Chapter 95: Monopolizing Spiritwood Peak! Preparing for Core Formation!

Time flies, flowing silently like a mountain spring.

A month has passed since Zhou Jin condensed his evil core and was appointed deputy island master in front of everyone.

Inside the Lingmu Peak cave, on the west side, lies a quiet chamber exclusively for Zhou Jin.

Zhou Jin sat cross-legged on the futon in the center of the quiet room, as solid as a rock. The violent, chilling waves of blood-red aura that had previously emanated from him were no longer present.

The intense, almost tangible, ferocious aura had now subsided by seventy or eighty percent, transforming into a faint, dark red halo that clung to his body, as if draping him in an invisible armor of blood and ferocity.

Although its aura still carried an inescapable chill and ferocity, it could now be controlled at will, no longer as uncontrollable as it was when it was first formed, recklessly impacting the outside world.

The feeling of unstable power and weak foundation brought about by the condensation of the evil pill has been initially solidified after a full month of continuous seclusion to stabilize it and repeatedly temper it by practicing the secret method of the "Evil Pill Technique".

Within the dantian, the strange, dark red, and chaotically patterned blood-fiend pill began to rotate at a slower, more stable speed. With each rotation, it absorbed and released pure and ferocious blood-fiend essence, and its connection with the body and meridians became closer and smoother.

The more significant change occurred in his control over the new power.

In just one month, Zhou Jin not only stabilized his cultivation level, but also began to refine and master an important treasure that Zhou Ding had entrusted to him!

This is a slender flying sword, entirely emerald green, resembling a pool of autumn water. It is three feet and three inches long, with a narrow and thin blade that is almost transparent, gleaming with a faint, cool light that soothes the mind. The spine of the sword naturally has pale golden patterns like leaf veins, with wisps of wood spirit energy swirling around it.

This sword is named "Green Radiance" and was obtained from the Core Formation cultivator of the Spirit Control Sect.

Although this sword is not among the top-tier magical flying swords in the cultivation world, it is made of excellent materials and crafted with superb techniques. What is especially rare is the sense of vitality and sharpness brought by its wood attribute. Although it is not of the same origin as the bloodthirsty energy generated by the "Blood Refining Divine Light" technique, it is not incompatible with it.

After initial refinement, Zhou Jin was able to control the sword with ease, and its swift and unpredictable sword techniques, combined with the corrosive power of the blood energy, made it quite formidable.

With this sword, Zhou Jin began to study several powerful secret techniques recorded in the incomplete "Mysterious Yin Scripture". He had already begun to grasp the basics of one of them, a technique called "Blood Spirit Drill".

This technique compresses and condenses pure blood-fiend magic power to an extreme degree, forming an indestructible dark red diamond-like point that is specifically designed to break through all kinds of protective auras and magical shields. It is insidious, ruthless, and impossible to defend against.

With this sword and this technique by his side, Zhou Jin's current combat ability is by no means the worst among early-stage Core Formation cultivators; at least he possesses the means to protect himself and threaten those of the same level.

The stone door to the quiet room slid open silently, and Zhou Ding appeared in the doorway.

His gaze was calm as he slowly swept over Zhou Jin, who was sitting quietly. He sensed the stabilizing and solidifying power fluctuations within Zhou Jin's body, and a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes. He nodded slightly.

Immediately, he flipped his right hand, and something appeared in his palm.

This object was entirely black, shaped like a small square seal, only the size of an egg. When held in Zhou Ding's palm, it gave people a strange sense of oppression, as heavy as a mountain.

The seal is neither gold nor jade; its texture is simple and unadorned, its surface is smooth, and its fine, mysterious natural patterns are faintly visible.

The seal knob is carved into a blurry yet ferocious beast, roaring towards the sky.

The most eye-catching part is the bottom of the seal, where a character "镇" (zhen, meaning town) is engraved in an ancient script with strong and vigorous strokes!

This character seems to contain some kind of rule of heaven and earth. When you look at it, you feel heavy in your mind, as if an invisible mountain is pressing down on you.

"This item is called the 'Mountain-Suppressing Seal,' and it is a genuine antique."

Zhou Ding's voice rang out in the quiet room, steady and clear: "Unlike natal magic treasures, which require long-term nurturing and refinement and are closely connected to one's mind, ancient treasures are mostly crafted by ancient cultivators. They possess immense power, but their activation method is relatively simple. One only needs to infuse them with sufficient and abundant magical power to initially unleash their power. This treasure is perfect for your current stage of cultivation, when your realm is just beginning to stabilize and you do not yet have the energy to nurture your natal magic treasure for a long time. It can be of great use whether for attacking enemies or for self-defense."

This "Mountain-Suppressing Seal" is one of the treasures obtained from the storage bag of the ancient cultivator of the Heavenly Talisman Sect in the central area of ​​the Crimson Forbidden Land!

Zhou Ding handed the small black seal to Zhou Jin.

With this seal by his side, Zhou Jin's ability to fight enemies and protect himself would be significantly enhanced.

In Zhou Jin's scarlet eyes, the two points of blood-red light flickered slightly. He stretched out his hand, which was covered by a black robe, and took the small black square seal.

As soon as he touched the seal, a heavy, icy-cold sensation came from his palm. At the same time, a vast, profound, and seemingly all-encompassing aura resonated faintly with the Blood Fiend Core within his body.

With a slight touch of divine sense, one can "see" the ancient restrictions and the vast, ocean-like power sedimentation within the seal's interior, so complex they are dazzling.

"Let's go."

Zhou Ding turned around and walked out of the quiet room. "It's time to keep my appointment with Master Mulong. The matter of the deputy island master also needs a clear explanation."

……

A moment later, two figures quietly flew out of the cave on Lingmu Peak.

Zhou Jin unleashed a high-quality shuttle-shaped flying artifact, dark red in color, with a smooth body. It flew silently, leaving only a faint bloody trail behind it, and was quite fast.

Zhou Ding stood side by side with him on the flying shuttle, their robes fluttering in the wind generated by the high speed.

The two left Lingmu Peak and flew towards the deeper, more spiritually rich core area of ​​the Qingyun Mountains.

The Qingyun Mountains, as the source of the spiritual veins of Kuixing Island, stretch for thousands of miles. The mountains rise and fall, with layer upon layer of peaks, and are shrouded in spiritual mist all year round, with rosy clouds appearing and disappearing.

Among them, three peaks are the most majestic and imposing, like three giant pillars supporting the sky, piercing through the sea of ​​clouds and overlooking the entire island. They are the symbols of power and spirituality of Kui Xing Island—Tianzhu Peak, Tianxiao Peak, and Tianmen Peak.

Zhou Jin controlled the shuttle with a clear goal in mind, heading straight for Tianzhu Peak, the most majestic and towering of the three peaks, and also the one with the most abundant spiritual energy.

That place is the cave dwelling of the island's master, Master Mulong.

The closer one gets to the core area, the more astonishing the concentration of spiritual energy in the air becomes. The mountains and caves below become increasingly rare, but each one is heavily fortified and faintly glowing, clearly indicating that important figures on the island reside there.

Occasionally, patrolling teams of cultivators would fly by in their uniformly styled flying boats. Upon seeing Zhou Jin's distinctive dark red flying shuttle and sensing the undisguised spiritual pressure emanating from the shuttle, they would immediately stop, respectfully bow, and make way.

Before long, the massive Tianzhu Peak, resembling a jade pillar reaching the sky, became clearly visible.

The upper part of the mountain peak is submerged in a thick sea of ​​clouds, while the lower part is covered with ancient trees, waterfalls, pavilions and towers, and strange rocks, creating a fairyland-like scene.

As the shuttle approached a huge platform surrounded by white, cotton-like clouds on the mountainside of Tianzhu Peak, it slowly slowed down and came to a stop.

With a flick of his finger, Zhou Jin sent a pale red transmission talisman into the swirling clouds ahead, which transformed into a streak of light.

The wait wasn't long. Suddenly, the clouds surged and parted to the sides, and a hazy blue light shot out from the clouds, landing lightly on the platform. The light faded, revealing a young cultivator wearing a blue Daoist robe, with handsome features, sword-like eyebrows, and bright eyes, whose cultivation was at the early Foundation Establishment stage.

The young cultivator's gaze fell on Zhou Jin. Sensing the chilling aura and Core Formation spiritual pressure, he dared not be negligent in the slightest and immediately bowed deeply, his attitude extremely respectful: "Junior Chen Yong, on the orders of my master, True Man Mulong, has come here to respectfully welcome Senior Zhou Jin. I am deeply sorry for not being able to greet you properly. I hope you will forgive me."

His gaze then fell on Zhou Ding, who was standing next to Zhou Jin. A hint of doubt and inquiry flashed in his eyes, but he was polite and did not ask directly.

Zhou Jin's hoarse voice rang out, concise and to the point: "This is my cousin, Zhou Ding."

Zhou Ding stepped forward at the opportune moment, a gentle and refined smile appearing on his face. He bowed to Chen Yong and said in a warm tone, "I am Zhou Ding, greetings to Fellow Daoist Chen. It is my first time visiting, I apologize for disturbing you."

Seeing Zhou Ding's composed demeanor and refined aura, Chen Yong realized that Zhou Ding's cultivation was clearly superior to his own, at least at the late Foundation Establishment stage or even the Pseudo-Core Formation stage. Upon learning that Zhou Ding was the cousin of the newly appointed Deputy Island Master, Chen Yong dared not be presumptuous. He quickly stepped aside to return the greeting, his attitude becoming even more polite: "So it's Brother Zhou Ding! My apologies for my rudeness! Brother, you're too kind. It's an honor for me to welcome you both. Please follow me, seniors."

Under Chen Yong's guidance, Zhou Jin and Zhou Ding stepped into the seemingly ethereal cloud.

The clouds felt cool to the touch. However, there was no obstruction, as if passing through a layer of water curtain.

The view suddenly opened up before them. Behind the clouds was not a steep mountain wall, but a flat area cleverly carved out by an array. Backed by the mountain and facing the sea of ​​clouds, the scenery was magnificent.

On the mountainside, ancient pines provide ample shade, and strange rocks abound. A winding path paved with white jade leads into the depths.

At the end of the path, nestled among several ancient, gnarled pines, lies the entrance to a magnificent cave dwelling.

The gate is about three zhang high and is carved from a single piece of warm and lustrous green jade. It is decorated with cloud and dragon patterns and has stone beasts of qilin standing on both sides. Above the gate is a jade plaque with the three characters "Qianlongju" written in ancient seal script. The strokes are vigorous and powerful, implying the roar of a dragon.

Chen Yong led the two to the entrance of the cave. The jade door opened silently inward, revealing a spacious and bright passage.

Entering the cave reveals a completely different world, with a space far more expansive than what can be seen from the outside, clearly due to the use of a sophisticated spatial expansion formation.

The corridor is winding, with moonstones embedded in the stone walls on both sides that emit a soft light, illuminating the surroundings as bright as day. At times, there is the murmuring of a spiritual spring and the fragrance of exotic flowers.

Before long, the three arrived at an extremely elegant and spacious reception room.

The hall is decorated in a simple and elegant style, using materials such as fine wood, jade and rare stones. There are no excessive luxury decorations, but it has its own kind of refined and otherworldly charm.

Two handsome young boys were already standing at attention in the hall. Upon the arrival of the guests, they immediately and nimbly served fragrant tea and several colorful dishes. A fragrant and delicious fruit.

Chen Yong invited the two to take seats, while he himself stood to the side.

Just a short while later, a series of peaceful footsteps came from the back of the hall.

Immediately afterwards, Master Mulong slowly entered.

He was still wearing that black Bagua Taoist robe, holding a white jade whisk, with white hair and a youthful face, and a warm smile like a spring breeze.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou has arrived as expected, a true man indeed! I was just tending to a batch of pills and failed to greet you properly. I hope Fellow Daoist Zhou and this young friend will not take offense." Master Mulong cupped his hands and smiled, his gaze first falling on Zhou Jin. He keenly sensed that Zhou Jin's aura was much more solid and stable than when he first met him a month ago. He couldn't help but nod inwardly, his opinion of Zhou Jin's breakthrough foundation rising even higher.

"You're too kind, Island Master. It was I who dared to disturb your peaceful cultivation." Zhou Jin stood up, cupped his hands in return, and spoke in a calm tone, but with impeccable manners.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, please have a seat." Master Mulong smiled and waved his hand, indicating that Zhou Jin did not need to be so polite.

The two sides took their seats again, with Master Mulong in the host's seat and Zhou Jin and Zhou Ding in the guest seats below.

Master Mulong then turned his gaze to Zhou Ding with just the right amount of curiosity, and smiled, "This fellow Daoist is quite unfamiliar, but judging from his demeanor and cultivation, he is extraordinary. You must be the young friend Zhou Ding, the outstanding member of your clan that Fellow Daoist Zhou Jin mentioned before?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ding immediately stood up, bowed respectfully to Master Mulong, his posture respectful but not obsequious, and his voice clear and melodious: "Junior Zhou Ding greets Senior Mulong. Senior is too kind. Junior is dull-witted and unworthy of the title 'outstanding.' It is truly an honor for junior to come with my brother to pay respects to Senior today."

Master Mulong's smile remained unchanged, but his divine sense had already brushed over Zhou Ding's body almost imperceptibly, like a gentle spring breeze and nourishing rain.

This discovery gave him a slight shock. A Pseudo-Core Formation Realm cultivator!

Moreover, his aura was deep and profound, and his foundation was extremely solid. It was clear that he had not relied on pills to forcibly improve, but had cultivated steadily to this point. He was probably only missing an opportunity and sufficient preparation before he reached the Core Formation Realm.

His smile grew even more sincere and enthusiastic as he stroked his beard and praised, "Young friend Zhou Ding, you are too modest! You are only one step away from forming a Golden Core at the Pseudo-Core stage. Observing your calm and focused aura, pure true essence, and profound foundation, your completion of the Golden Core is just around the corner! Fellow Daoist Zhou Jin is already a dragon among men, and you, young friend, are also a hidden dragon in the abyss. You two brothers are truly outstanding talents from the same family, worthy of our admiration! If you can also successfully form your Golden Core in the future, then our Kui Xing Island will be a shining star, its fame will surely spread far and wide, and its glory will be boundless! Haha!"

This praise was incredibly flattering, elevating both Zhou Jin and Zhou Ding to a very high level.

Zhou Ding quickly put on an expression of being flattered and somewhat apprehensive, and said repeatedly, "Senior, you flatter me! The path to Core Formation is fraught with difficulties and dangers. Whether I will be fortunate enough to traverse it is still unknown. How dare I compare myself to you, brother? I dare not even hope for any glory. Being able to listen to your teachings and find a place to settle down and cultivate in seclusion on Kui Xing Island is enough for me."

Zhou Jin also added hoarsely, "Island Lord, you flatter me. My younger brother still needs more training."

Seeing this, Master Mulong laughed and stopped the topic, but his gaze towards Zhou Ding showed a clear increase in genuine concern.

A pseudo-core cultivator with a solid foundation is far more valuable than an ordinary foundation-building cultivator, and is the most powerful reserve for a core-forming cultivator.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries and taking a sip of spiritual tea, Master Mulong's expression turned serious as he steered the conversation toward the core of today's meeting.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou Jin, since you have accepted the position of Deputy Island Master of my Kui Xing Island, according to the island's custom and etiquette, you should have an independent spiritual peak as your cultivation cave and place of business..."

Master Mulong paused briefly, a perfectly timed, apologetic smile appearing on his face: "However, the three main peaks of my Kui Xing Island—Tianzhu, Tianxiao, and Tianmen—have always been inhabited by the Island Lord and two Deputy Island Lords. Currently, Fellow Daoist Yuan resides on Tianxiao Peak, Fellow Daoist Kanqin on Tianmen Peak, and I humbly reside on Tianzhu Peak. All three peaks have masters, and they involve the core of the spiritual veins, so it is inconvenient to make any moves. I'm sorry to have troubled Fellow Daoist Zhou..."

He changed the subject, his tone becoming more earnest: "However, I have considered this carefully. The Spiritwood Peak where you previously cultivated is rich in spiritual energy, has beautiful scenery, and is quite spacious. I have already issued orders that all cultivators on Spiritwood Peak, except for your cave dwelling, must relocate. From now on, the entire Spiritwood Peak will be your private domain, and the island will be responsible for all the maintenance of the formations and the management of the spiritual veins. You can plan and build your own residence, herb garden, and spirit beast enclosure on the peak. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Zhou?"

Designating an entire mountain peak rich in spiritual energy as private territory is a grand gesture, fully demonstrating Master Mulong's efforts to win over and value Zhou Jin, the newly promoted Core Formation cultivator.

Although it cannot compare to the status and spiritual energy concentration of the three main peaks, the autonomy and resources of having a peak to oneself are extremely attractive to any Core Formation cultivator.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jin stood up again, cupped his hands in greeting to Master Mulong, and although his tone remained calm, his solemnity was evident: "Island Lord, your considerations are thorough and your arrangements are impeccable. I am deeply grateful for such kindness. Spirit Wood Peak is excellent, and I have no objections. Thank you, Island Lord."

"Haha, I'm glad you're satisfied, fellow Daoist!"

Master Mulong clapped his hands and laughed heartily: "Furthermore, according to the custom of my Kui Xing Island, newly promoted Core Formation cultivators should hold a Core Formation Ceremony, inviting fellow cultivators from nearby islands and friends to celebrate. This serves two purposes: firstly, to announce your achievement, and secondly, to provide an excellent opportunity to make friends from all directions and expand your network. I wonder what arrangements Fellow Daoist Zhou Jin has for this ceremony? How should the islands cooperate? Please feel free to speak frankly."

This is almost a given, and it is also an important step for a newly promoted Core Formation cultivator to establish his status and integrate into the local circle of high-level cultivators.

However, Zhou Jin shook his head slowly without any hesitation. His scarlet eyes, hidden in the shadow of his hood, flickered slightly, and his hoarse voice carried an unwavering determination: "Thank you for your kindness, Island Lord. However, I am by nature aloof and dislike noise, and I am even more disgusted by those tedious formalities of welcoming and sending off guests. Let's skip this Core Formation Ceremony. I only need a quiet place to cultivate; empty fame and ceremonies are of no importance to me."

Master Mulong's smile faltered slightly as he gave Zhou Jin a deep look.

Seeing the other party's resolute attitude and calm, unwavering gaze, it was clear that this was not an act, but a genuine sentiment.

His mind raced, and he gained a deeper understanding of this new colleague who practiced demonic arts and had a reclusive personality.

Not holding a grand ceremony may mean missing out on some prestige and networking opportunities, but it also means less controversy and attention, which might be exactly what the other party wants.

"If that's the case..."

Master Mulong quickly regained his smile and readily agreed, saying, "I will follow your suggestion, fellow Daoist. Pure cultivation is the right path of the Great Dao, so let's skip those formalities."

After finishing their business, the two chatted for a while, mostly about the local customs and specialties of Kui Xing Island and the surrounding waters, some forces that needed to be watched, as well as some basic rules and recent developments of the Star Palace.

Master Mulong was quite considerate in his words, taking the initiative to explain many things that the deputy island master would normally have to figure out on his own. Zhou Jin mostly just listened and occasionally gave brief responses, while Zhou Ding maintained a respectful listening posture.

About half an hour later, Zhou Jin took the initiative to get up and say goodbye.

Master Mulong tried to persuade them to stay a few more times, but seeing that they were determined to leave, he did not press them further. He personally escorted the two to the entrance of the cave, always being polite and courteous, giving them plenty of face.

"If Fellow Daoist Zhou has any needs in the future, or any difficulties in his cultivation, he may come to Tianzhu Peak to find me at any time. I will have the token and details of the partial access granted to the deputy island master to the island's warehouse sent to Lingmu Peak later."

"Thank you for your trouble, Island Master."

After a final bow, Zhou Jin and Zhou Ding boarded the dark red shuttle once more, transforming into a streak of light as they returned towards Lingmu Peak.

……

They returned to the Spiritwood Peak cave, which was now completely shrouded by the array.

Zhou Ding stood in the hall, his powerful divine sense spreading out silently like mercury, instantly covering the entire Lingmu Peak area.

Sure enough, the seven or eight other cultivators' caves that were originally scattered on the peak were now deserted, all the restrictions had been lifted, leaving only empty stone chambers.

Some traces, clearly left from the recent hasty evacuation, have not yet been cleaned up.

Apart from their core cave dwelling, there were no other cultivators on the entire Spiritwood Peak.

The once magnificent and spiritually vibrant mountain is now his private domain.

Zhou Ding withdrew his divine sense, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

The plan is progressing smoothly. With Zhou Jin's status as "Deputy Island Master," they not only gained a protective umbrella but also a stable, safe, and completely autonomous cultivation base.

This is far more efficient than them managing it carefully on their own.

"The location of Lingfeng is secured, and the external environment is temporarily safe."

Zhou Ding muttered to himself, then turned to look at Xin Ruyin and Xiao Mei, a gentle smile on his face: "Now, it's time."

He has transformed into Zhou Jin and formed his core, possessing high-end combat power to establish himself in the outer region of the Chaotic Star Sea.

Therefore, there will be no more obstacles to Zhou Ding's Core Formation, and there will be no need for any further delays.

With Zhou Jin, a visible Core Formation cultivator, stationed at Spiritwood Peak, it is enough to deter all villains and ensure that Zhou Ding's Core Formation process is not interfered with by any external forces.

…………

"Son-in-law, these are the things you asked me to buy on Tiandu Street."

Two weeks later, Xiaomei returned to her cave, looking travel-worn, with a relaxed and excited expression on her face.

She carefully took out two long jade boxes, each about a foot long and three inches wide, from her storage bag, and presented them to Zhou Ding with both hands.

The jade box was pure white and cool to the touch. Several spirit-sealing talismans, shimmering with spiritual light, were affixed to its surface, firmly locking in the aura of the items inside.

"Following the list and description given by my son-in-law, I visited several shops in the Six Linked Palaces and finally bought them at 'Jade Ring Residence' and 'Star Dust Palace' respectively. Manager Ouyang of Jade Ring Residence and Manager Ma of Star Dust Palace both confirmed that the quality is excellent," Xiaomei said crisply, carefully removing the sealing talisman from the jade box.

Zhou Ding took the jade box and immediately felt a pure, cold, and spiritual energy emanating from it. He opened the jade box on the left first.

The moment the box lid was opened, an extremely pure and chilling aura, seemingly capable of freezing the soul, suddenly burst out!

The temperature in the quiet room suddenly dropped, and tiny white ice crystals even condensed in the air.

Inside the jade box, there was nothing else but a fist-sized, clear, transparent liquid, resembling the purest, millennia-old ice melted, lying quietly at the bottom of the box.

The liquid rippled slightly, but strangely it did not condense. Instead, it emitted a faint blue-white glow. It was the rare spiritual substance that aided in the formation of the Golden Core, harmonized the Yin and Yang of the Golden Core, and tempered magical power—Snow Spirit Water!

Zhou Ding carefully sensed the pure, icy spiritual energy within, nodded in satisfaction, closed the box lid, and reattached the sealing talisman.

Then, he opened the jade box on the right.

"call--"

A scorching and violent aura, completely opposite to that on the left, rushed towards me!

The temperature in the quiet room, which had just dropped, rose again instantly, even making people feel a little hot.

Inside the box was a fist-sized, bright red, viscous liquid that flowed slowly like molten lava.

A tiny bubble occasionally rose to the surface of the liquid, then burst, releasing a wisp of pure fire elemental energy that shone red onto Zhou Ding's face.

It is another Core Formation Elixir that has the opposite effect of Snow Spirit Water, and whose attributes are mutually exclusive yet complementary—Heavenly Fire Liquid!

One is yin and the other is yang, one is cold and the other is hot. These two spiritual objects with extremely opposing attributes are both spiritual objects that balance the mana in the body, neutralize the violent spiritual energy when breaking through realms, and increase the success rate of core formation during the process of condensing the golden core and refining the core essence!

Zhou Ding placed the two jade boxes side by side on the jade table in front of him, his gaze deep.

With both Snow Spirit Water and Heavenly Fire Liquid readily available, and his own condition already at its peak—his divine sense, physical body, and true essence all perfectly perfected—and with Zhou Jin as his protector, Spirit Wood Peak had become his private territory…

Everything is ready.

The time for achieving the Core Formation is just around the corner.