Though false-core cultivators possessed strength equal to that of genuine early Golden Core Realm cultivators, their cultivation realm was fixed forever.
They could never advance again, and their lifespan exceeded that of Purple Mansion Realm cultivators by only a hundred years.
Even in a true comparison of combat strength, their magical power was less substantial than that of genuine early Golden Core Realm cultivators.
Yet false-core cultivators could still draw on the source power within their false cores to crush cultivators below the Golden Core Realm.
The distinction between cultivating spiritual power below the Golden Core Realm and magical power at and above it arose precisely from this difference in source power.
Sun Chang's false core, however, was flawed.
Most of his false core had originally shattered, and only fifty years of incense power had restored it.
Even now, it remained defective, far from a flawless golden core.
That was why Sun Chang was reluctant to use his source power lightly.
If he consumed too much source power and his false core shattered, his own days would be numbered.
But Jiang Sheng had stirred up Sun Chang's heart demon and obsessive fixation, leaving no room in his mind for such concerns.
The fresh cracks in his false core did not make Sun Chang hesitate for fear of collateral damage. Instead, they roused the viciousness of this veteran cultivator.
As Sun Chang drew on the source power within his false core, water vapor spread across the sky, as though a lake had enveloped the heavens above Dongjun.
Then Sun Chang mustered all the magical power in his body, and a nimble little fish appeared in his palm.
The moment that little fish appeared, Jiang Sheng sensed an immense threat.
Before Jiang Sheng could act, Sun Chang cast the little fish into