Translator: CinderTL
Core Formation.
The "Core" in Core Formation not only encompasses the concept of "Primal Qi," which includes the essence of spirit, energy, and vitality, but also carries the meaning of "completeness" and "perfection."
At the moment of achieving the Core Formation Realm, Li Chunjun entered a state of true completeness.
Through absolute control over his own body, he could precisely manipulate every part of his physical form.
He could even accurately sense every trace of foreign force invading his body, every wound affecting his organs, and every cell causing pathological changes.
In simpler terms, when he caught a cold or was poisoned, he could precisely feel where the "virus" was active. Then, by controlling the flow of blood and the division of cells around it, he could swiftly block the infection and spread of the "virus" within his body, guiding his macrophages to target, surround, and eliminate it until it was completely eradicated.
Such was his external resistance, and the same applied to the internal use of his power.
When he wanted to unleash his strength, he could mobilize muscle cells, connective tissues, capillaries, nerve fibers, and all other structures, allowing their energy to transmit, release, and stack upon each other, ultimately delivering a punch far beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
Similarly, the energy from refining the Great Sun Essence and the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, which had settled in every cell of his body, could be fully released in an instant, forming a destructive strike several times, or even dozens of times, stronger than during the Qi Refining stage.
Through special techniques, killing moves, and secret arts, the destructive power could be amplified dozens or even hundreds of times compared to a Qi Refining cultivator.
A Sword Cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refining, unleashing their strongest killing move, could only tear through a few hundred meters with their sword qi! But upon reaching the Core Formation Realm, their sword qi could span thousands of meters, even severing mountain ranges! Back then, Qin Zhou, at the True Core Realm, had once used his Flame Phoenix Sun Refining technique to cleave a mountain spanning over ten miles in the Great Shang's Qingluan Mountain.
The sword light was resplendent, as if it were divine retribution! And now, Li Chunjun...
Could do the same.
Of course, he would have to wait until he had fully recovered from the injuries sustained during his forced advancement to the Core Formation Realm.
"Core Formation!"
Li Chunjun extended his hand.
Countless dark golden streams of light converged, soon transforming into liquid, and finally solidifying into a sword.
The Scarlet Sky Sword.
His Lifebound Flying Sword, the Profound Phoenix Sword Qi, and his Divine Sense were all significantly enhanced.
And the enhancement was multiplicative.
The most immediate improvement was in his Divine Sense.
When he concentrated all his mental power and unleashed it as Divine Sense...
"Ten miles, twelve miles, sixteen miles, twenty-two miles..."
Li Chunjun activated his Divine Sense.
In the blink of an eye, his Divine Sense extended twenty-two miles.
And twenty-two miles was not his limit.
It was just that he had mobilized too much mental power, losing some control over his injuries, and had to retract his Divine Sense.
He estimated...
His Divine Sense's limit should be around twenty-six to twenty-eight miles.
Just a bit further, at thirty miles, would be the standard for the Golden Core Realm.
Withdrawing his Divine Sense.
Li Chunjun quietly observed the process of his Lifebound Flying Sword taking shape within his body, supported by his essence, energy, and spirit, and the impact it had on his physical form.
"Advancing to Core Formation was a bit forced. I still need to recuperate and avoid intense outbursts, or my injuries will worsen."
Without engaging in combat, he would need six months to a year to fully recover.
This was consistent with the time many Qi Refining cultivators needed to consolidate their cultivation after advancing to the Core Formation Realm.
But...
"That's too long."
Li Chunjun muttered, "Going all out... might just kill me, but it doesn't mean I can't unleash the power of the Core Formation Realm."
He looked at the Lifebound Flying Sword in his hand, which could gather and disperse at will.
He was well aware of the astonishing power this Lifebound Flying Sword could unleash if he poured all his Essence Qi into the Scarlet Sky Sword without reservation.
If combined with his nearly perfected Sword Intent...
Except for a very few True Core cultivators specifically born for combat, he could sweep through all Core Formation cultivators! Even those like Jiang Yuxue, Zhang Weiqian, and Zhou Yuechen, who were at the Golden Core level, would be no exception.
Once his cultivation advanced further, reaching the True Core Realm, or when his Sword Intent was fully perfected...
Even True Core cultivators would find it difficult to match him.
He would truly become invincible in the Core Formation Realm!
And one step further...
He would possess the combat prowess of the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy!
With his sword dominating the world, sweeping through the Core Formation Realm! Even if the True Core cultivators of the eight sects joined forces, they would not be able to withstand his might!
Comparable to a Nascent Soul cultivator!
...
Over the next ten days, Li Chunjun thoroughly adapted to the various changes brought by his advancement into the Core Formation Realm.
Such a short time was clearly insufficient to uncover all the transformations from the Qi Refining Realm to the Core Formation Realm, especially since he was still injured and couldn't fully experience the lethality of his peak state.
Thus...
Li Chunjun stepped out of the courtyard, soared into the sky, and flew straight out of the Taixu Sword Sect.
With the formation of his Core, things he had wanted to do but couldn't before were now within his grasp.
As he flew out, Jiang Yuxue, Qin Zhou, Zhang Weiqian, and Zhou Yuechen, who lived nearby and were responsible for his safety, all sensed something.
"Is that Sword Prodigy Li?"
"Why did Sword Prodigy Li suddenly fly out on his sword?"
"Recently, while we were dealing with the Chiyang Sword Sect, the Wu Ji Sect suddenly emerged, stirring up trouble. The Zhou Tian Sect and the Piao Miao Sect, fearing the consequences, have been playing the role of peacemakers, trying to stop us from taking action against the Chiyang Sword Sect. The situation is unclear, so it's better for the Sword Prodigy not to leave casually."
Worried, they quickly mounted their swords and chased after Li Chunjun.
As they pursued him, Jiang Yuxue, Qin Zhou, and the others were astonished to find... Li Chunjun's sword-flying speed was incredibly fast!
So fast that it didn't seem like the speed of a Qi Refining cultivator!? Virtual Core.
The reason it was called "Virtual" was because, although they had broken through their limits, they hadn't fully mastered their power yet, still retaining some characteristics of the Qi Refining Realm and lacking the obvious changes of a True Core.
In this situation, coupled with the distance between them, they didn't immediately realize that he had already formed his Core.
It wasn't until Zhou Yuechen slightly accelerated and caught up to Li Chunjun that he suddenly realized something and exclaimed, "Sword Prodigy, you... you've formed your Core!?"
"Yes," Li Chunjun replied.
"Formed your Core!?"
Jiang Yuxue, Qin Zhou, and Zhang Weiqian, who had followed closely behind, were stunned by what they heard.
In the next moment, uncontrollable joy surged across their faces.
"Core Formation Realm!? Sword Prodigy, you've already refined your sword into a Core and entered the Core Formation Realm!?"
"Refining the sword into a Core is the greatest hurdle for the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy! Crossing this step means it's only a matter of time before you possess the true mystical powers of the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy! Now that the Sword Prodigy has achieved Core Formation, the sky's the limit!"
"Hahaha! Core Formation! The Sword Prodigy has truly refined his sword into a Core!? Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! Congratulations, Sword Prodigy! Congratulations!"
The three of them were exhilarated, their eyes filled with boundless joy.
Having successfully refined his sword into a core, Li Chunjun had overcome the most challenging hurdle! Now, all he needed was to perfect his killing techniques and secret arts, and he would undoubtedly grow into the next Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy! With the addition of the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy, the Taixu Sword Sect would surely recreate the glorious scene of sweeping through the eight sects thirty years ago.
How far off could the day be when the Taixu Sword Sect would dominate the entire Blue Star and control the Star Gate?
Moreover...
In just a short span of sixty years, their lineage had nurtured two prodigies of the "Zhuzi" caliber. Even in the main sect, such talents would stand out prominently, and in the future, they would undoubtedly receive a significant influx of resources from the main sect. The Golden Core cultivators among them would also benefit greatly.
When Li Chunjun achieved Nascent Soul, if they could follow him to the main sect, their chances of reaching Nascent Soul would be several times higher than if they stayed on Blue Star.
Li Chunjun flew out on his sword, not intending to cause too much commotion.
But since these four had followed him, he naturally didn't mind recruiting some extra hands.
"Having reached Core Formation, I need to find someone to spar with to quickly master my newfound power. Since you four are here, spread out and search for Core Formation cultivators."
After a pause, he added, "Virtual Core, True Core, or even Golden Core will do."
"Golden Core!"
Jiang Yuxue, Zhou Yuechen, and the others were stunned.
They couldn't help but ask again, "Golden Core!?"
"That's right."
Li Chunjun said, looking into the distance, "Head to Great Shang, entering Xuanzhou through Lake Province."
"Hiss!"
Hearing that Li Chunjun was not averse to confronting Golden Core cultivators, they all gasped in shock.
Golden Core realm! Those were figures at the late stage of Core Formation.
Once the Golden Core was fully polished, achieving a true unity of core and body, one would qualify to attempt the breakthrough to Nascent Soul.
Most sects primarily deployed True Core cultivators for missions, reserving Golden Core cultivators only for large-scale sect wars.
But now...
Their Sword Prodigy dared to speak of battling Golden Core cultivators!?
What did this mean!?
It meant that he already possessed the strength to at least contend with Golden Core cultivators.
To have such power immediately after entering Core Formation—how strong would he become once he fully mastered his abilities and optimized his condition to the peak?
Especially since...
It was said that their Sword Prodigy had yet to master the Flaming Phoenix Profound Light and the Void Sword Flash.
Once he perfected his killing techniques and secret arts...
He would be an absolute Sword Prodigy in terms of combat power! "Hahaha, I can already envision the majestic scene of Sword Prodigy Chunjun dominating the world with his sword in the near future!"
"Search! Search! Let's search right away! We'll find some Core Formation cultivators for the Sword Prodigy to spar with!"
"Recently, to prevent our Taixu Sword Sect from gaining substantial control over Great Shang, the Chiyang Sword Sect has dispatched dozens, even hundreds of Core Formation cultivators to patrol the borders near our sect in Lake Province and Xuanzhou. If we venture deep into these areas, it won't be long before we encounter Chiyang Sword Sect's Core Formation cultivators!"
They all responded eagerly, their expressions filled with unconcealed anticipation and longing.
Of course, they remained cautious.
Qin Zhou also relayed the message to the Taixu Sword Sect's officials who were attempting to forcibly control Lake Province, Xuanzhou, and other regions.
With this heads-up, if they encountered a danger that even three Golden Core and two True Core cultivators couldn't handle, they could call for aid, and the Taixu Sword Sect's Core Formation Great Cultivators would swiftly come to their rescue.
Soon, the group arrived at the border of East Province.
Zhang Weiqian, the strongest among them, stayed by Li Chunjun's side as a precaution, while the remaining three Great Cultivators split into three directions, heading straight into Lake Province.
At the same time, they also gathered intelligence from other Core Formation Great Cultivators, searching for clues about the Core Formation Great Cultivators of the Chiyang Sword Sect.
In less than half an hour, a piece of information reached Zhang Weiqian.
They had identified a team composed of three Core Formation Great Cultivators from the Chiyang Sword Sect.
"Two True Core cultivators and one Golden Core cultivator!"
Zhang Weiqian's gaze shifted to Li Chunjun.
At this time, only the strong would dare to patrol Lake Province.
"Let's go!"
Li Chunjun responded without hesitation.
Sword light pierced through the air, heading straight for the Core Formation team of the Chiyang Sword Sect.
(End of the Chapter)
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