit?" Chen Mobai admitted he was tempted.