Golden Core Formed, Returning in Glory to the Prince's Mansion

The first bolt of heavenly lightning had just dissipated when the second and third followed in quick succession.

Above the firmament, the tribulation clouds gathered ever more densely, purple-gold pillars of lightning striking like the angry whips of a deity, slamming into Qin De within the Eight Trigrams Formation time and again. The heavens and earth roared, the mountains trembled, and the violent power of the heavenly lightning threatened to tear the entire valley apart.

Qin De sat cross-legged at the heart of the formation, not daring to let his focus waver for even a fraction.

He took a deep breath and flipped his wrist, revealing a long saber that radiated immense spiritual light and an imposing aura—it was the high-grade spiritual weapon saber that Yun Ce had meticulously prepared for him.

Once the spiritual weapon appeared, its pressure suppressed all directions.

Qin De poured his entire spiritual power into the blade, causing golden light to erupt from it. The blade's edge soared into the sky, forcefully hacking apart and deflecting the falling bolts of heavenly lightning.

The heavenly lightning shattered into a sky full of electric sparks, which flowed slowly along the patterns of the Eight Trigrams Formation. A portion of its destructive force was neutralized by the formation, while the remainder transformed into pure power of heavenly punishment, tempering Qin De's physical body and soul.

Skin, flesh, tendons, bones, meridians, dantian...

His mortal body was constantly shattered and reconstructed amidst the lightning tribulation.

Every rebirth made him stronger than before, bringing him closer to the path of immortality.

Qin Yu and Feng Yuzi stood guard outside the formation, their hearts in their throats, eyes fixed unblinkingly on the figure within. It was not until the fourth bolt of heavenly lightning crashed down and was shattered by a single strike from Qin De—

Boom—!

The final bolt of heavenly lightning vanished, the tribulation clouds slowly dispersed, and the sky returned to clarity.

Rays of pure heavenly light descended, enveloping Qin De.

The aura around him remained silent for a moment before suddenly surging!

His physical strength skyrocketed to a level unimaginable for mortals, and his soul, bathed in divine light, became refined and transparent. Within his dantian, the previously wild and scattered Xiantian spiritual power was continuously compressed, condensed, and rotated under the tempering of the heavenly lightning.

Finally—

A golden, perfectly round Golden Core, glowing with brilliant light, slowly took shape within his dantian.

Golden Core stage!

Qin De slowly opened his eyes, a flash of golden light vanishing from his pupils. His entire aura had been reborn, transcending the mortal realm and truly stepping onto the path of cultivation.

He had survived the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation!

The core had successfully condensed!

From this moment on, he was an Immortal revered by all on the Hidden Dragon Continent!

Qin Yu let out a long sigh of relief, the heavy stone that had been hanging in his heart finally falling, and an uncontrollable look of wild joy appeared on his face.

Feng Yuzi was also full of joy, nodding repeatedly and feeling genuinely happy for Qin De.

The three of them immediately stepped forward.

"Congratulations, Father! You have survived the heavenly tribulation and successfully condensed your Golden Core. From here on, you have stepped onto the path of immortality, and longevity is within reach!" Qin Yu bowed with his hands cupped, his tone filled with excitement.

Feng Yuzi also bowed solemnly: "Congratulations, Brother Qin. From this day forward, you are ranked among the immortals, becoming yet another Immortal of our Chu Dynasty!"

Yun Ce stood with his hands behind his back, his white robes fluttering as he maintained a calm expression. A faint smile appeared on his face as he nodded slightly:

"Qin De, your will is firm, and you have been favored by the right time and place. Today, the initial formation of your Golden Core is the natural result of your efforts. The path of cultivation is long; continue to strive for progress."

Every word of congratulation came from the bottom of their hearts.

Qin De gripped the high-grade spiritual weapon saber in his hand, feeling the unprecedented power within his body, his heart surging with emotion. He looked at Yun Ce, Feng Yuzi, and Qin Yu, and bowed solemnly:

"That I could survive this tribulation safely today is entirely due to the protection of Immortal Yun Ce, the assistance of fellow Daoist Feng Yuzi, and Xiao Yu standing guard by my side.

This kindness, Qin De will keep in his heart."

"You are too polite, Father."

"Brother Qin, there is no need for such formalities."

A life-and-death heavenly tribulation had finally come to a perfect conclusion.

Yun Ce scanned the surroundings, confirming that no hidden dangers remained, and spoke calmly:

"The matter here is finished. The two Golden Core cultivators under Xiang Guang have been eliminated, and for the time being, no one will dare to provoke us. Let us return to the Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion first and discuss our long-term plans."

"Agreed!" Qin De nodded.

Qin De, Qin Yu, Feng Yuzi, and Yun Ce did not linger. Their figures blurred, transforming into streaks of light that pierced the clouds and sped toward the Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion.

The streaks of light cut across the horizon as the newly ascended Golden Core Immortal returned home in triumph.