Qi Blood Embraces Dual Golden Cores: Spirit Herb Bounty

In the courtyard of the inn, the Nine Apertures Interlocking Grand Formation was fully deployed.

Nine layers of overlapping runic light curtains intertwined, completely enveloping the main hall.

Even if a Golden Core cultivator suddenly attacks, it can withstand the attack for a short time.

"Embrace Oneness and Guard the Origin; let the spirit merge..."

Inside the main hall, Xiao Chen sat cross-legged with his palms facing upwards, regulating his qi and blood according to Secret Method.

In less than a quarter of an hour, almost all of his massive blood and energy were mobilized and gathered towards his dantian.

When a large amount of qi and blood condenses, it becomes like mercury paste, becoming increasingly viscous, and the dantian (lower abdomen) becomes increasingly heavy.

"The Body Like a Furnace, Mind Guides Action."

Xiao Chen's muscles bulged all over his body, and his body temperature rose sharply, as if he had become a furnace for forging iron.

At the same time, a large amount of Divine Sense separated from the sea of consciousness, drawing all the remaining qi and blood in the limbs and bones into the dantian.

This process was originally very difficult.

This is mainly because, under normal circumstances, a cultivator's Spiritual Sense Strength, and they usually need to take spiritual medicines that enhance their Divine Sense to help them advance to the Rank-Breaking Spiritual Medicine.

However, for Xiao Chen, he had already reached the Golden Core Cultivation, possessing Divine Sense far superior to that of Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

This step was completed with ease.

When enough Qi and blood gather in the Dantian and are then compressed under the Secret Method, a qualitative change finally occurs from a quantitative change.

A wisp of his innate life force emerged, immediately splitting into one hundred and eight Life Threads, connecting to the Acupoints throughout his body.

Under normal circumstances, the Life Threads will connect the Acupoints and the dantian into one, condensing the Life Core.

However, Xiao Chen had already formed his Golden Core. Sensing an unusual movement within his dantian, Flawless Golden Core, causing all the Life Threads to snap open.

This dantian is already its territory; it cannot accommodate anything else.

Although Xiao Chen could forcibly connect, it would damage his Flawless Golden Core.

However, he doesn't need to do that.

With Spiritual Sense, all the Life Threads rushed towards the Pseudo-Core, using it as a foundation —Pseudo-Core that was in no way inferior to the dantian of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator —and began to govern Acupoints in the body, evolving the Life Core.

The process of Condense True Essence then proceeded smoothly.

But as new true energy emerges, the most difficult part begins. "Tendons and Bones Thunder Sound, internal and external unity!"

Unlike the Cultivator of Magic Condense True Essence outside the Golden Core and then gathers it all back into the Golden Core for nourishment.

The Body Cultivator Condense True Essence within the Life Core, and then disperses all the true essence along the meridians to the major acupoints throughout the body.

Afterwards, it will penetrate deep into the bone marrow, thus refining the body and forging Golden Body Jade Bones.

This process is extremely dangerous; the slightest mistake could result in the body exploding and death.

In most cases, without spiritual objects or Secret Method to save their lives, nine out of ten Body Cultivator would not be able to overcome this hurdle.

It happened in the blink of an eye.

The moment the Life Core was formed, a large amount of true essence rushed into the limbs and bones, taking advantage of the gap before the Life Threads dissolved.

Xiao Chen's heart pounded like a drum, and at the same time, he heard the rushing sound of blood flowing in his ears, as if there were raging waves in his veins.

His bones cracked and popped, his muscles and skin resonated, producing the Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound to temper his organs.

The Thunder Sound Training is both an evolution and a test.

If you can persevere through this period, your internal organs will receive significant benefits from now on, becoming dozens of times stronger than when Foundation Establishment.

However, if one cannot persevere, at best one will suffer internal injuries that are difficult to heal, and at worst one will fail to break through and die on the spot.

At this time, most cultivators must be on their toes.

They exerted all their Cultivation Method to strengthen themselves through the techniques and promptly repaired any physical damage.

Although Xiao Chen had previously forged a golden body, the strength of Cultivator of Magic was naturally incomparable to that of Body Cultivator.

His true energy surged, and drops of Blood Beads immediately seeped from his body.

Thunder roared, and cracks immediately appeared in his internal organs.

Just as Xiao Chen was busy mobilizing his true energy to heal his injuries, he was pleasantly surprised to find that the <Myriad Images Spring Return Scripture> suddenly exerted its power.

As a Yellow-grade Technique, besides cultivating true essence, it has only one other characteristic—healing injuries.

Most Wood-type Technique share this characteristic, since wood represents life force.

However, this feature, which is usually less important than nothing, just happens to solve the immediate problem.

The damage caused by the Life Core's true essence was instantly healed by the Golden Core's true essence.

"Hiss~, Wood Spiritual Root has this kind of benefit?"

Heaven have mercy! Xiao Chen's Low-grade Spirit Root has always been a drag on the team, but I never expected it would actually come in handy one day.

However, his situation is unique.

Even a normal cultivator with Wood Spiritual Root wouldn't pursue the path of Dual Cultivation of Body and Magic, so they wouldn't need this benefit at all.

After all, Dual Cultivation of Body and Magic means consuming additional cultivation resources.

People with great talent often choose to specialize in one area and pursue Major Realm.

People with poor talent often lack sufficient resources for cultivation, and even if they want to, they are powerless to do so.

"Melt Yang into Core, becoming one with it, unite!"

With the final Mnemonic, the Life Core successfully connected all the meridians, forging Golden Body Jade Bones, and revealing its golden color.

With a thought, Xiao Chen Divine Sense Scan himself.

Two golden pills shone brightly within and outside his dantian.

It is indeed Dual Golden Cores!

"Phew, that's great!"

Feeling the immense true energy within his body, Xiao Chen was overjoyed.

The first benefit of condensing Dual Golden Cores is that the Total True Essence almost doubles.

The Life Core can also provide 108 streams of true essence, and it can continue to grow as he opens new Acupoints in the future.

This also means that he finally has enough true essence to unleash the three Spirit Artifact at once.

Or perhaps it has the ability to activate the Spirit Ascension Form of the White Bone Soul Summoning Banner when needed.

As for the Ghost Mask Profound Light Shield... we'll probably have to wait a while longer.

Unfortunately, the two Spirit Artifact left behind by the Yellow Springs Path were too focused on power, which inevitably led to a significant consumption of true essence.

This is also why Xiao Chen, despite having plenty of Spirit Stone, didn't buy any new Spirit Artifact during this market visit; even if he did, he wouldn't have enough true essence to activate them.

Of course, most cultivators might choose to buy a few cheaper basic Spirit Artifact as a temporary solution.

We can replace it when we have the ability in the future.

However, Xiao Chen felt that his Cultivation Speed was not slow, and it wouldn't take long to increase his Total True Essence, so there was no need to waste money.

Now that he Dual Cultivation of Body and Magic, as long as he can successfully advance to the Early-stage Golden Core Completion, the problem of true essence will naturally be solved.

There is a second benefit to condensing Dual Golden Cores.

That means it will be easier to refine Natal Flying Sword, and in the future, as one's cultivation level increases, the power of the Flying Sword will also increase.

Prior to this, the Wind Thunder Pair Swords also had the opportunity to be upgraded to Spirit Artifact.

However, due to the limitations of the binding limit for Pseudo-Core, they are basically only on par with Ordinary Spirit Tool.

But things are different now. The Life Core is no different from a true Golden Core, which means it has all the necessary abilities.

Every time his Body Cultivator breaks through, the Wind Thunder Pair Swords will also be strengthened.

When it reaches the Late-stage Golden Core, it will be far stronger than an ordinary spirit sword when it awakens its Spirit Ascension Form.

Judging solely from the Spirit Artifact itself, it is undoubtedly the best for offensive purposes!

.

It's worth mentioning that, normally speaking, both Enlighten Spiritual Mechanism and binding Natal Flying Sword are abilities unique to Sword Cultivator.

Some Sword Cultivator even forge only one sword, pursuing the Man Sword Unity.

Other methods of cultivation, such as Cultivator of Magic and Body Cultivator, do not offer this benefit.

Of course, everything has its good and bad aspects.

While binding your Natal Flying Sword can grant you a powerful magical Spirit Artifact, the two will be bound together in a cycle of rise and fall.

If the Flying Sword is damaged in battle, it will directly lead to damage to the cultivator's Golden Core as well.

At best, one will suffer serious injuries and require several years to recover.

In severe cases, one's cultivation level will regress, and with a flawed foundation, there will be no hope of ever reaching a higher realm again.

"But what does the damage to my Life Core have to do with my Flawless Golden Core?"

Without hesitation, Xiao Chen took out the Wind and Thunder Twin Swords and began to circulate his true essence to refine them.

Not to mention that he has almost no chance of damaging the Flying Sword, even if a one-in-a-million accident were to occur, the cost would be borne by the Life Core.

Let alone something as serious as affecting one's cultivation.

Even if the Wind Thunder Pair Swords is completely destroyed, Xiao Chen will not be injured at all.

This is the power of having Dual Golden Cores: you can benefit from Sword Cultivator without bearing the corresponding risks.

Of course, binding your Natal Flying Sword will also increase resource consumption during the cultivation of the Life Core.

This is normal, though. Flying Sword can't become stronger out of thin air for no reason. These extra resources are essentially the cost of strengthening the Flying Sword.

"Buzz~!"

A sword cry rang out, but the Wind Thunder Pair Swords, which was only completed Spirit Awakening, was unable to withstand the tempering of true energy, and the sword trembled violently.

But it doesn't matter. Xiao Chen bought the Sword Tablet before to help the sword master complete his advancement.

He promptly retrieved the Sword Tablet and directly mobilized his true essence to melt Sword Tablet, thereby activating the Sword Intent within.

With the replenishment of external force, the Wind Thunder Pair Swords immediately stopped trembling and began to absorb Sword Intent and true essence, advancing towards becoming Spirit Artifact.

Just as he had predicted, it successfully advanced into Spirit Artifact before the Sword Tablet was completely melted away.

"Combine!"

Xiao Chen mustered his strength and spat out his Life Core.

Since the Wind Thunder Pair Swords were originally connected to the Pseudo-Core, reforging them at this time was not difficult.

Under the True Essence Flushing, the originally slender sword gradually shrank. In less than an hour, it was reduced to only half an inch in size.

Finally, guided by Divine Sense, it flew straight into the Life Core.

"Very good, the Flying Sword and the core are now united, the Artifact and Core Unity."

Xiao Chen put the Life Core back in and nodded in satisfaction. "Now that I have my Natal Flying Sword, I can call myself Sword Cultivator from now on, right?"

The reason he thought that way was mainly because, in many cases, the title of "Sword Cultivator" sounded more impressive.

The most famous story about this is the story of the Dragon Slaying Sea.

Legend has it that in Ancient Times, Dragon Slaying Sea was not called by its current name, and no Human Race lived there; it was inhabited by all sorts of Demon Beast.

Later, Human Race cultivators took a liking to the Spirit Vein there and attempted to expand their territory there.

However, they inadvertently disturbed a sleeping True Dragon, which immediately caused a great storm, with water and fire raging everywhere. Countless cultivators were killed or injured, and cries of agony filled the air.

At that time, a peerless Sword Cultivator by and witnessed this tragic scene.

With a wave of his sleeve, he summoned a white rainbow; with Flying Sword, he slew True Dragon.

Therefore, the place was named Dragon Slaying Sea by later generations, and it attracted countless Sword Cultivator.

Even now, the Demon Subduing Sword Sect, the Soul Division Sword Pavilion, and the Star Plucking Sword Pavilion are all located in the Dragon Slaying Sea is because it has become Holy Land in the hearts of Sword Cultivator.

"I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to earn a similar title in the future."

Xiao Chen sighed, but didn't dwell on it any further.

Ultimately, these are all empty titles. No matter how powerful True Person, they cannot compare to True Lord. The latter two words are more important.

So he quickly took out the Gilded Thousand-Thread Honey, taking advantage of the fact that he had just formed his Life Core and it was the perfect time to absorb its medicinal properties, nourishing his lungs and warming his skin and flesh at the same time.

For the next period of time.

Xiao Chen stayed in the small courtyard, taking turns practicing various Cultivation Method.

I get up at 5 a. m. every day and eat ten pounds of Sea Fish Meat to fill my stomach.

Then practice the <Sharp Light Ascending Cloud Sword> for an hour, and then eat ten catties of Sea Fish Meat.

He then practiced the "Myriad Images Spring Return Scripture" for three consecutive hours. For lunch, he had White Jade Little Azure Dragon paired with twenty catties of Sea Fish Meat, and occasionally a small bowl of Rolling Pearl Spirit Rice to adjust the taste.

In the afternoon, I first cultivated the Nine Transformations Dragon Transformation Art for three consecutive hours, and then ate twenty catties of Sea Fish Meat to replenish my strength.

Before going to sleep, I alternated between practicing the <Profound Sect Harmonious Modulation Secret Art> and the <Mysterious Sect Illusion Art> for an hour each.

After finishing training, it was already Zi Hour. I ate ten pounds of Sea Fish Meat as a midnight snack.

Finally, a two-hour nap to replenish energy is sufficient for Golden Core True Person to nourish their spirit and will not affect their physical health.

However, this peaceful life only lasted for a month and a half before Xiao Chen discovered that he had eaten all the Sea Fish Meat he had bought.

"Hey, wasn't it supposed to weigh 3,700 jin?"

He flipped through the Vast Sea Ring: "Did I eat that fast?"

To be fair, Xiao Chen didn't actually eat that much.

The main reason is that he has Hextech Enhancement, and his cultivation speed of the <Nine Transformations Dragon Transformation Art> is too fast, so much so that his own Essence cannot supply it.

In the art of Body Refining, seven parts depend on training and three parts on diet.

His training volume is high, so naturally his need for food also increases.

"Let me calculate. One pound of Sea Fish Meat costs seven Spirit Stone. If you eat seventy pounds a day, that's four hundred and ninety Spirit Stone."

Xiao Chen counted the number of items in the Vast Sea Ring. He now had 1.15 million Low-grade Spirit Stone and 8,700 Mid-Grade Spirit Stone.

"At this rate, one million Spirit Stone can only last for two thousand days, which translates to more than five years."

"Well, it doesn't seem like a big problem."

Since he could afford it, Xiao Chen didn't plan to cut corners in this area.

He went straight to East City to buy another batch of Sea Fish Meat.

This inn is located in the North City, and you will pass Great Plaza along the way.

There are far fewer cultivators here today, but a few are still gathered, chatting about everything under the sun.

"Brother Zhang, have you heard? The Three Great Families of Nether Sky Sea are fighting with the Golden Haze Sect of the Xi Lai Kingdom."

"It spread like wildfire the day before yesterday. I heard from a friend that they seem to be vying for ownership of the newly discovered Secret Realm realm."

"Brother Zhang, you don't know this. There's no Secret Realm at all; it's just an excuse."

"Oh, there's more to it than meets the eye. Brother Li, you're always so well-informed, tell me about it. Let's go to Fighting Crab Alley for dinner later."

"Hehehe, let me tell you, a month ago, those two families were still working together to search for Chen Xiao's whereabouts."

"Is it Chen Xiao who suddenly posted a million-dollar bounty two years ago?"

"Yes, that's him! I heard that the Golden Haze Sect captured Chen Xiao, but they don't want to hand him over and want to keep him for themselves, which is why the three families of the Nether Sky Sea attacked together."

Arriving in East City, the situation here is different from that during the Sea Spirit Festival.

The colorful decorations that were originally there have not diminished; on the contrary, they have become even more elaborate, in preparation for an even bigger celebration.

Compared to the annual Sea Spirit Festival, the Hundred Herbs Secret Realm, which only opens once every fifty years, is clearly more worthy of attention.

Almost every shop has added one or two temporary display cases.

The items displayed either included a manual on Spirit Herb Spirit Herb a list of tools needed for collecting them.

The main items are special gloves for picking Spirit Herb Spirit Herb and custom-made jade boxes for storing them.

Xiao Chen even bought a copy of "One Thousand and One Common Spirit Herb Compendium" and a copy of "Compendium of High-Grade Spirit Herbs".

The former records the most common types of Spirit Herb in the Eastern Domain, and it costs only ten Spirit Stone, making it well worth reading.

The latter even collected all the third and Tier 4 Spirit Grass that appeared during each opening of the Hundred Herbs Secret Realm.

Although it's priced at thirty Spirit Stone per book, it still sells very well.

Almost every cultivator entering the Secret Realm for the first time will choose to buy a book and then try their luck with the Spirit Herb listed.

"Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever collected any Spirit Herb yet?"

Xiao Chen suddenly realized that he didn't seem to have any tools for collecting Spirit Herb.

So he went directly to the shop manager. "Do you have any tools for collecting Tier 4 Spirit Grass?"

"Just bring out the best one for me to see."

Upon hearing this, the steward immediately took out a set of Custom Spirit Tool: "Then you've come to the right place!"

"Honored guest, please take a look. Our White Dew Willow Support Gloves are woven from the branches of the Yang-Supporting Weeping Willow and White Dew Silkworm Silk."

"It was also specially inscribed with several characters such as 'full of life,' 'the return of all things to spring,' and 'gentle breeze' to ensure that the spirit medicine would not be damaged."

"Two Spirit Sealing Jade Box were also provided."

He handed over a Spirit Contract, saying, "This jade box was personally designed by City Lord Huo; I guarantee not a single trace of Spiritual Qi will escape."

That Spirit Contract was proof that the shop had purchased the Spirit Sealing Jade Box from the weapon-refining workshop under the City Lord Manor.

How much is this set?

"Distinguished guest, as you know, this is Spirit Artifact, and its cost is not low. Including this bottle of Spirit Preserving Dew, the total cost is 120,000 Spirit Stone."

The Spirit Preserving Dew is itself Third-Tier Spirit Medicine, and its main function is to preserve the medicinal properties of Tier 4 Spirit Grass from loss.

One bottle can be used ten times.

"Give me ten more bottles of Spirit Preserving Dew, and twenty... um... thirty Spirit Sealing Jade Box."

Xiao Chen thought for a moment. Although he might not need the extra money right now, what if he needed it?

To be on the safe side, it's best to prepare more.

Thirty?

Upon hearing this, the manager was stunned. "Sir, are you sure you want thirty Spirit Sealing Jade Box?"

What do you want to do?

This is a custom-made jade box prepared for Fourth-Order Spirit Medicine; a normal cultivator would be lucky to even use one.

Are you buying these jade boxes to stock up?

He wondered if Xiao Chen had misspoke or if he himself had misheard.

"I'm sure, go get it."

Xiao Chen nodded. Anyway, the Vast Sea Ring was very large, so even if he couldn't use it all this time, he could save it for later.

If he plans to refine third- or even fourth-tier pills in the future, he will inevitably have to deal with these things.

The higher the grade of the elixir, the more intricacies it requires.

There will be insufficient supply, and absolutely no waste.

"Sir, are you sure you want thirty Spirit Sealing Jade Box?"

A short while later, the shopkeeper came out and said, "The staff below may not have explained it clearly to you. Some spirit medicine may look numerous, but the same type of spirit medicine can actually be stored together."

"For example, the Golden Branch Rose Fruit, although a tree may sometimes bear more than ten fruits, can all be stored in a jade box."

The shopkeeper spoke while looking the shopkeeper up and down.

It wasn't that he didn't want to make money, but he was mainly worried that Xiao Chen's nonchalant spending of Spirit Stone Spirit Stone might indicate he had some kind of powerful backing.

Although he wasn't afraid of retaliation, he worried that if the other party fell for it and started making a scene, it would damage the store's reputation and affect future sales.

"I'm sure, just take it out."

Xiao Chen pressed further, "How many Spirit Stone in total?"

The shopkeeper's eyes flashed. "I'll accept your payment of 350,000 Spirit Stone, and I'll also give you an extra bottle of Spirit Preserving Dew."

He hesitated for a moment, then offered, "If the guest can obtain the Thousand Flower Myriad Leaf Vine, our shop is willing to offer 280,000 Spirit Stone to purchase it."

"This commitment remains in effect until February of next year."

Since Xiao Chen bought so many jade boxes at once, whether for his own use or for his companions, it means he is definitely not a simple person.

The shopkeeper unintentionally stumbled upon the secret, but he desperately needed the Thousand Flower Myriad Leaf Vine.

According to the inside information he had gathered, City Lord Huo planned to hold a Spirit Herb Banquet at the City Lord Manor after the Secret Realm ended this year.

Only cultivators who possess Fourth-Order Spirit Pill and are willing to trade them are eligible to participate in the Spirit Herb Banquet.

Specific details will be announced on the day the Secret Realm ends, but information has already leaked in some small circles.

The shopkeeper really wanted to attend the banquet, but he didn't have many Tier 4 Spirit Grass on hand. He was still missing one Pill Formula, the Thousand Flower Myriad Leaf Vine, to complete a pill formula.

Therefore, referencing the auction prices from eight years ago, he proactively offered a premium of 60,000 Spirit Stone to purchase the item.

Seeing Xiao Chen today, I couldn't help but mention him a bit more.

The reason for the urgency is that asking Fourth-tier Alchemist for help is no easy task.

Especially after the Secret Realm ends, a large number of Spirit Herb will flow out, and many high-level Alchemist will be busy.

If he arrives too late, the other party might not have time to refine the pills for him.

"Thousand Flower Myriad Leaf Vine?"

Xiao Chen nodded. "I've got it. If I happen to run into them, I'll definitely come over."

Since it's a high-priced acquisition, he wouldn't mind making more Spirit Stone if he could find an opportunity.

He then bought another 10,000 jin (5,000 kg) of Sea Fish Meat in one go.

Because of the large quantity, we successfully obtained a 30% discount again.

It has to be said, the Vast Sea Ring is truly enormous.

Even if you throw in 10,000 kilograms of Sea Fish, they will only take up a small area, without any signs of crowding.

On the way back, Xiao Chen deliberately slowed his pace and pricked up his ears.

He's been busy cultivating lately, and since he's rarely out, he wanted to hear more about what's happening around him.

"The Hundred Herbs Secret Realm is about to open. Everyone should study the illustrated guide carefully these days and not miss this fortuitous opportunity."

"The Lan Zhi True Person on the island opposite us once picked a Righteous Qi Fruit in the Secret Realm."

"After leaving, I directly exchanged a Rank-Breaking Spiritual Medicine at the City Lord Manor, which gave me the opportunity to Impact Golden Core."

This is an old man giving instructions to a group of Foundation Establishment disciples.

"Senior Brother Zhao, I heard that Elder Qian has also posted a reward. Whoever can pick a Thousand Year Weeping Spirit Flower can exchange it for a full 300,000 Spirit Stone."

"Junior Brother Zhou, is your information reliable? I remember that the Thousand Year Weeping Spirit Flower that was auctioned four years ago was only worth 200,000 Spirit Stones, right?"

"Absolutely authentic, a senior disciple from the Inner Sect told me that himself yesterday."

He also said that whoever is lucky enough to pick the Shen Shen Flower can exchange it for a True Yang Creation Pill at the Medicine Hall.

Um?

Upon hearing the True Yang Creation Pill,"Xiao Chen paused in his tracks.