Three days later, above Azure Sea Peak.
The spiritual energy clouds in the sky began to gather and expand without cease, yet they could never break beyond a radius of five li.
The spiritual energy vortex dispersed, and dark tribulation clouds rolled together overhead, beginning to brew the Golden Core lightning tribulation.
"What a pity. The range of heaven and earth spiritual energy stirred by Qingzhao's attempt at the Golden Core is only five li. A lower-grade Golden Core is her limit."
The quality of one's Golden Core was closely tied to a cultivator's future potential. Naturally, the higher, the better.
Nalan Xi gazed upward and spoke with some regret in her voice.
"The great path of cultivation is fraught with a thousand hardships and ten thousand difficulties at every major breakthrough. If Fellow Daoist Gu succeeds in breaking through to the Golden Core Stage this time, she will already be one in ten thousand," Qin Ming said calmly.
"Fellow Daoist Qin has a point. Cultivators in the Southern Wilderness Cultivation Realm who pursue the Great Dao are as numerous as crucian carp crossing a river, yet only a scant few can successfully reach the Golden Core step."
"Not everyone possesses the fortune and talent of Fellow Daoist Qin, enough to form an Upper-Grade Golden Core. Hehe!"
"What comes next is the crucial lightning tribulation. Whether she can pass this trial depends on her own fortune."
A trace of concern showed in Nalan Xi's eyes.
Rumble-crack!
Golden lightning descended in unending bolts. A graceful figure in azure robes flashed atop Azure Sea Peak, repeatedly employing secret methods to withstand the lightning tribulation.
As time passed, the lightning tribulation grew increasingly powerful.
After the time it took to burn an incense stick, the lightning had passed through nine layers.
The tribulation