Shen Wushen froze. His master couldn’t even find a good solution, but Qi Yuan had 1,728?!

"The simplest is this. Turn your Nascent Soul back into a Golden Core, repair the old damage, then condense a new Nascent Soul. That way, you'll effectively condense it a second time. Your spiritual energy will at least double."

Shen Wushen was stunned. If anyone else had said this, he would dismiss it as nonsense. However, it came from the genuine prodigy who had defeated him effortlessly. He was still half in disbelief. Still, thinking about how Qi Yuan had multiple Nascent Souls, it did sound plausible...

Shen Wushen asked eagerly, "Do you have such a method?!"

This whole time, he was under the assumption that Qi Yuan inherited some ancient method that allowed him to condense multiple Nascent Souls. Hence, it wouldn’t be surprising if Qi Yuan also knew how to transform Nascent Souls back into Golden Cores.

Then, Qi Yuan said, "Soon. Wait a moment. I'll invent one for you."

Shen Wushen was dumbfounded. Invent one? ...On the spot?

He hesitated, watching silently.

Qi Yuan closed his eyes. Information churned through his mind. Soon, he opened his eyes again. "Done. It's simple and low-grade."

Shen Wushen stared dubiously at him. "How about you mull it over some more?"

He simply didn’t dare to use a method devised so quickly.

Qi Yuan smiled mysteriously. "Bring me more Divine Methods, and I’ll refine this one further. Perhaps you can defeat Yin Spirits as a mere Nascent Soul."

The method had immense potential for growth—for example, an endless cycle of Golden Core shattering and Nascent Soul reversion. Of course, each cycle would require more time and effort.

Qi Yuan proceeded to record the method onto a jade slip. "This is the Core-Soul Method. Take it."

Shen Wushen immediately scanned it. His gaze grew fervent like a starving tiger seeing meat. "What a method! How have I never conceived this path before?!"

Now, he fully believed in the Core-Soul Method. Once he practiced it, his deficiency would vanish, nearly doubling his strength.

Qi Yuan waved him off. "Stop going crazy here. Go back. I have things to do."

He still had to carefully compose the method for Jin Li. That one couldn't be rushed like this.

Shen Wushen bowed deeply and departed in a streak of light. "Thank you for transmitting the Dao."

In his excitement, he even forgot about Shen Zhifeng.

Alone in the cement bungalow, Qi Yuan gazed up at the sun and moon. "As long as the Great Calamity remains, I cannot ascend."

Ordinarily, reaching the Yin Spirit meant ascension. In some worlds, Violet Palaces could even use special methods to get to the upper world. However, due to the Great Calamity, the Canglan World was sealed off. Yin Spirits could not go to the upper world, while Yang Spirits could not go to the void world. Qi Yuan could not meet Jin Li.

"Once, I could not see you..." he murmured.

He already had an idea of what he wanted to create. Last time, he had created "As If Seeing You" and asked the garment monsters to pass it on. This time, the technique would be titled "Seeing You."

Back then, as a Qi Refinement cultivator living in a thatched hut, he had felt powerless before time and space. He believed it might take thousands of years to meet her, perhaps even thinking it was hopeless.

Now, he was a changed man. He was a True Lord in a cement bungalow! Time and space were no longer untouchable!

Looking at the stars, he whispered, "Not far now."

***

Upper world. Futu Mountain.

Shen Wushen reappeared in his cave dwelling. A sharp glint flashed through his eyes. His aura was more than twice as strong as before. He could even win against the Holy Son of the same realm. That was how effective the Core-Soul Method was.

Yet he frowned. "Even so, I am still too weak before Qi Yuan."

When his strength first surged, he confidently challenged Qi Yuan, only to be crushed once more. It felt like the gap only widened the stronger he became. The feeling was horrifying.

He stepped outside.

A young maiden approached respectfully. "Young Master, you've exited seclusion?"

Shen Wushen nodded. "Mhm."

Soon, he transformed into a light streak and left the sect. He was going to send Qi Yuan's message—or rather, a cultivation method.