Lu Xun Forms a Golden Core and Takes Over the Azure Light Gate!

Several months have passed in the blink of an eye.

At the foot of Purple Firmament Peak, the array's light barrier trembled violently, and Spiritual Qi within a radius of a hundred miles flowed like rivers into the sea, rushing madly towards the sealed cave abode at the foot of the mountain.

Above the sky, dark clouds churned, and Lei Ming tore through the heavens.

The celestial phenomenon of the Core Formation gradually manifested.

Yun Du stood outside the main hall on the main peak, gazing at the sea of lightning, his expression solemn.

"The celestial phenomenon of Dao of Lightning Core Formation."

Yun Du his beard, his voice low and deep. "He's passed the first test. Now, it's time to decide his fate..."

Inside the cave abode.

Lu Xun covered in blood, and his robes had long since turned to ashes.

Within his Dantian, the spiritual energy had already transformed into a thick liquid, swirling wildly.

He suddenly bit his tongue, spitting Essence Blood onto the jade box that floated in front of him.

The ban has been lifted.

The Violet Firmament Golden Lightning Qi roared out, heading straight for Lu Xun's brow.

The violent energy of Dao of Lightning entered his body, instantly tearing apart his meridians. His flesh and blood were charred and cracked under the high temperature of the lightning.

The body transformed into wisps of electricity, and the physical body began to Dao Dissolution.

Lu Xun's fingertips began to turn transparent, transforming into wisps of lightning that drifted outwards. This was his century of cultivation being assimilated by heaven and earth, about to nourish this world in return.

"No!"

Lu Xun's face was contorted, and his eyes were bloodshot.

He had waited fifteen years for this incredible fortuitous opportunity bestowed upon him by his ancestor. If he were to die here now, he would die with his eyes wide open in disbelief!

The potential of the Lightning Spirit Root has been squeezed to its limit.

He forcibly activated the Purple Lightning Instruction, desperately trying to draw upon that wisp of Violet Firmament Golden Lightning Qi.

But the Heaven and Earth Qi Dynamic was too domineering, and it did not allow his mortal body to touch it. Just as his consciousness was about to dissipate and half of his body had already turned into lightning and disappeared.

Deep within that wisp of lightning energy, a hidden purple-gold lightning pattern flickered faintly.

The raging thunderous energy miraculously calmed down for a moment.

Just this one moment.

Lu Xun seized the opportunity and forcibly dragged the lightning energy into his Dantian, where it collided violently with the liquid spiritual energy.

To shatter and then reassemble.

A Core Embryo the size of a longan, its surface covered with thunder patterns, slowly took shape in the center of the Dantian.

Boom!

A powerful aura, typical of the Early Golden Core, pierced through the cave abode's dome and soared into the Yunxiao.

The celestial phenomenon suddenly vanished, and the lightning receded.

Then the Golden Core was completely condensed, and thousands of lightning bolts were absorbed into the body, making the Golden Core flawless. From then on, with a Golden Core in my belly, my fate was in my own hands, not in the hands of heaven.

Transform into Golden Core elixir-wielding traveler in the mortal world, frolicking in the world for hundreds of years!

It's done!

Lu Xun's eyes gleamed with excitement.

He then collapsed to the ground, panting heavily. He looked at his hands, which had reformed, and felt the Golden Core within his Dantian, which was continuously radiating true Dao of Lightning essence...

In an instant, tears welled up in her eyes.

He survived.

He crossed that insurmountable barrier and became a high-ranking Golden Core True Person!

Half a day later.

Lu Xun changed into a brand-new purple robe and left the cave abode. He did not immediately go to the main peak to pay his respects to Abbot Yun Du.

Instead, he went straight up to Purple Firmament Peak, bowing with each step.

In the Thunder Pool, Shi Jian's massive bear body was immersed in the purple-gold thunder liquid. He didn't even lift his eyelids, yet his majesty arose naturally.

"Disciple Lu Xun to express gratitude to the Ancestor for granting him the Dao!"

Lu Xun knelt down and kowtowed three times.

His forehead struck the rock with a dull thud.

Get up.

Shi Jian's voice was flat, revealing no emotion.

Lu Xun stood up, his expression becoming even more respectful. Only after Core Formation did he truly feel the terror of the Lightning Bear before him.

That faint yet palpable pressure caused his newly formed Dao of Lightning Golden Core to tremble slightly, as if he had encountered a fundamental sovereign.

Yun Du arrived at Purple Firmament Peak without anyone noticing, and greeted him with a smile and a cupped-hand salute, "Congratulations, Elder Lu, on your great achievement."

"It's all thanks to the Ancestor and the Abbot's cultivation."

Lu Xun the greeting with composure and strength, but he was clearly closer to Shi Jian.

Shi Jian slowly rose from the Thunder Pool, water trickling down his fur. He looked down at Lu Xun and went straight to the point:

Now that you have formed your core, it's time to serve the sect.

"I would go through fire and water without hesitation."

Without hesitation, Lu Xun knelt down on one knee to plead for his orders.

"The passing of True Person Qingshan of the Azure Light Gate left behind a considerable legacy."

"Many people are eyeing the interests of the Ming Province Eastern Protectorate. The few Foundation Establishment from the Azure Light Gate alone cannot protect them."

Yun Du chimed in from the side, "The sect's intention is for you to leave White Cloud Temple and join the Azure Light Gate."

Lu Xun was taken aback, then realized what was happening.

This is an attempt to usurp the throne and seize the Azure Light Gate's inheritance and resources...

White Cloud Temple is now a target of envy and suspicion. If it were to directly annex Azure Light Gate, it would inevitably arouse the vigilance of surrounding forces and even Supreme Purity Sect.

However, if Lu Xun were to leave White Cloud Temple and join Azure Light Gate in his personal capacity, that would make much more sense.

Although it's obvious to everyone, it still looks much better than a direct takeover.

"Disciple understands."

Lu Xun said in a deep voice, "This disciple will go to the Azure Light Gate today to assume the position of Ancestor."

"Go."

Shi Jian waved his paw. "Get the resources of the Eastern Protectorate sorted out. Every penny of the annual quota must be paid in full."

"Yes."

Lu Xun kowtowed again, then turned and descended the mountain.

Three days later.

The main peak of Azure Light Gate in the Ming Province Eastern Protectorate.

The white mourning clothes on and around the Azure Light Gate had not been removed, and the atmosphere inside the main hall was tense and ready to fight.

Three elders at the Foundation Establishment Perfection sat on either side, arguing heatedly over the sect's power. With the death of True Person Qingshan, external forces were eyeing them covetously, and the sect was falling apart internally.

Although the Supreme Purity Sect, a timeframe of twenty years was set.

But now the twenty-year protection period has long passed, and they live in constant fear, barely managing to survive.

"Elder, the position of sect leader should rightfully be assumed by me!"

"I've been in charge of foreign affairs for many years, and I have the widest network of connections!"

"Only if I step forward can I buy my Azure Light Gate a few years to catch its breath."

A red-faced elder slammed his fist on the table and stood up, speaking with righteous indignation, arguing until his face turned red and his neck bulged, only to be met with a barrage of curses from the crowd:

"Bullshit! You're just lining your own pockets!"

The Grand Elder sneered, "I am the most senior, so naturally I will temporarily take over!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was unwilling, and just as they were arguing back and forth...

Boom!

The heavy doors of the main hall were smashed open by a tremendous force, and amidst flying wood chips, a purple figure stepped inside.

Violent Thunder instantly enveloped the entire arena.

The three Foundation Establishment Perfection elders were struck as if by a heavy blow; their legs went weak, and they all knelt on the ground, unable to even lift their heads.

"Golden Core True Person?!"

The Grand Elder was horrified and struggled to lift his head to see the newcomer's face. "Lu Xun of White Cloud Temple? What are you doing at my Azure Light Gate!"

"Wait, you've actually Core Formation!"

Lu Xun walked to the main seat in the main hall, turned around and sat down with a thud. His purple robes fluttered without wind, and lightning danced at his fingertips.

"I have left White Cloud Temple."

Lu Xun looked down at the crowd below, his voice like rolling thunder. "Having heard that the Azure Light Gate is leaderless, I have come to assume the position of Patriarch."

Who's in favor, and who's opposed?

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

The red-faced elder gritted his teeth and said, "Senior Lu, this is outright robbery! My Azure Light Gate is a registered affiliated sect of the Supreme Purity Sect, how dare you..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lu Xun raised his hand and pointed.

A bolt of purple lightning shot out from his fingertip, instantly piercing through the red-faced elder's brow.

Blood mixed with brain matter splattered all over the ground, and the stench of burning flesh filled the air.

The red-faced elder's body fell straight down, eyes wide open, clearly dead, with a hint of disbelief.

"Who else objects?"

Lu Xun withdrew his finger, his tone as calm as if he had crushed an ant.

The Grand Elder trembled violently, his back soaked with cold sweat. He understood now; Lu Xun dared to kill so blatantly because the White Cloud Temple was definitely pulling the strings behind the scenes...

Their Azure Light Gate is finished!

"Greetings... Ancestor!"

The First Elder was the first to prostrate himself and shout, and the other elders and deacons followed suit, bowing and calling out to the Ancestor.

Thus, the Azure Light Gate changed hands.

The news sent shockwaves through Ming Province.

All the major powers knew that Lu Xun came from White Cloud Temple, and this move was nothing more than self-deception, but the die was cast.

Lu Xun is indeed Golden Core True Person, and no one wants to risk offending him.

White Cloud Temple, both openly and covertly, completely controlled the Northern and Eastern Protectorate of Ming Province Northern Protectorate, occupying a full 40% of Ming Province's territory.

With the expansion of territory, resources are pouring in.

Cloud Sword Mountain Range, Purple Firmament Peak.

Shi Jian lay prone by the Thunder Pool, listening to Shi Pan report on the situation of the Azure Light Gate.

"Lu Xun's methods are quite good; he's made an example of them Azure Light Gate has completely calmed down now, and the first batch of spirit ore from the Eastern Protectorate will arrive next month."

"There are also many Dao of Alchemy traditions, and various kinds of pills are produced every month."

Shi Jian nodded without saying anything more.

After Shi Pan withdrew, Purple Firmament's laughter echoed in his mind.

"That was a brilliant move."

"A wisp of lightning energy, exchanged for the resources and territory of a Golden Core sect, plus a henchman for free, and the ability to nurture one's own core."

"Killing three birds with one stone, making three dishes from one fish, you're really cunning to the core."

Shi Jian closed his eyes and released his Divine Sense.

Even from tens of thousands of miles away, he could clearly sense the Dao of Lightning Golden Core deep within the main peak of the Azure Light Gate, which was absorbing and releasing Spiritual Qi.

At the core of his Golden Core core, the purple-gold lightning pattern was silently growing stronger with each breath Lu Xun...

The higher Lu Xun level, the deeper the lightning pattern took root.

The higher the quality of the refined Dao Pill, the stronger its effect on improving cultivation will be...

"Thugs?"

Shi Jian smiled slightly, "He is merely a fruit tree I planted outside. It's growing well now, and once I've formed my Nascent Soul, it will be time to harvest it."

After saying that, he raised his head and looked up at the sky.

In the direction of the Liang Kingdom, there are subtle undercurrents.

The White Crane has been in seclusion on the mountain for over twenty years, preparing to Nascent Soul Formation. In recent years, it has collected almost all of these spiritual items.

A storm is brewing; the tide is about to turn.

Shi Jian knew that these peaceful days were probably numbered.

Once the White Crane triggers the Nascent Soul Tribulation, it will surely attract the attention of the world. At that time, his trump card as a seventh-level Demon General will probably be exposed.

"Our strength is still not enough."

Shi Jian muttered to himself as he sank back into the depths of the Thunder Pool, where the purple-gold thunder liquid churned and completely submerged his massive body.

What we can do right now is to do everything in our power to rapidly expand our influence!