The Five Elements Evil Qi had another use.

It could help a cultivator increase their success rate when attempting to form their Core.

For the Lord of the Immortal Palace who left behind this Cultivation Technique, the Evil Qi’s various effects were likely the most important aspect.

But for Xiao Chen, this secondary benefit was the part he valued more.

Due to his low-grade Wood Spirit Root, if he tried to form his Core directly, he would have a mere five percent chance of success at best.

Failure to form a Core came with severe consequences. At best, he would suffer a great loss of Vitality and his Realm would regress, requiring years or even decades to recover. At worst, he would die on the spot, his very existence erased. The consequences were nothing short of terrifying.

Each strand of Five Elements Evil Qi a cultivator obtained could increase their Core Formation success rate by ten percent.

Now that Xiao Chen had condensed the Yang Fire Seal, his success rate for Core Formation had jumped to fifteen percent.

For him, this was a massive threefold increase.

Moreover, due to the harmony between Yin and Yang, gathering a matching pair of Evil Qi of the same element—one Yin and one Yang—would increase a cultivator’s Core Formation success rate by a full thirty percent.

Furthermore, according to the Mystic Sky Eating Secret Technique...

This Secret Technique, much like the Fake Pill, didn’t conflict with other methods of Core Formation and could be used in conjunction with them.

’This way, as long as I get the Yin Fire Seal, I can attempt Core Formation.’

Xiao Chen did a quick mental calculation. Though Evil Qi was hard to find, he didn’t necessarily have to gather a large amount to attempt Core Formation.

Just obtaining the Yin Fire Seal would grant him a thirty percent success rate for Core Formation.

He could also refine a Fake Pill, which would provide another thirty percent success rate.

Then there were the unique Secret Techniques for Core Formation, exclusive to the three Major Sects, which could provide roughly a twenty percent boost to his success rate. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

This wasn’t some big secret; everyone in Li State knew the three Major Sects possessed Secret Techniques for Core Formation.

In fact, the Secret Technique was listed on the very last page of the Merit Hall’s Exchange Album. It could be redeemed directly, provided one had enough Contribution Points.

Many Loose Cultivators, after reaching the Foundation Establishment realm, actually chose to join a sect precisely for this Secret Technique.

Of course, Xiao Chen didn’t know about the other two sects, but the Li Huo Sect’s price was undeniably steep.

It was the kind of exorbitant price that, under normal circumstances, would require working for the sect for forty or fifty years to barely save up enough.

These three methods alone added up to a success rate of a whopping eighty percent.

If he wanted to be even more certain, he would need to either continue gathering Evil Qi or find a way to acquire a Rank-Breaking Spirit Pill.

Something like the Purple Fire Golden Marrow Pill that Master Ming Yue had taken could also provide a twenty percent boost to the success rate.

Though few and far between, opportunities to acquire such an elixir were bound to arise.

If he could add a rank-breaking elixir to the mix, then the great hurdle of breaking through to the Golden Core realm—a challenge that had stumped countless cultivators—would no longer be an obstacle for him.

’All in all, the road is winding, but the future is bright.’

.

Because of the long distance, it was already mid-June by the time Xiao Chen returned to the Li Huo Sect.

Along the way, he heard many sect disciples discussing the recently concluded sect competition.

"I can’t believe even Song lost."

"If you ask me, the rules weren’t fair at all. Why weren’t Spirit Beasts allowed to fight alongside them?"

"You’re just making excuses! I heard that White-eyed Tiger is already at the fourth level of Foundation Establishment. If it were allowed to compete, *that* would be unfair."

"I agree. Besides, it’s great that Senior Sister Su won. I bet on her to win, so I should be getting a Spirit Fish tomorrow."

"Hmph, it’s just a small fish that you can buy for a single grain of Spiritual Sand."

...

Xiao Chen was genuinely surprised.

Although Su Wanqing usually seemed a bit ditzy, she had actually managed to win the sect competition.

That meant she was now this generation’s Chief Disciple.

He first swung by the Demon Extermination Hall to make his presence known.

Afterward, Xiao Chen returned to Cuiwei Valley and, sure enough, saw Su Wanqing watering the flowers in the courtyard.

"Junior Martial Master Xiao, you’re back!"

At the sight of him, Su Wanqing immediately put down her watering can.

She took a specially made small wooden box from within her robes, opened it, and brandished it. "I have some good news for you!"

Xiao Chen glanced over. Inside the small wooden box was a Foundation Establishment Pill.

"What’s so good about that?"

"Don’t you already have a Foundation Establishment Pill?"

Su Wanqing froze for a moment, then explained with a smug grin, "Junior Martial Master Xiao, this is the prize from the sect competition!"

She then sighed regretfully. "Ai, it’s a real shame. If you’d come back two days earlier, you could have seen my spectacular performance in the arena."

"You have no idea how amazing I was this time."

"I had ten rounds of Magical Combat over the month, and I didn’t lose a single match, not from start to finish!"

Xiao Chen pointed out, "Has it ever occurred to you that whoever wins the championship has to be undefeated from start to finish?"

"Eh?"

Su Wanqing blinked. "Really?"

"But Junior Martial Master Xiao, I really did win ten matches in a row! Aren’t you going to praise me at all?"

"Alright, fine."

Xiao Chen gave her a thumbs-up. "You really are pretty amazing then."

"I think so too."

Su Wanqing picked up her watering can again. As she watered the flowers, she asked, "Oh, right, Junior Martial Master Xiao. Will you have time to come watch the Three-Sect Competition in early September?"

"This time, I will definitely become the strongest in Li State."

"I believe in you."

Xiao Chen nodded in approval. ’The strongest in the Qi Refining realm is still the strongest. Can’t argue with that logic.’

But as he thought about it, he really wasn’t sure if he’d have the time.

Since the New Year, various external factors had forced him to change his plans several times.

Who knew? By the time it started, he might have another reason not to go.