Golden Core

The uppermost level of the Great Void Mirror Heaven.

The unique forest scenery of red mountains and green leaves remains unchanged.

However, the atmosphere Qi Yun felt upon entering this time was completely different from before.

The spiritual energy permeating the air was no longer languid and casual, but carried a heavy, invisible pressure, as if the entire Dao Domain was holding its breath.

Beneath that towering tree, the figure sitting cross-legged on the dark red jade platform had also changed his attire.

For once, the Desolate Halberd Heaven-Rending True Lord shed his signature loose robes and donned a black robe with gold patterns, a style often associated with both civil and military officials.

The robe was perfectly tailored, its deep black color like an eternal night. Embroidered on it with miniature Daoist patterns of the sun, moon, stars, mountains, and rivers in dark gold thread, it rose and fell slightly with the True Lord's breath, as if it contained a miniature universe within.

He was not wearing a crown; his long hair was tied up with a simple ebony hairpin, revealing a sharply defined, imposing face.

Those golden eyes, which usually held a hint of languor and playfulness, now possessed a deep, serene stillness.

Looking at it quietly, it seems almost tangible.

The halberd that once defied Heaven-Rending Great Halberd Xuanhuang Heaven's Will stood upright in the void beside the jade platform, complementing the majestic and imposing robes of the True Lord, together creating an unprecedented solemnity and pressure.

Qi Yun felt a slight chill in his heart, but his face remained calm. He stepped forward according to etiquette and bowed, saying, "Disciple Qi Yun greets True Lord."

Fortunately, I have fulfilled my mission and retrieved my [Fruition Status].

Desolate Halberd True Lord nodded slightly, not immediately telling him to get up, but lingering on him for a moment, as if examining a newly tempered weapon.

After a long pause, he slowly spoke, his voice exceptionally clear in the silent Dao Domain, carrying a rare hint of approval. "You did well on the [Azure Gate] trip."

He did not recline casually as usual, but instead sat upright on the dark gold cloud-patterned throne that had appeared out of nowhere.

His back was straight, and although he did not deliberately exude an aura of power, he naturally possessed an unparalleled and majestic demeanor.

"Courageous and decisive." A faint smile appeared on True Lord's lips, and a look of reminiscence and admiration flashed in his golden eyes.

Using the Great Cang Dynasty as a chessboard and the karma of countless lives as fuel, the [Dharma Ending] extraordinary poison was forged.

Even more daring, he dared to use his own body, borrowing the power of heaven and earth, to directly confront the Heaven's Will of the other realm.

This decisive action, this strategic brilliance that turned the tide in a desperate situation—even I, in my prime, might not have executed it as skillfully as you."

He paused, his gaze falling on Qi Yun's calm yet unfathomable eyes, a rare hint of regret in his voice. "Unfortunately, the path you've chosen is completely incompatible with my path."

He gently shook his head, and the upright halberd seemed to sense its master's thoughts, emitting a low hum.

"The Dao Path are contradictory, like fire and water."

If not—given the character and abilities you've demonstrated this time.

"I happen to be lacking a disciple who can inherit my mantle."

These words, spoken by a True Lord who traverses all realms and commands Xuanhuang, carry immense weight.

If an ordinary cultivator heard this, they would probably be filled with emotion and sigh with regret.

However, upon hearing this, Qi Yun remained remarkably calm.

He maintained his bowed posture, his voice clear and composed. "You flatter me, True Lord."

Although Azure Gate's group had a plan, without the True Lord's blessing of the [Six Realms Heaven] to open up their way back, and without the True Lord's incarnation descending at the last moment to block the counterattack of [True Heaven's Will], their journey would have been in vain.

No matter how many schemes this disciple devises, it will be extremely difficult to break through the final barrier of Heaven's Will, let alone reclaim the [Fruition Status].

The disciple's achievements largely depend on the True Lord's far-sighted planning and comprehensive safeguards.

His words were partly true and partly a response.

Since returning to Xuanhuang, he has repeatedly analyzed and reviewed every detail of his journey to Azure Gate.

It was no accident that Desolate Halberd True Lord chose him to go.

Rather, it was knowing his decision after mastering pure Thunder Method.

Without the [Thunder Method] breaking the monopoly of [False Heaven's Will] and quickly achieving Yang Spirit to fight against the army of cultivators from the other realm, the subsequent series of arrangements would not have existed at all.

Upon hearing this, the smile on Desolate Halberd True Lord's lips deepened slightly, and his golden eyes shimmered with light.

"Heh, you know how to talk."

Although he knew that Qi Yun's words contained flattery, he was clearly quite pleased with them.

At his level, there's no need for pretense or politeness anymore.

A touch of flattery, if said just right, can actually reveal the person's shrewdness and tact.

"Alright, those who have made contributions should be rewarded, and those who have made mistakes should be punished; this is the way of the world." The True Lord said no more, casually raised his right hand, and waved it lightly in the direction of Qi Yun.

"This is the [Golden Core] I promised you before. Keep it safe."

Before he finished speaking, a golden divine light, condensed incomparably and containing boundless Creation, suddenly flew out from the True Lord's sleeve, traced a mysterious trajectory, and slowly swirled to Qi Yun, where it hovered quietly.

The radiance gradually faded, revealing its true form.

It was a perfectly round pill, about the size of a longan.

Its color is not singular, but rather presents an indescribable, chaotic, glassy color, as if it has solidified a wisp of primordial Daoist essence from the beginning of time.

The surface of the elixir is not smooth, but naturally has nine orifices and eight holes. Within these holes, faint purple qi mist and golden glow swirl, slowly absorbing the purest spiritual energy of heaven and earth with an almost imperceptible rhythm like breathing.

Deep within the core of the pill, a flickering point of light rises and falls eternally. Each flicker causes countless fine, intricate, and profound natural Dao patterns to appear on the surface of the pill.

These Dao patterns slowly move and recombine, evolving into supreme images of the birth and death of the Great Dao, the Lunzhuan Yin and Yang, and the evolution of the Five Elements.

This radiance is precisely what only True Lord can possess—[Immortal Golden Nature].

The Leakless Golden Core!

It does not rely on external means, it forms its own cycle, and its Daoist principles are naturally formed.

Qi Yun's gaze fell upon the Golden Core. Even with his tempered State of Mind after experiencing trials in two realms, he couldn't help but feel a slight ripple in his heart, and a burning sensation rose from the bottom of his heart.

However, just as his emotions were fluctuating and he was about to reach out to receive the pill, the calm and unwavering voice of the Desolate Halberd True Lord rang out again, causing Qi Yun's half-extended hand to freeze almost imperceptibly for a moment.

"[The Golden Core] possesses immense medicinal power, influencing the Great Dao. Upon first use, it is most likely to trigger internal and external tribulations, giving rise to inner demons and external evils."

The True Lord sat upright on his golden throne, his shattered golden eyes calmly gazing at Qi Yun: "You shall take it here. I will personally protect you, guide its power, and suppress any disturbances, ensuring absolute safety."

Take it here?

The True Lord personally protects the Dharma?

Upon hearing this, Qi Yun's initial joy and excitement at seeing the Golden Core vanished as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head, instantly freezing and cooling down.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze meeting the True Lord's deep, calm, seemingly all-knowing yet devoid of joy or sorrow, fragmented golden eyes.

The True Lord's face still carried a faint expression of approval, the upright halberd remained silent, and the sun, moon, mountains, rivers, and Dao patterns on his civil and military robes still flowed with magnificent brilliance.

Everything seemed so natural.

So, "for your own good"

However, in Qi Yun's mind, the old True Person's instructions before his departure echoed uncontrollably and with unparalleled clarity.

That murky yet penetrating gaze, piercing through time and death, that heavy admonition that nearly crushed his Dao heart—every word was like a brand, deeply etched into the deepest recesses of his Divine Soul: "Do not trust anyone, including the True Lord!"

With the Golden Core ahead, the Dao Path is in sight.

The True Lord's protection seems like an immense fortuitous opportunity and blessing.

But why—in this particular place, right now, to take it?

With the True Lord's power, having bestowed the Golden Core, there are surely foolproof methods to help him refine it; why rush it now?

Qi Yun's heart sank slowly.

He dared not show the slightest abnormality on his face, and even the slightest contraction of his pupils was forcibly suppressed by his strong will.

In my mind, thoughts raced like lightning.

Answer or not answer?

To submit or not to submit?

The True Lord protects the Dharma when one takes the elixir here.

It seems like an unparalleled blessing, a vast and shady tree.

The old True Person's last words resonated like a warning bell deep within my Divine Soul.

reject?

The thought had barely formed when he extinguished it himself.

To refuse a "kind offer" from a True Lord has just praised you so highly would be tantamount to tearing off the mask of civility and bringing your doubts to the forefront.

Eating might be a trap.

Not eating it would immediately lead to disaster.

Weighing two evils

In that split second when thoughts raced and my mind felt like it had plunged into an icy abyss.

"Buzz----"

A familiar flutter of emotion stirred within him without warning.

"Um?

Qi Yun's eyes suddenly narrowed!

This feeling is...

His mind subconsciously sank into his Purple Mansion, and the next instant, an incredulous look of astonishment flashed across his usually calm face.

The long-dormant [Law Technique Panel] slowly unfolded in his mind, its light shimmering.

In a flash, Qi Yun had already made up his mind.

He took a deep breath, a breath that seemed to suppress all the doubts, chills, and even the last trace of hesitation in his chest, sinking them into the deepest part of his Dantian: "Disciple kowtows to thank the True Lord for bestowing such a great grace!"

Immediately, under the watchful gaze of the Desolate Halberd True Lord's shattered golden eyes, Qi Yun extended his right hand, his five fingers steady and powerful, and grasped the Golden Core in one swift motion!

Upon obtaining the Golden Core Elixir, the touch was a strange, heavy sensation, as if holding a small piece of solidified heaven and earth.

Without the slightest hesitation, Qi Yun tilted his head back, opened his mouth, and brought the Golden Core to his lips.

Just as the Golden Core was about to enter his mouth...

Out of the corner of his eye, he seemed to catch a faint, almost imperceptible smile on the lips of the Desolate Halberd True Lord, a smile that seemed to convey an air of complete control, and his expression deepened.

"Gulp."

The Golden Core entered his throat.