Chapter 561: Outer Path Golden Core

"Forty-nine more days?" Upon hearing that, Chen Mobai felt this wouldn't do.

He was merely passing through Heavenly Valley for a quick visit; there was no way he could stay for so long. He was anxious to go to the State of Ming to investigate clues about his apprentice's disappearance.

With this thought, Chen Mobai decided to get serious.

In fact, if he were to unleash the Five Elements Sword Array, pushing its Water Element Sword Qi to the limit, he felt he could probably break through the Locust Mother's dual earth and fire defenses.

However, this was just his conjecture. What if the beast had other hidden techniques and divine abilities, and the Sword Array failed to defeat it in one strike? That would tarnish his reputation as invincible in battle in the Eastern Barrens.

More importantly, the cyclical integration of the Five Elements in the Eastern Barrens had always been a hallmark of the Primordial Dao Fruit. If he were to display this in front of Yan Shaoyin and Yu Shuji, he might be mistaken for cultivating the Primordial Dao Fruit.

Although Chen Mobai himself intended to cultivate it, he hadn't succeeded yet. Furthermore, this divine ability involved the One Yuan Dao Palace, with too many implications.

He felt it was best not to reveal his potential to master the Primordial Dao Fruit before unifying the Eastern Barrens and forming his Nascent Soul. Considering all aspects, Chen Mobai decided to use the most convenient and least strenuous method.

After negotiating the price for a high-grade spirit stone with the Violet Lightning Sword, this supreme-grade Tier 4 sword pierced through the void and landed in Chen Mobai's palm, gripped by his five fingers.

*Zizizi!*

Tiny purple lightning sparks appeared in the air, transforming into wisps of current absorbed by the thick, broad, and long blade. Chen Mobai stepped towards the underground fissure. With each step, the purple lightning on the blade brightened further.

The Locust Mother, enveloped in yellow and red demonic light, also sensed the terrifying energy coalescing on the Violet Lightning Sword's blade, growing increasingly agitated.

Amidst its shrill cries, the earth trembled, and malevolent demonic energy surged forth, forming a two-colored halo around it, encircling it like a hemisphere.

At the same time, streaks of dark red light illuminated the depths of the underground fissure.

These were the low-grade locusts that had not yet been cleared. They trampled through the lingering golden flames with their flesh. One wave shrieked and charged towards Chen Mobai, who was descending from above, while another transformed into a shield of flesh and landed above the Locust Mother.

"Sect Master Chen, we'll help clear the area..."

The moment the Violet Lightning Sword pierced the void, its supreme power, capable of altering celestial phenomena, filled Yan Shaoyin and Yu Shuji with both alarm and delight. The alarm stemmed from the realization that Sect Master Chen of the Divine Wood Sect's Immortal Cultivation Holy Sword was far more terrifying than imagined; without a Nascent Soul expert, no one could possibly stop him. The delight was knowing they wouldn't have to waste forty-nine days here. Even if the Locust Mother possessed five attributes, it couldn't possibly withstand a supreme Tier 4 sword.

However, before they could finish their words, they saw Chen Mobai raise his sword and cleave downwards. A streak of purple sword light, like a wheel, slashed forth!

The violet lightning roared, electrocuting all locusts that charged towards him into charcoal. Then, the purple sword light effortlessly split the flesh shield in two.

The Locust Mother let out an unprecedentedly shrill shriek, spitting out a yellow and red intertwined core. The surging demonic energy instantly more than tripled.

Yet, facing the descending Violet Lightning Sword, it was like a praying mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Clashing head-on with the purple sword light, the core instantly dimmed. If Yu Shuji hadn't called out in time, causing Chen Mobai's sword-wielding hand to shift slightly at the crucial moment, this precious core would likely have been shattered.

After the sword light shattered the core's demonic energy, it arced slightly, diagonally bisecting the Locust Mother.

With a *bang*, cerulean demonic blood spurted out, splattering into every corner of the underground fissure, raising wisps of green smoke.

Chen Mobai loosened his grip on the sword. The void opened again, and the Violet Lightning Sword slowly disappeared back into its realm.

Amidst shrill cries, the remaining locusts, sensing the death of their mother, began to frenzy. Some charged at Chen Mobai, while others scattered and fled.

After returning the Violet Lightning Sword, Chen Mobai gently rotated his open hand. A golden flame orb reappeared, then expanded in all directions like a circular shockwave, incinerating all locusts within sight as it rotated.

At that moment, Yan Shaoyin and Yu Shuji's intended cover attacks had just landed. However, they only managed to kill the surrounding low-grade locust beasts.

Yu Shuji awkwardly put away his sickle. He had originally thought he was the main force, with the other two Core Formation cultivators assisting him.

Who knew that the moment Chen Mobai unleashed his sword, the Locust Mother, which he felt was impossible to cleave, was instantly slain. "Sect Master Chen truly lives up to his reputation as the foremost sword cultivator in the Eastern Barrens!"

To cover his embarrassment, Yu Shuji offered a compliment. "The core of a Tier 3 demonic beast..."

Meanwhile, Yan Shaoyin was already gazing with fascination at the dull yellow and red core in Chen Mobai's palm, unable to resist stepping closer to get a clearer look.

"Sect Master Chen, would this core be able to..." "Cough, cough..."

Before Yan Shaoyin could finish, Yu Shuji coughed twice, interrupting him. "Sect Master Chen, thank you for your timely intervention just now to save Xiuxian."

As he spoke, the female Foundation Establishment cultivator who had been managing the formation flags came to Yu Shuji's side and bowed deeply to Chen Mobai in thanks. This was precisely Qu Xiuxian, whom he had met at the State Founding Auction. It was she who had appraised the Soul Nurturing Wood back then. Chen Mobai had noticed her when he made his move, but given the urgency of dealing with the locusts at the time, he naturally hadn't conversed with her.

"You're too kind. I merely did what I had to do."

Chen Mobai said modestly, stating that he would have helped anyone in such a situation, as long as they weren't his enemies.

"It's like this, Sect Master Chen, as you know, my disciple Lou Xuelong failed to form his Core. If he wishes to form his Core in the future, he will likely need more thorough preparation. This demonic beast core happens to have both earth and fire attributes, matching his spiritual root. If refined into an External Core, it would not only compensate for his failure in Core Formation but also increase his success rate by 30%. I wonder if Sect Master Chen would be willing to part with this core and sell it to me? The price is negotiable," Yu Shuji said, a little awkwardly.

In the Heavenly River Realm, the External Core method is one of the most effective ways to assist cultivators in forming their Cores. It involves slaying a demonic beast with the same spiritual root and cultivation attribute as oneself, then taking its core to refine an External Core that resembles both a medicinal pill and a magical artifact. Cultivators nurture this pill within their dantian's Qi Sea. Once their spiritual sense and spiritual power have completely assimilated the External Core, they can wield power surpassing the Foundation Establishment stage. This is the External Core Art.

However, while the External Core Art grants Core Formation-level strength, it is limited by the demonic beast's cultivation level in life and can never be further enhanced. Moreover, this is not true Core Formation, so a cultivator's lifespan cannot be extended.

Therefore, the correct use of the External Core is to allow a Foundation Establishment cultivator to experience the Core Formation realm, and then, in one vigorous attempt, shatter the External Core using a secret technique to strive for a true Golden Core. This is the Core Displacement Method, the method with the highest success rate for Core Formation in the Heavenly River Realm, but also the most dangerous. Because once the External Core is shattered, if the cultivator fails to form their own Core, their Foundation Establishment body simply cannot withstand the immense power, leading to certain death.

Even so, it remains the most popular method among Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Heavenly River Realm. However, Tier 3 demonic beasts are rare, and those that match a cultivator's attributes are even scarcer. Furthermore, Foundation Establishment cultivators are certainly unable to slay Tier 3 demonic beasts. Those who can utilize the External Core Art are typically direct descendants of major sects, and usually, it's a path chosen by disciples who have previously failed in their Core Formation attempt. Lou Xuelong was one such case.

It was quite a coincidence that they encountered this Locust Mother with dual earth and fire attributes. Thus, Yu Shuji, despite his embarrassment, was determined to outmaneuver Yan Shaoyin and request to purchase the core from Chen Mobai.

"So that's how it is. As expected of the Star Heaven Dao Sect, to possess the External Core Art and the Core Displacement Method." Chen Mobai's expression showed surprise upon hearing this.

This was similar to the Dharma Body Nascent Soul method, except that the Dharma Body Nascent Soul transformation required a complete investment of one's essence, qi, and spirit, leaving no room for retreat.

In contrast, the External Core Art, combined with the Core Displacement Method, allowed cultivators a final gamble to achieve true Core Formation.

While the cultivation techniques in the Heavenly River Realm might not compare to those of the Immortal Sect, they possessed unique ingenuity and brilliant ideas. The External Core Art and the Core Displacement Method, for instance, would never have been developed by the Immortal Sect.

This was because demonic beasts there were protected. Let alone killing them for their cores, even drawing a vial of blood or collecting a bit of fur for research required an application to the relevant authorities.

"I wonder if this core could be exchanged with your esteemed sect for the External Core Art and the Core Displacement Method?" Chen Mobai pondered for a moment before making this request.

After all, the Divine Wood Sect lacked the corresponding methods, so even with the core in hand, they couldn't utilize it. Moreover, there wasn't a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the sect suitable for this core.

Rather than keeping it and letting its vital energy slowly dissipate, it was better to maximize its use now.

Chen Mobai had considered exchanging this core with Yu Shuji for the Dharma Body Nascent Soul method, but doing so might reveal that he possessed Tier 5 Soul Nurturing Wood. It was better to probe cautiously first.

"I can make the decision regarding the External Core Art, but the Core Displacement Method requires reporting to the Sect Leader," Yu Shuji said, feeling a bit awkward after hearing this.

In the Heavenly River Realm, all major sects exercised extremely strict control over cultivation techniques related to breaking through realms and advancing.

The External Core Art involves refining pills using the core of a magical artifact. Aside from the core concept, auxiliary ingredients and the like need to be formulated by an excellent alchemist based on the Foundation Establishment cultivator's spiritual root attributes. The key lies with the alchemist, not just the pill formula, which is why it's permitted for sale within the Star Heaven Grand Merchant Association.

Chen Mobai: "To be honest, our Divine Wood Sect doesn't have this method yet. If we're lucky enough to hunt down another Tier 3 demonic beast core with similar attributes in the Cloud Dream Lake in the future, we might be able to use it. That's why I was wondering if we could exchange for it with your esteemed sect."

Yu Shuji: "I understand, I understand. I am certainly willing to exchange it with Sect Master Chen, but I truly lack the authority. However, Sect Master Chen, please rest assured, I will immediately dispatch Xiuxian to Dongyi. The Merchant Association headquarters there can directly contact the sect to obtain a response as quickly as possible."

As it concerned his disciple, Yu Shuji was naturally very concerned. Moreover, this method had significant limitations, and he didn't think giving it to the Divine Wood Sect would have any major impact.

At most, they might get lucky and hunt one or two Tier 3 demonic beasts in the Cloud Dream Lake. However, the Divine Wood Sect only had Hong He suitable for the water attribute. The emergence of one or two more Core Formation cultivators would be utterly insignificant to the Star Heaven Dao Sect.

"I heard there's also something similar to the External Core Art called 'Dharma Body Nascent Soul,' which I learned about when Junior Niece Qu Xiuxian appraised the Soul Nurturing Wood last time. I wonder if your esteemed sect could exchange for this method?"

Chen Mobai asked casually, feigning disinterest.

Upon hearing this, Qu Xiuxian, standing nearby, smiled shyly. She clearly recalled her first meeting with Sect Master Chen at the State Founding Auction and was surprised that this incident had left an impression on him.

"I'm afraid that's not possible. The Dharma Body Nascent Soul method requires reporting to the Patriarchs."

While the Star Heaven Dao Sect might not concern itself with Core Formation cultivators, they held Nascent Soul cultivators in high regard, as this was the highest cultivation realm for their top combatants.

Even though the Dharma Body Nascent Soul method also required extremely rare Tier 5 Soul Nurturing Wood and Revitalizing Spiritual Water, they would not take chances when it came to the potential appearance of a Nascent Soul-level entity. They preferred to nip it in the bud from all possible sources.

In other words, the Star Heaven Dao Sect possessed the Dharma Body Nascent Soul lineage.

After obtaining the information he needed, Chen Mobai stated that he was just asking out of curiosity, having suddenly recalled it after seeing Junior Niece Qu Xiuxian, and was simply very intrigued by the Dharma Body Nascent Soul.

Yu Shuji harbored no suspicions and conversed with Chen Mobai about the External Core Art and the Dharma Body Nascent Soul method. It was mostly Yu Shuji speaking, with Chen Mobai listening.

After all, a Dharma Body Nascent Soul was still a Nascent Soul. Although it couldn't advance further, when combined with powerful magical artifacts, its combat strength was indistinguishable from a true Nascent Soul.

Precisely for this reason, sects possessing the Dharma Body Nascent Soul method did not permit its dissemination, to prevent the emergence of more Nascent Soul cultivators who could influence the Eastern Lands' situation.

"Xiuxian, I'm entrusting these two matters to you. I still need to remain in the Flower State to ensure all these locusts are completely eradicated and no second Locust Mother emerges. Remember to report back promptly and without delay."

After their conversation, Yu Shuji immediately wrote a letter, entrusting the matters of Green Wood Fiend and the External Core to his disciple. Qu Xiuxian listened and nodded with a solemn expression.

"Sect Master Chen saved my life, so I will give my utmost effort."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai thanked Qu Xiuxian, the female Foundation Establishment cultivator he had only met twice. Seeing a Core Formation cultivator and sect leader treat others with such courtesy, she became even more excited, her pretty face flushed.

Some people die, but they don't fully die...