Free Web NovelChapter 539: Chapter 38: Journey to Core Formation (2)
So that’s it.
He actually wants to use me to lure out Wu Weixiong.
Li Ji’an immediately showed a troubled expression: "Forgive me, Senior. I only had a fleeting encounter with Wu Weixiong and am not of the same path. Naturally, I am willing to alleviate Senior’s concerns, only that... I have no means to contact him, and my connection with Wu Weixiong is merely due to some slight karmic ties from my master’s past life. I dare not guarantee it will work."
"Oh? That’s truly unfortunate." Master Chunyuan shook his head with slight disappointment and then flipped his palm, causing a ring on his finger to emit a soft glow.
In the next moment, a pale blue bottle exuding extremely cold energy appeared in his hand.
"What is this?" Even through the bottle, Li Ji’an could sense the surging spiritual mechanism emanating from within.
"This is what I mentioned as the Core Formation Spirit Treasure—Wushan Snow Milk."
"Wushan Snow Milk!" Li Ji’an outwardly showed a look of surprise, but inwardly he was also very intrigued.
Although Wushan Snow Milk is ranked ninety-second on the Core Formation Spirit Treasure list in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain, that’s only because its role in helping during the Critical Stage of Solidifying Pill is somewhat lesser.
But in terms of removing impurities and purification, it is not weak. Although it can’t match top-tier purification Spirit Treasures like Qiuli Water or Celestial Pure Water, it is still very beneficial, comparable to the purification effect of the Earth Source Essence gifted by Xiao Changfeng in a past life.
Earth Source Essence ranks within the top thirty in the Celestial Cyan Domain, but only around fifty in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain.
Currently, Li Ji’an lacks no Core Formation Spirit Treasures that aid Solidifying Pill, and based on past life Core Formation experience, with current life’s magical power, it is sufficient for the Magic Pill to solidify.
The foundational Critical Stage of Solidifying Pill at least has hope for the Golden Core.
The only uncertainty lies in the final stage of purification; now, besides the purification effect of Earth Source Essence, his greatest reliance is his Divine Sense.
In previous life Core Formation experiences, the stronger the Divine Sense, the more meticulous and lasting it could be in removing impurities during the purification stage, allowing more opportunities to excel.
However, in past experiences, once impurities were removed to a certain extent, the Divine Sense struggled with those extremely subtle impurities and impurities.
"Senior, I wish to try!" Ultimately, Li Ji’an stared intently at the Wushan Snow Milk, speaking with great solemnity.
Master Chunyuan nodded appreciatively: "A promising youth."
"This is my Communication Talisman. If certainty is achieved afterward, you may contact me."
Subsequently, he retrieved a Communication Jade Talisman from his storage ring and handed it to Li Ji’an.
Li Ji’an accepted the Jade Talisman, his peripheral vision lingering on the storage ring for a moment.
Compared to a storage pouch, a storage ring is more compact, easier to carry, and offers greater space.
However, back in the Celestial Cyan Domain, there were no more than three, all held within the Ten Thousand Laws Palace.
Even in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain, it is mostly used only by late-stage Core Formation Ascendants because the spatial materials used for it are rarer compared to the storage pouch.
"Since you have decided, my young friend, let’s follow local customs and sign a Spirit Contract."
Li Ji’an withdrew his gaze: "Naturally!"
Actually, even without the Wushan Snow Milk, Li Ji’an would temporarily agree to his request. After all, his most important task is the Core Formation half a year later.
If he refused the temptation, Li Ji’an feared that force might be used against him.
Even with his status as an Honored Guest Elder of the first rank at Si Shui Commerce Association, while his life wasn’t endangered within the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain, there was a possibility of impacting his queue at the Feihong Dao Field.
Even if just to stall, Li Ji’an has already planned to delay until after his Core Formation.
As for the Spirit Contract, he is currently using the activated Faceless Mask, utilizing Huang Jie’s Essence Blood and Divine Soul, so it does not bind him.
Soon, Li Ji’an signed the Spirit Contract with an ostensibly eager attitude, first not revealing this matter to anyone, and secondly committing to devote his full effort.
To reassure him, Master Chunyuan also signed a Spirit Contract, stating that as long as he helps lure out Wu Weixiong, the Wushan Snow Milk would be gifted to him.
He also promised, should he ever return to the Celestial Cyan Domain, he would not be treated unfairly.
During the three months following Master Chunyuan’s departure, Li Ji’an would contact the old thief every few days, sharing his ideas on meeting Wu Weixiong.
Of course, these were deliberately found loopholes, or methods that posed risks to the old thief.
Such as arranging a meeting outside the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain, or reasons likely to raise Wu Weixiong’s suspicion.
In the end, they were naturally denied by the old thief.
Until over two months later, Li Ji’an finally proposed a seemingly feasible method, and under the old thief’s indication, he sent a Communication Talisman and a confidential letter to Wu Weixiong through a business firm.
In the blink of an eye, the secret message had not yet been delivered, and Li Ji’an’s scheduled day to head to Feihong Dao Field was approaching.
Li Ji’an was also about to set off for Feihong Immortal City.
It was at this moment that Li Ji’an finally requested the old villain for the Wushan Snow Milk in advance.
After all, once Core Formation was completed, the lure of the Wushan Snow Milk from the old villain would diminish.
The old villain adopted a delaying strategy, stringing Li Ji’an along without clearly saying yes or no.
On this day, Li Ji’an tidied up and went once more to the underground palace.
Since discovering True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws’ Nascent Soul residing within Gugu’s swallowed Dark Light Umbrella, Li Ji’an had rarely gone down except to toss in "trophies" tainted with Soul Poison.
This time, however, he had no choice but to go down, and he needed to bring Gugu along.
With numerous Core Formation Spirit Treasures as aid, he was full of confidence in this Core Formation attempt.
Meanwhile, the phenomena accompanying Core Formation would certainly not be minor.
Although conditions within the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain differed, he still needed to be cautious. In case of an unforeseen crisis, he could only abandon the identity of "Huang Jie" and abandon the free tier three Dao Field within Si Shui Commerce Association, escaping with the Great Shifting Talisman.
If he did so, it would mean carrying the unstable factor of True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws’ Nascent Soul with him, and if it self-destructed, it might not even afford Li Ji’an the chance to activate the Great Shifting Talisman.
Thus, Li Ji’an had no choice but to enter the swallowed universe of Gugu once again to appease True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws’ Nascent Soul.
"True Monarch, how have you been recovering?" Li Ji’an inquired with concern as he approached the Dark Light Umbrella within the swallowed universe.
True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws’ Nascent Soul responded with feigned weakness of a just-awoken residual soul: "You are here, young friend."
"True Monarch, I am heading to the Business Alliance to attempt Core Formation, a place most prosperous, perhaps to encounter forebears who fled there from Ten Thousand Laws Palace. When that time comes, your wish might be fulfilled." Li Ji’an earnestly stated.
"Thank you, young friend. If so, please carry this Magical Treasure with you. Although my residual soul is weak, it can sense the kinship within the same sect, allowing more precise identification of fellow members.
Those who escaped to this place might hold significant status, potentially able to secure Core Formation Spirit Treasures for you." True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws rejoiced inwardly upon hearing this.
Now residing within Gugu’s swallowed universe, his Primordial Spirit could hardly penetrate and was almost blind to the outside world.
The major issue was that the swallowed universe contained numerous items tainted with Divine Soul Poison, which incessantly corroded his Nascent Soul, not potent but cumulative, reducing his Nascent Soul’s recovery efficiency by thirty percent.
He couldn’t ask Li Ji’an to throw the tainted items out, as his current persona was merely a residual soul.
A residual soul could not sense in such detail.
He couldn’t be sure whether the tainted items were intentionally placed by Li Ji’an.
They seemed to be various spirit talents gained through murder and treasure hunting.
Aligning with his earlier sensing of Li Ji’an’s character.
During Li Ji’an’s reverse kill of the Fake Pill Sword Cultivator, wielding the Dark Light Umbrella, he observed the entire process, initially worried about damage to the Umbrella and secretly prepared to intervene.
Eventually witnessing Li Ji’an’s ruthless methods.
Afterward, Li Ji’an took Gugu to Fierce Tiger Commerce Association for Green Blood Pill, violently along the way, collecting all spoils.
"Forgive me, True Monarch, as many forces are pursuing me for the Dark Light Umbrella. If exposed, it might lead to deadly consequences; thus, it cannot be carried." Li Ji’an decisively refused.
Otherwise, this journey to Feihong Immortal City would inevitably involve meeting Master Chunyuan.
When grandfather and grandson reunite, catastrophe is certain.
True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws pondered for a moment, unable to refute, and could only accept this fact.
After appeasing True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws, Li Ji’an departed from Gugu’s swallowed universe.
Lightly patting Gugu’s head: "I too shall attempt Core Formation, and in the future, we will join forces."
Gugu was full of anticipation, affectionately rubbing against Li Ji’an’s leg.
After storing Gugu away, Li Ji’an contacted Master Yuxiao via Communication Jade Talisman, informing him of his journey to Feihong Immortal City for Core Formation.
Coincidentally, Master Yuxiao also needed to visit the trade headquarters to discuss something with Nine Tripods Commerce Association and invited Li Ji’an to accompany him.
Originally, if he traveled alone without bursting speed, it would take roughly two months to reach, but this small Spiritual Ship would get there in one and a half months.
