Within Cold Pool Cave, time flew by as Han Li cultivated and worked through techniques with near-mad intensity. With the system's powerful assistance and the sect's unstinting supply of resources, his understanding of the Foundation Establishment section of the Profound Fiend Asura Art had reached perfection. His spiritual power had become as pure and condensed as the Foundation Establishment stage allowed, and the Profound Fiend True Core in his dantian was flawless and complete, showing faint signs of transforming to a higher level. Yet Core Formation was the first true heavenly chasm on the path of cultivation. Accumulating spiritual power alone could never carry him across it; he also needed opportunity, insight, and thorough preparations to face the heavenly tribulation.
"Core Formation... requires 'condensing liquid into crystal,' drawing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into the body, and enduring the tempering of 'Samadhi True Fire' before an immortal golden core can form in the dantian. The process is perilous beyond measure-not even one in ten survives." Han Li put down a fragment of an ancient text recording insights into Core Formation, his brows slightly furrowed. Ordinary cultivators attempting Core Formation needed to find a secluded place rich in spiritual energy, set up layer upon layer of protective formations, and prepare pills and magical treasures to withstand inner demons and heavenly tribulation. But he possessed a dark spiritual root and practiced the supremely domineering Profound Fiend Asura Art. The heavenly tribulation his breakthrough would summon would likely far exceed that of an ordinary cultivator, and the resources he needed would be immense.
"Though the sect is supporting me with all its strength, the essential treasures for Core Formation-Five-Element Spiritual Fat, Soul-Calming Pills, Calamity-Averting Talismans, and the like-are rarities that cannot be bought even with money. Even the Seven Mysteries Sect's