Golden Core

Biodata

Power Progression

Formation Requirements

In the present age, a Golden Core method is described as rules and precepts, rather than simply a cultivation art. Azure Lion Immortal identifies three indispensable requirements 425:

• Dao-vein foundation — Its minor divine abilities are divine ability seeds, giving their holders a much greater chance of Core Formation than spirit-vein Foundation Establishment cultivators 317 359.
• Mount Lu’s opportunity — Fang Shu had comprehended its lineage method and gathered its fortune, but lacked a pill head. He chose to attempt formation rather than miss the unusually favorable moment 445 446.
• Fruit position — Yellow Wolf Immortal explains that attaining it requires touching the laws of heaven and earth; merely accumulating cultivation is insufficient 360.

True and False Cores

Modern cultivators distinguish true cores from false cores, rather than using the ancient nine-grade classification. Azure Lion Immortal offers two possible explanations: either modern True Cores match ancient Golden Cores in power and potential, or the ancient upper-grade Golden Core can no longer be formed under the world’s changed laws 248 425.

• True Core — A self-formed Golden Core grants the status of True Immortal and potential to advance toward Refining Spirit 47 248.
• False Core — Grants power without the same true realm. Fang Shu observes that False Core cultivators refine a pellet within themselves to wield its mana 47 448.
• The name “core” — Core Formation does not necessarily produce a physical pellet. In Fang Shu’s case, his soul and body become intertwined with Yin-Yang Life-and-Death core qi; every thread of that qi can be considered part of his great core 448.

Divine Abilities

Golden Core cultivators can refine the Dao paths, spells, and methods they have practiced into innate arts, also called divine abilities 448.

• Foundation-stage precursor — Dao-vein cultivators can possess immature, narrower versions before reaching Golden Core 317.
• Fang Shu’s ability — After formation, he can gather or disperse his body and transform its core qi into Gu insects 448.
• Yin-Yang Self-Manifestation — Further comprehension lets Fang Shu become yin-yang qi and pass through physical barriers, formations, and restrictions. He can travel unseen by Golden Core cultivators of the same realm, provided he does not cast spells or transform further 472.