Qin Yu had already gained a thorough understanding of the Golden Core Realm.

From Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment, it is the transformation of spiritual power from gaseous to liquid state, akin to streams gathering into rivers.

To advance from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core, the liquid spiritual power must be refined and compressed countless times until it becomes extremely condensed, finally forming a core.

This process requires a vast amount of spiritual qi as support.

In Qin Yu’s estimation, spirit stones are definitely sufficient, and he won’t encounter Su Xiyue’s situation back then.

He possesses three life runes within his body!

This is also why the consumption of spirit stones is so rapid.

But there was one aspect, unanticipated by him.

During this core formation process... there was a mutation.

He had read records about the Golden Core in the Library Pavilion, and his two mentors had described the entire breakthrough process in detail to him.

Logically, it was a sure thing.

However, just when that glimmer of gold light appeared within the dantian, an unforeseen change occurred...

His spiritual power, along with the essence qi from his organs, was drawn towards the dantian, converging on the cluster of gold light.

Instantly, the speed of absorbing spiritual qi increased dramatically!

"What’s happening?!"

Liu Zixiao watched the spirit stones rapidly disintegrating into powder, an expression of shock on his face.

The consumption rate was already extremely astonishing, and at this rate... the spirit stones might not be enough.

Breaking through to the Golden Core, yet the commotion resembles breaking through to the Lotus Platform?!

If failure occurs due to insufficient spiritual qi...

Liu Zixiao frowned even more tightly.

...

As essence, spirit, and qi gathered within the dantian, Qin Yu could clearly perceive these three forces within the dazzling gold light, were actually...

Starting to merge?!

Moreover, as time passed, the gold light intensified, illuminating the entire dantian like the rising sun.

This situation was vastly different from the ancient records he had read and what his two mentors had explained.

Clearly, in this world, cultivators form the Golden Core purely from Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, so why was it different for him?!

The transformation within his body completely overturned this common knowledge.

Essence, Qi, Spirit.

Essence refers to the essence qi within the human body.

Qi refers to spiritual qi in the world.

Spirit refers to personal spiritual power.

The three were originally ’unrelated’, yet at this moment converged together, under Qin Yu’s perception, and within the gold light, slowly integrated in an unimaginable way.

For some reason.

Qin Yu’s heart was touched at this moment, and a realization arose within him.

It seems... this is the correct path of cultivation.

Cultivators.

Or rather, celestial cultivators, how can they only cultivate qi while putting essence and spirit aside?!

If the body is not strong, can it truly rely on its root bone to bear the boundless Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi?

This is only one of the most basic questions.

However, at present, he knows nothing about the realms ahead, perhaps... this path might work in this world.

But, in Qin Yu’s understanding, a Golden Core should indeed be formed by the fusion of essence, qi, and spirit.

Maybe, because in this world, cultivators don’t integrate essence and spirit, it leads to the Golden Core eventually becoming... the Lotus Platform?!

Everything will be revealed once he succeeds in his breakthrough.

Soon.

Qin Yu felt his spiritual power and spiritual power both unable to sustain.

"Qin Yu, quickly take the Golden Core Formation Pill!"

Liu Zixiao’s voice came, awakening him.

Originally, Qin Yu planned to save this elixir for his beloved wife.

No choice.

The spiritual qi here is scarce, so he had to use it now.

With a flip of his hand, he took out the Golden Core Formation Pill and swiftly ingested it.

Boom!

As the Golden Core Formation Pill entered his stomach, it immediately transformed into a vast amount of spiritual qi, rushing into the dantian like a torrential flood.

Instantly, the gold light surged.

However, the pill only provided spiritual qi, unable to change the near depletion of spiritual power.

Qin Yu could only activate his life rune to fully restore spiritual power, barely managing to sustain it.

This was while essence and qi were abundant.

Fortunately, possessing the Pure Yang Divine Body, essence qi was endless, needing no concern.

In such a state, Qin Yu witnessed a grain-sized particle birthed within the gold light.

With the infusion of essence qi and spirit, the ’grain’ grew robustly at a visibly discernible speed.

From the initial size of wheat, to green beans, and now to the size of a longan, the Golden Core’s outline gradually became clear, only awaiting that crucial step to fully solidify.

Qin Yu was deeply aware of the subtlety and significance of this moment, daring not to relax for a second.

The initial formation of the Golden Core is extremely fragile; any mishap would lead to total ruin.

However, at this moment, the medicinal effect of the Golden Core Formation Pill was already gradually dissipating, coupled with Qin Yu’s effort in restoring spiritual power, causing the Golden Core to become somewhat unstable.

The fluctuations around him also became chaotic.

"What happened, shouldn’t have the Golden Core Formation Pill been taken already?!"

Seeing the reduced consumption of spirit stones had initially relaxed Liu Zixiao, but sensing his change, he was instantly startled.

Back when she broke through the Golden Core, the spirit stones used were less than a third of what Qin Yu is consuming now!

And this, Qin Yu had taken the Golden Core Formation Pill, yet it still wasn’t enough?!

In just a moment, not only did the fluctuations become chaotic, Qin Yu’s body also began to tremble violently, causing Liu Zixiao to become even more tense.

Failure would certainly lead to backlash.

This is why cultivators don’t readily attempt breakthroughs; once failed, meridians and dantian would suffer substantial impact.

This requires prior release to mitigate the damage from backlash.

"Give up, find another chance at Cyan Mist Hall."

Liu Zixiao suggested.

Of course, Qin Yu could hear her voice, but his current situation was entirely different.

Perhaps spiritual qi could be released.

But, what about essence qi and spiritual power?

Furthermore, as the three had already fused together, once failure occurred and the Golden Core dispersed, would he have to endure the backlash?

The body could withstand.

Regarding the dantian and meridians... he wasn’t quite sure.

He could only choose to stabilize the cluster of gold light with all his might.

Yet, it was destined to be futile, as the gold light shook more intensely.

Qin Yu regretted.

He originally thought the plan was thorough, never considering such variables.

Maybe... if his spiritual power had advanced another level, perhaps, the opportunity would be much greater.

However now, even with three life runes together restoring, it barely compensated, lacking spirit and qi... failure seemed on the horizon.

Liu Zixiao was equally baffled.

There were indeed spirit stones remaining, but Qin Yu had ceased refining them.

She realized.

Qin Yu might have encountered some problem.