A major difference between attempting Core Formation and Foundation Establishment is that the former can be broken down into several stages. It doesn’t require passing through three hurdles in one go like Foundation Establishment does.

So, when a Perfect Foundation Establishment Cultivator says they are about to attempt Core Formation, they have, in fact, been working on it for years.

They have already completed the steps of converting liquid Magical Power into True Essence, perfecting the physical body, achieving a state where Water and Fire are in Harmony, and where Kan and Li Intersect.

For the most part, the nascent form of a radiant, perfectly round Golden Core has already taken shape in their Dantian.

Only the final step remains: to infuse one’s Divine Sense into the Golden Core, forging a connection that allows one’s Essence, Qi, and Spirit to successfully metamorphose, sublimating the very essence of one’s life.

The Gold represents one’s innate nature, the Core represents the heart-mind, and their synthesis is called the Great Dao.

Even in Ancient Times—an era when Banished Immortals frequently appeared, when Divinity Transformation Great Powers still walked the earth, and when the descendants of powerful Immortal Beasts existed—Core Formation Cultivators were the backbone of every major sect.

Of course, back then, Core Formation Cultivators certainly weren’t honored with the title of "True Man."

That title came about after the Near Ancient period, once traces of immortals had vanished and even Divinity Transformation Great Powers had become elusive and rarely seen.

As the status of Core Formation Cultivators rose, the title was created for them.

"Since Senior Brother Dai invited so many of us, he must be fairly confident..."

Longx Qi was in the prime of his life, but his Daoist topknot was streaked with white hair—a consequence of his first, failed attempt at Foundation Establishment, which had depleted his vital energy and lifespan.

Even after years of gradual recuperation, he had yet to fully recover, and his Cultivation progress had slowed as a result.

"An attempt at Core Formation might only happen once in the Sect every few decades... Regardless of success or failure, they always let fellow disciples observe so that we can all learn from the experience."

Perhaps it was due to her cultivation technique, but Longx Longx had grown increasingly cold and aloof over the years, her expression perpetually frosty.

She had long ago reached the peak of the Early-Stage Foundation Establishment, but her few attempts to break through had all ended in failure, leaving her with minor injuries.

She knew her foundation was still insufficient. Unless she could obtain a more effective Realm-Breaking Elixir or be blessed with a sudden moment of enlightenment, she could only continue to slowly grind away over time.

That was why she considered this ceremony extremely important. She had arrived early, hoping to gain some inspiration.

This was no mere fantasy. When a cultivator passed their Celestial Tribulation and successfully formed a Nascent Soul, becoming a Nascent Soul True Monarch, the Sound of the Great Dao would resonate from their body.

It would sweep away Outer Demons and sublimate the Divine Soul, marking the moment a cultivator was closest to the Great Dao True Intent before reaching the Divinity Transformation realm.

Aside from the Nascent Soul Cultivator, who benefited the most, all living beings within a hundred-mile radius would also gain something from hearing the Sound of the Great Dao.

For example, bottlenecks that had stifled one’s cultivation for years might loosen, one might gain sudden insight into an obscure Divine Technique, or one’s progress in the Hundred Skills of Cultivation might leap forward after a long stagnation.

The effects were especially pronounced on Low-Tier Cultivators.

"It’s not just once every few decades anymore. In a couple of years, we might see Sect Leader Wei attempt Core Formation... Even Senior Sister Zhou and Senior Brother Bai will have their chance within the next few decades."

Longx Qi withdrew his gaze. The Spirit Land where Dai Hui was in seclusion was at the bottom of a valley, obscured by swirling clouds.

"Senior Brother Wei reached Foundation Establishment Perfection long ago and even used a Tier Three Demon Beast Inner Core to experience the realm of a Fake Pill Cultivator. He should have a much better chance... The reason he hasn’t tried to break through is likely because he’s aiming for an even higher probability of success. By contrast, Senior Brother Dai is much older; for him, delaying any longer would be detrimental."

As the most renowned beauty among the Qingfeng Sect’s Foundation Establishment Cultivators, Longx Longx naturally had no shortage of suitors.

Several Elders stood near the Longx siblings, and if not for her icy, unapproachable demeanor, someone would have already tried to strike up a conversation.

"Senior Sister Zhou cultivates extremely quickly, but some say her temperament is her weakness, as she’s not skilled in combat. That’s sure to be exposed during the final step of Foundation Establishment... As for Junior Brother Bai, despite his heaven-defying talent, he only reached the Foundation Establishment Stage a short time ago. He’s only at the Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment, still a long way from Perfection."

"That’s true. But Senior Brother Bai is only in his early fifties, right? Even if he takes a full 60-year cycle to reach Foundation Establishment Perfection, he’ll still have plenty of time to attempt Core Formation..."

The Longx siblings were communicating via Sound Transmission, so they didn’t have to worry about anyone overhearing their discussion of the others.

Longx Qi glanced around and asked curiously, "It seems Senior Brother Bai isn’t here yet. I don’t see him."

"An event of this magnitude is immensely helpful to those with a chance at Core Formation. He wouldn’t miss it..."

Longx Longx’s expression was icy. She closed her eyes to meditate, exuding the unapproachable aura of an iceberg.

Longx Qi knew his sister’s personality well. Moreover, her cultivation technique demanded she remain indifferent to passion and desire, her heart and body becoming like ice, impervious to Outer Demons. She had grown more and more difficult to talk to over the years.

Gradually, almost all the available Elders arrived outside the valley. Some claimed a peak for themselves, while others gathered in small groups.

"Sister, Ancestor Ge is here! We should go pay our respects."

Longx Qi cried out anxiously as he saw the Elders taking to the air one by one.

Ancestor Ge Cang landed on the central Cloud Viewing Platform with Qi Yue in tow. It offered the best view and had long since been cleared and cleaned, but no one had dared to set foot on it.

"We pay our respects to the Ancestor."

"May the Ancestor’s Great Dao be evergreen."

The Elders came forward in turn to pay their respects, but Master Ge Cang’s expression was impassive. He merely gave a slight nod.

Unlike Ancestor Yangg, Master Ge Cang had spent his time traveling ever since he reached Core Formation, spending less than a third of his time within the Sect.

His interactions with the Elder-level Sect Cultivators were extremely limited; he probably couldn’t put a name to most of their faces.

In the past, Elders who wished to curry favor with Master Ge Cang had tried every method imaginable, all targeting his only disciple, Qi Yue.

But Qi Yue was just as aloof and taciturn, a haughty individual who was also extremely guarded.

That approach had also proven fruitless.

Only figures at the level of Hall Master, such as Liang Yu and Luoo Qiuzhen, received a response from Master Ge Cang when they stepped forward to greet him.

And even then, it was Qi Yue who would step forward to exchange a few words, which was considered a great show of respect.

In terms of Cultivation, the Longx siblings were unremarkable among the Elders. After offering a respectful bow, Longx Qi was about to retreat when he heard an unexpected greeting.

"It’s been a while. I heard Junior Sister Longx has been practicing the Ice Soul Cold Light recently. Have you made any progress?"

Qi Yue took a step forward to greet her, prompting many of the surrounding Elders to cast meaningful glances their way.

’Looks like we’ll have to adjust our attitude toward Longx Longx from now on.’

Longx Qi’s gaze darted between Qi Yue and his sister. As far as he could remember, the two of them barely knew each other.

’Could it be that even Qi Yue has fallen for my sister’s charms?’

Longx Qi glanced at Qi Yue, with his sharp, handsome features and underlying arrogance, and thought that he wouldn’t mind having this man as a brother-in-law.

He was exceptionally talented, was said to possess some sort of mysterious Spirit Body, and already had a Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation.

He was also Master Ge Cang’s only Inner Chamber Disciple, a prestigious position that meant even the Sect Leader treated him with courtesy.

If Longx Longx were to truly become Dao Companions with Qi Yue, life in the Sect would certainly become much easier for both of them.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Qi. I have been slow and have yet to master it."

Longx Longx gave a slight bow, feeling the assessing gazes from all around. She sneered inwardly.

Not only did she disdain the idea of relying on a male cultivator, but she had resolved since she was young to become the Qingfeng Sect’s first female Core Formation True Man.

And from what she knew of Qi Yue, he was arrogant and, because of his Qingsang Spirit Body, wary of all female cultivators, fearing they were only after his Purest Spiritual Energy.

Their only interaction had been a joint pursuit of a Demon Cultivator; apart from that, they had never associated with each other. He clearly had no romantic interest in her whatsoever.

"Oh, the Ice Soul Cold Light is a Tier Three Magic, after all. It is indeed quite difficult to master during the Foundation Establishment Stage unless one possesses an Ice Spiritual Root..."

Qi Yue stepped closer. As she suspected, the Ice Soul Cold Light was just a pretext; he didn’t actually care about it.

"Junior Sister Longx, have you been to Feiyue Lake recently? Have you seen Junior Brother Bai? I haven’t seen him once since the Sect war ended!"

"I haven’t seen Junior Brother Bai either. I heard he’s been in seclusion."

The image of a carefree and eternally confident figure surfaced in Longx Longx’s mind. ’So, he was just asking for news about Junior Brother Bai.’

He had been completely outshone by Bai Zichen during the last Sect mission. Qi Yue was probably still fuming about it, looking for a chance to get even.

"That makes sense. The Ice-Fire Dragon Blood Wine is a Tier Three Spirit Wine, after all. One must be careful with its Refinement to avoid being overwhelmed... I have my Primordial Yang Divine Thunder, and by using a Thunder Skill to dilute the wine’s potency, I was able to refine a little less than half a bottle in three years."

Master Ge Cang had given something as precious as the Ice-Fire Dragon Blood Wine to four people; how could he not have saved a portion for his own Direct Disciple?

Thanks to a generous supply of Ice-Fire Dragon Blood Wine, Qi Yue had already reached the peak of the Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment and was on track to break through to the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment within a decade.

A trace of bitterness welled up in Longx Longx’s heart. ’This is the difference between us. He can drink Tier Three Spirit Wine so casually.’

’It must be nice to have such a good master.’

Qi Yue wasn’t deliberately showing off. To him, the Ice-Fire Dragon Blood Wine was just another pot of Spirit Wine; he possessed quite a few Tier Three items.

Her Ice Heart Technique began to circulate, and Longx Longx quickly froze these negative feelings, restoring the icy calm in her heart.

"It’s Junior Brother Bai!"

Qi Yue, looking somewhat disappointed, was about to turn away when his eyes suddenly lit up, his gaze fixed on the space before him.

"Greetings, Junior Martial Uncle Ge. May your Great Dao be evergreen."

For the past few days, Bai Zichen had been holed up in the Transmission Hall. He had spent several thousand Contribution Points to redeem all the available scrolls detailing the experience of Core Formation.

He had been so engrossed in reading them that he’d lost all track of time and almost forgot that today was the day to observe Dai Hui’s attempt at Core Formation.

"You’re already at the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment?"

Master Ge Cang let out a soft exclamation of surprise. With his power, he could naturally see Bai Zichen’s true Cultivation at a glance.

"It’s all thanks to the treasure you bestowed upon me, Junior Martial Uncle. After I finished the Refinement of the Ice-Fire Dragon Blood Wine, I smoothly reached the peak of the Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment... Then, while walking by Feiyue Lake, I had a sudden epiphany. I went into seclusion to make an attempt and successfully broke through."

Bai Zichen altered the details of his story, telling a half-truth.

"Good! Excellent!"

Master Ge Cang laughed heartily and gestured to the spot beside him. "It seems my faith in you was not misplaced... Stay here and watch Dai Hui’s attempt at Core Formation with me."

"Yes, Junior Martial Uncle Ge."

Bai Zichen acknowledged the order and nonchalantly walked to Qi Yue’s side. "Senior Brother Qi, long time no see."

"Yes, it has been a long time..."

Qi Yue’s handsome, star-like eyes held a dazed expression. After a long moment, he finally asked, "Are you really at the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment?"

"I am. Just a stroke of luck."

A faint smile played on Bai Zichen’s lips, and his answer was as casual as if he were commenting on the color of his Daoist Robe.

"My master often tells me I have a narrow view of the world, that if I don’t leave the confines of the Liang Country’s Cultivation Realm, I’ll never know how many truly outstanding young cultivators there are out there..."

Qi Yue’s expression returned to normal. He said slowly, "In truth, one doesn’t even need to leave the Sect. Just having Junior Brother Bai here is enough to humble anyone and make them cast aside their pride."