Chapter 8

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translationn/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The next day.

Jiang Ming woke up, made breakfast, ate breakfast, fetched water, chopped wood, and did some cleaning. Individually, they did not amount too much, but collectively, it was a different story.

After that, he went to his vegetable farm. He tended the land he tilled yesterday and the land that was now empty after he had harvested the vegetable. Then, he planted the spiritual rice that Momo had given him.

He woke up, made breakfast, ate it, fetched water, chopped wood, and did some cleaning. They did not amount to much individually, but they gave him a good amount collectively.

Finally, he went to his vegetable farm.

He tended to the plot of land he toiled yesterday and the plot that was now empty after yesterday’s harvest.

He planted the spiritual rice Momo gave him. Since it was his first time planting it, he decided to use the gourd he planted as a model. He watered it by casting Timely Rain.

“It’s done. I wonder if it’ll grow well?”

Jiang Ming did not feel very confident at all. Fortunately, he had plenty of time on his hand so he would be able to monitor its growth.

[Ding! Congratulations on planting a spiritual crop for the first time. Reward: Two years’ worth of cultivation and a Special Ability, the Great Akasa Formless Sword Qi]

“Wow! A Special Ability!” Jiang Ming was pleasantly surprised.

Based on his knowledge, those who gained Special Abilities in Jiuyang Sect were few and far in between.

Gu Hai had only gained one Special Ability; even then, he had yet to master his Special Ability.

Those with cultivation bases below the Purple Mansion Realm did not even have the right to think about Special Abilities.

When Jiang Ming calmed down, realization dawned on him.

“It’s clear that the rewards for farming are the greatest. It seems like the system is really trying to turn me into a farmer, but…” He trailed off as he surveyed his prospering plots of land before he smiled. “Farming is the best! It’s the most honorable act! Farmers are the greatest!”

Following that, Jiang Ming returned to the recliner and lay down again. As he rested, he studied the method of cultivating the Great Akasa Formless Sword Qi. When he finally got a grasp of it, he sighed. It was much more difficult than the Basic Formation Almanac.

“As expected of a Special Ability. It’s so difficult to cultivate…” Jiang Ming felt helpless. “I’ve changed by the Grand Path Almighty Sutra Method so why is my comprehension skill so mediocre?”

A mountain of treasures sat right in front of him, but he could not even touch it.

‘F*ck! This sucks!’

He stood up and paced around the courtyard before finally sitting down again with a helpless expression on his face.

After a while, he decided to return to his room. Since his junior sister was cultivating and did not want to eat, he could have a moment of rest.

As soon as he returned to his room, he sat cross-legged on the bed and absorbed the cultivation he was rewarded with today.

Rumble!

When he activated the Grand Path Almighty Method Sutra, his Dantian and Real Core shook before they burst forth with golden light. As he absorbed the mana, the Real Core transformed into a Golden Core.

He finally succeeded in breaking through!

The Golden Core was the third stage of the Core Formation Realm.

Jiang Ming’s vast aura surged in the room. He felt that his aura now was stronger than his master’s.

“I wonder if I’m a match for a Purple Mansion cultivator?” Jiang Ming thought to himself doubtfully. In any case, he was not bothered. The most important thing was to continue raising his cultivation base.

…

When Jiang Ming finally left his room, it was already late in the evening.

The rays from the setting sun were reflected off the tree leaves. It made for rather breathtaking scenery.

“The only thing this place is lacking is entertainment.” Apart from a lack of entertainment, he felt his life here was very comfortable.

Jiang Ming made his way to the main pavilion where Chuyang Peak’s library was located. There was something he wanted to check.

The library was not big, and the collection of books was also limited.

Naturally, the largest library in Jiuyang Sect was on Taiyang Peak, which was governed by the Sect Master.

Although Jiang Ming could visit the library on Taiyang Peak, it was more convenient to visit the library on Chuyang Peak.

Since he had questions about the Golden Core Realm, he found some books regarding this subject.

His master had once told him that the Golden Core Realm was unique. After forming the Golden Core, one could try to break through to the Purple Mansion Realm. However, there was something called the extreme state in the Golden Core Realm that would allow one to refine the Golden Core.

Jiang Ming was immersed in reading when he sensed Gu Hai’s return.

When Gu Hai entered the library and saw Jiang Ming, he said, “What a rare sight! Are you really reading?”

“Why are you surprised? I used to read.”

“Heh! All you read were exotic tales and reading notes. You rarely show up in the library once you’re finished with them. Hm? Why are you reading books about the Golden Core Realm? You’re only a cultivator at the 6th Stage of the Qi Cultivation Realm. Hey, don’t you think you’re getting ahead of yourself? Someone as lazy as you won’t be able to form a Golden Core!”

“I’m your first disciple. Don’t you think your words are too hurtful?”

“If you weren’t my disciple, I wouldn’t only be hurtful with my words, I’d kill you with a single strike!” Gu Hai retorted.

“How ruthless! Anyway, Linglong might enter the Core Formation realm at any time now. I’m trying to learn more about it before that happens. I’ll be able to offer some advice if there are things she doesn’t understand. Since you’ve returned, why don’t you teach me about this?”

“You’re finally behaving like a senior brother. Anyway, why do you need me to teach you? Isn’t the books enough?”

“I’d like to know more about the Golden Core’s extreme state.”

“The Golden Core’s extreme state?” Gu Hai thought about it for a moment before walking out of the library. Then, he took a seat in the living room.

Jiang Ming hurriedly followed after him. After brewing a pot of tea, he sat next to Gu Hai.

“If you don’t have mind-blowing talents, unyielding willpower, and a powerful cultivation method, it’s impossible for you to make the Golden Core transition to its extreme state,” Gu Hai slowly said.

The Golden Core was the normal state. A Golden Core cultivator could still break through to the Purple Mansion Realm without changing the Golden Core to its extreme state.

It was rare to be able to push a Golden core to its extreme state. The only advantages one would receive were perhaps, amassing more power and possibly being strong enough to challenge cultivators at a higher realm.

The Golden Core was round. In its extreme state, Daoist motifs would appear on it as though it had been blessed by nature.

A Golden Core with one motif was known as the First Extreme Golden Core.

“The highest number of motifs in the Jiuyang Sect is a Golden Core with three Daoist motifs. With such a Golden Core, one would possess formidable combat prowess. One could challenge a Purple Mansion cultivation. Once one reaches the Purple Mansion Realm, one’s Dantian would be more developed compared to the average cultivators. Legend has it that the highest number of motifs is nine, also known as the Ninth Extreme Golden Core. Every time it appears, it’ll cause a disturbance. Such a cultivator would definitely be above his peers! Anyway, this has nothing to do with you…”

Gu Hai sipped from the teacup after he finished speaking.

Jiang Ming’s lips twitched. “Don’t you have any faith in your disciple?”

Gu Hai only chuckled.

Jiang Ming was disappointed by his master’s response. After a moment, he asked, “What about Junior Sister?”

“There’s hope for her!” Gu Hai said gruffly, “However, she’s still too young. Since she reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm at such a young age, I’m worried her temperament might affect her cultivation and hinder her growth. Brat, you’re responsible for guiding her…”

“What about you?”

“I’m like the golden cudgel.”

Jiang Ming smiled helplessly. Then, he asked, “Is there a state higher than the Ninth Extreme Golden Core?”

Gu Hai scoffed. “Nine is the limit. Hey, do you think it’s easy? There might not even be a single Ninth Extreme Golden Core in a millennium. Even those with Divine Bodies or Saint Bodies can achieve it easily. With a Ninth Extreme Golden Core, it’d be like a walk in the park to suppress an ordinary Purple Mansion cultivator!”

Jiang Ming nodded. It seemed like this was a feat that could not be achieved by ordinary individuals.

…

After dinner, Jiang Ming was still thinking if his Golden Core could reach the extreme state. He was not very confident, but he did not let bother him.

…

The next few days flew by in just a blink of an eye.

Jiang Ming expected Linghu Yin to make a move, but there was no movement from Linghi Yin at all. He was slightly disappointed by the lack of action.

Over the past few days, he had begun to clear the land and convert them into fertile land.

When Gu Hai discovered this, he almost died from anger.