Returning to Nanyang Spirit Peak and once more entering his own cave abode.
Though this trip away had not lasted long, Li Qing always felt as though a lifetime had passed.
"Heh, perhaps it was because too much of my lifespan was lost, and my cultivation rose too greatly." Li Qing mocked himself with a smile.
Looking at the familiar furnishings within the cave abode, an inexplicable peace settled in his heart.
His cultivation had now reached the False Core stage, the very peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm!
Although the true essence within his body was somewhat impure, it was undeniably abundant, far surpassing what it had been when he had first entered Foundation Establishment Late Stage.
"Next comes Core Formation. But before that, there are still some matters that need to be thoroughly prepared."
He did not fight battles he had not prepared for, much less a major event that concerned his very life.
If he failed Core Formation because his preparations were insufficient, he would regret it for the rest of his life!
Therefore, he had to make every possible preparation and ensure every prerequisite was as perfect as it could be.
Li Qing muttered helplessly, "First is the true essence in my body. Attempting Core Formation with such impure true essence—no matter how many Core Formation Spirit Items I have, success will be difficult."
It had to be purified!
Fortunately, he possessed a Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire. Combined with the Crimson Blazing Heaven Art, using it to purify his true essence would yield twice the result with half the effort.
Then there were the ten drops of Golden Wind Jade Dew he had acquired from the Black Market. This jade dew could likewise cleanse the true essence within a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator.
"Zhang Da