Chapter 371: Golden Core Mid-stage

"The Underworld Moon Sword is quite powerful, enough for you to use during the Core Formation stage. However, once you reach the Nascent Soul stage, this sword won't be worthy of your strength," the Fifth Elder said with a smile. The Underworld Moon Sword is a Nascent Soul-level magic treasure, but that doesn't mean it's the ideal treasure for Lu Yang to use when he reaches the Nascent Soul stage.

Lu Yang nodded, acknowledging the information. Magic treasures are also categorized by level; if one doesn't match a cultivator's realm, it can become a hindrance. This is why cultivators prefer growth-type magic treasures. However, such treasures are incredibly difficult to acquire, even with significant wealth, and demand exceptional refining skills, often remaining out of reach.

"What level of magic treasure is the Azure Edge Sword?" Lu Yang recalled the Azure Edge Sword he frequently used, a gift from his Senior Sister to celebrate his successful Foundation Establishment.

"I can't discern the level of the sword Senior Niece Yun gave you," the Fifth Elder said, slowly shaking his head. He had long noticed that Lu Yang's Azure Edge Sword was extraordinary.

"Is it a growth-type magic treasure?"

Lu Yang had used it smoothly from early Foundation Establishment to early Core Formation, never encountering any mismatch between the treasure and his cultivation realm. In his mind, only a growth-type magic treasure could meet such a condition. Moreover, it was a magic treasure gifted by his Senior Sister. Could anything she had handled be an ordinary sword?

The Fifth Elder corrected Lu Yang's misconception: "No, growth-type magic treasures don't work that way. To upgrade a Foundation Establishment-level treasure to a Core Formation-level one, you need to use various spirit irons and divine ores."

"For example, a growth-type magic treasure is like a framework. To improve its quality, you must continuously infuse it with materials like spirit irons and divine ores. Now, think about your Azure Edge Sword—have you ever infused it with anything?"

"Moreover, growth-type magic treasures only improve in major cultivation realms. The feel of using a treasure in early Foundation Establishment is distinct from using it in late Foundation Establishment. Have you ever experienced that?"

Lu Yang considered this and realized it was indeed the case.

Then what exactly is my Azure Edge Sword...?

"It's sealed by Senior Niece Yun. The layers of seals are so numerous I can't even count them, which is why I said I couldn't discern the Azure Edge Sword's level."

"Every time your strength improves, a seal will dissipate, so no matter what realm you ascend to, you'll find the Azure Edge Sword incredibly intuitive to use."

"Senior Niece Yun has been very thoughtful toward you. This Azure Edge Sword, along with the seals on it, is truly a priceless treasure."

Lu Yang was deeply moved, having never expected his Senior Sister to have put so much thought into the Azure Edge Sword.

"Alright, I also need to apply for a patent for Junior Niece Tao. I'll get going now."

Lu Yang quickly said, "Thank you, Elder, for refining the Underworld Moon Sword. Please go attend to your matters."

The Fifth Elder waved his hand, produced a flying shuttle, and vanished with a whoosh.

"Immortal Fairy, can you tell me what the true quality of the Azure Edge Sword is?" Lu Yang recalled that besides relying on his sect elders, he also had his "cheat code," the Immortal Fairy.

The Immortal Fairy glanced at the Azure Edge Sword from all angles, then shook her head plainly: "It's too heavily obscured; I can't tell."

It took Lu Yang a moment to grasp the Immortal Fairy's meaning: there were too many layers of seals to discern its true quality.

Upon returning to Heaven's Gate Peak, Lu Yang found no sign of his Senior Sister. He presumed she was still rigorously interrogating Venerable Calamity. It was likely either that Venerable Calamity was stubbornly tight-lipped or he simply knew too much to finish speaking anytime soon.

"What a pity. I was hoping to ask about the patent fees for you," the Immortal Fairy secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Lu Yang cast a sidelong glance at the Immortal Fairy, thinking, *Fairy, you might as well have 'fear' written all over your face.*

"Time to cultivate." Lu Yang remembered he was still a cultivator, and a cultivator's fundamental duty was cultivation. He was not just a genius, but a diligent one!

The Immortal Fairy cast a sidelong glance at Lu Yang: "Have you actually cultivated properly since forming your Core?"

Lu Yang, righteous, counted on his fingers for the Fairy: "You say that as if I haven't wanted to cultivate! It's clearly because there's been too much going on!

"After returning from the dense forest, I was first dragged by Senior Sister to visit the Immortal Ruins. While there, we also checked on Junior Brother Shi Shi, who was trapped by Qin Haoran's memories. Old Meng and I then took him out for a change of scenery, where we coincidentally encountered the Netherworld Sect and witnessed Ji Chu of the Heavenly Court Cult establishing ties with them."

"Later, I brought the Fifth Elder to seek out the Netherworld Sect again, to convince them of the Heavenly Court Cult's existence."

"To continue writing the 'Clear Mind, See Nature Art,' I spent over half a month in the Scripture Pavilion and successfully completed the Core Formation chapter."

"Finally, Old Meng and I attended the Qingzhou Grand Ceremony, where we encountered ancient cultivators."

"Only two months have passed since I formed my Invincible Core until now."

The Immortal Fairy: "..."

It seemed he had a point. Was Lu Yang's life so eventful that it gave her the illusion of a much longer time having passed? Choosing to reside in Lu Yang's spiritual space had truly been an excellent decision. Where else could she have encountered so many fascinating events?

"Besides, even with all these engagements, didn't I still manage to cultivate whenever I had a spare moment? Have I delayed my cultivation progress?" Lu Yang argued confidently, and it was true. Whenever he had a moment, he would simply open his mouth to absorb spiritual energy, making cultivation possible anytime, anywhere, which was incredibly convenient.

Lu Yang sat on a large rock covered in sword marks, closing his eyes to perceive the boundless sword intent imbued within it. He had heard from his Senior Sister that his Master, in his youth, particularly enjoyed practicing swordsmanship on this rock. Over time, the rock inevitably became imbued with sword intent, transforming it into an invaluable and extraordinarily precious treasure for sword cultivators. Sitting on the large rock, he could both cultivate and comprehend sword intent, thereby deepening his understanding of the Way of the Sword—a truly win-win situation.

Lu Yang sat with his five hearts facing upwards, eyes closed, mouth agape, and head tilted toward the sky. An uninformed observer might have assumed he was asleep. Spiritual energy surged into his body, expanding his meridians. His cultivation improved incrementally, and each subtle advancement brought an inexplicable sense of exhilaration. No wonder some individuals were content to cultivate, secluding themselves for decades, or even centuries, only to re-emerge feeling as though an entire epoch had passed.

Lu Yang, however, would not enter such prolonged seclusion. The Dao Seeking Sect itself did not advocate for such lengthy periods of isolated cultivation. Even his Senior Sister, who usually embraced cultivation, only requested three days of seclusion from their Master.

"Seclusion can only accumulate experience, not wisdom, you know?" The Immortal Fairy strongly endorsed the Dao Seeking Sect's philosophy, increasingly convinced that her decision to become an honorary elder of the Dao Seeking Sect had been absolutely correct.

"Back then, I carved my path through countless battles. How many renowned figures fell by my hand? I grew rapidly through successive conflicts and gains!"

"You should learn from me: level up through battle, facing the myriad world and all living beings. This cultivation method not only elevates your realm but also makes you as clever as I am!"

Hearing this, Lu Yang reconsidered, thinking that perhaps a longer period of seclusion wouldn't be so bad after all.

Half a month quickly passed. Lu Yang, seated cross-legged on the large rock, slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of clear air. His gaze was sharp as a cold glint, and his aura abruptly expanded, then swiftly retracted, demonstrating perfect control. A faint smile touched his lips.

"Mid-Core Formation stage, then."