Chapter 360: Chapter 359: Golden Core Appraisal Conference_1

In the luxurious courtyard, dazzling flashes of gold were occasionally visible.

As the golden light dissipated, a golden core glistening with mist slowly rotated, as ethereal spiritual energy was drawn from all around.

“I had heard rumors about Daoist Yuan Zhi forming a Moon Embracing Gold Core, a core worthy of being an Upper Third Grade. Now that I’ve seen it, its reputation is indeed well-deserved,” an old man with a white beard declared with a smile, his face creased from his enthusiasm.

“Oh, it’s nothing remarkable. It took me a painstaking thirty years to finally form this Third Grade Moon Embracing Gold Core. Given Mr. Kang’s knowledge, this core would seem unremarkable,” Yuan Zhi modestly replied.

Mr. Kang was a deeply learned scholar passionate about his craft, a renowned academic recognized by the Imperial City Academy. His esteemed reputation in Qingzhou won him the respect of many.

Others quickly interjected: “Daoist Yuan Zhi, you are too modest. The formation of a Fourth or Fifth Grade golden core is already a considerable feat for us, let alone a Third Grade core. Most of us merely wish to successfully break our cores to reach Nascent. Yet, you possess the potential to break through to Nascent Soul, achieve Spirit Transformation, and possibly even Refining the Void or Unification, a stage that would intimidate even those at Unification, you have limitless potential.”

Having a Middle Third Grade golden core could provide one with a slim chance to cultivate to the Spirit Transformation Stage. However, this chance is so slight that they dare not hope for much, being at the Nascent Soul Stage would already be satisfactory.

In contrast, Yuan Zhi, with his Upper Third Grade golden core, was almost guaranteed to break his core and reach Nascent, with the possibility of Spirit Transformation, Refining the Void or even Unification, making his prospects infinitely brighter and his potential far greater than theirs.

Although Yuan Zhi humbly dismissed his achievement, he could not conceal his internal delight. His Upper Third Grade golden core had already surpassed ninety percent of those at the Golden Core Stage. Even though he was still at the early stage of his Golden Core, cultivators at the mid or late stage of their Golden Core would not dare to underestimate him. Instead, they treated him with utmost courtesy.

The Golden Core Appreciation Conference was being held at the Pleasant Courtyard. Various cores were displayed, each breathtaking enough to elicit exclaims of admiration from the onlookers.

Yuan Zhi’s Moon Embracing Gold Core was particularly captivating among the numerous golden cores, especially considering its distinction as a Third Grade golden core.

Just as Yuan Zhi was revelling in his accomplishment, a figure stumbled hurriedly into the courtyard.

“You should quickly go to the arena. It’s unusually lively over there!” he exclaimed.

Recognizing the intruder as a Lower Third Grade of the Golden Core Stage cultivator without even the qualification to participate in the Golden Core Appreciation Conference, Yuan Zhi responded with disdain, “What could possibly be so interesting about the arena? It’s just a few early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators competing for first place.”

“You’re mistaken. The disciples from the Five Great Immortal Sects are there, clashing against one another. All of them are at the Golden Core Stage, and apart from the Suspension Temple, the other Four Great Immortal Sects are all participating!”

“Really?!”

“Disciples from the Immortal Sects are fighting?!” The crowd gasped in surprise, their excitement unmistakably evident given the rarity such an event.

Mr. Kang seemed the most zealous among all, asking impatiently, “Even the Seek Dao Sect’s disciples are participating?”

“Indeed. And there are even two of them!”

Without a word, Mr. Kang, displaying a vigor that defied his age, hastened in the direction of the arena.

Witnessing his departure, others quickly followed suit, leaving Yuan Zhi standing bewildered.

“I would love to see what makes these disciples from the Immortal Sects stronger than myself!”

How capable could the disciples from the Immortal Sects be? Didn’t they, like him, also possess an Upper Third Grade golden core?

Upon arriving, Yuan Zhi found the place around the arena so congested that it was challenging even to weave through the crowd.

Watching the top disciples from the Immortal Sects fight was a rarity that only occurred every several years. Considering how thrilling this single match was proving to be, the crowd felt their decision to attend the Qingzhou Gathering was well worth it.

Unfortunately, they were unable to clearly see the combat taking place on the arena.

Yuan Zhi had no choice but to use his magic skill discreetly to move to the front of the crowd, where he found his friends from the Golden Core Appreciation Conference.

The attendees of the Golden Core conference were so engrossed in observing the five fighters in the arena that they didn’t notice Yuan Zhi’s arrival. Their entire focus was fixated on the combatants, afraid they might miss even the slightest detail.

Other than Mr. Kang, among them were a few who had just reached the Golden Core Stage, still in the early stages.

As they watched the five combatants in the arena, an absurd realization dawned upon them. It was as if they hadn’t formed their golden cores and were still in the Foundation Establishment Stage.

“How can they have such strength and speed at the Golden Core early stage?!”

Before even considering their combat skills, just the overwhelming power and speed showcased by Lu Yang and the other four fighters were more than enough to suppress them.

Compared to his fellow competitors, Yuan Zhi’s ambitious spirit was deflated significantly.

He even doubted if he could last ten moves against any of the five fighters.

Could the difference between two Upper Third Grade Golden Cores be this enormous?

“Mr. Kang, have you managed to identify which golden core each of these disciples from the Immortal Sects possess?” The platform wasn’t hosting a Golden Core Appreciation Conference, and the golden cores weren’t openly displayed. Hence, the only way to discern the cores was by speculating from the intricate details of the battle.

Unfortunately, due to their limited experience, they could hardly decipher any solid information.

Mr. Kang’s eyebrows furrowed as he admitted, “At this point, we can only confirm that they all possess First-Grade Golden Cores, and moreover, they seem to be among the top-ranking ones.”

The crowd nodded in agreement. Only this explanation could justify the high combat power demonstrated by the five disciples from the Immortal Sects.

“That one called Meng Jingzhou has an overwhelming Yang Qi energy that’s stirring the heavens, like a grand sun that would cause all spirits to retreat in fear. He seems to have either a Sun Golden Core or a Pure Yang Golden Core, but neither of those two cores seem to match his current intensity. Could there possibly be another golden core with even more Yang Qi?”

“That female disciple appears so graceful, as if she was a fairy. She exhales white mist, yielding a distant and lengthy aura with astonishing resilience. She seemingly embodies the dawn, akin to the legendary Primordial Golden Core. Sadly, there are not many accounts of the Primordial Golden Core in history, so I would not dare conclude. These young talents are indeed formidable.”

Mr. Kang felt that even if the entire group of scholars from the Imperial City Academy were to arrive and examine in sequence, they still might not be able to discern anything conclusive.

…

In the arena, under the joint assault by Lan Ting and Bai Ming, Lu Yang was gradually being overpowered and pushed into a arduous battle.

“Lu Yang, stop pretending. I know you possess a cloning technique,” Bai Ming, noticing Lu Yang showing signs of fatigue, took no chances as he was well aware that Lu Yang’s true potential was not what was currently being displayed.

In their previous encounter, the one who had defeated him wasn’t Lu Yang’s real body, but his clone!

“Seems like I can’t fool you,” Lu Yang said, looking somewhat troubled. He had originally planned to lure Bai Ming closer before suddenly splitting into two individuals using his Tree-Planting Sutra, catching Bai Ming off guard.

𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

“A cloning technique?” Lan Ting stared curiously at Lu Yang. “As expected of Brother Lu Yang, he has even mastered such a technique. His talent for magic skills is indeed the strongest I’ve ever seen.”

Lu Yang took out the Twin Lotus seed and performed the Tree Growing Spell. As the lotus bloomed, Lu Yang and his lotus clone stood atop a lotus leaf.

“Even if you have a clone, can your spiritual sense allow you to control two bodies simultaneously?” Bai Ming was aware of the deficient nature of the cloning technique. The last time they fought, Lu Yang’s real body was seated on the chairman’s table, solely focusing on controlling the Wooden Avatar. However, it was different this time as he needed to manipulate two individuals simultaneously, which demanded a high level of spiritual sense.

“Let’s test it out.” Lu Yang smiled. It was impossible before, but after forming his Golden Core, his spiritual sense had soared, unmatched by anyone within his realm.

Lu Yang glanced at the Green Peak Sword in his hand, paused for a while, then tossed it to his lotus clone for it to fight Lan Ting.

“I should forge another sword, but that can wait.” Lu Yang prepared to face Bai Ming empty-handed.

“It’s time to utilize the Invincible Elixir… How shall I defeat these two?”

Soon, the Invincible Elixir provided a response.

“Use the Arhat Fist against Bai Ming.”

Lu Yang couldn’t help but grin.