Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 726 - 310: Thousand-Year Core Formation

From a formidable Body Cultivator, he underwent a drastic transformation into a wicked Demon Cultivator.

Ultimately, he adorned his person with the Seven Fiends Infant Cry Bell.

While the Five Venom Snake Staff was exceptionally potent, wielding such a premium Spiritual Artifact would be too conspicuous for a Demon Cultivator at his late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation level.

He then strategically positioned the Spirit Beast Bag around his waist, ensuring the Spirit-Devouring Bee was readily accessible.

With all preparations complete, he fastened the Blood Remnant Saber to his other side.

"In this era of turmoil, it's prime time for Qiu Qianhai to make an appearance, lest the cultivators of this world forget the name of Old Demon Qiu."

"Hmm... my initial destination will be a visit back to the Water Dragon Sect to gather some intel on Du Wanyi."

Ji Yuan held a considerable degree of concern for his second senior sister.

Swiftly, he materialized from thin air within the Thunder Shock Marsh and subsequently guided the Mountain of Mind and Heart into his Dantian for nurturing.

After a brief assessment of the cardinal direction, a dark streak shot forth from the Thunder Shock Marsh, hurtling directly northward.

"..."

"Senior Brother Li, you have arrived here eight hundred times already."

Aboard the southward-bound Crossing Sea Flying Boat, Phoenix Peach gazed at Li Changhe, who had once more appeared before her, and spoke with resignation.

At this juncture, Li Changhe's hair was unkempt, his eye sockets appeared hollowed, and he bore little resemblance to his former vibrant demeanor.

Indeed, a significant portion of the cultivators on this Flying Boat shared a similar appearance.

With their Sect's destruction, they had become like wandering spirits, with few cultivators managing to retain their spirit.

"Junior Sister Feng, do you comprehend my greatest regret at this moment?"

Li Changhe approached Phoenix Peach and sat down heavily beside her.

"You regret not remaining on Cangluo Continent, fighting alongside our junior brother. You regret boarding this Crossing Sea Ferry, becoming a deserter... Senior Brother Li, you have uttered these words to me not a hundred times, but at least eighty."

Phoenix Peach responded, supporting her chin with both hands, her delicate brows faintly furrowed.

"Truthfully, I too harbor regrets, and I surmise that the majority of individuals on this vessel share this sentiment."

Upon hearing this, Li Changhe managed a bitter smile, shook his head, and then exhaled a heavy sigh.

"I had simply never anticipated that the most timid Junior Brother Ji would elect to remain in Cangluo, while the most courageous me would instead board this vessel."

"Junior Sister Feng, what do you surmise Junior Brother Ji is occupied with currently?"

Li Changhe inquired, turning his gaze towards the north, the origin point of his journey.

"He..."

Phoenix Peach pondered earnestly, "I believe he must be secluded somewhere, diligently cultivating."

"That is my conjecture as well."

Li Changhe remarked, letting out a hearty laugh.

Phoenix Peach suddenly stood, exclaiming, "Master."

Li Changhe also reacted, rising to greet the approaching figure with a respectful salute, "Greetings, Master Wang You."

Hua Yaoyue, passing by, cast a glance at Li Changhe and commented as if without much thought:

"The path you have chosen is your own; what is there to lament?"

"Instead of enduring hardship here, why not dedicate yourself to cultivation? Regardless of whether you attain Divinity Transformation, even if you achieve Nascent Soul Cultivation at this point, no force could compel you to depart."

Having uttered these words, Hua Yaoyue issued a sneer and departed without a backward glance.

Li Changhe's eyes, which remained, grew progressively brighter, and he finally shed his despondency, clenching his fist.

'It's merely Nascent Soul, is it not! Junior Brother Ji, you had best remain alive and await my arrival to rescue you!'

This thought flickered through his mind, and he abruptly stood and departed.

Phoenix Peach surveyed her surroundings; she could not help but recall another senior brother, Yun Qianzai.

Who knew what was transpiring in his mind; ever since boarding this Crossing Sea Ferry, he had declared his intention to enter seclusion, subsequently retreating into the cabin and never emerging.

'...Perhaps, I too should focus on cultivation.'

Just as Master advised, if I were to attain Nascent Soul Cultivation, I might be able to return to Cangluo Continent to retrieve my junior brother.

At that juncture, I could vanquish all my adversaries!

Phoenix Peach remained standing, but at that precise moment, she perceived the entire Crossing Sea Ferry tremble faintly.

Shortly thereafter, a Spiritual Energy Vortex materialized inexplicably, as if all the spiritual energy between heaven and earth was being drawn into this vortex and ultimately descended heavily into the ferry's cabin.

"Is this... someone forming their Core?!"

"Core Formation? Someone from the Water Dragon Sect is actually forming their Core?"

"Who could it be, this aura... so profoundly powerful!"

"..."

A murmur of discussion rippled through the crowd.

Hua Yaoyue also returned to Phoenix Peach's side, and the two directed their gaze towards the cabin from which the aura emanated.

While others might remain unaware, they possessed the knowledge.

The individual within that cabin was none other than... Yun Qianzai.

"Master, I never imagined Second Senior Brother would establish his Core so swiftly." Phoenix Peach's voice was a soft murmur.

"Indeed," Hua Yaoyue responded. What she hadn't anticipated before, she now understood. Why could Yun Qianzai achieve this breakthrough? It was likely the Water Dragon Sect incident that provided him with crucial insights. Furthermore, while both the eldest and youngest disciples remained, he, the second senior brother, had chosen to flee. It was also possible Yun Qianzai himself had a realization. The burden of the sect's future on the Desolate Ancient Continent would probably fall upon him now.

Meanwhile, as the onlookers continued their hushed discussions, the phenomena associated with Core Formation abruptly subsided. The protective array surrounding the cabin dematerialized, its door swung open, and a snow-white Escape Light shot forth. It coalesced into a figure clad in white robes, now hovering in the air above the deck. With his hands clasped behind his back, he faced away from the assembled crowd.

Witnessing this familiar emergence, many on the deck instantly recognized whose breakthrough it was. "Isle Master Tianshu... The one who achieved the breakthrough is actually him!" someone exclaimed in astonishment.

Subsequently, Yun Qianzai's voice gently reached Hua Yaoyue's ears. "When I had not yet formed my Core, Uncle-Master, you addressed me as Isle Master Tianshu. I did not object. But now that I have successfully formed my Core, what title should you bestow upon me?"

"...Isle Master Uncle," Hua Yaoyue replied after a pause.

Upon hearing this new designation, Yun Qianzai let out three hearty laughs. He then gestured dramatically with his hand and began to recite loudly, "Who stands at the peak of the immortal path, upon seeing..." He faltered, unable to complete the verse.

He spun around abruptly, his gaze meeting Hua Yaoyue's, who was looking at him with a subtle, almost teasing smile. The expression seemed to convey: 'So what if you've formed your Core? In your Master's presence, you must still show deference!'

'Master has misguided me,' Yun Qianzai mused internally. As the thought formed, Hua Yaoyue's voice resonated in his mind: "Follow me. I have some words I wish to impart to you."